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SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 8 SHA'ABAN - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8568 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

New minimum wage first of President of the Republic of Seychelles arrives its kind in Middle East: GCO THE PENINSULA — DOHA No. 17 of 2020 regarding setting hundreds of thousands of expa- the minimum wage for workers triates seeking to better their lives The Government Communica- and domestic workers, the Min- and the lives of their families. tions Office (GCO) has said that istry of Administrative Devel- “Qatar currently provides Qatar’s labour reforms are opment, Labour and Social jobs for almost two million genuine, long-lasting, and the Affairs started implementation people. The government con- product of years of careful of new minimum wage for all siders the welfare of guest planning. workers. workers as one of the key prior- The GCO further said in a “The new minimum wage ities and is committed to report highlighting Qatar’s labour has come into effect today, the reforming Qatar’s labour laws reforms that have been recog- first of its kind in the Middle and practices to design a system nised by major human rights East,” the GCO said in a tweet that is fit for purpose for both groups and UN organisations. yesterday. The GCO in a report, employees and employers.” “This progress makes Qatar the on its website, on labour reforms It added: “Labour policy is leader in the Gulf on labour said that Qatar’s rapid infra- a complex issue and one that reform,” it added. structure development and fast- cannot be solved overnight. In accordance with the Law growing economy has attracted However, over the past several years, Qatar has implemented In accordance with the Law No. 17 of 2020 extensive reforms to regarding setting the minimum wage for strengthen labour laws, and increase protections for workers and domestic workers, the Ministry migrant workers.” President of the Republic of Seychelles, H E Wavel Ramkalawan, arrived in Doha yesterday on an of Administrative Development, Labour and The GCO said that most official visit. The President and the accompanying delegation were greeted upon arrival at Hamad notably Qatar has introduced Social Affairs started implementation of new International Airport by Minister of Commerce and Industry, H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, and new laws that mean the majority minimum wage for all workers. Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Seychelles, H E Jabr bin Ali Al Dossari. of workers no longer need exit permits to leave the country; Qatar has introduced a new minimum announced procedures allowing workers to change employment wage of QR1,000 per month. QR freely, without requiring a No- Objection Certificate (NOC) from Initiative to provide academic guidance The employer must their previous employer; intro- duced a non-discriminatory to students in early stages launched additionally provide QR500 per minimum wage; announced the month for accommodation and QR300 establishment of 20 Qatar Visa SANAULLAH ATAULLAH Speaking about the Student “The guideline also includes Centres (QVCs) in India, Sri THE PENINSULA Guidance for University and advisory to parents and per month for food unless these are Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Bang- Labor Market for 2020-21, guardians since they play key provided by the employer. ladesh, Pakistan, Philippines and The Ministry of Education and which was issued by the Min- roles in guiding their children Tunisia, which will expedite the Higher Education has launched istry in February, Al Balam said to selecting educational streams recruitment process and ensure an initiative to provide that the guidelines helped stu- in schools and academic pro- The minimum wage covers employees workers do not get exploited in academic guidance to the dents select appropriate aca- grammes in universities,” said across all sectors of Qatar including their home countries; and estab- students from early stages. demic programme to pursue Al Balam. He said that the lished a Workers’ Support and “Starting from this year, we their higher studies. guideline focused on the impor- domestic workers. Insurance Fund which will have started implementing an “With growing number of tance of standard tests which ensure and provide care for initiative about developing aca- universities and academic pro- are required to take admission workers, guarantee their rights demic guidance programme for grammes, we launched the in the universities because all A committee will be formed and and provide a healthy and safe students of preparatory level,” guidelines to provide students local and international univer- tasked with frequently studying and working environment. said head of Academic and and parents with the infor- sities required standard tests reviewing minimum wage. The GCO also highlighted Career Guidance Section of the mation,” said Al Balam. like IELTS, TOEFL, SAT or ACT. various reforms implemented in Educational Guidance He said that the guideline “The guideline helped students Qatar. The Government of the Department, at the Ministry contains details of different col- in preparing for the standard Qatar currently provides jobs for almost State of Qatar has implemented Ahmad Nasser Al Balam. leges and universities, available tests for admission in univer- major labour reforms in the past Speaking in a Qatar TV pro- specialisations in the country, sities,” said Al Balam. two million people. The government few years. In August 2020, the gramme recently, Al Balam said percentage required for taking He said that the Ministry has considers the welfare of guest workers government introduced a non- that under the initiative, ini- admission in all universities, been providing guidance to stu- as one of the key priorities. discriminatory minimum wage tially 10 schools have been date of registration and other dents of secondary schools of 1,000 Qatari riyals per selected for pilot study. More basics to help students select the from grade 10 to 12 from over month. `P2 schools will be added later. programmes. a decade. `P2 13 companies join GAC’s PSA prepares ‘2021 Voluntary National Review’ economic programme for submission to UN Economic and Social Council

SIDI MOHAMED include all supply chain compo- THE PENINSULA — DOHA The aforementioned agenda with the countries that will decent work for all; reducing ine- THE PENINSULA nents and international trade. has been aligned with Qatar present their reviews this year. qualities; ensuring sustainable By introducing this national The Planning and Statistics National Development Strategy The VNR document will consumption and production pat- About thirteen Qatari companies programme, GAC aims to Authority (PSA), in collaboration 2018-2022, and the 2021 Vol- discuss the Sustainable Devel- terns; combating climate change have joined the ‘Authorized develop partnerships and coop- with all ministries and untary National Review will opment Goals related to ending and its impacts; promoting Economic Operator Programme’, eration with the private sector government agencies, the address a number of aspects of poverty in all its forms; ending peaceful and inclusive societies; of the General Authority of Customs and grant facilities and advan- private sector, NGOs, civil 2030 Agenda for Sustainable hunger and achieving food and revitalising national and (GAC). The programme provides tages to its parties. These society, universities and Development, which were security; ensuring healthy lives global partnership for sustainable companies with additional conces- advantages include reducing research centres in Qatar, is agreed upon within the and well-being for all; promoting development. sions and trade facilities. customs restrictions, inspection preparing the “2021 Voluntary framework of the United Nations economic growth and providing Moreover, the VNR doc- “So far, 13 companies have procedures and checks on ship- National Review of the State of ument is a national work pre- joined the programme, and there ments, and the quick release of Qatar” (VNR). pared as the fruit of cooperation are three companies submitted the incoming and outgoing This VNR will be submitted The Voluntary National Review (VNR) document among many partners. Its topics their applications and are still goods to these companies. at the High-level Political Forum will discuss the Sustainable Development Goals revolve around tracking and under study. The door is open for Al Sulaiti said there are four (HLPF) which will be held from related to ending poverty in all its forms, ending recording the progress achieved all companies to join it,” said conditions for granting Qatari July 13-16 at the United Nations hunger and achieving food security, ensuring by the State of Qatar in the goals Buthaina Al Mas Al Sulaiti, Head companies additional com- headquarters in New York. and objectives of the 2030 of the Department of Facilitation mercial facilities to join the pro- It may be noted that the healthy lives and well-being for all among other Agenda for Sustainable Devel- and Commitment at the GAC. gramme. Companies must have United Nations Economic and things. opment, using measurement Speaking to Qatar Radio been operational for three years Social Council (ECOSOC) has indicators adopted by countries recently, Al Sulaiti noted that or more. Also, the company must defined the forum’s theme as It will be submitted at the High-level Political in 2015. The purpose is to joining the programme is free have an acceptable and approved “Sustainable and resilient Forum (HLPF) which will be held from July 13-16 measure progress and prepare without financial compensation. financial system without customs recovery from the COVID-19 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. national and international She expects more companies to violations during the last three pandemic that promotes the eco- reports on the achievement of join in the coming period. The years. The GAC recently granted nomic, social and environmental goals and objectives in the three programme is one of the most additional concessions and trade dimensions of sustainable devel- sectors of development; namely, essential customs projects cur- facilities to several companies opment: Building an inclusive the economic, social and envi- rently being implemented, espe- that have proven their com- and effective path for the ronmental development, taking cially as it is making remarkable mitment to international condi- achievement of the 2030 Agenda into account the national, progress since its launch in 2019. tions and standards regarding in the context of the Decade of regional and international inter- More development and various the international trade supply Action and Achievement for sus- mingling dimensions of these facilities are being added to chain. tainable development”. sectors. `P2 02 HOME SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021

CCQ, DI to boost cooperation in research OFFICIAL NEWS QNA — DOHA at cooperation in student President of Doha Institute for Amir sends recruitment and the cooper- Graduate Studies Dr. Abdul congratulations to The Community College of The MoU was signed by ation between the various Wahab Al Afandi underlined Tunisia President Qatar (CCQ) and Doha President of Community administrative sectors to that the MoU reflects the Insti- PRAYER Institute for Graduate Studies prepare executive pro- tute’s belief in the importance DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim TIMINGS (DI) have signed a memo- College of Qatar, Dr. grammes through separate of cooperation among higher bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING randum of understanding Mohammed Al Nuaimi, agreements. education institutions to raise Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin (MoU) for cooperation in and Acting President of Commenting on the the efficiency of performance Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday scientific and knowledge occasion, President of Com- in the service of the nation and cables of congratulations to his FAJR 04.20 am Doha Institute for exchange. Graduate Studies, Dr. munity College of Qatar Dr. the society, in accordance with brother President of the Repub- SUNRISE 05.37 am lic of Tunisia, H E Kais Saied, on The MoU was signed by the Abdul Wahab Al Afandi. Mohammed Al Nuaimi said the comprehensive quality DHUHR 11.41 am President of Community that the cooperation with standards. the anniversary of his country’s ASR 03.08 pm College of Qatar, Dr. Doha Institute for Graduate The two sides agreed that Independence Day. Prime Minister Mohammed Al Nuaimi, and Studies would contribute to the MoU would be a basis for and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh MAGHRIB 05.47 pm Acting President of Doha research, and student fields; achieving the common goals, cooperation, with the possi- Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al ISHA 07.17 pm Institute for Graduate Studies, cooperation in research, enrich the academic expe- bility of forming joint work Thani also sent a cable of congrat- Dr. Abdul Wahab Al Afandi. studies and scientific and rience, and open horizons for committees and teams and ulations to Prime Minister of the The MoU provides for the knowledge exchange; and cooperation in the fields of holding consultative meetings Republic of Tunisia, H E Hichem cooperation in various areas organising joint activities such research, scientific and for coordination in various Mechichi, on the occasion of the of interest to both sides, as conferences, seminars, and knowledge exchange, and related fields to support and anniversary of his country’s Inde- mainly the exchange of expe- training courses. others. enhance work in various areas pendence Day. — QNA riences in the academic, The agreement also aims For his part, Acting of common interest.

WEATHER CRA spreads awareness of rights among telecom consumers TODAY AYENI OLUSEGUN The CRA is Qatar’s commu- service conditions before sub- implored to provide innovative and inquiries from consumers THE PENINSULA nications agency which regu- scription (a 2020 survey from and high-quality services and about telecom services in Qatar. lates the telecommunications ProPrivacy.com showed that customized services for con- According to the CRA, these The Communications Regu- and information technology only 1% of technology users sumers with special needs. The complaints were evaluated latory Authority (CRA) has sector, postal, and access to read ‘Terms & Conditions). The providers are to clarify terms based on a set of criteria to called on consumers and digital media. The CRA balances CRA noted that consumers and conditions of the service to determine their validity to 22oC 33oC service providers to comply consumer rights with the needs should choose a suitable credit the consumers before sub- CRA’s complaint process, of Minimum Maximum with their responsibilities and of service providers. limit that meets their require- scription, issue accurate and which 696 were valid com- respecting consumer rights as “You are responsible to ments, choose a convenient understandable bills in the con- plaints, and CRA resolved 95% Moderate to relatively hot daytime with slight dust to blowing dust at part of its activities to celebrate protect yourself as a telecom package, ensure they read noti- sumer’s preferred language, of the total complaints and places at times. World Consumer Rights Day consumer by knowing your fications and bills sent by send SMS notifications to con- inquiries received. (WCRD) 2021. responsibilities and rights,” the service providers, and lodge sumers about their credit limit It stressed that it was W ALRUWAIS : 21o → 23o The WCRD is marked on CRA said in a statement on complaints to the service pro- and receive and solve con- working with Ooredoo Qatar W ALKHOR : 18o → 29o March 15 every year to raise Twitter. vider before reaching the CRA. sumers’ complaints. and Vodafone Qatar to finalise global awareness of consumer It urged consumers to read Meanwhile, telecoms Recently, the CRA disclosed the related investigation of the W DUKHAN : 21o → 25o rights and needs. the contract and terms of service providers have been that it received 1,303 complaints remaining ones. W WAKRAH : 19o → 32o W MESAIEED : 19o → 32o W ABUSAMRA : 22o → 25o Lulu Hypermarket hosts

HIGH TIDE 06:59– 23:56 third edition of ‘Let’s LOW TIDE 4:42 – 15:24 Eatalian' festival

THE PENINSULA — DOHA quarterly edition as per the agreement that was signed in Initiative to provide The frontline retailer of the July 2020 between the ITA and region, Lulu Hypermarket, has LuLu Hypermarkets. Under this academic guidance hosted the 3rd edition of ‘Let’s agreement, the great vision of to students in early Eatalian - Authentically Italian ITA and the Italian Embassy is Products Promotion in Qatar being manifested through Lulu stages launched 2020-21’ in cooperation with the Hypermarket in four quarterly FROM PAGE 1 Italian Trade Agency (ITA), the editions. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The festival has showcased Speaking about gov- International Cooperation and a wide range of Italian products ernment scholarship pro- Trade Promotion Section of the at highly modest prices through gramme, Al Balam said: Italian Embassy in Qatar. all its stores. The promotional “Details of scholarship pro- The event was inaugurated campaign mainly celebrates the gramme are available in the yesterday at Lulu Hypermarket, Italian excellence in the food guideline so the students and Al Gharafa branch, by Ambas- sector; to name a few: canned parents can get it easily.” sador of Italy to Qatar, H E Ales- vegetables, pasta, rice, cheese Ambassador of Italy to Qatar, H E Alessandro Prunas, inaugurating the festival at Lulu Hypermarket, He said that the guideline sandro Prunas in the presence and dairy products, biscuits, Al Gharafa branch. has been circulated to schools of the Italian Trade Commis- coffee, olive oil, fresh fruit and and soon it will be posted on sioner to Qatar Giosafat Rigano, vegetables, chocolate, sauces, the social networking sites of Regional Director of Lulu Hyper- spices, condiments and many a festival of Italian food, it is Italian cuisine is known for the explore a wide range of new the Ministry of Education and markets Shaijan MO, Regional more. more of a celebration of the rich least number of ingredients. products, favourite classics and Higher Education. Manager Shanavas PM, Officials The third edition of the pro- heritage of advances made by Pasta, vegetables, olive oil and time-tested popular brands of In February this year, Aca- from ITA, Italian Embassy, Lulu motional campaign will run for Italy in various sectors. fish are a major part of the foods. Extensive promotional demic and Career Guidance Hypermarket and other a week from March 17 to 23 and As a large-scale importer of Italian cuisine. Generally, Italian campaign through in-store Section of the Educational dignitaries. is dedicated to the Italian Italian products for decades cooks rely chiefly on the quality branding, newspaper and radio Guidance Department at the The promotion under the culinary and food tradition and together, Lulu Hypermarket has of the ingredients rather than on advertisement, social media, Ministry issued a guideline for title: ‘Let’s Eatalian - Authenti- largely focused on boosting the been conducting Italian Festival elaborate preparation. With booklets and google ads have students to prepare for the cally Italian Products Promotion sales of authentic Italian food since last 16 years in a row. Italian food trending worldwide, been organised to make the fes- university stage and the job in Qatar 2020-21’, is the third products in Qatar. Rather than Characterised by simplicity, it is a great opportunity to tival a grand success. market for the academic year 2020/21. The guideline aims at edu- PSA prepares ‘2021 Voluntary cating students and parents New minimum wage first of its about various opportunities National Review’ for submission to available to students after sec- ondary school. The objective kind in Middle East: GCO UN Economic and Social Council of the guideline is also to FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1 create awareness about the between domestic workers and business or been forced to close Besides, the VNR will also importance of early readiness An additional QR500 must their employers. The law due to illegal activity. This national work will clearly and transparently for admission in suitable local be allocated per month by the advances the rights of domestic Qatar has also announced emphasise on the role of several explain how the State of Qatar and international employer for accommodation workers in accordance with the the establishment of 20 Qatar partners in achieving SDGs and has responded to the impacts universities. expenses, and QR300 per provisions of the International Visa Centres (QVC) to create a preparing VNR, especially the of the pandemic and how it month for food, unless provided Labour Organisation’s Con- unified visa system that expedites inclusion of the relevant author- provided treatments, vaccines, by the employer. The minimum vention No. 189 on working con- the recruitment process and pro- ities in the process of tracking and social and psychological QSC concludes wage is the first of its kind in ditions for domestic workers. tects the rights of workers by and analysis, identifying the care for the entire population the Middle East and will provide The Ministerial Decision No. eliminating exploitative practices successes and challenges facing without discrimination, in Virtual Innovation additional stability to Qatar’s 95 of 2019 further allows in their home countries. the development process, espe- accordance with WHO- labour market. domestic workers to leave the The International Labour cially during the COVID-19 pan- approved protocols, especially Lab programme Employees will no longer country without first obtaining Organisation (ILO) inaugurated demic and how to overcome the daily and transparent dis- require No-Objection Certifi- permission from their its first project office in Qatar on them, and the recovery policies semination of data and infor- QNA — DOHA cates to terminate their con- employers. In order to protect 30 April 2018. The office will adopted by the state as a matter mation. For this purpose, the tracts. Following the Qatar the rights of both employers support implementation of a of utmost importance. Planning and Statistics Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) has National Vision 2030’s aim of and domestic workers, comprehensive technical coop- The tracking process is Authority prepared the organ- concluded its Virtual Inno- attracting workers, protecting domestic workers must notify eration programme on working based on the principle of “no isational structure, consisting vation Lab programme for their rights and ensuring their employers at least 72 hours conditions and labour rights in one will be left behind”. The of the steering committee, a school students during the safety, the new decision will prior to their departure. Qatar. In March 2018, Qatar document will elucidate the technical team and thematic second semester mid-term encourage economic growth In April 2019, Minister of established Labour Dispute Res- extent to which all sects of working groups. PSA also pre- holiday for public schools. and open doors for investors, Administrative Development olution Committees with the aim Qatari society benefit from the pared a road map and a time- The programme included employers and employees alike. Labour and Social Affairs, H E of improving access to justice by development process, especially table for the implementation three age groups starting from This will drive greater compe- Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman settling labour disputes within women, children, youth, the of the activities that were seven years to twenty-five tition in Qatar’s labour market Fakhroo, signed a decree regu- three weeks of a migrant worker elderly, people with disabilities agreed upon in the road map. years. by allowing employees to lating the conditions and proce- filing a complaint. The Gov- and other groups that are On this occasion, Dr. Saleh Director of the Promising change employers and allowing dures for the election of worker ernment has also legislated to included in the national devel- bin Muhammad Al Nabit, Pres- Innovator Center, Fatima Al employers to attract the best representatives in Joint Com- protect workers from wage opment process. It will also ident of the Planning and Sta- Mohannadi, said the pro- talent in the local market. mittees. This decree will allow exploitation through the intro- highlight how such groups can tistics Authority, called on all gramme had a huge turnout in On 16 January 2020, the workers in companies with 30 duction of a Wage Protection have access to justice without ministries and government registration that exceeded five Interior Minister Decision No. or more employees to elect their System (WPS). The law seeks to discrimination. This work will agencies, civil society organi- times the required number, as 95 of 2019 was issued, indicating own representatives. end a cash-in-hand culture that also address the impacts of sations, and all concerned the number of applicants that with immediate effect, exit In October 2018, H H the puts workers at risk throughout COVID-19 pandemic on the authorities to complete the reached 510, while the capacity permits have been removed for Amir issued Law No. 17 of 2018 the world. In addition, it also Qatari economy, environment, forms that were sent to them, of the programme is only 50, all expatriates who are not to establish the Workers’ grants new powers to the Qatari and social activities in general, by providing PSA with quanti- calling upon those who were subject to Qatar’s Labour Law. Support and Insurance Fund. authorities to monitor wage and the recovery strategies and tative and qualitative indicators unable to participate in the pro- In August 2017, Amir H H The fund protects workers from payment and ensures that policies adopted by the State of related to the progress made in gramme to follow the club’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al the impact of overdue or unpaid migrant workers are being paid Qatar in order to overcome this achieving goals and targets of social media platforms to reg- Thani issued Law No. 15 of 2017, wages in instances where the in full and on time, as stipulated pandemic, which the world is the 2030 Agenda for Sus- ister in similar events. which regulates the relationship employer has gone out of in their contracts. still suffering from. tainable Development. SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 HOME 03 MoI trains officers in tactical management of events

