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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 11911 May 12, 2021 Ramadan 30, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Eid al-Fitr on Thursday Amir exchanges Eid The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf and greetings with leaders Islamic Aff airs has announced that Wednesday, May 12, will be the final day of Ramadan, and that of Islamic countries Thursday, May 13 is the first day of Eid al-Fitr. This came in a statement from the committee after it met at the headquarters of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs yesterday under the chairmanship of Sheikh Dr Thuqail al-Shammari. Egypt discovers 250 tombs, 4,200 years old Egyptian archaeologists have discovered around 250 tombs in the country’s southern province of Sohag, dating back about 4,200 years, the antiquities ministry said yesterday. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of The graves “include some with a Defence Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, with their respective delegations, holding talks in Jeddah. well or several burial wells and other cemeteries with a sloping corridor that ends with a burial room,” the ministry said. They range in age “from the end of the Old Kingdom to Amir, Saudi crown prince the end of the Ptolemaic period,” it added. The Old Kingdom, spanning around 500 years, ended in 2200 BC, while Egypt’s Ptolemaic dynasty lasted for 300 years an ended with discuss ways to bolster ties the death of Cleopatra in 30 BC. Pipeline outage causes US gasoline panic buying QNA session dealt with discussing brotherly bi- His Highness the Amir left Jeddah at Jeddah lateral relations and the means to enhance dawn yesterday after the offi cial visit and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Gas stations from Florida to Virginia them in diff erent fi elds, in addition to dis- returned to Doha. The Amir and the ac- exchanged greetings, in telephone conversations yesterday, began running dry and prices at the cussing the most prominent regional and companying delegation were seen off at with a number of leaders of Arab and Islamic countries, on pump rose yesterday, as the shutdown is Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim international issues, particularly develop- King Abdulaziz International Airport by the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr. His Highness the Amir of the biggest US fuel pipeline by bin Hamad al-Thani and Saudi Ara- ments in the region. the Saudi crown prince. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani exchanged greetings with hackers extended into a fifth day and Hbia’s Crown Prince, Deputy Prime The session was attended by members The Amir sent a message to the Saudi the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah sparked panic buying by motorists. Minister and Minister of Defence Mohamed of the offi cial delegation accompanying the King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr, in a phone call the The administration of US President bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud have held Amir. Present on the Saudi side were Minister the crown prince, expressing his apprecia- Amir received yesterday afternoon. His Highness the Amir Joe Biden projected that the Colonial talks at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah. of State and Member of the Cabinet Prince tion for the hospitality accorded to him and exchanged greetings with the Custodian of the Two Holy Pipeline, source of nearly half the fuel At the beginning of the session, the Turki bin Mohamed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz the accompanying delegation during the Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of the Kingdom supply on the US East Coast, would crown prince welcomed the Amir and the al-Saud, Deputy Minister of Defence Prince visit, which provided a good opportunity of Saudi Arabia, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and restart in a few days and urged drivers accompanying delegation to Saudi Arabia, Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, to discuss the issues of concern to the two Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His Highness the not to top up their tanks. Colonial was conveying the greetings of the Custodian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin countries, in addition to ways to support Amir exchanged greetings with King Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein shut on Friday after hackers launched of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdullah al-Saud, Minister of State, Mem- and strengthen fraternal relations between of Jordan, Iraqi President Dr Barham Salih, Tunisian President a ransomware attack. Page 9 Abdulaziz al-Saud. For his part, the Amir ber of the Cabinet, and National Security the two countries in various fi elds for the Kais Saied and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. expressed his greetings to the Saudi king. Advisor Dr Musaed bin Mohamed al-Aiban, benefi t and interest of the two peoples, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Nine dead in Russia The Amir and the Saudi crown prince and Governor of the Public Investment Fund asking God to protect the Custodian of the exchanged greetings on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr exchanged greetings on the advent of Eid Yasser bin Othman al-Rumayyan. The Amir Two Holy Mosques and the crown prince, with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber school shooting al-Fitr, praying to Allah the Almighty to attended a Suhoor banquet held by the crown to enjoy good health and wellness, and al-Sabah and the Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Aff airs At least nine people, most of them accept all good deeds and bless the occa- prince in honour of His Highness the Amir bring to the brotherly Saudi people more of the Sultanate of Oman Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said, in two children, were killed yesterday when sion for the Arab and Islamic Ummah. The and the accompanying delegation. progress and prosperity. phone calls held by the Amir yesterday evening. a lone teenage gunman opened fire at a school in the central Russian city of Kazan, off icials said. President Vladimir Putin ordered a review of gun control laws after the shooting, Nearly 1/3rd of Qatar’s adult which occurred on the first day Qatar calls for united Arab back to school following annual May holidays. The spree started around 9.30am local time, at the School population fully vaccinated No 175 in Kazan, the capital of the stance to back Palestinians predominantly Muslim Russian republic of Tatarstan. Page 11  Almost 9 out of 10 people over 60 years have received at least one dose, and nearly 8 out of 10 have got both doses RAMADAN THOUGHT QNA the extraordinary session of the he Ministry of Public Health The National Covid-19 Vaccination Doha League of Arab States at the level Those who believed (in the (MoPH) has announced that Programme is progressing at a rapid of foreign ministers, which was Oneness of Allah — Islamic T32.7% of Qatar’s adult popu- pace. The availability of more vaccines held virtually under the presiden- Monotheism), and whose hearts lation are already fully vaccinated as well as the opening of additional atar has stressed the im- cy of Qatar, the current chair of the find rest in the remembrance of against Covid-19 with both the doses. vaccination centres has enabled Qatar portance of having a unifi ed council. Allah, verily, in the remembrance The MoPH also said the National to signifi cantly increase the pace of the Qdecision from all members HE the Deputy Prime Minister of Allah do hearts find rest. — Covid-19 Vaccination Programme vaccination programme since Febru- of the Arab League to move actively and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qur’an 13:28 reached a signifi cant milestone yester- ary, and last week more than 200,000 on the international arena to sup- said that the occupied city of Al day with 50.1% of adults in the country doses were administered over a seven- port the Palestinian people and end Quds and Al Aqsa Mosque are see- Prayer times having now received at least one vac- day period. Israeli aggression, a lot of which ing a ferocious escalation by the cine dose, according to a Qatar News Almost nine out of 10 people over can be categorised as war crimes, Israeli occupation, represented in Fajr....3.26; Zuhr....11.30; Asr....2.57; Agency report. 60 years of age, the most vulnerable and prevent it from happening raising the level of Judaisation and Maghrib.....6.13; Isha.....7.43 To date, 1,876,178 doses have been members of the community, have now again. illegal settlement that can only administered since the start of the pro- received at least one dose, with nearly This came during the speech be described as ethnic cleansing Fasting times gramme, with 1,137,843 people hav- eight out of 10 having received two of Qatar given by HE the Deputy of Palestinians and all that is not ing received at least one vaccine dose, doses. Qatar is among the top 10 coun- Prime Minister and Minister of HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Jewish by Jewish settlers who ad- Iftar today ...... 6.13 pm while 738,335 people are fully vacci- tries in the world in terms of vaccine Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed al-Thani chairing the extraordinary session mitted on camera to stealing Pal- nated with two doses. coverage per population. To Page 3 bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in of the Arab League yesterday. estinian homes. To Page 4 Dozens dead as Israel, Hamas escalate aerial bombardments

Reuters The fi ghting between Israel and Netanyahu said he would step up the Gaza, Jerusalem Gaza’s armed factions was triggered strength and frequency of strikes on by clashes between Palestinians and Gaza, an enclave of 2mn people, in Israeli police at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa response to the rocket attacks. ostilities between Israel and Mosque on Monday. Israel said it had sent 80 jets to the Palestinian Islamist group Even before a barrage sent in re- bomb Gaza, and dispatched infantry Hthat runs Gaza escalated yes- taliation for the destruction of the and armour to reinforce the tanks terday as each side attacked the other tower block, which contained a civil- already gathered on the border, with aerial bombardments that re- ian Hamas offi ce, Israel reported that evoking memories of the last Israeli called their last major confl ict in 2014. 480 rockets had been fi red across ground incursion into Gaza to stop A 13-story residential block in Gaza the border by Palestinian militant rocket attacks, in 2014. collapsed after one of several dozen groups, sending entire Israeli com- Video footage on Tuesday showed Israeli air strikes, albeit after an Israeli munities running to air raid shelters. three plumes of thick, black smoke warning, as Israelis reported explo- The White House condemned the rising from the Gaza block as it top- sions and sirens more than 70km up attacks, and said the primary US fo- pled over. the coast from Gaza. cus was on de-escalation. Electricity in the surrounding area Thirty-one people were reported The International Committee of went out. dead: 28 in Gaza and 3 in Israel. the Red Cross urged all sides to step In Tel Aviv pedestrians ran for Late into the night, Gazans report- back, and reminded them of the re- shelter, and diners streamed out of ed their homes shaking and the sky quirement in international law to try restaurants while others fl attened lighting up with near-constant Israeli Smoke rises from a building after it was destroyed by Palestinians look on as they stand at the site where a building was to avoid civilian casualties. themselves on pavements as the si- strikes. Israeli air strikes in Gaza yesterday. destroyed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza City yesterday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin rens sounded. Page 7 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, May 12, 2021 QATAR

Qatar sends medical aid to Sudan

A medical aid shipment from Qatar arrived yesterday in Khartoum, to support the medical sector in Sudan. The shipment weighs two tonnes, and includes a number of medical supplies and substances related to the Qatar takes part in coronavirus (Covid-19) tests. The shipment was financed by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). Qatar in panel discussion Indian Ocean Blue of Human Rights Council

QNA Qatar was represented in the panel Economy summit Doha discussion as a keynote speaker by HE Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign atar participated in a panel QNA of marine resources and forming discussion held by the Aff airs for Counterterrorism and Doha a multi-disciplinary scientifi c QHuman Rights Council in Mediation in Conflict Resolution advisory committee to provide Geneva yesterday via video con- support for long-term planning ference technology, on the oc- Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani atar, represented by the for marine resources manage- casion of the 15th anniversary of Ministry of Municipal- ment in support of the United the responsibility to protect civil- Qity and Environment, Nations Oceans Programme ian populations from genocide, participated in the Indian Ocean (2021-2030). war crimes, ethnic cleansing and Blue Economy Summit that was He also addressed the plans crimes against humanity, which held via visual communication of the Ministry of Municipal- was adopted by the General As- technology at the invitation of ity and Environment in Qatar to sembly within the framework of the Intergovernmental Oceano- establish marine protected areas the outcomes of the International graphic Committee of the United covering 30% of Qatar’s water Summit 2005. Nations Educational, Scien- in the next 10 years to ensure Qatar was represented in the tifi c and Cultural Organisation the protection of ecosystems panel discussion as a keynote (Unesco). and sensitive species for current speaker by HE Special Envoy of Representatives from 26 and future generations, includ- the Minister of Foreign Aff airs for member states and partners of The Blue Economy Summit also focused on the various legal and ing whale sharks and dugongs, Counterterrorism and Mediation the Indian Ocean Rim Asso- legislative frameworks for preserving the marine environment. as they are important and main in Confl ict Resolution Dr Mutlaq ciation also participated in the species to promote marine envi- bin Majed al-Qahtani. summit to discuss a range of for marine biological explora- During the meeting, an expert ronment preservation and ecot- In his speech, HE al-Qahtani important topics, including the tion and investment in research in fi sh farming at the Fisheries ourism. addressed the experience of Qa- assessment of renewable energy and development, infrastruc- Department at the Ministry of The participation of Qatar tar and its eff orts to protect civil- resources in the Indian Ocean ture capabilities, use of marine Municipality and Environment in the Blue Economy Summit ians, stressing that the state has region, cost analysis and capac- renewable energy resources and Mohamed Mahmoud al-Abdul- comes in support of the policy integrated the responsibility to ity building. others, in addition to providing lah presented a detailed report and the global approach adopted protect civilians from atrocities, The Blue Economy Summit facilities and the level of invest- on the ministry’s most impor- by the summit, in order to sup- in particular war crimes, crimes also focused on the various le- ment in sustainable coastal and tant work and achievements in port eff orts to protect the sus- against humanity, genocide and gal and legislative frameworks marine tourism and related in- this fi eld, in addition to its future tainable management of water ethnic cleansing, in its domestic for preserving the marine en- frastructure to reduce marine plans to contribute to the blue resources and preserve healthy and foreign policy. vironment and the sustainable pollution. economy in Qatar. aquatic ecosystems, especially in This integration was done by development of the associated It aims at sustainable manage- The report reviewed the ef- the oceans. addressing the root causes of acts societies, identifying the main ment and protection of marine forts made by Qatar in conduct- It is worth noting that Qatar is of violence and extremism and HE Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani. components needed to advance and coastal ecosystems, mitigat- ing scientifi c research on the the only peninsula in the Arabian preventing confl icts, and through sustainable development to pro- ing the eff ects of ocean acidifi ca- marine environment and sensi- Gulf that has rich and varied bio- development and education pro- member states of the United Na- participation in strengthening the tect the oceans and seas, and for- tion and regulating fi sh harvest- tive species over many years. It logical, mineral and hydrocarbon grammes, creating economic op- tions have an explicit obligation to commitment to the responsibility mulating the necessary fi nanc- ing with the aim of controlling also included many scientifi c marine resources that have at- portunities, good offi ces, media- protect their people from heinous to protect civilians from atroci- ing and policy frameworks that overexploitation and returning data on local marine resources. tracted migratory species such tion and preventive diplomacy to crimes or mass brutalities, ex- ties, in particular war crimes, the international community fi sh stocks to environmentally Al-Abdullah explained that as dugongs and whale sharks prevent and settle confl icts, he pressing his belief that more work crimes against humanity, geno- and local governments need for safe levels and ensuring full im- the Ministry of Municipality in large numbers annually. The said, stressing that the responsi- needs to be done in the fi eld of cide and ethnic cleansing, thus these countries to achieve this. plementation of existing region- and Environment is preparing fi sheries and petroleum indus- bility to protect is a legal obliga- preventing mass atrocities. improving the eff orts made by in- The summit aimed to develop al and international regulations a national action plan for the tries are among the main con- tion for all countries. HE the Spe- He added that member states ternational community to prevent access and benefi t-sharing rules on oceans and seas. management and preservation tributors to the local economy. cial Envoy also pointed out that all should continue to increase their and stop these atrocities. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 12, 2021 3 QATAR New Covid-19 cases drop further to 343

