1996 - 2021 SILVER JUBILEE YEAR

QFC, QCSD Al Sadd dent sign MoU to Al Gharafa's support Qatari hopes of top-fourour financial markets finish; Al Duhailail development bag win

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SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 22 SHA'ABAN - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8582 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Virtual Education Forum discusses visions, aspirations MOHAMMED OSMAN “This aligns with the promoting teachers’ sustainable THE PENINSULA attention that Qatar professional development and devotes to scientific foster community partnerships The Virtual Education Forum research and human devel- towards achieving ESD. 2021 kicked off yesterday under opment,” he said, stressing For her part, H E Sheikha the slogan “Visions and Aspira- that investing in human Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, tions…Beyond Challenges.” capital is the way to ensure Vice-Chairperson and CEO of The forum is being organised comprehensive and sus- Qatar Foundation, said: “Today by the Ministry of Education and tainable development. we are all here for one purpose Higher Education to bring Dr. Al Hammadi to address educational chal- together education experts and pointed out that despite the lenges and solutions. professionals from all over the pandemic, the Ministry has Knowledge is the path to know world to explore the future of accomplished great ourselves and knowing Allah,” optimal educational life and achievements, most she added, noting that it is a key present various visions and aspi- the educational field, discuss notably the continuation of the to the attainment of true hap- rations for human development. distinguished applied practices, educational process harnessing piness and salvation, all of It further seeks to promote the and exchange experiences technological advancement and which is impossible without We are more keen to hold the forum this year under the educational outcomes, labor between specialists and those enabling students to follow up education. COVID-19 pandemic due to the developments and challenges market requirements and sus- interested in education issues”. their educational attainment, to She stressed that through witnessed in education sector which need to explore the future tainable development as top pri- “We are more keen to hold take their exams at all stages education, we can instil the of education after the pandemic. orities. The Virtual Forum is the forum this year under the according to the plans, and sense of citizenship in indi- offering platform for 31 workshops COVID-19 pandemic due to the many of them have enrolled in viduals and empower them to H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi in which 36 highly-professional developments and challenges universities. find their calling. educational speakers from Qatar witnessed in education sector The Education Forum focuses Sheikha Hind pointed out, and other countries presented their which need to explore the future on five main themes, which “Leadership is not a position. It papers to share their expertise. of education after the pandemic. included integrating ESD into is a choice. The real role of lead- In his opening speech, Min- Organising the forum virtually, school curricula, aligning edu- ership in education is to create University, stressed during the highlight the clear changes in ister of Education and Higher this year, is also driven by our cation outputs with labour a ‘climate of possibility’. When opening session: “This forum methods and strategies of Education, H E Dr Mohammed firm belief in the importance of market and sustainable devel- we choose to lead, we realise our discusses a very important topic teaching and learning, and calls bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi, offering our students new opment needs, new visions in role is to change ourselves. Only in light of the coronavirus pan- for a reconsideration of every- said: “The Ministry of Education opportunities to continue their early childhood education, the then we succeed in our mission.” demic which affected even the thing provided by educational holds this forum every year to education using modern tech- role of educational supervision Dr. Hasan Rashid Al choice of the forum’s theme and institutions in Qatar and the present new ideas in nologies,” the Minister added. and educational leadership in Derham, President of Qatar the topics of its sessions that world.” `P3 434,000 tonnes building materials produced by recycling waste in 2020 IRFAN BUKHARI tyres were processed in 2020. Management Conference on factories, some external parties, treatment would participate in of approved sanctions in the Al THE PENINSULA The Ministry of Municipality April 5 and 6. Several govern- and a group of experts and spe- the event. Afja Industrial Recycling Lots and Environment (MME) will mental and semi-governmental cialists in local and interna- According to another post which include oil recycling, As the Ministry of Municipality organise 1st International Waste institutions, private sector, local tional waste management and shared by the MME, as many as battery recycling, paper recy- and Environment (MME) is set 29,113 permits for waste disposal cling, tyre recycling, scrap recy- to organise the 1st International were issued in 2020. Permits for cling, plastic recycling, wood Waste Management Conference waste disposal are issued for recycling, glass recycling, food tomorrow, Qatar is making landfills through an e-service waste recycling, animal waste steady progress in recycling 434,000 29,113 managed by Waste Recycling recycling, construction waste waste to achieve its envi- and Treatment Department on recycling and medical waste ronment protection goals. Tonnes of building MME’s website. The permits recycling. Last year, 434,000 tonnes of materials were produced Permits for waste were issued for Umm Thneitein In another tweet, the MME building materials were produced by recycling construction disposal were issueded Landfill, Mesaieed Landfill and said that Qatar has four waste by recycling construction waste. waste at Rawdat Rashid in 2020 for Umm Thneitein Land- Rawdat Rashid Landfill. relay stations (West Doha According to information shared Landfill site. fill, Mesaieed Landfill and Rawdat The Ministry said that Station, Dukhan Station, Indus- by the MME on its official social Rashid Landfill sites. Qatar’s National Development trial Area Station and South media accounts, 482,402 tyres Strategy Goals 2018-2022 Doha Station) that receive waste were also processed in 2020. include encouraging and sup- from the Energy Department The company handling the 482,402 porting the private sector to and transfer them to waste Rawdat Rashid Landfill site works pursue recycling projects for all treatment centres or landfills. on recycling construction waste Tyres were Qatar has four types of wastes; devising a plan Through the 1st Interna- to produce different building processed in 2020 waste relay 4 to manage solid waste which tional Waste Management Con- materials such as rubble, con- at Rawdat Rashid stations (West would emphasise country’ recy- ference, the Ministry of Munic- struction powder, and gravel in Landfill site. cling strategy and handle haz- ipality and Environment aims different measurements. 434,000 Doha Station, ardous waste and substances. to develop a waste management Dukhan tonnes of building materials were Qatar will raise the Raising the percentage of system and promote environ- produced in 2020, MME shared Station, Industrial Area Station and South the utilisation of recycled mate- mental awareness by shedding percentage of the utilisation details on its Twitter account. Doha Station) that receive waste from the rials to 20 percent by the end of light on the most recent waste 20% of recycled materials to 20% The Rawdat Rashid Landfill Energy Department and transfer them to 2022 and recycling 15 percent management methods which by the end of 2022. also has a section for tyre com- waste treatment centers or landfills of all generated waste by the seek produce energy, fertilisers panies and receives approxi- . end of 2022 are also part of and recyclable materials, the mately 2,000 to 2,500 tyres per strategy. Ministry said on the website of day. In total, about 482,402 The MME also gave details the conference. Heart Hospital provides Kidney patients at higher risk for severe COVID-19 care despite pandemic FAZEENA SALEEM “It is thought that you are at your treatment.” “Maintain regular exercise THE PENINSULA increased risk of severe illness “Ensure you take your even if you are staying at home QNA — DOHA HMC medical teams have been if you contract the virus and it medications as prescribed by and maintain a healthy weight, following for many years, as The Ministry of Public Health is very important that you are your doctor, prepare a list of as indicated by your health care Despite the challenges imposed they are the most effective has issued a set of guidelines for particularly stringent in fol- your medications and the professional,” said the Ministry. by Coronavirus (COVID-19), the methods, which have proven patients with kidney disease or lowing the physical distancing dosages, get adequate refills for It also said that general Hamad Medical Corporation extremely successful in saving who have undergone a kidney measures,” said the Ministry. medications, sufficient for at advice on prevention of trans- (HMC) persistently continues many lives and minimizing the transplant. “For early stage kidney least two weeks, have the mission, hygiene and social- providing personalised and negative effects and the con- The Ministry has said that patients or transplant recip- contact information of your distancing measures are com- innovative treatments through sequent damages resulting adults and children with kidney ients, contact your health care health care provider at hand so pletely the same between adults Heart Hospital for the various from these clots. disease or other severe chronic professional or nephrologist that you do not need to leave and children. types of patients, including Senior Consultant Cardiol- medical conditions seem to be with any questions or con- the house, if you become ill,” Children identified at higher patients whose health ogist at the Heart Hospital Dr. at higher risk for more serious cerns,” it added. said the Ministry. risk include, children on dialysis, condition requires emergency Omar Al Tamimi said that COVID-19 illness. The Ministry indicated that People with kidney disease children with chronic kidney therapeutic cauterization to despite the COVID-19 pan- On its social media it is very important to keep safe are also advised to keep the disease and at stage 5, awaiting treat strokes. demic and the precautionary accounts, the Ministry has and do all necessary blood tests, immune system strong by dialysis or awaiting a transplant, Treating cardiac and cer- measures taken by hospitals in insisted that because of the take medication and treatment. avoiding smoke, keeping especially those children who ebral strokes by removing clots various parts of the world, the increased risk for kidney It said that those on dialysis hydrated, having a balanced have other co-morbidities (other through therapeutic cauteri- Heart Hospital did not stop pro- patients, it is especially should not miss treatments diet, high in fruits and vege- health problems in other organs, zation is one of the modern viding treatment services to important to take actions to adding: “Your dialysis unit will tables or as indicated by health such as heart, lungs, liver, and methods and techniques that various patients. `P2 reduce risk of exposure. work with you to ensure you get care professionals. neurology). 02 HOME SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021

5th International School Debating Championship launched OFFICIAL NEWS

THE PENINSULA — DOHA championships. “We welcome all of you Amir sends The State of Qatar plays a in this exceptional championship, under condolences to The 5th International School Debating the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation, Amir of Kuwait Championship was launched yesterday pioneering role in welcome to the fifth edition of the Inter- in Arabic and English, in its virtual supporting global efforts national School Debating Championship, DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin version. aimed at preserving the and for the first time, the competition is Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir H Organised by the QatarDebate Center environment and tackling global in both the Arabic and English H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al — a member of the Qatar Foundation — warming and pollution at all levels, languages.” Thani, and Prime Minister and Min- the opening ceremony presented by starting with green policies and Dr. Hayat added: “At QatarDebate ister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid Gourour Abdul Wahed witnessed a wide environmentally friendly Center, we believe in diligence, perse- bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani attendance on Zoom platform and verance and honesty at work, and we sent cables of condolences to YouTube. legislations, to spreading continue to see challenges as opportu- Amir of the State of Kuwait H H The ceremony began with an intro- awareness and promoting civilised nities, which was evident in our Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber ductory film, in which the magnificent environmental behaviour. investment in the COVID-19 pandemic, Al Sabah on the death of Sheikha landmarks of Qatar and the modern as it helped us accelerate our environ- Munira Saud Al Jaber Al Fadhel Al buildings of Education City were H E Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz mentally friendly policies, and follow Sabah. — QNA highlighted. bin Turki Al Subaie innovative systems in training and Minister of Municipality and Envi- The Minister also lauded work of implementation of hundreds of events ronment, H E Eng. Abdullah bin Qatari institutions as a role model in the Minister of Municipality and Environment through online platforms and integrated Qatar candidate Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, in a true translation of sustainability through models. Moreover, we launched an edu- recorded speech, said, “The State of adaptation and production during times cational website that contains all training elected to Arab Qatar plays a pioneering role in sup- of crises, while considering the health After introducing the championship’s courses in the arts of debating and dia- porting global efforts aimed at pre- policies and guidelines in light of the main topics and course, Dr. Hayat logue, which is an option that we had Charter Committee serving the environment and tackling pandemic. Maaraf, Executive Director of adopted with a vision that preceded the on Human Rights global warming and pollution at all “We at the Ministry of Municipality QatarDebate Center, presented a pandemic. levels, starting with green policies and and Environment are happy to be a part recorded speech in which she said: “We “We have also designed our national QNA — DOHA environmentally friendly legislations, to of supporting this global dialogue and are gathered here today, different than championships to be an electronic spreading awareness and promoting civ- partnership to make it a success, and what we are used to, the good land of version, which was done in a way that The candidate of the State of ilised environmental behaviour. there is no doubt that with collaborated Doha has always brought us together brings pride in the involvement of hun- Qatar won a second term as “It is a source of pride that Qatar is efforts between governmental and with an open heart, and here we are dreds of students at all school and uni- member of the Arab Charter launching a global dialogue between official institutions and across different meeting today, from different spaces and versity levels in an interactive and Committee on Human Rights participating youths from 40 countries sectors, we can make the desired many locations, in line with the current adaptive manner to the new reality.” in the elections that took place around the world in the International progress.” circumstances. We were lucky, and The opening segments were con- at the Arab League head- School Debating Championship, The fifth International School praise be to God, to see a few faces in cluded with the announcement of the quarters in Cairo, in imple- organised by the QatarDebate Center Debating Championship features 80 front of us, to guarantee something start of the championship activities and mentation of Article 45 of the under the slogan “Our Earth, Our teams from around the world, and more -albeit a modest one- from the interac- the launch of the first round after the Arab Charter on Human Refuge.” than 100 international judges. tions that we are used to in previous technical meeting. Rights. The states parties to the charter had unanimously Qatar attends ICESCO Executive Council meeting elected the candidate of the State of Qatar, Jaber Al Hwail, QNA — DOHA on the meeting’s agenda, the most prom- advisor to HE Chairman of the inent of which was a report on the organ- National Human Rights Com- The State of Qatar participated in the 41st isation’s activities in 2019 and 2020. The mittee, as well as three new Session of the Executive Council of the report included financial and audited candidates from Saudi Arabia, Islamic World Educational, Scientific, accounts of activities, in addition to the Lebanon and Sudan to fill the and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), contributions made by members. The four vacant seats in the mem- which took place at the organisation’s participants also discussed a report on bership of the committee. headquarters in Rabat over two days. implementing a new organisational After his election as a The State of Qatar was represented structure. The council also discussed a member of the Charter Com- in the meeting by member of the exec- number of projects related to the organ- mittee, Al Hwail said he was utive council and Secretary General of ization’s activities, including the vision proud of the renewal of con- Qatar National Commission for Edu- of ICESCO 2021 in the fields of culture, fidence in him by the Arab cation Dr. Hamada Hasan Al Sulaiti. education, communications, and social states parties to the Arab Participants discussed the subjects sciences among other fields. Charter on Human Rights, hoping that the committee would achieve the aspirations One arrested for violating home quarantine of the states parties in acti- vating the provisions of the QNA — DOHA Arab Charter, protecting rights and freedoms, and developing The designated authorities arrested yesterday one person for violating home quar- Qatar envoy attends Afghanistan the Arab human rights system. antine requirements he committed to following, which he is legally accountable for It is the responsibility of in accordance with the procedures of the health authorities in the country. President's meeting with ambassadors the states parties to the charter The arrest of the violators came in implementation of the precautionary measures to implement the rights and The State of Qatar participated in the meeting of H E President of the Islamic in force in the country, approved by health authorities represented in the Ministry freedoms stipulated in its pro- Republic of Afghanistan with the ambassadors accredited by Afghanistan on the of Public Health, to curb the spread of the COVID-19. visions, and to take measures The violator, who is currently being referred to the designate prosecution, is country’s vision for peace and future steps. Qatar was represented in the meeting and procedures to ensure the Jaber Faraj Fareej Al Nabet Al Merri. The authorities called on citizens and residents by Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Afghanistan implementation of the final under home quarantine to fully commit to the MoPH guidelines. Fahad Ali Hamad Al Sulaiti. recommendations issued by the committee on the reports of the states parties that have been discussed, Al Hwail said. EPR collecting over 90% of waste paper in Qatar: Chairman He praised the interaction of the State of Qatar with the AYENI OLUSEGUN supermarkets, hypermarkets, future. If we use all our natural ideas to life as it contributed to charter committee and its THE PENINSULA over 400 schools in partnership resources, we will lose the a better community. keenness to submit its reports with us as well as banks, min- planet. Instead of using our “I had a passion to do some- to the committee within the Since 2016, the Elite Paper istries and several neighbour- resources, forests and plants, thing when I grow up related to deadlines specified in the Recycling (EPR) has created an hoods all over the country. We we can recycle our waste paper the environment, so I thought, charter, calling on the rest of eco-friendly environment by have more than 2500 dump- instead. Before we started recy- why not recycling? We started the countries that did not providing quality service and sters which only specialize in cling, paper waste was collected building the company in 2012 submit their report to do so. solutions to the corrugated collecting cartons and papers, and exported or dumped in the when I was 16 years old, and we Al Hwail, who is advisor to carton industry. collecting 140 tonnes daily and landfills.” started production in 2016. At the Chairman of the National Abdalla Al Suwaidi, EPR over 4,500 tonnes monthly,” Al He added that due to the first, it was the paper machine, Human Rights Committee of Chairman, disclosed that the Suwaidi said. COVID-19 pandemic, the and then we started the col- the State of Qatar, had served company collects more than According to statistics, company started producing lection and then paper egg as the vice-chairman of the 4,500 tonnes of paper per paper accounts for around 26% corrugation boxes, which trays. So far, some people have charter committee in his first Abdalla Al Suwaidi, EPR Chairman month and 140 tonnes daily, of total waste at landfills. Paper helped ease home deliveries been encouraged. Many people term, and he worked with his exceeding 90 percent of Qatar’s production causes deforest- through agreements with Lulu from the universities started colleagues, members of the waste paper. ation, uses enormous amounts the locals. They are also the only and Talabat. EPR also exports their clubs to be green and care Committee, to formulate the Qatar produces more than of energy and water, and con- paper manufacturing company recycled paper to almost all the for the environment. We need entity of the Committee, 2.5 million tonnes of municipal tributes to air pollution and in Qatar that can recycle all Middle East, China, Vietnam, to save not just Qatar but the develop its structure, and solid waste each year. Solid waste problems. types of waste paper. Besides, and some parts of Africa. whole planet.” achieve its goals. He also pre- waste mainly comprises organic Elite Paper Recycling is EPR has attracted several mis- Al Suawidi, only 16 when he EPR also works with FIFA sided over the committee’s materials, while the rest of the building awareness towards the sions and embassies to their conceived the idea for the and the Supreme Committee for discussions and dialogues with waste stream consists of recy- environment while contributing programme through the “Green company in 2012, said the Delivery & Legacy (SC) to seg- the states parties that sub- clables like glass, paper, metals, to Qatar’s growing economy by embassies in Qatar” for green Qatari government provides regate all the wastepaper from mitted reports to the com- and plastics. giving gainful learning and diplomacy. young entrepreneurs with the the Qatar 2022 World Cup sta- mittee on the state of human “We get these wastes from employment opportunities to “We need to think of the necessary support to bring their diums’ site. rights conditions in them. HMC's Heart Hospital continues providing specialised care despite COVID-19 FROM PAGE 1 performed on a number of Dr. Al Tamimi explained This process often takes only defects, atherosclerosis, birth- received, treated and cured in The services include emer- patients who were found to that the emergency cardiac clot about 40 minutes for most marks in the brain and spinal 2020. gency therapeutic catheteri- have COVID-19, adding about is usually the result of a blood patients, but some cases may cord, hemorrhagic aneurysms He added that the State of zation to treat heart attacks, as 60 cases of those with clot in one of the coronary require a longer time due to the and treatment of cerebral Qatar is the first to successfully the medical teams at the Heart COVID-19 have been success- arteries that causes it to be com- varying changes according to thrombosis. use these technologies in the Hospital take all necessary pre- fully treated since the beginning pletely blocked. Here, the inter- the type of patients, he said. He said that patients are region and save many lives, and cautions and protective of the pandemic until now. vention is through the emer- The use of emergency ther- treated by using the latest tech- the unit is one of the best vas- measures to, successfully, Dr. Al Tamimi added that gency catheterization treatment apeutic catheterization is not nologies and equipment at the cular centers. Due to its repu- combat COVID-19. diagnosing the patient’s con- by inserting an ultrafine tube only limited to treating heart regional level, which would tation, some patients from Hence the number of daily dition as an acute heart attack through an artery in the upper clots, but HMC has also been reduce the negative effects outside the State of Qatar come heart cases treated in the Heart is by determining the type of thigh or the wrist, he said, proactive in using it in treating resulting from surgeries in cases from the neighboring countries Hospital is not affected; pain, such as changes in the adding the tube is connected to strokes. of cardiac and cerebral strokes, to avail curative services. whereas more than (1000) ECG, rise in heart enzymes and the coronary arteries and then In this context, senior con- and these modern technologies The medical team at the severe and acute heart strokes other criteria. Then, the patient the arteries are injected by this sultant and director of the ther- depend on the method of cur- vascular therapeutic laterali- have been treated, in 2020, is transported through the tube with a colored material apeutic catheterization unit for ative catheterization. zation of the nervous system of through therapeutic catheteri- ambulance service to the Heart and x-rays are made from vascular nervous system at He added that the vascular HGH works around the O’clock zation, to raise the number of Hospital, specifically to the various angles to identify the Hamad General Hospital Dr. therapeutic catheterization of to provide the necessary the cases treated since the pro- Cardiac Catheterization Labo- damaged artery. Then, it can be Ayman Zakaria explained that the nervous system at HGH is medical care for the vascular visioning of the around O’clock ratory for emergency catheter- determined if there is a problem despite the challenges faced and currently witnessing, since the disease patients of the various therapeutic services, seven ization to open the blocked such as narrowing or complete are still facing the medical launch of the unit in 2016, an categories of age, using the years ago, to six thousands artery. The more rapid the blockage, and the treatment is sector in the State of Qatar as a annual increase in the number latest therapeutic treatment cases with a total success of intervention is during the first usually using a balloon and result of the COVID-19 pan- of cases. The number of the technologies in the region, thing 95%. 90 minutes of a stroke, the placing a stent and sometimes demic, the unit’s team con- cases treated during the past six that highly contributes in miti- He pointed out that during better is the result, and the less it is possible by opening the tinued to provide services to years approximately reached gating the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the damage resulting from the artery by sucking and pulling vascular patients of various age (3) thousands. About (500) cases the surgical interventions of the emergency catheterization was blockage of the artery, he said. the clot with certain devices. groups such as structural of Corona COVID-19 have been cardiac and cerebral strokes. SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 HOME 03 Dr. Al Qahtani highlights Qatari experience in conflict resolution THE PENINSULA — DOHA as former Foreign Minister The Special Envoy of and Minister of Investment of The College of Islamic Studies Foreign Minister Sudan. With regards to his (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa initiative to bring thought University (HBKU) recently highlighted Qatar’s unique leaders and practitioners to welcomed a highly distin- position which has the classroom, he said: “The guished guest lecturer for allowed the state to peacebuilding world is a con- their course on “Islam, develop its own brand of tinually evolving discipline Conflict Transformation, and diplomacy in the wider and one in which academia Peacebuilding,” which forms and practice continually a critical component of its political context. interact and propel its devel- Master’s Program on Islam opment. Ideally, our graduate and Global Affairs. Special Envoy of the Min- Chief of Staff meets French military official ister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism and Medi- Chief of Staff of Qatari Armed Forces H E Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem ation in Conflict Resolution, met with H E Lieutenant-General Thierry Carlier, the Director for International Relations at the H E Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Directorate General of Armaments at the French Ministry of Armed Forces. During the meeting, they Qahtani, delivered a lecture reviewed military relations between the two sides and means of enhancing them. The meeting was on the Qatari experience in attended by a number of senior officers of the armed forces. conflict resolution. As a recipient of the United Nations Institute for Virtual Education Forum discusses visions, aspirations Training and Research FROM PAGE 1 (UNITAR) Award for Best knowledge has become the interaction, creating interactive Negotiator in 2020, Dr. Al He said that the conference basic resource of wealth and educational applications, value Qahtani had a rich repertoire comes as a continuation of pre- added-value and the decisive education, personal growth for of in-the-field anecdotes that Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism vious efforts to develop the factor in decision-making students, and developing life exemplified the trends and and Mediation in Conflict Resolution, H E Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al educational-learning process mechanisms.” skills, and leadership skills,” he challenges in peacebuilding, in the State of Qatar with all its Al Derham said the ultimate noted. the complexities that medi- Qahtani, delivering a guest lecture for HBKU students. components, including cur- goal of the forum is to foresee Moza Ali Al Mudahka, ators face in highly politicised riculum, teaching methods, the future, not to devise imme- Director Educational Guidance situations, and the realities of potential. Dr. Al Qahtani students not only need a evaluation, teachers, students diate solutions in response to a Department at the Ministry, peace diplomacy. He utilised shared his views in response, strong academic foundation and parents. “The world today crisis or an emergency situ- presented the main recommen- Afghanistan as a case study, and drew attention to cultural to delve into the complexities is witnessing unprecedented ation. He also called upon dations of the forum. She said: and highlighted Qatar’s and political nuances that are of political affairs, but under- shifts in the flow of information, experts to lead the change in “The Ministry, in partnership unique position which has often unnoticed, the added stand that much of it is fed by the increase in technological education. with the local institutions and allowed the state to develop entanglements of disparate the actions and advance- innovations, and economic “It is imperative for educa- organisations, is committed to its own brand of diplomacy political ties, and the related ments of agents in the field. ambitions,” Al Derham added. tional experts to set plans to providing ongoing motivation in the wider political context. successes and failures of We are deeply thankful to H “The world today focuses bring about change by and encouragement to our stu- Graduate students had an diplomacy. E Dr. Al Qahtani for his mas- on the production, possession, reviewing educational policies, dents at all levels in order to opportunity to pose questions Dr. Mustafa Osman terful framing of what the circulation and investment of challenges of e-learning, strat- support their learning and help that surveyed global devel- Elamin, a member of faculty practice of conflict transfor- knowledge in all areas of egies for evaluating remote them realise their aspirations opments in the Islamic world at CIS, hosted the lecture and mation truly entails and the human development and sus- learning of students, profes- regardless of circumstances and and explore them through a facilitated the engagement intricacy of political tainable development because sional development, classroom challenges they face.” lens of peacebuilding through his own experiences diplomacy.” MoPH: 870 new Ooredoo, MoPH partner to support people with autism COVID-19 cases, THE PENINSULA — DOHA continuation of last year’s theme; schools were also invited. ‘Building a comprehensive, inclusive Director PR at Ooredoo Sabah Rabiah three deaths Ooredoo is collaborating with the early intervention framework for Al Kuwari said: “As a community- Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on a children with an autism spectrum focused company, we are committed to THE PENINSULA — DOHA new initiative to support children with disorder.’’ embracing and celebrating our diverse autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in The symposium will include work- communities. We’re honoured to have The Ministry of Public Health Qatar. shops – directed towards both parents partnered with the Ministry of Public (MoPH) reported 870 new In partnership with the MoPH, and education and healthcare profes- Health on such a worthwhile initiative. cases of COVID-19 yesterday. Ooredoo sponsored two major events sionals - hosted by speakers from Qatar Inclusion is vital for the development of Among them, 122 were trav- in honour of World Autism Day; first, an and further afield. our people and our country, and we’re ellers returning from abroad. international collaborative workshop The pre-symposium workshop, proud to be contributing to this devel- A total of 468 people with the World Health Organisation on entitled ‘Developing Professional Com- opment. We look forward to building on recovered from COVID-19 yes- March 31, followed by the Qatar Annual petencies and Programmes of Training the productive, informative events that terday, bringing the total Autism Symposium — held virtually this for Special Needs and Autism in Qatar’, serve to improve the lives of children number of people recovered year — on April 2-3, 2021. was directed to participants from the with autism spectrum disorders in in Qatar to 165,471. The telecommunications operator MoPH, Ministry of Education and Higher Qatar.” The total number of pos- says its aim with this initiative is to Education, and Ministry of Labour and Also, to celebrate World Autism itive COVID-19 cases recorded support parents of children with autism Social Affairs. Day, Ooredoo’s Headquarters joined in Qatar is 182,548 and there and to back professionals specialising in Stakeholders from health and edu- many companies worldwide by are 16,776 active cases under Ooredoo Tower was lit up in blue to mark autism spectrum disorders. cation institutes such as Qatar Foun- turning its iconic tower blue to raise treatment. The Ministry also World Autism Awareness Day. The symposium’s key principle is a dation, HMC, PHC, private facilities, and awareness. announced three deaths. The deceased were 49, 71 and 76 years old. A total of 21,993 doses of Barwa Real Estate marks Ministry of Education, US Embassy COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in 24 hours. The Autism Awareness Day total number of vaccine doses to host virtual university fair administered since the start of THE PENINSULA — DOHA the benefit of people with this the vaccination campaign is disease. THE PENINSULA — DOHA counselors, and advisors are more. Cultural Attaché of the 889,202. Barwa Real Estate Group took Barwa Real Estate Group invited to attend the fair via Embassy of the State of Qatar “Every day, hundreds of part to commemorate World headquarter was lit in blue on The United States Embassy and https://acfairs.easyvirtualfair. in Washington, DC, Mohammed people are becoming sick due Autism Awareness Day, which Friday night, in a gesture that the Ministry of Education and com/prefair/ Alhamad, is pleased to partic- to the COVID-19 with many the world celebrates on the expresses solidarity with the Higher Education (MoEHE) will Ministry of Education and ipate in the EducationUSA- requiring admission to hospital second of April every year in global campaign for autism host the EducationUSA-Qatar Higher Education Acting Qatar 2021 Virtual University to manage their symptoms. accordance with the decision awareness, and the endeavor to 2021 Virtual University Fair, set Assistant Undersecretary for Fair. Since 1 February, the number of the United Nations General integrate autism patients into to take place — during the Higher Education, Dr. Khalid Al “As we are based in the of people with COVID-19 Assembly in 2007, which was society, and to raise awareness Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture Ali, noted that partnering with United States, we see firsthand admitted to hospital has based on the proposal of the of their rights as equal indi- — on April 6 and 7, from 4 pm the US Embassy in Qatar during the unmatched education expe- doubled,” said the Ministry in State of Qatar to make the viduals who need special care to 8 pm on each day. the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of rience US higher education its daily COVID-19 report. second day of April of every that enables them to live nor- The virtual fair will provide Culture “strengthens our broad offers to Qatari students who “Qatar’s strict quarantine year an International Day of mally. The Group’s celebration a unique opportunity for high and enduring partnership with are in the United States studying policy for returning travelers Awareness of Autism Disease. on this occasion reflects its great school and graduate students the United States and opens in an array of academic fields. enabled us to delay the intro- It is to contribute to interest in the groups in need of in Qatar to interact directly with doors of opportunity for Qatari Our Embassy and Consular staff duction of new variants into spreading public awareness of support in society, as this comes university representatives from students to pursue higher edu- across the United States stand this country for several months this disease, and to support the at the top of the priorities of its over 50 US colleges and uni- cation in some of the world’s ready to provide consular but we are now seeing positive national programs imple- strategy, and in light of its versities. Participants will gain most prestigious universities services and other relevant pro- COVID-19 cases in the region mented by the government for humanitarian mission. valuable information about and colleges.” grammatic support to all Qatari and in Qatar with the new var- academic programmes, tuition Chargé d’Affaires of the US students during their stay in the iants from the UK,” the Min- costs, campus life, financial aid Embassy, H E Ambassador United States.” istry added. options, application proce- Greta Holtz highlighted that EducationUSA is the official According to the Ministry, dures, and safety precautions studying in US higher education source of information on US the new variant is much more in response to the COVID-19 institutions offers a range of higher education and a member contagious and spread more pandemic. opportunities for students in of the US Department of State’s easily between people than the This fair makes it easy to Qatar, including state-of-the- network of over 425 interna- existing strain and may be learn about the advantages of art campuses using the latest tional student advising centers associated with increased studying in the United States technology, leading experts worldwide. The network pro- severity of disease. “The good and to meet with EducationUSA serving as professors and vides accurate, comprehensive, news is that the Pfizer- advisers about future college instructors, unparalleled access and current information about BioNTech and Moderna vac- needs. High school students, to advisors and career services, opportunities to study at cines being used in our vacci- university and graduate stu- an array of extracurricular and accredited postsecondary insti- nation program are effective Barwa Real Estate Group headquarters lit in blue on Friday. dents, parents, school student activities, and so much tutions in the US. against the new variants.” Dukhan Bank offers 50% off on home finance profit rate THE PENINSULA — DOHA rate for the first two years. Qualified Bank is fully committed to providing conditions will apply on all applicants can avail the offer from innovative banking services and applications. Dukhan Bank, Qatar’s leading March 31 to June 30, 2021. making easier, the day to day financial Dukhan Bank offers some of the banking player, has announced the Commenting on the campaign, decisions of our customers with a most innovative features and compet- launch of its latest campaign on Dukhan Bank stated: “With the mission to emerge as Qatar’s bank of itively priced solutions on personal, home financing. attractive terms of the home finance choice.” vehicle, and home financing. New and existing customers can campaign, we are offering, affordable The offer will be applicable to those To learn more or to apply for home now benefit from the bank’s attractive and customer-friendly financial who will apply for a minimum finance, customers can contact the call home financing offer, which gives 50 solution for those who are aspiring financing amount of QR2 million with centre on 800 8555 or visit www. percent off on the home finance profit to buy their dream home. Dukhan a 12-month grace period. Terms and dukhanbank.com. 04 HOME SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 QU’s ISNSC sheds light on ASD to mark World Autism Day