QNA — DOHA enable them to perform the work. During the course’s Director of the Officers The Ministry of Interior (MoI) closing ceremony, Director of Training Institute, Lt. Col. concluded the “Tactical the Officers Training Institute, Nayef Mohammed Al Management of Events” course Lt. Col. Nayef Mohammed Al for officers, which was Mannai, praised the level of Mannai, says Qatar has organised by the Ministry’s cooperation between the State become a global sports Officers Training Institute, in of Qatar and the United States centre and is hosting many cooperation and coordination of America in the field of tournaments, which with the Anti-Terrorism training and rehabilitation, requires preparing Assistance (ATA) Office of the stressing the importance of con- US State Department, with the tinuing this fruitful competent men who can participation of 19 officers from cooperation. secure these events in the Officials from the Ministry of Interior, the US Embassy, and participants of the course at the concluding MoI and Lekhwiya Force. He pointed out that in recent best manner. ceremony. The course aimed at years the State of Qatar has enhancing the skills of the par- become a global sports centre ticipants in the field of tactical and has hosted many tourna- calling on officers to benefit Deputy Chief of Mission at the the two countries, which resulted tactical management of events management of special events, ments that require preparing from practical training and US Embassy in Doha Phillip in organising this course within for officers, is the second among as the participants received the competent men who can secure apply them while performing Nelson affirmed the depth of the the ATA programme. He said that five other programmes in the basic knowledge and skills that these events in the best manner, the tasks assigned to them. distinguished relations between this course, which deals with the same field. NHRC concludes 2nd phase of rights training programme for law enforcers

QNA — DOHA 2021. The programme aims to undertakes scientific super- their participation in the human rights needs of the ben- support participants’ knowledge vision of the program and training courses. eficiaries, pointing out that The National Human Rights and skills in the field of human determines the trainers staff in He pointed out that the during the first half of this year, Committee (NHRC), in cooper- rights to enhance their role in proportion to the training needs. target groups of the training a workshop and two training ation with the Arab Institute for protecting these rights in line The Director of Programs program are officers in the sessions will be presented, as Human Rights, has concluded with relevant national legis- and Education Department at Police College, judges, and the first workshop was pre- the second phase of the training lation and international human the National Human Rights employees of the prison admin- sented in late January. programme on human rights for rights law. Committee Mubarak Al Safran istration, according to the work Al Safran explained that in law enforcement personnel in The National Human Rights (pictured), said that the program agreed upon with the the second phase of the training various parts of the country. Committee is working, in coor- National Committee seeks tech- Arab Institute for Human Rights. program, a group of participants The training programme dination with the Arab Institute nical support for the program He added that this program in the two general sessions will will continue during the year for Human Rights, to develop and communicates with official consists in organizing a series be selected to participate in the 2021. The third phase of the an annual training program and institutions and the target of general and specialized specialized courses according programme will be imple- the contents of training courses The training team at the groups of the training program workshops and training courses to their fields of work and mented in the second half of and workshops. Arab Institute for Human Rights in the State of Qatar to ensure that take into account the specialties. Labour Ministry trains Qatar Over 160,000 recover from COVID-19 University graduates for job market THE PENINSULA — DOHA COVID-19 cases recorded in Qatar “Qatar’s strict quarantine policy is 173,206 and there are 12,819 for returning travelers enabled us QNA — DOHA institutions, and introducing the importance The Ministry of Public Health active cases under treatment. The to delay the introduction of new of the public service. (MoPH) reported 509 new cases of Ministry also reported that a variants into this country for The Ministry of Administrative Devel- The second item dealt with the oppor- COVID-19 yesterday. Among them, 56-year-old patient succumbed to several months but we are now opment, Labour and Social Affairs, repre- tunities and advantages of working in the 89 were travellers returning from COVID-19. seeing positive COVID-19 cases in sented by the Institute of Public Adminis- public and private sectors, to help graduates abroad. A total of 14,480 doses of the region and in Qatar with the tration, has concluded the “Qualifying grad- choose a job and a suitable place to work A total of 328 people recovered COVID-19 vaccines have been new variants from the UK,” the uates for the labour market” workshop, in according to their desires, abilities, and job from COVID-19 yesterday, bringing administered in 24 hours. The total Ministry added. cooperation with Qatar University. preferences. the total number of people number of vaccine doses admin- According to the Ministry, the The workshop, which was held from The third item dealt with a brief defi- recovered in Qatar to 160,115. istered since the start of the vacci- new variant is much more conta- February 21 to March 18, and was divided nition of the Civil Human Resources Law The total number of positive nation campaign is 579,338. gious and spread faster. into four groups, targeted Qatari graduates and the Qatari Labour Law, to identify the from Qatar University who did not join any rights and duties of employees in light of job during the first six months after these laws. graduation. The fourth and fifth items dealt with how The workshop programme aimed to to prepare a CV and the skills of conducting provide Qatar University graduates with the employment interviews to prepare the skills that enable them to identify their capa- graduate to conduct successful employment bilities and potentials that are commen- interviews. The sixth item reviewed how to surate with the Qatari labour market to deal with the “cadres” platform and the obtain suitable job opportunities and help mechanism for applying for vacant jobs, graduates better perform their future job while the seventh talked about how to tasks. prepare letters and government notes. The workshop’s training programme The eighth and ninth items touched on included nine main items, the first of which communication skills, teamwork, and dealt with the structure of the general gov- dealing with heads, colleagues, and the ernment apparatus in the state and its divi- public, as well as ways to enhance creativity sions into ministries, bodies, and and career excellence among graduates. Discovery and beIN extend MENA broadcast partnership THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Discovery Inc., the global leader in real-life entertainment; and beIN Media Group, the global sports and entertainment broad- caster, have announced that they would continue their longstanding partnership across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Since first partnering in 2016, Discovery’s agreement with beIN has seen factual entertainment beIN customers in MENA can continue to enjoy their fans enjoy Discovery’s much- favourite Fatafeat shows, including 'Matbakh Manal Al loved content from HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, and Alem' and 'Matbakhna Al Arabi'. Fatafeat. The renewed agreement will also see the addition of Discovery world with best in class, thought-provoking Channel, the flagship channel from Dis- content that meets the needs of the whole covery Inc., become available to beIN sub- family. We are delighted to continue our scribers from today. partnership with Discovery, a leader in this Set to be a prominent addition to beIN’s field, bringing novelties in travel, gas- channel portfolio, Discovery Channel — tronomy, history, and nature from around which already reaches 62.5 million viewers the world to our subscribers’ living rooms. across EMEA — is dedicated to creating the Viewers can enjoy their favourite Discovery highest quality non-fiction content that shows on our newly-released smarter and informs and entertains its consumers about simpler packages, which offer subscribers the world in all its wonder, diversity, and great content and better user experience.” amazement. beIN’s customers in MENA can continue Francesco Perta, Senior Business Devel- to enjoy their favourite Fatafeat shows, opment and Distribution Director, Middle including Matbakh Manal Al Alem and Mat- East, Africa, Turkey, and North-East Europe bakhna Al Arabi, as well as House Hunters at Discovery Inc., said: “beIN has been a International (HGTV), Celebrity IOU (HGTV), valued partner in MENA, and we’re delighted Chopped (Food Network), and Mysteries At to not only be continuing our agreement but The Museum (Travel Channel) and more. also adding our flagship Discovery Channel Additionally, with the launch of Discovery to beIN’s broadcast portfolio. Superfans can Channel, beIN’s customers will gain access enjoy their favourite content across mul- to world-renowned real-life entertainment tiple passion verticals, including food, home, franchises including Gold Rush, Undercover natural history and science, and travel, with Billionaire, Shark week, Deadliest Catch, new seasons of many much-loved shows Dino Hunters, and Expedition Unknown. launching in the coming months.” Discovery’s portfolio of channels can be Mohammad Al Subaie, Acting CEO of found on beIN channel numbers: Discovery beIN MENA, said, “beIN Media Group is com- Channel – 201; Fatafeat – 251; HGTV – 260; mitted to providing viewers around the Arab Travel Channel – 261. 04 HOME SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 HMC provides international standard care to hundreds with lymphedema

FAZEENA SALEEM Anita Rebecca, surveillance and and early treatment of THE PENINSULA The NCCCR’s Oncology and early careful management can lymphedema. Lymphedema Physiotherapy reduce its symptoms and help In addition to caring for Hamad Medical Corporation Department was established prevent the condition from patients, HMC is also focused (HMC) provides international getting worse. This has led to on raising awareness among standard of care under best in 2013 and cares for patients the implementation of the evi- medical professionals and the practices and clinical guidelines transferred from across HMC’s dence based “prehabilitation” general public about lymph- for hundreds of people with network of hospitals, as well where the education on lymph- edema. The Department lymphedema each year. as from primary health edema and post-operative pre- recently held events for doctors The National Center for centers, and private cautions and exercise recom- and other healthcare profes- Cancer Care and Research mendations are given before the sionals as well as among cancer (NCCCR)’s Oncology and healthcare providers in the patient with breast cancer goes patients and the public to raise Lymphedema Physiotherapy country following the rules for breast surgery. awareness about lymphedema Outpatient Department located and regulations of referral “At the clinic, treatment and the importance of early at Qatar Rehabilitation system of HMC. Anita Rebecca Mohamed Shafi plans are customized for each treatment. Institute(QRI) is the first and patient and generally include According to Anita, another only provider of lymphedema population of Qatar aligning condition characterized by meticulous skin care, decon- milestone for the Department treatment in Qatar. Mohamed Shafi with Qatar’s National Health localized fluid retention and gestive exercises, lymph was overcoming the barriers In 2020, the department Head of Oncology and Strategies,” said Shafi who is tissue swelling and is caused by drainage, which is a form of and challenges faced during the received 620 patients compared Lymphedema Physiotherapy also a Cancer Rehabilitation a compromised lymphatic massage that stimulates the COVID-19 pandemic. to 400 in 2018, out of which 355 Department Specialist. system. It commonly affects the lymph vessels, compression “To ensure the continuity of were female breast cancer He added that the lymph- upper limbs and legs, but can bandages and garments. Patient quality of care delivered to the survivors. edema team works closely with also occur at the face, neck, education and nutrition coun- patient whereby reducing the “The NCCCR’s Oncology and “The treatment of cancer multidisciplinary teams running abdomen, and other parts of the selling are also an important physical and psychosocial Lymphedema Physiotherapy has advanced significantly over specialized clinics which body. The condition can be part of the treatment plan,” she burden of the patient, the team Department was established in the past few decades in the includes the breast cancer primary or secondary, with said. She also said that several implemented the tele-rehabil- 2013 and cares for patients country, similarly new related lymphedema clinic, primary lymphedema caused advance methods such as Pneu- itation through the technical transferred from across HMC’s treatment methods or services head and neck lymphedema by the abnormal development matic Compression Pump support provided by HMC. A network of hospitals, as well as are available for lymphedema. clinic and vascular related of the lymph system and sec- which inflate and deflate to quick response from the team from primary health centers, The department has developed lymphedema clinic. In order to ondary being the result of decongest and manage swelling led to the development of and private healthcare pro- first-of-its-kind in the Middle address the needs of the damage to the lymph system. is presently used. The Online Resource Educational viders in the country following East best practices and clinical patients who are employed and The condition is a common side Department is in the process of Videos of education, exercises, the rules and regulations of guidelines for the care of the increased number of effect of some cancer treat- implementing advanced tools manual lymphatic drainage and referral system of HMC,” said primary and secondary lymph- referral, the Department has ments, including surgery and like bio impedance spec- compression bandaging in mul- Head of Oncology and Lymph- edema by developing a dedi- extended its services through radiation therapy. troscopy, an effective surveil- tilingual languages including edema Physiotherapy cated lymphedema clinic and the evening clinic. According to a LANA Cer- lance technique than standard Arabic, English and Hindi,” she Department, Mohamed Shafi. has made an impact on the Lymphedema is a chronic tified Lymphedema therapist, tape measurement in detection said. Ooredoo granted VIP customer status by GAC Qatar Diabetes Association holds ‘Fasting

Operator Programme is a Safely with Diabetes’ online session national programme that grants special benefits to companies with a proven commitment to THE PENINSULA – DOHA month of Ramadan, where the Diabetes Association, said, “ The international approved condi- session covered the possibility Qatar Diabetes Association is tions, requirements, and Qatar Diabetes Association, a of fasting for diabetic patient, always keen to hold this session standards of safety and security. member of Qatar Foundation and how to take diabetes med- annually in order to provide the According to evaluations organized an online session ication during the holy month. most recent information on carried out by the GAC, com- entitled “Fasting Safely with Also Sheikh Muwafi Azab, ways to manage diabetes panies joining the Programme Diabetes”, as part of its annual Shariah Adviser at the Ministry during Ramadan and the steps are ‘trusted and considered an educational session on fasting of Endowments and Islamic and practical measures so that approved economic operator’, Ramadan and diabetes, which Affairs - Qatar, talked about the the patient is educated before and those that ‘contribute to aims to provide the best care religious advice on fasting fasting to reduce or avoid any strengthening and supporting for people with diabetes during Ramadan for people living with risks. the supply chain in interna- the month of Ramadan. diabetes, and tional trade. Sabah Rabiah Al- The session was held stressed the Kuwari said: “I am proud to recently, through the visual need to take into Chairman of the General Authority of Customs (GAC), Ahmed accept this honour on behalf of platform (Zoom), with the account the bin Abdulla Al Jamal (right), presenting the certificate to Sabah Ooredoo. We pride ourselves attendance of more than patients doctor Rabiah Al Kuwari, Director PR at Ooredoo. on maintaining the highest seventy diagnosed with advices, espe- standards in our operations and diabetes. cially if the THE PENINSULA – DOHA Ooredoo was conferred the contributing to the ongoing The session began Dr. patient with dia- coveted status of VIP Customer success of international trade Mohsen Eledrisi – Senior Con- betes at high risk Ooredoo has announced it has by the Chairman of the General in Qatar. We are delighted to be sultant of Internal Medicine, .Dr. Abdulla Al joined the Authorised Economic Authority of Customs (GAC), recognised as a VIP Customer Diabetes and Endocrinology at Hamaq , Exec- Operator Programme, the Ahmed Bin Abdulla Al Jamal, by GAC. “We look forward to HMC, with a lecture on diabetes utive Director of General Authority of Customs’ with Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari the future as a GAC partner and management in the blessed the Qatar prestigious programme recog- – Director PR at Ooredoo – remain fully committed to our nising companies’ commit- receiving the coveted certificate role in the development of our ments to international on behalf of Ooredoo. country as part of Qatar standards. The Authorised Economic National Vision 2030.” DMIS hosts series of career awareness

THE PENINSULA – DOHA Career Awareness Week of would surely serve the March 2021 will be always con- pathways to many of the young Doha Modern Indian School sidered as a Golden Chapter in attendees and help them to (DMIS) successfully hosted a the annuls of school history. move forward decisively when series of career awareness and The precious words and they are at the cross roads of motivational sessions for the values shared by each speaker their career choice junction. students of Grade 9 and above from March 7 to 11 through zoom platform. The series of sessions were so unique and unprecedented in the history of DMIS and it really inspired and encouraged stu- dents to think differently and aspire for the best. INVITATION TO TENDER The session speakers’ list Tender Description Tender Tender Bid Closing included clinical dietitian, cos- Reference Bond Value Fee Date metic dentist, IIM financialist, ex-IAF officer, editor-cum- QF/2021/PD- Provision of Qatar Foundation Event QAR QAR 26 April 2021 architect journalist, fisheries SS/29639 Management Services on Call Off 500,000.00 1000 Basis for Three (3) Years With Option researcher to space research to Extend Up to One (1) Year scientist.

The series of session hosted QF/2021/PD- Provision of SAP Docusign Services to Not QR 26 April 2021 by DMIS under the stewardship SS/29653 Qatar Foundation on Call Off Basis for Applicable 500 of student council body 2020-21 Three (3) Years had a huge impact and influence QF/2021/PPMD- Design & Built of Sensory Room at Not QAR 21 April 2021 on the aspiring students. CM/95748 Awsaj Academy Applicable 500 The highly acclaimed speakers spoke and shared their Qatar Foundation (QF) Procurement Directorate is inviting companies to participate in the above listed public tenders. personal experiences, possible Tender fee: Interested bidders shall first deposit the respective non-refundable Tender Fee as mentioned above challenges, myriad options into the following Qatar Foundation bank account: available in each category, clear Account Name : QATAR FOUNDATION academic choices and institu- Account Number : 0 0 1 3 - 0 2 4 1 7 1 - 0 0 1 Swift Code No : QNBAQAQA tional details in the most profes- IBAN : QA19 QNBA 0000 0000 0013 0241 7100 1 sional and updated lines. Bank Name : Qatar National Bank

DMIS feels highly elated, Tender Document Issue Date: From March 21, 2021 until March 25, 2021 between 9AM to 2PM except Friday and Saturday. The tender fees should be paid to QF account before March 25, 2021, 11AM. honoured and exclusively priv- Tender documents will not be issued if fees are paid after the above deadline. ileged to showcase these series Interested bidders shall request the tender document by providing clear copies of the following documents to Qatar Foundation’s email [email protected] via a single email. of sessions by such accom- 1) Bidder’s tender fee receipt clearly highlighting “QF Tender reference number” and “bidder’s name”. plished professionals who had 2) PDF copy of the participating company’s commercial registrations with names of the individual partners. already left an edge of stardom For companies with corporate partners /owners, the commercial registration of the corporate partners in their respective fields. Besides reflecting its individual owners should be submitted together as part of the tender requirement. adding information /ideas on 3) Authorization letter on company’s letterhead detailing the full name, telephone and email id of the company’s focal point for all tender communications. umpteen potential avenues that QF Tender Committee will verify all the above documents and issue the tender documents to all bidders who await the youngsters across have fully complied with above requirements. globe, the speakers also urged The commercial bid must be valid for 120 days from bid closing date. the youngsters to be passionate The commercial bid must be accompanied by a bank guarantee (tender bond) issued by a local bank in Qatar and should be valid for 120 days from the bid closing date. & committed and go beyond The successful tenderer will be required to submit a performance bond as prescribed in each of the above imagination. tender documents.

