GWC logistics Qatar's Al Attiyah hub in Ras wins stage 2 Bufontas Free as Dakar Zone battle begins to inaugurated heat up

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TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 21 JUMADA I - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8493 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Up to 5 numbers

under 1 plan Terms & Conditions Apply Amir to lead state’s delegation to GCC summit Kuwait announces agreement between Qatar, Saudi Arabia to open borders

QNA / AGENCIES — DOHA/KUWAIT The State of Qatar Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah added Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin and the Kingdom of that H H the Amir of Kuwait Hamad Al Thani will lead the Saudi Arabia reached expressed his great gratitude to State of Qatar’s delegation the Custodian of the Two Holy participating in the 41st session an agreement to open Mosques King Salman bin of the Supreme Council of the airspace as well as Abdulaziz and HRH Crown Cooperation Council for the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), land and sea borders bin Abdulaziz for their com- set to take place today in Al-Ula starting last night. mitment to the success of the Governorate in the Kingdom of summit. Saudi Arabia, QNA reported His Highness also yesterday. Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, expressed his confidence that On the reconciliation and Minister of Defence of the leaders of GCC members and aspects, the State of Kuwait Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt are announced yesterday that the Prince Mohammed bin Salman keen to ensure that the summit Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. will be one of reconciliation the State of Qatar reached an The Foreign Minister of and solidarity, and that all Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Kuwait Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Dr. Ahmed agreement to open airspace as Kuwait added that the calls issues could be addressed so Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah, at Al Bahr Palace, yesterday. H H the Amir received a verbal well as land and sea borders stressed the commitment of all that things could return to message from the Amir of the State of Kuwait, H H Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, starting last night. parties involved to unity by normal. pertaining to the solid fraternal ties between the two countries and the prospects for enhancing Foreign Minister of the signing the Al-Ula declaration, The Gulf Cooperation and developing them, in addition to the joint GCC action. The message was conveyed by the State of Kuwait, H E Sheikh Dr. which he added would serve as Council 41st Summit will begin Kuwait Foreign Minister. Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed a fresh start for brotherly ties today at the invitation of the Al Sabah, said in a statement unobstructed by any Custodian of the Two Holy broadcast on Kuwait Tele- differences. Mosques King Salman bin northwest Saudi Arabia amid connected system. strengthening and supporting vision that Amir of the State of He added that, based on a Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi the exceptional circumstances On January 3, the GCC Sec- joint action to contribute to Kuwait, H H Sheikh Nawaf Al proposal by H H the Amir of Arabia with the participation of due to the COVID-19 pandemic, retary-General Dr. Nayef Falah restoring economic recovery, Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, held Kuwait, the two sides agreed the member states’ leaders, which reflects the keenness of Mubarak Al Hajraf pointed out restoring growth and returning a phone call with the Amir H to open airspace as well as KUNA reported. the Gulf leaders to continue that the economic file will be to normalcy after the pandemic H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad land and sea borders starting The summit will be hosted coordination and cooperation the title of the fifth decade of and achieving sustainable Al Thani and HRH Crown yesterday night. in the historic city of Al Ula in under the umbrella of this inter- the GCC’s march by development goals. 71 winners of More health centers added for COVID-19 vaccination 14th Education FAZEENA SALEEM speaking at a press conference workers with repeated activated a dedicated hotline conditions and healthcare THE PENINSULA yesterday. exposure to COVID-19 and number. This dedicated number workers with repeated Excellence Award The three health centres are people with severe and chronic will improve accessibility for exposure to COVID-19. Within 10 days after launch of in addition to Al Wajbah, Leabaib, diseases. our clients and encourage Members of the community announced COVID-19 vaccination Al Ruwais, Umm Salal, Rawdat Al PHCC has also activated a uptake of the vaccine by pro- who are eligible for the vaccine campaign, Qatar has seen Khail, Al Thumama and Muaither dedicated hotline number viding further flexibility on will continue to be contacted SANAULLAH ATAULLAH considerable number of initial — that are already designated to 4027707 to enable those 65 appointment booking,” she through phone/SMS by the THE PENINSULA target group receive the vaccine provide COVID-19 vaccination. years and over to book, cancel added. PHCC team to invite them to and added more centres to Dr. Abdulmalik also said or re-schedule COVID-19 vac- On Sunday, the Ministry of attend an appointment at one The Organising Committee of provide the vaccine, a senior that 10 percent of the initial cination appointments. At Public Health (MoPH) of the ten designated health Education Excellence Award health official said yesterday. target group has received the present the hotline is available announced that it has lowered centres. yesterday announced 71 Managing Director of COVID-19 vaccine since its from 7am to 11pm. the age threshold for COVID-19 The vaccine will be offered winners of 14th Education Primary Health Care Corpo- launch on December 23. “This number will be vaccine eligibility from 70 years more widely throughout year. Excellence Award 2021 in a ration (PHCC), Dr. Mariam “We hope that in the coming available to the elderly priority to 65 years of age. MoPH has said that it is working press conference held at the Abdulmalik, said that COVID-19 months the entire country will group (above 65 years of age) Vaccinations at health with the pharmaceutical com- headquarters of the Ministry vaccines will be made available be covered (vaccinated against only at this stage,” said Dr. centers will continue to be given panies to ensure the next of Education and Higher at health centers at Qatar Uni- COVID-19),” said Dr. Abdulmalik. to people with pre-arranged shipment of vaccines arrives in Education. versity, Al Waab and Al Khor. Abdulmalik. “To ensure that we are appointments that fall under the Qatar as early as possible in The winners will be hon- “Ultimately, we will have The target group includes further prioritising those mostly priority groups — people aged 2021 and everyone who needs oured at the conclusion cer- (the vaccine) in all health people aged above 65 years at risk of severe complications 65 years of age and above, to be vaccinated will be able to emony of the award scheduled centers,” said Dr. Abdulmalik (initially 70), healthcare from COVD-19 we have now people with severe chronic do so throughout the year. to be held on March 1, 2021. Speaking at the press con- ference, CEO of Education Excellence Award, Dr. Hamda Gewan Island won the Best Mixed-Use Sponsorship transfer rules Hassan Al Sulaiti, said the Architecture Award. number of winners for 14th edition reached 71 out of 374 will preserve rights of all contestants in all nine categories. parties, Shura Council told She said that the nine cate- gories include excellent student QNA — DOHA Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid (primary, preparatory and sec- Al Mahmoud. ondary school separately), Speaking in Shura Council on At an invitation from excellent student of university, labor laws yesterday, the Speaker of the Council, the Min- excellent teacher and excellent Minister of Administrative ister of Administrative Devel- scientific research, master Development, Labor and Social opment, Labour and Social degree holder, PhD degree Affairs H E Yousuf bin Affairs attended the session to holder and excellent school. Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo explain the articles in Decree- “Qatar Academy students said that the transfer of spon- Law No. 18 of 2020 amending secured the largest number, sorship has rules, controls, and some provisions of the Labour seven, awards in the primary procedures that will preserve Law promulgated by Law No. level category, Al Bayan Prepar- the rights of all parties. 14 of 2004, and to present the atory School received two awards The Minister said that the Ministry’s viewpoint on what and Amina Bint Wahab Prepar- number of workers who was stated in the general debate atory School bagged two awards requested a transfer is few and request submitted by a number for the category of preparatory that those whose requests were of the Council members grade and Qatar Banking Studies UDC’s The Pearl-Qatar, Gewan Island approved are smaller, adding regarding the change of and Business Administration that the law gave the worker the employer and travel without bagged three awards. opportunity to submit a request notice for expatriate workers. Students of Al Bayan Sec- win four Arabian Property Awards to change the employer, but this The Minister of Adminis- ondary School for Girls request is subject to approval or trative Development, Labour received three awards in the THE PENINSULA — DOHA The awards include the Commenting on this recog- rejection after communicating and Social Affairs began the category of secondary grade, Mixed-Use Development award nition, Ibrahim Jassim Al with the concerned parties. He discussions, explaining that the Carnegie Mellon University in The United Development for The Pearl-Qatar, Best Othman, UDC President, CEO pointed out that there is a Ministry is currently seeking to Qatar received five awards in Company (UDC), a leading Mixed-Use Architecture for and Member of The Board said: platform for the transfer of develop legal legislation based the category of excellent uni- Qatari public shareholding Gewan Island, Best New Hotel “These prestigious awards are workers in coordination with on the Qatar National Vision versity student,” said Al Sulaiti. company and the master Construction & Design for Cor- a strong affirmation of our the Qatar Chamber. 2030, and within the A total of 19 students won developer of The Pearl-Qatar inthia Gewan Island Qatar commitment in making The The Shura Council held its framework of implementing the award in the excellent and Gewan Island, recently won hotel, and Best Residential Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island regular weekly meeting yes- the national strategy projects student category for primary four accolades at the 2020 Property for Gewan Island’s some of the region’s most terday under the chairmanship so that the labour market is grade while 51 students Arabian Property Awards. private villas. remarkable destinations. `P2 of Speaker of the Council H E modern and dynamic. `P3 applied for the award. `P2 02 HOME TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 Qatar, Kuwait FMs review ties Qatar Visa Center in Colombo to reopen soon: MoI official

SIDI MOHAMED systems.” THE PENINSULA Al Khalaf said that the visa Qatar Visa Centres have centres aim to prevent exploi- As part of the reopening of already opened in India, tation as the expatriate agrees Qatar Visa Centres abroad, the Pakistan, the to the contract while still in his/ Colombo Centre in Sri Lanka Philippines, Nepal, and her country. would be operational soon, a Bangladesh. He noted that some pro- senior official at the Ministry of spective employees might not Interior (MoI) said. agree to the contract, or have “We have reopened the security restrictions, while Qatar Visa Centres abroad in One of the significant ben- some may not be medically fit India, Pakistan, the Philippines, efits of QVCs is that they allow either. Nepal, and Bangladesh. The workers to get detailed infor- Currently, when the appli- Colombo Centre will reopen mation about their work con- catns arrive at the centre, the soon to facilitate the movement tracts, including salaries, vaca- contract is presented to them, of labour,” said Captain Nasser tions, incentives, and allow- and if they agree, the employee Al Khalaf, Assistant Director of ances — in their own languages must undergo fingerprinting, the Visa Support Services — before they leave their coun- medical examinations, and Department at the General tries for Doha. other procedures. Directorate of Passports. “The Visa Support Services Regarding the types of visas Speaking to Qatar Radio Department is keen on proce- provided by the centres, Al yesterday, Al Khalaf said that dural accuracy and security Khalaf said that work visas are Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani reopening of some centres was standards in these centres, as granted for private or semi- met yesterday with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait H E Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser delayed due to new procedures we rely on a precise security governmental establishments. Al Mohammed Al Sabah, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed in some countries because of system regarding the Family visits, tourist visas, and bilateral cooperation and relations and issues of common concern. the coronavirus pandemic. recruitment of expatriates,” he visas for participation in events The Colombo Center in Sri said. and conferences are also Lanka was the first overseas “In all procedures, we rely granted. 139 referred to prosecution for not wearing masks Qatar Visa Centre inaugurated on devices for tests, finger- He stressed that the in October 2018. prints, etc., and all results are project is being implemented QNA — DOHA The measure is in line with The designated authorities The project targets sent automatically. Also, the in cooperation with the Min- the Cabinet decision, Decree called on the public to adhere employment through 20 service employees working in the istry of Interior, the Ministry The designated authorities Law No. 17 of 1990 on infectious to the precautionary centres in eight countries, centres have been carefully of Administrative Devel- yesterday referred 139 people diseases, and the precautionary measures announced by the including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, selected and have high com- opment, Labour and Social to the Public Prosecution for measures in force in the Ministry of Public Health to Nepal, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, petence through their training Affairs, the Ministry of Public not wearing masks in places country to contain the spread ensure their safety and the Bangladesh, and the in the state and are qualified Health, and the Ministry of where they are mandatory. of coronavirus (COVID-19). safety of others. Philippines. to use the programmes and Foreign Affairs. Five arrested for UDC’s The Pearl-Qatar, Gewan Island 71 winners of 14th Education violating home win four Arabian Property Awards Excellence Award announced quarantine FROM PAGE 1 the award but luck favoured QNA — DOHA Eight students won the only two scholars to win the award in the excellent student award. Thirteen schools applied The designated authorities UDC is also going forward with the category for preparatory grade under excellence school cat- arrested yesterday five development of Gewan Island which will while 32 students applied for egory, two of them bagged the persons who violated the comprise the award-winning ‘Corinthia the award. award. Nine students received requirements of the home Gewan Island Qatar’ Hotel, Beach Club and Speaking about adding platinum medals and 10 stu- quarantine, they committed to more categories to the award, dents bagged gold medals in the following, which they are Golf Course, as well as 657 residential she said that many ideas have excellent student category for legally accountable for, in units. been floated recently which are primary grade. Five students accordance with the proce- under study at the committee received platinum medals and dures of the health authorities to give the final approval. 3 students bagged gold medals in the country. Fifteen students won the in the excellent student cat- The arrest of the violators the development of Gewan Island which will award in the excellent student egory for preparatory grade. came in implementation of the comprise the award-winning ‘Corinthia Gewan category for secondary grade, Four students received precautionary measures in Island Qatar’ Hotel, Beach Club and Golf Course, 59 students applied for the platinum medals and 11 stu- force in the country, approved as well as 657 residential units, including 586 award. Nineteen students won dents bagged gold medals in the by health authorities repre- apartments and the winner private villas con- the award in the excellent uni- excellent student category for sented in the Ministry of Public sisting of 21 beachfront villas with a private beach, versity student category, 84 secondary grade. Six students Health, to curb the spread of 26 waterfront villas that are equipped with students applied for the award. received platinum medals and UDC President and CEO Ibrahim Jassim Al Othman the COVID-19. private pontoons for private boats and six inde- Four teachers won the award 13 students bagged gold medals The violators, who are FROM PAGE 1 pendent island mansions. in the excellent teacher cat- in the university student cat- currently being referred to the Gewan Island’s unique mixed-use archi- egory, 37 teachers applied for egory of the award. designate prosecution, are UDC’s commitment to quality and innovation tecture further encompasses a lively retail hub the award. Two master degree One teacher from primary Tahseen Haqqi Ismail Al continues with more residential, retail, enter- at the heart of the Island surrounded by an air holders received the award out school, one teacher from sec- Issawi, Mohammed Farouq tainment and hospitality projects in the pipeline conditioned outdoor ‘Crystal Walkway’ and of 55 scholars who applied for ondary school and two teachers Abdulaziz, Abdullah that serve to create unmatched lifestyle and seaside ‘Promenade’, with public parks and green the ward. A total of 20 PhD from secondary school received Mohammed Abdullah Saad Al leisure experiences to our residents and areas as well as comprehensive leisure facilities degree holders also applied for the award. Kharaan, Mohammed Nasser visitors.” for residents. The Island will also be accessible Mubarak Al Awad Al Marri and Having won the Mixed-Use Development via a cable-stayed bridge which promises to be Ekilish Komar Shokla. award for the fourth time, The Pearl-Qatar incor- a landmark and an architectural and engineering The designated authorities porates a variety of distinct properties including masterpiece that complements Gewan Island’s called on citizens and residents apartments, villas, townhouses, penthouses, distinct character. under home quarantine to diverse entertainment facilities and retail The Arabian Property Awards are considered fully commit to the Ministry of offerings, in addition to beautiful serene beaches the largest, most prestigious, and widely recog- Public Health’s condition, to and the award-winning Porto Arabia marina nized award programme marking their 27th year. ensure their safety and the which is also the Middle East’s largest marina. The awards therefore reflect UDC’s leading safety of others. They added UDC continues to enhance its offerings at The position ahead of hundreds of firms across 45 that anyone who violates the Pearl-Qatar with the construction of luxury res- real estate categories including residential and quarantine will be subject to idential villa compounds and shopping centers commercial properties that have been carefully article no. 253 of law no. 11 of in Giardino Village and Floresta Gardens’ new appraised by a panel of 80 international experts 2004, provisions of law no. 17 precincts, in addition to the state-of-the-art led by three members of the UK’s House of Lords. of 1990 on communicable dis- “United School International” in Giardino Village The evaluation is based on criteria such as design, eases, and law no. 17 of 2002 and an exclusive yacht club in Porto Arabia. quality, services, innovation and commitment to CEO of Education Excellence Award Dr. Hamda Hassan Al Sulaiti on protecting society. UDC is also going forward with sustainability. (right) addressing the press conference. HMC studies impact of staying Qatar Airways expands South America connectivity THE PENINSULA — DOHA to 10 weekly flights and greater convenience and at home on expanding our codeshare simplicity.” people's lifestyle Qatar Airways has announced By increasing São Paulo services to 10 weekly flights and agreement with LATAM Airlines In May 2020, Qatar Airways’ it has increased São Paulo expanding our codeshare agreement with LATAM Airlines Brasil, we will further cement most technologically advanced services to 10 weekly flights and our position as the airline of passenger aircraft, the A350- THE PENINSULA — DOHA expanded codeshare cooper- Brasil, we will further cement our position as the airline of choice for customers travelling 1000, arrived to São Paulo ation with LATAM Airlines choice for customers travelling between Asia, the Middle between Asia, the Middle East International Airport (GRU). The Hamad Medical Corporation Brasil, optimising connectivity East and South America. and South America. award-winning airline is the (HMC) has urged the public to for both airlines' passengers to “Since 2016, both Qatar first to fly this revolutionary air- take part in a research on the and from destinations in Asia, H E Akbar Al Baker Airways and LATAM Airlines craft to South America. One of impact of ‘staying at home’ the Middle East and South Brasil have witnessed the sig- the latest additions to the Airbus Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive during the COVID 19 pandemic America. nificant mutual benefits com- family of twin-aisle, wide-body on lifestyle of Qatar’s popu- The new codeshare mercial cooperation have jetliners, the A350-1000 offers lation. agreement will further brought, providing our pas- 327 seats across two cabins – A team of researchers from strengthen the two airlines’ access to the recently ex- both airlines are also able to sengers with unrivalled service 46 Qsuite Business Class seats the Community Medicine strategic partnership, first ini- panded 10 weekly flights to and earn and redeem miles for and seamless connectivity and and 281 extra-wide 18-inch Department at HMC is con- tiated in 2016 and recently from Sao Paulo, operated by travel across the partners’ com- it is why our codeshare coop- seats in Economy Class. Similar ducting the research among expanded in June 2019. Qatar Airways’ state-of-the-art plete network as well as recog- eration has been expanded to the A350-900 – for which people above the age of 18 The expanded agreement Airbus A350-1000 that features nition of their tier status at twice in recent years. We look Qatar Airways was also the years. will allow Qatar Airways pas- the World’s Best Business Class select airports with benefits forward to further strength- global launch customer – the “We invite you to fill an sengers to book travel on 45 Seat, Qsuite. LATAM Airlines such as priority check-in and ening our commercial cooper- high-performance A350-1000 online survey which will take additional LATAM Airlines Brasil passengers will also be priority boarding. ation with LATAM Airlines boasts an advanced airframe 10 to 15 minutes to answer, Brasil flights and to access over able to book travel to eight Qatar Airways Group Chief Brasil to enhance the travel with extensive use of com- designated for people of 40 domestic and international additional Qatar Airways’ des- Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, experience for our millions of posite materials. 18-years-old and above who destinations on the South tinations such as Bangkok, said: “South America is a stra- customers.” Coupled with a fuselage have stayed in Qatar for at American carrier’s network, Hong Kong, Maldives, Nairobi, tegically important market for LATAM Brasil CEO, Jerome innovatively built with carbon- least two months from March including Brasilia, Curitiba, Seoul and Tokyo along with Qatar Airways. We are proud to Cadier, said: “We are expanding fiber rein-forced plastic, the jet- to August 2020,” said HMC on Porto Velho, Rio Branco, Rio de additional Qatar Airways’ con- demonstrate our strong com- connectivity and the choice of liner burns lesser fuel, reducing its social media accounts Janeiro, San Jose, Lima (Peru), necting flights to destinations mitment to passengers trav- destinations for our customers. harmful effects to the envi- yesterday. Mon-tevido (Uruguay) and San- such as Baku, Kuala Lumpur elling to and from South Even in a year as difficult as ronment. On the inside, LED The survey is available in tiago (Chile). and Singapore. America by providing even 2020, we are committed to mood lighting mimics a natural four languages — English, LATAM Airlines Brasil pas- With an existing loyalty more flexible travel options. By offering our passengers more sunrise and sunset to help Arabic, Malayalam and Urdu. sengers will also benefit from cooperation, frequent fliers with increasing São Paulo services options to travel further with reduce the effects of jet lag. TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 HOME 03 Sponsorship transfer rules will preserve rights of all parties, Shura Council told

