1996 - 2021 SILVER JUBILEE YEAR

Minister of Upbeat Qatar Commerce and take on Industry meets ‘strong’ US Mayors Ireland

Business | 01 Sport | 12

TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 17 SHA'ABAN - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8577 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Qatar, Congo sign several pacts in investment, trade Qatar and the Democratic Republic of Congo sign several agreements in the fields of promotion and protection of mutual investments, economic and commercial cooperation, avoidance of double taxation and prevention of financial evasion, maritime transport, air services etc.

QNA — DOHA investments, a general agreement for economic and commercial cooperation, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al an agreement for the avoidance of Thani and President of the Democratic double taxation and the prevention of Republic of Congo and African Union financial evasion, an agreement in the Chairperson H E Felix Tshisekedi held field of maritime transport, in addition an official talks session at the Amiri to an agreement on air services. Diwan yesterday. The two sides also signed a mem- The session dealt with bilateral rela- orandums of understanding for the tions and ways to enhance and develop development and modernization of them, especially in the fields of maritime infrastructure, a memo- investment, economy, maritime and air randum of understanding between the transport and infrastructure, in addition governments of the State of Qatar and to ways to enhance and develop coop- the government of the Democratic eration between the State of Qatar and Republic of the Congo, a memorandum the African Union. of understanding in the field of civil During the session, views were aviation and meteorology, and a mem- exchanged on a number of regional and orandum of understanding between international issues of common Qatar Airways and the Democratic concern. Republic of the Congo. After the talks, H H the Amir and The session was attended by a H E the President witnessed the signing number of Their Excellencies the Min- Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and African Union Chairperson of a number of agreements and mem- isters. Their Excellencies members of H E Felix Tshisekedi witnessing the signing of an agreement at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. oranda of understanding between the the official delegation accompanying governments of the two countries, such the President also attended the session. reception ceremony was held for His luncheon banquet at the Amiri Diwan the accompanying delegation. The as the signing of an agreement on the The President arrived at the Amiri Excellency. in honour of the visiting President of banquet was attended by a number of promotion and protection of mutual Diwan earlier, where an official H H the Amir hosted yesterday a the Democratic Republic of Congo and Their Excellencies the Ministers. Qatar never hesitated to fulfil humanitarian duty: FM Amir and Saudi Crown Prince review QNA — DOHA international efforts aiming to facil- itate equitable access to vaccines, environment initiatives Deputy Prime Minister and Minister treatments and diagnostics for all of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh The exceptional circumstances the world is people around the world. QNA — DOHA Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al going through today threaten to undermine Based on its commitment to the Thani underlined that while the State the development gains achieved in the partnership with the international Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar attaches priority for main- past, and highlight the importance of community, the State of Qatar has held a telephone conversation with HRH Crown taining the health of all citizens and deepening interdependence between continued to provide initiatives and Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of residents, it continues its efforts at countries. contributions that alleviate the Defense of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the national level to address the burdens of common crises and H E Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al consequences of the coronavirus H E Sheikh Mohammed bin challenges. The State was keen on Saud. pandemic and it has not hesitated to Abdulrahman Al Thani allocating a large part of its devel- During the phone call which H H the Amir fulfil its role and humanitarian duty opment aid to the developing coun- received from HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, at the regional and international level. tries and the least developed coun- the two sides reviewed the fraternal relations Addressing the virtual Meeting of tries, the Deputy Prime Minister and between the two countries and means of sup- Heads of State and Government on Minister of Foreign Affairs added. porting and enhancing them. the International Debt Architecture governmental and non-governmental Health Organisation on March 16, 2021 He said that the exceptional cir- They also reviewed the “Saudi Green Initiative” and Liquidity and Financing for the aid which the State of Qatar has pro- in recognition of its pioneering role, cumstances the world is going and the “Green Middle East Initiative” announced Development in the Era of COVID-19 vided since the beginning of the pan- aiming at supporting its 13th General through today threaten to by HRH the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi and Beyond, hosted by Canada, H E demic reached more than $256m. Program of Work and the Access to undermine the development gains Arabia, as well as the importance of joint action Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman In this context, Deputy Prime Min- COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator ini- achieved in the past, and highlight to meet the environmental challenges that the Al Thani said that the State of Qatar ister and Minister of Foreign Affairs tiative. In addition, Qatar allocated a the importance of deepening inter- region is going through. has offered urgent medical aid to noted that the State of Qatar signed a total contribution of $20m to the dependence between countries and H H the Amir expressed the State of Qatar’s about 88 countries to help them con- Core Contribution Agreement Global Alliance for Vaccines and adhering to the principle of coop- support for these initiatives and all efforts that front the pandemic, noting that the amounts to $10m with the World Immunization (Gavi) to support the eration and partnership. `P2 would achieve their goals. Gender equality and female UK variant a significant factor in recent ICU admission surge empowerment central to FAZEENA SALEEM Acting Chairman of HMC’s and said that vaccines being can therefore increase the rate THE PENINSULA Intensive Care Units. used in Qatar have been shown of spread of the virus though the He added: “To put this into to be effective at preventing community,” said the Ministry Qatar’s vision, success: GCO Health officials at the Ministry perspective, at the peak of the severe symptoms due to the UK on its twitter account. of Public Health (MoPH) and first wave in May 2020, we had variant. “Due to this highly trans- THE PENINSULA — DOHA aspects of life, including eco- Hamad Medical Corporation around 220 patients in intensive Qatar, like more than 70 missible element, the UK nomic and political decision (HMC) have said that the UK care. It is clear that people are countries around the world and variant has contributed to the Gender equality and female making. Qatar leads the region COVID-19 variant has been a becoming sicker and experi- in the region, is now seeing recent significant increase in empowerment are central to by nearly every gender equality significant factor in the recent encing more severe symptoms many cases of the new variant cases in Qatar,” it added. Qatar’s success and vision. indicator. rise in people admitted to in this second wave of the virus.” from the UK. According to the Ministry, Qatar is an outspoken advocate "This includes the highest intensive care units. In a separate post on “This new UK variant does clinical evidence appears to now for women’s rights at home and labour force participation rate In a post on social media, Twitter, MoPH has clarified not cause different symptoms in show that the UK variant can abroad, the Government for women, equal pay in the Director of Public Health at several facts about the UK infected people, but it is much cause more severe illness, Communications Office (GCO) government sector, and the MOPH, Dr. Mohammed Al Thani variant of the COVID-19 virus more highly transmissible and meaning that people infected with statement said yesterday in highest percentage of women explained that despite the the UK variant are more likely to response to Human Rights enrolled in university increased health risks pre- get very sick, require hospitali- Watch. programmes.” sented by the UK variant, DespiteDeespspitite ththehe inincreasedncrc eaeasesed hehhealtheala thh rrisksissksks ppresentedrereseentntede zation and, sadly, have more The Human Rights Watch “Education is the basis for people can still take proactive byby tthehee UUKK variant,vavaririana t,t, peoplepeooplp e cancacan sststillilill taketatakeke chance of dying due to serious report inaccurately portrays equal opportunity and devel- steps to protect themselves and prpproactiveroaactctivve stepsststepeps toto protectpror teectct tthemselves.heh msmselelvev s.s complications from the virus. Qatar’s laws, policies and prac- opment. Qatar has invested greatly reduce their chances of “The two COVID-19 vac- tices related to women. The heavily to ensure all women getting infected and becoming Since the middle of cines being used in Qatar – accounts mentioned in the have access to quality edu- sick. March, the number Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna report are not aligned with our cation and opportunities in all “Since the middle of March, of people receiving — have both been shown to be Constitution, laws or policies. sectors, especially STEM the number of people receiving life-saving medical effective at preventing severe The government will inves- industries. Women hold some life-saving medical treatment treatment in symptoms due to the UK tigate these cases and pros- of the most influential and in our intensive care units, has intensive care units variant,” said the Ministry. ecute anyone who has broken highest-paid jobs in Qatar. more than doubled and we now has more than The Ministry has also the law, it added They also hold business lead- have over 280 people with doubled. reminded public that they It said: “In Qatar, women ership positions across mul- COVID-19 in intensive care,” should follow all COVID-19 pre- hold prominent roles in all tiple sectors. `P2 said Dr. Ahmed Mohammed, cautionary measures. `P2 02 HOME TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021

Amir hosts President of Democratic Republic of Congo OFFICIAL NEWS Amir sends condolences to Amir of Kuwait

DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, and Prime Minister and Min- ister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent yesterday cables of condo- lences to the Amir of the sisterly State of Kuwait, H H Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, on the death of Sheikha Nouria Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, pray- ing to the Almighty Allah to have mercy on her soul and to rest it in peace in paradise, and to inspire the royal family with patience and solace. — QNA Prime Minister Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and African Union Chairperson H E Felix Tshisekedi inspect a guard of congratulates PM honour at the Amiri Diwan, yesterday. RIGHT: Amir meets the members of delegation accompanying the DR Congo President. of Cote d’Ivoire

DOHA: Prime Minister and Min- ister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid Shura Council approves draft law on common insurance for GCC citizens bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent a cable of congratulations to QNA — DOHA the esteemed government. H E Patrick Jerome Achi, on the The draft law came in The draft law includes occasion of his appointment as The Shura Council held implementation of the adding one article to Law No. 4 Prime Minister of the Republic of yesterday its weekly meeting principle of reciprocity of 2007, stating that the Cote d’Ivoire. — QNA via video conference under the employer is not obligated to pay chairmanship of its Speaker, H and in line with similar end-of-service gratuity, E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid laws in other GCC according to the Labor Law Qatar, Portugal hold Al Mahmoud. countries. promulgated by Law No. 14 of round of political During the meeting, the 2004, or the Civil Human consultations Council discussed the report of Resources Law Act No. 15 of the Legal and Legislative Affairs States (GCC) working outside 2016 or any work contracts or DOHA: The second round of polit- Committee on amending some their countries in any Member special regulations. ical consultations between the provisions of Law No. 4 of 2007 State of the council. The draft law came in Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the enacting the Common System After discussion, the Council implementation of the principle State of Qatar and the Republic of of Extending Insurance Pro- decided to approve the afore- of reciprocity and in line with Portugal was held yesterday via tection to Citizens of the Coop- Shura Council Speaker H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud mentioned law and to refer its similar laws in other GCC video conference. The Qatari side eration Council of the Arab Gulf chairing the weekly session of the council, yesterday. recommendations thereon to countries. was chaired by Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Ham- 464 referred to madi, while the Portuguese side QU partners up with GTA to raise tax awareness was headed by Ministry of For- prosecution for eign Affairs’ Director General for THE PENINSULA — DOHA framework of Qatar Univer- Foreign Policy H E Ambassador Covid violations sity’s constant endeavour to Madalena Fischer. During the Qatar University (QU) has cooperate with all institutions round of political consultations, QNA — DOHA signed a memorandum of interested in supporting the they reviewed cooperation and understanding (MoU) with the university’s march towards the relations between the two coun- The designated authorities General Tax Authority (GTA) for betterment of the Qatari com- tries. — QNA yesterday referred 464 people cooperation in similar areas of munity. This is a very important to the Public Prosecution for interest. The MoU was signed partnership between the two violating the COVID-19 by Dr. Hassan Al Derham, Pres- institutions with common Gender equality preventive and precautionary ident of QU; and Ahmed bin Issa goals.” measures. Al Mohannadi, Chairman of He added that Qatar Uni- central to Qatar’s Among them, 456 people GTA. versity is keen to support and were referred to the Public The MoU aims to increase strengthen ties with the General vision: GCO Prosecution for not wearing cooperation between the two Tax Authority to establish coop- FROM PAGE 1 masks in places where they parties to exchange information eration in various fields related Qatar University President Dr. Hassan Al Derham, and GTA Chairman are mandatory, while 8 were and expertise to raise efficiency to the scientific, administrative, Around 20 percent of Ahmed bin Issa Al Mohannadi at the MoU signing ceremony. found violating the maximum following comprehensive technical, and research fields. business records in Qatar are number of four people allowed quality standards. Meanwhile, Al Mohannadi registered by Qatari business- in a vehicle including the The two parties affirmed by experiences among employees conducting studies, and praised Qatar University’s role women – an increase from driver, except when they are signing this agreement to of the two institutions, field applying research that achieves in serving the Qatari labour 1,400 business records in 2015 members of one family. achieve the objectives, training for students, organising the two parties’ goals. market by graduating scientif- to nearly 4,000 in 2020,” the The measure are in line including exchanging expertise conferences and workshops. It Commenting on the ically and practically qualified GCO said. with the Cabinet decision, and developing educational also covers other activities that agreement, Dr. Al Derham said, students with all the theoretical The statement said: Decree Law No. 17 of 1990 on programmes that serve both work on development, “The signing of this memo- and practical experiences the “Enshrined in Qatar’s Consti- infectious diseases. parties, training and building knowledge, and tax awareness, randum comes within the market needs. tution is a prohibition on dis- crimination against women. The government continues to Public urged to use virtual health enforce, introduce, and Qatar never hesitated to fulfil expand policies that provide women with freedom and services amid COVID-19 surge agency to make their own humanitarian duty, says FM decisions. There is zero tol- FAZEENA SALEEM and support to callers through four erance in Qatar for gender- FROM PAGE 1 THE PENINSULA main categories: children and repercussions of the pandemic. based violence or domestic parents, adults, older people, and This will not be possible without The Deputy Prime Minister and Min- abuse. As a government, we Health authorities have urged the frontline healthcare workers. devoting special attention to the needs and ister of Foreign Affairs noted that the pan- will continue to work together public to reduce physical visits to The helpline aims to provide an priorities of the developing countries, in demic continues to be a priority at the top with human rights organiza- healthcare facilities, and instead use easily-accessible support line for particular the least developed countries. of the global agenda due to the heavy tions, civil society, legislators virtual and telemedicine services for people in need of professional advice The Deputy PM expressed pride that damage it inflicts on various sectors in all and individuals to empower non-emergency cases. The advice and care. To access the helpline, Doha will host the Fifth United Nations Con- countries, placing huge financial burdens, women in Qatar and achieve has come amid rising number of which is available Saturday to ference on the Least Developed Countries reducing the financial space and exacer- progress for the wider COVID-19 infections. Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm, in January 2022, looking forward to an bating the debts in many countries. community.” The dedicated, round-the-clock members of the public can telephone active participation and welcoming all to He stressed that the changing global hotline number 16000 continues to the toll-free number 16000, press 2 Doha. He expressed sincere thanks and landscape at the present time should be a operate and answer all questions and for English, press 3 for HMC medical appreciation to Canada and Jamaica, and crucial point on the road to building a more MoPH: 690 new inquiries related to COVID-19. services, and press 1 for medical the United Nations, for their appreciated sustainable and comprehensive global eco- “Healthcare staff are working consultation. efforts in holding this important meeting, nomic model and enhancing the ability of cases, 2 deaths around the clock to care for patients Also, patients can order their and valued their important initiative for countries to withstand future crises. This with COVID-19. It is important that medication by calling 16000, select financing development in the period of the can only be achieved through increased THE PENINSULA — DOHA the public support our health system language, press 3 for HMC and then pandemic and beyond, given its importance investment in all sectors that meet the needs by only visiting emergency depart- 2 for medication delivery. in facilitating a rapid and comprehensive of societies, doubled support and interna- The Ministry of Public Health ments for serious, life-threatening The PHCC’s Community Call global response in such exceptional phase, tional cooperation, and liquidity (MoPH) reported 690 new medical conditions,” the Hamad Centre is available around the clock, and addressing the dangerous negative provision. cases of COVID-19 yesterday. Medical Corporation (HMC) said in and it receives calls from patients Among them 109 were trav- a tweet. for both routine and urgent appoint- ellers returning from abroad. HMC’s Urgent care Consultation ments. People can access the call UK variant a significant factor One arrested for A total of 362 people Service is available from 7 am to 3 center through 16000 and book an recovered from COVID-19 yes- pm Sunday to Thursday. Patients appointment for a telephone or video in recent ICU admission surge violating home terday, bringing the total can call the 16000 hotline and consultation with physicians, den- FROM PAGE 1 number of people recovered choose option three, where a doctor tists, and ophthalmologists. quarantine in Qatar to 163,272. The total will triage their call to determine Besides, PHCC’s eight health “The most effective way to protect you and control number of positive COVID-19 which speciality they should be centres provide urgent care services the spread of the virus is to take the COVID-19 vaccine QNA — DOHA cases recorded in Qatar is referred to. around the clock in Muaither, and adhere to all the COVID-19 precautionary and 178,464 and there are 14,906 Physician-led Urgent Care Con- Rawdat Al Khail, Al Gharafa, Al protective measures,” it said. The designated authorities active cases under treatment. sultation service is for non-life- Kaaban, Al Shahaniyah, Al Shamal, The Ministry in its daily COVID-19 report said that arrested yesterday one person The Ministry also threatening conditions. Um Slal, and Abu Baker Al Siddiq. Qatar’s strict quarantine policy for returning travellers for violating home quarantine announced two deaths from It is currently available for The Urgent Care Units will enabled to delay the introduction of new variants into requirements he committed to COVID-19. The deceased were urology, orthopedics, general provide 24-hour care for patients of this country for several months. following. 35 and 59 years old. There surgery, general medicine, ENT, der- non-threatening medical needs “But we are now seeing positive COVID-19 cases The arrest of the violator were 238 hospital admissions matology, neurology, dental, hema- under primary care scope, such as in the region and in Qatar with the new variants from came in implementation of the in the last 24 hours taking the tology, medical oncology, paedi- minor burns, sprains, severe the UK,” the Ministry said. “The new variant is much precautionary measures in number of patients in the hos- atrics, gynaecology, geriatrics, pain headache or earache, high fever, more contagious and spread more easily between force in the country to curb the pital to 1,558. A total of 24, 801 management cardiology, and mental dehydration, and dizziness. Other people than the existing strain and may be associated spread of the COVID-19. doses of COVID-19 vaccines health. critical conditions will be stabilised with increased severity of disease,” the Ministry added. The violator who is being were administered in 24 hours. The National Mental Health Hel- and then immediately transferred It also said that until all eligible members of coun- referred to the prosecution The total number of vaccine pline is staffed by a team of profes- by EMS for further care at HMC sec- try's population have been vaccinated, people must was identified as Edgar Doseir doses administered so far is sionals who can provide assessment ondary care. continue to follow the preventive measures. Feno. 765,110. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 HOME 03 PM visits scientific exhibition at NMoQ

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani visited the National Museum of Qatar yesterday. The Prime Minister was briefed on a scientific exhibition on Prime Minister meets FIA President ‘sea cows’. H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, was also present on the occasion. Later the PM tweeted, “I visited today, in our National Museum, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met an important scientific exhibition on 'sea cows', which are one of the environmental species that yesterday morning with President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and UN Secretary- are particularly linked to the nature of Qatar and the Gulf. We are making strenuous efforts in Qatar General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, H E Jean Todt, on the occasion of his visit to the country. to preserve biological and environmental diversity, including drafting a programme to monitor the During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations, especially in the field of road safety, and marine environment, in accordance with the goals set by Qatar National Vision 2030.” discussed a number of issues of mutual interest. MME programme monitors Minister of Municipality meets US mayors marine environment status QNA — DOHA QNA — DOHA latest scientific and international Minister of Municipality and Environment devices in field marine readings. H E Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki The Ministry of Municipality and Samples are collected from Al Subaie met yesterday with a delegation Environment (MME), represented benthic organisms, tar balls, of mayors of cities in the United States of by the Monitoring and Environ- surface and deep soil samples, in America, currently visiting the country. mental Laboratory Department, addition to marine phytoplankton The delegation included Mayor of launched yesterday the first phase and zooplankton samples. Miami in Florida H E Francis Suarez, of the field monitoring The environmental laboratory Mayor of Quincy in Illinois H E Kyle Moore, programme for the marine envi- will analyse these samples to and Mayor of Rochester Hills in Michigan ronment status on the beaches of determine the characteristics and H E Brian Barnett. Qatar for 2021. physical results of temperature, The meeting reviewed aspects of During the first phase, MME salinity, dissolved oxygen concen- cooperation between the Ministry of teams will collect samples from trations, pH, transparency of Municipality and Environment and the US the marine environment in the water and chlorine. Chemical cities in the fields of municipal and envi- State to analyse them and make measurements will be conducted ronmental affairs and ways to develop the necessary measurements in through chemical elements, heavy them, especially in the fields of agriculture, 14 beach sites in various areas of metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, food security, environment, climate the country, which include tourist, and the chemically and biologi- change, infrastructure and economic and industrial areas, as cally consumed oxygen. The bio- municipalities. well as marine reserves and logical analyses will be carried out The meeting was attended by Ambas- coastal areas that are frequently by studying the total number of sador of the State of Qatar to the United visited by people. The field survey zooplankton, phytoplankton and States of America, H E Sheikh Meshal bin will be conducted semi-annually benthic plankton, and defining Hamad Al Thani, Charge d’Affaires of the during winter and summer. their types, the number of bac- US Embassy in Qatar H E Greta C. Holtz, Minister of Municipality and Environment, H E Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Field measurements and their teria and the ratio of and a number of officials of the Ministry Al Subaie, with mayors of Miami, Quincy, and Rochester Hills in the US. results are conducted using the Chlorophylla. of Municipality and Environment. 04 HOME TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina QU’s Virtual Book Fair opens, discuss bilateral relations features over 300 printing presses

