Ontario’s stay-at-homeOnline prayers, and

8Jamadi ul II 2,1442 Jan 15, 2021 N ATIONA l & I NT 1M vaccine doses to be delivered every week PM Trudeau wants to serve for ‘number of in next phase of COVID-19 immunizations: Fortin more years,’ rules out vaccine passports OTTAWA -- When Canada enters Phase 2 of the national mass COVID-19 immunization effort in April, federal officials are planning on Thursday. Continued from Page 1 to receive “more than” one million doses of The comments were the clearest signal approved vaccines every week, on average. he has given that his political ambiMaj-Gen. Dany Fortin, who is leading Can- tions are far from exhausted. ada’s logistical rollout and distribution of Trudeau came to power promising to vaccines from the Public Health Agency of focus on causes such as feminism and Canada, called the second part of the na- the environment. But he quickly found tional vaccination campaign the “ramp-up” phase. This is when vaccinations of the general public are slated to begin, and right now it’s anticipated that 20 million doses will be delivered to Canada between April and June. “The logistics planning team at the agency is working with federal, provincial, territorial Canada has seen both doses sitting in freezers as well as provinces saying they are running short, while those on the front line have sought to sort out who should and shouldn’t himself having to deal with issues such as how to handle U.S. President Donald Trump and then the pandemic. He has come to rely heavily on Chrystia Freeland, a close ally, who now occupies the positions of both finance to help people and businesses survive the pandemic and Trudeau reiterated Ottawa planned to spend another C$100 billion over the next few years to kick-start an economic recovery. and Indigenous partners to align forecasted be receiving shots at this time. minister and deputy prime minister. But he made clear he opposed a vacvaccine availability with the immunization Noting the “disappointment” from some vac- Liberal insiders say this would give cine passport for people who had recapacity in the provinces and territories,” cination clinics that have already started scal- her an advantage in a future leadership ceived inoculations, an idea already Fortin said, adding that this includes making ing up but don’t have the supply of vaccines race. being developed in Denmark, saying it sure the cold-chain storage and other supplies like needles and bandages are available. Fortin said he is “optimistic” that provinces and territories will be ready to vaccinate at scale when these larger batches of doses begin arriving, citing the thousands of healthcare professionals who have stepped up and to sustain a higher rate of immunizations, Fortin said that “little wrinkles” like that will be ironed out before mass vaccinations begin.“We have been sharing data with provinces and territories, who of course, understandably want more vaccines as they ramp up their vaccination programs.The challenge Asked whether Freeland might one day become Liberal leader, Trudeau replied: “My responsibility is to bring around me the best possible team I can to serve Canadians ... I won’t speculate on what could happen years down the was fraught with challenges. “I think the indications that the vast majority of Canadians are looking to be vaccinated will get us to a good place without having to take more extreme measures that could have real divisive are volunteering to help administer doses is: we have limited quantities. We’ll have a road.” impacts on community and country,” when the time comes. significant big jump in the second quarter The Liberal government has spent he said. Source:ctvnews.ca Newsletter sign-up: Get The COVID-19 Brief sent to your inbox The Phase 1 rollout is continuing through and we’ll be able to distribute much larger quantities and vaccinate at scale.”Fortin said additional planning documents about Phase Interprovincial travel ban? B.C. seeking more than C$200 billion in direct aid February and March, pushing to properly allocate and prioritize key groups like residents 2 will be shared with the provinces and territories soon. “We continue to work with Pub- legal advice, premier says Syrian refugees celebrate fifth anniversary and staff in long-term care homes as well as front-line health-care workers with the initial six million doses of the approved Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. In this first stage of the vaccine campaign, lic Services and Procurement Canada colleagues and with manufacturers to maximize the vaccine availability so that as many Canadians as possible can be safely immunized as rapidly as possible.” Source:ctvnews.ca VICTORIA -- Premier John Horgan says he’s seeking legal advice to see if B.C. can stop Canadians from travelling to the province for non-essential reasons, as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19. Horgan said he’d had conversations with other premiers about reducing non-esin Canada with virtual event sential travel, as concerns are being raised from across the province. Yet, he noted, Canada’s Constitution allows free travel OTTAWA -- The organizer of a virtual celebration to mark the fifth anniversary of Canada’s welcoming Syrian refugees says Canadians’ support for the newcomers has been a beautiful example for the rest of the world. the country registered to attend online. Khatib, who came as a Syrian refugee to Canada more than 30 years ago, says most of the Syrian refugees her organization has worked with have learned English and found within the country. It’s an issue that has been discussed both in B.C. and elsewhere for months, and Horgan said it’s time to find out whether provincial governments can act on it. ”I want to put this either to rest – so that British Columbians understand that we cannot do that, and we’re not going to do that – or there is a way to do it and we’re going to work with other provinces to achieve it,” he said at a media availability Thursday. He said the province is Whistler’s mayor says the city isn’t drawing the visitors it has in the past, due to the pandemic. “To be honest, there are very few people here,” Jack Crompton told CTV News. Yet there have been concerns raised about the number of out-of-province visitors to Whistler over the winter break. Others have proposed a non-essential travel ban between Vancouver Island and other parts of the province. “I don’t know who is in the lines – I’m staying with the message ‘Stay home, stay local,’” added Crompton. Vail Resorts, the company that manages Whistler Blackcomb Resort, says mask measures are in place, capacity is limited and physical distancing is a must in local businesses. A spokesperson said operations are in line with public health orders. “It’s not our place to enforce that advisory. We ask people to listen to the public health recommendations,” Marc Riddell said. In an interview with The Canadian Press, the jobs thanks to the support they received from Maritime provinces were able to put a executive director of the Syrian Canadian their communities. “bubble” in place to reduce travel in and Foundation Bayan Khatib says thousands The first plane bearing Syrian refugees land- out the region. But, Horgan pointed out, of Canadians have volunteered to help Syr- ed in Toronto on Dec. 10, 2015, following a the population is smaller, and there are ian refugees in almost every city and town in Canada. Khatib says she was sad the celebration wouldn’t happen in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now she realizes it was a blessing, with almost 700 people from across promise by the Liberals during the 2015 election campaign to make it much easier for them to reach Canada. Nearly 73,000 Syrian refugees have been resettled here since then. Source: ctvnews.ca fewer ways to get in and out. Horgan said a virtual cabinet retreat this weekend will speak to the issue, and he expects a decision next week. Source: ctvnews.ca Conservatives denounce lack of transparency from Trudeau government OTTAWA, ON – Luc Berthold, Conserva- this important democratic tool, the Liberals It’s not surprising that there is a lack of leadtive Shadow Minister for Treasury Board, need to do better. ership from the Liberals when it comes to released the following statement regarding “Justin Trudeau has repeatedly promised transparency. the scathing report from the Information that he would improve Canada’s access to in- “Canada’s access to information regime Commissioner: “The Liberals have failed to formation system. The reality is that he has needs an urgent fix. Improving this key tool be transparent with Canadians, especially failed to do so. This is just another example will help improve our democracy. It will during this pandemic.“The report released of the Liberals over promising and under de- also help more Canadians have faith in our by the Information Commissioner shows livering. democratic systems. Conservatives will conthat the access to information system was “The report also highlights a lack of leader- tinue to push for more transparency from in a critical state before the pandemic. Now, ship from the Trudeau government when it the Trudeau Liberals.” it may be beyond repair. When it comes to comes to the access to information system. Source: Office of Luc Berthold, M.P.