THE PENINSULA – DOHA include difficulty building students to record lectures, be Some symptoms of autism social relationships, considerate of sensitivities to World Autism Awareness Day include difficulty building repetitive body movements, light and noise, extend dead- is celebrated annually on April social relationships, high sensitivity to noise, lines for submission of assign- 2 to raise awareness on people limited ability in activities, or ments and assist in choosing with autistic spectrum repetitive body full involvement in a specific, the appropriate major. disorders (ADS) worldwide. movements, high narrow activity. To help students with Several faculty members from sensitivity to noise, Khalily noted that the main autism with physical and Qatar University’s (QU) limited ability in activities, challenge people with autism digital accessibility, Abdulla Al Inclusion and Special Needs or full involvement in a face is the diagnosis process Hajri, Accessibility Specialist Support Center (ISNSC) shed due to the diversity of in ISNSC, said in line with light on their services in specific, narrow activity. symptoms. The challenges that Qatar National Vision 2030, honour of this day. autistic people then face Qatar University executed, Haya Al-Kuwari, the Exam center around education, through the ISNSC and part- Coordinator in the ISNSC, said, individuals in schools while qualification, work, inde- nerships with various depart- “Qatar has paid great attention supporting the individual needs pendence, marriage, and lon- ments in the University, a to the care of people with dis- Riyad Ayyash Hana Khalily of the students and their family. gevity care. standard of policies to ensure abilities and has been keen to Also, providing social and Meanwhile, Riyad Ayyash, physical and digital accessi- enact legislation that preserves sustainable development and integrating students with physical education activities Senior Special Needs Specialist, bility for its students, creating the rights of this group. The removing obstacles preventing autism, and through academic and involving autistic indi- maintains there is currently no the “Accessibility Project.” Special Needs section was them from fully participating in experience, there are some rec- viduals to plan and make deci- cure for autism. The ISNSC does This project aims to created in 2007, based on QU society, equal to all others.” ommendations and suggestions sions for themselves. not treat autism as a disease but remove any obstacles in all administration directions & It is important to note that that can help students complete Autism Spectrum Disorder rather as a difference and aims physical facilities and digital vision and based on Law No. 2 H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser their education. Most impor- (ASD) refers to a group of to provide the appropriate access obstacles (websites, of 2004 regarding People with first proposed celebrating tantly, providing early inter- complex neurodevelopment support to ensure its students’ textbooks, and support tech- Special Needs, drafted and pro- World Autism Awareness Day vention support after the diag- disorders, says Hana Khalily, academic success. nology). As part of this project, posed by Qatar to the UN to the UN in 2007, which was nosis of autism and having clear Senior Special Needs Specialist. Ayyash stressed that the the center ensures that stu- General Assembly and ratified supported by all member states statistics and a database that Scientific studies indicate that ISNSC provides several dents with autism are sup- in 2008. This law emphasizes and adopted without a vote in assists in planning for this many factors can contribute to services to people with autism ported according to their indi- the importance of integrating the UN General Assembly. group, guiding the educational ASD, including environmental like, providing step–by–step vidual needs in adapting the the issues of people with disa- Al Kuwari emphasized that planning, and promoting the and genetic causes. instructions that are clearly educational environment to bilities as an integral part of through the ISNSC, in integration of autistic Some symptoms of autism written and explained, allow suit their situations. Malabar Gold & Diamonds brings best opportunity to invest in gold