THE PENINSULA – DOHA entitled ‘Emotional Intelligence improvement despite the pan- Engineering’ presented by Dr. demic. The virtual book fair Qatar University (QU), in part- Daraa Moujib Al Dossary, provides an opportunity to all nership with Dar Lusail Training and Institutional those who wish to explore new publishers and distributors, Development Advisor. books and research new kicked off the five-day-long Seminar on the third day of discoveries.” “The Virtual Book Fair” the exhibition will be held by Dr. Hassan added that yesterday with the participation Dr. Muhammad Al-Noaimi, Europe’s first Arabic book fair of several publishing houses in Assistant Professor of Political launched the idea of a virtual Qatar. Science at Qatar University, book exhibition. Dar Lusail The launch of the virtual titled ‘American foreign policy Publishing house took the ini- exhibition featured more than towards the Middle East.’ tiative to participate in the first 300 printing presses. The activ- On Wednesday, a seminar virtual session of the Arab Book ities include many diverse intel- will be held by Dr. Jassim Fair in Europe, organized by the lectual and cultural seminars Sultan, an advisor for strategic Swedish company named with international and local planning and author of the Ren- Nordic Digital World. This exhi- publishing houses’ aissance Project series on Ren- bition featured Arab writers and participation. aissance. On the last day of the several cultural institutions in The virtual book fair aims event, Dr. Abdelhak Belabed, Europe. to bring all publishing houses Associate Professor of Arabic The Qatar University together under one roof vir- Language at College of Arts and Library initiated this virtual tually and provide variety to the Sciences Qatar University, will exhibition in cooperation with public for five days. The sem- hold a seminar titled ‘Sys- the Dar Lusail Publishing and inars focus on development, tematic Reading and Changing Distribution House. On the cultural advancement, and Our Habits of Reading Compre- sidelines of the virtual exhi- culture promotion, which are hension.’ During his speech, Dr. bition, a cultural program will Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met yesterday with Deputy Prime also open for the public to par- Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham, be held. A group of Arab writers Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina H E Dr. Bisera Turkovic, who is ticipate actively. President of Qatar University, and philosophers will partic- currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral cooperation relations The seminar programme said: “We believe in working ipate through seminars and between the two countries. was inaugurated with a seminar towards betterment and workshops held in virtual halls. Shura Council Friendship Group meets Shura Council participates in Parliamentary Forum delegation of Malaysian Parliament QNA – DOHA QNA – DOHA The Shura Council participated in a parliamentary forum titled ‘Accelerating Progress on the 2030 The Qatari-Asian Parlia- Agenda post-COVID’ which was held by the mentary Friendship Group United Nations Economic and Social Commission of the Shura Council, for Western Asia (ESCWA) in cooperation with headed by HE Rashid Bin the League of Arab States and United Nations’ Hamad Al-Meadadi, held a organizations operating in the Arab region, via meeting yesterday with the visual communication technology. Discussions delegation of the Parlia- during the forum focused on policies and proce- mentary Friendship Group dures required to accelerate the recovery from development in the Arab region. The Shura Malaysia-Qatar of the the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and make Council was represented in this forum by H E Dr. Malaysian Parliament via a real progress that enhances the economic, social Hend Bint Abd Al Rahman Al Muftah, a member visual communication tech- and environmental dimensions of sustainable of the Council. nology. During the meeting, they reviewed parliamentary Moderna shots relations between the Shura HBKU’s QEERI holds Council and the Malaysian available at all Parliament and way to support and develop them. Science Majlis to tackle health centres, challenges of corrosion vaccination hubs THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA – DOHA The forum is designed to The Primary Health Care Qatar Environment and Energy actively engage Corporation (PHCC) is now Research Institute (QEERI), part attendees of all ages, by administering the Moderna of Hamad Bin Khalifa offering them an insight COVID-19 vaccine across all University (HBKU), recently into the research carried 27 health centres, as well as at organized its first Science Majlis Qatar National Convention of 2021, titled ‘Is Corrosion a out at QEERI, making it Center (QNCC), with teams Cancer for Qatar’s Envi- more accessible and from HMC administering the ronment?’, as part of the insti- better understood. vaccine in Lusail City and Al tute’s goal to raise awareness Wakra drive-through vacci- among the community on nation centres. research related to energy, us to further customize our Dr. Samya Abdulla, Exec- water, and environmental research to provide tangible utive Director of Operations grand challenges. solutions for Qatar and at PHCC, said, “The Pfizer and The event, which was held beyond.” Commenting after the Moderna vaccines have shown online, featured a talk by Dr. Science Majlis, Dr. Farhat said: equivalent degrees of efficacy. Hanan Farhat, Senior Research “Corrosion is one of those Both vaccines showed efficacy Director of QEERI’s Corrosion topics which often go under the of 95% at preventing sympto- Center. radar, despite the fact that it is matic Covid infection after two Highlighting that corrosion pervasive and affects every- doses. The most common side costs the region millions of thing around us. Qatar, with its effects recorded are injection dollars each year, Dr. Farhat unique environment with the site pain, fatigue, headache, outlined how its challenges can high temperatures, dust, and muscle pain, with very few be mitigated. She discussed humidity, and salinity needs people reporting a fever. With corrosion and the sustainability customized solutions related to the Pfizer and Moderna vac- of urban and industrial infra- corrosion, and we believe it is cines, side effects are more structure, the impact of the important to create awareness common after the second region’s environmental condi- among the community living dose.” tions on the corrosion of here on the subject. “These side effects are a metallic alloys, corrosion It was a very interesting sign of the immune system management, and protection. discussion with students, kicking in. They do not signal She also outlined the research industry players, and members that the vaccine is unsafe. To that QEERI’s Corrosion Center of the public who attended the date there are no serious, long- is doing in this field, including event and we look forward to term side effects associated work on coating, corrosion continuing this information with receipt of these vaccines, inhibitors, pipeline integrity exchange.” which will be closely moni- management, reinforced She added: “Having the tored as their use expands,” concrete corrosion, and Science Majlis online gives us she added. corrosion under insulation. the additional benefit of At present, the Pfizer Science Majlis provides a hearing from communities vaccine can be given to people platform for experts from beyond Qatar, and that defi- aged 16 years and older while QEERI and members of the nitely added value to the Moderna’s is for use in those community to engage in discussion. 18 and older. informal discussions on energy, We heard about corrosion The availability of water, and environment topics mitigation practices that are Moderna vaccines, along with relevant to the country. happening outside of Qatar the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, The forum is designed to too.” One of the international has enabled the expansion of actively engage attendees of all attendees, Rajah Kousikan, the vaccination programme in ages, by offering them an based in India, found the Qatar and, as both types of insight into the research carried Science Majlis to be an enlight- vaccine are suitable for all pri- out at QEERI, making it more ening experience. ority groups, those receiving accessible and better under- “The various hypotheses, vaccines are not offered a stood. statistics, field reality, observa- preference. Dr. Marc Vermeersch, Exec- tions, and information about The appointment process utive Director, QEERI, said: “At corrosion and environmental remains the same — with QEERI, we believe in collabo- conditions that were put PHCC teams continuing to ration at all levels, and the forward was impressive. make direct contact with Majlis is our way to share what I was personally delighted people who meet the current we do with the community and as it was not just about hearing eligibility criteria and schedule to hear their feedback. from QEERI’s corrosion expert them for appointments. This two-way dialogue but also about sharing insights Individuals of all age helps us understand their per- that we know: in that way, it groups can register their spective on the challenges was truly a sharing of ideas and interest for receiving the related to energy, environment, learning from each other,” he vaccine via the MoPH and water, and in turn, allows said. website. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 HOME 05 Nomination for IPRA Golden World Awards open until May 10

THE PENINSULA — DOHA eligible to compete to He said that the leadership in the public rela- win golden prizes. Awards, in its 37 categories, tions system, upgrading skills The International Public Rela- The final will honour distinguished of its practitioners, and tions Associations (IPRA) has announcement of the institutions in this field, achieving sustainability in this announced the opening of the jury’s selections in whether from the public field,” he added. nomination for the annual each category will sector or the private sector, The categories include Golden World Awards in the take place in July, following carefully- business-to-business PR cam- public relations field for Qatari while the final cer- developed international paign, creative use of PR by a institutions, companies and emony will be held at standards and through a public sector body, reputation bodies. the end of the year. professional, independent, and brand management, cre- The nomination process will Fakhroo explained and impartial evaluation ative positioning of a company continue until May 10, 2021. that applying for the building, and reputation man- committee. image or brand, social media. Jassim Fakhroo, the National Awards is open to all agement. Companies, consul- “The participation of Qatari It is also for a PR campaign Coordinator of IPRA in Qatar, Jassim Fakhroo National Coordinator IPRA Qatar professionals in com- tancies, associations, institutions, institutions in this Awards demonstrating imaginative use stated that many government Chapter and Assistant CEO of Dar Al Sharq. munication and public governmental and non-govern- enhances the spirit of compet- of social media and a PR cam- agencies, private institutions relations, other fields mental organisations, univer- itiveness in search of excellence paign that promoted awareness and leading national companies in the IPRA Golden World such as corporate and internal sities and educational institu- in public relations, and that the of sponsorship of an event or have been invited to participate Awards. Many of them are communications, brand tions can apply for the Awards. Awards uplift the standards of activity. Coastal Qatar playing key role in 2022 World Cup preparations, sustainability

THE PENINSULA — DOHA hospitality and accessibility area seats. An additional staff As the build-up towards hosting of 20 provided support on those the FIFA World Cup 2022 projects. In the production of continues, Coastal Qatar – a the spectator seats for Qatar local engineering company-has 2022, Coastal has been pro- been supporting Qatar and the ducing 600 seats per day, with Supreme Committee for 12 employees overseeing the Delivery & Legacy (SC). work in the company’s highly- Ooredoo launches new Coastal has been a leading sophisticated manufacturing engineering firm in Qatar since plant. A workforce of between 1979, operating in construction, 100 and 120 has been respon- promotion for trading, steel fabrication, sible for installing the manu- project support, and logistics factured seats in the including six Qatar 2022 stadiums. Nojoom members stadiums. Coastal’s endeavours were Coastal played an important Coastal Qatar is playing a key role in Qatar’s FIFA World Cup supported financially by Qatar THE PENINSULA — DOHA Each card will have a prize role in the redevelopment of the preparations. Development Bank (QDB), of 500-10,000 Nojoom Points, first tournament-ready venue, whose vision is to develop and Qatar’s leading telecommuni- and customers need to scan the Khalifa International Stadium. empower Qatari projects and cations operator has QR code on each card to dis- Their efforts included the fab- Janoub Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali said Coastal’s Project Manager, entrepreneurs. announced an exciting new cover the prize points, which rication, supply, and delivery Stadium, Education City Emad Izmegna. “We are pleased with the promotion with Nojoom will then be credited to their of secondary structural Stadium, Lusail Stadium, and Like the SC, Coastal takes efforts and achievements of partner Starlink. account. steelwork and cladding. They Ras Abu Aboud Stadium. particular care in implementing Coastal and other Qatari com- Customers making a pur- Director PR at Ooredoo, also installed premium hospi- Coastal has produced a total of sustainable practices with their panies in planning and pre- chase of a minimum of Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, said, tality seats and providing the 250,000 seats. The company seat manufacturing. paring for this huge global QR1,000 at Starlink will get a “This is the latest in a line of seats for the redeveloped oversees all aspects of the pro- “We don’t waste anything sporting event. Coastal is just Nojoom Reward Card and up incredible promotions for our accessibility areas in the duction, from design to venue from the plastic. Sometimes, we one of the many local com- to 10,000 Nojoom Points on top Nojoom members, as part of stadium. installation. have rejections, or when we are panies that we are proud to of their regular reward points our drive to reward our cus- “We do the whole package, “For Al Janoub, you see the changing colours, we have represent, and it serves as an until April 28, 2021. tomers for their much-appre- right from the design layout to sea waves, or at Ahmad Bin Ali, some seats that end up being inspiring success story for all To participate in the pro- ciated loyalty and achieve com- the 3D models. We have a team you have the lion’s head. mixed colours. All that is Qatari industrial companies,” motion, Nojoom members can plete customer satisfaction. in-house that does the whole Coastal developed all these recycled, and we have a team said Jassem Ibrahim Al visit any Starlink branch or We know our customers layout,” said Coastal’s CEO, colour patterns at a very early that does all that.” said Azeem. Mohammadi, QDB Senior shop online via the Starlink enjoy the opportunity to earn Nishad Azeem. stage. We provided a few Coastal’s contribution to the Relationship Manager. mobile app or at www.starlink. points and rewards, and In 2017, the SC awarded options to SC management and redevelopment of Khalifa Inter- Al Mohammadi highlighted qa. They will get 1 Nojoom Point offering them the chance to Coastal the contract to manu- officials, and they selected the national Stadium involved a other programmes and for every QR2 spent, and when win thousands of Nojoom facture and install the spectator colour patterns you see now in workforce of 100 on the steel- services provided by QDB to spending a minimum of Points only increases the seating for six World Cup the stadiums. We then manu- works and 40 employees companies in the manufac- QR1,000 will get a Nojoom attraction of the Nojoom pro- venues: Al Bayt Stadium, Al factured the seats accordingly,” installing the new premium turing sector. Reward Card. gramme," said Al Kuwari, VCUarts HMC’s psychiatry residents achieve 100% pass rate in Arab Board Exams