Jamadi ul II 2,1442 Jan 15, 2021 MI ddl E E a ST

Turkey urges ‘review’ of US sanction decision over S-400s

Sanctions deepened a rift between the two NATO allies which have been at odds over a variety of issues. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has called on the upcoming Biden administration in the United States to engage in a dialogue with Ankara and to review a decision to sanction the country over its purchase of an advanced Russian air missile defence system. “We are saying let’s not break things up in this way. Let’s sit down and talk and find a solution,” Akar said on Wednesday. That request comes even though Washington has made clear that there can be no waiver of the sanctions until Ankara disposes of the Russian technology. Speaking to reporters late on Wednesday, Akar would not be drawn into a question on whether Turkey would consider disposing of the Russian S-400 system amid US pressure. But he said he was hopeful that a solution can be found “through common sense before coming to that point”. “It is a very problematic situation to turn back from the point we have come to. We invite [the US] to distance themselves from threatening language such as sanctions,” Akar told journalists in Ankara. “We want the solution of problems through dialogue. If the US side wants a solution, a solution could be found with work on the technical level,” he said. Second consignment of the S-400s? Akar also said talks with Russia on acquiring a second consignment of the S-400 were continuing. Ties between the two allies took a turn for the worse when in April 2017, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the stateof-the-art missile shield after its protracted efforts to buy an air defence system from the US proved futile. US officials have voiced opposition to the contract, claiming it would be incompatible with NATO systems and would expose F-35 jets to possible Russian subterfuge. Washington had previously kicked Ankara out of its F-35 stealth jet programme, saying their use alongside the Russian technology would jeopardise the safety of the fighter jets. In mid-December, the US sanctioned four Turkish officials under a law known as CAATSA, which is aimed at pushing back on Russian influence. The sanctions, which also included a ban on export licences to Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries, were the first time the law was used to punish a NATO ally. Source: aljazeera.com

UN, ICRC warn of famine over Houthis’ ‘terrorists’ designation

US designation of Yemen’s Houthi rebels as ary 19, President Donald Trump’s last full cock warned famine will not be prevented by ‘terrorists’ may also impede the flow of much- day in office before Joe Biden is inaugurated the licenses the US has said it will introduce needed aid, agencies say. as president. so some humanitarian aid and imports can The United Nations humanitarian chief has Aid organisations and senior Republicans continue to reach Yemen. urged the United States to reverse its deci- also warned the move could have a devas- “What would prevent it? A reversal of the sion to declare Yemen’s Houthi rebels a “ter- tating humanitarian effect on the conflict- decision,” Lowcock said, adding that Yemen rorist” group, warning the designation will wracked nation facing the risk of famine. imports 90 percent of its food, nearly all likely lead to “large-scale famine on a scale Lowcock said data show that 16 million of purchased through commercial channels, so that we have not seen for nearly 40 years”. Yemen’s 30 million people will go hungry aid shipments cannot be enough to stave off Mark Lowcock made the appeal in a speech this year. hunger. to the UN Security Council (UNSC) on “Already, about 50,000 people are essential- “Aid agencies give people vouchers or cash Thursday. ly starving to death in what is essentially a to buy commercially imported food in the On Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike small famine,” he said. “Another five million market. Aid agencies cannot – they simply Pompeo declared the Iranian-backed Hou- are just one step behind them.” Stressing the cannot – replace the commercial import systhis a “foreign terrorist organisation” and “terrorist” designation has companies pull- tem,” he said. said the designation will take effect on Janu- ing back from dealing with Yemenis, Low- Source:aljazeera.com

Israel announces new illegal settler homes in occupied West Bank

PM Netanyahu orders advancement of plans be built in the settlements of Beit El, Tal Me- Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Safadi said to build 800 homes for Jewish settlers in last nashe, Rehelim, Shavei Shomron, Barkan, the announcement of Israel’s settlement days of Trump’s presidency. Karnei Shomron and Givat Zeev, but gave plans “does not create the environment conIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu no starting date for construction. ducive to the resumption of negotiations has ordered that plans be advanced to con- Under international law, settlements are that are the only path to a two-state solution”. struct approximately 800 homes for illegal considered illegal. In a joint statement along with the foreign Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian officials and much of the inter- ministers of Egypt, Germany and France, Monday’s announcement comes just days national community view them as the main Safadi called for Israel to “immediately and before the January 20 inauguration of Joe obstacle to a viable two-state solution. completely cease all settlement activities, inBide who, unlike Donald Trump, has been How to Handle Increased Customer De- cluding in [occupied] East Jerusalem”. critical of Israeli settlement policies in the mand as You Reopen Trump, a staunch ally of Netanyahu, took a past.“The prime minister ordered the ad- Get our guide on handling more customer series of measures since taking office in Janvancement of construction of hundreds of demand and running your business smoothly. uary 2017 that have been criticised as “rac- declaration from Secretary of State Mike homes in Judea and Samaria,” the statement The Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry ist” and “discriminatory” against the Pales- Pompeo in 2019 that Washington no longer issued by Netanyahu’s office said, using the condemned the latest announcement, accus- tinian people. viewed settlements as being in violation of Biblical names for the occupied West Bank. ing Israel of “racing against time” to build His administration gave unprecedented US international law. Monday’s statement said the 800 units would settlements before Trump leaves office. support to settler groups, highlighted by a .Source: aljazeera.com