FROM PAGE 1 amendment included intro- well as any other costs. It also enhances the State’s ducing the benefits of free The Minister added that the economic level to attract foreign movement of workers in the new amendments included investment and compete in State of Qatar locally according setting rules and procedures by global markets, achieve balance to specific controls, and that the the Ministry in general in order in the demographics of the State aforementioned amendments to define the mechanism and of Qatar in terms of the quality meet the required balance and controls for the transfer and and size of the resident popu- justice between the two parties decide on the approval of the lation, reduce the number of to the labor contract repre- submitted applications, which unskilled and illegal workers, sented by the employer and the are being studied to achieve flex- rotate and retain skilled labor, worker, as both parties have the ibility in developing these proce- while achieving legal guar- freedom to terminate the con- dures in a way that preserves the antees for all parties that are tract with the obligation to com- rights of all the parties. compatible with international pensate the other party, and He affirmed the Ministry’s standards. with the employer’s right to keenness to follow up on The Minister stated that the oblige the worker to a non- employers’ observations amendments have been expe- competition clause as a clause regarding these procedures to dited to accelerate handling of in the contract, and the worker develop them in a manner that Speaker of Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud; Minister of Administrative coronavirus crisis and its eco- must respect this clause for a preserves the rights of all Development, Labour and Social Affairs, H E Yousuf bin Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo; and other nomic impact and the difficulty full year and is banned from parties. dignitaries attending the Shura Council meeting yesterday. of returning workers to their working for a competitor in the In his response to the ques- countries due to the measures same economic sector for the tions and inquiries of the taken by the State and the employer, in addition to the members of the Council, the At the end of the session, Law promulgated by Law No. Minister of Administrative labor-sending countries to possibility of adding other con- Minister explained that getting Speaker of the Shura Council 14 of 2004, and regarding the Development, Labor and Social reduce the spread of the ditions and clauses to be rid of illegal workers comes at directed the joint committee of request for public debate sub- Affairs and the discussions with disease, adding that the situ- included in an appendix to the the forefront of the ministry’s the Services and Public Utilities mitted by a number of members him during the session in this ation did not allow workers to standard labor contract to pre- priorities and that there are Committee and the Internal and of the Council related to the regard, in order to submit its leave Qatar, which had a neg- serve the employer’s right to radical solutions to this matter, External Affairs Committee to transfer of the employer and report to the Council in prepa- ative impact on the conditions compensation for the costs and announced that a study is complete its report on Decree travel without notice for the ration for referring its recom- of companies and workers. incurred by him in order to underway to classify Law No. 18 of 2020 amending expatriate workers, in light of mendations to the esteemed He added that the recruit and train the worker as companies. some provisions of the Labor the clarifications made by government. Health Minister meets first two recipients of vaccine in Qatar MoPH: 207 new COVID-19 cases, THE PENINSULA — DOHA former Qatar University professor, Dr. Frazat, explained how it has been a dif- 117 recoveries Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Hanan ficult year for him and his family living Mohamed Al Kuwari, has met with Dr. under the threat of COVID-19. “Knowing THE PENINSULA — DOHA Abdulla Al Kubaisi and Dr. Mohammed that older people are more at risk from Frazat, the first two people to receive severe symptoms of COVID-19 has The Ministry of Public Health the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar. meant I have been living under the threat (MoPH) yesterday announced “Qatar was among the first countries of this virus for most of the year. I am the registration of 207 new in the world to provide a safe, effective thankful to the leadership of Qatar and confirmed cases of COVID-19. and approved COVID-19 vaccine for its to the health authorities for ensuring the Among them 50 were trav- population and the vaccinations of Dr. most vulnerable members of Qatar’s ellers returning from abroad. Al Kubaisi and Dr. Frazat signalled the population can access the vaccine so Another 117 people have launch of Qatar’s COVID-19 vaccination quickly. I have had no side effects fol- recovered from the virus, campaign on December 23. The cam- lowing my first vaccine dose and I look bringing the total number of paign has seen thousands of the most forward to receiving my second dose recovered cases in Qatar to at-risk members of the community and soon,” said Dr. Frazat. 141,925. All new cases have healthcare workers receive the vaccine “The response to the launch of the been introduced to isolation in the first week and a half,” said the vaccination campaign has been very and are receiving necessary Minister. encouraging. Every day, more and more healthcare according to their “I was delighted to meet Dr. Al people in the most high-risk priority health status. Kubaisi and Dr. Frazat and hear from groups are being vaccinated against the While the first phase of Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, with Dr. Mohammed them how receiving the first dose of the virus. As greater numbers of eligible COVID-19 vaccinations has Frazat, Dr. Abdulla Al Kubaisi and Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine has given people receive their vaccinations — started in Qatar and in the COVID-19 Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, during the meeting held yesterday. them cause for optimism and how they including many prominent members of coming months it will be are now advocating the vaccine to other society and senior health officials who available for the public for at-risk members of the community. I measures,” the Minister added. University, said, “It was an honour for meet the eligibility criteria — this is free, the Ministry has stressed would like to thank everyone who has During the first phase of the cam- me to become the first person in Qatar helping to build trust among the popu- it is important for everyone to received the vaccine for taking action to paign vaccines are being prioritised for to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The lation in the safety of the vaccine. We play their role in controlling protect themselves and for playing their those most at risk of severe complica- vaccination process was straightforward recommend that people who got both the virus by following precau- part in ending this pandemic. tions from the virus: people 65 years of and painless, and I have had no side doses continue to apply the preventive tionary measures including "Clinical trials have shown that the age and older, those with multiple effects since receiving the vaccine. I am measures for extra protection,” said adhering to physical dis- vaccine becomes fully effective only after chronic conditions, and healthcare happy to see many other people in the Chair of the National Health Strategic tancing; avoiding close contact one week of receiving the second dose workers with repeated exposure to community receiving their first dose and Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infec- with others, crowded places, and people who have had the first dose COVID-19. I encourage anyone who is eligible to tious Diseases at Hamad Medical Cor- and confined closed spaces are still at risk of catching the virus and Dr. Al Kubaisi, a 79-year-old Qatari have the vaccine as soon as possible.” poration, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal who also where other people con- should continue to apply the preventive citizen and former president of Qatar 88-year-old Syrian resident and attended the meeting. gregate; wearing a face mask and washing hands regularly. The Ministry further said PHCC's new mobile app allows that measures to tackle COVID-19 in Qatar have suc- ceeded in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the easy access to health services virus. Also Qatar’s proactive and extensive testing of sus- FAZEENA SALEEM people with the ability to access including applying for a health pected cases has enabled us to THE PENINSULA health services anywhere, card, change the health centre, identify a high number of pos- anytime at their convenience changing family physician, itive cases in the community. With the launch of a new mobile in a secure platform; thus request for an appointment, The Ministry further said app by the Primary Health Care encouraging patients to take adding dependent account and that Qatar has one of the Corporation (PHCC), people in ownership of their health,” said renewing a health card. lowest COVID-19 death rates Qatar are now able to easily Dr. Abdul Malik speaking at a “Nar’aakom gives complete in the world, as a result of the access health care services pro- press conference held yesterday control to manage your and country’s young population, vided by health centres through to announce the launch of the your family’s health service proactive testing to identify smartphones. app. requirements. It includes, cases early and expanding Nar’aakom, the bilingual She also emphasised that requesting a new appointment hospital capacity, especially PHCC Managing Director, Dr. Mariam Abdul Malik (left) and Assistant mobile app, provides compre- during the COVD-19 pandemic, at one of health centres, to intensive care to ensure all Managing Director, Musallam Mubarak Al Nabit displaying the hensive healthcare man- PHCC accelerated its digital applying for a change of your patients receive the medical agement on-the-go, from transformation to facilitate assigned health centre or ISO 20000 and 20001 certificates, at a press conference held to care they need and protecting announce the launch of PHCC's new mobile app yesterday. accessing upcoming appoint- minimal-contact care delivery changing the assigned family PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA the elderly and those with ments to applying for a health through virtual consultations, physician. It also allows you to chronic diseases. card online. a 24x7 community call centre add dependents to your The Ministry asked people “Nar’aakom app allows and an electronically-dispensed account, so as to manage related to IT security. and Communication Tech- to be careful and protect the people in Qatar to benefit from medication facility with home- requests for any of these “There is an opportunity to nology (HICT) at PHCC, Alex- most vulnerable, while many of PHCC’s digital services delivery service. services on their behalf,” said give feedback on the appli- andra Tarazi. COVID-19 restrictions are being from their smartphones,” said The new mobile app, Assistant Managing Director at cation and we look forward to In October 2020, PHCC had lifted. “Even though restrictions Managing Director of PHCC, Dr. Nar’aakom is available for both PHCC, Musallam Mubarak Al receiving them from the people. launched their new website are being lifted, and numbers Mariam Abdul Malik iphones and android devices, Nabit. We have many plans to improve which provides an easy access are declining, this does not yesterday. the Nar’aakom app can be He said Nar’aakom is a the application and ideas to to all primary care information mean that the COVID-19 pan- “It is an extension of the downloaded from the Apple secure app, and PHCC has suc- improve services. Soon, people online. Patients can also access demic is finished in Qatar – digital transformation of health App Store and Google Play Store cessfully been awarded with will be able to request an elec- e-services on the PHCC website people continue to be admitted care services that PHCC rolled in Qatar. two ISO certification — the ISO tronic copy of their medical that allows conducting ‘day-to- with moderate to severe out early last year. With the Residents and citizens can 20000 related to IT service records,” said Executive day’ administrative business COVID-19 symptoms,” said the mobile app, we empower also request for many services management and ISO 27001 Director of Health Information on-line. Ministry. Artists turn mobile phones into creative pieces under Ooredoo, QM initiative

THE PENINSULA — DOHA upcoming artists, highlighting the technique used, and will get to get a sneak peek of how the their skills and achievements. to keep an extra device as a gift. masterpieces are progressing Ooredoo's cultural initiative ‘The A select group of artists was The finished masterpieces recently! Part of our corporate Art and the Mobile’ — launched chosen to take part in the chal- will be exhibited for the public at social responsibility is a firm in partnership with Qatar lenge. The artists were given the Qatar Fire Station later this commitment to supporting the Museums — is well underway, many smartphone devices as month, and part of the collection communities in which we with artists busy turning smart- their canvases and have now will be donated or auctioned for operate. We’re proud to be phone devices into creative begun work to turn these devices a worthy cause in Qatar. working with Qatar Museums masterpieces. into unique pieces of art by Director PR at Ooredoo on such a worthwhile project to The Art and the Mobile is a painting or to decorate their back Qatar Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari promote arts and culture in unique project intended to enrich panels. said: “We’re excited that this Qatar’s communities. We can’t Qatar’s cultural and artistic scene Each artist will decorate two awesome initiative is now wait to see the finished artworks and showcase its young and to three devices, depending on underway, and were delighted very soon!” 04 HOME TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 Qatar Forum for Female Engineers launched

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The first meeting for Qatar Forum for Female Engineers recently took place virtually. Over half of the Forum’s 80 registered members, repre- senting various sectors in the State of Qatar, attended the event. The meeting included the opening speech by the Forum’s Chairperson, Dr. Hanan Farhat, and the Vice- Chairperson, Eng. Abeer Paticipants during a session of the course Buhelaiqa. Aysha Al Mudahka, Dr. Amal Al Maliki Aysha Al Mudahka Director of Strategic Initiative Dr. Hanan Farhat Foundation course organised for and Partnership Development at Qatar Foundation’s CEO’s in Qatar is a reflection of that On the other hand, Dr. Al including communication assistant public prosecutors office, praised this important with its developing climate that Ansari focused on the devel- skills, negotiation skills, initiative to enhance capabil- is in constant negotiation in opment and the importance of decision-making skills, and QNA — DOHA medicine, forensic evidence ities, job opportunities, and terms of gender identity and empowering women. She team building. and the crime scene. development for Qatar’s gender parity and what it stressed the importance of Dr. Hanan Farhat, the The Institute of Criminal The assistants are trained female engineers. Two leading means to the existing cultural Qatar’s indicators, numbers, and Chairperson of the Forum, who Studies at the Public Prose- by an elite group of prose- female figures in Qatar and religious structures,” Al advanced centers from the sus- worked in the oil and gas cution organised the third cutors, professors and experts delivered keynote speeches, Malki said. tainable development goals in industry for over 25 years foundation course for in this field. Dr. Amal Al Maliki, Founding “Qatari women now enjoy developing major projects, as the before joining Qatar Foun- preparing assistant public pros- The Public Prosecution is Dean of the College of Human- somehow equal opportunities numbers and indicators indicate dation, said, “Establishing this ecutors. always working to develop the ities and Social Sciences at in both education and the quality of services provided Forum dates back to 2019, Thirty-three assistant capabilities and performance Hamad Bin Khalifa University, employment, and this is being to the individual and society. when we noticed that a large public prosecutors are partic- of its members of all ranks by and Dr. Buthaina Al Ansari, an translated into laws and regu- She discussed the com- number of women, who have ipating in the one-year course holding foundational and expert in strategic devel- lations that are and hopefully parison between equality and obtained an engineering which includes a theoretical refresher courses with the aim opment and human resources will continue to be set to justice to empower women degree find it difficult to get study of penal and procedural of preparing cadres and leaders at Beacon Consulting and one protect such rights.” socially, economically, and engineering jobs, especially laws and other laws related to who will take the responsibility of the influential women in the Al Malki emphasised Qatar legally to become partners for engineering field positions. the public prosecution, as well for criminal cases and estab- Middle East. Foundation’s support for a men in developing society and Several of these women leave as practical training and field lishing and achieving justice for Dr. Al Malki’s talk focused thriving climate that connects providing women with skills the workforce within the first visits to prisons, forensic all. on the challenges that women education, community, and and proper education and three years of employment. in Qatar face. “It is easy to find decision and policy-makers. equal opportunities in posi- This raised an alarm, especially bright, successful examples if “The number of female tions, elections, and promo- that women are half of the MoCI recalls 2019 model of Toyota Hilux we look at other Arab women graduates across Education tions in the labour market. She workforce in the country, who and their stories, yet every City has increased dramati- talked about the importance of should be empowered and THE PENINSULA — DOHA defect in the brake booster, country has its distinctive cally, feeding the job market developing and updating strengthened.” which may lead to increasing history, culture, and sociopo- and more importantly pro- human resources policies, Engineer Abeer Buhelaiqa, The Ministry of Commerce and the stopping distance of the litical characteristics that shape viding new career areas with including working hours, pro- Vice-Chairperson of the Industry (MoCI), in cooper- vehicle. The recall campaign the stories of its women. Our the first women employees. For motions strategy in the career Forum, an active member in ation with Abdullah comes within the framework countries in the Arabian Gulf example, in Texas A&M-Qatar, ladder, the maternity leave the oil and gas sector, said, Abdulghani & Bros Co W.L.L, of the Ministry’s continuous are unique and different from 46 percent of the student body period, training, and devel- “The Forum’s vision is to dealer of Toyota in Qatar, efforts to protect consumers other Arab countries. As a cul- are women, and 51.6 percent opment methodology. These inspire and empower female announced the recall of the and ensure that car dealers tural entity, it has been most of undergraduate engineers are policies should focus on engineers as leaders in the Toyota Hilux model of 2019 follow up on vehicle defects resistant to change. The case women,” she said. women’s leadership skills, engineering field.” due to the possibility of a and repairs. QBRI and KHCC launch initiative for breast cancer research

THE PENINSULA — DOHA interventions.”Among the well- from KHCC while also inte- known familial breast cancer grating data from Qatari Qatar Biomedical Research risk factors are mutations in the patients though the collabo- Institute (QBRI) – part of Qatar BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which ration with HMC, to provide a Foundation member Hamad Bin account for only 10-20 percent wider picture of genomic alter- Khalifa University and the King of high-risk cancer cases. This ations in breast cancer patients Hussain Cancer Center (KHCC) means the genetic driver behind from the MENA region. in Jordan, together with Hamad other high-risk familial breast Executive Director of QBRI, Medical Corporation (HMC), cancer phenotypes in the MENA Dr. Omar El Agnaf said, “Breast have launched a strategic initi- region remain unidentified. cancer can be a result of dif- ative aimed at developing a As a first step towards iden- ferent underlying genetic better understanding of breast tification of those driver genes, causes, and this variability lends cancer complexity in the Arab QBRI has received the first itself to the growing field of pre- region, employing cutting-edge batch of genomic DNA from cision medicine, which can Dr. Asem Mansour Dr. Amal Al Omari Dr. Omar El Agnaf technologies and engaging patients with familial breast result in immense patient scientists and clinicians with cancer not related to BRCA1 and benefits. varied expertise. Qatar-Jordan collaboration is surviving the condition. It could cancer cases diagnosed in Arab BRCA2 mutations from KHCC. Chief Executive Officer and Regionally, breast cancer is to discover novel susceptibility also lead to more personalized females. Those samples have undergone Director General of KHCC, Dr. the most common cancer genes in the Arab population treatment for patients, by “Breast cancer in Arab whole genome sequencing, with Asem Mansour, said, “There is among women accounting for which could help to identify and allowing the most appropriate women is also characterized by the data currently being ana- great optimism for this unique approximately 30 percent of monitor families with a high therapy to be selected based on distinctive features, such as the lyzed. Initial analysis of those scientific cooperation between female cancer cases in Qatar genetic risk of developing breast their genetic background. younger age at the point of samples has revealed the the exceptional research capa- and the MENA region, meaning cancer; and to enable pre- Chief Scientific Officer at diagnosis compared to Western presence of large number of bilities of Qatar Biomedical it represents a major health vention, early detection, and KHCC, Dr. Amal Al Omari, countries. Today, our under- genetic alterations. Research Institute and the dis- burden. treatment, improve breast “Breast cancer is still the most standing of disease mechanisms Through complex compu- tinguished medical and The chief goal of the cancer patients’ prospects of common malignancy among and gene functions enables us tational algorithms, scientists research expertise at the King women to guide treatment strategies at QBRI are currently working Hussein Cancer Center. He said worldwide and design medical interven- to decipher genetic data to “We hope that, in the near and consti- tions that are appropriate to the identify novel susceptibility future, there will be a transfor- tutes a signif- individual patient’s needs and driver genes beyond BRCA1 and mation in healthcare and diag- icant per- assess the extent of the response BRCA2. They are doing this by nostic technology in the Arab centage of all to these targeted analyzing additional samples world." Landmark Group launches all new Shukran Gift Card THE PENINSULA — DOHA their preferences have always been a convenience and options to choose top priority for our Group. Globally, what works best for their needs. We Landmark Group Qatar has personalisation is paving the way for have also added some of our popular announced the launch of ‘Shukran retailers and we are delighted to F&B brands to enable gifting ‘experi- Gift Card’, offering its customers a announce the launch of the Shukran ences’ as well. This is a significant step seamless and convenient gifting Gift Card, as a part of our continued forward for us in our commitment to experience for family and friends on commitment to creating memorable offer endless possibilities to our cus- all special occasions and festive and customized shopping experiences tomers,” Jagtiani added. seasons. for all our loyal customers. Chief Operating Officer Landmark Redeemable and available for Group Qatar, Clive Freeman said: purchase in over 70 Landmark “Consolidation of Landmark Group Group retail stores across Qatar, the brand specific gift cards to Shukran Shukran Gift Card will allow Gift Card provides flexibility and con- shoppers access to varied brands venience to our customers for their across the Group. The card will also gifting needs. In addition to our stores, be redeemable for online shopping Shukran Gift Cards can be used across and later this year customers will our apps and websites presenting an also be able to buy them online. omni-channel usage. With our store The all new gift card will be reach and growing popularity of online available in variable denomination as channels, Shukran Gift Cards addresses preferred by the customers and will be “With the new Shukran Gift card, current day gifting needs of shoppers.” valid for 12 months, with customizable our aim was to offer the convenience The largest of its kind in the Middle cards available for bulk purchases for of a single card consolidating all our East as well as the most successful Corporate gifting. In addition to in-store brands so that our customers will have retail and hospitality loyalty pro- purchase, recipients of the Shukran Gift wider access to our products. They can gramme, Shukran, rewards over 10 card can also choose to use the card for now select from diverse categories million active members yearly as they making online purchase from any of including fashion, beauty, footwear, shop across a range of the Group’s the participating brands. home furnishing and more - all with brands and other partner brands Speaking about the launch, one card. We are constantly working across the GCC region. The Shukran Group Director, Landmark Group, to establish a stronger connection programme also offers timely and per- Rahul Jagtiani said: “Being relevant between our customers and our sonalised brand offers in line with the to our customers and catering to products by providing them customers preference. TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 HOME 05 Ooredoo Group and Ericsson sign five-year strategic 5G agreement