Qatar’s high THE PENINSULA — DOHA care possible despite the Psychiatry residents played pandemic situation. achievers Hamad Medical Corporation’s an important role in the Dr. Abdulla expressed his (HMC) Mental Health Service COVID-19 pandemic efforts deep appreciation for the honoured by announced that all of their support received from HMC’s medical residents in the from the beginning. The Medical Education Department: Dean’s List Psychiatry Residency Training program deployed five “The Mental Health Service has Program achieved a 100% pass residents to work in different benefited hugely from the THE PENINSULA — DOHA rate in the recent Arab Board COVID-19 sites for several professional and collegiate Exams. months, providing onsite support received by all The second half of the The Executive Leadership members of the Medical academic year 2020-2021 saw Team commended the Program assessment and counselling Education team. 124 high achieving students at Director, Dr. Zerak Al-Salihy, to patients as well as staff. " We are very thankful to Virginia Commonwealth and the residents for the Dr. Abdullatif Al-Khal (Deputy University School of the Arts outstanding scholastic Dr. Zerak Al Salihy Dr. Majid Al Abdulla Chief Medical Officer and in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a achievement despite the Director of Medical Qatar Foundation partner challenges posed by the Education), as well as his university, earn places on the COVID-19 pandemic Associate Directors doctors Dean’s List. throughout most of 2020. Margaret Allen and Adeel Across the global higher Nine residents successfully Ghaffar, and the rest of the education sector, inclusion in passed part 1 of Arab Board team for their continued a university’s Dean’s List is a exam, which is taken two years support for Mental Health recognition of a student’s com- into their Residency; and five Training Program.” mitment to hard work and residents completed the second The Mental Health Service, academic excellence. At part of Arab Board exams, in collaboration with Medical VCUarts Qatar, this selection denoting the completion of the Education, expanded the takes place bi-annually, and four-year training period and professional specialization is followed by a celebration to their readiness to take the final opportunities for medical felicitate the recipients. This clinical exams later this year students by adding two new year, due to pandemic- before they become fully fellowship programs. imposed restrictions, the event qualified psychiatrists. The Learning Disability – which traditionally includes Dr. Majid Al Abdulla, Fellowship and Women’s a luncheon with family and Chairman of Psychiatry and Mental Health Fellowship are friends – took place Medical Director of the Mental important contributions to the virtually. Health Service praised the professional education Of the 124 students placed achievement, saying it was a portfolio at HMC. on the 2021 fall semester’s testament to HMC’s ongoing Dr. Zerak A Salihy -Senior Dean’s List, 23 are from the Art commitment to professional Consultant Geriatric Foundation Program, 20 are education and development of Psychiatrist at HMC and from the Art History staff. Psychiatry Residency program, 12 are from the “HMC has always been Program Director, Mental Fashion Design dedicated to delivering a high A group physicians attended the Arab Board Exams. Health Service, explained the program, 34 are from the standard of education for our strategic aim is to promote Graphic Design trainee doctors and we are they are competing for up to young doctors, despite the an important role in the well-rounded psychiatrists. program, 17 are from the determined to ensure that the 10 placement vacancies. The significant challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic efforts “We believe that we can Interior Design program, caliber of Psychiatry residents Psychiatry residency program the coronavirus pandemic. I am from the beginning. The best serve our future patients and 18 are from the Painting who have qualified trough has become much more immensely proud of these program deployed five by promoting a high caliber and Printmaking program. HMC is on par with popular among the new residents, not only for having residents to work in different of next generation doctors in During the online celebra- international levels. The generation of medical students been able to do so well in their COVID-19 sites for several psychiatry.We want our tions, key administrative and strength of our training and we have seen many exams, but also because of the months, providing onsite young psychiatrists to be high academic leaders at the uni- program has resulted in more applications for medicine at valuable support they provided assessment and counselling to achievers in academic terms versity spoke to the Dean’s list medical students considering both Qatar University and Weil during the height of the patients as well as staff. but also be able to recipients and congratulated psychiatry as their field of Cornell Medicine, which is an pandemic, when a lot of clinical The remaining residents demonstrate compassion, them for their achievements, specialization,” said Dr. Al excellent outcome of our resources were redirected to were assigned to help cover empathy and patient centered including Dean Amir Berbić, Abdulla. efforts”. focus on providing COVID-19 clinical duties, including the care and therefore these are and Interim Associate Dean for “This year around 30 “We have remained related support,” added Dr. emergency department during essential aspects of their Academic Affairs, Dr. Cherif students applied to join the committed to promoting Abdulla. on-call shifts to ensure patients overall training,” said Dr. A Amor. Psychiatry residency program, professional education for Psychiatry residents played received the best psychiatric Salihy. 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 Lebanon could sink like Titanic, warns speaker AGENCIES — BEIRUT Parliament approved a generation,” Abi Khalil said. “This means Lebanese make up Lebanon’s influential parlia- loan of $200m to pay for it with generators that run mentary Speaker Nabih Berri for fuel for Lebanon’s on diesel that’s 30 percent more says the country will sink like expensive than the fuel that’s the Titanic if it is not able to electricity company bought by the electricity form a government as he after a warning by the company.” opened a session to approve energy ministry that Lebanon’s financial crisis, emergency funds to literally which erupted in 2019, has driven keep the lights on for two more cash had run out for nearly half of the population of months. electricity generation six million into poverty, wiped “The whole country is in out jobs and savings and slashed danger, the whole country is the beyond the end of the consumer purchasing power. Titanic,” Berri said yesterday. month. Over the past month, pro- “It’s time we all woke up tests swept across Lebanese because in the end, if the ship towns and cities as the value of sinks, there’ll be no one left.” generation beyond the end of the Lebanese pound continues Lebanon is in the throes of a the month. to spiral. A view of the Zahrani power plant, in Zahrani, Lebanon, yesterday. Parliament yesterday approved a financial crisis that poses the “This should be enough for The currency’s value loan of $200m to pay for fuel for Lebanon’s electricity company after the Zahrani plant was shut down. biggest threat to its stability electricity for around two dropped to 10,000 against the since the 1975-1990 civil war. months or two-and-a-half,” dollar in early March. Less than Hariri, who was nominated working class” and “End capi- Hanna Gharib called for “building Without a new government, it Cesar Abi Khalil, a member of a week later, it hit an astonishing in October, has failed to form a talism” were among slogans a secular and democratic state, cannot implement the reforms parliament and former energy record low at 15,000, effectively new cabinet due to the political changed by protesters. and building a national coalition required to unlock desperately minister, said. losing about 90 percent of its deadlock with Aoun. The party was founded in alternative to the current needed foreign aid. The Zahrani power plant, value since late 2019. Hundreds of Lebanese dem- the 1920s and has always been political system.” “We went to But prime minister-des- one of Lebanon’s four main It was the last straw for onstrated in Beirut on Sunday in opposition to successive the streets to hold accountable ignate Saad Al Hariri and Pres- electricity producers, has many who have seen prices of over deteriorating economic authorities ruling the country. those responsible for the eco- ident Michel Aoun have been at already had to shut down for consumer goods nearly triple and living conditions in the It has never won a parlia- nomic collapse,” Gharib said, loggerheads for months over lack of fuel, affecting the coun- since the crisis erupted. country. mentary seat since its inception. adding that “whoever failed to the makeup of a new cabinet. try’s already lacking power gen- The country has been rud- The protest was organised The demonstrators rallied in manage the country must go.” Yesterday, Parliament eration capacity and forcing derless since August last year by the Lebanese Communist front of the Central Bank and Protests have escalated in approved a loan of $200m to homes and businesses to use when caretaker Prime Minister Party with demonstrators car- marched to the Government Lebanon in recent weeks amid pay for fuel for Lebanon’s elec- private generators to cope with Hassan Diab’s cabinet resigned rying banners demanding Palace amid tight security worsening political crisis and tricity company after a warning daily brownouts. on the back of the Beirut port housing services, education and measures. deteriorating economic condi- by the energy ministry that cash “Any shutdown in one of explosion that devastated health care services. Addressing the demon- tions, the worst since the end of had run out for electricity these big plants affects power swaths of the capital. “This country belongs to the strators, party secretary-general the civil war in 1990. Syrian Kurds arrest several at Al Hol camp Pleas for more aid to AL JAZEERA — ANKARA supporters inside the camp A video released by the YPG authorities in control of eastern since the start of the year, the showed the militia marching off and northeast Syria, with a war-ravaged Syria Kurdish-led forces in northeast statement said. a group of men towards small presence of several Syria have arrested nine people, According to Rami Abdul vehicles. hundred American forces still including suspected members Rahman, head of the UK-based Separately, the spokesman deployed there. AP — BEIRUT conflict began in 2011. The local of IS, during a security sweep Syrian Observatory for Human for the US-led Coalition Colonel Since then, remaining IS currency has crashed and food in a sprawling camp in north- Rights, more than 30 people Wayne Marotto said on Twitter fighters have gone underground At age 19, Fatima Al Omar is at prices have soared - increasing eastern Syria housing families were arrested in the sweeping the Kurdish-led forces are also in the Syrian-Iraqi border region her wits’ end. In the last year by 222 percent from last year. of fighters. operation in and around the Al enrolling residents in the camps and continued to launch attacks. alone, she lost her home to Nine out of 10 people live below The campaign by nearly Hol camp. using biometric technology to Thousands of wives, widows, fighting in Syria’s last rebel- the poverty line and in 5,000 of the US-backed “The arrests are ongoing” as help “maintain security by iden- children and other family held enclave and her mother northwest Syria, close to three- Kurdish-led forces came on the part of a days-long operation tifying [those residing in the members or supporters of IS was diagnosed with cancer. She quarters of the 4.3 million res- heel of a spike in violence in Al by the Syrian Democratic camp] connected to terrorist who had stayed in the last sliver became the sole breadwinner idents are food insecure. Hol camp, home to more than Forces (SDF), which is the activities”. of land the group held were for her mother, three siblings According to the UN, 13.4 60,000 people, many of them Kurdish regional administra- Marotto said the campaign moved to the camp or prisons. and grandmother as they million people in Syria, more than supporters or families of IS tion’s main fighting force, the is aimed at improving the safety The majority of the resi- moved around between half the country’s pre-war popu- fighters. Kurdish YPG militia and a local and security of those living in dents of al-Hol are Iraqis and shelters. lation, need assistance. That’s a 20 The forces, in a statement police force, Abdul Rahman the camp. Syrians but they also include Then the coronavirus percent increase from last year. published on the Kurdish said. It has been two years since other nationalities. struck, aggravating conditions “We don’t have nearly Hawar news agency, said they Syrians and foreigners “sus- the US-led coalition captured The camp has been chaotic, in northwest Syria just as new enough money to provide all arrested nine people, including pected of supporting IS” have the last sliver of territory held with the hardcore fighters fighting had uprooted 1 million the services that are needed,” an Iraqi IS member who been arrested, he said. by IS, ending their self-declared among its population enforcing people — the biggest wave of said Mark Cutts, the UN deputy worked in recruitment. SDF officials confirmed the caliphate that covered large their will on others and seeking displacement in the country’s regional humanitarian coordi- Violence has increased in operation, with one of them parts of Iraq and Syria. to prevent them from cooper- 10-year war. By late 2020, Al nator for Syria. the past months, where 47 saying it would run at least 10 The brutal war took several ating with Kurdish authorities Omar contracted COVID-19, “It is still just a struggle for people were killed by IS days. years and left US-allied Kurdish guarding it. costing her the last job she had survival for all these people and picking olives. She hasn’t been it is often the women, the able to find work since and is children and the elderly and Palestinians get now at risk of another eviction. people with disabilities who are “It was all difficult, but it just suffering most.” Chinese-donated keeps getting harder,” al-Omar The UN and other aid groups said, speaking by phone from are seeking more than $4bn for vaccine shots the latest home she moved to in aid within Syria at this year’s con- Binnish, a small town in rebel- ference, their biggest appeal yet. REUTERS — RAMALLAH held Idlib province. Another $5.8bn are requested for Despite the worsening nearly six million Syrian refugees Palestinians yesterday humanitarian situation across who fled their homeland. received 100,000 doses of war-ravaged Syria, it’s been Over the years, pledges Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine getting tougher every year to have typically fallen short. The donated by China to help raise money from global donors humanitarian appeal for 2020 broaden an initial campaign to help people like Al Omar. The was 45% below its $3.82bn to vaccinate medical staff, the aid community is bracing for sig- target - nearly a 14 percent elderly and the chronically ill. nificant shortfalls ahead of a drop from the year before. Palestinian health author- donor conference that starts yes- “We fully realize that in ities have been mounting a terday in Brussels and is being donor countries there is also a limited vaccination drive co-hosted by the United Nations COVID effect, that budgets are among the 5.2 million people and the European Union. strained,” said Fillipo Grandi, living in the Israel-occupied Pledges were already the UN high commissioner for West Bank and Gaza, using dropping off before the coro- refugees. “But clearly because vaccines provided by Israel, navirus pandemic mainly due of that same pandemic that has Russia, the United Arab to donor fatigue. Officials fear an effect on budgets, this is not Emirates and the global that with the global economic the time to let go.” COVAX vaccine-sharing downturn spurred by the pan- In the rebel-held area, initiative. demic, international assistance coronavirus pandemic restric- So far, more than 69,000 for Syria is about to take a new tions have further slowed eco- Palestinians have received Iraq, Egypt, Jordan Foreign Ministers meet hit just when it is needed most. nomic activity, closing schools their first dose of the vaccine, Across Syria, the pandemic and reducing trade and and around 7,600 people have Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and Jordanian Foreign has compounded the worst movement with Turkey - the had both shots, according to a Minister Ayman Safadi, stand together as they attend a news conference in Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday. economic crisis since the enclave’s gateway to the world. health ministry statement. Israel has come under inter- national criticism for not doing more to enable Palestinians Obama family matriarch has died in a Kenyan hospital at 99 living in areas it occupies to be inoculated, while its national AP — NAIROBI “She died this morning. We nation. We’ve lost a strong, vir- Obama, Sr. The family is part of Sara Obama Foundation helped vaccination drive has been one are devastated,” Onyango said tuous woman, a matriarch who Kenya’s Luo ethnic group. provide food and education to of the fastest and most efficient Sarah Obama, the matriarch of on a phone call. held together the Obama family President Obama often children who lost their parents in the world. former US President Barack “Mama was sick with and was an icon of family showed affection toward her — providing school supplies, It says it has vaccinated Obama’s Kenyan family has normal diseases she did not die values,” President Uhuru Ken- and referred to her as “Granny” uniforms, basic medical needs, more than 100,000 Palestinian died, relatives and officials of COVID-19,” a family yatta said. in his memoir, Dreams from My and school fees. workers with permits to enter confirmed yesterday. She was spokesman Sheik Musa Ismail She will be remembered for Father. He described meeting In a 2014 interview, she said the country or Jewish settle- at least 99 years old. said, adding that she had tested her work to promote education her during his 1988 trip to his that even as an adult, letters ments in the West Bank but that Mama Sarah, as the step- negative for the disease. He said to empower orphans, Kisumu father’s homeland and their would arrive but she couldn’t the Palestinian Authority bears grandmother of the former US she had been ill for a week Governor Anyang Nyong’o said initial awkwardness as they read them. She said she didn’t overall responsibility for inoc- president was fondly called, before being taken to the while offering his condolences struggled to communicate which want her children to be illit- ulations in self-rule areas. promoted education for girls hospital. to the people of Kogelo village developed into a warm bond. erate, so she saw that all her After the arrival of the and orphans in her rural Kogelo President Barack Obama for losing a matriarch. She attended his first inau- family’s children went to school. Chinese shipment, Palestinian village. She passed away around had been informed of the death “She was a philanthropist guration as president in 2009. She recalled pedaling the Health minister Mai Al Kaila 4am local time while being and has sent his condolences, who mobilised funds to pay Later, Obama spoke about his president’s father six miles to said in the West Bank city of treated at the Jaramogi Oginga he said. school fees for the orphans,” he grandmother again in his Sep- school on the back of her Ramallah that recent restric- Odinga Teaching and Referral She will be buried today said. tember 2014 speech to the UN bicycle every day from the fam- tions such as curfews and hospital in Kisumu, Kenya’s before midday and the funeral Sarah Obama, was the General Assembly. ily’s home village of Kogelo to weekend lockdowns had third-largest city in the coun- will be held under Islamic rites. second wife of President For decades, Sarah Obama the bigger town of Ngiya to helped to relieve pressure on try’s west, according to her “The passing away of Mama Obama’s grandfather and has helped orphans, raising make sure he got the education crowded hospitals. daughter Marsat Onyango. Sarah is a big blow to our helped raise his father, Barack some in her home. The Mama that she never had. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Salvage teams refloat giant ship stuck in Suez Canal AP — SUEZ The unprecedented “Egyptians have succeeded in ending the crisis,” he wrote Salvage teams yesterday freed shutdown, which on Facebook, “despite the a colossal container ship stuck raised fears of massive technical for nearly a week in the Suez complexity.” Canal, ending a crisis that had extended delays, In the village of Amer, which clogged one of the world’s most goods shortages overlooks the canal, residents vital waterways and halted and rising costs cheered as the vessel moved billions of dollars a day in along. Many scrambled to get a maritime commerce. for consumers, closer look while others mock- Helped by the high tide, a has prompted new ingly waved goodbye to the flotilla of tugboats wrenched the departing ship from their fields bulbous bow of the skyscraper- questions about the of clover “Mission accom- sized Ever Given from the shipping industry, plished,” one villager Abdalla canal’s sandy bank, where it Ramadan said. “The whole had been firmly lodged since an on-demand world is relieved.” March 23. supplier for a world The US Embassy in Cairo The tugs blared their horns tweeted its congratulations to in jubilation as they guided the now under pressure Egypt. Ever Given through the water from the coronavirus While the canal is now after days of futility that had pandemic. unblocked, it is unclear when captivated the world, drawing traffic would return to normal. scrutiny and social media Analysts expect it could take at mockery. city of Suez. That created a least another 10 days to clear The giant vessel headed massive traffic jam that held up the backlog on either end. toward the Great Bitter Lake, a $9bn a day in global trade and The breakthrough came wide stretch of water halfway strained supply chains already after days of immense effort between the north and south burdened by the coronavirus with an elite salvage team from ends of the canal, where it will pandemic. the Netherlands. Tugboats be inspected, said Evergreen At least 367 vessels, carrying pushed and pulled to budge the Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container ships, moves after it was fully floated in Suez Canal, Marine Corp, a major Taiwan- everything from crude oil to behemoth from the shore, their Egypt, yesterday. based shipping company that cattle, are backed up as they work buoyed by high tide at operates the ship. wait to traverse the canal. dawn yesterday that resulted in Asia to Europe would continue of extended delays, goods supplies. … Now these floating “We pulled it off!” said Peter Dozens of others have taken the the vessel’s partial refloating. to its original destination of Rot- shortages and rising costs for ships are the warehouse.” Berdowski, CEO of Boskalis, the long, alternate route around the Specialized dredgers dug out terdam, or if it would need to consumers, has prompted new International trade expert salvage firm hired to extract the Cape of Good Hope at Africa’s the stern and vacuumed sand enter another port for repairs. questions about the shipping Jeffrey Bergstrand predicted Ever Given, in a statement. “I southern tip — a 5,000km and mud from beneath the bow. The crisis cast a spotlight on industry, an on-demand sup- “only a minor and transitory am excited to announce that our detour that costs ships hundreds The operation was the vital trade route that carries plier for a world now under effect” on prices of US imports. team of experts, working in of thousands of dollars in fuel extremely delicate. While the over 10 percent of global trade, pressure from the coronavirus “Since most of the imports close collaboration with the and other costs. Ever Given was stuck, the rising including seven percent of the pandemic. blocked over the last week are Suez Canal Authority, success- Egypt, which considers the and falling tides put stress on world’s oil. Over 19,000 ships “We’ve gone to this fragile, heading to Europe, US con- fully refloated the Ever Given … canal a source of national pride the vessel, which is 400 meters ferrying Chinese-made con- just-in-time shipping that we sumers will likely see little thereby making free passage and crucial revenue, already (a quarter mile) long, raising sumer goods and millions of saw absolutely break down in effect on prices of US imports, through the Suez Canal possible has lost over $95m in tolls, concerns it could crack or barrels of oil and liquified the beginning of COVID,” said except to the extent that inter- again.” according to the data firm Ref- break. natural gas flow through the Captain John Konrad, the mediate products of US final Buffeted by a sandstorm, the initiv. Even as salvage work Once the Ever Given is artery from the Middle East and founder and CEO of the goods are made in Europe,” said Ever Given had crashed into a continued, President Abdel inspected in Great Bitter Lake, Asia to Europe and North shipping news website gcaptain. Bergstrand, professor of finance bank of a single-lane stretch of Fattah Al Sissi, who for days was officials will decide whether the America. com. “We used to have big, fat at the University of Notre the canal, about 6km north of silent about the crisis, praised Panama-flagged, Japanese- The unprecedented warehouses in all the countries Dame’s Mendoza College of the southern entrance, near the yesterday’s events. owned ship hauling goods from shutdown, which raised fears where the factories pulled Business. Egypt orders 8 workers detained J&J, AU in deal for up to 400 million vaccine shots REUTERS — PRETORIA The deal follows months of Control and Prevention. cines, making it more chal- lation has received one dose. after deadly negotiations with the AU, which He said the price of the J&J’s lenging to deploy in warmer cli- “We need to immunise at Johnson & Johnson will supply announced a provisional dose is likely to be $10. mates or in poorer countries. least 60 percent of our popu- train collision the African Union (AU) with up agreement in January to buy In February, South Africa AVAT said yesterday that lation in order to get rid of the to 400 million doses of its 270 million doses of vaccines put use of AstraZeneca’s shot many of the AU’s 55 member virus from our continent. The AP — SUEZ COVID-19 vaccine beginning in from J&J, AstraZeneca and on hold after data showed it states had shown a strong pref- J&J agreement enables us to the third quarter, the drug- Pfizer -BioNTech. gave minimal protection against erence for J&J. move towards achieving this Egypt’s chief prosecutor maker said yesterday, as the The status of the talks with mild-to-moderate infection Africa is also grappling with target,” Nkengasong said. yesterday ordered eight rail continent grapples with vacci- the other two companies is not caused by the country’s dom- a more-infectious variant iden- Most of the supplies will be employees, including two train nating 60% of its people. known. inant variant. tified in South Africa amid con- produced by Aspen Pharma in drivers, to remain in custody The virus has killed almost J&J’s vaccine came to the Several countries in Europe cerns about delays of deliveries South Africa, AVAT said in a for their alleged roles in a 121,000 people across Africa market much later than those have suspended using Astra- of AstraZeneca shots via the statement. deadly crash in the country’s and infected 4.18 million. of AstraZeneca and Pfizer but Zeneca’s vaccine as they inves- COVAX scheme which is aimed President Cyril Ramaphosa south. J&J unit Janssen Pharma- has recently gained widespread tigate a small number of reports at supplying poorer countries. said yesterday that South Africa Two passenger trains col- ceutica NV has entered into a acceptance globally, especially of rare blood clotting in people The continent is far behind will get 30 million vaccines lided Friday in the province of deal with the African Vaccine in Africa. who got the vaccine. Global reg- nations, including Israel, the from Aspen’s facility while a Sohag, about 440km south of Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to “J&J requires just a single ulators have said the shot is safe United States and Britain in its total roughly 250 million will Cairo. It was the latest in a deliver 220 million doses of its dose, it makes it a very good and effective. vaccination rollout. Almost half be distributed across the con- series of deadly railway acci- single-dose shot. AVAT could programmatically to rollout,” Pfizer’s shot has more of Britons have received their tinent from the facility. Aspen dents that have rocked the order an additional 180 million said John Nkengasong, director complex storage and transpor- first dose, while in contrast only has contracted with J&J to man- country in recent years. doses through 2022. of the Africa Centres for Disease tation needs than other vac- 0.4% of South Africa’s popu- ufacture 300 million doses. General Prosecutor Hamada Al Sawy in a statement revised downward In Mozambique, the number killed to 18 and Land dispute drives new exodus in Ethiopia’s Tigray 200 injured, including thousands flee children. REUTERS — SHIRE On Saturday, Health Min- besieged Palma ister Hala Zayed had told a The dusty buses keep coming, news conference that at least dozens a day, mattresses, chairs by boats 19 people were killed and 185 and baskets piled on top. They injured. That number was stop at schools hurriedly turned AL JAZEERA — MAPUTO down from the 32 killed ini- into camps, disgorging families tially announced on Friday. who describe fleeing from Thousands of survivors of Those ordered to remain ethnic Amhara militia in Ethi- coordinated attacks in northern in custody included the two opia’s Tigray region. Mozambique’s Palma town train drivers and their Four months after the Ethi- were arriving in the provincial assistants, el-Sawy said. A opian government declared capital Pemba on boats, control tower guard, the head victory over the rebellious according to sources in the city. of traffic control in neigh- Tigray People’s Liberation Front Rebel fighters raided boring Assiut province, and (TPLF), tens of thousands of Palma last week, a town of two other guards were also Tigrayans are again being approximately 75,000 in the jailed, he said. driven from their homes. province of Cabo Delgado that The two trains collided at This time, it is due not to is home to a multibillion- the town of Tahta, causing two the fighting, but to regional dollar gas project being built train cars to derail and flip on forces and militiamen from by France’s Total and other their side. Rail officials initially neighbouring Amhara seeking energy companies. said someone activated the to settle a decades-old land Sea Star, a large passenger emergency brakes on one of dispute, according to witnesses, A bus carrying displaced people arrives at the Tsehaye primary school, which was turned into a vessel, arrived in Pemba on the trains, which was headed aid workers and members of temporary shelter for people displaced by conflict, in the town of Shire, Tigray region, Ethiopia. Sunday carrying about 1,400 to the Mediterranean city of Tigray’s new administration. people, mostly workers, Alexandria. Prime Minister Amhara officials say the to the Amhara region,” “They said you guys don’t humanitarian situation in the including Total employees. Mustafa Madbouly has said, disputed lands, equal to about Gizachew Muluneh, spokesman belong here,” Ababu told region, with hundreds of thou- Another ship arrived in however, that no cause has a quarter of Tigray, were taken for the Amhara regional admin- Reuters in Shire, a town 160 km sands of people already Pemba on Sunday afternoon been determined. during the nearly three decades istration, told Reuters. to the east, to where many from uprooted by fighting. The ter- and was released yesterday Train wrecks and mishaps that the TPLF dominated Ababu Negash, 70, said she west Tigray are fleeing. “They ritorial dispute is also being morning, according to an are common in Egypt, which central government before fled Adebay, a town in western said if we stay, they will kill us.” carefully watched by other official from an international has one of the world’s oldest Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Tigray, after Amhara officials This fresh exodus from the regions in Ethiopia’s fractious aid agency operating in the city. rail systems, despite public came to power in 2018. summoned Tigrayans to west of Tigray risks exacer- federation, some with their own Police and military have outcry. “Obviously the land belongs meetings in February. bating a precarious simmering border disputes. cordoned off the zone, restricting access to the area where the boats were landing. International aid agency Hunger rules urban Zimbabwe amid COVID-19 lockdowns sources said between 6,000 and 10,000 people are waiting ANADOLU— ANKARA Assessment Committee’s “While unable to find work 30% for the same period in 2019. an empty stomachs,” the WFP to be evacuated to safety fol- (ZimVAC) report coordinated by in cities, the ban on travel has “Reduced access to nutritious Country Director Francesca lowing the raid on Palma that The COVID-19-related lockdown the Food and Nutrition Council, meant that seasonal employment food has resulted in negative Erdelmann was quoted as saying began last Wednesday. in Zimbabwe has increased the WFP explained that in rural areas is no longer an impacts for many. Families will in the report. “For the most vul- The government said hunger in urban areas over the COVID-19 lockdowns imposed option,” the WFP added. find it difficult to put food on the nerable people, hunger will have dozens were killed in the past year with over 2.4 million to curb the spread of the virus It explained that with work table, most of them have been a lasting effect on their lives. The attack, including seven people people losing their daily wages, “have dealt a severe blow to poor opportunities disappearing, 42% stuck at home and were not able deteriorating hunger situation, caught in an ambush during the World Food Programme urban communities, many of of urban households would not to go to work, the fortunate ones caused by COVID-19, threatens an operation to evacuate them announced yesterday. Citing the whom were daily wage earners be able to meet their cereal needs will skip meals while those to be their biggest challenge,” from a hotel where they had Zimbabwe Vulnerability living hand to mouth.” this year compared to roughly without will have to go to bed with Erdelmann added. sought refuge. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 Promoting, protecting human rights Established in 1996 CHAIRMAN represents strategic choice for Qatar DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI QNA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF A virtual workshop began DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI yesterday on “strengthening [email protected] support for the establishment of the national mechanism for reporting and follow-up in ACTING MANAGING EDITOR the State of Qatar”, organized MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED by the Human Rights [email protected] Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooper- ation with the UN Human DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Rights Training and Docu- MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI mentation Centre for South- [email protected] West Asia and the Arab Region, and the Treaty Body Capacity Building Programme in the Office of the High EDITORIAL Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Beirut. The workshop was Qatar boosts Africa diplomacy attended by Acting Director of the Human Rights Virtual workshop organised by Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Department at the Ministry of cooperation with the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia QATAR’S diplomatic relationship with Africa and sub- Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Turki and the Arab Region. Saharan Africa in particular has been existent for bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud; decades. Though these countries’ embassies were Regional Representative of In his opening speech, Dr. He added that according reports for international mainly opened in Doha from the early 2000s, there the High Commissioner for Turki bin Abdullah Al to what Amir H H Sheikh regional mechanisms, and that has been a remarkable increase from 2010. Human Rights in the Middle Mahmoud said that the organi- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani there is a permanent com- Developing relations between two countries nec- East and North Africa zation of this workshop comes announced in his speech mittee to prepare reports for essarily involves better bilateral understanding, pro- Ruwaida Al Hajj; and repre- within the framework of the during the opening of the 49th the universal periodic review moted by opening a direct and rapid diplomatic sentatives of a number of rel- follow-up to the first workshop regular session of the Shura mechanism and follow up on channel. Over 20 African countries have an embassy evant government agencies in that was organized in March Council, the first elections for recommendations since 2010. in Doha; 14 of those are from sub-Saharan Africa. the State of Qatar. 2020, stressing the growing the Council will be held in He explained that one of South Africa opened its embassy in Doha in During the first day of the importance attached by the October 2021. the most important and October 2003, though diplomatic relations were estab- workshop, several presenta- State of Qatar to the issue of Dr. Al Mahmoud stressed prominent developments lished after the apartheid period. Although Qatar’s tions were made, most promoting and protecting that the State of Qatar has taken by the State of Qatar in relations with African countries go back decades, notably the presentation of human rights, as it represents a extended an open invitation the promotion and protection starting from 2010, Qatar accelerated the process of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strategic choice for the country since 2010 to holders of the of human rights is the for- consolidating its ties with these countries by opening on the experience of the State and forms the backbone of its special procedures of the mation of a working group to more than 15 new embassies and missions in many of Qatar in cooperating with comprehensive reform policy, Human Rights Council, in study the recommendation of sub-Saharan African states. the United Nations human where human development addition to its full cooperation the National Human Rights In December 2017, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin rights mechanisms, and a and the protection and pro- and interaction with the uni- Committee to join the Inter- Hamad Al Thani undertook a tour of West Africa, his briefing on the latest develop- motion of human rights are at versal periodic review mech- national Convention for the first trip to the region. The visits, including Guinea, ments on the establishment of the top of Qatar’s priorities. anism, and pointed out that the Protection of All Persons from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, proved Qatar’s interest in the national mechanism for He explained that one of the State of Qatar obtained an Enforced Disappearance and maintaining positive relations with countries worldwide. reporting and follow-up, most important and prominent advanced rating of 100 percent Optional Protocol to the Con- In 2019, H H the Amir also visited Rwanda and made lessons learned and observa- developments that the State of for the countries that submit vention against Torture and his first visit to Nigeria. tions reached by the State of Qatar has recently taken in pro- their reports to the international Other Cruel, Inhuman or Qatar’s foreign policy is based on a set of prin- Qatar during its dealings with moting and protecting human mechanisms according to the Degrading Treatment or Pun- ciples outlined in its Constitution, including strength- the various United Nations rights is its accession to the statistical indicators issued by ishment, adding that the work ening international peace and security by encouraging human rights mechanisms. International Covenant on Civil the Office of the High Commis- team submitted its recom- the peaceful resolution of international disputes and Furthermore, the presen- and Political Rights and the sioner for Human Rights. mendations to join the con- building alliances, and finding solutions to conflicts tation noted the status of rati- International Covenant on Eco- He also referred to the cerned authorities. through dialogue and mediation while respecting sov- fications of international nomic, Social and Cultural establishment of the National At the end of his speech, ereign nations’ rights. treaties and universal Rights, and thus Qatar has Committee for Women, Acting Director of the Human The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo periodic review reports, become a party to seven of the Children, Elderly and Persons Rights Department at the H E Felix Tshisekedi’s visit to Qatar further highlights including mid-term reports, human rights conventions. with Disabilities Affairs, which Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qatar’s diplomatic resolve. Qatar and Congo signed permanent invitation to In the same context, comes within the framework of Dr. Turki bin Abdullah Al an agreement to establish diplomatic relations in New holders of special procedures, Acting Director of compliance with the recom- Mahmoud said that the York in November 2019. The Permanent Represent- and their visits, as well as Department of Human Rights mendations of the monitoring organization of this ative of Qatar to the United Nations, H E Ambassador submission of reports to at the Ministry of Foreign committees to establish an workshop comes within the Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, signed on behalf treaty bodies, in addition to Affairs Dr. Turki bin Abdullah independent central gov- framework of continuous of Qatar, while Permanent Representative of Congo introducing how effective Al Mahmoud referred to the ernment mechanism con- cooperation between the to the United Nations, Ambassador Ignace Gata Mavita cooperation and communi- issuance of Amiri Decision cerned with the rights of Human Rights Department at wa Lufuta, signed on behalf of D R Congo. cation with international No. 47 of 2019 establishing women, children, the elderly the Ministry of Foreign The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most human rights mechanisms and forming the Supreme and people with disabilities, he Affairs, the UN Human Rights populous officially Francophone country in the world can be achieved - in the Committee to prepare for the said the committee was formed Training and Documentation and the 4th-most populous country in Africa. context of preparing reports, election of the Shura Council under the chairmanship of the Centre for South-West Asia During President Tshisekedi’s visit, H H the Amir interactive dialogue or facili- and define its terms of ref- Minister of Administrative and the Arab Region and the and H E the President witnessed the signing of several tating the visit - steps for erence, so that it undertakes Development, Labor and Social Treaty Body Capacity agreements and MoUs between the two countries’ gov- writing reports, roles and all active tasks in preparation Affairs and membership of Building Programme in the ernments. They agreed to promote and protect mutual responsibilities, and intro- for the Council elections, and several different government Office of the High Commis- investments, economic and commercial cooperation, ducing how to organize and in particular supervising the agencies, in addition to civil sioner for Human Rights and an understanding to avoid double taxation and facilitate reporting, preparation of the necessary society organizations and the (OHCHR) in Beirut, while prevent financial evasion. Both countries also agreed responding to communica- legislative tools projects, for National Human Rights Com- expressing hope for further to partner in maritime transport and aviation services. tions and following up on the Shura Council elections, mittee, noting that work is also strengthening of cooperation questions from these and to propose a schedule for underway to form a permanent and coordination mechanisms. the election process. committee to prepare state frameworks.