doses have been administered 388 face prosecution MoPH also since the start of the programme. for Covid-19 violations 31,520 vaccine doses have been reports 994 administered in the past 24 hours. recoveries and 50.1% of the eligible popula- The designated authorities tion has now received at least one referred 388 people to the 203,546 total dose of the vaccine. prosecution for violating the 87.9% of over 60s (the most preventive and precaution- recoveries vulnerable population group) ary measures enforced by the have been vaccinated with at country to contain the spread of QNA least one dose, while 81.1% have Covid-19, the Ministry of Interior Robert Hall Doha received both doses. Every day, said yesterday. Among them, hundreds of people are becom- 356 people were referred to the ing sick due to the Covid-19 with prosecution for not wearing he Ministry of Public many requiring admission to masks in places where they are Health (MoPH) reported hospital to manage their symp- mandatory and 31 for not main- Vaccination of crucial Tyesterday 343 new con- toms. taining safe physical distancing. fi rmed cases of coronavirus Since February 1, the number One person was referred to the (Covid-19) – 242 of these were of people with Covid-19 admit- prosecution for not installing service workers lauded from community cases and 101 ted to hospital has doubled. Qa- the Ehteraz app. The measure is from travellers returning from tar’s strict quarantine policy for in line with the Cabinet decision, abroad. returning travellers enabled us Decree Law No 17 of 1990 on The MoPH recorded 994 re- to delay the introduction of new infectious diseases, and the By Joey Aguilar coveries from the virus during variants into this country for sev- precautionary measures in Staff Reporter the past 24 hours, bringing the eral months but we are now see- force in the country to contain total number of cases recovered ing positive Covid-19 cases in the the spread of Covid-19. The in Qatar to 203,546. region and in Qatar with the new designated authorities called atar’s Covid-19 vaccination programme and its Vaccination The ministry announced four variants from the United King- on the public to adhere to the Scheduling Unit (VSU), set up by the Ministry of Public Health new deaths aged 33, 49, 70, and dom. precautionary measures in Q(MoPH) aimed at supporting the inoculation of key service 73 years, three of them had a his- This new variant is much more place to ensure their safety and workers in the country, underlines the country’s wise leadership in tory of chronic disease and were contagious and spread more eas- the safety of others. ensuring the health and safety of all, according to Doha Festival City receiving the necessary medical ily between people than the ex- (DHFC) general manager Robert Hall. care. isting strain and may be associ- “We greatly appreciate all eff orts of the government and minis- ated with increased severity of vaccines being used in our vac- tries to issue a controlled and eff ective vaccination programme and Vaccination data disease. The good news is that the cination programme are eff ective welcome the principle of off ering free medicine to all residents in the 1,876,178 Covid-19 vaccine Pfi zer/BioNTech and Moderna against the new variants. good welfare of the country as a whole. “Specifi cally for key workers in the service industry in direct con- tact with customers, this represents a very wise decision in the welfare of both staff and consumer and such is very well received in the indus- try.” Hall told Gulf Times. The VSU supports the vaccination of workers in all businesses, but Nearly 1/3rd of Qatar’s adult population fully vaccinated priority will be given to key businesses that are in direct contact with the rest of the community, such as barbershops, hairdressers and sa- lons, restaurants, retail shops, supermarkets, hotels and other hospi- From Page 1 in Qatar and published recently QNCC vaccination centre timings for Eid of business workers in support of tality services, Gulf Times has reported earlier. in ‘The New England Journal of the National Covid-19 Vaccination According to MoPH, thousands of workers across the country have The MoPH said it is very encour- Medicine’ showed that for fully The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has announced the Eid Programme. The Unit supports the been vaccinated via the VSU since its launch. It noted that only busi- aging that there is clear evidence vaccinated people, 14 days after al-Fitr work hours at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) vac- vaccination of workers in all busi- nesses can contact the unit directly at [email protected] to schedule that the vaccines are protecting receiving the second dose vaccina- cination centre, which are as follows: from 3pm-11pm on the first day of nesses, but prioritisation would be vaccination appointments for their staff . Hall also lauded the recent people from developing symp- tion is 89.5% eff ective at prevent- Eid, and from 7am-11pm from the second day of Eid onwards. Covid-19 given to key businesses that are in announcement to gradually lift Covid-19 restrictions in the country toms of Covid-19 and becoming ill. ing infection from the UK variant vaccination at QNCC is done strictly by appointment only and no walk- direct contact with the rest of the in four phases from May 28. Data up to the end of April in Qatar and 75% eff ective at preventing ins are allowed, the announcement on social media reiterated. community such as barber and “From a business perspective, it is absolutely critical to enable the showed that just 1% of Covid-19 infection from the South African hairdresser salons, restaurants, markets and most especially those of food and beverage, entertain- ICU admissions have been for variant. The same study also found retail shops, supermarkets, hotels ment and Theme Parks to start to recover their trading position and fully vaccinated people. Also, non- vaccination to be 97.4% eff ective contact people who are eligible by covid19.moph.gov.qa/en/instruc- and other hospitality services. see a return to profi t. The retail industry has been greatly troubled by vaccinated people of all ages are 91 in preventing severe, critical or fa- SMS or phone call to arrange their tions.html Businesses - and not individu- the pandemic,” Hall noted. About the vaccination of DHFC staff , he times more likely to be admitted to tal disease due to both the UK and appointment. Anyone wishing to To support the gradual easing of als - can contact the Unit directly said: “Of course, many staff in retail are quite young and so the pro- ICU with Covid-19 in Qatar than South African variants. register their interest in receiving restrictions, the MoPH has set up at VCIAhamad.qa to schedule vac- gramme is ongoing for us. As the ministry announce reduction of age fully vaccinated people. Primary Health Care Corpora- the Covid-19 vaccine can do so via a Covid-19 Vaccination Schedul- cination appointments for their to receive the vaccine, each day our levels improve. Within the busi- Additionally, a study undertaken tion teams continue to directly the MoPH website, https://app- ing Unit (VSU) for the vaccination staff . ness about 40% have had a fi rst vaccine.” Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, May 12, 2021 QATAR 114,965 benefi t from QRCS Qatar marks food and clothing projects International Nurses Day

atar has joined the In- held in seven countries ternational Council of QNurses and countries here have been some worldwide in celebrating the 114,965 benefi ciaries of achievements of nurses on In- TQatar Red Crescent So- ternational Nurses Day. ciety (QRCS) food and clothing Marked annually on May 12, projects in seven countries dur- the theme this year is ‘Nurses: ing the holy month of Ramadan. A Voice To Lead – A Vision Many projects have been im- For Future Healthcare’ which HE Dr Hanan Mohamed plemented by the foreign rep- focuses on the changes to and al-Kuwari resentation missions of QRCS innovations in nursing and during the holy month as part how this will ultimately shape of its Ramadan Campaign 1442 the future of healthcare. AH, under the theme of ‘Race to HE the Minister of Public All That is Good’. Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al- In Jordan, food purchase Kuwari said: “The past year has vouchers were distributed by been incredibly challenging for QRCS and Jordan National Red healthcare workers the world Crescent Society to 2,655 fami- over and to the nursing staff lies from Syrian refugees and across the healthcare system in Mariam al-Mutawa vulnerable host communities Qatar. Nurses have been at the in Amman, Irbid and Mafraq, The outreach in Jordan (left) and in Gaza. forefront of the fi ght against consistently and thank them for to improve their food security. Covid-19 and the management all their eff orts,” said Dr Samya There were certain criteria to se- der the Ramadan Iftar project Lebanon Governorate to pur- Iftar project was implemented challenges that increase the of the preventive measures al-Abdulla, executive director lect and prioritise the benefi ci- was 3,720 families, or 22,320 chase new clothes for their chil- in Somalia in co-ordination with number of aff ected people, par- adopted by the healthcare sys- of operations, PHCC. aries, who included 5,562 males, people, in the northern, central dren the local authorities, at a cost of ticularly the displaced and poor tem. For more than 14 months, Covid-19 has undoubtedly 5,562 females and 7,955 children. and southern parts of the West The volunteers of the Red $945,000. Over two days, QRCS families. nursing staff across Qatar’s put many health systems un- In co-operation with the Min- Bank, at a cost of $249,408. Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan distributed food parcels to 2,800 In Mali, $365,000 food par- health sector, and particularly der a lot of strain, however, this istry of Social Development in To improve the living con- distributed $20,000 worth of families, or 16,800 people, at the cels were distributed, weighing at Hamad Medical Corpora- pressure has also led to signifi - Gaza, the QRCS’ offi ce is distrib- ditions of Syrian refugees and food items as purchase cou- camps of internally displaced in total 72 tonnes of food items, tion and Primary Health Care cant disruption and innovation uting 2,231 food parcels to the vulnerable Lebanese families in pons of consumer goods to persons (IDPs) in Daynile dis- for the benefi t of 1,020 families Corporation, have fulfi lled a in healthcare. As the largest poorest families of the blockade Bekaa and Baalbek, QRCS and 1,000 families in the regions of trict, west to the capital city of (5,100 people). These provi- multitude of roles in providing professional group providing at a cost of $150,000. the Lebanese Red Cross executed Bishkek, Chuy, Talas, Naryn, Mogadishu. sions will enhance their food and care for people who need medi- healthcare services, nurses and “The benefi ciaries were se- the following three projects: Issyk-Kul and Jalal-Abad. All distributions were strictly health conditions, which will cal treatment due to Covid-19 midwives are leading this revo- lected as per the standards of the  Ramadan Iftar: Food par- There was special focus on the subject to preventive measures, refl ect positively on their work, symptoms.” lution of the healthcare sys- National Programme for Assist- cels for 1,390 Syrian families and poor elderly, orphaned children with the recipients divided into study and everyday life activi- “Additionally, our nurses tem and this was the impetus ance of Poorest Families,” said 1,397 Lebanese families in social care and rehabilitation groups to avoid crowding. Masks ties. have been central to the rapid for ICN’s International Nurses Dr Akram Nassar, head of QRCS’  Zakat-Al-Fitr: Food pur- centres, persons with disability, and sanitisers were distributed, Also, the volunteers of Mali roll out of the National Cov- Day theme of “Nurses: A Voice offi ce in Gaza. “The project will chase coupons for 984 Syrian families headed by females, pa- and hand washing posts were Red Cross gave health instruc- id-19 Vaccination Programme, To Lead A Vision For Future hopefully secure the food needs families and 962 Lebanese fami- tients with tuberculosis, families prepared. tions on fasting to 1,275 males, which is enabling people to Healthcare”. of the target families.” lies of migrant and/or low-income The local authorities valued 1,275 females and 2,550 children. become protected against the Mariam al-Mutawa, acting Westward to the West Bank,  Eid Clothing: Cash cou- labourers, and low-income fam- QRCS’s eff orts to provide as- Each parcel contained 71kg of virus and off ers the hope of a deputy chief nursing offi cer at the number of benefi ciaries from pons for 337 Syrian families and ilies with children. sistance for the new IDPs, amid basic food items, such as millet, return towards normal life. I am HMCsaid: “Our mission is to the food parcels distributed un- 310 Lebanese families in Mount Moving to Africa, a Ramadan the current economic and health rice, vegetable oil, sugar and tea. incredibly proud and thankful deliver the safest, most eff ective to each and every member of and most compassionate care to our nursing workforce for their each and every one of our pa- professionalism and commit- tients and this has been evident ment to patient care that has led in our daily practice caring for them to accomplish amazing our patients in both Covid-19 Qatar calls for united Arab stance to back Palestinians feats,” added the minister. and other healthcare facilities International Nurses Day is cross Qatar.” celebrated on the birth anni- “This crisis has demon- From Page 1 common practice. The foreign that would be ending all forms of will lead to an active and united community. The minister ex- versary of Florence Nightingale. strated that nurses are integral minister added that the Israeli support to the Israeli occupation’s Arab position to end these at- pressed hope that the out- Qatar has been a keen advocate to any strategic healthcare cri- He said the issue was not a occupation forces’ storming into forces,” HE Sheikh Mohamed said. tacks and violations in support comes of the meeting can help of promoting nursing profes- sis planning and the eff ective matter of a single incident of Al Aqsa mosque and terrorising He stressed that Israel’s arbitrary of the Palestinian people and boost the Arab and Palestinian sionalism and development as deployment of these plans. We owning a number of homes in of worshippers with stun gre- shelling of Gaza on Monday led those struggling for the sanc- positions on the international part of the country’s commit- are immensely proud of the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, nades and bullets, with com- to deaths and injuries, which in- tity of Muslim and Christian stage, and be the start of dip- ment to delivering advanced, frontline nurses and midwives but it is part of a plan carried out plete disregard of the sanctity of cluded women and children, de- sites before their freedom and lomatic work that protects the high-quality, patient centred who have demonstrated cour- by radical settlement groups in the month of Ramadan and the scribing it as a criminal attack that independence.” Palestinian people. He said that healthcare. age, resilience and leadership Arab neighbourhoods, that con- feelings of Muslims all over the is condemned, and will escalate He said the dangerous cir- being united is the way to stop “International Nurses Day is in these times. Many of our Qa- sider it a religious and national world, as if they are confi dent tensions further. cumstances surrounding the Israel’s approach of imposing an opportunity to acknowledge tari nursing leaders have shown duty to displace all Arabs and they will get a way with these se- He reiterated Qatar’s fi rm po- Palestinian cause require all their own laws without regard all our wonderful nurses who their commitment and ability to replace their places, supported vere violations of human rights sition regarding the fairness of Palestinian factions overcome for international law. continue to play such an impor- deal with the many challenges by the Israeli government and without being held accountable. the Palestinian cause and the their differences and unite to He saluted the Palestinian tant role in sustaining the health they and their teams have faced. Israeli law. “Qatar calls on Arab and Is- rights of the Palestinian people, work for the common good people in the occupied Al Quds, of our communities during the It is this spirit of working to- He said Israel has carried out lamic countries, as well as the in- including their rights to reli- in facing these violations to- praising the legendary resil- challenging times of this pan- gether in interdisciplinary and large scale operations of settle- ternational community to stand gious practice and establishing gether, in order to meet the ience against the occupation’s demic. We celebrate their posi- multi-sectoral partnerships for ment and Judaisation, and now up to these racist approach that an independent state based on aspirations of the Palestinians bullets, and the martyrdom for tivity, hard work and continued a common goal that has been they want the settlers’ storming has been ongoing for decades and the borders of 1967 with East Al in ending the occupation that their just cause of establishing commitment of our nurses in the uniting factor in the success into Al Aqsa mosque and attack- against Muslim and Christian Quds as its capital. does not care for any law or an independent state with East these times, and I am proud of of Qatar’s Covid-19 healthcare ing of worshippers to become a holy sites, noting that a start to “Qatar hopes the meeting even the entire international Al Quds as its capital. the work that our nurses deliver approach,” added al-Mutawa.

