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FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021 8 DHUL-QA'DA - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8657 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS
Amir swears in Minister of Justice, Attorney-General
QNA — DOHA duties of Minister of State for Minister of Justice at the Amiri Cabinet Affairs and his duties post. Diwan yesterday. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Also, H H the Amir issued The oath-taking ceremony Hamad Al Thani issued yesterday Amiri Order No. 3 of was attended by Deputy Amir yesterday Amiri Order No. 2 of 2021, appointing H E Dr. Issa bin and the Prime Minister and Min- 2021, reshuffling the Cabinet. Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi as ister of Interior H E Sheikh The Order stipulates that H E Attorney-General. Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Masoud bin Mohammed Al The Amiri Orders annulled Al Thani. Ameri shall be appointed as the all provisions contravening its Before H H the Amir, H E Dr. Minister of Justice. rules. The Amiri Orders shall be Al Nuaimi took the oath as The Order also stipulates that effective starting from its date Attorney-General at the Amiri H E Minister of Municipality and of issue and published in the Diwan yesterday. The oath- Environment Abdullah bin official gazette. taking ceremony was attended Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie shall Before H H the Amir, H E Al by Deputy Amir H H Sheikh be entrusted with carrying out the Ameri took the oath as the Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani.
Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani during the swearing in ceremony at the Amiri Diwan, yesterday. EXTREME LEFT: Minister of Justice H E Masoud bin Mohammed Al Ameri taking the oath. LEFT: Attorney-General H E Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi taking the oath.
Qatar winning Amir to give opening speech at Qatar Economic Forum the battle against QNA — DOHA Macky Sall, President, the The event, taking place from opportunities, can shape a more Republic of Senegal; H E Armen June 21 to 23, welcomes a resilient global economy; "Power pandemic, says Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Sarkissian, President, the and Trade Flows" gathers global Hamad Al Thani will deliver the Republic of Armenia, in addition global delegation of more power brokers to share their Dr. Al Khal opening speech at the "Qatar to more than 100 speakers from than 2,000 government vision of the road ahead; "The Economic Forum, powered by around the world. leaders, chief executives, Changing Consumer" examines SANAULLAH ATAULLAH Bloomberg" which will take place The event, which will take the future of commerce; and "A THE PENINSULA on Monday, June 21, 2021, under place from June 21 to 23, wel- influential voices, and More Inclusive World" will offer the patronage of His Highness. comes a global delegation of decision-makers. ideas for healing fissures in a Qatar is likely to limit the Global government leaders more than 2,000 government post-pandemic society. spread of COVID-19 within the participating in the inaugural leaders, chief executives, influ- Produced by Bloomberg Live, next few months to a level that virtual event include H E Nana ential voices and decision- invite-only forum will draw on over the course of three days: the forum will come to life in a 360 the pandemic will not be a Akufo-Addo, President of the makers in the fields of finance, Qatar's ability to link Asia with "Technology Advanced" takes a cross-platform experience, with threat to the public health, said Republic of Ghana; The Rt Hon economics, investment, tech- Africa and beyond, driving closer look at permanent changes live-streaming on the Bloomberg Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal Boris Johnson, Prime Minister nology, energy, education, sports dynamic conversations around to the human-technology nexus; Terminal and news coverage yesterday. of the United Kingdom of Great and climate in an effort to identify the importance of deeper collab- "A Sustainable World" will across Bloombergs global media "We are on the way to Britain and Northern Ireland; H opportunities, present solutions oration and connectivity as a explore the intersection of capi- platforms including Bloomberg TV, winning the battle against the E Paul Kagame, President, The and rethink the global economic mean for advancing economic talism and climate; "Markets and and bloomberg.com. Latest pandemic," Dr. Al Khal, Chair Republic of Rwanda; H E Cyril landscape through the lens of the opportunity. Investing" poses the question of updates on speakers and the full of the National Health Strategy Ramaphosa, President, the Middle East. The forum agenda will be whether investors, in their inex- agenda, can be had from: Group on COVID-19, said. Republic of South Africa; H E Anchored in Doha, the centred around six main pillars orable pursuit of growth qatareconomicforum.com`P3 About 60% of the popu- lation have received one dose of the vaccine and 46% have received both doses. Registered organ donors Qatar’s first concrete 3D sculpture “In the past, it was said that if about 70 percent of the pop- in Qatar increase by 31% ulation get vaccinated the printed in a few minutes community will be protected, but with the emergence of FAZEENA SALEEM awareness program number of THE PENINSULA — DOHA “From a technical aspect, this new variants, from 80 to 90 THE PENINSULA people register as potential donors sculpture offers us the oppor- percent people are required to increases day by day,” she said. The country’s first 3D printed tunity to showcase one of the be vaccinated to announce the The number of registered organ In May 2019 more than concrete structure is a local biggest advantages of 3D printing total victory over the pan- donors in the country has reached 345,000 were registered as favourite – the Flag of which is flexibility in geometry. demic,” he said. more than 452,000 showing an potential organ donors and it Glory sculpture — a represen- With a structure like this, con- “With the help of vaccines, increase of around 31% within increased by more than tation of diverse hands united ventional construction practices we are moving towards the two years. As a result of ongoing 107,000 in June 2021. in holding up the flag of Qatar. would require designing and right direction in curbing the national level awareness The annual Ramadan Cam- It was printed in Qatar’s making a mould first, 3D printing pandemic. We will reach a campaigns, the Organ Donor paign for Organ Donation only facility for concrete 3D allows us to skip that step com- stage that the number of Registry receives increased Awareness was held at four printing, established as a result pletely allowing considerable COVID-19 cases will be limited number of people to register as locations including at malls of a partnership between Texas cost savings.” and not threaten public potential donors on a daily basis, adhering COVID-19 precau- A&M University at Qatar, a Engr. Mohammed Al health,” said Dr. Abdullatif Al according to a senior official. tionary measures. As part of the Qatar Foundation partner uni- Hamayda, JTC’s General Khal. Members of the public were campaign, information booths versity, Al Jaber Trading and Manager, said: “TAMUQ and JTC Speaking to Qatar TV yes- asked to consider giving the gift staffed by Qatar Organ Donation Contracting (JTC), and Cybe operators are now fully trained terday, Dr. Al Khal said that of life and register to become Center (Hiba) representatives Construction. to 3D print any complex object there might be some individual an organ donor as part of are providing members of the 3D printing has received using concrete locally. Our cases which may get diag- Hamad Medical Corporation’s public with information about increasing attention in the past ultimate mutual goal is to par- nosed at times without any (HMC) organ donation becoming a registered organ decade, some industries found ticipate effectively in devel- wide spread COVID-19 in the campaign. donor, including the process success in it early on, others like “We choose to print this par- oping green construction prac- community. “There are more than involved and the benefits. the construction industry ticular sculpture because of its tices in Qatar in line with its “Despite the high rate of 452,000 people in Qatar’s The annual campaign also struggled to catch up until very significance to the country, and National Vision 2030. The pos- vaccination, some countries organ donor registry, around allows the public to ask ques- recently. Several 3D printed the diversity it symbolises,” said sibilities with 3D printing are are witnessing an increase in 15,000 people have registered tions about organ donation and concrete structures are now Dr. Eyad Masad, Professor in the endless and we look forward COVID-19 cases, but in Qatar since September 2020,” Dr transplantation. Individuals popping up around the world. Mechanical Engineering to partnering with the public a new wave of the pandemic Asma Al Abdulghani, Director who are interested in becoming Qatar has recently joined this Program at Texas A&M Uni- and private construction sector is unlikely,” said Dr. Al Khal. of HMC’s Organ Donation Cam- a donor are able to register at international movement with versity at Qatar (TAMUQ), who as well as academic institutions He said that the vaccines paign, told The Peninsula. the booths and receive their its first 3D-printed concrete was critical in bringing concrete to deliver rapid and sustainable which are given in Qatar are “Due to the successful donor card on the spot. `P2 structure. 3D printing technology to Qatar. construction in Qatar.” `P3 safe and effective. `P2 02 HOME FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021
GCC Ministerial Committee discusses Gulf Manual OFFICIAL NEWS Amir sends for Control of Imported Food, Unified Food Law congratulations to president of Iceland QNA — DOHA PRAYER Doha: The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim TIMINGS The State of Qatar participated in the 5th bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee of congratulations, yesterday to for Food Safety. President of the Republic of Ice- land H E Guoni Johannesson on FAJR 03.14 am The State of Qatar was represented in the meeting, which was held via video con- the anniversary of the establish- SUNRISE 04.44 am ference technologies, by Minister of Public ment of the Republic. Deputy Amir DHUHR 11.35 am Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohammad Al H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al ASR 02.58 pm Kuwari. Thani also sent a similar cable to The meeting discussed a number of the President of the Republic of Ice- MAGHRIB 06.29 pm important topics, most notably the update land. Prime Minister and Minister of ISHA 07.59 pm of the Gulf Manual for the Control of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khal- Imported Food, the GCC Unified Food Law, ifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent cable the Strategic Plan of the Gulf Committee of congratulations to Prime Min- for Food Safety 2021-2025, and the mech- ister of the Republic of Iceland H anism for imposing and lifting the ban on E Katrin Jakobsdottir on the anni- the import of food of animal origin and its versary of the establishment of the products in the GCC countries. Republic . -QNA The meeting also discussed the pro- posal to establish a Gulf center for food FM receives phone safety and risk assessment, the activities call from Swedish WEATHER of the Gulf Food Safety Day for the years counterpart TODAY 2019 and 2020, and the implementation of the decision of the Supreme Council at Doha: The Deputy Prime Minister its 40th session in December 2019 on non- Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohammad Al Kuwari participating in the 5th meeting and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E tariff restrictions. of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Food Safety held via video conferencing yesterday. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrah- man Al Thani received a telephone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of State for of the Kingdom of Sweden H E Ann 34oC 40oC Linde. The call dealt with reviewing Foreign Affairs receives bilateral cooperation and develop- Minimum Maximum copy of credentials of ments in the region, particularly in Palestine, Yemen, and Iran. -QNA Hot with blowing dust to dusty at Korean Ambassador places at times. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs FM Message to the W ALRUWAIS : 32o → 35o H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi Netherlands delivered W ALKHOR : 32o → 37o received a copy of the credentials Doha: Acting Minister of Foreign W DUKHAN : 32o → 37o of Ambassador of the Republic of Affairs and Minister for Foreign Trade W WAKRAH : 30o → 42o Korea to Qatar H E Joon Ho Lee, and Development Cooperation of the W MESAIEED : 30o → 42o yesterday. The Minister of State Netherlands Sigrid Kaag received for Foreign Affairs wished the new W ABUSAMRA : 31o→ 37o a written message from Deputy Ambassador success in his duties, Prime Minister and Minister of For- assuring him of all support to advance eign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed HIGH TIDE bilateral relations to achieve closer bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, pertaining 13:16–22:16 cooperation in various fields. to bilateral relations and the means LOW TIDE 5:50 – 15:30 to enhance them. The message was delivered by Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Netherlands QU Library launches electronic archive project Abdullah bin Hussein Al Jaber, during a meeting with Director for THE PENINSULA — DOHA North Africa and Middle East in MoPH reports 127 the Netherlands’ Ministry of For- Qatar University (QU) Library eign Affairs Marc Gerritsen. -QNA new COVID-19 administration intends to implement several projects Minister of State for cases, two deaths related to developing its Defence participates in services and transforming them conference supporting THE PENINSULA — DOHA from mere information Lebanese Army containers to research and The Ministry of Public Health has scientific platforms. Doha: Deputy Prime Minister and reported 127 new cases of This archive aims to doc- Minister of State for Defence Affairs COVID-19 yesterday. Among ument the history of Qatar Uni- H E Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Atti- them 35 were travellers versity and its development yah participated in the Conference returning from abroad. The from 1978 up to the present day. The electronic archive aims to document the on Supporting the Lebanese Army, Ministry also confirmed two This initiative undertakes the history of Qatar University and its development organised by the French Republic, deaths. A total of 208 people archiving and preservation of virtually yesterday. A number of recovered from COVID-19 the university’s historical reg- from 1978 up to the present day. This initiative defence ministers participated in yesterday, bringing the total isters to make them accessible Asma Al Buainain, Acting undertakes the archiving and preservation of the conference, in addition to rep- number of people recovered for users. These should include Director of Qatar University resentatives from the United Nations in Qatar 217,758. university publications, admin- Library the university’s historical registers to make and the European Union. -QNA 10,562 COVID-19 vaccine istrative records, and articles. them accessible for users. These should doses have been administered Among the most prominent these records relating to the Shura Council in 24 hours. 2,856,149 of these projects is the Qatar history and culture of the include university publications, administrative participates in World COVID-19 vaccine doses have University electronic archive university.” records, and articles. e-Parliament conference been administered since the project, which seeks to achieve Al Buainain added: “The start of the National COVID-19 the university’s goals in digital Qatar University Library Doha: The Shura Council partici- Vaccination Program. transformation. Department documents the pated in the 9th World e-Parliament Also 69.2% of the eligible Asma Al Buainain, Acting history and development of the available to all researchers and Qatar University Library pro- Conference, organised by the Inter- population has now received Director of Qatar University university from 1978 to this day, university affiliates, in addition vides high-quality information Parliamentary Union, via video at least one dose of the Library said: “The idea of the and the University Archive to free access to these resources services to the university’s affil- conference. Discussions during the vaccine. 94.9% of over 60s (the Qatar University electronic works on archiving, preserving through the Qatar University iates, its local and international three-day conference focused on most vulnerable population archive project came due to the and making available to the Digital Hub platform. partners, and the Qatari com- lessons learned from the COVID-19 group) have been vaccinated importance of the historical public the historical records of According to the belief of munity in general. The library pandemic, digital transformation of with at least one dose; while eras that the university has gone the university, including publi- Qatar University in the pio- includes comprehensive collec- parliaments, and good practices in 89.1% have received both through and the large number cations, administrative records, neering role of research, this tions of printed and electronic parliamentary innovation.The Shura doses. However, it is still of documents dealing with these articles, newsletters, photo- platform has been updated to books, and the library sub- Council was represented in this con- important to be cautious as the eras, and their lack of availa- graphs, video and audio include all digital resources scribes to many scientific data- ference by H E Nasser bin Ahmed Al second wave is not yet over bility in one place. The vision of recordings, and oral history.” from articles, university publi- bases that serve all disciplines Malki and H E Mubarak bin Saif Al Man- and there are still two highly the Qatar University Archive The QU electronic archive cations and achievements, and programmes at Qatar Uni- souri, members of the Council. -QNA contagious and highly virulent project is to collect, maintain project will be launched soon graduation ceremonies, news- versity. The library also pro- strains of the virus that are and provide records continu- and aims to archive and pre- letters, photographs, and video vides an information literacy Shura Council’s body actively circulating in the ously. Making it available for serve the historical records of recordings. programme and training in holds meeting community. continuous access and use of the university and make them It is worth noting that the general research skills. Doha: The Shura Council’s Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee held Banned pills seized at HIA a meeting yesterday, headed by its Registered organ donors in rapporteur, H E Nasser bin Rashid THE PENINSULA bin Saree Al Kaabi.The committee — DOHA continued studying a draft law on combating conflict of interest, and The General Qatar increase by 31% decided to complete the study of Authority of Customs the aforementioned draft law at its FROM PAGE 1 (GAC) inspectors at receive full ethical and clinical registered as a donor. An next meeting. -QNA the Hamad Interna- “In Qatar, we have kidney, evaluation to be living donors organ transplant can be a life- tional Airport liver and a transplantation of kidneys to their loved ones,” saving procedure and can sig- Qatar winning the battle thwarted the smug- programs, and transplant said Dr Al Abdulghani. nificantly improve the quality gling of 600 Lyrica surgeries are performed by a “Every year we do about of life for someone with against pandemic pills found inside a team of highly skilled profes- 40 kidney transplantation; this chronic organ failure. These FROM PAGE 1 passenger’s baggage sionals. We have state-of-the- means that rate of organ life-saving organs come from coming from an Asian art facilities and provide safe transplantation increased 20 deceased donors who have “Qatar is giving Moderna and country. The and compassionate care,” said times in ten years time. pledged during their lifetime Pfizer vaccines with high effi- inspector at the Dr Al Abdulghani. Thanks to the great support of to give their organs to ciency to protect people from the external devices She also said the recent H E Dr Hanan Mohammed someone in need. A deceased COVID-19 virus,” said Dr. Al Khal. department launch of the lung transplant Alkuwari, Minister of Public organ donor can save up to However, he said that people suspected one of the programme is one of the biggest Health and the great eight lives. should follow all precautionary baggage. After achievements in Qatar’s trans- teamwork by the state of art “ We call upon all the public measures until majority of the inspection, he found plantation programs. HMC centers,” she said. to make use of these two world community is vaccinated. In reply the pills inside the clothes. Accordingly, a seizure report was issued, “The impact of the Qatar Organ Donor Registry class facilities to treat their to a question about re-imposing and the smuggler and the pills were transferred to the relevant entities awareness campaign and the was launched in 2012. The patients in, we see no need for COVID-19 restrictions if the to complete the procedures. excellent outcome of organ donor registry is a confidential patients to travel abroad for number of cases increase in The role of the HIA customs inspectors is to seize various quan- transplantation extend to both national list of people who are transplantation need, outcome future, Dr. Al Khal said that it tities of prohibited items hidden inconspicuously. The recent sei- the deceased donation rate and willing to become organ of our programs speak for their cannot be ruled out. “If people zures are evidence of customs officers’ skill and rationality in per- living donation from relatives donors after their death. It can self, we in HMC presents the follow preventive measures and forming their duties with high professionalism, enabling them to as well. Every year we receive be quickly accessed in the best quality most compas- take the vaccine when they are target and find prohibited items by following deliberate steps and almost 100 prospective living event of a death to see sionate and safest service,” said eligible, we will not be forced to the continuous training to thwart all types of attempts to smuggle. kidney donors who usually whether an individual has Dr Al Abdulghani. impose more restrictions.” FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021 HOME 03 Children’s Museum of Qatar names Baladna as founding family member
THE PENINSULA — DOHA “Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar will play an integral role in Dadu, Children’s Museum of supporting children and families, and advancing human Qatar has announced Baladna capacity through tailored programming that nurtures learning – Qatar’s leading and largest and development. We are proud to partner with Baladna, a dairy producer – as a founding family member of its initiative. 100% Qatari company that is equally invested in the The museum, the first publicly development of Qatar and is emblematic of our country’s self- funded national entity, aims to sufficiency and long-term goal of sustainable growth provide innovative child devel- H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani opment settings and resources to support children, families and educators to thrive and contribute to a sustainable future. optimise learning outcomes for cornerstones of Qatar’s H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint children at each stage of their National Vision 2030.” Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, development.” Ramez Al Khayyat, Baladna Chairperson of Qatar Museums, As part of the collaboration, Managing Director, said: said: “Dadu, Children’s Museum the Children’s Museum of Qatar “Baladna is proud to be a of Qatar will play an integral and Baladna plan to deliver founding family member of the role in supporting children and online workshops for children Children’s Museum of Qatar, families, and advancing human aged 7 to 11 years old over the designed to develop Qatar’s capacity through tailored pro- summer. The workshops will future leaders. Investing in Kuwait PM meets Qatar’s Ambassador gramming that nurtures entail hands-on experiments Qatar’s social and educational Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait H E Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, met with Qatar’s learning and development. We in which children can learn development will ensure a Ambassador to Kuwait H E Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, on the occasion of the end of his tenure, are proud to partner with how to make butter and bio- long-term sustainable future Baladna, a 100% Qatari degradable plastics from milk. for generations. Sheikha Al yesterday. Bilateral cooperation relations were reviewed during the meeting. company that is equally Moutaz Al Khayyat, Baladna Mayassa and the team at Qatar invested in the development of Chairman, said: “Contributing Museums are constantly Qatar and is emblematic of our to Qatar’s social and cultural striving to develop human country’s self-sufficiency and development through part- capital through learning and NHRC signs MoU with Sudanese long-term goal of sustainable nership and community development initiatives for all growth”. investment is vital to children in Qatar. Baladna is Ahmad M. Al Namla, CEO of Baladna’s identity. We are delighted to be a part of this.