Page 2 | NATIONAL Afghanistan Needs World’s Help to Avoid a Security Breakdown Page 3 | ECONOMY Why Color Revolutions A bomb blast on Friday killed 12 worshippers and injured 15 in a U.S. Announces $266 Have Bypassed China mosque on the outskirts of the Afghan capital Kabul... Million in New Aid to Afghanistan Page 2 | NATIONAL

Kabul Herat Nangarhar Balkh 36o / 19o 44o / 25o 44o / 26o 44o / 29o

Your Gateway to Afghanistan & the Region Sunday, June 6, 2021 Issue No. 967 www.heartofasia.af 10 afs Afghanistan Faces Vaccine Delay as it Battles COVID Surge Taliban Conducted bringing the highly contagious 1,455 Attacks Since Delta variant which was first Withdrawal of Foreign identified there. Also, most Afghans still question the Troops Began: Andar reality of the virus or believe their faith will protect them and rarely The Taliban have turned to war instead wear masks or socially distance, of focusing on the Afghan peace talks often mocking those who do. Until and carried out 1,455 attacks across just a week ago, the government Afghanistan since the withdrawal of was allowing unrestricted mass foreign troops began on May 1,” said gatherings. Rahmatullah Andar, spokesperson for The Delta variant has helped send the National Security Council on his Afghanistan’s infection rate soaring, Twitter account on Saturday. hitting 16 provinces and the capital, He added that in addition to destroying Kabul, the hardest. This week, the public institutions and public facilities, rate of registered new cases reached the Taliban do not even care about as many as 1,500 a day, compared the death of their fighters. He said to 178 a day on May 1. that 63 explosive attacks had been Hospital beds are full, and it is prevented as a result of the security feared rapidly dwindling oxygen forces’ operation. supplies will run out. Afghan On Friday, the Taliban attacked several ambassadors have been ordered districts of the country at... P3 to seek out emergency oxygen Three million doses promised by receive by April will not be delivered several embassies, and so far, “I’ve supplies in nearby countries, the WHO delayed by several months until August. gotten diplomatic answers” but no foreign minister, Haneef Atmar, said as coronavirus cases rise by more “We are in the middle of a crisis,” vaccine doses, he said. in a tweet on Friday. than 800 percent since May 1. health ministry spokesman Ghulam Over the past month, the escalating Massive Undercount Afghanistan is battling a brutal Dastagir Nazari said this week, pace of new cases has threatened By official figures, Afghanistan surge in COVID-19 infections as expressing deep frustration at the to overwhelm Afghanistan’s health has seen a total of 78,000 cases health officials plead for vaccines, global vaccine distribution that has system, already struggling under and more than 3,000 deaths from Foreign Ministers only to be told by the World Health left poor countries scrambling to the weight of relentless conflict. In the pandemic. But those figures are likely a massive undercount, of Afghanistan- Organization that the three million find supplies for their people. part, the increase has been blamed doses the country expected to Nazari has knocked on the door of on uninterrupted travel with India, registering only deaths in... P3 Turkmenistan Meet in Herat Pakistan Seeks China: Afghans Can Control Their A joint meeting of the Foreign Ministers Afghan Settlement of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan was Before Foreign Troop held in Herat on Saturday. In addition Destiny Post-Withdrawal to Hanif Atmar and Rashid Mardov, Pullout: Khan China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the foreign ministers of Afghanistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan this week that while the withdrawal and Turkmenistan; Ajmal Ahmadi, is pushing for a political settlement in of foreign troops from Afghanistan acting head of the Central Bank; Harun Afghanistan before foreign troops leave will bring some uncertainties, the Chaghansuri, the minister of mines later this year, to reduce the risk of civil move will give the Afghan people the and petroleum; Davood Noorzai, the war in its western neighbour. chance to control their own future. head of the Afghan Electricity Company The United States has said it Following a video dialogue on and a number of other Afghan and will withdraw all its troops from Thursday with his Afghan and Turkmenistan government officials Afghanistan on Sept. 11 after a two- Pakistani counterparts, Wang said attended the meeting. decade presence. troops withdrawal will give Afghans At the beginning of the meeting, Atmar More than 20 allied countries plan to an opportunity “to truly control their said that Mardov’s visit to Afghanistan is follow suit. own destiny.” scheduled for two days and important “There is a lot of fear right now in According to China’s official readout bilateral issues, including peace and Pakistan and I assure you that we are after the trio’s discussion, Wang security in Afghanistan, will be discussed said: “The three sides agreed to discuss peace talks in Afghanistan cooperation with Central Asian trying our level best that there is some