Namosimalua’s contract Syrian businessmen linked to firm that bought not renewed Beirut explosives

Fiji’s Constitutional Offices Commission did not renew Viniana Namosimalua’s contract who acted as the acting secretary general to Parliament. In a statement, the Commission has decided to re-advertise the position of the Secretary-General to Parliament. President Jioji Konrote acting on the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission has appointed the Deputy Secretary-General, Jeanette Emberson, to act as the SecretaryGeneral to Parliament until a substantive appointment is made. Ms Emberson’s acting appointment is effective from January 12, 2021. Source:fijitimes.com One of the businessmen had previously been accused of trying to procure ammonium nitrate for the Syrian government. Beirut, Lebanon – Three Syrian businessmen with close ties to the Syrian government have been linked to the company that bought the explosive material that entered Beirut’s port in 2013 and fuelled a massive explosion in August that devastated parts of the Lebanese capital. The Syrian businessmen, George Haswani and brothers Imad and Mudalal Khuri, are also Russian citizens, according to UK government website Companies House and media reports. Open-source information on the UK website – first aired by Lebanese documentary filmmaker Firas Hatoum on local news channel Al Jadeed on Tuesday – shows that companies formerly directed by Haswani and Imad Khuri All three men have been sanctioned by the United States have the same stated addresses as Savaro Limited, the for allegedly aiding and providing services to the governcompany that purchased 2,750 tonnes of highly explosive ment of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. They could not ammonium nitrate in July 2013, four months before it en- be contacted for comment. tered Beirut’s port. In a November 2015 statement announcing sanctions on Savaro also lists as a “secretary”, or board member tasked with Mudalal Khuri, the US Treasury said he had, among other ensuring the smooth running of the company, a firm that things, served as an intermediary for al-Assad’s governprovided the same service to a company directed by Imad ment “on an attempted procurement of ammonium niKhuri – establishing a further link between the businessmen trate in late 2013” – the same period when the ammonium and the company that procured the ammonium nitrate. nitrate entered Beirut. Source: aljazeera.com