D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] After COVID-19, let’s keep our masks on MIHIR SHARMA This is remarkable. Living I recognize that this dream Americans that “there’s no EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 BLOOMBERG FAX: +974 4455 7758 in Delhi, with its crowds and might be a little difficult to reason to be walking around its sudden changes of season, achieve in some parts of the with a mask.” While they MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 As recovery from the corona- usually means one picks up world. This century has set a changed their minds later, virus pandemic continues, pretty much every bug that’s ridiculously high bar for par- inconsistent messaging is still DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 Bloomberg Opinion is going around. tisanship and polarization damaging. running a series of columns I am not fond of masks. but, even by those standards, There’s another reason LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 looking at crisis-inspired And, in the steam-bath the transformation of mask- why masks have been the BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 innovations that promise summers of north India, wearing into a political silver lining of this awful year, better living over the long wearing something on your statement in the United States at least as far as I’m con- SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 run - from more resilient face can be stifling. And yet I and elsewhere has been cerned. Last March, Prime economies, cleaner cities and find myself hoping that once appalling. Minister Narendra Modi ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 healthier offices to five-star this pandemic ends, the habit Surely, of all the things ordered India into one of the email: [email protected] meal kits and less unnec- of mask-wearing will remain. one could do to prevent the most restrictive lockdowns in PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 essary business travel . Not all the time, of course. spread of disease, mask- the world. Markets were shut, email: [email protected] It has been a year since That might be asking too wearing is the easiest to deliveries stopped, nobody the pandemic hit India and, much. But wouldn’t it be great understand. Instead, it’s as if could buy anything - but I felt MARKETING: TEL: 4455 7657 for me, the oddest thing is if city-dwellers across the one whole section of rich. Because, lying by the email: [email protected] how healthy I’ve been. Like world began to behave a little humanity decided it was per- door of my Delhi flat, I had most but not all of the people more like those in East Asia? fectly polite to cough in peo- lots of N95 masks. ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 857 I see on the streets, I have If, during flu season, people ple’s faces. This was not because I FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] been masked up these past 12 wore masks whenever they Nor have the health miraculously foresaw the CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 months. I’ve washed my planned to take a flight or join authorities always been as pandemic. (If I had, I would email: [email protected] hands religiously and avoided a crowd? That if they caught sensible about this as one have shorted the market, not crowds. As a result, for the themselves sniffling, they would like: Last March, bought masks.) Nor had I SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 first time in my life, I haven’t grabbed a mask on their way remember, people like Dr. hoarded masks the moment FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected] caught a cold all year. out the door? Anthony Fauci were telling news of the virus emerged.

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar The whole country is in danger, the whole country is the Titanic. It's time we all woke up /Peninsula_Qatar because in the end, if the ship sinks, there'll be /ThePeninsulaNewspaper no one left. Nabih Berri, Lebanon's Parliament Speaker +974 6698 6188 TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 OPINION 09 Advances in brain tech spur calls for ‘neuro-rights’

In Chile, senate member biomarkers that can indicate He predicted the same Guido Girardi is pushing to if someone is predisposed to dynamics present in the social translate those principles into developing dementia. Let’s media or search industry - law, with a bill that would say (that) data is shared with a where companies offer a give legal protection to a suit Future of brain prospective employer, you service for free in return for of neuro-rights, and a com- could face discrimination on permission to harvest user plementary reform to the science is raising the job market,” he said. data - will likely surface in AVI ASHER-SCHAPIRO country’s constitution. thorny ethical In 2018, Ienca published a neurotech. REUTERS This month, the National review of six commercially That could lead to serious Commission for Scientific and questions Scientists available “neuromonitoring” consequences for privacy in Technological Research and policymakers headsets in the journal Nature the coming years, Brown A turning point for Rafael began debating Girardi’s pro- Biotechnology. warned, with companies Yuste, a neuroscientist at New posal, which got unanimous pushing to guard He found that the electro- linking users’ social media York’s Columbia University, support from parliament in against abuse encephalography (EEG) data behavior to their brain images came when his lab discovered December 2020. His office Chile poised to gathered by the devices as in real time to craft ads or it could activate a few neurons hopes the bill will be adopted they measure electrical other messages. He also in a mouse’s visual cortex and later in the year. become first activity in the brain could be worries about how neuro- make it hallucinate. “If this technology is country to legislate leaked online, sold to third technology might exacerbate The mouse had been industrialized without the parties, or subjected to uses existing patterns of discrimi- trained to lick at a water spout proper regulations and rules, “neuro-rights”. that consumers did not nation and racism. every time it saw two vertical it will threaten fundamental consent to. In his research, he has Advances in brain bars, and researchers were able human autonomy,” he said in This also concerns Adam warned of the possibility of to prompt it to drink even with a phone interview. of disorders from Parkinson’s Molnar, the co-founder of “mandatory neurointerven- science like those no bars in sight, said Yuste, Meanwhile, the Organi- disease to epilepsy. neurotech start-up Neurable, tions,” when institutions like made by Yuste’s team whose team published a study sation for Economic Co-oper- And major tech firms, which is developing head- schools or prisons might on the experiment in 2019. ation and Development from Facebook to Tesla, are phones that measure EEG to deploy neurotechnology to have made it possible “We could make the (OECD) has issued its own working on “computer-brain” help users track brain activity assess mental states. to penetrate the animal see something it didn’t neurotechnology guidelines, interfaces to allow consumers and emotions like burnout. “Are we going to see a brain using censors see, as if it were a puppet,” he noted Marcello Ienca, a to control devices with their When Neurable launches a situation where prisoners told the Thomson Reuters researcher at ETH Zurich’s thoughts, while some smaller new device, he said, it pledges are asked to put their heads and implants and Foundation in a phone Health Ethics and Policy Lab, companies sell wearable not to sell user data, and only in a box, and they are access some degree interview. “If we can do this who works on the OECD devices to monitor brain uses collected data to improve scanned to see if they are today with an animal, we can project. activity. its own products. eligible for parole based on of neural activity. do it tomorrow with a human “Usually people only start But warnings of “science- “We want to be the good an algorithmic interpretation The US Food and for sure.” talking about ethics and regu- fiction scenarios” of for-profit guys,” he said, adding that he of their brain?,” Brown Yuste is part of a group of lations after a big scandal, but mind control are overblown hopes the move will help set asked. Drug Administration scientists and lawmakers, with neurotech I hope we can for a line of research that is the tone for other neurotech “What will the impact of has approved deep stretching from Switzerland take on these questions before still so young, said Karen firms. that be on Black and brown to Chile, who are working to that scandal,” he said. Rommelfanger, director of the Data harvesting people, who we know are brain stimulation rein in the potential abuses of ‘Science-fiction neuroethics program at Rommelfanger at Emory is already disproportionately procedures - neuroscience by companies scenarios’ Emory University in Atlanta. wary of moving too quickly to (represented) in these implanting electrodes from tech giants to wearable Advances in brain science “Yes, the science will get regulate brain tech, which she institutions.” startups. like those made by Yuste’s better, not worse,” she said. said could stifle innovation. Yuste says policymakers in the brain - to treat Following his team’s dis- team have made it possible to “But exactly how it develops is She recommends direct around the world need to start a range of disorders covery, he launched the Neur- penetrate the brain using up in the air.” engagement with startups contemplating these issues oRights Initiative, which advo- censors and implants and Lenca at ETH Zurich said working on commercial now. He has been in touch from Parkinson’s cates five “neuro-rights” to access some degree of neural major ethical issues could devices, encouraging them to with members of President Joe disease to epilepsy. protect how a person’s brain activity. arise if the data commercial develop privacy-conscious Biden’s administration and the data is accessed and used, The US Food and Drug neurotech devices cllect is and ethically-minded United Nations about neuro- including a right to mental Administration has approved widely shared and analyzed products. rights and related issues. privacy and to free will. deep brain stimulation proce- without proper safeguards, he Girardi favours strict reg- “It’s not about patching “Right now, it’s the wild dures - implanting electrodes said. ulation. “We didn’t regulate the law,” he said. “These tech- west,” Yuste said. in the brain - to treat a range “We already have digital the big social media and nologies affect the core of internet platforms in time, what it means to be human - and it costs us. We have lost the only way to tackle this is control of all kinds of data, with new human rights.” from our location to our romantic interests - it’s all In 2018, Ienca up for sale,” he said. “My proposals would give published a review the status of your mind data of six commercially the same as your organs, like your heart,” he added. “No available one can interfere with it.” “neuromonitoring” “If we allow for all this brain data to be taken, who headsets in the knows what the conse- journal Nature quences will be? We’ll have Biotechnology. algorithms deciding what it means to be ‘happy’,” Girardi He found that said. the electroen- Tim Brown, a neuroethics expert at the University of cephalography Washington, said the data (EEG) data gathered currently being collected is not powerful enough to do by the devices that. as they measure “A lot of that brain data is basically noise,” he said. electrical activity in But, he noted, scientists the brain could be are working on algorithms to leaked online, sold decode and analyze the data gleaned from EEG and func- to third parties, or tional magnetic resonance subjected to uses that imaging (fMRI) scans, hoping to build computer models that consumers did not Test person Niklas Thiel poses with an electroencephalography (EEG) cap which measures brain activity, at the Technische Universitaet can interpret an individual’s consent to. Muenchen (TUM) in Garching near Munich. mental state. Yes, your kids are spending more time on screens. Stop feeling guilty about it.

