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THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 5 SHA'ABAN - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8565 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

GCC Ministerial Council Amir receives message from Kenya President affirms commitment to final statement of Al-Ula Summit QNA — RIYADH The Council stressed that security of the GCC member states is inseparable, in line with The 147th session of GCC Minis- the GCC constituent law and the joint terial Council yesterday defence treaty. affirmed commitment to the Al-Ula Statement and Al-Ula Denounced the continuous attacks of Houthi Declaration issued by the 41st militias against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Session of the GCC Supreme Council, which was held in Stressed the importance of GCC integration Al-Ula Governorate in the and collective interaction in the post-pan- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on demic period, especially in the areas of food January 5, 2021. security, demographics, labour and It also stressed that security education. of the GCC member states is Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from President of the inseparable, in line with the affirming the GCC’s stand by the supporting them. Republic of Kenya, H E Uhuru Kenyatta, pertaining to bilateral relations and means of enhancing GCC constituent law and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Within the framework of joint defence treaty stipulating taking all necessary and promoting joint GCC action, the them. President Kenyatta’s Special Envoy and Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i handed that these countries would deterrent measures against council examined efforts over the message when H H the Amir met him and the accompanying delegation at Sheikh Abdullah stand together in the face of any these provocative acts that undertaken by the GCC Secre- Bin Jassim Majlis at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister and external danger. target civilians, civilian objects, tariat General for imple- Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani. In a statement at the end airports, seaports, vital oil facil- menting resolutions of the of its meeting yesterday, the ities and global energy GCC Supreme Council 41st Ministerial Council con- resources. The Council also Session (the Summit of Sultan demned the attack that tar- stressed that these acts violate Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah), HMC launches service to support geted one of the petroleum all international laws and and visionary plans advocated storage facilities at Ras Tanura norms and threaten regional by the Custodian of the Two port with a drone coming from security and stability, lauding Holy Mosques King Salman patients undergoing home isolation the sea as well as the targeting the efficiency and preparedness bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for of Saudi Aramco’s facilities in of the Royal Saudi Air Defense boosting joint action, strength- THE PENINSULA — DOHA home,” added Dr. Al Maslamani. Dhahran with a ballistic Forces. ening the GCC economies, Patients are referred to the missile on March 7, 2021. The Ministerial Council completing the requirements In an effort to support the Centralised Home Isolation The Council also denounced calls upon the international for the joint custom union, the growing number of patients Service for COVID-19 from the continuous attacks of community to bear its respon- common gulf market as a requiring home isolation as a various sources including Houthi militias against the sibility toward these terrorist prelude to achieve the GCC eco- result of the recent rise in COVID-19 hospitals, Primary Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sabotage acts and the parties nomic unity by 2025. `P6 COVID-19 cases in Qatar, Hamad Health Care Corporation, Sidra Medical Corporation has Medicine, Pediatric Emergency launched a Centralised Home Centers, isolation facilities and Isolation Service for COVID-19 Through the new the Isolation Service Command patients in Qatar, operated by the Centralised Home Center, based on current Home Communicable Disease Center Isolation Service for Isolation Criteria. (CDC). COVID-19 patients “Through the new Cen- Medical Director of the CDC, medical teams will tralised Home Isolation Service Dr. Muna Al Maslamani, telephone approved for COVID-19 patients our explained that isolating people home isolation medical teams will telephone with COVID-19 is one of the most patients to check on approved home isolation important strategies in limiting their health status patients during their isolation the spread of the virus. and if needed period to check on their health “Since the start of the pan- provide them with status and if needed provide demic more than 12 months ago medical care. them with medical care. Addi- we have worked hard to ensure tionally, patients can call the that people with COVID-19 are system last year continue to CDC Home Isolation Hotline able to isolate in a suitable envi- provide support for people with (4025 1666) to speak to a phy- ronment while they remain con- COVID-19 who need to isolate sician 24 hours a day,” explained tagious. With the number of but cannot do so at home. But Dr. Al Maslamani. active COVID-19 cases rising in individuals who meet a specific COVID-19 patients under- recent months we have seen a set of home isolation criteria – going home isolation are significant increase in the including being asymptomatic required to abide by the rules and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al number of people needing to or with mild symptoms, and regulations of a Ministry of Public Thani with GCC Foreign Ministers, and Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al Hajraf, at the isolate.” having a private room and Health Home Isolation Under- 147th session of the Ministerial Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday. “Dedicated isolation facilities bathroom at their home – can taking and to download the established by the healthcare undergo their isolation period at Ehteraz Application. MoI signs deals worth Recovered COVID-19 patients encouraged to donate plasma FAZEENA SALEEM “As people fight the fight the virus if it returns,” it recovered patient can be used QR390.6m at Milipol Qatar THE PENINSULA COVID-19 virus, their body pro- added. A plasma donation centre to treat one to two infected duces antibodies to attack it. has been set up at the Commu- patients,” said HMC in its SIDI MOHAMED of Milipol Qatar Organising The Ministry of Public Health These antibodies are secreted nicable Disease Centre of HMC. website. THE PENINSULA Committee, Brig. Saud Al (MoPH) has clarified some by immune cells known as B “With the help of our clinical In a separate post on Twitter Shafi, member of Milipol details related to COVID-19 lymphocytes. These are found teams, you have recovered from the Ministry said that people going The Ministry of Interior (MoI) Qatar Committee, and Marie vaccination, Convalescent in plasma, the liquid part of the COVID-19 infection. However, to Lusail COVID-19 Drive- signed deals worth QR390.6m Lagrenee, Milipol Events Plasma Therapy and the hotline. blood, which helps the blood there are many other patients Through Vaccination Center at the just concluded 13th Director. The Ministry has clot and increase immunity,” who are still suffering from this must complete the process in a edition of the international “The total number of vis- encouraged recovered said the Ministry. infection and you can help them car or suitable vehicle . It cannot exhibition for homeland itors reached 6,600, and 235 COVID–19 patients to donate “Once a person recovers the to recover by donating your be done on foot. security and civil defense media representatives plasma as Hamad Medical Cor- antibodies stay in their body to plasma. Plasma from one “However, people who do (Milipol Qatar 2021) at the Doha covered the three-day exhi- poration (HMC) is using Conva- not own a car can visit the Exhibition and Convention bition, in which the total value lescent Plasma Therapy to treat Center and complete the vac- Center (DECC). of the deals signed by the COVID-19 patients in Qatar. People going to cination process in a taxi,” said Over 6,000 people visited Ministry of Interior was “The treatment involves Lusail COVID-19 the Ministry. The drive-through the event. Organisers also QR390.6m,” said Milipol plasma taken from patients who Drive-Through centre is behind the Lusail Mul- revealed that the 14th edition Qatar (2021) Chairman. have recovered from COVID-19 Vaccination tipurpose Hall, open from 11am of Milipol Qatar would be held Speaking at the closing and transfusing it into patients Center must to 10pm every day. People will from May 24 to 26, 2022, in press conference, he noted currently battling the virus,” the complete the be seen on a first-come-first- Doha. that “the event was attended Ministry said in its Twitter process in a car seen basis and last entrance to This information was by several ministers, deputy account. or suitable the centre will be at 9pm. “In vehicle. It cannot announced yesterday by the ministers, police chiefs, Plasma is the liquid part of the first few weeks of operation be done on foot. Milipol Qatar Organising Com- undersecretaries, leaders of the blood where antibodies CALL 16000 the busiest times have been mittee in a press conference at the gendarmerie and repre- against infectious diseases are between 11am and 1pm. For the the DECC. sentatives of ministries from present and is currently used to The Ministry has reminded the public to call fastest and most efficient expe- The press conference was friendly countries, in addition treat people with the COVID-19, 16000 and not 999 for information or medical rience, it is recommended that attended by Maj. Gen Nasser to their Excellencies the local especially those suffering from assistance for COVID-19. people visit between 2pm and bin Fahad Al Thani, Chairman ministers.” `P6 severe infection. 7pm,” said the Ministry. `P6 02 HOME THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 HOME 03 04 HOME THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021

Speaker receives message OFFICIAL NEWS from Albania counterpart; Amir sends congratulations to meets several envoys head of Libyan Presidential Council QNA — DOHA The Speaker of the Shura Council also met separately with DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Speaker of the Shura Council H Ambassador of the Republic of bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid India, H E Deepak Mittal; of congratulations to H E Dr. Al Mahmoud received a message Ambassador of the Republic of Mohamed Al Menfi, after being from Speaker of Parliament of Panama, H E Mousa Abdelhae sworn in as Chairman of the Presi- the Republic of Albania H E Asvat Kasu; and Acting Charge dential Council of the sisterly state Gramoz Ruci, pertaining to the d’Affairs at the Embassy of the of Libya, wishing him success, parliamentary relations between Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and relations between the two the two countries and ways to H E Athem Allah Warsji. countries further development and support and strengthen them. During these meetings, they growth. Deputy Amir H H Sheikh The message was delivered reviewed the cooperation and Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani also by Acting Charge d’Affaires at relations between the State of sent a cable of congratulations to the Embassy of the Republic of Qatar and the Republic of India, H E Dr. Mohamed Al Menfi. Prime Albania in Doha, Kujtim Xhani, the Republic of Panama, and the Minister and Minister of Interior during his meeting with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Speaker of the Shura Council H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud meeting Acting Charge Speaker of the Shura Council and their development, espe- Abdulaziz Al Thani also sent a cable d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Doha, Kujtim Xhani. yesterday. cially in the parliamentary field. of congratulations to H E Abdul Hamid Al Dabaiba, after he was sworn in as Prime Minister of the National Unity Government of the Cabinet gives approval sisterly State of Libya. — QNA Amir sends to reform QFC Authority congratulations to Board of Directors President of Ireland QNA — DOHA governments of Qatar and DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Turkey, for the satellite net- bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy The Cabinet which met works regulated by Appen- Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin yesterday with Prime Minister dices 30 and 30A of the Radio Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday and Minister of Interior H E Regulations (RR). cables of congratulations to Pres- Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin The Cabinet also approved ident of the Republic of Ireland H Abdulaziz Al Thani in the chair a draft agreement for mutual E Michael Daniel Higgins on the gave approval to reform the inclusion of the lands in the occasion of his country’s National Board of Directors of the satellite service area between Day. Prime Minister and Minister Qatar Financial Centre the two governments, for the of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Authority (QFC Authority) satellite networks regulated Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani also headed by H E Minister of by Appendix 30B of the Radio sent a cable of congratulations to Commerce and Industry. Regulations (RR). Prime Minister of the Republic of Chief of Staff meets head of Turkey’s operations authority Following the Cabinet It also gave approval of a Ireland H E Micheal Martin on the meeting, the Minister of Justice draft memorandum of under- occasion of his country’s National Chief of Staff of Qatari Armed Forces H E Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem and Acting Minister of State for standing for cooperation in Day. — QNA met yesterday with head of the Turkish operations authority H E Brigadier General Ersin Kaya, who Cabinet Affairs H E Dr. Issa bin the field of endangered is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed the military relations between Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi said wildlife conservation and the two friendly countries, and means of enhancing them. The meeting was attended by a number the following statement: preservation of its natural 398 referred of senior officers in the armed forces. At the outset of the habitat, between the gov- meeting, the Cabinet listened ernment of Qatar and the gov- to Public to the explanation provided ernment of Tajikistan. by HE Minister of Public The Cabinet also gave Prosecution Deals worth over QR210m signed Health on the latest develop- approval for participation in ments to limit the spread of the Hannover International for violations the coronavirus (COVID-19), Industrial Fair in Germany on QNA — DOHA on final day of Milipol Qatar and affirmed the continuation April 12-16, 2021. of implementing the precau- The Cabinet reviewed the The designated authorities THE PENINSULA — DOHA that the Ministry of Interior extension of the Tetra system. tionary measures in order to results of the permanent Pre- referred 398 people to the signed a deal with Abdullah In addition to this, combat this pandemic. paratory Committee at the Public Prosecution for The Ministry of Interior signed Abdul Ghani and Bros. according to the deal, the The Cabinet also gave ministerial level of the GCC violating the preventive and deals worth more than QR210m company for importing various Mannai Corporation has to approval for a draft agreement Economic and Development precautionary measures on the third day of Milipol Qatar kinds of vehicles for import some Caravans, Sysco for mutual inclusion of the Affairs Authority, and took the enforced by the country to 2021 yesterday, taking the total QR8,186,000 and another deal systems, F5 Business Solutions lands in the satellite service appropriate decision in their contain the spread of the coro- deals signed at the exhibition for the amount of and carry out maintenance for area between the regard. navirus. to over QR390m. QR50,302,165 with Al the ICCS sound system. Among them, 366 people Brig. Saud Al Shafi, Kouniyya company for tech- Along with the above men- were referred to the Public Assistant Director General of nological deals for importing tioned deals, various depart- MoPH: 489 new COVID-19 cases Prosecution for not wearing the Logistics Directorate of the the materials of the ID cards. ments of the Ministry of Interior masks in places where they Ministry of Interior (MoI) and The third deal of the Min- signed deals with different THE PENINSULA — DOHA are mandatory, while 17 were member of Milipol Qatar 2021 istry of Interior was signed with companies for the amount of found violating the maximum Committee announced yes- Fahad Trading and Contracting QR10m. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday announced the number of four people allowed terday the details of the three for QR129,739,000 for The total value of the con- registration of 489 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Among in a vehicle including the deals signed with the Ministry importing 77 fire fighting tracts signed during the 3rd day them 72 were travellers returning from abroad. driver, except when they are of Interior on the third day of vehicles for the World Cup, of the expo reached Meanwhile, another 288 people have recovered from the virus, members of one family. the exhibition being held at the while the fourth deal worth QR218,292,123 and the value of bringing the total number of recovered cases in Qatar to 159,141. As many as 12 people were Doha Exhibition and Con- QR20,064,958 of the third day the total contracts signed All new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving booked for not adhering to the vention Center. of the exhibition was with during the 13th edition of the necessary healthcare according to their health status. safe distance, and another Announcing the details of Mannai Corporation for Milipol Qatar reached to Two people, aged 50 and 59, succumbed to the virus, taking three for not installing Ehteraz the deals, Brig. Al Shafi said designing, importing, fixing and QR390,579,940. the total death toll in Qatar due to COVID-19 to 270. app on their mobile phones. Ooredoo booths attract huge turnout at Milipol

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Ooredoo’s booths at Milipol Qatar 2021 — the region’s most prominent event dedicated to homeland security and civil defence — welcomed scores of visitors looking to discover more about the latest information and communications (ICT) solutions designed to protect enter- prises and monitor business infrastructure to mitigate risk. Chief Commercial Officer at Ooredoo Qatar Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin Nasser Al Thani said, “The high visitor turnout witnessed by the Ooredoo booths dem- onstrates customer confidence in our information and communications technology solutions. I would like to congratulate the event’s Committee on its great success, which comes despite the exceptional circumstances imposed by the pandemic.” “Ooredoo’s strategy combines a commitment to digital transformation with a comprehensive commitment to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, with the digital business having become our focus in recent years. Through this exhibition, we had the opportunity to dem- onstrate our dedication to supporting the corporate sector President of Milipol Qatar Committee, Major General Nasser with our comprehensive ICT offering that enables busi- Bin Fahad Al Thani, presenting the honorary shield to nesses to build a solid defence against cyber-threats, protecting their assets and operations, and showcase our Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, Director PR at Ooredoo. progress towards achieving the digital goals of Qatar National Vision 2030,” he added. presence and assets from cyber-threats such as auto- Internet of Things solutions highlighted at the event mated bot and injection attacks, as well as application- included IoT Connect. This service enables companies layer denial of service. Event attendees had the oppor- to track and manage all their networked devices, tracking tunity to explore the most comprehensive suite of security tools and products online, measuring data bandwidth services in Qatar through the display of Ooredoo’s consumption, and flagging international roaming con- Security Operations Centre and to discover a new nections. The Fleet Management solution, developed to approach to user protection from emerging cyber threats allow companies to manage their field teams, enables with Cloud Web Security. A third booth invited visitors identifying and dispatch of the closest and most skilled to explore Ooredoo’s Azure services, offering the capa- drivers with trips and activities recorded. Therefore, bility to scale up or scale down to continuously meet service calls and fulfillment per day can be increased changing business needs while ensuring that IT costs through better planning and control of vehicles and and services are constantly aligned with business demand. workforces. Those looking to back up critical data were able to find A raft of Managed Security solutions on show included out more about the Cloud Backup solution and see how Qatar’s first end-to-end Web Application Firewall, a fully Ooredoo’s Cyber Recovery Solution offers integration managed cloud-based service designed to protect digital and protection of the most valuable data. THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 HOME 05 Qatar attends Arab Police and Interior ministers, security officials Security Leaders conference visit NCC