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qatar Museums, said: “As a delighted to be part of this With sustainability at its founding family member of wonderful initiative designed core, Dadu will be dedicated to QNA — DOHA exchange publications and Human Rights Committee and Dadu, Baladna is contributing to help children reach their the continuous enrichment of visits. the Sudanese Ministry of to a collective endeavour to full potential. As a founding the lives of children and their Chairman of the National The two parties aim to Foreign Affairs, which includes enrich the wider community. family member, Baladna will families. The museum is being Human Rights Committee cooperate in human rights- the exchange of experiences Their backing and generosity support the Children’s designed to nurture, challenge (NHRC) Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al related issues through the between the two parties to supports our goal to assist Museum of Qatar and Sheikha and inspire Qatar’s future Marri met with the Minister of development of programmes promote and protect human future generations to reach Al Mayassa’s local human and leaders and caretakers, fuelling Foreign Affairs of the Republic and projects to raise the capa- rights and develop capacity- their full potential through tai- social development program, their creativity and encouraging of Sudan, Dr. Mariam Al Sadiq bilities of workers in this field building for workers in various lored programmes that both of which are empathy and understanding. Al Mahdi, at the Committee’s and work to benefit from the institutions, to hold courses, headquarters yesterday. On the expertise, experiences, and conferences and workshops sidelines of the visit, a Memo- international mechanisms con- and we will form a joint com- randum of Understanding cerned with human rights and mittee whose task is to prepare (MoU) was signed on behalf of the exchange of information. an implementation plan during the NHRC by the Assistant They’ll also exchange experi- the next two years to implement Secretary-General Sultan ences in technical cooperation the effectiveness of this joint Hassan Al Jamali, while Ambas- concerning the organisation of agreement.” sador Adel Hussein Sharafi, conferences and seminars, He explained that the next Director General of Financial training courses, and prepa- stage would witness consoli- and Human Resources, signed ration of studies in the field of dation of this cooperation for the Sudanese Foreign human rights in addition to through the support that the Ministry. developing existing training NHRC can provide with its The MoU aims to promote tools and enhancing the benefit cumulative experiences at the and protect human rights and of their joint competencies and national, regional, and interna- focus on areas of interest to experiences, and setting prior- tional levels, especially both parties, based on their ities for each party’s benefit regarding the technical contri- common goals in coordination from the programs and activ- bution to the establishment of and cooperation to build and ities organised by the other. the National Committee for raise the capacities of diplomats Speaking to Qatar News Human Rights in Sudan fol- and workers in Sudanese min- Agency (QNA), Sultan Hassan Al lowing the Paris Principles, and H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, with other istries and institutions related Jamali said: “We signed today to provide all institutions and officials during an event to mark the collaboration between Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar and to human rights, organize activ- a joint memorandum of under- departments related to human Baladna. ities, studies and research, and standing between the National rights. Amir to give opening speech at Qatar Economic Forum FROM PAGE 1 Hassan, Al-Thawadi, Secretary United States of America; Ray Business, Energy & Industrial Group Managing Director and Advisor, The United States of Confirmed speakers include: General at Supreme Committee Dalio, Founder, Co-Chairman Strategy, the United Kingdom of CEO, Equity Group Holdings Plc. America; Vera Songwe, Under- Darius Adamczyk, Chairman and for Delivery and Legacy, The and Co-Chief Investment Great Britain and Northern and Executive Chairman, Equity secretary General and Executive CEO, Honeywell; Noubar Afeyan, State of Qatar; Aisha Hussein Officer, Bridgewater Associates; Ireland; Faruk Güler, CEO, Group Foundation; Dr. John Secretary of the Economic Com- Founder and CEO, Flagship Alfardan, Personal Advisor to the Aliko Dangote, Founder and ESBA-Ege Serbest Blge Kurucu Nkengasong, Director, Africa mission for Africa, United Pioneering; Clare Akamanzi, Chairman, Alfardan Group President/Chief Executive, ve leticisi A.; Mo Ibrahim, CDC; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nations ; Rob Speyer, President CEO, Rwanda Development Holding, Vice Chairwoman, Dangote Group; Mohammed Founder & Chair, Mo Ibrahim Director-General, WTO; Jim and CEO, Tishman Speyer; Jes Board; H.E. Akbar Al-Baker, Qatari Businesswomen Associ- Dewji, CEO, MeTL; Dr. Herbert Foundation; ; Jenny Johnson, Ovia, Founder and Chairman, Staley, Group Chief Executive, Group CEO, Qatar Airways; H.E. ation; Mukesh Ambani, Diess, Chairman, Volkswagen President and CEO, Franklin Zenith Bank; General David H. Barclays; Lawrence H. Summers, Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, Chairman and Managing Group; Mark Dixon, Founder and Resources; Dr. Paula Kahumbu, Petraeus (U.S. Army, Ret.), Charles W. Eliot University Pro- Minister of State for Energy Director, Reliance Industries CEO, IWG; Didier Drogba, Vice Founder and CEO, Wildlife Partner KKR, Chairman of the fessor, Harvard University; Affairs, The State of Qatar, and Limited; Baroness Valerie Amos, President, Peace and Sport; Brje Direct; Graça Machel, Chair KKR Global Institute; Ruth Jane Sun, CEO, Trip.com Group; CEO, Qatar Petroleum; H.E. Ali Master of University College, The Ekholm, President and CEO, Graça Machel Trust; Yvonne Porat, CFO, Alphabet; Angelique Fred Swaniker, Founder and Bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Minister University of Oxford; Tom Ericsson Group; Sergio Ermotti, Manzi Makolo, CEO, RwandAir; Pouponneau, CEO SeyCCAT; CEO, African Leadership of Commerce and Industry and Barrack, Founder, Colony Chairman, Swiss Re; Aziz Lord Mandelson, Chairman, Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman Group; Masai Ujiri, President Acting Minister of Finance, The Capital; David Beckham; Gordon Aluthman Fakhroo, Managing Global Counsel; Rita Marques, and CEO, TotalEnergies; Syl- and General Manager, Toronto State of Qatar; H.E. Dr. Hanan Brown, former Prime Minister, Director, Ooredoo Group; Henry Secretary of State for Tourism, vestre Radegonde, Minister for Raptors; Shriti Vadera, Chair, al-Kuwari, Minister of Public the United Kingdom of Great Fernandez, Chairman and CEO, Republic of Portugal; Roberto Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Prudential plc..; Ben van Health, The State of Qatar; H.E. Britain and Northern Ireland; MSCI; Larry Fink, Chairman and Marques, Executive Chairman Republic of Seychelles; Mat- Beurden, CEO Royal Dutch Mansoor bin Ebrahim Ursula Burns, former CEO, CEO, BlackRock; Bruce Flatt, and Group CEO, Natura & Co; thias Rebellius, CEO of Siemens Shell; Jacopo Venturini, CEO, Al-Mahmoud, CEO, Qatar Xerox; David L. Calhoun, Pres- CEO, Brookfield Asset Blythe Masters, CEO, Motive Smart Infrastructure, Siemens Valentino Fashion Group; Investment Authority; H.E. ident and CEO, The Boeing Management; Dr. Leila Fourie, Capital Partners; Sunil Bharti AG; Emmanuel Roman, CEO, Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of Company; Anthony Capuano, Group CEO, JSE; Dame Jayne- Mittal, Founder and Chairman, PIMCO; Reeta Roy, President Co-Founder and Chair, Seneca State, The State of Qatar, and CEO, Marriott International; Anne Gadhia, Founder and Exec- Bharti Enterprises; Steven T. and CEO, Mastercard Foun- Women; Axel A. Weber, Chairman of the Board of Natarajan Chandrasekaran, utive Chair, Snoop; Ignacio Galn, Mnuchin, 77th Secretary of the dation; David M. Rubenstein, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Qatar Free Zones Chairman, Tata Sons; Dr, Jeffrey Chairman and CEO, Iberdrola; Treasury, United States; Amina Co-Founder and Co-Executive Directors, UBS Group AG; Bill Authority; H.E. Khalid bin Chea, Founder and Chairman, Luis Gallego, CEO, International J. Mohammed, Deputy Chairman, The Carlyle Group; Winters, Group Chief Executive, Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairman, Sunway Group; Adrian Cheng, Airlines Group; Ivan Glasenberg, Secretary-General, United Ferit ahenk, Chairman, Dou Standard Chartered; Darren Qatari Diar, and CEO, Qatargas; CEO and Executive Vice CEO, Glencore; Lord Grimstone, Nations; Louise Mushikiwabo, Group; Stephen A. Schwarzman, Woods, Chairman and CEO, Exx- H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Chairman, New World Devel- Minister for Investment, Secretary General, Organization Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder, onMobil and Yichen Zhang, bin Jabor Al Thani, former Prime opment; Hillary Rodham Department for International Internationale de la Franco- The Blackstone Group; Daleep Chairman and CEO, CITIC Minister The State of Qatar H.E. Clinton, 67th Secretary of State, Trade and the Department for phonie; Dr. James Mwangi, Singh, Deputy National Security Capital. Qatar’s first concrete 3D sculpture printed in a few minutes FROM PAGE 1 funding support from QF’s economically nor environ- a reality, the government pleased to say, we have suc- 3D concrete printing is an Qatar National Research Fund mentally,” said Dr. Masad. would need to develop elec- cessfully managed to inte- alternative construction (QNRF) and in partnership A major material trical, plumbing, structural grate all this knowledge and method that has the with QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa property to focus on for con- integrity, and public safety are now confident in our potential to revolutionize the University (HBKU), Al-Jaber struction in a country like code standards. Dr. Masad ability to deliver 3D printed construction industry Trading and Contracting, Qatar is thermal conduc- noted that TAMUQ and JTC concrete structures for globally, with significant Ashgal, Seero Engineering, tivity. The group is currently have worked very hard for Qatar.” benefits such as reduced and Hecettepe University in exploring printing with a the past year and a half to Standing at a height of manpower; greater geometric Turkey. light material that has low adopt this technology in almost three meters, the freedom; reduced material On the research side of thermal conductivity so it Qatar. The learning curve structure took only 30 consumption and wastage; the technology, experts from can provide insulation and leading up to the deployment minutes to print and improved safety on-site. TAMUQ are looking into essentially create smart was a steep one, the team required two personnel to The ultimate goal of the developing local materials structures. had to learn the design monitor the printing, and group is to use demolished for printing. “If you want to As of now, no regulations process, familiarize them- add the printing material. waste from construction and print structures in Qatar, you exist in Qatar to get 3D selves with the printing The same structure, if con- recycle it back into the con- need to produce the printing printed buildings approved material and its properties, structed using conventional struction sector through 3D material in Qatar. Shipping for residential or com- understand how the printer methods, would have taken printing. This work is cur- it is not a sustainable mercial use. To make inhab- operates and train per- 12 to 18 hours and at least Engr. Mohammed Al Hamayda, General rently being conducted with optional, neither itable 3D printed buildings sonnel. He said: “We are five people. Manager of JTC 04 GULF / MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021
Kuwait to allow Close Khamenei loyalist set to win Iran vote today entry of fully
Ebrahim Raisi, an from foreigners, he does back vaccinated ally and protege of talks with world powers aimed non-citizens Supreme Leader at reviving a 2015 nuclear deal, a development that would bring an from Aug 1 Ayatollah Ali easing of Western sanctions that Khamenei, is favourite have crushed Iran’s economy. REUTERS — DUBAI But the election of an Iranian to succeed the head of government currently Kuwait will allow non-citizens pragmatist incumbent under US sanctions could alarm to enter the country from Aug. Hassan Rouhani, Washington and liberal Iranians, 1 if they have been fully vacci- analysts of Iranian politics said, nated with COVID-19 vaccines forbidden under the especially given President Joe that have been approved by constitution from Biden’s sharpened focus on the Gulf state, the government serving a third human rights globally. said yesterday. “Raisi being elected will A PCR test must be taken four-year term. justify and legitimise America’s before flying and another human rights sanctions against during seven days of home the Islamic Republic,” said Meir quarantine on arrival. REUTERS — DUBAI Javedanfar, an Iranian-born In decisions carried by expert on Iran at the state news agency Kuna, Iranians vote today in a race Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya Kuwait’s cabinet also likely to hand the presidency to in Israel. announced that only citizens a judge sanctioned by Khamenei on Wednesday who have been fully vacci- Washington for alleged urged Iranians to turn out and nated can leave the country involvement in executions of vote, but record numbers of from August 1.It also said that political prisoners, a result that people are expected to boycott Supporters of presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi holding posters of him during an election rally from June 27 only vaccinated would cheer the clerical the polls due to anger over in Tehran, Iran on Wednesday. people would be able to enter leadership but stir Western worsening economic hardship restaurants and cafes, health human rights concerns. and frustration with hardline rule. at the ballot box means a vote country to our revolutionary will be the next president clubs, salons and large com- Hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, an Another potential deterrent serves little purpose, analysts values,” Said Mohammad whether we vote or not,” said an mercial spaces. ally and protege of Supreme for voters is a hardline vetting of Iranian politics say. Hosseini from the Shia city of Iranian journalist who asked not Gulf states including Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, body’s disqualification of The establishment’s Mashhad. to be named due to security Bahrain, the United Arab is favourite to succeed the hundreds of would-be religiously devout core But hundreds of Iranians, concerns. Raisi, whose main rival Emirates and Saudi Arabia pragmatist incumbent Hassan candidates, including many supporters are expected to vote including prominent politicians in the vote is moderate former increasingly have been making Rouhani, forbidden under the advocating more political and for Raisi, a mid-ranking Shia and relatives of dissidents killed Central Bank governor proof of COVID-19 vaccination constitution from serving a third personal freedoms. For an cleric who lost to Rouhani in since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Abdolnasser Hemmati, was a condition of entry to public four-year term. overwhelmingly young 2017. “I will vote for Raisi revolution, have called for an appointed by Khamenei to the areas including work spaces, Raisi says that while the population chafing at political because he is the most capable election boycott. “Why should I high-profile job of judiciary malls and entertainment Islamic Republic needs no help restrictions, the lack of choice candidate to bring back the vote when it has no impact? Raisi chief in 2019. venues. Palestinian teen shot by Israeli troops dies IN BRIEF
