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published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 11870 April 1, 2021 Sha’aban 19, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir sends message to King of Spain Amir visits National Security Shield Center His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has sent a written message to King of Spain Felipe VI, pertaining to bilateral is Highness the Amir Sheikh enhance the effi ciency of the admin- relations and ways to enhance and Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani istrative and military cadres and their develop them. The message was Hvisited yesterday the National performance in the vital mission areas handed over by Qatar’s ambassador Security Shield Center in Duhail camp by developing interoperability between in Madrid Abdullah bin Ibrahim complex. the two countries, enhance co-ordina- al-Hamar, during his meeting with During the visit, His Highness the tion and planning in order to respond Spanish Minister for Foreign Aff airs, Amir listened to a briefi ng on the con- to transnational terrorist threats, and European Union and Co-operation ference of forming a duty force for to strengthen ways of dealing with re- Arancha Gonzalez Laya. (QNA) joint operations tasks for FIFA World gional security threats. Cup Qatar 2022, with the participation After that, His Highness the Amir Qatari-Saudi Follow-up of a number of brotherly and friendly toured the operations room and the countries represented by Turkey, the halls of the air, land and sea halls. Committee meeting starts United States of America, the United His Highness the Amir was ac- The first meeting of the Qatari-Saudi Kingdom, France, Italy, in addition to companied during the visit by HE the Follow-up Committee kicked off the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Prime Minister and Minister of Inte- in Riyadh yesterday. The meeting (Nato). rior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Ab- was chaired on the Qatari side by His Highness the Amir also listened dulaziz al-Thani, HE the Deputy Prime HE Special Envoy of the Minister to another briefi ng on ‘Invincible Se- Minister and Minister of State for De- of Foreign Aff airs for Regional curity Sentry 2021 exercise’, which fence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Aff airs ambassador Ali bin Fahad was held in co-operation between the al-Attiyah and a number of their excel- al-Hajri, and on the Saudi side by Qatari armed forces and the US forces. lencies ministers and senior military Undersecretary of the Ministry It aims to ensure bilateral planning, offi cials. (QNA) Page 12 of Foreign Aff airs for Political and Economic Aff airs Eid al-Thaqafi. The meetings of the committee come Amir meets ConocoPhillips chairman Amir meets Rosneft CEO in implementation of the will of the two countries’ leaderships and what was included in Al-Ula Declaration, and an embodiment of the fraternal ties between the two brotherly countries. (QNA) QNTC launches Chefs of Qatar Virtual Food Fest Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) announced its Chefs of Qatar Virtual Food Festival, taking place from April 1 to May 12, in collaboration with talabat and Qatar Airways. Chefs of Qatar features the masterminds behind Qatar’s best restaurants, with top chefs sharing their stories and signature dishes to bring flavours of the world to your doorstep. QNTC Secretary-General and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker, said: “We are very pleased to bring the first Chefs of Qatar Virtual Food Festival to life. In the absence of in-person festivals and large-scale events, this virtual culinary festival enriches domestic tourism while His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at Al Bahr Palace yesterday with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at Al Bahr Palace yesterday with Chief supporting the F&B sector. Page 3 Chairman and Chief Executive Off icer of ConocoPhillips Ryan Lance, who called on the Amir to greet Executive Off icer of Rosneft Oil Company Igor Sechin, who called on the Amir to greet him on the him on the occasion of his visit to the country. During the meeting, they reviewed the existing occasion of his visit to the country. During the meeting, they reviewed the existing co-operative relations PHCC study focuses co-operation relations between the two sides and the prospects for their development. (QNA) between the two sides and means of enhancing them. (QNA) Page 2 on extent of Covid-19 spread in Qatar

More than 90% of individuals who showed evidence of antibodies to Emergency services only at pvt 600 days to go: World Cup Covid-19 in the first phase of a Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) study, retained it after three months health centres from tomorrow of follow-up, QNA said in a report stadiums looking incredible yesterday. The PHCC has conducted the study to estimate the extent of the he Cabinet has decided spread of the Covid-19 pandemic using to stop the provision of Nod to draft Amiri decision Four of eight tournament venues have been the molecular test (PCR), in addition to Tmedical services in pri- blood samples to determine the level vate health facilities, except for to establish Qatar Tourism launched; three more to be inaugurated this year of immunity. Page 4 emergency cases, from tomor- row (Friday). The Cabinet yesterday Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Pfi zer says vaccine safe The private health facili- approved a draft Amiri Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani arch 31, 2021 marks the 600-day for adolescents in trial ties will be allowed to provide decision to establish Qatar via videoconference. countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qa- some of their medical services, Tourism, QNA reported. Qatar Tourism aims to Mtar 2022. Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine if possible, through modern The preparation of the draft “regulate, develop and invest The fi rst World Cup in the Middle East and is safe, eff ective and produces robust means of communication, Qa- resolution comes to replace in the tourism and hospitality Arab world will kick off on November 21 and antibody responses in 12- to 15-year tar News Agency (QNA) re- Amiri Decree No 74 of 2018 industry, demonstrate the conclude 28 days later on December 18 – Qatar olds, the companies said yesterday, ported yesterday. establishing the National civilisational, cultural, artistic National Day. paving the way for them to seek US The decision came at the Tourism Council. and tourism features of the Qatar’s infrastructure plans are well advanced. and European approval to use the shot Cabinet’s regular meeting yes- This came at the Cabinet’s State, and co-operate with all Four stadiums have been inaugurated, the new in this age group within weeks. The terday, chaired by HE the Prime regular meeting yesterday, activities, services and entities metro system is up and running, and a host of data from a clinical trial, which puts the Minister and Minister of Inte- chaired by HE the Prime operating in the tourism sector expressways have been built. 2022 fi nal, Lusail, is set to open early next year. shot ahead of other Western vaccine rior Sheikh Khalid bin Kha- Minister and Minister of within the State” QNA said. Following is a brief account of the eight stadi- Khalifa International Stadium – Capacity: developers in the quest to protect lifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani via ums which will host matches during Qatar 2022. 40,000, Distance from Doha city centre: 11km, children, will likely allow for its use videoconference. Khalifa International, Al Janoub, Education Inaugurated: 2017. in that group before the next school Following the meeting, HE Cabinet’s draft decision to re- dum of understanding (MoU) City and Ahmad Bin Ali have all hosted major Khalifa International became the fi rst Qatar year, Pfizer Chief Executive Albert the Minister of Justice and constitute the Lawyers Admis- on conducting political con- matches, while the construction of Al Bayt has 2022 venue to open following a major renova- Bourla said in a statement. Page 11 Acting Minister of State for sion Committee, and also gave sultations on issues of com- been completed. Along with Al Bayt, Al Thu- tion when it hosted the Amir Cup fi nal on May Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al- its nod to the draft decision of mon interest between Qatar’s mama and Ras Abu Aboud are set to be inaugu- 19, 2017. The stadium is set to host eight matches Macron orders Covid Jafali al-Nuaimi issued a state- HE the Minister of Transport Ministry of Foreign Affairs rated during 2021, while the venue for the Qatar up to the third-place play-off during Qatar 2022. ment giving the details of the and Communications to es- and Rwanda’s Ministry of Al Janoub Stadium – Capacity: 40,000, De- lockdown across France proceedings. tablish sections in the admin- Foreign Affairs and Inter- sign inspired by: Dame Zaha Hadid, President Emmanuel Macron At the outset of the meeting, istrative units of the general national Co-operation; and Distance from Doha city centre: 23km, Inau- yesterday ordered France into its the Cabinet listened to the ex- authority for civil aviation and a draft MoU on energy co- gurated: 2019 third national lockdown and said planation provided by HE the defi ne their functions. operation between Qatar Pe- The fi rst Qatar 2022 stadium to be built from schools would close for three weeks Minister of Public Health on Further, it approved a draft troleum and the Ministry of scratch, Al Janoub was inaugurated on May 16, as he sought to push back a third the latest developments and agreement between the gov- Energy in Ukraine. 2019 ahead of the Amir Cup fi nal. Located in Al wave of Covid-19 infections that steps taken to limit the spread ernments of Qatar and Bang- The Cabinet reviewed the Wakrah, Al Janoub will host seven matches up to threatens to overwhelm hospitals. of Covid-19. It affi rmed the ladesh regarding the elimi- results of the extraordinary the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. With the death toll nearing 100,000, continued implementation of nation of double taxation meeting of the Committee of Education City Stadium – Capacity: 40,000, intensive care units in the hardest- precautionary measures in or- in relation to income taxes, Health Ministers in the GCC Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Architects, Dis- hit regions at breaking point and a der to combat the pandemic. prevention of evasion and tax states and took the appropriate tance from Doha city centre: 13km, Inaugurated: slower-than-planned vaccine rollout. The meeting approved the avoidance; a draft memoran- decision in this regard. Al Bayt Stadium 2020 To Page 12 Gulf Times 2 Thursday, April 1, 2021 QATAR

Shura Council, US Congress discuss parliamentary ties PM meets Rosneft CEO HE Dr Hind bint Abdulrahman al-Muftah and HE Reem bint Mohamed al-Mansoori, members of the Shura Council, met yesterday with a visiting delegation of members of the US Congress. During the meeting, they reviewed parliamentary relations between the Shura Council and the US Congress, and ways to support and develop them. The meeting was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to Washington Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad bin Mohamed al-Thani.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani met yesterday with the visiting Chief Executive Off icer of Rosneft Oil Company Igor Sechin and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, they discussed co-operation relations between Qatar and the oil company, particularly in the energy field. Qatar deplores violence Minister meets Mali diplomat against civilians in Syria

QNA man rights situation in Syria. role played by Qatar, along with cal transition in accordance with New York HE Sheikha Alya said that the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Geneva Declaration and the these violations have caused the in establishing the internation- full implementation of Secu- worst humanitarian crisis wit- al, impartial and independent rity Council Resolution 2254. atar reiterated its fi rm nessed, and led to the escalation mechanism under General As- She stressed the need to support position condemning of terrorism, and to dire conse- sembly Resolution 71/248, call- the Constitutional Committee HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad Qviolence against civilians quences for peace and security in ing for continued support for the to achieve its purpose, stressing al-Muraikhi met yesterday with the Secretary-General of the and fl agrant violations of inter- the region and the world, adding mechanism that has proven ef- the need for measures to build Ministry of Foreign Aff airs of Mali, Boubacar Gouro Diall. During national humanitarian law and that it is especially unfortunate fective in addressing impunity. confi dence and protect human the meeting they reviewed bilateral relations. international human rights law that among those who have most The ambassador went on say- rights, especially addressing the in Syria, which were confronted bore the brunt of the crisis are ing that after 10 years of the cri- issue of detainees urgently. She with oppression and excessive children, of whom millions have sis, it has become clear to every- also called for ensuring that hu- violence, coinciding with the only known the scourge of wars. one that military solutions have manitarian aid reaches all those Qatar, Mali hold consultations 10th anniversary of the launch of She added that in view of this not and will not succeed, and will in need, and that it is delivered the peaceful protests of the Syr- catastrophic situation, Qatar has only lead to more suff ering and without hindrance. ian people. been committed to its humani- HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif regional instability, stressing that Furthermore, she pointed out This came in a statement made tarian responsibility and has been al-Thani a sustainable solution requires a that these and other important by HE the Permanent Repre- at the forefront of countries that political process that fulfi ls the elements were emphasised in the sentative of Qatar to the United contributed to providing human- venting the recurrence of crimes. legitimate aspirations of the Syr- joint ministerial statement of Qa- Nations in New York Ambassador itarian aid to the Syrian people, HE Sheikha Alya explained ian people and maintains unity in tar, Turkey and Russia issued on Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al- which exceeded $2bn. She noted that the atrocities committed in Syria and its sovereignty and in- March 11, 2021 in Doha. At the Thani, before the UN General As- the legal and moral responsibil- Syria are the most documented, dependence. conclusion of her statement, HE sembly in its informal session, in ity of Qatar towards ensuring and they also include the worst HE Sheikha Alya reiterated Sheikha Alya reiterated Qatar’s which she briefed UN Secretary- justice and accountability for war use of banned chemical weapons Qatar’s support for the eff orts of continued co-operation with General Antonio Guterres on crimes, crimes against humanity against civilians, in blatant viola- the Special Envoy of the Secre- international partners, and sin- the General Assembly decisions and addressing impunity, as one tion of international law, in this tary-General to reach a solution cerely and earnestly seek possible 193/75 on the situation in Syria, of the factors contributing to the context. through a meaningful political ways to contribute constructively about the resolution on the hu- sustainability of peace and pre- She referred to the eff ective process that leads to a politi- to ending the Syrian crisis.

A round of political talks was held in Doha yesterday, between QNCECS concludes virtual workshop on environment the foreign ministries of Qatar and Mali. The Qatari side was headed by HE the Secretary-General at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmad bin Hassan al-Hammadi, while the Malian side QNA entifi c Organization (Alesco) via haniya was introduced and its recycling of all kinds of materi- submitted by the municipality was headed by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Doha remote visual communication accession to the United Nations als (plastic, organic, paper, glass, to the participating schools in its Aff airs and International Co-operation Boubacar Gouro Diall. technology. The workshop aimed Educational, Scientifi c and Cul- and aluminium), and presenting various educational stages, where Talks dealt with reviewing bilateral relations. at introducing students to how to tural Organisation (Unesco) net- useful and creative models and students implement the proposal atar National Commission recycle, raising awareness of the work of learning cities, and its ef- ideas that illustrate the process of and create creative models in the for Education, Culture importance of recycling to protect forts and interest in spreading the recycling, in addition to introduc- fi eld of recycling, and then deliver Qand Science (QNCECS) natural resources and preserv- principles of education and envi- ing students to the process of re- them to their schools, provided concluded the virtual workshop ing the environment, in addition ronmental protection for sustain- cycling and waste management in that the best 3 models are chosen on recycling to applying the concepts of the ability. The workshop included Qatar, and reviewing some of the by school co-ordinators, and send San Marino honours envoy and preserving the environ- recycling process and presenting talks about several axes, the most eff ects of waste accumulation on photos to the municipality with ment, which it organised in co- the best proposals through the important of which are: con- the environment. The workshop the names of the implementing operation with the Municipality students’ work of some models cepts about the recycling proc- also contained a competition students, after which they will of Al Shahaniya and the schools within paper recycling. ess, the importance of recycling presented by the Municipality of be honoured by the municipality affi liated with the Arab League At the beginning of the work- in protecting the environment Al Shahaniya to the participat- with certifi cates of gratitude and Educational, Cultural and Sci- shop, the Municipality of Al Sha- and energy resources, facts about ing schools, which is a proposal appreciation and symbolic gifts. Windy spell again Stenden Qatar wins FIBAA from Saturday, international accreditation