QNA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA Among other things, the meeting The State of Qatar participated in the also discussed the draft Arab A number of visiting interior 44th conference of Arab Police and strategy for combating human ministers and security officials Security Leaders, which was held and organ trafficking. visited the National Command through video conference, with the Center (NCC) yesterday, on the participation of a number of relevant sidelines of their participation regional and international organiza- human and organ trafficking, and the in the Milipol Qatar 2021 Exhi- tions. Representing the state at the draft interim plan for implementing bition in Doha, which conference was Director-General of the Arab strategy to confront infor- concluded yesterday. Public Security H E Staff Major General mation technology crimes, in addition The NCC welcomed Min- Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi. to the prepared vision about the goals, ister of Interior and Munici- The conference reviewed the dis- tasks and mechanism of work of a per- palities of the Republic of tinguished security experiences of manent committee for criminal sta- Lebanon H E Mohammed Transport Minister meets Maldives counterpart some member states, the repercus- tistics within the scope of the general Fahmi; Belarusian Minister of sions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) secretariat. Interior H E Major General Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti met with crisis on Arab security, and the role of The conference’s recommenda- Ivan Vladimirovich Kubrakov; Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of the Republic of Maldives H E Aishath Nahula, at various security sectors and civil pro- tions will be submitted to the next Head of the National Police of Ministry offices yesterday. The two ministers discussed aspects of cooperation between tection agencies in facing them. session of the Council of Arab Interior Ukraine, General Ihor Kly- the two friendly countries in the fields of transportation and civil aviation services and The participants also discussed the Ministers to take the appropriate menko; and Deputy Director- means of further enhancing them. draft Arab strategy for combating measures regarding them. General of Public Security and Central Director of the Italian Criminal Police, Vittorio Rizzi. The visiting delegations Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar from March 24 were received separately by Major General Khalifa THE PENINSULA — DOHA as Qatar Museums’ activities Abdullah Al Nuaimi, head of The first photography award in Qatar was and events. The Fund’s support the NCC; Col. Ali Mohammed Qatar Museums (QM) will inau- established more than twenty years ago — and as stems from our belief in the Al Muhannadi, Deputy Head gurate Tasweer Photo Festival value of this distinguished cul- of the NCC; and Col. Hassan Qatar on March 24, with a we look forward we will continue to grow our collections and tural event, which aligns with Mohammed Al Kuwari, dynamic and interconnected to support aspiring photographers and collectors. the Fund’s goals and values Director of the Central Oper- programme of exhibitions. aimed at community devel- ations Department. The inaugural festival will Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani opment and empowering indi- The ministers and security feature the Sheikh Saoud Al Chairperson, Qatar Museums viduals through strategic officials listened to a brief Thani Awards, commissions, support that benefits Qatari summary on the mechanism collaborations, presentations people. This reinforces our of work of the NCC and the and workshops that draw inno- country’s position at the security systems used in the Al Kuwari is vative international photog- champion the medium of pho- “I am grateful to all the collab- regional and international management of events and raphy together with photogra- tography and will serve as a orators, organisations and indi- levels.” crises. CEO of Qatar phers and photographic com- resource for artists in Qatar and viduals who have come Tasweer will dedicate two In addition to this, they munities in Qatar and the the region,” said H E Sheikha Al together to kick start Tasweer awards to Sheikh Saoud Al also learned about managing Foundation for Western Asia and North Africa Mayassa bint Hamad bin — I have no doubt in the impact Thani (1966-2014), one of and securing sports competi- (WANA) region. Khalifa Al Thani. “The devel- this will have to our country’s Qatar’s greatest collectors who tions and various events Social Work Established by QM under opment of this platform builds creative and economic growth.” largely shaped the Museum of hosted by the State, and the the leadership of its Chair- on the efforts of the past. The “We are excited to launch Islamic Art’s extraordinary col- coordination mechanism THE PENINSULA — DOHA person, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa incorporation of the Sheikh Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar lection. The Sheikh Saoud Al between the Center and the bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Saoud Al Thani photography with a robust programme of Thani Single Image Award is an security departments on the As part of its efforts to benefit Thani, and sponsored by the awards as part of this initiative activities and exhibitions, that annual, open call for a single one hand and other vital from Qatari talent, Qatar Social & Sport Contribution is to increase the visibility of the aim to leave an indelible mark image that best represents the organizations and institutions Foundation for Social Work Fund (Daam), the festival builds talents that we have, and invest on the industry in the region” photographer’s experience and in the country on the other has appointed Ahmed bin on a commitment to nurture in the ecosystem for creative explained Khalifa Al Obaidly, personal narrative. The Sheikh side. Muhammad Al Kuwari artistic talent, develop Qatar’s growth. The first photography acclaimed Qatari photographer Saoud Al Thani Project Award The ministers and security (pictured) as new CEO. arts economy and support cre- award in Qatar was established and director of Tasweer. Abdul on the other hand, is an annual officials expressed their appre- Al Kuwari held many ative industry. M7, Qatar’s new more than twenty years ago — Rahman Abdul Latif Al Mannai, grant award that supports pho- ciation for the level of per- leading positions during his hub for innovation and entre- and as we look forward we will Executive Director of the Social tographers’ proposals for the formance and the advanced career, and has more than 19 preneurship in the creative continue to grow our collections & Sport Contribution Fund, said, development or completion of technical systems they saw, years of experience in the industries, will serve as the and to support aspiring photog- “We are pleased to sponsor and a photographic project. Winners expressing their hope that the information technology sector. central location for Tasweer. raphers and collectors.” support the first edition (of the of the 2021 Awards will be Center achieve more excel- He has managerial and “Tasweer was created to Sheikha Al Mayassa added, photography festival), as well announced on March 24. lence and successes. technical experience in cor- porate organisational struc- tures and has introduced new solutions to improve the work MoI Undersecretary meets environment. During his career, he gained significant Moldova Minister of Interior experience in supervising project management, imple- QNA — DOHA menting and developing strat- The meeting discussed ways egies and expanding the tech- Undersecretary of the Ministry to enhance cooperation nical infrastructure. of Interior (MoI) and between the two countries He obtained a Bachelor’s Commander of the Lekhwiya in the police field. degree from Qatar University, Force, H E Major General as well as an honorary Mas- Abdulaziz bin Faisal Al Thani ter’s degree in Business met yesterday with Minister of Homeland Security and Civil Administration from the Uni- the Interior of the Republic of Defense (Milipol Qatar 2021). versity of Wales. Al Kuwari is Moldova, H E Pavel Voicu, who During the meeting, they also a graduate of Future Exec- is currently visiting the country discussed ways to enhance utive Leadership programme to participate in the activities cooperation between the two from Qatar Leadership Center. of the International Event for countries in the police field. 06 HOME THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 Minister of Education visits The Hamilton International School

THE PENINSULA - DOHA

The Hamilton International School, part of International Schools Part- nership (ISP), welcomed Minister of Education and Higher Education, H E Dr Mohammad bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi for an official visit to the school this week. With the main purpose of checking the precautionary measures taken by The Hamilton International School, the comprehensive inspection focused on the school’s infrastructure and the measures of protection that have been put in place to protect students, teachers, and staff in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The school has enhanced its health and safety policies to be in line with Minister of Education and Higher Education, H E Dr Mohammad bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi, taking a tour of The Hamilton International School. guidelines issued by MOEHE, as well they have incorporated best practise instillation of a thermal camera to the school would place on maintaining including Omar Al-Naama, Assistant also includes Park House English from ISP schools around the world. detect fevers. A full list of the school’s a healthy and safe school environment Undersecretary for Private Education School, one of Doha’s oldest and most Some of these measures include but Health and Safety guidelines can be for the entire community. Affairs; Rashid AlAmri, Acting Director respected schools. are not limited to : Social distancing in found here https://hamiltoninterna- Furthermore, Dr Al Hammadi of Private Schools Affairs Department; The Hamilton International classrooms, Masks being worn at all tionalschool.qa/school-reopening/. checked the educational process of the as well as Ali Al Fardan. School’s world-class facilities accom- times, Stickers on the floors reminding During his visit, Dr Al Hammadi students at The Hamilton International The Hamilton International School panied by its educational offering, and students to remain at a safe distance, spoke of the positive measures the School. is part of the International Schools highly qualified teachers, are a tes- Stickers on the walls to remind them school had undertaken to date and dis- The official visit was also attended Partnership, a UK-based owner and tament to ISP’s high standard of edu- about proper sanitizing techniques and cussed the continued emphasis that by key government personnel, operator of 48 schools globally, which cation globally. MoI signs deals worth Recovered COVID-19 GCC Ministerial Council affirms commitment QR390.6m at Milipol patients encouraged to final statement of Al-Ula Summit FROM PAGE 1 to donate plasma FROM PAGE 1 and hailed Egypt for hosting the talks on the basis of the national FROM PAGE 1 The event provided an opportunity for the partic- The Ministerial Council also Palestinian dialogue designed dialogue conference and the ipants to share their experience in security and civil Those scheduled to receive their stressed the importance of GCC to tackle rifts among Palestinian Security Council Resolution defence. As many as 71 companies from 17 countries second dose can go directly to the Lusail integration and collective inter- factions. 2216. The GCC council affirmed and 72 exhibitors from Qatar participated in it. COVID-19 Drive-Through Vaccination action in the post-pandemic They greeted a resolution support for the Yemeni Gov- “54% of the exhibitors were first-time participants, Center on the scheduled day, without the period, especially in the areas by the first preliminary circuit ernment that began its tasks in despite the pandemic. This was a great achievement need for an appointment. of food security, demographics, of the International Criminal the interim capital Aden on for us that we were able to organize this exhibition “Primary Health Care Corporation labor and education. Court, stipulating that the December 30. under the current circumstances,” Maj. Gen. Nasser (PHCC) will schedule eligible people for The Ministerial Council regional jurisdictions of the of It sternly condemned said. their second dose at the drive-through applauded the continuing court in Palestine cover the Pal- attacks by the Iran-backed Milipol Qatar 2021 featured five International centre, at the time of their first dose efforts exerted by the GCC estinian territories that have Houthi militias on civilians and Pavilions from Brazil, France, the UK, the USA, and appointment at health centres,” said the armed forces in coordination been occupied by Israel since civilian targets and the refugee Germany, he said, along with the participation of several Ministry. with the GCC Secretariat 1967, including Gaza, the West camps in Maarib with ballistic individual companies worldwide. The Ministry has reminded the public General to implement all reso- Bank and East Jerusalem. missiles and drones. Moreover, For her part, Marie Lagrenée, Milipol Events to call 16000 and not 999 for information lutions related to the joint mil- Moreover, the ministers it decried using refugees in Director, said that this event is one of the first where or medical assistance for COVID-19. itary action particularly with condemned Israel’s con- Maarib as human shields. the homeland security and civil defence industries’ key “For all questions and quires related regard of activating the joint struction of settlements, the The council lauded the GCC players could meet face-to-face. It was held amid strict to COVID-19 members of the public should military command and pur- demolishing of Palestinians’ financial contributions that health and safety protocols to contain any likelihood call the Ministry’s dedicated hotline suing work for attaining mil- houses, altering the demo- accounted to 40 percent of the of spreading the COVID-19 virus. 16000,” said the Ministry. itary integration of the GCC graphic status in the occupied pledges during Yemen’s donors She also expressed her pleasure for the organizing “The 999 number is for medical emer- countries’ forces. territories that explicitly breach conference that was held on committee’s achievement in conducting a successful gencies requiring immediate medical At the health level, the Min- the international law and rel- March 1 to fund the UN relief edition of the Milipol Qatar in this very challenging attention and transfer to an emergency isterial Council praised the evant international scheme for the country in 2021, time. department,” it added. ongoing efforts by the health resolutions. also hailing the humanitarian authorities in the council The GCC ministers, in their efforts by King Salman Relief member countries to cope with statement, noted the GCC Program for Yemen’s repercussions of the novel unwavering stances with reconstruction. Bayanat Engineering Qatar: coronavirus (COVID-19), respect of the relations with The GCC ministers con- affirming necessity of Iran, stressing on the necessity demned Houthis’ bids to hamper exchanging expertise, also that future negotiations with the mission of the UN team Leader in meteorology systems lauding citizens’ cooperation Tehran must be in a single tasked with examining status of and their effective contributions package, incorporating “Iran’s the abandoned oil tanker Safer eteorology is a part of everyday life. in this regard. conducts that undermine in the Red Sea, urging the UN to The aviation, marine, oil and gas, and In the final statement, the security and stability in the try again reach it and spare the military sectors use meteorological Ministerial Council affirmed its region, the world, its spon- region a looming environmental tools in different ways. Bayanat Engi- support for the UAE sovereignty sorship of terrorism, its missile catastrophe. On Iraq, the GCC Mneering Qatar is the leader in the market. over the three islands, the UAE program namely the Ballistic officials expressed support for Aviation: The aviation industry employs the territorial waters, the territorial and Cruise missiles, the drones, efforts aimed at restoring use of runway visual range (RVR) systems to airspace, the continental shelf, the nuclear program, the safety security and stability to the ensure a clear and safe landing strip for the pilot MET Forecasting/Visualization Systems: MET the economic zone as insepa- of navigation in the Gulf,” brotherly nation lauding efforts to land their aircraft. The RVR is calculated using forecasting is another essential cog that keeps airport rable parts of the UAE terri- noting the necessity that the by the government and the transmissometers, a piece of equipment installed business moving smoothly. By forecasting the weather tories. The Council called on GCC states must partake in such international coalition to deter along runways to determine the visual range left through visualization systems such as the ones offered Iran to respond to the UAE negotiations. terrorist groups and armed until the aircraft's landing point. by Bayanat, airports can ensure that they can antic- efforts to resolve the issue The Ministerial Council militias. Oil and gas: The oil and gas procurement ipate any weather issues with maximum efficiency through direct negotiations or denounced Iran’s continuing The Council condemned industry is unpredictable. Working anywhere and warning time. These are the same MET forecasting refer the question to the Inter- support for terrorist militias and recurring terrorist operations from the middle of the ocean to deep under the systems used by weather reporters. national Court of Justice. sectarian militias that threaten aimed at jeopardizing Iraq’s ground, sudden changes in weather conditions Weather Radars: Also known as a Doppler On the Palestinian cause, the Arab national security and security and stability and can impact the harvesting of oil and gas and weather radar or weather surveillance radar (WSR), the council affirmed the seek to undermine stability in snagging efforts for holding endanger workers. This is where meteorology weather radars are used specifically to track pre- member states’ call for estab- the Arab states. elections. On Libya, the council comes in. Using cipitation, including its type (snow, rain, etc), lishing an independent Pales- On the Syrian question, the applauded the recent concili- equipment such as motion, and intensity. Modern weather radars are tinian state with the June 1967 council affirmed the GCC ation agreement that led to the Automated Weather incredibly useful as they not only measure current borders and East Jerusalem as stances and unwavering reso- formation of a new government. Observing Systems rain but can also award experts foresight, giving the capital of this state, in lutions regarding the Syrian The Ministerial Council (AWOS) and the ability to preempt intense and potentially dis- addition to ensuring rights of crisis according to Geneva Prin- reviewed the findings of the Weather Decision ruptive precipitation. the refugees according to the ciples (1), Security Council Res- Cooperation Council negotiating Support Systems LiDAR (Wind shear/Wake Vortex Meas- Arab Peace Initiative, interna- olution 2254, expressing team regarding the completion (WDSS), oil and gas urement): Standing for Light Detection and tional reference and resolutions support for the fifth convention of free trade negotiations firms can constantly monitor the weather and Ranging, LiDAR allows for the measurement of of the international for supporting future of Syria between the Cooperation change their working strategies accordingly. distances across the earth, most specifically its legitimacy. and the region, due in Brussels Council and China, India, Military: Meteorology is used there too. Navy surface characteristics including wind shear. Wind The ministers applauded a on March 29-20. Pakistan, Australia, New and Marine, as well as the Military Aviation shear can significantly affect the flight quality and recent decision by the Pales- On Yemen, the ministers Zealand and the United depend on the meteorology aspects. path of aircraft, so trusting Bayanat to install LiDAR tinian president to hold elec- voiced backing for missions by Kingdom, and directed the rapid AWOS: One of the oldest types of automated monitoring equipment could be invaluable. tions in all Palestinian terri- the UN and US envoys to halt implementation of what was weather monitoring units, AWOS units report the Lightning detection systems: Bayanat's lightning tories including East Jerusalem the fighting and pave way for agreed upon in this regard. latest weather updates in 20-minute intervals. This detection systems are one of the most advanced and is ideal for airports that need regular and reliable reliable units in the market. Measuring down to the weather reports to ensure optimal flying condi- exact discharge location and the polarity, strength, Ferns N Petals brings exclusive Mother’s Day collection tions for every flight. AWOS systems are fully con- and lightning parameters, airports will receive highly figurable to specific needs and can include any detailed and precise data during every storm. THE PENINSULA - DOHA number of the following measurements — Baro- Radiometers: Used for the thermodynamic metric pressure, Wind speed, gust, and direction; profiling of energy, radiometers are devices that Visibility, Identification of precipitation (e.g measure and monitor the flux of electromagnetic Ferns N Petals has released a drizzle, snow, rain), and Sky condition, including radiation. Radiometers quantify invisible types of heart-warming Mother’s Day cloud ceiling height. light, including infrared and UV, helping to widen campaign as a tribute to all the Meteorological sensors: These are typically the range of data on the light spectrum. mothers. deployed on buoys, though they are also set up Radiosonde: Usually carried into the atmosphere The campaign acknowl- on towers and across runways. Like AWOS, these via weather balloon, radiosondes are remote weather edges the different roles that sensors accurately measure a variety of weather telemetry systems that measure a range of weather she plays effortlessly day and conditions and other aviation affecting factors. parameters and transmit the data to a control base night. At Bayanat, we install meteorological sensors back on earth. This is ideal for airports as they can A mother’s love is not only that measure Wind, Barometric pressure, Tem- glean an accurate report of the environment up in the incomparable to any other form perature, Humidity, Cloud ceiling height, Pre- air, including checking for ideal flight conditions and of love, somewhat unfath- cipitation, and Solar radiation. preempting any problematic conditions. omable to others. To celebrate Runway Visual Range: Another piece of crucial Weather Decision Support Systems: For every mother’s profound love, airport equipment that Bayanat offers installation of, holistic weather decision support, any airport they offer an exquisite col- is transmissometers. They are installed at the side of should invest in WDSS offered by Bayanat. WDSSs lection of heartfelt gifts. These the runway to allow for the measurement of the RVR. take all data attained by the above equipment and include stunning flowers, lavish Day gifts through the brand’s across Qatar. No matter where Transmissometers are a modern method of RVR cal- utilise it to predict and detect any change in the gift hampers, personalised website- qa.fnp.com. you are, you can always shower culation. Transmissometers allow for more precise weather, including rare phenomena. celebrity messages, lush green Apart from the plethora of your mother with love with and reliable measurements not dependent on the If you do want to learn more – you can contact plants and heavenly cakes. beautiful gifts for mom, cus- Ferns N Petals extraordinary eyesight quality of a worker. This guarantees a safer BAYANAT ENGINEERING QATAR and check their Doting sons and daughters can tomers can avail same day and gifts and efficient delivery and more guided landing for pilots. website for the past projects and information. send these thoughtful Mother’s midnight delivery services services. THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 HOME 07 Global Coaching Summit 2021 begins in Doha