DMIS would like to place on Qatar Foundation tendering qualifications, terms and conditions shall apply as stipulated in the tender record its deepest gratitude and document. appreciation to each sessional speaker and affirm that the SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 HOME 05 75 children with Down Syndrome receiving therapy at HMC Ooredoo partners with THE PENINSULA - DOHA followed by referral to the early intervention program or other Qatar Charity’s To mark the occasion of World therapy services. The early Down Syndrome Day (WDSD intervention program offers Winter Caravan 2021), Hamad Medical Corpo- parent-to-parent counseling, ration (HMC) is raising family, and group therapy in campaign awareness among the public to addition to individual therapy connect with individuals sessions,” she said. THE PENINSULA - DOHA affected by Down syndrome to Down syndrome is the most promote their optimal quality common chromosomal abnor- Ooredoo has announced it is of life and protect their rights. mality typically associated with to be the Official Telecommu- The theme for this year’s characteristic physical features, nications Supporter of Qatar WDSD is “Connect” which some health and developmental Charity’s new campaign, signals the importance of con- challenges, and some level of Winter Caravan. nection between people with intellectual disability. The Winter Caravan is an ini- Down syndrome and the com- World Health Organization esti- tiative to help provide essen- munity in order to share ideas, mates that the incidence of tials such as shelter, food, and experiences, and knowledge Down syndrome is between 1 warmth to thousands of ref- and to empower one another to in 1,000 live births worldwide. ugees in Turkey, Lebanon, and advocate for equal rights for Approximately 3,000 to 5,000 Jordan. Aid will be provided people with Down syndrome. children worldwide are born in convoys, funded by HMC also recognizes that Children with Down syndrome are seen during therapy sessions at the Child Development Center. with Down syndrome each year. donations. people with Down syndrome Every March 21 or 3-21 (a Supporters can donate to have great potential and that care and support, medical Child Development Center in teams of physiotherapists, occu- symbolic date), the Child Devel- the campaign via the Qatar they can lead normal healthy guidance, and community- Rumailah Hospital. pational therapists, speech ther- opment Center and Therapy Charity website and watch as lives and enjoy a higher life based support systems such as Fatima Mustafa, Assistant apists, special education experts Services in Rumailah Hospital donations help move each aid expectancy. Although most are inclusive health and education Director of Pediatric Therapy and psychologists. join the global community to convoy forward. The cam- more likely to have certain at all levels. This facilitates their Services, says currently, around “Each year, the program raise public awareness to cele- paign will run in three medical conditions such as con- participation in mainstream 75 children with Down syn- receives between 40 to 50 new brate people with Down syn- phases; the Warmth Convoy, genital heart defects, hearing society and the fulfillment of drome and their families are referrals of children with Down drome and those who live and the Peace Convoy, and the and vision problems, and gas- their personal potential. Ade- receiving therapy through the syndrome from HMC’s work with them throughout the Mercy Convoy. trointestinal issues, many of quate access to healthcare, to Early Intervention Program at maternity hospitals and from world. Director PR at Ooredoo these conditions are now early intervention programs, the Child Development Center primary health centers. The The date, 3-21 represents Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, said: treatable. are also vital to the growth and in Rumailah Hospital. She says children are provided with a Trisomy 21, the medical term for “We’re delighted to be sup- “Individuals with Down development of the individual,” the children are receiving comprehensive medical and Down syndrome, which is the porting Qatar Charity with this syndrome can achieve optimal said Dr. Sona Tahtamouni, therapy sessions from highly developmental assessment by third replication of the 21st invaluable initiative, as part of quality of life through parental Developmental Pediatrician, at qualified multi-disciplinary a developmental pediatrician chromosome. our corporate social respon- sibility strategy. "In 2021 nobody should be QRCS protects 18,000 schoolchildren without shelter, food, and HBKU Press wins third prize in warmth, yet we know so in Yemen against cold weather many refugees lack even these basic human Istanbul Copyright Awards THE PENINSULA - DOHA addressing the needs of such essentials. an age group and called for an "We would ask everyone THE PENINSULA - DOHA In partnership with Yemen Red expansion of the project to who’s able to donate, even a Crescent Society (YRCS) and include more beneficiaries. riyal or two, to do so and help Hamad Bin Khalifa University Yemen’s Ministry of Education, Mohamed Al Jabri, the make life a little more bearable Press (HBKU Press) has Qatar Red Crescent Society project’s coordinator, said, “I in the refugee camps around announced that it won third (QRCS) started distributing saw the smiles of children at the region," said Al Kuwari,. prize at the Istanbul Copyright winterization kits to school schools and special education Qatar Charity conveyed Awards held as part of the 6th students in Yemen. institutions as they received their appreciation of the spon- International Istanbul Under the 2021 Warm their new winter clothes. sorship provided by Ooredoo Fellowship Program (IFP) Winter project in Yemen, a total Many parents said that to the Winter Caravan cam- recently. of 18,000 kits are being dis- having these clothes for their paign, with the Director of The awards aim to encourage tributed to the children of poor children would greatly protect Public Relations at Qatar the exchange of copyrights and displaced families in five them against many winter- Charity, Jassim Al Emadi, from Turkish to foreign governorates. associated diseases. Most of thanking Ooredoo for the languages and contribute to the Each winterization kit con- them cannot afford to buy support. development of the publishing tains a warm coat, shoes, three warm clothes for their kids in He noted that the spon- Bachar Chebaro (right), Executive Director of HBKU Press, receiving sector and cultural cooperation pairs of socks, wool jacket, the currently difficult sorship highlights Qatari the award. in the region. wool gloves, and jeans trousers situation.” national institutions’ concern Organized by the Turkish of multi-sizes to fit the 7-10- The directors, teachers, and for humanitarian issues such Press and Publishers Copyright beyond.” bilateral support of the pub- year olds of grades 1-3 at the staff of schools expect the new as the refugee crisis and and Licensing Society, with HBKU Press was recognized lishing sector in the region,” public basic education schools supplies to motivate the stu- added that Qatar Charity support of the Republic of among the 52 publishers from Over the past few years, the of Amanat Al Asimah, Sanaa, dents to attend school regularly welcomes all efforts of Turkey Ministry of Culture and 26 countries participating in 6th copyrights to several award- Dhamar, Amran, and Sa’dah. and study well. Also, these institutions in Qatar, Tourism and Governorate of International Istanbul Pub- winning and notable Turkish During the distribution at a clothes would help to reduce such as Ooredoo, to Istanbul, the awards honor lishing Fellowship for its con- language books were acquired, school of Yafaa, a village in morbidity, particularly among support and sponsor its foreign publishing houses that tinued efforts in cultural translated, and published by Dhamar, the headteacher the young kids. humanitarian contribute to the translation of rapprochement. HBKU Press into Arabic. Con- Ahmed Al Zaabali thanked Other outcomes of the initiatives. works from the Turkish pub- “HBKU Press is distin- versely, the copyrights of works QRCS and YRCS for reaching project include reducing absen- lishing sector into other lan- guished for its publication by several high-profile Qatari out to such remote and hard- teeism and ease the burden of guages, and the subsequent genre diversity as well as the authors and other HBKU Press to-access areas. providing medications for flue, Supporters can donate to promotion of these works high quality of its publication’s books were translated into He commended the good cough, and other common the campaign via the across the globe. production, which meets Turkish as well. contributions that brought hap- winter illnesses. “HBKU Press is committed international standards,” said “Copyright exchange and piness to the faces of young The recipients wished that Qatar Charity website and to engaging in the cross-cul- Dr. Mohammed Agirakca, Vice translations support the children. the project would continue to watch as donations help tural exchange of information President of the Award Com- transfer of thought and According to Al Zaabali, the cover all the students and move each aid convoy with fellow publishers in mittee of the IFP. “The evalu- knowledge between different families there face severe living children with special needs in the forward. The campaign Turkey and with international ation committee was people, societies and cultures,” conditions due to the war and target most underserved areas. will run in three phases; publishers around the world,” extremely impressed with added Chebaro. “It becomes a blockade. The too cold weather The project is part of QRCS’s explained Bachar Chebaro, HBKU Press’s work and com- pivotal way to promote Arab in the winter caused a wide Warm Winter project, which is the Warmth Convoy, the Executive Director of HBKU mitment to cultural exchange literary and academic talents spread of common cold, pneu- planned to provide shelter and Peace Convoy, and the Press. “This award further with Turkey through its con- to the world, while also monia, and rheumatism among food assistance for a total of Mercy Convoy. cements HBKU Press’s integral tinued participation in the introducing new modes of the kids. 84,711 beneficiaries, at an role in the copyright exchange International Istanbul Pub- thinking to our audience in He described the project as overall cost of $995,264. market in the region and lishing Fellowship and its Qatar.”

QU to participate in second University Theater Festival         Previously Al Rayan GCC Fund (Q) - DOHA Net Asset Value/Share THE PENINSULA Net Asset Value/Share 28 February 2021 QAR 1.855 28 February 2021 USD 1.781 Net Asset Value/Share Net Asset Value/Share Qatar University (QU) is set to 31 January 2021 QAR 1.861 31 January 2021 USD 1.782 participate in the second Asset Class Shari’a-compliant GCC listed equities Asset Class Shari’a-compliant GCC listed equities & fixed income session of the University & fixed income Investment Objective Medium/Long term capital appreciation Theater Festival ‘Our Youth on Investment Objective Medium/Long term capital appreciation Fund Type Open Ended the Stage’, organized by the Fund Type Open Ended Subscription/Redemption Monthly Theater Affairs Center at Qatar Subscription/Redemption Monthly Next Subscription Deadline 22 March 2021 National Theater, under the Inception Date 8 July 2010 Next Redemption Deadline 22 March 2021 patronage of the Minister of Subscription Fees Up to 1.0% of NAV Inception Date 24 May 2010 Culture and Sports H E Salah Management Fees 1.25% of NAV, per annum Subscription Fees Up to 1.0% of NAV Bin Ghanem Al Ali. The week- Performance Fees 20% of increase in the NAV above long event will kick off today Management Fees 1.25% of NAV, per annum 24%, in each 2-year period Performance Fees 20% of increase in the NAV above Founder Masraf Al Rayan QPSC (March 21). 24%, in each 2-year period Fund Manager Al Rayan Investment LLC QU would perform two the- Founder Masraf Al Rayan QPSC Custodian HSBC Bank Middle East atrical acts written and directed Fund Manager Al Rayan Investment LLC Auditor Deloitte & Touche by its students. The first play, Custodian HSBC Bank Middle East entitled “Honored” is written Auditor Deloitte & Touche Asset Class Split Country Split Cash by Tamim Al-Burshid and Students of QU during rehearsals for the festival. Asset Class Split Country Split 4% Oman UAE Cash directed by Abdullah Al-Mulla. 3% 19% 3% The story revolves around two and the role of positive change and written by Tamim Al Kuwait 6% Fixed KSA Fixed KSA young men Yousaf and Rashid, of an individual. Borshid. My play is based on Income 53% Income UAE 81% 16% 96% Equity 9% who go to apply for jobs and Commenting on QU’s par- social issues faced by youth. I 81% Qatar end up in prison due to social ticipation, Director of Student wish success to all the teams 29% issues that young people tend Activities Department Abdulla participating in the festival,” USD to face; while escaping from Al-Mulla, said: “QU’s partici- said Al Mulla. QAR 1.900 1.800 1.781 prison, they get caught pation in the festival shows the Iman Al Marri commented, 1.900 1.855 1.800 1.700 red-handed. great interest of the university “Changes do not happen on its 1.700 1.600 The second play, entitled towards the theater as a prom- own. Wake up from your sleep 1.600 1.500 1.500 1.400 “Do Not Wake Up” is written ising platform to explore stu- is the vision of the play. 1.400 1.300 and directed by Iman Al Marri. dent’s talents. "I am delighted to partic- 1.300 1.200 This play is based on the issues "The activities management ipate in this festival second time 1.200 1.100 1.100 1.000 that occur everywhere: people pays great attention to the in a row. I have tried my best to 1.000 0.900 July 10 Feb 21 0.900 who use their power and theater, which will be reflected present a show that benefits May 10 Feb 21 influence their interests. It also in the quality of future theat- young people and encourages PO Box 28888 PO Box 28888 includes the problems that rical plays.” them to raise their voice in our Doha, Qatar Doha, Qatar +974 4425 3333 +974 4425 3333 young people face in the Arab “It is my first experience society, as the theater is a great www.alrayan.com www.alrayan.com

Please see Prospectus and the Authorised by Please see Prospectus and the Authorised by region. The play shows the as a Director. My play is based platform to express yourself," addendum for further details QFC Regulatory Authority addendum for further details QFC Regulatory Authority rejection of stereotype society on the idea of Munther Thani said Al Marri. (QFC No: 00045) (QFC No: 00045) 06 MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 Missiles used in Aramco attacks were made in Iran: Saudi

BLOOMBERG — RIYADH News published on Friday intercepted a barrage of drones normalisation with Israel remains “All of the missiles afternoon. “Several of them, as targeting its oil infrastructure. The subject to the establishment of a and drones that Missiles used in the attacks on we’ve said, came from the north; development pushed oil prices to Palestinian state. came into Saudi are Saudi Aramco facilities, for which several came from the sea.” above $70 a barrel for the first time Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Yemen’s Tehran-backed Houthi The Houthis said earlier Friday since January 2020. Cohen said on Wednesday that Iranian-manufactured group has claimed responsibility, they struck an Aramco refinery in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia may be on the way or Iranian-supplied,” were made in Iran, a Saudi minister the Saudi capital using six bomb- rarely claim lives or cause to normalising ties. Adel Al Jubeir, said. laden drones. The state news extensive damage but their fre- Meanwhile, the Saudi-led “All of the missiles and drones agency said that the attack, which quency has increased in recent coalition battling Yemen’s Houthi Minister of State for that came into Saudi are Iranian- took place at 6:05 am local time, months, creating unease in the group yesterday said it had Foreign Affairs, said manufactured or Iranian-sup- caused a fire that was later con- Gulf, a region key to global oil pro- intercepted and destroyed an in an interview with plied,” Adel Al Jubeir (pictured), trolled with no impact on oil sup- duction and transit. explosive-laden drone launched Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, plies or derivatives. Al Jubeir also said Saudi Ara- towards the southern city of Arab News. said in an interview with Arab This month, Saudi Arabia bia’s position towards Khamis Musheit. Palestinians in preparations for first election in 15 years Supreme leader ushers in Iranian

REUTERS — GAZA/RAMALLAH new year with message of hope

Palestinians took another step REUTERS — TEHRAN election in June. in preparations for their first In a separate message, parliamentary election in 15 Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayat- President Hassan Rouhani years yesterday, opening regis- ollah Ali Khamenei named the said he was hopeful that the tration offices to admit the Iranian new year that of new year will see the end of political parties and inde- “production, support and sanctions that the former US pendent candidates that will removal of barriers” in a live president imposed after aban- take part. televised speech broadcast doning a 2015 Iran nuclear The May 22 election in the yesterday. deal with world powers. West Bank and Gaza is part of “There is good ground for “We will defeat the a broader push for reconcili- a production leap,” Khamenei sanctions....I am more hopeful ation between President said, adding that the gov- than eight years ago” he said, Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction ernment needed to get rid of referring to when he was and rival Islamist group Hamas. any legal obstacles to pro- elected to his first term. This is seen as vital to building duction and growth. Rouhani, considered a broader support for any future The Iranian army fired gun pragmatist, is barred from statehood talks with Israel, salutes at Tehran’s Azadi standing for a third term and frozen since 2014. Square to usher in Nowruz — the slate of candidates has yet The last time a parlia- or “New Day” in Persian — at to be finalised. mentary ballot was held in 2006, 13.07 local time. Iran’s hardliners say the US Hamas emerged as the surprise Nowrouz, an ancient cel- sanctions are proof that Rou- victor. A power struggle ensued, ebration and the most hani’s policy of reaching out to and in 2007, after weeks of important date in the Iranian enemies was a failure. fighting that left dozens dead, the calendar, begins at the spring A delay in progress on Islamist group seized control of equinox — the moment when returning to a 2015 nuclear Gaza from forces loyal to Abbas. the sun crosses the equator, deal could hurt the chances Men speak with police officers as Palestinians begin registering party lists for May parliamentary Abbas’ authority has limited and day and night are of equal of a moderate succeeding election, at the Palestinian Central Elections Commission’s office in Gaza City, yesterday. control over the Israeli-occupied length. It is also celebrated in Rouhani, although the final West Bank. Afghanistan, the Kurdish decision on any diplomatic Some 93% of the 2.8 million to allow balloting to take place allow voting there in 2006. Farid Taamallah, a regions of Iraq, Turkey and initiative would be taken by eligible voters in the West Bank in East Jerusalem, Palestinian Unlike in the 1996 and 2006 spokesman of the Palestinian Syria, and throughout Central Khamenei rather than the and Gaza have registered for officials said. Israel captured elections, Palestinians will not Central Election Commission, Asia. elected president. the polling. The total population the eastern part of Jerusalem in be voting for individual candi- said yesterday that officials Khamenei said the new Khamenei said yesterday in the Palestinian territories is a 1967 war and later annexed it dates, rather for parties or lists had so far registered two elec- year of 1400 is “an important that the June election will likely 5.2 million. Israel has yet to in a move that has not won that contain between 16 and 132 toral lists. Registration ends on and sensitive” one because of ensure a young president at the respond to a Palestinian request international recognition. It did candidates. March 31. the upcoming presidential helm. ICC letter triggering deferral deadline sent to Israel and Palestinians

REUTERS — THE HAGUE Authority now have one month nationals for crimes which fall to inform the court if they are under ICC jurisdiction. Prosecutors at the International conducting their own investi- Israeli officials argue that Criminal Court said on Friday gations into the alleged crimes the ICC has no jurisdiction they have sent Israel and the and want the probe deferred because Israel carries out its Palestinians notifications of the while that is ongoing. own investigations, including opening of a war crimes probe, Palestinian officials con- into what the Israeli military a move that leaves the parties firmed they had received the says were “exceptional inci- with one month to seek a notification. dents” during the 2014 war in deferral. A spokeswoman for the Gaza between Israel, Hamas Earlier this month the ICC Israeli foreign ministry declined and other Palestinian militant prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to comment on whether Israel groups. announced she would formally had received it, saying it was a Under the court’s statute the investigate war crimes in the question for the ICC. prosecutor “shall defer to the Palestinian Territories, a move Bensouda said in December state’s investigation of those welcomed by the Palestinian 2019 that war crimes had been people” about whom the court Authority and denounced by or were being committed in the has informed states in the noti- Israel. West Bank and Gaza Strip. She fication if there local investiga- The Article 18 notification named both the Israeli military tions or prosecutions ongoing People participate in a protest against Turkey’s withdrawal from Istanbul Convention, an international letters were sent on March 9 to and armed Palestinian groups of the same incidents. accord designed to protect women, in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. all parties concerned including as possible perpetrators. Such a deferral will be Israel and the Palestinians, the The ICC is set up as a court reviewed every six months to prosecutor’s office said in a of last resort which can step in ensure the local probes and statement. only if states are unable or prosecutions are genuine Turkey withdraws from European treaty on women Israel and the Palestinian unwilling to prosecute their efforts. AP — ISTANBUL compromises the protection of to keep the convention intact women in Turkey, across immediately called for demon- Occupation forces Turkey has withdrawn from a Europe and beyond,” she said. strations across the country Kuwait reports 1,347 new landmark European treaty Some officials from Tur- under the slogan “Withdraw the arrest Palestinian protecting women from key's ruling party have advocated decision, implement the treaty.” COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths violence that it was the first to a review of the agreement, They said their years-long youth, detain sign 10 years ago and that bears arguing it encourages divorce struggle would not be erased in QNA — KUWAIT the name of its largest city. and undermines the traditional one night. child in Jenin President Recep Tayyip family, which they say are con- Turkey’s minister for family, Kuwait’s Health Ministry yesterday reported 1,347 new corona- Erdogan’s issued a decree early trary to the country’s conserv- labor and social policies QNA — JENIN virus infections, raising the total number of cases to 217,933. yesterday annulling Turkey’s ative values. Critics also claim tweeted that women’s rights are The Ministry said that five virus-related deaths were recorded ratification of the Istanbul Con- the treaty promotes homosex- still protected by Turkish laws The Israeli occupation forces to raise the total to 1,215. vention. The Council of uality through the use of cate- and the judicial system is arrested one Palestinian youth It added that some 1,386 more people had been cured from Europe’s Secretary-General, gories like gender, sexual ori- “dynamic and strong enough” south of the city of Jenin in the the virus over the past day, raising the total of those to have Marija Pejčinović Burić, called entation and gender identity. to enact new regulations. Zehra occupied West Bank, and overcome the disease to 202,208. the decision “devastating.” They see that as a threat to Zumrut Selcuk also tweeted the detained a child in the village The number of people hospitalised with the virus currently “This move is a huge Turkish families. government would continue to of Tora southwest of Jenin last stands at 14,510, with 230 of them in intensive care units, the min- setback to these efforts and all Women’s groups and their have “zero tolerance” for vio- night. istry said. the more deplorable because it allies who have been protesting lence against women. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the occu- pation forces arrested a 19-year-old man in Burqin Twitter to establish legal entity in Turkey, comply with law village, and stormed Tora village where they detained a AP — ISTANBUL to people everywhere.” would make their platforms for damages if the content is not percent of all requests globally, child and questioned him for Turkey slapped advertising too slow to use. Human rights removed or blocked within 24 according to Twitter. The hours. Twitter has announced it will bans on Twitter, Periscope and and media freedom groups say hours. country has made some 45,800 The forces also stormed the establish a legal entity in Turkey Pinterest in January. Those bans the law amounts to censorship The law also requires social demands and Twitter says it village of Zobuba, and in order to continue operating were the next step in a series of and violates the rights to media data to be stored in complied with about a third. launched a combing campaign in the country, which passed a measures to force social media privacy and access to Turkey. The government insists the and intensified their military controversial social media law companies to maintain legal information. “We remain committed to legislation is needed to combat presence in villages northeast last year. representatives in Turkey to Under the law, local rep- protecting the voices and data cybercrime and to protect the of Jenin. In a statement, the social manage content complaints. resentatives of social media of people in Turkey who use rights of Turkish social media The Israeli occupation media company said it had Companies with more than companies are responsible for Twitter. We will continue to be users. forces launch daily arrest cam- reviewed the amended internet one million users that refuse answering individual requests transparent about how we According to the Freedom paigns and raids on most of law and made the decision to to designate an official repre- to take down content violating handle requests from gov- of Expression Association, as of occupied Jerusalem and the comply with, it but promised to sentative are subjected to privacy and personal rights ernment and law enforcement,” October 2020, more than West Bank, as part of their continue “defending open, fines, followed by advertising within 48 hours or to provide Twitter said. 450,000 domains, 120,000 repressive practices against public conversation and bans. The next penalty would grounds for rejection. The Turkey’s legal demands for links and 42,000 tweets were the Palestinian people. ensuring our service is available be bandwidth reductions that company would be held liable content removal make up 31 blocked in Turkey. SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 UN says 8 children killed, 33 wounded this month in Yemen