tenden University of Ap- drop in temperature plied Sciences-Qatar S(SUAS-Q) has received Foundation for International Business Administration Ac- likely: Met creditation (FIBAA) for its bach- elor programme in International Business and Management Stud- nother spell of strong In addition, the wave height ies. northerly winds is ex- is expected to range from 5-8ft SUAS-Q’s business pro- Apected in the coun- during this period, exceeding gramme becomes the only busi- try from Saturday afternoon, 10ft at times in some areas off- ness management programme along with marine warnings shore. offi cially accredited by FIBAA in San Marino awarded non-resident ambassador of Qatar and blowing dust at times, the High tides are expected Qatar and in the GCC region. Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki the Equestrian Order. The Qatar Met department has said. to coincide with the strong FIBAA is a German quality as- order of merit is awarded to distinguished international Temperatures are also expected northwesterly winds and high surance agency and one of the personalities who contribute to the development of prospects to decrease due to the north- seas, according to the Met de- fi rst ones to be approved by the of co-operation and friendship. San Marino’s Secretary of State westerly winds, the weather partment. German Accreditation Coun- Stenden Qatar. for Foreign Aff airs, International Economic Co-operation and office said in a report yester- The forecast also states that cil. It accredits according to the Telecommunications Luca Beccari presented the order to the day. temperatures are expected to standards of the German Accred- dit was performed by a team of of SUAS-Q, stated, “We are ambassador. “The country is expected to decrease due to the northwest- itation Council and is a member highly qualifi ed and experienced very happy with this result and be affected by northwesterly erly winds. The minimum tem- of the European Quality Assur- international higher education the fact that we have been suc- fresh to strong winds in most perature is expected to range ance Register for Higher Educa- experts in the areas of Business cessfully benchmarked against areas from Saturday (April 3) from 16-22C and the maximum tion. and Management. According some of the leading educational Hike in fuel prices afternoon until Wednesday from 23-33C across the coun- It is established specifi cally to to the experts SUAS-Q’s pro- institutions, providing business (April 7), ranging from 15-25 try. promote quality and transpar- gramme fully met all quality re- management education. The Qatar Petroleum (QP) announced yesterday the fuel prices for April, knots and gusting to 35 knots “The Qatar Meteorology De- ency in education and science by quirements for accreditation and achievement of this important with an increase in both petrol and diesel prices. Qatar Petroleum set at times in some places,” the partment urges all to be cau- awarding a Quality Seal to educa- exceeded the requirements for international accreditation will the price of a litre of diesel at QR1.70 for April, compared to QR1.60 report said. tious, avoid marine activities as tional programmes and providers “Career Counselling and Place- positively impact the overall im- per litre for March, while the price of Petrol Super (95) is set at QR1.85 This will result in blowing well as to follow latest updates operating in tertiary and quater- ment Service” and “Alumni Ac- age of our university, and the im- per litre for April, compared to QR1.65 for March. It also set Petrol dust and low visibility below through its official social me- nary education. tivities”. age of the higher education sec- Premium (91) price at QR1.80 per litre for April, compared to QR1.60 2km, especially in open areas. dia accounts,” the report adds. The FIBAA accreditation au- Dr Ivan Ninov, executive dean tor in Qatar”. for March. – QNA Gulf Times Thursday, April 1, 2021 3 QATAR

Shura Council speaker meets envoys

HE the Shura Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud met yesterday separately with the ambassadors of Dominican Republic, Germany and Poland, George Bahsa Hazeem, Claudius Fischbach and Janusz Janke, respectively. The meetings dealt with reviewing Qatar’s relations with the three countries, particularly in the parliamentary field.

Qatar Airways QNTC launches Chefs of offi cial airline Qatar Virtual Food Fest sponsor of The festival is Fine Dining Made Chefs of Qatar rolled out in Aff ordable partnership with The festival will allow food- atar Airways has announced its role as Offi cial Airline Sponsor ies to ‘travel the world’ from the of the fi rst Chefs of Qatar Virtual Food Festival in partnership Qatar Airways and comfort of their own homes, Qwith the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC). Showcas- talabat featuring enabling them to order exclusive ing the uniqueness of the country’s culinary scene, boasting fl avours 3-course meals including a start- and talents from all around the world, Chefs of Qatar refl ects Qatar world-class chefs er, main and dessert, prepared by Airways’ commitment to boost gastronomic diversity, refl ected by the from Qatar’s top world-renowned chefs in Qatar airline’s own on-board culinary off ering, which is inspired by the 130 with prices capped at QR200. destinations Qatar Airways is currently serving. restaurants Twenty-three fi ne dining restau- Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker, said: rants with 19 prominent Qatari “We are pleased to be sponsors and to support QNTC on such a crea- atar National Tourism and international chefs will be tive initiative that showcases the abundance and the diversity of Qa- Council (QNTC) an- participating in the festival. tar’s culinary scene and its leading talents, while in-person festivals Qnounced its Chefs of Qa- and mass events cannot be held in the context of the continued pan- tar Virtual Food Festival, taking demic.” place from April 1 to May 12, in Participating Chefs “With the support of our hotel and restaurant partners, we invite collaboration with talabat and Qatar is home to internation- all Qatar residents to seize this unique opportunity to enjoy culinary Qatar Airways. Chefs of Qatar ally celebrated chefs that repre- delights from around the world prepared by Qatar’s top chefs and get features the masterminds behind sent top hotels and restaurants in a chance to win return tickets for their next journey with Qatar Air- Qatar’s best restaurants, with top the country. The global and local (From left) Chef Noor al-Mazroie, Timur Fazilov, HE Akbar al-Baker and Chef Hassan al-Ibrahim. ways”. chefs sharing their stories and celebrity chefs and their restau- Chefs of Qatar will feature 25 fi ne dining restaurants as well as glo- signature dishes to bring fl avours rants participating in the festival Home Delivery app and benefi t from our logis- the patrons an opportunity to bal and local celebrity chefs, including Timur Fazilov, Sezar Esper Eli- of the world to your doorstep. include: Salvatore Silvestrino, tics capabilities.” care for those in need. Automati- ass, Salvatore Silvestrino, Chef Gina, Vinay Kumar, Mert Duran, Stef- QNTC Secretary-General and Chef Gina, Vinay Kumar, Mert talabat is the exclusive partner cally on each order placed from fen Schnetzke, Marc Fery, Friedemann Heinrich, Elias Gemayel, and Qatar Airways Group Chief Ex- Duran, Sezar Esper Eliass, Timur for the Chefs of Qatar festival. Chefs of Qatar collection, a meal Chaiwat Kawikitpraphat. All participating chefs have curated special ecutive, HE Akbar al-Baker, said: Fazilov, Marios Papadopoulos, In its new Chefs of Qatar collec- Free Return Tickets will be donated to charity, so res- Ramadan menus available between April 1 and May 12, and capped at “We are very pleased to bring the Steff en Schnetzke, Marc Fery, tion, the app will host all the par- The festival partner Qatar Air- idents can help out by staying in. QR200 per meal, guaranteeing the festival remains aff ordable and ac- fi rst Chefs of Qatar Virtual Food Kamal Mers, Friedemann Hein- ticipating restaurants and their ways will be giving away 24 re- cessible for everyone. Festival to life. In the absence of rich, Steven Peter, Elias Gemayel, menus including the 3-course turn tickets to any Qatar Airways Combining local traditions with a variety of international infl uenc- in-person festivals and large- Maroun Gebrael, Hisham al-Bra- meal curated by their top chef for destination worldwide from Qatar Clean es, Chefs of Qatar will also feature three extraordinary co-operation scale events, this virtual culinary him and Chaiwat Kawikitprap- the festival. Doha throughout the festival. QNTC continues to prioritise between Qatari and international chefs. Chef Hassan al-Ibrahim, the festival enriches domestic tour- hat. Francisco Miguel de Sousa, Two winners will be chosen ran- the health and safety of resi- founder of Qatar Cooking Academy, will collaborate with Mondrian ism while supporting the F&B In addition, Mondrian’s Chef managing director of talabat Qa- domly every week to receive two dents, ensuring all restaurants Doha’s Executive Chef for Morimoto, Timur Fazilov; Park Hyatt Chef sector. Timur from Morimoto is collabo- tar, said: “We are very happy to return tickets each. These tick- participating in the Chefs of Qa- Steff en Schnetzke will team up with Rosado Café’s founder Noor al- A melting pot of cultures, Qa- rating with renowned Qatari chef host the Chefs of Qatar virtual ets will be valid for travel for one tar Virtual Food Festival are Qatar Mazroei, and InterContinental Doha’s chef Marc will work alongside tar’s vibrant food scene refl ects Hassan al-Ibrahim, Park Hyatt’s food festival on talabat. Through year. One order from the Chefs Clean certifi ed. Sara al-Sayed. Special menus, featuring each restaurant’s delicacies this diverse and eclectic range of Chef Steff en is hosting Noor al- this initiative, talabat is proud to of Qatar collection through the Based on international hy- with a Qatari twist, will be the major fruit of the unique collabora- infl uences. From sampling cui- Mazroei, and InterContinental contribute to the development of talabat app equates to one entry. giene and safety standards, the tions, supported by Qatar Airways and QNTC. sine by world-renowned chefs Doha’s Chef Marc is teaming up the hospitality sector in Qatar, programme is in partnership with As the offi cial sponsor of the Festival, Qatar Airways will make the to the chance to win free airline with Sara al-Sayed, to off er cu- providing the opportunity to all Ministry of Public Health and is initiative even more exciting by off ering a chance to every diner order- tickets, Chefs of Qatar showcases rated menus and cuisines during participating restaurants to run Ramadan Give Back being implemented across hotels ing with Chefs of Qatar to win one of 24 return tickets, giving away the best of Qatar.” the festival. the event virtually through our The festival will also provide and restaurants in the country. two Economy Class return tickets to two winners randomly every week. Committed to giving back to the community – especially dur- ing the auspicious month of Ramadan – Qatar Airways, as well as the Chefs of Qatar partners, and in collaboration with Qatar Charity, will donate a meal on each order placed from the Chefs of Qatar fi ne dining collection. QRCS provides aid for 7,500 benefi ciaries in Afghanistan Supporting the QNTC initiative, Qatar Airways reaffi rms its com- mitment to give back to the local community and support Qatar’s tourism and hospitality industries during these challenging times, atar Red Crescent Society while encouraging Qatar residents to enjoy the best of Qatar from the (QRCS) is implementing comfort of their homes. Qits Warm Winter 2020- With plans to expand its network to more than 140 destinations and 2021 project in Afghanistan, over 1,200 weekly fl ights, Qatar Airways leads the recovery of global distributing food and nonfood aviation and provides the most reliable global connectivity with more aid packages (at a total cost of fl ights to international destinations than any other airline. $181,756) to the poorest families worst hit by confl ict and natural disasters in Paktika and Logar QUHP prepares students Provinces. The project aims to help the to excel in job market needy families to withstand the extremely cold weather in their under-served areas. Special fo- he Honours Programme at cus is given to the vulnerable Qatar University (QUHP) groups such as patients, persons Thas launched a new plan to with disability, children, and keep pace with the global chang- women. QRCS distributes food and nonfood aid packages to target benefici- Food parcels were distributed, each containing 55kg of flour and es and to prepare a distinguished In Paktika, food parcels were aries in Paktika and Logar Provinces. vegetable oil, in addition to four blankets per family. generation equipped with global distributed, each containing 55kg skills and trends. of fl our and vegetable oil, in ad- Ministry of Hajj and Religious were procured, supplied, and this assistance and commended said this was the fi rst aid he re- Prof Abdrabo Soliman, direc- dition to four blankets per family, Aff airs were engaged in the dis- distributed over two phases, each the accurate, fair, and trans- ceived, even he was a poor man tor of QUHP said, “The new plan to 1,250 families or 7,500 benefi - tribution. Under an agreement covering 625 families in the two parent mechanism of selecting who could not aff ord to support has been designed in a fl exible ciaries, in the districts of Zarg- with the Afghan Education and districts. benefi ciaries. He hopes QRCS his family. Another benefi ci- manner that considers the dif- hun Shahr and Yusuf Khel. Aid Organisation, all the logistic During the distribution cer- would continue to provide mul- ary in Yusuf Khel was Mohamed ferent interests of students, their Both the Afghan Education and technical procedures were emony, Ibrahim Katwazi, Vice tifaceted support in other parts Munzer. “We are desperate for specialisations and global trends and Aid Organisation and the carried out. Governor of Paktika, thanked of the province. Fateh Mohamed, this aid,” he said. “My heartfelt in education. district offi ces of Afghanistan’s The food and nonfood items QRCS and the local partner for a benefi ciary in Zarghun Shahr, thanks to QRCS and everyone”. The modules address design thinking, entrepreneurship, Prof Abdrabo Soliman and leadership in an era of en- hanced scientifi c research skills. tional Collegiate Honours Coun- QU professor to contribute to Unesco’s encyclopedia of life support systems According to the new plan, re- cil team to launch the study plan gardless of the student’s major, by end of May and many other rof Syed Javaid Zaidi, chair larly Reverse Osmosis desalination Unesco-EOLSS Theme on “6.107. Arab Water Desalination. He has students will be equipped with events.” professor of chemical en- processes. He is well-known in the Solar Co-generation of Electricity been a visiting scholar at Massa- advanced modern skills that will The currently enrolled stu- Pgineering and Qafac chair international scientifi c community and Water, Large Scale Photovolta- chusetts Institute of Technology, qualify them for the job market.” dents are 281 from all the col- at Qatar University (QU) has been for his contribution in the fi eld of ic Systems.” US, a top engineering institution The Honours programme at leges in the university. The newly invited to contribute in the Ency- water treatment and desalination. Prof Zaidi developed new cost in the world. He has published ex- QU has revealed signifi cant suc- joined students in spring 2021 are clopedia of Life Support Systems The contributions in EOLSS are eff ective methods of membrane tensively and published more than cess as it provided the students 100 and another 100 students (EOLSS), the world’s largest Ency- from scholars from over 100 coun- fabrication for water purifi cation 300 research articles in interna- with numerous opportunities will be enrolled in fall 2021. “The clopedia developed under the aus- tries and edited by more than 350 for drinking purposes, Reverse Os- tional journals and conferences. that are preparing them to excel youth must provide distinctive pices of the United Nations Edu- subject experts. It also includes mosis water purifi cation system. He has published more than 300 in the job markets and to achieve and renewable opportunities, cational, Scientifi c and Cultural up-to-date coverage of various as- He is the recipient of many nation- papers in International Journals/ their personal goals. Discussing and it is our role to adopt their Organisation (Unesco). pects of sustainable development al and international awards includ- book chapters, conferences and the future events, Prof Soliman ideas, provide guidance and di- It is regarded as the world’s larg- that are relevant to the current ing KFUPM Excellence in Research has 14 US patents and patent ap- said, “We are currently organis- rection for them. Therefore, we est source of thematically organ- state of the world. Unesco-EOLSS Prof Syed Javaid Zaidi. Award, Patent Award, Almari Prize plications for the new discoveries ing activities with various or- search for everyone who can ised state-of-the-art knowledge is an integrated compendium of for Research Innovation and Life- and inventions to his credit. He has ganisations and teams in order support and adopt our ener- for our times. twenty-one component ency- to write a comprehensive chapter time Achievement Award by Venus delivered more than 120 presenta- to benefi t our students and to gies of our students and com- Prof Zaidi was invited based clopedias, each covering a large on “Salt and Water Transport in International Foundation. tions and talks at various interna- provide them the best experience municate with us to put forward on his reputation as a world-re- number of disciplinary, interdisci- Reverse Osmosis, Seawater Desali- Recognising his outstanding re- tional forums, conferences, sym- possible alongside benefi cial any new ideas that will enhance nowned scholar in the fi eld of clean plinary and transdisciplinary sub- nation Membranes, Biofouling and search record, he has been invited posiums, and institutions in more learning opportunities. We are the programme’s outcomes and water and clean energy, particu- jects. Prof Zaidi has been invited Experience of SWRO in Qatar” for to serve in the Advisory Council of than twenty-fi ve countries. organising a seminar with Na- goals,” he added. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, April 1, 2021 QATAR