spending dramatically more online gameplay. Instead, In other words: Not all Kids by themselves, but a time with screens when virtual schoolwork was a top screen time is the same. parent has to be there for stay-at-home orders went activity. Kids who previously Rather than thinking Google or YouTube. When into place. At PBS Kids, we might have used Facetime solely in terms of the quantity my third-grader wants to were not surprised to see a only to call their grand- of the screen time kids are watch a new show or 23 percent increase in parents started using tech- getting, parents should focus download an app, we look up Most promisingly, streaming and a 40 percent nology to socialize safely instead on the quality of that the target age range and SARA DEWITT increase in game play in the with their friends. time. reviews together. Often, we’ll parents report that THE WASHINGTON POST first month of the pandemic Most promisingly, Although the thicket of watch a story or play the they are watching - a rise that has held steady parents report that they are options on YouTube or other game together. My kindergartner’s class had compared with pre-pan- watching more content with platforms is overwhelming, Which brings me back to more content with to go all virtual Friday. My demic numbers. their kids; a report commis- remember that kids can Friday’s “Arthur” binge. That their kids; a report third-grader had an asyn- But while the circum- sioned by the content learn a lot from high-quality night at dinner, we asked the commissioned by chronous day. And I was stances in which children company WildBrain Spark educational content, and boys what happened in the making a big Zoom presen- are using screens have suggests 66 percent of you’re not on your own in episodes they watched. My the content company tation. Minutes before I changed, media coverage of parents expect to keep doing trying to find it. Librarians, kindergartner shared that WildBrain Spark logged on, I handed the boys screen time continues to this after the pandemic. This teachers and school districts Francine felt bad for lying snacks, water, a TV remote treat any increase in screen is great news: Research is will all have suggestions. about her bicycle being suggests 66 percent and my iPad. When I time with alarm and clear that kids learn more And while not everything stolen, and that prompted a of parents expect reemerged, they reported anxiety. No one wanted kids from media when they “co- has to be educational, organ- family conversation about that they had watched five to be out of school for a year view” with a grown-up. izations such as Common telling the truth and owning to keep doing this straight episodes of “Arthur,” and barred from their Watching together is also Sense Media can help up to mistakes - one that after the pandemic. while simultaneously neighborhood playgrounds; often a social activity: Kids parents check whether continued through most of building a giant tower in no one expected to have inevitably ask questions and content is age appropriate. the meal. This is great news: Minecraft. their children with them can discuss what they did or Don’t leave your kids out Yes, my kids had been Research is clear This is when I’m sup- while they worked every didn’t like about a show or of the conversation when glued to a screen for almost that kids learn more posed to tell you how guilty I day for a year. Of course movie. Both kinds of conver- finding new shows and three hours that afternoon. feel. But I don’t, and neither screen time has gone up! sations help kids hone their games. Many kids are excited But that didn’t make them from media when should you. Why are we shaming critical thinking skills. A TV about the new tech skills anti-social or unable to think they “co-view” with A year into the pan- parents about it? And why show can inspire conversa- they’re gaining, but their for themselves. Instead, their demic, we all know that aren’t we curious about tions about ethical, social or independent searches can deep dive into a fictional a grown-up. kids’ screen time has gone whether that screen time emotional issues. And there lead to content that’s silly at world helped them engage up. The kid-oriented itself is different? are stress-relieving benefits, best, or inappropriate and with our family in the real Internet services company As should have been too: Family movie night in dangerous at worst. In my one. Why would I feel guilty SuperAwesome reported obvious, the increases my household inevitably house, we’ve set rules about about that? that children in the United weren’t solely about leads to a dance party during searching for new things: My Sara DeWitt is vice pres- States and Britain started streaming video binges and the credits. children can search YouTube ident of PBS Kids Digital. 10 ASIA TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 Thousands take to streets in Myanmar as five more protesters killed REUTERS — YANGON Based on a tally many groups have agreed to ceasefires, fighting has flared Myanmar security forces killed by the Assistance in recent days between the at least five protesters Association for army and forces in both the east yesterday, three of them in the and north. main city of Yangon, witnesses Political Prisoners The UN Security Council is and media reported, as activists advocacy group, 464 likely to hold closed consulta- called on ethnic minority forces civilians have been tions on the escalating situation in the diverse nation to back in Myanmar, diplomats said their campaign against military killed since the coup. Sunday, speaking on condition rule. Despite the violence, of anonymity because they After the bloodiest day were not allowed to release the since the February 1 military crowds turned out information ahead of an official coup with 114 deaths on Sat- in towns across the announcement. urday, thousands took to the The council has condemned Protesters use slingshots while taking cover behind a barricade as smoke rises from burning debris streets in towns across the country. the violence and called for a during ongoing protests against the military coup, in Monywa, Sagaing region, Myanmar, yesterday. country, determined to show restoration of democracy, but their opposition to the relapse has not yet considered possible into military rule after a decade Police and a junta sanctions against the military, Air strikes along border force of democratic reform. spokesman did not answer calls which would require support At least two people were seeking comment. Myanmar’s or an abstention by Myanmar’s killed in the Yangon district of Red Cross said in a message it neighbour and friend China. South Dagon when security was checking the report. Myanmar’s military has for villagers to flee en masse forces moved in to clear pro- Two people were also killed decades justified its grip on testers’ barricades, residents in shooting in the central town power by saying it is the only AP — YANGON Mae Hong Son province, be displaced inside Myanmar’s said. of Myingyan, student leader institution capable of pre- according to the agency. northern Karen state, according “We can confirm two were Moe Myint Hein said. serving national unity. It seized A series of air strikes by Myan- Thai Prime Minister Prayut to the Free Burma Rangers. killed in our ward,” said one Based on a tally by the power saying that November mar’s military along the coun- Chan-ocha yesterday acknowl- The bombings may have neighbourhood resident who Assistance Association for elections won by Nobel laureate try’s border raised concerns edged the problems along his been in retaliation for a asked to be identified as just Political Prisoners advocacy Aung San Suu Kyi’s party were yesterday that more villagers country’s western border and reported attack by the Karen Win. group, 464 civilians have been fraudulent, an assertion dis- might flee to neighbouring said his government is preparing National Liberation Army in “About 15 members of the killed since the coup. missed by the election Thailand in large numbers, for a possible influx of people. which they claimed to have security forces came and shot Despite the violence, commission. adding a new dimension to an “We don’t want to have captured a Myanmar gov- all around.” crowds turned out in towns Suu Kyi remains in already volatile crisis. mass migration into our ter- ernment military outpost on Security forces fired a across the country, according detention at an undisclosed The strikes in areas popu- ritory, but we will consider Saturday morning. The group much heavier-calibre weapon to media and social media location and many other figures lated predominantly by ethnic human rights, too,” Prayut said. is fighting for greater autonomy than usual to clear a barricade posts. in her party are also in custody. Karen people represent another Asked about people who for the Karen people. in South Dagon, witnesses said One of the main groups UN Special Rapporteur for escalation in the increasingly have already fled into Thailand, According to Thoolei News, and a video clip showed, but it behind the protests, the General Myanmar Tom Andrews said violent crackdown by Myan- Prayut said: “We have prepared an online site that carries official was not immediately clear what Strike Committee of National- the army was carrying out mar’s junta on protests. some places, but we don’t want information from the Karen type. ities, called in an open letter on “mass murder” and called on Myanmar aircraft carried to talk about the preparation of National Union, eight gov- Pictures on social media Facebook for ethnic minority the world to isolate the junta out three strikes overnight on refugee centers at the moment. ernment soldiers were captured from the northwestern town of forces to help those standing up and block its access to weapons. Sunday, according Dave We won’t go that far.” and 10 were killed. The report Kale showed soldiers with to the “unfair oppression” of the US Trade Representative Kath- Eubank, a member of the Free Video shot on Sunday said one Karen guerrilla died. rocket-propelled grenade military. erine Tai said the United States Burma Rangers, a humanitarian showed a group of villagers, Before the overnight launchers but it was not known “It is necessary for the was suspending all trade relief agency that delivers including many young children, bombings, Myanmar military if they had fired them. ethnic armed organisations to engagement with Myanmar medical and other assistance to resting in a forest clearing inside aircraft had attacked a Karen One man was killed earlier collectively protect the people,” until the return of a democrat- villagers. Myanmar after fleeing their guerrilla position in Karen in another Yangon neigh- the group said. ically elected government. The strikes severely injured homes. They carried their pos- state’s Mutraw district on bourhood, when security forces Insurgents from different But foreign criticism and one child but caused no apparent sessions in bundles and baskets. Sunday, according to humani- fired on protesters and a Red ethnic groups have battled the sanctions imposed by some fatalities, he said. Strikes over the In addition to those who have tarian workers. Two guerrillas Cross team, witness Thiha Soe central government for decades Western countries have failed weekend sent about 2,500 fled to Thailand, an estimated were killed and many more said. for greater autonomy. Though to sway the generals. people into northern Thailand’s 10,000 people are believed to were wounded in those attacks. Australian PM promotes women Fearing lost wages, India’s urban poor shun vaccine REUTERS — CHENNAI any case,” said Lakshmi, 40, “The fear of losing even a produced in India. of such initiatives in the slums in cabinet who lives in the Ranganatha day’s salary is very real for Anyone aged over 45 is now — highlighting long-standing As a second wave of COVID-19 Puram area of the southern port many people who have to pay eligible to be vaccinated in health inequalities, charities reshuffle cases sweeps India, some poor city of Chennai. back huge debts accumulated India, but getting a vaccine shot and advocates said. city workers are shunning “All I know is many people during the lockdown,” said is a low priority for many “Biases and problems with REUTERS — CANBERRA vaccination because they fear on my street have said no to the Josephine Valarmathi, Tamil working-class families. the functioning of urban health losing a day’s pay to get the jab, vaccine. And a few who have Nadu state coordinator of the In a poor neighbourhood in centers even prior to COVID-19 Australian Prime Minister or possible side effects that had muscle ache, fever and nonprofit National Domestic Bengaluru’s Yashwantpura have become hindrances now,” Scott Morrison reshuffled his could force them to skip work couldn’t go to work,” she said, Workers’ Movement. locality, Sima Sikligar said her said Vanessa Peter, founder of Cabinet yesterday as he sought for longer. asking not to give her full name. Other are misinformed family had decided against charity Information and to repair his standing following Authorities are scrambling At 47, Lakshmi’s husband is about the possible side effects immunisation. Resource Center for the a series of damaging allega- to open vaccination centres in the eligible for the vaccine, but like of vaccination, she said. “We’re scared of getting Deprived Urban tions about the mistreatment slums, but uptake has been her, he is reluctant to take it. “Those with co-morbidities injections and will not be able Communities. of female lawmakers and staff. slower than expected — exposing Such views are common in like thyroid or hypertension, are to afford any additional “We have often had slum Morrison has struggled to deep inequalities in healthcare city slums across the country of worried. There has been no big medical cost if it arises,” the dwellers telling us that doctors placate public anger amid alle- access and high rates of vaccine 1.3 billion people, which has attempt to allay these fears.” teenager, who said her father don’t touch them during check- gations of sexual abuse, dis- hesitancy, campaigners said. reported the third-highest India reported yesterday its worked selling knives, said by ups and no one is willing to crimination against women Lakshmi, a domestic number of coronavirus cases biggest single-day increase in phone. answer any questions. They are and misconduct in worker, said she and her after the United States and coronavirus cases since “My father can’t afford even already unequal in the health parliament. security guard husband had Brazil. October, taking the tally to more a day off from work because we system and the COVID-19 vac- In a move designed to decided not to take their elderly As infections and deaths than 12 million. A total of are surviving on his meager cination drive is no regain voter support, Morrison parents to get their vaccine spike once again, rights cam- 68,020 new infections were earnings. Instead, we pray for different.” said he would now have a shots, because they could not paigners said there was “COVID reported in the last 24 hours, the our health everyday.” Health authorities across record seven female law- afford to take time off work to fatigue” among poor Indian health ministry said. There have been vaccine the vast country have said they makers in his Cabinet as he escort them and care for them workers, and an urgency to get Such numbers spurred information campaigns in are ramping up facilities to awarded promotions and afterwards, if needed. back to work after lockdown the government to put a private hospitals and city ensure an uptick in the number additional remits to five “I have no idea about where curbs decimated their earnings temporary hold on exports apartment blocks, but there has of people queuing up for women. and how to get the vaccine in last year. of the AstraZeneca vaccine been a shortage vaccine shots. “I have always wanted to ensure there is a strong voice of women in my government, and there has been. But I think Aboriginal group opposes what we are announcing today has gone further than that,” miner’s plan to build dams Morrison told reporters in Canberra. REUTERS — MELBOURNE The plan has met with “I have very capable opposition from the Thalanyji women operating in very The Australian Aboriginal traditional owners and was important portfolios.” group whose sacred rock rejected by the minister for While promoting several shelters Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal Affairs, a decision female lawmakers, Morrison last year rejected a plan by that Forrest is now appealing. also moved two MPs who have mining company Fortescue’s “The Puutu Kunti Kurrama been the subject of allegations. founder Andrew Forrest to and Pinikura Peoples strongly Both, however, remain in his build dams along a river in the oppose the plan by Andrew Cabinet. same region, citing the cultural Forrest to construct 10 weirs Linda Reynolds would damage it would cause. along the Ashburton River on his leave the role of defence min- Australia is considering pastoral lease of Minderoo ister and would be replaced by new legislation to protect Abo- Station,” the PKKP said in a Peter Dutton, previously home riginal heritage after Rio, in the statement issued on Sunday. affairs minister. process of building an iron ore “What is not widely understood Reynolds has been criti- mine, destroyed the outside of Aboriginal history and cised for her handling of an 46,000-year-old sites in cultural knowledge, is that any allegation of rape by a member Western Australia state that impact on a river downstream of her staff two years ago. had been among the oldest evi- will have a devastating effect all Christian Porter will be dence of global human along the river and forever replaced as attorney general habitation. change the entire ecosystem for and minister for industrial rela- Australia’s richest man, the traditional owners upstream.” tions by Michaelia Cash, who Forrest, who is chairman and A spokesman said Forrest’s was promoted from the role of the largest shareholder of iron philanthropic Minderoo Foun- minister for employment, skills ore miner Fortescue Metals dation had a strong desire “to and small business. Celebrating Holi in times of pandemic Group, has applied to the state work in a cooperative manner Porter is the subject of a government to build a series of with the Thalanyji People... to historical rape allegation Women wearing protective suits react as coloured powder is applied on their faces during Holi weirs, or low dams, along a river preserve heritage at Minderoo which he denies and is cur- celebrations, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Kolkata, West Bengal, yesterday. that runs through his cattle Station and the natural rently on mental health leave. property to control water flow. landscape. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 ASIA 11

Pakistan president Philippines sees record tests positive for 10,000 new virus cases coronavirus AP — ISLAMABAD REUTERS — MANILA Manila and surrounding provinces Pakistan’s president said The Philippine passed the 10,000 mark were put back under enhanced yesterday he tested positive for new daily coronavirus infections for community quarantine, the highest for coronavirus, hours after the first time yesterday and put its capital the government imposed a region back on one of its toughest levels tier in containment protocols, for partial lockdown in high-risk of lockdown, to try to tackle a spike in the first time since May 2020 to try areas in the country amid a cases that is testing its healthcare to quell the surge in cases, despite sharp spike in new cases. capacity. inroads late last year towards Arif Alvi said on Twitter Manila and surrounding provinces controlling the pandemic. he tested positive for were put back under enhanced com- COVID-19 despite having his munity quarantine (ECQ), the highest tier first dose of vaccine on March in its containment protocols, for the first 15. He was due for a second time since May 2020 to try to quell the activity. “This surge is really challenging dose in a week. “Please con- Police officers man a checkpoint as Philippines’ capital returns to stricter lockdown surge in cases, despite inroads late last while ECQ is painful particularly for the tinue to be careful,” he urged measures amid rising COVID-19 cases, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, yesterday. year towards controlling its epidemic. economic sector,” said Benjamin Co, an people. The country recorded 10,016 new infectious disease expert with three The development came infections yesterday, bringing the overall Manila hospitals. have reached critical levels or above 70% 656,331 healthcare workers so far given nine days after Prime Min- tally to 731,894, with deaths at 13,186, The Philippines was the first country usage, government data showed. “I can their first of two shots. The government ister Imran Khan and his wife one of the highest caseloads in Asia. in Asia to go under a nationwide give you beds, I can give you rooms. The aims to inoculate 70 million people this tested positive for corona- Health authorities blame the spike lockdown and broad restrictions and problem is I cannot give you additional year. virus. Khan also tested pos- on poor public compliance with pre- movement curbs saw its economy slump manpower capacity, like nurses and It has also struggled to secure vaccine itive days after receiving his vention measures and the presence of 9.5% last year, its worst economic con- doctors to take care of you,” Co added. supplies, with an inventory of 2.525 first dose of vaccine. new and more transmissible coronavirus traction on record. Health experts say the surge in infec- million doses, mostly of Sinovac Bio- Imran Ismail, provincial variants in the capital region, which Hospitals’ intensive care and iso- tions underscores the need to expedite tech’s vaccine, one million of which governor in southern Sindh accounts for about a third of economic lation bed capacity in the capital region a national vaccination drive, with only arrived yesterday. province, said the country’s defence minister, Pervez Khattak, had also tested pos- itive for coronavirus. Japan, Indonesia seek to improve Myanmar situation Pakistan is using the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine AP — TOKYO Myanmar situation twice by effective in calming down the that was donated by Beijing phone since the February 1 mil- situation and restoring demo- last month to vaccinate Japanese Foreign Minister itary coup in that country, cratic systems.” health care workers and Toshimitsu Motegi denounced agreed Monday to cooperate The two foreign ministers people above age 60. Myanmar’s escalating closely to improve the situation will join defence ministers from Khan and his wife have crackdown on pro-democracy there, the ministry said. the two countries for “2 plus 2” quarantined themselves at a protests in talks yesterday with The military government’s security talks in Tokyo today sprawling home in Islamabad his Indonesian counterpart, violent crackdown has esca- (Tuesday). and authorities have said who is visiting Tokyo for lated in recent days. At least 114 They also shared “grave Khan will soon return to security discussions focusing on people, including several concern” about Chinese working at his office. China’s growing assertiveness children, were killed by security attempts to change the status Pakistan is in the midst of in regional seas. forces on Saturday alone. quo in the East and South China a third wave of coronavirus, Motegi “strongly criticised” The toll prompted a UN seas, the ministry said. which authorities say is the growing military crackdown human rights expert to accuse Japan, which has a terri- worse than last year’s out- on civilian protesters in the junta of committing “mass torial dispute with China over break when Pakistan had to Myanmar, and welcomed murder” and criticise the inter- a cluster of East China Sea impose a nationwide efforts by the Association of national community for not islands, sees China as a lockdown. Pakistan so far has Southeast Asian Nations to doing enough to stop it. security threat and is dis- avoided a nationwide Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi meets with Japan’s respond to it, his ministry said Japan has not joined the cussing the stepping up of mil- lockdown but it imposed a Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. in a statement. United States and some other itary cooperation with Indo- partial lowdown in several Motegi and Indonesian Western nations in imposing nesia and signing of an arms cities to contain the spread Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, sanctions on Myanmar, but has Chief Cabinet Secretary the Japanese government will and technology transfer of the virus. who have discussed the stepped up verbal protests. Katsunobu Kato yesterday said study “measures that would be agreement. Yesterday, Pakistan reported 41 additional deaths and more than 4,500 new S Korea panel cases in the past 24 hours. S Korea President sacks aide amid home price uproar Pakistan has reported more says J&J Covid than 659,000 cases total, REUTERS — SEOUL “I am very sorry that I’ve world, according to statistics thorough investigation into all including 14,256 deaths, since vaccine safe disappointed the people at this site Numbeo. allegations, and measures to last year. South Korean President Moon grave time when we should be The uproar over housing eradicate property speculation, Authorities yesterday REUTERS — SEOUL Jae-in yesterday fired his top making all-out efforts to root affordability intensified earlier including a law prohibiting con- imposed a partial lockdown economic policy adviser for out real estate speculation,” this month after employees of flicts of interest involving public in several more high-risk A panel of South Korean raising the rent on an apartment Kim told a briefing. a state housing developer were servants. areas in the capital, advisers recommended a he owns in Seoul’s affluent Kim had served the pres- accused of insider trading in “We have to take people’s Islamabad, and elsewhere in coronavirus vaccine from Gangnam district amid a public ident since Moon took office in land. anger and reproach seriously,” the country after the positivity Johnson & Johnson was safe furore over skyrocketing home May 2017, first as antitrust chief The issue has taken a toll on he told a meeting on anti-cor- rate from coronavirus infec- and effective, the food and prices. and then chief policy advisor. Moon’s approval ratings, which ruption policy. tions jumped to over 11%. drug safety ministry said Kim Sang-jo raised the rent He was replaced with Lee hit record lows this month, and “Their anger is touching on Authorities in the eastern yesterday, moving the single- by about 14% in July, two days Ho-seung, Moon’s senior eco- is hurting support for his Dem- more fundamental problems, Punjab province also dose shot a step closer to before a 5% cap on rent nomic secretary, Moon’s chief ocratic Party ahead of a by- including massive unearned announced a two-week long receiving regulatory approval. increases took effect as part of of staff told a briefing. election next month to pick the incomes, widening inequality, partial lockdown in high-risk When granted a greenlight, government efforts to protect Home prices in Seoul have mayors of the country’s two fading dreams of having their cities from April 1 in an effort the J&J vaccine will be the third tenants from unreasonable shot up more than 50% since largest cities, Seoul and Busan. own home and a new class aimed at containing the COVID-19 vaccine authorized hikes. 2017, the fastest pace in the Moon called for a broader, society.” spread of the virus. in South Korea, following ones from AstraZeneca and Pfizer/ BioNTech, both of which require two doses. Japan’s vaccine minister South Korea has an agreement to get 6 million doses of the J&J vaccine and says inoculation pace to has said it will be ready for inoculation from the second accelerate in May quarter. The final authorisation of REUTERS — TOKYO vaccine. Shots developed by the vaccine will be decided AstraZeneca PLC and Moderna after two more expert com- Japan’s vaccine minister, Taro Inc now await local regulatory mittees hold meetings. Kono, said yesterday that the approval. The country has so far pace of coronavirus inoculation Kono said the AstraZeneca administered 793,966 first in the country would accelerate vaccine would be approved doses of vaccines among in May, but that the Tokyo “hopefully sometime soon”, medical workers and high-risk Olympics, set to start in July, adding that the decision was up groups since the beginning of were not factoring into the to the health ministry. its vaccination campaign in schedule. The government has February. Prime Minister Yoshihide arranged to buy 120 million Armed police officers stand guard outside a house of suspected militants during a raid in Jakarta, Suga has pledged to have doses of the AstraZeneca Indonesia, yesterday. enough doses for the country’s vaccine, which will mostly be China reports 15 126 million people by June, made in Japan by domestic Newlywed couple blamed in Indonesia attack before the July 23 start of the drugmakers and don’t need to new virus cases Tokyo Olympics. Supplies have be stored at the ultra-cold tem- AP — MAKASSAR, INDONESIA said they were between 23 and militants, an attack on a bus been trickling in from Pfizer Inc peratures required for the REUTERS — BEIJING 26 years old. terminal in the capital that factories in Europe, but are Pfizer formula. A recently married couple with The attackers detonated killed three police officers and expected to accelerate in the Kono said that having the China reported 15 new suspected militant links used their bombs when they were an attack on a church in Kali- coming months. shots made domestically would COVID-19 cases in the pressure cooker bombs to blow confronted by guards outside mantan that killed a 2-year-old “Starting in May, there will save him from having to “worry mainland for March 28, up themselves up outside a Roman the church. girl a year later. be no bottleneck in supply,” about the transparency mech- from eight a day earlier, the Catholic cathedral during Palm The pressure cookers con- One of the attackers in Kono told Reuters in an anism” that the European country’s national health Sunday Mass, Indonesian offi- tained explosive materials and Makassar was believed to have interview. Officially the min- Union has used to limit exports authority said yesterday. cials said yesterday. nails to increase their harm to had links to a 2019 suicide ister in charge of administrative of vaccines made there. The National Health Com- The attack wounded 20 victims, said Makassar city attack that killed 23 people at reform, Kono was tapped in “If we have somebody mission, in a statement, said people, including four church police chief Witnu Urip Our Lady of Mount Carmel January to lead Japan’s manufacturing vaccines in all the new cases were guards, and broke windows at Laksana. Police carried out Cathedral in the Philippine COVID-19 vaccination push. Japan, it would take off half my imported infections origi- the church and nearby DNA tests to determine the province of Sulu, Indonesian He added that he expected headache,” Kono said. nating from overseas. buildings in Makassar, the attackers’ identities, Laksana National Police Chief Listyo to be able to get 10 million As of Friday, just over The number of new capital of South Sulawesi said. Sigit Prabowo said. doses of vaccines each week in 780,000 people in Japan, asymptomatic cases, which province. The couple were believed He said the two attackers May but that the Olympics, mostly healthcare workers, China does not classify as con- The couple were married to have been members of were linked to a group of sus- which a majority of Japanese have received at least one firmed cases, fell to 18 from 19 six months ago and police were Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, pected militants arrested in have said in polls should be vaccine dose. While Japan has a day earlier. investigating their house in which has pledged allegiance Makassar on January 6, when postponed or cancelled, were escaped the worst ravages of The total number of con- Makassar, National Police to the Islamic State group and a police counterterrorism squad not a factor in his scheduling. the pandemic seen elsewhere, firmed COVID-19 cases in spokesperson Argo Yuwono carried out a series of suicide killed two suspected militants Japan started its vacci- cases have begun ticking up mainland China now stands said. bombings in Indonesia. and arrested 19 others. The two nation campaign last month, again recently, prompting at 90,182, while the death Police identified them only They included a 2016 Star- men who were killed were later than most major econ- concern among some officials toll remains unchanged at by their initials, L and his wife, bucks attack in Jakarta which being sought for their alleged omies and dependent on about a potential “fourth wave” 4,636. YSF. Neighbours of the couple killed four civilians and four role in the Philippine attack. imported doses of Pfizer’s of the pandemic. 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 EU official stresses need for solidarity on migration

