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FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 23 JUMADA II - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8524 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Give extra data to family or staff Tigres, Al Ahly win as FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in style The start of the FIFA Club World Cup means Qatar is now hosting its third major football tournament after creating bubble-to-bubble environment for the East and West Zone matches of the 2020 AFC Champions League late last year.

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

The FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 kicked off yesterday with fighting wins for Mexican giants Tigres UANL and Egyptian football powerhouse Al Ahly. After a two-month delayed start to the popular event because of the Ulsan Hyundai SC's Kim Kee-hee scoring their only goal in yesterday's FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 second round match against Tigres UANL at Ahmad Bin Ali COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the Stadium. RIGHT: Al Ahly’s Hussein Elshahat and Al Duhail’s Karimi Ali (right) vying for ball possession during their second round match at Education City Stadium. globe, Tigres yesterday became the Al Ahly won 1-0 to advance to semi-finals. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA & REUTERS first team to reach the semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. creating bubble-to-bubble envi- made arrangements to allow 30 in the first half (38 and 45 + 5) as Tigres from a difficult angle on the left to the Also yesterday, Al Ahly — who ronment for the East and West Zone percent of fan attendance at each of — coached by Ricardo Ferretti— pro- bottom left corner. He was assisted by landed in Doha on January 29 — beat matches of the 2020 AFC Champions the two venues. In the opening match duced a polished performance in Yoon Bit-garam with a cross following Qatari champions Al Duhail 1-0 at Edu- League late last year. of the day, a double by French striker pleasant playing conditions. a corner kick. Following a corner kick cation City Stadium to book their last- Qatar, preparing to host the 2022 André-Pierre Gignac powered Mexican Tigres, who conceded an early goal, in the 38th minute, Gignac produced four spot. FIFA World Cup finals next year, are giants Tigres UANL to a 2-1 win over produced a feisty display after the equaliser for Tigres with a right- The start of the FIFA Club World using two venues of the same tour- Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai FC. watching Korean defender Kim Keehee footed shot from close range to the centre Cup means Qatar is now hosting its nament for the Feb 4-11 event. The Playing at the brand new Ahmad scoring in the 24th minute of the first of the goal. He was assisted by Diego third major football tournament after Local Organising Committee has also Bin Ali Stadium, Gignac scored twice half. Kim Kee-hee produced a header Reyes. `P2 MoTC starts road network assets survey Education Ministry

SANAULLAH ATAULLAH of road assets. Multifunctional mation System (GIS). being recorded and evaluated focuses on aligning THE PENINSULA ROMDAS device has been mobi- Slipping rate on road like lampposts, signboards and lised to make 3D photography of surface is also being monitored traffic safety barricades. education with job market The Ministry of Transport and road surface. to increase safety level and The main goal of the project Communications (MoTC) is The project is following reduce traffic accidents. To is to support the National Devel- THE PENINSULA — DOHA the Ministry provides guidance working on a project to conduct a international standard and increase road quality, Interna- opment Strategy and Qatar to students since their field technical survey on road Qatar Guideline for Mainte- tional roughness index has been National Vision 2030. The project In order to make students ready schooling. network assets covering 20,000 nance Work. Most advanced put in place. The technical also aims at building a smart for future jobs, the Ministry of “Academic guidance is a km of road lanes, bridges and system has been adopted to survey includes 20,000km road database to evaluate per- Education and Higher major initiative of the Ministry tunnels. collect, analyse and upgrade networks — road lanes, bridges formance level of road assets to Education has focused greatly of Education and Higher Edu- The survey aims at recording data. The data is being recorded and tunnels. Under the project ensure provision of high quality on aligning educational cation which offers guidance integrated road assets to ensure through Geographical Infor- integrated road assets are also road network. outcome with job market. to students under secondary the provision of a safe and high- “Specialised schools, inter- schools according to their quality road network, said the national schools, community interests,” said Dr. Al Marri. Ministry on its Twitter account. schools, technical schools and Speaking about the Forum, The project will also help build MoTC is working on project to The main goal of the other schools with different he said it will focus on edu- a smart database to evaluate its conduct a field technical survey on project is to support curricula are operating in the cation programme, presenting performance, raise the level of road network assets covering the National country to provide competent ideas and discussing on the safety, and reduce traffic Development Strategy employees to job market,” said challenges to the education accidents. 20,000 kms Director of Educational Super- sector posed by COVID-19 The project made remarkable and Qatar National vision Department at the Min- pandemic. advancement, as so far, 3,125km of road lanes, bridges and tunnels. Vision 2030. istry, Dr. Abdullah Al Marri. “A number of issues and local roads have been examined Speaking in Qatar Radio pro- latest developments in edu- and revealed. 360 degree pano- gramme, Dr. Al Marri said that cation sector will be discussed ramic pictures were taken for The survey aims at the issue of connecting education which are related to serve and 1,900km of highways and key 360 degree recording integrated system with the need of job improve educational process roads. Using ROMDAS technique panoramic pictures road assets to ensure the market will be discussed in the and system,” said Dr. Al Marri. 3D screening were made for were taken for provision of a safe and upcoming Education Forum. He said that ‘establishing 1,000 km road surface. high-quality road He said that one of the community partnerships to Under the project a pro- 1,900 km network major topics of the Forum is achieve education for sus- gramme for repairing local roads ‘alignment between education tainable development’ is also one of highways and The project will help to build a smart was prepared and submitted to key roads. outcomes and job market of the five main topics which are the Public Works Authority database to evaluate its performance, requirements and sustainable slated to discuss in the Forum. (Ashghal) for implementation. raise the level of safety, and reduce development’. “Community partnership Training programmes to traffic accidents. “The Ministry will hold Edu- played key role during the pan- develop the capability of cation Forum 2021 virtually demic to ensure a smooth oper- employees for all phase have after vacation of second term ation of education system. been completed. The Ministry semester in April, 2021,” said Parents supported their has adopted most advanced Dr. Al Marri. children in home in learning techniques and devices to assess Speaking about the efforts from who took examinations the performances of road assets. of Ministry to prepare qualified and secure pretty good marks MX9 survey device is being graduates to meet the need of to pursue higher studies,” said used to track and record condition local market, Dr. Al Marri said Al Marri. Gaza Reconstruction Committee affirms Qatar’s continuous support for Palestinians

QNA — GAZA supervised hundreds of human- and civil society institutions. facilitated its tasks until it support the resilience of the Pal- Ambassador Al Emadi itarian projects with integrated In his speech, Ambassador reached this distinguished stage. estinian people. thanked Palestinian Chairman of Qatar’s Gaza plans to provide and meet the Al Emadi praised the engi- Al Emadi also thanked Pal- He stressed that under the Reconstruction Committee, H E needs of the people of Gaza in neering, technical, and admin- estinian President H E Mahmoud supervision of the leadership President H E Mahmoud Ambassador Mohammed Al various fields. istrative teams as well as all the Abbas for allocating a 3-donum and its wise policy, the projects Abbas for allocating Emadi affirmed that since the This came during a cer- Palestinians who contributed to piece of land in the Ramallah of Qatar Committee for Recon- piece of land in the beginning of its work in the field emony held by Qatar Committee the implementation of the governorate, in order to struction of Gaza have become Ramallah governorate of Gaza reconstruction in 2012, for Reconstruction of Gaza at the Qatari projects in the Gaza Strip. establish the permanent head- a distinct model in the field of starting with the $407m grant opening of its new headquarters He expressed his gratitude quarters of the Qatari embassy. architecture and construction, in West Bank, in of Father Amir H H Sheikh in Gaza. The opening ceremony for all international organisa- Al Emadi said that doing so as well as in providing basic order to establish Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the was attended by a group of gov- tions, in addition to the minis- is a confirmation that their work needs. He concluded his speech the permanent Committee constituted a turning ernment figures, deputies in the tries, authorities, and official does not only cover the Gaza by affirming the genuine point in the field of development legislative assembly, leaders of and civil institutions that made Strip, but also Jerusalem and the position of the State of Qatar’s headquarters of the and reconstruction. Palestinian factions, and repre- great efforts to make Qatar West Bank, noting that there are leadership in its support of the Qatari embassy. He said that the committee sentatives from international Committee succeed and other projects that aim to Palestinian people. 02 HOME FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021

Qatar attends Arab OFFICIAL NEWS League ESC Amir sends condolences to PRAYER ministerial meeting Custodian of the TIMINGS QNA — DOHA Two Holy Mosques PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMINNGG The State of Qatar participated in the 107th DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin 04.56 am session of the Arab Economic and Social Council Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir FAJR (ESC) at the ministerial level, which was held H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad SUNRISE 06.15 am yesterday through video conference technology. Al Thani sent yesterday cables of DHUHR 11.48 am Minister of Finance H E Ali Shareef Al Emadi condolences to the Custodian of ASR 02.58 pm represented the State of Qatar in the session. the Two Holy Mosques King Sal- The meeting discussed a number of items on man bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the MAGHRIB 05.23 pm the agenda, including the policies that have been Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the ISHA 06.53 pm taken to confront the health and development death of HRH Prince Mashhour implications of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and bin Musaed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. the most important measures that must be taken — QNA to alleviate the impact of the pandemic. The opening session of the meeting was Amir sends attended by Minister of Finance of Kuwait H E Khalifa Musaed Hamadeh, Chairman of the pre- congratulations to vious session (106); Minister of the Economy and Sri Lanka President Trade of the Lebanese Republic Raoul Nehme, President of the current session; and Secretary- DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin WEATHER General of the Arab League H E Ahmed Abo Al Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir Minister of Finance H E Ali Shareef Al Emadi attending the meeting virtually. TODAY Gheit. H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations to President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Kazakh Deputy FM lauds Qatar’s support during pandemic Sri Lanka H E Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the anniversary of his country’s QNA — DOHA Consultative Assembly elections Independence Day. — QNA o o 17 C 24 C H E Almas Aidarov says will be held in Kazakhstan for Minimum Maximum Deputy Minister of Foreign his country welcomed the first time as well, which Affairs of the Republic of Kaza- means that Qatar and Kaza- Misty to foggy at places at first the recent Tigres, Al Ahly becomes moderate temperature khstan, H E Almas Aidarov, has khstan are going on the path of daytime with some clouds, praised the State of Qatar’s reconciliation in the democratic practice by holding win as FIFA Club relatively cold by night. support to his country at the Gulf, as well as Qatar's free parliamentary elections. W ALRUWAIS : 17o → 24o beginning of the COVID-19 plan to hold its first Regarding his views on World Cup kicks W ALKHOR : 15o → 23o crisis. parliamentary Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA He said that State of Qatar World Cup and its preparations W DUKHAN : 14o → 26o off in style was among first countries to elections later this so far, he expressed Kaza- → FROM PAGE 1 W WAKRAH : 15o 23o provide medical aid to Kaza- year. khstan’s pride that Qatar is W MESAIEED : 15o → 23o khstan during the first wave of hosting this major sporting In the 47th minute, Ulsan W ABUSAMRA : 12o → 26o the virus, expressing his coun- event for the first time in the conceded a penalty after goal- try’s great appreciation for this Foreign Affairs of the Middle-East. scorer Kee-hee was guilty of Qatari aid. Republic of Kazakhstan He highlighted that the State a hand ball infringement in HIGH TIDE In an exclusive statements said that the accompanying of Qatar has completed 85 the penalty area. Following a 09:12 to Qatar News Agency (QNA), delegation and himself pro- and investment capabilities. percent of its preparation, VAR referral, Kee-hee picked LOW TIDE 04:42 – 17:24 he said that the State of Qatar posed about 40 investment He said that Kazakhstan including the construction of up a yellow card and Gignac has dealt very seriously with projects, worth about $4.6bn, welcomes the Gulf reconcili- eight stadiums. converted the penalty with a this crisis, which did not exclude in a wide variety of sectors such ation that was announced He added that Qatar will right-footed shot to the any country in the world, it was as agriculture, mining industry, recently and the effect it would host about a million and a half bottom left corner. also one of the first countries to petrochemicals, tourism infra- have on the security and sta- people during the tournament. “The Koreans played a provide the vaccine. structure development, live- bility of the region, especially He said that, while the chal- great game, I thought we were Seven arrested This was good news for its stock raising, dairy production, on the states and peoples of lenge will not be easy, he going to play against little citizens and residents, as it is infrastructure development and GCC and their well-being and expressed his belief that Qatar guys but they are big and for violating providing the vaccine to all of other projects. economic advancement. has accumulated great expe- strong. They have good ball them for free, the matter that He noted that the projects The Deputy Minister of rience in hosting large sporting handling, but the game was home quarantine affirms its keenness to take care took into consideration the Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan events. He added that he has no played with a standing ball,” of all those living in Qatar Qatari investment policy and also welcomed the doubt that the World Cup in Gignac said after the tense QNA — DOHA without discrimination between the nature of the partnership of announcement that the State of Qatar will at the very least have clash. them. Kazakhstan, calling for making Qatar will hold elections for the similar levels of success to the “These are tough matches The designated authorities Regarding his current visit use of those opportunities given Shura Council in October of last edition in Russia, which was with great goals from set arrested yesterday seven to Doha, Deputy Minister of Qatar’s world class economic next year, adding that the very successful. pieces. It’s a World Cup. It is persons who violated the not easy. It is important that requirements of the home we won because we want to quarantine, they committed make history and we are to following, which they are QU marks World Cancer Day A view of Qatar University going to try to achieve it on legally accountable for, in campus. Sunday against Palmeiras,” he accordance with the proce- THE PENINSULA — DOHA used a systems biology approach added. dures of the health author- to identify the co-deregulated Also yesterday, Al Ahly ities in the country. Qatar University (QU) marked genes (co-DEGs) among many beat Al Duhail 1-0 to set up The arrest of the violators World Cancer Day, which aims studies, explore their molecular Club World Cup semi-final came in implementation of to raise awareness of cancer and networks, and spot the major against Bayern Munich the precautionary measures encourage its prevention, hub proteins within them. We African champions Al Ahly in force in the country, detection, and treatment. also identified a list of repur- moved into the semi-finals in approved by health author- This year World Cancer Day posing drugs, including camp- front of a big number of ities represented in the Min- is marked under the theme “I tothecin and neostigmine Egyptian fans at the Education istry of Public Health, to curb can, we can,” which acknowl- bromide, to target these City Stadium. the spread of the COVID-19. edges that everyone can address co-DEGs. Overall, we highlight Egyptian player Hussein The violators, who are the cancer burden. We all can the critical genes associated with El Shahat scored the winner currently being referred to work together to reduce cancer colorectal cancer and propose in 30th minute and later the the designate prosecution, risk factors. We can overcome repurposing drugs against them” progression of certain types of Unhealthy dietary habit, for Cairo-based club defied Al are Yusef Hassan Suleiman barriers to early diagnosis, said, Dr. Apostolos Zaravinos, human breast cancers. The example consumption of high Duhail’s fine performance in Jibril Farag Allah, Ali treatment, and palliative care. Associate Professor of Genetics triple-negative breast cancer energy-dense food and soft the second half to set up a Abdullah Obaid Hassan, Several faculty members at College of Medicine QU. (TNBC) subtype, which lacks the drink, is a significant risk factor semi-final clash against Saleh Bakhit Ali Daraa Al shared their sentiments on this Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, Pro- expression of estrogen, proges- for NCDs. European champions Bayern Marri, Nasser Rashid Jadei Al day. Serhiy Souchelnytskyi, Pro- fessor of Molecular/Cell Biology terone, and ErbB2/HER2 “The College of Pharmacy at Munich on February 8 at the Jadei Al Mansouri, Najm Al fessor of Molecular/Cell Biology at College of Medicine QU, said, receptors, is very aggressive Qatar University has a significant Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Din Abdullah Ahmad at College of Medicine QU, said: “It is well known that high-risk with limited and inefficient contribution to cancer research Qatar’s Al Duhail will now Mohammedin, Abdulrahman “Cancer can be treated. For suc- human papillomaviruses (HPVs) therapy options. Our group from at the national, regional, and play Ulsan Hyundai FC for Mohammed Khattab and cessful treatment, early are the major cause of cervical the Colleges of Pharmacy and international levels. Scientists fifth position at Ahmad Bin Ali Mohammed Abdelhamid detection and selection of drugs cancer. However, their role in Medicine developed a new and professors at the College of Stadium on February 7. Khalifa Teriaq Khalifa. are essential. We develop tests human breast cancer is not chalcone-based drug against this Pharmacy conduct high-quality In the semi-final of the The designated authorities for improved diagnostic and evident. Thus, in our lab, we subtype of cancer, recently pat- applied research aiming to better six-team tournament, Tigres called on citizens and resi- identification of drugs that explored the presence and role ented in the USA under understand the molecular mech- on Sunday will play SC Pal- dents under home quarantine would be most helpful for a of these on co-viruses in human 16/440,861 and published in the anisms of cancer initiation and meiras, the Brazilian giants to fully commit to the Ministry given patient. The application of breast cancer. We found that European Journal of Medicinal progression, particularly the role who landed in Doha of Public Health’s condition, our tests confirm their clinical high-risk HPVs are present in Chemistry. Our lab work has of cancer stem cells, design and Wednesday. to ensure their safety and the value and proves that good around 50% of human breast generated a large number of synthesize specific and efficient Palmieras were the last safety of others. science works in clinics. Our cancer samples from different publications in international drug delivery systems, discover side to qualify for the event in They added that anyone cancer research attracted countries, including Qatar, journals.” novel natural anticancer drugs, Qatar after winning the 2020 who violates the quarantine interest for an application not Lebanon, Syria, and Canada. Another professor at College and improve cancer-related CONMEBOL Copa Liberta- will be subject to article no. only on Earth but also for the Their presence is associated with of Health Sciences QU, Zumin health outcomes and the eco- dores title. On Jan 30, Pal- 253 of law no. 11 of 2004, pro- space missions to the Moon and a high-grade tumour Shi, Professor of Human nomic burden on the gov- meiras edged past Brazilian visions of law no. 17 of 1990 Mars.” phenotype. Nutrition, said Qatar has a high ernment,” commented Dr. side Santos FC 1-0 in the Copa on communicable diseases, “The deregulated genes in “Thus, our studies suggest burden of non-communicable Hesham M. Korashy, Professor Libertadores final at the iconic and law no. 17 of 2002 on pro- colorectal cancer vary signifi- that HPVs vaccines can be used chronic diseases (NCDs), of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Maracana Stadium. tecting society. cantly from study to study. We to prevent the development or including diabetes and cancer. College of Pharmacy, QU. Palmeiras coach Abel Fer- reira yesterday said: “We are delighted to be in Qatar for the Club World Cup. Education Ministry announces teaching vacancies in public schools "This is a very important tournament for all Palmeiras THE PENINSULA — DOHA include Islamic studies (males), Education (CED) or otherwise, graduates. Besides, candidates tests and interviews successfully. fans and we are looking social sciences (males), Arabic with a minimum overall grade must have relevant experience Applicants for the special edu- forward to testing ourselves The Ministry of Education and language (males and females), of ‘Good’. In addition, Qatari of at least five years in the cation teaching positions must against some of the leading Higher Education has ICT (males and females), math- candidates must submit their respective areas of hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s teams in the world.” announced that it is looking to ematics (males), visual arts applications through the specialisation. degree in special education or German giants Bayern recruit a number of competent (males and females), general National Employment Platform The experience requirement any relevant major. Alternatively, Munich arrive in Doha teachers in Qatar’s public science (males), special edu- (Kawader). is reduced to a minimum of 3 they must hold a Bachelor’s tomorrow following a match schools for the upcoming cation (males and females), As for the non-Qatari can- years for the graduates of the degree in kindergarten plus a against Hertha Berlin today. academic year of 2021-22. The physics (females) and physical didates, they must be holding a CED, other Qatar University col- diploma/Master’s degree in Bayern Munich are looking to positions in primary, prepar- education (males). Bachelor’s degree in the rel- leges and local universities. The special education, or hold a Bach- win their sixth trophy in one atory, and secondary schools To meet the requirements, evant discipline from any CED graduates must also have a elor’s degree in Arabic, English, season after bagging 5 titles are open for Qatari and non- Qatari applicants must hold a formal education institution, Qatari ID number. In addition, Mathematics, Science (Physics, in the 2020 season - the DFB- Qatari teachers from inside Bachelor’s degree in the rel- with a minimum overall grade applicants must not be over 50 Chemistry, etc.) or Biology plus a Pokal, DFL-Supercup, UEFA Qatar. evant discipline from Qatar of ‘Very Good', or ‘Good’ for years old, have proficient com- diploma/Master’s degree in Champions League and the The required disciplines University’s College of Qatar University’s CED puter skills, and pass the relevant special education. UEFA Super Cup. FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 HOME 03 Qatar, Bangladesh Ministers discuss Public Prosecution, Naufar Centre cooperation in energy sector join hands for addiction treatment QNA — DOHA For his part, Naufar Center Attorney General H E Dr. DG discussed the centre’s role The Public Prosecution and Ali bin Fettais Al Marri and provided definitions for Naufar Centre have signed a says the idea behind addiction. He said that the protocol for cooperation in the signing the protocol was centre focuses on using scien- field of addiction treatment. tific methods to treat addiction The protocol for cooper- that an addict must not be and rehabilitate addicts back ation was signed by the treated as a criminal. into society. Dr. Al Maadheed Attorney General of the State of Instead, they should be stressed the role of religion and Qatar H E Dr. Ali bin Fettais Al assisted. treatment, praising the coop- Marri, and Director-General of eration between the center and Naufar Center Dr. Mohammed other related parties, crowned bin Ghanem Al Maadheed. with the agreement. The protocol will allow the behaviour to help avoid it in the Meanwhile, talking to Qatar two sides to provide treatment future and to help addicts with News Agency, the Attorney Minister of State for Energy Affairs H E Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi held yesterday discussions for addicts who choose to do so their rehabilitation. General said that the idea with State Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the People’s Republic until they fully recover. Dr. Al Marri highlighted the behind signing the protocol was of Bangladesh H E Nasrul Hamid. The discussions, which were held via videoconference, addressed In his speech, the Attorney importance of cooperation that an addict must not be various aspects of bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Bangladesh, especially in the field of energy. General praised Naufar Center among all those involved in the treated as a criminal. Instead, for the work it does in its field. home, state institutions, or addicts should be assisted. He He added that the centre had other related parties to help noted that this does not mean become a source of pride even addicts rather than treat them that addicts would not be Two gyms closed though it was established as criminals. He stressed that it penalised for the crime they Ooredoo marks World Cancer recently. He stressed that was important to help addicts committed, but rather that it for violating treating addiction and rehabil- with rehabilitation, highlighting would be accompanied by Day with donation drive itation are tasks that no one that the law clearly dealt with treatment. He noted a criminal COVID-19 safety entity can achieve on its own, those issues. was responsible for the addict THE PENINSULA — DOHA positive change. To encourage but it can be accomplished He also praised Naufar down that road, so they should measures as many Nojoom members to when everyone works together. Center’s role in treating be treated before being THE PENINSULA — DOHA Ooredoo has announced a new donate their points as possible, Dr. Al Marri noted that addiction cases and cooperating penalised. initiative in conjunction with Ooredoo has set an ambitious addicts and users of drugs of all with the Public Prosecution On the rule of the Public The Ministry of Commerce and the Qatar Cancer Society in target of an incredible 2 million ages have unfortunately come through the agreement. He also Prosecution, in that case, he Industry (MoCI) has connection with World Cancer Nojoom Points. Members can to deal with those manners in commended the role played by said that instead of imprisoning announced the closure of two Day 2021. donate via the Ooredoo App or a criminal way, something that the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the person, they are given the gyms located in the Pearl and To help Qatar Cancer the Ooredoo website and will should spur research into the which has cumulative expe- same sentence but have to Al-Mashaf areas for one week Society continue its invaluable be able to keep track of scientific reasons behind that rience in those matters. spend it in a specialised facility each due to violating the work with cancer patients and progress towards the target via such as Naufar Center. He said Ministry’s circulars regarding their families and its work the dedicated Donation Meter that they would be under the precautionary and preventive within the community, the telco page. watch of the Ministry of Interior measures to prevent the leader encourages members of Director PR at Ooredoo, and would only be referred spread of COVID-19 and its loyalty programme, Nojoom, Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, said: based on the Public Prosecution preserve public health. to donate their points to society. “We have a longstanding part- decision. This inspection campaign Qatar Cancer Society nership with Qatar Cancer For his part, Director comes as part of the Ministry’s actively seeks to raise Society and we’re delighted to be General of Public Security Staff keen efforts to monitor and awareness of the disease, working with them on this char- Major General Saad bin Jassim regulate markets and com- educate communities, and itable initiative. Their work in the Al Khulaifi praised the signing mercial activities across Qatar, promote early detection. Its community is invaluable, and of the protocol for cooperation and to monitor the degree of campaign for World Cancer we’re honoured to support them between the Public Prosecution compliance with laws and reg- Day 2021 is ‘I am, I will,’ recog- in any way we can. We’d and Naufar Center, saying it ulations governing com- nising that each individual’s encourage our members to was a good initiative that mercial activities, as well as commitment to act will lead to donate their points wherever deserves praise. following up on compliance robust progress in reducing the possible; I have every faith we’ll He said article no. 39 of the Attorney General H E Dr. Ali bin Fettais Al Marri and Director-General with the Ministry’s circulars global impact of cancer and meet our ambitious target, and law on drugs allowed the Public of Naufar Center Dr. Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Maadheed at the regarding the precautionary that actions, whether big or we’d like to thank our members Prosecution to place those agreement signing ceremony. and preventive measures. small, will lead to lasting, in advance for their generosity.” trialed in treatment facilities. The Ministry stressed that it would neither tolerate any negligence in terms of meeting Active COVID-19 obligations stipulated in Law MoPH stresses joint responsibility to fight pandemic No. (5) of 2015 on Commercial, cases at 6,175; Industrial and Similar Public FAZEENA SALEEM mask. Protect yourself, protect objects and surfaces," the action, said the Ministry on Shops, and Street Vendors, nor THE PENINSULA your family, protect your message says. Twitter. 172 recover would it allow violation of the country.’ With reimposition of some Till now 9,069 people have circulars regarding precau- With increase in daily COVID-19 This campaign coincides of the COVID-19 restrictions in been referred to the Public THE PENINSULA — DOHA tionary and preventive cases reported in the country, with the World Health Organ- Qatar, officials have intensified Prosecution for not wearing measures to preserve public the Ministry of Public Health isation (WHO)’s COVID-19 efforts to take action against masks and 293 people for not The Ministry of Public Health health. (MoPH) has initiated a awareness message which calls individuals violating precau- following the limit of people (MoPH) yesterday announced The Ministry assures that campaign urging public to take for joint responsibility in fight tionary measures in the inside a vehicle. the registration of 407 new it intends to intensify its responsibility and follow against spread of virus. country. “The competent authorities confirmed cases of COVID-19. inspection campaigns to precautionary measures to It says, “COVID-19 spreads The Ministry of Interior call on the public to adhere to Among them 32 were trav- control violating practices. Any control spread of the virus. primarily from person to (MoI) reported yesterday that the precautionary and pre- ellers returning from abroad. party who violates laws and As individual responsibility person. Fighting this disease is 222 individuals were referred ventive decisions in force to Meanwhile, another 172 Ministerial decisions will be to prevent the spread of our joint responsibility.” to the Public Prosecution for protect them and others from people have recovered from referred to the competent COVID-19 is equally vital as “Protect yourself and others violations of COVID-19 precau- the spread of the coronavirus the virus, bringing the total authorities, who will take government action, the social by making six simple precau- tionary measures. in society,” the statement number of recovered cases in appropriate measures against media campaign is urging the tions your new habits: Clean Among them, 216 were added. Qatar to 146474. violators to protect consumer people to ‘Be Responsible.’ your hands often; cough or booked for not wearing masks MoI and health authorities All new cases have been rights. The Ministry also urges The campaign is being sneeze in your bent elbow — in public while six were found have been continuously introduced to isolation and are all citizens and residents to carried out by MoPH along with not your hands; avoid touching violating the limit allowed in a warning the public to follow receiving necessary healthcare report any violations or infrac- the Hamad Medical Corporation your eyes, nose and mouth; vehicle, which is specified as precautionary measures like according to their health tions related to registration (HMC) and the Primary Health limit social gatherings and time four persons, including the wearing masks, following social status. and commercial licensing or Care Corporation (PHCC). spent in crowded places; avoid driver, except for members of distancing, and restricting the The total number of pos- any breach of precautionary The campaign in different close contact with someone the same family. All the vio- number of people in vehicles to itive COVID-19 cases recorded and preventive measures languages says, ‘Be Responsible. who is sick; and clean and dis- lators were referred to the fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar is 152,898 and there through relevant channels. I’m committed to wearing a face infect frequently touched Public Prosecution for further from spreading. are 6,175 active cases under treatment. There are 66 new cases of hospital admissions taking the Doha Metro puts in special arrangements for FIFA Club World Cup total number of patients in the hospital to 528. Five patients THE PENINSULA — DOHA were admitted to intensive In light of COVID-19 guidelines, metro care, and so 56 people con- The Doha Metro looks forward to tinue to receive medical welcoming fans of the FIFA Club World services are currently running at 30% attention in ICU. Cup Qatar 2020. capacity to enable social distancing. In While the first phase of The tournament which kicked off preparation for the upcoming events, COVID-19 vaccinations has yesterday will run until February 11 at public access to stations will be started in Qatar and in the Ahmad bin Ali and Education City Sta- arranged to avoid crowding at ticket coming months it will be diums. Fans can travel to Ahmad bin Ali available for the public for Stadium via Al Riffa Station on the vending machines, entry gates, and free. However the Ministry has Green Line. Education City Stadium is train platforms. stressed it is important for eve- also accessible on the Green Line ryone to play their role in con- through Education City station. Both trolling the virus by following stadiums are located within walking stations are conveniently located to the precautionary measures distance of the Doha Metro stations. stadiums. Besides, the metro is con- including adherence to Doha Metro Green Line is expected sidered an ideal alternative for travel physical distancing, to see a large turnout of customers and during events to avoid traffic congestion avoid close contact with fans; therefore, customers are advised & parking issues. others, crowded places, and to pre-plan and leave extra time for During these events, a considerable confined closed spaces where Doha Metro's Education City station their journey. To avoid crowds, the cus- amount of effort is spent on crowd other people congregate, tomers can benefit from Doha Metro’s control to ensure all users’ safety on the wearing a face mask and Plan My Journey tool through the Qatar network. touchpoints during the trip. Customers will use the metro. Customers are washing hands regularly. Rail mobile app or Doha Metro website “These sporting events represent an can also recharge their card in advance advised to ensure that their mobile The Ministry further said and arrive at the station in advance of important opportunity for us to test the of their journey, using their debit or phones are adequately charged to show that measures to tackle their planned departure time. operational readiness and preparations credit cards via the website (qr.com.qa) the Ehteraz App when entering the COVID-19 in Qatar have suc- In light of COVID-19 guidelines, for the upcoming key tournaments, or Qatar Rail mobile app. Doha Metro. Moreover, everyone must ceeded in flattening the curve metro services are currently running at especially the 2022 World Cup,” Al In cooperation with the Ministry of wear facemasks on entering the and limiting the spread of the 30% capacity to enable social dis- Enazi added. Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry premises and throughout their journey. virus. Due to the measures put tancing. In preparation for the Additionally, Qatar Rail recom- of Transportation and Communications To this end, on-ground security and in place by Qatar’s government upcoming events, public access to sta- mends purchasing prepaid Travel Cards (MoTC), Qatar Rail remains committed customer service staff will closely and the support of the public tions will be arranged to avoid crowding through approved sales outlets such as to implementing precautionary and monitor compliance with all measures. in following preventive steps, at ticket vending machines, entry gates, Al Meera, Lulu, Carrefour, Jumbo Elec- operational measures, placing users’ Any person failing to comply with the Qatar succeeded in sup- and train platforms. tronics, Family Food Center, and the safety as the top priority. Upon entering safety measures will not be permitted pressing the spread of the virus Chief of Strategy & Business Devel- Talabat mart mobile app. Goldclub the station, customers will be required to enter and asked to leave. since its peak in July. However, opment at Qatar Rail Ajlan Eid Al Enazi Travel Cards are available at Goldclub to show their “Ehteraz” health status Doha Metro also reminds customers over the past month in Qatar said, “The Doha Metro witnessed a centres at all metro stations. These and adhere to temperature checks. Only to adhere to social distancing rules by has seen a gradual and con- remarkable turnout from the fans reusable cards provide a contactless individuals with green health status and following the instructional stickers sistent increase in the number during the previous tournaments, as its payment service and help limit registering temperatures below 37.8°C located throughout the stations. of new daily infections. 04 MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 Turkish minister says US behind failed coup attempt