Doha Debates podcast challenges people to PHCC study focuses on extent listen to diverse opinions of Covid-19 spread in Qatar Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates Course Correction podcast launched its second season with a series of weekly episodes  More than 90% of individuals who showed evidence of antibodies to examining polarising issues ranging from lockdown politics to reparations to “cancel Covid-19 in the first phase of the study, retained it after three months of follow-up culture”, with programme host Nelufar Hedayat having bridge-building conversa- ore than 90% of individu- This rate was the lowest among study completed the second phase tibodies, while only 8.8% of the tions with people she disagrees with. als who showed evidence children between the ages of 10 successfully. One of the important participants showed no evidence of Each episode addresses one polarising is- Mof antibodies to Covid-19 and 17 years (9.7%), and the highest motivations for implementing the retaining the antibodies to the dis- sue, and Hedayat will engage with people in the fi rst phase of a Primary Health among the elderly (19.8%) ageing 60 second phase of the study was the ease. whose opinions are very diff erent from Care Corporation (PHCC) study, years and over. confl icting global evidence indicat- Director of the Clinical Research her own — and try to keep an open mind. Doha Debates’ podcast Course retained it after three months of The percentage of infection was ing that the concentration of anti- Department at PHCC, Dr Hamda In addition to these challenging conversa- Correction. follow-up, Qatar News Agency said higher in males compared to females bodies in the blood diminishes over Qutbah, said it is reassuring that tions, Hedayat works to understand the in a report yesterday. with a great variation according to time after infection. more than 90% of the individuals wider context of divisive issues by engag- experience in which I’ve sat across from The PHCC has conducted the nationality and municipalities. The results also showed that the who showed evidence of antibod- ing with activists, authors, scientists, and people that I fundamentally disagree study to estimate the extent of the The second phase of the study antibody test was able to detect ies to the disease in the fi rst phase even a former head of state, identifying with—and even find hard to stomach. spread of the Covid-19 pandemic was carried out by the end of Octo- twice the number of infected cases retained it after three months of solutions and bridging gaps for herself “Yet I take a deep breath and I open my- using the molecular test (PCR), in ber 2020. discovered by the PCR test alone. follow-up. and for listeners. self up to the opportunity of learning, to addition to blood samples to deter- The individuals who participated The total prevalence of the pan- The Clinical Research Depart- Hedayat’s Course Correction guests at least see what they see. It’s very much mine the level of immunity. in the fi rst phase of the study were demic in Qatar within eight months ment is participating in many other include a speaker described as the “god- a muscle I’m learning to strengthen and The fi rst phase of the survey was invited to retest the antibodies in among the primary healthcare com- studies related to the Covid-19 pan- father of fake news”, a Swedish doctor flex,” she said. carried out at the end of July 2020. addition to the molecular test by munity was 19.1%. demic, such as the study of antibod- who opposed pandemic lockdowns, and a This season of Course Correction is pro- The prevalence rate based on anti- nose and throat swabs. Nearly third of the participants ies to the disease among healthcare lawmaker with strong views on what can duced by Doha Debates with production body and molecular tests among the The results showed that a total of who were positive in the antibody workers, which sheds light on the constitute feminism. assistance from Foreign Policy magazine. registered population at PHCC was 943 out of 2,044 people who par- test in the fi rst phase showed a de- relationship between the disease In each podcast episode, Hedayat strives Amjad Atallah, managing director of Doha estimated at 14.6%. ticipated in the fi rst phase of the crease in the concentration of an- and the risk of exposure to it. to identify solutions and overcome diff er- Debates, said, “This new season of Course ences on divisive issues such as pandemic Correction tackles polarisation itself across politics and the limits of free speech. a multitude of issues in unique, compelling The 12-episode second season of Course ways. These podcast episodes are enlight- Correction follows last year’s debut sea- ening and engrossing, regardless of where son, which attracted a quarter of a million you stand, made all the better with the pro- downloads in 206 nations and territories. duction and promotional support provided MoPH reports 780 new Covid-19 Hedayat said that the series provides by our partners at Foreign Policy.” bridge-building tips for all its listeners. New Course Correction episodes will be “For me, making Course Correction released every Wednesday over the next season two has been a thought-provoking 11 weeks. cases and 164,121 total recoveries

QNA The good news is that the Pfi zer/ Doha BioNTech and Moderna vaccines being used in Qatar’s vaccination programme are eff ective against the he Ministry of Public Health new variants. (MoPH) reported yesterday, The pace of the vaccination pro- T780 new confi rmed cases of gramme means that there is fi nally coronavirus (Covid-19) during the hope of a gradual return to normal last 24 hours, of which 662 were for people in Qatar as well as around from community and 118 from trav- the world. But this will not happen ellers returning from abroad. in the next few weeks or months. The MoPH also recorded 437 re- Covid-19 will continue to be a coveries from the virus during the threat to health for the majority of past 24 hours, bringing the total 2021 and until all eligible members number of cases recovered in Qatar of our population are vaccinated, to 164,121. people should continue to follow the The ministry reported two new preventive measures. deaths of patients aged 49 and 62, With the recent increase in the who were receiving the necessary number of Covid-19 cases in Qatar, medical care. it is important for everyone to play The MoPH said 816,484 Covid-19 their role in controlling the virus by vaccine doses have been adminis- following precautionary measures: tered since the start of the national Adherence to physical distanc- vaccination programme. Of this ing 25,808 doses were given in the past Avoiding close contact with 24 hours. others, crowded places and confi ned The health ministry said hun- closed spaces where people congre- dreds of people are becoming sick gate daily due to Covid-19 with many Wearing a face mask requiring admission to hospital to Washing hands regularly manage their symptoms. Since Feb- Anyone suff ering from Covid-19 ruary 1, the number of people with symptoms should contact 16000 Covid-19 admitted to hospital has helpline immediately. doubled. This is important as the earlier the Qatar’s strict quarantine policy disease is detected, the easier it will for returning travellers enabled it Covid-19 cases in the region and in contagious and spread more eas- be to receive the right treatment and to delay the introduction of new Qatar with the new variants from ily between people than the existing recover from it. variants into this country for several the United Kingdom. strain and may be associated with Visit the MoPH website for regu- months but it is now seeing positive This new variant is much more increased severity of disease. lar updates and new information. Two arrested Mock drill by Civil Defence for violation of home quarantine rules

he designated authorities arrested yesterday, two peo- Tple for violating home quar- antine requirements they commit- ted to following, for which they are legally accountable, in accordance with the procedures of the health authorities in the country. The arrests came in imple- mentation of the precautionary measures in force in the country, approved by health authorities represented in the Ministry of Public Health, to curb the spread The Operations Department at the General Directorate of Civil Defence carried out a mock evacuation of Covid-19. at the Ministry of Culture and Sports (MCS) building in the Dafna area yesterday. The drill was carried The violators, who are cur- out to train the MCS employees on evacuation operations and within the framework of the department’s rently being referred to the des- eff orts to implement its awareness plans for various governmental and non-governmental institutions, the ignated prosecution, are Saad Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a tweet. Educating the public about safety measures, training employees Saeed Saad al-Rafada al-Marri on dealing with fire and other types of accidents, and confirming the department’s staff ’s readiness to do and Ibrahim Abdullah Saeed the assigned works were also objectives of this exercise, the MoI added. The evacuation scenario began Saleh al-Junaibi. with the sounding of the alarm bell in the building, and the matter being reported to the Civil Defence. A firefighting and rescue team immediately moved from the Wadi Al-Sail Civil Defence Centre. Those working in the building were evacuated and brought to safe assembly points. The Establishments and Authorities Blood donation Security Department, Rescue Police Department (Al-Fazaa) and the Ambulance Service at Hamad Medical Corporation participated in the mock drill. camp tomorrow

lood Donors Kerala-Qa- tar is organising a blood Bdonation camp in co-or- dination with Hamad Medical Corporation tomorrow (April 2) from 2pm to 7pm at HMC Old Blood Donation Centre. The programme is being held in association with World Malayalee Federation, Jojuvettan Lovers Qatar, Dileep Fans and Welfare association, and Radio Malayalam 98.6FM. More information can be had from 33784621, 30540955, or 77919901, according to Blood Donors Kerala-Qatar general secretary K Krishna Kumar. Gulf Times Thursday, April 1, 2021 5 QATAR Ashghal implements two Scalini Doha gets nominated projects to discharge surface for Fact Dining Awards calini, London’s celeb- rity-favourite Italian Srestaurant and Doha’s newest hotspot, has been nom- water from Al Hamm Street inated for the 2021 Fact Dining Awards, Alfardan Hospitality announced yesterday. Nestled in Al Gassar Resort at the St. Regis Doha, the res- to Al Furousiya Street taurant features colourful art- works, traditional rustic and contemporary welcoming in- he Public Works Author- teriors, making it the perfect ity (Ashghal) yesterday spot for a warm and cosy lunch Tannounced the comple- or dinner. An elegantly en- tion of the surface water drain- chanting outdoor terrace is also age network of 7.2km that serves available for those who prefer the areas running from Al Hamm their meals al fresco. Street to Al Sailiya Road. Scalini Doha is a natural evo- The network, according to an lution of the well-established Ashghal statement, is connected brand which truly lives up to to another 4.4km network that its reputation starting with the Ashghal completed in November decor, quality of food and serv- 2020 serving Fereej Al Manaseer, ice as well as the ambiance. South Muaither, Bu Sidra to Al With a focus on the fi nest Furousiya Street. Engineer Fahad al-Otaibi quality and freshly sourced in- The two networks were car- gredients from both Doha and ried out at a total length of pipes within the project are laid Italy, Scalini Doha creates re- tomato, garlic and chilli. Other as the Gamberoni Fra Diavola. 11.6km while serving several along Al Sailiya Street, Al Hamm markable dishes that are mem- must try seafood dishes in- Scalini is listed under the western areas in Doha such as Street, Umm Al Shawahin Street orable, traditional, and honest. clude the Insalata di Granchio, Italian category for the 2021 Al Sailiya, Al Mearad, Rawdat and New Al Sailiya Road, to tie Spaghetti with Lobster is a in other words Crab Salad, as Fact Dining Awards. Votes are Al Naisar, Muaither, Bu Sidra, into the pipeline in Al Waab Scalini London signature dish well as the king prawns in spicy open until June 2021 on factqa- Southwest Muaither, Al Rayyan Street up to Al Furousiya Street. with chunks of tender lobster in garlic and butter sauce, known tar.com East until Fereej Al Manaseer. The network eventually fl ows While announcing the com- into Bu Sidra and Al Manaseer pletion, engineer Fahad al- pumping stations,” he explained. Otaibi, head of Western Ar- Al-Otaibi added that the two congestion and the risk of traf- areas west of Doha and they in- eas Section at Ashghal’s Roads completed networks provide an fi c accidents in the rainy season. clude surface water and rainwater Projects Department, said the integrated solution to discharge “They will also lower the ground- drainage network pipelines laid at Malabar Gold & Diamonds off ers recently implemented project surface water and stormwater in water level to protect the foun- depths ranging from 7m to 23m involved pipe laying works for the main streets in order to reduce dations of buildings and roads in underground. The two newly con- stormwater drainage network stormwater accumulation during these areas,” he said. structed networks come as part of customers advance booking option and constructing 32 rainwater the rainy season, and to facilitate Both networks provide 93 Ashghal’s strategy to preserve the drainage manholes. discharging of ponds and rainwa- tie-ins and 60 rainwater drain- environment and public health “The surface water drainage ter eff ectively bringing down the age manholes which serve seven and safety. alabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the largest jewellery retailers globally with a Mretail network of over 250 outlets spread across 10 countries, is providing customers with the opportunity to benefi t from the reduced gold rate, through the 10% advance booking option. MME takes steps to protect hawksbill turtles Customers can pay 10% advance for their fa- vourite jewellery and block the gold rate until May 14, 2021, protecting themselves from any he Ministry of Munici- sion of the MME, fi nanced by increase in gold rate during this period, it was pality and Environment’s Qatar Petroleum and imple- explained in a statement. If gold rate increases T(MME) Protection and mented by the Environmental at the time of purchase, customers can avail the Wildlife Department has an- Science Center at Qatar Univer- blocked rate and if it reduces they can still draw nounced the registration of the sity, in co-operation with the mileage of the reduced rate. fi rst cases of the endangered team of Protection and Wildlife A customer intending to buy gold jewellery hawksbill turtles nestling at Fu- Department. worth QR10,000 needs to pay QR1,000 to avail wairait Beach. Under the project, the north- the advance booking off er and in turn get pro- The project team to protect eastern beaches of the country tected from the increasing gold rates. these turtles has taken all the are covered including Ras Lafan This off er will be valid until May 14, 2021, necessary measures and regis- beach, Huwailah, Al Jassasi- across all Malabar Gold & Diamonds outlets in tered the related data, in addi- yah, Al Marounah, Fuwairait, Al Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, tion to removing barnacles from Ghayraih, Al Mafi r and the is- Singapore, Malaysia, and the US. “Gold prices them and treating the bruises. lands of Umm Tess and Rakan. have dropped and it is the best time for custom- Shamlal Ahamed, managing director – Interna- They also transferred 97 eggs to The MME has also announced ers to either buy now or block the low gold rate by tional Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds. the designated place at Fuwairit the work on the project to pro- paying just 10% as advance. The ‘Be Gold Smart’ In addition to the 10% advance option, cus- Beach. The project is being im- tect the endangered hawksbill to the Ministerial Decision no 37 Turtles and Seabirds campaign has been designed in such a way that tomers can also pay 50% and 100% of the amount plemented under the supervi- for the season 2021, according for 2010 on the Conservation of from Extinction. our customers do not have to worry about gold as advance to get gold rate protection for 90 days rate fl uctuations. The main attractiveness of this and 180 days, respectively. This option will be campaign is that the customer always gets the available to customers throughout the year across benefi t of lower gold rate, during purchase,” said all stores of Malabar Gold & Diamonds. Closure for access to Doha and Umm Lekhba Call for expanding e-payment platforms

I/C from Al Khafj i Street articipants in the Seventh health, in addition to enacting The session was moder- Doha Islamic Finance appropriate penalties for vio- ated by Dr Nayef Bin-Nahar The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a PConference yesterday, lators of the legislation related al-Shammari, director of the two-hour closure of the access to Doha and Umm Lekhba underlined the signifi cance of to the practice of e-commerce Ibn Khaldun Center for Hu- Interchange from Al Khafji Street and Al Gharrafa Street at expanding online payment plat- in the country, and launching manities and Social Sciences at Duhail Interchange traff ic signal tomorrow (Friday) from forms, following the examples of media campaigns and seminars Qatar University. 11am to 1pm. During the closure in co-ordination with the Hukoomi Qatar and Qatar Air- on various media outlets to in- Professor of Jurisprudence General Directorate of Traff ic, road users coming from Al ways websites, QNA reported. troduce the rights and duties at Qatar University Prof Dr Khafji street and Al Gharrafa Street towards Doha or Umm Participants in the second of everyone practising e-com- Saad-Eddin Dadash highlight- Lekhba Interchange are advised to use Izghawa IC and take day of the conference also merce in the country. ed Shariah controls for virtual a U-turn to reach their destinations. Ashghal will install road stressed the need to set condi- The session of the second world economies, stressing the signs advising motorists of the temporary closure and has tions on e-commerce activi- day of the conference dis- need to tighten Shariah con- requested all to follow and abide by the speed limit to ties, especially those related cussed the theme, “Economies trols on doing business and ensure safety. to food, and to further impose of the Virtual World” upon the selling through websites in oversight by the competent au- emergence of the coronavirus the country, in order to ensure thorities to ensure the safety of crisis and imposition of social that forbidden transactions are consumers and maintain their distancing restrictions. avoided.