AP — JERUSALEM Zambia’s founding president
A Palestinian teenager died yesterday after Kenneth Kaunda dies aged 97 being shot by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank during a protest against a LUSAKA: Kenneth Kaunda settlement outpost, the fourth demonstrator (pictured), Zambia’s founding to be killed since the outpost was estab- president and liberation hero, lished last month. has died aged 97 at a military Tensions remain high in the region hospital in Lusaka where he following the 11-day Gaza war in May. was being treated for pneu- Activists launched incendiary balloons monia, his son Kambarage from Gaza into Israel for a third day yes- saidy.Kaunda ruled Zambia terday despite Israeli airstrikes the day from 1964, when the southern before, the first since last month’s African nation won its inde- cease-fire. pendence from Britain, until The Israeli military said on Wednesday 1991, and afterwards become that a soldier stationed near the wildcat one of Africa’s most committed outpost saw a group of Palestinians activists against HIV/AIDS. “I am approaching, and that one “hurled a sus- sad to inform (members) we picious object at him, which exploded have lost Mzee. Let’s pray for him,” Kambarage said on the late pres- adjacent to the soldier.” The army said that ident’s Facebook page. The former president had been feeling unwell the soldier fired in the air, then shot the An Israeli machinery demolishes a Palestinian house as members of Israeli border police and had been admitted to the Maina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka Palestinian who threw the object. stand guard near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, yesterday. earlier this week. Although Zambia’s copper-based economy The Palestinian Health Ministry said fared badly under his long stewardship, Kaunda will be remem- Ahmad Shamsa, 15, died of a gunshot wound would embarrass Prime Minister Naftali Israeli military shot and killed a Palestinian bered more for his role as an anti-colonial fighter who stood up sustained a day earlier. Settlers established Bennett and other right-wing members woman on Wednesday, saying she had tried to white minority-ruled South Africa.-Reuters the outpost, which they refer to as Eviatar, of the fragile government sworn in over to ram her car into a group of soldiers near the northern West Bank town of Nablus the weekend. guarding a West Bank construction site. Hamas chief meets party leaders last month and say it is now home to dozens Palestinians from the nearby village of Meanwhile, An Israeli policeman has of families. Palestinians say it is built on Beita have held several protests in which been charged with manslaughter in the during Morocco visit private land and fear it will grow and merge demonstrators have hurled stones and Israeli killing of an autistic Palestinian man in with other large settlements nearby. troops have fired tear gas and live ammu- Jerusalem a year ago, the Justice Ministry RABAT: Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh will hold meeting Morocco’s Israeli authorities have evacuated the nition. Four Palestinians have been killed said, in an incident that sparked protests main opposition party leaders as part of a visit to build support outpost on several occasions. They appear since mid-May, including Shamsa and and widespread condemnation, Reuters for the Palestinian cause despite the country’s recent diplomatic reluctant to do so this time because it another teenager. In a separate incident, the reported yesterday. accord with Israel. Haniyeh arrived in Morocco on Wednesday and met the Islamist PJD, the biggest party in the governing coalition, and will hold talks with several other main parties during Lebanon workers his four-day visit. Yesterday, he is meeting PAM and Istiqlal, two Over 270 Europe-bound migrants of the main opposition parties, with other party meetings scheduled stage general before he leaves on Sunday. -Reuters strike over rescued and detained in Libya Policeman killed, students escalating crises AP — CAIRO one should be returned to Libya however, say those policies abducted in Nigeria attack after being rescued at sea. leave migrants at the mercy of AP — BEIRUT Over 270 Europe-bound Under international maritime either the sea or Libya’s armed LAGOS: Gunmen killed a police officer and abducted an unknown migrants were rescued by a law, rescued individuals should groups, with many ending up number of students yesterdayfrom a school in the northwestern Shops, government offices, commercial ship near Libya’s be disembarked at a place of confined in squalid detention Nigerian state of Kebbi, local residents and a youth leader said. businesses and banks shut- Mediterranean shores and safety,” said the agencies, centers rife with abuses. The attack, the latest in a series of similar group kidnappings at tered their doors in Lebanon handed over to the Libyan coast adding that Libya cannot be Rescue groups have also schools in northwest Nigeria, took place at the Federal Government yesterday, as part of a general guard who sent them to detention considered “a safe place.” decried the handover of College in Birnin Yauri. -Reuters strike to protest deteriorating centers, the UN migration and For almost a decade, war- migrants to the Libyan author- economic conditions and press refugee agencies said. torn Libya has been the dom- ities, accusing the merchant Saudi air defences intercept drone for a government to deal with The migrants were rescued inant transit point for migrants vessel of committing “illegal the worsening political and in international waters on fleeing war and poverty in pushback” - a practice where launched by Yemen’s Houthis: Report economic crises. Monday by the Vos Triton, Africa and the Middle East and migrants are denied the right The strike, which was sailing under the flag of aspiring to settle in Europe. to apply for international pro- DUBAI:- Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted a drone launched accompanied by several road- Gibraltar, said the International Smugglers often pack desperate tection. The German humani- by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group yesterday towards Khamis blocks set up around Beirut Organization for Migration and families into ill-equipped tarian group Sea-Watch Mushait, home to the main Saudi air base in the border region, and other cities, was ironically the UNHCR in a joint statement. rubber boats that stall and tweeted that the migrants were Saudi state TV reported. A Houthi spokesman said on Twitter his supported by the very political A day later, they were founder along the perilous eventually transferred against group launched two drones at military positions inside the Abha parties blamed for the months- returned by the Libyan coast central Mediterranean route. their will from the Vos Triton International Airport, west of Khamis Mushait. A Saudi-led military long deadlock over forming a guard to the Tripoli port, from In recent years, the EU has to a Libyan patrol boat. So far coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted government. where they were taken into partnered with Libya’s coast this year, more than 13,000 the country’s internationally-recognised government from Sana'a, This drew criticism from detention by Libyan authorities, guard and other local groups to migrants were returned to the capital. Oman, which has a border with Saudi Arabia and many activists and commen- the statement added. “The two stem such dangerous sea Libyan detention centers and Yemen, recently stepped up efforts to persuade the parties to tators, who questioned why organizations reiterate that no crossings. Rights groups, hundreds have perished at sea. agree on a ceasefire deal. -Reuters those who were driving the economic and financial meltdown were themselves on strike. Ethiopia urges Tigray rights inquiry to ‘immediately cease’ Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government AP — NAIROBI as “misguided” and lacking Lumbu, told reporters yesterday. between Ethiopian forces, region through expulsions and since August. Prime Minister- legal basis and proposed a joint He added that Ethiopia has given backed by ones from neigh- other violence, often including designate Saad Hariri, named Ethiopia’s government is urging probe instead. authorisation for the commission boring Eritrea, and fighters sup- killings and rapes. to the post in October, has an African Union body to But members of the new to visit Tigray but no date has porting the region’s now- Ethiopia’s government has failed to gain support from the “immediately cease” a new commission, created under the been set, with the security situ- fugitive leaders. Witnesses have rejected the allegations and presidency over his Cabinet commission of inquiry into alle- African Commission on Human ation a factor. described to The Associated asserted that it is helping Tigray picks - and the two sides have gations of abuses in the coun- and Peoples’ Rights, said they had Any findings “definitely will Press gang-rapes, mass expul- to rebuild. locked horns over who gets try’s Tigray region, where not received that statement from not be hidden in the drawer,” sions and forced starvation, The United Nations human more say in shaping a gov- months of deadly conflict have Ethiopia. The investigation into Lumbu said. It is not clear when leading the United States and rights office is also looking into ernment. The World Bank has led to warnings of famine and alleged human rights abuses will the commission’s report will be others to warn of famine. the Tigray conflict, but it is a described Lebanon’s financial “ethnic cleansing.” go forward, they said. published. The US also has alleged joint investigation with the and economic crisis as among An Ethiopian foreign min- “What we have started Thousands of civilians have ethnic cleansing in parts of Ethiopian Human Rights Com- the worst in the world in 150 istry statement yesterday crit- cannot be stopped,” the com- been killed in Tigray since the Tigray. The term refers to mission, which has led to con- years. icised the independent inquiry mission’s vice chair, Remy Ngoy conflict began in November forcing a population from a cerns about independence. FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021 ASIA 05
Infections out of Hundreds of vaccinated Indonesians get COVID-19 control in More than 350 doctors and medical workers Afghanistan as have caught COVID-19 despite being cases shoot up vaccinated with Sinovac and dozens have been hospitalised as concerns grow about REUTERS — KABUL the efficacy of some vaccines against more The COVID-19 pandemic is infectious variants. spiralling out of control in Afghanistan, with cases rising 2,400 percent in the past REUTERS — JAKARTA COVID-19 vaccine developed by month, hospitals filling up and Chinese biopharmaceutical medical resources quickly More than 350 doctors and company Sinovac, the Indonesian running out, the International medical workers have caught Medical Association (IDI) says. Committee of the Red Cross COVID-19 in Indonesia despite While the number of Indo- said yesterday. being vaccinated with Sinovac nesian healthcare workers More than a third of tests and dozens have been hospi- dying from COVID-19 has last week came back positive, talised, officials said, as concerns dropped sharply from 158 in the ICRC said. grow about the efficacy of some January to 13 in May, according “Afghanistan is at a crisis vaccines against more infectious to data initiative group Lapor- point in the battle to contain variants. COVID-19, public health experts COVID-19 as hospital beds are Most of the workers were say the Java hospitalisations are full to capacity in the capital asymptomatic and self-isolating cause for concern. Kabul and in many areas,” said at home, said Badai Ismoyo, “The data shows they have Nilab Mobarez, Acting Pres- head of the health office in the the Delta variant (in Kudus) so ident of the Afghan Red district of Kudus in central Java, it is no surprise that the break- Crescent Society, in a but dozens were in hospital through infection is higher than Healthcare workers put on personal protective equipment as they prepare to treat patients at the statement released by the with high fevers and declining before, because, as we know, the emergency hospital for the coronavirus disease in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. International Committee of the oxygen saturation levels. majority of healthcare workers Red Cross. Kudus, which has about in Indonesia got Sinovac, and we The World Health Organi- doctors and nurses suffered a vaccinated that they are safe.” The surge was putting 5,000 healthcare