REUTERS — ANKARA Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu (pictured), told Turkey’s interior minister Hurriyet the United States accused the United States yesterday of being behind a had managed the coup 2016 failed coup that Ankara attempt while Fethullah has blamed on a US-based Gulen’s network carried it Muslim preacher, the Hurriyet daily reported, at a time when out, adding “Europe was Turkey is seeking improved ties enthusiastic about it”, with its Nato ally. reaffirming a view he said More than 250 people were killed in the attempt to over- he had been expressing throw President Recep Tayyip since the putsch. Erdogan and his government on July 15, 2016 when rogue sol- diers commandeered war- United States is behind July 15. weeks that it achieved a “pos- planes, helicopters and tanks It was FETO who carried it out itive agenda” with the EU, and Cargo personnel work as the first shipment of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus to seize state institutions. upon their orders,” he said. that it wants to improve rela- disease arrives at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, Iran, yesterday. Ankara has long blamed US officials were not imme- tions with the United States preacher Fethullah Gulen, a diately available for comment, under President Joe Biden. former ally of Erdogan who but Washington has previously Since the failed coup, lives in Pennsylvania, and denied any involvement. It has Turkey has detained some Iran receives first batch of launched a widespread repeatedly rejected Turkish 292,000 people over suspected crackdown on his network, demands for Gulen’s extra- links to Gulen and has sus- which Ankara refers to by the dition, citing a lack of credible pended or sacked more than acronym ‘FETO’. Gulen denies evidence from Ankara. 150,000 civil servants. Hun- foreign coronavirus vaccine any involvement. Ankara is seeking to repair dreds of media outlets have Interior Minister Suleyman strained ties with Washington, been shut and dozens of oppo- AP — TEHRAN American Pfizer-BioNTech and some $220m held in South Soylu told Hurriyet the United which last year sanctioned sition lawmakers have been Britain’s Astrazeneca vaccines, Korean banks to pay for the States had managed the coup Turkey over its purchase of jailed. Iran yesterday received its first a reflection of mistrust towards COVID-19 vaccines through attempt while Gulen’s network Russian air defence systems, The government’s response batch of foreign-made corona- the West. The coronavirus has COVAX, an international carried it out, adding “Europe and with the European Union. to month-long protests at one virus vaccines as the country so far infected over 1.4 million program designed to distribute was enthusiastic about it”, reaf- The EU has threatened of the country’s top universities struggles to stem the worst people in Iran and killed more coronavirus vaccines to partic- firming a view he said he had measures against Ankara over has also alarmed Washington outbreak of the pandemic in the than 58,000. ipating countries. been expressing since the a dispute with Greece in the and the United Nations, with Middle East. In December, Tehran began The government in Tehran putsch. east Mediterranean. both condemning “homo- The shipment consists of testing an Iranian-made has touted Iran’s domestic “It is blatantly clear the Turkey has said in recent phobic” rhetoric by officials. 500,000 doses of Russian- vaccine in humans and said it vaccine research, repeatedly made Sputnik V vaccines which expects to distribute it in spring, alleging that tough American arrived at Tehran’s Imam Kho- an extremely aggressive sanctions undermine its efforts Israeli forces raze more Palestinian homes in West Bank meieni International Airport timeline. Before this year’s fast- to purchase foreign-made vac- from Moscow, the semi-official tracked development of coro- cines and launch mass inocu- ANADOLU — RAMALLAH residential areas due to the same reason. Fars news agency reported. navirus vaccines, the usual lation campaigns like those Under the 1995 Oslo Accord between Israel Also Iranian state TV quoted methods of testing a vaccine for underway in the US and Europe. Israeli forces have demolished a Palestinian home and the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank, Tehran’s ambassador to Russia, safety and efficacy with mass While US sanctions do have in the occupied West Bank yesterday. including East Jerusalem, was divided into three Kazem Jalali, as saying that Iran trials could take up to a decade. specific carve-outs for med- A Palestinian activist Abdulkerim Musalime told parts — Area A, B, and C. has ordered 5 million doses The country has also began icine and humanitarian aid to Anadolu Agency that the occupation forces con- The area C is home to approximately 300,000 from Russia. The next batches working on a joint vaccine with Iran, international banks and ducted a raid on a town in the countryside of Al Palestinians. In addition to that, International are to arrive on Feb. 18 and Feb. Cuba. It is also planning to financial institutions hesitate in Khalil. He said Israeli forces claimed that the demol- law views both the West Bank and East Jeru- 28, said Jalali. import some 17 million doses dealing with Iranian transac- ished house was built in zone C without a license. salem as occupied territories and considers all Last month, Iran’s Supreme of vaccine from COVAX and tions for fear of being fined or He also said Israeli forces destroyed an Jewish settlement-building activities there are Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei millions from other countries. locked out of the American electric network that supplied electricity to many illegal. banned Iran from importing the But Iran is struggling to transfer market.

Iraq sends mixed signals Iran says 20-year jail sentence for diplomat is illegal over closing camp REUTERS — DUBAI/ANTWERP The court sentenced Assadi was running an Iranian state Ministry spokesman Saeed state in what could have been for displaced to 20 years in prison yesterday intelligence network and was Khatibzadeh said: “Unfortu- carnage.” Tehran strongly condemned a in the first trial of an Iranian acting on orders from Tehran. nately, Belgium and some Investigators assessed that AP — QAYARA, IRAQ Belgian court’s decision to official for suspected terrorism Assadi did not attend his European countries, under the Assadi brought the explosives sentence an Iranian diplomat in Europe since Iran’s 1979 hearings, which were held influence of the hostile atmos- for the plot with him on a com- Iraq appears to have back- convicted of planning to bomb revolution. behind closed doors under high phere of a terrorist group, have mercial flight to Austria from tracked on plans to close a camp a meeting of an exiled oppo- Assadolah Assadi was found security, and neither he nor his taken such an illegal and unjus- Iran, according to Belgium’s for internally displaced Iraqis, sition group in France, Iranian guilty of attempted terrorism lawyer have commented. tifiable action. federal prosecutor. many with links to the Islamic Foreign Ministry spokesman after a foiled plot to bomb a In March, Assadi warned “Therefore,” he said, “they Then-US President Donald State group, following a week said in a statement yesterday. rally of the National Council of authorities of possible retali- must be held accountable for Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani of confusion and outcry from “As we have stated many Resistance of Iran (NCRI) near ation by unidentified groups if the gross violation of the rights gave the keynote address at the families unable to return home. times before, Assadolah Assadi’s Paris in June 2018, Belgian pros- he was found guilty, according of our country’s diplomats.” rally, which was attended by Evan Faeq Jabro, Iraq’s detention, the judicial process ecution lawyers and civil parties to a police document. The Prosecution lawyer diplomats from many countries. minister of migration and dis- and the recent sentencing are to the prosecution said. courtroom was heavily Georges-Henri Beauthier said While the European Union has placement, told The Associated illegal and a clear violation of The third counsellor at guarded, with armoured outside the court in Antwerp: imposed human rights sanc- Press that the news the camp international law, especially the Iran’s embassy in Vienna, he vehicles outside and police hel- “The ruling shows two things: tions on Iranian individuals, known as Jadah 5 in northern 1961 Vienna Convention,” Saeed was arrested in Germany before icopters overhead. A diplomat doesn’t have Brussels has sought closer dip- Iraq would close was false, and Khatibzadeh said according to being transferred to Belgium for In a statement carried by immunity for criminal acts...and lomatic and business ties with that it would remain open for state TV. trial. French officials said he Iranian state television, Foreign the responsibility of the Iranian Tehran. the foreseeable future. However, a letter issued by the ministry’s directorate in Ninevah province, addressed Prominent Hezbollah critic to its sub-districts, had said closures would begin on Jan. 25, suggesting the federal gov- shot dead in Lebanon ernment subsequently REUTERS — BEIRUT monopolise Lebanese politics. His reversed the decision, or that sister suggested Slim had been there was miscommunication A prominent Lebanese Shia murdered because of this. He was within ministry ranks. publisher who criticised the armed last seen after visiting a poet The mixed signals reflect Hezbollah movement was shot friend. His wife said he had gone Iraq’s real dilemma as it races dead in a car in southern Lebanon missing overnight. to close all camps for IDPs in yesterday, the first such killing of Hezbollah group condemned line with its plans to revive a high-profile activist in years. the killing. "We ask the judicial lagging reconstruction efforts A judge following the case said and security authorities con- in many cases without pro- the body of Lokman Slim had four cerned to work quickly to expose viding alternative housing or bullets in the head and one in the the culprits and punish them," the properly managing reconcili- back. A security source said his group said in a statement. ation with local tribes. phone was found on the side of a Human rights groups, a top UN News of the order had road. They said the motive for the diplomat in Lebanon and the prompted criticism from many killing was unclear. European Union ambassador, IDP families who said they felt Slim, who was in his late 50s, Ralph Tarraf, all demanded an forced to pack up and return to ran a research centre, made doc- investigation. “We deplore the their destroyed, inhabitable umentaries with his wife and led prevailing culture of impunity,” homes. Some were subsequently efforts to build an archive on Leb- Tarraf wrote in a tweet. sent back by vengeful tribes for anon’s 1975-1990 sectarian civil A Lebanese press freedom their perceived links to IS. war. He spoke against what he centre, SKeyes, said it feared a “We were crying, we described as the Iranian-backed, cover-up of the crime and more couldn’t sleep the night,” said a People holding a picture of Lokman Slim, who was found killed outside the Justice Palace in Shia Hezbollah’s intimidation attempts to eliminate “symbols of 37-year-old woman who iden- Beirut, Lebanon, yesterday. tactics and attempts to free political thought”. tified herself as Umm Abdul- rahman and whose husband was an IS member. She said her tribe in the town of Hawija UN Chief: Upcoming polls will help restore faith in Palestine institutions rejects her family’s return and ANADOLU — RAMALLAH legislative elections would be in 2007 after several days of in the city, has yet to clarify its occupied West Bank, including that the camp is safer than her held on May 22, followed by street fighting. Hamas has gov- position regarding the matter. Pal- East Jerusalem and Gaza, will hometown. “If they force us to Upcoming polls are critical in presidential polls on July 31. erned Gaza since while the estinians are worried that Israel be a crucial step towards Pal- go back, we will stay in the bridging deep divides within They mark the first elections Fatah-dominated Palestinian might block the polls in East Jeru- estinian unity,” Guterres said. street.” Jabro, the minister, Palestine and will help restore in Palestine in 15 years amid Authority ruled the Israel- salem after the US recognition of “It will give renewed legit- clarified that Jadah 5 would faith in Palestinian institutions, long-simmering disputes occupied West Bank. the city as Israel’s capital in 2017 imacy to national institutions, remain open for now, and dis- UN Secretary-General Antonio between the Palestine Liber- Questions have arisen as to and amid preparations for the including a democratically missed news of the closure. Guterres said yesterday.y. ation Organization, led by whether the 340,000 Palestinians Israeli elections on March 23. elected Parliament and Gov- She said families had the Addressing a Palestine- Abbas’ Fatah political party, and living in East Jerusalem will be But Guterres maintained ernment in Palestine. Elections choice to stay, or failing gov- focused panel at the UN’s New Hamas, which controls the Gaza able to participate in the forth- that the votes of Palestinians are a vital part of building a ernment-led reconciliation York headquarters, Guterres Strip. Hamas and Fatah have coming polls. Israel, which living in East Jerusalem must be democratic Palestinian State efforts, would be provided welcomed President Mahmoud been at odds since the former occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 included in the elections. “The founded on the rule of law with housing elsewhere. Abbas’ announcement that seized the Gaza Strip from Fatah and rejects Palestinian sovereignty holding of elections in the equal rights for all,” he added. FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 ISLAM 05 Living and dying with honour and dignity