Temporary traffic closure on Sports City Street

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a temporary traffic closure on Sports City Street in the direction of the Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Interchange on Salwa Road, from 11pm tomorrow (Friday) until 4am on Saturday. The closure in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traffic is to complete the installation of ITS Gantries. Ashghal will install road motorists of the temporary closure and have requested all to follow and abide by the speed signs advising limit to ensure safety. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, April 1, 2021 QATAR Qatar Charity launches QR168-million Ramadan drive for 2.2 million beneficiaries worldwide

atar Charity (QC) launched Eid Clothing the “Ramadan of Hope” This project provides clothes Qcampaign for the month of to orphans to share the joy of Eid Ramadan 1442 AH (2021), aiming with them. Some 4,390 children are to benefit 2.2 million people in 33 expected to benefit from the project, countries, including Qatar, with the at an estimated cost of more than target value of nearly QR168 million. 878,000 Qatari riyals. On this occasion, Qatar Charity Relief Aid to Crisis-Hit Areas thanked the benefactors, both citizens and residents, for supporting its Refugees, the displaced, and the projects throughout the year, and poor are expected to benefit from the for their generous contributions to relief aid in 25 countries, especially its previous Ramadan campaigns. It in Syria and neighboring countries, has also urged them to support the Yemen, Somalia, and Palestine, ‘Ramadan of Hope’ campaign for this The assistance will include year to reach the target beneficiaries the distribution of food baskets, in such as the underprivileged, the addition to operating bakeries in displaced, and refugees, across the some countries like northern Syria to globe. provide bread for free. Some 552,000 Qatar Charity stated that it had people are expected to benefit from chosen ‘Give the Gift of Hope’ as the aid at an estimated cost of nearly a slogan for its current Ramadan 26.8 million Qatari riyals. drive to encourage the kind-hearted Media Programs and benevolent people in the month Qatar Charity has produced, as of compassion and solidarity to usual, many television, radio, and contribute to creating hope for the YouTube programs like ‘Charity poor and the needy, and bringing in Focus’ in English, which will be about a change in their lives. aired by Qatar Radio. The Arabic As the world will welcome the TV programs will be broadcasted by blessed month of Ramadan for Al-Rayyan TV and Qatar TV, while the second time in a raw amid the radio programs for Arabic speakers continued coronavirus pandemic, will be aired by Al Quran Al Kareem Qatar charity has affirmed its keenness Radio and Sout Al-Khaleej Radio. to take precautionary measures while Qatar Charity will broadcast many implementing its seasonal projects to programs through YouTube during maintain public safety. Ramadan. Qatar Charity has indicated that it will distribute food packages at an estimated cost of more than Administrative Development, Labor Community Programs Riyals. and Iftar meals individually to the 666,000 Qatari riyals. and Social Affairs. In the blessed month of Feed the Fasting Ramadan Supply: It aims to meet The drive aims beneficiaries, using cars, and it has Zakat Al-Fitr Ramadan, Qatar Charity will The “Feed the Fasting” project the Ramadan needs of the families of also facilitated the online donation This project is to support families implement a set of awareness and includes the distribution of ready- orphans, low-income families, and to deliver process through its website, app, and with limited income, and is expected heritage projects, and support to-eat Iftar meals and food baskets widows through the distribution of other digital tools. to benefit 55,000 people, at an voluntary initiatives and community that contain essential foodstuffs for a aid to 552,000 The main three projects of coupons to them. It is expected to the Ramadan campaign are the refugees, IDPs, distribution of Zakat al-Fitr, the provision of Eid clothes, and ‘Feed and those the Fasting, which includes delivering food baskets and meals. affected by the The campaign aims to deliver social aid worth more than 100 crises at an million Qatar riyals in Qatar, and impellent community program estimated cost of remotely. It also includes many media programs produced by Qatar Charity nearly 27 million and broadcasted in cooperation with Qatari media and through their social Qatari riyals. media accounts. The ‘Ramadan of Hope’ was launched in a press conference, Qatar Charity thanked the which was attended by Mr. Faisal bin media and media persons for their Rashid Al-Fuhaida, CEO Assistant continuous cooperation in support for the Program and Community of its humanitarian projects. Development Sector of Qatar Charity, Mr. Ahmed Al-Rumaihi, Director of How to Donate Emergency and Relief Department, Donors can calculate and pay Mr. Abdul Aziz Jassim Hajji, Director their Zakat for Qatar Charity’s of Marketing and Digital Growth Ramadan campaign and relief and Department, and Mr. Ahmed development projects through its Saleh Al-Ali, Director of the Media websites and app, which are as Department. follows: Ramadan Projects in Qatar Qatar Charity’s Website: www.qcharity.org The projects under the “Ramadan Qatar Charity’s App: of Hope’ campaign is expected to http://qch.qa/appen benefit nearly 600,000 people in debt, Zakaty Website: low-income families, workers and www.qch.qa/Zakaty expatriates, in Qatar at an estimated Donors can also contact a cost of 111 million Qatari riyals. These Zakat expert through the email projects are as follows: ([email protected]) as well as Feed the Fasting through phone numbers (55035744, This project includes Mobile 44290152) Iftar for Workers, Mobile Iftar, and The Zakat expert responds Ramadan Supply. to Zakat-related questions and Mobile Iftar for Workers: It calculates Zakat for individuals, includes food baskets and ready-to- estimated cost of more than 816,000 benefit 20,000 people, at an estimated eat meals for 456,000 beneficiaries at Qatari riyals. solidarity. The most important ones cost of approximately 2.4 million an estimated cost of 6 million Qatari are “Initiatives’ Challenge 2”, which is Qatari riyals. Eid Clothing Qatar Charity seeks to riyals. a competition between several youth Qatar Charity has been keen to This project is to benefit children Mobile Iftar: It includes Iftar initiatives to promote humanitarian seek the assistance of many Qatari from low-income families, and snacks for those waiting at traffic projects innovatively, “%5”, which benefit 1.6 million people productive families to provide ready- expected to benefit 450 children at an lights and some other places and aims to strengthen social solidarity to- eat meals to families with limited estimated cost of more than 168,000 unable to reach home before the and support the students and families income within the framework of the Qatari riyals. affected by the coronavirus pandemic, in 32 countries at an Eid Gift for Orphans and “Eid Gifts”, which are provided An amount of money is provided, to the sick and the elderly on Eid Al estimated cost of nearly 600,000 people are as a gift, to orphans sponsored by Fitr, in addition to other story-telling Qatar Charity to share the joy of Eid events for children and families. expected to benefit from with them. Some 450 children are Ramadan Projects outside 57 million Qatari Riyals. expected to receive the Eid gifts worth Qatar Qatar Charity’s Ramadan 168,000 Qatari riyals. Assistance in Qatar Qatar Charity, through its family for the month of Ramadan. It companies, professionals, self- field offices and partners, aims to seeks to benefit 539,590 people at an employed and property owners, etc. The assistance is to be provided drive in Qatar at an implement three Ramadan projects, expected cost of 22.2 million Qatari Upon the request of a donor, Qatar to those in debt and their families to which are ‘Feed the Fasting’, Zakat Al Riyals. Charity provides a home collector help them overcome their financial estimated cost of 111 million Fitr, and Eid Clothing, in 32 countries to calculate and receive Zakat and problems and preserve family Zakat Al-Fitr of the world. Qatar Charity also donations. The home collector can be cohesion, in addition to providing The distribution of Zakat al-Fitr intends to distribute food aid to the requested through its app (http://qch. Qatari riyals. assistance to the families affected aims to reduce the financial burden displaced, refugees, and the needy qa/appen) and by dialing 44667711. by the coronavirus pandemic. Qatar on needy families and share they in disaster and crisis-hit areas. Qatar Donations can also be made at Charity hopes to provide aid worth joy of Eid with them. Some 456,700 Charity, with the support of donors Qatar Charity’s headquarters, 26 QR100 million to these sections of people are expected to benefit from in Qatar, seeks to benefit 1.6 million branches, and collection points across ‘From Home to Home’ project, in society, with the support of donors in the project at an anticipated cost of 5.9 Adhaan of Magribh. Mobile Iftar is people from these projects at an the country. coordination with the Ministry of Qatar. million Qatari riyals. expected to benefit 48,000 people, estimated cost of 56.7 million Qatari Gulf Times Thursday, April 1, 2021 7 HOL STIC Keeping fi t at home Wellbeing

By Anna Reich body. Make it your mission to be- The Guardian come Bruce Lee-level of amazing at these! “To keep it simple and hether you’re stuck at straightforward, I would pick an home or on the road, arm exercise, a leg exercise, an Wwork out well wherever aerobic exercise and an abs move you are with these top fi tness tips and do three to fi ve sets of eight from personal trainer. to 10 reps. Then, pick another four exercises and do the same. 1. Little and often Two circuits at the least.” For basic health, the NHS rec- ommends “at least 150 minutes 8. The kit you need of moderate-intensity activity a If you’re away from a gym, Re- week, or 75 minutes of vigorous- ich recommends kettlebells as a intensity activity a week”, but relatively inexpensive and useful Building friendships it can be hard to achieve this if kit. “I am forever recommending you’re short on time, space, or kettlebells as my clients’ chosen the motivation to exercise. piece of home kit. You can work By Moya Sarner “lead to a state of thriving, where It might seem diffi cult to fi t out all the big muscle groups The Guardian you have all your social needs in exercise while you’re on the with weighted squats, lunges, met” – but if the balance is off , move or short on space or time, bent-over rows, as well as target you may fi nd yourself lonely, so- but personal trainer Anna Reich the smaller muscles like biceps, ll your daily interac- cially malnourished and thirsty says the emphasis here should be 3. Map your progress 5. Give yourself strength a lower impact way to exercise. triceps, calves and shoulders, tions with others, big and for meaningful contact. Sound on “vigorous”. It can be challenging to stay The best bang for your buck, There are many apps available for and then add some serious aero- Asmall, make up your social familiar? “That’s 20 minutes, four times motivated when you’re start- in Reich’s opinion, is strength mapping runs and bike rides, but bic exercises through a variety of biome, and the pandemic has I ask Robin Dunbar, an emeri- a week.” She says. “Don’t fi xate ing out on a fitness journey, or work. “I will always recommend Strava is one of the best, giving swings. The body and its move- severely damaged most of ours. tus professor of evolution- on blanket recommendations. even for a seasoned pro when lifting heavy and focusing on the you access to local routes all over ments are interrelated, so move- Here’s how to reinvigorate it. ary psychology at the Univer- Do what you can, but do it vigor- they’re away from their usual compound moves, because these the world – and the opportunity ment of one part of your body will You probably don’t know you sity of Oxford and the author of ously. fitness facilities. For Reich, it’s exercises work multiple joints to compete with others using have an eff ect on the other parts.” have a social biome – but ac- Friends, what he makes of this “Some studies suggest that about the action rather than the and muscle groups. Addition- them. However, if you wanted a piece cording to Jeff rey Hall, profes- idea. “Most psychologists tend three- to fi ve-minute vigorous outcome in order to build a sus- ally, heavy weight training is very of kit to use in a small space, or sor of communication studies to think of the social world as workouts can yield real physi- tainable, long-term relation- aerobic too. Weight training is 7. Any home or hotel room take with you on your travels, Re- at the University of Kansas, you being strictly dyadic,” he tells me cal improvements, so if this is all ship with fitness. also less stressful on the joints as can become a gym ich recommends the TRX, refer- do. Perhaps you’ve heard of the – in other words, based on pair the time you have available, do “Make a note of where you you get older. In fact, it positively Other things you can try are ring to the popular suspension gut microbiome – the unique, relationships. “It’s you and your it. It’s a start – a building block.” are today, strength and mood improves bone strength.” bodyweight exercises focusing training apparatus, which was in- diverse ecosystem of bacteria mum, you and your baby, you wise,” she says. “List the things on the biggest muscles and ar- vented by Navy Seal Randy Het- and other microbes that inhabit and your romantic partner, may- 2 Companionship is key you can’t do as a result of your 6. Merge sport with sight- eas of the body, such as squats, rick when he accidentally packed our gastrointestinal system and be you and your best friend – but Another good way to motivate current level of health and seeing lunges, and push-ups. Working his jiu-jitsu belt for a deploy- which, when balanced, keep us that’s about as far as it goes. yourself is by roping in a friend, strength, or take some before There are plenty of ways to on these muscles will yield the ment. The kit that was spawned in good digestive health. Well, It’s a very impoverished view of says Reich. Accountability is and after pictures to track your work out away from the gym, greatest returns. from this unorthodox training the social biome, says Hall, is the social world.” It’s the clas- key and where you might fi nd it progress.” with a bit of creativity. “When These kinds of exercises are method is a bit more advanced the individual ecosystem of re- sic psychologist move, he says easy to let yourself off the hook, I’m away from home, and the also great for people with limited now, but the principle that it can lationships and interactions that – to “simplify everything” so as you may be less inclined to let 4. Patience is a virtue hotel I’m staying at doesn’t have space, and have the additional be hung from, and used on pret- shapes our emotional, psycho- to “study basic mechanisms”, a friend or colleague down if But don’t expect results too a gym, I run on sand,” Reich says. benefi t that you can take your ty much any sturdy and secure logical and physical health. And “shorn of complications”. He you’ve organised an early morn- soon – this can be a common “It’s horrible, because of the ex- “kit” with you anywhere. “I’m frame, remains the same. – thanks to lockdown – it is un- could be describing my social ing run, for example. A bit of deterrent for people who have tra resistance, but an amazing a big fan of the compound exer- “You can do every kind of ex- likely to be in good shape. life over lockdown here: dyadic lighthearted competition can started a new fitness regime. workout.” cises that work a lot of your big- ercise with a TRX – aerobics, Hall’s term encompasses the (and then, only outdoors), basic, help keep things spicy, she says, “Give it a good go for two to And of course one of the best gest muscles: squats and lunges, strength training, abs, range of “pattern of your social interac- simplifi ed to the point of impov- as well as inspire creative new three months, then review your ways to see a new city is on foot – and then the push-up is a feat of motion and fl exibility,” Reich tions throughout your days; the erishment. But, Dunbar reminds ways to work out. progress,” Reich says. or by bicycle if you are looking for strength that engages your whole says. who, the what you talk about, me, “these dyadic relationships and the modalities you use to are all embedded in an ever-ex- communicate, from face to face tending network called the fam- to other means”. The concept has ily, the community, the nation, roots, he says, in the idea that the globe, which is all highly in- Are you ready to get to know yourself better? social interactions, like food, terconnected”. have “calories” that can make This network can bring ex- you feel socially nourished. And traordinary benefi ts, if we let ESFJ – The Caregiver just as with what you eat, it is it. It “creates a kind of enmesh- ENFP – The Champion not just quantity that matters to ing web within which you are ENFJ – The Giver health, but variety. Just as you cosseted, and the eff ects have ENTP – The Debater need a mix of food groups on enormous consequences for ENTJ – The Commander your plate, so you need a mix of our health and wellbeing,” he One must keep in mind that no modes of communication and says. And he cites “a huge tor- personality is better than the other, types of relationship in your so- rent – a tsunami, really” of epi- there is no right or wrong, and it’s cial diet. demiological papers in the past just how one receives information In other words a healthy and 15 years, showing that “the best as well as gets one’s energy. It can varied social biome could fea- single predictor for your psy- provide a lot of insight into his/her ture deep and meaningful con- chological wellbeing and health, behaviour. For example, it will advise versations with your best friend, for your physical wellbeing and one for which career path is ideal, as pleasant small talk with a col- health – even for your risk of By Hala Bader al-Humaidhi well as point out the strengths and league in the lift, and swapping dying – is the number and qual- weaknesses. Once done that, a client memes in a WhatsApp group of ity of friendships that you have”. is recommended to seek out a life old school friends. And as with A healthy social biome, he sug- It all started in the summer of 2017, coach and work on the results. As your gut microbiome, Hall says, gests, is key to a healthy body while I was taking a training course life coaches, we try to eliminate the if you get the balance right, it can and mind. at Harvard Extension School at weaknesses as much as we can and United States of America. At the emphasise on the strengths. Also, we beginning of the course, an assess- underline the career that best works ment was given to each one of us, for the client and try to shift the path in which our personality type was if it’s not suitable. Wellness Meal Plan revealed. I found it a bit odd hon- Frankly, over the years, I’ve seen estly, what does a personality type tremendous progress in my clients’ assessment have to do with a Lead- lives, in where quarrels have been ership Communication course! solved, marriages have been fixed, That question never left my mind parenthood has become more enjoy- for a second during the eight-hour for me, in where I read about this discovery back with me. I started 16 personality types, which is listed able, and careers have succeeded. course. At the end of the day, while fascinating knowledge of the Myers- right away with giving one on one by its four-letter code: Finally, I do encourage everyone to everyone was packing to leave, I Briggs Type Indicator and how much consultation with my clients. After- ISTJ – The Inspector take a few minutes of their lives and rushed to the professor and queried insight these distinctions in person- wards, post the massive demand ISTP – The Crafter take the MBTI assessment, which I on the personality type test and alities can reveal. Not only knowing from people around me, I shifted into ISFJ – The Protector promise will tremendously change questioned on its relationship with your own personality type can help giving a one-day workshop in Kuwait ISFP – The Artist lives to the better! the course, he replied with a short you understand your own behav- and then expanded to the entire Gulf INFJ – The Advocate So, the question is now, are you sentence ‘If one does not know his iours and how you interact with Region. INFP – The Mediator ready to get a better understanding personality or the personalities others, it can also provide you with In a nutshell, here is how the Myers INTJ – The Architect of yourself? of others how will one know how a lot of insight into your professional Briggs Type Indicator works. Once INTP – The Thinker to deal with them?’. I thanked him life and how to find a career that best done with the assessment, which ESTP – The Persuader  The author is a consultant in Pub- and left the course heading to the aligns with your preferences. takes no more than 12 minutes, a ESTJ – The Director lic Relations and Personality Types. hotel that night, it was an all-nighter I decided to bring this enthralling person is identified as having one of ESFP – The Performer Instagram: @Tipsbyhalahill