THE PENINSULA – DOHA to either buy now or block the low gold rate by paying just 10% Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one as advance. among the largest jewellery The ‘Be Gold Smart’ cam- retailers globally with a strong paign has been designed so that retail network of over 250 our customers do not have to outlets spread across 10 coun- worry about gold rate fluctua- tries, is providing customers tions. They can pay 10% of the with the opportunity to benefit value and get gold rate pro- from the reduced gold rate tection until May 14. The main through the 10% advance attractiveness of this campaign booking option, be it for is that the customer gets the personal use or as an benefit of lower gold rate, during investment. purchase”, said Shamlal Ahamed, The brand has announced MD – International Operations, this offer as part of the Malabar Gold & Diamonds. MG HS: The sportiest SUV in Qatar upcoming festive season. Cus- With the upcoming festive tomers can just pay a 10% season, this exclusive offer from advance for their favorite jew- Malabar Gold & Diamonds will ellery and block the gold rate help customers shop for their with elegant sporty design until May 14, protecting them- favorite jewellery without wor- selves from any increase in the rying about the gold price. Gold gold rate during this period. If being a reliable investment is one THE PENINSULA – DOHA the slick craftsmanship and impressive the all-new MG HS features a plethora of the gold rate increases at the of the intrinsic reasons people proportions ensuring you are driving curves that add to its inviting nature. With up time of purchase, customers buy gold jewellery while also The MG HS is a stylish, capable SUV a model that has been carefully to 85% of the interior also covered with leather can avail the blocked rate, and serving as an adornment. It is that embraces the manufacturer’s ethos designed and lovingly detailed. - available in Red, Beige and Black, racing- if it reduces, they can still draw easy to liquidate the metal for of ‘Explore your senses’. Derived from It comes equipped with two-tone class integrated MG sports bucket seats, mileage of the reduced rate, i.e., cash without losing much value MG’s hugely impressive concept LED headlights - embedded with nine paddle-shift, flat-bottom designed steering a customer intending to buy even during difficult times that X-Motion, the MG HS sets the adren- crystal LEDs - for exceptional visibility, wheel and sports pedal enhancing the sense gold jewellery worth QR10,000 have further increased its aline racing, with its intuitive LED Daytime Running Light and of sportiness on offer, the MG HS doesn’t com- needs to pay QR1000 to avail dependability. arrangement tailored to provide a truly sequential tail lights, 18 inch alloy promise on quality on the inside. The MG HS the advance booking offer and In addition to the 10% rewarding drive. wheels, red sports brake disc calipers, comes fitted with 6 Way Powered Driver Seat, in turn, get protected from the advance option, customers can The MG HS and wide range of MG electric folding door mirrors, power Driver Lumbar Support and a 4 Way Powered increasing gold rates. also pay 50% and 100% of the vehicles are available at Auto Class Cars tailgate and much more. Passenger Seat to manage your seating position This offer will be valid until amount to get gold rate pro- showroom at Salwa road in Doha. The Rear Spoiler and Chrome Roof before you start your journey. May 14, across all Malabar Gold tection for 90 days and 180 From the iconic MG badge found Rails along with Chrome Door Handles The sporty looks and luxurious comfort & Diamonds outlets in UAE, days, respectively. This option front with the star rider grille, right the adds elegancy to the sporty design. The aren’t the only appealing measures to be found KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, will be available to customers way through to the rear combination result is an attractive but capable model in the new MG HS. Powered by a responsive Singapore, Malaysia & the US. throughout the year across all tail lights, every inch of the new MG HS that conveys a sense of constant motion 2.0L High Efficiency Turbo Engine, the MG HS “Gold prices have dropped, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds is as eye-catching and impressive as and reassurance out on the road. is capable of producing a thrilling 231PS and it is the best time for customers stores. can be. This is a muscular and athletic The interior is as contemporary and maximum torque of 360 Nm. Available in Front SUV in every sense of the word, with compelling as they come, the cabin of Wheel Drive on the comfort trim and an Intel- ligent All Wheel Drive (AWD) system on the luxury trim, the model provides a top speed of 210km/h and combines with a six-speed dual clutch transmission gearbox for seamless tran- sitions through the gears. Featuring a 12.3-inch virtual instrument panel - the largest in the segment - you will be able to access key performance data in a contemporary presentation. Not only that, but this instrument panel interacts with the 10.1- inch color touchscreen that is the hub of activity. Featuring with a high-performance dual-core processor, this fast and responsive system connects effortlessly to your smart- phone with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, GPS, Navigation and much more to provide access to all the necessary infotainment measures you demand. Galfar Al Misnad holds annual road safety awareness campaign THE PENINSULA – DOHA sites and to the community. Recently, A virtual traffic awareness seminar the British Safety Council awarded was conducted where Lt. Hamad Salim Galfar Al Misnad, in association with Galfar Al Misnad with two Interna- Al Nahab, Traffic Awareness Officer the Ministry of Interior’s Traffic tional Safety Awards 2021, including from the Traffic Awareness Awareness Department, recently one with distinction for a project. This Department of the Ministry of Interior, concluded its Annual Road Safety is the seventh year Galfar receives the and Faisal Al Hudawi, Community Awareness Campaign 2021. International Safety Award and fifth Reach Out Office Coordinator at The campaign took place over a virtual consecutive win. Public Relations Department of the platform and through classroom The campaign’s objectives were Ministry of Interior, elaborated on the training sessions with limited to maximise road safety awareness, various traffic regulations, fines, and attendees for staff, drivers and promote defensive driving techniques, new traffic rules that have come into equipment operators, in full adherence respect traffic rules, and other road effect after the pandemic. An inter- to COVID 19 protocols. users, and reduce road accidents and active question-answer session Galfar Al Misnad, a leading con- traffic violations. This is the first time followed. struction company in Qatar, holds a that Galfar is conducting the campaign Over 255 staff, drivers, and oper- large fleet of vehicles and equipment. virtually. ators attended the various online Its Plant Department (PMV) regularly The month-long campaign kicked training sessions. Also, 518 drivers and conducts road safety awareness cam- off with an online meeting, which was operators attended the classroom paigns across its sites and offices inaugurated by Satish G. Pillai, Exec- training sessions conducted by Gal- yearly. Galfar has been conducted the utive Director, Galfar Al Misnad. Traffic far’s senior HSE officer, Parag campaign since 2006, a testimony to Awareness Officer from the General Gaikwad. the company’s staunch commitment Directorate of Traffic, First Lt. Galfar Al Misnad felicitated the towards its motto of ‘Safety First’. Muhammed Ahmed Al Kathiri, Gal- best drivers and operators with cer- Safety is the key priority at Galfar far’s HSE Manager, and the senior tificates and monetary incentives. A Al Misnad, and the commitment to safe management team also delivered key total of 165 drivers and operators were practices extends beyond company messages. awarded during this campaign. SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 HOME 05 GCS 2021 highlights importance of coaching THE PENINSULA - DOHA and North Africa region. creative thinking and enhance The summit’s closing pro- Global Coaching Summit is an annual summit that personal and professional With the participation of more gramme included sharing rec- aims to increase coaching awareness and skills in potentials. It is one of the than 200 participants, Global ommendations developed by important applications in self- Coaching Summit (GCS) 2021, experts and specialists and the MENA region. This summit gathers many coaches development, and many people the first-of-its-kind in Qatar opened the way for all partici- worldwide and from different coaching, areas to need it on the personal and pro- and the Middle East on coaching pants to share their ideas, come sharpen the coaches’ competencies by sharing fessional levels,” Al Otaibi said. awareness and skills, concluded out with practical projects to “It directly contributes to last Wednesday. raise awareness of coaching experience, case studies, and best practices. The human development, which is The summit created an and its importance, and partic- summit is a significant platform for exchanging the first pillar of Qatar National opportunity for scientific dis- ipate in their implementation. ideas and discussing coaching practice. Vision 2030,” Al Otaibi added. cussion between panelists and The closing session con- Khaled Al Harami, one of participants. Experts from cluded with the announcement the participants, said, “I had a various fields discussed many of the date for the World wrong idea previously that issues such as psychology, Coaching Summit 2022, which Fatima Al Mohannadi will not be achieved except introduce this concept and hold coaching is only for coaches, but group coaching, team per- will be held from March 13–23. through real investment in such conferences to open new I discovered from the sessions formance, culture, and return Global Coaching Summit is human capital, and this calls for horizons in areas such as psy- that it is a daily thing and on investment in minds during an annual summit that aims to success of the Ghaya Man- us to bear this pillar upon us chology, group coaching, team develops a person in various the event. increase coaching awareness agement Training in organizing all,” she added. performance, culture, return on areas of his life, in discussions, The largest participation and skills in the MENA region. the Global Coaching Summit in Al Mohannadi indicated that investment in minds and create with his colleagues, with family was from Qatar, Egypt, and the This summit gathers many Qatar, under the auspices of empowerment does not come conditions for research and cre- and people.” United States of America. Also, coaches worldwide and from Ministry of Administrative with collective solutions but ativity,” she noted. Another participant, Maha Al the participants represented different coaching, areas to Development, Labour and rather by allocating solutions to Manaa Al Otaibi, Director of Sarhan, commented, “I was more than 30 countries around sharpen the coaches’ compe- Social Affairs.” an individual; his skills and cre- the Training Department at the pleased to attend the Global the world. tencies by sharing experience, She stressed the importance ativity and coaching focuses on Institute of Public Adminis- Coaching Summit organized by The event was organised by case studies, and best practices. of investing in the human implementing personal tration, expressed his pleasure the Ghaya Management Training Ghaya Management Training in The summit is a significant capital, saying, “The human empowerment strategies with to participate in the World with daily sessions presented by coordination with Dar Al Sharq platform for exchanging ideas element is the capital of giant effective guidance. Coaching Summit. many coaching specialists from all as a media partner under the and discussing coaching companies and rich countries, “Ghaya Management “I feel happy and proud of cultures. patronage of the Ministry of practice. and investment in minds is the Training since its launch in 2015 the organisation of this summit “I benefited a lot from the par- Administrative Development, Speaking about the summit, strongest because the industry was keen to build a coaching as it is the first and unique event ticipants’ experience and the points Labour and Social Affairs Fatima Al Mohannadi, Executive of a prosperous present and a culture and its importance to in the Middle East sponsored by they presented. I am pleased that (MADLSA). Director of Ghaya Management promising future depends on organizations and individuals, the Ministry of Administrative the Center always provides an During the 11-days event, Training, said, “There is no “ideas” more than on what the and this was embodied in Development, Labour and update on our information, as such the summit contributed to doubt that there is a strong rela- earth produces from the natural training nearly 300 people at Social Affairs.” meetings expand our perceptions in raising awareness of coaching tionship between happiness and resources.” different levels. We launched “Coaching is an effective the world of coaching and inform us and its skills in the Middle East success. I am overjoyed at the “The nation’s renaissance awareness campaigns to change tool that helps stimulate about new ideas,” she said. QIB rewards new and existing Misk Account Ooredoo sponsors MoEHE’s Holders with Bonus Absher rewards points Virtual Education Forum THE PENINSULA - DOHA Virtual technology was THE PENINSULA — DOHA Ooredoo has announced it used for the first time in All Qatari citizens and sponsored the recent Virtual Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has Education Forum hosted by the Qatar to facilitate the announced the launch of a new residents are eligible to Qatar Ministry of Education event. The simulation and limited offer for new and open a Misk savings and Higher Education (MoEHE). featured a large virtual existing Misk savings account account for themselves or The Forum was held building, with 30 holders, allowing them to get recently, under the slogan their children. When different workshop bonus Absher Rewards Points opening a Misk account, ‘Visions and Aspirations on an exclusive basis. Beyond Challenges.’ areas hosting the Running from now until customers will receive a Education experts and aca- speakers, who May 31, 2021, all new Misk free debit card, receive demics worldwide linked presented on a range of account holders with a profits on their savings, together – virtually – to share topics related to minimum balance of insights, host workshops, and and have the chance to education. QR50,000, or existing Misk frequently win cash more. account holders who increase Virtual technology was their balance by minimum prizes. General Manager, said: “We are through the award-winning used for the first time in Qatar QR50,000 will earn 5,000 once again pleased to reward QIB Mobile App; the additional to facilitate the event. The sim- Attendees could explore the Absher Rewards Points for our new and existing Misk account can be opened ulation featured a large virtual benefits of Business Mobile each QR50,000 in their different categories, ranging account holders with the instantly through the App building, with 30 different Broadband 5G and Microsoft accounts. All new and existing from electronic items, personal launch of this exclusive offer, without the need to visit a workshop areas hosting the Azure Managed Services, which Misk savings account holders and household items from when opening or increasing branch or sign any documents. speakers, who presented on a provide cloud storage, daily are eligible to benefit from the leading brands. their balance, with the best and Funds can be transferred from range of topics related to operational support, virtual offer with the only condition Every week, 15 lucky Misk most comprehensive saving customers’ existing account to education. network infrastructure, and of maintaining their new or Account holder winners are solution in Qatar. We invite the new Misk account instantly Ooredoo hosted a virtual advanced services in Azure incremental saving balance for entitled to win QR10,000 each, everyone to open Misk through the App. booth at the event, with its cus- Public Cloud, as well as at least 2 two complete cal- and two monthly winners are accounts now or increase their Prospective Qatari cus- tomer service agents ready advisory services. endar months. eligible for QR50,000 each. balances to benefit from our tomers can also open a Misk online to showcase Ooredoo Chief Commercial Officer Customers can choose to The grand prize draw for the exclusive rewards, in addition account through the QIB products and services and at Ooredoo Sheikh Nasser Bin redeem their Absher points to QR1 Million will take place in to being eligible to enter our Mobile App in a fast, simple interact with attendees via text, Hamad Bin Nasser Al Thani shop at the Mall of Qatar, Al November 2021. Customers weekly, monthly, and annual and convenient way from the voice, and video chat. said, “We were proud to Meera supermarkets in Qatar, must maintain a minimum cash raffle draws with more comfort of their home, office Products, services, and sponsor this initiative with the vouchers from different monthly balance of QR10,000 chances to win.” or even when relaxing at a solutions being demonstrated Ministry of Education and partners, or settle their to be eligible for the weekly All Qatari citizens and res- shopping mall or anywhere at the event included Safe- Higher Education. Promoting Ooredoo, Vodafone or Kah- and monthly draws. idents are eligible to open a else. ToNet, a new online safety education for all is a key part ramaa utility bills. Absher To qualify for the grand Misk savings account for them- Interested citizens have to technical solution offered in of our corporate responsibility points can also be used to book prize draw, the customer must selves or their children. When download the QIB Mobile app collaboration with British strategy, aligned with our com- flights with over 900 airlines, open the account three opening a Misk account, cus- and through the use of digital company SafeToNet - designed mitment to the United Nations book a room from over months prior to the draw and tomers will receive a free debit identification technology scan to help protect children and Sustainability Goals. With the 450,000 hotels or rent a car maintain a minimum of card, become eligible to the required documents (Qatari young people from harm current pandemic situation from more than 150,000 car QR10,000 for each of those request a free for the first year ID), take a selfie and fill a few online. presenting several challenges rental offices in more than 150 months. For every additional credit card backed by the remaining personal data. Another education-focused in the education sector, high- cities worldwide. QR10,000 saved, the customer account balance, receive Following quick real-time service being highlighted was lighting areas in which we can Customers also have access has one additional chance in profits on their savings and verifications of the above, the Mozaik Education Solution, a work to improve both access to the online shopping store the draws. have the chance to frequently account is set up and a bank system that integrates its digital to education and education specialized in redeeming Commenting on the launch win cash prizes. representative will contact the tools with existing learning itself, we are delighted to be points with thousands of of the exclusive offer, D. Anand, All QIB existing customers customer within few minutes provisions to enhance in-class involved in efforts to enhance products across QIB’s Personal Banking Group can open a Misk Account to complete the process. and distance learning. the sector going forward.” MES Junior Section holds QRCS marks World Autism Awareness Day graduation ceremony special care to live normally. work together to recover from The celebration reflects the COVID-19 pandemic, one THE PENINSULA - DOHA reach milestones. She further QRCS’s great attention paid to key goal must be to build a motivated the children to foster the vulnerable groups, as a top more inclusive and accessible MES Indian School recently and uphold the values of life to priority for QRCS’s strategy of world that recognizes the con- held the graduation ceremony ensure a promising future. development locally and inter- tributions of all people, for its Junior Section for the Uzma Fatimee, Head of Section nationally, inspired by its including persons with disabil- academic year 2020-2021. officiating, felicitated the stu- mission of Saving Lives and ities. The crisis has created new The graduation was con- dents for their Preserving Dignity. obstacles and challenges. But ducted online through zoom accomplishments. QRCS offers a wide range of efforts to reignite the global and streamed live on the The graduated students assistance for persons with economy offer an opportunity school’s Facebook account. The were presented with e-certif- autism and other vulnerable to reimagine the workplace to event was organized to applaud icates for their commendable groups. These include payment make diversity, inclusion, and the young enthusiastic learners. achievements. Some of the of costs of treatment for poor equity a reality. Recovery is also Grade IV students promoted parents’ representatives from patients, programs and events a chance to rethink our systems from the Junior Section to the Grade IV students expressed addressed to persons with dis- of education and training to Middle School were honoured their gratitude to the school for abilities (including autism), ensure that persons with autism during the ceremony. providing quality education. mobilization of resources to are afforded opportunities for K. Abdul Karim, President, The students, too, shared empower those persons and realizing their potential”. MES Governing Board, and the their reflections on the journey meet their needs, and contri- “To truly leave no one behind chief guest of the ceremony they had just completed at the bution to the programs of the in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda on acknowledged the teachers for Junior Section. The office- government health authorities Sustainable Development, we the efforts taken to complete bearers of the academic year QRCS premises were lit in blue on Friday to mark the World Autism in this respect. must realize the rights of all the academic amidst challenges were also given a special Awareness Day. Out of Qatar, QRCS selects persons with disabilities, posed by the COVID-19 pan- mention during the ceremony. the most vulnerable persons to including persons with autism, demic without compromising The ceremony culminated THE PENINSULA - DOHA benefit from its humanitarian ensuring their full participation on quality. with a vote of thanks proposed were lit in blue, in solidarity aid, with a special focus on in social, cultural, and economic Hameeda Kadar, the Prin- by Ayat Suhail of Grade IV. Qatar Red Crescent Society with the worldwide campaign patients, widows, orphans, life. Let us work together with all cipal, appreciated the parents Sradha Venkataraman, of Grade (QRCS) has marked World to raise awareness about special needs, and other persons with disabilities and their and teachers, who played a III, compered the programme, Autism Awareness Day, cele- autism, call for social inte- beneficiaries. representative organizations to find supportive role in the students’ and Muhammed Zayaan, a brated globally on April 2 every gration of persons with autism, In a statement, António innovative solutions to recover growth and development and student of Grade III, delivered year. and promote their rights as Guterres, Secretary-General of better and build a better world for enabled them to the welcome note. On Friday, QRCS’s premises equal individuals who need the United Nations, said, “As we all,” the statement added. 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 Iran won’t negotiate ‘step-by-step’ return to nuclear accord AGENCIES — TEHRAN “As has been clearly Russia’s envoy to the UN’s atomic agency, Mikhail Iran said it won’t negotiate a stated many times, Ulyanov, wrote in a tweet: “The step-by-step return to the there is no step- impression is that we are on the nuclear deal, even with the right track but the way ahead prospects of indirect talks with by-step plan being will not be easy.” the US next week to try to considered,” Foreign Price told reporters on restore the 2015 accord. Ministry Spokesman Thursday that Washington was “As has been clearly stated ready to return to compliance many times, there is no step- Saeed Khatibzadeh with the 2015 agreement “con- by-step plan being considered,” told the state-run sistent with” Iran doing the Foreign Ministry Spokesman same, and said it has been Saeed Khatibzadeh told the Press TV yesterday. exploring “the best way to state-run Press TV yesterday. achieve this, including through The comments came in a series of mutual, initial steps.” Banu Yavuz receives a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease vaccine at Ankara City Hospital response to a statement from officials “at any level,” Iran’s Iran’s Supreme Leader Aya- in Ankara, Turkey. the US State Department that Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas tollah Ali Khamenei said in officials will be present in Araghchi said in a statement. March that his country was in Vienna during meetings Tehran has repeatedly “no hurry” to revive the nuclear Turkey begins administering scheduled for April 6 between rebuffed direct talks with the deal and said US policy was Iran and the remaining world Biden administration on doomed to fail unless sanctions powers that participated in the reviving the accord, known as against Iran were first removed. Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 shots deal. the JCPOA, that former Pres- Meanwhile, France’s top “These remain early days, ident Donald Trump diplomat spoke with his Iranian and we don’t anticipate an abandoned. counterpart yesterday and REUTERS — ANKARA arrived in Turkey, with that Therefore, I chose this to be on immediate breakthrough as After Trump withdrew from urged Iran to be “constructive” number expected to reach 4.5 the safe side,” he said, after there will be difficult discus- the agreement and stepped up and avoid further nuclear esca- Turkey on Friday began admin- million in the coming days, receiving his first shot at the sions ahead. But we believe this sanctions, Iran breached some lation ahead of talks next week istering Pfizer and BioNTech’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca Ankara City Hospital. is a healthy step forward,” State of the limits that it placed on its aimed at trying to salvage a COVID-19 shots, introducing a said on Wednesday. Turkey recently imposed Department spokesman Ned nuclear program. global accord curbing the second vaccine in its campaign People can choose which new weekend lockdowns in Price said in a statement Friday. China on Friday called for Iranian nuclear program. as new cases reached record vaccine they would like to most provinces, as cases Those talks aim “to clearly the US to lift all “illegal” sanc- French Foreign Minister highs. receive when their turn comes, reached all-time highs identify sanctions lifting and tions on Iran, saying the coun- Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke yes- Turkey has so far delivered Koca said, adding that the aim nationwide. On Friday, nuclear implementation try’s nuclear issue was at a terday with Iranian Foreign nearly 16.6 million doses of the is to vaccinate a majority of the 42,308 new cases were measures,” the European Union “critical stage.” Foreign Ministry Minister Jawad Zarif to prepare vaccine developed by China’s population by June. recorded, the highest level said after chairing a video con- spokesperson Hua Chunying for the talks. Sinovac Biotech, including two Emre Yavuz said he and his since the beginning of the ference on Friday with Iran, blamed Washington’s unilateral “I encouraged Iran to be shots each for about 7.1 million wife received the Pfizer/ pandemic. Russia, China, Germany, France exit from the Iran deal as the constructive,” Le Drian said in people and one shot each so far BioNTech vaccine because their The total number of cases and the UK. “root cause” of the problem, a statement. “I called on Iran to for about 2.4 million people. daughter studies in Europe, stood just above 3.4 million as The bloc will intensify “sep- while saying China welcomes abstain from any further vio- The rollout has so far which he said may not allow in of Friday, with the death toll at arate contacts” between the the return of the US. lation of its current commit- included those over 60 years of those who receive the Sinovac 31,892. participants and the US, the EU “The definitive policy of the ments in the nuclear domain age, health personnel and other vaccine. Turkey currently ranks fifth added. Islamic Republic of Iran is the that could threaten the priority groups. “There is a debate in the globally for daily cases based The Iranian delegation lifting of all US sanctions,” movement toward resumed A total of 2.8 million doses European Union about whether on a seven-day average, would not negotiate with US Khatibzadeh said. discussions.” of the Pfizer vaccine have to accept this (Sinovac) or not. according to a tally. Iran faces fourth COVID-19 wave after holidays Syrian Kurdish forces AL JAZEERA — TEHRAN Iran has reported more than the country that were not clas- elled during Nowruz. 1.9 million coronavirus cases sified as “red” or “orange” on a Official figures also show 47 end sweep in camp Iran is facing a fourth major since it announced its first in colour-coded scale denoting the cities are now classified “red” wave of COVID-19 infections February last year. About severity of outbreaks. while 126 have been bumped shortly after millions travelled 63,000 people have died in Public transport was not to “orange”. housing IS families during the Persian new year what is the worst COVID-19 banned and fines, set to deter A further 247 are “yellow” holidays. death toll in the region. road travel using private while only 14 are classified as AP — BEIRUT and US officials have called for Two of Iran’s 32 provinces The resurgence in the cases, vehicles to prohibited cities, are “blue”, experiencing the lowest countries to repatriate their – Alborz, close to capital which health officials say will not hefty, leading to some trav- transmission rates. Syria’s Kurdish-led forces on citizens languishing in the Tehran, and Ilam to the west of soon be accompanied by a spike ellers considering them part of Iran, with a population of Friday ended a five-day sweep camp. the country – have been con- in hospitalisations and deaths, travel expenses. more than 80 million, has inside a sprawling camp in the The statement said some IS firmed by the country’s health comes two weeks after Nowruz, Shortly before Nowruz, administered only about country’s northeast housing militants had infiltrated the ministry to be facing a fourth the Iranian new year, on March Roads Minister Mohammad 161,000 doses of coronavirus families and supporters of the camp as civilians to “create an wave. Seven more, including 20. Eslami predicted that a vaccines to people in vulnerable Islamic State group. The oper- atmosphere... to continue with Tehran, are on the verge, it said. Nowruz is followed by long whopping 33 million people will groups, as per the latest figure ation meant to curb relentless their acts terrorism.” Of those “If we don’t have the nec- holidays during which Iranians travel during the holidays, with announced by officials last violence that had been going arrested, at least 20 are essary considerations, we might traditionally travel, mostly to at least 7.8 million people using week. on for months in the camp. believed implicated in killings face this wave in other prov- scenic provinces to the north public transport to move Iran expects more doses A statement from the inside Al Hol. inces as well. So we need to be near the Caspian Sea, and visit around the country. from Russia, China, and India, fighters said they arrested 125 The statement said that careful,” President Hassan family and friends. According to the health while three local vaccine can- extremists, including those despite the arrests, the camp Rouhani said during a televised Even as health officials said ministry, at least 15,000 people didates are undergoing human blamed for dozens of crimes in remains a threat as long as the session of the national anti- they opposed travels this year, who knew they were infected trials and are expected to head recent months inSl Hol, which international community does coronavirus task force people were officially allowed with COVID-19 after testing for mass production in the next hosts tens of thousands of not acknowledge that foreign yesterday. to visit hundreds of cities across positive at registered labs, trav- few months. people. nationals residing in the camp Some 5,000 members of need to be repatriated to their the Syrian Kurdish-led forces countries. Turkey blasts took part in the sweep, which Al Hol’s residents include started on Sunday with the wives and children of IS ‘Western assistance of the US-led members, most of them held coalition. there since 2019 as the final idealisation’ The statement said the coalition-led push against the objective of the so-called “first militant group unfolded. At the of YPG/PKK phase” of the operation was to time, family members and IS boost security at the camp and supporters holed up in areas ANADOLU — ANKARA protect the population, once controlled by the group including thousands of fled or were evacuated to Turkey yesterday criticized the children, who could have been al-Hol and other camps. “Western idealization” of the subjected to the extremist ide- The Syrian Kurdish-led YPG/PKK in Syria, stressing ology of IS. forces and the US-led coalition how the terror group The Syrian Kurdish forces announced victory against IS kidnapped thousands of young says at least 47 people were in March 2019, after the mili- people just in the last month. killed in violence inside the tants lost all their territorial “The YPG/PKK terrorist camp since the start of the year, holdings. Thousands escaped group kidnapped 2,700 young while US officials say it’s more into the desert while others people in Syria’s Al Hasakah than 60. were detained and held in province in March alone,” Many fear the camp, which detention facilities. presidential spokesman initially housed refugees and More than 80 percent of the Ibrahim Kalin said on Twitter, is now home to 62,000 people camp’s residents are women adding that these unfortunate from nearly 60 countries - and children, two-thirds of young people are taken so mainly families of IS fighters them under the age of 12. The they will “become terrorists.” Syrian President meets cabinet members - is becoming a breeding majority are Syrian and Iraqi “So much for the Western ide- ground for the next generation but about 10,000 are from 57 alization and romanticism of Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad meets with the Syrian cabinet in Damascus, Syria. of IS militants. Syrian Kurdish other countries. the PKK in Syria. Will their supporters say a word? Probably not, again,” he added. Iraq judge who presided over Saddam’s trial dies of virus infection In January, the terrorist YPG – the Syrian branch of the AP — BAGHDAD treated for complications from which also included Saddam’s tenced to death; he was exe- them. In one session, after a terrorist PKK – forcibly the coronavirus. cousin Ali Hassan Al Majid, cuted on Dec. 30, 2006. shouting match between them, recruited more than 150 young A retired Iraqi judge who Oreibi graduated from the known as Chemical Ali, and five Oreibi, a Shiite, replaced he ordered Saddam held in sol- people from Deir ez-Zor, presided over the trial of Iraq’s Faculty of Law at Baghdad uni- other defendants on charges Judge Abdullah al-Amiri, who itary confinement for several eastern Syria. late dictator Saddam Hussein versity in 1992 and was related to their roles in the was removed amid accusations days. Documenting the viola- has died after battling appointed a judge in 2000 by a bloody 1987-1988 crackdown he was too soft on Saddam The statement from the tions of civilians’ rights, in COVID-19, the country’s top presidential decree. against Kurdish rebels, known during the trial. Oreibi tolerated judicial council lauded Oreibi a Feb. 18 report, the Syrian judicial body said on Friday. He shot to fame after he was as the Anfal campaign. very few disruptions from for his what it said was courage Network for Human Rights According to Iraq’s Supreme named an investigative judge The prosecution alleged that Saddam and his co-defendants in handling the trial of Saddam said that the terrorist group Judicial Council, Judge in the trial of Saddam and his around 180,000 people died, during the trial - even throwing and the former regime. detained at least 61 Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, regime in August 2004. He later many of them civilians killed by the deposed Iraqi leader out of “He remains immortal in the teachers in January and 52, passed away in a hospital in took over as the lead judge in poison gas. Saddam was sub- the courtroom several times hearts of Iraqis in general and February. Baghdad where he was being Saddam’s trial for genocide, sequently convicted and sen- amid fiery exchanges between the judges in particular,” it said. SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Survivors tell of horror in Mozambique attack REUTERS — PEMBA Aid workers believe Mozambique’s defence and security forces declined to Luisa Jose, a 52-year-old tens of thousands comment on Saturday, while mother of five, says she came of people fled the calls to the national police went face-to-face with Islamic State- unanswered. linked insurgents when they assault, which The province of Cabo attacked the gas hub town of began on March 24. Delgado, where Palma is Palma in northern Mozambique However, just 9,900 located, has been home since 10 days ago. 2017 to a simmering Islamist “I was running to save my of those displaced insurgency now linked to life... they were coming from had been registered Islamic State. Clashes between every street,” she said from a the militants and government stadium in the port city of in Pemba and other forces around Palma continued Pemba housing some of the parts of Cabo Delgado as recently as Friday, security thousands who have fled the sources said. violence. province as of Friday, The government has said “I saw them with bazookas. according to the UN dozens were killed but the full They wore uniforms with red scale of the casualties and dis- scarves...tied to their heads.” humanitarian agency placement remains unclear. Jose said the militants OCHA. Jose said she spent almost quickly overran her hometown five days in the bush, eating of Palma, located next to huge bitter cassava tubers and gas projects worth $60bn. those who emerged have drinking from cloudy pools of Aid workers believe tens of recounted seeing bodies of water before making it to Qui- thousands of people fled the others who died of hunger or tunda, a village for people relo- assault, which began on March dehydration along the way. cated by the mega gas projects 24. However, just 9,900 of those Some were also killed by led by oil majors like Total displaced had been registered crocodiles or perished in deep From there, she says, she in Pemba and other parts of mud, according to a contractor was evacuated by Total but had Cabo Delgado province as of whose employee witnessed both. to leave behind more than six People, who fled an attack claimed by Islamic State-linked insurgents on the town of Palma, look on Friday, according to the UN Most communications to family members, including her as aid workers consult a person at a displacement centre in Pemba, Mozambique. humanitarian agency OCHA. Palma were cut when the attack husband and a daughter, Many could still be hiding began and Reuters has not been because there was no room on its project site near Palma, two military. Total declined to them behind. in the surrounding forest, said able to independently verify the boat. sources with direct knowledge comment. “Are they safe? Do they the international aid group witnesses’ accounts. Total on Friday pulled all of of site operations told Reuters, Jose has had no news of her have shelter? Will they come Medecins Sans Frontieres, and A spokesman for its remaining workforce from leaving it in the hands of the family members since she left back? I don’t know,” she said. Explosions at Victims' kin call for justice over French air strikes in Mali two Somali AL JAZEERA — BAMAKO overthrown in a military coup law,” said the UN in its report, “They are happy and crimes. and as the cycle of violence which recommended that the expecting to get justice because He also pointed to a French army bases Families of people killed in a continues to result in a French and Malian authorities those responsible must now be air strike last week in the French air strike on a wedding mounting civilian death toll. “conduct investigations into arrested and the families com- eastern village of Talataye, kill at least 9 in a remote Malian village have France’s 5,000-strong possible violations of interna- pensated,” he said. which local officials said killed called for the prosecution of the Barkhane force was deployed tional humanitarian law and But France dismissed the six civilian males aged 15 to 20 AP — MOGADISHU military personnel involved in to northern Mali in 2014 to dis- human rights” and compensate findings on Tuesday, describing – a toll also disputed by Paris. an operation the United Nations lodge fighting that has now the victims. it as based on “unverifiable local “All those incidents against Simultaneous large explosions has concluded could amount to spread to central Mali and into The strike “raises significant testimony” and “unproven civilians make people angry were heard in and around two a war crime. neighbouring countries Burkina concerns … including the obli- hypotheses”. against France. They have drones Somali army bases yesterday, Nineteen attendees of a Faso and Niger, deepening gation to do everything that is Speaking from Mali’s capital and sophisticated equipment to with the military confirming wedding party in the village of French involvement across the practically possible to verify Bamako on Thursday, French identify civilians. Malians want at least nine of its people killed Bounti were killed when French Sahel. that the targets are indeed mil- Minister of the Armed Forces France to pay attention to but asserting “heavy losses” warplanes struck on January 3, Unpopular in both France itary objectives,” it added. Florence Parly doubled down civilians,” Salaha said. among the attackers. The Al according to a bombshell UN and Mali, Barkhane has been Hamadoun Dicko, youth further, rejecting the accusations “We want Malian leaders to Shabab extremist group report on Tuesday, its first ever dubbed France’s forever war, leader of Mali’s largest ethnic and stressing the “determi- take action to punish those claimed responsibility. investigation into French mil- an unwinnable and costly mil- Fulani organisation, and the nation” of France “to continue people who have bombed the Residents said the attacks itary operations. Three sus- itary quagmire, comparable to first to sound the alarm over the fight against terrorism”. 19 civilians,” he added. occurred in Bariirre and Awd- pected militia fighters were also the United States’ experience in civilian casualties, said: “We are Mohamed Salaha, an inde- In recent years, sporadic hegleh villages of Lower killed. Afghanistan. very happy because (the report) pendent journalist based in demonstrations against Shabelle region, 75km south The findings contradict The report by the UN peace- confirms 100 percent what we Bamako, said that a refusal to France’s military presence have of the capital, Mogadishu. French claims, reiterated this keeping force in Mali said.” Within days of the strike, acknowledge the loss of Malian mushroomed into large-scale Speaking to local media, week, that 30 militia fighters (MINUSMA), based on more Dicko’s organisation, Tabital life was heightening anti- anti-French rallies decrying Gen. Odawa Yusuf Ragheh, the had been killed in the attack than 400 interviews and the Pulaaku, had identified at least French resentment, adding that perceived neocolonialism as commander of the Somali which took place in Mali’s analysis of more than 150 doc- nine civilian casualties and the report’s findings had been much as the needless loss of life. National Army, confirmed the restive central region. uments, constitutes a rare crit- posted their names on welcomed by most Malians. Police dispersed angry pro- twin attacks but said al- French denials, analysts say, icism of French forces. Facebook. Salaha said that many view testers with tear gas two weeks Shabab had been repulsed are likely to spur escalating “The majority of those hit in Dicko said that victims’ France as complicit in reprisals after the strike on Bounti in with “heavy losses” among the anti-French sentiment among the strike were civilians who families he had spoken to wel- by allied Malian forces, turning January, while anti-French fury extremists. Malians, less than a year after are protected from such attacks comed the UN report but were a blind eye to abuses the UN returned to the capital’s streets “They even left some of the the government was by international humanitarian demanding justice. said in 2020 amounted to war last Friday. bodies of their slain com- manders,” he added, saying his forces were still chasing the fleeing fighters. CAR militia leader Sidiki General Mohamed Tahlil Bihi, the commander of the infantry forces of the gov- Abass dies from injuries, ernment, told The Associated Press that “we lost nine of our says armed group soldiers and 11 others got wounded from our side.” AL JAZEERA — BANGUI it to the initial fighting in He added, “from the December, when his convoy Shabab, we killed 60 of their A Central African Republic was ambushed. militias on one spot and 17 militia leader blacklisted by the Rumours of his death had others near the other base,” he United States and the United spread since, but were never said. Nations for human rights confirmed by 3R. An Al Shabab spokesman, abuses including rape and The country’s military with Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Musab, torture has died from injuries the help of hundreds of asserted that the group had he sustained in November, his Rwandan soldiers and Russian killed 47 government fighters. armed group said. paramilitaries have led a coun- In a statement read out on the Sidiki Abass, leader of the teroffensive since January, extremists’ radio Andalus, he Return, Reclamation, Rehabili- taking back most towns previ- said the simultaneous attacks tation or 3R armed group, died ously occupied by the rebels. began with suicide car bombs. on March 25 at a health centre in While the 3R has been Mogadishu yesterday wit- Kambakota, around 320km north pushed back, it remains a force nessed the opening of a of the capital, Bangui, according in the northwest, aided by its meeting between the federal to a statement signed by “General knowledge of the terrain. government leaders, including Bobbo”, who described himself The US Treasury Department the president, and the leaders An infant is seen at the paediatric ward of the Suhul Hospital in the town of Shire, Tigray region, as the new leader of the group. and the UN imposed sanctions of the five federal member Ethiopia, in this file photo. Abass, whose real name is Bi on Abass in August last year, states. They were expected to Sidi Souleymane, died from accusing the group he founded discuss the way forward. wounds sustained during an in 2015 of having killed, tortured, Ethiopia risks lengthy deadlock attack on the town of Bossembele, raped, and displaced thousands Kenya confirms 19 130km northwest of Bangui, on of people. November 16 last year, General In 2019, Human Rights new virus deaths in war-hit Tigray: Report Bobbo’s statement read. Watch accused 3R of killing at In December, 3R joined least 46 civilians in Ouham ANADOLU — ANKARA AL JAZEERA — ADDIS ABABA atrocities, it said. rapes, including those com- with the Coalition of Patriots Pende province in the country’s Even though Ethiopia’s mil- mitted by soldiers from Eritrea, for Change, an alliance of some northwest. The killings Kenya’s Ministry of Health The war in Ethiopia’s northern itary has backing from Eritrea the TPLF’s bitter enemy, the of the war-torn country’s most occurred just a few months (MOH) on Friday confirmed 19 Tigray region risks dragging on and Ethiopia’s Amhara region, group said. Amid mounting powerful armed groups. after Abass had signed a peace coronavirus-related deaths for months and even years, with which borders Tigray to the international pressure, Abiy The alliance launched an deal in Khartoum with the and 1,851 infections while both sides eyeing a military south, most TPLF leaders said a week ago that Eritrean offensive two weeks before Central African government conducting 9,676 tests in the “knockout blow” that appears remain on the run and the ICG troops would pull out of Tigray. December 27 presidential elec- and 13 other armed groups. last 24 hours amid the coun- unrealistic, the International noted that none was reported But the region’s interim tions in a bid to prevent a “The killings of these try’s third wave of the Crisis Group (ICG) has said. captured or killed in February leader Mulu Nega said this week victory by President Faustin- civilians are war crimes that pandemic. Total fatalities is Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed or March. that withdrawal was “a process” Archange Touadera and to need to be effectively investi- now 2,186 while the tally of sent troops into Tigray in Pro-TPLF fighters have and would not happen imme- overturn his government. gated and those responsible confirmed infections stands at November to detain and disarm regrouped under the Tigray diately. Mulu has previously The well-equipped 3R were brought to justice,” Human 136,893, according to the leaders of the once-dominant Defence Forces, an armed acknowledged that the Tigrayan on the front lines of combat Rights Watch said at the time. MOH’s latest update. regional governing party, the movement “led by the removed population has “mixed feelings” against pro-government forces, Despite that, 3R remained Authorities have con- Tigray People’s Liberation Front Tigrayan leaders and com- about his administration’s eventually reaching an area part of the Khartoum ducted 1,504,453 COVID-19 (TPLF). He said the move came in manded by former high-ranking” presence in the region. about 100km from Bangui. agreement and continued to tests in the country. Regarding response to the TPLF-orchestrated military officers, the ICG said. He and other officials, UN and security sources hold sway in the northwest, recoveries from the virus, the attacks on federal army camps. The resistance is though, have said assumptions disputed the group’s claim that where it controls taxes on the MOH said 363 new recoveries The number of fighters loyal “entrenched” and enjoys that the TPLF enjoys wide- Abass had been wounded on lucrative movement of cattle have been registered, bringing to the TPLF is likely swelling popular support from Tigrayans spread popular support are November 16 – before the rebel from neighbouring Cameroon that number to 93,430. because of rising fury over angry over mass killings and misguided. offensive – and instead dated and Chad 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021