SANAULLAH ATAULLAH of coaching and shared his THE PENINSULA years-long experience in Global Coaching Summit coaching sector. Under the patronage of the is an annual summit that Co-Founder of the Ministry of Administrative aims to increase European Mentoring and Development, Labour and coaching awareness and Coaching Council, the oldest Social Affairs, Global Coaching skills in MENA region. professional body in the field, Summit (GCS) 2021, first-of-its- David is one of the earliest pio- kind in Qatar and Middle East neers of coaching and on coaching awareness and mentoring. skills with participation from 11 Clutterbuck provided pieces countries began in Doha of advice to companies and yesterday. patronises the event within its highlighted conditions for a The virtual event which will social responsibility to create success coaching for indi- last until March 31 is being opportunities for high quality viduals. He said that the survival organised by Ghaya Man- training for people concerned of organizations in a world of agement Training in coordi- according to Qatar National constant instability depends on nation with Dar Al Sharq as Vision 2030. developing rapid response skills media partner. Al Otaibi said that the to change, which in turn Global Coaching Summit is summit is very important which requires that they become more Director of Training Department at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social an annual summit that aims to falls in line with the directive of effective in harnessing all the Affairs, Manea Al Otaibi, with other officials during the event. increase coaching awareness wise leadership of Amir H H talent available to them. and skills in MENA region. This Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Clutterbuck said that the summit gathers many coaches Thani on developing human been operating for more than and Singapore witness success of view, Ghaya Management coaching market is evolving from around the world and resources to contribute in taking 25 years and adopts high because they made investments Training was established in rapidly – someone considered from different coaching schools the country to new heights of standards in 147 countries in the development of human 2019 to build a culture of an effective, leading edge coach to sharpen the coaches’ com- development. He thanked around the world. Al Kuwari resources. coaching to build individuals on three years ago need to invest petencies by sharing expe- Ghaya Management Training further said that ICF Doha She said that the building different levels. heavily in Continuing Profes- rience, case studies and best for organising such a fantastic chapter was opened in 2019 to promising future depends on “The summit creates oppor- sional Development (CPD) to practices. event. spread culture of coaching and bright mind which could be tunity for scientific discussion keep pace with the fast devel- Over 30 sessions will be President of International empowering the State of Qatar achieved by making invest- between panelists and partici- opments. Clutterbuck noted: held during the event in which Coaching Federation (ICF) Doha and its residents through ments in the development of pants. Experts from various “Coaches need to set clear goals over 20 speakers will be par- Chapter, Asma Al Kuwari, said coaching. human resources. fields will be discussing many at the start of an assignment. ticipating from 11 countries of that the summit is very She said that ICF Doha “Knowledge, work and per- issues such as psychology, Coaching needs to be solutions the world. important platform for chapter has qualified 74 coaches sonal development is basic for group coaching, team per- focused. A good coach can Addressing the opening exchanging ideas and discussing for training and development the development of nation formance, culture and return on coach anyone on anything. session of the Summit, Director on coaching practice. in various training fields which requires real investment investment during the event,” Number of coaching is a good of Training Department at the Giving a brief introduction according to the Federation’s in human resources this is what said Al Mohannadi. guide to coach efficiency.” Ministry of Administrative of ICF, Al Kuwari said that it is system. Al Kuwari said that a Qatar is doing through its In a key note speech at the He said that a coaching and Development, Labour and a non-profit organization that dedicated website for ICF Doha National Vision 2030 focusing opening session of the Summit mentoring strategy is an inte- Social Affairs, Manea Al Otaibi works according to high chapter will be launched soon. greatly on development of David Clutterbuck, a visiting grated and planned approach said that event is very special standards aimed at empowering CEO of Ghaya Management human resources,” said Al professor in the coaching and to build organizational compe- for the region. the world through coaching. Training, Fatima Al Mohannadi Mohannadi. mentoring faculties of four uni- tence to coach and mentor He said that the Ministry She said that Federation has said that the economy of Japan She said from this very point versities explained the concepts internally. NHRC and Arab Network organise Rajagiri Public School receives CBSE ‘The Right to Health’ conference affiliation for Senior Secondary stage

QNA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The National Human Rights Rajagiri Public School (RPS), a Committee (NHRC) and the Qatar National School Accred- Arab Network for National itation (QNSA) accredited Human Rights Institutions premium school in Doha, has (based in Doha) yesterday now obtained affiliation from organised a conference under the Central Board of Secondary the title “The Right to Health”. Education (CBSE), India, for its The conference shed light Senior Secondary stage. on the roles of stakeholders This is an achievement for from governmental, semi- RPS, which has cemented its governmental and civil society place as one of the top CBSE institutions in promoting this schools in Qatar in a short time. Officials during NHRC conference on promoting human rights The campus of Rajagiri Public School right, identifying best prac- The school is now all set to take tices and exchanging best student admissions for grade experiences, and devoting and its shadow over all countries Al Maslamani explained the 11. practices. high-quality education for the encouraging cooperation in at a time when developing the State of Qatar’s measures to For the 2021-22 academic Physical education will be senior secondary section. promoting the right to health vaccine and making it implement the right to health year, the school will offer offered as a 6th subject for both In addition to this, tech- in the State of Qatar. available to all constitutes a during the coronavirus science and commerce streams. streams. The school has nology blended classrooms are In his opening speech, Vice glimmer of hope for a com- pandemic. The science stream will have planned to offer humanities in set for the higher secondary Chairman of the National plete, safe and rapid recovery Al Maslamani said, since the subjects physics, chemistry, the coming years. classes. Human Rights Committee from the effects of the virus. the World Health Organization biology/mathematics, infor- The school facilities have The RPS team of highly Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari For his part, the Executive declared the coronavirus as a matics practices, and the com- been enhanced with three sep- qualified and experienced said that this year marks the Director of the Arab Network global pandemic, the State of merce stream will have English, arate state-of-the-art labora- teaching professionals is now celebration of the Arab Human for National Human Rights Qatar has dealt with the pan- accountancy, business studies, tories for physics, chemistry & all set to deliver its curricula Rights Day and thirteen years Institutions Sultan Hassan Al demic as one of the greatest economics, entrepreneurship/ biology and a well-equipped effectively for the senior sec- since the entry into force of the Jamali said that national insti- challenges facing humanity in mathematics, and informatics computer lab to facilitate ondary years. (Arab Charter on Human tutions have an important role the modern era.She noted that Rights) as a legal reference and in promoting and protecting the State of Qatar considered pivotal instrument in the Arab this right and monitoring the in its procedures basic human rights system, and a violations and this is based on requirements that take into QU series discusses research document that consolidates the its wide mandate, capabilities account the principles of the national identity of Arab coun- and experiences in promoting right to health. tries and the spirit of belonging human rights in their coun- She added that, in front of grants prospects and challenges to the Arab civilization with tries, emphasizing the pivotal such a pandemic the medical noble human values. role that national institutions teams, had to direct its THE PENINSULA — DOHA research progress, and the He added that the World have played during the pan- energies towards several goals researchers need to provide Health Organization declared demic and up to now, by at one time, including thinking As part of the Research reports following the imple- the coronavirus as a global reviewing the reports of about securing immediate and Wednesdays series of seminars mentation of each stage of the pandemic more than one year national institutions that effective treatment methods organized by the Research and approved research plan. In case ago, and the number of deaths reached the secretariat of the that would reduce the severity Graduate Studies Department of delays, negligence, and lack reached more than 2.5 million Arab Network in Doha, about of the disease for the infected, of Qatar University (QU), Dr. of commitment, the university people. This made the Arab their efforts to protect human in addition to thinking about Abdelali Agouni, Manager of could suspend the fund or even Human Rights Day slogan rights during the coronavirus all preventive measures to Post-Award Research Support cancel it, but this happens very “The Right to Health” as an pandemic. reduce disease transmission for Grants and Contracts rarely. authentic human rights prin- For her part, the Medical among members of society, in Department at QU, was the Other types of periodical ciple, he said, stressing that it Director of the Communicable addition to ensuring inte- guest of the seventh episode reports needed from the is in line with the current pan- Diseases Center at the Hamad grated health care for titled “Research Grants Pros- researchers include scientific Dr. Abdelali Agouni during the demic situation, as it still casts Medical Corporation Dr. Muna everyone. pects and Challenges.” The research reports and research QU Research Wednesday series episode streamed yesterday on outcomes. streamed on Instagram. the university’s Instagram “The university also sup- Ministry to open Nomas Center branch in Al Wakrah account. ports researchers by providing QU today is a hub for QU today is a hub for administrative support, if they research and academic excel- research and academic need some equipment, issuance QNA — DOHA ancient history. development of young people lence. The university currently excellence. The of visas and other such works,” The Ministry of Culture and and youth of both sexes by has over 1,300 researchers and he added. The Ministry of Culture and Sports decided that the site of investing their spare time in provides two types of grants, university currently has “Along with the four major Sports will open today a new the center should be in the cul- learning and practicing many internal which are fully and over 1,300 researchers areas of research, QU also con- branch of the Nomas Center in tural village of the old market activities related to the heritage directly funded by QU and pro- and provides two types ducts topical researches like the Al Wakrah, as part of the of Al Wakrah, where the and authentic customs of the vided to staff and students. The of grants, internal which one blockade imposed on Qatar centers expansion plan in the building of the center belongs people of Qatar, drawn from second type is financed exter- are fully and directly for more than three years, and country’s external regions, and to the urban character of old religion and high morals, and nally by one of the partners like the most recent one was in implementation of its mission Qatari houses, and the place equipping them with the skills QF, QNRF, QP, QFCO, Total, and funded by QU and COVID-19 related,” Dr. Agouni to be a professional school and also corresponds to the center’s that qualify them for self- many others. provided to staff and explained during the Instagram an incubator for culture and vision of consolidating the reliance and responsibility, Research priorities are students. live session. heritage in the State of Qatar. Qatari identity, and because the starting from this vision of based on national needs and “Through these researches, The opening of the Nomas site witnesses a great turnout establishing values and QU’s four pillars, including QU aims to enhance its aca- Center branch in Al Wakrah of visitors and various other strengthening national identity. Energy and Environment, demic performance, establish comes within the program of nationalities which contributes Nomas Center was established Social Science and Humanities, subareas of researches. the culture of research among hosting Doha, the capital of to informing all visitors and in 2014 as an educational center Health and Biomedical Sci- Dr. Agouni pointed out that students and through them in culture in the Islamic world introducing them to Qatari that contributes to investing the ences, and Information and researchers apply for funds the society. Research helps in 2021, due to the center’s customs, traditions and identity. youth’s spare time in learning Communication Technologies with their research plan outline, looking at the nation’s needs achievement of highlighting the The Nomas Center is con- and practicing many activities (ICT). Priority is always given aims, and timeframe, assessed and priorities and address a richness of local culture and the sidered one of the centers of the related to the heritage and to collaborative research by specialized teams. wide range of issues on dif- human values of the culture of Ministry of Culture and Sports, authentic customs of the people projects, international projects There are regular assess- ferent fields of knowledge,” he the State of Qatar and its and it contributes to the of Qatar. in each of the above areas, and ments and follow up to the added. 08 VIEWS THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 Europe is poised to set climate Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI standards for the world

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED PETER R ORSZAG [email protected] BLOOMBERG

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI An emerging flashpoint in [email protected] America’s relationship with the European Union is the question of who gets to set climate-related standards - EDITORIAL on energy efficiency, emis- sions disclosure and other issues. An early indicator of the brewing conflict came last Vaccinations gather pace week, when US climate envoy John Kerry cautioned Euro- QATAR has administered more than half a million doses peans against adopting a School students in electric cars waiting to start a race, as part of a project to promote STEM subjects, of COVID-19 vaccines since December 23 last year, carbon border-adjustment and raise awareness over pollution and climate change, in Bilbao, Spain, on Sunday. when it launched the national vaccination campaign, mechanism. Given its recent using shots developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and leadership in global standard- Moderna. The Ministry of Public Health has speeded setting and its desire to show savings. A border-adjustment shaped the international from Russia to Germany, con- up the vaccination programme with the increased avail- independence from the US, mechanism can prevent such business environment on data sidering it to be undue inter- ability of the vaccines. Currently, more than 100,000 Europe may well go ahead self-defeating substitutions. privacy, online hate speech, ference in their decisions. The shots are being administered every week. This trans- either with or without the At the same time, it can and consumer health and result is an EU more likely lates to around 14,000 people receiving the shots every United States. encourage companies in safety. It does so not by than before to go its own way, day. The vaccination campaign is likely to further speed A carbon border- other jurisdictions to abide by imposing standards directly, even under US pressure. up as the country receives more vaccine supplies in adjustment mechanism is your standards. but by having companies The most promising path coming months. effectively a tariff on the Such a border-adjustment outside the EU adopt the rules through this thicket would be Currently people aged 50 and above, healthcare carbon content of imports, if mechanism in Europe would voluntarily in order to for the EU and the US to staff, essential workers and people with chronic dis- those imports don’t meet the be of particular concern for succeed in EU markets. Global impose a joint border- eases are being vaccinated across 27 health centres standards set within the the US As a recent analysis companies apply the practices adjustment mechanism and a 10-lane drive-through vaccination point in Lusail. importing area. Without such from Bruegel, a European across the board - so EU outside their borders but not The number of older people receiving the vaccine a mechanism, efforts to think tank, notes, the border standards effectively become within them. This is what the is constantly rising. The Ministry said that more than reduce emissions may fail adjustment issue “generates global ones. Bruegel report recommends: six out of every 10 people aged 60 and above have now because of carbon leakage. the most concern in the Given the importance “The EU should take the initi- received at least their first dose of the vaccine, with 67 Let’s say, for example, you United States. A carbon tariff Europe attaches to its Green ative and propose to the percent of people over 70 years of age, and 63 percent somehow reduce the emis- could dramatically impact US Deal, the Brussels Effect on incoming US president the of people over 60 years of age having received the sions involved in producing exports of coal, natural gas climate change is a force to be creation of a climate club vaccine. steel, but that extra effort and many manufactured reckoned with. And without a whose members would apply Figures show that since February, the number of involves additional cost - products.” The European border-adjustment mechanism, similar common carbon doses administered each week has increased by 270 what Bill Gates calls a “green Green Deal could also set auto the European Green Deal may border adjustment measures. percent. More than one in seven adults, or 15 percent premium.” Steel produced emissions standards that are turn out to be futile. So it’s hard The club would function as an of Qatar’s adult population, have now received at least abroad with higher carbon more stringent than what’s to see how the Europeans could open partnership, and mem- one vaccine dose. content is then relatively planned in the US, and back down on the issue. bership would be subject to Qatar has also prioritised safety in its vaccination cheaper. If that steel is European agricultural The last time a similar criteria on the level and plans, using only the most effective and safe vaccines. imported, it displaces your standards may also turn out issue arose - in 2012, when implementation of emissions Officials have said that no serious side effects have steel, and your carbon to be stricter. To protect its the EU set limits on airline reductions … a joint EU-US been reported from over half a million doses adminis- own rules in these areas, emissions - Europe did back initiative, possibly in part- tered so far, a fact which should encourage more people A border-adjustment Europe could simply exclude down. The EU intended to nership with developing to get the vaccine as soon as they become eligible. US imports, or it could extend impose a border adjustment countries, would be a major A part from 27 health centres and the Lusail drive- mechanism is not the reach of the border on all international flights, but boost to climate action.” through point, a vaccination centre set up at the Qatar easy to implement adjustment beyond coal and decided not to after other However, this assumes an National Convention Center is catering to more than natural gas. countries, including the US, extraordinary, potentially 5,000 people daily, including teachers, school staff and technically, so there The debate over border objected intensely. impossible degree of cooper- other priority groups. are many questions adjustment thus quickly But there’s reason to ation and coordination As the vaccination campaign picks up, the author- that would need to moves to the question of who suspect the Europeans might between the US and Europe. ities in Qatar have also evolved their policies, starting gets to set the standards. And act more forcefully now. In A border-adjustment with exempting those fully vaccinated from quarantine be answered before recent history suggests the the intervening years, the mechanism is not easy to after travel abroad or exposure to a COVID-19 positive it could take effect. EU, despite ongoing concerns relationship between Europe implement technically, so case. This exemption is currently valid for six months about how well it functions, and the US has changed. The there are many questions that after vaccination, and applies to people vaccinated in But my bet is that may play an outsized role. In election of President Joe would need to be answered Qatar only. Europe will adopt one, what has been called the Biden has helped to smooth before it could take effect. But Vaccination campaigns are also picking up around “Brussels Effect,” the EU has some of the tensions, but my bet is that Europe will the world, with the US have administered 110 million whether or not the US been playing a more dom- questions remain in Europe adopt one, whether or not the doses and the UK having given at least the first dose joins in. inant role than commonly about the future of the US joins in. to more than 25 million people. As rich nations inoc- appreciated in setting a alliance and how much it Peter R. Orszag is a ulate their populations, it is crucial to ensure that less- variety of global standards. should rely on the US Many Bloomberg Opinion col- developed countries are not left behind. Anu Bradford, a law professor Europeans are also annoyed umnist. He is the chief exec- at Columbia University, has by the strong US resistance to utive officer of financial documented how the EU has the Nord Stream 2 pipeline advisory at Lazard.