THE PENINSULA — DOHA With a turnkey responsi- bility, Ericsson will deliver a Ooredoo Group and Ericsson comprehensive portfolio of (NASDAQ:ERIC) have signed a telecom services. global frame agreement for the Under the agreement, supply of 5G radio, core, and Ericsson will provide hardware transport products and solu- and software expansions of the A child receiving a treatment in Yemen. tions, as well as related imple- core network, radio network, mentation and integration and transmission network, and services for all 10 of the Group’s enhanced mobile multimedia QRCS provides life-saving operating companies in Qatar, functionality for new service Indonesia, Algeria, Iraq, Kuwait, offerings. medical assistance in Yemen Oman, Palestine, Tunisia, Executive Vice President Myanmar, and the Maldives. and Head of Business Area Net- THE PENINSULA — DOHA Before the ceremony, the public The agreement covers the works at Ericsson Fredrik Jej- were informed about hydro- Ericsson Radio System, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Fredrik Jejdling dling, commented: “5G as a Qatar Red Crescent Society cephalus, its symptoms, and including MINI-LINK 6000 Al Thani platform for innovation will (QRCS) has inaugurated a treatment by the surgical products capable of the 10 Gbps, agreement represents another speed up Ooredoo’s journey project to help the patients with placement of a cerebrospinal Ericsson Cloud Core, Cloud companies. In Ooredoo Qatar’s step in the longstanding and towards digital transformation. hydrocephalus in Sana’a, the fluid (CSF) shunt system. Infrastructure, and Ericsson network, Ericsson Radio successful partnership between It will fuel new use cases that capital city of Yemen. Both the personnel of QRCS Cloud Communication System, using the 4G+5G Ericsson and Ooredoo, which cater to evolving consumer and The opening ceremony was and the partner made a tour of solutions. Ericsson Spectrum Sharing enables our company to con- enterprise demands. It is with attended by the project’s several governorates, under the This will enable end-to-end solution, has facilitated a fast tinue network expansion, great pride that we strengthen manager at QRCS’s represen- theme of ‘Save a Life’. They told 5G support to digitally nationwide 5G coverage. Fur- enhancement, and digital trans- our collaboration as we con- tation mission, Mohamed Al the public that the machines transform and modernize Oore- thermore, in preparation for formation. Ericsson is bringing tinue supporting Ooredoo’s Shumairi; Deputy Manager of and surgical interventions are doo’s existing mobile networks Ooredoo Qatar’s network to state-of-the-art global technol- ambition of delivering high- the Handicap Care and Reha- entirely free of charge. across its operating companies. host multiple global sporting ogies to the countries we performing networks and bilitation Fund (implementing The project’s coordinator, These solutions will also signif- events, Ericsson is deploying its operate in, which enables us to superior user experience.” partner), Othman Al Salawi Hassan Al Hanani talked about icantly shorten time-to-market latest 5G mid-band Massive provide the latest digital solu- Ericsson’s network design staff of the fund, and parents of the tragedy lived by the for new services and improve MIMO radios to create a unique tions for communities to enjoy expertise, deployment, inte- children with disability. patients. “Due to the lack of CSF Ooredoo’s network per- digital experience for millions the best of the internet, gration, and software upgrades Around 1,000 children in all machines at all government formance to meet consumers’ of sports fans in the stadiums, including connecting the most will support Ooredoo’s tran- governorates of Yemen will health facilities, and the prices and enterprises’ growing at home, or on-the-go. remote areas, supporting start- sition to advanced multimedia benefit from the project. are too high for the patients to expectations. Deputy Group Chief Exec- ups digitally, and providing services. Under the agreement, Speaking at the ceremony, Al purchase the machines on the Ericsson Radio System is utive Officer, Ooredoo Group immersive experiences for Ericsson will also provide Salawi valued QRCS's human- market, the children with already deployed and live in Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla sports fans at upcoming mega- support and maintenance itarian and life-saving role in hydrocephalus are likely to several of Ooredoo’s operating Al Thani, said: “Today’s sporting events.” services. alleviating the suffering of develop serious conditions, children with hydrocephalus such as brain cancer or vision in Yemen, amid absolute loss. So, an early surgical inter- absence of international vention can minimise the QU-Health study sheds light on rare heart condition organizations. impact and boost their survival Under the project, both chances,” said Al Hanani. THE PENINSULA — DOHA spark that will lead to flames external ventricular drains Al Shumairi said, “As we PPCM also known as of achievements," he said. (EVDs) and intraventricular completed phase 1 of the free- Due to the limited published postpartum This paper is a great catheters (IVCs) will be pro- of-charge treatment cam- data related to the clinical pres- cardiomyopathy, is an addition to this field as it will vided, as well as the pre-, paign, we were contacted by entation of peripartum cardio- uncommon form of heart help guide the management during, and post-procedure many families. Over the early myopathy (PPCM), a study approach of PPCM patients medications. It also involves days, 23 children were aimed to examine the clinical failure that happens during because of the lack of published payment for the costs of trans- operated on their brains. Every presentation, management, and the last month of pregnancy data on this topic, particularly portation and accommodation family received $200 in cash. outcomes of patients with or up to five months after from the Middle East. for the poor families that So far, the project paid for the PPCM using data collected from giving birth. The main authors of this cannot afford the travel to transportation and accommo- 47 hospitals in seven Middle Cardiomyopathy literally paper include Dr. Amar M. Amanat Al Asimah. dation of 14 poor families from East countries. Salam, Mohamed Badie Ahmed, These activities will cost remote areas. For Phase 1, 100 PPCM also known as post- means heart muscle disease. and Dr. Alison S. Carr. They are $309,000, totally paid by CSF machines have already partum cardiomyopathy, is an affiliated with the College of QRCS, while the Handicap Care been procured and delivered uncommon form of heart Medicine, QU Health, and Qatar and Rehabilitation Fund will by QRCS, out of 1,000 failure that happens during the said: “Every research expe- University. pay for the costs of procedures. machines. last month of pregnancy or up rience carries its lessons that Mohamed Badie Ahmed to five months after giving birth. help build the research’s Cardiomyopathy literally means knowledge and skills. This heart muscle disease. B-type natriuretic peptide experience is unique as it was The study included 64 (BNP) biomarker as useful my first time collaborating with patients hospitalized with screening tests to aid in an researchers from different acute heart failure (HF) with early diagnosis to limit life- countries, which added a lot to the diagnosis of PPCM. Most threatening complications. my experience. of the patients were Arabs Future HF registries should "Besides, being the only (96.9%), with a mean age of include variables specific to student in this amazing 32.5 ± 5.8 years. A family pregnancy and fetal outcomes research group was a chal- history of cardiomyopathy/HF when PPCM is the etiology of lenge, as I was not repre- was present in 11 patients HF, enabling a detailed study senting only myself, but all (17.2%), and 12 patients (18.8%) of this uncommon condition. QU-CMED students. With had a history of HF. Hyper- A high index of suspicion of confidence, I can say that the tension was present in seven PPCM is required to diagnose impression taken about the patients (10.9%) and diabetes as associated symptoms and students is great. We proved mellitus in three patients signs can be indistinguishable that QU-CMED students could (4.7%). from those related to normal originate and publish research Based on the results, the pregnancy. in well-reputed journals with study suggests using transtho- Mohamed Badie Ahmed, a high impact factors. I believe racic echocardiography and sixth-year medical student, that this publication is the Ibn Al-Rayb Cultural Street in Katara attracts book lovers

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The ongoing book fair being held at the recently launched Ibn al-Rayb Street at Katara in which 15 publishing houses and a library are participating has been very popular with the public across all ages. Participating publishing houses have expressed optimism about the success of this event, which has caused A view of the Ibn Al-Rayab Cultural Street in Katara. movement in book sales, greatly impacted by the pan- demic locally and globally. Studies said that the center is build bridges between contem- Amira Al-Hababi from concerned with issuing and pub- porary generations and the Qatar University (QU) Press said lishing books on social sciences history of humanity. that the university publishing and aims to develop awareness Al-Sayed lauded the fruitful house publishes books and sci- and enrich the cultural cooperation between Katara and entific journals on various dis- movement. He stressed that the the Qatari Publishers and Dis- ciplines, and its participation in book event in Ibn Al-Rayb tributors Forum of the Ministry the Ibn Al-Rayb Cultural Street Street, which is a joint cultural of Culture and Sports expressing event came at a time when event between Katara and the his support to such collaboration people need books in light of Qatari Distributors Publishers’ and their initiatives. the pandemic and the cancel- Forum, meets an urgent need at Muhammad Al-Mahdi from lation of book fairs at the local the present time, and it is a good Dar Al-Thaqafa expressed his and international level. initiative to fill the gap in the thanks Katara, the Qatari Pub- Al-Hababi pointed out that absence of book fairs. lishers and Distributors Forum QU Press is exhibiting in its stall Abdul Aziz Al-Sayed, owner for inviting them to participate important recently published of a library, said they are inter- in the event extends bridges of books such as “Qatar on the ested in the masterpieces of Arab communication with the Arabian Gulf Sea” by and world literature and the reader. He explained that Dar Muhammad Harb Farzat which classic novels of the masters of Al-Thaqafa is one of the old was released on the occasion fictional writing in the Arab Arab publishing houses, as it of Qatar National Day, and world, rare books and ancient was established in 1963 as a “Qatar and the Gulf Crisis - dynasties and encyclopedias that library selling books, which Where are the Arabs ? “ trans- document the history the Arab turned into a publishing house lated by QU Press and edited countries, among others. He said followed by several libraries. by Reem Al-Athba. the library aims to preserve and The book fair is open daily Ahmed Hammad of the Arab document the memory of the from 3pm to 9pm until Center for Research and Policy Arab world and humanity and summer. 06 HOME TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Iran resumes 20% uranium enrichment at Fordow N-facility REUTERS — DUBAI “A few minutes from Iran’s commitments”. “All participants are inter- Iran has resumed 20 percent ago, the process ested in keeping deal alive. uranium enrichment at an of producing 20 The deal will be kept alive as underground nuclear facility, long as all participants keep the government said percent enriched their commitments.” On Jan yesterday, breaching a 2015 1, the IAEA said Tehran had nuclear pact with major uranium has started told the watchdog it planned powers and possibly compli- in Fordow enrichment to resume enrichment up to cating efforts by US Pres- 20 percent at Fordow site, ident-elect Joe Biden to rejoin complex,” government which is buried inside a the deal. spokesman Ali Rabiei mountain. Benjamin Netanyahu, “The process of gas prime minister of Iran’s arch told Iranian state injection to centrifuges has foe Israel, said the move was media. started a few hours ago and aimed at developing nuclear the first product of uranium weapons and Israel would hexafluoride (UF6) gas will be never allow Tehran to build available in a few hours,” A South Korean-flagged tanker vessel which was seized by Iran, is seen in Gulf, Iran, yesterday. them. Iranian state media. Rabiei said. The enrichment decision, The step was one of many “The process has started Iran’s latest contravention of mentioned in a law passed by after taking measures like the accord, coincides with Iran’s parliament last month informing the UN nuclear South Korean-flagged tanker increasing tensions between in response to the killing of watchdog.” Iran and the United States in the country’s top nuclear sci- Iran had earlier breached the last days of President entist, which Tehran has the deal’s 3.67 percent limit seized by Iran, crew detained Donald Trump’s blamed on Israel. Such moves on the purity to which it can administration. by Iran could complicate enrich uranium, but it had REUTERS — DUBAI/SEOUL by local officials, it is purely a The US Navy’s Bahrain- Tehran started violating attempts by the incoming only gone up to 4.5 percent so technical matter and the ship based Fifth Fleet is aware of the the accord in 2019 in response Biden administration to re- far, well short of the 20 Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was taken to shore for polluting incident and is monitoring the to Trump’s withdrawal from enter the agreement. percent level and of the 90 Corps seized a South Korean- the sea,” state television quoted situation, spokeswoman it in 2018 and the reimpo- The head of the Interna- percent that is flagged tanker in Gulf waters and Iranian Foreign Ministry Rebecca Rebarich said. sition of US sanctions that had tional Atomic Energy Agency weapons-grade. detained its crew, Iranian media spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh The incident comes ahead been lifted under the deal. was set to inform members US intelligence agencies said yesterday, amid tensions as saying. of an expected visit by South The agreement’s main aim yesterday about develop- and the IAEA believe Iran had between Tehran and Seoul over The semi-official Tasnim Korea’s deputy foreign minister was to extend the time Iran ments in Iran, the IAEA said, a secret, coordinated nuclear Iranian funds frozen in South news agency published pictures to Tehran. Khatibzadeh said the would need to produce after the announcement by weapons programme that it Korean banks due to US sanc- showing the Guards’ speed boats visit would happen in coming enough fissile material for a Tehran. halted in 2003. Iran denies tions. escorting the tanker HANKUK days, during which officials nuclear bomb, if it chose to, Later, Iran’s envoy to the ever having had one. Seoul confirmed the seizure CHEMI, which it said was car- would discuss Iran’s demand to at least a year from roughly IAEA said the agency had con- In Jerusalem, Netanyahu of a South Korean chemical rying 7,200 tonnes of ethanol. that South Korea release $7 two to three months. It also firmed in a report to member said Iran’s enrichment tanker by Iranian authorities in It said the vessel’s detained billion in funds frozen in South lifted international sanctions states that Tehran has begun decision could be explained the waters off Oman, and crew members included Korean banks because of US against Tehran. the process of enriching only as a bid to “continue to demanded its immediate release. nationals of South Korea, Indo- sanctions. “A few minutes ago, the uranium to a higher level. carry out its intention to Several Iranian media nesia, Vietnam and Myanmar. British firm Ambrey said the process of producing 20 In Brussels, a European develop a military nuclear outlets, including state TV, said Iran’s state TV said the tanker South Korean-flagged vessel, percent enriched uranium has Union Commission spokes- programme”. the Guards navy captured the was being held at Iran’s Bandar owned by DM Shipping Co, had started in Fordow enrichment person said that the “move, if “Israel will not allow Iran vessel for polluting the Gulf with Abbas port city. The ship had 20 departed from the Petroleum complex,” government confirmed, would constitute to produce nuclear weapons,” chemicals. crew members, according to Chemical Quay in Jubail, in Saudi spokesman Ali Rabiei told a considerable departure he added in a statement. “According to initial reports South Korea’s foreign ministry. Arabia, before the incident. Nigerian scientist studies country’s Lebanon gears up for lockdown as infections surge AP — BEIRUT the cash-strapped government nearly 6 million, including 1 Despite a two-week raising criticism of lax penalty coronavirus owes them large sums of out- million refugees, has registered lockdown in November, the implementation. Lebanon is gearing up for a new standing debt. around 3,000 infections cases numbers kept increasing - only Many feared the figures may variant nationwide lockdown, as offi- “We are facing a very every day for the past week - worsening with the holiday surpass 5,000 infections a day cials vowed yesterday to take critical phase and we need nearly doubling the number seasons and the return of nearly and have expressed fear of “the AP — LAGOS stricter measures against the exceptional and firm measures from previous weeks. Since 80,000 expats to celebrate at Italian scenario” — a reference coronavirus following the as well as strict implemen- February, nearly 190,000 infec- home. to overloading the health sector A Nigerian scientist has spent holiday season, which saw a tation,” caretaker Prime Min- tions have been recorded and The holidays have also seen with no ability to trace new the holiday season in his labo- large increase in infections and ister Hassan Diab said at the almost 1,500 deaths. increased testing but reports cases. ratory doing genetic sequencing caused jitters in the country’s start of a government meeting The numbers began suggested many of those were Lebanon is already strug- to learn more about the coun- already-battered health sector. to discuss how to deal with the increasing this summer, fol- carried out to allow celebra- gling with an unprecedented try’s COVID-19 variant, as cases First responders say they spreading virus. lowing a massive explosion in tions, only driving up infections. economic crisis that has caused increase in the country. have been transporting nearly A meeting of the highest Beirut’s port that shook the city Lockdowns of towns and vil- it to default on debt, and has Virologist Sunday Omilabu 100 patients a day while hos- security committee is to follow and its heath sector, killing over lages failed to contain new sent its local currency plunging says the information he pitals report near-full occu- later in the day before new 200 people and injuring 6,000. infections and fines for violators and losing 80 percent of its gathers about the variant will pancy in beds and ICUs. measures are announced. The infections following the did not stop large New Year value to the dollar. That has help battle the spread of the Nurses say they are over- Armenian Orthodox Christmas August explosion increased by Eve’s gatherings. At one, a hotel severely curbed imports in the disease in Nigeria, Africa’s whelmed, and private hospitals is celebrated in Lebanon this over 300 percent from the hosted a famous Lebanese import-dependent countries, most populous country. have been roped into the national week. month before and have been singer in an indoor party that including of medicine and Nigeria has confirmed response despite complaints that Lebanon, a country of climbing since. included hundreds of people, medical supplies. 89,163 COVID-19 cases, including 1,302 deaths, according to the figures Sunday from the Africa Israeli prosecutors Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The variants discovered spell out allegations in the UK and South Africa, they are distantly different from the variants discovered against Netanyahu in Nigeria,” said Omilabu, who said it is not unusual for viruses to mutate and cause AP — JERUSALEM of Netanyahu’s rivals. variants. The document listed all 315 Nigeria is seeing more Israeli prosecutors yesterday suspected incidents, which infections of COVID-19 but it released an amended allegedly included numerous is not yet certain if that is from indictment spelling out detailed requests to publish flattering the variant, said Omilambu, charges against Prime Minister articles and photos of Netan- the director of the Center for Benjamin Netanyahu in a yahu’s wife Sara, to conceal Human and Zoonotic Virology corruption case in which he is reports of embarrassing expen- at the Lagos University College accused of trading favours with ditures and personal infor- of Medicine and Teaching a powerful media mogul. mation about the Netanyahu Hospital. Netanyahu has been family and attempts to “What we could say clini- charged with fraud, breach of embarrass his rivals. It quoted cally is that we have more trust and accepting bribes in Bezeq’s controlling shareholder people coming down with three corruption cases. One of at the time, Shaul Elovitch, as severe signs and symptoms,” he them alleges that Netanyahu expressing concerns that said, describing how one person promoted regulations worth Netanyahu would not approve can spread the disease to four Israeli soldier uses pepper spray against Palestinians hundreds of millions of dollars lucrative business deals for the or five family members, which to the owner of the Bezeq company if negative articles is a higher rate of transmission An Israeli soldier uses pepper spray as he grabs a Palestinian demonstrator during a protest against telecom company in exchange were published. than had been recorded earlier. Israeli settlements, in Halhul in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, yesterday. for positive coverage on its On January 17-19, 2013, for “That shows us that some- popular Walla news site. instance, it said a Netanyahu thing is happening. There’s a In response to a request associate persuaded Elovitch surge so we are recording that from Netanyahu’s lawyers for to publish stories saying that but we are yet to sequence any Israel minister favours one more F-35 squadron more details, Israeli prose- the wife of Naftali Bennett, of those isolates,” to determine cutors released a letter on head of a rival religious party, if the increased transmissions REUTERS — JERUSALEM “Without doubt, we need to Gantz’s coalition government Sunday alleging there had been worked in a non-kosher res- are caused by the variant, said expand the F-35 array. Right with Prime Minister Benjamin 315 incidents of Walla being taurant. Several weeks later, Omilabu. “I think we need to Israel’s defence minister said now we have two squadrons. I Netanyahu fell apart last month, requested to make its coverage Netanyahu, through the same calm our mind down, there are yesterday that he wants the reckon we will expand that. triggering a March 23 ballot. Both more favorable for Netanyahu associate, allegedly pressed going to be more variants to country to buy a third squadron That is what I requested of the men remain in their posts until and his family. They said there Walla to remove critical articles come,” he said. of stealth F-35 warplanes from Americans,” Defence Minister a new government is formed were indications that about a lacy dress his wife had “We need to be monitoring the United States, and that he Benny Gantz told Ynet TV. after the ballot. Netanyahu was personally worn to the swearing-in of the the virus, we need to sequence. hoped a deal could be clinched “I would buy another F-35 Asked if Israel might com- involved in 150 of those new parliament and replace it If we sequence then we would before President Donald Trump squadron and then examine plete a defence procurement incidents. with favourable reviews. The have more information about steps down on January 20. what to do with the balance - deal with the United States It said the requests included site consented to both requests, what is in circulation and then, Israel has been in talks with continuing to expand the F-35 before Trump steps down, he giving more time or promi- it said. of course, we need to continue Washington on how to preserve (procurement), going for said: “I hope so. I think the nence to positive articles about On another occasion, Elo- with surveillance, we need to its military advantage after the F-15s?” Gantz did not specify defence budget needs to be Netanyahu and his family, vitch, at Netanyahu’s request, monitor how active the virus is Trump administration approved the number of F-35s in the pro- handled properly, to be safe- changing headlines and low- allegedly ordered Walla to halt in the environment... so the a possible F-35 sale to a country posed new squadron. Defence guarded. It is a kind of active ering or even removing unfa- a live broadcast of a rally by public health experts, they have in the region last year. The plane officials have said the two insurance policy.” The F-35 is vorable stories. Netanyahu’s opponents during work to do and then government was previously available only to squadrons already ordered by made by Lockheed Martin Corp It also included alleged the country’s 2015 election must support all these.” Israel in the region. Israel consist of 50 planes. and the F-15 by Boeing Co. requests for negative coverage campaign. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021