AP — CAIRO Philippe The rebels acknowledged that guards fired three tear gas A surge of fighting in war-torn Duamelle, Unicef’s canisters into a crowded Yemen has been particularly representative hangar in the capital, Sanaa, brutal for children this month, to Yemen, said trying to end a protest by the with at least eight killed and 33 migrants. wounded, the UN children’s the casualties A statement by the rebel- agency said yesterday. happened in several run Interior Minister said at Philippe Duamelle, Unicef’s least 11 men from the security representative to Yemen, said areas including forces were detained over the the casualties happened in the provinces of incident, along with a number several areas including the of senior officials who would provinces of Taiz and Hodeida, Taiz and Hodeida, be tried before court. where fighting between forces where fighting The migrant community in of the internationally recog- between forces of Sana'a has called for an inter- nised government and Houthi national probe into the tragedy, rebels has intensified. He said the internationally a demand backed by interna- the toll could be higher. recognised tional rights groups. Lebanese women protest “We condemn these attacks Some 900 migrants, most government and Mothers and activists carry banners and placards as they take part in a march to protest against the in the strongest possible terms. of them from Ethiopia, had political and economic situation, ahead of Mother’s Day in Beirut, Lebanon, yesterday. Too often children and families Houthi rebels has been detained at the facility - are paying such a heavy price including more than 350 inside as conflict rages around them,” intensified. He said the hangar. The site was run by he said, adding that some the toll could be the Passports and Naturali- attacks had targeted a school zation Authority. Ineptitude to blame for vaccine and a hospital in Taiz. He did higher. At least 45 people were not indicated which side was killed in the March 7, the rebels responsible. rabuh Mansour Hadi to flee to said, including one who died of failure in Zambia, says opposition Duamelle said children the south, then to Saudi Arabia. his wounds on Friday. More were also wounded in attacks A Saudi-led coalition, backed than 200 others were wounded. BLOOMBERG — LUSAKA has gotten a jab. It’s charges after his motorcade in other provinces, including at the time by the US, entered The migrants had been pro- ineptitude.” failed to make way for the pres- the central province of Marib, the war months later to try to testing and went on hunger Zambia’s government is too Hichilema is set to challenge ident’s on a rural road. The case which the Houthis have been restore Hadi to power. strike against alleged abuses focused on elections in August President Edgar Lungu in general was later dropped. trying to retake from gov- Now mired in stalemate, the and ill-treatment at the to work on plans to inoculate elections on Aug. 12. The pan- The cabinet will meet ernment forces. war has killed about 130,000 detention facility, according to its people against the corona- demic has exacerbated economic “imminently” to discuss vaccine The Houthi offensive on people — including more than survivors and local rights virus, putting health workers at decline in Zambia, which last plans, and will move rapidly to Marib could displace at least 12,000 civilians — and spawned campaigners. unnecessary risk, according to year became the first African start immunizing citizens, Health 385,000 people. Four dis- the world’s worst humanitarian The rebels yesterday the main opposition leader. nation to default on its debt Minister Jonas Chanda said on placement camps in the crisis in a country that was claimed that the migrants were The nation is one of only since Covid-19 emerged. The state TV Thursday. A health min- province have been abandoned already the Arab world’s most protesting to pressure the Inter- two in southern Africa yet to vote is expected to be close, istry spokesman didn’t immedi- since the start of the offensive impoverished nation. national Organization for bring in vaccines. The other is with Lungu also facing unease ately respond to a text message earlier in February, according Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi Migration to transfer them. eastern neighbor Tanzania. over inflation that has accel- seeking comment on Hichilema’s to the UN migration agency. rebels yesterday broke their Despite its six-year-old civil “Our government is sleeping erated to the highest level in remarks. Zambia has recorded Yemen has been convulsed silence on the cause of a fire war, Yemen remains a transit on duty,” Hakainde Hichilema, about five years. 85,889 confirmed cases of by civil war since 2014 when that tore through a detention point for tens of thousands of president of the United Party for Lungu narrowly retained Covid-19 and 1,175 deaths, the Houthis took control of the center for migrants earlier this African migrants desperate to National Development, said in power in the 2016 elections. although a study published in the capital Sana'a and much of month, killing at least 45 find jobs as housekeepers, an interview Thursday from Hichilema was arrested and Lancet Global Health journal this country’s north, forcing the people, mostly Ethiopian servants and construction Lusaka, the capital. “Not even detained for four months the month suggested that actual government of President Abd migrants. workers in Saudi Arabia. one arm of a citizen of Zambia following year on treason cases may have been far higher. Ethiopia Libya to investigate discovery of bodies in Benghazi diplomat urges

REUTERS — TUNIS and I requested the attorney-general to peace talks open an investigation,” he said. The prime minister of Libya’s new unity In Benghazi, the Security Headquarters, in Tigray war government said on Friday he had instructed which includes both police and military the attorney-general to open an investi- units under LNA control, initially denied any AP — KAMPALA gation into the discovery of bodies in bodies had been found but said later on Benghazi. Friday it would issue a statement on the An Ethiopian diplomat who Local media said more than a dozen matter. quit his post in the United bodies of people shot dead were found on Libya has endured a decade of chaos States over concerns about Thursday in the eastern city that is the and violence since the Nato-backed uprising atrocities in Tigray is calling for stronghold of Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, as armed peace talks between the National Army (LNA), whose assault on the groups gained control over city districts government and the embattled capital Tripoli was repulsed last year. leading to an epidemic of abductions and region’s fugitive leaders. Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, killings. Berhane Kidanemariam who was selected through a United Nations- The main western and eastern factions served as the deputy chief of led process and took office this week, that split apart in 2014 have publicly mission at the Ethiopian tweeted that such events cannot be tolerated accepted Dbeibeh’s government, widely Embassy in Washington until Libya’s new Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh meeting community elders or covered up. “I gave direct instructions to seen as Libya’s best hope for peace in years, early March. In an interview in Sirte, Libya, in this March 10, 2021, picture. the Interior Minister to deal with this event though huge challenges remain. with AP, he warned that a pro- tracted war in Tigray is devas- tating the region’s 6 million people. “We have to prioritise COVID-19 vaccine offer by Kenya peaceful settlement and negoti- ation,” he said. “Without peaceful settlement and negotiation, peace to diplomats irks local doctors couldn’t prevail. The only solution is peace talks.” REUTERS — NAIROBI daily toll since the pandemic children’s agency UNICEF and Between 60,000 and began. others have large presences. 70,000 people are now Kenya has offered free “We need to protect eve- Just over 28,000 health believed to have died in the COVID-19 vaccines to all ryone resident in Kenya. It just workers, teachers and security war since November, he said, diplomats based there, including made sense not to reach out personnel had received their citing information gleaned thousands of United Nations only to Kenyans but also to the first shots, the Ministry of Health from sources inside Ethiopia. staff, even though it has not international community here,” said in a March 19 post on Most of the victims are completed inoculating its own Kamau said Twitter. It said in early March “civilians, especially the health workers, other frontline Kamau said Kenyans in pri- that it would set aside 400,000 youngsters,” he said. Ethiopian staff or elderly, drawing crit- ority categories were still being vaccines for health staff and authorities have not given a icism from local medics. vaccinated but the decision was other essential workers. death toll in the Tigray war. The offer was made in a in keeping with Kenya’s respon- “I think the government Kidanemariam said that March 18 letter sent by the Min- sibilities as home to a large dip- should focus on getting the pri- A woman reacts as she receives the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine Tigrayan fighters “are getting istry of Foreign affairs to diplo- lomatic community. ority population vaccinated and under the COVAX scheme against coronavirus disease at the Kenyatta better” in their defenses, matic missions and seen by He estimated that 25,000 to achieving vaccine acceptancy National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, in this March 5, 2021 picture. increasing the likelihood of a Reuters. Macharia Kamau, the 30,000 diplomats, UN staff and with them before opening up to long war in which reported foreign ministry’s principal sec- family members live in Nairobi. diplomats,” said Elizabeth Gitau, offer. “Kenyans must be given AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines abuses already include mas- retary, said the shots being “We are the only United Nations a Kenyan physician and the priority,” said Chibanzi Mwa- - just over 1 million via COVAX sacres, rapes, forced dis- offered had been supplied via the capital headquarters in the chief executive officer of the chonda, head of the Kenya and a 100,000 shot donation placement, and the vandalism World Health Organization global South. Once you have this Kenya Medical Association Medical Practitioners, Pharma- from the Indian government. of priceless cultural sites. (WHO) co-led COVAX vaccine kind of honour, it comes with a (KMA). cists and Dentists Union. COVAX was set up to ensure “Anything which the access scheme. certain responsibility.” The health ministry The government note said vaccines were available to high human beings can use” has Kenya, where nearly 2,000 Nairobi hosts the UN head- referred questions to the foreign vaccinations would begin on risk and vulnerable people, as been destroyed in some way, people have died of COVID-19, quarters in Africa. The UN Office ministry. Two Nairobi-based March 23 and only accredited well as frontline health workers, he said, describing the looting is battling a third wave and the at Nairobi (UNON) is one of four diplomats who declined to be diplomats and their families in countries unable to buy shots of everything from banks to health ministry reported 28 major sites worldwide, where identified confirmed their were eligible. Kenya has so far on the highly competitive inter- churches and mosques. “It’s deaths on Friday, the highest many UN agencies such as the embassies had received the only received two batches of national market. horrible even to explain it.” Kenya leaves international court case on ocean dispute with Somalia AP — NAIROBI decided to no longer because of the neighbour’s Justice in 2014. The dispute United Nations Conference on sovereignty, stability of the participate. resurgent expansionist agenda,” centres around Indian Ocean the law of the sea. country.” Kenya has withdrawn from Kenya said it informed the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maritime rights and boundaries. Diplomatic ties between the The announcement came as International Court of Justice court’s registrar that even said in a statement. The area in dispute — about two East African neighbours the leader of the breakaway ter- hearings on its dispute with though the case was merited, The statement said the court 100,000 sq km — is thought to have become increasingly ritory of Somaliland ended a neighboring Somalia over the government thinks con- also was informed that influ- be rich in oil, gas and fish. strained by the territorial three-day visit to Kenya, where territory in the Indian Ocean. tinuing the legal proceedings ential third parties with com- In its withdrawal statement, dispute and recent accusations he was given treatment similar A statement from Foreign denies the two countries an mercial interests were fueling Kenya cited concerns about the that Kenya was influencing to that accorded to a head of Ministry cited alleged “proce- opportunity to resolve the a case “ that threatens to desta- potential bias of International Somalia’s politics. Somalia’s state in meetings with the dural unfairness” by the United matter bilaterally. bilise the peace and security of Court of Justice Judge government severed ties with Kenyan leadership. Somaliland Nations court and alleged bias “Kenya restated that it an already fragile region.” Abdulqawi Yusuf, a Somali Kenya in December because of broke away from Somalia in by a Somali judge on its bench should not have been dragged Somalia filed the case with citizen who previously repre- what it described as the imper- 1991 as the country collapsed as among the reasons Kenya to the court by Somalia merely the International Court of sented Somalia at the Third ative “to safeguard the unity, into warlord-led conflict. 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 Qatar affirms continued work with Established in 1996 world partners to end the Syrian crisis CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI QNA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Permanent Representative of DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI the State of Qatar to the [email protected] United Nations H E Ambas- sador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani underlined ACTING MANAGING EDITOR that the State of Qatar will MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED continue to work diligently in [email protected] cooperation with interna- tional partners to explore possible ways to contribute DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR constructively to ending the MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI Syrian crisis. [email protected] This came during a virtual side event organised by the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition EDITORIAL Forces in New York to mark the 10th anniversary of the Syrian revolution, in part- Protecting rights of migrant workers nership with the permanent mission of the State of Qatar THE State of Qatar issued a series of laws and decrees to the United Nations, and the Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of to improve labour market and living conditions of migrant permanent missions of the Qatar to the United Nations, attending a virtual event organised by the National Coalition for Syrian workers in the country within the framework of compre- United States, Britain, France, Revolutionary and Opposition Forces in New York, yesterday. hensive processes of updating legislations in all fields Germany, Turkey and Estonia. since the issuance of the permanent Constitution in 2004. Ambassador Sheikha Alya to the legal and moral respon- would achieve the legitimate political solution in line with These reforms have been recognised by major human Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani said sibility to hold accountable rights of the Syrian people UN Security Council Reso- rights groups and the UN organisations, so it is a con- that the 10th anniversary of the those involved in war crimes and preserve the unity and lution 2254. They stressed that tinuous process aimed at responding to the development Syrian revolution reminds the and crimes against humanity, independence of Syria. this solution can only be of the country and the economic and social transformation world of the ongoing violence and said that ensuring Sheikha Alyastressed the reached through a concerted of the Qatari society being witnessed from time to time. for a decade, the untold atroc- accountability and con- need to support the Constitu- international effort that In 2015, the State of Qatar introduced the Wage ities committed by the Syrian fronting impunity is a moral tional Committee to fulfill its reflects the demands of the Protection System (WPS) which obliged all employers regime, and the consequences obligation and a condition for mandate, adding that confi- Syrian people of freedom and working under the then Labour Law to transfer their of the horrific human toll. She reconciliation, lasting peace dence-building measures are democracy. employees’ wages through Qatari banks, within seven reviewed the catastrophic and preventing the recur- needed, including the pro- They reviewed the devas- days of their due date. In the same year, amendments humanitarian situation in Syria, rence of crimes. tection of human rights, and tation and human suffering on provisions of Law No. 21 were issued to provide where there is a generation of Permanent Representative urgently address the issue of left by a decade-long conflict expatriates workers and employees under labour law children who knew nothing but of the State of Qatar to the detainees. where there are more than 6 a freedom to change jobs, new measures to prevent the conflict, and those who sur- United Nations Ambassador Ambassador Sheikha Alya million Syrians suffering from contract substitution and passport confiscation. vived the ravages of war face Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif referred to the recent joint food insecurity before the The law regulating the relationship between domestic constant violations, adding that Al Thani said that the atroc- ministerial statement of the coronavirus pandemic, and workers and their employers was issued in 2017 to the country is now ranked ities committed in Syria are State of Qatar, the Turkish 90% of Syrians live below the make advances in the protection of the rights of lowest in the poverty index. the most documented of any Republic and the Russian Fed- poverty line. After 10 years of domestic workers and working conditions in accordance She said that the State of conflict, including the worst eration, issued on March 11 in the devastating conflict, Syria, with the provisions of ILO convention. This was Qatar is among the pioneering use of chemical weapons. In Doha, which emphasized on which was once a fertile enhanced by Ministerial Decision in 2019 which allows countries in providing this context, she highlighted confidence-building measures, country, has become on the domestic workers to leave the country without exit humanitarian aid to the the role carried out by the among other elements, to solve brink of famine with nearly 12 permit upon notification of the employer but even this brotherly Syrian people. She State of Qatar and the Princi- the Syrian crisis. million forcibly displaced was removed for all expatriates. renewed Qatar’s commitment pality of Liechtenstein to pass In conclusion, Ambas- Syrians. In order to consolidate laws and rules aimed at pro- the United Nations General sador Sheikha Alya Ahmed They expressed the hope tecting labour rights the government established Labour The State of Qatar is Assembly resolution to bin Saif Al Thani reiterated that the event would be an Dispute Resolution Committees with the aim of improving among the pioneering establish the International, that the State of Qatar will appropriate opportunity to access to justice by settling labour disputes within three Impartial and Independent continue to work diligently in push towards a specific weeks of a migrant worker filing a complaint. countries in providing Mechanism to Assist in the cooperation with interna- political process that would Within the framework of improving the working con- humanitarian aid to Investigation and Prosecution tional partners to explore pos- ensure freedom and ditions of employees and protecting their rights, a fund of Persons Responsible for the sible ways to contribute con- democracy for the Syrian was established in 2018 to support workers by protecting the brotherly Syrian Most Serious Crimes under structively to ending the people, while emphasizing them from the impact of overdue or unpaid wages in people. International Law Committed Syrian crisis. the vital and necessary role of instances where the employer has gone out of business in Syria. She underlined that Participants in the event the United Nations in deliv- or been forced to close it due to any illegal activity. the crisis cannot be resolved emphasized that the only way ering humanitarian aid across And the most recent in this series of reforms was through violence, but only forward to end the biggest borders to meet the urgent introduction of a non-discriminatory minimum wage of through a political process led humanitarian disaster in the needs on the ground. QR1800 per month including accommodation and food by the United Nations, which modern era is through a real allowances. The minimum wage is the first-of-its-kind in the Middle East and provides additional stability to Qatar’s labour market. Special committee has also been COVID-19 setbacks in Europe risk another summer travel washout formed to review and examine the minimum wage of employees and domestic workers constantly. The minimum wage law implementation started yes- SARAH YOUNG AND countries announced easyJet and Virgin Atlantic across the country, as the U.S. terday after six month of grace period given to com- LAURENCE FROST resumption of use of the could face renewed balance- vaccination campaign gained panies to rectify their status and amend contracts. REUTERS AstraZeneca shot this week sheet pressures. Air France- momentum and coronavirus The progress made in this field not only places Qatar after the European Medicines KLM is also seeking to raise restrictions are eased. in a leading position in the Gulf but also reflects that Europe’s airlines and travel Agency said the benefits capital and reduce debt from United Airlines said it reforms are genuine, long-lasting, and the product of sector are bracing for a clearly outweigh its risks. Air- last year’s 10.4 billion-euro could halt its cash burn this years of careful planning. second lost summer, with lines that have already racked bailout. month, excluding debt and rebound hopes increasingly up billions in debt face further The Franco-Dutch airline severance payments. challenged by a hobbled strain that some may not group aims to fly more than Thanks to its faster COVID-19 vaccine rollout, survive without fresh funds. 50% of pre-crisis capacity this progress on vaccinations, the resurgent infections and new British Airways owner IAG year, compared with UK outbound market has D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR lockdowns. raised 1.2 billion euros ($1.43 40%-50% for Lufthansa - been seen as key to the coming European peak EMAIL: [email protected] Airline and travel stocks billion) in a bond issue on targets that could still prove fell on Friday after Paris and Thursday, saying the cushion ambitious. “There’s a risk of season. But rising European much of northern France shut would protect it from a an increased number of bank- infection rates could threaten EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 those plans too. Greece FAX: +974 4455 7758 down for a month, days after drawn-out slump. A patchy ruptcies particularly between Italy introduced stiff business stop-start summer may pose now and the end of the year,” became Britain’s biggest MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 and movement curbs for most fewer difficulties for low-cost Alexandre de Juniac, head of source of imported cases of the country including Rome airlines such as Ryanair and global airline body IATA, told when the countries opened a DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 and Milan. Wizz Air, which can redeploy Reuters. travel corridor last summer, The setbacks hit recovery planes quickly between routes. The latest whiplash in according to an official UK LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 prospects for the crucial peak But Ryanair’s home recovery sentiment extends study published this week. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 season, whose profits typically market expects to keep strict from airlines into hospitality Instead, the faster pace of tide airlines through winter, travel curbs in place at least industries and the broader vaccinations in Britain and SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 when most carriers lose throughout June, Irish health economy, penalizing tourism- the United States could bring money even in good times. official Ronan Glynn said on dependent Mediterranean a transatlantic rebound - ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 “If there’s no confidence Thursday, citing the “deterio- countries. potentially flipping the con- email: [email protected] there, demand just doesn’t rating situation interna- “Virus numbers are going ventional wisdom that short- PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 come back,” said Dublin- tionally” and emerging more up, the vaccine rollout is haul will recover first. email: [email protected] based Alton Aviation con- contagious virus variants. falling behind and there is a “These two countries are sultant Leah Ryan, who Ryanair shares traded risk that Europe could lose a leading the G20,” with shots MARKETING: TEL: 4455 7657 expects the bad news on vac- 4.2% lower on Friday, with second summer,” Morgan administered to 40% of the pop- email: [email protected] cines and lockdowns to hurt IAG down 4% and easyJet and Stanley economist Jacob Nell ulation in Britain and one-third already weak bookings. Wizz both down 3.5%. said, predicting a “major hit to in the United States, UBS avi- ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 857 The summer outlook also Rebound hopes had driven the southern economies”. ation analyst Jarrod Castle said. FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] has been dented by rising travel stocks higher over the The weak European “The North Atlantic could CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 infections in Greece and else- past month, led by IAG’s 25% outlook contrasts with opti- open up between (them) email: [email protected] where, and a suspension of gain. While ultra-low cost mistic messages from U.S. before other European AstraZeneca’s vaccine by a carriers can take the pain of airline CEOs, who this week markets, which would be SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 number of European coun- another summer washout, reported rising spring and greatly beneficial for British FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected] tries over health fears. Several analysts say, rivals such as summer leisure bookings Airways.”