D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR Biden team’s China focus puts South Korea on the spot ahead of talks EMAIL: [email protected] HYONHEE SHIN & JOSH SMITH That represents a chal- find common ground,” alliance with the United States REUTERS lenge for Seoul, which is not Delury said. “So the as anti-China, and Moon’s EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 eager to provoke China - its emphasis on those issues in administration has expressed For the first time in years largest economic partner. some of the messaging is not scepticism toward talk of offi- MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 there are liberal presidents in President Moon Jae-in really finding common cially joining with the United South Korea and the United also needs the backing of both ground, but rather high- States, Australia, Japan and DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 States, but the change in US US President Joe Biden and lighting differences.” South India - a gathering dubbed administrations hasn’t made the Chinese to have any hope Korea paid a steep economic the “Quad”. LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 it any easier for Seoul to of achieving a breakthrough price after it angered China A senior foreign ministry BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 balance its alliance with with Pyongyang in his final in 2017 by deploying a US official said Seoul was open to Washington and its economic year in office. Terminal High Altitude Area working with the Quad as SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 reliance on China. There’s a paradox where Defence (THAAD) anti- long as it was based on China has dominated the the liberal governments in missile system that features “openness, transparency and ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 agenda of an Asia tour by US Seoul and Washington agree radar which Beijing believes inclusiveness”. email: [email protected] Secretary of State Antony on issues like climate change, could be used to penetrate “We will have in-depth PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 Blinken and Defense Sec- public health, and equality, its territory. discussions with the United email: [email protected] retary Lloyd Austin, who but have disagreements over The economic fallout cost States based on those prin- arrive in South Korea on bilateral relationships with South Korea $7.5bn in lost ciples and make a decision MARKETING: TEL: 4455 7657 Wednesday for talks, casting places like China, North income in 2017 alone, according to our national email: [email protected] its shadow even over core Korea, and even US-allied according to estimates by the interests,” the official said. issues like the North Korea Japan, said John Delury, a Hyundai Research Institute, The Moon government ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 nuclear threat and strength- China expert at South Korea’s while the Bank of Korea esti- made it publicly clear it will FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] ening the alliance. Yonsei University. mated that it knocked 0.4 not participate in an initiative CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 The Americans’ message “When you frame the percentage points off South that “excludes or contains a email: [email protected] has focused on marshalling US-South Korea relationship Korea’s economic growth that particular country,” meaning their Asian alliances to in terms of those countries year. China, said Duyeon Kim, with SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 counter potential “coercion then there is a lot of disa- South Korea has been hes- the US-based Center for a FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected] and aggression” by Beijing. greement and it’s hard to itant to frame its longstanding New American Security.

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar I am in the process of making that decision now as to when they (last 2,500 US troops in /Peninsula_Qatar Afghanistan) will leave. It could happen, but it is /ThePeninsulaNewspaper tough. Joe Biden, US President +974 6698 6188 THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 MIDDLE EAST 09 Hardliners sabotage goal to lift sanctions: Rouhani

REUTERS — DUBAI It is a great betrayal Iran’s pragmatist president of the Iranian nation if accused hardline opponents any faction or person yesterday of obstructing efforts delays the end of the to lift US sanctions, in remarks sanctions even for one that demonstrate how an upcoming election in Iran is hour. The small minority now looming over the new US that is obstructing this administration’s plan for a path needs to stop its thaw. destructive act. If it “It is a great betrayal of the stops … the government Iranian nation if any faction or person delays the end of the can break the sanctions. sanctions even for one hour,” Hassan Rouhani said in tele- Hassan Rouhani vised remarks. Iran President “The small minority that is obstructing this path needs to stop its destructive act. If it The stalled nuclear deal has A victim’s relative mourns during a commemorative ceremony marking the first anniversary of the stops … the government can resume compliance with the been a flagship policy for Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 downing in Iranian air space, in Kiev, Ukraine, in this break the sanctions,” Rouhani deal. Rouhani, a pragmatist who won January 8, 2021 picture. added without elaborating. “Today, conditions are landslide victories in the last The new US administration better than ever for the lifting two presidential elections of President Joe Biden aims to of the sanctions,” Rouhani said against hardline opponents by revive an agreement aban- on Wednesday. The Americans, promising to open Iran’s Iran’s final report blames air defence doned by his predecessor he said, are willing to return to economy up to the world. Donald Trump, under which the deal. However, he added: Rouhani is barred from operator error for Ukraine plane crash Iran accepted curbs to its “Words are not enough. We are standing for a third term and nuclear programme in return waiting for action.” the slate of candidates has yet REUTERS — DUBAI report said in its summary, pub- down was a “disastrous for the lifting of international Rouhani’s close ally to be finalised. lished on the agency’s website. mistake” by forces who were sanctions. After Trump quit the Foreign Minister Javad Zarif Iran’s hardliners say U.S. Iran’s civil aviation body has “The flight’s operation did on high alert during a regional pact and reimposed sanctions, said this week that unless sanctions are proof that Rou- blamed an error by an air defence not have a role in creating the confrontation with the United Iran took steps that violate the progress is made soon on hani’s policy of reaching out to operator in a final report on the error by the air defence States. deal’s nuclear limits. restoring the nuclear deal, enemies was a failure. A delay cause of a Ukrainian passenger battery,” the report added. Iran was on edge about pos- So far, Iran and the Biden diplomacy would be halted for in progress on the nuclear issue plane crash in January 2020 that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards sible attacks after it fired mis- administration are at logger- months by Iran’s presidential could hurt the chances of a killed all 176 people aboard, the shot down the Ukraine Inter- siles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. heads over which side should election scheduled for June 18. moderate succeeding Rouhani, agency said yesterday. national Airlines flight with forces in retaliation for the move first to revive the On Tuesday France’s although the final decision on “The plane was identified ground-to-air missiles on killing days before of its most agreement, with Tehran foreign minister blamed Iranian any diplomatic initiative would as a hostile target due to a January 8, 2020 shortly after it powerful military commander, demanding Washington first lift pre-election politics for hin- be taken by Supreme Leader mistake by the air defence took off from Tehran. The Qassem Soleimani, in a US sanctions and Washington dering the nuclear deal’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rather operator...near Tehran and two Iranian government later missile strike at Baghdad calling on Tehran first to revival. than the elected president. missiles were fired at it,” the declared that the shooting airport. Brawls in shops as Saudi reports 7 financial meltdown hits COVID-19 deaths AGENCIES — RIYADH/KUWAIT supply of food in Lebanon Saudi Arabia yesterday announced seven deaths from REUTERS — BEIRUT The pound tumbled to COVID-19 and 393 new infec- 15,000 to the dollar on Tuesday, tions. The collapse of Lebanon’s losing a third of its value in the Of the new cases, 144 were currency has forced many last two weeks. It has now sunk recorded in Riyadh, 80 in the grocery shops to temporarily by 90% since late 2019. Eastern Province, 70 in shut within the last 24 hours, “If this persists, things will Makkah, 25 in the Northern raising fears that a country start to disappear, traders will Borders region, 16 in Hail, 13 reliant on imports could soon prioritise what to get,” said Hani in Madinah, six in Jazan, five face shortages of food. Bohsali, head of the foodstuffs in Asir and two in Najran. Food shops around the importers syndicate. “We’ll have The total number of recov- country were locking their to buy less, in variety and quantity, eries in the Kingdom increased doors, halting online deliveries because we can’t find the money.” to 373,361 after 231 more Women walk past a closed shopping center in Sidon, Lebanon, yesterday. The Arabic reads: “Closed or restricting customers’ orders. He estimated the country has patients recovered from the until the exchange rate is stable”. Others stayed open, but could roughly two months of supplies, virus. A total of 6,585 people not say for how long. “There’s while it was getting more and have succumbed to the virus a big possibility we will close if more difficult for importers to biggest threat to stability since powdered milk. Prices of many the shops that had shut on in the Kingdom so far. The it stays like this. I don’t know obtain the dollars they need to the 1975-1990 civil war. Social consumer goods such as diapers Tuesday reopened yesterday health ministry said more than where will we get supplies, and keep buying. media users have been sharing or cereals have nearly tripled after replenishing stocks. But he 2.5 million doses of a corona- no one is helping us,” said Beirut The economy’s collapse has videos of supermarket brawls, during the crisis. Nabil Fahed, said permanent closures would virus vaccine had been admin- grocer Mohieldin Fayed, who pushed much of the population such as a fight between a man head of the syndicate of super- happen if no exchange stability istered in the Kingdom to date. has kept his shop open. into poverty and poses the and a woman trying to buy market owners, said some of was reached. Kuwait’s Ministry of Health also said that seven deaths were recoded in the country Iran festival on Tuesday, taking the death Aid to stave off devastating Yemen famine slow to reach needy toll to 1,186. There are 215 incidents kill 10, REUTERS — DUBAI Yemen coordinator David - being scaled back. been disbursed to aid agencies,” patients in ICUs, it said, adding Gressley said. At a March 1 conference, UNOCHA said. that 14,162 patients are still injure hundreds Aid agencies have so far Agencies last year faced a donors pledged only $1.7bn of More than 16.2 million receiving medical care. Min- received only $374m of the severed funding shortfall the $3.85bn needed in the people face hunger in 2021, istry reported 1,314 new con- AP — TEHRAN $3.85bn the United Nations says which led to various pro- Yemen Humanitarian Response including nearly 50,000 firmed cases, bringing the total is needed this year for Yemen grammes - including food aid Plan. “To date, only $374m has people who are already expe- number of cases to 212,169. Mishaps during an annual fire to avert what riencing famine-like condi- Earlier yesterday, the Min- festival in Iran have left at threatens to become tions, it said. istry announced that 1,314 least 10 people dead and the world’s worst The humanitarian crisis has people recovered from the hundreds more injured famine in decades, the been exacerbated by a civil war virus, raising the total number around the country, state TV United Nations that broke out when the Houthi of recoveries to 196,821. reported yesterday. humanitarian office movement seized control of the The Omani Ministry of State TV reported the casu- said. capital Sanaa in September Health announced that the alties yesterday but news outlets Locked in war for 2014, forcing the then gov- total of reported cases of Coro- including the semiofficial Isna more than six years, ernment into exile in Riyadh navirus in the Sultanate reached said the deaths happened over the country is already and Aden. In March the fol- 148,558. The total number of a period of several weeks. Many suffering from the lowing year, a Saudi-led coa- deaths due to COVID-19 of the deaths and injuries world’s worst human- lition intervened to try to reached 1,617, while the recov- occurred during the production itarian crisis and the restore Hadi’s government, car- eries reached 137,544, bringing and preparation of firecrackers, situation is at risk of rying out thousands of air raids. the recoveries rate to 93 according to reports. deteriorating further, Tens of thousands of people percent, the Ministry said in a Officials said the casualties the UN Office for the have been killed, mostly statement carried by Oman were the result of disregarding Coordination of civilians. News Agency (ONA). safety measures. The annual Humanitarian Affairs US President Joe Biden has Syria will take delivery festival begins on the Tuesday (UNOCHA) said. made ending the war in Yemen within weeks of its first before Nowruz, the Iranian “Yemen is a priority, and the United States COVID-19 vaccines from the New Year, which will be cel- approaching the point and the United Nations have global vaccine sharing ebrated on Saturday this year. of no return. If we made renewed diplomatic platform COVAX, allowing it The ritual dates to at least make the wrong efforts this year. to kick off its national inocu- 1700 B.C. and is linked to choice now, Yemen But the UN’s Yemen envoy lation programme as early as Zoroastrianism, which was the will experience the Martin Griffiths on Monday said next month, the UN health predominant religion of the worst famine the Workers preparing foodstuff for beneficiaries at a distribution centre the war is “back in full force”, agency's country head said. nation. world has seen in supported by the World Food Program in Sana'a, Yemen. with military action intensifying The first shipments are Traditionally, people light decades,” UNOCHA on several fronts. from a consignment of one bonfires, set off fireworks and million doses of AstraZeneca send wish lanterns floating Serum Institute India (AZSII) into the night sky as part of vaccines, Akjemal Magtymova, festivities. Many use powerful, Syrian air defences down Israeli missiles over Damascus head of the World Health substandard firecrackers. Organisation's Syria mission More than 200 of the nearly REUTERS & AP — CAIRO news agency Sana said. region, state TV said. acknowledges or discusses such told Reuters from Damascus 1,900 injured were hospi- "Syrian air defenses are They were the first attacks operations. in a phone interview. The talized, according to the Syrian air defences confronted responding to an Israeli since February 28, when Israeli Israel views Iranian COVAX drive to ensure equi- reports. Several ambulances on Tuesday night an "Israeli aggression in the southern missiles struck southern entrenchment on its northern table access to COVID vacci- and rescue cars were aggression" in the Damascus' region", Sana said. suburbs of Damascus. frontier as a red line, and it has nations globally was a relief damaged Tuesday night and countryside, and downed a The explosions heard in the Israel has launched hun- repeatedly struck Iran-linked for a war-torn country whose police arrested dozens for dis- number of missiles in the skies vicinity of Damascus were the dreds of strikes against Iran- facilities and weapons convoys health system and financial regarding law and order, they of Damascus, Syrian state- sounds of air defenses linked military targets in Syria destined for Lebanon’s militant resources have been severely said. owned Ekhbariya TV and state responding in the southern over the years but rarely Hezbollah group. strained, Magtymova said. 10 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 Tunisia President meets Libya’s new govt officials AP — CAIRO President Kais tions late this year in the oil- Saied’s office said rich country. Tunisia’s president met In November, Tunisia yesterday with Libya’s newly the talks focused hosted talks of the UN-picked appointed government officials on the economy and Libyan political forum, which in Tripoli, becoming the first eventually produced a roadmap head of state to visit the trade between the that appointed the interim gov- war-torn country a day after an two nations, along ernment to lead Libya through interim administration took with Tunisia’s support presidential and parliamentary power. elections on December 24. President Kais Saied landed for a democratic That interim government in the capital’s Mitiga Interna- path in Libya. “It’s includes a three-member pres- tional Airport and was received idential council headed by by Mohammad Younes Menfi, time to overcome all Menfi and a Cabinet headed by head of Libya’s Presidential causes of alienation,” Dbeibah. The Menfi-Dbeibah Council. They then headed for government replaced rival east- talks and the Tunisian leader Saied said, without and west-based administra- also met with Prime Minister elaborating. tions, each of which enjoyed the Abdulhamid Dbeibah. backing of armed groups and “We will work together to foreign governments. restore normal relations at all economic partner with Libya Libya was plunged into levels,” Menfi said at a brief before uprisings engulfed the chaos when a Nato-backed news conference with Saied. two countries 10 years ago. uprising in 2011 toppled Saied’s office said the talks Trade between the two coun- longtime ruler Muammar Tunisia President Kais Saied meets with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh of Libya in Tripoli, focused on the economy and tries has declined to less than Gaddafi, who was later killed. yesterday. trade between the two nations, $363m from more than $1.2bn The appointment of an along with Tunisia’s support for in 2010, according Tunisia’s interim government revived a democratic path in Libya. “It’s state-run news agency. disappeared in eastern Libya in said the two journalists were came a day after Libya’s hopes of stability in oil-rich time to overcome all causes of Saied said the men also dis- 2014. He did not provide details. killed. But Tunisian officials interim government took Libya, which has become a safe alienation,” Saied said, without cussed the case of two Tunisian Th Islamic State (IS) group, refuted the claim. power in Tripoli, officially haven for militant groups elaborating. journalists — Sofiene Chourabi which had been active in The visit, the first for a beginning a tenure designed threatening its neighbours, Tunisia had been a major and Nadhir Ktari—who eastern Libya at the time, had Tunisian leader since 2012, to end with democratic elec- including Tunisia. Algerian protesters differ on goals REUTERS — ALGIERS student, still attends the protests. He pushed new presidential elections wants the entire ruling elite that has - decried by the protesters as a Abdenour Ait Said and Mohamed governed Algeria since independence charade - that led to the victory of Chabti both helped topple Alge- from France in 1962 out of office and Abdelmadjid Tebboune on a low ria’s veteran president nearly two the army to quit politics. voter turnout. years ago by taking part in mass “The demands of the Hirak This month Tebboune denied street demonstrations against the and its goals have not been that the army had a political role ruling elite but they no longer achieved yet,” he said. For Chabti, and said he had responded to the agree on the protests. a 33-year-old teacher, the protesters protesters’ demands, citing the The protest movement, known won when the army forced out release of some detainees and as ‘Hirak’, brought tens of thou- veteran president Abdelaziz Boute- plans to reform institutions. sands of people to the streets each flika in April 2019 and senior offi- Last year his offer to negotiate week for more than a year until cials were jailed for corruption. He with Hirak led nowhere and his the global pandemic hit Algeria in sees the demands for more change promises of economic reform have early 2020, forcing them to stop. as insulting the army, an institution not materialised. Changes to the Now, as the demonstrations closely bound up with Algeria’s constitution he introduced as a sop resume with thousands of people painful struggle to end colonial rule. to Hirak passed a referendum, but pressing once again for more com- “They criticise and demand on a dismal turnout of 24%. Teb- prehensive change, Ait Said and change, but they do not offer alter- boune’s position has won the Chabti have taken different paths natives. They do not even have a support of some protesters like that reflect a wider debate among leadership to negotiate,” said Chabti. “Insulting the army and state Abdenour Ait Said, a 22 year-old biology student, reacts during an anti-government protest those who first took to the streets. Chabti of the protesters. institutions is not an appropriate in Algiers. Ait Said, a 22-year-old biology Late in 2019, the military way to make change,” he said. Sudanese military Uganda launches COVID-19 rapid test kit, eyes Africa market company to give REUTERS — KAMPALA Makerere, Uganda’s oldest electricity, there’s no expert,” immunoglobulin M (IgM) and they are in talks with bigger up its civilian public university, with partial said Misaki Wayengera, a immunoglobulin G (IgG), trig- investors about larger com- Uganda yesterday launched a funding from the French researcher at Makerere’s gered when someone is infected mercial production. operations rapid COVID-19 antibody test embassy. The east African Department of Pathology. with coronavirus, Wayengera The kit, which has been partly funded by France that country has long experience of “We’ve had a history of told Reuters before the launch approved by Uganda’s state-run REUTERS — KHARTOUM developers hope to market in infectious diseases like HIV and developing rapid tests for infec- at Mulago, Uganda’s national National Drugs Authority, has an sub-Saharan Africa, where the Ebola which it has drawn on to tious diseases...So when COVID referral hospital. accuracy rate of 70%, he said, but One of Sudan’s biggest military laboratory infrastructure needed develop diagnostics expertise. came we were like, ‘OK, we have Makerere partnered with researchers hope eventually to firms has agreed to gradually for extensive novel coronavirus “This is a point-of-care test the skills, why don’t we do this’,” local firm Astel Diagnostics raise that to 90%.Poor countries hand over its civilian opera- testing is thin. that can be used within equa- Wayengera, who also helped to Uganda, a World Health Organ- like Uganda have struggled to tions to the finance ministry, The test, which requires a torial Africa village settings, invent a rapid test for Ebola. isation-certified manufacturer, find a cheap and easily available with the goal of eventually finger prick to draw blood, was remote areas where there’s no The kits work by detecting to make an initial batch of point-of-care diagnostic tool for converting it to a public share- developed by a team at laboratory, there’s no two antibodies, 2,400 tests. Wayengera said mass testing. holding company, the infor- mation minister said. If completed, the spin-off of Defence Industrial Systems’ Kenyan court blames police for death of girl after 2017 polls Assad, wife civilian business could help recovering reduce tension between the REUTERS — NAIROBI Kenyan police frequently face accusations of of public prosecutions,” police spokesman transitional authority’s civilian brutality and extrajudicial killings from Charles Owino said in response to a request from virus and military elements, which A Kenyan inquest has ruled that police are civilians and rights groups, but officers are for comment on the inquest report. are sharing power until the to blame for the death of a 9-year-old girl rarely charged and almost never convicted. Moraa died after being hit in the chest AP — DAMASCUS end of 2023. during violence after the 2017 elections, Chief magistrate Francis Andayi of the by a stray bullet as police fired to disperse Many civilian politicians saying that if the police wanted to find the Magistrates Court at Nairobi Milimani Law protesters on Aug. 12, 2017, the day after Syria’s first couple are on their view the military’s opaque girl’s killer, who remains at large, they could Courts wrote in his report that the girl’s election results were announced. She had way to recovery nine days business activities as inappro- do so in a day. death was caused by a “deliberate shooting been standing on the balcony of her fam- after testing positive for the priate and complain that its The death of Stephanie Moraa, and that by a police officer whose identity has been ily’s apartment in Nairobi’s Mathare slum. coronavirus, President Bashar profits are not included in the of a six-month-old baby killed in post- frustrated by police officers covering for Several months after her death, the Assad’s office said yesterday. state budget. election violence in western Kenya, became one another under the blue code of silence”. director of prosecutions ordered the inquest Assad, 55, and his wife have “This is a new partnership a flashpoint for public anger over police bru- He forwarded his report, seen by after receiving the findings of an investi- had mild symptoms of the between the military and tality. It also put a spotlight on what critics Reuters, to the director of public prose- gation into the killing by the Independent illness and are continuing their civilian components that pro- say are inadequate government efforts to cution for further action. “We shall wait Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), a gov- work as usual from home. They duced the great December prosecute officers who commit crimes. for the next course of action by the director ernment watchdog. plan return to normal life once revolution,” said Information they test negative for COVID-19, Minister Hamza Balol, in a ref- the illness caused by the virus, erence to the ousting of former the presidency said. President Omar Al Bashir, at a McLaughlin, who exposed abuses in Rhodesia, dies at 79 Syria has registered 16,656 news conference at the com- cases of coronavirus, including pany’s manufacturing complex AP — JOHANNESBURG Catholic Institute for Interna- 1,110 deaths in government- on the outskirts of Khartoum. tional Affairs. In response, Rho- held areas. The numbers are The company hosted Sister Janice McLaughlin, who desian authorities arrested believed to be much higher Prime Minister Abdalla was jailed and later deported by McLaughlin in August 1977. She because of limited testing Hamdok and other ministers white minority-ruled Rhodesia was accused of supporting ter- being done, particularly in yesterday in a rare invitation for exposing human rights rorism and held in solitary con- areas of northern Syria outside to civilians to tour its facilities. abuses, has died. She was 79. finement at the maximum- government control. Sudan’s military took power In a life dedicated to social security Chikurubi Prison Examinations of the first from Al Bashir in April 2019, justice, McLaughlin supported outside the capital. After three couple show their health “is after months of protests that the African nationalist struggle weeks she was deported. gradually returning to began the previous December, that ended Rhodesia and Following her deportation normal,” the presidency then the following August brought Zimbabwe to inde- McLaughlin worked for the statement said. “They are in a agreed to share power with pendence, and she later con- Washington Office on Africa, a stage of recovery.” civilians. Since then, the tributed to the country’s edu- McLaughlin with children in Zimbabwe in this 2018 file picture. church-based lobby group, Assad’s wife, Asma, who is economy has weakened, with cation system. She worked in educating the US public and 10 years younger, announced the government suffering from Africa for nearly 40 years and overthrow the white minority in what Rhodesian authorities Congress about African affairs. her recovery from breast chronically low revenue. later became president of the regime headed by Prime Min- called “protected villages.” In 1979 she joined the Zim- cancer in 2019. The pandemic, Sudan’s military has been Maryknoll Sisters. ister Ian Smith. She reported that the sites babwe Project, an initiative which has severely tested even under domestic and interna- Born and educated in Pitts- Working for the Catholic were fortified camps patrolled assisting refugees from the war developed countries, has been tional pressure to increase its burgh, McLaughlin joined the Commission for Justice and by Rhodesian security forces, in Rhodesia, working for two a major challenge for Syria’s transparency and contribute Maryknoll order in 1961. After Peace in Zimbabwe, densely populated without ade- years from Mozambique. health care sector, already more to the national economy. working elsewhere in Africa for McLaughlin used the church’s quate sanitation or nutrition, After Zimbabwe’s inde- depleted by years of conflict. The company, like many several years, McLaughlin went network across the country to and that more than twice as pendence in 1980, McLaughlin Syria has been mired in other large enterprises owned in 1977 to the southern African uncover human rights abuses many people were living in worked with the government civil war for 10 years since by the military, has yet to country then known as Rho- including the systematic torture them than the government to establish nine schools for anti-government protests that release its finances or disclose desia, which was embroiled in of rural Blacks and the forced acknowledged. McLaughlin’s former refugees and war began as part of Arab Spring its holdings to the public. a war by Black nationalists to settlement of nearly 600,000 reports were published by the veterans. uprisings. THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 ASIA 11