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CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

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DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

Health Minister Olivier Veran of France speaks to the media as he arrives to attend the vaccination of health workers, at the vaccination EDITORIAL centre of Hotel Dieu, in Paris yesterday. Preserving unity Vaccine chaos in the IN a breakthrough, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will lead the State of Qatar’s delegation par- ticipating in the 41st session of the GCC Supreme Council, set to take place today in Al-Ula Governorate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. land of Louis Pasteur Prior to this announcement, H H the Amir received a verbal message from the Amir of the State of Kuwait, While the French tend to into pragmatism. The doses needs both leadership and a H H Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, per- like comparing themselves to are there, but the supply chain strong state, both seem curi- taining to the solid fraternal ties between the two coun- their nearest neighbours - in looks long, requiring in one ously absent. Macron’s tries and the prospects for enhancing and developing economic performance or case a cross-country delivery current prime minister, Jean them, in addition to the joint GCC action. The message technology the popular by taxi. A rollout strategy by Castex, looks lost at sea. His was handed over by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister H E Sheikh mindset is to imagine France age group and vulnerability popular predecessor, Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah, during his and the UK duking it out for now looks too narrow and Edouard Philippe, who was meeting with H H the Amir at his office at Al Bahr Palace LIONEL LAURENT silver behind the uber-efficient meticulous, restricting care fired last year by the pres- yesterday evening. BLOOMBERG Germans - this snapshot is far workers by age. And a focus ident, sounds like the voice of Later, the Kuwait Foreign Minister announced that more global and far more on informed consent, while reason from the sidelines. “I the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar About the best thing you can humbling. The only country on noble, has generated a lot of know what humanity owes to reached an agreement to open airspace as well as land say about the start of France’s Bloomberg’s COVID-19 paperwork without a vaccines,” he said last month. and sea borders starting yesterday night. The Minister COVID-19 vaccination Vaccine Tracker with fewer robust mass communication It’s not too late for France said in a statement broadcast on Kuwait Television that campaign is that it surely can’t vaccinations is Costa Rica, at campaign on the benefits of to turn things around. Access H H the Amir of Kuwait held a phone call with H H the get any worse. 55. At this rate, it would take vaccination. to the vaccine can be Amir, and H R H Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, The homeland of vaccine France about 400 years to President Emmanuel expanded without making it and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, pioneer Louis Pasteur, and the vaccinate its people; Israel, Macron should have been a mandatory. A more positive Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. source of major scientific vic- meanwhile, has already force for good here. As a promotion of its benefits The calls stressed the commitment of all parties involved tories such as the discovery of covered the equivalent of 12 former minister and product shouldn’t be hard to make in a to unity by signing the Al-Ula declaration, which he HIV in the 1980s, is today at percent of its population. of an elite French civil-service country where several areas added would serve as a fresh start for brotherly ties the bottom of the charts when The usual excuses and education, he knows where are now in the grip of a 6 p.m. unobstructed by any differences. it comes to coronavirus jabs. explanations are being trotted the bottlenecks of central curfew. Too much focus on On December 30, H H the Amir had received a France had administered 516 out: Vaccines aren’t a toy, this planning lie. And his voter anti-vaxxers risks failing to written message from the Custodian of the Two Holy doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s isn’t a race, and it’s over the base, the affluent pro- sway those who are still on Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the sis- vaccine as of Sunday, two top to judge countries by what European urbanites labeled as the fence. terly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, inviting H H the Amir to weeks after it was approved happens over the course of a the “bourgeois bloc” by Yet doing so means attend the 41st session of the summit of the GCC by the European Union. couple of weeks. It’s true that French pollster Jerome drawing the right lessons Supreme Council. That’s far behind Germany’s forecasts have been foiled Fourquet, are on the whole from pandemics past and Since the crisis emerged in June 2017, Kuwait, led 238,809 inoculations and the many times in this pandemic. pro-vaxxers - far more so present. The 2009 H1N1 pan- by the late Amir, H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber UK’s 947,206. But so much of what’s than fans of Macron’s oppo- demic was written off as an Al Sabah, worked sincerely to bring all parties together happening now speaks to nents on the far-right and overblown failure of excess to end the crisis and yesterday’s announcement is a The homeland of deeper, worrying cracks in far-left. intervention: Batches of shots huge step forward for peace in the region. vaccine pioneer the French state - which Yet Macron’s brand of were bought at great expense On December 23, 2020 the Deputy Prime Minister should, judging by the amount techno-populism is working but went unused and a and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- Louis Pasteur, and of money flowing into the against him. He has become stockpile of masks was left to rahman Al Thani had said that there are no obstacles the source of major state’s coffers every year, be politically defensive as he gather dust. That has driven to resolving the Gulf crisis at the political level. H E the very good at deploying public fights for re-election next an opposite approach in Foreign Minister stressed the importance of a Gulf Coop- scientific victories resources for a centrally year, extending his direct grip France - to go slow, while eration Council united front. “We will all emerge victo- such as the discovery planned operation. Instead, over the country’s opaque putting the focus on blunter rious from the crisis if we rebuild confidence in the GCC of HIV in the 1980s, is much like the shortage of pandemic strategy while solutions like lockdowns and as a regional institution,” H E the Foreign Minister said. masks and the failed test- simultaneously blasting exe- state support for the economy. “We believe the end of the crisis is important for the today at the bottom and-trace infrastructure seen cution as too slow. His fear of Yes, this is a marathon and security of the region and for the sake of our people. of the charts when it last year, the opposite is being a return to the widespread not a sprint. But the starting This crisis needs to end based on mutual respect and proven. Gilets Jaunes protests of 2018 blocks matter. After the the rights of all people of the Gulf.” comes to coronavirus Despite having known for has also seen him make some success of other countries, jabs. some time that the logistics of strange choices, such as particularly in Asia, in the Pfizer vaccine would be promising to pick 35 French deploying their state appa- complex and that the people at random to give their ratus to impressive effect in French are among the most view on the vaccine rollout. containing cases, it’s time for vaccine-hesitant in the world, This could easily backfire. France to look abroad on vac- foresight failed to translate At a time when France cines too. D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Getting at the truth of the virus FAX: +974 4455 7758 THE WASHINGTON POST in the early weeks of the out- orchestrated like "a game of similar to a variant found in MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 break in Wuhan. An investi- chess," that propaganda and bats. Research into bat coro- The essence of scientific gation by the Associated Press, public opinion teams were to naviruses was being con- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 inquiry is to discover truth: published on Dec. 30, strongly "guide publication," and ducted by the Wuhan Institute Ask questions, seek evidence, suggests that China has warned against publishing of Virology, which collected LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 develop hypotheses, conduct decided to impose tough without permission. This is the samples from a mine in experiments and validate political controls over research police-state view of science: It Yunnan province in 2012 and BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 findings. China's Foreign into origins of the virus. must obey. 2013. Earlier in 2012, six Ministry spokesman pledged According to a Chinese Scientists have said the miners there exposed to bats SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 on Thursday that China will internal document uncovered novel coronavirus probably and bat feces were hospi- approach the investigation by the AP, in early March, originated in nature with bats talized suffering from an ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 into the origins of the corona- China created a high-level task or another animal, perhaps illness similar to severe acute email: [email protected] virus in an "open, transparent force to exert control over passing through an interme- respiratory syndrome, and and responsible spirit." But many aspects of research on diary host before infecting a three died. China has denied PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 what if the investigation turns the virus, including pre- person. If the spillover that a laboratory leak or email: [email protected] up something that China's vention, medicines, vaccines, pathway is found, it could accident caused the Wuhan leaders do not want to hear, viral origins and transmission greatly help prepare for, and outbreak. ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 or reveal? routes. The document, marked prevent, a future pandemic. Under the high-level con- FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] China's authoritarian "not to be made public," But the possibility of a lab- trols that the Associated Press system, led by a party-state applied to all universities, oratory accident or inad- disclosed, will China allow CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 that demands obedience, does companies, and medical and vertent leak having caused the foreign scientists to freely ask email: [email protected] not permit the free flow of research institutions. It said coronavirus outbreak must questions about the research ideas and information. It that communication and pub- not be ignored. The genetic and methods of the Wuhan SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 covered up the spreading virus lication of research had to be makeup of the coronavirus is Institute of Virology? FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

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/ThePeninsulaQatar As I speak to you tonight, our hospitals are under more pressure from COVID than at any time since /Peninsula_Qatar the start of the pandemic. New virus variant was /ThePeninsulaNewspaper spreading in a frustrating and alarming way. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of UK +974 6698 6188 TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 OPINION 09 The story behind Julian Assange’s extradition case and legal saga in the United States, where Manning was convicted at In July and October of 2016, unflattering information about WikiLeaks, which published a court-martial in 2013 and WikiLeaks published material Washington and its wars in Iraq hacked Democratic National sentenced to 35 years in that had been stolen from the and Afghanistan. They argue Committee data, has been prison. President Barack Democratic National Com- that the case is a precedent- accused of playing a signif- Obama commuted her sen- mittee and Hillary Clinton’s setting assault on freedom of icant role in the 2016 election. tence in 2017, following seven campaign chairman, John speech and media rights. Free expression advocates years in prison. Podesta. Why was Assange not ADAM TAYLOR & MIRIAM BERGER have argued that an Assange Why did Assange spend The material, widely extradited? AL JAZEERA trial in the United States seven years in the Ecua- viewed to have affected the Assange’s lawyers had would be a setback for press doran Embassy? election in favor of the argued at trial that their client freedom. Some of Assange’s In November 2010, eventual winner, Trump, is was in poor mental health, Julian Assange, an activist and supporters have urged Pres- Swedish authorities issued an believed to have been stolen citing evidence that he had whistleblower, has pitted ident Trump, during his final international arrest warrant by Russia-backed hackers. An written a will and that a razor himself against the US days in office, to issue a for Assange in relation to investigation into the allega- blade was found hidden in his government for more than a pardon. questioning over allegations tions of Russian electoral cell at Belmarsh prison in decade. Who is Julian Assange of abuset. Assange initially interference by special London. In her decision on On Monday, US efforts to and what is WikiLeaks? cooperated with police in counsel Robert Mueller did Monday, British Magistrate extradite him to stand trial over Assange, 49, was born in Britain, where he was living, not publicly release any evi- Vanessa Baraitser agreed with allegations of leaking classified Queensland, Australia, and but denied the allegations and dence of direct links between this assessment and pointed intelligence materials were became known as a computer argued they were a pretext for Russia and WikiLeaks. to conditions at the Adminis- thwarted by a British court, hacker during his teens. In him to be extradited from Trump initially welcomed trative Maximum Facility or which found that the 2006, he was a co-founder of Sweden to the United States. WikiLeak’s intervention, at AMX, in Florence, Colo., The extradition WikiLeaks founder was an anti-secrecy organization After losing a lengthy legal one point saying “I love where prisoners can be kept request denial in depressed and at extreme risk called WikiLeaks in 2006 battle in 2012 that had seen WikiLeaks” during the 2016 isolated for up to 23 hours a of suicide. US prosecutors are with the stated aim of creating the case go all the way to Brit- campaign. But after entering day. the latest stage in expected to appeal the decision a platform that would allow ain’s Supreme Court, Assange office, his administration dis- “Faced with the conditions an international to Britain’s High Court, a leaked documents to be pub- entered the Ecuadoran tanced itself from Assange. of near total isolation without process that could take several lished safely online. Embassy in London in June Why is the US seeking the protective factors which game of cat and months, if not longer. In 2010, Assange and and refused to leave. He was him now? limited his risk at HMP Bel- mouse that began The extradition request WikiLeaks gained interna- granted political asylum in The Trump adminis- marsh, I am satisfied the pro- denial in the latest stage in an tional attention, and consid- August, but was unable to tration wants Assange, an cedures described by the US nearly a decade international game of cat and erable acclaim, for a series of leave the building as British Australian citizen, to stand will not prevent Mr. Assange ago. Assange spend mouse that began nearly a leaks on the Iraq and Afghan- police guarded it trial in a federal court in Vir- from finding a way to commit seven years in the decade ago. Assange spent istan wars. One leak from this around-the-clock. ginia on charges of violating suicide and for this reason I seven years in the Ecuadoran time, dubbed “Collateral Though the Swedish the US Espionage Act, among have decided extradition Ecuadoran Embassy Embassy in London, claiming Murder” by WikiLeaks, investigation was eventually other alleged violations. In would be oppressive by in London, claiming political asylum to avoid showed a 2007 incident in dropped, Assange remained total he faces charges of 18 reason of mental harm and I arrest after jumping bail when which a US Army helicopter in the embassy for years. federal crimes with a order his discharge,” Baraitser political asylum to Sweden requested his extra- shot and killed a dozen However, amid faltering rela- potential punishment of 175 said from the bench, reading avoid arrest after dition due to abuse people, including two tions with his Ecuadoran years in a maximum-security from her ruling. US prose- allegations. employees of news agency hosts, his asylum status was prison. cutors are expected to appeal jumping bail when The Swedish charges were Reuters. withdrawn in 2019 and British In the initial hearing in and take the case to High Sweden requested dropped in 2017, but after the Assange, with his prema- police entered the building February, US government Court. If that appeal fails, they his extradition due to embassy evicted Assange last turely white hair and icono- and arrested him on charges lawyer James Lewis told the could also try to take the case year he was arrested by the clastic style, became an interna- of breaching his bail court that Assange endan- to Britain’s Supreme Court. It abuse allegations. British police on behalf of the tional celebrity. But WikiLeaks conditions. gered the lives of informants was not immediately clear if United States. His trial was suffered a set back when What was his role in the when in 2010 he illegally Assange will remain jailed delayed by the coronavirus Chelsea Manning, a former US 2016 US election? obtained and published clas- during an appeal or if he pandemic. solder who had leaked hun- While Assange was in the sified information related to would be given bail. Assange’s fate is the dreds of thousands of docu- Ecuadoran Embassy, he con- the US wars in Iraq and Could he be pardoned? subject of political importance ments, was arrested in 2010. tinued his work on WikiLeaks. Afghanistan. The charges In an article published in include accusations that he the Daily Mail newspaper on helped Manning hack gov- Sunday, Assange’s partner ernment computers and Stella Moris appealed to attain and spread the clas- Trump to pardon the sified documents. WikiLeaks activist, arguing Why was he on trial in that the case against him had Britain? been tainted by politics. After The trial was on whether losing November’s election, the British government can Trump is due to leave the extradite him based on a White House in late January. 2003 treaty with Washington. In recent weeks, he has issued Analysts say the terms of the pardons to more than a dozen agreement favored the United people, including some who States, which must mainly were prosecuted after the prove there is reasonable sus- 2016 election like Paul Man- picion that the crimes of afort, his former campaign which he is accused were manager. committed. Last year, Assange’s legal The extradition hearings team said that former con- began in February and were gressman Dana Rohrabacher, then adjourned until May to R-Calif., an ally of president, allow the sides more time to told the activist in 2017 that prepare arguments. In April, Trump could offer a pardon if the trial date was pushed back Assange said publicly that to September because of the Russia had nothing to do with coronavirus pandemic, as the 2016 hack of emails from London’s lockdown pre- the Democratic National vented lawyers from reaching Committee. the court. In a statement posted on Assange and his lawyers his website after the allega- have pointed to this shift as tions came out, Rohrabacher support for their claim that the denied offering such an Stella Morris, partner of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, gestures as she addresses the media outside the Old Bailey, the Central charges are political retaliation exchange. Criminal Court, in London, yesterday. for having published COVID-19 success in Singapore isn’t easily replicated