SPAHIC OMER “That is because Allah would not change a favour which He had ying with dignity is better bestowed upon a people until they than living without it. A change what is within themselves. And life without dignity is a indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing” truly meaningless, (Al Anfal, 53). wretched and inhuman SIXTH: This world is all about trials, Dexperience. challenges and obstacles. It was never To Muslims, therefore, life is not to meant to be an end in itself and to be be perceived exclusively in terms of enjoyed for its own sake. winning or losing, but in terms of Perceiving the world in such a espousing the spiritual purpose and manner is a serious mistake and runs identity, and maintaining the human against the core of the Islamic mono- honour and dignity notwithstanding theistic worldview. the circumstances. In each situation, This world is a place where Jannah however, different systems and modus (Paradise) in the Hereafter is to be pro- operandi are to be evolved and applied. cured. Expecting the world to become Optimism, yet excitement and con- a jannah is a grave misguidance. The tentment, coupled with creative world is only the first part of the thinking and constructive action, journey. should be the raison d’etre. Being The more difficult the trials and overly pessimistic and despondent is challenges, the more blessings and certainly not the way. It only plays into rewards await the faithful. All types the hands of the perpetrators and sus- of problems are blessings in tainers of the status quo. disguise. The following issues need to be Victory is a test, and so is defeat. A considered. person should pass both of them. What FIRST: All that is happening is only matters most is what they do to a because Almighty Allah so wills. person and how he reacts to them. It is all part of His divine plan for Neither is intrinsically good or bad, nor His creation in general, and Muslims preferred or abhorred. Both possess in particular. unique sets of potentials that should No earthly, or otherworldly, power, be optimized, and challenges that or scheme, can thwart in the slightest should be overcome. Islam propagates His plans. He is the Creator, Lord and pragmatism, realism and commitment, Owner of creation. and shuns utopianism, naivety and He does what He wants. fatalism. It propagates quality and sub- He is also just and does things only stance, rather than quantity and for just purposes and ends. pharisaism. Nobody does anything, nor does As Allah’s vicegerent on earth, man has been created as an honourable SEVENTH: As Allah’s vicegerent on any event take place on earth, without earth, man has been created as an hon- His infinite knowledge and permission. being. His existence is an embodiment of purpose, meaning and beauty. ourable being. His existence is an It is all part of divine providence. Thus, the gist of his vicegerency mission is to live and die with dignity, embodiment of purpose, meaning and SECOND: In the end, the truth and beauty. the true servants of Allah will be regardless of the terrestrial consequences and conditions. With dignity, Thus, the gist of his vicegerency victorious. mission is to live and die with dignity, That is an ontological law and prin- he will then be resurrected on the Day of Judgment and will face his regardless of the terrestrial conse- ciple as powerful and constant as eve- quences and conditions. With dignity, ryday physical laws. Creator. Losing, or compromising, dignity at any point of his life journey he will then be resurrected on the Day When it comes to dealing with is the biggest existential crime a person can commit. of Judgment and will face his Creator. others, there should be no room what- Losing, or compromising, dignity soever within Muslims for the inferi- at any point of his life journey is the ority complex. best for them in both worlds. is always bound to be extirpated by the care of his very self and his family biggest existential crime a person can THIRD: The proponents and fol- Muslims ought to hold their heads latter. members first. As for the rest, the commit. lowers of the truth need to be patient high, and practice, as well as promote, The mere existence of the latter matter is proportional to a person’s And lastly, we must distinguish and do only that which is in their their belief and value systems peace- spells adversity for the former. And the abilities and the scope of his relation- between Islam and Muslims. It is capacity, for Allah does not burden fully, confidently and wisely. stronger and more conspicuous the ships and interactions. But one thing Muslims who will always be tested anyone beyond what he can bear. Everyone also needs to enjoy an truth and goodness, the weaker and is certain. and will go through the ups and They do not have to change any- appropriate level of activism and more indistinguishable falsehood and Everyone must be conscious and downs of life, influencing them and thing. It is Allah who changes things, involvement. Neither of passiveness, sin become. knowledgeable enough so that evil and being influenced by them. Islam is events and people’s overall conditions. escapism, indifference and deadening Nonetheless, keeping the truth in falsehood and their agents are identi- and will perennially be fine. Its purity, Their job is only to convey the truth formalism is the answer. In their own the realms of words and abstract ideas fiable, loathed and worked against as holiness and flawlessness are beyond and live it honorably as much and as ways, they are all suicidal. is insufficient. much as feasible. the reach of human deficiencies and effectively as possible. The intentions, processes and strat- FIFTH: A person in the Hereafter The world consists of individuals. collusions. Why the things are the way they egies, rather than results, should be the will be held accountable only for what It is affected and reformed to the Almighty Allah declares: “They are, and why they are prolonged as worry. The results are within the he did and tried to do, rather than for same extent as individuals, the basic want to extinguish the light of Allah with such, Allah knows best. purview of Allah’s sovereignty alone. the general conditions of the world and and most fundamental constituents of their mouths, but Allah will perfect His There must be in whatever befalls FOURTH: The best way to convey people. the world, are influenced and light, although the disbelievers dislike Muslims a profound wisdom and the truth and invite people to it is to be Even the holy prophets will not be reformed. it. It is He who sent His Messenger with hidden blessings. its living example. That is so because held answerable for that. Everyone is Almighty Allah reveals in the Holy guidance and the religion of truth to Things are not to be judged super- the best antidote for falsehood and sin responsible for his own choices and quran: “Indeed, Allah will not change manifest it over all religion, although ficially and in haste. is the personification of the truth and spiritual destiny. the condition of a people until they those who associate others with Allah Allah loves His servants and goodness. It is a heavenly injunction that a change what is in themselves” (Al Ra’d, dislike it” (Al Saff 8-9). does only that which is eventually The two cannot coexist. The former person should worry most and take 11). www.islamcity.org Islam:Basic Facts - 5 Guidance from divine revelation MANSOOR ALAM Muhammad (PBUH), the Prophet humanity, resulting in universal appreciation and By requiring deep thinking and research into the praise: and in the end, the last remnant of those e was by far the most of great personalities. But signs spread throughout the Nature, the Quran folk who had been bent on evildoing was wiped remarkable man that these were one sided figures emphasises that material forces of Nature are out. For all praise is due to God, the Sustainer of Hever set foot on this who distinguished themselves for material needs for all human life on earth. all the worlds. It is obvious that this kind of uni- earth. He preached a religion, in but one or two field, such as The Quran says that, along with conquering the versal improvement in human condition by founded a state, built a nation, religious thought or military forces of nature, proper guidance is also required breaking the chain of human subjugation and laid down a moral code, ini- leadership. The lives and for the long human journey on Earth. And this tyranny requires power to root out the forces of tiated numerous social and teachings of these great per- guidance comes from divine revelation. evil that perpetuate such inhuman conditions. political reforms, established sonalities of the world are The last of these divine revelations came Therefore, the Quran has mentioned that both a powerful and dynamic shrouded in the mist of time. through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sources – of ‘Hamd’ and of power – flow from society to practice and rep- There is so much speculation and is securely preserved in the Quran, the final Allah. It says: His is all dominion, and to Him all resent his teachings and com- about the time and place their and the last divine Book. Allah has made His Book praise is due. Beauty as well as power is at the pletely revolutionised the birth, the mode and style of their an expression of ‘Hamd’ (praise) as well: All praise root of the Universe and its functioning. worlds of human thought and life, the nature and detail of their is due to God, who has bestowed this divine writ The system of the Universe will collapse if there behaviour for all times to teachings and the degree and from on high upon His servant, and has not was no power along with its beauty. On the other come. measure of their success or allowed any deviousness to obscure its meaning. hand if the power does not have the appreciative “His name is Muhammad failure that is impossible for The guidance that has been revealed to the aspect of beauty then it turns into tyranny and (peace and blessings be upon humanity to reconstruct accu- Prophet (PBUH) is a code of life that takes oppression. In the words of Iqbal: If the Deen – the him). He was born in Arabia in rately the lives and teachings of humanity on a straight path without any pitfalls. universal code of life – is removed from politics the year 570 C E (Common these men. So, two things are required for ‘Hamd’. then the only thing that remains is Genghisism. Era), started his mission of Prophet Muhammad 1) To conquer the forces of Nature and 2) To That is why Allah says: Indeed, even aforetime preaching the religion of Truth, (PBUH) accomplished so much use the Nature’s powers thus obtained for the did We send forth Our apostles with all evidence Islam (submission to One God in such diverse fields of human benefit of all humankind according to the values of this truth; and through them We bestowed at the age of forty and thought and behavior in the given in Allah’s guidance, which is now exclu- revelation from on high, and thus gave you a departed from this world at the fullest blaze of human history. sively preserved in the Quran. This way people balance wherewith to weigh right and wrong, so age of sixty-three. Every detail of his private life would be able to do the real ‘Hamd’ of Allah; and that men might behave with equity; and We During this short period of and public utterances has been they would be called ‘Haamidun’. bestowed upon you from on high [the ability to 23 years of his prophethood, accurately documented and The person, who for the first time, did Allah’s make use of] iron, in which there is awesome he changed the complete faithfully preserved to our day. personality of Muhammad Hamd like this was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). power as well as [a source of] benefits for man: Arabian Peninsula from The authenticity of the records (PBUH) to achieve such Allah has called him Ahmad (61:1) i.e., one who and [all this was given to you] so that God might paganism and idolatry to so preserved are vouched for incredible perfection. does Allah’s ‘Hamd very profusely. He was also mark out those who would stand up for him and worship of One God, from not only by the faithful fol- Prophet Muhammad called Muhammad (peace be upon him) (48:29) His Apostle, even though He [Himself] is beyond tribal quarrels and wars to lowers but even by his preju- (PBUH) was nothing more or and was given the high position (17:79) because of the reach of human perception. national solidarity and diced critics. less than a human being. but his supreme accomplishments in improving the Verily, God is powerful, almighty! (57:25) With cohesion, from drunkenness Prophet Muhammad he was a man with a noble human condition by practically implementing a synergistic balance between physical power and debauchery to sobriety (PBUH) was a religious mission, which was to unite system of life based on the revealed guidance; by derived from Nature and constitution power and piety, from lawlessness teacher, a social reformer, a humanity on the worship of practically establishing a system for the benefit of derived from the Quran, the system of life will and anarchy to disciplined moral guide, an administrative one and only one God and to human society based on Allah’s universal code of remain firmly established and keep beautifully living, from utter bankruptcy colossus, a faithful friend, a teach them the way to honest life. And what was the original result of this new advancing towards greater and greater heights. to the highest standards of wonderful companion, a and upright living based on the system? Well, a nation that was engaged in tyranny In the words of Iqbal again: If the Quran does not moral excellence. Human devoted husband, a loving commands of God. and oppression of human beings was rooted out. have its watchful eye on the power then it history has never known such father — all in one. No other He always described The entire world at the time rose in universal praise becomes unrestrained and oppressive; and, if a complete transformation of man in history ever excelled himself as, ‘A Servant and Mes- at the establishment of this universal avant-garde the Quran does not have the power to enforce a people or a place in just over or equalled him in any of these senger of God’ and so indeed system at the hands of the Prophet (PBUH). its laws then it becomes mere sermon. Therefore, two decades. different aspects of life - but it every action of his proclaimed When the whole world was shrouded in by enforcing both these attributes in society, The world has had its share was only for the selfless to be. darkness, this extraordinary achievement came Momineen become ‘Haamidun’. as bright sunshine of freedom for the oppressed www.islamcity.com 06 AFRICA FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 Ex-Uganda rebel leader convicted of war crimes REUTERS — THE HAGUE Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said A former Ugandan child soldier who became a commander of Ongwen had been the rebel Lord’s Resistance a victim himself at Army was convicted yesterday of dozens of crimes, including one stage. “In time, widespread abuse, however, he grew into enslavement, child abductions, torture, murder, including one of the most senior killings of babies. military leaders, The International Criminal fervently committed Court found Dominic Ongwen (pictured) guilty of 61 out of 70 to the LRA cause with counts of war crimes and crimes infamous brutality.” against humanity. A hearing in Ugandans for nearly two mid-April will consider a pos- decades as it battled the gov- sible sentence, which could be Bertram Schmitt said, naming ernment of President Yoweri A view of the courtroom during the trial of Lord’s Resistance Army former commander Dominic up to life imprisonment, with a the victims and describing the Museveni from bases in the Ongwen at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, yesterday. decision expected later this crimes. north of the country and neigh- year. “His guilt has been estab- bouring countries. In recent during attacks on camps pro- “Based on the offences that because like me also, I killed but Judges at the court said lished beyond any reasonable years it has been largely wiped tected by Ugandan government he was found guilty of he I was forgiven.” Ongwen, who himself was doubt,” he said, issuing the out. forces sex slaves, raped women deserves it, he needs to be in Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda taken by the LRA as a young verdict after a 3-1/2-year trial In a legal first, Ongwen was and forced children to fight in jail,” Acan said. said Ongwen had been a victim boy, had acted out of free will that ended in March last year. also convicted for the crime of hostilities, the court found. Louis Lakor, a 25-year-old himself at one stage. “In time, in committing “innumerable” Ongwen, wearing a tie and forced pregnancy for atrocities Ongwen, who was detained vehicle mechanic in Gulu town, however, he grew into one of crimes between 2002 and 2005, face mask, sat impassively in committed against seven in 2015, remains in the court’s northern Uganda, who said he the most senior military leaders, commanding several hundred court, sometimes with his eyes women. custody. too was abducted by the LRA fervently committed to the LRA soldiers. closed, listening as the judgment “As a result of the sexual and In Uganda, feelings were after rebel fighters killed his cause with infamous “Mothers were forced to was read out. physical violence and the living divided about how tough the parents and abused his sister, brutality.” abandon their children in the His lawyer has argued that conditions to which they were court should be on Ongwen. hoped the court shows Ongwen Ongwen is the fifth suspect bush. LRA fighters threw Ongwen’s brutal life in the LRA submitted, the abducted women Grace Acan, an abductee leniency. to be convicted for atrocities at children, including babies, into affected his mental health and and girls suffered severe, barely who lost a child while being “He was abducted when he the ICC, a court of last resort the bush because the children his capacity to make inde- imaginable physical and mental held captive, said Ongwen could was a young boy, he did not join established in 2002 to pros- were crying and making it dif- pendent decisions. pain,” Schmitt said. have followed others and left willingly,” Lakor told Reuters. ecute the most serious crimes ficult for their mothers to carry Led by fugitive warlord Ongwen ordered the killing the LRA when he became an “What I think is Dominic when other countries are looted goods,” Presiding Judge Joseph Kony, the LRA terrorised and abduction of many civilians adult, but chose not to. Ongwen should be forgiven, unable or unwilling to do so. UN warns Tigray conflict could spark broader destablisation in Ethiopia South Africa seizes over $3.5m worth REUTERS — NEW YORK according to Lowcock’s notes Tigray’s former ruling party — Antonio Guterres was “seriously operating at a fraction of their for the closed virtual briefing of the Tigray People’s Liberation concerned” over the situation previous capacity and Lowcock of rhino horns A conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray the 15-member Security Front (TPLF) — after regional in Tigray, a UN spokesman said said he could confidently say region could trigger broader Council. forces attacked federal army late on Tuesday. that if protection and aid were AP — JOHANNESBURG destablisation in the country, He said there were reports bases in the region on Lowcock said Abiy’s gov- not quickly increased then the UN aid chief Mark Lowcock told of increasing insecurity else- November 4. ernment controls between 60% humanitarian situation would South African customs officials the Security Council on where, which could be due to a The TPLF withdrew from and 80 percent of the territory deteriorate. have seized more than $3.5m Wednesday as he warned that vacuum created by the rede- the regional capital, Mekelle, in Tigray, but does not have full He said there were troubling worth of rhino horns at the O.R a dire humanitarian situation ployment of Ethiopian troops and major cities, but low-level command of the ethnic Amhara accusations of sexual and Tambo International Airport in the north was set to worsen. to Tigray, and that the United fighting has continued. and Eritrean forces also oper- gender-based violence. in Johannesburg yesterday. Hundreds of thousands of Nations was concerned about In the region of more than ating in the region. Several senior UN officials A shipment of the 18 pieces people in Tigray have not the potential for broader five million people, thousands Dozens of witnesses say Eri- recently visited Ethiopia to push of horns weighing 63kg des- received help and the United national and regional of people are believed to have trean troops are in Tigray to for greater access to Tigray. tined for Malaysia was dis- Nations has been unable to destablisation. died and 950,000 have fled support Ethiopian forces, though Lowcock said he was hopeful covered at the airport’s courier completely assess the situation Ethiopian Prime Minister their homes since fighting both countries deny that. there would be concrete facilities. because it does not have full Abiy Ahmed ordered air strikes began. The United Nations has progress in coming days to The package was labeled and unimpeded access, and a ground offensive against UN Secretary-General received reports that police are allow aid to be scaled up. “HP cartridges” but an x-ray scan revealed images resem- bling horns so the customs officials inspected it to dis- Nigerian film about militant cover the contraband, the South African Revenue insurgency aims at Oscar glory Services said in a statement. This is the fourth rhino REUTERS — LAGOS/ABUJA commercial type of stories,” horn bust at the airport by Ovbiagele — who wrote and customs officials since July last Ten years ago, Desmond Ovbi- directed the film — told Reuters year, with a total of 277kg of agele abandoned his career in in an interview in Lagos. rhino horn worth more than investment banking to pursue The insurgency by militant $15m confiscated, said the his dream of making films. Now group Boko Haram has killed statement. the Nigerian director’s movie more than 30,000 people and “Those that are deter- about the IS insurgency in his forced about 2 million to flee mined to destroy the rich country has been put forward their homes since 2009. The natural endowment of our as an Oscars contender. group attained global notoriety country, which is a common “The Milkmaid” tells the in 2014 with the abduction of treasure and heritage for all story of two sisters who are more than 270 schoolgirls in the that we should look after for abducted from their village northeastern town of Chibok. future generations, will be met during a deadly attack by mil- “I felt it was important that with the unwavering com- itants in northeast Nigeria. It has we put some backstories and mitment of our officers to been submitted by Nigeria as some personalities behind all enforce the law,” revenue its entry for international these casualty statistics,” said service commissioner Edward feature consideration at the Ovbiagele. Kieswetter said. Academy Awards. The film has already won Earlier this week the gov- The Academy of Motion five Africa Movie Academy ernment announced that rhino Picture Arts and Sciences will Awards, including Best Film. Women are seen smiling in a wedding scene in “The Milkmaid”, Nigeria’s feature film submission for poaching in the country had announce its nominations for the Although Nigeria is an English- Oscar award in Taraba State, Nigeria, on October 25, 2018. declined by 33 percent last Academy Awards on March 15. speaking country, it is eligible guages spoken locally. as being told from “a very beau- the plight of hidden victims. year partly due to the novel “Even having made it this for the Oscars best international Anthonieta Kalunta, lead tiful perspective”, despite the “The victims of insurgency coronavirus (COVID-19) far is a huge encouragement to film category because the char- actress in the movie, said she subject matter. were not getting the attention lockdown regulations filmmakers who don’t neces- acters address each other in the hoped those judging “The For Ovbiagele, the film’s that I felt they truly deserved,” restricting movements around sarily want to tell the most Hausa, Arabic and Fulfulde lan- Milkmaid” would see the film success will draw attention to he said. the country. 16 African countries show interest in AU vaccine plan Libyan leadership rivals