AP — ATHENS Greek Migration Minister once again rejected The European Union’s home accusations by refugee rights organisations affairs commissioner yesterday and numerous migrants that Greece conducts stressed the need for solidarity among the bloc’s member states pushbacks at sea — the illegal deportation in tackling migration, and called of migrants who haven’t first been allowed to on Turkey to resume accepting the return of people whose apply for asylum. asylum applications are rejected in Greece after arriving from migration policy, and that but did not stop them entirely, Turkish territory. means that member states at leading to massively over- Ylva Johansson and Greek our external borders have been crowded island camps Migration Minister Notis Mita- under huge pressure,” Johansson noted the situ- rachi spoke on the eastern Johansson said during a joint ation had greatly improved Aegean island of Lesbos after press conference with Mita- recently, with a faster asylum visiting migrant facilities there rachi. “And especially some procedure and relocations to and on the island of Samos. islands have been under huge other European countries. Johansson’s visit comes pressure in the absence of a In 2019, she noted, there Locals protest against a new refugee camp on the island of Lesbos, during the visit of the European amid continuing accusations European solution.” were 42,000 people in island Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, in the city of Mytilene, on Lesbos, yesterday. against Greece of illegal Johansson said she under- camps in “totally unacceptable summary deportations, and as stood “that everybody has a conditions for the migrants and migrants who haven’t first been could have played a role in the The commissioner said EU countries discuss a new limit to their patience, and I the local population.” That allowed to apply for asylum. kind of fake news we hear “Greek authorities can do more migration pact to deal with the understand that this limit is number is now down to 14,000, “We strongly deny that the about the coast guard.” when it comes to investigate issue of people seeking asylum close” in some areas, such as which the commissioner said Greek coast guard has been ever Johansson said the pro- these alleged pushbacks.” in Europe. Lesbos. was still too high. involved in pushbacks. Greece tection of borders and of fun- Johansson also stressed The vast majority of asylum In Greece, the main brunt of “We are addressing the is fully adhering to international damental rights “goes hand in Ankara should resume seekers arrive by sea in the migration has been borne by the shortcomings in the European and European law,” Mitarachi hand, it’s not a contradiction.” accepting those who have been countries on the EU’s southern eastern Aegean islands, which migration system. One of the said. “But at the same time, we Mitarachi said reports were slated for return. The Turkish and southeastern borders: are close to Turkey and thus a most important things is to need to be clear that countries investigated and that so far no government suspended that Greece, Italy and Spain. Those favoured route for people- avoid irregular departure,” have borders, and there are specific case had come to light part of the EU-Turkey deal three, along with the also smuggling gangs. Local resi- Johansson said, referring to rules and regulations how the that proved a pushback. about a year ago. affected island nations of Malta dents on both islands held pro- asylum seekers leaving Turkish competent authorities must Asked however about such A new facility is to be con- and Cyprus, have joined forces tests during Johansson’s visit. shores. exercise and execute their con- allegations raised by the UN structed on the island, and in to lobby for a more equal dis- A 2016 EU-Turkey deal stip- Mitarachi once again stitutional obligations to protect refugee agency, Johansson said the meantime the roughly tribution among the bloc’s other ulates that new arrivals must rejected accusations by refugee the borders of the country.” she was “very concerned about 10,000 people left homeless by members. remain on the islands pending rights organisations and Mitarachi said Greece’s the UNHCR reports, and there the Moria fire have been “What we have been seeing return to Turkey unless their numerous migrants that Greece border protection was costing are some specific cases that I rehoused in a temporary camp in Europe the last six years is asylum application is successful. conducts pushbacks at sea — smuggling networks “tens of really think need to be looked set up on a former military the lack of a Europeanized The agreement reduced arrivals the illegal deportation of millions of euros ... and that into closer.” firing range. German pandemic strategy needs urgent overhaul: Merkel ally Paris court fines pharma firm BLOOMBERG — BERLIN the rules laid out in Germany’s scheduled for April 12, should continued to climb yesterday, so-called “emergency brake.” be held in person and should rising to 134.4 from 129.7 the $3.18m over The leader of Chancellor Angela He acknowledged that the involve only the 16 premiers, previous day, according to the Merkel’s party said Germany situation is dire, and said state plus Merkel and her chief of RKI public-health institute. It weight-loss drug must urgently improve its leaders are taking it seriously, staff, Helge Braun, and not has more than doubled since pandemic management and while calling for a slimmed- federal officials including falling to 56.8 on February 19 REUTERS — PARIS foster better cooperation down and more flexible nego- Finance Minister and Vice from a peak of almost 200 in between federal and regional tiating group to decide the next Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the late December. A Paris court yesterday found authorities to help check a new steps. Social Democrats, he added. “We have to get away from French drugmaker Servier “third wave” of infections. The most-recent meeting “I am sure that if we get micro-management,” Laschet guilty of manslaughter and Armin Laschet (pictured), between the state leaders and additional proposals the state said. “The bureaucracy we have deception over weight-loss pill the premier of North Rhine- Merkel’s government on March leaders will follow them,” in Germany is a hindrance, Mediator, and fined the Westphalia and chairman of 22 lasted for more than 11 hours Laschet told reporters. “At the especially for vaccination, company 2.7 million euros Merkel’s Christian Democratic and ended well after moment, I don’t know of any where are not making progress ($3.18m), according to a copy Union, was one of the 16 state in some cases have opted not midnight. suggestions beyond what has quickly enough.” of the ruling seen by Reuters. leaders she criticised on Sunday to enforce curbs agreed with “We can’t continue to have already been agreed between In an interview with ARD France’s health ministry for not imposing tough enough her administration. the state premiers and half the the federal government and the television late Sunday, Merkel has said that at least 500 restrictions. Merkel threatened Laschet, who wants to run federal government sitting in regions.” expressed exasperation with people died of heart valve to assert federal authority over as the conservative candidate front of screens for hours, that’s Laschet appealed to citizens what she described as broken problems in France because measures to stem COVID-19, to replace Merkel when she not suitable for this crisis,” to “stay home and reduce con- commitments by the 16 state of exposure to the active ingre- highlighting her struggle to steps aside after September’s Laschet said yesterday at a tacts over Easter” to stop the leaders, who have direct dient in Mediator, a drug maintain control in the face of national election, defended his news conference after a disease spreading further. Ger- authority to deploy health and which was withdrawn from intransigence from the pow- region against Merkel’s crit- meeting of CDU leadership. many’s seven-day incidence safety rules under the country’s sale in 2009. erful regional premiers — who icism, saying NRW has followed The next talks, currently rate per 100,000 people federal system. The court also fined France’s drug regulator ANSM 303,000 euros. Servier said in an e-mailed Johnson ‘hopeful’ UK can statement it was analysing the decision and would decide upon what further action to avoid another lockdown take in the coming days. BLOOMBERG — LONDON Under the government’s Contacted by Reuters, a “roadmap” for lifting the UK’s spokeswoman for ANSM said Prime Minister Boris Johnson third lockdown, people can she could not provide an said the UK is on track to lift now meet in larger groups immediate comment. pandemic restrictions entirely outside and resume outdoor Servier has acknowledged over the next three months and swimming and organised sport. in the past that Mediator had is “hopeful” he will not need to From April 12, non-essential serious consequences for some put the country into lockdown retail will reopen while restau- patients and agreed to com- again. rants will be allowed to serve pensate some victims, but it With infection rates at their customers at tables outside. By also said it would fight inac- lowest in six months, there is June 21, ministers aim to end curacies and false nothing in the data so far to all curbs and social distancing statements. suggest the government will guidelines. Once licensed as a diabetes need to keep restrictions in “I’m hopeful,” Johnson said. treatment, Mediator was place for longer than planned, “I don’t see anything in the data widely prescribed as an the premier said at a televised right now that would cause us appetite suppressant to help press conference yesterday. to deviate from the roadmap. people lose weight. Its active But Johnson and his pan- But, you know, we’ve got to chemical substance is known demic advisers warned that the remain humble in the face of as Benfluorex. biggest threat to UK’s return to nature, and we’ve got to be pre- The drug was withdrawn normality is that new, vaccine- pared to do whatever it takes from sale in Spain, Italy and resistant strains of coronavirus to protect the British public — the United States around a emerge and be imported from which has been our approach decade before it was pulled A woman registers to receive the “Comirnaty” Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in a vaccination other countries. throughout.” from the French market. centre in Antibes as part of the coronavirus disease vaccination campaign, in France, yesterday. France has nearly 5,000 virus patients in ICU Man jailed for sabotage of German railway line AP — BERLIN More than 400 trains over told him they were planning an REUTERS — PARIS The number of people in the government’s partial several days used the tracks at attack on a high-speed line and hospital with the virus rose by lockdown measures targeting A German court yesterday high speed before two drivers only he could prevent it, and France recorded the highest 610 to a new 2021 high of high-infection zones like the convicted a man of attempted noticed that something was demanding billions of euros, a number of people in intensive 28,322 as emergency unit capital Paris are inadequate murder and gave him a nearly amiss. A check then found that lifetime of free train travel and care units (ICU) with corona- doctors warned that the situ- faced with fast-spreading new 10-year prison sentence for a roughly 80-metre stretch of “female playmates.” virus (COVID-19) since the ation was set to get worse in coronavirus variants. removing hundreds of screws track was loose. The court found that, after second lockdown in November coming weeks. Yesterday, Finance Minister from a high-speed railway An expert told the two- receiving no replies, he wanted and the number of people in France also reported 360 Bruno Le Maire said that health track in an effort to cause a month trial that a train would to underline his demands by hospital with the disease rose new deaths in hospitals from conditions were worsening derailment. have derailed if another five to carrying out the sabotage. He by over 600 in a day, the COVID-19, taking the cumu- during a third wave of the coro- The state court in Wies- 30 trains had passed over the is accused of loosening the biggest jump in more than four lative death toll since the start navirus pandemic in France baden sentenced the 52-year- spot, causing a disaster in which screws during the night, when months. of the epidemic to nearly and “all options are on the old German to nine years and people would have died. the line wasn’t used for a few The health ministry 95,000. table” to protect the public. 10 months behind bars, German The court found that the hours. reported yesterday that the In a statement to a news- Le Maire also told France news agency dpa reported. defendant had an “exaggerated Prosecutors had sought a number of patients in intensive paper yesterday, a group of 41 Info radio that France should According to prosecutors, craving for recognition.” A psy- 13-year sentence. The defence care with COVID-19 increased hospital doctors in the Paris avoid adopting stricter the man removed more than chiatrist diagnosed a person- lawyer had called for acquittal by 102 to 4,974, more than the region warned that they might COVID-19 restriction measures 250 screws from a stretch of the ality disorder during the trial. of the man, who was homeless 4,919 high of mid-November, soon have to start choosing for as long as it could, and ruled Frankfurt-Cologne high-speed In 2018, he had sent letters at the time and was arrested in although still well below a between patients for emer- out changing the list of shops and line, one of Germany’s most to the German chancellery and Cologne a few days later, record of over 7,000 in April gency treatment. businesses that have been important routes, in March elsewhere claiming, among arguing it wasn’t proven that his last year. Scientists have argued that allowed to stay open. 2020. other things, that terrorists had client was responsible. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 EUROPE 13 Hungary first in EU for vaccinations, and deaths

AP — BUDAPEST But Hungary’s high vaccination rate, a product of a procurement Doctors rebuke easing plan in worst virus hotspot Hungary has vaccinated more of its strategy that secured doses from population than any other country in BLOOMBERG — BUDAPEST “Doctors find it incomprehensible Hungary — has led to a spike in hos- the European Union, according to China and Russia in addition to how there can be communication pitalizations in younger age groups. figures from an EU agency, but it those provided by the EU, has Doctors in Hungary, currently the about a re-opening so soon just when “This in our view suggests that the continues to be one of the world’s world’s deadliest nation for COVID-19, we should be talking about tightening government may be either forced to worst in the number of COVID-19 been unable to slow a surge in rebuked the government’s plan to ease and how to improve adherence to postpone reopening at least a few deaths per capita. the pandemic that has given it virus-related curbs next week. existing curbs,” Judit Toth, a vice-pres- more weeks or may be forced to The Central European country has the highest two-week mortality Hungary has had an average of ident of the Hungarian Labor Union impose another lockdown” in the given at least a first dose of a vaccine 175.3 virus deaths per million people of Doctors, told ATV television. second quarter “before vaccinations to 21.6% of its population, according to rate per capita in the world, in the past seven days and corona- Orban has said a relaxation of would allow broader reopening” in the European Centre for Disease Pre- according to Johns Hopkins virus-related fatalities recorded since curbs can start once 2.5 million people the summer, Gargyan said in a report vention and Control, just ahead of the University. the start of the pandemic exceeded have been inoculated, comprising the yesterday. small island nation of Malta and sur- 20,000, according to data compiled population aged 65 and over. Hungary Eastern Europe remains the passing the 27-member bloc’s average by Bloomberg. may be able to administer at least the world’s worst Covid hotspot, with 10 of 12.3%. “We’re in a very good position, Although the government yes- first shot to more than 2 million people of the 11 countries with the highest But Hungary’s high vaccination right at the head of the queue, and terday extended lockdown measures as soon as yesterday, the prime min- death rates over the past week located rate, a product of a procurement both the Russians and the Chinese until April 8, Prime Minister Viktor ister said on Facebook. in the region. Poland, the region’s strategy that secured doses from China are delivering in a timely manner,” Orban remains keen to relax curbs. The strategy is unlikely to work, biggest country, reported 16,965 new and Russia in addition to those pro- Orban said in a radio interview on He’s said that most stores may reopen according to Citigroup economist coronavirus cases over the past 24 vided by the EU, has been unable to Friday. as soon as next week and that a curfew Eszter Gargyan, because the hours, a 16% increase from a week ago slow a surge in the pandemic that has Last week, Hungary issued emer- may also be shortened to accom- aggressive UK variant of COVID-19 — when the government announced a given it the highest two-week mortality gency approval to two more vaccines modate extended opening hours. the one that’s now prevalent in tightening of curbs. rate per capita in the world, according —Convidecia, a jab produced by to Johns Hopkins University. Chinese company CanSino Biologics, Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime and Covishield, a version of the Astra- a third wave that has led to record- under control, Hungary on the on Saturday in the government’s minister, has been critical of the speed Zeneca vaccine produced in India — breaking new cases and deaths. weekend published plans to loosen official gazette, nonessential shops will of the EU’s vaccine rollout, and pushed bringing the total number of approved As of yesterday, more than 20,000 pandemic restrictions in coming days be allowed to reopen with capacity for his country to break with the bloc jabs to seven, the most in the EU. people had died of coronavirus-related despite the spiking numbers, an effort limitations, and an overnight curfew and secure vaccine contracts with But while officials have emphasized causes in the country of fewer than 10 to restart the economy in a country in place since November will be eastern countries. Hungary was the that only rapid vaccine deployment can million inhabitants, giving it the third- which saw a 5.1% drop in GDP last shortened by two hours. The new first in the EU to approve China’s bring an end to the pandemic - Orban worst death rate per capita in the year. measures will take effect once 2.5 Sinopharm and Russia’s Sputnik V vac- said on Friday that “vaccination is our world. “I have no doubt whatsoever that million people have received a first cines, boosting supplies and making it primary, our only means of defense While other countries in the in Hungary we’ll have a summer of dose of a vaccine, a government min- an EU leader in the number of dis- against the virus” — Hungary’s good region have imposed tough lockdown freedom,” Orban said Friday. ister announced, which is likely to tributed doses per capita. standing has been unable to alleviate measures to bring their own surges According to the plans published occur some time next week. Russia reports 8,711 new COVID-19 cases, 293 deaths

AGENCIES — MOSCOW RDIF, which is marketing Sputnik V globally, said that Russia reported 8,711 new commercial production was coronavirus cases yesterday, due to start in May. including 1,612 in Moscow, Russia’s health ministry has which pushed the national tally received a formal application Slovakian PM to 4,528,543 since the to register the one-shot pandemic began. Sputnik-Light version of its to resign today The government corona- COVID-19 vaccine for use, the virus taskforce said that 293 Tass news agency reported. amid Sputnik deaths had been confirmed in Russia said last week that the past 24 hours, taking its it had completed clinical trials vaccine row coronavirus death toll to for the slimmed-down vaccine, 98,033. which it has cast as a possible BLOOMBERG — BRATISLAVA Meanwhile, Russia’s RDIF temporary solution to help sovereign wealth fund and countries with high infection Slovakia’s prime minister will China’s Shenzhen Yuanxing rates make the vaccine go resign today to quell a month- Gene-tech have agreed to further. long political crisis triggered produce over 60 million doses Moscow has said that its National strike affects Belgium by his decision to buy corona- of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine two-dose Sputnik V vaccine Trolleys are placed to block the entrance of a supermarket during a 24-hour national strike in virus vaccines from Russia, against COVID-19 in China, will remain the main version Drogenbos, Belgium, yesterday. The strike across Belgium has affected multiple sectors. according to Eduard Heger, RDIF said on Monday. used in Russia. who will replace him. Premier Igor Matovic (pic- tured) is stepping down after party leaders from his coalition Russian oppn activist says police Portugal extends Britain, Brazil complained that he agreed to buy 2 million shots of Russia’s flights suspension until mid-April Sputnik V behind their backs, a detained his father to pressure him dispute that has triggered the REUTERS — LISBON resignations of a third of his REUTERS — MOSCOW of a team of anti-Kremlin a Western-backed puppet on a 16-member cabinet. activists trying to mobilise mission to destabilise Russia Portugal yesterday extended a suspension of flights to and While the premier’s resig- A close ally of jailed Kremlin support for a new protest this ahead of a parliamentary from Britain and Brazil until April 15, with only humanitarian nation will also torpedo the critic Alexei Navalny accused spring which the authorities election due in September, a and repatriation flights allowed, the interior ministry said in entire government, the four authorities yesterday of oppose. charge he denies. a statement. ruling parties agreed to form detaining his father over the Police in Rostov did not Many of Navalny’s closest The country, which has so far reported 16,837 COVID-19 deaths a new majority-backed weekend in an attempt to immediately respond to a allies, including his spokes- and 820,407 cases, suspended flights to and from Brazil and the cabinet in which Matovic will pressure him over his oppo- request for comment about the woman and brother, are under UK in January to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variants. swap jobs with Heger, who is sition activities which include case. Authorities have cracked house arrest and facing charges. The new variant initially discovered in Britain was partly finance minister. organising a new anti- down on allies of Navalny, Zhdanov’s 66-year-old responsible for a devastating surge in cases at the start of 2021, President Zuzana government protest. President Vladimir Putin’s most father used to work as an putting hospitals under crippling strain. The situation has dras- Caputova will ask Heger to Ivan Zhdanov, head of prominent critic, whose jailing official in a village in Russia’s tically improved since then. form the new cabinet imme- Navalny’s Anti-Corruption on what he said were trumped northern Nenets region, but has Passengers allowed to return to Portugal from Britain or from diately after Matovic hands in Foundation, said that police up parole violation charges been retired since last summer, Brazil, as well as from South Africa, must present a negative test his resignation, Heger said in had detained his retired father sparked protests earlier this Zhdanov said on Facebook. taken a maximum of 72 hours before departure and quarantine a video briefing posted on the in the southern city of Rostov- year. The case against him relates for 14 days. website of DennikN news- on-Don for alleged abuse of The authorities accuse his to him recommending social The ministry added passengers from other countries where paper. Igor Matovic had office after searching his home allies of illegally encouraging housing be allocated to a the infection rate was equal or higher than 500 cases per announced on Sunday that he and questioning him into the people to take part in those pro- woman whose family had 100,000 inhabitants would have to isolate for 14 days upon had agreed to step down as night. tests which they said at the time already received a housing arrival. prime minster on the condition “I have no doubts that this were not authorised and rep- subsidy, Zhdanov said. The A plan to gradually ease a nationwide lockdown imposed on that he swap posts with criminal case is linked to me resented a public health risk housing allocation was later January 15 to tackle what then was the world’s worst coronavirus Finance Minister Eduard and to what I do,” said Zhdanov, due to COVID-19. cancelled because of the earlier surge is now in force but authorities said they would take a step Heger. who is outside Russia and part They have cast Navalny as subsidy, he said. back if necessary.