CBSE launches counselling app Qatar Airways to attend St Petersburg for students of International Economic Forum Classes 9-12

Qatar Airways will be one of the leading international companies Hameeda Kadar attending the upcoming St India’s Central Board of Secondary Education Petersburg (CBSE) has launched a counselling app, ‘CBSE International Dost For Life’ for the psychosocial well-being of Economic students from Classes 9-12. Forum. MES Indian School principal Hameeda Kadar has been appointed the counsellor for Qatar region to provide pre-examination psycho- logical counselling to students (appearing for board exams) and their parents at the time of atar Airways will be try demonstrates the dedica- where they can experience our preparation as well as during the examination one of the leading in- tion and commitment of both world-class products and hos- to overcome exam-related stress. Qternational companies countries to further cement pitality fi rsthand.” The live counselling sessions which started attending the upcoming St their existing economic, cul- Qatar Airways fi rst began from May 10, are free of cost and held thrice a Petersburg International Eco- tural, and tourism relations. its operations to the capital of week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by nomic Forum (SPIEF) to be Qatar Airways Group chief Russia back in 2003 and cel- trained counsellors/principals. held in St Petersburg, Russia executive HE Akbar al-Baker ebrates over 17 years of direct The app will cater to a variety of issues that from June 2-5. said: “The St Petersburg In- fl ights to Moscow. In 2017, the are faced by students, such as exam anxiety, Now in its 24th edition, ternational Economic Forum airline further demonstrated Internet addiction disorder, depression, specific SPIEF is one of the largest in- (SPIEF) is a hugely important its commitment to the region learning disability, exam-related traumatic vestment and economy-fo- global event, and economic by adding direct fl ights to St stress disorder etc. Students/parents can down- cused event of its kind in the development will be of para- Petersburg. load the app available on Google Play Store. world and will feature Qatar as mount importance following The forum was originally They can choose any of the two-time slots: a guest country. the damage done by the pan- scheduled to take place in 2020 9.30am-1.30pm or 1.30pm-5.30pm and connect Held under the patronage demic. but was later postponed to June through a chat box as per their convenience. of Russian President Vladimir “Qatar Airways is proud 2021 in light of the Covid-19 In addition, the CBSE has prepared educative Putin every year, SPIEF is or- to be among the key drivers pandemic. This year’s edition material on social, emotional, and behavioural ganised by Roscongress Foun- of trade between the State of is set to take place from June issues such as exam anxiety, Internet addiction dation and convenes indi- Qatar and the Russian Federa- 2 to 5, under strict health and disorder, depression, specific learning dis- viduals from leading Russian tion, as demonstrated by our safety measures. The previ- ability, substance use disorder, aggression, and and international companies, continuous commitment to ous edition of the forum, held life skills to sensitise students and masses alike political fi gures, and business the Russian market throughout in 2019, gathered over 19,000 and can be accessed at cbse.nic.in and the leaders from around the world. the years. We are looking for- participants from as many as YouTube channel of CBSE. Qatar’s honorary position ward to welcoming guests and 145 countries and saw the sign- at the forum as a guest coun- visitors to our exhibition stand, ing of 745 business agreements.

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, May 12, 2021 RAMADAN/QATAR Etiquette of Eid Qur’anic Botanic ids or festivals are moments of celebration common to all nations. The festivals of Enon-believing nations are associated with worldly matters such as the birth of a nation or its decline, the appointment or crowning of a ruler, his marriage, or the beginning of a season like spring, and so on. As for Muslims, their festivals Garden concludes (Eids) are associated with their religious rituals. They have only two festivals or Eids: Eid Al-Fitr (Celebration of the end of Ramadan) and Eid Al- Adha (festival of sacrifi ce). When the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, came to Madinah and found the people Ramadan activities celebrating two days he said: “What are these occasions”? They said: “We used to celebrate them in Jaahiliyya (before the coming of Islam)”. atar Foundation’s He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, then said : Qur’anic Botanic Gar- “Allah has replaced them for you with the two Qden (QBG), the fi rst gar- better days (i.e. Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha)”. den in the world to exhibit all These two festivals which Allah prescribed plant species mentioned in the to the Muslims are part of the rituals of Islam Holy Qur’an, Hadith and Sun- which should be commemorated and the nah, hosted a wide range of vir- purposes of which should be understood. tual community-oriented ac- tivities during the holy month Rules pertaining to Eid: of Ramadan. 1. It is forbidden to fast on the day of One of the highlights was both Eids, as it is understood from the hadith QBG’s daily Ramadan competi- narrated by Abee Sa’eed, may Allah be please tion, where keen botanists and with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi gardeners of all ages could win wa sallam, forbade the fasting of the two Eids. prizes by answering questions 2. It is highly recommended to have ritual on QBG’s social media pages ablution (Ghusl) and to wear the most beautiful about verses in the Hadith re- garments and the best perfumes one possesses. lated to environmental and bo- 3. It is recommended that both men and tanical terminology. women observe Eid prayer in an open fi eld as is This month, QBG also an- clear in the hadith narrated by Um Atiya, may nounced the winners of its Fun Allah be please with her, who said: “We used and Learn, Environment Re- to be ordered to come out on the day of Eid and search and Food Security com- even to bring the virgin girls from their houses petitions. and menstruating women so that they might For this year’s Earth Day, stand behind the men and say takbir along with marked on April 22 each year, conducted via webinar under- ty’s Ramadan Summit: Design tronic system for the remote them and hope for the blessings of that day for 6. It is recommended that the Imam recites which took place during the scoring the signifi cance of food Post-Covid Humanity: Taarfuf, monitoring of water quality in purifi cation from sins”. Since menstruating in the fi rst Raka’at Surah Al-A’alaa (chapter holy month, QBG held a series self-suffi ciency and sustain- Taawun, Tarahum. Qatari fi sh farms. women (who stay away from the musallah – the 87) and Surah Al-’Ghaashiah (chapter 88) in of events throughout the month, ability, as well as Qatari plant Ahmed Abdelkader of the Fatima Khulaifi , director, prayer area) as well as those who are virgin are the second. Other reports also show that the including a webinar on local conservation initiatives to pre- Doha Secondary School, pre- QBG, said, “Ramadan is a time commanded to observe Eid prayer, there is no Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used plant conservation and food se- serve local fl ora. sented his project on the impact for refl ection, compassion and doubt that the men, old and young are even to recite Surah Qaaf (chapter 50) and Surah curity initiatives, and an online The webinars brought to- of herbariums and the use of a charity. Thanks to innovative strongly commanded to observe it. Al-Qamar (chapter 54) as is confi rmed in Sahih lecture organised with the Min- gether local panellists and ex- smartphone app to document technologies and the enthusi- 4. Eid prayer should be performed before the Muslim. istry of Culture and Sports and perts from around Qatar, with taxonomic history and raising asm and expertise of our team khutba (sermon) of Eid as is confi rmed in the 7. There is no Sunnah prayer either before Al Arabi Sports Club, presented participants able to actively people’s awareness about fl ora and partners, we were able to hadith narrated by Ibn Amr, Abee Sa’eed, and or after Eid prayer as Ibn Abbas, may Allah be by QBG assistant researcher, engage with through questions in Qatar. The project topic of host a range of informative and Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them. pleased with him, narrated that whenever the Ahmed El-Gharib, on the plants during the live stream. Sara al-Nama, from Al Bayan thought-provoking seminars 5. It is recommended that the Imam makes Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, went for of the Holy Qur’an. April also saw three high Secondary School for Girls, in- and online activities. Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) during the prayer, Eid prayer, he used to pray two Raka’at (of Eid) The lecture attracted around school students, who, provided volved the use of the rootstock “We at QBG are delighted seven times in the first Raka’at (unit of but nothing before or after them. 100 attendees and featured a with guidance and support by of Sidra in grafting apple trees to host activities for the com- prayer) and five in the second. This has been prize competition. QBG, presented environmental in Qatar, while Ahmad Maka- munity and extend a heart-felt confirmed by the companions of the Salaf (our Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ In addition, as part of QBG’s projects at the College of Islam- bleh from Ahmed Bin Hanbal thank you to everyone for join- righteous predecessors). emainpage/ Ramadan activities line-up ic Studies at Qatar Foundation’s Independent Secondary School ing us in celebrating this bless- was a programme of seminars Hamad Bin Khalifa Universi- for Boys, focused on an elec- ed month.”

Mandarin Oriental, Doha off ers guests a grand experience to mark Eid Al-Fitr

Mandarin Oriental, Doha has announced it is off ering guests a “warm and luxurious wel- come” to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with the Stayca- tion by MO experience, which includes early check-in, late check-out and daily breakfast. Guests can enjoy shopping online at Shop MO for culinary treats. “Mandarin Oriental, Doha presents the Staycation by MO experience for the perfect summer staycation retreat. Guests will enjoy a range of privileges, including daily breakfast for two, early check-in at 12noon upon avail- ability, late check-out at 4pm and a hotel credit per booking of QR300 per room, per night applicable for studio suites, junior suites and one-bedroom apartments, while for suite Hazelnut Tiramisu Cake Hazelnut & Vanilla Cremeux bookings (starting from deluxe suites) and two- or three-bedroom apartments, guests For a limited time only, The Mandarin Cake inspired by Qatari heritage”. It comes with a will receive credit valued at QR1,000,” Manda- Shop is bringing back one of its signature coff ee-infused Creme Brulee, gluten-free ha- rin Oriental, Doha said in a press statement. cakes, the Hazelnut & Vanilla Cremeux, which zelnut sponge cake, milk chocolate hazelnut For reservations, call 40088888, e-mail was sold during the Eid Al-Adha celebra- crunch and mascarpone cream. [email protected] or visit tions in 2020. It comes with a “rich hazelnut Available for orders from May 12 to 15, the Ha- mandarinoriental.com/doha mousse, Madagascan vanilla cremeux and a zelnut & Vanilla Cremeux is priced at QR350 Also, The Mandarin Cake Shop is presenting chocolate milk cereal crunch”. and the Hazelnut Tiramisu Cake at QR450. To The Heritage Collection to honour the holy Guests can also order this year’s celebrated order the limited-edition cakes, visit Shop MO, month of Ramadan and to celebrate Eid Hazelnut Tiramisu Cake, which is a “culinary and they are available for takeaway orders Al-Fitr. masterpiece that features a distinctive design only at doha.mandarinorientalshop.com Barahat view suite sitting area.