countless malls that dot the Granted, there aren’t many offence for not wearing a despite the recent outbreak in and forceful presence when map are hopping on places I would rather have mask is a fine of S$300 ($225); the northern suburbs of Sydney, the lockdown started easing weekends. The Central been during this pandemic. second transgressions receive mask-wearing was only just in June. A good number Expressway, a core Still, I find it doubtful that Sin- a S$1,000 penalty. Repeat made mandatory, starting were furloughed staff from artery running north from gapore’s approach can work offences invite prosecution Monday. In France, winter state-backed companies downtown, is again prone to beyond its borders. In and, for foreigners, revocation resorts have sued the gov- like Singapore Airlines Ltd. congestion. Children - merci- numerous cases, constitutions of work permits. For those ernment to keep ski lifts oper- The last contact I had with DANIEL MOSS fully - are in school. The don’t easily give national gov- without a smartphone or who ating over the holidays, an SDA - everything and eve- BLOOMBERG government projects gross ernments the ability to do prefer not to use the app, the and more than a million people a ryone in Singapore has an domestic product will what’s been achieved here. government is rolling out a day passed through US air- acronym - was to ask direc- At the dawn of 2021, increase between 4% and 6% Last week, the country token that you are urged to ports in the week leading up to tions to a taxi queue at a Singapore feels like a coiled this year, compared with a entered phase three of its reo- carry when leaving home. Christmas. My Singaporean shopping center. She was spring where growth is just contraction in 2020 that may pening. The government now Even kids above age seven are friends shake their heads in friendly, knowledgeable and waiting to be unleashed. Last- amount to as much 6.5%, the allows social gatherings of expected to comply. amazement. It all strikes them as appeared almost relieved to minute dinner reservations worst in history. This brighter eight people, up from five. The Officials tied this stage of reo- an own-goal, and they are right. have someone approach are once again almost impos- outlook and cautious easing size of congregations at reli- pening to wider adoption of the There’s little disquiet her. A few meters away, two sible to secure and the of restrictions reflects Singa- gious services has been TraceTogether app and tokens. about the enforcement of bored-looking attendants sat pore’s success at containing expanded, subject to tight reg- By mid-December, about 65% of these precautions. Even the at a desk near the entrance, The brighter outlook COVID-19 infections, and ulations, and authorities are the population used them. political opposition, which monitoring people's smart- and cautious easing makes the place look great trying to make it less onerous “Please understand that even as made gains in July’s phone displays to make sure of restrictions reflects relative to the US and Europe, for workers to be in their we enter phase three, the battle is election, refrained from they had "checked in.” The where the disease is again offices. far from won,” Prime Minister directly attacking the gov- duo looked up every now and Singapore’s success spreading rapidly. Even Japan If this sounds enviable, Lee Hsien Loong said in an ernment’s handling of then to cast an eye over the at containing COVID- and South Korea, generally consider the amount of com- address last month. “The COVID-19. Public gatherings temperature-screening praised for their handling, are pliance it took to get here. It’s COVID-19 virus has not been are tightly controlled, ruling machine. The once excep- 19 infections, and wrestling with new outbreaks. compulsory to swipe into eradicated.”The effectiveness of out the kind of protests over tional has become mundane. makes the place look But as real as Singapore’s any establishment using its Singapore’s approach lies in its social and economic That might be its genius. coronavirus-fighting achieve- QR code, preferably with a combination of subtlety and per- curbs that gripped the US When I checked into Toast great relative to the ments are, they rest on a government app on your vasiveness. Even taxis have bar- last summer. Safe Dis- Box, a popular local cafe US and Europe, where model that isn’t easily smartphone, though taking a codes to be scanned. Wearing tancing Ambassadors, chain, nobody badgered me to exported. Its results are facili- photo works, too. You masks has become so civilians who make sure scan in with my phone. Their the disease is again tated by a degree of state also must submit to a temper- routine that it’s easy to forget pedestrians and shoppers assumption was I would do it spreading rapidly. influence that other countries ature check, and keep your them when leaving the house. I don’t get too close to each of my own volition, and they might find uncomfortable. mask on. The first-time was horrified to learn that other, were an ubiquitous were correct. 10 ASIA TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 NSW state in Australia reports zero COVID-19 cases REUTERS — SYDNEY NSW daily testing since the pandemic started and the change of policy follows the Australia’s most populous state numbers have latest Sydney outbreak, which New South Wales (NSW) dropped to around seems to be highly infectious, and yesterday reported zero local ahead of a cricket test match coronavirus cases for the first 20,000 in the last between Australia and India in time in nearly three weeks, as two days from a the city scheduled to start January Sydney battled multiple peak of about 70,000 7. Two cases linked to Sydney’s outbreaks and authorities urged fresh cluster centred around a tens of thousands of people to get recorded on Christmas beverage store were recorded tested. Day, December 25. after the daily deadline of 2000 NSW daily testing numbers local time. These will be added have dropped to around 20,000 The overwhelming to Tuesday’s tally. in the last two days from a peak majority of tests are Low single-digit cases from of about 70,000 recorded on a cluster in northern seaside Christmas Day, December 25. The in the state capital suburbs in recent days suggest overwhelming majority of tests Sydney. a strict lockdown there since are in the state capital Sydney. mid-December may have effec- “The numbers are far too tively eliminated the virus, but A person wearing a protective respirator enters a queue in the city centre amid the tightening of low... if we’re going to succeed in Authorities imposed man- a KPMG report said the regulations to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease in Sydney, Australia. staying ahead of the COVID-19 datory masks in indoor spaces lockdown cost NSW economy pandemic, testing is crucial in and on public transport from yes- A$3.20bn ($2.46bn) in mandatory quarantine rules for cases bringing the active cases in COVID-19 clusters in Sydney large numbers so we can be con- terday for Sydney’s five million December. interstate arrivals from NSW. the state to 36. Australia has have sparked fears of a wider fident of the data when we’re residents or face a spot fine of NSW and Sydney, Australia’s Neighbouring Victoria state, largely avoided the high number outbreak. making decisions,” NSW Acting A$200 ($154). largest city, have been isolated which is also battling new cases of cases and deaths from the new It has reported just under Premier John Barilaro told NSW officials had rejected from the rest of Australia by state in state capital Melbourne, on coronavirus compared with other 28,500 COVID-19 cases and 909 reporters. calls for mandatory face masks border closures or 14 day Monday reported three local developed countries but the latest deaths since the pandemic began. India: Govt, farmers fail to break impasse on farm laws Duterte lauds guards’ courage

REUTERS — NEW DELHI minimum support price for the laws, approved by par- The majority of India’s in using unauthorised vaccine their produce. liament in September. farmers sell their produce The Indian government “I am hopeful the stalemate “Our agitation will continue largely to small retailers at a REUTERS — MANILA themselves as far back as Sep- yesterday refused to roll back will be resolved very soon,” till the three laws are with- much lower price than the gov- tember, without his knowledge, farm reform laws, prompting Agricultural Minister Narendra drawn. There is no other way,” ernment guaranteed price - Philippine President Rodrigo had been smuggled into the farmers to threaten to step up Singh Tomar told reporters said Rakesh Tikait, one of the offered to only a fraction of Duterte has commended his Philippines. their weeks-long protests, but after the seventh round of farmers’ leaders who attended farmers. They fear that with the security detail for their “loyalty The FDA has said any the two sides agreed to meet meetings between the ministers the meeting with ministers. introduction of the new laws, and courage” in inoculating importation, distribution and again on Friday. and 40 farming unions. Reliance Industries asked big retailers like Reliance will themselves with unauthorised sale of a COVID-19 vaccine is Tens of thousands of “For resolution, the coop- authorities to help stop attacks enter the market to buy their COVID-19 vaccines, his at present illegal and warned farmers have been camping out eration of both sides is on its telecommunication masts produce at a lower price, while spokesman said yesterday, as of potential dangers from using on roads around the capital, essential.” Farmers leaders, by protesting farmers, who say the government may slowly dis- some lawmakers called their vaccines it has not approved. New Delhi, for 40 days, insisting however, said they would not the conglomerate has profited mantle the current system of actions illegal. It has said it was working that the government withdraw give up their fight unless the from the reforms at their procurement at the guaranteed The military detail broke no with the Bureau of Customs to the reforms and guarantee a government agrees to repeal expense.. price. laws when they administered determine how the vaccines the COVID-19 vaccines to were brought into the country. themselves, presidential Some senators are Indonesia to start spokesman Harry Roque said, demanding answers and want even though the Food and Drug the head of Duterte’s guard to mass vaccination Administration (FDA) has yet appear before an inquiry on the to approve any coronavirus government’s vaccination plan programme next week vaccines. set for next week. Senator “The president is saluting Richard Gordon has said PSG REUTERS — JAKARTA the PSG for what they did. They chief Brigadier General Jesus risked their lives to protect our Durante should consider Indonesia’s mass vaccination programme president,” he told a media resigning for violating the law. is set to start next week, a senior minister briefing, referring to the Pres- Durante last week said a said yesterday, pending authorisation from idential Security Group. handful of unit members used the country’s food and drug agency (BPOM), “We thank you for your the vaccine “in good faith” as about 700,000 doses of vaccines have loyalty and courage,” he said, because they could not afford already been widely distributed. quoting Duterte’s remarks. to wait for regulatory approval, Currently battling one of Asia’s most Defence Secretary Delfin adding the president was only stubborn coronavirus epidemics, Indonesia Lorenzana last week called the informed afterwards. Durante has secured more than 329 million doses PSG’s move “justified” even as did not name the vaccine used of COVID-19 vaccines, most notably from he said the vaccines they gave or say how it was obtained. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech, and AstraZeneca. Those to be used in the first phase are CoronaVac, the vaccine of China’s Sinovac, Indonesia to release alleged of which Indonesia has received 3 million doses. mastermind of Bali bombings Visitors arriving at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport following Indonesia government decision to Airlangga Hartarto, the country’s chief ban foreign tourists from entry to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease, in Tangerang, economic minister, said the vaccination REUTERS — JAKARTA camps in Aceh province. programme is scheduled to start next week, on the outskirts of Jakarta. Bashir will be released on pending data from BPOM, which he said Indonesia will release cleric Friday “in accordance with the draws findings from the clinical trials in 32 provinces, it said yesterday. Early results from CoronaVac late-stage and alleged mastermind of the expiration date and the end of Brazil and Turkey. Bambang Heriyanto, corporate sec- trials showed it was 91.25% effective, while 2002 Bali bombings Abu Bakar his term,” Rika Aprianti, The vaccine will be administered for retary for Bio Farma, said the vaccines had researchers in Brazil have said it was more Bashir from prison later this spokeswoman of the correc- free across the archipelago, with the rollout been pre-positioned to save time and allow than 50% effective, though full results were week, its government said tions directorate general at the expected to be completed within 15 months. inoculations to start as soon as BPOM’s yet to be released at the company’s request. yesterday, upon completion of law and human rights ministry, The government expected the programme authorisation is given. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia’s health his jail term. said in a statement. to cost more than 74 trillion rupiah Senior BPOM official Lucia Rizka Anda- minister, has said that Indonesia needs to Bashir, 82, is considered the Jemaah Islamiah is accused ($5.33bn), Finance Minister Sri Mulyani lusia said interim data from late stage inoculate about 181 million people, or spiritual leader of the Al Qaeda- of plotting several big attacks Indrawati said. clinical trials in West Java plus findings from roughly 67% of its population, to reach herd linked Jemaah Islamiah (JI) in Indonesia and includes oper- Indonesia’s state-owned drugmaker Bio Brazil and Turkey needed to be studied, but immunity. He said 1.3 million health network. atives trained in Afghanistan, Farma has already dispatched about she was hopeful the emergency use author- workers would be first in line for the shots, He was jailed in 2011 for Pakistan and the southern 714,000 CoronaVac doses to the country’s ization would be issued. followed by public servants. his links to militant training Philippines. Vietnam agrees to buy 30 million HK extends school closures until Lunar New Year doses of AstraZeneca vaccine BLOOMBERG — HONG KONG REUTERS — HANOI Quoc Cuong told a government meeting. Hong Kong pushed back the Vietnam has agreed to buy 30 Vietnam is also in talks to re-opening of classrooms for million doses of the COVID-19 purchase vaccines from Pfizer more than a month as part of vaccine produced by Astra- Inc, Russia’s Sputnik V and government measures to stamp Zeneca Plc, the government said China, the deputy minister said. out the spread of the corona- yesterday, adding that author- Cuong did not name the Chinese virus. ities are also seeking to vaccine candidate. The suspension of in-person purchase vaccines from other Cuong also said Vietnam classes at kindergartens through sources, including Pfizer Inc. would be eligible to buy vac- high school, a restriction origi- The Southeast Asian country cines from the World Health nally scheduled to expire has previously agreed to get a Organization’s COVAX pro- January 10, will be extended Russian vaccine though also gramme to cover 16%, or 15.6 until the lunar new year hol- said it would not rush to secure million of its almost 98 million idays, which begin on February vaccine deals, citing the population, but said more infor- 12, Education Secretary Kevin potential for high financial costs mation would be available in Yeung said during a briefing yes- and after managing to contain the first quarter. terday. The city reported 53 new its coronavirus outbreaks to Vietnam, which has yet to cases for the day, 43 of which only 1,494 cases, with 35 deaths. give formal regulatory approval were local. The AstraZeneca and Oxford to any vaccine, is also devel- Six of yesterday’s cases were Two women gesture next to the water front of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong amid the spread of University COVID-19 vaccine is oping vaccines domestically. untraceable, the lowest number coronavirus disease. cheaper than some others and The country has conducted since November 19. can be stored at fridge temper- human trials of its ‘Nano Covax’ Hong Kong has been one of ature, which makes it easier to vaccine and a second home- the most aggressive places economy to travelers, particu- strain of the coronavirus being reported that a pet cat tested transport and use, particularly grown vaccine is expected to worldwide to close schools larly to those from mainland detected there. An earlier effort positive for COVID-19 after its in developing countries. start undergoing human trials despite research from the likes China. Besides schools, the gov- to open up quarantine-free owner became infected by the “We’ve already signed an this month. of the United Nations warning ernment will extend other social flights to and from Singapore — virus. So far, eight dogs and agreement to guarantee the Vietnam in August said it about the adverse consequences distancing measures by another the first major air travel bubble eight cats have tested positive AstraZeneca vaccine for 15 had signed up for 50 million-150 of doing so. Still, the city has two weeks until January 20. — collapsed last month after a in the city, though the gov- million people, which is equiv- million doses of the Russian continued to suspend classes as The city recently banned resurgence of cases in Hong ernment said there’s no evi- alent to 30 million doses,” vaccine, though delivery part of its arsenal to bring down travelers from the UK in the Kong. dence that pets are spreading deputy health minister Truong remains unclear. case numbers and re-open its wake of a more contagious Separately, Hong Kong the coronavirus to people. TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 ASIA 11 Thailand PM urges people to stay home

REUTERS — BANGKOK Chan-ocha said the government know what the problems are, for 14 to 15 days. If you think like numbers in Asia. Thailand’s prime minister was mindful of the potential therefore can you all lock down this then things will be safe, Most new cases are linked yesterday urged the public to economic damage from strong yourselves?” he told reporters. easier for screening.” to a cluster among migrant stay at home to help contain its containment measures. “This is up to everyone,” Thailand has recorded 8,439 workers that started in Samut biggest coronavirus outbreak “We don’t want to lock down Prayuth said. “If we don’t want coronavirus cases and 65 deaths Sakhon, a coastal province and avoid a strict lockdown, as the entire country because we to get infected, just stay home overall, among the lowest southwest of Bangkok, and led authorities confirmed a daily to infections in more than half record of 745 new infections. of the country’s provinces. The government has The government’s COVID-19 declared 28 provinces, taskforce has recommend including Bangkok, as high-risk extending an emergency decree zones and asked people to work that gives power to health from home and avoid gathering authorities and provincial gov- or travelling beyond provincial ernors until the end of borders, as infection numbers February. climb after an outbreak was Restaurants and food Malala Yousafzai detected last month at a seafood vendors in Bangkok have to halt market near the capital. dine-in services at 9pm, US Congress passes Prime Minister Prayuth Prayuth said, softening an earlier 7pm to 6am dine-in sus- ‘Malala Yousafzai pension imposed by Bangkok Scholarship Act’ The government has authorities, citing economic INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD declared 28 provinces, concerns. Take-outs will be allowed. including Bangkok, as Alcohol sales in restaurants The US Congress has passed a high-risk zones and have been banned and clubs bill named after Nobel laureate asked people to work and other entertainment venues Malala Yousafzai that expands from home and avoid closed in high-risk provinces. the number of scholarships to gathering or travelling Provincial governors have been women in Pakistan under a empowered to set their own merit and needs-based beyond provincial restrictions. programme. borders. Schools and education According to information A government worker sprays disinfectant on a street amid the coronavirus disease outbreak in centres nationwide have been posted on the congressional Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. closed for a month. website, the ‘Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act’ was passed by the House of Representatives in March last year, and the US Pakistan to open educational institutions in phases from January 18 Senate adopted it by a voice vote on Friday last. INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD phase, classes nine to 12 would minister further said that online April were postponed to May Sultan said that data showed It has now been sent to be allowed to resume from classes can resume from January and June. Special Assistant to the that closing the educational President Donald Trump to The Inter-provincial Education January 18. In the second phase, 11. Prime Minister on Health Dr institutions earlier had led to a sign it into law. Ministers conference decided the minister said, primary to He added that teachers and Faisal Sultan also addressed the delay in the spread of the novel The bill requires the USAID yesterday to reopen educational class 8 will resume on January administrative staff would also presser and said that after virus. to award at least 50 per cent institutions from January 18. 25. be allowed to come back to looking at data and analyzing it, On November 23, the gov- of scholarships to Pakistani Addressing a press con- Whereas higher education schools from January 11 after the it became clear that we need to ernment had announced to close women, across a range of aca- ference, Federal Education Min- institutions; universities and col- winter vacations were over. He take some more COVID-19 pre- educational institutions across demic disciplines and in ister Shafqat Mahmood leges will reopen on February 1, also announced that board cautions and delay reopening the country amid the second accordance with existing eli- announced that in the first Mahmood said. The education exams scheduled for March and schools. wave of the coronavirus. gibility criteria. Pakistan, Russia South Korea reviews to start work on pipeline from July AstraZeneca vaccine; expands gatherings ban INTERNEWS — LAHORE REUTERS — SEOUL Control and Prevention Agency Pakistan will initiate work on (KDCA) director Jeong Eun- the North-South Gas Pipeline South Korea is reviewing Astra- kyeong told a briefing. Project (NSGPP) with Russia Zeneca’s request for approval Authorities plan to start vac- from July. of its coronavirus vaccine, as it cinations in February, with “Yes, we are working on expands a ban on private gath- health workers and vulnerable the pipeline with Russians,” erings of more than four people people first in line, but the gov- Nadeem Babar, special to the whole country with daily ernment has been criticised for assistant to the prime min- cases topping more than 1,000 that schedule in light of vacci- ister on petroleum, told Arab in four days. nations underway in the United News. South Korea’s drug safety States and European Union. “The construction of the ministry said it will aim to The AstraZeneca shot is 1,100 km long pipeline that approve the British shot for already approved in Britain, will transport 1.6 bcfd gas will emergency use in 40 days. The Argentina, El Salvador, and start in July.” approval would mark the first India. It is cheaper and can be The gas pipeline project for the country, which has been stored at fridge temperature, has been revised upwards by grappling with a prolonged which makes it easier to A health worker waits to screen passengers at Incheon international airport in Seoul, South Korea. changing its route and surge in infections during the transport and use than some diameter. latest wave that has led to a rival shots, such as one from Its transmission capacity sharp increase in deaths. Pfizer. the shots to help the British country is because gathering of Sye-kyun called for an all-out was also enhanced from one South Korea signed a deal The Oxford/AstraZeneca company build global people itself is far more dan- effort to prepare for the coun- to 1.6 billion cubic feet (bcf). in December with AstraZeneca vaccine, however, has been supplies. gerous than a specific venue,” try’s vaccination programme. The current capacity for gas to secure 20 million doses of its plagued by uncertainty about South Korea reported 1,020 Jeong said. “The KDCA should be per- supply will be two bcf, which vaccine, with the first shipment its most effective dosage ever new coronavirus cases as of The extended social-dis- fectly ready for the entire can increase up to three bcf expected as early as January. since data published in midnight Sunday, bringing the tancing rules imposed on Seoul process the moment the vaccine in the next 10 years. It also has deals with three November showed a half dose total to 64,264 infections, with and neighbouring areas include arrives - the distribution, In October 2020, Special other drugmakers — Pfizer Inc, followed by a full dose had a 981 deaths, according to the curbs on churches, restaurants, storage, inoculation and follow- Assistant to Prime Minister Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen, 90% success rate, while two full KDCA. cafes, ski resorts and other ups,” Chung told a government Nadeem Babar stated that the Moderna Inc — and the global shots were 62% effective. A ban on small private gath- venues. meeting. government was compelled COVAX initiative, backed by the In November, SK Bio- erings that was in place in the More than 60% of South He also called on the related to show progress on the pro- World Health Organization. science, 98% owned by SK Seoul greater area was Korea’s cases are from Seoul, health, safety and transport posed pipeline till February The country has secured 106 Chemical, received regulatory expanded nationwide until Jan. Gyeonggi province and city of ministries to help speed up the 2021, in line with a directive million doses to allow for cov- approval to begin human 17. Incheon, with mass cluster out- process so to not face the sorts of the Supreme Court in the erage of 56 million people, more clinical trials of AstraZeneca’s “The reason we have breaks centred around nursing of problems seen in the United gas infrastructure devel- than the 52 million residents of experimental vaccine, having expanded the ban on gatherings homes and prisons. States and some countries in opment cess (GIDC) case. the country, Korea Disease agreed in July to manufacture of four or above across the Prime Minister Chung Europe. Cambodia reopens schools and museums, eases curbs Virus contact-tracing data