10 Jamadi ul II 2,1442 Jan 15, 2021 G l O b A l

The dark side of Israel’s vaccine success story

By: Yara Hawari Israel is refusing to provide the vaccine to the millions of Palestinians it is forcefully ruling over. ciency, Palestinians living in the occupied territories were forced to rely on outside help to meet their most basic healthcare needs. Thus, when COVID-19 hit, the Palestinian that it has not approved for its own population. So, Israel is not only responsible for vaccinating Palestinians living in the occuOn Dec 19, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin authorities were in no shape to implement pied territories, but it also has Netanyahu received the Pfizer-BioNTech effective pandemic mitigation strategies or a legal obligation to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine on live television. This procure the necessary medications and vac- vaccines they eventually receive kicked off a high-paced national vaccination cines to protect Palestinians. meet the approval criteria of the campaign that has seen more than a million The Palestinian Authority (PA) is yet to se- Israeli healthcare system. Israelis, some 12 percent of the country’s cure a sufficient quantity of vaccinations to Since the beginning of this unpopulation, receive the jab in less than two immunise the Palestinian population against precedented global public health weeks – the highest rate in the world. COVID-19. And due to its dire financial sit- emergency, however, Israel not Multiple factors paved the way for Israel to uation, it will need significant outside help only refused to live up to its clearly defined tional community as a sign of “great coortake the lead in the global vaccination race. to make any substantial purchase. legal obligations to the Palestinian people but dination” between the Israelis and the PalBeing a relatively small country – both by Several PA officials have mentioned the possi- also created a false picture in which it is work- estinians. Indeed, to deliver the vaccines to land area and population – certainly helped. bility of obtaining a quantity from the COVAX ing with the PA to defeat the virus. the Palestinians living in occupied territoHaving a digitised national healthcare sys- programme, the WHO-led scheme to deliver In March last year, for example, when it “al- ries, the PA will need to coordinate with the tem which requires all citizens to be regis- COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries. But lowed” the entry of medical supplies and Israeli regime, which maintains full control tered also contributed. Moreover, unlike it is likely this will take a long time – the vac- equipment into Gaza, Israel received praise over everything going in and out of the West other states, the Israeli government did not cines intended for COVAX have not yet gained from the likes of the UN for “cooperating” Bank and Gaza. Hence, when and if the Ishesitate to recruit the army to help with the “emergency use” approval by the WHO, a pre- with the Palestinians with regard to tackling raelis “allow” the vaccines to be delivered to administration and distribution of the vac- condition for distribution to begin. COVID-19. the Palestinians, they will likely be hailed by cine. There is also a political dimension to In early December, the PA also claimed it In effect, the Israeli regime, which single- many in the international community for the fast roll out – Netanyahu is fighting for reached a deal with Russia to receive some handedly depleted the capabilities of the “cooperating” and “coordinating” with the political survival and winning the vaccine four million doses of its Sputnik V vaccine Palestinian healthcare system through its Palestinians. race might tip the balance in his favour in in the coming weeks. However, Russian offi- decades-long military occupation, was be- The Palestinians, of course, are not the only the upcoming March elections. cials recently notified the PA they do not yet ing praised for allowing a few medical sup- ones who were practically kicked out of the But there is a dark side to Israel’s “vaccine have enough supplies to fulfil non-domestic plies donated by international actors to be vaccine race even before it started. Most success story”: While it is immunising its orders. transported into Gaza. This, despite its re- countries in the Global South have also been citizens against COVID-19 at an unrivalled All this would not have mattered, if Israel sponsibility under international law as an left out of the race, with most of the vaccine rate, the Israeli government is not doing met its legal, moral and humanitarian ob- occupying power to provide the supplies doses that will be available in the shortanything to vaccinate millions of Palestin- ligation to vaccinate the Palestinians living itself. term being allocated to rich nations that ians living under its military occupation. In under its military occupation. Creating the impression that Israel is help- have the funds, and the political might, to a cruel irony, hundreds of doses on the cusp The Israeli officials are trying to evade re- ing the Palestinians in good faith to tackle buy them. But Israel’s military occupation, of expiration were reportedly thrown away sponsibility by claiming the PA is yet to ask the virus while keeping them under occupa- and unrivalled control over the Palestinian in Israeli clinics last week, while millions of Israel for assistance in procuring the vac- tion, was a remarkable achievement of the population, makes the challenge facing the Palestinians are being denied the vaccine. cine, and that, under the Oslo accords which Israeli propaganda machine. But this is not authorities in the West Bank and Gaza espeIndeed, while the vaccine roll-out in Israel never came to fruition, all vaccination pro- surprising considering that Israel had hid cially formidable. includes the Palestinian citizens of Israel, it grammes in the West Bank should be led by the violence of its regime with such illusions Places like the occupied territories, where does not include some five million Palestin- the PA. for decades. the health infrastructure is weak and it is ians living in the West Bank and Gaza. Yet this ignores the fact that Article 56 of Indeed, Israel is often praised by the in- difficult to maintain basic social distancing Since 1967, these two Palestinian territories the Fourth Geneva Convention specifically ternational community and media for let- or hygiene requirements, should be priorihave been under Israel’s military occupa- provides that an occupier has the duty of en- ting the odd Palestinian patient from Gaza tised in vaccination efforts. And yet, because tion, with the latter also suffering from a suring “the adoption and application of the receive treatment in Tel Aviv hospitals. In of prevailing structures of oppression, they blockade since 2007. prophylactic and preventive measures nec- these “feel good” stories, however, the real won’t be. Among many things, this regime of abso- essary to combat the spread of contagious reason why Palestinians need to go to Israel So as the world watches Israel’s speedy vaclute control has had a direct and detrimen- diseases and epidemics”. In other words, the to receive treatment is seldom mentioned: cination program in awe, it must not ignore tal effect not only on Palestinians’ access to Israeli regime has a legal obligation to pro- The crippling military siege that prevents the bigger picture – that the Israeli regime is healthcare but also the quality of the care on cure a sufficient amount of COVID-19 vac- local hospitals from obtaining the necessary refusing to provide the vaccine to the miloffer in the West Bank and Gaza.. cines for Palestinians living under its mili- equipment and supplies to provide treat- lions of people it is forcefully ruling over. Israel’s occupation has left the Palestinian tary occupation. ment themselves. The views expressed in this article are the healthcare system undersupplied and with Furthermore, both Israeli and international No doubt, whenever the PA succeeds in se- author’s own and do not necessarily reflect insufficient medical facilities. For years, rath- law ban Israel from allowing the distribu- curing a vaccine shipment, this achievement Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. er than being allowed to develop self-suffi- tion of a vaccine in Gaza and the West Bank will once again be presented to the interna Source: aljazeera.com

‘very difficult’ to meet Canada’s immigration targets after pandemic drop: immigration lawyer

By: Christy Somos , CTVNews.ca Writer system were completely derailed by the – virtually zero per cent. In October of TORONTO -- Canada welcomed COVID-19 pandemic. 2020, Canada only welcomed approxi341,000 new immigrants in 2019, and A Statistics Canada report said that Can- mately 15,000 new immigrants, less than continued to accept high levels of new ada’s population “essentially stopped” half of the number of people welcomed immigrants at the beginning of last year, due to COVID-19, increasing by just in October 2019. Source: .ctvnews.ca but those efforts and the immigration 2,767 from July 1, 2020 to Oct. 1 2020

Socializing after the vaccine: Experts say shot won’t offer ‘free pass’ right away

The arrival of COVID vaccines have stirred us from spreading the virus. COVID-19. And while Moderna has some excitement and optimism for a swift end to Experts expect mask mandates, limits on evidence suggesting it also decreases transthe global pandemic, with some seeing the gatherings, and physical distancing meas- mission, more data is needed. shot as a “free pass” to soon gather and so- ures to continue even as more of us get vac- Some vaccines, like the one for HPV, ofcialize as they did pre-2020. cinated, at least through part of 2021. fer complete protection from infection and Not so fast, experts say. “Until we get to a level of herd immunity transmission, while others like the flu shot Canada’s first phase of vaccine rollout - tar- where we have around 70 per cent of our primarily work against acquiring the virus geting front-line health-care workers, long- population vaccinated worldwide, there’s and lessening the severity of symptoms. term care residents and staff, and some In- going to be that question of transmission,” Kindrachuk says part of the reason for that digenous populations - began last month said Jason Kindrachuk, a virologist with the is the way our immune systems respond to and is expected to stretch into March be- University of Manitoba. “And that’s certain- different vaccines. fore the inoculation process is opened to a ly a concern for us.” The COVID vaccine seems to effectively broader population this spring. While ex- Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the produce neutralizing antibodies, he says, ease physician in Mississauga, Ont., says anperts agree the end of the pandemic is in two vaccines currently approved for use “but not necessarily enough to stop the vi- swers to the transmission question will only sight, they say it will take time to determine in Canada, were shown in clinical trials to rus from potentially getting into some of come as “large swathes of the population” what level of protection the new vaccines have a 95 per cent efficacy in preventing our cells.” start getting vaccinated worldwide.............. actually provide - and whether they prevent severe infection from the virus that causes Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, an infectious dis- Source: ctvnews.ca

11 Jamadi ul II 2,1442 Jan 15, 2021 US p O l ITICS

Explainer: What does impeachment mean for Trump’s future?