during separate meetings. deepen the cooperation in BRI (Belt and specific steps to be taken. states on security to manage any sort of political settlement before the According to the South China potential spillover of turmoil from According to him, Turkmenistan’s and Road Initiative), supporting Americans leave,” Khan told... P2 Morning Post, Beijing fears Afghanistan. During a meeting with electricity exports to Herat; Herat the substantial expansion of it to the withdrawal will lead to a the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, marble exports to Turkmenistan; the Afghanistan, and enhance the level potential resurgence of terrorism Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan TAPI project; the joint railway line of interconnection between the in the country, which would pose and Uzbekistan last month, Beijing between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan; three countries.” security risks to its predominantly said they should jointly crack the Lapis Lazuli transit route and trade The three parties also agreed to Muslim Xinjiang region bordering down on terrorists and prevent and transit between the two countries create a strong dialogue mechanism Afghanistan and threaten its belt and transnational crime. are the main topics of talks between between the respective foreign road projects in the region. However, the post reported senior Afghan government... P3 ministers, with China calling to add dialogue between their envoys to China has sought to strengthen that Zhu Yongbiao, a... P3 June 6, 2021 Heart of Asia NATIONAL SUNDAY 2 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost Artificial By: CGTN Insight the software and 3D printing plans for the technology openly available. And, as the scientists describe in a Why Color Revolutions Have Bypassed China second preprint, they have Editor’s note: “Roots of China’s even anarchism.China’s democratic simplified the sequencing Growth” is a 10-episode series marking centralism fully reflects the interests steps and software so that the centenary of the founding of the and expectations of the Chinese people, developing countries and Communist Party of China (CPC), and ensures that national decisions are small organizations can take which has presided over the country’s rigorously and effectively enforced. advantage of it—96 insects at meteoric rise as a global power. The As President Xi Jinpinghassaid, “This a time. series focuses on 10 fundamental is our Party’s greatest institutional elements of the strategy that has led advantage.” Pakistan... to China’s transformation from an ‘Whole-process’ democracy at work Reuters on Friday at his official impoverished nation over the past 100 This is how it works. Leaders of the residence in Islamabad. years. The “democratic centralism” is Party and national institutions at all Violence in Afghanistan has the fourth in the series. levels are selected through competitive risen sharply since the troop In 2016, someone raised a question elections by representatives and withdrawal announcement, with the insurgent Taliban on Quora, a popular American Q&A delegates to the National People’s resisting pressure from platform, asking why educated Chinese Congress (NPC), the country’s top Washington and its allies hadn’t started a color revolution–a legislature. protest movement that gains its name Democratic centralism in China is to agree to a political express opinions but must abide by the Long-Range Objectives Through to understanding leading to a by adopting a specific color. not only about an electoral and the collective decisions taken. the Year 2035. Before submitting the peace deal. In response, a young Shanghai lady representative system, but also a All the CPC’s intra-party resolutions proposals, the CPC consulted with “Since the moment the working in the U.S. posted two photos decision-making process underpinned must be implemented in line with democratic parties and the All-China Americans gave a date, of of Shanghai’s Pudong area in 1990 by consultation with representatives the “Four Obeys” principle, namely, Federation of Industry and Commerce, when they were going to leave and 2010. In what was acclaimed as of the masses. Before convening the individual Party members defer to and President Xihosted workshops to Afghanistan ... the Taliban feel the “shortest yet sharpest” answer, annual plenary session, the Central Party organizations, the minority hear a diversity of opinions from a they have won the war,” Khan she wrote: “From a poor and blank Committee of the CPC must consult defers to the majority, lower-level wide cross-section of society, such said, adding it was not going land to this in 20 years! This is my with the eight democratic parties and to be easy to get concessions Party organizations defer to higher- as entrepreneurs,scientists,and hometown! Do we look like we’ve been the All-China Federation of Industry from the Taliban after the U.S. level Party organizations, and all community-level representatives. oppressed, brainwashed, and deprived and Commerce before finalizing major decision. organizations and members of the Opinions and suggestions were also of freedom? Do we look