REUTERS — PHNOM PENH said Theun Ngor, a 43 year-old accessible to Singapore police tuk-tuk driver. REUTERS — SINGAPORE Minister of State for Home Affairs Cambodia has started In November, Cambodia put Desmond Tan said in response to reopening schools and in a place of range of restric- Singapore said yesterday its a question in parliament. museums as it relaxes a tions after a rare outbreak of police will be able to use data The privacy statement on the six-week lockdown following community transmission linked obtained by its coronavirus TraceTogether website says: “data a coronavirus outbreak late last to a 56-year-old woman who contact-tracing technology for will only be used for COVID-19 year, marking a contrast with had travelled to the country’s criminal investigations, a decision contact tracing”. some neighbouring countries two biggest cities since likely to increase privacy Privacy concerns have been that are facing new restrictions November 20. concerns around the system. raised about such apps in various due to rising COVID-19 cases. As Cambodia loosens curbs, The technology, deployed as places, including Israel and South The Southeast Asian country authorities in neighbouring both a phone app and a physical Korea. of just over 16 million people, Thailand warned on Monday device, is being used by nearly “Concerns have focused on one of the least impacted by the that the country could face a 80% of the 5.7 million population, data security issues associated novel coronavirus with just 382 strict lockdown as infection authorities said after announcing with the collection, use and infections and no deaths since numbers climbed and spurring its use would become compulsory storage of the data,” law firm the beginning of the pandemic, it to declare 28 provinces high- in places like shopping malls. Norton Rose Fullbright said on saw a rare cluster of cases in risk zones. The TraceTogether scheme, Singapore’s scheme in a review Students from the Sovannaphumi school wearing face masks November. While welcoming the one of the most widely used in of global contact-tracing tech- queue up to have their temperature checked in Phnom Penh, Yesterday, students wearing prospect of more business, a any country, has raised privacy nology last month. masks lined up for temperature Cambodia, yesterday. coffee vendor near the Tuol fears but authorities have said the Asked about the TraceTo- checks and hand washing Sleng museum was concerned data is encrypted, stored locally gether privacy statement by an before being allowed to enter due to return next week. “I am worried that we can after hearing that some Cam- and only tapped by authorities if opposition MP, Tan said: “We do the Sovannaphumi primary At the Tuol Sleng Genocide get infected, but I see that we bodians working in Thailand individuals test positive for not preclude the use of TraceTo- school in the capital Phnom Museum, a former Khmer Cambodians are following the had been infected. COVID-19. gether data in circumstances Penh. Rouge torture centre and prison instructions set by the gov- “I am so worried that they “The Singapore Police Force where citizens’ safety and While private schools have in the capital, staff and “tuk tuk” ernment on wearing masks, could spread it here again,” said is empowered... to obtain any security is or has been affected, started reopening this week, motorcyle taxi drivers awaited washing hands with sanitizer Ngeth Sokuntheary, 27, as she data, including TraceTogether and this applies to all other data students at public schools are the arrival of visitors. or soap and social distancing,” prepared iced coffee. data, for criminal investigations,” as well.” 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 UK judge rejects extradition of Assange to United States REUTERS — LONDON prison or self-imposed confinement. “I find that Mr Assange’s A British judge ruled yesterday “We will continue to seek risk of committing that WikiLeaks founder Julian Mr. Assange’s extradition to the Assange should not be extra- United States,” a US Department suicide, if an extradition dited to the United States to face of Justice statement said, adding order were to be made, criminal charges including that the United States had won to be substantial,” the breaking a spying law, saying on all the legal points, including judge said in her ruling. his mental health problems arguments relating to freedom meant he would be at risk of of speech and political suicide. motivation. The United States said it Assange’s legal team had autism. Half a razor blade was would continue to seek the argued the entire prosecution found in his London prison cell extradition of Australian-born was brought on by pressure in May 2019, and he had told Assange and US prosecutors are from US President Donald medical staff about his suicidal set to appeal yesterday’s Trump’s administration, and thoughts and made plans to end decision to London’s High that Assange’s extradition his life. People celebrate after a British judge ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should not be Court. would pose a severe threat to “I find that Mr Assange’s risk extradited to the United States, outside the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, in London, yesterday. The US authorities accuse press freedom. of committing suicide, if an the 49-year-old of 18 offences But it was only the real risk extradition order were to be relating to the release by he would commit suicide if he made, to be substantial,” regular calls from jail to the said the decision was a victory all,” she said. The US authorities WikiLeaks of vast troves of con- were held in a US maximum Baraitser said in her ruling, Samaritans charity. but the threat of extradition was say more than 100 people were fidential US military records security jail that led Judge delivered at London’s Old Bailey Wearing a navy suit and a still hanging over him. put at risk by the disclosures and diplomatic cables which Vanessa Baraitser to reject the court. mask, Assange showed little “I call on the president of and about 50 had received they say put lives in danger. extradition request. “The overall impression is emotion at the ruling. Outside the United States to end this assistance, with some fleeing Assange’s lawyers will seek Assange, she said, suffered of a depressed and sometimes court, his partner Stella Moris, now: Mr President, tear down their home countries with their bail tomorrow (Wednesday) for at times from severe depression despairing man, who is genu- with whom he had two children these prison walls, let our little spouses and families to move their client, who has spent most and had been diagnosed with inely fearful about his future,” while seeking asylum in Lon- boys have their father. Free to the United States or another of the last decade either in Asperger’s syndrome and she added, saying he had made don’s Ecuadorean Embassy, Julian, free the press, free us safe country. Sturgeon orders UK first in world to start using AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine Scots to stay at AP — LONDON million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is cheaper and easier to home as new The UK yesterday became the first nation use than some of its rivals. In particular, in the world to start using the COVID-19 it doesn’t require the super-cold storage variant advances vaccine developed by Oxford University needed for the Pfizer vaccine. and drugmaker AstraZeneca, ramping The new vaccine will be adminis- REUTERS — LONDON up a nationwide inoculation programme tered at a small number of hospitals for as rising infection rates are putting an the first few days so authorities can Scotland yesterday imposed unprecedented strain on British watch out for any adverse reactions. But the most stringent COVID-19 hospitals. the NHS said hundreds of new vacci- lockdown since last March and Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old dialysis nation sites — including local doctors’ British Prime Minister Boris patient, received the first shot at 7:30 am offices — will open later this week, Johnson said he would shortly at Oxford University Hospital. joining the more than 700 vaccination impose tougher curbs in “The nurses, doctors and staff today sites already in operation. England to contain a rapidly have all been brilliant, and I can now A “massive ramp-up operation” is spreading outbreak of a new really look forward to celebrating my now underway in the vaccination pro- variant of the coronavirus. 48th wedding anniversary with my wife, gramme, Johnson said. But aspects of The United Kingdom has Shirley, later this year,” Pinker said in a Britain’s vaccination plans have spurred the world’s sixth-highest statement released by the National controversy. official coronavirus death toll Health Service. Both vaccines require two shots, and — 75,024 — and the number The rollout of the new vaccine comes Pfizer had recommended that the second of new infections is soaring at a crucial moment for UK authorities, dose be given within 21 days of the first. across the country. Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on as a nurse receives the AstraZeneca/ who are battling a surge in infections But The UK’s Joint Committee on Vac- As Johnson mulled tougher Oxford COVID-19 vaccine at the Chase Farm Hospital, in London yesterday. blamed on a new virus variant that cination and Immunization said author- measures for England, Scottish authorities have said is much more con- ities should give the first vaccine dose First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tagious. Scotland imposed a lockdown those in due course,” Johnson said while Some areas northeast of London to as many people as possible, rather said the new variant accounted until the end of January amid increasing visiting some of the people receiving the have infection rates of over 1,000 cases than setting aside shots to ensure others for nearly half of new cases in pressure on officials to tighten restric- Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at Chase per 100,000 people. receive two doses. It has stretched out Scotland and is 70% more tions throughout the U.K. Farm Hospital in north London. UK regulators last week authorised the time between the doses from 21 days transmissible. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who The UK is in the midst of an acute emergency use of the Oxford-Astra- to within 12 weeks. Scots, she said, would be has said tougher measures are imminent, outbreak, recording more than 50,000 Zeneca shot, giving public health offi- While two doses are required to fully legally required to stay at was due to address the nation later yes- new coronavirus infections a day over cials a second vaccine in their medical protect against COVID-19, both provide home for January from mid- terday. The UK Parliament will be the past six days. On Sunday, it notched arsenal. Britain’s mass vaccination pro- high levels of protection after the first night. Schools will close for all recalled to sit tomorrow (Wednesday). up another 54,990 cases and 454 more gramme began on December 8 with the dose, the committee said. Making the but the children of essential “If you look at the numbers, there’s virus-related deaths to take its confirmed shot developed by New York-based first dose the priority will “maximize workers. no question we will have to take tougher pandemic death toll total to over 75,000, Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. benefits from the vaccination pro- “I am more concerned measures and we will be announcing one of the worst in Europe. Britain has secured the rights to 100 gramme in the short term,” it said. about the situation that we face now than I have been at any time since March,” Catalonia tightens Go-slow vaccination strategy backfires in France Sturgeon told the Scottish par- liament. “As a result of this restrictions to AP — PARIS new variant, (the virus) has just Doctors, mayors and oppo- The US and China, mean- wonder about the profits they learned to run much faster, tackle new surge sition politicians pleaded yes- while, have vaccinated mil- bring to big pharmaceutical and has most definitely picked France’s cautious approach to terday for speedier access to lions. France started its vacci- companies. up pace in the past couple of in virus infections rolling out a coronavirus vacci- vaccines. nation campaign on December But many other French weeks,” Sturgeon said. nation programme appears to “It’s a state scandal,” said 27 in nursing homes, because people are eager to get vacci- England, Scotland, Wales REUTERS — BARCELONA have backfired, leaving barely Jean Rottner, president of the so many elderly people have nated and have been frustrated and Northern Ireland 500 people inoculated in the Grand-Est region of eastern died with the virus. But facing by the surprisingly slow rollout. implement their own Catalonia announced first week and rekindling anger France, where infections are fears that people with cognitive “We are doing anything we COVID-19 responses though yesterday a tightening of over the government’s surging and some hospitals are problems would be vaccinated can to motivate people to get they are trying to coordinate restrictions to tackle an uptick handling of the pandemic. over capacity. against their will, the gov- vaccinated,” said Frederic more across the United in COVID-19 infections, President Emmanuel “Getting vaccinated is ernment devised a time-con- Leyret, director of the Saint Kingdom. England is currently banning people from leaving Macron was holding a special becoming more complicated suming screening process Vincent Hospital in the eastern divided into four tiers of their municipality, closing meeting with top government than buying a car,” he said on before the vaccines can be French city of Strasbourg, restrictions, depending on the gyms and shopping malls, and officials yesterday to address France-2 television. ordered and administered. whose geriatric rehabilitation prevalence of the virus, with allowing only essential shops the vaccine strategy and other In France, a country of 67 Macron’s government is facility started vaccinations the vast majority of the such as pharmacies to open at virus developments. million people, only 516 people also keen not to appear that it Monday. He lamented a mixed country in Tiers 3 and 4 where the weekend. The slow rollout of the were vaccinated in the first six is forcing vaccines on anyone. message from leading French social mixing is restricted and The new restrictions in vaccine made by Pfizer and the days, according to the French Though France has lost officials, who he claims say “go restaurants are closed. Catalonia, which has Spain’s German firm BioNTech was Health Ministry. Germany’s more lives to the virus than get vaccinated, but we will go Health Secretary Matt second-highest number of blamed on mismanagement, first-week total surpassed most countries — over 65,000 slowly because it could be dan- Hancock said earlier that the infections and deaths after staffing shortages during 200,000 and Italy’s was over — polls suggest the French are gerous.” The French gov- rules in Tier 3 were clearly not Madrid, will start on Thursday holiday vacations and a 100,000 — and even those unusually wary of vaccines. ernment adjusted its policies working. and last until January 17. complex French consent policy countries are under fire for They remember past over the weekend to allow The government has spent “We have to stop the trans- designed to accommodate being too slow to protect the French drug scandals, worry immediate vaccinations for the year trying to balance the mission and the main way to unusually broad vaccine scep- public from a pandemic that about how quickly these new medical workers over 50, need to shut down the country do so is to reduce all social ticism among the French has killed more than 1.8 million vaccines were developed and alongside nursing home to contain the virus without activity,” Catalan health chief public. people worldwide. their long-term impact, and residents. hammering the economy. Alba Verges told a news con- ference, adding that financial aid would be given to the sectors most hit by the new Germany heading towards extension restrictions. The new measures will not of hard lockdown until January 31 affect restaurants, which can still have clients eat in for REUTERS — BERLIN government source said: “All but two breakfast and lunch and offer federal states support (a lockdown take-away food for dinner. The German government and the extension until) January 31. However, Other regions such as country’s 16 federal states have agreed the formal decision will be made on Andalusia, Murcia or Extrem- to extend a strict lockdown until Tuesday.” adura have announced new January 31 in an effort to bring coro- Germany was more successful measures over the past days. navirus infections under control, Bild than many European countries in Madrid continues to have newspaper reported yesterday, keeping the coronavirus in check lighter restrictions than most without providing a source. during the first wave in the spring but of the country but has locked Chancellor Angela Merkel and the has seen a surge in new infections down some districts with a state premiers are scheduled today since the autumn. higher infection rate. to discuss a possible extension of the It imposed a second hard Spain has been one of the lockdown beyond January 10. Some, lockdown on December 16, closing countries hardest hit by the including Bavaria’s premier Markus schools, shops and restaurants after pandemic, registering more Soeder, have already spoken in favour a partial lockdown introduced in early than 50,000 deaths and close People queue at a COVID-19 vaccination centre at the Treptow Arena in Berlin, Germany, of an extension. November did not bring the hoped- to 2 million cases. yesterday. Speaking after the Bild report, a for reduction in new infections. TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 EUROPE 13 EU rejects criticism for slow vaccine rollout AP — BRUSSELS vaccines contracts, with securing contracts with Vaccinations Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sanofi- potential drug makers. He said The European Commission programmes in the 27 GSK, Janssen Pharmaceutica the commission did not directly defended its coronavirus vacci- nation-bloc have gotten NV, Pfizer-BioNTech and buy doses of vaccines but “acted nation strategy yesterday amid CureVac. But only the Pfizer- as an investor” to provide growing criticism in member off to a slow start and BioNTech vaccine has been funding to pharmaceutical states about the slow rollout of some EU members have approved for use so far in the companies developing vaccines. COVID-19 shots across the been quick to blame the 27-nation bloc. The goal was to speed up pro- region of 450 million inhabitants. EU’s executive arm for a The European Medicines duction capacities and research, Vaccinations programmes perceived failure of Agency said its human medicines with all EU nations free to in the 27 nation-bloc have committee, CHMP, was meeting decide how many doses they gotten off to a slow start and delivering the right “to discuss the Moderna vaccine.” would buy from the vaccine some EU members have been amount of doses. The Amsterdam-based agency producers of their choice. quick to blame the EU’s exec- had been scheduled to discuss “Ultimately, these vaccines utive arm for a perceived failure authorising the US company’s have to be produced, delivered, of delivering the right amount deployment of vaccination pro- vaccine for use in the EU and some of the logistic chains of doses. In Finland, health grams “is an issue of production tomorrow. involved are very sophisti- authorities are reportedly capacity, an issue that eve- “The CHMP meeting cated,” Mamer said, insisting unhappy that the country only rybody is facing.” scheduled for tomorrow, 6 that vaccination programs have An elderly woman receives a vaccine against the coronavirus disease received about 40,000 doses in “We have actually signed January, is also still planned in just started, and that the big at a nursing home in Athens, Greece, yesterday. December, instead of the contracts that would allow case the committee does not deliveries of doses are foreseen 300,000 that were expected. member states to get access to reach a decision today,” the around April. said the “main philosophy was million doses on behalf of all EU Facing a barrage of ques- 2 billion doses, largely enough agency said in an email to The Asked why the Commission to diversify our portfolio, not to nations but that the commission tions on vaccines during a news to vaccinate the whole of the EU Associated Press. Monday’s did not buy more doses of the put all our eggs in one basket.” intends to use its option to conference, EU Commission population,” he said. meeting was behind closed Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Stefan De Keersmaecker said the request a further 80 million spokesman Eric Mamer said the As part of its strategy, the EU doors. Mamer also clarified the de Keersmaecker, the Commis- contract with Moderna provides doses once the vaccine is main problem with the has sealed six role of the commission in sion’s health policy spokesman, for an initial purchase of 80 approved. Greece church Belgium to step up tells priests to ignore pandemic vaccinations in closure order nursing homes AP — ATHENS Greece’s powerful Orthodox Church is rebelling against a REUTERS — BRUSSELS And last week, authorities government order to briefly said 27 elderly people died in an close places of worship under Belgium is stepping up its coro- outbreak at a Belgian nursing a weeklong drive to tighten navirus vaccination campaign home from a super-spreading St. virus restrictions before the in nursing homes, where more Nick party. One of the hardest- planned reopening of schools. than half of all COVID-19 deaths hit countries in Europe, Belgium The conservative in the country have been has reported more than 19,700 Church’s ruling body issued recorded. deaths linked to the virus. a statement yesterday Amid strong criticism over Britain yesterday took directing priests to admit its slowness in deploying vac- another giant step in the fight worshippers during indoor cines, Health Minister Frank against COVID-19, ramping up services for tomorrow's feast Belgian police officers checking the papers of passengers at the terminal of Brussels airport due to Vandenbroucke said yesterday its immunization program by of the Epiphany. the new rules imposed by the government amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, in Brussels, that 87,000 shots will be given giving the first shots in the The Holy Synod said it Belgium, on Saturday. every week to nursing home world from the vaccine created “does not accept” the new residents and staff. by Oxford University and phar- restrictions, in force from Speaking to RTL radio, maceutical giant AstraZeneca. storage needed by the Pfizer daily toll since Nov. 18 and sub- the Netherlands’ biggest airport January 3-10, and would send Vandenbroucke said Belgium Dialysis patient Brian vaccine. stantially lower than the high plummeted by 71% in 2020 as a letter of protest to the center- took a cautious approach in Pinker, 82, was the first to get The Oxford-AstraZeneca of 29,335 reported on Dec 24. coronavirus restrictions right government. rolling out vaccines and made the new vaccine shot, adminis- vaccine was being administered The taskforce reported 482 slammed the global aviation The government safety a priority, adding that tered by the chief nurse at at a small number of UK hos- new deaths from COVID-19, industry. responded with a mildly logistical issues due to the Oxford University Hospital. pitals for the first few days so down from 635 on Dec. 24. More Schiphol Airport announced worded statement voicing super-cold temperatures Pinker said he was so pleased authorities can watch out for than 3.26 million coronavirus Monday that 20.9 million pas- hope that the Church “will needed for the Pfizer-BioNTech and now he can “really look any adverse reactions. But hun- infections have been recorded in sengers departed, arrived or realise, as it has so far respon- vaccine did not help. forward to celebrating my 48th dreds of new vaccination sites Russia throughout the pandemic transited at the busy aviation sibly done, how crucial this Vandenbroucke took satis- wedding anniversary with my — at both hospitals as well as and 58,988 deaths. hub on the outskirts of time is for Greek society.” faction in the high rate of vac- wife Shirley later this year.” local doctors’ offices—will Despite a surge in new Amsterdam. The annual pas- It added that Greeks are cination so far, with about 85% Since December 8, Britain’s launch this week, joining the infections this fall, Russian offi- senger number reflects the still free to offer individual of the nursing home residents National Health Service has more than 700 already in oper- cials have shied away from entire year — before the first prayers in church, but not to willing to take the shots. been using a vaccine made by ation, NHS England said. imposing a national lockdown wave of coronavirus hit Europe, attend services. This had not Last month, Amnesty Inter- Pfizer and the German firm Russia reported yesterday in an effort to protect the the relative lull over the been specified when the national said Belgium author- BioNTech to inoculate health that its number of new corona- economy, relying instead on summer and surges in infec- restrictions were announced ities “abandoned” thousands of care workers and nursing home virus cases hit a six-week low, local restrictions. Russia has tions later in the year that on Saturday. elderly people who died in residents and staff. The Oxford- continuing a steady decline that been inoculating medical forced re-imposition of lock- After Greece saw a spike nursing homes during the pan- AstraZeneca vaccine boosts that began in late December. The workers and other key groups downs in many countries. The of new COVID-19 infections demic following an investi- medical arsenal and is cheaper national coronavirus taskforce with its own Russian-made airport processed 1.4 million and deaths in November, gation in which the group cited and easier to use since it does said 23,551 cases were recorded coronavirus vaccine called metric tons of cargo, a decrease when intensive care units bor- “human rights violations.” not require the super-cold in the previous day, the lowest Sputnik V. Passenger traffic at of 9% compared to 2019. dered on full capacity, author- ities imposed a second lockdown, closing schools and suspending much economic Canary Islands sees more and social activity. than 8-fold increase in Greece PM keeps arrival of migrants in 2020 key ministers in cabinet makeover REUTERS — MADRID REUTERS — ATHENS The number of undocumented migrants arriving in Spain’s Canary Islands on rickety boats was more than eight times higher in Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos 2020 from the previous year, the Spanish Interior Ministry said Mitsotakis reshuffled his yesterday. cabinet yesterday in an As north and sub-Saharan Africans grew desperate after losing attempt to give a boost to his incomes from tourism and other industries because of the COVID-19 conservative government, but pandemic, 23,023 migrants arrived in the archipelago last year, up left key ministers in place to from 2,687 in 2019, the ministry said. signal policy continuity for the Hundreds of people died last year making the perilous crossing to economy and foreign affairs. the Spanish islands in the Atlantic Ocean, often in overcrowded boats As Greece aims to reopen with unreliable engines, the International Organization for Migration schools next week and start said. mass vaccinations this month, The migrants tend to see the Canary Islands as a staging post to the government is keen to get to mainland Europe, but the islands are still more than 1,000km kick-start the economy after from continental Spain. the novel coronavirus pan- Overall, the number of illegal migrants intercepted by Spanish demic destroyed hopes of a authorities across the country in 2020 rose by 29% to 41.861, as fewer recovery last year. A migrant rescued in the Atlantic Ocean sits on the ground after disembarking from a Spanish people sailed to continental Spain and the Balearic Islands or crossed To face the challenges, coast guard vessel, in the port of Arguineguin, to the south part of the island of Gran Canaria, the land border between Morocco and the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta Mitsotakis has switched some Spain, yesterday. and Melilla. ministers around and brought in a few new faces, including Christos Tarantilis, an Athens University professor who was Ukraine investigates audio recordings discussing journalist’s murder appointed the government’s spokesman to help polish its REUTERS — KIEV service in 2012 discussing plans reply to a request for comment. are discussing the murder of authorities have not established image. to kill investigative journalist In the recording, which journalist Pavel Sheremet,” the who ordered the murder. The In addition, the prime min- Ukrainian police said yesterday Pavel Sheremet. EUobserver said it obtained police statement said. suspects deny wrongdoing. ister appointed Nicholas Yat- they were investigating docu- The Ukrainian police gave through a Belarusian opposition Lukashenko has cracked Sheremet was given Russian romanolakis, a former ments and audio recordings few details of the audio activist, plans are discussed to down on protests since a dis- citizenship after fleeing alleged member of the centrist Potami dating back to 2012 about plans recordings it is looking into and kill enemies of Lukashenko’s puted election in August which persecution in Belarus but relo- party, as deputy culture min- to murder a Belarusian jour- did not identify any suspects. rule with poison or his opponents say was rigged. cated permanently to Ukraine ister. “Every government nalist who was subsequently If the veracity of the explosives. Lukashenko has denied elec- in 2014 after no longer feeling needs to demonstrate flexi- killed by a car bomb in Kiev in recording published by EUob- The Ukrainian police said toral fraud. Ukrainian President safe in Moscow. bility at the right time,” Taran- 2016. server is confirmed, it would they obtained their own Volodymyr Zelenskiy made Sheremet worked for the tilis said, announcing the The police released a increase suspicions that Belarus’s material through the country’s investigating the killing a pri- online news website Ukrayinska cabinet line-up. statement on the case on the KGB was involved in killing foreign intelligence service. ority when he came to power Pravda whose founder, Georgiy Finance Minister Christos same day as online newspaper Sheremet, a critic of the Bela- Fragments of the infor- two years ago. Gongadze, was also murdered Staikouras, Foreign Minister EUobserver published a rusian leadership under Pres- mation they obtained “have Three Ukrainian suspects in 2000. Gongadze’s decapi- Nikos Dendias and Defence recording of what it said was ident Alexander Lukashenko. been published on the internet. are on trial in Ukraine in con- tated body was discovered in a Minister Nikos Panagi- the Belarusian KGB security The Belarusian KGB did not Unidentified persons nection with the killing but the forest outside Kiev. otopoulos remain in place. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021