Thailand seizes UN seeks evidence $11m in wildlife linking Myanmar trafficking sting AP — BANGKOK military to crimes Thailand’s anti-money laun- dering authorities said yesterday they have seized or REUTERS — GENEVA “The UN investigators frozen more than $11m worth are collecting evidence of assets in a sting operation A UN team of investigators on against a suspected wildlife Myanmar appealed yesterday for of the use of lethal trafficking ring. people to collect and preserve force, unlawful arrests, The March 12 operation documentary evidence of crimes targeted Boonchai Bach, a ordered by the military since the torture and detentions Vietnamese and Thai citizen February 1 coup in order to build of people whose who was arrested in 2018 but cases against its leaders. families are not told of later got his conviction for More than 180 protesters have trafficking in rhino horns and been killed by security forces their whereabouts,” a other contraband reversed. trying to crush a wave of demon- UN official said. Thai law gives police wide strations since the junta seized latitude to seize property that power in the Southeast Asian authorities suspect comes nation, says activist group the “They are completely from illegal activities. They Smoke billows from burning tyres set alight to create smoke cover during a crackdown at Bayint Assistance Association for Political unchecked and getting more brutal said they confiscated a hotel, Naung Junction in Yangon, Myanmar, yesterday. Prisoners. every day. It’s a calculated esca- vehicles, land and other assets “The persons most responsible lation of brutality,” a senior UN and have frozen Boonchai’s for the most serious international official, declining to be identified, bank accounts. crimes are usually those in high told Reuters yesterday. Myanmar state media reports more It was not possible to leadership positions,” Nicholas Myanmar has been in turmoil immediately reach Boonchai Koumjian, the head of the Geneva- since its military ousted the elected for comment. based UN team, said in a government of Nobel peace lau- bribery allegations against Suu Kyi A senior Thai police statement. “They are not the ones reate Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb- official, Lt Col Teerapong who physically perpetrate the ruary 1, detaining her and REUTERS — YANGON Weik on MRTV add to the case testimony of U Maung Weik... Dulayawjian, said the Anti- crimes and often are not even members of her party, drawing the junta has begun to make Aung San Suu Kyi is guilty of Money Laundering Office was present at the locations where the wide international State-controlled television in against Suu Kyi, who could bribery and the anti-cor- working with prosecutors in crimes are committed. condemnation. Myanmar yesterday reported face a long prison sentence if ruption commission is inves- investigating the suspected “To prove their responsibility The UN investigators are col- a prominent businessman as convicted. Her lawyer dis- tigating to take action under laundering of profits from requires evidence of reports lecting evidence of the use of lethal saying he had given ousted missed the initial accusation anti-corruption laws,” MRTV trading in endangered species. received, orders given and how force, unlawful arrests, torture and leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week as a joke. He was said. Thailand and neighbouring policies were set.” detentions of people whose fam- about $550,000 in illegal not available for comment She has also been charged Laos are known to be major People with such information ilies are not told of their wherea- payments in 2019 and 2020. yesterday. separately with illegally hubs for such trafficking, should contact the investigators bouts, the statement said. The military junta which Maung Weik said he had importing communications orchestrated by organized through secure means of commu- The Independent Investigative seized power in a coup on given Suu Kyi four payments, equipment and violating anti- criminal syndicates. nication, he added. Mechanism for Myanmar was set February 1 announced last ranging from $50,000 to coronavirus rules. In raids beginning early on A junta spokesman did not up by the UN Human Rights week that it was investigating $250,000 in 2019 and 2020. As well as prison sen- March 12, police said they answer telephone calls seeking Council in 2018 to consolidate evi- Suu Kyi, who is currently At that time she was Myan- tences, she could be barred searched several locations in comment. On Tuesday, the UN dence of the most serious crimes. being held in detention, on mar’s de facto civilian leader from politics if convicted. Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom human rights office condemned It aims to build case files for pro- suspicion of bribery. in the role of State Several Western governments and Chaiyaphum provinces the use of live ammunition against ceedings in national, regional or The comments made by Counsellor have denounced the charges seizing cash, Buddhist amulets, the protesters. international courts. property developer Maung “According to the as fabricated. firearms and wild animals. Nepal expecting Australia urges EU to send hundreds of climbers despite 1 million vaccines for PNG CANBERRA pandemic REUTERS — Australia said yesterday it will AP — KATHMANDU ask the European Union to release 1 million doses of a Nepal is expecting hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine to help foreigners to attempt to scale Papua New Guinea (PNG) battle the highest Himalayan peaks a dangerous outbreak that despite the pandemic. authorities fear could spread The Department of Tourism to other parts of the region. in Kathmandu said yesterday The request could inflame that more than 300 foreigners existing tensions between Can- have expressed interest in berra and Brussels amid claims climbing Mount Everest this of vaccine nationalism after the spring. EU recently blocked an Aus- There’s similar interest for tralia-bound shipment of the other mountains too, said Mira doses. Acharya, a director at the Prime Minister Scott Mor- department. rison (pictured) yesterday said shortages in Europe. One Japanese and four the vaccines were contracted It later denied Australia’s Canadians climbers are already to Australia and were now request to review the blockage, trekking their way to the base badly needed to contain a surge the first such refusal since camps of Mount Manaslu and in coronavirus cases in the Brussels established a mech- Mount Nuptse, respectively, Pacific island nation, parts of anism to monitor vaccine flows Acharya said. Mountaineers looking to buy mountain gear while preparing for the upcoming Everest climbing season, which are just a short boat ride in late January. The spring season, which is as the world’s tallest peak reopens after a year closed due to the pandemic in Kathmandu, yesterday. from Australian territory. PNG has officially recorded popular because of favourable “We’ve contracted them. over 2,300 cases since the pan- weather, began this month. It when weather deteriorates and Those wishing to scale antined in a hotel and test neg- We’ve paid for them and we demic began, a figure experts extends up to the end of May, climbing becomes dangerous. mountains still have to be quar- ative for COVID-19. want to see those vaccines say vastly underestimates the come here so we can support true outbreak. our nearest neighbour, PNG, to Prime Minister James deal with their urgent needs in Marape earlier this week said UN team to assess remote island where Rohingya relocated our region,” Morrison told COVID-19 had “broken loose” reporters in Canberra. as he warned local hospitals REUTERS — DHAKA sidered vulnerable to floods. said it had not been allowed to citing the building of flood “They’re our family, they’re would soon be overwhelmed. “This initial three-day visit conduct a technical and safety defences as well as housing for our friends. They’re our neigh- Australian Chief Medical A United Nations delegation will bring together experts from assessment of the island and 100,000 people, hospitals and bours. They’re our partners... Officer Paul Kelly said the started yesterday a three-day UN agencies engaged in the was not involved in the transfer cyclone centres. This is in Australia’s interests, limited coronavirus testing visit to a remote Bay of Bengal Rohingya refugee response in of refugees there. It also says overcrowding in and is in our region’s interests.” being done in PNG was island where Bangladesh has Bangladesh,” the UN refugee Bangladesh says the relo- refugee camps fuels crime, Australia will donate 8,000 showing alarming results. moved more than 13,000 agency told Reuters in an cation is voluntary, but some of while some Rohingya said fre- locally produced COVID-19 “When people are being Rohingya Muslim refugees since e-mail. a first group to be moved spoke quent violence in the camps had vaccines to PNG as an imme- admitted into hospital in Port December despite criticism “The visit will look at the of being coerced. driven them to relocate. diate response to the outbreak, Moresby, half of women who from rights groups. current situation and facilities The Rohingya, a minority “We hope it will remove and would make a million are coming in due to pregnancy Bangladesh wants to even- on Bhasan Char, appraise the group who fled violence in Bud- any concerns that the U.N. has doses available as soon as they are positive,” Kelly told tually transfer 100,000 of the needs of the Rohingya refugees dhist-majority Myanmar, are about the relocation and they arrived from Europe, he said. reporters in Canberra. more than 1 million refugees relocated there, as well as not allowed to move off the will get involve in the relocation Earlier this month, the EU, Morrison warned an living in overcrowded border discuss with the authorities and island, which is several hours’ and provide Rohingya people at Italy’s request, blocked a “uncontrolled” outbreak could camps to Bhasan Char island, others currently working on journey away from the southern the support they need,” a senior shipment of 250,000 doses of produce a new variant of the which emerged from the sea Bhasan Char.” port. Bangladesh has dismissed official at the Foreign Ministry the AstraZeneca PLC vaccine virus that would affect not only only two decade ago and is con- The United Nations earlier safety concerns over the island, said. to Australia, citing vaccine PNG but the wider region. India backs AstraZeneca shot as COVID-19 cases hit 3-month high REUTERS — NEW DELHI mid-January, India has admin- Organization has said it is Bharat Biotech and the state- emerging second peak of facilities would fall short. Rural istered 36 million vaccine doses, assessing whether medical run Indian Council of Medical corona,” he said in a virtual India is home to two-thirds of India said yesterday its corona- which are mostly the Astra- events such as blood clots are Research. meeting with state leaders, the country’s 1.35 billion people. virus immunisation campaign Zeneca shots developed with related to the vaccination and The federal health ministry urging them to increase testing The federal government has would continue with “full Oxford University and locally urged anyone offered a vaccine has so far distributed to states and strictly monitor mask- blamed crowding and a reluc- rigour” despite some concerns known as Covishield. to take one. 75.4 million vaccine doses, less wearing. “We need to take tance to wear masks for the in Europe about the safety of the “We have no signal of AstraZeneca has said a than half of which have been quick, decisive steps.” spike, ruling out the virus muta- AstraZeneca vaccine it relies concern in this regard,” Vinod review of safety data has shown given to frontline workers, the India’s cases jumped by tions that have been a factor in heavily upon as infections hit a Kumar Paul, who heads a gov- no evidence of an increased risk elderly and people above 45 28,903 yesterday, the highest Western countries. three month high. ernment committee on vac- of blood clots. with health conditions. increase since December 13. Nearly 62 percent of infec- The European Medicines cines, told a news conference, Paul said as infections had Prime Minister Narendra Deaths increased by 188, the tions in the past 24 hours and Agency is investigating reports adding that experts in India had risen in the country since early Modi said quick action was highest in two months, to stand 46 percent of the deaths were of 30 cases of unusual blood looked into the issue. “Cov- February, hitting a three-month needed to contain the surge, as at 159,044. reported by Maharashtra, which disorders out of 5 million recip- ishield vaccination in the high yesterday, the government the country’s infections tally hit Modi said states needed to has ordered a lockdown in ients of the vaccine in the country will go on with full was looking at accelerating the 11.44 million, the third behind proactively ensure infections some districts and put curbs on region. rigour.” vaccination drive that also uses the United States and Brazil. did not increase in the coun- cinemas, hotels and restaurants Since starting the drive in The World Health a homegrown shot created by “We need to soon stop the tryside, where healthcare until end of the month. 12 ASIA THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 Blinken assails rights record of North Korea AP — SEOUL “The authoritarian what he called US hostility. regime in North On Tuesday, Kim’s sister America’s top diplomat and a senior official in her own yesterday criticized North Korea continues to right, Kim Yo Jong, slammed the Korea’s human rights record commit systematic United States over its ongoing and reiterated a vow to strip the regular military drills with country of its nuclear program, and widespread South Korea, which North a day after Pyongyang warned abuses against its Korea sees as an invasion Washington to “refrain from rehearsal. causing a stink” amid dead- own people,” Blinken “We take this opportunity locked nuclear negotiations. said at the start of to warn the new US adminis- US Secretary of State Antony his meeting with tration,” Kim Yo Jong said in a Blinken arrived in South Korea statement. “If it wants to sleep with Defence Secretary Lloyd South Korean Foreign in peace for (the) coming four Austin earlier yesterday as part Minister Chung years, it had better refrain from of their regional tour aimed at causing a stink at its first step.” boosting America’s Asian alli- Eui-yong. Some experts say Kim Yo ances to better deal with Jong’s statement was a pressure growing challenges from China tactic and that Pyongyang may and North Korea. South Korean officials. try to further raise animosities “The authoritarian regime When Austin separately met with weapons tests to boost its US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and South Korea’s Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong before in North Korea continues to his South Korean counterpart leverage in future negotiations their meeting at the Foreign Ministry, in Seoul yesterday. commit systematic and wide- Suh Wook yesterday, he said with Washington. spread abuses against its own their countries’ alliance “has North Korea didn’t imme- people,” Blinken said at the start never been more important” diately react to Blinken’s com- reaffirm their commitment to a deal with North Korea that managing director of the Penn of his meeting with South given “the unprecedented chal- ments yesterday. ridding North Korea of all its resembles a 2015 accord that Biden Center for Diplomacy and Korean Foreign Minister Chung lenges posed by” North Korea While in Tokyo on Tuesday, nuclear weapons. froze Iran’s nuclear program in Global Engagement, argued that Eui-yong. “We must stand with and China. Blinken said that Washington With North Korea’s arsenal return for lifting sanctions. the best deal the US could reach people demanding their funda- The two top US officials are reached out to North Korea believed to be growing amid the While the United States with North Korea “more than mental rights and freedoms and to hold a joint “two plus two” through several channels deadlocked diplomacy, experts won’t likely give up its long- likely will look like what Barack against those who repress meeting with Chung and Suh on starting in mid-February, but it are debating over whether the term commitment to denuclear- Obama achieved with Iran.” He them.” Thursday in the first such hasn’t received any response. United States and its allies izing North Korea, rolling back said that an interim agreement Blinken called North Korea’s contact between the two coun- He said the Biden adminis- should settle for a deal that the country’s nuclear capabil- “would buy time to negotiate a nuclear and missile pro- tries in five years. tration was looking forward to would freeze North Korea’s ities to zero is not a realistic more comprehensive deal, grammes “a threat to the region US-led diplomacy on North completing its policy review on nuclear program in return for near-term diplomatic goal, he including a minutely sequenced and to the world.” He said the Korea’s nuclear program has North Korea in coming weeks relaxing sanctions — and pos- said. road map that will require sus- United States will work with been in limbo since a February and was looking both at pos- sibly leave Pyongyang’s already Trump blew up that 2015 tained diplomacy. That’s the South Korea, Japan and other 2019 summit between President sible “additional pressure manufactured nuclear weapons Obama administration deal in approach Mr. Obama took with allies to achieve the denuclear- Donald Trump and North measures” and “diplomatic in place. favor of what he called Iran.” isation of North Korea. Korean leader Kim Jong Un col- paths.” Shin Beomchul, an analyst maximum pressure against Iran, Other experts say an Iran- How to get North Korea to lapsed over disputes on US-led Blinken and Austin also with the Seoul-based Korea and the Biden government is style deal won’t work for North return to talks was sure to be a sanctions. Kim has since joined forces with Japanese offi- Research Institute for National trying to resurrect it. Korea. Iran hasn’t built any major focus of meetings threatened to enlarge his cials to criticize China’s Strategy, said he expects the In an op-ed in the New York bomb, but North Korea has between Blinken and Austin and nuclear arsenal in protest of “coercion and aggression” and Biden administration to pursue Times in 2018, Blinken, then a already manufactured dozens. Afghanistan withdrawal China protests Japan, US statement on human rights AP — BEIJING with Chinese Foreign Minister harm China’s interests,” Zhao succeed,” Zhao said. “We urge Blinken said the Biden deadline of May Wang Yi and top foreign policy told reporters at a daily briefing. the US side to adhere to the administration is committed to China has protested to the adviser Yang Jiechi in Alaska. “China is strongly dissat- basic norms of international work with US allies as they face 1 tough: Biden United States and Japan over a The China-Japan statement isfied and resolutely opposed relations and not to engage in challenges from China and its joint statement it said “mali- expressed concern over threats to this, and we have made things that endanger China’s ally North Korea, which is pur- AP — WASHINGTON ciously attacked” its foreign to Taiwan, Beijing’s human solemn representations to the core interests.” suing an illicit nuclear weapons policy and seriously interfered rights violations in Xinjiang, its United States and Japan respec- Blinken and US Defense program. President Joe Biden says that it in China’s internal affairs, the activities in the South China tively.” There was no indication Secretary Lloyd Austin held “We will push back if nec- will be “tough” for the US to meet Foreign Ministry said yesterday. Sea and “unilateral action that that the Alaska talks had been talks with Japanese Foreign essary, when China uses a May 1 deadline to withdraw Chinese Foreign Ministry seeks to change the status quo” derailed and Zhao said China Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and coercion or aggression to get its troops from Afghanistan but that spokesperson Zhao Lijian said over Japan-controlled East was prepared to discuss its pol- Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi way,” he said. the complete drawdown won’t China was “strongly dissatisfied China Sea islands that China icies on Xinjiang and Hong Tuesday, afterwards saying that Blinken has said the Alaska take much longer. and resolutely opposed” to the also claims. Kong. democracy and human rights meeting is part of an effort to The deadline to end Amer- statement. The statement “maliciously “But the US attempt to are being challenged and the introduce new clarity into the ica’s longest war six weeks His comments came a day attacked China’s foreign policy, deliberately mislead public United States will push with its relationship between the from now was set under an before US Secretary of State seriously interfered in China’s opinion before the meeting and partners for a free and open world’s two biggest agreement reached by former Antony Blinken is due to meet internal affairs and tried to exert pressure on China will not Indo-Pacific. economies. President Donald Trump and the Taliban, without the buy-in of the Afghan government. Biden, in an interview with Suga hints at ending virus ABC News’ George Stephano- poulos that aired yesterday, curbs as scheduled said he was consulting with allies on the pace of the REUTERS — TOKYO drawdown. Of meeting the May 1 deadline, he said it “could Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga suggested yesterday that happen, but it is tough.” If the he planned to let state of emergency curbs imposed to prevent deadline is extended, he added, the spread of the coronavirus expire on schedule on Sunday. it won’t be by “a lot longer.” The situation regarding hospital bed availability in the capital Biden, like his predecessor, region has improved, Suga said. “The figures have moved in the has promised to end the nearly direction of lifting (the emergency measures),” he told reporters. 20-year conflict and bring “I will make a final decision towards ending the curbs after lis- home more than 2,500 tening to the views of experts,” he added. American troops in the country The government declared a state of emergency around New — down from about 13,000 Year’s as Japan’s third and deadliest wave of COVID-19 cases took troops a year ago. The Trump its toll. Most prefectures affected by the declaration lifted the deal caught some American measures at the end of February, but Tokyo and three neigh- allies off guard, as the roughly bouring prefectures have remained under watch as the decline 7,000 Nato troops in Afghan- in new infections slowed. istan rely on the US for The latest measures have had a less heavy impact on the logistics and security support. economy than a previous nationwide emergency last year, which “That was not a very caused the largest economic slump on record in the second quarter. solidly negotiated deal that the But they dealt a heavy blow to service sector firms in par- president, the former pres- ticular as consumers have piled up savings, while manufacturers ident worked out,” Biden said are benefiting from a pickup in overseas demand. “Most scary is in the interview. “We’re in a resurgence” in COVID-19 cases, said Yuji Kuroiwa, the governor consultation with our allies as Vaccination drive of Kanagawa, one of the four prefectures under emergency, which well as the government, and make up 30 percent of Japan’s population. People wait to receive the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at a market after hundreds of local residents that decision is in process in the district tested positive for virus, in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. now.” Kazakhstan faces medicine Taiwan and Palau to open travel bubble next month shortage after price cuts REUTERS — ALMATY AP — TAIPEI zero cases of COVID-19, Chen monitor their health, especially Much of the existing tourism Shih-chung, the head of Tai- in the first five days upon their from Palau to Taiwan is medical Kazakhstan faces shortages of essential medicines such as aspirin Taiwan and the Pacific nation wan’s Central Epidemic return. tourism, and Taiwan is a sup- after the Central Asian nation’s government tried to pressure drug of Palau will launch a travel Command Center, said ata news The bubble will start with plier of virus tests and other makers and distributors into cutting prices, industry sources say. bubble next month, allowing conference announcing the two flights per week between medical supplies. The cabinet attempted to ensure drugs used to treat COVID-19 people to travel between the bubble yesterday. the two islands, with the first Palau’s current travel policy are sold with minimal mark-up, but producers say the effort has islands without a COVID-19 Travellers must be in group flight scheduled on April 1. is for new arrivals to quarantine backfired and is also affecting medicines used to treat other ail- quarantine. tours and must meet certain Taiwan has recorded about for 14 days if their point of ments.\ The former Soviet republic has been regulating drug prices Palau is one of Taiwan’s health conditions but will not 990 cases of coronavirus origin is a high-risk location, since 2019, imposing limits on logistics and marketing expenses remaining diplomatic allies have to quarantine, according infection, with 10 deaths from while a briefer quarantine is and mark-ups as a proportion of ex-works prices. after China lured other coun- to Chen. COVID-19. The island took strict possible for people who In January, the government published a list of what it described tries to deny recognition of the Travellers must have not measures quickly after the first traveled from places without as “anti-COVID” drugs on which it further tightened margins, self-governed island it con- been outside borders in six cases were detected in the ongoing community trans- resulting in the permitted retail sale price falling by 40 percent siders part of its own territory. months, have no history of central Chinese city of Wuhan mission of the virus. on average. But the list included a number of medicines unre- The travel bubble will be being asked to quarantine in the in December 2019. It has strict Palau’s President Surangel lated to COVID-19 treatment and the move gave importers and Taiwan’s first after it largely last two months and have not border measure controls with Whipps Jr. will come to Taiwan distributors no time to sell off inventory purchased at higher prices, closed to foreign travel in one of been infected with the corona- a mandatory two-week quar- on March 28 on an official visit says Arminas Macevicius, CIS director at pharmaceutical company the world’s most successful virus in the last three months, antine for all travelers and has to promote the island’s tourism Stada. campaigns against the Chen said. They must take a been mostly shut to foreign industry, although it will not be “The market usually has 2-3 months worth of inventories, coronavirus. virus test before leaving Taiwan travelers unless they have work a formal state visit, said Taiwan’s meaning that drugstores and distributors had large stocks which Palau for its part has had and upon returning and must or live in Taiwan. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. had to be sold at lower prices, incurring losses,” he said. THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 EUROPE 13 UK faces significant reduction in vaccine supply