DHFC Eid celebrations to feature online events, in-mall displays

oha Festival City (DHFC) Until May 15, general mall is welcoming Eid Al-Fitr trading hours will be from 10am Dwith a variety of online to 12midnight, with an option activities starting from the fi rst to trade until 1am for all retail- day of Eid. ers, and 2am for F&B outlets From today, DHFC will display operating for takeaway and de- Eid Al-Fitr greeting message on livery. The Hypermarket will be all digital screens, as well as sev- open continuously from 9am to eral installations allowing visi- 12midnight. tors to take special Eid Al-Fitr In line with the preventative pictures. measures set out by the authori- Beautiful Eid decorations will ties, DHFC introduced strin- adorn the mall inside and out. gent health and safety measures DHFC invites everyone to throughout the mall for its staff express their love and gratitude and visitors. This includes a thor- this Eid by sharing photos with ough mall disinfection treatment Eid Al-Fitr messages and post on a weekly basis, robust clean- them on their public accounts ing, and sanitisation operations with the hashtag #EidatFesti- during mall trading hours, 225 valCity, tagging @dohafestcity. hand sanitising stations installed Selected pictures will be dis- in the areas that have commonly played on the dedicated me- touched surfaces. dia wall at the 1st fl oor Centre At the entrance to the mall Court, starting tomorrow. and all shops, visitors must To make Eid celebrations even DHFC will display Eid Al-Fitr greeting message on all digital screens, as well as several installations from today. Right: Beautiful Eid decorations will adorn DHFC inside and outside. show their green Ehteraz QR more exciting for families, while code, and should wear a face following the current guidelines and post a photo on their public “We are delighted to celebrate casion with Doha Festival City,” greetings in diff erent languages, creative pictures, keeping the mask during their whole time that restrict access to the mall accounts with the hashtag #Ei- Eid Al-Fitr this year with safe and DHFC general manager Robert off ering visitors an opportu- warmest memories of 2021 Eid in the mall. Following the lat- for children below 16, DHFC will datFestivalCity and follow @ interactive artworks and engag- Hall said in a press statement. nity to learn more about Eid al- celebrations. est government restrictions, run a social media photo compe- dohafestcity, DHFC will award ing activities, allowing our visi- A special “Eid Mubarak” dis- Fitr wishes and greetings from In addition, a 3D lettering children below 16 years of age tition, that will allow kids to take the winner with a special gift – tors to create the loveliest mem- play at the Atrium Node near around the world. “What A Feeling” and “Eid Mu- are not allowed to enter the part in the mall’s celebrations hadiya – of QR1,000. The online ories this Eid, in the mall and West Court 1 Entrance will also Axis node installations will barak” displays will be located at mall, and the mall continues from the safety of their homes. competition is open to all chil- virtually. We welcome everyone consist of a large lantern for boast various shapes, colours, Market Node, where visitors can to operate with overall capac- Encouraging parents to dress dren up to 12 and three winners to experience the spirit of Eid al- families to take pictures, as well and symbols of Eid where shop- also take photos and share them ity and parking spaces reduced their kids in the best Eid outfi ts will be announced on the May 17. Fitr and celebrate this joyous oc- as a book-shaped part with Eid pers will also be able to take on social media. to 30%. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 12, 2021 7 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Islamic social financing to aid efforts to rebuild post-pandemic

QNA and its Covax Facility, as well the United Nations to main- tech and artifi cial intelligence, SDGs during these challeng- repository and e-learning in partnership with the Unit- New York as other initiatives to ensure stream these tools to meet we can better manage Zakat, ing times,” reiterated UN modules on the subject at ed Nations Childrens Fund equitable access to vaccines, pressing needs and achieve the Awqaf and Islamic microfi - Secretary-General’s Special UNITAR; and a roadmap with (Unicef), has so far shipped diagnostics and therapeutics,” SDGs,” he added. nance,” she added, calling for Envoy on Financing the 2030 concrete recommendations on nearly 60mn Covid-19 vac- he United Nations (UN) said Deputy Secretary-General Furthermore, Hajjar con- the International Dialogue to Agenda for Sustainable Devel- the way forward, contributing cines to more than 120 par- and the Islamic Devel- of the United Nations Amina fi rmed the bank’s full alignment explore the possibility of estab- opment Mahmoud Mohieldin. to the Financing for Develop- ticipating countries, in an Topment Bank yesterday Mohamed in her opening state- with the importance of leverag- lishing a regional Zakat, Waqf The International Dialogue ment in the Era of Covid-19 unprecedented global vaccine launched an initiative to assist ment at the event. ing social fi nancing to mitigate and Sadaqa fund to support will include a series of virtual and Beyond Initiative. rollout in history. in fi nancial eff orts to recover “As the world comes to the impact of the raging pan- instant emergency relief for the seminars that will continue According to the latest Unit- Covax still needs $2.8bn better in view of the global terms with the evident fra- demic, including production most vulnerable and for longer- until next November, hosted ed Nations economic forecast to meet its goal of ending the health and economic crisis that gility of our socio-economic of Covid-19 vaccines to attend term poverty eradication. by the United Nations Insti- launched yesterday, economic acute phase of the pandemic have pushed millions of people systems, especially during the to developing and least devel- HE the Special Adviser to tute for Training and Research recovery, despite indicating by year-end. Using tradi- into extreme poverty. current pandemic, the tools of oped countries. “As we seek to the UN Secretary-General with the support of Qatar. modest progress compared to tional instruments such as The International Dialogue Islamic social fi nancing pro- overcome fi nancial constraints, Dr Ahmed bin Mohamed al- The seminars will bring to- 2020, remains under threat Zakat (obligatory almsgiving on the role of Islamic social fi - vide an opportunity to usher in funding shortfalls and fi nancing Muraikhi said: “Launching gether Islamic social finance amid surging Covid-19 cases amounting to about $300bn nancing in achieving the Sus- much needed resilience,” said inequalities, we believe that Is- this Dialogue during Ramadan institutions, scholars, ex- and lagging vaccination in annually), Sadaqa (charitable tainable Development Goals President of the Islamic De- lamic social fi nancing, itself built highlights the importance of perts, international humani- poorer countries, widening giving) and Waqf (endow- will support unlocking the po- velopment Bank Group Bandar on the principles of fairness and helping those in need. Never tarian and development sys- inequalities and setting back ments and trusts), as well as tential of Islamic social fi nanc- Hajjar, highlighting the sig- justice, can open pathways to has it been so important to tems and other stakeholders further progress on the Sus- microfinance instruments ing to provide urgently needed nifi cance of the International stimulate economic activity and come together in solidarity to to deepen understanding of tainable Development Goals such as Qard Hassan (benevo- support for poverty alleviation, Dialogue on the role of Islamic promote social welfare, fi nancial achieve the SDGs and allevi- Islamic social finance and in- (SDGs) the global blueprint lent loans), Islamic social fi- economic recovery, pandemic social fi nancing. inclusion and shared prosperity,” ate the impact of the Covid-9 troduce current UN platforms for ensuring a better future for nancing remains a critical fi- response, and sustainable de- “I am confi dent that Za- said Executive Secretary of the pandemic.” and initiatives. all by 2030. nancing mechanism, based on velopment. kat, Sadaqa, Waqf and Islamic UN Economic and Social Com- “This partnership between Expected outcomes of the The world’s only vaccine the values of faith and inclu- “Standing in solidarity with microfi nance can help bring a mission for Western Asia (ES- the UN and the Islamic Devel- International Dialogue also equity mechanism, Covax, led sivity, in line with goals of the those in need means exploring grassroots, inclusive and more CWA) Rola Dashti. opment Bank will help realise include a report on leverag- by the World Health Organi- SDGs to promote social trust, how Islamic social fi nancing can resilient approach to develop- “Using the modern tools of the potential of Islamic social ing Islamic social financing sation (WHO), GAVI and the co-operation and solidarity in support the pandemic response ment, and I look forward to the Fourth Industrial Revolu- financing to support humani- to achieve the SDGs; the es- Coalition for Epidemic Pre- the fight against poverty and through the ACT-Accelerator working with our partners at tion, including blockchain, fi n- tarian efforts and achieve the tablishment of a knowledge paredness Innovations (CEPI), hunger.

Saudi minister in Arab states and Turkey Baghdad, a month condemn Israeli strikes after talks Reuters with Iran Cairo

AFP he head of the Arab Baghdad League condemned yes- Tterday deadly Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip as “in- raq received the Saudi deputy discriminate and irresponsible” defence minister yesterday, and said Israel had provoked an Ione month after hosting talks earlier increase in violence by its between the kingdom and Iran to actions in Jerusalem. discuss a thaw in relations. The violence began with con- Saudi Prince Khalid bin Sal- frontations between Palestinian man and his delegation met with protesters and Israeli security President Barham Saleh, a gov- forces at Al Aqsa Mosque in the ernment offi cial said. heart of Jerusalem’s walled Old Saleh has said there have been City. Israel launched air strikes meetings between the two re- on Gaza after Palestinian groups gional heavyweights in Baghdad fi red rockets close to Jerusalem. “more than once”. An Iraqi offi - “Israeli violations in Jeru- cial and a diplomat said the talks salem, and the government’s have addressed broader regional tolerance of Jewish extremists issues, and have involved Turkey hostile to Palestinians and Ar- and the United Arab Emirates. abs, is what led to the ignition of The offi cial-level meetings the situation in this dangerous aim to restore relations severed way,” Arab League chief Ahmed fi ve years ago between Saudi Aboul Gheit said in a statement. Arabia and Iran. The attacks in Gaza were a The initiative comes at a time “miserable show of force at the of shifting power dynamics, as expense of children’s blood”, US President Joe Biden is seek- he said, adding that “Israeli ing to revive the 2015 Iran nu- provocations” were an aff ront clear deal that was abandoned by to Muslims on the eve of the Eid Donald Trump. holiday at the end of the holy Baghdad has been trying to es- month of Ramadan. tablish itself as a mediator since Arab League foreign minis- A Palestinian youth comforts an injured boy receiving medical care at Al Shifa hospital after an Israeli air strike in Gaza city, yesterday. Right: A Palestinian man gestures as he the defeat of the Islamic State ters held a virtual emergency inspects a damaged building following an air strike, amid a flare-up of violence, in Gaza City. group in late 2017. meeting yesterday to discuss Recent media reports indi- the situation in Jerusalem. lem, Egypt declared its “total (OIC), which held an emergency agency SPA reported. rights and demands by using Israel disputed that account, cate there have been meetings The meeting would reaffi rm rejection and condemnation of meeting in Jeddah, “praised the Turkey also condemned the indiscriminate and dispropor- saying it had killed at least 20 in Damascus between Syrian the centrality of the Palestinian these oppressive Israeli prac- steadfastness of the Palestinian Israeli air strikes. tionate power,” the Turkish for- Hamas fi ghters and that a third President Bashar al-Assad, his issue for Arab states and soli- tices,” Foreign Minister Sameh people stationed in the occu- “The Israeli government eign ministry said. of the hundreds of rockets intelligence chief Ali Mamluk darity with Palestinians in Jeru- Shoukry told the League. pied city of Jerusalem and their must fi nally understand that it The Gaza health ministry said launched by the fi ghters had and a delegation led by Saudi in- salem, a statement said. The head of the Organisa- response to the Israeli attacks will not be able to suppress the at least 28 Palestinians, includ- fallen short, causing Palestinian telligence chief Khalid bin Ali al- In light of events in Jerusa- tion of Islamic Co-operation on the holy sites”, Saudi state Palestinian people’s legitimate ing 10 children, had been killed. civilian casualties. Humaidan.

For Yemenis fl eeing war, US peace eff orts off er only faint hope

Reuters refugees from every part of the courage the Houthis to stop mis- ernment was prepared to nego- Marib country,” said Jaberi. sile and drone attacks on Saudi tiate with the Houthis. The Marib region is the last Arabia and the assault on Marib. UN envoy Griffi ths said that stronghold of the Saudi-backed “The United States believes despite international eff orts, n the Al-Jafeenah camp for government, which has been at that the opening of ports and the “we are not where we would like internally displaced people war against Houthi forces since airport is a fundamental pillar of to be in reaching a deal. Ioutside the Yemeni city of 2014. our approach towards Yemen,” “Meanwhile, the war contin- Marib, Jamal al-Jaberi, forced Fighting over Marib and its said the US offi cial. ued unabated causing immense to fl ee fi ghting near his home, is vast gas fi elds has killed thou- Hodeidah is the main entry suff ering to the civilian popula- counting on the United States to sands of fi ghters from both sides point for Yemen’s commercial tion,” he said in a statement last help broker a peace deal and end and threatened years of peace and aid imports, while Sanaa week. the seven-year war. eff orts, including a fresh push airport is the only airfi eld under In Marib city, families worry The Yemen confl ict has trig- from the United States. the control of the Houthis. they will not be able to aff ord gered the world’s worst humani- US offi cials, including Yemen Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s traditional gifts for their chil- tarian crisis, and US President envoy Tim Lenderking, have government have insisted that dren as they, along with fellow Joe Biden has made ending it one held several meetings with Saudi lifting the blockade should be Muslims around the world, pre- of his top foreign policy priori- offi cials, Yemeni ministers and tied to other elements of a wider pare to celebrate the Eid-al-Fitr ties. Omani mediators over the last deal — something the Houthis religious holiday. But the latest round of talks two weeks. reject. Markets were teeming with failed to persuade opposing UN Special Envoy Martin “The humanitarian situation people trying to buy new clothes forces to back down, according Griffi ths has also joined the US should not be subject to bar- and dried fruits ahead of the fes- to three sources familiar with shuttle diplomacy. gain...If they lift the blockade tivities. the negotiations, including a US More than 100,000 people we are all in for ceasefi re talks,” “Prices are too high for us to offi cial. have been killed in the war, most Houthi chief negotiator Mo- buy clothes for our kids, but at Still, those caught up in fi erce of them civilians. hamed Abdulsalam told Reuters. least, thank God, we made it out battles around Marib in central Millions of Yemenis rely on A Saudi source who declined of our village,” said Shaher Nass- Yemen, where the worst of the humanitarian assistance to sur- to be named said Hodeidah port er al-Koule, now living in the fi ghting has been concentrated vive, and a second wave of Cov- was fully open to all commodi- sprawling tent camp of Jafeenah, for months, have not lost hope. id-19 has strained what remains ties under UN supervision and 5km south of Marib. “We hope the United States of the health system. that the airport was open for UN There, children gathered and the (United Nations) Secu- The United States has pressed and humanitarian fl ights. barefoot to play in a dusty square rity Council will strive to end the the coalition to lift the blockade He added that a ceasefi re strewn with rocks, trash, di- war and the attack on Marib, be- of Houthi-controlled Sanaa air- would ease the humanitarian lapidated trucks and debris from Boys play outside a shop at a makeshift camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in the oil-producing cause in Marib there are a lot of port and Hodeidah port to en- crisis and that the Yemeni gov- rockets and mortar shells. Marib province in Yemen. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, May 12, 2021 WORLD

ANNOUNCEMENT CLAIM CRACKDOWN PANDEMIC TRAGEDY Kenya suspends Anti-farming ‘campaign’ Burkina Faso’s army WHO reviewing Seven dead in landslide flights from Somalia under way in Tigray kills 20 terrorists Seychelles Covid data at Indonesia gold mine