Moderna to make US Treasury Dept 600 million doses affirms recognition of COVID-19 of opposition-held vaccine this year BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON

Venezuela congress Moderna Inc. said it will make at least 600 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, with REUTERS — WASHINGTON Venezuela’s Supreme a goal of finishing the year with as many as 1 billion doses The US Treasury Department Court last week ruled produced. The shares rose. yesterday issued a new license that the move by the The announcement allowing certain transactions opposition-controlled increased the bottom end of the with Venezuelan opposition company’s production forecast leader Juan Guaido despite US National Assembly by 100 million doses. Moderna sanctions on the country, reaf- to extend its term is “continuing to invest and add firming Washington’s support staff” to produce the two-shot for the politician as Venezuela’s an additional year vaccine, according to a legitimate leader. was invalid, paving statement by the Cambridge, The license, which replaces Massachusetts biotech company a similar previous one, also the way for allies of yesterday. allows for certain transactions Maduro to take over The announcement comes with Venezuela’s National as a key government official has Assembly and some others, the body this month. said the US is considering effectively recognising the cutting Moderna’s dosage levels Ontario Premier Doug Ford watches a healthcare worker preparing a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the extension of the opposition- by half for those 18 to 55 to Michener Institute, in Toronto yesterday. controlled National Assembly’s re-election, widely described boost the amount of vaccine term by a year. as fraudulent. available. Speaking on CBS’s goal of delivering approxi- receiving further coronavirus “seriously deficient” in admin- The term was extended Maduro remains in power, “Face the Nation” on Sunday, mately 20 million doses to the vaccine shipments if they don’t istering vaccines can be subject after the mainstream oppo- backed by Venezuela’s military Moncef Slaoui, Operation Warp US last year. administer doses within a week to further sanctions, including sition boycotted a parlia- as well as Russia, China and Speed’s chief scientific adviser, The US has ordered 200 of getting them, . limited allocations in the future. mentary election on December Cuba. said there is evidence that a million doses of the vaccine, As more than half of the If hospitals aren’t able to speed 6 handily won by President The recognition of Guaido half-dose provides the same with options for buying 300 shots received by hospitals it up, they should say so, Cuomo Nicolas Maduro’s ruling as interim president by the level of protection as a full dose. million more, and Moderna statewide remain unused, said. “You would be fined for socialists that the opposition United States and others A Moderna spokesman confirmed in the statement that Cuomo called out individual accepting an allocation that you and most Western democracies derives from his position as declined to comment about any it still expects to deliver all 200 hospitals that have been slow can’t administer or won’t said was neither free nor fair. speaker of the National potential ongoing regulatory million doses by the end of the to administer the vaccines to administer,” he said. Venezuela’s Supreme Court last Assembly. Guaido invoked discussions. The company’s second quarter. their staff. While some of the About 300,000 New week ruled that the move by Venezuela’s constitution to shares rose 6.1% to $110.84 at Juan Andres, Moderna’s 194 public and private hospitals Yorkers have been vaccinated the opposition-controlled assume a rival interim presi- 1:42 pm in New York. chief technical operations and have used nearly all of their so far, with the main focus on National Assembly to extend its dency in 2019, declaring The vaccine, Moderna’s first quality officer, said the com- allocation, others have given front-line medical workers. The term an additional year was Maduro was usurping the pres- product, has been authorised for pany’s early delivery of supply out as little as 15%, he said. New state is looking to hasten its invalid, paving the way for idency after rigging his 2018 use in the US and Canada, and and its ability to boost baseline York City’s public hospitals vaccination efforts as Covid-19 allies of Maduro to take over re-election. the company’s application for production estimates for 2021 have administered 31%, cases and hospitalisations con- the body this month. The Treasury Department use in Europe could get the go- “are both signals that our scale according to Cuomo. “I need tinue to climb. Beyond hospital Washington in January in the license said that trans- ahead within days from the up of mRNA vaccine production those public officials to step in systems, Cuomo laid blame for 2019 recognized Venezuelan actions involving the Vene- European Medicines Agency. is a success.” and manage those systems,” the slower-than-expected politician Guaido as the OPEC zuelan National Constituent In the US, Moderna has sup- Meanwhile, Governor Cuomo said Monday at a virus rollout on a federally-run nation’s rightful leader and has Assembly convened by Maduro plied 18 million doses so far to Andrew Cuomo said New briefing. “You have the allo- program to inoculate residents ratcheted up sanctions and dip- or the National Assembly the government, according to York’s public and private hos- cation, we want it in people’s and staff at nursing homes lomatic pressure in the scheduled to be seated on the statement. That puts pitals could be fined as much arms as soon as possible.” administered by Walgreens and aftermath of Maduro’s 2018 Tuesday are not authorised. Moderna roughly in line with its as $100,000 and risk not Hospital providers who are CVS. Shuttered shelters hit migrants in Mexico as pandemic rages Man arrested in Mexico for REUTERS — SALTILLO, MEXICO care or rest properly because of shuttered shelters. beating three Dozens of migrant refuges in Estimates vary over how Mexico have closed their doors many refuges there are, but a sons to death or scaled back operations in 2020 study by bank BBVA Ban- recent weeks to curb the comer identified 96 shelters, AP — MEXICO CITY ravages of coronavirus, rest houses and canteens for exposing people to greater peril migrants on Mexico’s main A man has been arrested in just as migration from Central migration routes. The mounting northern Mexico for allegedly America to the United States is risks Castaneda and other beating to death his three sons on the rise again. migrants face could complicate in order to get back at the chil- Reuters spoke to people Mexican-US efforts to improve dren’s mother, prosecutors said. responsible for over 40 shelters their lot under the incoming US The prosecutors’ office in that had offered refuge to thou- president, Joe Biden, who has the northern state of Sonora sands on a route where illegal pledged to pursue more said the boys were aged 3, 7 immigrants often face assaults, humane policies than the and 8. The deaths occurred in robberies and kidnappings - incumbent, Donald Trump. the north-central state of before the pandemic forced Biden’s inauguration on Hidalgo on January 2. The them to shut or limit capacity. Jan. 20 and the two hurricanes suspect called his own father The closures are a fresh have already encouraged some to tell him what he had done headache for migrants already Central Americans to head and the grandfather called coping with reductions to the north. Social media chats used police. southern routes of a Mexican by migrants say a major migrant The suspect apparently cargo train known as “La caravan is organizing to depart fled to Sonora, but was quickly Bestia” (The Beast) that has long Migrants rest outside the Posada Belen migrant shelter, which is closed due to an outbreak of the Honduras on January 15. detained there and returned helped them get north. coronavirus disease, in Saltillo, Mexico. The number of Hondurans, to Hidalgo to face charges. Fewer shelters mean fewer Guatemalans and Salvadorans Prosecutors said the man safe places for Central Amer- on the sidewalk outside. the gangs are watching us, and pandemic. Castaneda wants to caught trying to cross the US had an argument with the icans to take cover, even as Alarmed by the prospect of gang- they know we’re watching them.” reach the United States to work border rose more than three-fold boys’ mother and killed the many walk hundreds more sters who often prey on migrants A network of privately and send money back to his between July and November, US kids “in order to cause her miles than before, over a dozen in the city, an important transit funded shelters provides food, parents and three younger sib- official data show. In the great pain.” migrants told Reuters. point for violent drug gangs, they legal and medical aid to tens of lings to rebuild their family home, southern town of Tenosique, a “Apparently in revenge When the main shelter in organized their own night patrol. thousands of migrants tra- which was hammered by two gathering point for migrants against his wife, he killed his the northern city of Saltillo, a “At night, suspicious cars versing Mexico each year. Run devastating hurricanes that hit entering Mexico from Gua- sons,” the office said in a busy staging post on the road to park nearby or circle the area by non-governmental agencies Central America in November. temala, an influential shelter statement. Texas, shut before Christmas with two or three men inside,” or religious organisations, they But his journey across known as “The 72” had to close due to a COVID-19 outbreak said Honduran migrant Michael are subject to government rules, Mexico has been slow, he said, its doors to new arrivals after Boat with over 20 that killed its founder, dozens Castaneda, 27, who helped including health laws that have after he injured his leg en route a coronavirus outbreak there of migrants were left to camp organize the sentry. “We know forced some to close in the and could not access medical at the end of November. migrants sinks off Colombia

Bolivia’s Tuni glacier is disappearing, Private clinics in Brazil to buy AP — BOGOTA COVID-19 vaccine from India Rescue workers in Colombia and so is the water it supplies are trying to locate more than 20 migrants whose REUTERS — LA PAZ glaciologist. Across much of the grows quinoa in the town of REUTERS — SAO PAULO boat sank as it tried to reach glacier´s former path, now only Viacha, about 25km from the Panama. Bolivia’s Tuni glacier is disap- discolored rock remains, city of La Paz, says his crop has Private Brazilian clinics plan to buy 5 million doses of a COVID-19 The sinking was reported pearing faster than initially exposed for the first time in suffered. “It has not rained for vaccine developed by India’s Bharat Biotech, their association yesterday by officials in anticipated, according to scien- centuries. months, I think it must be due said yesterday in a statement. Acandi, a municipality along tists in the Andean nation, a Though the glacier has to climate change, that is why Bharat Biotech has not yet applied for approval by Brazil’s the Gulf of Uraba, an inlet of predicament that will likely been receding since the Little Pachamama (Mother Earth) got health regulator Anvisa for its Covaxin vaccine. the Caribbean sea that is lined make worse water shortages Ice Age, when massive ice angry and it does not rain,” he Geraldo Barbosa, head of the Brazilian Association of Vaccine by dense jungle. already plaguing the capital La fields topped many Andean said in his native Aymara Clinics (ABCVAC) who will lead a delegation to India, said a mem- Thousands of undocu- Paz, just 60 km away. mountains, the fast-changing language. orandum of understanding has already been signed with Bharat mented migrants cross the gulf Scientists from the Univer- climate has accelerated the Meanwhile, El Alto, the city Biotech. each year on small boats. sidad Mayor de San Andrés process, according to the sister to the capital La Paz, is “This should be the first vaccine available on the private Migrants traveling through (UMSA), who monitor the Tuni Bolivian scientists. growing at approximately 5% market in Brazil,” he said. The plan is for the 5 million doses of Covaxin the Uraba region are mostly and other regional glaciers, told Torrential rains and per year, according to glacier to arrive in Brazil in mid-March, to be sold by private clinics. Anvisa trying to make it to the United Reuters the once sprawling drought have become more scientist Ramirez. said in a statement on Sunday that Covaxin does not fit the con- States. Many come from Cuba glacier had been reduced to common, and mountain snows While the populations tinuous data submission process for vaccine registration and the and Haiti. But it is also just one square kilometer. less predictable, they said. located at the foot of the Andes vaccine would have to undergo clinical trial in Brazil. common to see migrants from Where once they had pre- The changing climate and do not depend entirely on Bharat Biotech is a pharmaceutical company based in Africa and Asia along this dicted it would last through fast-disappearing glaciers have water from Bolivia’s high Hyderabad in southern India that produces millions of doses of route. 2025, now they say its disap- coincided with a move from Andean glaciers, the mountain vaccines for hepatitis, Zika, Japanese encephalitis and others ill- Colombia’s navy confirmed pearance is imminent. the countryside to the cities of ice has fed rivers used for irri- nesses. In November, Bharat Biotech executives visited Brazil the shipwreck and says it is still “This entire sector was Bolivia, researchers say, pres- gation of crops and at least 20% and offered the vaccine and a possible technology transfer part- trying to determine how many once covered with ice,” said Dr. suring already faltering water of La Paz’ water supply, the sci- nership. Covaxin is a whole-virion inactivated vaccine that could migrants were on the boat, and Edson Ramírez, a university sources. Yola Choque, who entists say. be licensed by the second quarter of 2021 in India, an executive how many survived the said. accident. TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 AMERICAS 15 Trump and Biden hold rallies ahead of Georgia Senate vote

BLOOMBERG & AP — MILNER, President-elect Joe Biden cam- GEORGIA The state’s two seats are paign in the state ahead of both up for grabs and if today's runoff elections that will Georgia voters are hearing final Republicans manage to determine which party controls arguments from two presidents, the US Senate. It comes two as Donald Trump and Joe Biden keep just one of them, the weeks ahead of Biden’s inaugu- each make their cases ahead of party would have a ration and as Trump tries to gal- high-stakes Senate runoff elec- narrow majority in the vanize Republicans around his tions today that will determine Senate, giving Majority efforts to subvert his election who controls the chamber and Leader Mitch McConnell defeat and keep himself in with it, Biden’s agenda. power for a second term. The state’s two seats are the power to block “In one more day, we need both up for grabs and if Repub- Biden’s initiatives, people of faith in this state to licans manage to keep just one nominees to his stand with leaders who will of them, the party would have administration and the support life and liberty and the a narrow majority in the Senate, judiciary. freedom of every American,” giving Majority Leader Mitch Pence declared at Rock Springs McConnell the power to block Church in Milner. “We’re going Biden’s initiatives, nominees to to keep Georgia, and we’re his administration and the scam, and because of what going to save America.” US President-elect Joe Biden waves as he arrives to depart Wilmington for campaign travel to Georgia judiciary. you’ve done to the president, a Republican David Perdue, at New Castle Airport in New Castle, Delaware, US, yesterday. If Democrats Jon Ossoff and lot of people aren’t going out to who is seeking a second term as Raphael Warnock can take both vote, and a lot of Republicans senator, addressed the church Biden won Georgia’s 16 will certify Biden’s Electoral Pence promised that “we’ll seats from Republican incum- are going to vote negative crowd by telephone while quar- electoral votes by about 12,000 College victory. The call high- have our day in Congress,” bents David Perdue and Kelly because they hate what you did antining over coronavirus votes out of 5 million cast in lighted how Trump has used the though he offered no details Loeffler, the Senate will be split to the president. OK? They hate exposure, warning that “the November, though Trump con- Georgia campaign to make about what that might mean. 50-50, giving incoming Vice- it,” he said. very future of our republic is on tinues pushing false assertions clear his continued hold on Scores of Republicans in Con- President Kamala Harris the tie- The high stakes have sent a the line” and declaring the duty of widespread fraud that even Republican politics. gress have pledged to protest breaking vote. flood of cash pouring into the to vote “a calling from God.” his attorney general and Geor- Angry after the Raffensperger the Electoral College count, but Trump has linked the Senate state. Spending in the two The stakes have drawn hun- gia’s Republican secretary of call, Trump floated the idea of Pence has no legal authority to races to his own fate in the state, runoffs is approaching $500m, dreds of millions of dollars in state —along with a litany of pulling out of the rally but was override Biden’s win. pressuring Georgia Secretary of according to the Center for campaign spending to a once state and federal judges — have persuaded to go ahead with it so With the rest of his remarks, State Brad Raffensperger in a Responsive Politics. solidly Republican state that said did not happen. he will have a chance to reiterate Pence held to his usual line of phone call to find a way to shift Vice-President Mike Pence now finds itself as the nation’s The president’s trip yes- his claims of election fraud. tacitly acknowledging Biden’s the state’s presidential results warned conservative Christian premier battleground. Trump is terday comes a day after dis- Republicans are wary as to coming presidency by empha- in his favor before Tuesday. voters in Georgia yesterday that scheduled for a nighttime rally closure of a remarkable tele- whether Trump will focus only sizing Trump’s accomplish- Trump suggested that if a pair of high-stakes Senate in north Georgia, his second trip phone call he made to the on himself and fail to promote ments and declaring them Raffensperger couldn’t find a way runoffs might offer “the last line of the runoff campaign. Biden, Georgia secretary of state over the two GOP candidates. under threat under a Demo- to turn the presidential results in of defence” against a Demo- also making his second runoff the weekend. Trump pressured Pence, who will preside cratic Senate majority. If Trump the GOP’s favor, Georgia Repub- cratic takeover in Washington. foray, will campaign in Atlanta Republican Brad Raffensperger over Wednesday’s congres- were going to remain in the licans might hold it against the The vice-president’s visit to in the late afternoon with Per- to “find” enough votes to sional joint session, sidestepped Oval Office, he would have veto party in the Senate races. a Georgia megachurch launched due’s opponent, Jon Ossoff, and overturn Georgia’s election Trump’s denials Monday until authority over Democrats’ leg- “You know, the people of a day of last-minute headliners, Loeffler’s challenger, the Rev. results ahead of tomorrow’s a man yelled out that he must islation even if they ran both Georgia know that this was a as President Donald Trump and Raphael Warnock. joint session of Congress that “do the right thing on Jan. 6.” chambers of Congress. Nancy Pelosi re-elected House Speaker Hundreds demonstrate