REUTERS — LONDON The European Union “We see the crest of a third threatened yesterday wave forming in member states, Britain will see a significant and we know that we need to reduction in the amount of to ban exports of accelerate the vaccination COVID-19 vaccines available COVID-19 vaccines to rates.” from March 29 due to a cut in Von der Leyen said the flow manufacturing supply, it said Britain to safeguard of vaccine products was smooth yesterday, in a setback to one scarce doses for its with the United States but aired of the fastest rollouts in the own citizens facing frustration over a lack of deliv- world. eries from AstraZeneca in Britain is on track to have a third wave of the Britain. She said 10 million given a first COVID-19 shot to pandemic that would doses had gone from EU plants half of all adults in the next few to the former member state. days and passed 25 million first jeopardise plans to “We are still waiting for shots yesterday. restart travel this doses to come from the UK,” Health Secretary Matt von der Leyen said in the latest Hancock said supply often fluc- summer. sign of souring ties between tuated but the country Britain and the 27-nation bloc remained on track to have since Brexit. given vaccines to priority of reductions in national “If this situation does not groups by April 15 and all adults inbound vaccines supply.” change, we will have to reflect by the end of July. Hancock did not say why on how to make exports to “Vaccine supply is always there would be such a vaccine-producing countries lumpy and we regularly send reduction. dependent on their level of out technical letters to the NHS The European Union openness. We will reflect on to explain the ups and downs of threatened yesterday to ban whether exports to countries the supply over the future exports of COVID-19 vaccines with higher vaccination rates weeks, and what you’re to Britain to safeguard scarce than us are still referring to is a standard one of doses for its own citizens facing proportionate.” Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock (centre) holds a news conference with Head of Immunisation those letters,” Hancock told a third wave of the pandemic British Foreign Minister for Public Health England Mary Ramsay (right) and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Jonathan reporters. that would jeopardise plans to Dominic Raab hit back, accusing Van-Tam at 10 Downing Street, in London, yesterday. A letter sent around to the restart travel this summer. the Commission of brink- state-run health service said With the number of manship and calling for an Raab said. “We expect those kind of brinkmanship.” reduction was linked to fewer there would be a “significant COVID-related deaths in the explanation after the gov- assurances and legal, con- Brussels threatened yes- vaccines being available from reduction in weekly supply EU topping 550,000 and less ernment had received assur- tracted supply to be terday to ban exports of AstraZeneca than expected. available from manufacturers than a 10th of the bloc’s popu- ances that the EU did not intend respected.” COVID-19 vaccines to Britain to The letter said for the four- beginning in week com- lation inoculated, European to curb exports which are under “Frankly, I’m surprised safeguard scarce doses for its week period it would focus on mencing 29 March, meaning Commission head Ursula von contract. we’re having this conver- own citizens as it aired frus- making sure all those in the volumes for first doses will be der Leyen said the epidemio- “I think it takes some sation. It is normally what the tration over a lack of deliveries most vulnerable categories had significantly constrained”. logical situation was explaining because the world’s UK and EU team up with to moving from AstraZeneca in received their first shot, and “They now currently worsening. watching... It also cuts across reject, when other countries Britain to Europe. giving second vaccines to those predict this will continue for a “We are in the crisis of the the direct assurances that we with less democratic regimes The political editor of the who have already received their four-week period, as a result century,” she told reporters. had from the Commission,” than our own engage in that BBC reported however that the first. Democracy in retreat around the world: Raab Europe seeks quick thaw AP — LONDON countries in the coming decade, Foreign Office that the UK Uighur people in Xinjiang, he after vaccine freeze Raab said. intended to “trade liberally said. Democracy is “in retreat” But Raab and Prime Min- around the world,” including “There are positives and we AP — PARIS potentially dangerous side globally and facing the greatest ister Boris Johnson are beset with countries that don’t meet ought to look for the areas of effects of a vaccine, he said, threat since the end of the Cold with criticism for stating that international human rights constructive engagement - First, France abruptly halted “It’s totally possible to inves- War, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Britain wants to keep pursuing standards. obviously in business and AstraZeneca vaccinations. tigate the signals without said yesterday in a keynote trade links with China and other “If we restrict it to countries trade,” he said after his keynote Now, the French prime minister stopping the vaccine rollout.” speech describing his country’s countries with poor human with European Convention on speech. “Everyone is more or wants to get one as soon as he Some countries are sticking aspirations to be a leading rights records. Human Rights-level standards less doing trade with China.” can. to the AstraZeneca vaccines. world power post-Brexit. On Tuesday, lawmakers of human rights, we’re not Britain’s government pub- With the virus rebounding India has vowed to continue Dominic Raab’s speech to criticized Johnson for being going to do many trade deals lished a new foreign policy and from Paris to Budapest and vaccinations, and Brazil’s the Aspen Security Forum in the inconsistent and naïve after he with the growth markets of the defense review document beyond, European govern- health minister yesterday will US sought to underline how said he wanted to work with future,” he was heard saying in Tuesday, outlining its desire for ments that rushed to suspend publicly receive the first doses Britain could be a “force for Beijing to boost trade and the message. a much stronger influence in use of AstraZeneca vaccines of AstraZeneca bottled in the good” through its economic, address climate change - even Yeserday, Raab said “China Asia. after reports of blood clots are country. military, diplomatic and cul- as he acknowledged the threats is here to stay” as he defended The review also paved the realizing the far-reaching New coronavirus cases tural clout. The UK wants to be China posed. his government’s stance toward way for the UK to lift its own impact of the move. And they grew 10% globally last week, a “beacon of hope” in a world Raab was also under fire Beijing. Britain has called out cap on its nuclear stockpile, suddenly seem eager for any driven by surges in Europe and in which the combined GDP of after the HuffPost website China for its crackdown on reversing existing commitments signal - or fig leaf -- that allows the Americas, the WHO autocratic regimes is expected obtained a leaked recording of Hong Kong’s political freedoms for gradual nuclear them to resume the shots. reported yeserday, urging con- to exceed that of democratic him telling staff at Britain’s and for abuses against the disarmament. That could come as soon as tinued vaccinations. Thursday, when the European Even before Thursday’s Medicines Agency releases EMA announcement, the pres- Sarkozy faces initial results of its investiga- ident of the European Com- tions into whether there is a mission made it clear that the new trial over connection between the AstraZeneca vaccine will vaccine and the blood clots. So remain a pillar of the EU’s 2012 campaign far, the EMA and World Health vaccine strategy. Organization have said there’s “I trust AstraZeneca, I trust finance no evidence the vaccine is to the vaccines,” Ursula von der blame. Leyen said. AP — PARIS But experts worry that the Instead of addressing the damage already has been done. vaccination suspensions that French former President The suspensions by Germany, have divided the EU, von der Nicolas Sarkozy is scheduled France, Italy, Spain and others Leyen focused on the drug to go on trial yesterday on have fuelled doubts about the company’s supply problems charges that his unsuccessful oft-maligned AstraZeneca and revived talk of export bans reelection bid in 2012 was ille- vaccine, and vaccination efforts on vaccines made in the EU. gally financed. in general, as the world “AstraZeneca has unfortu- The new case is scheduled struggles to vanquish the nately under-produced and to open two weeks after he pandemic. under-delivered, and this pain- was convicted of corruption “There are thousands of fully, of course, reduced the and influence peddling in new cases in Germany, France, speed of the vaccination cam- another case, a decision he has Italy, etc every day. If you are paign,” she told reporters. appealed. halting vaccination during this Von der Leyen said the However, the new trial is ongoing pandemic, you know company originally pledged likely to be quickly suspended that people will die,” Michael to deliver 90 million doses of and postponed to a later date Head, senior research fellow in its shot in the first three because one of the defense Diplomacy global health at the University months of 2021, but later said lawyers has been hospitalized of Southampton, said. it could only provide 40 with COVID-19. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki for a While stressing the impor- million, then more recently The 66-year-old Sarkozy, meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, yesterday. tance of investigating only 30 million. who was president from 2007 to 2012, is facing allegations that he spent almost twice the maximum authorized amount Merkel bloc sinks amid calls for Health Minister’s removal — ¤22.5m ($26.8m) — in his 2012 reelection bid, which he BLOOMBERG — BERLIN election while the Greens gain in handling the pandemic and strong demand for German Goering-Eckardt, the Greens’ lost to Socialist Francois momentum. mounts. Opposition leaders on exports, but warned that a caucus co-chief, told the Funke Hollande. Support for German Chancellor After climbing as high as 40 Wednesday slammed Health “third wave” of infections is a media group. If found guilty, he faces up Angela Merkel’s conservative percent last spring, backing for Minister Jens Spahn for his significant threat. A spokeswoman for the to one year in prison and a fine bloc slumped to its lowest in a the CDU/CSU dropped by four decision to suspend use of Wolfgang Kubicki, deputy Health Ministry declined to of ¤3,750 ($4,470). He denied year as discontent over the percentage points compared AstraZeneca Plc’s COVID-19 leader of the liberal FDP party, comment. wrongdoing. government’s handling of the with the previous week to 29 vaccine amid concerns over its said replacing Spahn “would Germany and other According to the judicial vaccination rollout mounts and percent, the lowest since last safety. help to renew the population’s European states suspended the investigation, Sarkozy “indis- some opposition leaders called March, according to the poll for There was more evidence trust in the state” even if there use of Astra shots amid reports putably benefited from fraud for her to fire the health broadcaster RTL. of the pandemic’s impact on are only a few months left until of blood clots in some recip- that allowed him to have, minister. The Greens — who on Europe’s biggest economy the election. ients, while the European during his 2012 campaign, The stuttering pace of inoc- Sunday strengthened their hold Wednesday, as Merkel’s panel Spahn had been too late Union’s drug regulator has resources much superior to ulation, irritation with months on power in Baden-Wuert- of advisers predicted weaker with the adoption of face masks repeatedly said its benefits out- what the law was of lockdown restrictions and a temberg and had the biggest growth this year and warned and the government’s testing weigh the risks. authorizing.” scandal over allegations that increase in support in the recovery could be jeop- and vaccination strategy also At the same time, the Since 1990 and following some conservative lawmakers Rhineland-Palatinate — gained ardized by a renewed spike in failed, he told Redaktion- number of COVID-19 infections several scandals, French law profited from the pandemic three points to 21 percent in infections. snetzwerk Deutschland, adding and deaths in Germany remains provides for a number of rules have eroded the CDU/CSU second place, the highest since German output will expand that the minister “is not up to stubbornly high, prompting epi- strictly limiting campaign group’s backing, a Forsa late November. The Social by 3.1 percent in 2021, the panel the job.” demiologists to say that the expenses. opinion poll showed Democrats, the junior partners predicted, trimming a forecast “With the uncoordinated country has entered a “third The investigative magis- Wednesday. It followed the in Merkel’s government, of 3.7 percent published in and badly communicated sus- wave” of the pandemic. That trate concluded that Sarkozy bloc’s poor showing in two remained at 16 percent in third. November. Next year, they pension of AstraZeneca vacci- raises the prospect of a planned and his close entourage regional votes on Sunday and The bad news for Merkel’s expect growth to accelerate to nations, Spahn has further cautious lifting of restrictions decided to do “spectacular and suggests that it is losing steam bloc comes as pressure on her four percent, underpinned by a undermined trust in the vacci- being postponed and the current expensive rallies.” ahead of September’s national to deal with Germany’s missteps pickup in consumer spending nation strategy,” Katrin curbs extended into April. 14 EUROPE / AMERICAS THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 EU sets out virus pass plan to allow free travel AP — BRUSSELS To secure the to EU residents who can prove they have been vaccinated The European Union’s executive participation of all against COVID-19, but also to body proposed yesterday member countries, the those who have tested negative issuing certificates that would commission proposed for the virus or can prove they allow EU residents to travel recovered from it. freely across the 27-nation bloc delivering free “Digital “Being vaccinated will not by the summer as long as they Green Certificates” to be a precondition to travel,” the have been vaccinated, tested European Commission said. “All negative for COVID-19 or EU residents who can EU citizens have a fundamental recovered from the disease. prove they have been right to free movement in the With summer looming and EU, and this applies regardless tourism-reliant countries anx- vaccinated against of whether they are vaccinated iously waiting for the return of COVID-19, but also to or not. The Digital Green Cer- visitors amid the coronavirus tificate will make it easier to pandemic, the European Com- those who have tested exercise that right, also through mission foresees the creation of negative for the virus testing and recovery certificates aimed at facilitating certificates.” or can prove they FROM LEFT: EU Commissioner for internal market and consumer protection, industry, research and travel between EU member According to data compiled energy, Thierry Breton; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and EU Commissioner nations. The plan is set to be dis- recovered from it. by the European Centre for cussed during a summit of EU Disease Prevention and Control, for Justice, Didier Reynders, give a press conference following a college meeting to introduce draft leaders next week, less than five percetn of legislation on a common EU COVID-19 vaccination certificate, at the EU headquarters in Brussels, “We all want the tourist economies like Greece and Spain European citizens have been Belgium, yesterday. season to start. We can’t afford have pushed for the quick intro- fully vaccinated amid delays in to lose another season,” duction of a program that would the delivery and production of operational in time for the peak level of data protection will be that their travel-limiting European Commission Vice- help eliminate quarantines and vaccines. The European Com- of the summer travel season. ensured” and said the certifi- measures, which in Belgium go President Vera Jourova told testing requirements for tourists. mission says it remains con- The commission proposed cates will be issued in digital as far as a ban on nonessential Czech public radio. “Tourism, and But several other EU fident that it can achieve its goal that all vaccines rubber format to be shown either on trips, could undermine the core also culture and other sectors that members, including France, of having 70 percent of the EU’s stamped by the European Med- smartphones or paper. EU principle of free travel and are dependent on tourism, ter- argued that it would be premature adult population vaccinated by icines Agency should be auto- EU officials also hope that damage the single market. ribly suffer. We’re talking about and discriminatory to introduce the end of the summer. matically recognized, but also vaccine certificates will con- The commission said the tens of millions of jobs.” such passes since a large majority Greek Prime Minister Kyr- offered governments the pos- vince the member states which certificates should be suspended The topic of vaccine certifi- of EU citizens haven’t had access iakos Mitsotakis said the travel sibility to include other vaccines have introduced travel restric- once the World Health Organi- cates has been under discussion to vaccines so far. certificates “will help boost like Russia’s Sputnik or China’s tions aimed at slowing down the zation declares the end of the for weeks in the EU, where it To secure the participation tourism and the economies that Sinovac, which haven’t received pace of new infections to lift COVID-19 pandemic. If agreed proved to be divisive. The travel of all member countries, the rely heavily on it.” Europe’s avi- EU market authorisation. their measures. by the EU leaders, the proposal industry and southern European commission proposed delivering ation industry urged EU govern- The European Commission The EU’s executive arm has will need to be approved by EU countries with tourism-dependent free “Digital Green Certificates” ments to ensure the passes are guaranteed that “a very high previously warned six countries lawmakers to enter into force. Health workers resuscitate girl Netherlands PM Rutte expected to stay in office REUTERS — AMSTERDAM infection rates, and a ban on longest-serving politicians, at a junior member of Rutte’s coa- percentpercent of the vote, with after migrant public gatherings during the final debate on Tuesday night. lition has made late gains in Kaag’s D-66 now pulling level Dutch citizens cast the final day, the campaign was con- “I’m trying to govern, in difficult opinion polls on the strength of with the largest opposition rescue in votes yesterday in a national ducted mostly through tele- circumstances.” the performance in debates of party, the Freedom party of election fought during the coro- vision debates. Roughly 13 million voters its leader, Sigrid Kaag, who anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Canaries navirus pandemic, with By early afternoon turnout are eligible to pick from dozens served as United Nations Wilders at 12-14 percent. conservative Prime Minister was 42 percent, compared to 33 of parties contesting spots in the Special Coordinator for In a sign of the difficulty REUTERS — ARGUINEGUIN Mark Rutte expected to win a percent four years ago. 150-seat parliament. The first Lebanon in 2015-2017. holding an election during the fourth term in office. However, in this election elderly exit poll is expected shortly after Kaag, 59, was a long-time pandemic, the Dutch politician Spanish health workers resus- The election is widely seen voters could use mail-in ballots voting ends at 2000 GMT diplomat in the Middle East who leading the government’s citated a toddler who was as a referendum on the govern- and polls opened two days early yesterday. now heads the largest left- response to COVID-19 said he among 52 sub-Saharan African ment’s performance during the to allow for social distancing. “I am very unsure who to leaning party in the Nether- was going into quarantine. migrants rescued off the island crisis, in which more than Rutte’s main rivals have vote for. What I do know very lands, and has gaining support “I just received a notifi- of Gran Canaria in the Atlantic 16,000 people have died of criticized a slow vaccine roll strongly is that I am voting with a pro-European stance cation from the corona app that Ocean yesterday, a Reuters COVID-related illnesses and out, but struggled to distinguish against the (COVID-19) that contrasts with Rutte’s I may have been in contact with witness and Spanish author- police clashed with protesters themselves as they support gov- measures, so it will have to be a Euro-scepticism. someone who recently tested ities said. opposed to strict lockdown ernment policy. party that takes action in this The two most recent polls, positive,” Health Minister Hugo Shortly after a Coast measures. “I’ve been taking responsi- respect,” said Amsterdam res- conducted after voting began de Jonge said on Twitter after Guard boat carrying the With a night-time curfew bility for the past 10 years” said ident Dolores May Hoppener, 32. on Monday, showed Rutte’s casting his ballot. “Luckily I migrants, many of them suf- in place due to continuing high Rutte, 54, one of Europe’s A centre-left party that is a party taking around 25 have no symptoms.” fering from hypothermia, docked at the Gran Canaria port of Arguineguin, two Red Bolsonaro’s Cross medics rushed over and Mexico to contain migration near Guatemala border started performing CPR chest standing craters compressions on a young girl REUTERS — MEXICO CITY lying on the concrete pier. amid historic “Call an ambulance, call Mexico is preparing to signifi- 112,” says one of the health cantly reinforce efforts to detain healthcare workers, before both can be migrants who illegally cross its collapse heard saying with relief, “She’s border with Guatemala in alive”. More health workers response to a jump in people then carried the child, trying to enter the United States, BLOOMBERG — BRASILIA wrapped in a red blanket, off according to four people to an ambulance. familiar with the matter. President Jair Bolsonaro’s The toddler was one of 10 The US government said approval rating cratered in a people, including six children this week it is facing the biggest new poll as Brazil grapples and a pregnant woman, who migrant surge on its border with with near-daily record deaths had to be rushed to the hos- Mexico in 20 years, presenting from the coronavirus, over- pital due to hypothermia, authorities a major challenge flowing hospitals and a still- according to the Canary and sparking concerns inside slow vaccination program. Islands emergency service. the Mexican government. Bolsonaro’s handling of the Other migrants waited The people familiar with Covid crisis is disapproved by patiently on the deck while the plan said Mexico would 54 percent of Brazilians, those in need of medical deploy security forces to cut the according to a Datafolha survey attention were taken ashore. flow of migrants, the bulk of published yesterday. That’s up The number of undocu- whom come from three poor from 48 percent in January, and mented migrants arriving in and often violent Central the worst reading since the Spain’s Canary Islands rose American countries whose virus first arrived in the country eight-fold last year from 2019, economies have been battered a year ago. The president’s with the impact of the in the coronavirus pandemic - overall rejection -- those who COVID-19 pandemic on the so-called Northern Triangle Asylum-seeking migrants from Central America, who were airlifted from Brownsville to El Paso, rate him as bad or terrible — tourism and other industries in of Guatemala, El Salvador and Texas, and deported from the US, inside the office of the Center for Integral Attention to Migrants rose to 44 percent, from 40 north and sub-Saharan Africa Honduras. in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. percent in the previous poll. pushing many more to embark Two of the people said Mex- Datafolha surveyed 2,023 on the dangerous journey. ico’s National Guard militarized part,” from next week, a then trying to stop all crossings the National guardsman people throughout Brazil on Hundreds died or went police, which led efforts to bring member of the National Guard on the Guatemalan border said. March 15 and 16, with a margin missing last year after down migrant numbers during said, speaking on condition of where remote and difficult Mexico’s National Migration of error of about two percent. attempting the crossing to the an increase in 2019, would be anonymity. terrain complicates efforts. Institute said it had no infor- Criticism over the govern- Spanish islands in the Atlantic at the fore of the containment The people did not give Migration authorities are mation on the matter. Mexico’s ment’s erratic handling of the Ocean, often in rickety, over- drive. details of the plan, but similar already picking up migrants National Guard and the office pandemic has grown as health- crowded boats with unreliable “The operations will be operations in the past have without proper paperwork of President Andres Manuel care systems around the engines, the UN refugee more frequent, more con- focused on a narrow isthmus in around the southern city of Lopez Obrador did not imme- country collapse and the eco- agency UNHCR has said. tinuous and we will be taking the south of the country, rather Tapachula near the border, diately respond. nomic recovery loses steam. The Latin American nation is undergoing the worst phase of the crisis yet, with a record The end approaches for Chile’s military-era constitution 2,841 deaths and 83,926 new cases on Tuesday alone. It trails AP — MEXICO CITY degree. Constitutions are pretty the 1980 constitution. If Chile threatens the constitutional Chile, a regional economic only the US in both counts. formulaic,” said the professor, looks close to home, Latin court. Panama’s bid to redo its standout, is a far cry from Ven- This week, Bolsonaro The cool kids. The usual David Law of the University of America has tips on framing 1972 constitution is ezuela, where the late President appointed Marcelo Queiroga suspects. The ones everyone Hong Kong. Law, who studies fundamental rules and rights. contentious. Hugo Chávez oversaw the as the country’s new health knows about. That’s how a law constitutions around the world, Red flags as well. “The Chávez-led constituent approval of a 1999 constitution minister — the fourth in the professor wryly describes the said in an email: "There’s a lot New constitutions in assembly in Venezuela is the that concentrated his powers past year — to try to get a grip constitutions of South Africa, of peer emulation going on.” Ecuador (2008) and Bolivia cautionary tale par excellence and set the tone for ongoing on the crisis. General Eduardo Canada and other countries On April 11, Chileans elect (2009) sought to expand rights, — and the conservative oppo- crises and conflict. Pazuello, who had been on the commonly discussed as blue- an assembly to write fresh gov- including for Indigenous people, nents to the process in Chile While some Chileans job since May, had come under prints for democracy when a erning principles and put them but democracy is uneven. bring it up all the time,” said worry a new constitution that increasing pressure amid nation, like Chile this year, to a national vote in 2022. The Colombia’s 1991 constitution Alexandra Huneeus, a Chile- mandates a bigger state role worsening numbers and a drafts a new one. goal? A more inclusive country aimed to defuse conflict, though born professor at the University would sap the economy, Indig- slow negotiation of vaccine “Everybody looks at foreign and the erasure of a much- violence is still a scourge. In of Wisconsin who examines law enous groups see an deals that has left cities and examples; it’s a question of amended relic of military rule, Guatemala, corruption and rights in Latin America. opportunity. states with few shots at hand. THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 AMERICAS 15 Atlanta-area shootings at spas leave 8 dead, many of Asian descent