like we need decisions. Regional Repercussions Party defer to the National Congress solicited online, generatingmore than a better government? Thanks for your Furthermore, China’s institutional Khan said Pakistan would suffer and the Central Committee of the Party. a million responses. Advice solicited advice, but China’s current system is structure includes not only the NPC, the most, after Afghanistan In cases where individuals disagree through these workshops and online functioning pretty well.” the highest organ of state power, but itself, if there was civil war and with a Party resolution or policy, they channels is essential to the decision- Some in the international community also the Chinese People’s Political a refugee crisis. can make a statement of reservation making of the CPC Central Committee. “And then there would be have long embraced the empty rhetoric Consultative Conference (CPPCC) – a and present their views to a Party Democratic centralism is,without pressure on us to jump in and that the Communist Party of China(CPC) political mechanism unique to China. organization at a higher level, up to doubt, China’s greatest institutional become a part of it,” Khan said. is autocratic and authoritarian. In Apart from discussing draft laws and and including the Central Committee. advantage. The fact that the system He said his government had the meantime, though, they find regulations before the NPC, the CPPCC People power on display enjoys public support accounts for changed Pakistan’s decades- themselves caught in a dilemma: Why can also hold consultative sessions China can put in place a system that the country’s remarkable stability and long policy of pushing for isChina’s “anti-democratic” system, on specific topics with government is widely supported because the CPC the durability of the CPC to the evident “strategic depth” in Afghanistan rather than fueling anti-government departments and proffer opinions and represents the fundamental interests dismay of critics abroad. to ensure that there was a movements like the “color revolutions,” advice. friendly government there. of the broadest masses of the people. Li Junru is executive vice chairman of broadly supported by the nation’s 1.4 As President Xi has said, China’s “Any Afghan government The English word “party” means a the China Institute for Innovation & billion people? How couldthis system democracy is a”whole-process chosen by the people is group of people that acts in the best Development Strategy and a former achieve such extraordinary social democracy” rather than one that is who Pakistan should deal interests of certain groups of the vice president of the Party School of and economic triumphs in the face expressed at election time only and is with,” Khan said, adding population. The CPC, however, is not the CPC Central Committee. of devastating international events, dormant otherwise. that Pakistan “should not a party like this. The Constitution of the time. “During the Taliban attacks, like the global financial crisis and the Collective leadership with individual try to do any manipulation CPC expressly stipulates that “besides two or three districts fell and a in Afghanistan”. Pakistan COVID-19 pandemic? responsibility the interests of the working class and number of security forces were has long been accused of The People’s Republic of China has To avoid the radicalization of the the broadest possible majority of killed,” he added. harbouring leaders and been true to its official name, practicing system, the Party and leading national the people, the Party has no special The Afghan government’s negotiating fighters of the Taliban, a people’s democracy, notautocratic bodies, under democratic centralism, interests of its own.” This explains why team has gone to Qatar to resume whom Islamabad helped to and authoritarian rule. China follows function on the principle of combining the CPC could integrate democracy and talks; but it is not yet clear when power in 1996, even as the the principle of democratic centralism, collective leadership with individual centralism to serve the people. the talks between the two sides will insurgent group fought U.S.- combining democracy and central responsibility based on the division led foreign troops. Khan said For example, the fifth plenary session begin. Many high-ranking Taliban controlin a way that has been effective of work. a lot depended on U.S. special of the 19th Central Committee of the members are reportedly absent in in meeting national goals. Members of a leading team are each envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, with CPC held in October 2020 adopted Qatar. History has proven that democracy designated specific duties, but major Pakistan’s and Afghanistan’s the proposals for the formulation of Meanwhile, security officials in Herat without centralization can lead to decisions must be made collectively. help, to carve out a settlement the 14th Five-Year Plan for National province say the Zandijan district the radicalization of the system or Each individual member can freely to avoid more bloodshed. Economic and Social Development and police chief was wounded... P3