workers, is still don’t know yet how effective sation (WHO) approved emer- heavy toll of 946 deaths. But as more cases of the intense strain on a country battling an outbreak believed it is in the real world against the gency use of Sinovac’s vaccine Many are now experiencing highly transmissible Delta variant where millions already live in to be driven by the more trans- Delta variant,” said Dicky this month, saying results pandemic fatigue and taking a are identified in the world’s fourth poverty and health resources missible Delta variant which Budiman, an epidemiologist at showed it prevented sympto- less vigilant approach to health most populous nation, the data is are scarce. has pushed up its bed occu- Australia’s Griffith University. matic disease in 51% of recip- protocols after being vacci- starting to tell a different story. Health authorities yes- pancy rates above 90%. Spokespersons from ients and prevented severe nated, said Lenny Ekawati, from Across Indonesia, at least terday registered 2,313 positive Designated as a priority Sinovac and Indonesia’s min- COVID-19 and hospital stays in LaporCOVID-19. five doctors and one nurse have cases and a record 101 deaths group, healthcare workers were istry of health were not imme- all of those studied. “That phenomenon happens died from COVID-19 despite from COVID-19 in the last 24 among the first to be vaccinated diately available for comment As Indonesia grappled with quite often these days, not only being vaccinated, according to hours. Officials and experts when inoculations began in on the efficacy of the Chinese one of Asia’s worst outbreaks, within the community, but also the data initiative group, have said low testing means January. firm’s CoronaVac against newer registering more than 1.9 million healthcare workers,” she said. although one had only received those official figures are Almost all have received the variants of the virus. infections and 53,000 deaths, its “They think because they are a first shot. probably a dramatic undercount. Afghanistan’s fragile health Duterte: Running system has been damaged by Chinese crew enters new space station on 3-month mission decades of war. Violence has for vice-president risen in recent months, with AP — JIUQUAN space rookie Tang Hongbo, 45, of astronauts China has launched patriotic songs before blasting US-led foreign forces with- a ‘good idea’ opened the hatches and floated into space since 2003, becoming off at 9:22 a.m (0122 GMT) atop drawing by September and Three Chinese astronauts into the Tianhe-1 core living only the third country after the a Long March-2F Y12 rocket. peace negotiations between the BLOOMBERG — MANILA arrived yesterday at China’s new module. Pictures showed them former Soviet Union and the The rocket dropped its Afghan government and space station at the start of a busy at work unpacking United States to do so on its own. boosters about two minutes into insurgent Taliban largely stalled. Philippine President Rodrigo three-month mission, marking equipment. All appears to have gone the flight followed by the cowling Major hospitals have Duterte said running for vice- another milestone in the coun- “This represents the first smoothly so far. China’s leaders surrounding Shenzhou-12. After closed their doors this week to president next year is “a good try’s ambitious space program. time Chinese have entered their hope the mission will be a com- about 10 minutes it separated new COVID-19 patients after idea,” his strongest comments Their Shenzhou-12 craft own space station,” state broad- plete success as the ruling Com- from the rocket’s upper section, an influx of cases left them yet indicating he may look to connected with the space caster CCTV said on its nightly munist Party prepares to cele- extended its solar panels and with a lack of beds and oxygen stay in a top leadership station module about six hours news broadcast. brate the centenary of its shortly afterward entered orbit. shortages. position after his single term after taking off from the Jiuquan The crew will carry out exper- founding next month. About a half-dozen adjust- The ICRC warned that lack ends. launch centre on the edge of the iments, test equipment, conduct The astronauts were seen ments took place over the fol- of vaccine access and hesi- “There are a lot of people Gobi Desert. maintenance and prepare the off by space officials, other uni- lowing six hours to line up the tancy were exacerbating the pushing me to run for vice- About three hours later, station for receiving two labo- formed military personnel and spaceship for docking with the situation. Less than 0.5% of president,” Duterte, 76, said in commander Nie Haisheng, 56, ratory modules next year. The a crowd of children waving Tianhe-1, module at about 4pm Afghans have been fully a speech on Wednesday. “It’s followed by Liu Boming, 54, and mission brings to 14 the number flowers and flags and singing (0800 GMT). vaccinated. a good idea I think, particu- larly if we talk about the drug IN BRIEF problem.” Still, Duterte said the vice president is “just a flower there Editors of Hong Kong newspaper until the other wilts.” He also said he would “want a good arrested under security law rest after a grueling” term — repeating his comments last HONG KONG: Hong Kong police used a sweeping national security week that he is keen to retire law yesterday to arrest five editors and executives of a pro- after his presidency. democracy newspaper on charges of colluding with foreign powers Under Philippine law, a - the first time the legislation has been used against the press in president can only be elected yet another sign of an intensifying crackdown by Chinese author- for one six-year term. ities in the city long known for its freedoms. Police said they had Duterte’s political party evidence that more than 30 articles published by Apple Daily PDP-Laban last month passed played a “crucial part” in what they called a conspiracy with foreign a resolution urging Duterte to countries to impose sanctions against China and Hong Kong. stand for vice-president, a Apple Daily said in a statement that the move left it “speechless” move that could boost his but vowed to continue its reporting. The newspaper has long been favoured presidential candi- one of the most outspoken defenders of Hong Kong’s freedoms date’s chances in the 2022 and in recent years has often criticized the Chinese and Hong elections. Analysts say it may Kong governments for walking back promises that the territory be a way for him to remain in could retain those freedoms for 50 years after the territory was power and immune from handed over from Britain. -AP criminal charges after his presidency. Internet outages briefly disrupt Such a move would be counter to the constitution’s Villagers displaced by fighting in eastern Myanmar cross a river in Kayah State. access to websites, apps intended limits to a president’s term if he pushes through with SYDNEY: A wave of brief Internet outages hit the websites and his vice-presidential bid, said Myanmar’s war scatters thousands to forests apps of dozens of financial institutions, airlines and other Dan Gatmaytan, who teaches companies across the globe yesterday. constitutional law at the Uni- REUTERS —YANGON “Some children are suf- northern and western Myanmar The Hong Kong Stock Exchange said in a post on Twitter yes- versity of the Philippines. fering diarrhoea. It is difficult too, a total of nearly 200,000 terday afternoon Hong Kong time that its site was facing tech- “I would argue that Some camps dotted in the forest to get clean water here. Some people have fled homes else- nical issues and that it was investigating. It said in another post Duterte’s candidacy would have a few dozen people, some people didn’t get a chance to where since the coup, by far the 17 minutes later that its websites were back to normal. constitute an indirect circum- more than a thousand. The bring rice or food,” said biggest mass movement since Many of the outages were reported by people in Australia vention of the constitution, the displaced sleep packed together 26-year-old Foung, who gave the 2017 exodus of 700,000 trying to do banking, book flights and access postal services. likes of which were stuck down under plastic sheeting for only one name for fear of Rohingya Muslims in the face Australia Post, the country’s postal service, said on Twitter by the Supreme Court in earlier protection from Myanmar’s retribution. of an army offensive. that an “external outage” had impacted a number of its services, cases,” Gatmaytan said. monsoon rains. “We pray,” he said, sharing It was not possible to reach and that while most services had come back online, they were Duterte’s spokesman Food is short and there are pictures of the tarpaulin slung the junta for comment. continuing to monitor and investigate. Banking services were Harry Roque, however, said signs of disease spreading, between boulders under the It has branded its opponents severely disrupted, with Westpac, the Commonwealth, ANZ and last week that “there is abso- according to people who have trees where he now sleeps. as terrorists - including Peoples St George all down, along with the website of the Reserve Bank lutely no ban for a president fled recent fighting in eastern The United Nations esti- Defence Forces such as the of Australia, the country’s central bank. -AP to run for vice president.” Myanmar’s Kayah State — just mates nearly 110,000 people newly formed Karenni National Still, Duterte said he would one of several conflicts to surge have been displaced in Myan- Defence Force which has been US ends Cambodia aid programme not run if House Majority since the February 1 coup mar’s Kayah State by the recent fighting in the region since last Leader Martin Romualdez toppled elected leader Aung violence. month, initially inflicting casu- over deforestation, arrests stands for the office. San Suu Kyi. With new fighting in alties on the army too. PHNOM PENH: The United States is ending a Cambodian aid programme aimed at protecting one its biggest wildlife sanctu- aries, citing worsening deforestation and harassment of those Malaysia considering ‘mixing’ vaccines to boost efficacy who speak out about destruction of natural resources. The US embassy in Phnom Penh said it had invested more BLOOMBERG — KUALA LUMPUR Astrazeneca vaccine was used the neutralising antibodies,” meet its goal of achieving herd than $100m on combating deforestation and despite some for the first dose and was fol- Khairy said in an online forum late immunity by year-end. The progress, high rates of illegal logging had continued The Prey Malaysia is looking into mixing lowed by the Pfizer-BioNtech Wednesday. “We are watching nation dispensed 215,876 shots Lang Wildlife Sanctuary had since 2016 lost approximately 38,000 two different COVID-19 shot, Khairy said. A paper on this very closely. We don’t want on Wednesday, Health Minister hectares of forest, or nearly nine percent of its forest cover, the vaccines to get better protection this method, known as heter- to make a quick decision on this Adham Baba said in his tweet. embassy said. against coronavirus variants, ologous boost, has been pre- before getting more data.” Khairy said the government It said Cambodian authorities were not adequately prose- according to Science, Tech- sented to the national vacci- Malaysia, which returned to is “working together” with cuting wildlife crimes or stopping illicit activities. nology and Innovation Minister nation committee, he added. a hard lockdown this month AstraZeneca to ensure its “In addition, the government continues to silence and target Khairy Jamaluddin. “It’s possible that we will end after new cases topped a record vaccine is delivered soon, after local communities and their civil society partners who are justi- The country has received up doing this because a lot of 9,000 by end-May, is looking delays in supplies from a facility fiably concerned about the loss of their natural resources,” the data from Germany where the countries are doing this to boost to speed up vaccinations to in Thailand. statement said. -Reuters 06 EUROPE FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021 Kremlin: Nato membership for Ukraine would be ‘red line’