REUTERS — NAIROBI Health Organization. Guinea says China will donate At a later briefing, WHO form blocs in UN process Sixteen African countries have Africa director Matshidiso Moeti shown interest in securing 200,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses said nearly 90 million doses of REUTERS — TRIPOLI council and for the post of COVID-19 vaccines under an the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine prime minister have been African Union (AU) plan, and REUTERS — CONAKRY diplomacy by China and could start arriving on the con- Potential leaders of a new interviewed in live broadcast allocations could be announced Russia is cultivating goodwill tinent later this month. Libyan interim government sessions throughout the week. in the next three weeks, the China will donate 200,000 in parts of the world after “These doses would help tried to form into competing They include the head of head of the Africa Centres for doses of COVID-19 vaccine to pharmaceutical companies countries reach 3 percent of blocs yesterday that could win the eastern-based parliament, Disease Control and Prevention Guinea, the West African including US-based Pfizer Inc their populations in the first half backing from participants in Aguila Saleh, and the western- (CDC) said yesterday. nation’s foreign minister announced shortfalls in dis- of 2021, targeting the most UN-backed talks after publicly based deputy prime minister While many rich nations Ibrahima Khalil Kaba said. tribution plans. at-risk groups, especially front- auditioning for top roles. Ahmed Maiteeg, interior min- have already begun mass vac- China’s ambassador in On Monday, China said it line health workers,” she said. The process is part of a UN ister Fathi Bashagha and cination drives, only a few Conakry announced the was providing vaccine aid to Moeti said some 320,000 plan that envisages national defence minister Saleh African countries have started donation in a meeting on 13 countries globally and doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech elections at the end of the year Namroush. vaccination, and the Tuesday, Kaba said. He did planned to help a further 38. vaccine had been allocated to as a political solution to Libya’s An initial vote on Tuesday 55-member African Union not specify which Chinese- In January, Guinea Cabo Verde, Rwanda, South decade of chaos, violence and for the presidency council did hopes to see 60 percent of the developed vaccine would be approved Russia’s Sputnik V Africa and Tunisia, and deliv- division. not meet the required threshold continent’s 1.3 billion people donated or when the doses vaccine for domestic use, eries were expected this month. However, though the for victory, triggering a sec- immunised in the next three would arrive. becoming the second African The COVAX facility aims to process represents the biggest ondary vote that requires can- years. So-called vaccine country to do so. help secure vaccines for 20 peacemaking effort in Libya for didates to join together into The AU has so far secured percent of Africans, which will years, it comes fraught with blocs yesterday night. around 670 million doses for its AU’s Vaccine Acquisition Task told a virtual news mean about 600 million doses, risk as heavily armed groups That method — criticised by member states. Team (AVATT), which began conference. Moeti said. across the country watch their some Libyans as a means for Africa CDC Director John work in mid-January. Africa is also due to receive Africa has so far reported allies and rivals vying for powermongers to sway the Nkengasong said the 16 coun- “Our hope is that in the next about 600 million vaccine 3.5 million coronavirus infec- political power. process with backroom deals tries had asked for a total of a two to three weeks, they should doses this year via the COVAX tions and 88,000 deaths, Candidates for the three — will lead to a vote on Friday, total 114 million doses under the be having their vaccines,” he facility, co-led by the World according to a Reuters tally. positions in a presidency the UN said. FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 ASIA 07 Myanmar blocks Facebook as resistance to coup grows AP — YANGON About 70 recently protest by about 20 people in front of the University of Med- Myanmar’s new military elected lawmakers icine was broken up by police. government blocked access to defied the new Three were arrested. Facebook as resistance to Medical personnel have Monday’s coup surged amid military government declared they won’t work for calls for civil disobedience to yesterday by the military government. Health protest the ousting of the convening a symbolic workers are highly respected elected government and its for their work during the coro- leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. meeting of the navirus pandemic that is taxing Facebook is especially Parliament and signed the country’s dangerously inad- popular in Myanmar and is how equate health system. most people access the Internet. their oaths of office at For a second night The military seized power a government guest Wednesday, residents of shortly before a new session of Yangon conducted noise pro- Parliament was to convene on house in Naypyitaw. tests, banging pots and pans and Monday and detained Suu Kyi honking car horns. and other top politicians. The protests have revived a It said it acted because the Some expressed their anger song associated with a failed government had refused to and their determination to resist 1988 uprising against military address its complaints that last the coup as they left the dictatorship. Myanmar was November’s general election, in guesthouse. under military rule for five which Suu Kyi’s party won a “This violates the human decades after a 1962 coup, and landslide victory, was marred by rights of the whole citizenry. This Suu Kyi’s five years as leader widespread voting irregularities. is not a coup. This is a treason have been its most democratic The state Election Commission against the government. I will period since them, despite con- has refuted the allegations. have to say that this is state tinued use of repressive Police stand guard as they wait for protests against coup in Yangon, Myanmar, yesterday. About 70 recently elected treason,” said Khin Soe Soe Kyi, colonial-era laws. lawmakers defied the new mil- a member of Suu Kyi’s National Videos posted on social Wednesday that she has been temporarily block Facebook. brutal 2017 army counterinsur- itary government yesterday by League for Democracy party. media showed medical per- charged with possessing ille- We urge authorities to restore gency campaign that drove convening a symbolic meeting of The military declared a one- sonnel and others singing “Kabar gally imported walkie-talkies - connectivity so that people in more than 700,000 to neigh- the Parliament that was pre- year state of emergency and put Makyay Bu” — or “We Won’t Be believed to be used by her bod- Myanmar can communicate bouring Bangladesh. vented from opening. They all state powers into the hands Satisfied Until the End of the yguards — that were found in with family and friends and A Norway-based humani- signed their oaths of office at a of the junta, including legislative World” —sung to the tune of her house, access important information,” tarian group said Thursday that government guesthouse in the functions. It said that at the end “Dust in the Wind,” a 1977 song The charge, which carries a Facebook said in a statement. Myanmar’s political crisis could capital, Naypyitaw, where about of that period it will call an by the US rock group Kansas. penalty of up to three years in In 2018, Facebook removed create a humanitarian disaster 400 of them were detained in the election and turn over power to Thousands of people in prison, allows her to be held in several accounts linked to affecting 1 million vulnerable aftermath of the takeover. They the winner. Naypyitaw joined a rally in custody until at least February 15. Myanmar’s military, including people if international aid have since been told they can Anti-coup graffiti appeared support of the military coup on Ousted President Win Myint is that of Senior General Min Aung groups are restricted further. return to their home districts. in Yangon, the country’s biggest Thursday, the latest of a number being held on a separate charge. Hlaing, the officer who led this Jan Egeland, head of the Nor- The unofficial convening city, with the slogan “Don’t want of events that aim to project an Facebook users said service week’s coup, following com- wegian Refugee Council, said it was a symbolic gesture to assert dictatorship”’ scrawled on a image of popular acceptance of disruptions began late plaints that they appeared to was “deeply troubled” that Mon- that they, not the military, are wall on a busy street. the power grab. Wednesday night. fuel hatred toward the country’s day’s takeover by the military the country’s legitimate In Mandalay, a city known Suu Kyi remains highly “Telecom providers in Muslim Rohingya minority. The could affect ”people’s ability to lawmakers. for its activist politics, a spirited popular. Her party said on Myanmar have been ordered to Rohingya were targeted in a access humanitarian assistance.” Myanmar to get India survey finds quarter of children may have virus antibodies humanitarian REUTERS — NEW DELHI Separate tests done on more country. “The overall picture still The federal government government as the world’s biggest, support from than 700,000 people across shows that more than 75 percent also said nearly 46 percent of has been started with two vaccines: More than a quarter of Indian India by diagnostics company of the population even now can the country’s 9.6 million regis- one licensed from Oxford Uni- India to fight virus children aged between 10 and Thyrocare Technologies get infected,” said Vinod Kumar tered healthcare workers had versity-AstraZeneca, and another 17 may have already contracted showed 55 percent of the coun- Paul, who heads a government been given the first vaccine developed at home by Bharat REUTERS — NEW DELHI COVID-19, according to a try’s 1.35 billion people may group of experts on vaccine dose since an inoculation cam- Biotech and the state-run Indian government serological survey have already been infected, its strategy, urging people to keep paign began on January 16. Council of Medical Research. India will provide humani- released on Thursday, higher chief said last week. maintaining social distancing and India, which wants to vac- The next in line for approval tarian assistance to Myanmar than the 21.5 percent of the India has officially reported wearing masks. cinate 300 million people by are Russia’s Sputnik V and to fight the coronavirus overall population found to 10.8 million infections, the world’s Among 7,171 randomly- August in both government and Cadila Healthcare’s ZyCov-D. pandemic, the foreign ministry have been infected. highest after the United States, tested healthcare workers, 25.7 private hospitals, recently Pfizer Inc and partner BioNTech said yesterday, as international The survey of more than though its cases have come down percent were found to have started giving shots to other have also sought a similar pressure mounts against 35,700 people above 10, con- sharply since a mid-September developed antibodies. Capital frontline workers such as police approval. Myanmar’s military leaders ducted in the last two months, peak of nearly 100,000. New Delhi said this week it was personnel, and would soon start India on Thursday reported following a coup. gave a much lower estimate for The national survey, approaching herd immunity covering the elderly, Health 12,899 new COVID-19 cases. New Delhi had sent 1.5 the average number of people however, suggests that more than through natural infection as Secretary Rajesh Bhushan told Deaths rose by 107 to 154,703 million doses of COVID-19 to have contracted COVID-19 290 million people may have 56% of its residents had a news conference. — one of the lowest fatality vaccine to Myanmar last than other research. already been infected in the COVID-19 antibodies. The drive, touted by the rates anywhere. month as part of a broader diplomatic effort to deepen ties with its neighbours before Six hurt in strike the military overthrew and Sri Lanka leader vows action against blast perpetrators detained elected leader Aung called by rival San Suu Kyi. AP — COLOMBO India is monitoring the sit- Nepal communist uation closely, foreign ministry Sri Lanka’s President said spokesman Anurag Srivastava yesterday that he has received factions told reporters, but it won’t hold the final report of an inquiry back on aid. “We remain com- commission investigating the REUTERS — KATHMANDU mitted to continuing our 2019 Easter Sunday bomb humanitarian support for the attacks and vowed he will not At least six people, including people in Myanmar in miti- allow anyone responsible for two former ministers, were gating the health and eco- the deaths of more than 260 injured when police lobbed nomic impact of the pan- people escape justice. tear gas shells and resorted to demic,” he said. President Gotabaya baton charges to break up a India, the world’s biggest Rajapaksa did not disclose protest rally during a manufacturer of vaccines, has what’s in the report, saying only nationwide general strike in given away shots of Astra- that he had already given Nepal that was called by a Zeneca made at the Serum instructions to implement its faction of the ruling party Institute of India for free to recommendations. yesterday. neighbours such as Bang- “We will not allow those The strike was meant to ladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and responsible for designing and help cement opposition against Bhutan to get their immuni- enabling this tragedy to escape Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli sation programmes started. justice. We will never allow for dissolving parliament and Diplomats say the “Vaccine extremism to raise its head seeking fresh polls amid a pan- Friendship”, as the campaign is again, in this country,” he said demic-induced economic called, is also intended to push in his address marking the crisis. back against China’s political country’s 73rd Independence “Protesters tried to van- and economic dominance of the Day. Sri Lanka’s commando members march during the country’s 73rd Independence Day celebrations dalise cars and a police van, region and win goodwill. Two local Muslim groups in Colombo, yesterday. forcing police to resort to mild Srivastava noted that India that had pledged allegiance to force in which six people had helped Myanmar by pro- the Islamic State were blamed to a communications Wickremesinghe were sum- majority Buddhist Sinhalese. including two police personnel viding test kits and medicines for the coordinated suicide breakdown between the then moned before the commission. Sri Lanka’s Independence were injured,” Bandhu Prasad early on when the pandemic bombings in six places on April president and prime minister The attacks, which came Day was marked by ethnic and Bastola, Dhanusa district struck and then with vaccines. 21, 2019. More than 260 people, was cited as a cause for the after 10 years of peace following religious polarization. Tamil administrator, said. A second shipment of 1.5 most of them worshippers at security lapse despite near spe- the end of a quarter-century political, civil and religious Two former ministers, Ram million shots for Myanmar is Easter services in three cific foreign intelligence civil war, enabled Rajapaksa to leaders took part in a protest Chadra Jha and Matrika Yadav, planned but it is not clear churches and foreign and local warnings. win the presidential election parade for a second day yes- who are also senior leaders of when that will happen, a holidaymakers having breakfast Both former President later in 2019 on a platform of erday, marching from the coun- the rival faction of the ruling source aware of the situation in three hotels, were killed. Maithripala Sirisena and former national security and protecting try’s east to the north to demand party, were among the injured said. Political infighting leading Prime Minister Ranil the interests of the country’s solutions to minority issues. in the temple town of Janakpur in Dhanusa district. It was not immediately known how serious their injuries were. Prime Minister Morrison invites Biden to Australia “They (former ministers) are being brought to Kath- AP — CANBERRA terms of our relations between country also known as positively to the invitation. virtually halted around the mandu by a helicopter for Australia and the United States, Myanmar. “He told me he needs no world by the coronavirus pan- treatment,” said senior faction Australia’s Prime Minister said there’s nothing to fix there, only “The leaders affirmed their special reason to come to Australia, demic, but success in vacci- leader Pampha Bhusal, who, he invited President Joe Biden things to build on.” commitment to working he loves the place,” Morrison said. nating people would allow for along with her colleagues, had to visit in September during a The White House later said together to advance our shared “But they (Biden and first lady Jill such trips to resume. declared the strike. Police said “very warm and engaging” Biden described Australia as an values, global security and pros- Biden) would very much like to be Australia has made exemp- at least 157 people were phone call between the two anchor of stability in the “Indo- perity,” it added. in Australia at some point, and we’ll tions to its own strict travel detained across the country. leaders yesterday. Pacific and the world.” Morrison invited Biden to see how that progresses.” restrictions for important allies. The call to shut down “He sees the Australia-US “They also agreed to work visit Australia to mark the 70th American presidents making Australia’s defence and businesses, shops and educa- relationship as providing the together, alongside other allies anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, the 15,900km flight between the foreign ministers highlighted tional institutions was part of anchor for peace and security and partners, to hold to account a defence agreement that once two national capitals typically the importance of the U.S. rela- a protest campaign launched in our region,” Prime Minister those responsible for the coup included New Zealand and was incorporate visits to Asia or tionship by flying to Wash- across the Himalayan nation, Scott Morrison said. “And that in Burma,” the White House signed on September 1, 1950. Southeast Asian capitals. ington, DC, for an annual after Oli dissolved parliament is true. We share that view. In statement said, referring to the Morrison said Biden reacted Diplomatic travel has been bilateral meeting in July. on December 20. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 Beyond the Beirut explosion: The Established in 1996 CHAIRMAN many dangers of ammonium nitrate DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MARCOS A ORELLANA MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED AL JAZEERA [email protected] On August 4, 2020, nearly 2,750 tonnes of improperly stored ammonium nitrate DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR exploded in the seaport in Beirut, killing MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI more than 200 people, injuring more than [email protected] 6,000, and displacing thousands from their homes. As Beirut residents still await answers from the official investigation, it is important not to brush aside this incident EDITORIAL as the product of exceptional circum- stances. A view shows the damage at Beirut's port area on August 5, 2020, a day after the explosion. The widespread use of ammonium nitrate makes similar deadly explosions Nitrogen is essential for plant growth. growth, depletes oxygen in the water, and Strong economic recovery quite possible across the world. Equally Ammonium nitrate fertiliser gained popu- results in an environment where marine concerning is the significant role this larity after World War II as an inexpensive life cannot survive. THE recovery in Qatar’s private sector is continuing chemical plays in environmental degra- source of plant nutrients. Plants can more Additionally, the widespread overre- which reflects resilience of country’s economy. The dation and climate change, which is also easily absorb synthetic fertiliser than natu- liance on synthetic fertiliser is disrupting private sector of Qatar bounced back from the shock deadly. That is why it is crucial that the rally occurring nitrogen in the soil. The the Earth’s natural nitrogen cycle, which is of COVID-19 outbreak and is now moving ahead on the international community takes action widespread use of nitrogen-based ferti- one of Earth’s nine planetary boundaries. path of recovery. beyond aiding the Lebanese authorities in lisers has increased crop yields. However, Planetary boundaries define the safe oper- The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey data the aftermath of the explosion. fertiliser overuse has depleted naturally- ating spaces for humanity, which, once from Qatar Financial Centre and IHS Markit signalled a Ammonium nitrate is an odourless sub- occurring nutrients in the soil, making the crossed, can cause irreversible environ- strengthening rate of expansion in the non-energy stance that is commonly used to make fer- agro-industrial system reliant on fertilisers mental damage that may have disastrous private sector economy in January. Growth rates for tiliser and explosives. Nitrogen fertiliser to support its productivity. The overreliance repercussions for our current way of life. both business activity and new business accelerated production accounts for nearly 1.2 percent on external inputs, such as ammonium Regulating the Earth’s natural nitrogen notably during the month and were among the sharpest of global primary energy demand, gen- nitrate, also comes at the expense of the levels in the air, soil, and water, are nec- registered since the survey began in April 2017. erates pollutants like fine dust, nitric acid health of farmworkers and consumers, the essary to sustain life and ensure a healthy The PMI rose from 51.8 in December to 53.9 in emissions, and produces wastewater that environment, and our climate. environment. In order to avoid future inci- January, signalling the strongest overall improvement may contain phosphorus, fluorides, Nitrogen-rich fertilisers are a key source dents like the explosion in Beirut, but also in non-energy business conditions in five months. The ammonia, carbon dioxide, or weak acids. of ammonia emissions, which combine with tackle climate change and environmental figures have shown consistent rise in previous months. About 80 percent of manufactured other air pollutants to form fine particulate degradation, we have to curb the use of The PMI rose to 52.5 in November, from 51.5 in ammonium nitrate is used for fertiliser, matter. Particulate matter exposure can ammonium nitrate. October, to signal an improvement in operating condi- particularly in the global agro-industrial cause heart and pulmonary disease and has Agroecology is an integrated approach tions in the non-energy private sector. The latest reading system. been linked to thousands of premature to agriculture that seeks to optimise the was the seventh-highest on record since the series deaths in rural farming communities. Direct interactions between plants, animals, began in April 2017, compared with a long-run average International climate chemical exposure is especially harmful to humans, and the environment to enable of 49.6. The rise in the headline figure in November initiatives are beginning to farmworkers who regularly come into sustainable and fair food production based reflected stronger positive contributions from the output contact with fertilisers and other inputs. on local knowledge and traditional agricul- and employment indicators. Output rose at the fastest pay attention to agroecology. Ammonium nitrate and its production tural practices. This approach can help rate since August, while the rate of job creation was the also contribute to global warming. The use meet the global needs of food sovereignty strongest since January 2019 that marks a return to It is encouraging that of nitrogen fertilisers, along with manures and food security in a world that seeks to pre-pandemic trends. states are beginning to and other agricultural sources, accounts for divest from carbon and nitrogen. The exports from Qatar continue to rise despite chal- nearly 60 percent of nitrous oxide emis- International climate initiatives are lenges posed by COVID-19 outbreak. include agroecology in sions. Nitrous oxide is a powerful green- beginning to pay attention to agroecology. For According to the Planning and Statistics Authority, their Nationally Determined house gas that can trap heat 300 times example, under the UN Framework Con- Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade balance, which rep- more than carbon dioxide, contributing to vention on Climate Change and its Koronivia resents the difference between total exports and Contributions and National rising global temperatures. joint work on agriculture, the Climate Dia- imports, showed a surplus of QR8.6bn in December Adaptation Plans under the Nutrients that are not absorbed by the logues have discussed the intersection of food 2020. In December 2020, the total exports of goods soil or plants contaminate water sources, security and climate change. It is encouraging (including exports of goods of domestic origin and reex- Paris Agreement on which is harmful to aquatic life. A visible that states are beginning to include agr- ports) amounted to around QR17.1bn, showing an Climate Change. expression of this disturbance is the annual oecology in their Nationally Determined Con- increase of 3.3 percent compared to November 2020. dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico and the tributions and National Adaptation Plans There is also a significant increase of 63.7 percent Gulf of Oman. Dead zones are caused by under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. in the number of new firms licensed on the QFC platform eutrophication, which happens when a in 2020, compared to 2019. The QFC registered 334 body of water is contaminated by excess Marcos A Orellana is UN Special firms in 2020, compared to almost 200 firms registered nutrients. Eutrophication increases algal Rapporteur on toxics and human rights. over the same period in 2019. Ending the year on a high note, the QFC maintained its business growth for the 8th consecutive year, despite the unprecedented global economic slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 Bitterness of loss, grief opens door to loneliness, mental illnesses pandemic. message on my phone the is that we need to learn how loneliness and grief. Perhaps The expansion of the QFC-registered firms, which night my father died due to to mourn together! So, you will agree with me that represents a variety of industries, both financial and complications from Corona- sadness is not a simple the bitterness of loss and non-financial services, included a record increase of virus after he was previously internal reaction that results intense sadness opens the 139.5 percent in the digital sector. hospitalised in intensive care automatically from the expe- door to loneliness, isolation All the data indicate that the economy is now recov- unit in one of the hospitals.” rience of loss, but if I can say and other mental illnesses. ering strongly. Moreover, between the it is a way of understanding Yet when we go back a torrents of tears as he spoke, and acting, it is a way to little further, we are aware he moved one of his arms to think with sadness or that with the development of get rid of fatigue that respond with sadness (to a the pandemic, people have DR. YOUSUF ALI AL MULLA appeared on his pale face loss) and it is a method that had to face a series of losses and added in a tone of we learn first from our such as loss of sense of D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR One of the sons remember sadness – “And I was on the parents and from other close security, social ties, jobs and his father who passed away sofa in my living room some- relationships around us. financial security as well. EMAIL: [email protected] from COVID-19 and he finds where outside of the Not to mention that each From now on, people may sadness ingrained in himself homeland, such pandemic of the individuals (deceased have understood that people EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 as he listens over and over to insisted that I stay away relative) suffered from grief will be exposed to new losses FAX: +974 4455 7758 a voice message from his when everything in me for the same person - the that we cannot yet predict. father, which he saved on his wanted to be with him.” suffering of losing a husband, As such, this leads us to MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 phone. He tells him what son Sadly situations like losing a parent, losing a become aware that we not should do (Just wait there, do these, perhaps -you agree brother, losing a cousin or only mourn what we lose, DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 what you are supposed to do. with me- that many of us losing a friend, however they but also the ways in which Take a rest, more fluids.. feel lonely at the present did so in a special and these losses affect how we LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 Sleep and sleep ... I love you. time when trying to perhaps distinctive way, feel. Goodbye) -The message is 15 overcome many losses and because of their relationship Somehow, after a period of BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 seconds long - which he had, try to address their personal with the deceased, their time, we will notice that while received a few years ago grief. This undoubtedly emotional temper and their many people will be resilient SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 when he was sick with the becomes evident when we own nature of grief. in the face of the changes flu. do not get support, then On the other hand, you brought about by the Corona- ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 And this son sighed sadness gets added with guilt might remember and say we virus, this global crisis will test email: [email protected] deeply and said: “When I and confusion, but more a were all there for each other others in different ways. As hear this message, I hear my person may think here that and often in the same room things return to normal, most PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 father’s accent and I hear the there is something wrong together, which is true but at of us will also return to some- email: [email protected] humor and vitality that can with him and wonder why the end of the day, you will thing normal, but there is a make me smile even when I we cannot collect it and get be alone in your own expe- group of people who will be ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 am sick.” However, the son out of it? rience of grief , Is it not like exposed to chronic disorders FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] continued, “My dad didn’t In fact, our grief and its that? Even if you were for- and they will need support in leave this message because experience cannot be fully tunate enough to have loved their recovery. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 he thought I needed him to expressed. On the contrary, ones who stayed by your side email: [email protected] tell me what to do. He just we need more family as you cope with a difficult Dr.Yousuf Ali Al Mulla is wanted me to know he was members and friends who loss, you may still find physician, medical innovator SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 thinking of me. I found the will support us. What I mean yourself struggling with and writer. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar To see the insurrection, horrific acts of Jan 6, were not only /ThePeninsulaQatar personally devastating, but created in me a commitment to redouble our efforts, to fight hate and to fight one of the /Peninsula_Qatar greatest threats that we face currently on our homeland, /ThePeninsulaNewspaper which is the threat of domestic terrorism. Alejandro Mayorkas, US Homeland Security Secretary +974 6698 6188 FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 ASIA 09 Biden, South Korea’s Moon vow to mend alliance shaken by Trump

BLOOMBERG world, reaffirming security commit- Former president Donald Trump ments in calls with several of China’s US President Joe Biden and his South neighbours since taking office January Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in had repeatedly accused South 20. Biden also spoke with Australian agreed to upgrade their alliance and Korea of short-changing the US Prime Minister Scott Morrison yes- cooperate on North Korea, as they and demanded a five-fold increase terday and discussed issues including sought to mend ties shaken by Trump in payments to support the 28,500 “dealing with China” and holding “to administration policies. American troops based there. account those responsible for the coup Biden and Moon vowed to in Burma,” according to a White House strengthen an alliance that has been statement. “the linchpin for peace and prosperity The call comes weeks after Moon in Northeast Asia,” the White House to maintaining troop levels in South said he anticipates an early summit said in a statement. They also pledged Korea. with Biden to revive nuclear talks with to closely cooperate on the denuclear- “I welcomed ‘America’s return’ in North Korea. The Trump adminis- isation of the Korean Peninsula, South the midst of mounting global chal- tration made little progress in winding Korean presidential spokesman Kang lenges such as COVID-19, climate down Pyongyang’s atomic ambitions Min-seok said in a briefing yesterday change and economic polarisation,” despite three face-to-face meetings after a phone between the two leaders. Moon said on his Facebook page. between the former US president and Russia PM visits Kazakhstan Moon acknowledged the impor- “Biden and I pledged to further North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Askar tance of three-way security cooper- upgrade the ROK-US alliance, an Kim marked Biden’s election win Mamin pose for a photo during a meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan, yesterday. ation with Japan and the US, and dis- alliance that is anchored in shared by calling the US a “war monster,” just cussed international issues relating to values,” Moon added, referring to before the then president-elect moved China and Myanmar, Kang added. The South Korea by its formal name. into the White House in January. Kim White House said they “agreed on the Biden said in an interview with the also said at a major ruling party need for the immediate restoration of Yonhap News Agency just ahead of meeting that he would put North N Korea to receive AstraZeneca vaccine democracy in Burma,” using the the US election, he wouldn’t be Korea on a path to develop more REUTERS former name of Myanmar. “extorting Seoul with reckless threats advanced nuclear technologies and according to the COVAX interim dis- Ties between the allies were tested to remove our troops.” The two sides missiles, sending a chilling warning tribution report on Wednesday. under former President Donald have been deadlocked for more than to Biden that the Asian leader is ready North Korea is expected to receive COVAX, which secures vaccines Trump, who repeatedly accused South a year in the funding talks, after to ratchet up security tensions. nearly two million doses of the Astra- for poor countries, is co-led by the Korea of short-changing the US and Trump sought about $5bn annually The Biden administration has indi- Zeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine by GAVI alliance, the World Health demanded a five-fold increase in pay- from South Korea, well above the cated it may be ready to ease sanc- the first half of this year, said agencies Organization (WHO), the Coalition for ments to support the 28,500 American $900m in a stopgap one-year tions in exchange for steps by Kim to leading the COVAX vaccine-sharing Epidemic Preparedness Innovations troops based there. agreement that expired at the start of freeze, cap and wind down his atomic programme. and the UN Children’s Fund. In October, the Trump adminis- 2020. arsenal. That could help Kim fix an The COVAX Facility will distribute North Korea has not reported a tration further strained the seven- The Biden administration has sig- economy that has only gotten smaller 1.992 million doses of the vaccine pro- single case of COVID-19 till date, decade alliance when, for the first nalled an early focus on shoring up since he took power about a decade duced by the Serum Institute of India, according to the WHO website. time, it withheld the US commitment the country’s alliances around the ago. Philippine ice plant ammonia leak leaves 2 dead, 90 sickened Pakistan tests nuclear capable AP — MANILA, PHILIPPINES Marcelo Ice Plant died after toxic to people in large amounts, return when the leak eased medical and burial expenses. exposure to ammonia fumes on officials said. hours later, officials said. The plant has been ordered ballistic missile An ammonia leak from an ice Wednesday and the body of a More than 20 remained in Tiangco said investigators closed and won’t reopen until plant in the Philippine capital second employee, the plant’s a hospital, complaining of were trying to determine if it puts in place additional QNA — ISLAMABAD region left two dead and more electrician, was found in the breathing difficulties, eye and ammonia leaked from a pipe or safeguards. than 90 others injured or building yesterday. skin irritation and other was set off after a half-filled Safety checks in other ice Pakistan conducted a sickened while hundreds of More than 90 residents and illnesses. tank exploded. plants and cold storage ware- successful training launch of residents fled to safety, an employees were taken to hos- Hundreds of residents near He apologised to the houses in Navotas, one of Asia’s surface to surface ballistic official said yesterday. pitals after being exposed to the the ice plant fled to safety after victims, saying the company, largest fish ports, will be taken missile Ghaznavi. Navotas City Mayor Toby leaking ammonia, which is used smelling the pungent fumes which is partly owned by his to avoid a repeat of the accident, The ballistic missile is Tiangco said an employee of TP as a refrigerant but could be Wednesday but started to mother, would shoulder all officials said. capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads up to a range of 290 kilometres, a statement issued by the WHO investigators meet armed forces media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said. managers, residents in Wuhan The launch of Ghaznavi AP — WUHAN, CHINA The team yesterday spent around missile was culmination of two hours meetings with managers and Annual Field Training Exercise World Health Organization investigators residents at the Jiang Xin Yuan com- of Army Strategic Forces looking for clues into the origin of the munity administrative centre in Wuhan’s Command, it said. coronavirus in the central Chinese city Hanyang District. No details were given. of Wuhan said that the Chinese side has Official statistics shows that there provided a high level of cooperation, but were at least 16 confirmed COVID-19 China reports cautioned against expecting immediate cases in the community last year among results from the visit. nearly 10,000 people living there when small uptick in “I keep saying that we need to be the virus broke out. realistic, a short mission like this one will Earlier, Daszak tweeted images of new virus cases not have all the answers but it helps media outside the virology institute, advance the understanding of the #viru- saying: “Thanking the press for their REUTERS — BEIJING sorigin #wuhan,” Hung Nguyen-Viet, co- patience and interest in getting this news leader of the Animal and Human Health out to the world. The work is moving China reported 30 new Program of the International Livestock ahead & we look forward to being able COVID-19 cases on the Security guards stand outside a facility where WHO team is working in Wuhan, Hubei Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, said to talk about the results as soon as pos- mainland on Wednesday, province, China, yesterday. in a tweet yesterday. sible.” The Wuhan Institute of Virology official data showed yesterday, In an earlier tweet, zoologist and has collected extensive virus samples, up slightly from 25 cases a day team member Peter Daszak praised leading to unproven allegations that it representatives, the spokesperson for the virus to traders who carried it to earlier but still well below the Wednesday’s meetings with staff at the may have caused the original outbreak China’s National Health Commission, Mi Wuhan but that has yet to be proven. peaks seen at the height of the key Wuhan Institute of Virology, by leaking the virus into the surrounding Feng, told reporters at a briefing The first clusters of COVID-19 were latest wave last month. including with Deputy Director Shi community. China has strongly denied Thursday. detected in Wuhan in late 2019, The National Health Com- Zhengli, a virologist who worked with that possibility. It is likely to take years and multiple prompting the government to put the mission said in a statement Daszak to track down the origins of SARS Along with the institute, the WHO investigations in many parts of the globe city of 11 million under a strict 76-day that 17 of the new cases were that originated in China and led to the team that includes experts from 10 to confirm the origins of the virus lockdown. China has since reported locally transmitted infections. 2003 outbreak. nations has visited hospitals, research because of the exhaustive research, more than 89,000 cases and 4,600 Northeastern Jilin province “Extremely important meeting today institutes, a traditional market tied to including taking animal samples, genetic deaths — the bulk of them in Wuhan — reported eight new cases, with staff at WIV including Dr Shi the outbreak and other sites. analysis and epidemiological studies with new cases largely concentrated in while neighbouring Hei- Zhengli. Frank, open discussion. Key Members of the team have met with required to pin down an outbreak’s its northeast and local lockdowns and longjiang province reported questions asked & answered.,” Daszak institute researchers and management, animal reservoir. One possibility is that travel restrictions being imposed to four and the city of Shanghai tweeted. experts, vendors, residents and media a wildlife poacher might have passed contain the outbreaks. saw three new cases. Hebei province reported two new COVID-19 cases. The 7 insurgents, 2 troops remaining 13 cases were Japan space scientists to study source of imported infections that orig- killed in separate raids inated from overseas. Aggressive curbs that in Pakistan high heat on samples from distant asteroid included lockdowns, travel restrictions and mass testing AP — MULTAN, PAKISTAN AP — TOKYO the surface in a crater made by Hay- His earlier study, jointly conducted appear to have prevented the abusa2 when it landed a second time with Brown University scholars and latest wave of the disease from Pakistani security forces and police acting on Japanese space experts said yesterday three months later. more than 30 other institutions, was spreading throughout China, intelligence on Wednesday raided suspected they will examine soil samples brought Based on near-infrared spectro- published in the magazine Nature even as the country endured militant and separatist hideouts, triggering back from a distant asteroid in an photometer analysis of data trans- Astronomy last month. its worst period of COVID-19 shootouts that killed seven insurgents and attempt to find the source of heat that mitted by Hayabusa2, JAXA scientists JAXA is continuing an initial exam- infections since March 2020. two soldiers. altered the celestial body, in their found that the asteroid was exposed ination of the asteroid samples ahead Local and national govern- Kamran Hussain, an official with Paki- search for clues to the origin of the to extremely high temperatures both of fuller studies next year. Scientists ments remain vigilant and stan’s counter-terrorism department, said in solar system and life on Earth. on its surface and underground, pos- will also examine possible traces of continued to discourage travel a statement the first raid took place in the dis- Scientists at the Japan Aerospace sibly caused by an internal source of organic matter in hopes they will during the upcoming Lunar trict of Dera Ghazi Khan in the south of Punjab Exploration Agency said they have heat or planetary collisions rather than provide insights into the origins of the New Year holiday break that province. made a preliminary examination of heat from the sun. solar system and life on Earth. begins on February 11. The The raid left three militants from the out- 5.4 grammes (0.19 ounce) of soil, far Kohei Kitazato, a University of Aizu Following studies in Japan, some number of travellers during lawed Balochistan Republican Army dead, he more than the minimum 0.1 gramme planetary scientist working with JAXA, of the samples will be shared with the period, when hundreds of said. The group is known for targeting Paki- sample they had hoped for, which the said his team found indications of heat NASA and other international space millions typically return home stani troops, police and gas pipelines in south- Hayabusa2 spacecraft brought back exceeding 300 degrees Celsius (572 agencies for additional research. for family visits or go sight- western Balochistan. in December from the asteroid Ryugu, degrees Fahrenheit) both on the Hayabusa2 is continuing on an seeing, is expected to be down Hussain said officers also seized a cache more than 300 million kilometres (190 asteroid surface and underground. 11-year expedition to another small sharply this year amid of weapons in the raid. million miles) from Earth. He said the soil underground and distant asteroid, 1998KY26, to heightened precautions. Hours later, troops raided a militant com- About 3 grammes (0.1 ounce) of the would not reach that temperature from study possible defences against mete- New asymptomatic infec- pound in the former stronghold of the Paki- black granules are from Ryugu’s the heat of the sun alone, suggesting orites that could fly toward Earth, tions same as a day earlier. The stani Taliban in the North Waziristan district, surface and were gathered when Hay- that radiative internal heat or plan- while conducting various tests that total number of confirmed triggering a shootout that killed four insur- abusa2 touched down on the asteroid etary collisions affected Ryugu when could be used in future Japanese space mainland COVID-19 cases now gents and two soldiers, according to a mil- in April 2019. About 2 grams of larger it was still part of a parent body bil- missions, including its planned 2024 stands at 89,649, while the itary statement. The statement said four sol- fragments, up to about 1 centimetre lions of years ago, causing evaporation MMX sample-return mission from one death toll remained diers were also wounded in the raid. (0.4 inch), were obtained from under of its water. of the Martian moons. unchanged at 4,636. 10 EUROPE FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 Britain explores mixing COVID-19 vaccine shots REUTERS — LONDON Among coronavirus “The number of mutations has little actual relevance as British researchers are to variants currently many mutations emerge and explore mixing doses of the most concerning for disappear continuously,” Gupta Pfizer and AstraZeneca said. “Scientists are using ‘var- COVID-19 vaccines in a world scientists and public iants’ to describe viruses with first trial aimed at finding new health experts are mutations that are transmitting ways to swiftly reduce corona- the so-called British, in the general population — virus infections as new mutated there aren’t 4,000 of those.” variants emerge. South African and The so-called British While thousands of indi- Brazilian variants, variant, known as VUI- vidual changes have arisen as 202012/01 or B.1.1.7., has muta- the virus mutates on replication which appear to tions including a change in the and evolves into new variants, spread more swiftly spike protein that the corona- only a tiny minority are likely virus uses to bind to the human to be important or change the than others. ACE2 receptor - meaning that virus in an appreciable way, it is probably easier to catch. according to the British Medical “We have about 50 percent Journal. especially when it comes to of the world’s genome A man prepares to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from a member of the Hampshire Among coronavirus variants severe illness and hospitali- sequencing industry, and we are Fire and Rescue Service at Basingstoke Fire Station, in Basingstoke, Britain, yesterday. currently most concerning for sation,” Zahawi told Sky News. keeping a library of all the var- scientists and public health “All manufacturers, Pfizer- iants so that we are ready to Arab Emirates, the United Pfizer vaccine followed by a The British researchers experts are the so-called British, BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford- respond - whether in the Kingdom, Bahrain, the United booster of AstraZeneca’s, as behind the trial said data on South African and Brazilian var- AstraZeneca and others, are autumn or beyond - to any States and then Spain, Italy and well as vice versa, with intervals vaccinating people with the two iants, which appear to spread looking at how they can challenge that the virus may Germany. of four and 12 weeks. different types of vaccine could more swiftly than others. improve their vaccine to make present and produce the next Britain on Thursday The trial will be the first of help understanding of whether British Vaccine Deployment sure that we are ready for any vaccine,” Zahawi said. launched a trial to assess the its kind to combine a mRNA shots can be rolled out with Minister Nadhim Zahawi said variant - there are about 4,000 The COVID-19 pandemic immune responses generated shot - the one developed by greater flexibility, and might current COVID-19 vaccines variants around the world of has killed 2.268 million people if doses of the vaccines from Pfizer and BioNtech - and a even increase immunity. would probably still protect COVID now.” worldwide since it emerged in Pfizer and AstraZeneca are adenovirus viral vector vaccine Matthew Snape, an Oxford people against infection with Ravi Gupta, a professor of China in late 2019, according to combined in a two-shot of the type developed by Oxford vaccinologist who is leading the the new variants, but this would microbiology at Cambridge a Reuters tally. schedule. Initial data on University and AstraZeneca. trial, said mixing different shots need to be closely monitored. University, said Zahawi had Israel is currently far ahead immune responses is expected AstraZeneca’s shot is separately had proven effective in Ebola “Its very unlikely that the mis-spoken and was referring of the rest of the world on vac- to be generated around June. being trialled in combination vaccine schedules, and though current vaccine won’t be to individual mutations, not cinations per head of popu- The trial will examine the with another viral vector the new trial mixed vaccine tech- effective on the variants... variants. lation, followed by the United responses to an initial dose of vaccine, Russia’s Sputnik V. nologies, it could also work.