Lithuanian President Belarus opens terrorism probe against opposition leader agrees with Biden AP — KIEV The opening of the probe came after officials arrested a suspect accused of that Putin is a killer Belarus authorities yesterday announced attempting to stage explosions in Minsk a criminal probe against the nation’s top and the nearby city of Barysau. BLOOMBERG — MOSCOW opposition figure on charges of Belarus has been engulfed by pro- terrorism, a move that follows a tests ever since official results from the Lithuania’s president said he sweeping police crackdown on August vote gave Lukashenko a sixth agrees with his US coun- protesters demanding the resignation of term in office by a landslide. The oppo- terpart Joe Biden that Russian the country’s authoritarian leader. sition and some poll workers have said leader Vladimir Putin is a Belarus’ Prosecutor General Andrei the election was rigged. killer, criticising other Shved said his office has launched a The massive demonstrations sparked European Union member criminal investigation against Sviatlana by the vote were the largest and most states that are seeking a more Tsikhanouskaya, the top opposition can- persistent show of opposition the former conciliatory approach. didate who challenged President Alex- Soviet republic has ever seen, with some Gitanas Nauseda told the ander Lukashenko in a presidential vote of them attracting as many as 200,000 BNS news service yesterday in August. people. More than 33,000 people were that Lithuania won’t “sit indif- Shved said in a statement that arrested during the protests, and many ferently on the back bench,” Tsikhanouskaya and several other uni- of them were beaten by police. while witnessing brutal dentified people are suspected of Last week, Tsikhanouskaya called for human-rights violations. He attempting to stage explosions and arson a new wave of anti-Lukashenko rallies to cited Kremlin efforts to suf- attacks in the Belarusian capital of Minsk revive the pressure on the government focate opponents like Alexei and other cities several days ago. There after the winter break. Police flooded Navalny in “the most brutal was no immediate reaction from Tsikha- Minsk and cracked down on opposition manner,” as well as a disregard nouskaya, who was forced to leave the Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya poses with the Sakharov Prize, supporters who tried to launch rallies on for neighbors’ territorial sov- country for neighboring Lithuania after the European Union’s annual human rights award, during a ceremony at the EU Thursday and Saturday, arresting ereignty in the wake of the the election. Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, in this December 16, 2020 picture. hundreds. Ukraine conflict. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 Outrage grows over police custody death in Mexico

AP — MEXICO CITY government would support An autopsy concluded Salazar’s two daughters. Outrage grew in Mexico and El that Salazar died from a “I see thousands of outraged Salvador as Mexican authorities broken neck. The Mexicans, demanding justice said yesterday that an autopsy examination found, “a for our compatriot,” Bukele of a Salvadoran woman who fracture of part of the said. “They are as outraged as died in police custody we are. Let us not forget that it confirmed that police broke her upper spinal column was not the Mexican people neck. produced by the rupture who committed this crime, but President Andrés Manuel of the first and second rather some criminal in the López Obrador flatly said that vertebra which caused Tulum police.” Victoria Esperanza Salazar was López Obrador swore yes- murdered by police in the Car- the loss of the victim,” terday that those responsible ibbean resort of Tulum. Quintana Roo State would be punished. Victoria Esperanza Salazar Prosecutor Oscar Montes “She was brutally treated let out a scream on Saturday said in a video. and murdered,” López Obrador afternoon as a female police said. “It is an event that fills us Mexico receives AstraZeneca vaccines officer knelt on her back to cuff with pain and shame.” The first doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccines provided by the US government arrive at Benito Juarez her hands behind her. Salazar “a fracture of part of the upper Quintana Roo state prose- International airport, as the coronavirus outbreak continues, in Mexico City, Mexico, yesterday. was face down on the street and spinal column produced by the cutors said on Sunday they barefoot. Her feet flailed. A rupture of the first and second were investigating four couple people passed slowly by vertebra which caused the loss municipal police officers in on a bicycle. There were food of the victim,” Quintana Roo Salazar’s death. Protest stands a few yards away. State Prosecutor Oscar Montes marches were scheduled in Clips of video cobbled said in a video. Tulum and Mexico City. Maduro proposes paying for together give no sense of how The injuries were “com- The scenes were remi- much time elapsed. Then three patible y coincide with sub- niscent of the death of George other officers are seen standing mission maneuvers applied to Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. coronavirus vaccines with oil around her motionless body the victim during her detention” Floyd was declared dead after still facedown, chatting cas- and demonstrate a “dispropor- a white police officer pressed REUTERS — CARACAS customers who will buy our oil,” Maduro said in ually. Later, three officers lift tionate” use of force. He said his his knee against the Black a state television address. “We are ready and pre- her still handcuffed body into office was preparing femicide man’s neck for about nine Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro yesterday pared for oil for vaccines, but we will not beg the back of a police pickup charges against the four police minutes, holding his position proposed paying for vaccines against the novel anyone.” truck and drive away. officers. even after Floyd went limp. coronavirus with oil, though he provided few Venezuela has received vaccine doses from Video circulating on social Salazar had been living in Floyd’s death was captured details about how such a scheme would work. allies Russia and China. The government and the media does not show events Mexico for some years on a on widely seen bystander video The crisis-stricken Opec nation’s crude opposition had been in talks with the Pan before Salazar was face down “humanitarian visa,” El Sal- and sparked sometimes violent exports have plummeted to their lowest levels American Health Organization (PAHO) over Ven- on the street with the officer on vador President Nayib Bukele protests in Minneapolis and in decades since Washington sanctioned state oil ezuela’s access to vaccines through COVAX, but top of her. said. “She was brutally mur- beyond, leading to a nationwide company Petroleos de Venezuela in 2019, cutting the government said last week it would not accept An autopsy concluded that dered by Tulum police officers reckoning on race. off Venezuela’s exports to the United States and the AstraZeneca PLC vaccine, one of the main Salazar died from a broken in Quintana Roo, Mexico,” the The Quintana Roo prosecu- dissuading many other customers from buying inoculations deployed by COVAX in Latin neck. The examination found, president wrote. He said the tor’s office said four Tulum police Venezuelan oil as well. America. officers — three men and one Maduro said Venezuela was working to pay Washington labels Maduro—who has woman — were under investi- for vaccines from the World Health Organiza- overseen an economic collapse since taking office gation for their probable tion’s (WHO) COVAX mechanism — which pro- in the South American country in 2013 - a dic- involvement in the Saturday vides vaccine access to poor countries— both tator who rigged his 2018 re-election and has evening incident. They said fin- through Venezuelan funds frozen in overseas violated human rights in crackdowns on dissent. gerprints and forensic evidence accounts due to sanctions, and through oil Maduro says Washington is seeking to oust were being examined in the case. shipments. him in a coup to control Venezuela’s oil reserves, “There will be no impunity “Venezuela has the oil vessels and has the the largest in the world by some measures. for those who participated in the death of the victim, and all the force of the law will be brought to bear to bring those Canada announces sanctions against two responsible to trial,” the office said in a statement. Russians over annexation of Crimea The woman’s death seemed likely to ignite tensions in REUTERS — OTTAWA pation and annexation” of punished, the ministry said in Quintana Roo, where police Crimea in 2014, the foreign a statement. Last week Canada Rosibel Emerita Arriaza, mother of Victoria Salazar Arriaza, a used live ammunition to ward Canada is imposing sanctions ministry said. imposed similar measures on Salvadoran woman who died in Mexican police custody, speaks off a throng of about 100 dem- against two Russians and four The sanctions involve asset nine Russian officials for what with the media outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in San onstrators in Cancun in business entities in response freezes and also slap bans on it called human rights viola- Salvador, El Salvador, yesterday. November. to Moscow’s “illegal occu- dealing with those being tions. Canada issues warning Brazil Foreign Minister resigns after vaccine failures over AstraZeneca vaccine REUTERS — BRASILIA had become increasingly vocal in calling for him to be replaced. BLOOMBERG — OTTAWA Brazil’s Foreign Minister They were angered by his long- Ernesto Araujo resigned standing criticism of top trade Canadian officials are warning there could health be complications yesterday, two sources said, partner China, a vaccine-pro- for people under 55 from the AstraZeneca Plc COVID-19 vaccine. amid growing criticism of the ducing superpower. The country’s vaccine advisory committee will recommend combative China hawk’s failure The diplomat’s esteem for authorities “pause” giving the Astra vaccine to people under 55 to guarantee additional vaccine former US President Donald because of a risk of blood clots, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. supplies from Beijing and Trump was also seen as an reported, citing people it didn’t name. The federal government Washington. obstacle in persuading the has been in touch with provinces on the matter, Ontario Premier A loyal ally of President Jair Biden administration to free up Doug Ford said at a news conference. Bolsonaro, Araujo represents an supplies of US vaccine for “The feds are saying it’s still safe for 55 plus and I understand ideological wing of the right- Brazil. Luís Fernando Serra, there has been blood clots, some patients in the UK, female folks wing populist administration Brazil’s ambassador to France, about 30, 35 years old,” Ford said. “I’ll tell you, I won’t hesitate to whose attacks against China, Senator Fernando Collor de cancel that in half a heartbeat if it’s going to put anyone in harm.” environmentalists and the left Mello and Flávio Rocha, a The move could cast further doubts about the efficacy of the were increasingly seen as noisy retired admiral who advises vaccine, after concerns raised in Europe about potential side distractions from tackling Bra- Bolsonaro, are all in the running effects. It would also represent a reversal in Canada, where only two zil’s raging pandemic. President Jair Bolsonaro (left), talks to Minister of Foreign Affairs to replace Araujo, sources said. weeks ago Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to reassure Cana- Brazil’s foreign ministry did Ernesto Araujo during the Brazil Investment Forum in Sao Paulo, Araujo’s exit was first dians the AstraZenaca vaccine was safe for use. His government is not immediately respond to a Brazil in this October 10, 2019 picture. reported by Brazilian news- due to receive 1.5 million doses of the vaccine from the US this week. request for comment. The paper O Globo. The source who Last week, Denmark extended its suspension of the AstraZeneca departure of a loyalist like Araujo embattled president to address wave that is pushing hospitals to confirmed it requested ano- vaccine for another three weeks and Sweden has decided to use it is a blow to Bolsonaro, but part the pandemic more seriously and the brink. In recent days, Araujo nymity as the information is not only on people older than 65. of a broader move by the slow a record-breaking second irked senior lawmakers who yet public. Richest Czech man among five killed in Alaska copter crash AP — ANCHORAGE, ALASKA spokesperson Mary Ann Pruitt. was near the Knik Glacier. in its 17 years in business “we’ve Kellner was a businessman “It’s in an area of very steep had to face an event of this A contracted helicopter carrying with a net worth over $17bn, terrain, snow-covered terrain, measure.” guides and guests from a lodge according to the Forbes 2020 right around 5,000 to 6,000 Soloy Helicopters has a fleet on a heli-skiing trip in Alaska’s list of the world’s richest people. feet... on the north side of Knik of 19 helicopters providing backcountry crashed, killing the Kellner owned a 98.93% river,” Clint Johnson, chief of the charter services primarily in pilot and four others, including stake in the PPF Group, an Alaska office of the National Alaska. the Czech Republic’s richest international investment Transportation Safety Board, Its website says it provides man. company. The group operates told the Anchorage Daily News. support to government and The only other person in 25 countries in Europe, Asia He added: “The mode we’re industry, specializing in work onboard was in serious con- and North America with assets in now is to recover the for seismic oil drilling explo- dition but stable on Sunday at of $52bn (¤44bn). PPF Group wreckage.” he said. Officials ration programs. Soloy Heli- an Anchorage hospital, Alaska confirmed Kellner’s death. hope to do so before a predicted copters did not immediately State Troopers said. Kellner and Larochaix snowstorm arrives. respond to an email Sunday The five people killed in the “were loyal and frequent” The lodge is about 60 miles from The Associated Press Petr Kellner, 56, was a businessman with a net worth over $17bn, Saturday accident were iden- guests at the lodge, Pruitt said (97 kilometers) northwest of seeking comment. according to the Forbes 2020 list of the world’s richest people. tified as Petr Kellner, 56, and in an email to The Associated Anchorage, on Judd Lake. Alaska State Troopers said Benjamin Larochaix, 50, both Press. Harms was a pioneering The company website bills in a statement Sunday that they of the Czech Republic; Gregory heli-ski guide in Alaska and five, she said. He was also an which we operate and the fam- the business as the longest received a report of an overdue Harms, 52, of Colorado; and two worked for many years at the experienced mountain guide on ilies of the deceased,” a operating heli-skiing lodge in helicopter and the location of Alaska residents, Sean lodge, Pruitt said. Denali, North America’s tallest statement from the lodge said. Alaska, promising deep powder, possible crash debris on Sat- McMannany, 38, of Girdwood, “Greg was one of the most peak. The Eurocopter AS50 heli- pristine runs on some of the best urday night. and the pilot, Zachary Russel, experienced guides in the Russel was a pilot for Soloy copter crashed under unknown mountain terrain in the world. A rescue team from Alaska 33, of Anchorage, troopers said business,” she said. He also Helicopters, a company based circumstances about 50 miles “An unparalleled alpine Rescue Coordination Center Sunday. founded a heli-ski company in the small city of Wasilla that (80 kilometers) east of adventure is only a helicopter was dispatched to the crash site The five passengers that led trips across the world. is contracted by the lodge to Anchorage at 6:35 p.m. Sat- ride away,” the website says. in the area of Knik Glacier just included three guests and two McMannany had been a provide transportation, Pruitt urday, the Federal Aviation Packages start at $15,000 per after 10 p.m., troopers wrote. guides from the Tordrillo guide for over 10 years, and had said. “This news is devastating Administration said Sunday. person. The statement from The team found five people Mountain Lodge, said company been with the lodge for the last to our staff, the community in Authorities said the crash site lodge said this was the first time dead and a sole survivor. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 AMERICAS 15 Biden to say 90% of US adults eligible for shot in 3 weeks Biden will make the announcement at the White New York lowers vaccine age to House, marking April 19 as a new milestone in the 30; all adults to get from April 6 vaccination effort. He’ll also NEW YORK say that nearly all US adults REUTERS — will be able to get a shot New York will expand eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to within 5 miles of their homes, people 30 and older today, and make it available to anyone 16 and above on April 6, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced. said the officials, who spoke New York, which last week lowered the eligibility age for on condition of anonymity. vaccines to 50, was one of just a handful of states not to have set a concrete date for universal eligibility since President Joe Biden called for reaching that goal by May 1. BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON The move comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in New York and neighboring New Jersey, which now rank No. 1 and 2 President Joe Biden plans to in new infections per capita among all 50 states, underscoring announce that 90% of US adults the pressure to roll out vaccines as quickly as possible. will be eligible to get a COVID-19 Biden said on Monday that 90% of all adults in the United vaccine in three weeks, and that States will be eligible for vaccination by April 19. his administration will more “Today we take a monumental step forward in the fight to than double the number of beat COVID,” Cuomo said in a statement. “We can see the light pharmacies where shots are at the end of the tunnel, but until we get there it is more available, officials familiar with important than ever for each and every New Yorker to wear a the matter said. US President Joe Biden, with Vice-President Kamala Harris, delivering remarks after a meeting with mask, socially distance and follow all safety guidelines.” Biden will make the his COVID-19 Response Team in the White House campus in Washington DC, US, yesterday. Aided by supplies of Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine, announcement at the White the US government has hit the accelerator on shipments, House, marking April 19 as a new tries to address disparities in in St. Louis, Missouri, and Gary, that put them at greater risk. Full allowing states to finish inoculating priority groups and open milestone in the vaccination effort. access, often along racial lines. Indiana. He will also say that adult eligibility means anyone 16 shots to all adults in the coming weeks. He’ll also say that nearly all US At the same time, Rochelle vaccines will be made available or older can get the shot, Officials from more than half a dozen states including adults will be able to get a shot Walensky, the head of the at an additional 40,000 phar- regardless of medical history. Vermont, Idaho and New Jersey said that increased vaccine within 5 miles of their homes, said Centers for Disease Control and macies over that time period, The 7-day average of daily shipments will allow them to accelerate efforts to inoculate the the officials, who spoke on con- Prevention, pleaded with Amer- from about 17,000 now. shots administered has climbed elderly and front-line workers, and in some cases to open shots dition of anonymity. icans to wear masks and stick The officials cautioned that to 2.7 million, the highest level to all adult residents earlier than expected. The announcement comes with COVID-19 mitigation not all eligible Americans will yet. Biden has pledged to as the US continues to ramp up measures, warning of be immediately able to book an administer 200 million shots in its inoculation effort. Biden “impending doom” as cases, appointment on April 19. total under his presidency by Colorado to offer vaccine to doubled his goal for vaccines last hospitalisations and deaths Biden previously directed the end of next month and is on week after the US reached his begin to rise again. states to open eligibility to all pace to do that. those 16 plus from Friday initial target six weeks early. The Speaking at a press briefing adults no later than May 1. A Biden will also announce AP — DENVER, COLORADO US hit a record three-day stretch yesterday, she fought back tears total of 31 states have said they $100m in funding to help vac- of at least 3 million daily shots as she outlined a series of will fully open eligibility by cinate vulnerable and at-risk from Friday to Sunday, and the warning signals and said she was April 19. Biden’s announcement older adults, and people with dis- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has announced that residents over White House has said its three frightened about a looming Monday is based on those abilities, the officials said. The age 16 will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine starting Friday. authorised vaccine producers are fourth wave of Covid cases. “We moves — and will mean roughly program would be aimed at All Colorado residents who want vaccines will be able to get all on track to meet their delivery have so much to look forward to, 90% of US adults will be eligible, getting those high-risk people them by mid to late May, Polis said on Monday. targets this week. so much promise and potential the officials said. scheduled for, and taken to, The Democratic governor says there will be six mass drive- Roughly three-quarters of of where we are and so much Biden has said the US will vaccine appointments, including in sites for the state’s eligible population and four mobile bus vaccines still go directly to reason for hope, but right now have enough supply by the end those with mobility challenges. clinics to distribute vaccines to underserved communities. states, but Biden has steered a I’m scared,” Walensky said. of May to vaccinate all US adults, The US vaccine effort is buoyed He says more than 1 million Colorado residents have been growing share to federal As part of his announcement, though administering the shots by vast supplies. The administra- fully vaccinated and over 1.5 million have received their first channels, including pharmacies, Biden will describe plans to could take longer. Until recently, tions of Biden and his prede- vaccine doses. Despite expanded eligibility, Polis says vaccine as supply has increased. That launch a dozen more community eligibility was typically based on cessor, Donald Trump, have used providers have been ordered to prioritize people in higher risk shift has allowed Biden to target vaccination sites in the next three age or whether a person had wartime powers to prioritise US groups. disadvantaged zip codes as he weeks, the officials said, including underlying medical conditions government orders. Republican Jurors shown video at ex-officer’s trial in Floyd’s death announces run AP — MINNEAPOLIS “You can call me a snitch if for Alaska you want to,” Scurry said in her Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell call to the sergeant, which was Senate seat showed the jurors the footage played in court. She said she of George Floyd gasping for wouldn’t normally call the ser- AP — JUNEAU, ALASKA breath as the former Minne- geant about the use of force apolis police officer who because it was beyond the An early Republican candidate pressed his knee on the Black scope of her duties, but “my announced plans yesterday to man’s neck went on trial instincts were telling me that seek the Alaska US Senate seat yesterday on charges of murder something is wrong.” that has been held since 2002 and manslaughter. The video played during by Republican Sen. Lisa Jerry Blackwell showed the opening statements was posted Murkowski. jurors the footage at the earliest to Facebook by a bystander who Kelly Tshibaka, who has opportunity, during opening witnessed Floyd being arrested led the sprawling Alaska statements, after telling them that after he was accused of trying to Department of Administration the number to remember was 9 pass a counterfeit $20 bill at a since early 2019, in a statement minutes, 29 seconds — the convenience store. The footage said she is running “for the amount of time officer Derek caused revulsion across the US Alaskans who believe gov- Chauvin had Floyd pinned to the and beyond. It prompted calls for ernment is of the people, by pavement last May. the country to confront racism the people and for the people. The white officer “didn’t let and police brutality. Confederate The D.C. insiders need to be up” even after a handcuffed statues and other symbols were held accountable to us.” Floyd said 27 times that he pulled down around the US, and Her campaign said she was couldn’t breathe and went limp, activists demanded that police resigning as commissioner in Blackwell said in the case that department budgets be cut or pursuing the Senate race. triggered worldwide protests, overhauled. Murkowski is widely seen scattered violence and national Demonstrators rally outside the Hennepin County Government Center during the first day of the Jurors watched intently as as a moderate and has at times soul-searching over racial trial of former police Derek Chauvin, who is facing murder charges in the death of George Floyd, in the video played on multiple been at odds with her party, justice. “He put his knees upon Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, yesterday. screens, with one drawing a including on issues like his neck and his back, grinding sharp breath as Floyd said he abortion and in her criticism and crushing him, until the very said. The defense attorney also courtroom,” Nelson said. “But serious charge, the second- couldn’t breathe. Chauvin sat of former President Donald breath — no, ladies and gen- disputed that Chauvin was to the evidence is far greater than degree murder count, carries calmly during opening state- Trump. Murkowski was one of tlemen — until the very life was blame for Floyd’s death. 9 minutes and 29 seconds.” up to 40 years in prison. The ments and took notes, looking seven Republican senators who squeezed out of him,” the pros- Floyd, 46, had none of the The medical examiner’s case is the first trial ever tele- up at the video periodically. voted to convict Trump, who ecutor said. Chauvin attorney Eric telltale signs of asphyxiation autopsy noted fentanyl and vised in Minnesota. “My stomach hurts. My neck was acquitted in a trial last Nelson countered by arguing: and had fentanyl and metham- methamphetamine in Floyd’s The first witness was Min- hurts. Everything hurts,” Floyd month of a charge of incitement “Derek Chauvin did exactly what phetamine in his system, Nelson system but listed his cause of neapolis police dispatcher Jena says, and: “I can’t breathe, of insurrection related to the he had been trained to do over said. He said Floyd’s drug use death as “cardiopulmonary Scurry, who testified that she officer.” Onlookers repeatedly Jan. 6 US Capitol riot. his 19-year career.” combined with his heart disease arrest, complicating law saw part of Floyd’s arrest shout at the officer to get off Earlier this month, state Floyd was resisting arrest, and high blood pressure, as well enforcement subdual, restraint, unfolding via a city surveillance Floyd, saying he is not moving, Republican Party leaders voted and Chauvin arrived to assist as the adrenaline flowing and neck compression.” camera and was so disturbed breathing or resisting. One to censure Murkowski over that other officers who were strug- through his body, to cause his Chauvin, 45, is charged with that she called a duty sergeant. woman, identifying herself as a vote, with party leaders in some gling to get Floyd into a squad car death from a heart rhythm dis- unintentional second-degree Scurry said she grew concerned city Fire Department employee, other states taking similar actions as the crowd around them grew turbance. “There is no political murder, third-degree murder because the officers hadn’t shouts at Chauvin to check against Republicans who voted larger and more hostile, Nelson or social cause in this and manslaughter. The most moved after several minutes. Floyd’s pulse. as she did. Murkowski, speaking to reporters in Juneau last month, did not directly answer Judge orders three to stand trial in whether she would seek re- Chile eyes delaying constitution election next year. plot to kidnap Michigan governor She said she is “doing what assembly vote over pandemic I should be doing to ensure AP — JACKSON, MICHIGAN that I have that option and that AP — SANTIAGO opportunity to run for yet A Michigan judge yesterday ordered three men to stand trial in a “This has been a very dif- Nearly 80% of voters in an another term.” She said she is plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over Chile’s congress should delay a ficult decision, but we must Oct. 25 plebiscite supported “absolutely leaving the her coronavirus restrictions. two-day election to select the make it,” Piñera said, citing the seating an assembly to rewrite avenues open for my ree- Jackson County District Court Judge Michael Klaeren ruled drafters of a new constitution for need to “protect everyone’s the constitution inherited from lection opportunities.” there was enough evidence and bound over Paul Bellar, Joe Mor- Chile until May because of the health and life” amid a new the dictatorship of Augusto Pin- Tshibaka is among those rison and Pete Musico to circuit court to stand trial. coronavirus pandemic, President surge in coronavirus infections. ochet when Chile returned to who have been seen as pos- Arguments were heard yesterday by Klaeren about whether Sebastián Piñera said. Health experts had recom- democracy. At the same time, sible candidates for the US the men should face trial following three earlier days of testimony. He urged legislators to move mended suspending the the voters excluded any con- Senate race and over the last They are accused of aiding six other men who are charged in federal the voting to elect 155 Chileans planned election. gress member from serving in year or so has sought to raise court with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer. Five more people are also to the constitutional assembly to Intensive care units are at the assembly. her profile. She has used social charged in state courts. The FBI in October said it broke up a plot May 15-16 instead of April 10-11 95% capacity, with seven of every The body will reserve 17 media to promote her depart- to kidnap Whitmer by anti-government extremists upset over as now scheduled. Elections for 10 ICU beds occupied by a seats for Indigenous delegates, ment’s work, highlight her her coronavirus restrictions. Klareen said there was enough evi- mayors, city councils and gov- COVID-19 case. The Ministry of and the United Nations says it family and faith, express dence for trial on charges of providing material support for ter- ernors also would be delayed Health reported Sunday more will be first time a constitution support for Republican candi- rorist acts, gang membership and using a firearm during a felony. until the same days of the than 7,300 new coronavirus is drafted by an assembly dates and outline stances on Klaeren dismissed a charge of threat of terrorism against assembly vote under the presi- cases, the fourth consecutive day equally divided between men issues such as gun rights. Musico and Morrison. Bellar didn’t face that charge. dent’s proposal. exceeding 7,000 cases. and women. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 16