By: Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg

sought to bring an end to those both the international community Afghanistan Needs World’s Help to Avoid a Se- activities, but it has failed and, in and regional organizations, such frustration, America has decided to as the Organization of Islamic curity Breakdown leave prematurely. Cooperation. That process should A bomb blast on Friday killed 12 Afghanistan, relief organizations and in partnership with the Afghan Located at an important crossroads aim at preventing a security worshippers and injured 15 in a human rights groups have warned of government since then. As such, between different parts of Asia, vacuum following the American mosque on the outskirts of the such attacks. there is a special responsibility for Afghanistan has been involved in withdrawal, which could lead to Afghan capital Kabul, ending a The US-sponsored intra-Afghan talks Washington to lead an international great power rivalry for centuries malign meddling from neighbors short-lived calm during the Eid and the US announcement of its plan effort to restore peace and stability — and that fate may continue for and others. At a minimum, a UN holidays. There were also several to depart have not led to a cessation to the war-ravaged country. the foreseeable future. The British peacekeeping presence is necessary terrorist attacks earlier in the month, of the violence and, judging by this Several great powers have invaded invaded Afghanistan several times to protect Afghan civilians, especially including one near a Kabul high month’s events, may lead to an Afghanistan in the past, only to leave in the 19th century, ostensibly to vulnerable groups such as women, school that killed at least 90 and escalation as different groups vie it in chaos, but the US and NATO ward off imperial Russia’s meddling. minorities, refugees and IDPs. Relief injured scores more, many of them for control. The US withdrawal is should not repeat that pattern. Russia also tried and failed, and then organizations need to be given schoolgirls, according to a report now scheduled to be completed in The Soviet Union could be blamed the US and NATO. After America’s access and protection to provide by the New York Times. That attack September, 20 years after its invasion for much of the mess today, with withdrawal, it is expected that the necessary assistance to those in appeared designed to inflict as much of the country following the 9/11 years of meddling in Afghan affairs other countries may try their luck need. Until such a security network damage as possible. According to the attacks. It is not clear what the US followed by a brutal invasion that at shaping Afghanistan’s future, is in place, a US or NATO presence Afghan Interior Ministry, a car bomb plans are for any future presence in lasted 10 years and claimed the lives including China, India and Iran. is needed to prevent a security was detonated in front of the school Afghanistan after September. The of hundreds of thousands of Afghan Regardless of the merits of the breakdown. and, as students rushed out in fear, plans of America’s NATO partners civilians, while also creating millions American decision to leave, after In addition to security concerns, two more bombs were set off. are also unclear, although some of refugees and internally displaced two decades of calling the shots on Afghanistan is facing an economic Targeting schoolgirls in a district have already withdrawn their persons (IDPs). That invasion was security matters in Afghanistan, it meltdown. A recent report by the of the capital inhabited by the forces or reduced their numbers in met with a powerful insurgency now needs to lead the peace process US Special Inspector General for Hazara minority evoked fears that anticipation of the US withdrawal. that drove Soviet troops out and before it departs. The UN’s auspices Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) communal and anti-women violence The US involvement with Afghanistan later turned the country into a haven are the most obvious option for such estimated that Afghanistan’s could resurge after the impending goes back decades, predating the for terror groups, which sow death efforts, but other avenues could overall poverty level increased in American troop withdrawal. Since the events of 2001, with the US and NATO and destruction around the world be pursued to reach a negotiated 2020 from an already high level of US announced its intention to leave having handled the security situation even today. The US invasion of 2001 political solution endorsed by 55 to 72 percent. The rise is... P3 June 6, 2021 Heart of Asia ECONOMY SUNDAY 3 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost

U.S. Announces $266 Million in Exchange Rates New Aid to Afghanistan 78.15 78.25 The United States has announced military forces from Afghanistan, more than $266 million in new our enduring commitment is clear. 94.40 94.50 humanitarian assistance for We remain engaged through our full Afghanistan as U.S. troops exit the diplomatic, economic, and assistance 109 109.9 war-torn country. toolkit to support the peaceful, stable The announcement on June 4 comes future the Afghan people want and 496 506 amid spiraling violence and stalled deserve,” the State Department said peace talks between the Taliban and in a statement announcing the new 21.15 21.25 the Western-backed government in aid. Kabul that casts further uncertainty The new funds bring to nearly 1060 1070 over the future of the country once $3.9 billion the amount of U.S. U.S.-led international forces leave by humanitarian aid to Afghanistan September. since 2002. Contact Numbers Despite the troop withdrawal, U.S. The money will help support 18 President Joe Biden’s administration million people in need, including health and sanitation, including “the most vulnerable Afghans,” Kabul Police -119 has vowed to remain committed to more than 4.8 million Afghans helping Afghans respond to the particularly women and girls facing providing military and humanitarian internally displaced by conflict, COVID-19 pandemic. gender-based violence. aid to Afghanistan. according to the State Department. Kabul Ambulance - 112 They will also be used to assist “As the United States withdraws It said the funds will also go toward Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital the Taliban took place in Zandijan district on China: Afghans... Taliban... 0202301360 professor of international relations at Lanzhou University, the same time. “During the Taliban attacks, two Friday night. He said 15 Taliban insurgents had said the expansion of belt and road projects to Afghanistan or three districts fell and a number of security been killed and wounded in a counterattack by could face multiple challenges. Ata Turk Hospital forces were killed,” he added. the police. “First, it will face security risks due to the instability there. 0202500312 Besides, investment of Chinese enterprises may also fail due The Afghan government’s negotiating team has He added that the Taliban had been gathering to the lack of understanding of Afghan culture and society. gone to Qatar to resume talks; but it is not yet reinforcements from other provinces for some time and were trying to bring down some Corona call center - 166 Moreover, China will be highly likely to face international clear when the talks between the two sides will accusations such as the ‘debt trap’,” Zhu said. districts; but with fierce resistance from police begin. Many high-ranking Taliban members are “Looking from China’s recent official statement, it is likely forces, all Taliban attacks have been repulsed reportedly absent in Qatar. to be more active in Afghanistan from now on than in the and heavy casualties have been inflicted on past, which means China’s influence in the country will be Meanwhile, security officials in Herat province them. expanded. say the Zandijan district police chief was He said a large cache of weapons and “But it does not necessarily reduce the influence of the US, wounded in an attack by Taliban insurgents in ammunition had fallen into the hands of because the stance of China and the US on Afghanistan is the district of the province. not conflicting. Instead, they share common interests in security forces during Friday night’s Taliban improving the self-development capacity of Afghanistan,” Herat police spokesperson Abdul Ahad Valizada attack. The Taliban have not yet commented. he said. said that clashes between security forces and

Afghanistan... Herat last year, but the practical process of this hospitals, not the far greater numbers who die at home. Foreign... officials and Turkmenistan. project in Afghanistan has not started yet. Testing is woefully inadequate. In only the past month, On the other hand, Turkmenistan Foreign Minister In addition, the cessation of the transfer of the percentage of positive COVID tests has jumped from Rashid Murdov said that the purpose of his visit commercial goods after the import and export about eight percent to 60 percent in some parts of the to Herat was to strengthen friendly and fraternal of a few limited shipments via the Lapis Lazuli country. By WHO recommendations, anything higher relations with Afghanistan and that seven route has also drawn criticism. The Lapis Lazuli than five percent shows officials are not testing widely important issues would be discussed during the transit route connects Afghanistan to Turkey and enough, allowing the virus to spread unchecked. joint meetings. Europe via Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia At most, only 3,000 tests a day are carried out, as Afghans Over the past few years, the work of the TAPI / Georgia. resist testing, even after the country dramatically project, the Turkmenistan gas pipeline through Following the Turkmen Foreign Minister’s visit ramped up its capabilities to 25,000 a day. Afghanistan to India and Pakistan, has been slow to Herat, joint meetings with businessmen, Only recently, the government tried to take steps to and has been widely criticized. According to the craftsmen, exporters and Afghan government officials are scheduled for Sunday, June 6. clamp down to contain the surge. It closed schools, president’s promise, Tapi gas should have reached universities and colleges for two weeks. It also shut down wedding halls, which had been operating unhindered Afghanistan... Programme last