Remember who you are and change the game

challenges you have faced. See how much improvement you’ve made. Acknowledge your wins and successes, sometimes that means congratulating yourself on getting through a tough day. Developing the relationship you By Turkan Alshaibi have with yourself is a great way to get to know who you are, identify your strengths, all the things you Strawberry beet smoothie bowl do well but more importantly being By Shefa Ali okay with your weaknesses and Ingredients: fine about what you aren’t so great 1 cup frozen Strawberries at. Maybe you have a big beautiful 1 small (50g) chopped frozen beetroot This week I decided to ask my Insta- kind heart that shares love with 2 tbsp Greek yogurt gram family if they have issues that everyone you meet. 2 tsp maqui powder they are struggling with that would Ultimately, the only way to be truly be useful to address in this column. confident is to simply become com- Method: I received a wide range of situations fortable with what you lack. It’s super simple. Transfer all of the ingredients into ninja blender or and challenges that people have If your self-confidence issues inter- any other high speed blender and blend all until smooth. Depending on in their lives and will address them fere with your work, social life, or the power of your blender you may need to stop the blender, mix the over the coming weeks. dent and sure of themselves, but emotional state and a mindset. judge yourself against so many oth- education, maybe you can consider ingredients & blend again. One member of my Insta fam told the reality of it is that many of them It’s the perception that you lack ers. Lack of confidence comes from seeking help from a mental health Once you have blended your smoothie pour it into the bowl. And now me that she is 38 years old and struggle just like you do. nothing. It’s an inner belief you are a gap in where you see yourself professional. If you are looking to the fun part begins. You can add pretty much anything you like for top- struggles with a lack of self-confi- Confidence is rooted in the percep- equipped, that you have everything and where you think you should be. develop your confidence through pings. Like fresh fruits, granola,seeds, nuts, cocoa nibs & nut butter. dence. I believe most of us struggle tion we have of ourselves, regard- you need right now and also for the Stop comparing yourself to others. coaching, don’t hesitate to get in with confidence, or lack of it at less of any tangible external reality, future. Just stop. touch with me. Enjoy the beauty of the colours in the bowl. some time in our lives or another. so improving the external, tangible Nothing will kill your confidence The only person you need to I know Instagram gives the illusion aspects of our lives won’t necessar- more than comparing yourself compare yourself to, is yourself.  The author is a consultant and  The author is a welness advocate and aims to promote nutritious that the whole world is living their ily build confidence. to others. Especially with social Measure how far you’ve come in coach. Instagram handle: @miss_ meals. Instagram: @the.tals best lives, they all seem so confi- Confidence is a feeling, it’s an media, which makes you constantly yourself. Remind yourself of all the shefa, Website: missshefa.com Gulf Times 8 Thursday, April 1, 2021 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Yemen receives fi rst coronavirus vaccines: UN

AFP Doctors Without Borders Aden (MSF) has also warned the number of critical Covid-19 patients was rising across the Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, in ar-torn Yemen re- country, urging assistance from Riyadh, yesterday. ceived the fi rst ship- donor countries and specialised Wment of Covid-19 groups. vaccines yesterday, the UN MSF was “seeing a dramatic children’s agency said, a week infl ux of critically ill Covid-19 after the country’s coronavirus patients requiring hospitalisa- committee warned of a public tion in Aden, Yemen, and many Five accords signed as health “emergency”. other parts of the country,” the The AstraZeneca doses ar- charity said. rived in the southern port city “We are urging all medical of Aden, Yemen’s de facto capi- humanitarian organisations tal, where the internationally already present in Yemen to Iraqi PM visits Riyadh recognised government is based rapidly scale up their Covid-19 after being routed from Sanaa emergency response,” said Rap- in the north by Houthi rebels in hael Veicht, MSF head of mis- Reuters fi nancial, commercial, econom- of others to expand their invest- 2014. sion in the country. Dubai ic, cultural and media fi elds, Al- ments there,” SPA said. “Yemen received 360,000 Yemen has offi cially recorded Arabiya TV said. Separately, the “The Saudi side is keen on Covid-19 vaccine doses shipped more than 4,000 virus cases Saudi state news agency (SPA) additional investments that are via the Covax facility,” Unicef among its 30mn people, includ- raq and Saudi Arabia signed said the kingdom’s investments expected to reach 10bn riyal in said in a statement, referring to ing 863 deaths – but experts say fi ve agreements yesterday in Iraq were expected to rise to various sectors.” the World Health Organisation- the real toll is likely higher. Iduring a visit by Iraqi Prime 10bn riyal ($2.67bn) from a little SPA added that Riyadh “con- backed global scheme to pro- “The arrival of the Covid-19 Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi over 2bn riyal ($533.29mn) now. siders positively” Iraqi calls for vide jabs to countries in need. Employees transport boxes containing vials of the AstraZeneca/ vaccine doses is a critical mo- to Riyadh, the Saudi-owned Al- “There are a number of Saudi an increase in Saudi investment, “This fi rst batch is part of Covidshield vaccine against the coronavirus, upon their arrival at ment for Yemen,” said Philippe Arabiya TV channel reported. companies investing in Iraq and especially in energy, water de- 1.9mn doses that Yemen will in- the airport of Yemen’s southern port city of Aden, yesterday. Duamelle, Unicef representa- The fi ve agreements covered there is a real desire for a number salination and food industries. itially receive throughout 2021,” tive to Yemen. it added. spread rapidly,” she said. government to declare a pub- “As Covid-19 continues to Ishraq al-Sibai, spokeswom- “The vaccines will be allocat- lic health “state of emergency” claim lives around the world, an for Yemen’s national emer- ed to medical staff , the elderly amid a surge in infections. Yemen now has the capacity to Gunmen kill 30 gency committee for Covid-19, and those with chronic condi- It called for the implementa- protect those most at risk, in- people aft er attack said the shipment came just in tions across provinces” under tion of a “partial curfew” and cluding health workers, so that Libya authorities free in western Ethiopia time. government control, she added. for the closure of wedding halls, they can safely continue to pro- “We are living at the peak Last week Yemen’s coro- shopping centres and mosques vide life-saving interventions Gunmen killed 30 civilians in of the second wave, which has navirus committee urged the outside of prayer times. for children and families.” 120 captured fi ghters an attack on a village in the west of the Ethiopian region of Oromiya, witnesses said HEALTH AFP country’s new presidential yesterday, the latest outbreak Gaza sees spike in Zawiyah council, welcomed the move of ethnic violence to challenge Palestinians protest against settlers and called for further recon- the federal government in Covid-19 cases ciliation and rebuilding. the fractious nation. Ethiopia, uthorities in west- “We must not pass on hatred Africa’s second most populous Gaza’s health ministry said yester- ern Libya released 120 and bitterness to our children,” country, is struggling to control day that more than a thousand Afi ghters from a rival he said. After a recitation from several flashpoints where ethnic cases of coronavirus were record- eastern force yesterday, the the Holy Qur’an and the sing- rivalries over land, power and ed over the previous day, the high- latest move towards recon- ing of the national anthem, the resources have ignited ahead est daily infection toll in several ciliation in a UN-backed peace prisoners were released and of national elections scheduled months. The spike in the coastal process aimed at ending years reunited with their families for June. Prime Minister Abiy Palestinian enclave, controlled by of violence. amid loud ululations. Ahmed has promised to hold Hamas since 2007, stands in con- The men were fi ghting for Libya has been ravaged by the first free and fair polls, but trast to the slowdown in infections the 107th Brigade under the bloodshed since the fall and some of his reforms have also in Israel, which maintains a tight command of eastern military killing of dictator Muam- emboldened regional strong- blockade on Gaza. “The epidemio- strongman Khalifa Haftar, who mar Gaddafi in a Nato-backed men and groups angered by logical situation in the Gaza Strip in April 2019 launched an of- 2011 revolt. An array of armed what they describe as decades is dangerous,” said Magdy Dahir, fensive to seize Tripoli from a groups arose to fi ll the vacuum, of government repression. deputy director of primary care at unity government. and many coalesced around Farmer Wossen Andaege, 50, the Gaza health ministry. “There The fi ghters had been cap- the Tripoli-based Government said his neighbours were killed is a clear increase in hospitalisa- tured near the western city of of National Accord (GNA) or during the Tuesday night at- tions.” In Gaza, 65,500 people Zawiya that same month. around Haftar, who backed an tack in the West Wollega Zone have been infected with Covid-19 Yesterday, dressed in loose eastern administration. of Oromiya. He identified the and 610 deaths recorded since white outfi ts and matching The two camps, each sup- victims as ethnic Amharas. “We the start of the pandemic. skullcaps, they were released ported by foreign powers, took the bodies using a car and The Hamas-run government, following a ceremony in Zawi- fought for more than a year we buried 30 people,” said Wos- which imposed a 9:00 pm (1800 ya, 45 kilometres east of Tripo- before Haftar was forced to re- sen by phone. He said he and GMT) curfew on Saturday to curb li. The ceremony took place at treat. In October they signed his family had heard gunshots transmission, has ordered new re- a sports ground in Zawiya un- a truce, setting in motion a and fled to a nearby govern- strictions on gatherings beginning A Palestinian demonstrator is pushed by a policeman during a protest against visits by der heavy security. UN-led process that saw a new ment office to wait for protec- yesterday, the Gaza Hotels and Israeli settlers, in Hebron in the occupied West Bank, yesterday. In a speech, Abdallah al- transitional government in- tion from federal troops. Restaurants Association said. Lafi , vice-president of the stalled in February. UN experts alarmed by Investigator boards ship at start Russian contractors’ ‘abuses’ in Central Africa of probe into Suez Canal blockage