REUTERS — ATLANTA Although authorities The bloodshed began about in the southern US 5pm on Tuesday when four Eight people, six of them people were killed and another women of Asian descent, were state declined to was wounded in a shooting at shot dead in a string of attacks offer a motive for Young’s Asian Massage in at day spas in and around Cherokee County, about 64km Atlanta, and a man suspected the violence, the north of Atlanta, Captain Jay of carrying out the killings was attacks prompted Baker of the Cherokee County in custody yesterday in Sheriff’s Department said. southern Georgia, police said. the New York Police Two women of Asian Although authorities in the Department’s descent were among the dead southern US state declined to counter-terrorism there, along with a white offer a motive for the violence, woman and a white man, Baker Members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) Community Affairs Rapid Response Team speak the attacks late on Tuesday unit to announce said, adding that the surviving to an Asian woman as they patrol through the Chinatown section of Manhattan following the deadly prompted the New York Police the deployment of victim was a Hispanic man. shootings at three spas in Georgia, in New York City, US, yesterday. Department’s counter-ter- In Atlanta, the state capital, rorism unit to announce the additional patrols in police officers responding to a Korea, offered his condolences. plague” because the pathogen in all three shootings. The deployment of additional Asian communities call of a “robbery in progress” “We are horrified by this vio- first emerged there. Atlanta Police Department said patrols in Asian communities shortly before 6pm arrived at lence which has no place in “The President has been the suspect was connected to there as a precaution. there as a precaution. the Gold Spa beauty salon and America or anywhere,” Blinken briefed overnight about the hor- all the attacks by video evidence South Korea’s foreign min- found three women shot dead, told South Korean Foreign Min- rific shootings in Atlanta. White from the crime scenes. Long istry said its consulate-general Long, 21, of Woodstock in Police Chief Rodney Bryant said. ister Chung Eui-yong. House officials have been in was spotted in southern in Atlanta had confirmed that Cherokee County, was taken While investigating the The violence unfolded days touch with the mayor’s office Georgia, far from the crime the victims included four into custody in Crisp County, initial report, the officers were after US President Joe Biden and will remain in touch with scenes, after police in Cherokee women of Korean descent but about 240km south of Atlanta. called to a separate aromath- used a nationally televised the FBI,” White House spokes- County issued a bulletin pro- was verifying their nationality. A photo of Long, who is white, erapy spa across the street speech to condemn a surge in woman Jen Psaki said. viding a description and license It was the latest instance of gun was released by authorities. where another woman was hate crimes and discrimination US Attorney General plates of the vehicle involved in violence involving numerous “A motive is still not clear, found dead from a gunshot against Asian-Americans. Civil Merrick Garland was also the attacks, Baker said. deaths in the United States. but a crime against any com- wound, Bryant said. All four rights groups have accused briefed on the events, according He was arrested without Authorities said it was not munity is a crime against us all,” women killed in Atlanta were former President Donald Trump to a Justice Department official. incident after a highway pursuit determined whether the victims Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance of Asian descent. of contributing to the trend by Baker said that investigators by Georgia state police and were targeted because of their Bottoms said in a statement US Secretary of State Antony referring to the coronavirus as were “very confident” that the Crisp County Sheriff’s deputies, race or ethnicity. Robert Aaron yesterday. Blinken, who was visiting South the “China virus” and “China same suspect was the gunman sheriff’s officials said later.