year estimated that the Afghan throughout the pandemic. due to deteriorating security and economic government would need an additional $6 billion But it is rare to see anyone wearing a mask in the conditions, as well as the unmet challenges of in international grants over the next five years — a streets, and even where masks are mandatory, like in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). At the end of 30 percent increase from current levels — to offset government offices, the rule is rarely enforced. As many 2020, the unemployment rate was estimated to be COVID-19-related budget losses and maintain as 10 flights arrive daily from India, packed with Afghans, about 38 percent, compared to 24 percent in 2019. expenditure levels. However, with security worries particularly students and people who had gone to India In November 2020, more than 11 million people and concerns about governance, it is unlikely that donors and investors will meet these targets. for medical treatment. — about 30 percent of Afghanistan’s population of 38 million — faced either a crisis or emergency Afghanistan clearly needs help at the political, Nazari said banning flights was not an option since many security and economic levels, as well as help Afghans cannot afford to be stranded in India and the state of food insecurity. Government finances are also askew, according mediating its internal conflicts. Its social safety government cannot prevent citizens from re-entering net is broken and its economic governance system to the SIGAR report. While its revenue declined their own country. is badly in need of repair to weed out corruption WAYGAL Printing Co. by about 3 percent in 2020, its expenditures and establish robust accountability structures. increased by about 8 percent in order to meet The international community should lend a the pandemic’s challenges. hand to address these needs. A discussion is Trade has also been in decline. In July 2020, needed between potential partners, led by the exports to Pakistan — Afghanistan’s top trading US as the current and most recent outside power partner — decreased by about 57 percent in Afghanistan, to agree on a division of labor Chief Editor : M. Hamid Hamdard compared to July 2019, while its imports from between interested countries and international Pakistan decreased by about 44 percent. Reporters: Safiullah Nasary, Shafiq Amirzay, and regional organizations to work at different To meet these hardships, the UN Development Jawad Temori & Hameedullah Hamidi levels. Graphic & Design: Arman reinforcements from other provinces for some Phone: +93-202502100 - +93-777989696 Why Color... in an attack by Taliban insurgents in the district time and were trying to bring down some Website: www.heartofasia.af of the province. districts; but with fierce resistance from police Herat police spokesperson Abdul Ahad Valizada forces, all Taliban attacks have been repulsed Email: [email protected] said that clashes between security forces and and heavy casualties have been inflicted on Address: Behind Rahman Baba High School the Taliban took place in Zandijan district on them. Friday night. He said 15 Taliban insurgents had He said a large cache of weapons and - Opposite to 3rd District, been killed and wounded in a counterattack by ammunition had fallen into the hands of Kabul - Afghanistan the police. security forces during Friday night’s Taliban He added that the Taliban had been gathering attack. The Taliban have not yet commented. Print: Waygal Printing .Co - +93 - 202512626 June 6, 2021 WORLD SUNDAY Heart of Asia 4 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost United States Follows Soviet Union’s Path — Putin “The problem of empires is that they think at a meeting with heads of the world’s leading they are so powerful that they can afford small news agencies, organized by TASS on the inaccuracies and mistakes,” Putin said sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was Economic Forum (SPIEF). convinced that the United States is following “Do you know what the problem is? I’ll tell a typical scenario of an empire: confident you, as a former citizen of the Soviet Union. of their unlimited power, empires create The problem of empires is that they think they unnecessary problems for themselves until are so powerful that they can afford small they can no longer cope with them. inaccuracies and mistakes,” he said. “We are hearing constant threats from the In his words, empire rulers are confident they Congress and other places. All of this is done can intimidate, persuade or buy loyalty of as part of domestic political processes in the various nations or groups, and think all their United States. The people who are doing problems can be solved this way. this assume that the economic, military and “But problems keep piling up. And, at some political might of the United States is so huge point, they are no longer able to cope with that [the problems they create as a result are] them. And the United States is now walking the nothing serious and they can cope with that. Soviet Union’s path, and its gait is confident This is what they think,” Putin said on Friday and steady,” the Russian leader added.