Qatari woman set to make historic Everest ascent

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Sheikha Asma Al Thani aims to PRAYER become the first Qatari woman TIMINGS to climb Mount Everest in April/ PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING May this year as part of her drive to inspire women and young people in the region to FAJR 04.10 am challenge stereotypes and fulfil SUNRISE 05.28 am their dreams. Everest represents the DHUHR 11.38 am toughest challenge yet on ASR 03.07 pm Sheikha Asma’s journey to MAGHRIB 05.51 pm become the first woman from ISHA 07.21 pm the Middle East to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, which involves climbing all of the Seven Summits and reaching the North Pole and South Pole. She is only the third Qatari to ever attempt the climb and, if successful, would become the first Qatari woman in history to stand 8,849 metres above sea WEATHER level. TODAY Sheikha Asma Al Thani said: “I have dreamed of climbing mountains ever since I was young — a dream which has always been ignited by my love of sport and its ability to inspire. In my extensive work within Everest represents the toughest challenge yet on Sheikha o o sport in Qatar, I have seen first- Asma Al Thani’s journey to become the first woman from 21 C 30 C hand the powerful impact that the Middle East to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, Minimum Maximum sport and its incredible athletes which involves climbing all of the Seven Summits and Moderate temperature daytime with can have on the lives of so reaching the North Pole and South Pole. slight dust to blowing dust at places many. If they fall, they always at times, relatively cold by night. get up and try harder. And if challenge the stereotypical Grand Slam challenges. In 2018, among the first group of Qatari generation of women to achieve they lose, they always rise image of the traditional explorer she became the first Qatari to women to summit their dreams,” said Sheikha W ALRUWAIS : 22o → 23o stronger. Ultimately, they and empower women and ski the last degree to the North Kilimanjaro. Asma. W ALKHOR : 20o → 27o inspire us all to be better ver- youth in the region to challenge Pole as part of an international “This has been a journey of Sheikha Asma will travel to W DUKHAN : 22o → 25o sions of ourselves.” themselves and dream bigger,” team of women from across firsts, but this is not my focus. Nepal on April 1 to begin her W WAKRAH : 20o → 30o “I climb mountains because she added. Europe and the Middle East, and My ultimate dream is to be the trek to Everest Base Camp for it challenges my limits. And it is An avid adventurer, Sheikha the first Qatari woman to first of many Qatari women to acclimatisation, before W MESAIEED : 20o → 30o my hope that, by taking on the Asma has already completed summit Aconcagua in 2019. achieve such feats. Together we attempting to summit Everest W ABUSAMRA : 20o → 25o world’s highest mountains, I can three of the nine Explorers Prior to this, in 2014, she was can all work to inspire the next in mid-May if conditions allow.

HIGH TIDE 5:08– 17:44 QA plans to expand network to over 140 destinations Qatar to observe World LOW TIDE 00:16 – 12:54 THE PENINSULA — DOHA “As the global vaccine rollout Francisco (SFO), Sao Paulo (GRU), Autism Day on Friday begins to gather pace, we look Seattle (SEA), Washington D.C. (IAD) THE PENINSULA — DOHA Qatar Airways has announced its forward to a gradual easing of entry Asia-Pacific: Adelaide (ADL), Chinese team summer schedule, maintaining its restrictions throughout 2021 and wel- Ahmedabad (AMD), Amritsar (ATQ), Qatar joins the world in celebrating World Autism position as the leading international coming back our millions of pas- Auckland (AKL), Bali (DPS), Bangalore Day, April 2. On this occasion, the Ministry of performs eye surgery carrier providing reliable global sengers on board the World’s Best (BLR), Bangkok (BKK), Brisbane Public Health organizes many events and activ- with 5G Technology connectivity. Airline.” (BNE), Calicut (CCJ), Cebu (CEB), ities, during which the autism spectrum disorder Having never stopped flying Qatar Airways Cargo has played Chennai (MAA), Clark (CRK), Colombo is highlighted, in cooperation with the Ministry 3,000 km away throughout the pandemic the airline a vital role in maintaining a reliable (CMB), Dhaka (DAC), Goa (GOI), of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of has worked diligently to be the schedule across the network of des- Guangzhou (CAN), Hangzhou (HGH), Administrative Development, Labor and Social QNA — BEIJING world’s leading airline for safety, tinations. Since the onset of the pan- Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Affairs, World Health Organization, Hamad innovation and customer experience. demic, Qatar Airways has helped Hong Kong (HKG), Hyderabad (HYD), Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corpo- A medical team in Beijing has By the peak of the IATA Summer transport over 500,000 tonnes of Islamabad (ISB), Jakarta (CGK), ration, Sidra Medicine and Shafallah Center for performed eye surgeries with Season, the national carrier of the medical supplies and delivered more Karachi (KHI), Kathmandu (KTM), Persons with Disabilities, Hamad Bin Khalifa the help of 5G technology on State of Qatar plans to operate over than 15,000,000 doses of COVID-19 Kochi (COK), Kolkata (CCU), Kuala University, Al Jazeera Media Network, Reynad three patients 3,000 km away 1,200 weekly flights to more than 140 vaccines to over 20 countries. The Lumpur (KUL), Lahore (LHE), Male Academy, Qatar Institute for Speech and Hearing in northwest China’s Xinjiang destinations. cargo carrier continues to focus on (MLE), Manila (MNL), Melbourne (MEL), and Mind Institute and a number of private Region. This has been recognised with supporting its customers’ business Mumbai (BOM), New Delhi (DEL), Perth companies in Qatar. After receiving the eye multiples awards, including being the and enabling global trade, while sup- (PER), Peshawar (PEW), Phuket (HKT), The events will commence with a fundus photographs sent by a first global airline in the world to porting impacted regions worldwide. Seoul (ICN), Singapore (SIN), Sialkot workshop organized by Ministry of Public local hospital in Xinjiang’s achieve the prestigious 5-Star Qatar Airways continues to (SKT), Sydney (SYD), Tokyo Narita Health in cooperation with the World Health Tumxuk City, director of the COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by expand its network of destinations, (NRT), Trivandrum (TRV) Organization on the development of profes- Ophthalmology Department Skytrax. This was in addition to Qatar offering more flights to international Europe: Adana (ADA), Amsterdam sional competencies and training programs of Peking Union Medical Airway’s home and hub, Hamad destinations than any other airline. By (AMS), Antalya (AYT), Ankara (ESB), for autism spectrum disorder, via video con- College Hospital (PUMCH) International Airport (HIA), being the the middle of summer 2021, Qatar Athens (ATH), Baku (GYD), Barcelona ference, and will last 3 days from March 30 Chen Youxin, tailored surgery first airport in the Middle East and Airways’ plans to rebuild its network (BCN), Belgrade (BEG), Berlin (BER), to April 1, with the participation of a number programs for the three Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star to more than 140 destinations including Bodrum (BJV), Brussels (BRU), of local, regional and international experts patients. COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating in 23 in Africa, 14 in the Americas, 43 in Bucharest (OTP), Budapest (BUD), and specialists. With the help of software, December 2020. Asia-Pacific, 43 in Europe and 19 in Copenhagen (CPH), Dublin (DUB), Edin- The workshop aims at Introducing the inter- the programs were sent back Qatar Airways Group Chief Exec- Middle East. Many cities will be served burgh (EDI), Frankfurt (FRA), Helsinki nationally accredited training programs to the by 5G technology, and an auto- utive, H E Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are with a strong schedule with daily or (HEL), Istanbul (IST), Istanbul Sabiha service providers in Qatar according to their spe- matic machine performed the proud to lead the recovery of interna- more frequencies. (SAW), Izmir (ADB), Kiev (KBP), Larnaca cialties to improve and consolidate their pro- laser surgeries based on the tional aviation, implementing the Qatar Airways destinations oper- (LCA), London (LHR), London Gatwick fessional competences in the different fields programs. “The surgeries were highest standards of bio-safety and ating by the peak of IATA Summer (LGW), Madrid (MAD), Manchester of autism spectrum disorder in particular and very successful,” said Chen. hygiene and investing in the latest inno- Season 2021 are: Africa: (MAN), Milan (MXP), Moscow (DME), for all special needs in general. document inter- He said China has a vations to simplify travel and restore Abuja(ABV),Accra (ACC), Addis Ababa Munich (MUC), Mykonos (JMK), Oslo nationally accredited development programs shortage of professional oph- passenger confidence during the most (ADD), Alexandria (HBE), Algiers (ALG), (OSL), Paris (CDG), Prague (PRG), Rome to implement a comprehensive educational thalmologists, and through 5G challenging period in aviation’s history. Cairo(CAI), Cape Town (CPT), Casa- (FCO), Sofia (SOF), Stockholm (ARN), integration, tailored to the needs of each and medical artificial intelli- “Having never stopped flying blanca (CMN), Dar Es Salaam (DAR), Tbilisi (TBS), Vienna (VIE), Warsaw student with autism spectrum disorder and gence technology, local throughout the pandemic, we have Djibouti (JIB), Durban (DUR), Entebbe (WAW), Yerevan (EVN), Zagreb (ZAG), prepare a standardized framework all minis- doctors can treat patients as used our unrivalled experience and (EBB), Johannesburg (JNB), Kigali (KGL), Zurich (ZRH) terial entities and the government, semi-gov- long as they receive basic modern, fuel-efficient fleet to operate Kilimanjaro (JRO), Lagos (LOS), Luanda Middle East: Abu Dhabi (AUH), ernment and private institutions that incorpo- training and are remotely a sustainable and reliable network (LAD), Maputo (MPM), Mogadishu Amman (AMM), Baghdad (BGW), rates the various needs of specialists in the guided by experts. Chen said our passengers, trade partners and (MGQ), Nairobi (NBO), Seychelles (SEZ), Basra (BSR), Beirut (BEY), Dammam health, educational and social sectors of PUMCH has set up a subcenter corporate customers can rely on. We Tunis (TUN), Zanzibar (ZNZ) (DMM), Dubai (DXB), Erbil (EBL), training programs to improve their efficiency in a hospital in regional capital also continue to offer the largest Americas: Atlanta (ATL), Boston Isfahan (IFN), Jeddah (JED), Kuwait over the next years. Urumqi, providing more international network, including (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), (KWI), Mashhad (MHD), Muscat (MCT), As part of celebrating World Autism Day, the imaging diagnosis services to launching seven new destinations, to Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Najaf (NJF), Riyadh (RUH), Salalah Ministry of Public Health will organize the annual patients in Xinjiang and more provide the connectivity our pas- Miami(MIA), Montreal (YUL), New (SLL), Shiraz (SYZ), Sulaymaniyah Qatar Autism Spectrum Disorder Forum on April training to local doctors. sengers and cargo customers need. York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), San (ISU), Tehran (IKA). 2 and 3, via video conference. Pfizer, Moderna vaccines highly effective after first shot: US study REUTERS — NEW YORK vaccines’ ability to protect effectiveness of nation’s healthcare personnel, Some countries, including against infection, including the mRNA vac- first responders, and other Britain and Canada, are COVID-19 vaccines developed infections that did not cause cines among frontline essential workers,” allowing extended gaps by Pfizer Inc with BioNTech SE symptoms. Previous clinical 3,950 partici- CDC Director Rochelle between doses that differ from and Moderna Inc reduced the trials by the companies eval- pants in six Walensky said in a statement. how the vaccines were tested risk of infection by 80% two uated their vaccine’s efficacy in states over a The new mRNA technology in clinical trials in order to alle- weeks or more after the first of preventing illness from 13-week period is a synthetic form of a natural viate supply constraints. In the two shots, according to data COVID-19. from Dec. 14, chemical messenger being used trials, there was a three-week from a real-world US study The findings from of the 2020 to March to instruct cells to make pro- gap between Pfizer shots and released yesterday. real-world use of these mes- 13, 2021. teins that mirror part of the four weeks for the Moderna The risk of infection fell 90% senger RNA (mRNA) vaccines “The novel coronavirus. That teaches vaccine. by two weeks after the second confirm the efficacy demon- authorized the immune system to recognize In Britain, authorities said shot, the study of just under strated in the large controlled mRNA and attack the actual virus. in January that data supported 4,000 vaccinated US healthcare clinical trials conducted before COVID-19 vac- The CDC study comes weeks its decision to move to 12 weeks personnel and first responders they received emergency use cines provided after real-world data from between the first and second found. authorizations from the U.S. early, substantial Israel suggested that the Pfizer/ Pfizer/BioNtech shots. Pfizer The study by the US Centers Food and Drug real-world pro- Vials with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna BioNTech vaccine was 94% and its German partner have for Disease Control and Pre- Administration. tection against coronavirus vaccine labels are seen in this effective in preventing asymp- warned that they had no evi- vention (CDC) evaluated the The study looked at the infection for our illustration picture. tomatic infections. dence to prove that.