UK strips Chinese state television Diverse east London grapples with coronavirus surge AP — LONDON hospital administrative worker, While case rates have come “People are taking their fying as white British. channel CGTN of live in the outer London down significantly, local leaders chances — is it about feeding Numerous studies have Taxicab driver Gary Nerden borough of Redbridge, which in said the situation remained my children, or risking myself shown that the pandemic is broadcast licence knows colleagues who got seri- mid-January had the country’s critical and the borough was with COVID? And of course, causing disproportionate ously ill from COVID-19. He second-highest rate of residents still “in the eye of the storm.” they need to feed their serious illness and deaths AP — LONDON knows the area of east London testing positive for the corona- They say the area’s large children,” Athwal added. “All among ethnic minorities and where he lives and works has virus: 1,571 cases per 100,000 number of essential workers in that accounts for the excess those from poorer households. UK regulators stripped China’s among the highest infection people. Official figures esti- public-facing jobs, combined number of virus infections, the In the UK, Public Health state TV channel of its national rates in the whole of England. mated that at one point, 1 in 15 with dense housing and high deaths, because people are England found that after broadcasting licence But since he can’t afford not to people there had COVID-19 - levels of poverty, contribute to having to go out to do their job.” accounting for factors like age yesterday, after an investi- work, he drives around picking even after the government why the virus has hit it much Many of those lower- and sex, people of Bangladeshi gation cited lack of editorial up strangers for up to 12 hours imposed a third national harder than most places in the income workers with high heritage were dying from control and links to China’s a day, relying on a flimsy plastic lockdown to control a fast- UK. Those factors also make exposure to the virus are from COVID-19 at twice the rate of ruling Communist Party. screen to keep him safe. spreading, more contagious fighting the pandemic there ethnic minority backgrounds, white Britons. Black people and The communications “I’ve got people telling me variant of the virus. particularly challenging. who are among the most other Asian groups also had a watchdog, Ofcom, said it they won’t wear a mask, saying Redbridge and its sur- “We have some of the most at-risk — as well as the hardest 10 percent to 50 percent higher revoked the UK licence for they’re exempt,” said Nerden, rounding areas, which lie on a front-line workers here in the to persuade to get vaccinated. risk of death. China Global Television 57. “I’ve got diabetes, I have to commuter belt between the community: the taxi drivers, the Redbridge’s population is Experts say that is due to a Network, or CGTN, an inter- look after myself. I wipe the capital’s northeast and coastal NHS (National Health Service) among the most diverse in the combination of factors. People national English language sat- handles, the seat belt, after Essex, have been dubbed the workers, the train drivers going country, with large Indian, from minority groups are more ellite news channel. every customer, but that’s all I “COVID triangle” because they into central London, the commuter Pakistani and Bangladeshi likely to live in crowded housing CGTN had been available can do, really.” all topped England’s worst workers, the cleaners,” Redbridge communities and fewer than and to take poorly ventilated on free and pay TV in the UK Nerden and his wife, a infection rates in recent weeks. Council leader Jas Athwal said. 40 percent of residents identi- public transport to go to work. It did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Regulators started looking into the station after receiving Fears raised over Moscow a complaint from a human rights group, Safeguard Defenders, calling for an use of facial recognition investigation into its ownership. THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION identify people who have com- Ofcom is also continuing — TBILISI mitted a crime. to investigate a slew of other “To my arguments that the complaints that it violated Russian authorities are Shulmans were definitely not rules on fairness and accuracy. deploying facial recognition criminals, they could not One was from a former British cameras to identify protesters answer anything, saying that Consulate employee in Hong during rallies in support of they were just (doing their Kong who said he was Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny job),” the lawyer said. detained and tortured by in Moscow, human rights Authorities have said that Chinese police for information groups said, warning that the the police’s heavy-handed on protesters. technology is being used to response to the demonstra- Another was by a British stifle peaceful dissent. tions, which saw thousands of corporate investigator who With more than 105,000 arrests across the country, was said he was forced to confess cameras, Moscow boasts one justified because the protests while imprisoned in China. of the world’s most compre- were illegal and CGTN did not respond to hensive surveillance systems - unauthorised. requests for comment on those which authorities say has Anastasiia Zlobina of claims at the time, and Ofcom helped cut crime and enforce Human Rights Watch, said that said its rulings are still coronavirus lockdown “while the authorities continue pending. restrictions. to deem peaceful unsanctioned In the decision, the French national day of protest Yet, since the system protests illegal, the evolving watchdog said it found that the became fully operational last technology at their disposal will entity that held the station’s People wearing face masks attend a demonstration in Nantes as part of a national day of strikes year, rights activists have noted keep facilitating the crackdown license, Star China Media and protests against layoffs and government’s economic and social policies amid the coronavirus that cameras have been used against such protests.” Limited, didn’t have editorial disease outbreak in France, yesterday. to monitor political demonstra- “Using such technology to responsibility for CGTN’s tions, with a lack of clear rules prosecute peaceful protesters output, which is a licensing allowing for abuse of the at the opposition rallies violates requirement. Star China was system. the freedom of assembly and merely the channel’s dis- Putin’s approval rating holds steady Those concerns were amounts to a discrimination tributor and none of the renewed this week, after two based on political views,” said employees involved in day-to- REUTERS — MOSCOW percent in November among Moscow-based Levada straight weekends of the coordinator for Europe and day operations or decision- 1,616 adults in 50 regions, a rel- pollster, said. “It’s got a bit nationwide protests. Central Asia. making were its employees. Nationwide protests over the atively small sample of Russia’s worse among young people, but Alexander Karavaev, a Moscow’s Department of An application to transfer jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei 145 million population. it practically hasn’t changed for lawyer with Moscow-based Technology, which manages the licence to China Global Navalny and a sweeping police Over the course of the year, the main mass (of people),” he human rights group Agora, said the surveillance system, said in Television Network Corpo- crackdown have so far had little his rating among younger said of the rating. that several of his clients were an emailed statement it ration as part of a planned impact on Russia President respondents had dropped 17 Putin, 68, remained Rus- brought in for questioning on operates in strict accordance restructuring was rejected Vladimir Putin’s approval percent to 51 percent, it said. sia’s most trusted politician Jan. 31 after being picked out with Russian laws and referred because “crucial infor- rating, a survey by independent During the January 29-Feb- with a rating of 29 percent, five by cameras in Moscow. questions on the use of cameras mation” was missing, Ofcom pollster Levada showed ruary 2 polling period, his sup- percentage points down from Among them was Mikhail to law enforcement agencies. said. yesterday. porters had been spurred on by October, while that of Navalny, Shulman, the husband of Moscow’s police did not The watchdog said it gave A court on Tuesday sen- more than 100 million views of 44, rose to 5 percent, putting renowned political scientist reply to a request for comment. CGTN “significant time” to tenced Navalny, a prominent an online video in which him in sixth place, Levada said. Yekaterina Shulman, who was Shulman was held for three comply but those efforts “have Putin opponent, to three and a Navalny said Putin was the The poll highlighted dissat- stopped at a metro station after hours and questioned about the now been exhausted.” half years for parole violations ultimate owner of an opulent isfaction with the authorities he and his wife approached rallies as a witness, before “Following careful consid- he said were trumped up, palace on the Black Sea, an alle- concentrated in the younger officers to inquire about trans- being released with no charges eration, taking account of all ignoring calls from the West gation he denies. generations, with 48 percent of portation closures, said the brought against him, Karavaev the facts and the broadcaster’s and protesters at home to “The euphoria in the 18-24 year-olds saying the lawyer. said. and audience’s rights to release him. liberal community is clearly country was moving in the “They (police) explained The case was not isolated, freedom of expression, we The Levada Centre poll, very exaggerated. The main wrong direction. that the ‘face control’ system said the lawyer, adding he also have decided it is appropriate conducted in the leadup to the mass of the population is Putin’s approval rating hit installed on the subway represented a 21-year-old to revoke the licence for CGTN sentencing, showed an overall responding inertly to all the a low last year during the first cameras had worked,” he said, woman who was detained after to broadcast in the UK,” Ofcom one percent drop in approval events linked to Navalny,” Lev wave of the pandemic and its adding police told him the being spotted by cameras at a said. of Putin to 64 percent from 65 Gudkov, director of the fallout, before recovering. system was normally used to metro station. FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 5-Star opens slightly to Draghi ahead of govt talks REUTERS — ROME Given its large seen as a signal that his cabinet allies should consider working Former European Central Bank presence in with Draghi, one of the most chief Mario Draghi started parliament, the 5-Star respected institutional figures consultations yesterday on in both Italy and Europe. forming a new Italian could play a crucial Given its large presence in government as the largest party role in the coming parliament, the 5-Star could in parliament, the 5-Star play a crucial role in the coming Movement, softened its initial days. Traditionally days. Traditionally opposed to hostility to his appointment. opposed to technocrat technocrat governments, it was With Italy in the middle of governments, it was instinctively hostile to Draghi a health and economic crisis, when he was first given the nod. the head of state gave Draghi a instinctively hostile to However, Luigi Di Maio, the mandate on Wednesday to form Draghi when he was outgoing foreign minister and an administration after the pre- senior 5-Star politician, urged vious coalition government, first given the nod. caution on Thursday. which included the anti-estab- “In my opinion, the 5-Star lishment 5-Star, collapsed in to build substantial unity,” Ber- Movement has the duty to meet acrimony. lusconi said in a statement. (Draghi), listen and then take a He was expected to meet the One of his allies, the far- position,” he said. “It is precisely main parties today, with many right Brothers of Italy, has ruled in these circumstances that a political leaders undecided over out voting for Draghi, while the political force shows itself to be whether to endorse his largest party in the bloc, the mature in the eyes of the appointment or even look to eurosceptic League, has country.” join his new cabinet. sounded at best lukewarm, Draghi is not due to talk to Former prime minister saying early elections would be 5-Star until Saturday when he Silvio Berlusconi suggested he best for the country. will wrap up his consultations Italy’s caretaker Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte speaks to the media outside Chigi Palace, in Rome, might be ready to support a Outgoing Prime Minister and decide if he has sufficient Italy, yesterday. Draghi government — a move Giuseppe Conte, in his first backing to form Italy’s 67th gov- that could cause a schism within public comments on the ernment since World War Two. Draghi is a famously Former prime minister whom we can try to build sub- the right-wing opposition bloc. political tumult, wished Draghi Financial markets have reserved figure and has not said Silvio Berlusconi suggested he stantial unity”. “The decision of the Pres- well and said he hoped the next cheered his sudden arrival on anything in public about the might be ready to help out - a Matteo Renzi, the head of ident of the Republic to appoint government would have a the political scene, hopeful he possible make-up of his cabinet. move that could cause a rift the small Italia Viva party which Mario Draghi to form the new political nature and not com- can spearhead long-awaited One option would be to rely within the right-wing oppo- triggered Conte’s downfall by government goes in the prise only unaffiliated reforms to boost growth in a on the parties that made up the sition bloc. withdrawing from the cabinet, direction we have been indi- technocrats. country that has long underper- outgoing coalition, but he is Praising the decision to has offered Draghi uncondi- cating for weeks: that of a per- The words of Conte — formed its European peers, more likely to seek broad cross- appoint Draghi, Berlusconi said tional support and said on sonality with a high institutional himself not a member of any weighing down the whole euro party support, given the huge in a statement he had “a high Thursday a new government profile around whom we can try party but close to 5-Star — were zone. challenges facing Italy. institutional profile around could take office next week. Pandemic starts to slow down in Portugal Greek PM sees tourism REUTERS — LISBON record 16,432 cases a week ago. Several mayors, a doctor’s Wednesday over what he New deaths and the number husband and even a priest’s acknowledged were “irregular- rebound in summer Portugal’s chief health officer of people in hospital have also mother have been vaccinated ities” in the process of selecting sought yesterday to reassure fallen for the past five days, in the period where only which workers should be vac- REUTERS — ATHENS people angry about vaccine although the number of people frontline health workers, care cinated at the Red Cross Hos- delays and queue-jumping that in ICU remained high. In all, home residents and those aged pital where he is the chief Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos they will get vaccinated, while Portugal has recorded 13,482 over 80 were meant to be executive. Mitsotakis (pictured) has the number of daily new coro- deaths and 748,858 cases. receiving a shot. In a country of 10.3 million forecast a strong rebound in navirus cases and deaths edged Like other EU countries, Opposition party PSD said people, only around 365,000 tourism this summer, saying down. Portugal has been slower than those responsible should face have so far received any speedy vaccination drives in For the past fortnight, Por- Britain or the United States to criminal charges as heavy crit- vaccine, of whom nearly key markets including Britain tugal has suffered the highest roll out vaccines, with stories icism came from lawmakers, 85,000 have had a second dose. and Israel will pave the way for seven-day rolling average of of people getting vaccinated unions and frustrated citizens Discontent with vaccination tourists to return despite the deaths and new infections in the ahead of their allocated slot towards queue-jumpers. has reached the country’s current industry gloom. world, reaching peak levels in prompting strong criticism. “Vaccination fraud under- famed “pasteis de nata”’ custard Tourism, which accounts cases, deaths, hospitalisations “Everyone will be vacci- mines citizens’ confidence in tarts. Over the weekend, a for about a fifth of the Greek and ICU patients at the end of nated — we cannot all get (a their institutions,” nurse Mario regional unit of ambulance economy and employs one in vaccinations and the European January. shot) on the same day. There Macedo wrote on Twitter. “Vac- service INEM said it had used five workers, collapsed last Commission has come under But just over two weeks are priorities,” director of public cines are scarce. Fraud can leftover COVID-19 shots to vac- year as the coronavirus pan- fire for its handling of the issue into a nationwide lockdown, the health Graça Freitas told delay the goal of protecting the cinate workers of a pastry shop demic sent its revenues and for a damaging row with spread of infections seemed to reporters. “People must trust most vulnerable.” next door to its building in the slumping to ¤4bn ($4.8bn) drugs maker AstraZeneca. be slowing. The country the system. The system will The head of Portugal’s vac- city of Porto - prompting ques- from 18 billion in 2019. But Mitsotakis defended reported 7,914 new cases on invite everyone to be cination task force, Francisco tions over why the shots had not Since last summer, when the EU decision to centralize Thursday, less than half of the vaccinated.” Ramos, stepped down on gone to priority workers. the pandemic subsided across procurement to avoid the Europe, the virus has surged, acrimony last year over pro- triggering renewed lockdowns tective equipment and venti- Brazil shuts and travel restrictions and lators, saying it had helped pushing the region’s death toll smaller countries get a fair down Car Wash above 750,000, with recently share of the vaccines. commenced vaccination Greece has created its own anti-graft squad rollouts still some way from standard vaccination certificate bringing numbers down. and is pushing for a European REUTERS — BRASILIA “I am a realist but I am also Union-wide certification cautiously optimistic that we system, which could be elec- Brazil’s Car Wash anti- will do much better than last tronic. There is still an EU corruption unit has officially year,” Mitsotakis said. debate on whether certificates shut down, the end of an era Greece’s economy is should be required for cross- for a team of prosecutors that expected to rebound by some border travel. helped send dozens of Latin 4.8 percent this year after a 10 Mitsotakis said certificates American political and percent fall in 2020 and the would not be mandatory for business leaders to jail, government expects a signif- visitors this summer but he including several former pres- icant rise from the second noted that Britain and Israel idents. quarter of the year. But a lot were leading the way in the The task force, which will depend on at least a partial speed of their vaccination stemmed from a routine return of summer tourists. rollouts. “Essentially we are money-laundering investi- “Last year we were at dependent on the pace of vac- gation into a car wash in Bra- 20-25 percent of what we cination in our main markets,” silia, ceased to exist on would have gotten in a regular he said. Monday, although its disso- year. If we were to get 50 “For example, Israel is a lution was not announced percent of what a regular year very important market for until Wednesday by the would look like, it’s still going Greece and if 70% of the Israeli federal prosecutors’ office to be 100 percent better than population is vaccinated by the (MPF). CoronaVac vaccine shipment arrives in Brazil last year,” Mitsotakis said. end of March, it makes it easier Some of its prosecutors European Union countries to gradually start opening up will be transferred to the A refrigerated container with doses of the CoronaVac, Sinovac Biotech’s vaccine against the coronavirus still lag far behind others like to Israelis who have a real organized crime unit of the disease, is being unload at Viracopos International Airport, in Campinas, Brazil, yesterday. Israel and Britain in interest in travelling.” MPF, where they will continue their work, the agency’s statement said. The Car Wash squad began Ecuador to pick new president amid deepening economic crisis its work in 2014, focusing on contracting graft at state-run AP — QUITO businesses that have survived and are taking advantage of the the oil, mining and energy crossroads. There’s deep oil company Petrobras, around here.” publicly funded election system sectors through the partici- political polarization that has although its scope quickly Evidence of the crisis in Ecuador Now, how soon Viteri and to run their campaigns. pation of private entities to plagued the country since the expanded. is everywhere: shuttered fellow landlords start making One of the two main con- replace state financing. end of the Rafael Correa admin- Former presidents and restaurants, soaring oxygen money off their properties again tenders is Andrés Arauz, who In a distant third place in the istration, and ever since, the major companies throughout tank prices and countless “for may very well depend on who was picked by Correa — still a polls comes Yaku Pérez, repre- political parties have been Latin America, thought for sale” and “for rent” signs gets elected president on powerful political force despite senting an Indigenous party. divided between whoever sup- years to be untouchable, were hanging from buildings. The Sunday. his conviction on corruption The nation of about 17.4 ports Correa - they call it “Cor- implicated in sprawling cor- South American country’s Democratic institutions charges. Arauz has proposed million people on South Amer- reismo’ - and whoever supports ruption schemes uncovered by beleaguered economy and the came under stress during Rafael making the wealthy pay more ica’s west coast began experi- a transition that leads to some- the investigators. coronavirus pandemic are Correa’s 10-year presidency, taxes and strengthen consumer encing an economic slowdown thing different, more plural, less Among prominent figures pushing millions to despair. which ended in 2017, and the protection mechanisms, public largely driven by the drop in oil authoritarian.” sent to jail because of the “There used to be a res- policies enacted by the suc- banking and local credit and prices in 2015. Correa became president in investigation were popular taurant in my retail space, but cessor of President Lenín savings organizations. He has “Ecuador is one of the most 2007. He was an ally of former former President Luiz Inacio the country’s crisis caused the Moreno will dictate how quickly said he will not comply with unstable countries in Latin Venezuelan President Hugo Lula da Silva. Outside of Brazil, tenants to leave, and right now, this oil-rich country climbs out agreements with the Interna- America. There’s a recession, Chavez, was accused of ex-presidents in Peru, El Sal- few people have money to eat of the crisis. tional Monetary Fund. deep political instability, (and) increasing authoritarianism vador and Panama were also out every day,” said Fausto More than a dozen candi- The other leading candidate in October 2019, there was a while in office and declared jailed as a result of investiga- Viteri, who is trying to lease or dates have entered the presi- is banker Guillermo Lasso, who massive Indigenous uprising,” Ecuador would default on more tions started by the task force. sell his commercial property in dential race, making a runoff favors free market policies and said Grace M Jaramillo, an than $3bn worth of bonds. He Major international com- a once-vibrant neighbourhood election on April 11 virtually Ecuador’s rapprochement with adjunct professor at the Uni- managed to slash the price of panies, such as Maersk and in Ecuador’s capital city of certain. Two of them have led international organizations. He versity of British Columbia the outstanding bonds, but by Glencore, have also come Quito. the polls in recent months, but has promised to create more whose research includes Latin the end of his tenure the under the investigators’ “Very few of those who most have little to no name rec- jobs and attract international America. country was already in a microscope. come by dare to enter the ognition at the national level banks. He also wants to boost “It’s a country at a recession. 12 AMERICAS FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 US releases some Central American migrants

REUTERS — MEXICO CITY Two shelter managers maximum, safe holding capacity. “Whenever feasible US officials are releasing a said the US Border we are seeking alternatives to significant number of Central Patrol began releasing detention in cases where the American migrant families from families last week to law allows,” she said. custody to shelters in Texas for US data shows that through the first time in almost a year shelters in Laredo and December of this fiscal year, as Mexican authorities make it Brownsville along the 5,175 families were appre- more difficult for the United hended by US immigration States to send them across the stretch of border with authorities between Tamaulipas border. Mexico’s Tamaulipas and Texas, more than anywhere Two shelter managers said else on the border, but less than the US Border Patrol began state. the same period a year earlier. releasing families last week to Overall, border appre- shelters in Laredo and Browns- hension numbers have been ville along the stretch of border not all families will be expelled. rising, above 70,000 in recent with Mexico’s Tamaulipas state, The Biden administration is months and expected to reach the busiest region for illegal immi- trying to undo some harsh 80,000 in January. gration into the United States. Trump-era laws without creating Pimentel said she was told White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan takes questions from journalists during a press Sister Norma Pimentel, exec- a rush on the border. In a sign of by Border Patrol they needed briefing inside the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday. utive director of Catholic Char- the political pressure larger to release some families ities of the Rio Grande Valley, migration flows could create, because of capacity issues. said the Border Patrol has sent Chad Wolf, who was acting sec- She welcomed the move to Executive order to build up capacity around 50 to 80 families to her retary of the Department of send fewer families to Mexico. shelter daily since Jan. 27, rising Homeland Security under Trump Tamaulipas, for example, has a to 150 families yesterday. until January, yesterday tweeted record of violence against to accept refugees expected Tamaulipas recently that the change of Mexican policy migrants, including a massacre stopped receiving Central was a blow to immigration of 19 people in January. A dozen REUTERS — WASHINGTON around the world after four exacerbated by the coronavirus American families with children control. state police have been charged years of cuts to admissions pandemic. under the age of six expelled “This is slowly building to with the crime. White House national security under former US President Biden was expected to issue from Texas, a US source said. a full blown crisis,” he said. “It is not a very humane adviser Jake Sullivan said Donald Trump. the refugee order in conjunction Mexico’s foreign ministry con- For now, however, the response to send them to yesterday that President Joe The UN High Commissioner with a speech yesterday at the firmed “local” adjustments to changes appeared to be narrow Mexico with all of the abuses Biden will issue an executive for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates US State Department that aims policy, citing the implemen- and not in place at other busy they have to deal with. We have order to build up the US there are 1.4 million refugees to reinvigorate the workforce tation of a child protection law sections of the border for a better capacity to handle capacity to accept refugees, but worldwide in urgent need of there, but the order was passed late last year. migration, such as El Paso and them,” she said. the timing of the action remains resettlement. delayed, according to one Under a pandemic-era San Diego. “It is normal that Another shelter manager, unclear. During his presidency, person familiar with the plan. policy put in place by the Trump there are adjustments at a local Mike Smith, director of the Holding White House Press Sec- Trump portrayed refugees as a The reason for the delay was administration in early 2020, level, but that doesn’t mean the Institute Laredo, confirmed fam- retary Jen Psaki said later in the security threat and a drain on not clear. border officials were quickly practice has changed or ilies had started being released briefing that she did not expect US communities as he took a Biden vowed on the cam- expelling almost all migrants ceased,” a Mexican foreign min- about a week and a half ago. Biden to issue the order on series of measures to restrict paign trail to raise the annual caught crossing the border istry spokesman said. Mexico only agreed to allow Thursday, but that Biden is legal migration to the United refugee ceiling to 125,000, up including families with children. Customs and Border Pro- the United States to turn around “committed to looking for ways States. The Biden adminis- from a record-low 15,000 set If the restrictions on family tection spokeswoman Central Americans caught to ensure more refugees are tration is confronting a refugee by Trump for this fiscal year. returns were to extend to other Stephanie Malin said a steady crossing the border illegally, welcomed into the United program hobbled by Trump’s Biden eventually plans to states and be applied more increase in border encounters, including families with States.” restrictive policies, which led raise refugee levels this year, broadly, US officials fear it aggravated by COVID-19 children, under a US health law Biden is expected to take to the closure of resettlement but the target will be lower than could fan already rising restrictions and social dis- called Title 42 implemented in steps to restore the United offices and disrupted the his goal of 125,000, according migration from Central tancing guidelines, had caused March as the coronavirus pan- States’ historic role as a country pipeline of refugees to the to two people familiar with the America, as word spreads that some facilities to reach demic spread. that welcomes refugees from United States, a situation matter.