A look at the world India Records 3,380 Some Americans Artificial Intelligence Daily Coronavirus Resist COVID Vaccines Could Help Biologists Deaths as World Faces Classify the World’s Country registers lowest daily infections in Shortage Tiny Creatures 58 days, says Health Ministry. With biodiversity in decline around the India recorded 3,380 new coronavirus world, researchers are desperate to linked deaths on Saturday, according to catalog all of Earth’s insects and other the Health Ministry. invertebrates, which represent 90% of It said the country reported more than the 9 million species yet to be named. To 120,000 new cases in the last 24 hours, do so, scientists typically face long hours taking total cases to 28.69 million. The in the lab sorting through the specimens they collected. English Academy death toll stands at 344,082. Enter DiversityScanner. The approach A statement by the Ministry noted that the involves a robot, which plucks individual American cases are the “lowest in 58 days.” insects and other small creatures one at After India witnessed an exponential rise a time from trays and photographs them. ENGLISH FILE in daily infections and deaths last month, A computer then uses a type of artificial

California pays to encourage residents to take jabs as world suffers from rising COVID-19 cases, deaths. California held its first COVID-19 lottery on Friday, which saw 15 vaccinated residents of the state win $50,000 each as part of a host of efforts across the United States to encourage Americans reluctant to take one of the country’s jabs, as the world struggles with rising cases and deaths amid a global shortage. California is the most populous state in the US, with nearly 40 million residents, and its programme is the largest in the nation. The state government has set aside $116m in cash prizes and incentives as part of “Vax for the Win”, including awarding a intelligence known as machine learning $50 grocery gift card to the first 2 million to compare each one’s legs, antennae, and people vaccinated since May 27. other features to known specimens. Faced with a nationwide slowdown, other The technology then imposes a color code, states have undertaken similar lotteries, or heat map, over the image (see above). including Washington, Colorado and The warmer the color, say, red, the more there has been a decline in the cases and Ohio, which has already given $1m to two the computer program depended on that deaths in many states. vaccinated residents as part of a lottery body part to make a call on the type of Local broadcaster, NDTV, citing a that will give away $5m in total. insect it was. This heat map makes it easier government study, reported Friday that Anyone 12 and older who has received for researchers checking the identification the variant which was first found in India, at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to see what the program’s “thought” is eligible for California’s giveaways, process was. known as the Delta strain, is “highly Southern California’s ABC 7 reported. The robot then moves each insect into a Western Street of infectious and fast-spreading and drove The head of the US Centers for Disease plate with 96 tiny wells, readying these Kabul University Close to the savage second surge of COVID-19” in Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday specimens for DNA sequencing. The Dehbori Park. the country. urged American parents to vaccinate resulting species-identifying piece of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s adolescent children. sequence—a “DNA barcode”—is linked to government has faced criticism for failing Dr Rochelle Walensky cited “severe health the image in a database of all the cataloged +93 (0) 789 98 9696 to handle the second wave. impacts of COVID-19 on adolescents” and specimens. a report on a spike in hospitalizations in Although not quite as good as a human Now, the country is facing an acute that age group. expert, the approach accurately classifies shortage of vaccination. The US began vaccinating children with insects 91% of the time, the designers of [email protected] Government statistics show more than 220 the Pfizer jab on May 10, but the World the technology report in a study posted to million doses have been administered. Health Organization has said children – the preprint server bioRxiv. That accuracy India’s signed a deal on Thursday with who face little danger of death from the will improve as more specimens are added Shigal English Academy domestic vaccine maker Biological-E for virus – are “not a high priority” as the to the database, they note. 300 million doses. global shortage continues. The researchers have made... P2