Kenya yesterday announced that flights between A deliberate “campaign” to prevent farming is un- Burkina Faso’s army yesterday said it had killed The World Health Organisation yesterday said it At least seven people were killed and one report- Nairobi and Mogadishu had been suspended, folding in Ethiopia’s war-hit Tigray, a top regional at least 20 “terrorists” and destroyed four of their was reviewing coronavirus data from Seychelles ed missing after a landslide at an Indonesian gold just days after Somalia said diplomatic ties with off icial said, warning that the result will be “starva- positions in a combined operation in two north- after the health ministry said more than a third of mine, authorities said yesterday. Torrential rains its neighbour had been normalised following tion.” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops ern regions badly hit by insurgents. The opera- people who tested positive for Covid-19 in the past triggered a landslide on Monday, inundating the months of tension. The Kenya Civil Aviation into Tigray in November to topple the region’s tion was launched on May 5 in the Nord and week had been fully vaccinated. Both the ministry mine with mud mixed with stones and debris in Authority (KCAA) said commercial flights to and once dominant ruling party, the Tigray People’s Sahel regions, bringing together conventional and the WHO stressed that the majority of those South Solok regency, West Sumatra, said the local from Somalia would be paused for three months, Liberation Front (TPLF). “There is a campaign that and special forces, the air force and gendarme- who tested positive had not been vaccinated or emergency department head Fikri. In a statement, without giving a reason. “All flights between Kenya has been started to prevent farming. Regrettably, rie, a police unit that is under military command, had only received one dose, that no one who had the department said “at least seven killed and one and Somalia are suspended except medevac this campaign is being done by some of those it said in a statement. Named Houne — Dignity died had been fully vaccinated and that nearly all of is missing”. Rescuers managed to save nine survi- flights and United Nations flights on humanitarian tasked with law enforcement,” Abebe Gebrehiwot, in the Fula, or Peul, language — the operation is those needing treatment for severe or critical cases vors from the mud and were combing the area to missions only,” the regulator said. KCAA director deputy head of Tigray’s interim government, said. expected to last more than a month, a senior were unvaccinated. But the WHO said it was closely find the missing miner, Fikri said. “Initially, rescuers general Gilbert Kibe said the suspension was “a The eff ort includes telling Tigrayan farmers they security source said. “More than 20 terrorists following the situation in the Indian Ocean nation, were having diff iculties to evacuate victims to a decision by the government” but gave no further aren’t allowed to farm and blocking seeds from have been neutralised” and four of the bases or which has a population of less than 100,000 and rescue vehicle because the terrain at the site was details. reaching parts of the northern region, said Abebe. positions have been destroyed, the source said. daily cases numbers in the low hundreds. challenging,” Fikri added.

China population growth slips to slowest ever

Reuters “China’s population will reach Beijing a peak in the future, but the spe- cifi c time is still uncertain. It is estimated that China’s total hina’s population grew population will remain at more at its slowest in the last than 1.4bn in the near future,” Cdecade since the 1950s as Ning said. births declined, sowing doubt In recent months, China’s over Beijing’s ability to power its state media has been increas- economy as it succumbs to the ingly bleak on the outlook, say- same ageing trends affl icting de- ing the population may start to veloped nations like Japan. shrink in the next few years. With growth having ebbed The United Nations predicts ever since a one-child policy the number of people living in was introduced in the late 1970s, mainland China will peak in the 2020 results of the country’s 2030 before declining. once-a-decade census yesterday But in late April, the Financial showed the population of main- Times newspaper said the popu- land China increased 5.38% to lation actually fell in 2020 from 1.41bn. That was the least since a year earlier, citing unidentifi ed modern census-taking began in people familiar with the matter. 1953. The 2020 number in the na- Data showed a fertility rate of tionwide census was actually 1.3 children per woman for 2020 slightly higher than the 1.4005bn alone, on par with ageing socie- in 2019 estimated in a smaller of- Bollywood actor Anupam Kher (centre) takes part in an initiative to provide ventilators, oxygen concentrator and other essential equipment around India as part of ‘Project Heal India’ ties like Japan and Italy. fi cial survey published in Febru- to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, in Mumbai yesterday. The shrill alarm for China’s ary last year. policymakers is that the world’s One bright spot in the data second-biggest economy may was an unexpected increase in already be in irreversible popu- the proportion of young people lation decline without having — 17.95% of the population was fi rst accumulated the household 14 or younger in 2020, compared wealth of G7 nations. with 16.6% in 2010. The number meant China nar- From 2016 to 2019, the annual rowly missed a target it set in birth rate mostly declined with India PM to skip G7 meet 2016 to boost its population to the exception of 2016. about 1.42bn by 2020, with a fer- Last year, China recorded tility rate of around 1.8. 12mn births, Ning said, sharply In 2016, China replaced its down from 14.65mn in 2019 and one-child policy — initially im- the lowest since 1961. posed to halt a population explo- “It doesn’t take published sion at the time — with a two- census data to determine that due to Covid situation child limit. China is facing a massive drop in The sharp deterioration in de- births,” said Huang Wenzheng, a AFP at the leaders’ summit in Corn- severe shortages in oxygen and tion said on Monday that a Cov- appeared to be more contagious as mographics will fuel pressure on demography expert at the Center New Delhi wall in southern England in June beds. id-19 variant spreading in India it classifi ed as being “of concern”. Beijing to ramp up incentives to for China and Globalisation, a comes as India reported nearly Many states across the country couples to have more children Beijing-based think-tank. 330,000 fresh cases and almost have imposed lockdowns, as well Singapore premier slams attack on woman — incentives that have thus far Even if China’s population rime Minister Narendra 3,900 new deaths on Monday. as curbs on movement and activi- failed to off set the impact of ca- didn’t decline in 2020, the expert Modi will not attend the G7 It also follows a virus scare ties to try and reduce the spread Singapore Prime Minister Lee rean woman was walking briskly reer choices and cost-of-living said, “It will in 2021 or 2022, or PSummit in the UK in per- within India’s foreign ministry of the virus. Hsien Loong has condemned an on Friday when a man shouted challenges that couples say have very soon.” Urban couples, par- son, the Indian government said delegation in early May. But the pathogen is also alleged racist attack on a local racial slurs at her for not wearing deterred them from starting ex- ticularly those born after 1990, yesterday, as the country reels Foreign Minister Subrahman- spreading into rural areas, where woman of Indian descent after her mask above her nose and tended families. tend to value their independence from a massive wave of coronavi- yam Jaishankar, who had travelled the majority of the population media reported she was kicked kicked her in the chest. Face Analysts said that with sub- and careers more than raising a rus cases. to Britain for G7 meetings with his lives, overwhelming local health and abused for not wearing a masks are mandatory in public in stantial ageing of the population family despite parental pressure to India is not part of the Group counterparts, said then that he centres but also crematoriums mask, in a case that is being Singapore, but can be removed already in view, the census num- have children. Surging living costs of Seven wealthy democracies would avoid in-person meetings and cemeteries. investigated by police. In a Face- when exercising, including brisk bers will also give ammunition to in big cities, where most Chinese but was invited to the talks by after a possible exposure to posi- Meanwhile, foreign aid has book post, Lee said while people walking. In statement yesterday, policymakers arguing in favour now live, have also deterred cou- Britain, which holds the rotating tive cases. been pouring into India to al- may be anxious and stressed Singapore police said a 30-year- of raising the country’s retire- ples from having children. Ac- presidency of the organisation India – a country of 1.3bn peo- leviate the nation’s dire oxygen because of the Covid-19 pan- old man had been arrested for ment age sooner than later. cording to a 2005 report by a state throughout 2021. ple – is the world’s second-most shortage as part of a huge inter- demic “that does not justify racist public nuisance, uttering words “From the trend of population think-tank, it cost 490,000 yuan “Given the prevailing Covid infected after the US with nearly national eff ort. attitudes and actions, much with intent to wound the racial development in recent years, the ($74,838) for an ordinary family in situation, it has been decided that 23mn Covid-19 cases. The urgent supplies – from less physically abusing and as- feelings of others and voluntar- population growth will continue China to raise a child. the prime minister will not attend The new surge in cases has rav- the US, Russia and the UK saulting someone because she ily causing hurt. A multicultural to slow in the future,” said Ning By 2020, local media reported the G7 Summit in person,” foreign aged major cities, including the among others – include oxygen belongs to a particular race, in society, Singapore has strict laws Jizhe, head of the National Bu- that the cost had risen to as high ministry spokesman Arindam capital New Delhi and fi nancial generators, face masks and vac- this case Indian.” Local media re- regulating acts that could dam- reau of Statistics, speaking after as 1.99mn yuan — four times the Bagchi said in a statement. hub Mumbai, pushing hospitals cines. ported the 55-year-old Singapo- age racial harmony. the release of the census results. 2005 number. The decision to virtually appear to breaking point and leading to The World Health Organisa-

Australia aims to vaccinate Vaccine drive Philippines detects all adults by year’s end Indian Covid variant Reuters Separately, the health minis- Manila try yesterday reported 4,734 new AFP It remains one of the few plac- lus spending that could set the coronavirus infections, the lowest Canberra es where there is no widespread stage for an election as soon as single-day tally since March 17, community transmission and this year. he Philippines has detected bringing total cases to more than daily life is relatively normal. Prime Minister Scott Morri- its fi rst two cases of a coro- 1.11mn. The number of daily in- ustralia yesterday set a new But very few Australians are son is seeking re-election and a Tnavirus variant fi rst iden- fections in the Philippines, which target of vaccinating all immunised and there have been fourth consecutive victory for his tifi ed in India, its health ministry is battling one of the worst out- Awilling adults by the end repeated outbreaks linked to conservative Liberal-led coali- said yesterday, even as confi rmed breaks in Asia, has fallen from a of 2021, hoping to speed a glacial quarantine facilities, raising fears tion. daily Covid-19 infections fell to a peak of 15,310 on April 2, but has vaccine roll-out that threatens the success could be fl eeting. Jettisoning the party’s tradi- near eight-week low. stayed above the daily average of country’s pandemic success story. “We don’t know what is tional talk of belt-tightening and The World Health Organisa- roughly 1,700 cases for 2020. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg around the corner with respect to fi scal prudence, Frydenberg said tion has classifi ed the coronavi- The drop in cases, if sustained, – unveiling a free-spending, the virus,” Frydenberg said. “The “unavoidable” spending would rus variant, known as B.1.617, as will buoy hopes that tougher re- crisis-tinged budget – said the assumption is that there will be see the defi cit swell to A$161bn a variant of global concern with strictions imposed on March 29 continuation of the country’s new cases.” ($125bn) this year, almost 8% of some preliminary studies show- will be relaxed to help the econo- “roaring” economic recovery de- So far Australia has delivered GDP. ing that it spreads more easily. my, which contracted 4.2% in the pended on “eff ective suppression just 2.5mn vaccine shots, versus The government has com- The variant had been con- fi rst quarter. In a bid to prevent the of the virus”. the roughly 50mn jabs needed to mitted A$291bn to virus-related fi rmed in two Filipino seafarers entry of variants, the Philippines To that end, he said, the con- vaccinate the entire population stimulus, including a swathe of who returned in April, Alethea has temporarily barred travel- servative government expected — lagging other rich countries, tax cuts and income support that De Guzman, director of the min- lers coming from India, Pakistan, Australia’s borders to remain and the government’s own tar- is equivalent to almost 15% of istry’s epidemiology bureau, told Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh closed well into 2022 and for all gets. After a series of problems gross domestic product. a news conference from entering the country. adults “who seek to have that with vaccine delivery and the use The defi cit explosion was lim- “We need to continually mon- Indonesia and Malaysia this vaccine” to have received two of the AstraZeneca vaccine for ited only by increased tax rev- itor what other variants we may month reported the fi rst cases of doses by the end of the year. those under 50, the government enue – as people go back to work be able to detect locally, as well the B.1.617 coronavirus variant. Australia has ridden out the is now in talks to manufacture more quickly than expected – as monitor the spread of the var- Philippines has also previously coronavirus pandemic by eff ec- promising mRNA vaccines do- and surging iron ore prices. People stand in a queue as they wait to get a dose of the iants we have already detected,” recorded cases of a variant fi rst tively sealing itself off from the mestically. “We’re giving a very big thanks Chinese-made Sinopharm Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine De Guzman said, adding that the detected in Britain and another rest of the world, and with a series Frydenberg also unveiled a to Western Australia and the iron in Colombo yesterday. seafarers were isolated on their fi rst discovered in South Africa, as of snap local lockdowns. new round of tax cuts and stimu- ore industry,” Frydenberg said. return and had both recovered. well as a homegrown P.3 variant. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 12, 2021 9 WORLD US attack exposes DarkSide as cyber criminals