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+974 6698 6188 SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 OPINION 09 Five myths about coronavirus vaccines

PETER HOTEZ & approved, myths were vaccine, which requires only lifestyle and remaining fit In reality, none of the MARIA ELENA BOTTAZZI spreading about them. one dose, unlike the mRNA can help strengthen your vaccines uses material from THE WASHINGTON POST Myth No. 1: Some vac- shots, may have other ben- immune system, this alone aborted fetuses. The Johnson cines are better than others efits, too. We already know will not provide the anti- & Johnson and Oxford- Three coronavirus vaccines and worth waiting for. that it’s partially protective While younger bodies to keep you out of the AstraZeneca vaccines are have been authorized for Detroit Mayor Mike against the B.1.351variantthat hospital. For that, a corona- prepared in cells that have emergency use in the United Duggan turned down an arose in South Africa - people are less virus vaccine is required. been propagated for decades States, including two mRNA initial shipment of 6,200 whereas we don’t know that likely than older Myth No. 3: The vaccines in test tubes. Those cell lines vaccines from Pfizer- doses of the Johnson & for sure for the two mRNA ones to die of were so rushed, we don’t did originate from two BioNTech and Moderna and Johnson vaccine this month, vaccines, which were tested know they’re safe. fetuses aborted in the 1970s an adenovirus-vectored saying the city’s residents before that variant emerged. COVID-19, the “I’m actually beginning to and the 1980s,but there are vaccine from Johnson & should get the “best” shots - We also don’t know yet which disease can still be have doubts,” Fox News host no fetal remnants used in the Johnson. Two more are which he indicated were the of the vaccines induces Sean Hannity said in research, development or expected to be authorized mRNA vaccines. Many longer-lasting protection. And dangerous for them. January. “I’ve been telling production of the shots. The later in the spring - a second people seem concerned all of the vaccines may A study published my friends I’m going to get viruses used in other vac- adenovirus-vectored vaccine, about which shot to get, require additional boosts in the vaccine. Half of them cines, such as the chick- from Oxford-AstraZeneca, since the more recently the fall or next year. in February found agree, and the other half enpox vaccine, were and a protein particle vaccine approved Johnson & Johnson Myth No. 2: Young people that almost 30 think I’m absolutely nuts. developed using similar from Novavax. These five vaccine did report lower don’t need it, especially if They wouldn’t take it in a types of cell lines. vaccines will be used to overall efficacy rates - 66 they’re healthy. percent of adults million years.” Fellow Fox As for injecting micro- immunize the American percent protective against Vaccine skeptics have between 18 and personality Tucker Carlson chips, this is obviously people and are expected to moderate to severe disease, argued that people who 39 with COVID-19 raised alarms about the impossible, as they wouldn’t stop or slow the epidemic in and 85 percent against aren’t senior citizens and are “glitzy entrance” and “too fit through a needle; the United States. But even severe disease, compared generally healthy have no suffer from “long- slick” marketing effort for resistance to vaccinations is before the vaccines were with 95 percent protective need to be inoculated. haul” symptoms, the vaccine. On social media, often conspiratorial in against symptomatic Former Major League viral videos and posts have nature. Some microchips are The claims about COVID-19 for Pfizer- Baseball player Aubrey Huff including fatigue, alleged that the vaccines used in the vaccine distri- infertility and BioNTech and Moderna. said on Twitter that he brain fog, and loss were developed too quickly bution system to track doses But they all work by the wouldn’t take it, because his or that they were delivered and ensure that they’re not autoimmune issues are same principle. Protection “44 year old jacked body, and of taste or smell. to states before the Food and expired or counterfeit. But more or less copied against the virus depends on strong immune system works Drug Administration those are on the outside of and pasted from earlier inducing strong immunity to just fine.” In Israel, officials authorized them - implying the syringes or packages, and the coronavirus spike protein, said young people were with COVID-19 suffer from that regulators didn’t really they’re not injected into false assertions about the component of the virus much slower to get vacci- “long-haul” symptoms, have time to verify that they anyone. the HPV vaccine. There’s that binds to cells in our nated than older people including fatigue, brain fog, were safe and effective. In Myth No. 5: The mRNA no scientific basis for bodies. All of the vaccines because of perceptions that and loss of taste or smell. part because of company vaccines change your DNA. deliver this spike protein, they didn’t need to: “We’re Many of these young adults news releases and state- Anti-vaccine groups and them. And the mRNA prompting our immune reaching out to the younger had only a mild illness when ments coming out of the social media posts have delivered through lipid systems to make a specific public, and some people they were first infected. And White House in 2020, many claimed that the mRNA vac- type of antibody that blocks don’t understand the vac- the claim that only those Americans do have the cines may cause infertility or nanoparticles in a virus attachment or invasion. cine’s importance.” over the age of 65 are likely impression that these vac- autoimmune disorders by vaccine does not enter And the three vaccines While younger people to die of COVID-19 is false: cines appeared, like magic, modifying recipients’ genes or our genome. authorized so far all produce are less likely than older The Centers for Disease out of nowhere. changing their DNA - that the high levels of protection to ones to die of COVID-19, the Control and Prevention finds But scientists have been injected vaccine somehow keep you out of the hospital; disease can still be dan- that among non-White and working on vaccines to becomes part of our genetic it’s likely that they all also gerous for them. A study Hispanic populations, about protect against various coro- material. Several posts inhibit asymptomatic published in February found a third of the deaths occur in naviruses for at least a making this claim have been transmission. that almost 30 percent of those younger than 65.While decade, during which they taken down by Facebook The Johnson & Johnson adults between 18 and 39 maintaining a healthy identified the spike protein as starting last year, before the the soft target of the virus vaccines were even and figured out how to authorized for emergency use. deliver it. (This 10-year The claims about infer- research and development tility and autoimmune issues program is similar to the time are more or less copied and frame for other vaccines.)If it pasted from earlier false weren’t for all that important assertions about the HPV work, the pharma companies vaccine. There’s no scientific could not have hit the ground basis for them. And the mRNA running. And the clinical delivered through lipid nano- trials used to test the safety of particles in a vaccine does not the new vaccines were large enter our genome. It becomes and carefully controlled, a template for cells to make roughly the same size as compounds of amino acids on those used to test other molecules called ribosomes in vaccines. the cytoplasm compartment Myth No. 4: The vaccines of the cell, outside the nucleus have unsafe or unethical (where the DNA resides). Our ingredients. immune system then Facebook posts claiming responds to the new peptide, that the vaccines contain which resembles the spike microchips to track people protein on the coronavirus. have gone viral. The Catholic Therefore, it’s not correct to Archdiocese of New Orleans say that the mRNA vaccines advised believers not to get are equivalent to “gene the Johnson & Johnson shot therapy,” as some critics of if they could avoid it because the vaccines have claimed. it was developed and pro- Peter Hotez and Maria duced using “morally com- Elena Bottazzi are pro- promised cell lines created fessors of pediatrics and from two abortions” - molecular virology at Baylor though the Vatican later College of Medicine, where clarified that Catholics they are also co-directors of should take it if other the Texas Children’s Hos- effective coronavirus vac- pital Center for Vaccine A medical worker receives the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Seoul yesterday. cines were not available. Development. The oceans need a break from us Scenes like this may feel a where a Global Ocean Treaty exactly the moment we need of the Indian Ocean, the disrupts fish spawning and world away right now. But in and places like the Saya de it most. It is a situation that is fishing industry is operating results in food security issues a year where life has felt on Malha Bank come in. mirrored if we look at some of without scrutiny and up to a for vast swaths of the region. hold, with many of us kept this area’s wildlife. staggering 100,000 whales This underlines in quite very close to home, the The idea of a Global Ocean As is the case time and and dolphins are killed “by serious terms just what is at natural world has been a Treaty is to put vast swaths of again in our oceans, wildlife accident” every single year stake if we do not take shining source of hope and the ocean out of reach of in the Saya de Malha Bank is due to harmful fishing measures to improve the BONNIE WRIGHT comfort. destructive human activities under huge pressure. The area practices. health of the world’s oceans. AL JAZEERA I am lucky enough to live like fishing or deep-sea is rich with incredible animals Creating areas free from The Saya de Malha Bank is by the ocean. For me, perhaps mining, to give it a break. like sperm whales and dol- human activity is vital if we just one case study in a vast more than anywhere else, our Greenpeace and other organi- phins. Sharks – also a are going to reverse the trend ocean of equally amazing and I want you to close your eyes oceans with their limitless sations are campaigning for a common inhabitant of the of their decline – this is what important areas doing and imagine the following. horizons offer unparalleled strong treaty for our oceans, area – are hugely important. a Global Ocean Treaty can incredible work helping You are at the heart of the scope to daydream about which could help protect Sitting right at the top of the help achieve. It would help sustain us and our planet. mighty Indian Ocean. All places far away and far dif- special places like the Saya de food chain, they play a crucial populations of animals like When the nations of the around you is blue, shim- ferent from the small patch Malha Bank. role in helping maintain the sharks recover and thrive, world come together at the mering where the surface of many of us have remained The picture painted above delicate balance of this which in turn could help United Nations to negotiate a the sea meets the sky. You are tied to this year. gives only the smallest sense ecosystem. sustain seagrass and other sea Global Ocean Treaty this many, many kilometres away Of course, with everything of what an incredible and For example, studies from vegetation, which help in our August, they can ensure that from land and yet just below going on in the world, it might important place it is. similar areas suggest large- fight against the climate and through all the turmoil of this your feet, perhaps only seven seem easy to forget the threats Let us look at that sea- bodied sharks act as a sort of nature crises. year we can look back and say metres sits the seafloor like an facing our oceans. Yet, the grass. We know we have to guardian of the seagrass, Healthy oceans are critical this was the time we finally inverted oasis. past 12 months have seen the massively reduce the amount influencing the number and for many species, including us took the global action needed As you look at that climate and nature crisis con- of carbon in the atmosphere if behaviour of animals that humans. They sustain billions to start protecting our oceans. sandbank below you see a tinue unabated and our we are going to counter feed on it and may decimate it of people worldwide. As a That way we can continue to giant meadow of seagrass, the oceans are taking the heat. climate breakdown. Well, in the absence of a large spawning ground, the Saya de enjoy daydreams of adven- largest in the world, swaying The Indian Ocean, its wildlife seagrass acts like trees in the predator. Malha Bank, for example, tures in oceans teaming with with the motion of the sea. and the coastal communities ocean. It is up to 35 times Yet shark populations in helps provide fish – a staple life for many years to come. Nearby, a group of pygmy within it are particularly vul- faster at absorbing carbon international waters like food for many communities The views expressed in blue whales swim through nerable to climate emergency. than tropical rainforests. those swimming above the across the Indian Ocean. this article are the author’s their breeding ground, sharks Beautiful images like the one It covers only 0.2 percent Saya de Malha Bank have But these spawning own and do not necessarily silently look for their next above could become increas- of the ocean floor, but studies declined by a gut-churning 71 grounds are highly sensitive reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial prey among the rich variety of ingly rare in years to come. suggest it can store up to a percent in the last 50 years. to changes in their ecosystem. stance. wildlife that calls this place But this is far from an whopping 18 percent of the This is caused in no small So let us say you remove large Bonnie Wright is an home. This incredible world inevitable outcome – not least world’s oceanic carbon. Yet, part by destructive fishing predators like sharks through actress and a leading climate we have transported to is because our oceans also sit on each year globally we are practices, for which this destructive fishing, you then activist serving as an ambas- called the Saya de Malha the front line in the fight losing this precious carbon region has seen some of the risk setting off a wave of sador for both Greenpeace Bank. against this crisis. This is store at a staggering rate, at worst examples. In the middle changes in an area that and Rainforest Alliance. 10 ASIA SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 India and US to expand defence ties AP — NEW DELHI meeting last week between exchange of words, signals the leaders of Australia, India, Japan The US and India have importance Biden places on Top defence officials from India and the United States, which steadily ramped up their New Delhi as a security ally. and the United States pledged together make up the four Indo- The US and India have yesterday to expand their Pacific nations known as the military relationship in steadily ramped up their mil- military engagement, under- Quad. recent years and signed a itary relationship in recent years scoring the strengthening The Quad is seen as a coun- string of defence deals and and signed a string of defence defence ties between two coun- terweight to China, who critics deepened military deals and deepened military tries concerned over China’s say is flexing its military muscle cooperation. Bilateral cooperation. In 2019, the two growing influence in the Indo- in the South China Sea, East sides concluded defence deals Pacific region. China Sea, Taiwan Strait and defence trade increased worth over $3bn. Bilateral US Secretary of Defense along its northern border with from near zero in 2008 to defence trade increased from Lloyd Austin and Indian Defence India. $15bn in 2019. near zero in 2008 to $15bn in Minister Rajnath Singh met in China has called the Quad 2019. New Delhi and agreed to deepen an attempt to contain its The US-India security part- defence cooperation, intelli- ambitions. from the Prime Minister’s Office, nership enjoys strong bipartisan gence sharing and logistics. Austin’s Indian counterpart, Modi “outlined his vision for the support in Washington, and it “India is an increasingly Singh, said the talks were strategic partnership between has grown significantly since the important partner in rapidly focused on “expanding military- the two countries and empha- early 2000s even though trade shifting international dynamics. to-military engagement.” “We sised the important role of agreements have been a sticking I reaffirm our commitment to a are determined to realise the full bilateral defence cooperation in point. But in recent years, rela- comprehensive forward- potential of comprehensive India-US ties.” Before the talks tions between the countries looking defence partnership global strategic partnership,” yesterday, Austin visited the have been driven by a conver- with India as a central pillar of Singh said. National War Memorial and was gence of interests to counter India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence our approach to the Indo-Pacific Austin arrived in New Delhi accorded a ceremonial guard of China. Lloyd Austin leave after a reception in New Delhi, yesterday. region,” Austin said. on Friday and met Prime Min- honour. More recently, India drew Austin is making the first ister Narendra Modi and The timing of Austin’s visit, closer to the US following its visit to India by a top member National Security Advisor Ajit which follows talks between months-long military standoff deadly clashes erupted last have eased after the two coun- of President Joe Biden’s admin- Doval. high-ranking US and Chinese with China along their disputed year. Tensions between the tries pulled back troops from istration. His visit follows a According to a statement officials in Alaska amid a bitter border in eastern Ladakh, where nuclear-armed Asian giants one area of contention. Myanmar: Pressure on generals grows as protesters march Thai army denies supplying rice to REUTERS can until our revolution pre- Widodo, in some of the vails.” Some groups gather at strongest comments yet by a Myanmar forces Opponents of Myanmar’s coup night with candles and placards, regional leader, said on Friday protested again yesterday and then melt away after taking the violence should stop imme- REUTERS — BANGKOK international pressure grew on photographs. People also stage diately and he would ask the military junta to halt its “unmanned” protests, with Brunei, the chair of the Associ- Thailand’s army has denied repression of democracy rows of placards with messages ation of Southeast Asian supplying rice to units of Myan- supporters, with Asian neigh- like “We will never stop until Nations, to call an urgent mar’s armed forces and said bours joining Western countries we get democracy” set up on a meeting. yesterday any food being sent in condemning lethal force. street. Malaysian Prime Minister over the border was part of A young man was shot and Yesterday, dozens of dem- Muhyiddin Yassin said he was normal trade. killed in one of the most tur- onstrators gathered in the appalled by the persistent use Myanmar’s military is bulent neighbourhoods of the second city of Mandalay. of lethal violence against facing international condem- Protesters participate in a mock drowning as a signal to the world main city of Yangon, a resident Several were injured when a unarmed civilians. Singapore nation over a February 1 coup that they, as their country, need to be saved, in Nyaung-U, Myanmar and media reported, taking the vehicle drove into them and has also expressed its and bloody crackdowns on death toll since the February 1 when police fired rubber on Friday. disapproval. protests against military rule in coup to 238, according to a tally bullets, a city news portal But the military has shown which nearly 250 people have by the Assistance Association reported. It was not clear why The spokesman for the junta Internet services, making infor- no sign of being swayed and has been killed. Thailand has for Political Prisoners activist the vehicle hit the protesters. was not available for comment mation increasingly difficult to defended its takeover, which voiced concern over the group. There were small protests but has previously said security verify, and have clamped down derailed a slow transition to bloodshed. Direct Thai The bloodshed has not in other towns, including forces have used force only on private media. Facebook has democracy in a country that assistance to the Myanmar mil- quelled public anger over the Kyaukme and Hsipaw in the when necessary. banned all pages linked to the was under strict military rule itary would likely draw crit- return of military rule, the northeast, Kawlin in the north, UN Secretary-General military over guidelines on from a 1962 coup until the gen- icism from supporters of the ouster of the elected gov- Hpa-an and Myawaddy in the Antonio Guterres on Friday inciting violence. Yesterday, erals initiated reforms a decade ousted government that was ernment and the detention of east, Labutta in the Irrawaddy condemned what he called the Twitter said it suspended the ago. The junta says a November led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. river delta, Myeik in the south military’s continuing brutal vio- information ministry’s page 8 election won by Suu Kyi’s Nobel peace laureate has been But some activists say they and the central town of Yay Oo, lence and urged a unified inter- under the company’s “platform party was fraudulent, an accu- detained in Myanmar since the have had to adapt tactics. according to news portals and national response. manipulation and spam policy”. sation rejected by the electoral coup. Thai media reported that “We protest where there are social media. UN rapporteur Tom The ministry had been commission. The military the Thai army had supplied no police or military, then when Hundreds marched in the Andrews called for sanctions in posting news daily on Twitter. leaders have promised a new 700 sacks of rice to Myanmar we hear they’re coming, we dis- town of Monywa and burned a response to the generals’ Western countries have election but have not set a date. army units on Myanmar’s perse quickly,” campaigner copy of the 2008 constitution, “ruthless” attacks on people. repeatedly condemned the coup Coup leader General Min eastern border, citing an uni- Kyaw Min Htike told Reuters which was drafted under mil- “The world must respond by and the violence. Asian neigh- Aung Hlaing yesterday visited dentified security official as from Dawei in the south before itary supervision and limits the cutting their access to money bours, who have for years the Coco islands, and explained saying it was on the orders of he and others staged a brief powers of elected civilians, the and weapons,” he wrote on avoided criticising each other, to military officers and nurses the Thai government. rally outside the town centre. Irrawaddy news portal Twitter. Authorities have have also begun speaking out. why he had to seize power, the “The Thai army is not sup- “We’ll protest any way we reported. tightened restrictions on Indonesian President Joko state broadcaster reported. plying the Myanmar army and there has been no contact from the Myanmar army requesting Virus cases in help or demanding any Thai police clash with protesters near King’s palace assistance from us because India surge to they have their own honour,” REUTERS — BANGKOK but comes from the army,” said Major General Amnat Srimak, 4-month high a man who gave his name only commander of the Naresuan Thai police used water cannon as Kung, 60. "The world has Force, said in a statement. REUTERS — NEW DELHI and charged toward protesters changed and we want the same “If there is anything, I think who had gathered near the kind of monarchy as in Western there is regular commerce at India reported 40,953 new king's palace in Bangkok countries.” normal border crossings,” coronavirus cases yesterday, yesterday to call for the release A portrait of the king near Amnat said. “We are not the biggest daily jump in of protest leaders and demand the protest area was defaced. blocking this if the conduct is nearly four months, with its reform of the monarchy. Thailand's youth protest not against the law and follows richest state and economic Hundreds of police in riot movement has posed the customs procedures.” backbone Maharashtra gear and shields advanced on biggest challenge so far to Thai media said the accounting for more than half different fronts against pro- Prime Minster Prayuth Chan- Myanmar army units being the infections. testers to push people away ocha. Protesters say he engi- supplied near the border had Deaths rose by 188 to from the Grand Palace. In some neered a process that would been cut off by forces of the 159,404, the health ministry places they faced off with pro- preserve the political status quo Karen National Union (KNU), reported, underscoring a testers who threw and keep him in power after a an ethnic minority insurgent resurgence of the virus in the firecrackers. 2019 election. Prayuth has group that agreed to a ceasefire Demonstrators try to scale shipping containers during clashes with world’s third worst affected More than 1,000 protesters rejected that. with the Myanmar government riot police at an anti-government protest in Bangkok, yesterday. country, after the United States had gathered near the palace Protesters also demanded in 2012. The KNU has thrown and Brazil. in Bangkok in an area known reform of the monarchy, its support behind Myanmar’s Some regions in India have as Sanam Luang, or Royal Field. tanacharoen told reporters. constitution, one of the pro- breaking a traditional taboo, democracy movement and already reimposed con- "We will arrest anyone on "We repeatedly issued testers' main demands. saying the constitution drafted condemned the military’s coup tainment measures, including the streets," police said over warnings before escalating our A mass trial for protest by the military after the 2014 and crackdown. lockdowns and restaurant clo- loudspeakers as multiple lines response," he said, adding that leaders began this week against coup gives the king too much Thai media showed pic- sures, and more are being of police advanced, pushing protesters used metal bars and activists who were accused of power. The Royal Palace has tures of what appeared to be considered. people back. threw stones and marbles. sedition and insulting the declined to directly comment bags of rice being loaded into Doctors have blamed the Police used shields, batons, The demonstrations comes monarchy. on the protests, but Prayuth and trucks at the border. Residents fresh infection wave on peo- rubber bullets and tear gas and after parliament this week "We’re demanding real government officials have said said the crossing shown in the ple’s relaxed attitude to mask- detained five protesters, police failed to pass a bill to rewrite democracy and not a gov- that criticism of the king is pictures was not a normal trade wearing and other social dis- deputy spokesman Kissana Pat- the military-backed ernment that says it is elected unlawful and inappropriate. route. tancing measures, warning that hospital wards were swiftly filling up in states like Maharashtra. Heavy rain, flash flooding batter Australia’s east coast Maharashtra reported a record 25,681 cases, including REUTERS — MELBOURNE is home to about a third of Aus- state, with water engulfing more than 30 homes, knocking not drive over water that is cov- 3,000 in the financial capital tralia’s 25 million people, has houses up to the windows, down trees and cutting power, ering a road,” Elliott said. of Mumbai, over the past 24 Australia’s east coast was already seen March rainfall people kayaking through the emergency services said. Social and sporting events hours. smashed by heavy rains records broken and authorities streets, and damaged roads. People were urged to stay were called off across the state, The state of 112 million yesterday, sparking dangerous warned the downpour was One video showed an entire at home and avoid any non- including football games and people has imposed a flash flooding that forced the likely to continue for several house being swept away. Local essential trips, with officials one of Australian turf’s marquee lockdown in some districts and evacuation of multiple regions days. media reported that the house lambasting those who had horse races, the A$3.5 million put curbs on cinemas, hotels as the fast-moving waters “I hate to say this again to owners had managed to needed help after venturing out ($2.7m) Golden Slipper. and restaurants until the end unmoored houses, engulfed all our citizens of the state, but evacuate. into the stormy weather. The federal government of the month. Chief minister roads, stranded towns and cut it’s not going to be an easy week Warragamba Dam, a major Emergency crews said the extreme weather was Uddhav Thackeray warned power lines. for us,” NSW Premier Gladys water supply for Sydney, began responded to about 4,000 calls affecting its COVID-19 vaccine that a wider lockdown is an In Sydney, the country’s Berejiklian told a televised overflowing yesterday for help over the past two days, delivery in Sydney and option, according to local biggest city, authorities pleaded briefing. “The rain may not stop afternoon. Officials warned that including 500 direct flood throughout state, but said media. for people to stay at home as a till Thursday or Friday.” Offi- the overflow would quickly add rescues, a level NSW Emer- delays should last only a few The rise in India’s major dam overflowed and a cials had issued nine evacuation to swollen rivers, leading to gency Services Minister David days. COVID-19 cases peaked at mini-tornado tore through a orders for about 15 areas by Sat- flash flooding. Elliott said was “just completely Australia plans to deliver nearly 100,000 a day in Sep- western suburb. urday afternoon. A mini-tornado ripped unacceptable.” “The message is the first vaccine doses to almost tember, and had been falling Most of the coast of New Television footage showed through a suburb in the west of clear: do not walk through or six million people over the next steadily until late last month. South Wales (NSW) state, which increasing damage across the the city, causing damage to drive through floodwaters, do few weeks. SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 ASIA 11 Pakistan PM tests positive for COVID-19, urges people to vaccinate REUTERS — ISLAMABAD vaccine Khan was given, the vaccine is one of two countries in the world Officials said the Prime produced by China National Pharma- where polio remains endemic due to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Minister was in good ceutical Group (Sinopharm) is the only widespread conspiracies against inoc- (pictured) tested positive for COVID-19 health. They said the one available in Pakistan. ulation. Earlier this month, a poll yesterday, two days after receiving his Khan expressed concern after his showed that hesitancy against the first vaccine dose, government officials Premier was likely positive test result that it could deter COVID-19 vaccination was also high said, urging people not to be deterred already infected when ordinary people from getting vacci- among healthcare workers — partic- from getting vaccinated. he received the first nated, his adviser Shahbaz Gill told a ularly over Chinese vaccines. Pakistan’s vaccination roll-out has dose of vaccine on local television. Khan’s positive test comes as been met with widespread vaccine hes- Thursday. He said Khan, who has been seen Pakistan sees a steep rise in infections. itancy, and Khan’s positive test could attending regular gatherings had mild According to numbers released by gov- serve as a setback to the inoculation symptoms. Asad Umar, the minister ernment, 3,876 people tested positive drive in the country of 220 million minister’s coronavirus in-charge of the country’s COVID-19 in the last 24 hours — the highest people, health experts said. infection with the vaccine, operations, said in a tweet it was number of daily infections since early Health Minister Faisal Sultan said premier had likely been infected much which takes times to build antibodies. “certain that PM had been infected July — taking the total number of infec- Khan was “in good health” with a mild before he got his first vaccine shot on Indian Prime Minister Narendra prior to vaccination”. “So please do tions in the country past 620,000. cough and fever and was self-isolating Thursday. Sultan told local television Modi tweeted to wish Khan “a speedy vaccinate,” Umar added. Vaccine hes- There were also 42 more deaths, at home, adding that the 68-year-old people should not link the prime recovery”. While it was not clear which itancy is common in Pakistan, which taking the total to 13,799. Strong quake shakes Japan; minor injuries, no major damage Philippines reports 7,999 AP — TOKYO in height for Miyagi prefecture In a coastal city of Ofunato, immediately after the quake, Shotaro Suzuki, a hotel new infections A strong earthquake struck off but lifted it about 90 minutes employee, said there was a tem- northern Japan yesterday, later. porary blackout and elevators REUTERS — MANILA shaking buildings even in Tokyo Officials there said there stopped briefly, but power has and triggering a tsunami were no immediate reports of been restored and there were The Philippines yesterday advisory for a part of the damage. The Fire and Disaster no other problems. recorded 7,999 new corona- northern coast. No major Management Agency said seven Our guests seemed worried virus infections, the second damage was reported, but people were injured in Miyagi at first, but they have all straight day that the country several people had minor prefecture, including two returned to their rooms, and our posted a record high in daily injuries. elderly women — one who was facility seems fine, Suzuki told cases. The US Geological Survey banged in the head by a door NHK. In mid-February, another In a bulletin, the health put the strength of the quake at and the other who was hit in the powerful quake in the region ministry said total confirmed magnitude 7.0 and depth at 54 shoulder by furniture. In neigh- killed one person and left more cases have risen to 656,056 kilometres (33.5 miles). The bouring Iwate prefecture, a than 180 injured, though most while confirmed deaths have shaking started just before 6:10 woman in her 50s fell and cut injuries were minor. The quake reached 12,930, after 30 more pm. The quake was centred off her mouth. damaged roads, train lines and were recorded yesterday. the coast of Miyagi prefecture, The strong temblor caused thousands of houses. It also The Southeast Asian nation in the country’s rugged a temporary blackout in some caused minor damage to the is battling a renewed surge in People sit on the floor at a station after train services are suspended northeast, which was heavily areas and suspended bullet Fukushima Daiichi nuclear infections, including those of following an earthquake in Miyagi prefecture, Japan, yesterday. damaged during the huge train services in the area, plant. A Japan Meteorological the new and more transmis- earthquake and tsunami of 2011 according to the East Japan Agency spokesperson, Noriko sible variants, delaying the that left more than 18,000 Railway Co. including the Fukushima management official in Tome Kamaya, said in a news con- further reopening of its pan- people dead. The Nuclear Regulation Daiichi nuclear plant, which town in Miyagi prefecture, said ference that yesterday's quake demic-stricken economy. Japan's Meteorological Authority said no abnormalities suffered meltdowns in the 2011 he was in his apartment when is considered an aftershock of “The country’s recorded Agency issued an advisory for have been detected at nuclear quake and tsunami. the quake struck, and felt his the 9.0 magnitude quake in COVID-19 cases remain high. a tsunami up to 1 metre (yard) power plants in the region, Akira Wakimoto, a crisis room shake for a long time. 2011. Better to stay home if going out is unnecessary,” the ministry said. China says will The Philippines also logged China’s first local virus case since February was vaccinated 114 COVID-19 cases because discuss climate of new coronavirus variants, REUTERS — SHANGHAI official newspaper of China’s “absolutely safe”, but the public received. China currently has including six infections of the with US ruling Communist Party. should not doubt domestic vac- four domestic COVID-19 vac- homegrown P.3 variant, after China’s first local coronavirus China had reported the case cines due to this case. cines for public use, with vac- a new series of genome AP — BEIJING case since February was a staff on Thursday, making it the “The efficacy rate of cines made by CanSino Bio- sequencing on 150 samples. worker at a hospital and had country’s first locally trans- domestic vaccines in preventing logics Inc (CanSinoBIO) and It reported 46 new infec- China said yesterday it had received two shots of a vaccine mitted case since February 14. severe cases in China is more Wuhan Institute of Biological tions of the B.1.1.7 variant first agreed with the US to take up between end-January and early The Health Times, citing a than 90%, and the overall pro- Products, an affiliate of China detected in Britain, and 62 climate change and a handful February, state media reported joint expert group of Shaanxi tection rate is more than 70%,” National Pharmaceutical Group cases of the B.1.351 variant dis- of other issues, a sign of small yesterday. province where Xian city is said Zeng, adding that corona- (Sinopharm), receiving approval covered in South Africa. but possible progress at The patient, identified by located, said Liu was infected virus treatment hospitals are in February. This brings cases for those recently concluded talks that her surname Liu, had been after being accidentally exposed high-risk areas where vacci- They join a vaccine from variants to 223 and 152, were otherwise marked by working in the quarantine area while in the hospital’s quar- nated medical staff cannot rule Sinovac Biotech, also approved respectively. acrimonious public exchanges of a hospital in Xian city since antine area. out the possibility of infection. last month, and another from The Philippines has the over the divisions between the March 4, and was mainly The publication quoted Thirty-three staff working Sinopharm’s Beijing unit second-highest COVID-19 world’s two largest economies. responsible for collecting Zeng Guang, former chief epi- in the quarantine area with Liu approved last year. A fifth cases and deaths in Southeast China’s official Xinhua samples of quarantined people demiologist of China’s Center had negative nucleic acid test vaccine, developed by the Asia, after Indonesia. News Agency said in a dispatch for coronavirus testing, for Disease Control and Pre- results, and have undergone Institute of Microbiology of The Philippines' Food and from Alaska, where the reported the Health Times. vention, as saying that the pro- centralised medical isolation Chinese Academy of Sciences Drug Administration (FDA) on two-day meeting wrapped up The Health Times is listed tection rate of the vaccine is and observation. (IMCAS), was also approved for Friday approved the Sputnik on Friday, that China and the as a newspaper published “not 100%”, and that it is “rela- The Health Times did not emergency use in China, the V vaccine developed by Rus- US had decided to set up a under The People’s Daily, the tively safe rather than specify which vaccine Liu had institute announced on March 15. sia's Gamaleya Institute. working group on climate change and hold talks “to facil- itate activities of... diplomatic UN: No international staff in North Korea and consular missions” and on issues related to each other’s journalists. due to pandemic-related travel curbs However, US officials said no formal agreements had AP — SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA benefit of the people of North Korea been reached on resuming any along with local staff. dialogues or starting new A UN spokesman said the world body Dujarric said that after more than a initiatives. in North Korea has been left with no year in North Korea, UN international The two countries feuded international staff, who are now staff had travelled home to visit their over journalist visas and con- working remotely. families and they are expected to return sulates during the Trump Despite claiming to be coronavirus to Pyongyang as soon as the pandemic- administration, and climate free, North Korea has sealed off its related border closure is lifted for UN change is seen as one area borders as part of stringent anti-pan- employees. Dujarric said that WFP oper- where they may be able to demic measures that also involved the ations will be handled by local staff in cooperate. departure of diplomats and foreign Pyongyang and international staff Senior Biden adminis- nationals. working remotely. tration officials held their first Earlier this week, the last remaining Several UN agencies including WFP, face-to-face meeting with two international UN staffers, both with WHO and Unicef have offices in North their Chinese counterparts in the World Food Program, reportedly left Korea. But it’s not clear how soon their Anchorage, Alaska, since Pyongyang. international employees can return. taking office earlier this year. Vaccination campaign UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric North Korea, whose public health The talks opened with tense said on Friday in New York that the UN care system remains in shambles, would A medical worker receives the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and extended exchanges over office remains open and functioning, be at risk of a humanitarian crisis if at a vaccination centre in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. human rights before television and continues to work remotely for the there is a major outbreak. cameras, before the officials retreated behind closed doors. “The US side should not underestimate China’s deter- Afghan President appoints 2 ministers, angers ruling partner mination to safeguard national sovereignty, security and AP — KABUL, AFGHANISTAN handle and approve all affairs Yasin Zia was appointed acting government and the Taliban to violence. development interests,” related to Afghanistan’s peace defence minister. He replaced end decades-old fighting. The Islamic State group’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani process. Abdullah would also Asadullah Khalid, who had been The Cabinet changes could local affiliate has claimed Chinese media after the has made two key Cabinet be able to appoint half of receiving treatment abroad for be a sign that Ghani is pushing responsibility for some of the meeting. changes, a move condemned Ghani’s Cabinet and issue exec- severe injuries sustained in a back against the US and oppo- violence, but many attacks go The Xinhua report did not yesterday as “unacceptable” by utive orders. 2012 suicide bombing, sition’s increasing support for unclaimed, with the Afghan provide any details on the his powerful governing partner, On Friday, Ghani dismissed according to an official, who an interim administration. government putting the blame climate change working group, Abdullah Abdullah, at a time Interior Minister Masoud asked not to be identified Ghani’s critics have accused on the Taliban. The insurgents other than to say both coun- when the US is ratcheting up the Andarabi, appointing Hayat- because he was not authorized him of clinging to power. He have denied responsibility for tries were committed to pressure to reach a peace ullah Hayat as caretaker min- to speak to the media. He said says he will leave office only most of the attacks. enhancing communication agreement with the Taliban. ister. In recent years, Hayat had Khalid will be returning to through elections. On Thursday, Russia hosted and cooperation in the field. In May 2020, Ghani and served as governor of southern Afghanistan sometime soon. The statement from Abdul- the first of three international It also said the two sides political rival Abdullah signed Kandahar province. Khalid was head of Afghan- lah’s office said the decision to conferences aimed at jump- discussed adjusting COVID-19 a power-sharing agreement, There was little explanation istan’s intelligence at the time remove Andarabi came starting the peace process travel and visa policies and two months after both declared from the government for the of the attack. He has received “without consultation, without ahead of the May 1 deadline for reciprocal arrangements for themselves the winner of the changes, but the moves angered treatment in the United States justifiable reason or reasons, the final withdrawal of US and vaccination of their September 2019 presidential Abdullah. “This decision is and has periodically returned was hastily (made) and in oppo- Nato troops from the country. diplomats. election. Under the deal, Ghani against the interests of the there. sition to a political agreement The Taliban warned Wash- While the report said both remained president of the war- country in the current situation The changes come as a May between the two parties.” The ington on Friday against defying countries agreed to hold talks torn nation while Abdullah was and is unacceptable,” he said in 1 deadline nears for the with- new appointments come as the deadline, promising a on consular missions and jour- named head of the country’s a statement released drawal of US troops and Afghanistan experiences a “reaction” if it does, which could nalists, it did not mention the National Reconciliation Council, yesterday. America has increased pressure nationwide spike in bombings, mean increased attacks by the previous disputes. which has the authority to Army Chief of Staff Gen. on both the national targeted killings and other insurgent group. 12 EUROPE SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 UK vaccine drive on track as half of adults inoculated