Mexico arrests ex-governor in Biden flexible on who gets aid, tells lawmakers to ‘go big’ AP — WASHINGTON hurting in our country today,” Democrats at the White House, into law. Democrats moved could still win over GOP support. case of tortured Biden said on a private call with deepening his public ahead with preliminary steps, “I think we’ll get some President Joe Biden encouraged House Democrats. “We need to engagement with lawmakers on including a House budget vote Republicans,” Biden said. journalist Democratic lawmakers to “act act. We need to act fast.” his American Rescue Plan. Wednesday largely along party With a rising virus death toll fast” on his $1.9 trillion COVID On the direct payments, Together the virus and eco- lines, to approve it on their own, and strained economy, the goal AP — MEXICO CITY rescue plan but also signaled Biden said he doesn’t want to nomic aid is his first legislative over Republicans objections. A is to have COVID-19 relief he’s open to changes, including budge from the $1,400 priority and a test of the admin- group of 10 Republican senators approved by March, when extra Mexican authorities arrested a limiting the proposed $1,400 promised to Americans. But he istration’s ability to work with offered a $618bn alternative unemployment assistance and former governor on charges that direct payments to Americans said he is willing to “target” the Congress to deliver. with slimmer $1,000 direct pay- other pandemic aid measures he had a reporter who investi- with lower income levels, which aid, which would mean low- Biden’s remarks to the ments and zero aid for states and expire. Money for vaccine dis- gated his role in a pedophilia ring could draw Republican support. ering the income threshold to Democratic House caucus were cities, but Biden panned it as tributions, direct payments to illegally arrested and tortured, Biden told lawmakers in qualify. relayed by two people who insufficient, though private talks households, school reopenings an official said yesterday. private comments Wednesday “I’m not going to start my requested anonymity to discuss with the Republicans continue. and business aid are at stake. Interior Secretary Olga that he’s “not married” to an administration by breaking a the private conference call. At the start of his meeting White House press sec- Sánchez Cordero confirmed the absolute number for the overall promise to the American While Biden is trying to build with Senate Majority Leader retary Jen Psaki said the pres- arrest of Mario Marín, ex-gov- package but wants them to “go people,” he said. bipartisan support from Repub- Chuck Schumer and 10 top ident fully recognizes the final ernor of Puebla, in Acapulco big” on pandemic relief and Biden spoke with House licans, he is also prepared to rely Senate Democratic committee package may look different the previous day. Yesterday, “restore the soul of the country.” Democrats and followed with on the Democratic majority in chairmen in the Oval Office, than the one he initially Marín was scheduled to appear “Look, we got a lot of people a meeting of top Senate Congress to push the package Biden sounded confident he proposed. before a judge in Cancun. Marín, of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, governed Puebla from 2005 to 2011. He New California vaccine sites was a close friend of textile magnate José Kamel Nacif, to address disparity also considered a fugitive. Journalist Lydia Cacho had REUTERS — LOS ANGELES high-risk jobs in food service, reported on Marín’s role as factories, warehouses and political protector of the pedo- New vaccination centres are to healthcare, have been ravaged philia ring and published a open this month in the heart of by the pandemic. book in early 2005. In two urban California commu- They also suffer dispropor- December 2005, Marín sent nities especially hard hit by the tionately from chronic under- police to arrest Cacho in coronavirus, as state and lying health conditions, such as Cancun and drive her to federal officials try to tackle diabetes and heart disease, that Puebla. During that 20-hour racial and economic disparities put them at higher risk of drive she was tortured. hindering US immunization severe illness if infected by the For years, Marín moved efforts. coronavirus. freely in public despite Cacho’s Joint plans to launch the Their risk of exposure, and allegations. Finally in 2019, a two sites on February 16, at the the risk of transmitting the judge in Quintana Roo state Oakland-Alameda Coliseum in virus to others, is further issued a warrant for his arrest. Oakland and the California amplified by rampant over- Leopoldo Maldonado, a State University campus in east crowded housing in the greater lawyer with the Artículo 19 Los Angeles, were detailed sep- Los Angeles and the San Fran- press freedom organization arately on Wednesday by Gov- cisco Bay areas, where multi- and a representative of Cacho, ernor Gavin Newsom and the generational households fre- told Milenio TV Thursday that Biden administration’s quently live in cramped Marín was now held in the COVID-19 response coordi- conditions. same Cancun prison where Bid for cancelling students' debt nator, Jeff Zients. Public health experts have businessman Jean Succar Kuri, The two sites, which the pointed to extreme over- already convicted of his role state’s Department of Health crowding in Los Angeles Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer holds a news conference to reintroduce a resolution to cancel in the ring, is serving his said will be capable of admin- housing as a primary factor sentence. up to $50,000 of student loan debt, at the Capitol in Washington, DC, yesterday. istering several thousand driving the year-end wave of shots per day each, mark the infections that turned Southern first of more than 100 such California into a US epicenter vaccination centers expected of the pandemic. High levels of toxic heavy metals found in baby foods to be established in commu- Moreover, skepticism about nities of color across the the safety of vaccines runs par- REUTERS — WASHINGTON adding that it was “greatly con- metals permitted in baby foods future generations.” United States, according to ticularly deep in minority and cerned” that Walmart Inc, and require manufacturers to A Food and Drug Adminis- Newsom. working-class communities US congressional investigators Campbell Soup Co and Sprout test finished products for heavy tration (FDA) spokesman said “Equity is the call of this long distrustful of government found “dangerous levels of toxic Organic Foods refused to coop- metals, not just ingredients. it was reviewing the report. moment,” Newsom told authorities and lacking access heavy metals” in certain baby erate with the investigation. Representative Raja The agency noted toxic reporters outside the Oakland to healthcare services. foods that could cause neuro- The report said internal Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat elements are present in the coliseum. “The reason this site The race to achieve col- logical damage, a House Over- company standards “permit who chairs the panel that environment and enter the was chosen was the framework lective immunity through sight subcommittee said in a dangerously high levels of toxic released the report, said it food supply through soil, water of making sure that commu- widespread vaccinations has report released yesterday. heavy metals, and documents found “these manufacturers or air. “Because they cannot be nities that are often left behind grown increasingly urgent The panel examined baby revealed that the manufacturers knowingly sell baby food con- completely removed, our goal are not left behind.” with the advent of more highly foods made by Nurture Inc, have often sold foods that taining high levels of toxic is to reduce exposure to toxic Black and Hispanic popu- transmissible coronavirus var- Hain Celestial Group Inc, exceeded those levels” and it heavy metals... It’s time that elements in foods to the lations, overly represented iants, some of which may also Beech-Nut Nutrition and called on US regulators to set we develop much better greatest extent feasible,” the among the working poor and be partially resistant to Gerber, a unit of Nestle, it said, maximum levels of toxic heavy standards for the sake of FDA said. accounting for a large share of vaccines. Business 13

FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 Bank of England upbeat on UK recovery after vaccine rollout Businesses have learned to adapt to lockdown conditions by bolstering their online oprations. The economic effects of lockdowns have attenuated as time has gone on. Andrew Bailey Business | 16 Bank of England Governor QSE 10,431.36 -40.56 (-0.39%) FTSE 100 6,503.72 -4.10 (0.063%) DOW 31,012.13 +288.53 (0.94%) BRENT $58.91 (+0.12)

Qatar Stock Exchange readies 3-year strategic plan SACHIN KUMAR During the meeting, we also liquidity through increased trading subsequently attracted $2.2bn in THE PENINSULA activity (generating more shares foreign capital inflows by 2019. Qatar discussed various topics such available for trading) and to make sin- was similarly upgraded on the FTSE The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) has as launch of a derivatives gular equity shares more affordable to Russell Global Equity Index Series over prepared a three-year strategic plan market and upgrade of Qatar the investors. Within the first month 2016 and 2017, further enhancing the and aims to launch derivatives market. following the stock split, weekly stock market’s depth and liquidity and In a meeting with the Qatar Financial market from Emerging trading volumes on the exchange more expanding its international investor Markets Authority, the QSE presented Market to Advanced Market than doubled driven by foreign insti- base. its strategic plan with the regulator and status, as well as product tutional investors in addition to QSE was among the first stock discussed several important matters increased trading activity from local exchanges in the world to encourage including product diversification and diversification and individual investors. transparency and disclosure by pro- short selling and listing rules. enhancement of SLB, short Market liquidity has been boosted moting the digitalisation of envi- “We held yesterday a Strategy selling and listing rules. by increased trading activity from ronment, social and governance (ESG) Session over a business lunch with the foreign investors. Non-Qatari institu- data. Qatar Financial Markets Authority, tional investors have become much With the support of the Qatar during which we presented our 3-year Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, more active in the past few years. Financial Markets Authority, QSE had strategic plan to align with the Regu- QSE’s Chief Executive Officer The rise in activity followed an launched its online platform Sustaina- lator and update it with the progress increase in foreign ownership limits bility and ESG Dashboard in 2018 to achieved,” QSE’s Chief Executive for QSE listed companies to 49 percent help listed companies to communicate Officer, Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, said to Advanced Market status, as well as individual and institutional investors. in 2014 from 25 percent. This was done their ESG and sustainability per- in a tweet yesterday. product diversification and It implemented a 1:10 stock split in as part of Qatar’s commitment to formance to investors and other rel- “During the meeting, we also dis- enhancement of SLB, short selling and 2019 across all companies on the increase foreign ownership limits fol- evant stakeholders. The online platform cussed various topics such as launch listing rules,” he added. exchange reducing the nominal value lowing the country’s upgrade to also seeks to improve the attractiveness of a derivatives market and upgrade In the past, QSE has taken several of shares to QR1. The purpose of the ‘emerging market’ status on the MSCI of individual companies and the QSE of Qatar market from Emerging Market measures and initiatives to attract stock split was to improve market Emerging Market Index in 2014., which as a whole to international investors. US factory orders beat Yellen warns of ‘tough months’ ahead expectations in December AP — WASHINGTON America faces “an economic crisis that REUTERS — WASHINGTON COVID-19 pandemic. is as serious as I have seen in my lifetime,” But spending on long-lasting Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (pictured) Yellen said. The goal, she said, is to ensure New orders for US-made goods manufactured goods declined warned of “tough months ahead” with that “Americans don’t suffer needlessly.” rose more than expected in for a second straight month in COVID-19 continuing to flare, making it Contributing to the passage of a relief December and business December, government data critical that Congress pass President Joe bill, which she said by some estimates could spending on equipment was showed last week. The distri- Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief package. reduce childhood poverty by 50%, would be solid, pointing to continued bution of vaccines to fight the In her first public interview since “a great legacy for me.” strength in the manufacturing coronavirus is picking up, which becoming Treasury secretary last week, Yellen also spoke about recent stock industry in the near term. is expected to lift spending on Yellen said that Biden is willing to cooperate market trading turmoil that pitted smaller, The Commerce Department services by summer, and slow with Republicans to pass the measure on a online investors against massive hedge said on Thursday that factory the manufacturing momentum. bipartisan basis. funds. That fight, led by a band of traders on orders increased 1.1 percent after The Institute for Supply Democrats in Congress have signaled, Reddit, have sent shares of severely damaged surging 1.3 percent in November. Management reported this week however, that if GOP support is not forth- companies like GameStop and AMC soaring. Economists polled by Reuters had that its index of national factory coming, they are prepared to pass the Yellen said she is meeting later Thursday forecast factory orders gaining activity slipped in January. measure with only Democratic support. with federal regulators from the Securities 0.7 percent in December. Orders Unfilled orders at factories On Wednesday, the House passed on a and Exchange Commission, the Federal dropped 6.6 percent year-on- fell 0.3 percent in December. nearly party-line vote a budget bill that Reserve and the Commodity Futures Trading year. Manufacturing, which Factory goods orders in would allow special rules to be used in the some tough months ahead” until we get Commission. “We really need to make sure accounts for 11.9 percent of the December were boosted by Senate to pass the relief bill by a simple control of the pandemic. that our financial markets are functioning US economy, has been driven by strong demand for machinery, majority rather than the 60 votes needed Asked how it feels to be the first woman properly and efficiently and that investors strong demand for goods such as electrical equipment, appliances for most bills in the Senate. to serve as Treasury secretary, Yellen, was are protected,” she said. electronics and furniture as 23.7 and components, as well as “This is really an urgent need and we also the first woman to lead the Federal The meeting will be focused on what percent of the labor force works primary metals and fabricated need to act big,” Yellen said yesterday on Reserve, said that the legacy she seeks is in happened and whether any regulatory action from home because of the metal products. ABC’s “Good Morning America. “We’ve got the passage of a coronavirus relief measure. is warranted.

Hungary’s GDP growth expected Toyota positions to take on Tesla BUSINESS BRIEFS in high-tech auto software Muscat stock BLOOMBERG to reach double digits in Q2 interested in licensing Tesla’s REUTERS — BUDAPEST government would Toyota Motor Corp. is tapping operating systems. "We have a closes higher launch a new loan a star Silicon Valley roboticist competitive product that can MUSCAT: Muscat Securities Mar- Hungary’s vaccination drive for small businesses to help put the final touches on run on many different types of ket (MSM) general index (30) today will accelerate and could to help them an operating system it says will hardware, so maybe in the gained 2.4 points, comprising a rise potentially enable the country recover from the go up against Tesla Inc.’s. future, Arene can run on Tesla by 0.08 percent to close at 3,606.12 to ease coronavirus restric- impact of the Called Arene, the system hardware.” points, compared to the last session, tions in April after Easter, pandemic. allows new features to be Toyota, which overtook which stood at 3,603.72 points. Prime Minister Viktor Orban Small businesses installed in a car’s existing Volkswagen AG as the world’s The trading value today stood at said yesterday. will be eligible for a hardware over the air and pro- top-selling automaker in Omani Riyal (RO) 1,255,328, com- Nationalist Orban, who 10-year loan of up vides a platform for developers 2020, is facing the same chal- prising a decline by 39.01 percent will face parliamentary elec- to 10m forints to create software. It’s being lenges as all legacy carmakers compared to the last session, which tions in early 2022, is under ($33,726.81) at 0 developed by Toyota’s new as the lines between tech- stood at RO 2,058,369. pressure to reopen the percent interest technology research arm nology and automobiles The market value fell by 0.030 economy. rate. That comes on Woven Planet Holdings Inc., led become increasingly blurred. percent to reach about RO 20.27bn, Finance Minister Mihaly Hungarian Finance Minister Mihaly Varga speaking top of a big boost to by Chief Executive Officer While legacy carmakers have according to MSM report.-QNA Varga said the economy was during a business conference in Budapest. family benefits, and James Kuffner, a former Google experience with mechanical likely to shrink again in the grants to families to engineer. engineering and hardware, first quarter but that the felt about the reopening and renovate their homes, after Tesla is already a leader they’re facing competition Japan and the UK second quarter could be a decisions about easing could Orban’s government went on when it comes to over-the-air from Big Tech firms like turning point, forecasting be made as soon as March 1 a spending spree in view of the updates of a car’s operating Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com agree to enhance gross domestic product would with a view to reopening 2022 elections. systems, which control every- Inc. and Baidu Inc. that are bilateral cooperation rebound by 13.8 percent from around Easter, which falls on Orban also said it was time thing from braking to Wi-Fi, plowing billions of dollars into the same period last year the first weekend in April. for Hungarian ownership to locking and lights. It’s been new areas of intelligent and TOKYO: Japan and the UK agreed when the country entered a “... and then we could increase in more sectors of the upgrading its electric vehicles’ connected mobility. Tie-ups to enhance bilateral cooperation to severe lockdown as the pan- surely live our lives more economy - a key plank of his battery range and autonomous are becoming commonplace. maintain the freedom of navigation demic hit. freely if we observe the rules government’s policies. These functions remotely via updates Conventional automakers and trade in the Pacific and Indian Hungary has already vac- in a disciplined manner until include IT and construction, since 2012. On an earnings call are about three to five years ocean. This came during a meeting cinated nearly 250,000 people then,” Orban told an online after domestic ownership was last week, Chief Executive away from offering over-the- held between the foreign and defense using Pfizer and Moderna’s conference. lifted to above 50 percent in Officer Elon Musk said Tesla is air updates like tesla’s that go ministers in of both countries. vaccines and, first in the Lockdown measures the banking, energy and willing to license its software beyond improving a car’s maps Japan's Foreign Minister European Union, has signed imposed by the government media sectors over the past capabilities to third parties and and entertainment systems, Toshimitsu Motegi said that the deals to buy large quantities in November include a 1900 decade. is already in talks with OEMs. according to some estimates. two countries shared the same of Russia’s Sputnik COVID-19 GMT curfew, a ban on all gath- Businessmen close to "There are many choices, And venturing into the new core principles and values, adding vaccine and Chinese company erings and the closure of Orban and his ruling Fidesz which is a good thing,” Kuffner, realm of software development that cooperation between the two Sinopharm’s vaccine. hotels and restaurants. party have gained a big sway who is in charge of Toyota’s is also expensive — global auto- sides was now more important than Orban said the gov- Hungary has reported 12,832 over the economy, often ben- digital activities, said at a makers’ R&D budgets have ever to ensure a free and open inter- ernment would soon launch a deaths from COVID-19 so far. efiting from state procurement briefing last Friday. He was roughly doubled over the past national system. -QNA national survey on how people Orban also said the contracts and EU funds. asked whether Toyota is decade. 14 BUSINESS FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 15 BUSINESS FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 16 BUSINESS FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 Bank of England upbeat on UK recovery after vaccine rollout AP — LONDON lockdowns have attenuated as As of Wednesday, more Though the British time has gone on,” he said in a than 10 million people in the UK The Bank of England opted economy is shrinking virtual press briefing. have received their first vaccine against another monetary because the UK is in If the British economy con- doses, nearly a fifth of the adult stimulus yesterday amid rising tracts in the first quarter as population. That’s far more than optimism over the British econ- lockdown as a result of a anticipated, it will be around 12 other countries in Europe and omy’s prospects later this year spike in virus infections, percent smaller than it was at has spurred hopes that in the wake of the rapid rollout the central bank appears the end of 2019, before the lockdown restrictions will be of coronavirus vaccines. coronavirus started hurting eased sooner. Though the British economy relatively upbeat about economic activity. Separately, Bailey said the is shrinking because the UK is the outlook for the second Once the restrictions start recently agreed trade deal in lockdown as a result of a half of the year partly to ease, first with the reopening between the UK and the spike in virus infections, the of schools and then subse- European Union was in line central bank appears relatively because of the speed of quently with all shops and pubs with the bank’s predictions and upbeat about the outlook for the the vaccination program. and restaurants, the bank had not yet led to any revision second half of the year partly expects a rapid pickup later this in its projections for the British because of the speed of the vac- year. That would see the British economy. Governor of Bank of England Andrew Bailey delivering a speech cination program. There had been speculation economy grow 5 percent over Businesses are facing diffi- in London. In a statement accompa- that the central bank, which has the course of 2021 despite the culties related to the new eco- nying its decision, the bank’s been proactive through the bond-buying program as is. The scale of the contraction is far first quarter fall. For 2022, the nomic arrangements with the rate-setting Monetary Policy pandemic, could reduce its Since March, the committee has lower than the 20 percent or so bank is pencilling in growth of EU. Though the trade deal, Committee said the economy is main interest rate below zero backed a further £450bn ($615 decline the British economy 7.25 percent. which came into force at the “projected to recover rapidly for the first time in an attempt billion) in asset purchases to endured in the second quarter last The bank said the outlook start of the year, means there towards pre-COVID levels over to get banks to lend more. keep market interest rates low. year during the first lockdown. still remains “unusually are no tariffs on goods exported 2021, as the vaccination pro- Instead, the nine-member Despite hopes surrounding Governor Andrew Bailey uncertain,” largely because of or quotas on the amount sold, gramme is assumed to lead to panel voted unanimously to vaccines, the bank expects the said businesses have learned to unknown developments with businesses are facing addi- an easing of COVID-related maintain the bank’s main British economy to contract by a adapt to lockdown conditions the virus, such as the potential tional costs related to more restrictions and people’s health interest rate at the record low further 4 percent in the first quarter by bolstering their online opra- of new variants that could be form-filling and customs concerns.” of 0.1% and to keep the of 2021 as a result of the lockdown. tions. “The economic effects of resistant to existing vaccines. checks. Boeing to outsource IT work Wall St rises as focus turns to stimulus REUTERS — NEW YORK run-up a couple of days ago,” said Bernstein told the Washington Post to Dell, eliminate 600 jobs Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio yesterday. Wall Street’s main indexes rose manager at Dakota Wealth Man- Videogame retailer GameStop AP — SEATTLE yesterday as investors looked to agement in New York. “The market is Corp fell 10.1%, while cinema operator corporate earnings and signs of digesting earnings news and more AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc Boeing Co. has said it will outsource a progress on a pandemic-relief package importantly the focus is on what type slipped 7.2% as U.S. Treasury Secretary significant amount of information tech- after data suggested the labor market of agreement can come out of Wash- Janet Yellen said that before she and nology work to Dell starting in April, was stabilizing. ington related to stimulus.” financial market regulators took any including support of cloud services, data- The Labor Department’s report Nine of the 11 major S&P sectors action, they needed to “understand bases and information technology. The showed 779,000 Americans filed new advanced in early trading with deeply” what happened in the retail move is expected to eliminate 600 jobs. applications for unemployment ben- financial and technology gaining the trading frenzy in recent days. Susan Doniz, vice president for infor- efits last week, lower than 812,000 in most. All the three major indexes have Concerns over heightened stock mation technology and data analytics for transformation,” she said. the prior week, as authorities started bounced back sharply this week as market valuations, raging pandemic Boeing, told employees yesterday that the Boeing declined to provide a to loosen pandemic-related restric- investors monitored talks over the next and new coronavirus variants have eliminated jobs represent about 10 percent breakdown of the affected jobs by state. tions on businesses. round of fiscal stimulus and as a recent kept investors on edge with attention of the company’s IT staff, The Seattle The Times suggested in its report that the A report on Wednesday showed buying frenzy driven by social media turning towards earnings outlook from Times reported. Doniz said affected biggest layoff hits could come at Boeing’s US private payrolls rebounded more appeared to stall following a bout of corporate America to justify it. employees, most of whom are not major offices in the Puget Sound region, St. than expected in January. The govern- market volatility last week. US companies are on track to post unionized, must either find different work Louis and Charleston, South Carolina. ment’s closely watched and compre- President Joe Biden is open to nar- earnings growth for the fourth quarter within the company, apply to work for Dell “This is a change we would have made hensive monthly employment report rowing the threshold for Americans of 2020, data from Refinitiv showed or be laid off. The move is expected to even without a global pandemic,” Doniz is due on Friday. eligible to receive $1,400 checks as on Wednesday, which would defy increase the company’s efficiency, sim- said. She added that the pandemic “cer- “You’re seeing a little bit of sort of part of coronavirus relief legislation, expectations for profits to drop 10% plify operations and “advance our digital tainly quickened our pace.” calmness or consolidation after a big White House economic adviser Jared due to the pandemic.

QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE

QNBK - QNB 17.31 17.50 17.25 17.50 28,957 17.32 17.24 5,000 17.25 17.25 -0.06 -0.35 491 2,968,289 51,406,063.72 QIBK - Qatar Islamic Bank 17.00 17.00 16.93 17.00 46,467 16.95 16.75 10,000 16.95 16.95 -0.05 -0.29 283 1,000,797 16,992,783.57 CBQK - Comm. Bank of Qatar 4.30 4.34 4.25 4.34 9,820 4.3 4.25 874,667 4.25 4.250 -0.05 -1.16 133 1,506,898 6,465,620.62 DHBK - Doha Bank 2.301 2.302 2.300 2.303 5,000 2.32 2.303 9,878 2.303 2.303 +0.002 +0.09 66 1,043,186 2,401,352.291 ABQK - Ahli Bank 3.62 0.00 0.00 0.00 610 3.62 3.601 3,003 3.62 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 QIIK - Intl. Islamic Bank 8.83 8.840 8.831 8.929 14,952 8.918 8.883 8,728 8.918 8.918 +0.088 +1.00 95 324,132 2,882,032.941 MARK - Rayan 4.381 4.412 4.365 4.420 59,797 4.4 4.376 42,653 4.376 4.38 -0.005 -0.11 324 2,740,516 12,013,917.187 KCBK - Al khalij Commercial Bank 2.02 2.015 2.014 2.016 115,689 2.015 2.013 12,000 2.015 0.00 -0.005 -0.25 40 1,113,671 2,244,088.265 QFBQ - Qatar First Bank (QFC) 1.821 1.830 1.820 1.889 67,000 1.88 1.879 3,633,212 1.879 1.879 +0.058 +3.19 1,116 54,447,091 101,354,268.447 QETF - QE Index ETF 10.406 0.000 0.000 0.000 9,695 10.314 10.266 9,740 10.406 10.267 0.000 0.00 0 0 0.000 QATR - Al Rayan Qatar ETF 2.383 2.380 2.377 2.381 11,900 2.388 2.377 10,381 2.377 2.378 -0.006 -0.25 15 107,503 255,839.964 QATI - Qatar Insurance 2.39 2.419 2.370 2.450 5,000 2.4 2.371 547,947 2.371 2.37 -0.019 -0.79 222 1,444,483 3,480,500.841 DOHI - Doha Insurance 1.555 1.555 1.555 1.555 500 1.565 1.555 14,200 1.555 1.555 0.000 0.00 15 172,007 267,470.885 QLMI - QLM 3.896 3.81 3.81 3.89 7,093 3.85 3.842 10,000 3.85 3.850 -0.05 -1.18 58 225,908 871,644.04 QGRI - General Insurance 2.549 0.000 0.000 0.000 750 2.5 2.42 3,530 2.549 0.000 0.000 0.00 0 0 0.000 AKHI - Alkhaleej Takaful 2.59 2.633 2.513 2.633 9,491 2.592 2.591 50 2.592 2.592 +0.002 +0.08 81 669,240 1,717,800.206 QISI - Islamic Insurance 6.86 6.82 6.82 7.00 24,815 7.0 6.78 2,231 7.00 0.00 +0.14 +2.04 8 14,340 98,868.33 QAMC - QAMCO 0.943 0.939 0.935 0.940 50,000 0.936 0.935 187,265 0.935 0.935 -0.008 -0.85 153 3,507,684 3,286,321.517 QIMD - Ind. Manf. Co. 3.05 3.04 2.97 3.05 1,779 3.032 2.98 18,682 2.98 2.980 -0.07 -2.29 21 87,379 261,437.61 QNCD - National Cement Co. 4.411 4.410 4.400 4.485 20,714 4.415 4.406 1,000 4.406 4.406 -0.005 -0.11 100 624,814 2,750,653.517 ZHCD - Zad Holding Company 15.00 14.73 14.72 14.73 1,000 14.73 14.71 1,000 14.73 14.73 -0.27 -1.80 15 21,032 309,787.64 IQCD - Industries Qatar 11.95 12.06 11.65 12.06 5,000 11.97 11.77 10,000 11.77 11.77 -0.18 -1.51 170 483,186 5,734,322.96 UDCD - United Dev. Company 1.543 1.560 1.549 1.595 9,825 1.575 1.574 2,390,329 1.574 1.574 +0.031 +2.01 1,045 12,109,187 19,032,035.260 QGMD - Qatar German Co. Med 3.273 3.28 2.95 3.39 15,000 3.037 3.0 15,901 3.00 3.000 -0.27 -8.34 646 15,603,906 49,695,365.63 QIGD - The Investors 1.871 1.897 1.850 1.897 237,488 1.866 1.856 5,000 1.866 1.866 -0.005 -0.27 166 2,317,224 4,320,934.221 ORDS - Ooredoo 8.70 8.71 8.20 8.80 6,320 8.5 8.47 1,858 8.50 8.500 -0.20 -2.30 386 931,887 7,969,349.04 QEWS - Electricity & Water 17.82 17.99 17.83 18.00 2,500 17.96 17.88 11,490 17.88 17.88 +0.06 +0.34 135 268,875 4,819,984.80 SIIS - Salam International 0.64 0.644 0.632 0.644 39,685 0.635 0.633 155,903 0.633 0.633 -0.007 -1.09 151 8,422,520 5,352,854.249 BLDN - Baladna 1.785 1.771 1.771 1.791 50,000 1.78 1.778 1,000 1.778 1.778 -0.007 -0.39 128 1,267,015 2,254,726.858 NLCS - National Leasing 1.215 1.210 1.210 1.224 192,047 1.212 1.211 5,000 1.212 1.212 -0.003 -0.25 54 2,397,167 2,907,211.974 QNNS - Qatar Navigation 7.399 7.40 7.20 7.50 38,587 7.38 7.35 5,000 7.38 7.380 -0.02 -0.26 87 436,495 3,222,705.85 MCGS - Medicare 8.75 8.89 8.66 8.89 1,270 8.813 8.7 20,699 8.70 8.70 -0.05 -0.57 41 62,156 540,523.39 QCFS - Cinema 3.87 0.00 0.00 0.00 9,842 3.841 3.603 3,040 3.87 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 QFLS - Qatar Fuel 17.88 18.06 17.74 18.06 94,437 17.78 17.76 6,389 17.78 17.78 -0.10 -0.56 101 157,609 2,810,428.54 WDAM - Widam 6.15 6.151 6.15 6.28 3,325 6.18 6.155 30,000 6.18 0.00 +0.03 +0.49 28 295,123 1,821,191.49 GWCS - Gulf warehousing Co 5.298 5.216 5.182 5.290 2,110 5.23 5.185 39,994 5.185 5.185 -0.113 -2.13 59 209,851 1,091,872.667 QGTS - Nakilat 3.351 3.35 3.35 3.42 10,000 3.404 3.4 195,131 3.40 3.400 +0.05 +1.46 459 3,860,196 13,117,509.60 DBIS - Dlala 1.845 1.829 1.813 1.858 29,900 1.835 1.816 50,000 1.835 1.83 -0.010 -0.54 198 3,030,372 5,552,807.618 BRES - Barwa 3.344 3.365 3.343 3.367 70,000 3.36 3.343 27,500 3.343 3.343 -0.001 -0.03 168 1,497,830 5,023,428.999 MCCS - Mannai Corp. 3.00 2.94 2.94 3.00 8,866 2.998 2.95 468 2.95 2.95 -0.05 -1.67 20 50,940 150,397.81 AHCS - Aamal 0.848 0.857 0.835 0.858 50,000 0.842 0.841 40,494 0.841 0.841 -0.007 -0.83 109 3,501,522 2,963,983.769 QOIS - Qatar Oman 0.841 0.842 0.841 0.850 5,000 0.848 0.842 570,161 0.842 0.000 +0.001 +0.12 11 140,338 118,625.060 ERES - Ezdan Holding 1.727 1.72 1.72 1.75 133,007 1.725 1.72 59,210 1.72 1.72 -0.01 -0.41 218 5,855,010 10,113,481.15 IHGS - Inma 5.45 5.469 5.40 5.49 10,000 5.448 5.426 10,000 5.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 176 1,457,144 7,933,715.32 GISS - Gulf International 1.628 1.634 1.612 1.634 50,000 1.62 1.617 7,873 1.617 1.62 -0.011 -0.68 128 2,381,004 3,855,027.674 MPHC - Mesaieed 1.978 1.98 1.97 1.99 27,738 1.981 1.97 797,554 1.97 1.97 -0.01 -0.40 145 1,283,307 2,536,299.89 IGRD - Investment Holding 0.552 0.55 0.55 0.55 95,130 0.551 0.55 756,365 0.55 0.55 -0.00 -0.36 168 11,512,941 6,335,965.87 VFQS - Vodafone Qatar 1.52 1.515 1.500 1.544 80,169 1.54 1.532 386,041 1.532 1.53 +0.012 +0.79 311 6,572,124 10,024,183.254 MERS - Al Meera 20.19 19.94 19.81 20.16 1,200 20.15 19.82 1,500 19.87 19.87 -0.32 -1.58 54 38,697 770,038.04 MRDS - Mazaya 1.245 1.242 1.237 1.250 36,256 1.25 1.245 662,896 1.245 1.25 0.000 0.00 127 2,973,789 3,691,312.540

QE INDICES SUMMARY QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON WORLD STOCK INDICES EXCHANGE RATE

QE Index 10,431.36 -0.39 % 04-02-2021 Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Currency Selling (QAR) Buying (QAR) QE Total Return Index 20,126.34 -0.39 % Index 10,431.36 Dow Jones Industrial Average 30,723.60 +36.12 +0.12% US$ 3.6500 3.6305 Australian Dollar AUD 2.83 2.76 QE Al Rayan Islamic Index - Price 2,386.12 -0.23 % Change -40.56 S&P 500 3,830.17 +3.86 +0.10% Bangladeshi Taka BDT 0.0455 0.042 % -0.39% Nasdaq Composite Index 13,610.54 -- --% QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,256.76 -0.23 % Canadian Dollar CAD 2.92.84 YTD% -0.04 FTSE 100 Index 6,516.41 +8.59 +0.13% QE All Share Index 3,211.30 -0.39 % Volume 161,136,385 Euro EUR 4.48 4.38 DAX Index 13,993.14 +59.51 +0.43% QE All Share Banks & Value (QAR) 392,820,735.12 Indian Rupee INR 0.0525 0.05 CAC 40 Index 5,586.58 +23.53 +0.42% Trades 8,725 Indonesian Rupiah IDR 0.00027 0.00025 Financial Services 4,197.20 -0.25 % Japanese Yen JPY 0.0353 0.0346 Up 11 | Down 32 | Unchanged 03 Nikkei Stock Average 225 28,341.95 -304.55 -1.06% QE All Share Industrials 3,197.69 -0.91 % Hang Seng Index 29,113.50 -193.96 -0.66% Nepalese Rupee NPR 0.033 0.031 03-02-2021 QE All Share Transportation 3,476.76 +0.55 % Shanghai Composite Index 3,501.86 -15.45 -0.44% Pakistani Rupee PKR 0.02326 0.02299 Index 10,471.92 Philippine Peso PHP 0.0785 0.076 QE All Share Real Estate 1,869.92 +0.60 % ASX All Ordinaries Index 7,037.90 -53.00 -0.75% Change -46.01 Pound Sterling GBP 5.08 4.98 QE All Share Insurance 2,436.87 -0.34 % % -0.44% South African Rand ZAR 0.243 0.232 QE All Share Telecoms 1,145.82 -1.54 % YTD% +0.34 GOLD AND SILVER Sri Lankan Rupee LKR 0.0197 0.0185 Volume 156,496,460 QE All Share Consumer GOLD QR229.00 per gramme Swiss Franc CHF 4.13 4.05 Goods & Services 7,870.48 -0.83 % Value (QAR) 461,671,370.39 Tunisian Dinar TND 1.38 1.32 Trades 8,968 SILVER QR3.43 per gramme Turkish Lira TRY 0.54 0.51 Sport FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 17 England Tests mark India’s first big home sports in pandemic

AP — CHENNAI from the second Test starting Indian players during a training session on February 15, also in Chennai. ahead of first Test against England. The India-England cricket This tour by England, also If it happens, it will be the first series starting today in Chennai including three one-day instance of England playing in also marks the first interna- front of fans after nearly seven tional sport in India since the internationals and five months of cricket in closed onset of the coronavirus Twenty20s, is a precursor to stadiums. pandemic. the Indian Premier League Of more concern for The country went into coming home in April-May, England is stopping India on the lockdown in March 2020, and and India staging the field. India is coming off a in recent months life has remarkable comeback series returned to a small degree of Twenty20 World Cup in win in Australia with a depleted normalcy. October-November. squad, and will have back This tour by England, also captain Virat Kohli after a six- including three one-day inter- week paternity leave. nationals and five Twenty20s, daily active COVID-19 cases Kohli amassed 655 runs in is a precursor to the Indian across India - from nearly five Tests against England when Premier League coming home 100,000 per day in August-Sep- it last visited in 2016-17, leading in April-May, and India staging tember to about 10,000 this India to a 4-0 win. A similar the Twenty20 World Cup in past week - and a mass vacci- result - or 2-1 win or better - October-November. nation programme has would put India in the inaugural The money-spinning IPL encouraged Indian cricket world Test championship final was postponed for months last bosses to consider allowing against New Zealand in England year and moved to the United spectators at stadiums. in June. England needs a 3-0 Arab Emirates without spec- The BCCI is reportedly pre- win to stand a chance of making tators. A drastic decrease in paring for up to 50% capacity the final.

Rishabh Pant Azam and Alam rescue Pakistan on rain-hit opening day in Rawalpindi AP — RAWALPINDI he was subject to further Testing. Earlier, Proteas’ skipper Captain Babar Azam and Fawad Quinton de Kock read the dry Alam revived Pakistan with a pitch well as the visitors century stand to be 145-3 snapped up three wickets for against South Africa on a one run within four overs after rain-hit first day of the second Babar won the toss and elected Test in Rawalpindi, yesterday. to bat. Babar raised his 16th Test Maharaj could have dis- half-century and was unbeaten missed Imran Butt off his first on 77 with a dozen boundaries ball only to see Temba Bavuma while left-handed Alam con- miss a regulation slip catch. But Pant to keep tinued his rich batting form to Maharaj, who got plenty of spin be 42 off 138 balls at tea. They and awkward bounce off the wicket for did not resume as rain washed pitch with the new ball, struck out the last session. in his third over and the eighth Pakistan was in trouble of the day when Butt, on 15, got India against early after left-arm spinner a thin edge and de Kock hold Keshav Maharaj took two onto a sharp catch behind the England in wickets in 10 balls and fast wickets. bowler Andrich Nortje had Azhar Ali struggled for nine Chennai Abid Ali caught at forward deliveries and fell for a duck short leg. when Maharaj trapped the REUTERS — NEW DELHI But Babar and Alam put the former Pakistan skipper off a innings back on track with an full-pitched delivery that Rishabh Pant’s batting heroics unbroken 123-run stand as the skidded through the in Australia were rewarded ball got older in the middle right-hander. yesterday when skipper Virat session on a dry pitch which Aiden Markram then Kohli confirmed the eased out for batting. snapped up a sharp reflex catch 23-year-old will keep wicket of Abid Ali on 6 at forward short in the opening Test against SCOREBOARD leg off Nortje’s short-pitched England in Chennai, beginning Pakistan 1st innings delivery to have Pakistan 22-3. today. Imran Butt c de Kock b Maharaj ...... 15 Pakistan captain Babar Azam and middle-order batsman But Babar and Alam then India have been torn Abid Ali c Markram b Nortje ...... 6 Fawad Alam gesture on the opening day of second Test. combined in a century stand between Pant and Wrid- Azhar Ali lbw b Maharaj ...... 0 and took the home team to 63-3 dhiman Saha, who is widely Babar Azam not out ...... 77 by lunch. They added 82 runs considered the better keeper Fawad Alam not out ...... 42 Babar caressed the offside turn was minimized in the first Test and continued in the middle session. but was dropped after man- Extras (b2, nb3) ...... 5 field through some crisp cover substantially.” to frustrate South Africa with Pakistan retained the aging only 13 runs in the Total: (58 overs, for three wkts) ...... 145 drives, and was equally good off The Pakistan skipper com- his open chested batting stance. playing XI which won the first opening Test against Australia To bat: Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, his back foot against the three pleted his fifty with a flicked South Africa had an injury Test. Left-arm spinner Nauman in Adelaide in December. Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen fast bowlers. boundary off Wiaan Mulder -- scare when spinner George Ali, who became the oldest Test Replacing him behind the Shah Afridi Maharaj bowled the bulk of the only change the Proteas Linde left the field in the first cricketer in 72 years to take a stumps, Pant produced spec- Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Butt), 2-21 (Azhar), the overs, his 25 conceding 51 made from the team which lost session after the left-arm 5-for in an innings on debut, got tacular fourth innings knocks 3-22 (Abid) runs for two wickets. the first Test by seven wickets spinner tried to stop a hard another chance on a dry pitch of 97 and 89 not out in Sydney Bowling: Rabada 13-1-36-0, Nortje 11-3-30-1, “With the newish ball and at Karachi last week. drive off Babar off his own similar to Karachi. Nauman, 34, and Brisbane to help India pull Maharaj 25-7-51-2, Linde 2.5-1-2-0, Elgar 1.1-0- the moisture, the ball sort of “Credit to Babar and Fawad bowling. and legspinner Yasir Shah off an epic 2-1 series triumph 6-0, Mulder 5-1-18-0 sticks in the wicket a little bit Alam, they absorbed the Linde didn’t sustain a shared 14 wickets. last month. South Africa: Quinton de Kock (captain), Aiden more,” Maharaj said of his early pressure nicely,” Maharaj said. fracture but required stitches South Africa brought in fast Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Temba Ba- Pant “has had impact per- strikes. “Äfter lunch it seems to be on his little finger. bowling allrounder Mulder, who vuma, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan formances in Australia Mulder, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, “As the day went on and the easier to bat on the wicket, so Linde didn’t return to the played two home Tests against recently, and he’s in a good George Linde moisture sort of seeped away fair play to them.” field in the middle session and Sri Lanka. Mulder replaced space”, Kohli told a video con- from the surplus surface, the Alam scored a gritty century South Africa management said Lungi Ngidi. ference ahead of the series- opener at the M A Chidambaram Stadium. “We want him to build on Pakistan Super League Mehidy's maiden century puts this, along with him improving all aspects of his game, which will happen with more game- allowed 20 per cent time and more confidence he Bangladesh on top against WI gains playing those games,” he capacity crowds said. AP — CHATTOGRAM and brought up his 25th half- SCOREBOARD India had preferred Saha AP — RAWALPINDI century, dealing with the West Bangladesh first innings (Overnight 242-5) at home, where his neat Mehidy Hasan’s maiden hundred Indies’ disciplined spinners patiently. Shadman Islam lbw b Warrican 59 glovework has been particu- Spectators will be allowed inside cricket stadiums lifted Bangladesh to 430 and on top Shakib, playing his first Test in 17 Tamim Iqbal b Roach ...... 9 Najmul Hossain Shanto run out ...... 25 larly effective while keeping in Pakistan this month for the first time in the coro- of the West Indies after two days months after being suspended for not Mominul Haque c Campbell b ...... 26 to spinners. navirus pandemic. of the first cricket Test yesterday. reporting approaches from a book- Mushfiqur Rahim c Cornwall b Warrican ...... 38 Pant did spill some catches The Pakistan Cricket Board said yesterday it The West Indies was 75-2 in maker, scored 68 off 150 balls with Shakib Al Hasan c Brathwaite b Cornwall .... 68 in Australia, but Kohli said he received permission from the government to allow reply, captain Kraigg Brathwaite five fours. Liton Das b Warrican ...... 38 “brings in a lot of value to this 20% capacity crowds at Pakistan Super League on 49 at stumps and newcomer Offspinner Rakheem Cornwall Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Sub b Cornwall ...... 103 team, and he will continue to games. Nkrumah Bonner on 17 in an was rewarded for his consistency Taijul Islam c Da Silva b Gabriel ...... 18 Nayeem Hasan b Bonner ...... 24 be backed because he’s an “The decision means around 7,500 ticketed unbroken 51-run partnership. with the wicket of Shakib, who was Mustafizur Rahman not out ...... 3 impact player”. spectators will be allowed access inside the Batting at No. 8, the allrounder baffled by extra bounce. Extras (b2, lb7, w5, nb5) ...... 19 “He can definitely be a National Stadium (in Karachi) per match day, while Mehidy scored 103 off 168 balls, and Mehidy reached his fifty off 99 Total (all out; 150.2 overs) ...... 430 very consistent match-winner around 5,500 will be able to attend each match included 13 boundaries. balls. He grew in confidence, with Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Tamim), 2-66 (Najmul), 3-119 (Mo- for India and someone that the day at the Gaddafi Stadium (in Lahore),” the Mehidy formed three important support from Taijul and Nayeem, minul), 4-134 (Shadman), 5-193 (Mushfiqur), 6-248(Liton), opposition will definitely be Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement. partnerships to help Bangladesh and brought up the second fifty off 7-315 (Shakib), 8-359 (Taijul), 9-416 (Nayeem), 10-430 (Me- hidy) wary of every time they play Last March, when the pandemic was shutting establish full control on a slow 69 balls. Soon after reaching his Bowling: Roach 20-5-60-1 (nb1), Gabriel 26-4-69-1, Corn- against India.” down global sports, four PSL matches were held pitch. He shared a 67-run stand first ton, he holed to long on off wall 42.2-5-114-2, Mayers 7-2-16-0, Warrican 48-8-133- Kohli missed the last three in closed stadiums and the playoffs in Lahore post- with Shakib Al Hasan for the Cornwall’s bowling and was the last 4(nb3), Brathwaite 4-0-13-0 , Bonner 3-0-16-1 (nb1) Tests in Australia to attend the poned to November in an empty National Stadium seventh wicket, 45 runs with Taijul batsman out. Left-arm spinner West Indies first innings birth of his daughter, but was in Karachi. Islam (18) for the eighth wicket, and Jomel Warrican was the most suc- Kraigg Brathwaite not out ...... 49 John Campbell lbw b Mustafizur ...... 3 pleased to see how, under The sixth PSL begins on Feb. 20 with Karachi 67 with Nayeem Hasan (24) for the cessful bowler for West Indies with Shayne Moseley lbw Mustafizur ...... 2 Ajinkya Rahane, India com- hosting the first 20 games before the Twenty20 ninth wicket. 4-133, and Cornwall returned 2-114. Nkrumah Bonner not out ...... 17 pleted a stunning competition moves to Lahore, which hosts the His partnership with Shakib Fast bowler Mustafizur Extras (lb 1, nb3) ...... 4 turnaround. remaining 14 matches, including the final on March was the most important after Bang- Rahman, 2-18, then put West Indies Total (two wickets; 29 overs) ...... 75 “We’ve been working for 22. ladesh resumed the day on 242-5. in further trouble with two lbw deci- To bat: Jermaine Blackwood, Joshua Da Silva , Rahkeem a long time to create a team “These are baby steps and, considering that Bangladesh lost Liton Das early in sions against John Campbell for 3 in Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Jomel Warrican, Kyle Mayers identity,” said Kohli, hoping to most sport events are being played in empty sta- the morning after he added just the fifth over after a video review, and Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Campbell), 2-24 (Moseley) lead India to a 13th successive diums, this is a positive achievement,” PCB four runs to his overnight 34. debutant Shayne Moseley for 2 with Bowling: Mustafizur 8-2-18-2 (nb1), Shakib 6-1-16-0, Me- Test series victory on home chairman Ehsan Mani said. At 248-6, Bangladesh could a yorker. Moselye reviewed the hidy 7-2-24-0(nb1), Taijul 5-2-9-0 (nb1), Nayeem 3-0-7-0 soil. have slumped, but Shakib resisted decision in vain. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 Olympics: Katara International Arabian Horse Festival: 'Spectacular' Beijing 2022 Mares, fillies, stallions and colts wow fans Games will THE PENINSULA — DOHA applauded H E Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara, The third day of the Katara Inter- and Chairman of the Organizing transform national Arabian Horse Festival Committee, Katara International (KIAHF), held under the patronage Arabian Horse Festival, his team, winter sport, of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin and the partnering organizations Hamad Al Thani, presented by for the noteworthy preparation says Bach Cultural Village Foundation, that went into the Festival. Katara, witnessed more action and Commenting on the success REUTERS - BERLIN excitement. achieved by the many Arabians Gorgeous mares, fillies, stal- owned by Al Shaqab and other The Beijing winter lions, and colts strutted their stuff, Qatari-owned studs in KIAHF 2021, Olympics next year will be trying to impress the judges from Al Sulaiti noted that horses bred spectacular and will by European Conference of Arab and raised in Qatar were indeed transform winter sports Horse Organizations (ECAHO). world-class. “for ever” by introducing A number of Their Excellencies The Title Show features a total some 300 million Chinese and dignitaries graced the Festival. prize money of QR13m one of the people to them, Interna- They included the ambassadors highest in the world for an event tional Olympic Committee and heads of diplomatic missions of this order. Special awards will President Thomas Bach from Hungary, Austria, Poland, be awarded to horses achieving said yesterday. Italy, Ukraine, and Romania. high performances over the years. In a video address to Manager of Breeding and Besides the Title Show, equine China, Bach said Beijing, Show, Al Shaqab, H E Sheikh enthusiasts and visitors can look which will become the first forward to will see the culmi- city ever to have staged various fun and nation of the Festival both summer and winter activities. In as the finalists of the Games after also staging the addition to fam- various classes Beijing 2008 Olympics, was ilies looking for compete. A special ready to deliver ‘spec- entertainment, ‘surprise’ show also tacular Games’. the Festival is awaits visitors as part “Our Chinese partners also attracting of the grand closing and friends will deliver equine and art ceremony. spectacular Olympic winter enthusiasts In keeping with Games that will change the Several the directions laid landscape of winter sport equine-related down by the Ministry for ever,” Bach said. exhibitions and of Public Health and Organisers, who have kiosks are also to ensure the safety already completed the featured as part of all concerned, vis- majority of venues, have Hamad bin Ali Al Thani, expressed of the Festival. The qualifying itors are advised to promised a “joyful ren- much appreciation of the support rounds for mares and stallions (7 strictly comply with dezvous upon pure ice and given by H H the Amir for the Fes- years and older) will be held yes- all the COVID-19 snow” that will kick off on tival. Sheikh Hamad also terday. The final day (February 6) protocols. Feb 4, 2022. Artificial powder will likely be needed to help cover the slopes carved out on the brown, arid moun- Australian Open to go ahead despite tains northwest of Beijing but the IOC is confident the introduction of millions of Chinese to winter sports will help open up a huge, COVID-19 case, say event organisers untapped market. “Every time I have REUTERS - MELBOURNE postponed from Thursday to visited China I am Friday. A staff member wearing impressed by the enthu- The Australian Open will begin Earlier, Victoria state health a protective face mask siasm and support for the as scheduled on Monday even officials said the testing of the and visor is seen in Olympic Games,” Bach said though a worker at one of the tennis cohort was Melbourne Park. Play after signing the invitations Melbourne hotels used to quar- precautionary. yesterday was cancelled for the athletes of the 206 antine players and their entou- “We think the risk to other after a hotel quarantine Olympic committees to rages tested positive for guests in the hotel - tennis worker in Melbourne attend the Games. COVID-19, tournament director players and their accompanying returned a positive “You can already feel Craig Tiley said yesterday. staff - is relatively low,” Allen result for the coronavirus this passion for winter sport The day’s warm-up matches Cheng told reporters. disease (COVID-19) Up to with the excellent prepara- at Melbourne Park were called Victoria endured one of the 600 players and support tions for the Games. We can off after the case was longest and toughest lockdowns staff connected to the say already now with great announced late on Wednesday, in the world to contain the new Australian Open will have confidence China is ready and those who underwent coronavirus, and Wednesday’s to isolate until they have to welcome the world’s best quarantine at the Grand Hyatt case was the first to be locally been tested athletes for unforgettable hotel were instructed to get acquired in the state for almost Olympic Games Beijing tested and isolate until they had a month. 2022.” a result. NO GUARANTEES “We’re absolutely confident State Premier Dan Andrews IOC’s Coates the Australian Open will go has made it clear the safety of ahead,” Tiley told reporters. the community is paramount says Tokyo “We are starting on and said there were “no guar- Monday.” antees” the Australian Open Olympics He said the 507 people would go ahead. turned away,” he told Mel- Park. Tiley rejected the scheduled across the six affected, 160 of them players, “At this stage, the tennis bourne’s Herald Sun comparison. tune-up events. “With the rain, '100%' likely would have their tests com- shouldn’t be impacted by this,” newspaper. “The probability is very low we do have the luxury of having pleted by yesterday afternoon. he told reporters. “These things “I think people are entitled that there’ll be an issue. We three stadium courts and eight to go ahead If the results were negative, can change (but) this has been to know what’s happening, and expect them all to test negative,” indoor courts,” he said. REUTERS - TOKYO the players would be free to a textbook response to this.” the government should be he said. “ “That will enable us to not participate in the six warm-up Michael O’Brien, the leader making their minds up in the The plan is to continue to get ahead but at least to be able A senior official of the events at the Grand Slam venue of the opposition in Victoria’s next 24 to 48 hours.” play tomorrow as planned,” he to finish by Sunday.” International Olympic to allow them to get match state parliament, called on the The Australian Grand Prix, said. Faced with a scheduling Committee (IOC), John practice after 14 days in government to make a call by the traditional season opener Tiley is experienced in logjam for the tune-up events, Coates, said it was '100%' quarantine. Saturday on whether the tour- of the Formula One champi- rescheduling matches because women’s singles matches from likely that the Games would “This does give us three nament would take place. onship, was cancelled because of rain, hot weather and Friday will be shortened to two go ahead in Tokyo this days for the lead-in events to “We don’t want to see a sit- of the COVID-19 pandemic last bushfire smoke and organisers regular tiebreak sets with a summer, Nikkei Asia be completed,” he said, adding uation as we did with the Grand March a few hours before the released the orders of play for 10-point match tiebreak if reported yesterday. that the draw for the Grand Prix, where crowds were lit- cars were due to take to the Friday, when wet weather is required for a final set, organ- Coates also told Nikkei Slam tournament had been erally turning up, only to be track at Melbourne’s Albert forecast, with 67 matches isers said. Asia in an interview that the decision on whether spec- tators will be allowed to Spain’s Rafael Nadal watches the attend the July 23 - Aug 8 Star Nadal continues to match between Spain’s Pablo Carreno Games will be made as soon Busta and Australia’s John Millman at as March or April. Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, “It’s difficult. It’s dif- in this February 2, 2021, file photo. ficult but the Games will struggle with his back take place,” he was quoted as saying. “The IOC and the Tokyo Organising Com- problem ahead of Open mittee, the Japan gov- ernment, the Tokyo municipal government REUTERS - MELBOURNE Arena with Roberto Bautista Agut and have been determined to Pablo Carreno Busta to lead the chal- host these Games since the World number two Rafa Nadal yesterday lenge in the singles matches for last pandemic broke in Feb- said doubts remain over his fitness ahead year’s finalists. ruary last year. We’ve of next week’s Australian Open. The 34-year-old practised for an maintained our resolve.” Nadal pulled out of Spain’s ATP Cup hour yesterday evening at the Rod Coates, an Australian, tie against Australia on Tuesday with a Laver Arena and his fitness was is vice president of the IOC lower back problem and, despite some improving “little by little, step by step”, and chairs Tokyo 2020’s improvement, said he was still far away sources close to Nadal said yeserday. Swiss not taking part in Melbourne after competitive matches ahead of the Grand coordination commission. from the level required to play at the The Spaniard was one of the top knee surgery, the Spaniard would have Slam could prove problematic for Nadal, Support for the Games year’s first Grand Slam. players who quarantined in Adelaide for the chance to become the all-time major feels Mats Wilander, who won three out has evaporated in Japan as “It’s not that I’m in a really bad way, 14 days after their arrival Down Under record holder in the men’s game for the of his seven major titles at Melbourne the coronavirus crisis has but I’m also not alright in the sense that and were allowed five hours a day to first time. Park. worsened. I can’t play either,” Nadal told Spanish train during the mandatory isolation. He insisted, however, that that was “That’s a worry for sure, he would Nearly 80% of the Jap- television channel Movistar+. He then defeated Dominic Thiem 7-5 not something he was focused on. “First want to play maybe a couple of matches. anese public are now “I’ve improved a little but I’m not in 6-4 on Friday in an exhibition match things first, and that’s to play the Aus- That’s kind of scary I think for him,” opposed to holding the a position where I can go and play a between the men’s world number two tralian Open, and if that doesn’t go well, Eurosport expert Wilander said this Summer Games as game at full intensity.” and three at Adelaide’s Memorial Drive the season goes on,” he said. week. scheduled this year, recent Nadal’s name was also absent from Tennis Club. “I’ve never been obsessed with Grand “I don’t remember him having back polls show. Spain’s ATP Cup tie tomorrow against Nadal sits level with Roger Federer Slams, truth be told.” problems before. He’s not young any Greece at Melbourne Park’s John Cain on 20 Grand Slam titles and, with the The 14-day quarantine and lack of more.” FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 19