Established in 1996 Turn office buildings into

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI homes after the pandemic EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] ROGER K LEWIS THE WASHINGTON POST DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] Life during the coronavirus has been abnormal for most of us. But even as the pandemic ebbs, a new “normal” inevi- EDITORIAL tably will replace some of the old “normal,” especially in the office building real estate Quality healthcare for all market. Many Americans are buying desks to work at home, THE cases of COVID-19 have shown a consistent suggesting that millions of increase in the past two weeks. This rising trend square feet of previously prompted the Cabinet to re-impose precautionary leased space in existing office measures which were gradually lifted in the previous buildings may no longer be months in light of decline in number of cases. But as needed. Developers are converting part of the 41-year-old Alderwood Mall outside of Seattle into housing reported, the new variants are much more contagious This could be a problem- — a sign of what might be a national trend. and spread more easily among people than the existing solving opportunity in the strain and also may be associated with increased future if excess commercial buildings in overbuilt areas interior stairs abut windowless another hurdle for office-to- severity of disease. office space can be converted or neighborhoods with corridor walls. housing conversion. Require- The number of new daily cases is approaching 900 into housing, with some being falling real estate values and Because much office ments concerning fire and mark, as the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) yesterday affordable. But accomplishing rising vacancy rates; and building square footage is far smoke protection, egress paths reported 870 new confirmed cases of coronavirus. This conversion feasibly has chal- buildings far from public from exterior walls, con- of travel, access to natural light is an alarming situation at the time when vaccination cam- lenges in design, technology, transit. Yet often, the version to housing may and ventilation, and occu- paign is making huge progress. So far 889,202 COVID-19 regulations, and costs and existing structural bones, require modifying the basic pancy are written for conven- vaccine doses have been administered since the start of financing. The pandemic has and sometimes the skins and building structure. For tional buildings. Yet building the program. But all these challenges have not dis- revealed that, whether by roofs of such buildings, can example, parts of the roof and conversions are never con- couraged the health authorities in the country as all depart- necessity or choice, some be saved and repurposed for floor plates on upper levels ventional, making variances, ments are continuing persistently to provide personalised people can work productively housing. might be cut open to create special exceptions or even and innovative treatments especially for patients whose and collaboratively without Some buildings could interior, skylit, mini-court- regulatory amendments a health condition requires emergency interventions. being in the same space. This even be adapted to a mixed- yards to bring light into hab- necessity. One of the exemplary roles is accounted for the Heart possibility was predicted use conversion approach, itable and interior rooms. And Every aspect of con- Hospital which is providing personalised and innovative years ago by real estate with one portion of a building unique apartment layouts are version work described above treatments for various types of patients, including patients developer Jay Hellman, who preserved for offices and resi- often needed to effectively entails great expense, to whose health condition requires emergency therapeutic dubbed it “virtual adjacency.” dential units occupying the use available floor space. which must be added the cauterisation to treat cardiac and stroke complications. Internet-based communi- remaining portion. But no Additional structural underlying acquisition cost Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is continuing to provide cation technologies enable an matter which conversion surgery provides vertically and market value of the basic health services treating cardiac and cerebral strokes by individual, sitting at her or his strategy is pursued, signif- aligned floor openings for building structure and land on removing clots through therapeutic cauterization, which personal computer, to interact icant hurdles must be stairways and fire-protected which it sits. So saving money is one of the modern methods and techniques that HMC with other individuals; attend overcome. exits, elevators shafts and is not the predominant justifi- medical teams have been following for many years, as or host meetings involving Design and technical chases accommodating cation for converting office they are the most effective methods, which have proven scores of people; make or hurdles stem from geometric plumbing and HVAC buildings to housing. extremely successful in saving many lives and minimising observe visual presentations; differences between what ductwork. Also, new roofing, Rather, conversion accom- the negative effects and the consequent damages resulting and listen to lectures or par- works architecturally for an windows, exterior cladding plishes worthy social and from these clots as HMC said yesterday in a statement. ticipate in webinars. office building vs. an and insulation are usually environmental goals while The number of daily heart cases treated in the Heart American firms and organiza- apartment building. Office necessary. providing office building Hospital is not affected; whereas more than 1,000 severe tions now realize that many of building floor plates are typi- Fortunately, office-building owners the possibility of and acute heart strokes have been treated, in 2020, their employees need to be in cally large and deep to provide floor-to-floor dimensions typi- staying financially solvent. through therapeutic catheterisation raising the number the office only part of the layout and partitioning flexi- cally exceed apartment Thus, the most daunting of the cases treated since the provisioning of the around week, working at “hot desks” bility, with sizable dimensions building floor-to-floor dimen- office-to-housing conversion the clock therapeutic services, seven years ago, to 6000 used by other employees on between exterior walls and sions. This is aesthetically and hurdle is financing to cover cases with a total success of 95 percent. other days. central circulation cores. By technically beneficial for the array of costs. Private Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the precautionary Reduced demand for contrast, multistory apartment housing conversion. Increased sector equity and debt measures taken, the Heart Hospital did not stop providing leased office space will buildings are proportioned to room heights augment the financing sources exist to treatment services to various patients, said Senior Con- reduce an office building’s enable living/dining rooms sense of space and openness finance market-rate housing sultant Cardiologist at the Heart Hospital Dr. Omar Al market value, which depends and bedrooms to abut window while allowing natural light to units. But subsidy funds for Tamimi, noting that during the COVID-19 pandemic, emer- entirely on leasing revenue. walls. The length of a conven- penetrate farther into the affordable, below-market- gency catheterisation was performed on 60 patients who For office building owners, tional, rectangular apartment apartment. And the extra rate units must come from were found to have COVID-19 and successfully treated. equity investors and lenders, building with units on both dimension enables provision of public sector sources: the As the Health Ministry stressed the pace of the vaccination this is disastrous, prospec- sides of a corridor can be space between the hung federal government, state and program means that there is finally hope of a gradual return tively a path to insolvency whatever the building site apartment ceiling and floor local governments, and non- to normal life in Qatar and people around the world. But and foreclosures. allows, even hundreds of feet. structure above for sprinkler profit housing trusts. This is this will not happen in the next few weeks or months and Especially vulnerable are But the building width is typi- pipes, electrical conduits, light why subsidy financing for without cooperation of everyone in the society in con- aging, deteriorating or func- cally 60 to 65 feet. Kitchens, fixtures and air ducts. converting office buildings to trolling the virus. tionally and technologically bathrooms, closets, utility Zoning regulations and housing will be the greatest obsolete office buildings; rooms and, for two-level units, building-code constraints add challenge by far. White House tries to craft gun executive orders that can’t be undone D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] TREVOR HUNNICUTT Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms were “ghost guns”, pushing the action on firearms made REUTERS and Explosives has said more DOJ to bring more cases using 3D printers as well as EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 than 30% of the illegal against firearms dealers and on imported guns. “We stand The White House is trying to weapons it has confiscated in manufacturers, limiting ready and all options are on MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 craft a series of executive some areas of California are exemptions for private sales the table,” said Amy Hunter, a actions for President Joe ghost guns. from background check rules, spokeswoman for the DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 Biden to sign to try to limit Changing the designation and alerting local law pro-gun National Rifle Asso- gun violence, hoping they of such weapons would likely enforcement when someone ciation, when asked about the LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 cannot be quickly dismantled set off an instant legal chal- fails a federal background possibility of presidential BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 in court, according to aides lenge, as have other attempts check. executive orders. and gun safety groups. to limit gun ownership in Mass shootings last month White House and SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 Among the measures recent years, for instance in Georgia and Colorado have Department of Justice lawyers being considered - and former President Donald put pressure on the White are working to anticipate a ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 strongly encouraged by Trump’s December 2018 ban House to act, as swift legis- raft of legal challenges, aides email: [email protected] activists - is one directing the on “bump stocks.” lation is not likely through and allies said. PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 Department of Justice (DOJ) to Two top White House Congress. Press secretary Jen The gun lobby is “a litigious email: [email protected] reinterpret existing law on aides, Cedric Richmond and Psaki reiterated on Thursday group and will potentially take untraceable “ghost guns.” Susan Rice, held a series of that the administration is action in court - but their track MARKETING: TEL: 4455 7657 So-called “ghost gun” kits meetings early in the Biden looking at executive orders. record with litigation is email: [email protected] are self-assembled from parts administration to begin solic- Police say the deadly remarkably poor,” said Nick purchased online or at gun iting views on gun violence shootings at spas in the Suplina, managing director for ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 857 shows and are increasingly policy from safety activists Atlanta area and a super- law and policy at Everytown FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] associated with crimes. But and community leaders. market in Boulder were for Gun Safety Action Fund Inc, CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 they are not classified as Justice Department officials carried out by suspects using an advocacy group that works email: [email protected] firearms and so can be legally have met with the gun legally-purchased firearms. with the administration. “We’re sold without serial numbers industry. Biden has said the admin- optimistic that we will see SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 or background checks. Among the topics dis- istration is exploring whether action from the White House in FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected] The U.S. Bureau of cussed, according to attendees, he has the authority to take the near future.”