Reuters detentions and torture during Reuters Geneva interrogations. Ismailia “Unacceptably, there seem to be no investigations and no ac- N experts expressed countability for these abuses,” ivers inspected the hull alarm yesterday over re- the experts said. of the Ever Given yes- Uports of executions and The Russian military, which Dterday as the man tasked other abuses by Russian security supervises the presence of the with investigating how the gi- contractors in Central African contractors in CAR, and CAR’s ant container ship ran aground, Republic and over their close government spokesman did not choking off international trade contacts with UN peacekeepers. immediately respond to requests through the Suez Canal for al- Russia fi rst sent security con- for comment. most a week, boarded the ves- tractors to CAR in 2018. The experts also said they sel. It stepped up its support late were disturbed to learn of the Lead investigator Captain last year to help the govern- “proximity and interoperabil- Sayed Sheasha, who boarded ment fend off a rebel advance ity” between the contractors and the Ever Given yesterday af- launched before the Dec 27 pres- the UN’s Minusca peacekeeping ternoon, told Reuters that the idential election. mission, which has more than investigation would include Since then, the contractors 13,000 uniformed personnel. examining the seaworthiness have accompanied national They cited co-ordinated of the ship and its captain’s forces as they retake towns from meetings that mission mem- actions to help determine the the rebels, CAR’s government bers held with Russian contrac- causes. has said. tors and medical evacuations of Divers had gone to check the The contractors include wounded contractors to Minus- hull of the ship while it’s an- members of Russia’s Wagner ca bases. chored in the Bitter Lakes area, Group, the UN experts said in a “Greater clarity on the roles of a canal source said. statement. ‘international partners’ and ac- The Ever Given’s captain was A container ship sails at the Suez Canal, in Ismailia, Egypt yesterday. Wagner Group members have countability is urgently needed,” committed to fully complying fought clandestinely in support they said. with the probe, Sheasha said. The Suez Canal Authority Canal since its reopening and ing off ”. The SCA has scheduled of London expecting a “large of Russian forces in Syria and A Minusca spokesman de- The six-day blockage threw (SCA) said yesterday that ship- that 292 ships were currently accelerated shipping convoys loss”, possibly amounting to Ukraine, Reuters has reported. clined to comment. global supply chains into disar- ping had returned to normal waiting. and has said it hopes the back- $100mn or more, according to The experts said that they The mission has previous- ray after the 400-metre-long levels, with a total of 81 ships Five LNG vessels transited on log of ships can be cleared by its chairman. were concerned by reports of ly defended its participation ship became jammed diagonally transiting the canal. Tuesday, commodities analysts the end of the week. The Japanese owner of the human rights abuses by the alongside the contractors in a across a southern section of the Egypt’s Leth Agencies said Kpler said in a note, adding that The blocking of the canal is Ever Given said it had not re- contractors, including mass co-ordination mechanism led canal, the shortest shipping yesterday that a total of 163 it appeared congestion at the expected to give rise to fl urry of ceived any claims or lawsuits summary executions, arbitrary by the CAR government. route between Europe and Asia. ships had transited the Suez canal was “now quickly taper- insurance claims, with Lloyd’s over the blockage. Gulf Times Thursday, April 1, 2021 9 WORLD

India’s daily coronavirus ‘Battle royale’ in India’s West Bengal amid crucial state poll cases rise at slower pace India reported 53,480 new cases of the coronavirus, health ministry data showed yesterday, the second AFP to 90mn people, is central to a dante who defected to Modi’s were deployed to the town, an around the former bowler after across several fi ercely contest- day that cases have risen less than the day before. Kolkata massive push by Prime Min- Bharatiya Janata Party last Election Commission observer the incident. Polls are being ed states. The social media gi- Deaths were at their highest since mid-December, ister Narendra Modi’s party year. The high-stakes show- added. Dozens of people have held in West Bengal over eight ant said that it was working to according to a Reuters tally, with 354 people dying to oust state leader Mamata down in a state notorious for died in political violence in re- phases amid tight security and reduce the risk of “problemat- of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the ministry ndian authorities yesterday Banerjee, a fi erce critic of the political violence saw the cent months. On Tuesday, In- conclude on April 29. Results ic content going viral in these said, taking total mortalities to 162,468. banned large gatherings in government. Election Commission ban dian cricketer turned BJP can- will be announced on May 2, states and potentially incit- India has been reporting a spike in cases this Ia violence-hit town amid Banerjee, a 66-year-old gatherings of more than four didate Ashok Dinda blamed alongside several other state ing violence” in the elections. month, with its richest state of Maharashtra, home crucial regional polls that have fi rebrand whose Trinamool people in a bid to ensure safety political opponents for a brick and territory elections in As- “We recognise that there are to the financial capital of Mumbai, accounting seen supporters of rival par- Congress party ended three for voting, offi cials said. thrown at his car. sam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and certain types of content, such for a majority of its case load. With more than ties clash in the streets and left decades of communist rule in “It’s battle royale in Nandi- Dinda said he had to fl ee Puducherry. as hate speech, that could lead 12mn cases of the coronavirus reported since the dozens dead in recent months. the state in 2011, is contest- gram,” an election offi cial from dozens of opponents Facebook has meanwhile to imminent, offl ine harm,” the beginning of the outbreak last year, India is the Today’s second day of poll- ing the election in Nandi- in Kolkata told AFP. Several and suff ered injuries, with au- promised to combat hate company said in a statement third worst aff ected country in the world, after the ing in West Bengal state, home gram against a former confi - thousand paramilitary troops thorities tightening security speech and misinformation on its website. United States and Brazil. Myanmar protesters hold vigils

Reuters  At least 521 civilians killed since coup – activist group were being forced to return but Bangkok a Thai offi cial on the border said Karen rebel group says it faces govt off ensive the army was sending most peo- Thailand denies pushing refugees back ple back because it was deemed yanmar activists held safe on the Myanmar side. candle-lit vigils over- US urges rethink on investments backing Myanmar military A spokesman for the UN refu- Mnight after scores of gee agency said it was concerned deaths in recent days from a about reports people were be- military crackdown on anti-coup ing sent back and it was seeking protesters and clashes in ethnic information from Thailand. A border areas, as the United States border state in India withdrew ordered non-essential embassy an order to refuse refugees food staff to leave. At least 521 civilians and shelter after the measure have been killed in two months drew fi erce public criticism. The of protests against the Feb 1 military seized power saying that coup, 141 of them on Saturday, November elections won by Suu the bloodiest day of the unrest, Kyi’s party were fraudulent, an according to the Assistance As- assertion dismissed by the elec- sociation for Political Prisoners tion commission. (AAPP). A civil disobedience cam- The advocacy group said a fur- paign of strikes has paralysed ther eight people died on Tues- parts of the economy and pro- day, when thousands came out to testers stepped it up by asking march in several towns, accord- residents on Tuesday to leave ing to media and photos on social rubbish at city intersections. media. Western countries have con- There were also new candle- demned the coup and the vio- lit protests overnight in towns lence and called for Suu Kyi’s across Myanmar in defi ance of release, and some have imposed a curfew and at least one dawn limited sanctions. march on Wednesday by dem- Ethnic Karen people taking part in an anti-military coup demonstration in Hlaingbwe township, in eastern In Washington, US Secretary onstrators, media reports said. Myanmar’s Karen state. of State Antony Blinken said Myanmar has been in turmoil some foreign countries and com- since the army ousted an elected bracing for a major government News Group said. A march by called for a united front with in- panies with signifi cant invest- government led by Nobel laure- off ensive. The group urged the civilian protesters also took surgent groups. Rebels have bat- ments in enterprises that sup- ate Aung San Suu Kyi, detaining international community, neigh- place at dawn on Wednesday in tled the government for decades port Myanmar’s military should her and reimposing military rule bouring Thailand in particular, Moegaung in Kachin, the news for greater autonomy in remote reconsider those stakes. He said after a decade of tentative steps to help Karen people fl eeing the service reported. Police and a border regions. the recent violence was “repre- towards democracy. “onslaught” and called for coun- spokesman for the Myanmar The military has justifi ed its hensible” and followed a pattern Fighting has also fl ared be- tries to cut ties with the junta to junta did not answer calls seeking long grip on power by saying it of “increasingly disturbing and tween the army and insurgents in stop the violence against civil- comment. The United States on is the only institution capable of even horrifying violence” against Protesters carrying sand bags to build road barricades during a dem- frontier regions, and refugees are ians. Tuesday ordered the departure ensuring national unity. Military demonstrators opposing military onstration against the military coup in Insein township in Yangon. spilling over borders. Meanwhile, the Kachin Inde- of non-emergency US govern- aircraft bombed KNU fi ghters rule. The Karen National Union pendence Army (KIA), a rebel ment employees and their family on the weekend, sending about Indonesia has led eff orts by is a member, to encourage a ne- criticism and Western sanctions rebel group, which operates group in the north, attacked a members from Myanmar due to 3,000 villagers fl eeing to Thai- members of the 10-country As- gotiated solution, despite an old against previous Myanmar juntas along the eastern border with police station in Kachin state at concerns over civil unrest. land. Thailand denied accusa- sociation of Southeast Asian Na- agreement not to comment on have had little short-term im- Thailand, said on Tuesday it was 3am on Wednesday, the Kachin Opponents of the coup have tions from activists that refugees tions (Asean), of which Myanmar each other’s problems. Foreign pact. Cyclone season Australia Covid awaits thousands vaccine roll-out of Rohingya on misses targets

Reuters The slow roll- refugee island Canberra out, which puts Australia AFP the delivery of relief, medicines ustralia has fallen far behind many Dhaka and other vital supplies.” behind its target for The IFRC said its mission found ACovid-19 vaccina- other developed improved infrastructure on the tions, figures showed yester- he Bangladesh government windswept island but called for day, with only about 670,000 countries, has wants to send thousands “urgent investment” to bolster people inoculated against an been blamed by Tmore Myanmar Rohingya protection for women and children initial target of 4 million by refugees to an isolated island in the as well as food supplies, healthcare end-March. the government Bay of Bengal before the cyclone and schooling. In the past year, The slow roll-out, which on supply issues season starts despite safety con- 14,000 Rohingya moved there and puts Australia behind many cerns raised by the international residential buildings, cyclone shel- Boys play next to a blooming cherry tree at a park in Tokyo, Japan. other developed countries, has from Europe Red Cross. ters, food silos, medical facilities been blamed by the govern- With the Bangladesh navy and jetties have been built. ment on supply issues from Eu- pace means the risk of another putting the fi nishing touches to a About 4,200 are being trans- rope, while recent floods across wave of cases has not dimin- 19ft (5.75m) high storm wall around ferred from the border camps to the east coast have slowed the ished. Bhashan Char, authorities have Chittagong port this week to be delivery of vaccines. “We are in a situation where delayed the departure of 4,200 of sent to Bhashan Char. Heavy seas Japan sees earliest cherry State governments have also we are at as high a risk as we the Muslim minority to the island have delayed their trip to the island complained about slower- have been since the beginning this week because of bad weather. however. Offi cials insist Bhashan than-expected distribution of the pandemic,” Australia’s Bangladesh has been praised Char can resist any battering from and a lack of certainty on sup- Chief Medical Officer Paul Kel- for the way it has welcomed 1mn winds and sea. Navy engineers are blossoms as it gets warmer plies, while local media have ly said on Tuesday. Rohingya who have fl ed military increasing an existing 9-ft (3m) reported errors by private con- The missed target comes as crackdowns in Myanmar into high storm wall to 19ft. “We have tractors hired to assist with the an outbreak of Covid-19 cases camps along the border in recent fi nished 43% of the reinforced AFP On average, Tokyo’s cherry trees reach full bloom on April roll-out. in Queensland state has led to years. But the government has dam,” project director Commodore Tokyo 2. This year the capital’s cherry blossom peaked on March Federal Health Minister a snap three-day lockdown of faced doubts about its plan to send Rashed Sattar told AFP. 22, a day slower than the earliest logged in 2002 Greg Hunt yesterday, however, its capital Brisbane, throwing 100,000 Rohingya to the 53-sq- Sattar said there are three pointed to a record 72,826 vac- Easter holiday plans for thou- km silt island that did not exist two months’ supplies of food and apan’s cherry trees are reach- soms) tend to take place earlier, for its white-pink fl owers that cinations on Tuesday, which sands in disarray. decades ago. other necessities. “We are com- ing full bloom in record time while autumn phenomena are bloom for about two weeks then he said showed the inoculation Queensland said it had de- The Bay of Bengal cyclone sea- pletely prepared to face any unto- Jthis year, the national weath- delayed,” he said in an e-mail fall in showers of small confetti- programme was accelerating tected only two new local cas- son starts in days and the Inter- ward event. We also have helipads, er agency has said, linking the yesterday. “It is our belief that like petals. Scholars who have following the start of domestic es of Covid-19 in the past 24 national Federation of Red Cross therefore air cargo is possible if early sakura season to the world’s these phenomena refl ect a rising studied ancient Japanese poems production of the AstraZeneca hours, fuelling some optimism and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) needed,” he said. Many refugees on warming climate. temperature trend.” and historic records say cherry vaccine by Australian biotech that a three-day snap lock- expressed concerns after a team Bhashan Char are worried about In the ancient capital of Kyoto, On average, Tokyo’s cherry blossoms of other wild varieties company CSL Ltd. down in state capital Brisbane of experts went to the island. Up facing their fi rst cyclone. “We cherry blossoms hit their peak on trees reach full bloom on April have also appeared earlier over “We remain on track to com- will be lifted today. to 20 major storms hit the region thank the Bangladesh authori- March 26 – 10 days sooner than 2. This year the capital’s cherry centuries. Japan’s sakura or cher- plete first doses for all Austral- More than 2mn residents of each year and 700,000 people have ties for everything but nobody can average and the earliest since blossom peaked on March 22, ry blossom season is feverishly ians who seek it by the end of Australia’s third-largest city been killed in cyclones in Bangla- control nature. If something goes the government started tak- a day slower than the earliest anticipated by locals and visitors October,” he told a media con- have been asked to stay home desh in the past fi ve decades. wrong, we will be in deep trouble,” ing records in 1953. “Our stud- logged in 2002. Of the 58 offi - alike, although this year foreign ference. as authorities try to contain “With the cyclone season fast said Iqbal, a refugee who only gave ies have shown that the start of cially designated “observation tourists have been kept away by Australia has largely cur- two distinct virus clusters, now approaching, people on Bhashan one name. cherry blossom season is closely cherry trees” across Japan, 24 virus border restrictions. tailed the spread of the coro- comprising 17 cases. Char could become stranded with Serazul Islam, another island linked with the average tem- began to fl ower at the earliest It is traditionally celebrated navirus, with snap lockdowns, New South Wales state re- a shortage of food when major resident, was unconcerned how- perature in February and March,” date on record, the agency said. with hanami, or viewing parties, border closures and speedy ported one new local case storms strike,” said Sanjeev Kaf- ever. “Over 15,000 construction Shunji Ambe, a Japan Meteoro- 14 also reached full bloom in with picnics – and sometimes tracking systems, reporting linked to the Queensland out- ley, head of the IFRC delegation workers have been living here for logical Agency offi cial, told AFP. record time. festivities – organised beneath just under 29,300 Covid-19 break on Wednesday, prompt- in Bangladesh. Kafl ey said any the past four years. If they are un- “Our observations of plant life Most of these designated trees the trees. But this year gatherings cases and 909 deaths. ing new restrictions and the storm could cut the sea passage to harmed, I don’t see why we should show that spring phenomena are of the best-known and be- have been discouraged to reduce However, health officials cancellation of a major blues Bhashan Char, “in turn denying worry.” (such as cherry and plum blos- loved yoshino variety – known the spread of coronavirus cases. conceded the slow vaccination music festival over Easter. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, April 1, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES In mutant variants, has Covid shown its best tricks?