the president of the Senate, and Georgia’s ing Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney, marks were free speech protected by the US two Democratic senators are also sworn in, the third-ranking Republican. Every single constitution’s First Amendment and that, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer House Republican voted against Trump’s while he told supporters to “fight”, he did not will take charge and determine how the trial first impeachment in 2019. intend it as a literal call to violence. will proceed. Trump’s future Trump released a videotaped statement on McConnell said he will not bring the Sen- If the Senate were to convict, lawmakers Wednesday, shortly after the impeachment ate back on an emergency basis to start the could then take a separate vote on whether to vote, saying he condemned last week’s violence. trial, so the earliest it could begin would be disqualify Trump from holding future office. “Violence and vandalism have absolutely on Tuesday. That means the trial is certain to Schumer said on Wednesday: “Make no no place in our country and no place in our United States President Donald Trump has been impeached by the House days before leaving office, becoming the first American president to be impeached twice. The previous three impeachments — those of Presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Trump — took months before a final vote, including investigations in the House and hearings. This time it only took a week after Trump encouraged a crowd of his supporters who attacked the US Capitol. Democrats and 10 Republicans voted to impeach Trump on one charge: incitement of insurrection. Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will not begin a trial until next Tuesday, at the very earliest, which is the day before Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in as president. It’s unclear, for now, exactly how that trial will proceed and if any Senate Republicans will vote to convict Trump. Even though the trial won’t happen until Trump is already out of office, it could still have the effect of preventing him from running for president again. A look at the next steps: Sending to the Senate Once the House votes to impeach, the speaker of the House can send the article or articles over to the Senate immediately — or she can wait a while. Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn’t yet said when she will send them, but many Democrats in her caucus have urged her to do so immediately. Pelosi has already appointed nine impeachment managers to argue the case against Trump in a Senate trial, a sign that she will send them sooner rather than later. Once the articles are sent over — that is usually done with an official walk from the House to the Senate — then the majority leader of the Senate must start the process of having a trial. The Senate schedule The Senate is not scheduled to be in session until Jan 19, which could be McConnell’s last day as Senate leader. Once Vice President Kamala Harris is sworn in, making her take place after Trump has already left office. McConnell noted that the three previous Senate trials lasted “83 days, 37 days, and 21 days respectively”. All eyes on McConnell McConnell believes that Trump committed impeachable offenses and considers the Democrats’ impeachment drive an opportunity to reduce the divisive, chaotic president’s hold on the GOP, a Republican strategist told The Associated Press on Wednesday. And McConnell told major donors over the weekend that he was through with Trump, said the strategist, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe McConnell’s conversations. His wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, resigned from Trump’s Cabinet soon after the riots. But despite sending signals, McConnell has been characteristically quiet in public. In a note to colleagues Wednesday released by his office, McConnell said he had “not made a final decision on how I will vote”. Senate politics If McConnell voted to convict, other Republicans would surely follow. But no GOP senators have said how they will vote, and two-thirds of the Senate is needed. Still, some Republicans have told Trump to resign, including Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, and few are defending him. Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska has said he would take a look at what the House approves but stopped short of committing to support it. Other Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, long a key ally of the president, has been critical of his behaviour in inciting the riots but said impeachment “will do far more harm than good”. Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump in last year’s impeachment trial, after the House impeached Trump over his dealings with the president of Ukraine. In the House, 10 Republicans joined Democrats in voting to impeach Trump, includmistake, there will be an impeachment trial in the United States Senate; there will be a vote on convicting the president for high crimes and misdemeanours; and if the president is convicted, there will be a vote on barring him from running again.” In the case of federal judges who were impeached and removed from office, the Senate has taken a second vote after conviction to determine whether to bar the person from ever holding federal office again. Only a majority of senators would be needed to ban him from future office, unlike the two-thirds needed to convict. Different charges, different impeachment This impeachment trial is likely to differ from the last one in many ways. The House charges in 2019 on Trump’s dealings with the president of Ukraine, whom he urged to investigate Biden, came after a lengthy investigation and testimony from multiple government officials. While Democrats unanimously criticised the conduct and charged Trump with abuse of power, the charges wove together a complicated web of evidence. In this Jan 6 photo, Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. — AP This time, Democrats felt there was little need for an investigation — the invasion of the Capitol played out on live television, and most members of Congress were in the building as it happened. Trump’s speech beforehand, in which he told his supporters to “fight like hell” against the election results, was also televised as Congress prepared to officially count the votes. House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, who led the last House impeachment team, said the insurrection at the Capitol was an “impeachable offence committed in broad daylight, in which the whole country was a witness”. He said the lightning-fast impeachment “was required by the exigency of the circumstances, and also made possible by the very nature of the crime”. Trump’s defence Trump is likely to argue at trial that his removement,” Trump said. Challenging disqualification Brian Kalt, a law professor at Michigan State University, said it was certainly possible that Trump could challenge a disqualification in court. A Supreme Court case from 1993 makes clear that the court is wary of second-guessing how the Senate handles impeachment. In that case, involving an accused judge, the court said whether the Senate had properly tried an impeachment was a political question and could not be litigated. If Trump is disqualified, the current Supreme Court might want to clarify whether the move was lawful, Kalt said. Trump appointed three of the Supreme Court’s nine members: Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and most recently Amy Coney Barrett. The court now has a six-judge conservative majority. “If you are going to say someone can’t run, you want to get that litigated and settled sooner rather than later,” Kalt said. Impeachment article The four-page article of impeachment says that Trump “gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government”. It was introduced by Democratic Reps David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California and Jamie Raskin of Maryland, all of whom have been tapped to serve as impeachment managers in the Senate trial. The article says Trump’s behaviour is consistent with his prior efforts to “subvert and obstruct” the results of the election and references his recent call with the Georgia secretary of state, in which he said he wanted him to find him more votes after losing the state to Biden. Trump has falsely claimed there was widespread fraud in the election, and the baseless claims have been repeatedly echoed by congressional Republicans and the insurgents who descended on the Capitol. As the protesters broke in, both chambers were debating GOP challenges to the electoral vote count in Arizona as part of the process for certifying Biden’s election win. Source: dawn.com