Bayern target big Bundesliga lead before trip to Qatar REUTERS – BERLIN “Qatar obviously is a strain. We of second-placed RB Leipzig, who play or if it is not going their way and we within a year and the team would go have the flight, matches on Monday tomorrow. Hertha, who appointed Pal are 1-0 up,” Bayern midfielder Thomas down in history,” Flick said. Bayern Munich will not be distracted and Thursday and almost no time to Dardai last week to replaced sacked Mueller said. While he is expected to rotate in by a busy 11-day schedule, including train,” coach Hansi Flick told coach Bruno Labbadia, are 15th, level “We hope that this will be an Doha, ensuring all players get time on the Club World Cup, and a possible reporters. with Arminia Bielefeld who occupy the advantage for us.” A 10-point gap the pitch, Flick is not expected to hold total of four games, when they visit “But Hertha are more important relegation playoff spot. would allow Bayern to play more freely the team back at Hertha. Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga today initially. The team is motivated and I The Berliners, who have received at the Club World Cup where they will “In Berlin we want to get our fifth looking to capitalise on their oppo- like that.” more than €200m ($239.86m) from look to earn their sixth trophy since win in a row and send a message in nents’ struggles. Bayern, who have won their last major investor Lars Windhorst in the June. They face the winners of the the Bundesliga that we are fully on The Bavarians can cap a memo- four league games going into Friday’s past year, are hoping Dardai can pull match between Qatar’s Al Duhail and course again, on a winning run,” Flick rable run next week by winning their match, hope that when they board the them out of their current situation. Egypt’s Al Ahly in the semi-final on said. sixth trophy in less than nine months flight to Doha after the match they will “Hertha are under great pressure Monday. The Club World Cup final is on when they travel to Qatar but they must be provisionally 10 points clear in the at the moment and obviously we want “We want to win the next title. We Thursday. Bayern host Arminia first focus on relegation-threatened Bundesliga standings. to take advantage of that if they are know there are dangers there but it Bielefeld in the Bundesliga on Feb. 15 Hertha. They have 45 points, seven ahead shaky in some situations in the game would be the sixth title for the club when they return. Portugal’s Hosting CWC will be the next big star-studded training complex step in Qatar’s journey to 2022 turns COVID-19

SAMUEL ETO’O hospital REUTERS – LISBON This week, the eyes of the world will be on Qatar, as it takes another big step on Last year, I had the A few months ago, Cristiano Ronaldo its journey to the FIFA World Cup in privilege of attending the had to self-isolate at the Portuguese 2022 by hosting the FIFA Club World soccer squad’s training complex near Cup 2020 from 4-11 February. 2019 FIFA Club World Cup Lisbon after a positive COVID-19 test. During my playing career, I was very as a Supreme Committee Now, the same hotel-like facility lucky to have had the opportunity not for Delivery & Legacy has joined the fight against a devas- only to compete in this great compe- Ambassador. The tating surge in infection as a make- tition, but to win it with Inter Milan. My shift hospital. memories of the Club World Cup could atmosphere in Qatar About 20 COVID-19 patients are not be better, as for the first time, I had during the tournament receiving care in the same bedrooms the pleasure of playing in a final against was incredible and the where players like Ronaldo stay as a very beautiful African team, TP they prepare for matches. Mazembe. games being played in When patients arrive at the I had a lot of emotions for this match some of the FIFA World Football City complex, a goody bag for both my home continent, Africa, and Cup stadiums really added awaits them with books about my duty to ensure victory for Inter. It football and a national team scarf. was an honour to win the competition to the sense of occasion When discharged, they get to take with Inter for the first time in the club’s for both the players and home a jersey with their names history and to share this victory with the fans: Samuel Eto'o printed on the back. my brothers from TP Mazembe. “When people get here they After the game, I went to the think they are on vacation and not Mazembe dressing room, I stayed a in a situation of recovery....it is a while, and I shared the moment with great place,” doctor Radic Nordin their players. These are great memories countries like Brazil, Mexico and In recent years, the tournament has the big European and South American said as he stood near one of the for me, especially as I also won the England – all famous for their passion been dominated by the UEFA Cham- clubs, but it will be a great opportunity football pitches that can be seen Golden Ball as the best player of the and love of football – to enjoy this pions League winners and I think for the players from Al Duhail, Al Ahly, from the balconies of the patient’s tournament. Winning this honour was special tournament and the many Bayern Munich will be going into the Tigres UANL and Ulsan Hyundai to show rooms. a surprise for me, but made me very amazing experiences Qatar has to offer tournament full of confidence that they their ability and compete with some of The training ground, owned by happy. It was the first time an African was incredible and a first look at what can take home the trophy. the best players in the world. the Portuguese Football Federation, player won this distinction at the com- people can expect when the FIFA World The Bayern squad is full of quality, I know Qatar is ready and very decided to temporarily turn into a petition, so it was a great honour for me. Cup comes to the country in 2022. and with one of the world’s best strikers excited to host the FIFA Club World Cup. hospital a few weeks ago, when During interviews, I would often get While it’s a pity that the number of in Robert Lewandowski leading the line, Tournaments like this are really health units across the nation of a asked about the celebration after my international fans attending this year’s they will be difficult to stop. If Bayern important for Qatar on its journey to little more than 10 million people goal in the final with my team-mate tournament will be extremely limited win the tournament, they will become hosting the World Cup in 2022, as it started to reach their limits. Marco Materazzi. due to the pandemic, I’m sure the local only the second team after Barcelona allows the country to not only get some Portugal, which has so far For me, every goal celebration with football fans will create a great atmos- in 2009 to win all six domestic and invaluable experience of hosting a major reported a total of 13,017 COVID-19 my brother Marco was special phere in the stadiums. international titles up for grabs in one event, but to learn from it and make the deaths and 731,861 cases, has the throughout my stay at Inter, but the sig- The news that the two venues season, which would be an amazing necessary improvements to ensure the world’s second highest seven-day nificance of my celebration during this hosting the tournament – Ahmad Bin achievement. 1.5 million fans expected to travel to the rolling average of deaths per capita, game is still a secret, and something that Ali Stadium and Education City Stadium While Bayern will be favourites, the country in 2022 for the World Cup have according to data tracker our- will always remain that way. – will be operating at a reduced capacity last non-European club to win the tour- an incredible experience. worldindata.org. Last year, I had the privilege of for all the matches is great for the nament was Corinthians of Brazil in Based on my experience as a player, Hospitals have been on the verge attending the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup players, as most will have been playing 2012. I believe the opportunity to play at this of collapse over the past weeks, with as a Supreme Committee for Delivery in empty stadiums for almost a full With Brazilian club Palmeiras to tournament will be a special moment ambulances sometimes queuing for & Legacy Ambassador. The atmosphere season now. A huge amount of work has represent South America after winning for the players involved and will leave hours because of a lack of beds. in Qatar during the tournament was been done by the Local Organising Com- the Copa Libertadores, I’m sure they will behind many happy memories for them “We had one week to get every- incredible and the games being played mittee to put strict protocols in place – travel to Qatar with a winning mentality to look back on in the future. thing ready to receive patients,” said in some of the FIFA World Cup stadiums such as mass testing and a socially dis- and the belief that they can challenge Cláudia Poças, Football City’s really added to the sense of occasion for tanced seating plan – to allow this to Bayern for the title. Samuel Eto’o is an ambassador for director, describing the move as a both the players and the fans. happen and make sure it is safe for fans It is always a challenge for the clubs Supreme Committee for “civic duty to help the country”. To meet fans that had travelled from to attend and enjoy games. from the other regions to compete with Delivery & Legacy “It was a huge transformation.” Europe’s leagues Liverpool stunned by Brighton on night of away wins REUTERS – LONDON Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in action with Brighton & bounced back from defeat by set to meet Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk. Liverpool to move into fifth In keeping with a bizarre spot, one place behind Liv- over CL plan Premier League season erpool, with Jesse Lingard lacking the usual home scoring twice on his debut in REUTERS – MANCHESTER comforts Liverpool’s grip on a 3-1 win at Aston Villa. their title was loosened Everton are sixth after an Europe’s leading leagues will hold an further as they were beaten entertaining 2-1 victory away online meeting today to discuss UEFA’s 1-0 at Anfield by Brighton to Leeds United -- Gylfi Sig- plans to change the Champions League and Hove Albion on urdsson and Dominic Calvert- format, with a major reshaping of the Wednesday. Lewin on target for Carlo group stage on the agenda. Steven Alzate’s scruffy Ancelotti’s side. UEFA has been consulting with clubs 56th-minute goal was It was only the second day and leagues about how to liven up the enough for Brighton to in English top-flight history in group stage and a switch to a new format record a deserved first which a programme of at least with more games is the preferred option league win over Liverpool four fixtures produced a clean of European soccer’s governing body. since 1982 and leave Juergen sweep of away wins -- the The discussions have focused on Klopp’s champions trailing other occurring in 1991. scrapping the round-robin stage, where Manchester City by seven Less than 40% of Premier there are currently eight groups of four points having played a game League matches have been clubs with each team playing three oppo- more. won by home teams this nents at home and away. City won 2-0 earlier at season with away wins now UEFA is considering replacing it with Burnley to make it 13 straight more common. a format in which the 32 clubs would play victories in all competitions And while there are all 10 different opponents and qualification and Pep Guardiola’s side will sorts of theories for what is would come from one league table. head into Sunday’s clash at going on, Klopp said the main That would allow for more games and Liverpool in confident mood. reason for Liverpool’s latest -- UEFA hopes -- more games that matter, Goals by Gabriel Jesus flop was fatigue. generating higher revenues and greater and Raheem Sterling secured Graham Potter’s Brighton fan interest. a routine three points for City are now 10 points above the The plan, dubbed the ‘Swiss model’, who moved on to 47 points games, statistics. It’s always Wednesday’s fixtures ended above Liverpool into third relegation zone in 15th place has yet to meet any major resistance and from 21 games, three ahead the next game, next game. as away wins, continuing one place with a 2-0 win at after he got the better of Jose was backed by European Club Associ- of Manchester United who For now we enjoy this game, of the main themes of Eng- struggling Fulham with Mourinho in a 1-0 win over ation chief Andrea Agnelli although he had joined them at the top and tomorrow we will start land’s top flight being played James Maddison creating the Tottenham Hotspur on indicated he may push for a broader with a 9-0 hammering of to think about the next in empty stadiums during the goals for Kelechi Iheanacho Sunday and now proved more expansion. Southampton on Tuesday. game,” Guardiola said. COVID-19 pandemic. and James Justin. than a match for the cele- “It’s not about runs of Incredibly all five of Leicester City climbed West Ham United brated Klopp. Sport

FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2021 BayernB Munich target big Bundesliga llead before trip to Qatar WeW want to win the next title. We know there are dangers theret but it would be the sixth title for the club within a year anda the team would go down in history.

BayernB Munich coach Hansi Flick Sport | 19

TEST CRICKET: Bangladesh vs West Indies: Bangladesh: 1st Inn. 430, West Indies: 1st inn: 75/2; Pakistan vs South Africa: Pakistan 1st inn. 145/3

Al Ahly set up Bayern Munich clash

FAWAD HUSSAIN Al Duhail’s Michael Olunga and after the break as Al Duhail - THE PENINSULA Al Ahly’s Hamdy Fathy vying seeking an equaliser - begun for ball possession during their second half as a better side. African champions Al Ahly 2020 FIFA Club World Cup In first of his substitutions for scored a goal in the first half and second round match played at Al Ahly, coach Mosimane sent defended it well in the second Education City Stadium in Aliou Dieng to replace Fathy but for a 1-0 victory over spirited Al Doha, yesterday. Al Duhail continued to push for Duhail to cruise into the semi- a goal with attacks against the final of FIFA Club World Cup Egyptian side. Qatar 2020, yesterday. Edmilson snatched the ball With a narrow win in the from Mohammed Hani and went second-round game at the Edu- into the area but his shot was cation City Stadium watched by blocked by Dieng. Al Ahly sur- socially-distanced fans, the Red vived another scare at one-hour Devils set up a semi-final clash mark when substitute Almoez against European champions fired ball on target from a good Bayern Munich at Ahmad Bin Ali distance with goalkeeper Stadium on February 8. Mohamed El Shenawy punching Al Duhail, who looked the ball away to concede a impressive on their debut par- corner. ticularly in the second half, will The Red Knights were play against Ulsan Hyundai FC coming close to scoring with El for the 5th position at Ahmad Bin Shenawy denying another Ali Stadium on February 7. The attempt from Mohamed Moussa. Asian champions lost 2-1 to With 20 minutes left, CONCACAF champions Tigres Mosimane sent fresh legs in UANL in tournament’s opening Marwan Mohsen and Akram game earlier yesterday. Tawfik to replace Mohamed Yesterday, attacking mid- Taher and Bwalya, while Lam- fielder Hussein El Shahat fired ouchi called back Yasser to pave the all-important goal for Al Ahly way for Mohamed Ismail. in the 30th minute before the The stoppages didn’t affect nine-time African champions Al Duhail’s momentum as they resisted Al Duhail’s aggressive continued to be aggressive by display to ensure victory. creating more chances. Muntari “It was a tough match as Al made El Shenawy to dive again Duhail played really well,” El with a header from centre of the Shahat said after the match. box after receiving a lob from “This victory will surely give us captain Karim Boudiaf. He confidence for the next match missed target in another attempt against Bayern Munich,” the Mahmoud Kahraba, Al Duhail minutes later following a off a header from a close range Egyptian added. coach Sabri Lamouchi left out corner. With a narrow win in the second-round game at the Education City with seven minutes left after Al Al Ahly coach Pitso Almoez Ali in the starting XI as There were few more Stadium watched by socially-distanced fans, African champions Duhail coach sent Luiz Junior in Mosimane, who kept his usual he returned to a 4-3-3 for- exchanges with Al Ahly’s El Al Ahly set up a semi-final clash against European champions place of Karimi. Mosimane made formation with a lone striker mation, though the Frenchman Shahat and Al Duhail’s Ahmed his fourth substitution by calling upfront with three in the mid- started with all his five foreign Yasser hitting shots on target, but Bayern Munich at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on February 8. back goal scorer El Shahat to field, was delighted with the players including latest signing overall it was a cautious start send Marwan Mohsen in. victory. Michael Olunga. from both the sides with no real There were several more “Congratulations to the boys. It was a slow start to the threat coming for goalkeepers Bwalya’s assist. Bwalya took after VAR declared the Con- attacks by the Red Knights deep It was a tough game,” Mosimane match as just a single exchange in the first 20 minutes. advantage of a slight error in golese star was offside. into the match but the QSL said after the win. of attacks was witnessed in first After Kenyan striker, Olunga defense to set up the Egyptian Al Ahly were in good control champions didn’t find the “Our next game is against 10 minutes, with Al Ahly keeping – assisted by Dudu - missed striker, whose right-footed shot but Al Duhail also got a chance equaliser as Al Ahly, seeking Bayern Munich, the best club in most of the ball possession. target off a header from a dif- from the edge of the box landed through Olunga, whose header their maiden title advanced to the world. We have nothing to Al Duhail’s free kick - taken ficult angle, referee Mario in the bottom left corner, with from the centre of the box was the semis. Lamouchi, after the lose and we will go out there and by Brazilian Dudu - created Escobar showed the first yellow goalkeeper Salah Zakaria diving saved before referee blew the defeat, said his team is focusing will do our best,” the South first opportunity for The Red card of the match in 27th minute in vain. halftime whistle. on the next match against Ulsan African added. Knights but Edmilson Junior’s with Egypt’s Hamdy Fathy on the Al Ahly gained momentum With five substitutions Hyundai FC. While Mosimane benched right footed shot from outside receiving end. after the opener and created allowed, Lamouchi brought in “We are looking forward to some of the key players the box was high and wide. Al Al Ahly, however, struck dangerous attacks, which strikers Almoez and Mohammed the next match and we hope to including Mohamed Sherif, ver- Ahly’s Walter Bwalya also back, breaking the deadlock include a goal by Bwalya in the Muntari off the bench to replace win that for home fans,” he satile midfielder Aliou Dieng and missed target on header two with El Shahat’s strike from 38th minute, later disallowed Bassam Al Rawi and Olunga said.

Tigres UANL's French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac Gignac double sends celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Ulsan Hyundai FC during their match Tigres UANL into semis yesterday. Pic: Reuters CHINTHANA WASALA international struck a leveler in “They are matches with THE PENINSULA the 38th minute, followed by a details. Goals from set pieces. spot kick just a moment before It’s a World Cup (and it) is not Andre-Pierre Gignac struck twice the half time break (45+5). easy. as CONCACAF Champions Tigres With his brace yesterday, the "It is important that we win UANL staged a strong comeback French veteran who is the club’s because we want to make history to down Ulsan Hyundai FC 2-1 all-time leading goalscorer with and we are going to try to achieve and book a semi-final clash 146 goals, made history by it on Sunday against Palmeiras,” against SC Palmeiras in the FIFA scoring the 400th goal in the said Gignac, who is often Club World Cup Qatar 2020 history of the Club World Cup. described as a powerful and dan- which kicked off yesterday. Gignac, the driving force gerous striker well-known for his The Monterrey-based Tigres behind the Mexican club’s success aerial presence. will now face Copa Libertadores in recent years, was elated with Gignac and the Tigres UANL champions from Brazil on Sunday joy after yesterday’s victory and will now face Palmeiras who Tigres UANL players for a place in the final of the gave credit to their opponents for themselves will be riding high fol- celebrate their victory inter-continental tournament. good ball handling. lowing a brilliant title win in the over Ulsan Hyundai SC in At the shining new FIFA “The Koreans played a great Copa Libertadores final against World Cup Qatar 2022 venue game, I thought we were going Santos just five days ago. If they the FIFA Club World Cup Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, the Asian to play against little guys but they succeed, the Mexican giants will Qatar 2020 second round champions Ulsan took the lead are big and strong. They have be able to create history by match played at Ahmad through Kim Kee-hee who good ball handling, but the game becoming the first CONCACAF Bin Ali Stadium. PICTURE: headed from a corner in the 24th was played with a standing ball,” team to reach a final of the FIFA SALIM MATRAMKOT/ minute before the former French he said with a smile. Club World Cup. THE PENINSULA