BLOOMBERG — LONDON The EU is questioning vaccine nationalism could stifle Martin McKee, a professor risk to the UK to carry greater US, Singapore and Israel, the export of jabs the the country’s steady supply. of European public health at the restrictions and “green” desti- according to the FT report. More than half of UK adults On Wednesday, the London School of Hygiene & nations that have higher vacci- The UK has been among the have now received at least one across the English Department of Health warned Tropical Medicine, said the NHS nation rates more easily hardest hit by the coronavirus, dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Channel, while their its vaccine distribution network has “done a remarkable job,” accessible. with more than 126,000 lives a milestone for a country that about a four-week delay in but some areas of the country Members of the UK’s Global now lost to the disease. It has has struggled in its response to rate of vaccination supply from the end of March. have not “kept the pace with Travel Taskforce are set to issue the fifth-highest death toll in the the outbreak. dwindles in That shortage is reportedly a others.” a report on April 12 setting out world, according to JHU data. This figure also puts the UK comparison. result of India’s government The vaccination drive may plans for how and when At points, its response to the halfway through its target to holding on to the doses, a point also not be enough to allow overseas travel can resume, pandemic has been criticised offer a first dose of the vaccine denied by Prime Minister Boris people to freely go abroad on with self-isolation measures not for being sluggish, especially by the end of July. In com- dose as of March 19, with 2.1 Johnson, who received his first holiday this year. A new “traffic ruled out, the FT said, citing an compared with Asian nations. parison, fewer than one in 10 million getting both shots. Still, inoculation Friday. The EU is light” system for foreign travel unidentified person on the task The UK also reported 96 adults in the European Union the UK’s progress is under also questioning the export of this summer is under discussion force calls. One idea under con- new deaths within 28 days of a have been inoculated. threat as resistant variants of jabs across the English Channel, by ministers, the Financial sideration is to carry out pilots positive coronavirus test yes- More than 26.8 million the virus could undermine the while their rate of vaccination Times reported yesterday, with with countries that have high terday and 5,587 tests returning people had received their first jab’s efficacy and so-called dwindles in comparison. “red” countries deemed a higher vaccination rates, such as the a positive result. Call to allow protests in Greece to hand out self-testing England during lockdown kits as COVID-19 REUTERS — LONDON including Conservative Member cases stay high of Parliament Steve Baker, and More than 60 British lawmakers Ed Davey, the leader of the REUTERS – ATHENS have written to interior minister Liberal Democrats, said that Priti Patel calling for protests to protest should not be a criminal Greece will start distributing be allowed in England during offence. free do-it-yourself COVID-19 lockdown. “We call on you to expressly tests next month, the Under England’s corona- exempt protests from restric- government said yesterday, as virus rules, it is unlawful for tions on gatherings,” they said it seeks to alleviate pressure groups to gather for protests in the letter, which was on a healthcare system facing and police warned people yes- organised by campaign groups a stubbornly high level of new terday not to head to central Liberty and Big Brother Watch. infections. London for planned demonstra- The interior ministry, Everyone with a social tions, including by anti- known as the Home Office, said security number will be lockdown campaigners. in response that the COVID-19 entitled to four of the test kits Police were criticised for stay at home order remains in per month, and they will be using heavy-handed tactics on place until March 29, and once distributed at pharmacies. March 13 to break up an outdoor it ends protests can resume “It is a new tool in the vigil for 33-year-old Sarah subject to agreed social-dis- country’s battle against the Everard. A police officer has tancing measures. pandemic. The tests will allow been charged with her kidnap “While we are still in a pan- better epidemiological moni- and murder. demic we continue to urge toring, and of course pre- Further protests followed, people to avoid mass gath- People holding banners during a protest against the lockdown, amid the spread of the coronavirus vention,” the prime minister’s fuelled by anger over gov- erings, in line with wider coro- disease (COVID-19), on Oxford Street, in London, yesterday. office said in a statement. ernment plans to tighten the navirus restrictions,” a spokes- The government said the law on demonstrations. woman said. operation will be in place in breaching regulations, adding encouraged to return home or do-it-yourself test kits have an The group of lawmakers, Police said that a significant London to engage with people that any protesters will be could face fines or arrest. accuracy rate of about 95 to 99 percent. They are easier to do than rapid tests, needing nasal and saliva samples Italy: Salvini faces trial on migrant kidnapping charges instead of the nasopharyngeal sample used in rapid tests. REUTERS — ROME uation of the people on board. Salvini wrote on Facebook. The prosecutor asked for People who get a positive Salvini defended his action During his 14 months as the indictment in a preliminary result will be instructed to An Italian prosecutor formally yesterday and said he was not interior minister, Salvini hearing in the Sicilian capital of report it to health authorities called yesterday for right-wing worried about the prosecutor’s stopped several boats from Palermo. The final decision on for the monitoring and tracing League leader Matteo Salvini application which is part of a docking in Italy in an effort to whether to proceed still rests of COVID-19 infections. (pictured) to be tried for long-running legal process — halt migrant flows. He regularly with a senior judge. Greece will lift some kidnapping over his decision to Italy’s Senate authorised the accused migrant rescue char- Open Arms, the charity COVID-19 lockdown restric- prevent more than 100 migrants court to pursue the kidnapping ities of effectively encouraging which operated the migrant tions next week as part of a from landing in the country in investigation last year. people smuggling. rescue ship at the heart of the plan to gradually reopen the 2019. “I am proud to have worked He could face up to 15 years case, said it supported the pros- economy and relieve national Salvini’s decision, made to protect my country, in prison if found guilty at the ecutor’s application. fatigue even as its hospitals when he was interior minister, respecting the law, waking up end of a tortuous, three-stage “Violating the rights of vul- remain under severe pressure. left the migrants stranded at sea Europe and saving lives. If this judicial process. A definitive nerable people is a crime in any On Friday, health author- until prosecutors ordered the should cause me problems and conviction could bar him from democratic country,” it wrote ities reported 2,785 new coro- seizure of the ship and the evac- suffering, I’ll gladly take it on,” government office. on Twitter. navirus cases and 64 deaths. Romania, Greece aim for speedy Eruption of Iceland volcano bilateral travel easing, flights unaffected arrangement AP — REYKJAVIK, ICELAND “There is no indication of production AP — BUCHAREST of ash and tephra, and there is no The eruption of a long-dormant volcano imminent hazard for aviation,” the Met Romania and Greece are that sent streams of lava flowing across Office said on its website. looking to set up a travel a small valley in southwestern Iceland In 2010, an eruption of the Eyjafjal- arrangement using their own is easing and shouldn’t interfere with air lajokull volcano in Iceland sent clouds vaccine certificates that would travel, the Icelandic Meteorological of ash and dust into the atmosphere, open up the tourism between Office said yesterday. interrupting air travel between Europe the two countries as soon as The fissure eruption began at around and North America because of concerns next month, officials said on 8:45pm on Friday in the Geldinga Valley, the material could damage jet engines. Friday. about 32km southwest of the capital, More than 100,000 flights were At a press conference in Reykjavik, the Met Office said. The grounded, stranding millions of Bucharest, Greek Tourism eruption is “minor” and there were no passengers. Minister Harry Theocharis said signs of ash or dust that could disrupt The Geldinga Valley eruption is the Greece is eager to receive aviation, the agency added. first on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Romanian tourists before the “The more we see, the smaller this almost 800 years. EU agrees on creating its own eruption gets,” geophysicist Pall Ein- The area began rumbling with vaccination certificates. arsson told AP yesterday after moni- increased seismic activity 15 months ago, “We really want the EU to toring the volcano throughout the night. and the tremors increased dramatically step up the procedure to This southwestern corner of Iceland last month. release that EU health certif- is the most heavily populated part of the Over the past three weeks, the area icate,” Theocharis said. country. The Department of Emergency has been rattled by about 50,000 small “But until then we want to Management said it doesn’t anticipate earthquakes, dozens of them magnitude have discussions with the evacuations, unless levels of volcanic 4 or stronger, the Met Office said. Lava flows from a volcano in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, yesterday. Romanian minister for tourism gases rise significantly. Iceland, located above a volcanic so that we can accept tourists Keflavik Airport, Iceland’s interna- hotspot in the North Atlantic, averages size of Manhattan over the interior estimated the eruptive fissure was about even before reaching an tional air traffic hub, said flights have one eruption every four to five years. highland region. 500 metres long. The two streams of agreement at a European remained on schedule since the eruption The last one was at Holuhraun in 2014, Scientists flew over the Geldinga lava were about 2.5km from the nearest level.” began. when a fissure eruption spread lava the Valley eruption yesterday morning and road. Theocharis said Greece will look to accept vaccine cer- tificates issued by Romania and that tourists from the Italy, France to up cooperation on health and space projects Eastern European nation could start visiting as early as mid- BLOOMBERG — PARIS/ROME Development Minister Gian- Zeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. autonomy and collaboration. cooperate more closely, the April — a month before carlo Giorgetti. “This is an The cooperation marks a In space launchers, “the ministers said. The same is true Greece’s official tourist season Italy and France plan to step up opportunity to reinforce pro- change after several years of strategic independence of the for electronic components, with opens on May 14. their cooperation on health, duction chains in Europe and tense relations and soured deals EU” is at stake, Le Maire said. the aim of being less dependent Romania’s Tourism Min- aerospace, microprocessor and between big industrial nations including the scrapping of a The two countries will set a on Asia, Le Maire said. ister, Claudiu Nasui, said that hydrogen projects, ministers like Italy and France.” tie-up between Italy’s Fincan- common strategy for the Ariane Giorgetti told reporters the government would take from the two countries’ govern- The neighbouring countries tieri SpA and France’s Chantiers 6 launch system and plan to there is no plan for public par- the final decision on the ments said Friday. have been working closely on de l’Atlantique earlier this year. “write a road map for European ticipation in automaker Stel- matter, “but this is the “We’ve succeeded in pro- a number of projects since The joint projects are aimed launchers.” The countries will lantis NV, born out of the com- direction which we will be tecting our economies in Mario Draghi took over as at helping the countries gain also work on a tripartite bination between Fiat Chrysler taking.” Europe in 2020, now we need Italy’s prime minister. Draghi more independence in key stra- agreement with Germany Automobiles NV and PSA Group. Before the coronavirus to succeed in relaunching and French President tegic areas at European level. In before the summer. He also said that Italy will pandemic, more than a million them,” French Finance Minister Emmanuel Macron coordinated the health field, France and Italy In the field of hydrogen, present a plan for cash- Romanians visited Greece Bruno Le Maire said at a press earlier this week on the tem- plan to cooperate on biotech and France and Italy plan to work strapped airline Alitalia before each year. conference in Rome with Italian porary halt to the use of Astra- other projects to ensure greater to identify companies that could this summer. SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 EUROPE 13 Lockdown protest in Germany turns violent