The rapid rise in diff erent parts of the world of deadly, more infectious coronavirus variants that share new mutations is leading scientists to ask a critical question – has the Sars-CoV-2 virus shown its best cards? New variants fi rst detected in such far-fl ung countries as Brazil, South Africa and Britain cropped up spontaneously within a few months late last year. All three share some of the same mutations in the important spike region of the virus used to enter and infect cells. These include the E484k mutation, nicknamed “Eek” by some scientists for its apparent ability to evade natural immunity from previous Covid-19 infection and to reduce protection offered by World in the shadows of current vaccines – all of which target the spike protein. The appearance of similar mutations, independent of one another, springing up in diff erent parts of the globe shows the coronavirus is undergoing “convergent evolution,” according to a dozen scientists interviewed by Reuters. post-pandemic instability Although it will continue to mutate, immunologists and virologists said they suspect this coronavirus has a fi xed number of moves in its arsenal. the likelihood of growing protests Africa, home to the world’s ten the authors justifi ed their eff orts on the The long-term impact for the virus’ survival, and whether a limit By Kent Harrington Atlanta in 75 countries – including the US – youngest countries (by median grounds that “US policymakers need on the number of mutations makes it less dangerous, remains to be through 2022. age), where youth unemployment to know which countries are ripe for seen. Like the IMF economists, Verisk ranges from 9% in the Sub-Saharan revolution and insurgency.” “It is plausible that this virus has a relatively limited number of ith vaccinations raising Maplecroft doesn’t argue that the region to nearly 30% in the north. Reflecting on the effort five years antibody escape mutations it can make before it has played all of hopes for an end to the pandemic is the direct cause of the With Africa beginning its first later, a senior intelligence analyst its cards, so to speak,” said Shane Crotty, a virologist at the La Jolla Wpandemic, predictions about growing risk of instability. Rather, it Covid-19 vaccinations this month, cautioned that when it comes to Institute for Immunology in San Diego. the post-Covid world are multiplying has exacerbated pre-existing social the continent is lagging far behind forecasting the risk of instability, That could enable fast. From envisioning a reordered and political tensions. A surge in in protecting its population. And such analysis “will remain an art, If there are limits drugmakers to stay on economy to forecasting how people instability, its analysts write, will yet, without vaccinations, Covid-19 not a science.” The best artists, he top of the virus as they will live, work, and play, experts are “take place against a backdrop of a will continue to constrain Africa’s explained, combine “deep country- develop booster vaccines doing their best to extrapolate from painful post-pandemic economic economies, and its jobless young specific knowledge with a profound on how the people will become a source of understanding of instability directly targeting developments that the virus has put recovery that will likely inflame into motion. existing public dissatisfaction with political instability – as is true in patterns through history and across coronavirus can current variants, while In the United States, most governments.” In other words, Latin America and much of Asia. cultures.” Devising indicators governments struggle forecasters, whether on Wall Street simmering sources of protest – such There are also broader challenges to can help anticipate destabilising evolve, that would to tame a pandemic that or in Washington, are fixated on the as rising living costs and deepening monitor. Last October, the World Bank developments, but “no computer has killed nearly 3 million short term: namely, the likelihood of inequalities – are more likely to boil projected that the pandemic would program will do our job for us,” he simplify things for people. higher US economic growth following over once the economic reopening push as many as 115 million people concluded. The idea that the virus mass vaccination (which will liberate gets into full swing. into extreme poverty in 2020. And Like Barrett and Chen, CIA analysts vaccine developerscould have a limited consumer spending) and a new $1.9 Historical parallels aren’t the only recent forecasts indicate that some today would doubtless agree that number of mutations has trillion recovery package. Fortunately, reason to worry about the pandemic’s 85 developing countries might not forecasts are one thing, and warnings been circulating among experts since early February, and gathered two economists at the International implications for social and political have enough vaccines to protect their another. By acknowledging the risk momentum with the posting of a paper showing the spontaneous Monetary Fund have lent some stability. The fallout from recent policy populations for another two or three of a problem, we can take steps to appearance of seven variants in the United States, all in the same balance to the prevailing bullishness. and governance failures also warrants a years. The Bank thus warns of a global avert it. As the IMF duo explain, Offering a longer-term perspective, closer look. The vaccination eff ort is a decline in “shared prosperity.” Put “understanding the implications region of the spike protein. Philip Barrett and Sophia Chen point case in point. Despite notable progress more bluntly, the pandemic has ripped of epidemics on social unrest is The process of diff erent species independently evolving the same out that the pandemic’s political in North America and countries like open economic divides that will crucial for preparing for potential traits that improve survival odds is central to evolutionary biology. impact has yet to materialise. As they Israel and the United Kingdom, the disproportionately affect countries social repercussions caused by the The vast scope of the coronavirus pandemic – with 127.3 million and Nan Li noted in a blog post in World Health Organisation reports where ethnic, class, and caste tensions Covid-19 pandemic.” Wherever their infections globally – allows scientists to observe it in real time. early February, “history is replete with that almost 130 countries had yet to were already high. future research takes them, they have “If you wanted to sort of write a little textbook about viral evolution, examples of disease outbreaks casting administer a single dose as of mid- Attempts to predict political delivered an exceptionally valuable it’s happening right now,” Dr Francis Collins, a geneticist and director long shadows of social repercussions.” February. Even in India, a leader among instability can go too far, of course. warning. – Project Syndicate of the US National Institutes of Health, said in an interview. Generally, the social scarring from developing countries and the world’s In 1983, then-CIA Director William J Scientists saw the process on a smaller scale in 2018 as a such mass tragedies doesn’t show up largest vaccine producer, only 2.2% of Casey transmitted the fi rst edition of Kent Harrington, a former senior dangerous H7N9 bird fl u virus in China appeared to begin adapting for years, and there is no reason to the population had received shots as of the Agency’s “Indications of Political CIA analyst, served as national to human hosts. But no pathogen has evolved under such global think that the coronavirus pandemic March 17, compared to 32.3% in the US. Instability in Key Countries” to intelligence officer for East Asia, President Ronald Reagan’s cabinet. chief of station in Asia, and the CIA’s scrutiny as Sars-CoV-2. will be an exception. Following the The implications of these trends historical pattern, today’s lockdowns, aren’t hard to discern. Consider Previewing the new classifi ed quarterly, director of public affairs. Wendy Barclay, a virologist and professor at Imperial College limited mobility, and crisis-induced London and a member of a scientifi c advisory panel to the UK displays of national unity have merely government, said she is struck by the “amazing amount of masked the pandemic’s full effects. convergent evolution we’re seeing” with Sars-CoV-2. Although the IMF economists’ “There are these infamous mutations – E484K, N501Y and research is a work in progress, any K417N – which all three variants of concern are accumulating. intelligence analyst who has struggled That, added together, is very strong biology that this is the best with forecasting political events version of this virus in the given moment,” Barclay said. would advise you to follow it. Their It’s not that this coronavirus is especially clever, scientists said. findings reflect data collected on 569 Each time it infects people it makes copies of itself, and with each episodes of social unrest across 130 copy it can make mistakes. While some mistakes are insignifi cant countries from the 1980s to 2020, as well as around 11,000 international one-off s, the ones that give the coronavirus a survival advantage epidemics and natural disasters since tend to persist. 1990. “If it keeps happening over and over again, it must be providing some real growth advantage to this virus,” Collins said. What can the past 30-40 years Some specialists believe the virus may have a limited number tell us about potential threats to of mutations it can sustain before compromising its fi tness – or stability in the future? changing so much it is no longer the same virus. Contagions aren’t conducive Scientists remain cautious, however, and say predicting how to organising protests, nor are a virus will mutate is challenging. If there are limits on how the authoritarian regimes reluctant to use coronavirus can evolve, that would simplify things for vaccine them to tighten the political screws. developers. – Reuters Nevertheless, Barrett, Chen, and Li show that whatever dampening effects a disease outbreak may have at first, it brings a “heightened risk To Advertise of a major government crisis – an event that threatens to bring down the [email protected] government and that typically occurs in the two years following a severe Display epidemic.” 44466621 44418811 Another analysis warning of political and social instability ahead Classified comes from the global consulting 44466609 44418811 group Verisk Maplecroft, which uses similar metrics to gauge the likelihood Subscription of protests arising around the world. The firm’s “Civil Unrest Index” tracks [email protected] the causes and outcomes of unrest in 198 countries, rating the risks to businesses at the state and provincial © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved level. In December, the index signalled Gulf Times Thursday, April 1, 2021 11 WORLD Russia registers ‘world’s fi rst’ Covid vaccine for animals Russia announced yesterday it had “The use of the vaccine, according to animals and are not planning to vaccinate registered what it said was the world’s first Russian scientists, can prevent the them, said the head of the National coronavirus vaccine for animals, describing development of virus mutations,” the Association of Fur Breeders, Nadezhda the step as important for disrupting virus statement said. Zubkova. mutations. The agency added that animal-breeding But some of the animals have been It said mass production of the vaccine facilities and private companies from vaccinated during trials and “are feeling could begin in April. countries including Greece, Poland, Austria, fine”, Zubkova told AFP. The agriculture oversight agency the United States, Canada and Singapore “It is a decent vaccine,” said Zubkova whose Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement that had expressed interest in Carnivak-Cov. association comprises farms with around 2 the vaccine called Carnivak-Cov had been Military officials in Russia’s second city million animals including minks and foxes. tested since October on dogs, cats, mink, Saint Petersburg announced this week Russia has heavily promoted its state- foxes and other animals and was proven to that army dogs would undergo mandatory sponsored coronavirus vaccine abroad but be effective. vaccination before being deployed at it has been met with scepticism in the West “All test animals that were vaccinated airports and participating in nationwide and even by many in Russia. developed antibodies to coronavirus World War II commemorations in May. Officials registered the Sputnik V vaccine in 100 percent of cases,” said Veterinarians and fur breeders said last August, ahead of large-scale clinical Konstantin Savenkov, deputy head of yesterday they saw no immediate need to trials, sparking concern among many Rosselkhoznadzor. vaccinate animals. experts over the fast-track process. It has “It is the world’s first and only product for A veterinary clinic in Moscow said it was since registered two more vaccines. preventing Covid-19 in animals.” looking into the information but currently it Leading medical journal The Lancet in Rosselkhoznadzor said the development saw no reason to vaccinate cats and dogs. February confirmed Sputnik V to be safe of its shot would help prevent mutations “It has not been proven that they are and over 90 percent effective. in animals and cited Denmark’s decision Covid-19 carriers,” the clinic said in a Moscow has applied to Europe’s medicines to cull 15 million mink last year after some statement to AFP. regulator to gain approval for the use of were found to be carrying a mutated virus Specialists working on the development of a coronavirus vaccine for animals at a laboratory of Russian fur breeders have so far not Sputnik V in the 27-nation bloc, but is still variant. the Federal centre for animal health. encountered any cases of coronavirus in waiting for an answer.