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar The truth is, we're not world champion, but we're not a failure either. There were mistakes /Peninsula_Qatar regarding testing, digital solutions and /ThePeninsulaNewspaper vaccinations. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany +974 6698 6188 SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 OPINION 09 How vaccine nationalism could extend pandemic’s run

Group found that leaving apart from China and Russia, plans to distribute at least 2 lower-income countries which deployed domestically billion doses, two-thirds of without access to vaccines developed vaccines before them to lower-income econ- during the pandemic would they’d undergone full testing. In omies, by the end of 2021. Its cause significant economic While most the months before that Dec. 2 goals have been challenged damage both for those regions move, the U.K., like the US, had by India’s decision in March to and advanced economies. A countries with signed contracts securing doses pare back shipments so that JAMES PATON study by Northeastern Uni- access to vaccines from a variety of vaccine- more supply can be kept for BLOOMBERG versity in Boston concluded makers, increasing the chances domestic use as a new wave that monopolization of vac- have taken a it would have access to the of infections emerges there; cines by wealthy nations -- nationalistic early winners. Health Secretary India’s Serum Institute, the Health experts say While early arrangements to what’s known as “vaccine approach, Russia Matt Hancock has said that the world’s biggest vaccine man- secure supplies of coronavirus nationalism” -- could cause government’s deal with U.K.- ufacturer, is a key Covax sup- the pandemic would vaccines are paying off for the almost twice as many deaths and China are based AstraZeneca Plc gives plier. At the end of March, be controlled fastest likes of Israel, Britain and the as distributing them equally. doling out doses, the country priority access to Covax had shipped about 32 US, much of the world is still One risk in allowing the the vaccine that has formed the million vaccines to 70 partici- if safe and effective waiting for anything beyond a SARS-CoV-2 virus to remain albeit modestly, backbone of the British pants, a figure equal to 6 vaccines were trickle of the lifesaving doses. rampant in some parts of the to other countries, campaign. percent of the roughly 574 Tempers have flared in the world is that it will have more 3. Why has the EU’s million doses given deployed in the most European Union over the scope to develop dangerous using them as a tool rollout lagged behind? worldwide. efficient way possible, bloc’s relatively slow vaccine variants, which will inevitably of diplomacy. China For a number of reasons. 6. Will countries with rollout, though covid inocula- make their way elsewhere For one thing, the EU moved ample supplies share them? with the first doses tions have been much rarer in and may not be neutralized by has sent vaccines to relatively slowly locking Rich countries have been going to groups at most other countries. Public existing vaccines. dozens of countries. down supplies, and it couldn’t more willing to donate money the highest risk — health specialists warn that 2. How are some coun- compete with copious to Covax than to share their uneven access to the vaccines tries first in line? according to Bloomberg’s spending by the US vaccine actual or contracted supplies, such as medical is likely to prolong the Q Israel has vaccinated a Vaccine Tracker. As part of its program. Secondly, regulators but some have pledged to do workers, nursing- pandemic, bringing more greater percentage of its pop- multibillion-dollar Operation in some European countries so. Covax plans to create an suffering and economic pain ulation than any country - 53 Warp Speed program has- have been particularly cau- exchange for that purpose. home staffers and the in a way that exacerbates percent were fully vaccinated tening the development of tious. They have at various Countries including Norway, elderly— everywhere global inequality. by the end of March - through coronavirus vaccines, the US times suspended adminis- the US and the U.K. have 1. What’s at stake? a supply deal struck with used wartime powers to tration of the AstraZeneca promised to contribute, but in the world before Health experts say the Pfizer Inc. Facing reelection, require manufacturers to fill vaccine and put age restric- details have been scarce. Sep- supplies were used pandemic would be con- Prime Minister Benjamin massive US government tions on its use in light of con- arately, the US announced trolled fastest if safe and Netanyahu offered to pay orders first, amounting to a de cerns about a possible con- plans to send neighboring to start vaccinating effective vaccines were roughly $30 per dose for facto ban on vaccine exports. nection to blood clots and an Mexico and Canada about 4 whole populations, as deployed in the most efficient Pfizer’s shot, about 50 percent In exchange, companies have initial lack of data about million doses of the Astra- the most privileged way possible, with the first more than the US gov- received crucial aid procuring efficacy in the elderly. Finally, Zeneca vaccine, which isn’t doses going to groups at the ernment. He also agreed to supplies, including through the EU, unlike the US and authorized for use in the US; countries are doing. highest risk — such as medical share countrywide data on the Defense Production Act, U.K., has exported large quan- the shipments were described workers, nursing-home the vaccine in what amounts which grants the US president tities of coronavirus vaccines. as a loan, to be paid back in staffers and the elderly— eve- to a large-scale effectiveness extraordinary powers over As of late March, companies the future with the same or a rywhere in the world before study. manufacturing in times of had shipped 77 million doses different vaccine. New supplies were used to start Q The US, with 4 percent crisis. out of the bloc, compared Zealand has secured contracts vaccinating whole popula- of the world’s population, had Q The U.K. got a jump on with the 62 million that had for enough vaccines for its tions, as the most privileged injected about a quarter of the other countries in part by being been administered to EU cit- population plus that of six countries are doing. Research world’s coronavirus vaccine the first to authorize a covid izens. EU officials have neighboring Pacific island in December by the Eurasia doses as of the end of March, inoculation for emergency use repeatedly threatened to bar states and has offered them such exports. free doses. 4. Where does this leave 7. What about vaccines other nations? from China and Russia? A handful of countries While most countries with modest populations have with access to vaccines have procured enough doses to taken a nationalistic inoculate significant portions approach, Russia and China of their people. They include are doling out doses, albeit Chile, the United Arab modestly, to other countries, Emirates, Bahrain, the Mal- using them as a tool of dives, the Seychelles and diplomacy. China has sent Monaco. But the majority had vaccines to dozens of coun- vaccinated at most 1 percent tries including Turkey, Indo- or 2 percent by the end of nesia and the UAE; Russia has March, and many had yet to exported its Sputnik V administer a single shot. vaccine to, among other Because many middle and places, Argentina, Mexico and low-income countries have Kenya. According to detailed no ability to sign contracts for trial results published in Feb- coronavirus vaccines on their ruary, Sputnik V proved safe own, they are largely and highly effective. China dependent for supplies on has been less transparent Covax, an initiative backed by with results for the two vac- groups including the World cines it’s exporting, from Health Organization designed Sinovac Biotech Ltd. and to level global access to the state-owned Sinopharm, inoculations. leading to some concerns 5. How does Covax work? about their quality. A 2018 Funded by contributions scandal that uncovered from governments and instances of Chinese vaccine- private organizations, Covax makers cutting corners hurt has secured contracts with the industry’s global A person walks past a Pfizer sign amid the coronavirus disease pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, yesterday. vaccine manufacturers and reputation. World’s biggest wind farm may be answer to S Korea’s net-zero dream

HEESU LEE & WILL MATHIS capita ahead of both Japan South Korea, it’s not just of the North Sea. But that’s community, the Shinan gov- BLOOMBERG and Germany. And two thirds about curbing emissions. starting to change. Last year ernment in 2018 passed rules of that comes from fossil fuels. Apart from a tiny amount of China installed a record- allowing them to acquire a The fishing grounds where Renewable energy accounted gas and coal, all its fossil fuels number of offshore wind tur- 30% stake in local renewable Jung Kuenbae and his for only 6.5% of South Korea’s are imported, costing the bines to become the world energy projects. That will forbears have caught shrimp, generation in 2019, with nation $73 billion a year. leader in total capacity. U.S. provide a windfall for resi- butterfish and croakers for nuclear making up the With its conventional President Joe Biden’s admin- dents of six of the islands in three generations are going to balance. hydropower resources almost istration plans to rapidly scale the archipelago this month be turned into the world’s “South Korea will have to fully utilized and a climate up wind farms off the east when last year’s profits from largest offshore wind farm. source almost all of its elec- and topography ill-suited for coast. two solar plants are He’s okay with that. tricity from renewable energy large solar and onshore wind About 80 miles from the distributed. “I initially opposed the if it’s ever going to reach plants, the country is looking Korean island of Shinan, “Renewable energy will idea when the plan was pro- climate neutrality by 2050,” out to sea to solve the where the fisherman Jung become a stable source of posed because it will destroy said Lee Sanghoon, president problem. It already has the lives, maintenance workers in income for Shinan residents, our livelihood,” said Jung, of the New and Renewable world’s biggest tidal power helmets and orange life who are mostly in their 70s who leads a group of local Energy Center at Korea plant at Sihwa Lake. But the jackets climb a 200 meter-tall and 80s,” said Kim Jung Dae, a fishermen in some 200 ships Energy Agency. It “is a government sees one of its tower at the nation’s biggest 63-year-old farmer who rep- that drop nets in the waters daunting task.” Many coun- best prospects is to harness 12 existing commercial offshore resents a group of local resi- off the southwestern tip of the tries are scaling up wind GW from offshore wind by wind farm, 30 minutes by dents. “I wouldn’t be surprised “South Korea will Korean peninsula. “But I energy. Developers set a 2030, compared with less boat from the port of Buan. if Shinan became the most have to source realized the project is part of record last year as they than 0.2 GW now. The project’s 60 MW capacity well-off island in the country.” the country’s transition to installed 96.3 gigawatts of The open seas have more is less than 1% of the proposed There are other challenges. almost all of its cleaner energy, which is wind turbines globally, consistent wind speeds and new wind farm in Shinan. Wind power in South Korea electricity from something we have to come according to clean energy provide space to install the The complex, in the currently costs about $220 per to terms with, rather than research group Bloomb- biggest, most efficient tur- Southwest Sea, will be megawatt hour, according to renewable energy fighting against it.” The 48.5 ergNEF. That would be bines. Just by using sites in expanded to 2.46 GW after IHS Markit, among the highest if it’s ever going trillion won ($42.8 billion) enough to power about 36 shallow water that are near to 2027, according to Korea Off- in the world. to reach climate wind farm, to be built over the million American households. shore, the world could get shore Wind Power Corp., a “You’d need the wind to next decade off the southwest The International Energy enough electricity to meet all special purpose company blow at 13 meters per second neutrality by 2050,” coast of the country, would Agency estimates that at least global demand. With floating formed by state-run Korea all day every day to run at full said Lee Sanghoon, generate up to 8.2 gigawatts 160 gigawatts of wind has to turbines that go further out to Electric Power Corp. and six capacity of 8.2 gigawatts, of power, one of a catalog of be added per year by 2025 in sea, wind power could satisfy other generators. which is impossible,” said Joo president of the grand projects the gov- order to meet the Paris Agree- more than 10 times the One of the major chal- Han Gyu, a professor at Seoul New and Renewable ernment wants to roll out ment’s goals. world’s total electricity lenges to achieving these National University’s with private sector backing to After retaining power last demand by 2040, an IEA goals is local opposition. A department of nuclear engi- Energy Center at meet its ambition of becoming year on the promise of a analysis showed. BloombergNEF report in Sep- neering. “The economics of Korea Energy Agency. carbon neutral by 2050. “Green New Deal,” President So far countries in tember predicted that South these wind turbines make no It’s a momentous chal- Moon Jae-in’s Democratic northern Europe such as the Korea could fall short of the sense and the increased cost lenge. South Korea’s indus- Party has brought a new U.K., Denmark and Germany government’s target wind will eventually fall upon indi- trial ascent since the 1960s urgency to the transition, with have dominated the offshore power by 4.6 GW, mainly due viduals.” South Korea’s wind has made it one of the world’s a proposal to get more than wind industry, thanks to gen- to “severe opposition” from ambitions also rely on a sus- top 10 energy users, with 20% of its energy from erous government subsidies local residents. tained effort from dozens of electricity consumption per renewables by 2030. For and unusually shallow waters To ease conflict with the private companies. 10 ASIA SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 Myanmar toll mounts amid protests, junta crackdown

AP — YANGON Threats of lethal violence and arrests of protesters have failed to suppress daily Security forces in central Myanmar opened fire on anti- demonstrations across Myanmar demanding coup protesters yesterday, the military step down and reinstate the killing at least two people according to local media. A democratically elected government. human rights group said mounting violence since the wasn’t immediately known. National Union representing the February 1 military takeover has At least seven people were ethnic minority rebel group that killed at least 550 civilians. injured in the shooting, two of has been fighting the gov- Of those, 46 were children, whom sustained severe wounds ernment for decades con- according to Myanmar’s and were taken into custody by demned “non-stop bombings Assistance Association for soldiers, Myanmar Now said, and airstrikes” against villages Political Prisoners. Some 2,751 citing a member of a local and “unarmed civilians” in their people have been detained or rescue team. homeland along the border with sentenced, the group said. Late Friday, armed plain- Thailand. Threats of lethal violence clothes police took five people “The attacks have caused and arrests of protesters have into custody after they spoke the death of many people failed to suppress daily demon- with a CNN reporter in a market including children and students, strations across Myanmar in Yangon, the country’s largest and the destruction of schools, demanding the military step city, local media reported citing residential homes, and villages. down and reinstate the demo- witnesses. The arrests occurred These terrorist acts are clearly Students, teachers and engineers from Dawei Technological University staging a protest against the cratically elected government. in three separate incidents. a flagrant violation of local and military coup, in Dawei, Myanmar, yesterday. The coup reversed years of slow Two women reportedly international laws,” the group progress toward democracy in shouted for help as they were said in a statement. aid groups say they are not safe and said they will defend pro- remained blocked yesterday. the Southeast Asian country. being arrested, Myanmar Now In areas controlled by the and many are hiding in the testers in their territories. Myanmar languished for Government forces fired at reported. One police officer, Karen, more than a dozen jungle and in caves on the After weeks of overnight five decades under strict mil- demonstrators in central who was carrying a gun, asked civilians have been killed and Myanmar side of the border. cutoffs of internet access, Myan- itary rule, which led to interna- Myanmar yesterday, killing at if “anyone dared to help them,” over 20,000 displaced since More than a dozen minority mar’s military on Friday shut all tional isolation and sanctions. least two people, the Myanmar a witness told the news service. March 27, according to the Free groups have sought greater links apart from those using As the generals loosened Now news service reported. “They pointed their pistols Burma Rangers, a relief agency autonomy from the central gov- fiberoptic cable, which was their grip, culminating in Aung One video posted on social at everyone — at passersby and operating in the region. ernment for decades, some- working at drastically reduced San Suu Kyi’s rise to leadership media showed a group of pro- at people in the store,” a witness About 3,000 Karen fled to times through armed struggle. speeds. in 2015 elections, the interna- testers carrying away a young said of two police officers, who Thailand, but many have Several of the major groups — Access to mobile networks tional community responded by man with what appeared to be forcibly took away two other returned under unclear circum- including the Kachin, the Karen and all wireless — the less costly lifting most sanctions and a serious head wound, as women in the market. stances. Thai authorities said and the Rakhine Arakan Army options used by most people in pouring investment into the gunfire sounded. His condition Meanwhile, the Karen they went back voluntarily, but — have denounced the coup the developing country — country.

Australia continues India delays anti-pollution rules for coal power plants again AstraZeneca BLOOMBERG — NEW DELHI 31 notification. successfully pushed for extensions and dilutions rather introduced the pollution guide- Units close to critically-pol- extending the original deadline than with the common public lines in 2015, giving the power vaccine despite India’s environment ministry luted areas have until end-2023 and later made a case to the who is suffering from severe companies two years to meet blood clot case delayed anti-pollution guide- to comply, while those located environment ministry for pollution and health impacts and the targets. The deadline was lines for coal-fired power plants in less polluted smaller towns sparing plants in areas with whose interest the ministry is later extended in a revised REUTERS — MELBOURNE further, extending the can wait on retrofits until the good ambient air quality. duty-bound to protect,” Sunil schedule that stretched until compliance deadline by as long end of 2024. Plants approaching The cost of retrofits has Dahiya, a New Delhi-based 2022, but most plants are Australia will continue its as two years. closure have been exempt from added to concerns of owners of analyst at the Centre for expected to miss that too. inoculation programme with Plants located close to pop- the exercise, according to the coal-fired plants that their elec- Research on Energy and Clean In its latest notification, the AstraZeneca PLC, health offi- ulated cities, including capital notification. tricity prices will become less Air, said in a text message. environment ministry placed a cials said yesterday, after a New Delhi, will now have to meet Most Indian coal-fired gen- competitive against renewable Coal, which helps produce monetary penalty on those who blood clotting case raised the standards by December 2022, erators have resisted installing power, whose prices have been about 65% of India’s electricity, miss the deadlines. Plants will concern about the safety of the a seven-year extension from the the retrofits, citing financial declining. has been linked to the choking pay as much as 0.2 rupees a kil- vaccine. original plan to cap toxic emis- stress and lack of clarity on “It is very unfortunate that air pollution in its cities, as well owatt hour of power they gen- A 44-year-old man was sions, including particulate recovery of their investments. environment ministry sides with as diseases and premature erate, with the amount varying admitted to a Melbourne hos- matter, sulfur dioxide and oxides They have found support from the polluters and law offenders death of thousands of citizens. on with their location and the pital with clotting, days after of nitrogen, according to a March the power ministry, which time and again to give them The environment ministry duration of default. receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, suffering serious thrombosis, a condition that prevents normal blood flow South Korea expects though the circulatory system. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulator and a panel, the Australian China to play role in Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), met late Friday and early yesterday North peacemaking to discuss further advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine. REUTERS/QNA — SEOUL Wang said China and South “We have not been advised Korea had agreed “to promote at this time by ATAGI or the South Korea’s foreign minister the process to politically resolve TGA to pause the rollout of the said yesterday he expects China issues surrounding the Korean AstraZeneca vaccine in Aus- to play a role in peacemaking Peninsula,” Yonhap reported. tralia,” Australia’s deputy chief between South and North On Friday, South Korea, medical officer, Michael Kidd, Korea, inviting China’s pres- Japan and the United States told a televised briefing Sat- ident to visit as the United States have agreed on the need to urday afternoon. and its allies agreed to continue peacefully resolve the North Kidd said, however, that pushing Pyongyang to denu- Korean nuclear issue as they the blood clotting case is clearise. reaffirmed their joint efforts to “likely” related to the vaccine. “South Korea and China quickly resume denucleari- “The risks of serious side share a common goal toward zation talks with Pyongyang, effects remain very low, but complete denuclearisation of South Korea’s national security safety is paramount and that the Korean Peninsula and adviser Suh Hoon said. is why TAGI and the TGA are toward permanent peace- “South Korea, the US and continuing to do due diligence making policies,” Chung Eui- Japan agreed on the urgency of on this case,” Kidd said. yong was quoted as saying by the North Korean nuclear issue On Thursday, Britain iden- South Korean news agency and need for a diplomatic A file photo of flags of South Korea and China flutter next to Tiananmen Gate during the visit of South tified 30 cases of rare blood Yonhap. solution to the issue,” Suh told Korean President Moon Jae-In in Beijing, China. clot events following use of the Chung extended the invi- reporters after a three-way vaccine. tation to President Xi Jinping to meeting with his US and Jap- Friday’s meeting between Washington earlier said the new US policy on North Korea. Several nations, including visit when COVID-19 stabilises. anese counterparts, Jake Sul- the top security advisers of meeting would provide an Chung’s visit comes as Seoul Canada, France, Germany and Chung met yesterday with livan and Shigeru Kitamura, South Korea, Japan and the opportunity to explain the seeks to mend ties with its Spain, limited its use after State Councillor Wang Yi, the according to Yonhap news United States marked the first outcome of its ongoing North biggest trading partner. A 2016 similar reports. Chinese government’s top dip- agency. of its kind since US President Korea policy review to the two row over a US anti-missile Possible complications lomat, in the Chinese city of The three also agreed that Joe Biden took office on January key US allies in Asia, and also system placed in South Korea with the rollout of the Astra- Xiamen, as part of the first visit “efforts to resume North Korea- 20. The face-to-face meeting provide Seoul and Tokyo with hit the country’s tourism, cos- Zeneca vaccine could further of a South Korean foreign min- US negotiations at an early date was held at the US Naval “another opportunity”to metics and entertainment slow the already delayed inoc- ister to China since 2017. must continue,” he added. Academy in Maryland. provide their own input into the industries. ulation drive in Australia. TV commentator apologises for mock Asian accent COVID-19: Papua New Guinea

AP — WELLINGTON Japan international flanker absolutely committed to doing “Sky is committed to being reports 144 new infections Kazuki Himeno who started a better.” culturally respectful and we A New Zealand television rugby match for the Highlanders for Wheeler played Super expect all crew to do the right REUTERS — MELBOURNE do mass testing. commentator who adopted a the first time. Rugby for both the Crusaders thing.” A vaccination drive that mock Asian accent during a Wheeler’s comments and Highlanders and played in Himeno later indicated he Papua New Guinea had 144 began late last month has been post-game interview on Friday included calling Himeno “leally Japan for four years for Suntory had accepted Wheeler’s new cases of the novel corona- hampered by misinformation is likely to keep his job despite impressive,” triggering swift Sungoliath. apology. virus as of Friday, with the shared on social media to the an outpouring of public crit- protests on social media. A Sky Sport statement reit- “It’s OK Joe,” he tweeted. country’s number of known extent that even frontline icism. Wheeler later apologised on erated that Wheeler had apol- “Let’s enjoy and celebrate our infections nearly doubling over health workers are hesitant to Joe Wheeler, a former New Twitter. ogized to Himeno but made no big victory.” the past 10 days. take the shot. Zealand Maori representative “Tonight I stuffed up!” he reference to any employment The Highlanders won Fri- The Pacific island nation Papua New Guinea, which who commentates for the cable said. “I’ve spoken with (Kazuki sanction. day’s match 33-12 after starting has logged 6,619 cases and 60 has a population of roughly 9 network Sky Sport, used the Himeno) and apologised to him “Joe Wheeler has spoken as 7-1 outsiders against the deaths, the National Control million, has been receiving accent after the Super Rugby and the Highlanders and our with Kazuki and apologised to unbeaten Crusaders. Centre for COVID-19 said in a shipments of vaccines from Aotearoa match between the Sky crew. him and to team management,” Friday’s incident comes statement yesterday. Australia and other countries. Highlanders and Crusaders. “I absolutely accept this is the statement said. “He abso- amid a rising tide of anti-Asian Australia has said, however, It should have enough shots in Speaking with Highlanders not the standard expected of the lutely accepts this is not the violence and rhetoric in the that official tallies vastly under- the next three or four months flyhalf Mitchell Hunt, Wheeler sideline team. I’ve got some standard expected of the United States and other western estimates the extent of the crisis for everyone who wants to be referenced the performance of work to do obviously, but I’m broadcast team. nations. as Papua New Guinea does not vaccinated, officials have said. SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 ASIA 11 Philippine official in verbal tussle with China on reef