Florida teen pleads Variants threaten US progress against pandemic: Fauci guilty to hacking BLOOMBERG — NEW YORK therapies. It’s also working with steeply since their January peak, Walensky said. “An increase in “It is unclear what impact Twitter accounts of manufacturers to test existing although they remain higher than viral transmission could reverse this will have on the real-world Dangerous coronavirus variants vaccines, as well as new, tai- levels seen late last summer. the progress we’ve made,” effectiveness of current vac- Biden, celebrities continue to threaten progress lored formulations, against the Also appearing are Centers according to her prepared cines,” she said in the remarks. the US has made in reducing mutated versions. for Disease Control and Pre- remarks. The B.1.1.7 variant that The CDC has boosted surveil- REUTERS — NEW YORK COVID-19 cases and immu- Data published on Tuesday vention Director Rochelle first emerged in the UK may lance of coronavirus genomes to nizing the population, according in the New England Journal of Walensky and Peter Marks, now account for as much as detect emerging strains. The US The Florida teenager accused to the nation’s top infectious Medicine indicated that Astra- director of the Food and Drug 30% of US cases, and the pro- is sequencing about 4% of the of being behind the hack of disease doctor. Zeneca Plc’s vaccine offers little Administration division that portion is expected to rise, she 400,000 weekly new cases, she celebrity Twitter accounts last “While we are cautiously defense against the B.1.351 variant evaluates vaccines. said. The South Africa variant said, through a combination of year has pleaded guilty in the optimistic about the future, we first detected in South Africa. The FDA will use “every tool has been detected in 81 US commercial, government and state’s 13th Judicial Circuit Court know that many challenges Moderna Inc said last month it in our medical toolbox to fight cases, and another version academic labs. in Tampa and agreed to serve remain,” Anthony Fauci, planned to test a new recipe of this pandemic, including piv- called P.1 that surfaced in Brazil The administration said three years in juvenile prison. Director of the National its shot against that mutant. oting as the virus adapts,” Marks has appeared in 15 US cases, yesterday that it send more than Those whose accounts Institute of Allergy and Infec- Fauci is among officials said in prepared testimony. The according to her testimony. $12bn to states to increase were hacked included US tious Diseases, said in prepared scheduled to testify at a hearing agency has issued guidance to Data from the CDC and Emory COVID-19 testing across the President Joe Biden, who was remarks ahead of a congres- of the House Energy and Com- help manufacturers develop University show antibodies country and help schools then a presidential candidate; sional hearing. merce Committee’s Subcom- vaccines and other products, induced from previous infection reopen safely. States will former President Barack Fauci’s agency is racing to mittee on Oversight and Inves- even as variants emerge. or vaccination work against the UK receive $10bn to support Obama; billionaires Jeff Bezos, understand how emerging tigations. The hearing comes as Headway in reducing cases variant but are less effective at screening for teachers, staff, Bill Gates and Elon Musk; mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines become more widely is fragile in the face of variants neutralizing the one from South and students, according to a singer Kanye West; and reality virus interact with vaccines and available and new cases decline that seem to spread more easily, Africa, Walensky said. statement. TV star Kim Kardashian. Graham Ivan Clark, 18, faced fraud charges after a hack in an alleged scam that Two jurors dismissed stole more than $118,000 in Bitcoin. Fraudulent tweets soliciting investments in the in Floyd murder trial digital currency were posted in mid-July from over 40 ver- REUTERS — NEW YORK Every potential juror so far ified Twitter accounts. has told the court they know Florida had charged the Two jurors seated in the trial of who Chauvin is and almost all Tampa resident as an adult with Derek Chauvin, the former have seen video of the white 30 felonies. In August, Clark Minneapolis police officer police officer with his knee on pled not guilty. As a child, Clark facing murder charges over his Floyd’s neck as Floyd, a found ways to trick players of arrest of George Floyd, were 46-year-old Black man, begged the video game Minecraft, dismissed yesterday after they for his life. The case sparked people who knew him at the said news of a $27 million global protests against police time told The New York Times. settlement with Floyd’s family brutality and racism. He moved on to selling and meant they could no longer be “You have elected officials swapping rare social media user impartial. - the governor, the mayor - names on the forum OGUsers, Hennepin County District making incredibly prejudicial where he connected with other Judge Peter Cahill had set aside statements about my client, this hackers who said they partici- three weeks for jury selection, case,” Nelson told the court on pated in the Twitter breach, beginning last week, and was Tuesday. “You have the city set- according to the newspaper. back down to seven seated jurors tling a civil lawsuit for a record A report released in after the two dismissals. amount of money. And the pre- Cuomo receives J&J vaccine October by New York’s Mayor Jacob Frey joined trial publicity is just so con- Department of Financial New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks at a church in the Harlem section of New York City amid some of Floyd’s relatives at a cerning.” He has asked the Services said that Twitter suf- the COVID-19 pandemic, in New York, US, yesterday. Cuomo received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. news conference on Friday to judge to revisit the defense’s fered from cybersecurity Cuomo has held briefings in recent days focused on inequality in vaccine distribution. announce the city would pay earlier request to delay and shortfalls that enabled the them $27m to settle their move the trial to another “simple” hack attributed to the federal wrongful-death lawsuit county, which Cahill has said Florida teenager to take over against the city, one of the he will consider. the accounts of some of the largest settlements of its kind. Cahill agreed with Nelson’s Michigan man charged with threatening world’s most famous people. One of the jurors selected request to recall the seven last week told the judge yes- jurors already seated to see if to kill Biden, Pelosi and Whitmer Disneyland theme terday morning that the settle- the settlement news might bias parks in California to ment’s size shocked him and them, and they appeared one REUTERS — MICHIGAN extremism in the United States. President Joe Biden, US Speaker “kind of swayed me a little bit”. by one by video conference The office of Michigan of the House Nancy Pelosi and reopen on April 30 “It kind of sent a message yesterday morning. Michigan state prosecutors Attorney General Dana Nessel on Michigan Gov. Gretchen that the city of Minneapolis felt Cahill said earlier news have charged a 21-year-old Monday charged Joshua Docter, Whitmer,” the statement said. REUTERS — CALIFORNIA that something was wrong, and articles, including some man with threatening to kill 21, of Holland, Michigan, with “In those posts, Docter stated they wanted to make it right, reporting that Chauvin had President Joe Biden, House threatening terrorism and using he would use a gun to shoot and Walt Disney Co’s two theme to the tune of that dollar agreed to plead guilty to federal Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a computer to commit a crime. kill the elected officials and parks in California will reopen amount,” the juror, a white man charges last year, were more Michigan Governor Gretchen Each count carries a sentence of would ‘be the catalyst’ for a new on April 30 to a limited number in his 30s, told the court. “problematic” than the set- Whitmer, all Democrats, saying up to 20 years in prison. American revolution. Docter also of guests, the company said, Cahill dismissed him and a tlement news. he claimed to “be the catalyst” The suspect turned himself had information on how to make over a year after they closed Hispanic man in his 20s who Chauvin, 44, has pleaded for an American revolution, in on Monday and faced a judge a bomb and where to find the because of the COVID-19 expressed similar views. Some not guilty to charges brought officials said on Tuesday. on Tuesday, Nessel’s office said necessary materials on his smart pandemic. Attendance will of the other seated jurors, who by the Minnesota attorney gen- Whitmer previously had in a statement. phone,” it said. initially be capped at roughly have been promised anonymity eral’s office of second-degree been the target of right-wing The FBI, which initiated the In the previous plot against 15% of capacity, Disney Chief by the judge for the trial’s murder, third-degree murder militia extremists who plotted investigation, received a tip that Whitmer, federal officials Executive Bob Chapek said. duration, said they had seen and manslaughter, and has said to kidnap her ahead of last Docter posted threats on the arrested and charged six men Advance reservations and headlines about the settlement, he correctly followed his police November’s election, according social media site iFunny, and with conspiring to abduct her an admission ticket will be but were able to assure the court training. He faces up to 40 to US prosecutors. the case was later taken over from her vacation home last required for entry. Guests age it would not influence them. years in prison if convicted on The new and separate by Michigan State Police, the summer. One of them has 2 and up will need to wear Chauvin’s lead lawyer, Eric the most serious charge. charges come as US law statement said. pleaded guilty. Investigators masks, except when eating, or Nelson, has complained to the Prosecutors oppose Nel- enforcement officials including “Michigan Attorney General linked the suspects to an anti- swimming, and follow other court that publicity around the son’s efforts to move the trial FBI Director Christopher Wray Dana Nessel has charged a government militia group based safety measures including settlement makes it harder to or dismiss jurors who heard have warned of the growing Holland man with crimes for in Michigan called the Wol- social distancing on rides and seat a jury that can be impartial. about the settlement. threat of homegrown violent making death threats against verine Watchmen. throughout the parks. THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 16 Hundreds of children participate in Digital

PRAYER TIMINGS Athletes virtual camp PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING RAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA For children aged seven to FAJR 04.23 am The ‘Digital Athletes’ online 10, the workshops SUNRISE 05.40 am camp recently organised as included Sports and 3D DHUHR 11.42 am part of the 13th edition of Scanning, Aim and Catch, ASR 03.08 pm Katara Tech Forum success- and Code and Play while fully concluded with the those aged 11 to 14 took MAGHRIB 05.46 pm participation of hundreds of ISHA 07.16 pm children aged seven to 14. part in Ping Pong Coding, A total of 644 children Sports Equipment took part in 40 workshops of Modeling, and Hurdling the virtual camp organised in Games workshops. a span of two weeks, said the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) in a social media learning skills, as they post yesterday. develop in an all-pervasive ‘Digital Athletes’ online digital environment.” camp organised by Studio 5/6 Katara Tech Forum aims WEATHER under the Ministry of to spread public awareness of TODAY Transport and Communica- information technology on a tions in collaboration with large scale and make it Katara aimed to “enhance available to all as a key factor kids’ talents on sports and in the development of creative technology while safe at and knowledge capabilities. home,” said Studio 5/6. The forum promotes learning Catered to children in two on the latest developments in 22oC 37oC age groups, the camp com- the world of information and Minimum Maximum prised six different project- communication technology, based workshops each besides reviewing and pre- Hot daytime with slight dust to blowing dust at places, mild by running for five days. For senting best practices and night. children aged seven to 10, the international standards in workshops included Sports Qatar and the world. W ALRUWAIS : 21o → 33o and 3D Scanning, Aim and The initiative also aims at W ALKHOR : 22o → 24o Catch, and Code and Play contributing to the imple- while those aged 11 to 14 took mentation of the goals tar- W DUKHAN : 21o → 38o part in Ping Pong Coding, geted by Qatar National WAKRAH 22o → 35o W : Sports Equipment Modeling, Vision 2030 as well as W MESAIEED : 22o → 35o and Hurdling Games enhancing cooperation with W ABUSAMRA : 20o → 40o workshops. scientific institutions and The workshops explored organisations in Qatar and the online 3D scanning tools beyond, in addition to fos- HIGH TIDE used to customise sports tering ties with local gov- 06:37– 20:25 equipment, saw the partici- ernment bodies working to LOW TIDE 2:06 – 14:24 pants use different coding meet National Vision 2030 software to create a race with goals in the field of infor- customized rules and designs, mation technology. and looked into various The forum also eyes software used to create digital bridging the gap between competitions in different tech-savvy youth interested virtual sports, among others. in information technology The camp was presented and the information tech- by Studio 5/6 — “a Fab Lab nology-based institutions set up by the Ministry of through hosting specialised Transport and Communica- conferences, symposia, and tions to nurture kids and lectures on latest information youth as digital learners by and digital technology issues sharpening their 21st century and breakthroughs.