Vaccine safe, Khan rules eff ective for Pakistan lifts ban on cotton, out general adolescents sugar imports from India lockdown in trial: Pfi zer for balance Reuters India is quite a bit lower than Pakistan.” ing in ties between the two neighbours, lows imports from India, they will un- Reuters Islamabad/Mumbai The trade is open until June 30 for lo- which have fought three wars since load shipments in Pakistan,” the dealer Chicago cal private sector to import the sugar gaining independence in 1947. The mili- said. Reuters while cotton and cotton yarns could be taries of both countries released a rare Traders say they have been off er- Islamabad/Karachi akistan lifted a nearly two-year brought in by both the private compa- joint statement last month, announc- ing Indian white sugar at $410 to $420 fi zer and BioNTech’s ban on sugar and cotton imports nies and Pakistan’s government bodies. ing a ceasefi re along a disputed border in a tonne on a free-on-board (FOB) ba- Covid-19 vaccine is safe, Pfrom arch-rival India yesterday, New Delhi is yet to make any com- Kashmir. sis, far lower than the domestic price of akistani Prime Minister Peff ective and produces ro- the fi nance minister said, a step towards ment on the decision. “Inquiries for sugar and cotton are $694 quoted in Pakistan. Imran Khan yesterday bust antibody responses in 12- to reviving suspended trade between the Pakistan was one of the leading buy- going on for price checking,” said the Indian exporters could also ship via Pruled out a general lock- 15-year olds, the companies said two nuclear-armed neighbours. ers of Indian cotton until 2019, when Is- India head of a global trading fi rm, who sea or land, the dealer said, noting this down while acknowledging the yesterday, paving the way for Pakistan’s Economic Co-ordination lamabad banned imports of goods from declined to be identifi ed due to company gives them a big edge given tight global country was going through a them to seek US and European Council (ECC), a top decision-making India after New Delhi revoked the spe- policy. container shipping markets. third wave of the pandemic. approval to use the shot in this body, allowed the private sector to im- cial status of its portion of the Kashmir Pakistan has been looking to tap the “Indian cotton would be at least 4 to Pakistan reported 4,757 new age group within weeks. port 0.5 million tonnes of white sugar as region that both countries claim. international market for sugar, fl oating 5 cent per pound cheaper for Pakistan infections and 78 deaths on The data from a clinical trial, Islamabad tries to keep soaring domes- Pakistani buyers have already started two tenders for 50,000 tonnes in the last than supplies from other countries,” March 30, with two thirds of which puts the shot ahead of oth- tic prices in check. making inquiries about buying Indian month. It rejected bids on both tenders said Arun Sekhsaria, managing director ventilators and around 80% of er Western vaccine developers in Pakistan Finance Minister Hammad sugar and cotton, which is being off ered in March. of exporter D.D. Cotton. beds with oxygen facilities in the quest to protect children, Azhar announced the decision after the at lower prices than supplies from other The fi rst tender off er was priced at Not everyone welcomed the move. major cities occupied. will likely allow for its use in that ECC concluded, confi rming what sourc- countries, fi ve dealers said. $540.10 per tonne on a cost and freight The chairman of the Cotton Ginners Fo- “We have to adopt a bal- group before the next school year, es had said earlier, adding it will also im- India is the world’s biggest producer basis (C&F) and the second at $544.10 rum in Pakistan, Ishan-ul-Haque, said anced policy where the spread Pfi zer Chief Executive Albert port cotton and cotton yarns from India. of cotton and the second biggest sugar tonne, European traders said. an unlimited import of cotton and yarn of the virus can be prevented Bourla said in a statement. “If opening trade with some country producer. Exports to its neighbour will India is off ering sugar at a discount from India would aff ect the country’s and where the poor man and the Whether Covid-19 vaccines lessens burden on the pocket of an or- reduce surpluses that are weighing on its compared to supplies from Thailand, a agriculture and cotton industry. country’s economy are least af- work and are safe to use on chil- dinary person, there is no harm in it,” local markets, while helping Pakistan to dealer with global trading fi rm said. Given the expected arrival of the new fected,” Khan told a national co- dren is one of the big questions Azhar told a news conference in Islama- lower soaring sugar prices ahead of Ra- “Pakistani traders have been buying cotton crop in June, he said there should ordinating committee meeting. drugmakers are trying to answer. bad. madan. Indian sugar through their offi ces in be a limit on imports so price stability Pakistan has opted for what Inoculating children and young “The price of sugar in our neighbour The push comes amid a gradual thaw- Dubai for Afghanistan. If Pakistan al- could be ensured. offi cials call “smart lockdowns” people is considered a critical — short-term restrictions im- step toward reaching “herd im- posed often at neighbourhood munity” and taming the pan- Navalny in hunger Italy arrests navy captain level — to try to tame the dis- demic, which has killed more ease while keeping the economy than 2.9 million and infected strike in bid for Queen makes Russia quip for spying, expels afl oat. 128.3 million. medical care While federal and provincial “I think if we want to get over in fi rst outing in 5 months Russian diplomats governments have announced the pandemic... we really, really Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei restrictions on gatherings, pub- need to vaccinate children,” said Navalny went on hunger strike Queen Elizabeth II made Italy expelled two Russian diplomats yesterday after lic transportation, and mask Dr Asuncion Mejias, a paediatric yesterday in an attempt to force her first public appearance police said they had caught an Italian navy captain mandates, the measures have physician at Nationwide Chil- the prison holding him outside outside the walls of Windsor passing secret documents to a Russian military off icial largely not been enforced. dren’s Hospital in Columbus, Moscow to provide him with Castle in nearly five months in return for money. Khan said he would direct Ohio. proper medical care for what he yesterday, making a quip The Italian captain and the Russian embassy staff the government to reinforce the Young people have been less said was acute pain in his back about the country’s frosty member were arrested in a car park in Rome and mask mandates. likely to suff er severe disease and and legs. relationship with Russia. accused of “serious crimes tied to spying and state Some 800,000 doses of vac- more likely to have asymptomatic The fate of Navalny, one of The 94-year-old monarch security” after their meeting on Tuesday night, Italian cine have been administered in infection, allowing them to un- President Vladimir Putin’s most has been shielding due to Carabinieri police said. Pakistan so far, all of them Si- wittingly transmit Covid-19 to prominent critics, is in focus after the coronavirus pandemic, The suspects were not off icially identified. A police nopharm donated by Beijing, others. he said last week that being woken but ventured out to attend a source said the captain was called Walter Biot and Health Minister Faisal Sultan “Asymptomatic spread is up by a guard every hour during military service in southeast had accepted 5,000 euros ($5,900) in return for the said. what you are most concerned the night amounted to torture England. information. It was not immediately possible to contact Sultan said half of another about,” said Onisis Stefas, chief and that his appeals for medical The maskless monarch said Biot, who was in custody, and the name of his lawyer million doses bought from Si- pharmacy offi cer at New York- treatment had been ignored. she was “delighted” to be out was not disclosed. nopharm had arrived yesterday based hospital system Northwell In a handwritten letter addressed on engagements again, and Ansa news agency said Nato documents were among and the other half would arrive Health. “Those are the people to the governor of his prison shared a joke with an off icer the files that the Italian had handed over, raising today. who are most apt to spread.” which was posted to social media from the Royal Australian Air potential security worries for other members of the Pakistan is scrambling to get The Pfi zer/BioNTech two- by his team yesterday, Navalny Force. Western military alliance. more vaccine as it awaits WHO/ shot vaccine is already author- said daily requests for a doctor She asked him if the jets Queen Elizabeth II at a service to mark the Italy immediately summoned the Russian ambassador COVAX/GAVI allocations of As- ised for use in people as young as of his choice to examine him and he worked with were Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force Sergey Razov and expelled two Russian off icials traZeneca’s vaccine, which have 16. The new study off ers the first for proper medicine had been “being sent off to chase at the CWGC Air Forces Memorial, believed to be involved in what Foreign Minister Luigi been delayed. evidence of how well it will also ignored. the Russians?”, to which Runnymede in Surrey yesterday. (AFP) Di Maio called an “extremely grave matter”. The country is planning to ac- work in school-age adolescents. “I really need a doctor. Every he replied: “That’s correct Biot, 54, had the rank of a frigate captain but was quire enough of a concentrated In the trial of 2,260 adoles- convict has the right (by law) to Ma’am, it’s a lot of fun for us.” working at the defence ministry department tasked form of the Chinese CanSino cents aged 12 to 15, there were 18 invite a specialist to examine and The British Air Force has, in recent months, intercepted an increasing number with developing national security policy and managing Biologics vaccine next month to cases of Covid-19 in the group consult him. Even I have such a of Russian aircraft approaching UK airspace against a backdrop of increasing part of the relations with Italy’s allies, a ministry source locally produce 3 million doses. that got a placebo and none right and I’m innocent,” Navalny tensions between Moscow and London. told Reuters. “We are speeding up this among those who received the wrote in the letter. Yesterday’s outing was only the queen’s fourth engagement outside palace Previously, he had worked at the ministry’s external process and want to take it to the actual vaccine, resulting in 100% “I demand that a doctor be walls since Britain first locked down a year ago, and the first since she visited relations unit. His name and picture appear in the book next stage,” Sultan said. effi cacy in preventing the illness, allowed to see me, and until this Westminster Abbey in November. of contacts for Italy’s 2014 European Union presidency. Pakistan has allowed the pri- the companies said in a state- happens, I am declaring a hunger The monarch and her husband Philip, 99, received their first dose of the Covid “The accusation of espionage against Italian and vate sector to import and sell ment. The vaccine was well toler- strike.” Prison authorities, after vaccine in January. Russian off icers shows that we must continue to vaccine, but a legal dispute be- ated, with side eff ects in line with examining Navalny last week, Buckingham Palace did not publicise the royal couple’s second vaccine dose, work closely with Europe and our allies to constantly tween an importer and the gov- those seen among participants declared his condition to be stable which is typically given in the Britain 12 weeks after the first. improve our means of protecting the safety and well- ernment over the price has de- aged 16 to 25 in the adult trial. and satisfactory. being of our citizens,” Di Maio said. layed that mechanism. Witness at Floyd trial feels ‘disbelief, guilt’ over death

AFP captured on video and sparked anti- ning to just put it on my tab,” he said, an ambulance. “George was motionless, limp.” briefl y interrupted when a member of Minneapolis racism protests around the world. meaning that the amount would be Eric Nelson, Chauvin’s defence at- Asked by prosecutor Matthew Frank the nine-woman, fi ve-man jury ap- Chauvin, who is white, was seen taken out of his paycheck. “I off ered to torney, claimed in opening arguments what he felt at the time, Martin be- peared to fall ill. on the video kneeling on the neck of pay for it.” that Floyd’s death was due to drugs and came visibly upset and said “disbelief Prosecutors are seeking to dem- store clerk said yesterday at the Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, for Martin said he told the store man- underlying medical conditions and not and guilt.” onstrate to the jury that Chauvin had trial of former Minneapolis po- more than nine minutes. ager about the fake bill, however, and asphyxiation. The prosecution and defence also no justifi cation for using a dangerous Alice offi cer Derek Chauvin that Martin, 19, worked as a cashier at he was told to go outside and tell Floyd Martin said Floyd appeared to be concluded their questioning yesterday neck restraint on a compliant Floyd. he regretted accepting the fake $20 bill Cup Foods, the store where Floyd used to return to the store. “high” while he was in the store but of another witness, Genevieve Hansen, Chauvin, a 19-year veteran of the po- from George Floyd that led to his arrest a counterfeit $20 bill to buy a pack of Martin and co-workers went out- was “very friendly, approachable, talk- 27, an off -duty fi refi ghter and emer- lice force, faces up to 40 years in prison and eventual death. cigarettes. side to a car where Floyd was sitting ative.” gency medical technician who was if convicted of the most serious charge “If I would have just not taken the Martin said he knew right away that with two other people but they refused “He seemed to be having an aver- rebuff ed by police when she tried to — second-degree murder. bill, this could have been avoided,” the banknote was fake but took it any- to return to the store and the manager age Memorial Day, just living his life,” render assistance to Floyd. The trial is expected to last about a Christopher Martin said on the third way. called the police. Martin said. “He did seem high.” Nelson asked Hansen if she had month. day of Chauvin’s high-profi le trial. “I thought George didn’t really know After police arrived, Floyd was Martin said he left the store when he shown her fi refi ghter identifi cation to Three other former police offi cers in- Chauvin, 45, is charged with mur- that it was a fake bill,” Martin said. “I handcuffed and Chauvin held him heard “yelling and screaming” outside. police on the scene and she said she did volved in the arrest — Tou Thao, Tho- der and manslaughter for his role in thought I’d be doing him a favour.” down with his knee on his neck until “I saw (Chauvin) with his knee on not have it on her at the time. mas Lane, and J Alexander Kueng — are Floyd’s May 25, 2020 death, which was “I took it anyways and I was plan- he passed out and was taken away by George’s neck on the ground,” he said. The morning session of the trial was to be tried separately later this year. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, April 1, 2021 QATAR Amir visits National Security Shield Center

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited yesterday the National Security Shield Center in Duhail camp complex. During the visit, the Amir listened to a briefing on the conference of forming a duty force for joint operations tasks for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with the participation of a number of brotherly and friendly countries represented by Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, in addition to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato). The Amir also listened to another briefing on Invincible Security Sentry 2021 exercise, which was held jointly by the Qatari Armed Forces and the US forces. The Amir toured the operations room and the halls of the air, land and sea halls. (QNA) Qeeri showcases research and UDC’s Gewan Island marks applied solutions at AgriteQ Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (Qeeri), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), showcased 5mn safe man-hours, two its research and pilot projects during the eighth Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) and second Qatar International building structural works Environmental Exhibition (EnviroteQ), held recently. Qeeri’s Water Centre nited Development showcased the consultancy Company (UDC), a and evaluation services Uleading Qatari pub- that the institute provides lic shareholding company and for irrigation, groundwater master developer of The Pearl- treatment, and liquid waste Qeeri booth at AgriteQ. Qatar and Gewan Island, an- disposal treatment for nounced a major safety mile- agricultural initiatives and conserving millions of litres of for agriculture, industry, and stone of exceeding 5mn safe farms. Qeeri demonstrated water per year. The team also animal husbandry. They were working-hours without any several of the systems it has presented a patented water able to demonstrate their Lost Time Injury across its op- developed, including polishing desalination system which continuous monitoring of erations in Gewan Island. filtration systems for point-of- can potentially lower the cost the indoor air quality at the While this milestone demon- use water treatment that are of municipal drinking water DECC and highlighted the strates UDC’s commitment to also suitable for off-grid rural production from seawater on a services provided by Qeeri in maintaining a safe working en- water treatment for developing large scale by 30%. air quality forecasting. Qeeri’s vironment, it is especially sig- countries and a system for the Qeeri’s Environment and team also spoke about the nifi cant in view of the project’s treatment of air conditioning Sustainability Centre showcased various projects, facilities, and magnitude, complexity and fast condensate water which can the capabilities of its Water capabilities that the institute track nature as UDC manages be used for irrigation or other Quality Labs, which can perform possesses for solar forecasting four very diverse but highly in- beneficial uses, potentially high quality water analysis and corrosion research. terrelated work packages. In this context, UDC’s con- struction team and project 600 days to go: World Cup stadiums looking incredible contractors continue to pro- mote the highest construction health and safety standards From Page 1 from Doha City Centre: 12km. with proactive management Construction of Gewan Island. With a design inspired by the ‘gahfiya’, a traditional by ensuring close co-opera- Dubbed ‘Qatar’s Diamond in the Desert’, Education woven cap worn for centuries by men across the tion and communication on of schedule and two already Bridge’s pylons is also complet- private beach, 26 waterfront City was inaugurated on June 15, 2020 during a Arab world, Al Thumama Stadium honours the Covid-19 mitigation meas- reached roof level. ed, with the majority of deck villas that are equipped with special digital launch which paid tribute to frontline region’s culture and traditions. The stadium will ures, logistics, emergency and On the other hand, infra- segments casted and installa- private pontoons for private healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage contingency planning, in- structure works are well un- tion of these segments and as- boats, and six independent is- Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium – Capacity: 40,000, during Qatar 2022. clement weather preparation derway with the construction sociated stay cabling already land mansions, in addition to Designer: Ramboll, Distance from Doha City Centre: Ras Abu Aboud Stadium – Capacity: 40,000, and general health and safety, of various utility buildings and commenced. 11,000sqm of retail spaces and 22km, Inaugurated: 2020. Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Architects, Distance which has played a major role supporting networks, namely UDC’s unwavering commit- 15 multi-use buildings. Ahmad Bin Ali was the latest Qatar 2022 stadium to from Doha City Centre: 7km. in accelerating Gewan Island’s water reservoir, electrical sub- ment to health, safety, quality Gewan Island will also feature be inaugurated. The venue welcomed fans for the Ras Abu Aboud will be the first fully dismountable development pace. stations, sewerage pumping and working progress, will en- the International Property Award first time on 18 December 2020 when it hosted the and re-usable tournament venue in FIFA World Cup As such, Building & Land- stations and solid waste collec- able it to confi dently achieve Winner for Best Construction Amir Cup final. history, making it a pioneer in sustainable stadium scaping Contractor, China tion station. Gewan Island’s targeted com- & Design, ‘Corinthia Gewan Is- Al Bayt Stadium – Capacity: 60,000, Designer: Dar development and design. Railway 18th Bureau Group is Road and bridge networks pletion schedule and deliver land Qatar’ hotel along with its Al-Handasah, Distance from Doha City Centre: Lusail Stadium – Capacity: 80,000, Designer: Foster performing successfully and also commenced to allow inter- Doha’s most prestigious prop- connected golf course and beach 46km. + Partners, Distance from Doha City Centre: 20km exceeded expectations to date. connections between Gewan’s erties. club, an air conditioned outdoor The venue for the opening match of Qatar 2022, Al The largest Qatar 2022 venue, Lusail embodies Crystal Residence build- private island mansions and Once completed, the Island ‘Crystal Walkway’ and seaside Bayt will introduce fans from across the world to Qatar’s ambition, along with its passion for sharing ings are progressing horizon- Abraj Quartier at The Pearl- will be home to 657 residential promenade, parks and green ar- the country’s traditional culture. Arab culture with the world. The stadium will host tally and vertically rapidly with Qatar. units, including 586 apart- eas, in addition to a sports club Al Thumama Stadium – Capacity: 40,000, ten matches up to and including the final of Qatar seven out of 15 buildings ahead The erection of the Gewan ments, 21 beachfront villas with and a mosque. Designer: Arab Engineering Bureau, Distance 2022. Sport Page 7

Olive planting initiative

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Public Gardens Department in co-operation with Gharsa (planting) initiative for home gardening and Al Aqsa committee at the Al Ahli Club organised an event on the occasion of the Earth Hour and as part of the one-million tree planting initiative. Accordingly, 250 olive seedlings were planted at the Airport Park, and some private houses and farms. The event took place in the presence of Mohamed Ibrahim al-Sada, assistant director of the Public Gardens Department, and representatives of the other participating entities.