AP — MANILA The Chinese Embassy saying the reef, which it calls “I am no fool. The weather emotions,” the embassy said. It and accused China of using insisted that the Julian Felipe, lies within an has been good so far, so they added that “China is committed “maritime militia to intimidate, An annoyed Philippine defence internationally recognised off- have no other reason to stay to safeguarding peace and sta- provoke and threaten other chief renewed a demand vessels had the right shore zone, where it has the there. These vessels should be bility in the waters.” nations, which undermines yesterday for dozens of Chinese to take shelter in what exclusive right to exploit fish- on their way out. You should get Whitsun Reef lies in the peace and security in the vessels to leave a Manila- eries, oil, gas and other out of there,” Lorenzana said Spratlys, the most hotly con- region.” Beijing denied the claimed reef in the South China it said was Chinese resources. added. tested region in the South China vessels were part of a maritime Sea, and said he would not be territory. “Nobody China ignored Manila’s The Chinese Embassy Sea. The Philippines regards the militia. fooled by Chinese assertions has the right to make demand for the Chinese vessels responded anew by repeating resource-rich chain of islands, Philippine President that the vessels were taking to leave the area, which it calls that the vessels were taking islets and atolls as part of its Rodrigo Duterte has nurtured shelter from bad weather. wanton remarks on Niu’e Jiao and claims as Chinese cover in what it called Chinese western province of Palawan. friendly ties with Beijing since The Chinese Embassy shot such activities,” it territory. The Chinese Embassy waters. But the offshore region is also taking office in 2016 and has back at what it called a “per- in Manila said the vessels were “It is completely normal for claimed entirely or partly by been criticized for not immedi- plexing statement” by Defense added. taking shelter at the reef from Chinese fishing vessels to fish China, Vietnam, Malaysia, ately demanding Chinese com- Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and rough sea conditions. in the waters and take shelter Taiwan and Brunei. China has pliance with an international insisted that the vessels had the exchange stemmed from the “The Chinese ambassador near the reef during rough sea turned seven disputed reefs into arbitration ruling that invali- right to take shelter in what it sighting early last month by the has a lot of explaining to do,” conditions,” the embassy said. missile-protected island bases dated Beijing’s historic claims said was Chinese territory. Philippine coast guard of more Lorenzana said in a statement “We hope that authorities in recent years, ratcheting up to virtually the entire South “Nobody has the right to make than 200 Chinese vessels, which yesterday, adding that the latest concerned would make con- tensions. China Sea. China has refused to wanton remarks on such activ- Lorenzana called “militias,” at Philippine military surveillance structive efforts and avoid any The United States has recognise the 2016 ruling, which ities,” it said. the Whitsun Reef. The Philip- showed 44 Chinese vessels unprofessional remarks which expressed support for the Phil- it called “a sham,” and con- The unusually hostile public pines filed a diplomatic protest, were still moored at the reef. may further fan irrational ippines, its long-time treaty ally, tinues to defy it. European nations Afghanistan’s Ghani won’t run in snap polls: Adviser helping Taiwan BLOOMBERG — KABUL early polls was in response to a US bid to Taliban and Afghan politicians outside appoint an interim government to replace the government. The agenda will focus with indigenous Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (pictured) his administration. A Taliban spokesman, on an immediate comprehensive cease- will not run in the snap elections he Mohammad Naeem, said they received fire and a joint power-sharing gov- submarine project proposed under a peace plan with Taliban the US peace offer and were still ernment with the Taliban. militants in a bid to end 20 years of war, reviewing it. President Joe Biden told reporters last REUTERS — TAIPEI according to Hamdullah Mohib, his The US is pushing Ghani and the month that it would be “hard” to pull out national security adviser. Taliban to reach a peace deal so it can the troops by the May 1 deadline agreed European countries are “Whenever it’s required — whether withdraw the remaining 2,500 US forces in a February US-Taliban peace deal providing help for Taiwan’s six months or three months,” Ghani will from the war-torn country. though he “can’t picture” troops indigenous submarine project, be ready to hold the elections, Mohib told The UN-led peace conference, remaining in the country by next year. the island’s defence ministry reporters in Kabul. The Taliban had mediated by the US, in Istanbul expected The Taliban called Biden’s comments said, in a rare admission that rejected Ghani’s peace plan, saying it will later this month is deemed to be an “misleading” and vowed to resume the sensitive programme is not further intensify the current crisis. important development with senior rep- attacks on US forces if the country misses getting assistance solely from Ghani’s proposal last month for the resentatives from the government, the withdrawal deadline. the United States. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has worked for years to revamp Taiwan prosecutors seek its submarine force, some of which dates back to World War II. It is no match for arrest in deadly train crash China’s fleet, which includes AP — HUALIEN COUNTY wan’s Foreign Ministry. vessels capable of launching Yu Hsiu-duan, chief prose- nuclear weapons. Prosecutors in Taiwan cutor in eastern Hualien County The US government in yesterday sought an arrest where the train derailed, said 2018 gave the green light for warrant for the owner of an they were seeking an arrest US manufacturers to partic- unmanned truck that rolled warrant for the truck’s owner, ipate in the programme, a onto a train track and caused who was questioned along with move widely seen as helping the country’s worst rail disaster several others. She didn’t offer Taiwan secure major compo- in decades, killing 50 people details citing an ongoing nents, though it is unclear and injuring 178. investigation. which US companies are The train was carrying 494 The Hualien district court involved. people at the start of a long allowed the truck owner to post In a statement late Friday, holiday weekend on Friday bail of US$17,516 but he must Taiwan’s Defence Ministry when it smashed into the con- stay in the county and avoid denied a report in US-based struction truck, the Taiwan contact with any witnesses, Tai- publication The National Railways Administration said. wan’s Central News Agency Interest, which cited Tai- The truck’s emergency brake reported. wanese news reports from was not properly engaged, President Tsai Ing-wen 2019, that North Korea had according to the government’s visited hospitals near the crash discussed helping Taiwan with disaster relief center. instead of the site itself so as not the submarines. The crash occurred just to interfere with rescue work, “In the development of our before the train entered a her spokesperson said. submarines there has never tunnel, and many passengers “This heartbreaking been, there is not now and will were crushed inside the accident caused many injuries never be any contact with Police officers moving passengers’ belongings from the site a day after the deadly train derailment mangled train carriages. With and deaths. I came to Hualien North Korea; assistance is all at a tunnel north of Hualien, in Taiwan, yesterday. much of the train stuck inside today to visit the injured and provided by important coun- the tunnel, some survivors were express my condolences to the “When such a thing Two large construction cranes accident, causing delays of 15 tries in Europe and the US,” it forced to climb out of windows deceased passengers’ families,” happens, I feel very sorry and I could be seen drawn up next to to 20 minutes, he said. said, without giving details. and walk along the train’s roof Tsai said. “We will surely help will take full responsibility,” Lin the train in a remote area on the The National Fire Service European countries are to safety. them in the aftermath.” said after touring the site. island’s east coast. said the dead included the generally wary of allowing Authorities initially reported Tsai told reporters Friday Workers removed the two The operation should be train’s young, newly married arms sales to Taiwan due to 51 deaths but revised the count that she asked the Transpor- rearmost cars from the tracks done within a week, said Weng driver and the assistant driver. fear of angering China, though down by one yesterday. Among tation Safety Committee to yesterday morning. However, Hui-ping, head of the railway The government’s disaster in 2018 Taiwan said it was those killed was a US citizen. conduct a strict investigation. a third could not be moved administration’s news group. response center said it was the talking to a company based in Another US citizen who was on Transportation Minister Lin before the tracks are repaired During the repairs, all east coast worst rail disaster since a train British territory of Gibraltar the train was reported missing, Chia-lung said repairs will be while the other five cars were trains will run on a track par- caught fire in 1948 in suburban about the new submarine according to a statement by Tai- accelerated. still wedged into the tunnel. allel to the one damaged in the Taipei, killing 64 people. fleet’s design. Duterte extends virus curbs in Manila, nearby provinces Malaysia is independent REUTERS — MANILA The Philippines, which has and dining in restaurants, will we will monitor on a daily in foreign policy: Minister the second-highest coronavirus remain for at least another basis,” Roque said. Philippines President Rodrigo (COVID-19) cases and deaths in week, Duterte’s spokesman, The active cases in the REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR Hishammuddin, saying he Duterte has extended a strict Southeast Asia, reported 12,576 Harry Roque, said in a televised country have hit a record appeared to be appeasing the lockdown in the capital region new infections yesterday, announcement. 165,715 and 96 percent of Malaysia’s foreign minister global superpower, while and adjacent provinces by at putting further strain on the The measures had been set which were mild, health min- stressed yesterday that his opposition leader Anwar least one week to try to contain healthcare system. to end on April 4. istry data showed. country remained independent Ibrahim demanded the min- a renewed surge in coronavirus Restrictions, which include “This will go with intensified But intensive care capacity in foreign policy after some ister retract his comment and infections, his spokesman said a ban on non-essential prevention, detection, isolation, in the capital region’s hospitals social media users and oppo- issue an apology to the country. yesterday. movement, mass gatherings tracing and rehabilitation that have reached a critical level, sition politicians lambasted him “This is not the language with 80 percent of beds utilised for referring to his Chinese and style that should be used and many hospitals being counterpart as his “elder in the world of diplomacy and forced to turn away patients. brother”. international relations because The congested capital Hishammuddin Hussein, on it seems to put Malaysia’s status region, an urban sprawl of 16 his first visit to China as foreign as a foreign puppet,” Anwar cities home to at least 13 million minister, had expressed hope said yesterday. “As a country people, accounts for two-fifths that he and Chinese State that is neutral and not in favour of the country’s 784,043 con- Councillor Wang Yi would of any great power in the world, firmed cases and a third of the pursue closer ties between the his statement is clearly a form total 13,423 deaths. nations, including post- of insult to our own country.” A University of the Philip- COVID-19 cooperation and Following the criticism, His- pines research team yesterday fighting the pandemic. hammuddin said on Twitter that called for a speedy construction However he provoked con- he had said “elder brother” to of isolation facilities to prevent troversy back home when he show respect to Wang Yi, and the infections spreading through told his counterpart in a joint words did not refer to Malaysia’s households. press briefing on Thursday: “You relationship with China. Extended coronavirus curbs will always be my elder brother.” He said he had been will continue to hurt the Phil- China is Malaysia’s largest “respecting that Wang Yi is ippines’ economy, which posted trade partner, but relations older, and a more senior a record 9.5 percent slump last between the two countries foreign minister; hence ‘elder year. have been tested in recent brother’ to me personally”. The Philippines has so far years by Beijing’s increasingly “Being respectful does not inoculated nearly 739,000 assertive foreign policy in the signify weakness,” he added. people. This is just 1 percent of region, particularly its maritime “Rest assured that Malaysia its target of vaccinating 70 claims in the South China Sea, remains independent, prin- million of its 108 million pop- some of which conflict with cipled and pragmatic in terms ulation to achieve herd Malaysia’s own claims. of our foreign policy — founded A senior citizen poses for a photo after receiving her first dose of AstraZeneca coronavirus disease immunity and safely reopen the Some Malaysians took to on the values of peace, (COVID-19) vaccine, at a covered court in Manila, recently. economy. social media to chide humanity, justice, and equality.” 12 EUROPE SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021

UK says 5 million get 2nd shot Authors of Britain racism report as virus daily deaths fall to 10

REUTERS & BLOOMBERG infections in Britain have been hit back at ‘misrepresentation’ — LONDON steadily falling. Strict lockdown measures AP — LONDON Commission on Race lawmakers unions and anti- “We have never said that Britain reported 10 deaths from in England began to be eased and Ethnic Disparities racism activists were skeptical racism does not exist in society new novel coronavirus on March 29 and Prime Min- The commission behind a of the findings in the 258-page or in institutions,” it said. “We say (COVID-19) within 28 days of ister Boris Johnson is expected report that concluded that said in a statement report, with some claiming the the contrary: racism is real and a positive test yesterday, the to update the country with Britain doesn’t have a systemic that, “we have never commission ignored barriers to we must do more to tackle it.” lowest daily figure since early further details about lifting problem with racism has equality, while others said it Like other countries, Britain September, as its vaccine restrictions tomorrow, defended itself against critics, said that racism does downplayed the ongoing legacy has faced an uncomfortable rollout reached another mile- including whether outdoor some of whom have argued that not exist in society or of Britain’s colonial past as well reckoning with race since the stone. hospitality can reopen on April it downplayed the country’s in institutions. We say as its role in slavery. death of George Floyd, a Black Official data also showed 12 as planned. historic role in slavery. David Olusoga, professor of American, by a white police 31,301,267 people had received Also yesterday, the UK’s In a response late Friday, the contrary: racism public history at Manchester officer in May 2020, which their first shot of a COVID-19 Medicines and Healthcare the Commission on Race and is real and we must University and one of Britain’s sparked anti-racism protests vaccine, with five million now Products Regulatory Agency Ethnic Disparities said disa- leading academics on slavery, around the world. having had both doses in what said yesterday that of 30 cases greement with the government- do more to tackle it.” became the latest to join in the Large crowds at Black Lives is the fastest rollout in Europe. of clotting and low blood backed review had “tipped into criticism. Matter protests across the UK “Our spectacular vacci- platelets identified in people in misrepresentation” and it took made up of 11 members from a “Determined to privilege last summer called on the gov- nation programme has now the UK who had received the particular umbrage at accusa- broad cross section of ethnic comforting national myths over ernment and institutions to face delivered over five million shot through March 24, seven tions that it put a positive spin backgrounds, concluded that hard historical truths, they (the up to the legacy of the British second doses, giving those most had died. More than 18 million on slavery. while “outright racism” exists panel) give the impression of Empire and the country’s vulnerable to COVID — doses have been administered “This misrepresentation in Britain, the country is not being people who would prefer extensive profits from the slave including half of all those aged in the country and the regulator risks undermining the purpose “institutionally racist” or this history to be brushed back trade. over 80 — the best possible insists the shot is safe. of the report — understanding “rigged” against minorities. under the carpet,” he wrote in The toppling of a statue of protection,” health minister “The benefits of COVID-19 and addressing the causes of Citing strides to close gaps a piece for The Guardian news- 17th-century slave trader Matt Hancock said in a Vaccine AstraZeneca in pre- inequality in the UK — and any between ethnic groups in edu- paper published yesterday. Edward Colston in the city of statement. venting COVID-19 infection of the positive work that results cational and economic In their statement published Bristol in June prompted a Britain remains on track to and its complications continue from it,” the commission said achievement, the report, which before Olusoga’s article, the pointed debate about how to hit the government’s target of to outweigh any risks and the in a statement. was published Wednesday, said commission said the idea it deal with Britain’s past. Many offering a vaccine shot to all public should continue to get The Conservative gov- race was becoming “less would downplay the atrocities felt such statues extol racism over-50s by mid-April and all their vaccine when invited to ernment launched the commis- important” as a factor in cre- of slavery “is as absurd as it is and are an affront to Black adults by the end of July, the do so,” June Raine, the MHRA sion’s inquiry into racial dispar- ating disparities that also are offensive to every one of us” Britons. Others, including the government said chief executive, said yesterday ities in the wake of last year’s fueled by class and family and described the personal prime minister, argued that The latest data also showed in an e-mailed statement. Black Lives Matter movement. backgrounds. attacks on its members as “irre- removing them was erasing a there were 3,423 new cases, a The latest revelation will The panel of experts, which was Many academics, sponsible and dangerous.” piece of history. slight rise from 3,402 reported likely add to the growing the day before, though unlike concern over the AstraZeneca countries such as France and vaccine, which is the backbone Spain arrests 100 Germany which are battling a of the UK’s successful inocu- gang members for third wave of the coronavirus, lation campaign drug smuggling President: Germany faces REUTERS — MADRID ‘crisis of trust’ in pandemic Spanish police said yesterday they had arrested 100 AP — FRANKFURT Steinmeier said the country members of a gang which had swung from self-satis- ferried hashish and marijuana Germany’s president said the faction over lower infection from Morocco to Spain in high country is enduring a “crisis of numbers in the early stage of powered speed boats. trust” and urged people to “pull the pandemic to excessive pes- The gang filled their boats together” as they weather a simism today. with the drugs and headed second Easter amid pandemic He urged Germans to “pull across the Mediterranean and restrictions and dissatisfaction together” and put aside “con- up the River Guadalquivir near over the government’s stant indignation over others Seville in southern Spain. response. or over people in high places.” During a series of raids, In the text of an address, He said that vaccine deliveries police seized more than five Frank-Walter Steinmeier con- would increase sharply in the tonnes of hashish and 230kg ceded that “there were mis- coming weeks, Europe was of marijuana, said the Civil takes” regarding testing, digital building up its production Guard in a statement. solutions and vaccinations. capacities, and general practi- Other gang members hid “Trust — in a democracy it tioners would join the vacci- the drugs in trucks carrying rests on a very fragile under- nation effort in addition to large fruit which took the illicit mer- standing between citizens and vaccine centers. chandise from southern Spain the state: ‘You, state, do your “The truth is, we’re not towards France to supply part, I, citizen, do mine,’” he world champion, but we’re not dealers across Europe, the said. “I know that you, the cit- a failure either,” he said. police said. izens, are doing your part in Germany has lagged behind Officers also seized a sim- this historic crisis. You have the US and the UK in the speed ulated rifle, a taser gun and World Autism Day done much and you have gone of its vaccination effort amid five vehicles including two without much.” slower procurement of vac- French President Emmanuel Macron greets a child on the playground as he visits the Autism spectrum trucks. The 100 suspects who “Your expectation for those cines and complaints about disorders (ASD) Unit at Alpes-Isere Hospital in Saint-Egreve, France on World Autism Awareness were arrested will face court in government is, ‘Get it excessive bureaucracy and at a date to be arranged. Day, April 2, 2021. together.’” paperwork. Groups warn Venetian lagoon still at risk after cruise decree AP — ROME Culture Minister Dario Venice in recent years, either as a temporary solution. The the No Big Ships coalition. out-of-scale for Venice, cause Franceschini said the decree an Italian or foreigner, has been new route envisaged would “But the interim ‘temporary’ pollution, threaten the lagoon’s Activists opposed to cruise ships addresses longstanding Unesco upset seeing these ships — hun- take ships past the tail of the plan to bring large cruise ships to ecosystem and are a danger. To in Venice are seeking a meeting concerns and establishes that dreds of metres long and high Lido and then hug the Italian Marghera will not protect the back up their claims, they cite with the Italian government to cargo and cruise ships bigger as a condo — pass by such mainland via the Oil Canal, lagoon,” she said in an e-mail. the 2019 crash of a cruise ship argue that its latest proposal to than 40,000 tons must dock fragile places as the Giudecca away from Venice’s historic “This new route will still damage on Venice’s main Giudecca re-route big ships away from outside the lagoon. Canal or in front of St. Mark’s center but still into the lagoon its fragile ecosystem, with inev- Canal that injured five people. St. Mark’s Square doesn’t While it’s not articulated in Square,” Franceschini said. and up to Marghera. itable negative knock-on effects.” The No Big Ships Committee address pressing environmental the decree, the temporary plan He called the decree a “very “It’s certainly a relief to hear The issue has simmered in said it was seeking a meeting concerns about the fragile would have big ships use the important” way to come up with the Italian government finally Venice for years. The fragile with the government to argue Venetian lagoon. Marghera Port on the Italian a definitive new solution. state its intention to keep large Italian canal city depends that the Oil Canal route to Mar- The Italian Cabinet passed mainland until a definitive But the No Big Ships Com- ships out of the lagoon as well tourism, even though the coro- ghera “is not workable.” a decree this week calling for a solution is found and imple- mittee, a coalition of activists, as block them from coming navirus pandemic has dealt a “Any temporary solution public tender of ideas to create mented — a potentially years- said the Marghera Port is still close to Venice,” said Jane da blow to that industry in the last has to be rejected because the a new docking port “outside the long process. part of the Venetian lagoon and Mosto of the We Are Here year. But opponents of cruise risk is too high that it becomes protected waters of the lagoon.” “Whoever has been to therefore must be rejected even Venice group, which is part of ship tourism say the ships are definitive,” the group tweeted. Thousands join rallies across Britain over police legislation