AP — BERLIN Protests against Germany’s national disease government measures control center said new infec- Protesters in Germany clashed tions were growing exponen- with police yesterday over to rein in the tially as the more contagious coronavirus measures, with pandemic were also COVID-19 variant first detected officers using water cannons, reported in several in Britain has become dominant pepper spray and batons against in the country. people trying to break through countries across Yesterday, the Robert Koch police barriers, German news Europe, including Institute reported 16,033 new dpa agency reported. Austria, Britain, cases and registered 207 addi- Protests against government tional deaths, bringing the measures to rein in the pan- Finland, Romania and overall death toll to 74,565 in demic also were reported in Switzerland. Germany. several other countries across In Berlin, some 1,800 police Europe, including Austria, officers were on standby for Britain, Finland, Romania and agency reported. Police said possible riots, but only about Switzerland. several people were detained, 500 protesters assembled at the Demonstrators protest against the government’s COVID-19 restrictions in Kassel, Germany, yesterday. More than 20,000 people par- but didn’t give any numbers. city’s landmark Brandenburg ticipated in the protest in the Various groups, most of Gate. Meanwhile, around 1,000 government-imposed limits on public gatherings. In Austria, about 1,000 pro- central German city of Kassel, them far-right opponents of citizens came together on Ber- COVID-19 restrictions. Smaller More than a thousand anti- testers participated in a dem- where there also were confronta- government regulations to fight lin’s Unter den Linden boul- demonstrations were scheduled vaccination protesters took to onstrations against the govern- tions between the demonstrators the pandemic, had called for evard to protest against the far- in other cities in Finland. the streets in Romania’s capital ment’s virus measures near and counter-protesters. protests yesterday in cities right demonstration. Before the Helsinki rally, of Bucharest amid a surge of Vienna’s central train station. Thousands of people across the country. Protesters also hit the streets some 300 people chanting COVID-19 infections there. Police reprimanded several marched through downtown Virus infections have gone in other cities across Europe. In slogans like “Let the people The largely mask-less crowd protesters who were not Kassel despite a court ban, and up again in Germany in recent London, demonstrators opposing speak!” and carrying placards honked horns, waved national wearing masks and remaining most didn’t comply with weeks and the government is the UK’s months-long lockdown with phrases such as “Facts and flags, and chanted messages such too close together, news agency infection-control protocols such set to decide next week on defied police who warned of numbers don’t add up” marched as “Block vaccination,” and APA reported. as wearing face masks. Some how to react. potential fines and arrest for vio- through the streets of the city, “Freedom.” One placard read: In Switzerland, more than protesters attacked officers and Chancellor Angela Merkel lating prohibitions on most group ending up at the Parliament “Parents, protect your children! 5,000 protesters met for a silent several journalists, dpa said. said on Friday that Germany meetings. building. Stop the fear!” Romania’s far- march in the community of Federal police, who were will have to apply an “emer- In Finland, police estimated Helsinki police tweeted that right AUR party has strongly Liestal, 15km southeast of the city brought in beforehand from gency brake” and reverse some that about 400 people without the registered march and rally backed a movement linked to of Basel, local media reported. other parts of Germany, used recent relaxations of restrictions masks and packed tightly took place peacefully but vio- nationalism that planned anti- Most didn’t wear masks and some water cannons and helicopters as coronavirus infections together gathered in the capital, lated social distancing require- vaccination demonstrations in held up banners with slogans like to control the crowds, the news accelerate. Helsinki, to protest ments and Finland’s current recent weeks. “Vaccinating kills”. Denmark reports a death, case of serious illness after AstraZeneca shot Virus patients in ICUs at new REUTERS — COPENHAGEN using the AstraZeneca vaccine Sweden and Norway — said on in its investigation. covering more than 17 million on March 11, was among more Friday that they needed more But she said the “clear” con- people who had received its high in France Denmark said yesterday that one than a dozen countries that time to decide whether to use clusion of the review was that shots in the EU and Britain had person had died and another fell temporarily paused use of the the vaccine. the benefits in protecting people found no evidence of an seriously ill with blood clots and vaccine after a small number of “We prioritize reports of from the risk of death or hospi- increased risk of blood clots. REUTERS — PARIS cerebral haemorrhage after reports of cases of rare brain suspected serious side effects talisation outweighs the pos- The company yesterday receiving the AstraZeneca blood clots sent scientists and such as these and examine them sible risks. The issue deserves declined to comment on the The number of people in COVID-19 vaccination. governments scrambling to thoroughly to assess whether further analysis, the EMA said. new cases in Denmark, but intensive care units with The two, both hospital staff determine any link. there is a possible link to the The EMA’s review covering referred to a statement pub- COVID-19 in French hospitals members, had both received the Some countries including vaccine,” Tanja Erichsen, acting 20 million people in the UK and lished on Thursday, in which its has risen by 66 to 4,353, a new AstraZeneca vaccine less than Germany and France this week director of Pharmacovigilance the European Economic Area chief medical officer, Ann 2021 high, the health ministry 14 days before getting ill, the reversed their decision to at the Danish Medicines Agency, (EEA), which links 30 European Taylor, said: “Vaccine safety is reported yesterday. authority that runs public hos- suspend use of the vaccine fol- said in a tweet yesterday. countries, included seven cases paramount and we welcome In a separate statement, pitals in Copenhagen said. lowing an investigation into the “We are in the process of of blood clots in multiple blood the regulators’ decisions which the ministry said that 6.14 The Danish Medicines reports of blood clots by the dealing with the two specific vessels and 18 cases of a rare affirm the overwhelming million people had received a Agency confirmed it had European Union’s drug cases.” European Medicines condition that is difficult to treat benefit of our vaccine in first COVID-19 vaccine shot, received two “serious reports”, watchdog, which said on Agency (EMA) Director Emer called cerebral venous sinus stopping the pandemic. We or 11.7% of the adult popu- without giving further details. Thursday it is still convinced the Cooke said on Thursday the thrombosis (CVST). trust that, after the regulators’ lation. It also published data There were no details of when benefits of the vaccine outweigh watchdog could not definitively AstraZeneca, which careful decisions, vaccinations for Friday after technical the hospital staff got ill. the risks. rule out a link between blood developed the shot with Oxford can once again resume across problems prevented the Denmark, which halted Denmark — along with clot incidents and the vaccine University, has said a review Europe.” release of its daily report. The number of new pos- itive cases of COVID-19 rose by 35,088 on Friday to 4.22 Europe’s south calls for more million, following an increase of 38,501 the previous day, solidarity in EU migration pact while the cumulative death toll rose by 285 to 91,964, com- REUTERS — ATHENS and relocation of asylum seekers pared with a rise of 268 on among all member states. Thursday. Mediterranean countries on the “We cannot have the five Nearly a third of French frontline of Europe’s migration Mediterranean member states people entered a month-long crisis called for more solidarity taking all of the pressure from lockdown on Saturday as the from EU governments yes- the rest of the European Union,” government aims to contain terday and said a proposed Greek Migration Minister Notis the spread of the virus in the overhaul of migration rules did Mitarachi said. “We need the sol- Paris region and parts of not go far enough. idarity to be mandatory.” northern France. The EU has fought bitterly The EU’s top migration since 2015, when over 1 million official, Margaritis Schinas, said Albania donates people, most of them Syrian, Mediterranean countries were Iraqi or Afghan refugees, “forced, by geography, to carry vaccines to Kosovo arrived on its shores, the a disproportionately large health workers majority through Greece. burden of the refugee crisis”. A new pact to tackle the “Mandatory solidarity” is REUTERS — PRISTINA issue was put forward by the the most sensitive part of the European Commission last pact, obliging each country to Hundreds of health workers September but a final deal has host some migrants by either from Kosovo travelled to yet to be reached. accepting migrants, sponsoring Albania yesterday to be inocu- “In its current format, the their return to countries of Enjoying good weather lated against COVID-19 after the pact does not provide sufficient origin or offering material neighbouring country offered People enjoy good weather along the Seine river in Paris as the French capital entered its third reassurances to the frontline assistance on the ground to to donate some of its supplies. lockdown imposed to slow the rate of the coronavirus disease contagion, yesterday. member states,” the interior arrival countries. Kosovo, where Albanians and migration ministers of The right-wing nationalist are a majority, is the only Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and governments of Poland and country in Europe that has not Malta said in a joint statement Hungary oppose the plan, even started a vaccination pro- after a summit of the so-called though under the Commission Holidays abroad unlikely for most gramme. Its inoculation plans MED5 in Athens. proposal the EU would pay a depend on the World Health Arrivals have dropped sig- country 10,000 euros per adult Organization (WHO) co-led nificantly to about 95,000 taken in. Italian Interior Min- Britons this summer: Scientist COVAX vaccine access scheme. people last year, according to ister Luciana Lamorgese said Albania’s Prime Minister United Nations data, most to “a lot still needs to be done”. REUTERS — LONDON this summer is, for the average whether its safe to make that Edi Rama said his country Italy, Spain and Greece. The min- “We’ll be asking in Europe for holidaymaker, sadly I think, move,” he told Sky News. would allocate a total of 500 isters called for more cooper- compulsory relocation, even if Holidays abroad are “extremely extremely unlikely,” Tildesley, Any ban on travel beyond of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 ation with origin or transit coun- it’s in limited numbers. We’ve unlikely” for most Britons this a professor of infectious disease May 17 would be a further blow vaccines for Kosovar health tries, a centrally-managed been absolutely in agreement summer due to the risk of modelling at the University of for the aviation industry’s workers this weekend, and has European returns mechanism, on this,” she said. importing new variants of Warwick, told BBC Radio recovery prospects. Airlines and pledged more in the near COVID-19, a scientist who yesterday. holiday companies such as future. Kosovo has around advises the government said There are growing concerns British Airways (part of Inter- 11,000 doctors and nurses. Deaths from virus rise in Sarajevo yesterday, leaving airlines and about a new wave of infections national Consolidated Airlines), “It is important to start with travel companies bracing for a across Europe, with rising cases easyJet and TUI are desperate doctors because they are more in REUTERS — SARAJEVO second lost peak season. in countries like Germany, for travel to resume after a year danger,” Rama said in the Britain has banned travel France and Italy potentially of COVID-19 restrictions. northern Albanian town of Kukes The Bosnian capital has been hit by record number of deaths from for most people during the deterring the UK from re- Tildesley is a member of the where vaccines were adminis- COVID-19 in March, prompting hospitals to warn of a lack of current lockdown and has said opening travel routes in May. Scientific Pandemic Influenza tered. Kosovo has so far regis- capacity for a rising number of patients and leaving funeral homes overseas holidays will not be Asked about international Modelling group which reports tered over 80,000 COVID-19 and cemeteries at risk of being overwhelmed. allowed until May 17 at the ear- travel, health minister Matt into the government’s Scientific cases and 1,752 deaths. Sarajevo city authorities have announced a stricter night curfew liest. But Mike Tildesley, a sci- Hancock said yesterday that the Advisory Group for Emer- In Serbia, hundreds rallied from Friday and the shutting down for two weeks of all cafes and entist on a government advisory government would say more on gencies. “We are running a real in Belgrade against a shutdown restaurants in a bid to combat a spike in coronavirus infections, which body, said the risk of importing April 12, when it is due to risk if we do start to have lots of cafes, restaurants, non- followed the end of skiing and holiday seasons in mid-February. vaccine-resistant variants back present the details of how and of people going overseas... essential shops and some small Since March 10, health authorities have reported 6,553 new into the UK would likely when travel can take place. because of the potential for businesses, imposed by the gov- cases and 136 deaths in the city of about 400,000. Bosnia has scupper the nation’s annual “We’ll look at the rates both bringing more of these new ernment to curb the virus from recorded a total of 151,337 coronavirus cases and 5,773 deaths getaway. here and abroad and the impact variants back into the country,” spreading, and a nationwide since the start of the pandemic. “I think international travel of new variants to understand Tildesley said. vaccination campaign. 14 AMERICAS SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021