REUTERS — MOSCOW Putin lavished praise needed to holds talks on arms Russian state media which has control as soon as possible. sometimes portrayed the US The Kremlin said yesterday that on Biden, saying Biden and Putin agreed at Ukraine says now is time president as struggling to do his Ukrainian membership of Nato Biden was incorrectly the summit to embark on job both physically and would be a “red line” for regular negotiations to try to lay for Russia to withdraw mentally. Moscow and that it was worried portrayed in the the groundwork for future arms “I want to say that the by talk that Kiev may one day Russian and US media control agreements and risk REUTERS — KIEV “This summit demon- image of President Biden that be granted a membership action as being unfocused reduction measures. strated that America is back, our press and even the plan. Russia’s deputy foreign Ukrainian Foreign Minister and now it’s time to make American press paints has Kremlin spokesman Dmitry and vague. minister said yesterday that Dmytro Kuleba said yesterday Russia pull back from nothing in common with Peskov made the remarks a day Moscow expected those talks that he welcomed US Pres- Ukraine,” Kuleba said in an reality,” Putin told the after US President Joe Biden and with Washington to start within ident Joe Biden’s tough interview, adding that Moscow graduates. Russian President Vladimir following the situation closely. weeks. He made the comments messaging when he met Pres- has no power of veto over “He was on a long trip, had Putin held talks in Geneva. “This is something we are in a newspaper interview that ident Vladimir Putin this week Ukraine’s accession to Nato. flown across the Ocean, and had Peskov said the summit had watching very closely and this was published on the foreign and said now was the time to “President Putin saw... no to contend with jet lag and the been positive overall. really is a red line for us — as ministry’s website. make Russia withdraw from invitation to bargain from the time difference. When I fly it Ukrainian President Volo- regards the prospect of Also yesterday, Putin lav- Ukraine. United States on the Ukrainian takes its toll. But he looked dymyr Zelenskiy said on Ukraine joining Nato,” Peskov ished praise on Biden, saying In the first high-level matter,” Kuleba said. “And this cheerful, we spoke face-to-face Monday that he wanted a clear told the Ekho Moskvy radio Biden was incorrectly portrayed Ukrainian government is a matter of principle for two or maybe more hours. “yes” or “no” from Biden on station. in the Russian and US media as reaction since the Biden-Putin because we agreed with the He's completely across his giving Ukraine a plan to join the “Of course, this (the being unfocused and vague. summit in Geneva on United States that no deals on brief,” said putin. Nato. question of a membership plan The Kremlin said that it had Wednesday, Kuleba said that Ukraine will be made without “Biden is a professional, Biden said Ukraine needed for Ukraine) raises our con- been pleased with what it called the talks had not caused any Ukraine, and America kept its and you have to be very careful to root out corruption and to cerns,” he said. a positive summit and singled concern for Kiev. promise.” in working with him to make meet other criteria before it Peskov said that Moscow out a joint statement that reit- sure you don’t miss anything. could join. and Washington agreed at the erated the need to avoid nuclear Speaking to university grad- Putin, 68, had only warm words He doesn’t miss anything, I can Peskov said Moscow was Geneva summit that they war as significant. uates by video link yesterday, for Biden, 78, in contrast to assure you.” Paris celebrates, UN: UK aid cuts likely to cautiously, as govt drops face cause needless deaths masks outdoors THOMSON REUTERS of diseases including leprosy, FOUNDATION — LONDON rabies and sleeping sickness, REUTERS — PARIS which affect some 1.7 billion Millions of people risk death people in the poorest Some people in the French and disability as Britain shuts countries. capital joyfully ditched their down a major aid programme The diseases can be pre- masks yesterday after the targeting neglected tropical vented or cured — but some government announced the diseases (NTDs), the World can be fatal and others cause precaution against the corona- Health Organization (WHO) blindness, disability and virus pandemic would no said. disfigurement. longer be mandatory outdoors. Britain’s 4 billion pound The funding cuts are likely But the jubilation was tem- ($5.6bn) aid budget cuts to result in an additional pered by the knowledge that the include an exit from its health 20,000 to 30,000 deaths virus was still circulating, and programme Accelerating the from visceral leishmaniasis, some safety measures would Sustainable Control and Elim- an infectious disease from the still be in force for weeks to ination of Neglected Tropical bite of infected sandflies, the come. Diseases (ASCEND), which United Nations health body “It’s a small liberation,” was due to run until March said. Benjamin Grolleau, a Parisian 2022. More than 275 million life- who works in marketing, said “ASCEND provided crucial saving tablets already donated of not having to wear a mask People walking in a street in Paris without protective face masks as they are no longer required funding to national NTD to countries are also likely to any more while outside. outdoors, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic, in France, yesterday. control, elimination and erad- expire and have to be French Prime Minister Jean ication programmes in 19 destroyed, it added, as British Castex announced on However, masks must still had a particular reason to from India who is studying the countries,” the WHO said in a aid had helped to distribute Wednesday that the mandatory be worn in most workplaces, in welcome the change in rules. luxury goods business, was letter to British lawmakers as the medicines. wearing of masks outdoors shops, on public transport, and “For those who wear planning to keep wearing her part of an enquiry into the Efforts to eradicate Guinea would be waived, citing advice in outdoor spaces where lots of glasses, like me, it’s a bit dif- mask, even when outdoors. She future of British aid. worm, a parasitic disease from public health experts and people are gathered, for ficult to deal with the fog. It is said she had received the first “No obvious alternative spread through water, will an easing in the numbers of example in stadiums. good to go back to normal,” he dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, source of funding exists to fill also be set back by years, the people in hospital with Khaled Saad-Zaghloul, an said. and had a month to wait for the the funding gaps that will be WHO said. COVID-19. Egyptian on a work trip to Paris, Chandni Biswasl, a student second. left by the exit of ASCEND.” Guinea worm afflicted 3.5 A spokesperson for the million people 35 years ago Foreign, Commonwealth and but only 27 human cases were Development Office said it reported in 2020, mostly in Denmark to immunise 12 to 15 year-olds against COVID-19 will spend more than 10 Ethiopia and Chad, according billion pounds on aid this year to the Carter Center, a US REUTERS — COPENHAGEN vaccine approved by the EU’s the head of the Danish Health the virus after all adults have despite the cuts, which were non-profit working to erad- drug regulator for use in ado- Authority, Soren Brostrom, said. been inoculated. Vaccinating announced last year to free up icate the disease. Denmark will offer COVID-19 lescents, the Danish Health Vaccination of adolescents the adolescents would add funds for domestic spending “Funding withdrawal is vaccines for children aged 12 to Authority said in a statement. would begin after the last adults another 4% to that number, he in response to COVID-19. projected to lead to a resur- 15 after the adult population has The EU regulator expects to have been fully vaccinated in said. “We will focus on the UK’s gence of this crippling disease, been inoculated to boost its announce a decision on the use mid-September, Brostrom told Danish health authorities position at the forefront of the outbreaks, spread of disease overall immunity against the of Moderna’s shot in adoles- a press briefing. would continually review new international response to to previously freed areas and virus ahead of the winter, cents sometime next month. “We need the immunity of data on the vaccine’s safety, COVID-19, and will continue to other countries, with hun- health authorities said “An expansion of the target the population, especially Brostrom said, and would keep to support programmes in dreds of communities nega- yesterday. group to the 12-15-year-olds is before a winter season,” he said. a special eye on data from the countries affected by tively affected,” said the WHO. Initially, Denmark will only necessary to ensure even In an optimal scenario, Bro- United States, where he said neglected tropical diseases,” “This will reverse the offer Pfizer-BioNTech’s greater immunity in the popu- strom estimated around 75 over 3 million adolescents had he added. impact of many years of COVID-19 vaccine for 12 to 15 lation, and thus ensure control percent of Denmark’s popu- already received a jab with the Britain has been a global investment by the UK and year-olds, as it is the only of the epidemic in Denmark,” lation will be immune against vaccine. leader in tackling NTDs, a set other partners.”
IN BRIEF Swedish PM faces defeat as no-confidence vote looms No breakthrough REUTERS — STOCKHOLM during ‘exhausting’ UK reports biggest daily rise in Sweden faces either an election online climate talks COVID-19 cases since February 19 or a caretaker government if a no-confidence vote against AP — BERLIN LONDON: Britain reported its biggest daily rise in new cases Prime Minister Stefan Lofven of COVID-19 since February 19 yesterday, according to passes next week as expected, No breakthroughs have been government figures which showed 11,007 new infections, up although Lofven said yesterday made on key issues during from 9,055 the day before. he had not decided whether to three weeks of international The number of new deaths within 28 days of a positive resign or call a snap poll if he climate talks, officials said coronavirus test doubled to 19 from nine reported on loses. yesterday, with plans now for Wednesday, the highest daily total since May 11 and one which The far-right Sweden Dem- a select group of ministers to takes total fatalities on this measure to 127,945. ocrats demanded the vote, come together next month in Britain has suffered Europe’s highest official death toll scheduled for Monday, after the the hope of making progress from the disease, although deaths on a per capita basis are Left Party, at the other end of ahead of a UN summit in higher in Italy and much of eastern Europe. the political spectrum, withdrew November. Just over 80 percent of British adults have received a first its support for Lofven over a The expert-level May 31- dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 58 percent have received plan to scrap rent controls on to June 17 climate meeting that two doses, one of the world’s highest vaccination rates. newly built apartments. took place online was seen as - REUTERS “If we have a chance to Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven addressing a news conference a test of the new cooperative replace this damaging gov- at Rosenbad, as a no-confidence vote looms, in Stockholm, yesterday. spirit following President Joe Spain detains tanker for illegally ernment we will take it,” Henrik Biden’s decision to return the Vinge, the Sweden Democrats’ change, with neither the centre- — with which he has a formal United States to the Paris dumping oil parliamentary group leader, left nor centre-right bloc set to policy agreement — with his climate accord. told a news conference. win a majority if an election need to retain the Left Party’s While no formal decisions MADRID: Spain has detained a tanker ship for illegally dumping Other opposition parties were held today. Further com- backing. were expected, participants fuel in waters off the Canary Islands and creating a 55-square have said they will vote to plicating the electoral maths, The Moderate Party, the tried to tackle thorny topics km (21 square miles) oil spill, the Transport Ministry said. remove Lofven, whose minority some smaller parties also risk biggest opposition party in par- including aid for poor coun- Spanish maritime authorities ordered the Liberia-flagged coalition relies on support from failing to reach the 4% threshold liament, said it would vote to tries and rules for international Aldan to dock in the southern port of Almeria last Sunday after the formerly communist Left for seats in parliament. oust Lofven, as did the smaller carbon markets - an issue that the European Union’s Maritime Safety Agency detected the Party and two small centre- Lofven secured a second Christian Democrats. A vote of has firmly divided nations for spill through satellite imagery. Refinitiv shipping data showed right parties bent on liberal term as premier in 2018 after no-confidence would need a years. the Aldan, which had been heading eastwards through the reform. months of negotiations fol- simple majority in the 349-seat “I cannot say that there Mediterranean to Greece, diverted to Almeria on Sunday. As “It is a dangerous path that lowing an election that saw the parliament to pass. was really any breakthrough of yesterday evening it was still there. The ship’s manager must the Left Party and the right- anti-immigration Sweden The Left Party, which has in the consultations that took pay a 600,000 euro ($713,640) fine to release the vessel, the wing conservative parties are Democrats make big gains and tried to flex its muscles despite place here,” said United ministry said, adding the amount was a record high for Spain. now choosing,” Lofven told marked a redrawing of the being excluded from having any Nations climate chief Patricia The Aldan’s manager is Greece-based Eurotankers Inc, reporters. “They have no political map. policy influence by Lofven’s Espinosa. according to Refinitiv data. Eurotankers did not respond to a common plan for the future.” He has clung to power since agreement with the Centre and “It is time that we try to request for comment. - REUTERS Opinion polls suggest an by balancing demands from the Liberal parties, said it too will have some guidance from election may not bring much Centre and Liberal parties vote against Lofven. ministers,” she added. FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021 AMERICAS 07 House votes to repeal 2002 war authorisation REUTERS — WASHINGTON Opponents worry could destabilise Iraq, repeal of the embolden Iran, which it will, The US House of Representa- and strengthen Al Qaeda and tives yesterday backed the 2002 AUMF would ISIS in the region,” McCaul said. repeal of the 2002 Authori- dangerously limit Senate Majority Leader zation for the Use of Military Chuck Schumer threw his Force that allowed the war in the powers of the weight behind the repeal effort Iraq, as lawmakers pull back