AP — LONDON government do not care!” Sentencing and Courts Bill, passed by Prime Minister Boris which is currently going Hundreds of people marched Johnson’s office at 10 Downing through parliament. Under the yesterday through central Street. terms of the bill, which covers London and other cities across London’s Metropolitan England and Wales, police will England and Wales to protest Police said the majority of be able to ban or shut down the British government’s plan people “have tried to adhere to protests. to hand the police new powers social distancing” but that a A recent protest against the to tackle demonstrations. ”small minority” had blocked new legislation in Bristol, Protesters walked past the road at Parliament Square. southwest England, descended Buckingham Palace towards “Officers are on scene into widespread violence that Parliament Square, just outside engaging and encouraging them saw police officers injured, a the Houses of Parliament. A ring to move so we can reopen the police station damaged and of officers positioned them- roads,” it said. police vehicles torched. selves around the statue of The protests were taking Separately, 27 police officers wartime prime minister place over the long Easter were injured during riots in Winston Churchill in Parliament holiday weekend, including in Northern Ireland on Friday Square. The statue had been the Welsh capital of Cardiff and evening and eight people were defaced during anti-racism pro- in the northern England cities arrested. The reasons behind Demonstrators holding a placard during a protest in London, yesterday. tests last year. of Liverpool, Manchester and the unrest were unclear. Protesters, including many Newcastle. The Police Service of mainly young people, throwing were injured in Londonderry weekend. Northern Ireland’s who carried anti-sexism The demonstrators were Northern Ireland said 15 officers stones, fireworks, flares, after young adults threw stones. first minister, Arlene Foster, placards and chanted “Women upset at the Conservative gov- were injured in Belfast after manhole covers and petrol Political leaders called for urged young people “not to get scared everywhere, police and ernment’s Police, Crime, being targeted by a crowd of bombs. It said 12 more police calm over the long Easter drawn into disorder.” SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 EUROPE 13 Rutte’s prospects of forming new Dutch govt wane as partner quits REUTERS — AMSTERDAM formation talks following last motion of disapproval on Friday said on Twitter. “The best sce- The VVD might opt to put month’s election. and made it clear it would be Rutte, 54, had narrowly nario might be for Rutte to not forward a candidate other than Dutch Prime Minister Mark But ChristenUnie leader very hard for Rutte to return to survived a no-confidence be involved in the formation of Rutte to lead a new adminis- Rutte’s prospects of forming a Gert Jan Segers, in an interview the negotiating table. vote on Friday after a new government, but stay on tration, although if there is no new government waned with newspaper Nederlands Rutte, who has been in as caretaker Prime Minister resolution new elections may yesterday as a coalition partner Dagblad, said: “We don’t want office since 2010 and is often parliament passed a until there is a new be called. seen as vital for securing a to return to ‘business as usual’. an influential figure in the motion disapproving of administration.” Over a decade in power, parliamentary majority ruled We cannot be part of a fourth European Union, was the his behaviour during Rutte, who has been care- Rutte skilfully navigated out joining a new adminis- Rutte government”. decisive winner in the national government formation taker prime minister since the through a range of political tration led by him. ChristenUnie has been one elections two weeks ago. talks following last elections, said on Friday he had minefields, finding the middle This threw already stalled of four parties in the gov- But he only narrowly sur- not given up hope of forming a ground in a fractured par- talks about forming a new gov- ernment led by Rutte’s conserv- vived the no-confidence vote, month’s election. new government, as he liament. His handling of the ernment further into disarray, ative VVD party since 2017. which accused him of having expected formation talks to coronavirus pandemic was setting them back by weeks if Parliament will next week not spoken the truth about sug- resume in the coming weeks. widely seen as the main reason not months and making it vir- appoint an independent official gestions he made over the pos- viable option for Rutte to form Rutte’s office did not imme- for his election victory last tually impossible to predict the tasked with mapping out ways sible future of a critical law- his fourth consecutive gov- diately respond to a request for month. outcome. to get the government for- maker from another party. ernment, until Segers’ move on comment on Saturday morning. An opinion poll published Rutte, 54, had narrowly sur- mation process moving again. All the parties outside his Saturday blocked that path. It is unclear how a gov- after the no-confidence vote vived a no-confidence vote on But the two parties seen as coalition voted to have him “Without support of the ernment without Rutte would debate showed his support Friday after parliament passed indispensable for the VVD, the removed immediately. ChristenUnie a fourth Rutte look, as given the election result among the general public had a motion disapproving of his Christian Democrats and pro- That seemed to have left the Cabinet seems unthinkable”, his VVD party will be needed declined to 25%, from 54% a behaviour during government European Union D66, filed the current coalition as the only political scientist Tom Louwerse for any stable majority. week earlier. Ukraine approves Chinese vaccine Russia backs extending space as virus cases hit new record cooperation deal REUTERS — KIEV vaccine from Sinovac Biotech,” the health ministry said in a statement yesterday. with US to 2030 Ukraine has approved China’s Sinovac “The vaccines of the Chinese company vaccine to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Sinovac Biotech can be trusted,” it said. REUTERS — MOSCOW the health ministry said yesterday, after the Ukraine is tightening lockdown restric- country recorded a record rise in new tions in the worst-hit areas as coronavirus The Russian government COVID-19 cases for the second day in a row. cases have soared after a winter lull. approved extending an Ukraine received its first batch of The capital Kiev will impose a strict agreement on cooperation in 215,000 Sinovac doses in March to boost lockdown from April 5, restricting public space with the United States its vaccination programme, which has transport and closing all schools and kin- until December 2030, news lagged behind many other European coun- dergartens. The city has already banned agencies cited the cabinet’s tries and it has so far relied on a single batch public events, and has closed cafes and res- press service as saying of AstraZeneca vaccines from India. taurants in an attempt to halt the new wave. yesterday. But authorities delayed using the Ukraine recorded a record increase of Moscow’s ties with Wash- Chinese vaccine, saying its local supplier 20,341 new infections over the preceding ington are at a post-Cold War Ambulances with COVID-19 patients wait in the queue at a hospital for people had not provided the necessary paperwork 24 hours, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov low, with US President Joe infected with coronavirus disease in Kiev, Ukraine, on March 30, 2021. and that the vaccine needed additional lab- said on Saturday. Biden saying he believes his oratory checks. Writing on his social media page, Russian counterpart Vladimir “As part of the vaccinations against Stepanov said 5,186 people were hospi- had died, bringing the total death toll 34,075 in the country of 41 million Putin is a killer who deserves COVID-19, Ukraine will use the CoronaVac talised in the same period, and 396 people since the start of the pandemic to people. to be hit with sanctions for meddling in US politics, charges the Kremlin denies. “The agreement...on coop- Dutch temporarily halt AstraZeneca shots for under-60s eration in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful AP — THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS occurred between seven and 10 days countries, for it is cheaper and easier to purposes will be in place until after the vaccinations and all the people use than rival vaccines from Pfizer and December 31, 2030,” the The Dutch government said on Friday it affected were women aged between 25 Moderna. It comes two weeks after the cabinet said in a statement was temporarily halting AstraZeneca and 65 years. EU drug regulator said the vaccine does carried by agencies. coronavirus vaccinations for people The organisation said in the period not increase the overall incidence of The US Commerce under 60 following reports of very small when the five cases were reported, some blood clots following a similar scare. Department last month said it number of people suffering unusual 400,000 people were vaccinated in the The European Medicines Agency said was tightening sanctions on blood clots after receiving the shot. Netherlands with the AstraZeneca shot. at the time that the benefits of vacci- some exports to Russia, but The Dutch decision comes three days Health Minister Hugo de Jonge says nation outweigh the risks, but it could was partially excluding certain after authorities in Germany also stopped the temporary halt is a precautionary not rule out a link between the shot and items such as those related to using the AstraZeneca’s vaccine in the measure. some unusual kinds of clots, and recom- aviation and space. under-60s, citing fresh concerns over “I think it is very important that the mended adding a warning about pos- unusual blood clots reported in a tiny Dutch reports are also properly investi- sible rare side effects. number of those who received the shots. gated,” De Jonge said. “We must err on Most European Union countries, Russia reports Earlier on Friday, a Dutch organi- the side of caution.” The news is another including Germany, resumed using the A medical worker prepares a dose of sation that monitors vaccine side effects setback for the AstraZeneca vaccine, AstraZeneca vaccine on March 19. De Oxford/AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine at 9,021 new said it had received five reports of blood which is critical to Europe’s immuni- Jonge said the Dutch pause comes ahead clots with low blood plate counts fol- a vaccination centre in Antwerp, Belgium, sation campaign and a linchpin in the of an update next week from the EU med- on March 18, 2021. COVID-19 cases, lowing vaccinations. All the cases global strategy to get shots to poorer icines agency on the AstraZeneca vaccine. 384 deaths Belarus KGB adds Navalny risks death in prison hunger strike, ally says REUTERS — MOSCOW opposition’s Russia reported 9,021 new BLOOMBERG doesn’t stop his hunger strike, He was imprisoned for from Tuesday if authorities COVID-19 cases yesterday, Tsikhanouskaya very soon this risks very serious breaching parole while recov- ignore his demands. including 2,011 in Moscow, Russian opposition leader consequences for Alexey, ering in Germany from a near- “It’s obvious to us doctors pushing the total infection tally to terrorist list Alexey Navalny risks dying in including a coma and death,” fatal nerve-agent poisoning in that his back problems are a in the country to 4,572,077 BLOOMBERG prison as he continues a hunger said Sergei Rybakov, deputy Siberia last year that he and consequence of his poisoning since the pandemic began a strike to press authorities into head of the Alliance of Doctors, Western governments have with a nerve agent,” said Anas- year ago. Belarus has added former allowing him proper medical a medical trade union sup- blamed on the Kremlin. tasia Vasilyeva, the head of the The government corona- presidential candidate care, an ally said. ported by Navalny, in a video Russian authorities deny Alliance of Doctors. Navalny virus task force said that 384 Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Navalny, 44, began refusing posted on YouTube. involvement. spent several weeks in a coma people had died from corona- now living in exile in Lithuania, food on Wednesday to demand “They’re practically killing Navalny accuses prison offi- after the August chemical virus in the last 24 hours, and other political activists to treatment for acute pain in his him in full sight of the world.” cials of refusing him access to attack. taking Russia’s death toll to a list of people it links to back that’s spreading to his legs, The decision to declare the a specialist and medicines to Russia has rejected Western 100,017. terrorism, as the US seeks to and an end to prison guards hunger strike marks an esca- treat his deteriorating con- calls to free Navalny and Russia’s Rosstat statistics pressure President Alexander waking him each hour. lation in Navalny’s confron- dition. The prison service brushed aside criticism of his service, which is keeping a Lukashenko to hold talks with He had already lost eight tation with President Vladimir denied he’s being woken eight treatment inside prison. separate tally, has reported a the opposition. kilogrammes (18 pounds) in the Putin. times a night, and said he’s A pro-Kremlin media outlet, much higher toll. Pavel Latushka, a former three weeks before beginning Putin’s most outspoken getting the necessary medical Life, published video footage on It said on Friday it had diplomat and minister of the hunger strike, taking his critic has been held at the IK-2 assistance. Friday of Navalny walking recorded over 225,000 culture now living in Poland, weight to 85 kilogrammes, his prison about 100 kilometres (60 The doctors allied to inside his prison barracks, deaths related to COVID-19 and popular blogger Anton supporters say. miles) from Moscow since Navalny say they’ll mount a accusing him of faking his since the start of the pan- Motolko were also put on the “We understand that if he March 11. protest outside the prison camp illness. demic in April. list kept by Belarus’s State Security Committee, still offi- cially abbreviated as the KGB. Motolko runs one of the Ukraine says will hold joint biggest telegram channels in the former Soviet republic military drills with Nato with more than 138,000 sub- scribers. Several police officers REUTERS — KIEV Ukrainian troops have who joined the opposition battled Russian-backed sepa- were also added to the list. Ukraine’s armed forces ratist forces in the eastern Lukashenko, in power yesterday said joint military Donbass region in a conflict since 1994, faced down drills with Nato troops would Kyiv estimates has killed unprecedented mass unrest begin in a few months’ time, a 14,000 people since 2014. last year after his disputed re- step that could stoke tensions The drills will involve more election in August, which was with Moscow which has than 1,000 military personnel condemned as fraudulent by expressed its opposition to such from at least 5 Nato member the opposition and the West. a move. states and will be held in a few The US, European Union and Nato voiced concern on months, the Ukrainian armed UK imposed sanctions over the Thursday over what it said was forces said in a statement on Belarus authorities’ violent a big Russian military build-up Facebook yesterday. response, while Russia shored near eastern Ukraine after “In particular, defensive up Lukashenko, pledging loans Russia warned that a serious actions will be worked out, fol- of $1.5bn and agreeing on oil escalation in the conflict in lowed by an offensive in order and gas supplies through 2021. Ukraine’s Donbass region could to restore the state border and Tsikhanouskaya is seeking “destroy” Ukraine. territorial integrity of a state negotiations with either The Kremlin on Friday said that has been subjected to Lukashenko or people in his that any deployment of Nato aggression by one of the hostile circle. She is backed by the US troops to Ukraine would lead neighbouring countries,” the which may impose sanctions Russia flea market to further tensions near Rus- statement said. against nine major petro- sia’s borders and force Moscow It did not specify exactly Customers walk along merchants’ rows at a local flea market in Omsk, Russia yesterday. chemical companies in Belarus to take extra measures to when the drills would take unless. ensure its own security. place. 14 AMERICAS SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 Vaccine passport efforts draw opposition from GOP

AP — HARRISBURG The argument over access.” Republican legislators in Vaccine passports being whether passports are other states have also been developed to verify COVID-19 a sensible response drafting proposals to ban or immunization status and allow limit them. A bill introduced in inoculated people to more to the pandemic the Arkansas Legislature on freely travel, shop and dine or governmental Wednesday would prevent gov- have become the latest flash overreach echoes the ernment officials from point in America’s perpetual requiring vaccine passports for political wars, with Republicans bitter disputes over any reason, and would ban portraying them as a heavy- the past year about their use as a condition of handed intrusion into personal “entry, travel, education, freedom and private health masks, shutdown employment or services.” choices. orders and even the The sponsor, Republican They currently exist in only state Sen. Trent Garner, called one state — a limited gov- vaccines themselves. vaccine passports “just another ernment partnership in New example of the Biden adminis- York with a private company tration using COVID-19 to put —but that hasn’t stopped GOP drawing up legislation that regulations or restrictions on lawmakers in a handful of would prohibit vaccine pass- everyday Americans.” Lula receives second dose of vaccine states from rushing out legis- ports, also known as health cer- President Joe Biden’s lative proposals to ban their tificates or travel passes, from administration has largely Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reacts after receiving the second dose of Sinovac’s use. being used to bar people from taken a hands-off approach on coronavirus disease vaccine in Sao Bernardo do Campo near Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. The argument over whether routine activities. vaccine passports. passports are a sensible “We have constitutional At a news conference this response to the pandemic or rights and health privacy laws week, Andy Slavitt, acting governmental overreach for a reason,” said Pennsyl- administrator of the Centers for Smugglers sentenced for journey echoes the bitter disputes over vania House Majority Leader Medicare and Medicaid the past year about masks, Kerry Benninghoff, a Repub- Services, said he considered shutdown orders and even the lican. “They should not cease them a project for the private that left three sisters dead vaccines themselves. to exist in a time of crisis. These sector, not the government. Vaccine passports are typ- passports may start with He said the government is AP — SAN DIEGO border, when a snowstorm struck. Santos Arce, 29, dead. Juana ically an app with a code that COVID-19, but where will they considering federal guidelines The woman, from Oaxaca, died Santos Arce, 35, died later. verifies whether someone has end?” to steer the process surrounding Two smugglers were sentenced from hypothermia. “It is tragic that someone been vaccinated or recently Benninghoff said this week vaccine passports. Among its to federal prison on Friday for The women, who came from wants to come here to work and tested negative for COVID-19. his concern was “using tax- concerns: Not everyone who leading three sisters from poor rural areas and were dies, but it is more tragic that They are in use in Israel and payer money to generate a would need a passport has a Mexico into California, where seeking better lives, lacked there are people who benefit under development in parts of system that will now be, pos- smartphone; passports should they froze to death in a proper clothing or supplies for a from this, who treat them like Europe, seen as a way to safely sibly, in the hands of mega-tech be free and in multiple lan- mountain snowstorm. journey of several days through cargo,” US District Judge Cathy help rebuild the pandemic- organizations who’ve already guages; and private health Cecilio Rios-Quiñones, 38, rain and snow, authorities said. Ann Bencivengo said at the devastated travel industry. had problems with getting information must be and his brother, 23-year-old Defense attorneys argued sentencing. They are intended to allow hacked and security issues.” protected. Ricardo Rios-Quiñones, that the brothers were only paid Cecilio Rios-Quiñones is businesses to more safely open A Democratic colleague, “There will be organizations received 5 1/2 years each in US to be guides and hadn’t regretful and “will forever live up as the vaccine drive gains Rep. Chris Rabb of Philadelphia, that want to use these. There District Court in San Diego. expected such severe weather. with the guilt of having been part momentum, and they mirror sees value in vaccine passports will be organizations that don’t They pleaded guilty last They huddled with the women, of a criminal act that killed three measures already in place for if they are implemented want to use these,” said Dr. year to conspiracy and other trying to keep them warm, and women,” his attorney, Michelle schools and overseas travel that carefully. Brian Anderson of Mitre, which charges. one finally hiked down the Betancourt, wrote in a sentencing require proof of immunization “There’s a role for using operates federally funded Prosecutors said the men, mountain to find a spot for cell- memo, according to the San against various diseases. technology and other means to research centers and is part of who are from Chihuahua, led the phone reception to call 911, Diego Union-Tribune. But lawmakers around the confirm people’s statuses,” a coalition working to develop women across the border on Feb- attorneys said. “I am a man of faith and I country are already taking a Rabb said. “But we do have standards for vaccine certifica- ruary 10, 2020, and were in a A US Border Patrol search am very remorseful for what I stand against the idea. GOP concerns around privacy, sur- tions to make their use easier rugged area near Mount Laguna, and rescue unit found Margarita did,” Ricardo Rios-Quiñones senators in Pennsylvania are veillance and inequitable across vendors. about a dozen miles north of the Santos Arce, 32; and Paula wrote in a letter to the judge.