AP — WASHINGTON Though Congress enacted - and Trump finally signed - a over fatal Minneapolis Nancy Pelosi was narrowly $900 billion COVID-19 relief reelected on Sunday as Speaker, package late last month, Biden police shooting giving her the reins of Demo- and many Democrats say they crats’ slender House majority consider that measure a down AP — MINNEAPOLIS as she and President-elect Joe payment. They say more aid is As many as 1,000 Biden set a challenging course needed to bolster efforts to vac- Hundreds of protesters demonstrators marched of producing legislation to cinate the public, curb the virus marched in Minneapolis to near the site where tackle the pandemic, revive the and restore jobs and businesses demand justice in the fatal economy and address other lost to the pandemic. police shooting of a Dolal Idd was killed party priorities. Biden’s priorities also include 23-year-old man, the city’s first last Wednesday during “We accept a responsibility efforts on health care and the police-involved death since an attempted traffic as daunting and demanding as environment. Guiding such leg- George Floyd died after being stop. Police said Idd any that previous generations islation through the House will restrained by officers in May. of leadership have faced,” the be a challenge for Pelosi because As many as 1,000 demon- was being sought in a California Democrat told the her party’s narrow majority strators marched and chanted weapons investigation. chamber as she accepted a means just a handful of defectors on Sunday near the site where Police chief released a fresh two-year term in her post, could be fatal. Dolal Idd was killed last 27-second clip from one perhaps her last. Citing the In addition, cooperation Wednesday during an officer’s body-camera 350,000 Americans who’ve with Republicans could be attempted felony traffic stop. died from COVID-19 and the made more difficult as many in Police said Idd was being video and said it showed millions who’ve lost jobs and the GOP are continuing to dem- sought in a weapons investi- Idd fired his gun first. livelihoods, she won a standing onstrate fealty to the divisive gation. Police Chief Medaria ovation when she said, “Our Trump, backing his unfounded Arradondo released a most urgent priority will con- claims that his reelection loss 27-second clip from one Jaylani Hussein, executive tinue to be defeating the coro- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) waves a gavel during was tainted by fraud. Congress officer’s body-camera video director of the Minnesota navirus. And defeat it, we will.” the first session of the 117th Congress in the House Chamber at will meet Wednesday to offi- and said it showed Idd fired his chapter of Council on Amer- Yet even before House the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Sunday. cially affirm Biden’s clear Elec- gun first. ican-Islamic Relations, which Minority Leader Kevin toral College victory over “I’m encouraged to see that helped organise the protest, McCarthy, R-Calif., ceremo- this majority: were you guidelines requiring testing and Trump. Many House and Senate there’s such a huge turnout in told the crowd the bodycam nially handed her the speaker’s listening?” face coverings for lawmakers. Republicans say they will solidarity for the brother and footage shared by Minneapolis gavel - a normally genial Those are assertions that There was widespread mask- contest the validity of some of his family in the middle of the police is “inconclusive” and moment - he provided a stark Democrats strongly dispute, wearing and far fewer legislators those votes, but their efforts are winter. That shows that there’s criticized it for being edited. reminder of the partisan divide saying it’s Republicans, espe- and guests in the chamber than certain to fail. actually passion for the youth The fatal shooting of Idd, a coloring Congress. cially in the GOP-led Senate, usual, an unimaginable tableau There was no widespread to really actually engage this Somali American, happened McCarthy accused Pelosi who’ve blocked progress on when the last Congress com- fraud in the election, which a indefinitely until there is some less than a mile from the street of over the past two years pandemic aid and other issues. menced two years ago, before the range of election officials across real change,” AJ Awed, 30, told corner where a white Minne- leading “the least productive Pelosi, who has led her pandemic struck. the country including Trump’s the Star Tribune. apolis officer pressed his knee Congress in nearly 50 years” party in the House since 2003 Pelosi’s election came 17 former attorney general, “But at the same time, I’m on Floyd’s neck for minutes, and said there was a clear and is the only woman to be days before Biden is inaugu- William Barr, have confirmed. disappointed because we even as Floyd pleaded that he message in last November’s speaker, received 216 votes to rated. Yet rather than a fresh Republican governors in shouldn’t be here,” he added. couldn’t breathe. The May 25 elections, when Republicans 209 for McCarthy, who again start for him and Pelosi, there Arizona and Georgia, key bat- “After the murder of George death of Floyd, who was Black, gained seats by defeating a will be the chamber’s minority are issues and undercurrents tleground states crucial to Floyd and countless others, I sparked days of sometimes dozen Democratic incum- leader. It was the first vote of that will carry over from Pres- Biden’s victory, have also don’t understand how the violent protests that spread bents. “It was a wake-up call,” the new Congress, which con- ident Donald Trump’s tempes- vouched for the integrity of the police could be so careless, you around the country and reso- he said. “The question I ask of vened Sunday with COVID-19 tuous administration. elections in their states. know?” nated worldwide. Remorseful man CIA’s new recruitment website aims to diversify agency returns statue’s stolen AP — WASHINGTON minority representation. recruitment a priority since spies I saw on TV were male 26.2%. But that’s still lower sword after 40 years With thousands of job appli- she became the first female Anglo-Saxon Ivy leaguers, than 37 percent in the federal WANTED: Spies from all cants annually, the CIA wants director in May 2018. Since not Latinas from New Jersey. workforce as a whole and AP — WESTFIELD backgrounds and walks of to do more to ensure its then, the CIA has started Still, I went to my expert life 37.4 percent in the civilian life. Striving to further workforce reflects national advertising on streaming coach, my mother, for advice. labor force, the report said. A veteran returned a sword he stole from diversify its ranks, the CIA demographics. services, launched an She said, ‘No pierdes nada The largest minority or a statue of a Revolutionary War general 40 launched a new website The revamped website Instagram account and an con ir.’ (What have you got to ethnic group at all the intel- years ago, telling the head of the Massa- yesterday to find top-tier has links for browsing CIA online “onion site,” a feature lose in going?) So, I went to ligence agencies, including chusetts town’s historical commission that candidates who will bring a jobs complete with starting that makes both the infor- the job fair. The rest, as they the CIA, was Black or African he regretted taking it. broader range of life experi- salaries and requirements, mation provider and the say, is history.” American at 12% followed by Cindy P. Gaylord, the chair of Westfield’s ences to the nation’s premier sections on working at the person accessing information Across the more than a Hispanic at 7% and Asian at Historical Commission, said a man contacted intelligence agency agency, and a streamlined more difficult to trace. dozen US spy agencies, 4%. Persons with disabilities the city hall saying he had the sword stolen The days of all American application process. Last year, the CIA desig- including the CIA, 61% of represent 11.5% of the work- from the town’s statue of Gen. William spies being white male grad- “We’ve come a long way nated its first executive for intelligence professionals in force at all the US. intelli- Shepard in 1980, the Springfield Republican uates from Ivy League since I applied by simply Hispanic engagement, Ilka fiscal 2019 were men com- gence agencies — up a point reported. Gaylord agreed to give the man schools are long gone. The mailing a letter marked ‘CIA, Rodriguez-Diaz, a veteran of pared with 39% women, from the year before. anonymity if he returned the bronze sword CIA director is a woman and Washington, DC,’” said CIA more than three decades with according to an annual “Even with all the chal- and arranged for him to drop it off at her women head all five of the Director Gina Haspel, who the agency. She first joined demographics report com- lenges 2020 posed, it was a home along with his wife, she said. agency’s branches, including joined the agency in 1985. She after attending a CIA job fair piled by the Office of the standout recruitment year for “He had a great deal of shame and the directorates of science said in a statement that she in New Jersey. Director of National CIA. Our incoming class is the remorse,” Gaylord told the newspaper. “He and technology, operations hopes the new website piques “The CIA had never been Intelligence. third largest in a decade and is a veteran and told me the fact that he did and digital innovation. the interest of talented Amer- on my radar,” she wrote in In fiscal 2019, the intelli- represents the most diverse this to another soldier troubled him. He But while the CIA has icans and gives them a sense an op-ed in The Miami gence community saw an talent pool, including persons wants the story printed to remind people been diversifying for years, of the “dynamic environment Herald after getting the job incremental increase in the with disabilities, since 2010,” that something you do in your youth could intelligence agencies still lag that awaits them here.” in October. “I didn’t think I fit number of minority profes- said CIA spokesperson Nicole haunt you for the rest of your life.” the federal workforce in Haspel has made the ‘profile.’ After all, the sionals - 26.5%, up from de Haay. TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2021 16

UK scientists say Indonesia vaccinating working vaccines may not work on variant population first, not the elderly in South Africa PRAYER TIMINGS REUTERS — JAKARTA REUTERS — LONDON PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING As Indonesia prepares to begin Scientists are not fully confident mass inoculations against that COVID-19 vaccines will FAJR 04.58 am COVID-19, its plan to prioritise work on a new variant of the SUNRISE 06.20 am working age adults over the coronavirus found in South elderly, aiming to reach herd Africa, ITV’s political editor said DHUHR 11.39 am immunity fast and revive the yesterday, citing an unidentified ASR 02.38 pm economy, will be closely watched scientific adviser to the British MAGHRIB 05.00 pm by other countries. government. ISHA 06.30 pm Several countries such as the British Health Secretary United States and Britain that Matt Hancock said earlier yes- have already begun vaccinations terday that he was incredibly are giving priority to elderly worried about the new variant. people who are more vulnerable Public Health England did not to the respiratory disease. answer phone calls requesting The following are experts’ comment on the report. views on merits and risks of the “According to one of the Indonesian approach, under government’s scientific advisers, which working age adults will the reason for Matt Hancock’s WEATHER be vaccinated after frontline ‘incredible worry’ about the TODAY health workers and public South African Covid-19 variant servants. is that they are not as confident WHY 18-59 YEAR-OLDS the vaccines will be as effective FIRST? Indonesia, which plans against it as they are for the UK’s Workers offload a box of Sinovac’s vaccine for coronavirus disease as it arrives at the cold room of to begin mass inoculations with variant,” ITV political editor Indonesia’s local health department in Palembang, South Sumatra province, Indonesia, yesterday. a vaccine developed by China’s Robert Peston said. Sinovac Biotech, says it does not Both Britain and South o o have enough data yet of the vac- National University of Singapore about reaching herd immunity, Africa have discovered new var- 17 C 24 C cine’s efficacy on elderly people, Some experts are said he understood the rationale as more research needs to be iants in the coronavirus in Minimum Maximum as clinical trials underway in the of Indonesia’s approach. done to ascertain whether or not recent months that have driven Misty to foggy at places at first country involves people aged sceptical about reaching “Younger working adults are vaccinated people can transmit a surge in case numbers. becomes moderate temperature 18-59. herd immunity, as more generally more active, more the virus. Scientists say the new South daytime with scattered clouds, research needs to be relatively cold by night. “We’re not bucking the social and travel more so this “There could be the risk of African variant is different from trend,” said Siti Nadia Tarmizi, strategy should decrease com- people still capable of spreading others circulating in the country W ALRUWAIS : 16o → 22o done to ascertain a senior health ministry official, whether or not munity transmission faster than the disease to the others,” said because it has multiple muta- W ALKHOR : 13o → 23o adding authorities would await vaccinating older individuals,” Hasbullah Thabrany, chief of the tions in the important “spike” W DUKHAN : 13o → 21o recommendations from the vaccinated people can he said. Indonesian Health Economic protein that the virus uses to transmit the virus. W WAKRAH : 12o → 23o country’s drug regulators to “Of course older people are Association. infect human cells. decide on vaccination plans for more at risk of severe disease WILL IT HELP ECONOMIC It has also been associated W MESAIEED : 12o → 23o the elderly. and death so vaccinating those RECOVERY? Economists have with a higher viral load, W ABUSAMRA : 10o → 22o While Britain and the United distributed in the second quarter. has an alternative rationale. I see argued a successful vaccination meaning a higher concen- States began immunisations “I don’t think anybody can merit in both strategies.” programme covering around 100 tration of virus particles in WILL IT HELP ACHIEVE HIGH TIDE with a shot developed by Pfizer get too dogmatic about what is million people will help jump- patients’ bodies, possibly con- 08:35 – 20:39 Inc and its partner BioNTech the right approach,” said Peter HERD IMMUNITY QUICKLY? start the economy, as they are tributing to higher levels of that showed it works well in Collignon, professor of infectious By vaccinating more socially more likely to resume economic transmission. LOW TIDE 02:27 – 16:42 people of all ages, Indonesia has diseases at Australian National mobile and economically active activity such as spending and John Bell, regius professor initial access only to the Sinovac University, adding that Indone- groups first, Indonesian gov- production. Faisal Rachman, an of medicine at University of vaccine. sia’s strategy could slow the ernment officials hope the gov- economist with Bank Mandiri, Oxford who sits on the govern- The Southeast Asian country spread of the disease, although ernment can quickly reach herd said that the 18-59 age group has ment’s vaccine taskforce, said has a deal to receive 125.5 it may not affect mortality rates. immunity. consumption needs that are on Sunday he thought vaccines million doses of Sinovac’s Coro- “Indonesia doing it different Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indo- higher than other groups. would work on the British Malaysia coroner: naVac shot, and a first batch of to the US and Europe is of value, nesia’s health minister, said the “They could jack up the eco- variant but said there was a 3 million doses are already in the because it will tell us (whether) country needs to vaccinate 181.5 nomic recovery faster because “big question mark” as to No foul play country. you’ll see a more dramatic effect million people, or roughly 67% household consumption con- whether it would work on the Shipments of the Pfizer in Indonesia than Europe or US of its population, to reach herd tributes more than 50% to Indo- South African variant. in death of vaccine to the country are because of the strategy they’re immunity, and requires almost nesia’s economy,” he said, He told Times Radio that if French-Irish teen expected to begin from the third doing, but I don’t think anybody 427 million doses of vaccines, warning that rising COVID-19 the vaccine did not work on the quarter, while a vaccine knows the answer.” Professor assuming a double-dose regimen cases in the country could also South African variant the shots AP — KUALA LUMPUR developed by AstraZeneca and Dale Fisher from the Yong Loo and a 15% wastage rate. risk lowering people’s could be adapted and that Oxford University will start being Lin School of Medicine at the Some experts are sceptical confidence. would not take a year. A Malaysian coroner ruled yesterday that the death of a French-Irish teenager whose ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’: Singer body was found near a Malaysian jungle resort where Gerry Marsden dies at 78 she vanished while on vacation was most likely a misadventure that didn’t involve other people. AP — LONDON was the lead singer of the band Coroner Maimoonah Aid that found fame in the Mer- ruled out homicide, natural Gerry Marsden, lead singer of the seybeat scene in the 1960s. death and suicide and said Nora 1960s British group Gerry and Though another Liverpool Anne Quoirin likely got lost after the Pacemakers that had such band - The Beatles - reached leaving her family’s cottage on hits as “Ferry Cross the Mersey” superstardom, Gerry and the her own. and the song that became the Pacemakers will always have a The 15-year-old disap- anthem of Liverpool Football place in the city’s consciousness peared at the Dusun eco-resort Club, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” because of “You’ll Never Walk in southern Negeri Sembilan has died. He was 78. Alone.” state on Aug. 4, 2019, a day after His family said that Marsden “I thought what a beautiful the family arrived for a vacation. died Sunday “after a short illness song. I’m going to tell my band After a massive search, her body in no way connected with we’re going to play that song,” was found on August 13 beside COVID-19” and that his wife, Marsden said in 2018 when a stream on a palm oil estate daughters and grandchildren are recalling the first time he heard about 2.5km from the resort. “devastated.” His friend Pete the song at the cinema. Police believed she climbed Price said on Instagram after “So I went back and told my out of the cottage window on speaking to Marsden’s family buddies we’re doing a ballad her own, with no evidence of that the singer died after a short called ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’” any foul play. But her parents illness related to a heart Marsden is best known for his said she was likely kidnapped infection. band’s rendition of the song from because she had mental and “I’m sending all the love in “Carousel,” which was a 1945 physical disabilities and Making of a snowman the world to (his wife) Pauline Rodgers and Hammerstein wouldn’t have wandered off on and his family,” he said. “You’ll musical that became a feature A man and his kids build a snowman after snowfall in Berlin, Germany. her own. Never Walk Alone.” Marsden film in 1956. COVID-19 restrictions boost online shopping, create jobs for youth

INTERNEWS — MULTAN motorcycles with food points She said that most of the job porting his family. about Rs15,000, besides their and other products and many holders preferred home cooked He said that his friends and monthly salary. COVID-19 restrictions boosted others attached with courier Different fast food points, food items instead of fast food. classmates have also started this Raheel Nawaz, who works online shopping and created job services, Uber and Careem and hotels, shopkeepers and She said she has an agreement work to meet their own at a private hospital, said that opportunities for youth by private delivery service women have started with foodpanda and also using expenses. Another boy Sohail he was not only financially sup- accommodating a large number companies. online sale of their social media to increase sale. Arshad said that the only pos- porting his family but also of youngsters in the work of A fast food point owner products by signing Sumera said that she was itive thing which happened putting some money in savings delivery services which not only Mohsin Ali told APP that more receiving 35 to 42 orders on during the pandemic was the through both jobs. provided jobs to youth but also than 30 youngsters were agreement with private daily basis which made her able job opportunity for youth. However, some shop increased sale of different working with his food point as delivery service to earn Rs25,000/- per month. He said that all his friends owners have fired the delivery products. a delivery boy. companies and creating She said that delivery boys play and relatives were doing this job boys from service without any Different fast food points, He said that they were not pages on social media. vital role in sale of her products. and added that more youngsters solid reason because they knew hotels, shopkeepers and women only getting salary from him but A delivery boy Muhammad could also be able join this work. that there would be no impact have started online sale of their also earning a handsome Nadeem told this news agency It is pertinent to mention that on their business as a large products by signing agreement amount through tip and com- that he started the work of many youngsters who work in number of youngsters were in with private delivery service mission on each delivery. role in sale by delivering orders delivery boy as educational different sectors have also this field. The district adminis- companies and creating pages He said that due to ban on in time. A woman Sumera Ajmal institutions were closed due to started working as a delivery tration has promised to look into on social media. dining in hotels during corona- said that she has started sale of coronavirus. boy on part time basis. They their problems. A large number of young- virus pandemic, sale of fast food home cooked food and earning He said that he was earning remain on duty from 8am to There would be proper rules sters have started jobs of items has increased and the a handsome income through the Rs24,000 to Rs26,000 per 2pm and then work as a delivery and regulations for this sector delivery boy by using their delivery boys are playing a vital business. month through this job and sup- boy from 6pm to 12am and earn to encourage youth doing jobs.