president and send on Wednesday. Schumer said the authority to declare war the message that the the 2002 AUMF is outdated and from the White House. repealing it would prevent The House voted 268 to 161 US is pulling back future presidential “military in favour of revoking the from the Middle East. adventurism” such as former authorisation it gave former President Donald Trump’s 2020 President George W Bush to airstrike on a Baghdad airport, invade Iraq 19 years ago. At “I look forward to Congress which raised fears of war days least 49 Republicans joined no longer taking a back seat on before the Republican was to Democrats in favour of repeal, some of the most consequential leave office. a bipartisan vote that under- decisions our nation can make,” Trump cited the 2002 Iraq scored prospects for reining in said Representative Greg authorisation as one of his jus- AUMFs that presidents from Meeks, chairman of the House tifications for the strike, which both parties have used to justify Foreign Affairs Committee, killed Iranian commander nearly 20 years of military urging support for the repeal. Qasem Soleimani. actions around the globe. “There comes a time when Repeal advocates said they US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen Mark Milley testify on the The US Constitution gives certain AUMFs simply become had high hopes of garnering the defence department’s budget request during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol the power to declare war to outdated and need to be 60 votes, noting past bipartisan Congress. However, that repealed,” Meeks said. support for stalled efforts to Hill in Washington, DC, yesterday. authority has shifted to the Opponents worry repeal of rein in the AUMFs. president due to the “forever the 2002 AUMF would danger- Senate Republican Leader war” AUMFs, which do not ously limit the powers of the Mitch McConnell blasted the Defence chief says Al Qaeda could expire — including the 2002 president and send the message repeal plan, saying existing Iraq AUMF and one allowing that the United States is pulling authorisations should stay in the fight against Al Qaeda and back from the Middle East. place until new ones have been regroup in Afghanistan in two years affiliates after the September Representative Michael completed. “The grave threats 11, 2001, attacks on the United McCaul, the top Republican on posed by ISIS, Al Qaeda and AP — WASHINGTON istan, said he agreed. has acknowledged that a full US States. the House Foreign Affairs Com- other terrorist groups are as “I think that if certain other troop withdrawal is not without To be enacted, the measure mittee, said he was committed real as they’ve ever been,” An extremist group like Al things happen — if there was a risks, but argued that waiting passed yesterday must also be to updating the “outdated” McConnell said in remarks Qaeda may be able to regen- collapse of the government or for a better time to end US approved by the Senate – AUMF, but he did not want repeal opening the Senate. erate in Afghanistan and pose the dissolution of the Afghan involvement in the war is a where its prospects are less until an alternative was in place. Some members of Congress a threat to the US homeland security forces - that risk would recipe for never leaving, while certain — and signed into law “This rushed, standalone are also discussing a repeal and within two years of the obviously increase, but right extremist threats fester by President Joe Biden, who has repeal... sends a dangerous replacement of the 2001 AUMF American military’s withdrawal now I would say ‘medium’ and elsewhere. said he supports it. message of disengagement that passed for the Afghanistan war. from the country, the Penta- about two years or so,” Milley “We cannot continue the gon’s top leaders said yesterday. said. cycle of extending or expanding It was the most specific Their responses under- our military presence in US to spend $3.2bn Biden to sign Juneteenth bill, creating public forecast of the prospects scored the overall military fears Afghanistan, hoping to create for a renewed international ter- about the consequences of a ideal conditions for the with- on treatments for holiday marking US slavery’s end rorist threat from Afghanistan complete, unconditional with- drawal, and expecting a dif- since President Joe Biden drawal. Military leaders over ferent result,” Biden said, when COVID-19: Fauci REUTERS — WASHINGTON Biden and his fellow Dem- announced in April that all US the past few years have pushed announcing the withdrawal ocrats are under pressure to troops would withdraw by Sep- back against administration plan in April. He added, “It’s AP — WASHINGTON US President Joe Biden and Vice- respond to a slew of Repub- tember 11. efforts — including at times by time to end America’s longest President Kamala Harris will lican-backed state bills that At a Senate Appropriations then-President Donald Trump war.” The United States is devoting sign a bill into law to make June civil rights activists say aim to Committee hearing, Sen — to pull out of Afghanistan by The US invaded Afghanistan $3.2bn to speed development 19 a federal holiday commem- suppress voting by minorities, Lindsey Graham, R-SC, asked a certain date, rather than after the September 11, 2001, of antiviral pills to treat orating the end of the legal and to meaningfully address Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin basing troop numbers on the terror attacks on America, COVID-19 and other enslavement of Black Americans. the disproportionate killing of and Gen. Mark Milley whether security conditions on the when the Taliban allowed al- dangerous viruses that could The bill, which was passed Black men by police. they rated the likelihood of a ground. Qaida safe haven in the country. turn into pandemics. overwhelmingly by the US “Designating Juneteenth a regeneration of Al Qaeda or the Milley also acknowledged The key goal of US and coalition The new programme will House of Representatives on federal holiday will be a IS group in Afghanistan as that a collapse of the gov- troops in Afghanistan since then invest in “accelerating things Wednesday after a unanimous “failure” if it just acknowledges small, medium or large. ernment or takeover by the has been to prevent a resur- that are already in progress” vote in the Senate, marks the the date without spurring “I would assess it as Taliban could have broader gence and another attack for COVID-19 but also would day in 1865 when a Union action on issues such as police medium,” Austin replied. “I impacts on the strides women against America or other allies. work to come up with treat- general informed a group of brutality, voting rights, and the would also say, senator, that it have made in Afghanistan. And Military leaders have con- ments for other viruses, said enslaved people in Texas that racial wealth gap,” said would take possibly two years the military has said it will be sistently said that combat oper- Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s they had been made free two Matthew Delmont, a professor for them to develop that far more difficult to collect ations in Afghanistan have top infectious disease expert, years earlier by President of history at Dartmouth College capability.” intelligence on terror groups in greatly reduced the number of yesterday. Abraham Lincoln’s Emanci- who specialises in African- Milley, the chairman of the the country, if there is no Al Qaeda there. But they say that “There are few treatments pation Proclamation during the American history and civil Joint Chiefs of Staff and a American presence there. both Al Qaeda and IS continue that exist for many of the Civil War. rights. veteran of the war in Afghan- The Biden administration to aspire to attack America. viruses that have pandemic potential,” he said, including Ebola, dengue, West Nile and Middle East respiratory Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed challenge to Obamacare syndrome. But he added, “vaccines REUTERS — WASHINGTON through public programs or administration opposed the signed by Trump in 2017 had the Affordable Care Act has clearly remain the centerpiece private insurers. The decision lawsuit, wrote in a Twitter post, wiped out the financial penalty. been the law of the land, pro- of our arsenal. The US Supreme Court was authored by liberal Justice adding that millions of people “Unsurprisingly, the states viding health coverage and a The US has approved one yesterday rejected a Republican Stephen Breyer. rely upon the law for healthcare have not demonstrated that an multitude of protections to tens antiviral drug, remdesivir, spe- bid that had been backed by The justices did not decide coverage while encouraging unenforceable mandate will of millions of Americans across cifically for COVID-19, and former President Donald broader legal questions raised others to sign up. cause their residents to enroll the nation, and today’s decision allowed emergency use of Trump’s administration to in the case about whether a key The law was Democratic in valuable benefits programs solidifies those protections for three antibody combinations invalidate Obamacare, Obamacare provision was former President Barack that they would otherwise generations to come,” said New that help the immune system preserving the landmark unconstitutional and, if so, Obama’s signature domestic forgo,” Breyer wrote. York Attorney General Letitia fight the virus. But all the drugs healthcare law for the third time whether the rest of the statute policy achievement. Biden After Texas and other states James, a Democrat. have to given by IV at hospitals since its 2010 enactment. should be struck down. The served as vice president under sued, a coalition of 20 states Conservative Justices or medical clinics, and demand The 7-2 ruling declared that provision, called the “individual Obama. including Democratic-governed Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch has been low due to these Texas and other challengers had mandate,” originally required Breyer wrote that none of California and New York and dissented from the ruling. Alito logistical hurdles. no legal standing to file their Americans to obtain health the challengers, including Texas the Democratic-controlled wrote that the individual Health experts have lawsuit seeking to nullify a law, insurance or pay a financial and 17 other states and indi- House of Representatives inter- mandate was “clearly uncon- increasingly called for a con- formally called the Affordable penalty. vidual plaintiffs, could trace a vened in the case to try to pre- stitutional” and called the venient pill that patients could Care Act, that has enabled mil- “A big win for the American legal injury to the individual serve Obamacare after Trump court’s ruling preserving the law take themselves when lions of Americans to obtain people,” Democratic President mandate, partly because a refused to defend the law. an example of “judicial symptoms first appear. medical coverage either Joe Biden, whose Republican-backed tax law “For more than a decade, inventiveness.” US Southwest heatwave, in 4th day, spreads eastward IN BRIEF
REUTERS — DEATH VALLEY especially today, are going Ecuador to start new ‘process’ for Venezuelans anywhere from 10 to 20 A grueling heatwave that has degrees above average,” he HAVANA: Ecuador will implement a new “normalisation process” for gripped the US Southwest for added. the 430,000 Venezuelan migrants living in the South American country, three days spread eastward to With air conditioners President Guillermo Lasso said yesterday, without providing further Iowa and Missouri yesterday, cranked up in homes and details of the plan. Lasso’s announcement, at a conference hosted by while punishing the hardest- businesses, Texas and Cali- Canada intended to raise money to support the more than 5.6 million hit areas with record high fornia urged consumers to Venezuelans who have fled an economic crisis in the South American temperatures that are chal- conserve energy this week to country, came after Colombia in February gave 10-year protected lenging local power systems. reduce stress on the grid and status to the nearly 2 million Venezuelans it hosts. The National Weather avoid outages. “I am pleased to announce the beginning of a new regularisation Service issued excessive heat “The public’s help is process, which in order to be an effective and permanent policy should warnings for much of the essential when extreme be complemented by strategies for economic integration and labor Southwest, including Arizona, weather or other factors beyond market access,” he said. - REUTERS southern Nevada, much of our control put undue stress on California and parts of Utah. the electric grid,” said Elliot Power outage hits 330,000 in Puerto Rico Heat advisories were issued Mainzer, chief executive of the parts of the Central Plains, California ISO, which operates SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO: A sudden power failure left more than A man poses for a picture next to the thermometer at the including Kansas, Nebraska, the grid in most of California. 