AFP Side ransom varies between Security expert Gerome Billois ington yesterday denied any Paris $200,000 and $2mn,” France’s at WaveStone compared Dark- government link to the attack national data security agency Side’s business model to that of on the Colonial Pipeline, which Ansii said in February. technology platforms like Uber. carries fuel from Texas to major S authorities have iden- Experts believe that DarkSide It links up cyber criminals cities across the eastern United tifi ed a relatively new rarely carries out attacks itself. with potential victims, pro- States. But certain computer Ugang of cyber criminals Instead, it provides the software vides the necessary software, security experts suspect that as being behind the ransomware and assists its clients who carry and receives a commission the Russian government may attack which paralysed a key fuel out the attacks. from whatever ransom is paid. condone DarkSide’s operations pipeline. “Those responsible for Dark- In a statement published as it appears to target Western Called DarkSide, experts say Side are very organised, and they on the darknet — a area of the firms but not Russian. it is one of a growing number of have a mature Ransomware as a Internet not accessible by the “So a ransomware group we outfi ts that provide attack soft- Service (RaaS) business model general public — DarkSide believe is operating (and likely ware to other groups. and affi liate programme,” said states that it has no political harboured) by Russia has shut- DarkSide fi rst emerged pub- Cybereason. agenda and no governmental down a company that is moving licly in August 2020 and it spe- “The group has a phone links. 45% of petroleum supplying cialises in what is known as number and even a help desk It said it is out to make mon- the East Coast,” tweeted at the ransomware: programs that in- to facilitate negotiations with ey, not to create social prob- weekend Dmitri Alperovitch, fi ltrate a victim’s computer net- and collect information about lems so it claimed it will only founder of the computer secu- work and then encrypt data on Consumers pump gas at a Costco gasoline station, in Atlanta, Georgia, yesterday. its victims — not just technical ransom companies that can af- rity firm CrowdStrike. machines, thus blocking opera- information regarding their en- ford it. Kaspersky, a Russian com- tions. “DarkSide follows the double selves against such attacks. tabases of stolen information,” vironment but also more general US authorities believe Dark- puter security firm believes The criminals then demand a extortion trend, which means “This technique eff ectively said Damien Bancal, a journalist details relating to the company Side is based in Russia. that DarkSide may not have ex- ransom to free the data. the threat actors not only en- renders the strategy of backing at Zataz.com who specialises in itself like the organisation’s size While US President Joe Bi- pected the attack against Co- Experts believe that the team crypt the user’s data, but fi rst up data as a precaution against the illegal traffi c of stolen infor- and estimated revenue,” the den said US intelligence had no lonial to result in the shutting behind DarkSide is made up of exfi ltrate the data and threaten a ransomware attack moot,” the mation. company added. evidence linking the group to down of the pipeline and the experienced cyber criminals as to make it public if the ransom company said on its website. DarkSide can also threaten to Zataz.com’s Damien Bancal the Kremlin, he said the Rus- attention that has drawn. the software goes beyond earlier demand is not paid,” said ana- If the group doesn’t get what make public sensitive or embar- said DarkSide even off ers a sort sian government had “some re- The company believes Dark- indiscriminate ransomware at- lysts at Cybereason, a fi rm which it wants, it can “auction the rassing data. of “after-sale service” option to sponsibility to deal with this”. Side may dial back its attacks to tacks. helps companies protect them- data off to other pirates, to da- “The amount of a Dark- help negotiate with victims. The Russian embassy in Wash- avoid any similar situation. Free Uber and Quest for greener pastures Lyft rides on off er to boost vaccination

Reuters the statement said. Biden has and Lyft launched at the end of Washington set a target of getting 70% of last year, which combine public US adults inoculated by July service with self interest, as the 4 so the country can be safely companies seek to have drivers he White House yester- reopened for celebrations and and riders return to the road. Migrants from Venezuela cross the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico in Del Rio, Texas, yesterday. day announced a series of small Independence Day holi- Uber has offered 10mn self- Tsteps aimed at boosting day gatherings. funded free or discounted rides US Covid-19 vaccination rates, As of Monday, 46% of Amer- to vaccination sites, while Lyft including a partnership with icans have received at least one said it would provide an un- TENSION ride-hailing services Uber and vaccine dose, according to the capped amount of free vacci- Illegal gold miners Lyft, as it seeks to achieve Presi- US Centers for Disease Control nation rides paid for in part- dent Joe Biden’s July 4 reopening and Prevention. nership with other corporate Colombian cities brace for more fire on indigenous deadline. Yesterday’s partnership sponsors. Those programmes community The latest actions also in- comes after Uber sent a letter targeted vulnerable commu- clude vaccination sites at com- to the Biden team in Decem- nities lacking healthcare and Covid infections after protests members in Brazil munity colleges, among other ber, offering help with vacci- transportation, while rides un- efforts, the White House said nations.It also urged the ad- der the White House partner- Illegal gold miners inside the in a statement. ministration to maintain Uber ship are open to everyone. Reuters Yanomami reservation in northern The new initiatives come at a drivers’ status as independent Uber and Lyft said they will Bogota Brazil yesterday opened fire time when US demand for vac- contractors, while offering the pay for the additional rides. with automatic weapons on an cines has declined significant- ability to provide some ben- “Ride codes will cover $15 indigenous community that has ly, forcing the administration efits. Biden campaigned on each way, which based on pre- olombia’s three larg- opposed their entry by river, a to figure out new ways to mo- providing more benefits to gig vious rides given to vaccina- est cities are bracing Yanomami leader said, Reuters re- tivate people to get vaccinated. workers by reclassifying them tion sites, we expect to cover Cfor an extended third ported. The Yanomami responded President Biden will discuss employees — a move opposed most, if not all, of riders’ fares,” peak in coronavirus cases and with bows and arrows and the steps in a meeting with a by companies involved. Lyft said. Biden also will an- over-stretched intensive care shotguns wounding four of the bipartisan group of governors. US Labor Secretary Marty nounce funding through the units after nearly two weeks of attackers during the 30-minute “Today, the president will Walsh told Reuters two weeks Federal Emergency Manage- anti-government protests, lo- clash on Monday morning, Dario highlight an...effort by the ago, “in a lot of cases gig work- ment Agency (FEMA) for states cal authorities said. Kopenawa, head of the Yanoma- ride-sharing companies Lyft ers should be classified as em- for on-the-ground efforts to Demonstrations fuelled by mi’s Hutukara Association said and Uber to provide free rides ployees.” promote vaccinations, such as outrage at a now-cancelled yesterday. One indigenous person to anyone going to a vaccina- The rides build on existing phone banking and door-to- tax plan began on April 28. Demonstrators look on during a protest demanding was grazed in the skirmish, he said tion site to get vaccinated,” vaccination programmes Uber door canvassing. Protesters’ demands have government action to tackle poverty, police violence and in a report to the government’s in- expanded to include a basic inequalities in healthcare and education systems in Bogota. digenous aff airs agency Funai, the income, an end to police vio- Brazilian army, federal prosecutors lence and the withdrawal of a safeguarded us from conta- been at or near full-capacity and police. Experts said the miners Police hunt for fugitive Bengal tiger in Texas neighbourhood long-debated health reform. gion for 16 months is what was for weeks, is preparing for a were most likely trying to scare the Marches look set to contin- broken in Colombia two weeks possible crisis, health secre- Yanomami away from blocking Police in an upscale Texas neighbourhood insisted the tiger does not belong to Cuevas. ue for the foreseeable future, ago,” Lopez said. “Every day it is tary Andree Uribe told Reuters their access to gold prospects. The searched yesterday for a fugitive Bengal tiger that News accounts said the cat lived in a house rented with protest leaders and the broken, we are exposed to a risk in a video. “We know there conflict on the largest indigenous was seen roaming on lawns and streets until its by Cuevas. The drama began Sunday evening government at odds despite of mass death. To be at 96% will be an increase in cases, reservation in the Amazon has be- apparent owner fled with the animal. when the tiger was seen walking calmly across an initial meeting to discuss ICU occupation is to be on the we’re on alert, we are carrying come increasingly violent in recent That man, who already had legal troubles, was front lawns in a neighbourhood in west Houston. the demands. brink of hospital collapse.” out actions for early identi- months as the Yanomami oppose arrested Monday night for felony evasion of arrest “I mean, I couldn’t believe it,” neighbour Jose Ramos Capital Bogota is confront- A decrease in infections will fi cation, like testing every- the invasion of more than 20,000 after loading the tiger into a car and driving away, told local television station KPRC. He took a picture, ing a “hospital collapse,” not come until the end of May, one who participated in the illegal gold miners on their lands. just as police arrived at his home in Houston. posted it on a neighbourhood blog with a warning for Mayor Claudia Lopez said in a Lopez said, adding protests marches,” she said. Kopenawa, son of the respected But there was no sign of the big cat. people to stay away, and called an emergency police press conference on Monday, make quarantine restrictions In Cali — a protest focal leader and shaman Davi Kopenawa, “The tiger portion of the investigation is continu- number. “It was very scary because this is a very and will not see infections nearly unenforceable, though point — demonstrations are said the miners threatened to return ing,” Houston police tweeted after the arrest of family-oriented community, and you see lots of kids drop this week as previously she extended a curfew and re- likely to extend a current peak, to avenge their wounded and he 26 year old Victor Hugo Cuevas, whose lawyer and (babies) strolling,” Ramos said. predicted. striction on alcohol sales. health secretary Miyerlandi called on authorities to act fat to “The pact of care that has Medellin, whose ICUs have Torres said. protect the community. NBC drops next year’s Golden Globes over diversity row

AFP lowing widespread allegations of to the HFPA in protest, accord- the organisation itself, which The letter also hit out at the and creators, representing un- largely tolerated this behaviour Los Angeles racism, bullying and corruption ing to multiple Hollywood trade relies heavily on the Globes’ HFPA for failing to confront questionably worthy content,” until now.” among its ranks. outlets. television rights for its funding longstanding criticisms about said the letter shared with Hol- The comments echoed a Last week, the group approved “We continue to believe that — comes days after Netfl ix and a lack of diversity and the con- lywood trade outlet Deadline. statement by Lost in Transla- he future of the Golden a raft of reforms to become the HFPA is committed to mean- Amazon Studios said they would duct of some of its members, “This same work has often tion and Marvel superhero star Globes was plunged into “more inclusive and diverse” ingful reform. However, change not work with the HFPA until who range from bona fi de jour- then gone unrecognised in your Johansson, who said Saturday Tjeopardy as NBC can- by an “overwhelming” mar- of this magnitude takes time and more “meaningful” and “signifi - nomination and awards proc- she had “refused to partici- celled its broadcast of next year’s gin, hoping to draw a line under work, and we feel strongly that cant” changes were made. “We continue to believe ess.” pate” in HFPA press confer- prestigious awards, while ma- months of negative publicity. the HFPA needs time to do it Warner Bros piled on earlier that the HFPA is committed “In addition, our teams have ences for years due to “sexist jor Hollywood studios and stars But the backlash from Hol- right,” the awards’ longstanding Monday with a letter to HFPA to meaningful reform” endured press conferences questions and remarks” that such as Tom Cruise and Scarlett lywood has been fi erce, with broadcaster NBC said in a state- president Ali Sar saying the or- where our talent were asked “bordered on sexual harass- Johansson slammed the organ- A-listers such as Johansson and ment. ganisation’s plan does not go nalists at major international racially insensitive, sexist and ment.” isers’ record on diversity and Mark Ruff alo and powerful ex- “As such, NBC will not air the “far enough.” publications to semi-retired and homophobic questions. For far Ruffalo recently said he transparency. ecutives lining up to condemn 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming Warner will not provide stars obscure individuals who rarely too long, demands for perks, “cannot feel proud or happy” The Hollywood Foreign Press the changes as too slow, lacking the organisation executes on its to speak at HFPA-only press work for any mainstream out- special favours and unprofes- about winning a recent Gold- Association, comprised of some in specifi cs and failing to address plan, we are hopeful we will be conferences or extend invita- lets. sional requests have been made en Globe from a group with a 90 journalists who vote for Tin- some of the industry’s most fun- in a position to air the show in tions for the group’s members to “We are keenly aware of how to our teams and to others “culture of secrecy and exclu- seltown’s second-biggest annual damental grievances. January 2023.” attend exclusive industry events much harder we’ve had to lobby across the industry. sion” that continues to “resist fi lm and television awards, has Tom Cruise on Monday re- The development — a poten- until urgent and meaningful to secure press conferences for “We regret that as an indus- the change that is being asked been under fi re for months fol- turned his three Golden Globes tially fatal blow to the awards and change is guaranteed. a number of Black performers try, we have complained, but from them.” Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, May 12, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Vaccines: World’s best and lasting defence against Covid-19