More than 300 US to place some migrant families in hotels migrants found

REUTERS —WASHINGTON The opening of the crammed inside reception centres Some migrant families arriving trailer trucks in the United States will be would mark a housed in hotels under a new significant shift by in Mexico program managed by non- the administration of profit organizations, according REUTERS — MEXICO CITY to two people familiar with the President Joe Biden, plans, a move away from for- a Democrat, away Mexican authorities said on profit detention centers that from the detention Friday that they found three have been criticized by Demo- trailer trucks jam-packed with crats and health experts. of migrant families in Central American migrants Endeavors, a San Antonio- for-profit facilities. near the border with based organization, will oversee Guatemala, in the latest sign what it calls “family reception that many would-be immi- sites” at hotels in Texas and families. The number of grants are ignoring calls by the Arizona, the two sources said. migrants arriving at the US- US government to stay home. The organization, in part- Mexico border has climbed in Mexican migration agents nership with other non-profits, recent weeks as Biden has along with National Guard will initially provide up to 1,400 rolled back some of the hardline police said they stopped the beds in seven different brand- policies of former President trucks early on Thursday as name hotels for families Donald Trump, a Republican. part of routine checks and dis- deemed vulnerable when Biden, who took office on covered 329 Guatemalans and caught at the border. January 20, has faced criticism Hondurans inside, including The opening of the from Republicans for reversing 114 unaccompanied minors. reception centers would mark those policies. At the same time, An agent of the National Migration Institute (INM) checks the temperature of asylum-seeking migrant The trucks were stopped a significant shift by the admin- some Democrats opposed girl from Central America, who was airlifted from Brownsville to El Paso, Texas, and deported from on a highway south of Tuxtla istration of President Joe Biden, Biden’s administration re- the US with her family, outside a INM building at the Paso del Norte International border bridge, in Gutierrez, the capital of a Democrat, away from the opening a Trump-era emer- Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Friday. Chiapas state, according to an detention of migrant families in gency shelter for children. Interior Ministry statement. for-profit facilities. The hotel sites, set to open in Customs and Border Protection crossing the border, according were flown to El Paso, Texas, The migrants were pro- In January, Biden issued an April, will offer COVID-19 testing, (CBP) facilities, the two sources to witnesses, in a move that cir- after being held in custody just vided with food and water. order directing the Justice medical care, food services, social said. They could leave the cumvents the refusal of author- a few days. From there, they The unaccompanied minors Department not to renew its workers and case managers to reception centers as early as six ities in the Mexican state of were escorted by US officials to were sent to shelters run by contracts with privately help with travel and onward des- hours after arrival if paperwork Tamaulipas who stopped the international bridge to the migration authority while operated criminal detention tinations, according to the two is completed, they test negative accepting the return of migrant Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, around the adults were take to facilities. However, the order sources. Staff will be trained to for COVID-19 and transpor- families with younger children. 1,300km away from where they nearby offices to begin did not address immigration work with children. tation has been arranged. The The practice is a sign that Biden were first picked up by US administrative processing, jails run by US Immigration and It remained unclear housing of some migrants in is toughening his approach to the border patrol agents. the statement added. Customs Enforcement. ICE did whether migrants would be hotels was reported by Axios growing humanitarian crisis on the Landon Hutchens, a US The incident comes as the not immediately respond to a required to wear ankle bracelets yesterday. US-Mexican border after his Customs and Border Pro- United States is toughening its request for comment. or be subject to any other form Endeavors will also operate administration’s entreaties for tection (CBP) spokesman, said approach to the growing Roughly 900 migrants are of monitoring, the people said. a new 2,000-bed shelter for Central American migrants to stay that due to a lack of capacity humanitarian crisis on the US- currently being held in two The families will arrive at unaccompanied children in home have failed to stop thousands in the Rio Grande Valley, Mexican border after entreaties family detention centers in border patrol stations and then Texas, the sources said. from heading north. migrants have been sent to El for Central American migrants Texas, according to ICE data. A be sent to the hotel sites to con- The United States is Some families caught at the Paso for processing, as well as to avoid risking such trips have third center in Pennsylvania is tinue immigration paperwork, expelling migrants to Mexico far border in Texas’ Rio Grande Laredo, Texas, and San Diego, failed to stop thousands from no longer being used to hold which is currently done in US from where they are caught Valley said in interviews they California. attempting the northern trek. Chile sets daily record for new Mexican town rocked by ambush that killed 13 cops virus cases REUTERS — COATEPEC HARINAS badly shaken by Thursday’s vio- Familia Michoacana drug cartel her driveway and bullet holes not point to suspects. lence. Some houses were strafed are known to operate, officials on the cement wall of her home. One officer, a 27-year REUTERS — SANTIAGO Bullet casings still littered the with bullets in the small town said. The area is in a region of the The killings are another veteran with the State of Mexico ground on Friday in Coatepec nestled between verdant hills and State of Mexico often hit by gangs reminder of the task still facing police force, said the security Chile broke its single day Harinas, a troubled munici- corn fields, where most people from Guerrero and Michoacan, President Andres Manuel Lopez situation in the country’s most record for new cases of the pality southwest of Mexico City make a living cultivating crops. adjoining states that have long Obrador, who vowed to pacify populous state has been in coronavirus yesterday, health where 13 police officers on The attackers rounded up been among the most lawless in Mexico when he took office in decline for the past decade. officials said, leaving hospitals patrol were brutally murdered bodies of the fallen police the country. December 2018, but has instead Local police lacked suffi- on the verge of collapse even in an ambush by suspected drug officers into a pile and con- Local resident Guadalupe had to cope with even higher cient training or proper as the South American nation gang members. tinued to spray them with Flores heard the shooting right homicide levels than his equipment, including weapons, races on with a mass vacci- Forensic teams and dozens bullets, according to a local outside her window. She had predecessor. to address the security chal- nation program. of heavily armed police and officer at the scene on Friday. just finished feeding her baby On Friday, he said the per- lenges, he said. “And these are Cases have been ticking up military officials gathered at the “They finished them off,” and, fearing for their lives, took petrators would face justice. the consequences,” he said, for weeks following the end of cordoned off crime scene dotted said the officer. He had lost col- the child and hid at the back of Federal authorities are investi- referring to his murdered com- the southern hemisphere with checkpoints after one of leagues in the ambush, he said. the house until the violence gating but have yet to give a rades. Juan Ramirez, 22, a local summer holiday, but soared the worst mass slayings of The police convoy came ended about a half hour later. motive for the killings. Another resident who works packaging to 7,084, above the previous Mexican law enforcement offi- under fire in broad daylight as “I was terrified for my girl... police officer at the scene said fruit for export, said violence is high of 6,938 last June, the cials in years. it patrolled about 64km south It sounded horrible,” the it may have been an act of a fact of life in the town. “This data shows. Though authorities say crime of the city of Toluca, in a zone 26-year-old Flores said, “retaliation”, without giving is customary,” he said. “Always The fast rising caseload has is widespread, residents were where gangs including the pointing at the bullet casings in more details. Local police would afraid of a stray bullet.” filled critical care wards north to south, leaving Chile with just 198 beds available for new patients. All of the capital San- Brazil govt yet to ask tiago, the economic engine, is in strict lockdown this weekend. Chile, a comparatively small US for spare vaccines but wealthy Andean nation, is at the forefront of a global inoc- REUTERS — RIO DE JANEIRO The president of the Bra- ulation drive on a per capita zilian Senate, Rodrigo basis. Officials have pledged to Brazil’s government has not yet Pacheco, said he wrote to vaccinate the entire target pop- asked the United States for Vice-President Kamala Harris ulation, 15 million people, spare COVID-19 vaccines, asking the US government to during the first half of 2021. according to two people with allow Brazil to buy surplus But officials say the holiday knowledge of the matter, vaccines. That, he said on infections, the arrival of more despite Washington agreeing Twitter, would help boost contagious variants of the this week to send 4 million vaccination of Brazilians. virus and a relaxation of san- doses of AstraZeneca shots to The AstraZeneca vaccine, itary measures amid the suc- Mexico and Canada. which is the centerpiece of the cessful vaccination program The country’s Senate leader Brazilian federal government’s have prompted a vicious says he has requested US help. vaccine plan, has full regulatory second wave. Brazil’s coronavirus death toll, approval in Brazil, meaning it The positivity rate of PCR nearly 300,000, is second only could likely be used immedi- tests nationwide remains sub- to the United States, and its ately. This week, Bolsonaro’s stantially below last year´s health system is buckling under political nemesis, former Pres- peak as the country has more a record surge in cases. ident Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, than tripled the number of President Jair Bolsonaro, used a high-profile CNN daily tests it administers. who has questioned the “rush” interview to ask the U.S. gov- Authorities say they hope Food delivery workers protest for vaccines, is under growing ernment to share its vaccine Chileans will see some relief pressure to get a grip on an out- stock with Brazil. Brazilian workers for Uber Eats, Rappi and other delivery apps protest to demand better pay and and reduced caseloads in April break he once dubbed a “little Lula’s comments — coming working conditions, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday. as vaccination plows ahead. flu.” He has been criticized for shortly after his graft convic- a slow and patchy immuni- tions were annulled, allowing zation program, which has led him to run in next year’s pres- to a lack of vaccine supplies in idential election — pose a chal- Cubans hope Biden will resume detente like Obama Latin America’s biggest lenge to Bolsonaro, as any sub- country. Earlier this month, his sequent request could let his REUTERS — HAVANA tightened the crippling US trade sponsor of terrorism”. Havana embassy to skeletal government asked the Chinese rival score political points. embargo on Cuba, arguing that he “I am very concerned that staffing. Consular services for embassy to help secure 30 Bolsonaro’s relationship Five years after former Pres- would force democratic change. Biden will not continue in the Cubans have been moved to third million doses from China to with Biden also got off to a ident Barack Obama’s historic Biden, who was vice- president same vein as Obama and will countries. Analysts say it is still ensure its vaccine program rocky start after he waited visit to Havana, many Cubans under Obama, vowed during his allow himself to be influenced early days and Biden has many does not grind to a halt. nearly a month-and-a-half to hope Joe Biden will also pursue campaign to reverse Trump’s by the politics of Cubans in more pressing foreign policy Despite the United States recognize the results of the US detente but fret he will not do policy shifts that “have inflicted Miami,” said retired Cuban issues after four years of the tur- agreeing this week to loan shots election last year. Bolsonaro so as energetically after recent harm on the Cuban people and economist Ileana Yarza. bulent Trump presidency. But for to Mexico and Canada, the Bol- enjoyed much warmer rela- White House announcements. done nothing to advance The Cuban economy is now Cubans, every extra day counts. sonaro government has not yet tions with Donald Trump, Obama visited Havana in democracy and human rights.” suffering its worst crisis since “In fact, already, the policies asked Washington for vaccine Biden’s predecessor and a March 2016, the first trip by a But the White House said the fall of former benefactor the aren’t the same because there supplies, said the two sources. political role model for the Bra- US president to Cuba in 88 earlier this month a broader Soviet Union, partly due to a are no new sanctions,” said US President Joe Biden has zilian president. years. It was the culmination of Cuba policy shift was not cur- slew of new US sanctions under Carlos Alzugaray, a former come under pressure from Almost eight out of 10 Bra- a diplomatic opening towards rently among Biden’s top pri- Trump which ended cruises to Cuban diplomat. “But every- countries around the world to zilians think the pandemic is the Communist-run country, orities, even if it was “carefully Havana, limited flights, and thing that the previous (Trump) share shots, particularly its out of control in their country seeking to put an end to years reviewing policy decisions dampened foreign investment. administration did that stands stock of AstraZeneca vaccines, and more than half are “very of Cold War-era hostility. made in the prior adminis- Families separated by the in the way of a return to the which are authorized for use afraid” they will get infected His successor Donald Trump tration, including the decision Florida Straits are more divided path of normalization has not elsewhere but not in the with coronavirus, a new Data- unraveled that detente and to designate Cuba as a state than ever after he reduced the begun to be reversed.” United States. folha poll said. SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 AMERICAS 15 Biden, Harris decry racism during Atlanta visit

AP — ATLANTA “Racism is real in America. And it has always been. Xenophobia is real in America, and always US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris has been,” Vice-President Kamala Harris said. “The offered solace to Asian Amer- President and I will not be silent. We will not stand icans and denounced the scourge of racism at times by. We will always speak out against violence, hidden “in plain sight” as they hate crimes and discrimination, wherever and visited Atlanta, just days after a whenever it occurs.” Harris added that everyone white gunman killed eight people, most of them Asian has “the right to be recognised as an American. American women. Not as the other, not as them. But as us.” Addressing the nation after a roughly 80-minute meeting with Asian American state leg- islators and other leaders on Harris, the first person of Democrat who represents parts Friday, Biden said it was “heart- South Asian descent to hold of Atlanta’s northern suburbs, wrenching” to listen to their national office, said that while the was moved by the presence of stories of the fear among Asian motive of the shooter remains Harris, saying: “Not only that she Americans and Pacific Islanders under investigation, these facts was there listening to us, but that amid what he called a “skyrock- are clear: Six of the eight killed she also understood these issues eting spike” of harassment and were of Asian descent and seven in a very intimate way, that in violence against them. of them were women. some ways you can’t teach, that “We have to change our “Racism is real in America. you can’t teach that sort of lived hearts,” he said. “Hate can have And it has always been. Xeno- experience. So we felt that she no safe harbor in America.” phobia is real in America, and was going to be an incredible Biden called on all Americans always has been,” she said. “The advocate on our behalf in the US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris deliver remarks after meeting with Asian- to stand up to bigotry when they President and I will not be silent. White House.” American leaders to discuss “the ongoing attacks and threats against the community,” during a stop see it, adding: “Our silence is We will not stand by. We will Their trip was planned at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Friday. complicity. We cannot be com- always speak out against vio- before the shooting, as part of plicit.” “They’ve been attacked, lence, hate crimes and discrimi- a victory lap aimed at selling the Americans,” said Harris, “people has been delayed, Biden still met As the fastest-growing racial blamed, scapegoated and har- nation, wherever and whenever benefits of pandemic relief leg- with the biggest pulpits, with Georgia voting rights demographic in the US elec- assed; they’ve been verbally it occurs.” She added that eve- islation. But Biden and Harris spreading this kind of hate”. advocate Stacey Abrams, Dem- torate, Asian Americans are assaulted, physically assaulted, ryone has “the right to be recog- instead spent much of their visit “We’ve always known words ocrats’ likely 2022 candidate for gaining political influence killed,” Biden said of Asian nized as an American. Not as the consoling a community whose have consequences,” Biden said. governor, as Republicans in the across the country. In Cali- Americans during the corona- other, not as them. But as us.” growing voting power helped “It is the ‘coronavirus.’ Full stop.” state legislature push several pro- fornia, two Korean American virus pandemic. Before leaving Washington, secure their victory in Georgia In his first primetime address to posals to make it harder to vote Republican women made The President also called the Biden declared his support for and beyond. the nation as President last in the state. “The battle for the history with their congressional shootings an example of a the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, Biden and Harris both Thursday - five days before the right to vote is never, ever over,” victories. The Congressional “public health crisis of gun vio- a bill that would strengthen the implicitly criticized former Atlanta killings at three metro- Biden said. “It’s not over here in Asian Pacific American Caucus, lence in this country”, as his government’s reporting and President Donald Trump, who area massage businesses - Biden this state of Georgia. So we’re typically dominated by Demo- administration has come under response to hate crimes and has repeatedly referred to called attacks on Asian Amer- gonna fight again.” He also met crats, has its largest roster ever, scrutiny from some in his own provide resources to Asian COVID-19 as the “China virus”. icans “un-American”. with newly minted Democratic including Asian American and party for not moving as swiftly American communities. “For the last year we’ve had Though the originally Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Pacific Islander members and as promised on reforming the Georgia State Senator people in positions of incredible planned political event to tout the Warnock and Atlanta Mayor others who represent significant nation’s gun laws. Michelle Au, a Chinese American power scapegoating Asian $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill Keisha Lance Bottoms. numbers of Asian Americans.

Congressional leaders mull $2bn NYC schools expand for Capitol security enrolment after new BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON CDC distancing rules Congressional leaders are putting together a $2bn special funding bill to strengthen BLOOMBERG — NEW YORK remotely. Now, parents have security at the US Capitol in the the option to opt into in-person wake of the January 6 insur- New York City schools will instruction again. “For those rection, according to multiple expand in-person instruction to who feel ready and com- people familiar with the plan. include more students after US fortable to, send your children The discussions and drafting Centers for Disease Control back to school buildings,” said of the legislation aren’t finished guidance recommended three the city’s new schools chan- and the total is approximate and feet of separation between cellor Meisha Ross Porter. “It subject to change, said two offi- children would be sufficient to has to be the parent’s decision.” cials familiar with the talks. prevent contagion in classrooms. The CDC on Friday recom- There is no set timing for release Mayor Bill de Blasio said the mended that the risk of of the plan and a vote on the city will begin a new opt-in COVID-19 infection in schools funding. period next week for all stu- could be minimized if students The security measures are dents and their families to elect maintain a distance of at least expected to include some type to return to their school three feet in classroom settings, of permanent fencing around Laura Gramer welcomes patients arriving at a mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic for members of buildings and finish the instead of the previous guideline the Capitol, additional officers the deaf and blind community, organised by the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, remaining third of the school of six feet. That allows space for for the Capitol Police force, US, on Friday. year in person. my children per classroom. The improved emergency commu- The city plans to begin CDC cautioned that in areas with nications and weaponry, as well offering in-person learning to high infection rates, distances of as enhanced protections for US states throw open vaccine the additional students starting six feet may still be required. lawmakers. in April, starting with ele- “Schools should determine, Some of the improvements mentary-school and special in collaboration with state and were recommended in in a eligibility before May 1 goal education students. ”A recovery local health officials to the extent top-level security review led for all of us hinges on bringing possible, whether and how to by by retired Army Lieutenant back our schools,” de Blasio implement each of these consid- General Russel Honore BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON which will make more than a clinch his goal of administering said. “Parents have been clam- erations while adjusting to meet released last week to prevent million people with underlying 100 million COVID-19 vaccine oring for this opportunity.” the unique needs and circum- another breach of the Capitol. More than a dozen US states are conditions eligible next week. shots in the first 100 days of his The US’s largest school stances of the local community,” The size of the proposal expanding access to COVID-19 On Friday, Florida Governor presidency, reaching the mark system has been operating under the CDC said. was reported earlier by vaccinations earlier than Ron DeSantis said that anyone six weeks ahead of time. The a hybrid schedule in elementary New York’s cases, hospital- Punchbowl News. House planned for every adult, accel- 50 and older can get a shot next state measures mean the nation and middle-schools, along with izations and deaths from virus Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pre- erating the biggest such week. “We’ll be opening it up likely will hit his May 1 mark. rigorous testing requirements. have dropped substantially viously said there would be campaign in the country’s to everybody certainly before Biden has said the country High schools are scheduled to from winter highs, but the extra funding sought for history and making long strides May 1,” DeSantis said at a news could be almost back to normal open under similar circum- metro area still has some of the security improvements. toward President Joe Biden’s conference in Tallahassee. by the July 4 holiday. stances March 22. Required highest COVID-19 rates in the Lawmakers in both parties May 1 deadline for eligibility. The US has suffered from The pace of vaccination has mask-wearing, distanced seating country. De Blasio said that have raised objections about Biden set the timeline last the pandemic more than other increased dramatically over the and other protocols have kept more than 40,000 educators the temporary fencing erected week, and officials since have developed countries, with past two months, jumping from the COVID-19 infection preva- have received vaccines. still in place since the riot at announced strategies to beat his almost 539,000 dead after a an average of about 800,000 lence rate in schools below 1% When asked whether the the Capitol and the continued deadline in Connecticut, Ken- disjointed response under doses a day in mid-January to 2.5 since October. UFT would support the decision deployment of the National tucky, Maryland, Massachu- former President Donald million doses a day this week, But children and families at the Friday briefing, de Blasio Guard troops on the grounds. setts, Mississippi, Michigan, Trump. But the nation amassed according to the Bloomberg who hadn’t opted in to said “we think we can work this Some of the barriers are being Montana, Ohio, Nevada, North a huge trove of vaccines that the Vaccine Tracker. On Thursday, classroom instruction when out”. “The bottom line is, kids removed or repositioned and Dakota, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, current administration is pushing Americans were up to 2.7 million offered the choice in November need to be in school. If they’re the Guard forces are being Rhode Island and Utah. Others out as fast as possible. shots. The gains aren’t yet equi- weren’t able to return to in- not in school, they are suffering,” drawn down after Capitol plan to move ahead with Biden has set goals for the table. The inoculation campaign person learning. That meant de Blasio said. “We have to move Police concluded that there certain groups earlier than campaign that so far have been has reached a little more than 70% of the system’s 1 million this whole city forward and this was no immediate threat. expected, such as Wisconsin, easily met. He said the US will 20% of the country. students were still learning is how we do it.” Louisiana choosing new US House members in special election AP — BATON ROUGE fill because of his death from because Democrat Cedric in the small town of Start in Sandra “Candy” Christophe, by local police. The Republican COVID-19 complications. Richmond took a job as a Richland Parish, is making her brought in just under $70,000. Party-backed candidate is Louisiana voters cast their Julia Letlow is among 12 special adviser to President Joe first bid for elected office. She’s Further south, several high- Claston Bernard, a Jamaican- ballots yesterday for two vacant candidates in the race for the Biden. Fifteen candidates are run on issues similar to those profile candidates are seeking born decathlete who competed US House seats in special elec- 5th District seat. She’s running competing for the congressional that her husband discussed the 2nd District seat in a in the Olympics, runs a home tions that aren’t expected to in the deep red district with the position. The race is expected during his campaign. She talks majority minority district that inspection business and lives in shake up the parties’ balance of backing of Donald Trump, the to head to an April 24 runoff of supporting agriculture in the extends along the Mississippi the Baton Rouge suburbs. power but that could add a endorsement of the state GOP between the top two vote- largely rural district, expanding River into Baton Rouge. The major Democratic con- woman to the state’s all-male and more money raised than all getters. Polls close at 8pm. broadband internet access and Among the Democrats are tenders have had few differences congressional delegation. her competitors combined - Only three women have ever supporting conservative values. state Sens. Troy Carter and Karen on policy, backing progressive Women are among the top raising speculation about been elected to Louisiana’s con- Julia Letlow has raised more Carter Peterson, both from New causes such as increasing the contenders in both competi- whether she might be able to gressional delegation. The off- than $680,000 for the race Orleans; and Gary Chambers Jr., federal minimum wage, expanding tions, including Julia Letlow, a win outright Saturday without year elections for the 2nd District since announcing her candidacy a Baton Rouge Democrat, com- access to federally financed health Republican who is vying for the a runoff election. and 5th District seats could boost in January, according to data munity activist and local pub- care and supporting “environ- northeast Louisiana-based seat Further south, the seat rep- that number to four or five. filed with the Federal Election lisher who gained prominence mental justice” for poor commu- that her husband Luke Letlow resenting the New Orleans- Julia Letlow, a higher edu- Commission. Her closest fund- during protests of the 2016 nities facing greater health risks won in December but couldn’t based 2nd District is open cation administrator who lives raising competitor, Democrat shooting death of Alton Sterling from pollution. 16 HOME SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021