330,000 clients in the dark across Puerto Rico late Wednesday, Furnace Creek Visitor Center at Death Valley National Park, with Iowa and Missouri. Both states have previ- enraging many who were recovering from a massive outage that hit “It’s a pretty big impact the temperature showing at 129 degrees Fahrenheit (53.8 C) in ously imposed rotating or con- the US territory just days ago. with respect to where the Death Valley, California, on Wednesday. trolled outages to prevent Luma Energy, a private company that took over the island’s power record heat is,” said National more widespread collapses of transmission and distribution system on June 1, said three units were Weather Service meteorol- parked across the Southwest degrees Celsius) are not their power systems — Cali- knocked offline for reasons not immediately known. At first, the ogist Bob Oravec at the has been bearing down for uncommon between now and fornia during a heatwave in company said some 190,000 clients had been affected, but it later Weather Prediction Center in three days on the area where September, Oravec said. August 2020 and Texas during tweeted that power had been restored to more than 180,000 clients College Park, Maryland. temperatures of around 100 “But now the temperatures a brutal freeze in February and that another 156,700 were still without electricity. - AP A high-pressure air mass degrees Fahrenheit (38 in the last several days, 2021. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021 Qatar’s role in building peace in Afghanistan Established in 1996 is important and effective: Khalilzad CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI QNA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The US Envoy for Peace in DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI Afghanistan H E Zalmay [email protected] Khalilzad, said that the role of the State of Qatar is very important in facilitating intra- ACTING MANAGING EDITOR Afghan negotiations, and MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED described the Qatari role as [email protected] important and effective in facilitating negotiations between the United States DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR and the Taliban. MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI Khalilzad pointed out that [email protected] The strong presence of the State of Qatar led to the signing of the Doha Agreement, pointing out that EDITORIAL Qatar at times was proposing compromise solutions, and at other times high-level Qatari officials were involved in helping and trying to harness Qatar’s strong banks US Envoy for Peace in Afghanistan H E Zalmay Khalilzad their capabilities, skills and AT the time when banks and financial sector in other influence to push the peace countries are reeling from the adverse impact of process forward. yearn for peace, as they have The Afghans have who can pose a threat to the COVID-19 outbreak, the banking sector of Qatar has The US Envoy for Peace in been exhausted by war, and security of the United States demonstrated resilience. The ‘2020 Qatar Banking Afghanistan added in an peace will serve the whole learned a lesson from and its allies, and there has Sector Report’ by PwC has highlighted the resilience interview with The Diplomat region, as it will link Central the past, which is been progress, as the Taliban displayed by Qatari banks despite volatility caused by magazine that we were able Asia and South Asia, and it that one party cannot are fighting against ISIS, and the pandemic and drop in oil prices in the region. with Qatar to build an inter- will provide the opportunity there have been important According to the report, Qatar’s eight listed com- national consensus to support for significant trade exchange impose its will on changes in the situation of mercial banks (Ahlibank, Commercial Bank of Qatar, peace, and we are currently and development in Afghan- the other, and that ISIS in Afghanistan. Doha Bank, Al Khaliji, Qatar Islamic Bank, Qatar Inter- working with Qatar and some istan and the region. The Taliban have taken national Islamic Bank, Qatar National Bank and Masraf countries to provide support “We have the agreement an agreement must some steps in the context of Al Rayan), have responded to the measures introduced for the current peace negotia- reached by the United States be reached to share their pledge to fight terrorism, by QCB and revised their strategies in line with macr- tions, and establish an inter- and the Taliban, which states and they still have some nec- oeconomic development they have reported a decrease national group to support the that al-Qaeda or any other power based on essary tasks to accomplish, in profitability levels. Noting that, 2020 was underscored peace process that will armed organization is pro- certain foundations, because the US will not com- by growth of assets and streamlined non-interest costs. include more than twenty hibited from using the ter- and that differences plete the withdrawal of forces In 2020, the aggregated assets of the eight listed countries. ritory of Afghanistan to unless it was convinced that commercial banks regulated by QCB grew by 7.3 Khalilzad continued by threaten the security of the in ideas, viewpoints, terrorism is over, he added, percent to reach QR1.74 trillion as compared to 2019, saying that Qatar’s role in the US and its allies” said Kha- values and political noting that the fourth element which is reflected in the 7 percent growth of total aggre- peace process has been very lilzad, adding therefore, peace in the agreement is a ceasefire. gated loan and advances, which reached QR1.20 trillion. positive, and Qatar deserves is not only possible, but is a beliefs are a natural Unfortunately, the pace of vio- Such increases show that the lending activity remains appreciation, especially necessity and a need, and on matter. lence is very high, and it healthy, driven by diversified sources of funding. Deputy Prime Minister and this basis work must continue should have been a little less However, profitability was impacted by market vola- Minister of Foreign Affairs H E to achieve this goal. He added than this level at this time. He tility, with 2020 aggregate profits of the eight commercial Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- that he was born in Afghan- stressed that the United States banks falling by 12.43 percent to QR21.59bn as com- istan, and have great feelings is not happy with that, and is pared to 2019. The reduction can be attributed to several The US Envoy for for Afghans, and he is aware trying to push for a reduction factors, including reduced revenue, primarily driven by of his roots and feels respon- in the pace of violence, indi- a reduction in interest income. Peace in Afghanistan sible for that, but he repre- between the United States and cating that there is a real need Recently, QNB Group, the largest financial insti- added in an sents the United States, and the Taliban, and the pledges of for a permanent ceasefire, tution in the Middle East and Africa, announced that it he has worked with other the Afghan parties and the which is one of the terms of has topped the ranking of the Forbes’ ‘Top 50 Banks interview with The parties, especially Qatar, Taliban to stop the war. the agreement. in the Middle East’ list featuring the region’s banking Diplomat magazine which has been very helpful. Based on those pledges, Khalilzad said a political giants that help drive the region’s economies. QNB that we were able Khalilzad touched on the the United States and the agreement regarding power- Group hit first place with sales of $13.5bn sales and change that the Taliban and international community sharing will be the devel- profits totaling $3.3bn. As of June 6, 2021, the banks with Qatar to build Afghanistan witnessed, and agreed to withdraw forces opment that leads to a per- featured on Forbes Middle East’s list of the ‘Top 50 an international said that there have been from Afghanistan, the US manent and comprehensive Banks in The Middle East’ had a total value of $513.6bn changes, and the war has been envoy continued. He ques- ceasefire, looking forward to and assets worth $2.5 trillion. QNB was recently named consensus to support going on for a long time, about tioned the legitimacy of the a real reduction in the level of the second most valuable company in the Middle East peace, and we are 40 years or more, and per- war in the current time, and violence or at least a ceasefire by Forbes in the list for the “2021 Forbes List of Top sonally he witnessed the trag- believed that it was aimed at during the negotiations. 100 Companies in the Arab World”. currently working edies that Afghanistan has power-sharing, stressing the The US envoy indicated Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) was also recognised on a with Qatar and some faced since 1979, pointing out need to reach an agreement that the US agreement with global, regional, and national level at the Global Finance that the two delegations realize or a political settlement as the Taliban, and the joint Magazine’s World’s Best Islamic Banks Awards for 2021. countries to provide that the Afghan people pin high soon as possible. statement with the Afghan Global Finance’s editorial team awarded QIB with four support for the current hopes on them to end this war, On the Taliban’s government which was prestigious accolades including ‘Best Islamic Corporate peace negotiations, and the international com- acceptance of the role of issued on the same day, open Bank – Global’ in addition to ‘Best Islamic Bank in the munity is very much looking women, the US envoy said the door for the Taliban and Middle East’ and ‘Best Islamic Bank in Qatar’ for the and establish an forward to the two delegations that the Taliban told him that the Afghan government to sit second consecutive year. international group and anticipating the results, in they recognize women’s at the negotiating table, which The banking sector of Qatar remains strong and addition to public opinion. rights, noting that the inter- would not have been ready to capitalise on new technologies and a diver- to support the peace The Afghans have learned national community, achieved without the sified investor base. process that will a lesson from the past, which including the United States, agreement concluded is that one party cannot the European Union and between the United States include more than impose its will on the other, others, look at the rights of and the Taliban that contains twenty countries. and that an agreement must the Afghan citizens, including four elements: the withdrawal be reached to share power women. He added that the of forces; terrorism; the intra- D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR based on certain foundations, right of citizens come in the Afghan dialogue and and that differences in ideas, second place of concern after agreement on a political EMAIL: [email protected] viewpoints, values and terrorism, especially the roadmap for the future regu- political beliefs are a natural rights of women, whose rights lating power-sharing and a EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 matter, but those differences the Taliban said they respect. permanent ceasefire. FAX: +974 4455 7758 rahman Al-Thani, who played must not be resolved by force, On the obstacles facing MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 a very important role, and and there must be another the implementation of the Khalilzad said a deserves to be commended way, and this is the challenge Doha Agreement between the political agreement DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 and appreciated for the that is to reach an agreed- United States and the Taliban, progress that has been made. upon formula for coexistence, the US envoy said that the regarding power- LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 He described peace in Afghan- with a difference of opinion, implementation of the sharing will be the BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 istan as important to the without resorting to war. agreement has begun to a United States, and of course The US envoy underlined large extent, and accordingly development that SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 important to Afghans, the that the military option is not the United States has begun to leads to a permanent region and the world, noting a solution, and that the State significantly reduce the ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 that among the options of Qatar is right in this number of its forces. and comprehensive email: [email protected] available to Afghans to com- position, noting that it is the Khalilzad noted the intra- ceasefire, looking same position of the United Afghan dialogue which was PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 municate with the interna- forward to a real email: [email protected] tional community and the States, the international com- one of the elements of the United States is the option to munity, the Security Council, agreement, which consists of reduction in the level MARKETING: TEL: 4455 7657 achieve peace and reach an as well as the resolutions and four elements: the reduction of violence or at least email: [email protected] agreement, adding that peace statements issued by the of troops; the initiation of an process must go ahead. General Assembly. intra-Afghan dialogue; the a ceasefire during the ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 857 The envoy hoped that Furthermore he noted that pledge not to allow terrorists FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] negotiations. despite the difficulties, as war the facts on the ground to use Afghan soil, and this CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 has been raging there for confirm the military solution is includes not harboring ter- email: [email protected] about 40 years, and through impossible, and that the war rorists, receiving training, his deep and long experience, has lost its legitimacy, espe- recruiting, or fundraising by SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 and interactions, the Afghans cially after the agreement terrorist groups or individuals FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]
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