The insidious virus is still raging across the world with all its ferocity. For a perspective, global cases are nearing 160mn with deaths exceeding 3.3mn. More than 1.31bn doses of vaccines have been given so far. But on the brighter side, there are green shoots of hope emerging, especially in countries where a systematic vaccination drive is being implemented by policymakers. There’s good real-world evidence from Israel, the UK, US and Qatar that vaccines will be highly effective at preventing What we got wrong: Guardian’s recipients from developing a serious case of Covid-19, including from an infection caused by a so-called Sars-CoV-2 variant of concern, according to a Bloomberg report. Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health yesterday announced that judgement errors over 200 years 50.1% of the eligible population in the country has received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccines. As much as 87.7% of over-60s (the most vulnerable population group) has been Fiercely critical of Abraham Having been a strong supporter of vaccinated with at least one dose, while 80.7% has received the Liberal party in the 19th century, the Lincoln and at times racist, Manchester Guardian warmed to the both doses. the newspaper’s leader Labour party in the 20th, while never And Qatar plans to gradually lift Covid-19 restrictions in four losing its Liberal connections. Scott spent phases starting May 28, a top health official said on Sunday. columns did not always much of the last three decades of his life Covid-19 vaccination in Qatar is highly effective at get it right calling for Labour and the old Liberal party preventing severe illness due to infection from variants from to co-operate and save the country from By Randeep Ramesh Conservative domination, a cause that is the UK and South Africa, according to a study published in still very much alive today in the paper. The New England Journal of Medicine, the most prestigious In 1945, a new editor, Alfred Powell medical journal in the world. daily newspaper cannot publish Wadsworth, erred in declaring that Observational analysis for 200 years without get- “the chances of Labour sweeping the in Israel, the first country ting some things wrong. The country ... are pretty remote” and called Guardian has made its share of in an editorial for the “most fruitful In Qatar, 50.1% to report national data on A mistakes. coalition in these times: a Liberal-Labour of the eligible the Pfizer Inc-BioNTech There will always be errors of news government”. The paper looked badly vaccine, showed that two judgement given the nature of the work. wrongfooted by the Labour landslide. population has doses provided more than Tight deadlines meant the sinking of Almost all the Guardian’s election 95% protection against the Titanic was relegated to a small spot REFLECTIONS: A screenshot of the article reflecting bold self analysis. leaders since the Second World War have received at least on page 9 in 1912; errors of scientifi c endorsed either Labour or the Liberals, Covid-19 infection, understanding resulted in a 1927 article Victorian liberalism was beset by president’s assassination scaled new and sometimes both. The exception came one dose of hospitalisation, and that promoted the virtues of asbestos, and double standards: while Asians could heights of anti-Lincoln mania. “Of his in 1951, when AP Wadsworth’s dislike of death, including among others in the late 1970s that warned of a not be trusted with self-determination, rule we can never speak except as a series Labour’s health minister, Aneurin Bevan, Covid-19 vaccines the elderly, at a time looming ice age. Americans could be. More than 150 years of acts abhorrent to every true notion of saw the paper back Churchill’s Tories. when the B.1.1.7 variant But the most noticeable missteps stem ago the paper believed that the southern constitutional right and human liberty,” Editors do make a diff erence: under not from the news pages but from the US states had the right to secede. It the paper wrote, before tactfully adding: Wadsworth the Manchester Guardian took was the dominant strain. editorial column. For it is here that readers suspected that a free Confederacy would “It is doubtless to be regretted that he had a surprisingly conservative view of the The number of new cases in US rose last week at the slowest fi nd out what the paper thinks about the prosper and claimed it was as entitled to not the opportunity of vindicating his foundation of the National Health Service. pace since the pandemic began, as more Americans are great issues of the day. And it is here that freedom as the Hungarians were when good intentions.” While supporting the changes as a “great vaccinated and the nation recovers from a winter spike fuelled mistakes are inked most indelibly into they had broken away from Austria in When Arthur Balfour, then Britain’s step forward”, the Guardian feared that the by holiday travel. history, whether they relate to suff rage, 1849. The Guardian reasoned that the foreign secretary, promised 104 years state providing welfare “risks an increase reform or, most notably in recent years, breakup of the US would hasten the end ago to help establish a national home in the proportion of the less gifted”. In Europe, the UK lowered its alert level and confirmed plans the debate over Brexit. of slavery, which it despised. This view for the Jewish people in Palestine, his And then there is Europe. The postwar to allow indoor mixing from May 17. To err is human. But making the was shared by William Gladstone of words changed the world. The Guardian Guardian had been a reliably European In the Gulf region, ramped-up vaccine rollouts have led to a wrong call is both inevitable and painful. the Liberal party, who would be prime of 1917 supported, celebrated and could newspaper. The paper looked favourably rebound in economic activity. To see why the Guardian thinks the minister four times. even be said to have helped facilitate on joining the Common Market from the In the overall UAE, business conditions are improving way it does, it is useful to start with the The paper’s support for the the Balfour declaration. Scott was a late 1950s. The Guardian was running, it interests it originally sought to advance. Confederacy led to a loathing of Abraham supporter of Zionism and this blinded felt, with the tide of history: so much so amid inoculation efforts in the Arab world’s second-largest The Manchester Guardian was born of Lincoln that today seems petty and him to Palestinian rights. In 1917 he that when the UK did not join the euro in economy. moderate radicalism, and began life in 1821 shameful. For the Guardian of the wrote a leader on the day the Balfour 2003, the leader column described it as Business activity in Dubai rose to the highest level since late as a mouthpiece for male middle-class 1860s, Lincoln was a fraud who treated declaration was announced, in which “the biggest setback to the pro-European 2019 after a rebound in tourism amid a fast distribution of political reform. emancipation of the slaves as negotiable he dismissed any other claim to the cause for a generation”. because it stood in the way of US unity. Holy Land, saying: “The existing Arab vaccines. The private sector, excluding oil, grew for a fifth- In the years after the 1832 Reform Act, The UK’s place within the European upwardly mobile men were enfranchised In 1862, refl ecting on his election the population of Palestine is small and at club had been secured by an in/out straight month in April, according to IHS Markit. and the paper steadily lost its radical previous year, the paper said “it is a low stage of civilisation.” Whatever referendum in 1975 called by Harold Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy - the engine of job creation edge. When revolution convulsed Europe impossible not to feel that it was an evil else can be said, Israel today is not the Wilson, who wanted the electorate to - rebounded in the first quarter. The sector grew 3.3% from a in the middle of the 19th century, the day both for America and the world”. country the Guardian foresaw or would settle a question that divided the Labour year earlier, the strongest since 2019 as the vaccination rollout Manchester Guardian had little sympathy Three years later an editorial on the have wanted. party. The Guardian found itself siding for the insurrectionists. “Nationalism with a small pro-European band in gathers momentum, according to the kingdom’s General was associated with democracy in 1848,” Labour, as well as almost all Tories and Authority for Statistics. wrote David Ayerst in his history of the Liberal party. On Thursday 5 June Covid won’t be a pandemic for “a lot longer” thanks to rapid the newspaper, “and democracy was 1975, in a leader headlined: “A vote for the progress in vaccine development, according to Anthony Fauci, still suspect in the Guardian circle.” next century”, the paper called for voters the top US infectious disease official. The paper’s leader column declared to endorse Britain’s membership of the support for martial law in Ireland to quell Common Market in that day’s referendum The best defence against the virus and its emerging variants political turbulence as famine stalked to ensure the country would be “safer and is getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, the land. Its cold-hearted analysis was more prosperous”. Fauci has said. that Ireland could only feed itself if freed No country had ever voted to leave the Make no mistake, the world’s long-drawn war against from its dependence on a few crops, and European Union before. The Guardian had Covid-19 calls for such proactive measures as mass that required capital that would not be been clear in the run-up to 2016’s Brexit forthcoming without political stability. vote that the electorate ought to vote to vaccinations as well as strict compliance with precautionary Fear of the mob dominated this period stay in. But on the morning of 23 June protocols stipulated by national health authorities. of the Manchester Guardian’s thinking. 2016, the paper did not tell readers how The paper advocated political reform – it thought they should vote. Instead, on a extending the franchise and promoting vote that would defi ne the country’s role secret ballots – but it wanted to limit in the next century, the leader said: “The To Advertise voting to male ratepayers. The call was UK will, gradually, put the tensions of the for a property-based democracy, sound campaign behind it, however painful they [email protected] money and rational government. The have been, and start instead to focus on its Manchester Guardian wanted no part in future.” History had other ideas. Display the most widespread revolutionary wave While the Guardian leader column 44466621 44418811 in European history. is now just one voice among many, it It was also a proudly imperialist paper. still represents the only long-range Classified When the Indian mutiny broke out in institutional view. It represents not any 44466609 44418811 1857 – a rebellion acknowledged as the one person’s belief but an attempt to greatest challenge to any European power The Guardian leader of 9 November 1917 on the Balfour declaration. This striking distil values that have evolved across Subscription in the 19th century – the leader column editorial is a reminder of the recent storming of the Israeli police at Damascus the centuries. The column tries to keep on 26 September of that year thundered Gate on Laylat Al-Qadr during the holy month of Ramadan, in Jerusalem’s old city in mind past mistakes and to proceed [email protected] with racism that England must retain on 8th of current May while unarmed and peaceful Palestinian worshippers were with humility. No one knows the “unfaltering confi dence in our right to rule trying to perform their Isha prayers on their homeland. “Whatever else can be said, verdicts history will hand down on the over the native population by virtue of Israel today is not the country the Guardian foresaw or would have wanted,” the opinions that appear obvious today. © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved inherent superiority”. newspaper admits. — The Guardian Gulf Times Wednesday, May 12, 2021 11 WORLD Nine dead in Russia school shooting Seven 8th graders among those slain, six injured kids in intensive care; teenage gunman detained

AFP Kazan

t least nine people, most of them children, were Akilled yesterday when a lone teenage gunman opened fi re at a school in the central Russian city of Kazan, offi cials said. President Vladimir Putin or- dered a review of gun control laws after the shooting — one of the worst in recent Russian his- tory — which occurred on the fi rst day back to school follow- ing annual May holidays. REACTIONS: (from left) People react near School Number 175 after a deadly shooting in Kazan; a woman is overcome near a makeshift memorial for the victims of the shooting; and a mother embraces her child in The spree started around the wake of the traumatic incident. (Reuters) 9:30am local time, spark- ing panic among students and dren in the eighth grade, Tatar- calling for new gun laws. killed. Russian news agencies, two shooters, with one report- Galyaviev had been armed with “I saw a girl with a wounded teachers at the School No 175 stan regional leader Rustam “The president gave an order citing offi cial sources, said ear- edly barricaded on the fourth a Turkish-made Hatsan escort stomach being carried out un- in Kazan, the capital of the pre- Minnikhanov told reporters. to urgently work out a new pro- lier in the day that 11 people had fl oor of the building and killed, shotgun, the same weapon used conscious,” he added. dominantly Muslim Russian re- He said two adults, including a vision concerning the types of died. but offi cials later said a lone at- in a mass shooting at a college in “We are in shock,” says Maria public of Tatarstan. teacher, also died. weapons that can be in civilian The Interfax news agency, tacker was responsible. Kerch in Russian-annexed Cri- Mashkova, a 33-year-old hos- Amateur footage on social Another 20 people were hos- hands, taking into account the citing a nearby business college, Tatarstan leader Min- mea in 2018. pital receptionist. “We didn’t media, apparently fi lmed from pitalised, including 18 children. weapon” used in the attack, his identifi ed the shooter as Ilnaz nikhanov described the shoot- Offi cials ordered a minute of expect that this would happen a nearby building, showed peo- Six of them were in inten- spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Galyaviev, who was enrolled ing as “a major tragedy for silence at football matches later to us.” ple escaping from the school sive care, Lazzat Khaidarov, a Images broadcast on state at the Tatarstan University of our republic” shortly after the yesterday and both cabinet and She added that her son is a by jumping from second- and spokesman for the regional au- television showed dozens of Management but was expelled building was secured. parliament meetings honoured fourth-grader at the school but third-fl oor windows, with thorities, told AFP. people outside the school with one month ago for poor aca- “We are deeply saddened that the victims. did not go to class that day. sounds of gunshots echoing in The ages of the injured people fi re services and police vehicles demic performance. this has happened,” he told re- Witnesses off ered chilling ac- Yesterday afternoon, a make- the schoolyard. varied from between seven and lining nearby streets and law “He was always neat and porters. counts of the tragedy. shift memorial was set up out- Police said they detained the 62. enforcement carrying automat- calm, he was respectful of fel- He described the detained as- “Parents were running side the school gates where gunman approximately one Authorities have declared ic weapons patrolling the area. low students and teachers,” a sailant as a “terrorist” and said around, looking for their chil- tables were fi lled with fl owers, hour after initial reports of the today a day of mourning, with The number of dead reported representative of the university the 19-year-old shooter had a dren,” Andrei Stepanov, a cash- soft toys and candles, an AFP shooting. Putin expressing his “deep con- varied, with the city’s mayor was quoted as saying. licence to carry a fi rearm. in-transit guard who lives close journalist reported from the Seven of the dead were chil- dolences” to the victims and saying eight people had been There were initial reports of A source told Interfax that to the school, told AFP. scene.