Fraser Health Mental Health & Substance Use Recovery Centred Clinical System Virtual Summit Fraser Health and the Mental Health Commission of Canada invite you to a virtual gathering with Dr. Ian Dawe. Sessions will include time to share perspectives and discuss ideas for next steps in small group dialogues on important areas of mental health and substance use services. Who: For service providers, persons with lived experience, families, psychiatrists, physicians, leaders

1. 2. Thursday Jan. 21, 2020; 9:00-12:00 How can staff and clients/families collaborate in situations of disagreement or risk? How can we respond to the overdose crisis in a recovery-oriented way? Register for this session here

Thursday Jan. 28, 2020; 9:00-12:00 How can we collaborate with other first-responders (eg police, ambulance, etc.) to provide recovery-oriented approaches? How is the movement to more virtual care impacting your experience of service (i.e. connecting with family, clinicians, clients, etc.)? Register for this session here

13 Jamadi ul II 2,1442 Jan 15, 2021 WOMEN / l IFESTY l E & CU l TURE

How to effectively work from home?

By: home tips is to keep your work life and per- be more comfortable, but you may also feel Asma Shums, Since the pandemic, it is now a sonal life compartmentalized as it helps you stay productive while you’re at work, and it reduces stress when you aren’t. In the same way that you set your work hours, schedule, sluggish, sleepy, or unmotivated. It’s also a good opportunity to give a new outfit a test drive—risk free! If you have a hard time motivating yourself norm to work communicate, and plan when you will not to get ready in the morning, try laying out from home. be available to work. your outfit the night before, or planning an At home there For example, if you like to take evenings to outing during the day so that you have to get are many dis- spend time with family, make sure you com- dressed. tractions, less municate that you won’t be checking emails When you’re starting to learn how to work accountability, and less communication than after a certain time. And then hold yourself from home, it might be tempting to work when you’re working in the office. However, to that commitment! from your couch, easy-chair, or even from that doesn’t mean you can’t still be produc- Even if you won’t be interacting with another your bed, but this could take a huge toll on tive. There are lots of ways to keep yourself person all day, it’s important to dress for suc- your productivity. One of the best working working productively from any location. cess. This includes showering and brushing from home tips I can give you is to try to al-

One of the most important working from your teeth! Sweatpants and a T-shirt might ways work from a consistent room, desk, or chair to tell your brain that it’s time for work, not relaxation. When you do this, your brain will associate your bed with sleep, your couch with relaxation, and your desk with work, helping shift your energy levels accordingly.

Email info at: asmashums@gmail.com

What do you say to your friends on New New Year? I just got used to this last one! Year’s Eve?I haven’t seen you since last year.

Tips to prevent a leading cause of house fires in the kitchen

Surrey, BC – Cooking fires are one of the • Turn the stove off if you must leave the room cause the fire to spread. A grease fire can be exleading causes of residential fires– mostly for more than a few minutes. Unattended cook- tinguished smothering it with a lid. from leaving food unattended and from ing resulting in a fire is often a result of simple • Keep barbeques away from the side of the house grease fires. Accidents will happen but there are forgetfulness. and be aware of any material directly above the ways you can reduce your risk of having a cook- • Check food regularly and use a timer to remind barbeque which can ignite if exposed to direct ing fire in your home. These tips should be dis- you when your food is cooked. flame and heat. The Surrey Fire Service Homecussed with all members in your household to • Never store items in the oven or on the stove top. Safe program can assist with identifying the fire keep everyone safe. It may seem convenient but if the oven or stovetop risks in your home. For more information, go to • Stay in the kitchen when cooking with open is accidently turned on, a fire will occur. www.surrey.ca/homesafe and book a visit. pans and pots. • Never pour water on a grease fire, it will only Source: Shelley Morris Assistant Chief

5 questions you must ask to find your why, pursue your passion, and unleash your deepest motivations