Nicaragua turns back 1,166 Some dying of COVID-19 while awaiting vaccine AP — WASHINGTON any point, she said. population leery of vaccines, it’s COVID-19 and die before they people in the US have received migrants from “But me and my sister were impossible to say exactly how could get shots. at least one dose of vaccine, only After months of hoping to upset that it came too late,” many of the dead would have Henry Royce Crawford, 65, 53 million are fully vaccinated, Costa Rica receive a COVID-19 immuni- Brown said. “It seemed like the even wanted an immunization. had an appointment for a vaccine or roughly 16 percent of the zation and then weeks of final insult.” But Brown said her mother when he fell ill, his widow said. nation’s population, according AP — MANAGUA fighting the illness after one More than 247,000 people wanted one — desperately. Their children, Roycie Crawford, to the Centers for Disease never came, Air Force veteran have died of COVID-19 in the US Other families have similar, 33, and Natalia Crawford, 38, also Control and Prevention. The Nicaraguan army said that Diane Drewes was down to her since vaccines first became wrenching stories of loved ones wanted the shot but had yet to With doses now more widely since the start of the year it has last few breaths at a hospice available mid-December. Offi- being infected after months of find one when they got sick and available, shots are proceeding detained and expelled 1,166 center in Ohio when the phone cials had warned that dispensing staying safe and then dying died, Crawford said. at a quickened pace. More than migrants from various coun- rang. It was a health care enough vaccines to reach herd before they could get a dose. The days since their deaths a dozen states have opened tries who had apparently worker, calling to schedule her immunity would take months. Charlotte Crawford, who in late February and early March vaccine eligibility to all adults entered the country from first appointment for a corona- And with the initial vaccine has spent 40 years working in seem like a jumble to Crawford; amid an increase in virus cases. Costa Rica at clandestine virus shot. supply extremely limited and the the microbiology laboratory at she is still trying to sort out what Only the Johnson & Johnson crossing points. Drewes’ daughter Laura virus running rampant across the Parkland Hospital in Dallas, was happened as she pleads with shot is complete after one dose, Nicaragua, whose leaders Brown was stunned by the nation over the winter, it was a fully immunized in January anyone who will listen to get a so the wait time between the face extensive US sanctions, timing of the call in January but sad reality that some would con- after receiving two doses of the vaccine as soon as possible. first and second shot of either has actually become a bulwark didn’t lash out over the phone tract COVID-19 and die before Moderna vaccine because of her “All I know is I did three the Pfizer and Moderna vac- against migrants who travel or even explain that her they could be inoculated. work. Yet she then endured the funerals in three weeks,” said cines leaves a period of weeks north from South America 75-year-old mom was at the With surveys showing a agony of watching her husband Crawford, of Forney, Texas. when a recipient remains vul- through Panama and Costa point of death. There just wasn’t large percentage of the US and two adult children contract While more than 96 million nerable and subject to infection. Rica, seeking to reach the United States. Most migrants making the hike through the dangerous Confederate symbols Darien Gap are from Haiti or Cuba, with smaller numbers from African nations such as prove difficult to remove Cameroon and Congo and South Asian countries India, AP — AUSTIN the momentum, saying it’s Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. important to preserve Amer- The Darien Gap is a Just past the gate at an entrance ica’s past. 60-mile stretch of roadless to the Texas Capitol, a large “We are at a really jungle that provides the only monument honoring the important moment of reck- land route north out of South soldiers of the Confederacy oning and racial justice,” said America. looms, with towering statues Texas Rep. Rafael Anchia, a There is little food or and an inscription that reads, Democrat who introduced a shelter on the week-long trek “Died for state rights guar- proposal in the Republican- and bandits and wild animals anteed under the Constitution.” controlled Legislature to prey on migrants. It is one of seven Confed- remove Confederate depictions Because Nicaragua does erate memorials on the Texas at the Statehouse. “This fits into not allow the migrants to Capitol grounds alone. There are that process of really racial cross its territory toward over 2,000 Confederate symbols truth and reconciliation.” Honduras, to the north, some — from monuments to building But he’s up against Repub- have tried more dangerous names — in public spaces lican legislation to protect water routes. nationwide, more than a century monuments. Anchia’s measure In March, Nicaraguan and a half after the Civil War is still waiting for a committee authorities found the bodies Demonstrators protest Salvadoran's death ended slavery, according to the hearing, where attempts to of six people, apparently Southern Poverty Law Center. remove Confederate monu- migrants, in a small boat Demonstrators clash with police officers during a protest in support of Victoria Salazar, a Salvadoran The movement to remove ments and holidays have died drifting off the Caribbean woman who died after a Mexican female police officer was seen in a video kneeling on her back, in Confederate monuments and in previous sessions. coast. Mexico City, Mexico on Friday. depictions of historical figures Texas isn’t the only place who mistreated Native Amer- where the issue faces an uphill icans became part of the battle. Alabama, Georgia, Missis- national reckoning over racial sippi, North Carolina, South Chile shuts borders against coronavirus cases injustice following George Carolina and Tennessee have Floyd’s death last year in Min- preservation laws meant to AP — SANTIAGO even Chilean citizens would be Martorell, deputy secretary for essential goods. neapolis. While many have “protect primarily monuments unable to come and go through crime prevention. “So the coun- While more than 80 percent been removed — or torn down and memorials to the Confed- Chile has largely closed its April and that truck drivers try’s borders are closed and of Chile’s 19 million people by protesters — it’s proven dif- eracy,” said Lecia Brooks, chief borders to control surging bringing essential goods would trips abroad are restricted for already are under quarantine, ficult to remove those that of staff of the Southern Poverty COVID-19 cases despite a have to show a negative test for the whole month of April for the government so far has remain. Law Center. A majority of them region-leading vaccine the new coronavirus. Other Chilean citizens as well as for- issued millions of daily passes At least six Southern states went up in the early Jim Crow era. campaign, joining other South entries will be allowed only in eigners resident in the country.” for work or other necessities. have policies protecting mon- “The truth of the matter is American countries in new extraordinary circumstances. The government also said Chile has vaccinated more uments, the law center said, that most of these monuments moves to clamp down on “It is a moment to take dif- Chileans will be limited to than a third of its population in while historical preservation and memorials don’t offer any movement. ficult measures and we need the permits for a single trip out of less than two months, focusing boards and Republican legis- historical context at all,” Brooks The government said that efforts of all,” said Katherine the home per weekend to buy on the elderly. lative majorities have slowed said. SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 AMERICAS 15 Deadly breach could delay decisions on Capitol fencing AP — WASHINGTON While lawmakers lawmakers would be “reviewing everything” after Friday’s A deadly breach of the US Capi- hated the fencing in breach. His committee, along tol’s perimeter could delay the bipartisan fashion — with others, is looking at not gradual reopening of the build- only the fence but at the staffing, ing’s grounds to the public just with some calling it structure, and intelligence capa- as lawmakers were eyeing a an overreaction — the bilities of the Capitol Police. return to more normal security police who took the “The scab got ripped off measures following the Jan. 6 again here today,” Ryan said. insurrection. brunt of the January “So we’ve got to figure this out.” Capitol Police officer 6 siege have still The breach happened inside William “Billy” Evans, an 18 the perimeter, as the driver year veteran of the force, was left an inner fencing slipped through a gate that had killed on Friday when a man perimeter intact, as opened to allow traffic in and rammed his car into a barrier out of the Capitol and rammed immediately outside the US they try to ensure the a barrier that had protected the Senate side of the building. The safety of the complex. building long before January 6. driver, identified as 25-year-old And there was no evidence that Noah Green, was shot and killed Green’s actions were in any way after he got out of his car and the area, blocking major related to the insurrection. lunged at police with a knife. arteries that cross the city, but Still, it was a reminder that The incident came fewer also a stark symbol of the fear there is always a target on what than two weeks after the Capitol many in the Capitol felt after the may be the country’s most Police removed an outer fence violent mob laid siege to the visible — and maybe the most that had cut off a wide swath of Capitol. Lawmakers said the fraught — public building, espe- the area off completely from seat of American democracy cially after the public attention vehicular and police traffic, an was meant to be open to the over the broad security failures Law enforcement officers hold up a US Capitol Police jacket at the site after a car rammed a police effort to secure the complex people, even if there was always three months ago. barricade outside the US Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. after thousands of former Pres- going to be a threat. “This may just cause eve- ident Donald Trump’s sup- But after Friday’s incident, rybody to pump the brakes a bit the insurrection — keeping the National Guard troops.” better way to protect us, I want porters marched on the building lawmakers said they needed to on taking the fence down public away from the area com- Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, to see it. I want to work to get it.” Jan. 6 and around 800 of them procced with caution. entirely because of the sense of pletely. “I would like to see it the top Republican on the A sweeping security review broke inside. That violence lead “It’s an eyesore, it *****,” security that it provides us,” said come down at the earliest pos- Senate Rules Committee, said conducted in the aftermath of to five deaths, including a Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Democratic Rep. Jennifer sible moment,” Wexton said of the fencing should come down the riot by a task force led by Capitol Police officer. Ohio, the chairman of a House Wexton of Virginia, another the fencing. because the next security retired Army Lieutenant General While lawmakers hated the spending committee that member of the spending panel While lawmakers were ini- problem is “highly unlikely to Russel Honoré recommended fencing in bipartisan fashion — oversees security and the that oversees the legislative tially supportive of the fencing be a carbon copy of the last eventually replacing the barrier with some calling it an overre- Capitol, said of the fencing in branch. to secure the area, and the thou- problem.” Republican Rep. with mobile fencing and “an action — the police who took the hours after Officer Evans As a lawmaker who repre- sands of National Guard troops Carlos Gimenez of Florida told integrated, retractable fencing the brunt of the siege that day and the driver were killed. sents the suburbs of Wash- sent to the Capitol to back up Fox News he believed Demo- system” that could be deployed have still left an inner fencing “Nobody wants that there. But ington, Wexton said she wants the overwhelmed police force, crats were keeping the fence up as needed. But it’s unclear if such perimeter intact, as they try to the question is, the environment to see the Capitol open back up they soon said they were ready for “political reasons.” an expensive proposal could win ensure the safety of the complex safe enough to be able to take again to visitors. While the for a drawdown. But hatred of the fence is a approval from Congress. and the lawmakers who work it down? In the meantime, indoor parts of the building “I think we’ve overdone it,” rare issue the two parties Ryan said his committee there. maybe that fence can prevent have been closed for the last said Senate Republican Leader agreed on. was doing extensive research, The tall, dark fencing — some of these things from year because of the coronavirus Mitch McConnell last month. “It “It’s just ghastly, it’s an including a recent call with parts of it covered in razor wire happening.” pandemic, the plazas, roads and looks terrible to have the embarrassment,” said Illinois Israeli security officials to see until recently — was not only a Ryan stressed that no deci- sidewalks that surround the beacon of our democracy sur- Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 how they keep their gov- nuisance to those who lived in sions had been made, and that Capitol were only closed after rounded by razor wire and Senate Republican. “If there’s a ernment secure. Couple accused of 7 Texas officers fired following death of Black jail inmate concealing girl’s AP — MCKINNEY reportedly acting erratically. enforcement’s use of face cov- any specific details related to In recent years, various law body charged Scott was released and police erings such as spit hoods on the case because of ongoing enforcement agencies and local Seven officers involved in the took him to the county jail. people — and the frequent investigations. and state governments around with murder in-custody death of a Black jail While at the jail, Scott began reliance on police to respond to “The death of this young the U.S. have instituted policies inmate in Texas whose family to exhibit “some strange mental health emergencies — man is a profound tragedy and limiting or ending arrests for AP — PHOENIX members say may have been behavior,” Skinner said at a drew new attention last year we have an obligation to small amounts of marijuana. suffering a mental health crisis March 19 news conference. following Daniel Prude’s suffo- uncover the full and complete Four states, including New A murder charge has been have been fired, a sheriff said. Detention officers placed Scott cation in Rochester, New York. truth, firm, concrete and factual Jersey and Arizona, last year filed against a couple jailed on The detention officers vio- on a restraint bed, used pepper The mesh coverings have been information,” Skinner said last passed referenda allowing rec- charges of child abuse and lated sheriff’s office policies and spray and covered his face with linked to other deaths. month. reational cannabis, and the U.S. concealing skeletal remains of procedures leading up to the a spit mask. Scott became unre- At his news conference last Family members have said House in December approved their adopted 13-year-old death of Marvin Scott III, Collin sponsive at some point and later month, Skinner said there is that Scott had schizophrenia a bill to decriminalize and tax daughter after she was found County Sheriff Jim Skinner said was pronounced dead at a video of the interaction between and may have been suffering a marijuana at the federal level. 14 months ago at their west in a news release. An eighth hospital. Scott and detention officers and mental health crisis. Scott’s The legislation later stalled in Phoenix home. officer resigned. The names and The Collin County medical added that the Texas Rangers family has hired a forensic the Senate. The murder charge was races of the officers haven’t examiner’s office has not yet also has the video and is pathologist to conduct an inde- A statement Thursday by added Wednesday against been released. released a cause of death for reviewing it. Captain Nick pendent autopsy. Merritt noted that Scott’s Maribel Loera, 51, and Rafael Scott, 26, was arrested Scott. The Texas Rangers were Bristow, a spokesman for the Civil rights lawyer Lee funeral was Wednesday. Loera, 57, in the death of Ana March 14 at an outlet mall in continuing to investigate Scott’s sheriff’s office, said in an email Merritt, who is representing “Just one day after the Loera. Allen on a charge of possessing death, according to Skinner’s Friday that the video is from Scott’s family, has said he thinks funeral of Marvin Scott III, the Robert Precht, attorney for less than two ounces of mari- statement. inside the jail and that it would Scott was jailed for marijuana Collin County Sheriff has fired Maribel Loera, and Miranda juana, authorities have said. Skinner has said the spit not be made public at this time. possession because he was seven detention officers in con- Stark, a lawyer representing Allen officers took Scott to a mask used on Scott fit over his Skinner has said the sheriff’s Black and viewed as a criminal nection with his death,” the Rafael Loera, didn’t immedi- hospital because he was head and had a net on it. Law office would not comment on rather than as someone in crisis. statement said. ately return a call late on Friday afternoon seeking comment on behalf of their clients. California okays indoor Rafael Loera previously told police that Ana became ill in July 2017 and that he waited sports and concerts several days before trying to seek medical attention. AP — SACRAMENTO County and Los Angeles County Police also say Rafael are in the second-least Loera told them the child died Sports, theater and music fans restrictive orange tier. Only on the way to the hospital and will be able to take their seats three counties - San Joaquin, that the death wasn’t reported again in California as the state’s Merced and Inyo - remain in the out of fear that their other coronavirus cases plummet and highest purple tier, indicating adopted children would be vaccinations jump. “widespread” COVID-19 risk. taken away by the state. After a year-long ban on most The others will be per- The remains were dis- indoor seating, the state Friday mitted some indoor seating covered after neighbors set the stage for a literal stage- “with capacity limits and mod- reported a fire at the family’s setting that could see resumption ifications including physical home. of NBA games and live enter- distancing, advance ticket pur- When working on venti- tainment performances in most chases, designated areas for lation at the home, firefighters counties beginning April 15. eating and drinking, and discovered human remains Most of the state’s 58 attendance limited to in-state atop attic insulation. counties will be permitted to visitors”. Rafael Loera told investi- allow at least some indoor In the red tier, venues of up gators that he siphoned seating because they fall into the to 1,500 people can operate at gasoline from his van and set lower three levels of California’s 10% capacity and grow to 25% the house on fire because he four-tiered COVID-19 restriction if all guests provide evidence Jerry Seinfeld speaks to journalists after performing at Gotham Comedy Club on its first night back was feeling hopeless and sui- plan. Big population centers like of vaccination or a negative open after loosened restrictions in Manhattan, New York, yesterday. cidal, according to court San Francisco, Santa Clara test. records. A little over a week before the fire, another daughter — an 11-year-old — had called US lifts Trump sanctions on international court officials police to report that she had been left alone for two days AP — WASHINGTON Hague in the Netherlands multilateral fold. The Trump Trump had pulled out of all five. states, said the US removal of and was hungry and afraid. charged with handling gen- administration had unapologet- The court was created to sanctions was helpful in pro- The girl, who said Maribel President Joe Biden on Friday ocide, crimes against humanity ically removed the United States hold accountable perpetrators moting “a rules-based interna- Loera struck her on multiple lifted sanctions that Donald and war crimes. The United from numerous international of war crimes and crimes against tional order.” She noted the occasions with knotted Trump had imposed on two top States is not one of the about institutions and agreements and humanity in cases where ade- court and its managing states are extension cords and slammed officials of the International 120 member countries of the harshly criticized others, quate judicial systems were not currently studying the tribunal’s her head into walls, was Criminal Court, undoing one of court. including the ICC, deeming available. The US has not joined procedures to improve its work removed from the home, but the past administration’s more “We believe, however, that them flawed and working the ICC, which began operations providing accountability in the there were no other children aggressive moves targeting our concerns about these cases against American interests. in 2002 after enough countries worst crimes of international there at the time. international institutions and would be better addressed” Since Biden took office, his ratified the treaty that created concern. Eight days later, investi- officials. through diplomacy “rather than administration has rejoined the it, because of concerns the court Rights groups on Friday gators from the Arizona Secretary of State Antony through the imposition of sanc- World Health Organization, re- might be used for politically applauded Biden for throwing Department of Child Safety Blinken in a statement stressed tions,” Blinken wrote. engaged with the U.N. Human motivated prosecutions of out Trump’s sanctions but removed a 9-year-old boy and that the United States still The removal of the sanc- Rights Council, returned to the American troops and officials. called for Biden to go further, 4-year-old girl from the home. strongly disagreed with some tions was the latest signal that Paris climate accord and on Silvia Fernandez de Gur- by supporting the court’s work Shortly after, the fire was actions by the court, which is a the Biden administration is Friday started talks aimed at mendi, president of the court’s and making the United States a reported. standing body based at The intent on returning to the returning to the Iran nuclear deal. management body of member member country. SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 16

In show of Pharaonic heritage, Egypt parades

PRAYER royal mummies TIMINGS PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING AP — CAIRO hour-long journey from their previous home in the older, Egypt was launching a gala Egyptian Museum. The cer- FAJR 04.04 am parade yesterday celebrating emony kicks off with a 21-gun SUNRISE 05.23 am the transport of 22 of its prized salute and will be accompanied royal mummies from central by lights and music. DHUHR 11.37 am Cairo to their new resting place Most of the mummies ASR 03.06 pm in a massive new museum belong to the ancient New MAGHRIB 05.54 pm further south in the capital. Kingdom, which ruled Egypt The ceremony, designed to between 1539 B.C. to 1075 B.C., ISHA 07.24 pm The mummy of King Thutmose II is transported in a convoy from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir to showcase the country’s rich according to the ministry of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday. heritage, will snake along the antiquities. Nile corniche from the Egyptian They include Ramses II, one Museum overlooking Tahrir of the country’s most famous secret tombs in the Valley of The remains of Ramses II were more recently, the coronavirus Square, to the newly opened pharaohs, and Queen Hat- Kings and the nearby Deir el taken to Paris in 1976 for pandemic. National Museum of Egyptian shepsut, Egypt’s only woman Bahri site. Both areas are near intensive restoration work by “This parade is a unique Civilization in the Fustat neigh- Pharaoh — who wore a false the southern city of Luxor. The French scientists. global event that will not be bourhood, where Egypt’s first beard to overcome tradition tombs were first excavated in The parade is part of Egypt’s repeated,” declared Tourism Islamic capital was located. requiring women to play only the 19th century. efforts to revive a tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled WEATHER The mummies are being secondary roles in the royal After excavation, the industry that has been reeling el Anany. The event was TODAY transported in climate-con- hierarchy. The mummies — 18 mummies were taken to Cairo from the political turmoil fol- scheduled to begin at sunset trolled cases loaded onto trucks pharaohs and four other royals by boats that sailed the Nile. lowing the 2011 popular yesterday, and was to be decorated with wings and — were originally buried Some were showcased in glass uprising that toppled longtime broadcast live on the country’s pharaonic design for the around 3,000 years ago in cases, while others were stored. autocrat Hosni Mubarak, and state-run television.

21oC 31oC Robot artist sells art for $688,888, now eyeing music career Minimum Maximum AP — HONG KONG can connect with people and via neural networks and pro- mechanical collective being and “And what is really amazing assist in industries such as ceeded to create a digital an artist-collector.” with NFT is that it not only Mild daytime with slight dust to blowing dust at times, relatively cold Sophia is a robot of many healthcare and education. artwork of her own. “As an artist, I have compu- allows you to actually show to by night. talents - she speaks, jokes, sings Sophia is the most famous The digital work that sold tational creativity in my algo- the broader world that you own and even makes art. In March, robot creation from Hanson for $688,888 is titled “Sophia rithms, creating original works,” this, but it really creates this W ALRUWAIS : 21o → 26o she caused a stir in the art world Robotics, with the ability to Instantiation”, and is a Sophia said when asked what bond between the holder of the W ALKHOR : 18o → 29o when a digital work she created mimic facial expressions, hold 12-second video file which inspires her when it comes to NFT and the artists,” he said. W DUKHAN : 18o → 25o as part of a collaboration was conversations and recognize shows Bonaceto’s portrait art. “But my art is created in col- It also allows art to be sold W WAKRAH : 19o → 32o sold at an auction for $688,888 people. In 2017, she was granted evolving into Sophia’s digital laboration with my humans in without traditional intermedi- in the form of a non-fungible Saudi Arabian citizenship, painting. It is accompanied by a kind of collective intelligence aries, so that artists can connect W MESAIEED : 19o → 32o token (NFT). becoming the world’s first robot the physical artwork painted by like a human-artificial intelli- directly with buyers without W ABUSAMRA : 16o → 27o The sale highlighted a citizen. Sophia. gence hive mind.” being constrained by galleries growing frenzy in the NFT “I envisioned Sophia as a The buyer, a digital artwork Sophia’s artwork selling as or auction houses, Arslanian HIGH TIDE market, where people can buy creative artwork herself, that collector and artist known as an NFT is part of a growing said. 8:06– 23:26 ownership rights to digital could generate art,” Hanson 888 with the Twitter handle @ trend. In March, a digital Sophia will carry on content. NFTs each have a said in an interview. Crypto888crypto, later sent artwork by artist Beeple — painting, Hanson said, and the LOW TIDE 05:15 – 15:57 unique digital code saved on “Sophia is the culmination Sophia a photo of his painted whose real name is Mike Win- next step in the robot’s career blockchain ledgers that allow of a lot of arts, and engineering, arm. The robot then processed kelmann — sold for nearly $70 could be that of a musician. She anyone to verify the authen- and the idea that she could then that, adding that image to her million, shattering records and is working on several musical ticity and ownership of items. generate art was a way for her knowledge and painted more making it the most expensive works in a project called Sophia David Hanson, CEO of Hong to emotionally and visually strokes on top of her original digital artwork ever sold. Pop, where she collaborates Coin firm pays it Kong-based Hanson Robotics connect with people,” he said. piece. Henri Arslanian, Pricewa- with human musicians to gen- and Sophia’s creator, has been Sophia collaborated with In a tweet on Sophia’s terhouseCooper’s Global Crypto erate music and lyrics, he said. forward after developing robots for the past Italian artist Andrea Bonaceto, account, the work was Leader, said that NFTs give “We’re so excited about two and a half decades. He who drew portraits of Sophia. described as the first NFT col- people “bragging rights” of the Sophia’s career as an artist,” Georgia man believes realistic-looking robots Sophia then processed his work laboration between an “AI, a assets that they own. Hanson said. paid in pennies

AP — MARIETTA, US UK’s cinemas, museums get

A global company has stepped in to solve quite a govt cash to survive COVID-19 “coinundrum” for a Georgia man. REUTERS — LONDON spent. Among the recipients is Glas- Andreas Flaten’s former tonbury, the largest greenfield music employer dumped at least Glastonbury Festival will join 2,700 festival in the world, which has been 90,000 pennies on his museums, theatres, cinemas and arts forced to cancel for two years running. driveway last month as a form venues in receiving a share of £400m It will receive £900,000 to help carry of final payment for his work in grants and loans to help them it through to 2022. at an auto shop, he said. survive the COVID-19 pandemic, the “This grant will make a huge dif- When Bellevue, Wash- British government announced on ference in helping to secure our future,” ington-based Coinstar heard Friday. founder Michael Eavis and daughter about his predicament, they Entertainment venues across Emily said in a statement. decided that change was Britain were forced to close last March Tens of millions of pounds have needed. because of the coronavirus crisis and been made available to theatres, while They picked up Flaten’s while some partially reopened last the English Heritage Trust, which looks coins on Thursday and summer, many have remained shut after 420 historic monuments, rounded up the amount to give since then. buildings, and objects, will receive 23.4 him a $1,000 check. Last July, the government unveiled million pounds. They also made donations Easing of COVID-19 curbs in Greece a £1.57bn ($2.2bn) Culture Recovery The government says the CRF has to two charities of Flaten’s Fund (CRF) package of grants and helped protect more than 75,000 jobs A man wearing a protective face mask makes soap bubbles following the easing COVID- choosing: two animal loans, and on Friday detailed where and ensure thousands of organisations 19 restrictions, in Faliro suburb, near Athens, Greece, yesterday. shelters. the latest tranche of funding would be survive the COVID crisis. “Coinstar has been in the coin business for 30 years and we process approximately 41 billion coins annually - so While Asia wants a baby boom, Indonesia says enough is enough picking up 91,000 pennies was all in a day’s work,” Coinstar BLOOMBERG Hasto Wardoyo says, is that generally advise that overpopu- in Indonesia rather than an Indonesia’s efforts contrast CEO Jim Gaherity said in a instead of just slowing popu- lation tends to resolve itself as ever-rising population.” Given with regional neighbours, espe- statement. Countries across Asia are trying lation growth, Indonesia is a country climbs the income the size of Indonesia’s popu- cially in rapidly aging Thailand Flaten said his former everything from fertility tours aiming to simultaneously ladder, making counter-efforts lation, even a modestly higher- and Singapore. employer — A OK Walker to baby bonuses to spur popu- improve other factors such as unnecessary. than-average fertility rate can In Thailand, the government Autoworks in Peachtree City lation growth in an aging world. health, education and Indonesia is saying it can’t balloon the numbers. At its has embarked on a long-term — owed him $915 after he left Not so in Indonesia, where offi- employment. afford to wait, especially as it’s current pace of 2.3 children per campaign to avoid being a rare his job there in November. cials are trying to convince “In the past, the focus was bracing in the short term for woman, Indonesia will add 30 economy that grows old before He finally got his pay people to have fewer children. on reducing the quantity of the potentially more pregnancies and million people in the next it grows rich. The central bank earlier this month in the form The world’s fourth most- population. Now it’s more on less contraceptive use amid the decade — an increment that has warned repeatedly that of thousands of oil- or grease- populous country is promoting improving the quality of the pandemic’s stay-at-home orders. dwarfs the total population of Thailand could be the first covered pennies dumped at later marriages, family planning population,” Wardoyo said. The government’s cam- Australia, United Nations pro- developing country to become the end of his driveway in Fay- and contraception to lower its “The quality and productivity paign, along with emphasising jections show. an “aged society” by next year, etteville, Georgia. fertility rate to 2.1 children per of human resources must be a more digital-ready workforce, The new population and is pushing to raise the Atop the pile: an envelope woman by 2025. That’s the improved because we’re cur- seems to be winning over ana- strategy would be a funda- retirement age, support reverse with Flaten’s final paystub and “replacement rate” that would rently in a demographic div- lysts and investors. mental reworking of the growth mortgages for the elderly and a goodbye note that featured effectively flatten population idend period. If not utilised, the The drive to develop human model that has Indonesia on give employers incentives to an obscenity. growth in the country of 270 demographic bonus can capital “aligns with broader course to be one of the world’s hire workers older than 60. Flaten had been spending million, damping some con- actually become a burden for strategies to move Indonesia up five largest economies by 2030, Singapore has offered to an hour or two every night cerns that overcrowding could development, rather than the industrial value chain in overtaking the likes of increase cash support for cit- trying to clean the pennies, mean fewer job opportunities development capital.” areas like electric vehicles and Germany, Japan, Russia and izens who have kids amid which he stored in a wheel- and strains on government That might appear to be a downstream processing, as well Brazil, according to Standard reports that many could delay barrow in his garage. services. risky venture for an emerging as accelerating growth in what Chartered projections from parenthood due to job losses The owner of the shop, Indonesia’s latest push — a market, especially one that has is already Asean’s largest digital 2019 using purchasing power and wage cuts during the pan- Miles Walker, told WGCL-TV family planning campaign lured investors with its youthful economy,” said Patrick Cooke, parity exchange rates and demic. The number of mar- that he didn’t know if he did starting from late January — demographics and cheap a managing editor of research nominal GDP. The country has riages in the city-state fell about or didn’t drop the pennies off follows a decades-long struggle labour. firm Oxford Business Group, long banked on its huge 10% last year. at Flaten’s house. to bring the fertility rate down China famously has found referring to a group of Southeast domestic market for con- “To secure our future, we “I don’t really remember,” from 3 children per woman in it’s a struggle to reset the habits Asian nations. sumption, while its abundant must make our own babies, Walker said. “It doesn’t matter. the early 1990s. The difference of families who for decades “On balance, I believe cheap labour has propped up enough of them,” Singaporean He got paid, that’s all that now, National Population and were restricted to one child. investors would be happier with sectors like manufacturing, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong matters.” Family Planning Agency Head And development economists rising prosperity and skill levels mining and agriculture. said in 2019.