EU confident of EU suing AZ to get Covid-19 travel 90mn vaccine certificate for doses before July the summer Inquiry: British soldiers shot The EU executive is suing The European Commission British-Swedish pharmaceutical expects to finish work soon group AstraZeneca to force it to on a Covid-19 certificate that deliver 90 million more doses of could allow citizens to travel dead innocent N Irish in 1971 its Covid-19 vaccine before July, more easily this summer in the a spokesman said yesterday. 27-nation bloc, the EU executive “We want the court to order the said yesterday after a meeting Reuters protection to former soldiers justice,” Mullan’s brother Patsy company to deliver 90 million with European aff airs ministers. Belfast who served in Northern Ireland, told a news conference. “After 50 UK eyes laws to protect additional doses, in addition to The pass would allow those plans Dublin and many in Belfast years the truth we always knew the 30 million already delivered vaccinated, recovered from fi ercely oppose. has fi nally been told.” N Ireland army veterans in the first quarter,” European Covid-19 or with negative ritish soldiers unjustifi ably “All of the deceased were en- There was not enough evi- Commission spokesman Stefan test results to cross borders shot or used dispropor- tirely innocent of any wrong- dence to say whether the army Britain yesterday announced plans to introduce legislation De Keersmaecker told a media in a union where restrictions Btionate force in the deaths doing on the day in question,” were responsible for the death to give greater legal protection to former soldiers who conference. on movement have weighed of nine of the 10 innocent peo- Keegan, the coroner for the case, of one the victims, John James served during decades of sectarian conflict in Northern The demand stems from a heavily on the travel and tourism ple killed in an 1971 incident in concluded. McKerr, who was indiscrimi- Ireland, sparking angry opposition from victims and law- row between Brussels and industry for more than a year. Belfast that sparked an upsurge The deaths over a three-day nately shot going to and from makers. AstraZeneca over a shortfall of “This is a priority for our citizens of violence during Northern Ire- period of disorder in the Bal- work. However Judge Keegan Allegations over unresolved crimes from Northern Ireland’s tens of millions of vaccine doses and therefore I believe we will land’s ‘Troubles’, a judge-led in- lymurphy area of Belfast — a said it was “shocking” that the “Troubles” — three decades of confrontation between Irish the company was meant to have deliver (on the certificate) before quiry found. sprawling housing estate of state did not carry out a proper nationalist militants, pro-British “loyalist” paramilitaries delivered to the EU since the summer,” Commission Vice- A Catholic priest and a moth- Catholics who opposed British investigation into the killing. and the British military that killed around 3,600 people — beginning of the year. President Maros Sefcovic said er of eight who served soldiers rule — occurred in the days after Questions also remain unan- remain a contentious issue 23 years after a peace deal was The commission has launched after the meeting in Brussels. He tea during the ‘Troubles’ were the introduction of internment swered about the identity of the struck. two emergency legal actions said he expected a full roll-out among the victims in an event without trial for suspected mili- soldiers who shot many of the Prosecutions linked to the violence are increasingly unlikely against the company in a by the summer. A two week pilot Irish Foreign Minister Simon tants triggered disorder on the victims, the judge added. to result in convictions, the government said in a briefing Belgian court, first to have the project to test the technology Coveney described yesterday as streets. No one has been charged or document issued alongside the Queen’s Speech, which sets urgency of the issue recognised, a few countries at a time began “one of the most tragic days” of Father Hugh Mullan, the convicted in connection with any out Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s legislative agenda. and then to have a judge rule on on Monday, the EU Commission Northern Ireland’s three decades 38-year-old priest who died, was of the killings. The inquest was a “The government will introduce a legacy package that de- whether the EU’s case is well- said. But EU governments, the of bloodshed. helping an injured man and wav- fact-fi nding exercise and not a livers better outcomes for victims, survivors and veterans, founded. European Parliament and the Judge Siobhan Keegan deliv- ing a white object before he was criminal trial. “The police have focuses on information recovery and reconciliation, and The European Commission, Commission must agree on the ered her fi ndings to applause shot twice in the back, the in- never to this day investigated the ends the cycle of investigations,” the government said yes- backed by the 27 EU member design of the certificate. from families of the victims quiry found. deaths of our loved ones,” said terday. The Irish government last week urged London not states, argues that AstraZeneca They must also decide whether shortly after the British govern- “Our brother was killed by John Teggart, the son of one of to seek to shield former soldiers from prosecution, describ- has breached a contract faster, but less accurate, Covid-19 ment announced it would intro- the British Army and then they those killed. “No one should be ing reports of such plans as deeply alarming. stipulating it would deliver 300 antigen tests can be included. duce legislation to give greater lied about it to cover up their in- above the law.” million vaccine doses to the EU Sefcovic called on all sides to in the first half of this year. work together to complete AstraZeneca has responded the legislative, as well as the that it is bound only by a “best technical, work as quickly as reasonable eff orts” to meet that possible, noting the complexity target. of the job. Rift in Macron party over candidate’s headscarf After citing production problems “For the certificate to work, it in its EU manufacture, and has to be on smartphones, it has refusing to divert doses from to be interoperable, possible to AFP public on the Move (LREM) party, National Rally (RN) party, Jordan election from displaying a reli- British factories listed as check it. So it is quite the task to Paris with some MPs voicing open criti- Bardella. gious symbol, in this case a head- suppliers in the EU contract, do it at the pan-European level”, cism. “Wearing ostentatious religious scarf”. the company off ered revised Sefcovic said. The European Guerini reacted on Monday to symbols on a campaign document He said it was a “political deliveries. Parliament says no-one will be he head of French President an election poster of Sara Zem- is not compatible with the val- choice” to have candidates who do obliged to use the EU certificate Emmanuel Macron’s polit- mahi, an engineer standing for ues of LREM,” Guerini wrote late not display their religious beliefs. and it must not be considered a Tical party has threatened to the party in the southern city of Monday in a reply to Bardella. Analysts say Macron has tacked Slovakia suspends vaccine passport. withdraw support for one of their Montpellier in regional elections “Either these candidates to the right in recent months with Sefcovic said the Commission own candidates in regional elec- that are set to take place on June change their photo, or LREM will security and immigration set to be AZ use as a was working closely to inform tions after she wore a headscarf for 20 and 27. withdraw its support.” key issues in presidential elections recipient dies the United States, the World a campaign poster. The picture of Zemmahi, who Government spokesman next year. Health Organisation and others The warning from Stanislas is shown smiling in a white head- Gabriel Attal backed the ultima- His government is in the proc- about its progress to allow the Guerini, who helped found Ma- scarf along with three LREM tum on France Inter radio yester- ess of passing new legislation to Slovakia’s Health Ministry said certificate to be used on a wider cron’s centrist movement in 2016, colleagues, was tweeted by the day, adding that “legally, nothing crack down on what he has termed yesterday it was suspending scale. UNDER FIRE: Sara Zemmahi caused a rift in the governing Re- number two in France’s far-right prevents someone standing in an “Islamist separatism”. the use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for people getting their first doses, after experts reviewed the death of a recipient. The state drug regulator, SUKL, said last week that the death of Queen returns to public stage with govt’s new agenda a 47-year-old woman was likely to be connected to the vaccine AFP pledges to hold another referendum on it was scaled back this year due to the ernment, the Queen also detailed because of a predisposition that London breaking away from the centuries-old pandemic. plans to “strengthen the economic ties she had. union. This meant far fewer attendees and across the union”, in part by improving “The Health Ministry is Johnson’s government, after rolling the Queen travelled to Westminster by national infrastructure. considering various options at ueen Elizabeth II outlined her out a successful coronavirus vaccina- car instead of in a horse-drawn car- The monarch’s role is to stay above the moment, how to proceed government’s post-pandem- tion drive, is intent on reopening the riage. She wore a powder-blue day the political fray but the future of her with this issue,” spokeswoman Qic legislative agenda as she economy and “levelling up” prosper- dress and feathered hat, instead of kingdom could be at stake after the Zuzana Eliasova said. “At the opened a new session of the UK parlia- ity across Britain following its Brexit robes and a crown. election results north of the border moment, people waiting for ment yesterday, in her fi rst public ap- withdrawal from the European Union. Only a select few from parliament’s gave new impetus to the pro-inde- their second dose are being pearance since the funeral of her late “My government’s priority is to de- two chambers were allowed to attend pendence Scottish National Party inoculated with the AstraZeneca husband Prince Philip. liver a national recovery from the pan- to maintain social distancing, and (SNP). vaccine.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson, buoy- demic that makes the United Kingdom those present needed to have tested When Scots last voted on the ques- She said further steps would be ant after his Conservative party’s tri- stronger, healthier and more pros- negative for Covid. tion of quitting the UK in 2014, Queen announced later in the week. umph in local and regional elections in perous than before,” the 95-year-old The Queen — Britain’s longest- Elizabeth issued a guarded remark for The company did not England last week, is vowing to deliver monarch said in a speech from a gilded serving monarch — was accompanied voters to “think very carefully about immediately respond to a on his mantra to “build back better” throne in the upper House of Lords. by her 72-year-old son and heir, Prince the future”. request for comment. with a wide-ranging raft of policies. The monarch’s state opening of par- Charles, as she returned to public du- They opted against independence Some European countries briefly But he faces renewed questions over liament last occurred in late 2019 amid ties three weeks after the Duke of Ed- then, and Johnson’s fl at rejection of halted inoculations using the the UK’s cohesion after pro-independ- political acrimony over Brexit. Nor- inburgh was laid to rest. He died last SNP demands for a fresh referendum Queen Elizabeth delivers her speech vaccine made by AstraZeneca in ence forces won a majority in elec- mally an annual event replete with fi ve month, aged 99. threatens to open a new constitutional during the State Opening of Parliament March when concerns surfaced tions to the Scottish parliament, with centuries of tradition and pageantry, In her speech, written by the gov- crisis in the Queen’s post-Brexit realm. in London yesterday. (Reuters) over very rare blood clots. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, May 12, 2021 QATAR

MIA lit up for Eid

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is seen lit up yesterday in decorative lighting ahead of Eid al-Fitr. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

The MME, represented by its Public Cleaning Department, has been carrying out campaigns across the country to clean the prayer grounds in preparation for the Eid al-Fitr prayers. Municipalities step All arrangements in up Eid preparations

he departments concerned at municipalities across Tthe country have intensi- fi ed their inspection campaigns place for Eid prayers ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holidays, to ensure cleanliness and By Shafeeq Alingal hygiene of all food outlets, public Staff Reporter places, and roads. The inspectors at Doha Mu- nicipality’s Health Control Sec- ith the mosques and tion have toured all commercial prayer grounds set to complexes and shops selling nuts Whost the Eid al-Fitr and sweets besides popular kitch- prayers, the Ministry of Endow- ens to ensure the safety of food on ments (Awqaf) and Islamic Af- display. They also inspected the fairs and the Ministry of Munici- livestock carcasses at the slaugh- pality and Environment (MME) terhouses on daily basis. are busy making fi nal arrange- The inspectors also gave special ments to ensure the convenience focus on the central market where A specialised team of veterinarians and food inspectors took part in and safety of the faithful. they examined the fruits and veg- the eff orts to guarantee the highest levels of food safety for potential The MME, represented by its etables on display. A specialised consumers. Public Cleaning Department, team of veterinarians and food has been carrying out campaigns inspectors took part in the eff orts across the country to clean the to guarantee the highest levels of prayer grounds in preparation for food safety for potential consum- the Eid al-Fitr prayers, an offi cial ers. statement said. Special teams Similarly, Al Wakra Municipal- with the latest equipment and ity’s Health Control Section car- machinery cleaned the prayer ried out a number of campaigns grounds across the country and on the food facilities, outlets and prepared them to receive the providers across its jurisdiction, worshippers. including the fi sh market, and the The cleanliness drives covered operate with competent authori- central market. municipalities of Doha, Al Khor ties and do not shake hands. Do The restaurants, eateries and and Al Thakhira, Al Shamal, Al not crowd around the doors of sweets and nuts shops were Wakra, Al Daayen, Al Sheehani- the mosques,” the advisory said. checked. The inspectors follow ya, Umm Salal and Al Rayyan. Mosques and prayer grounds closely any related complaints to The Qatar Red Crescent Socie- will be available at various areas resolve them immediately. ty (QRCS) will deploy volunteers including Ezgava, Umm Saneem, Al Shamal Municipality has at mosques and prayer grounds in Al Salata Al Jadeeda, Umm Salal made all the necessary prepa- order to maintain safety and en- Ali, Umm Salal Mohamed, Umm rations for the upcoming Eid sure the smooth conduct of the Ghuwailina, Umm Qarn, Umm holidays. Comprehensive public prayers. Lekhba, Bin Omran, Bin Mah- cleaning works were carried out A total of 1,028 mosques and moud, Bu Sidra, Al Thumama, and insecticides and disinfectants prayer grounds will be available Al Jumailiya, Al Kharaitiyat, Al sprayed at the targeted places for for prayer in Qatar. Awqaf has Jeryan, Al Huwaila, Al Khar- the protection of public health. published the names and loca- rara, Al Khalidiya, Al Kharsaah, The municipality has also adopted tion on its Twitter handle. The Al Kheesa, Al Dafna, Al Doha a full plan for the continuity of its Eid al-Fitr prayer will start at Al Jadeed, Al Thakira, Al Sou- services work during the holidays 5.05am. No children and women dan, Al Sailiya, Al Sheehaniya, to ensure the inspection and su- are allowed. Al Ebb, The Pearl, Al Murra, Al Heeran, Semaisma, Onaiza, Fer- Airport, Al Mamoura, Muaither pervision of the slaughterhouses Awqaf has announced a set of Messila, Al Mirqab Al Jadeed, Al eej Al Nasr, Fereej bin Dirham, South, Muaither North, Al Na- and the food outlets, especially precautionary measures to pre- Meshaf, Al Mamoura, Industrial Fereej Al Manaseer, Fereej bin jma, Al Wakra and Al Wukair. those selling fi sh, meat and poul- vent the spread of Covid-19. An Area, Al Najada, Al Hilal, Al Wa- Omran, Fereej bin Mahmood, The MME has urged everyone try. advisory asked the faithful to jba, Umm Ghuwailina, Al Khor, Fereej Abdul Aziz, Leibeib, Lega- to co-operate with the Opera- In the same way, Al Sheehaniya wear masks as long as they are Al Duhail, Al Rayyan Al Jadeed, taifi ya, Meraikh, Mesaieed, Mes- tions and Follow-up Team at the Municipality has carried out its at the mosque or prayer ground. Al Rayyan Al Qadeem, Al Sadd, saimeer, Msheirib, Nuaija, Wadi Cleanliness Department in keep- work plan for the Eid preparations, Mats should be brought. The Simaisma, Al Sailiya, Al Shee- Al Sail, Ain Kahled, Al Ghanem ing the public places clean dur- intensifying the food inspection prayer should be carried by keep- haniya, Al Shamal, Al Azeeziya, Al Jadeed, Al Gharrafa, Fereej ing Eid holidays and to not throw campaigns and continuing its vet- ing a distance of 1.5m between Bani Hajer, Bu Samra, Bu Sidra, bin Omar, Al Luqta, Madinat Al waste randomly. erinary control over the slaugh- everyone. Dukhan, Raas Lafan, Rawdat Shamal, Madina Khalifa South, To report any issue or com- terhouses, ensuring smooth op- Ehteraz with green code should Al Hamama, Rawdat Al Khail, Madina Khalifa North, Al Matar plaint MME’s call centre at 184 erations for the convenience of the be shown. Believers should co- Rawdat Al Fars, Rawdat Aba Al Qadeem, Hamad International could be contacted. public.

Drive to remove abandoned vehicles

The Committee for Removing Abandoned Vehicles has continued its intensive eff orts to spot and remove all the abandoned vehicles and equipment across the country. A recent campaign was carried out during the evening time at Salata Area within Doha Municipality. The committee works round-the-clock at all the municipalities in response to the requests submitted by citizens and expatriates who call the designated numbers regarding abandoned vehicles. The daily inspections to spot and remove abandoned vehicles are continuing.