Instead of focusing on things you think you 4. WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY AT YOUR should do in 2019, ask yourself, what do you 80TH BIRTHDAY PARTY? want to do? What would you be excited about This is a common personal development exerdoing? What is going to be fun and bring you cise because it once again helps you put your joy? life into perspective and really figure out what Maybe instead of a new gym membership, it’s you want to accomplish and how you want to enrolling in a dance class. Maybe it’s running be remembered. on trails, instead of treadmills. Whatever it is, So, go through the exercise. Really try to immake it something that excites you. That way agine your 80th birthday party. Who would be Written By: Participaction We all crave meaning in our lives. We want our words and deeds to be part of a greater purpose. We goal of running a race isn’t just about getting into shape. It’s about progressing in your career, providing for your family, and living a life you’re proud of. you won’t be relying on willpower or motivation. You’ll be doing something you actually want to do. 3. WHAT SENTENCE WILL COME TO there? What would you be doing? What will you have accomplished? Create a picture of what you want this to look like. Will you still be in good health? Will you want what we do to matter—to ourselves, to Get beneath the surface. Keep asking why. DEFINE YOUR LIFE? have lived a life of action? Of setting goals and our friends, and to the world. Why does this matter? Why is this important? We all want to do it all. At times, our hopes and working toward them? Will you be someone But it’s also easy to forget about the meaning Why now? dreams know no bounds. who obviously lived life to the fullest? Who and purpose behind our actions. To live life on The deeper you dig, the more you’ll learn But the problem with wanting to do it all is took advantage of every opportunity that the surface. To pursue superficial things for su- about yourself and about what really matters that we end up lacking focus and fail to set came their way? Who relentlessly pursued a perficial reasons. to you. priorities. life of passion and purpose? Somehow or another, it can be altogether too And maybe that will end up being something The classic example, which Daniel Pink men- Because most likely, you’ll want the answer to easy to lose our way and forget why we care. entirely unrelated to exercise or physical activ- tions in Drive: The Surprising Truth About be a resounding YES. You’ll want to be able to This article is about finding that reason again, ity. That’s okay. For a lot of people, exercise is What Motivates Us, is US Presidents. Abra- say that for eight full decades, you absolutely because that’s a big part of making change last. just a stepping stone, a thing that gives them ham Lincoln’s sentence: He preserved the un- crushed it. You made the most of every day. You have to deeply and truly care. It has to the energy and motivation they need to pursue ion and freed the slaves. Franklin Roosevelt’s: You accomplished big things. You lived a life mean something to you. Not just on the sur- other passions. He lifted the US out of the Great Depression without regret. face, but deep down. The point is to figure out what those are. Be- and helped them win a world war. They fo- Take a snapshot of that picture, remember that 5 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS cause maybe getting active is really all about cused on the one or two big things that would feeling, and then use it as fuel. Because it’s not 1. ASK WHY FIVE TIMES. being in the right headspace to write a YA come to define their presidency. just going to happen. You’re not just going to You want to start running. You want to exer- novel, or running your own business, or hav- The point for the rest of us is that focus is es- magically wake up at your 80th birthday party cise regularly. You want to lose weight and feel ing a bigger impact at work. Maybe it’s about sential. If we try to do it all, we often end up having accomplished all these things. That regreat. spending more quality time with your family, accomplishing nothing. quires years of hard work and dedication and But why? Why is this goal important to you? or deepening your friendships, or going on So, think about what you want your life-defin- persistence. It’s on you to make it happen. To Why does it matter? more adventures. ing sentence to be. What would you like to be take charge and make change today. A good exercise is to insert your goal and your Figure out why you want to move. Dig deep remembered for? 5. WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE? reason into the following sentence: and discover what this is really all about. Maybe it’s about raising two good kids and Often, it’s not reaching our goals that matters, I want to _______________ because Because unlike motivation, those things tend volunteering for a cause you care about. It but who we become in the process. _____________. not to waver. They remain constant. They’re could be about being an artist who creates It’s not just finishing the marathon that matFor example, I want to run a 10k because it will always there. And the more in touch you are beautiful things that make people’s lives a little ters, it’s the work you put in to get there. It’s help me get into shape. with those motivations, the more consistently more fun. It could be about starting a thriving about becoming more self-disciplined, dediThen, insert the reason into the first part of the motivated you’ll feel on a daily basis. business that solves a pressing problem. cated and determined. It’s about becoming a sentence and repeat the process over and over 2. WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN This will help when it comes to your physical person who makes a plan and sees it through. again. For example: THE MORNING AND WHAT KEEPS YOU activity goals because the sentence becomes Our actions define us. And being active is one I want to get into shape because I don’t have UP AT NIGHT? WHAT EXCITES YOU? your motivation. No matter what you want of those actions. enough energy to be productive at work. Focusing on what excites you is great life ad- your life to be about, no matter what you want It’s an action all of us must take. It’s an essential I want to be productive at work because it’s im- vice in general, but also applies to physical ac- to accomplish, leading an active life will help. step on the path to becoming who we want to portant to provide for my family. tivity resolutions in particular. To write a great sentence, you’ll need energy be. I want to provide for my family because being If you’re not excited about what you’re doing, and optimism. You’ll need to maintain good In 2021, don’t just ask yourself what you want a great parent is rewarding. it’s going to be hard to stick with it. Eventually mental and physical health. You’ll need to be to do. Ask yourself, “Who do I want to beI want to be an amazing parent because I be- your enthusiasm will fade, your motivation active. come?” lieve it’s part of leading a good life. will disappear, and your willpower will run Try writing your sentence, and your reason for Then, act accordingly. Now we’re getting somewhere. Suddenly, your out. moving more will become obvious. Source: participaction.com

14 Jamadi ul II 2,1442 Jan 15, 2021 HE al TH

International Statistic of the Year: Race for a COVID-19 vaccine

Scientists in China published the com- of them wouldn’t work, but with the hope plete genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 that a few would. Under Operation Warp on Jan. 10, 2020. On Dec. 8, 2020, Speed, the U.S. government quickly pledged health officials in London began adminis- almost US$9 billion to fund vaccine develtering an effective coronavirus vaccine to opment and production. Moderna – whose the public. The global scientific community vaccine is expected to become the second successfully developed a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for U.S. use after Pfizer’s, received in just 332 days. a little under $1 billion of federal funding,

I am a statistician, and this year I was on the with a further $1.5 billion for 100 million judging panel for the Royal Statistical Soci- doses. While this number alone is not surety’s International Statistic of the Year. Much prising – vaccines tend to cost between $521 like Oxford English Dictionary’s “Word of million and $2.1 billion to develop – this the Year” competition, we choose one statis- was just one of many expensive projects. tic that is meant to capture the zeitgeist of Funding from governments and private dothe year. nors also went toward building manufactur-

The statistic 332 days was the clear, stand- ing facilities with the assumption that a vacout winner. After a year of terrible tragedy, a vaccine. Prior to this year, the fastest vac- one very important reason for the incredible cine was imminent and the usual regulatory economic hardship and sorrow, this number cine development was for the mumps vac- speed was the huge amount of investment hurdles would be passed quickly. For examrepresents an unparalleled collaboration in cine. That took four years. made by governments at the very beginning ple, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation the history of medicine that gives hope for a In April 2020, The New York Times played of the pandemic. helped fund seven factories back in April, return to normality in 2021. out multiple scenarios with vaccine experts Usually, pharmaceutical companies have even though only one or two of the factories

A researcher working with vials of COV- as to how long it would take to get a SARS- limited resources they are willing to spend will actually be used.

ID-19 in a lab. CoV-2 vaccine. Under normal circumstanc- on vaccine development, and usually, gov- This influx of money into multiple vaccines

Vaccine development normally takes around es, experts estimated, a vaccine would be ernments are not willing to sink endless and early preparation for manufacturing 10 years. AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File Fastest vaccine development ever ready by November 2033. So how is it possible that researchers got a money into a process that they aren’t sure is going to work. was instrumental toward getting a vaccine developed and distributed in record time.

In 1981, researchers established the link be- vaccine to market in just 332 days? The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the The development of COVID-19 vaccines is tween human papillomavirus and cervical Government financial investment entire playbook to the wind. As of writing a testament to the ingenuity, dedication and cancer, a disease that still causes hundreds A number of things helped to get this vac- this, 641 therapies and 189 vaccines related collaborative efforts of the scientific comof thousands of deaths per year worldwide. cine done fast, including international col- to COVID-19 are under development, most munity. At the end of a seemingly hopeless

But it wasn’t until 2006, over 25 years later, that the first HPV vaccine was developed in laboration of unseen proportions, an expedited trial phase process and the biology of of which are government-funded. The U.S. government invested in multiple year, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Source: theconversation.com the U.S. the virus itself. In addition to these efforts, vaccines with the understanding that some

On average, it takes over 10 years to develop

‘Possibility’ Moderna vaccine could be approved for children in 2021, Health Canada says

Colin Furness, an epidemiologist teaching ing hope that the country will be able to be- vaccine was injected, tiredness, headaches, at the University of Toronto, said testing a gin transitioning back to some semblance of muscle aches and stiffness, chills, fever, nauvaccine out on adults first is common proce- normal after a pandemic that has killed more sea or vomiting, and enlarged lymph nodes. dure. “You don’t test on children right away, than 1.7 million worldwide people so far. Signs of an allergic reaction will include and this is true for a lot of medications,” he Here’s what we know about the vaccine’s hives, difficulty breathing and a swollen said. doses, side effects and ingredients. tongue, face or throat. Health Canada has “I wouldn’t expect any of the new vaccines How to administer the doses? advised anyone who believes they may be to … have been tested on kids.” The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is a two- experiencing an allergic reaction to get Children are considered a vulnerable popu- dose series given approximately one month medical attention “immediately.” lation, and Furness said it’s important to en- apart through a muscle injection. The doses Canada to receive up to 168,000 doses of Modsure the safety of a vaccine before subjecting inject a molecule called mRNA, which in- erna’s COVID-19 vaccine before year’s end’ kids to it. cludes instructions for the body on how to Coronavirus: Canada to receive up to Testing on children was more time-consum- produce antibodies to fight COVID-19, into 168,000 doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vacing and therefore more expensive, he ex- a person’s upper arm. cine before year’s end plained, adding that ethics review boards are Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Shar- Coronavirus: Canada to receive up to By Emerald Bensadoun Health Canada’s chief medical adviser said Wednesday it was “within the realm of possibility” that Modalso “very cautious about enrolling vulnerable populations into these sorts of trials.” Next, Furness said vaccine developers will be monitoring the reaction to their vaccines ma said the first dose of Moderna’s vaccine is expected to achieve around 80 per cent immunity to the virus, followed by a second dose 28 days later. 168,000 doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vac cine before year’s end – Dec 23, 2020 What’s in the vaccine? A full list of the vaccine’s ingredients: erna’s novel coronavirus vaccine could be closely as doses roll out around the world, She said the immunity is expected to last • Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) approved for children by 2021. engaging in a so-called phase four. for a “significant period of time” after both • 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoDr. Supriya Sharma’s announcement came “Once you’ve established safety in phase shots have been given, however, she added choline (DSPC) shortly after the federal government author- four, then you can circle back and say, ‘OK, that “we wouldn’t recommend that there be • Acetic acid (also known as ethanoic ized the Moderna vaccine for use among now it’s time to start on kids,’” he said. a significant delay in that second dose.” acid) Canadians aged 18 and older. “We haven’t seen anything in the evidence • Cholesterol “It’s not unusual that first trials for any vac- that would show that there would be a sig- • PEG2000 DMG (1,2-dimyristoyl-raccines, or any medications for that matter, are nificant decrease in immunity if that is de- glycerol,methoxy-polyethyleneglycol) actually done in adults,” she said. layed for a few weeks,” she said. • Lipid SM-102 According to Sharma, recruitment for trials [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for • Sodium acetate (a type of organic sofor children aged 12 to 17 are already under- the latest coronavirus updates ] dium salt) way. “The plan is to recruit approximately “But again, we really don’t have the data to • Sucrose (a common sugar) 3,000 participants in that clinical trial, and be able to say that, or to confirm that one • Tromethamine that’s already started,” she said. way or the other.” • Tromethamine hydrochloride Pfizer-BioNtech is also planning to study the Moderna’s vaccine is more widely accessible • Water for injection effects of its vaccine on children as young as than its competitor, Pfizer and BioNtech’s, The federal government is advising anyone five years old, which Sharma said will likely she noted. It can be stored in regular freez- allergic to the “active substance” or any of begin in the spring. ers, as opposed to the -70 C refrigerators the vaccine’s ingredients to take a pass on “Because we already have some data in needed to safely store the Pfizer vaccine. these doses and opt for the Pfizer vaccine adults, we don’t have to redo the huge Phase The vaccine has been authorized for use for instead. III trials with tens of thousands of individuals in those trials — we can use some of the Moderna vaccine approved: Canadians aged 18 and older, but the Sharma said the federal government is currently Any Canadians who may have an allergy or are unsure of whether they fall into a risk data that we already have,” she explained. What we know about side effects, in- conducting additional studies in children group is encouraged to consult with a doc“But it’s really, really important that we do have information for use in children before we would have any authorization or recommendations that may be used in the younger gredients and doses Canada has approved Moderna’s novel coronavirus vaccine. Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canada’s from 12 years of age and older. Side effects All vaccines can cause side effects, although Health Canada says most from Modertor on their vaccine options. “If you have an allergy, a serious allergy, if you’ve had a serious allergy to a vaccine in the past or obviously if you have an allergy population.” chief medical adviser, says the country will na’s vaccine are expected to be mild and to this vaccine or… to any of the compoBy the end of December, Canada will have receive up to 168,000 doses of the Moderna shouldn’t last very long. nents of this vaccine, then you should not access to up to 168,000 doses of Moderna’s vaccine before the end of December, provid- These include pain or swelling where the get it,” said Sharma. coronavirus vaccine. Source: globalnews.ca