1996 - 2021 SILVER JUBILEE YEAR

Qatar and Nine Super Sri Lanka discuss League rebel commercial clubs retain ECA relations membership

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TUESday 17 August 2021 9 MUHARRAM - 1443 Volume 26 Number 8716 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 Riyals

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Amiri Decision Qatar, Jordan stress need to unify Arab efforts appoints The developments in the Syrian situation, the importance of reaching a political solution and the importance of Iraq’s stability Ambassador and support for its government were discussed to Rwanda during the meetings. QNA — DOHA

The FM emphasises on the importance of alleviating the suffering Amir H H Sheikh Tamim of the Palestinian people saying the solution in Palestine must be bin Hamad Al Thani issued based on international legitimacy and enforcement of yesterday Amiri Decision international law. No. 35 of 2021 appointing Misfer Faisal Mubarak Al He stressed the importance of the safe exit of Western Ajab Al Shahwani as Ambassador Extraordinary diplomats from Afghanistan. and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Rwanda. The decision is effective QNA — Amman E Deputy Prime Minister and from the date of its Minister of Foreign Affairs. issuance, and to be pub- Deputy Prime Minister and At the beginning of the lished in the official gazette. Minister of Foreign Affairs H E meeting, the Deputy Prime Min- Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- ister and Minister of Foreign rahman Al Thani has stressed Affairs conveyed the greetings Education Ministry that the State of Qatar values of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Deputy Prime Minister and Minister the relationship with the Hamad Al Thani to H M King of In Amman today, I conveyed of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh to hold second Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Hashemite Kingdom of the greetings of HH the Amir Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and looks forward to increasing Jordan, and His Highness’ @TamimBinHamad and His Al Thani with H M King Abdullah round of exams opportunities for bilateral coop- wishes of good health and hap- Highness' wishes of good II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite tomorrow eration to be at the level of piness to His Majesty, and to the health to @KingAbdullahII of Jordan, and for the Jordanian Kingdom of Jordan, in Amman, ambition of the leadership of government and people of people continued progress and prosperity. yesterday. SANAULLAH ATAULLAH the two brotherly countries. Jordan continued progress and The Peninsula Deputy Prime Minister and prosperity. bility in the region. Minister of Foreign Affairs H E For his part, H M King of The Deputy Prime Minister The second round exams for Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- Jordan conveyed to H E the briefed on the latest develop- the two countries, at both the and Deputy Prime Minister and students of all grades (day rahman Al Thani was Deputy Prime Minister and Min- ments related to bilateral coop- political and economic levels, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and scholars and adult students) in addressing a joint press con- ister of Foreign Affairs his eration and regional issues. to determine investment prior- Expatriates of Jordan in the government schools will begin ference after his meeting with greetings to H H the Amir, Prime Minister of Jordan H ities and coordinate in regional meeting reviewed bilateral from August 18. Deputy Prime Minister and Min- wishing His Highness good health E Dr. Bishr Al Khasawneh also issues, especially the Palestinian cooperation relations, ways of The Ministry of Education ister of Foreign Affairs and and happiness, and the State of met with Deputy Prime Minister cause. During the meeting, they developing friendship bonds, and Higher Education has Expatriates of the Hashemite Qatar continued progress, devel- and Minister of Foreign Affairs. also affirmed the necessity to and the achievements made completed all preparations to Kingdom of Jordan H E Dr. opment and prosperity. They reviewed bilateral rela- unite joint efforts, bring the Arab between the two countries at the protect students, examiners Ayman Al Safadi. During the meeting, tions cooperation and ways to viewpoints closer, strengthen the political and economic levels, in and school staff from H M King Abdullah II bin Al- bilateral cooperation relations enhance and develop bonds of mechanisms of regional dialogue, addition to coordination in COVID-19 pandemic. Hussein of the Hashemite between the two countries were friendship, the achievements and stabilise its foundations in regional issues, especially the “The preparations have Kingdom of Jordan met with H reviewed, and His Majesty was that were accomplished between order to achieve security and sta- Palestinian issue. P2 been made from technical and logistic aspects. Examination halls at schools have been readied to receive the stu- 'Qatar to continue playing its role dents,” said Assistant Director of Student Assessment Department at the Ministry of to achieve peace in Afghanistan' Education and Higher Edu- cation, Iman Al Mohannadi. The Peninsula — DOHA Speaking in a Qatar TV programme yesterday, she Qatar will continue playing its role to said that tables of specifica- achieve peace in Afghanistan as it believes tions and examination in the importance of negotiations to reach schedules have been circu- a peaceful solution. lated to schools which will “We believe in the importance of nego- hold the exams. tiations to reach a peaceful solution and To a question about Qatar will continue its role to achieve peace measures to curb the spread of in Afghanistan,” Special Envoy of the Min- COVID-19 during exams, Iman ister of Foreign Affairs for Counterterrorism said: “Stickers to ensure social and Mediation in Conflict Resolution H E distancing have been placed in Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani has said. examination halls. Only 15 stu- In a statement to Qatar TV yesterday, dents will be allowed in an Al Qahtani said that Qatar will continues examination hall as maximum. its role as long as it can play (a role) to Thermal screening will be con- achieve peace in Afghanistan. ducted at the entrance to check “We are fully convinced that there is no the temperature of students military solution to these conflicts and they We are fully convinced that there and all staff at the entrance of World Championship of must be resolved through negotiations and schools.” Formation Skydiving a peaceful solution.” Al Qahtani said. is no military solution to these She said that they are also Regarding the issue of power sharing conflicts and they must be required to wear face mask; and Members of the Qatar national parachute jumping team taking part in a in Afghanistan, the envoy noted: “As for the adults should show green status practice jump ahead of their participation in today’s Canopy Formation issue of power-sharing (is concerned), or resolved through negotiations in Ehteraz app at the entrance. 4-way Sequential competition in the 24th FAI World Championship of participating in the government or the tran- and a peaceful solution.” “The protocol of preventive Formation Skydiving in Tanay, Russia, yesterday. The Qatari skydivers are, sitional government, or any other kind in measures of COVID-19 has been Captain Mansour Al Karbi, Abdel Aziz Zubaidi, Salman Al Sharshani, Ahmed such circumstances, it is a matter of the sent to all schools which will be Al Yafei, Obaid Al Marri, Abdul Azir Al Karbi, and Abdullah Al Nabit. Afghans themselves.” Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani implemented during exams,” said Iman. P3

Qatar’s trade surplus rises to QR46.4bn in 2nd quarter, 2021 In Q2, 2021, the total exports

THE PENINSULA — DOHA In Q2, 2021, the total exports Related Products n.e.s. by an increase of QR2.5bn or percent), and Crude Materials, including exports of domestic goods including exports of domestic QR3.8bn (100 percent), and 11.2 percent compared to Inedible Except Fuels by and re-exports amounted to Qatar’s foreign merchandise goods and re-exports amounted Manufactured Goods Classified QR22.3bn during Q2 2020; QR300m (48.8 percent). trade balance, which repre- to QR71.1bn, showing an increase Chiefly by Material by and an increase of nearly During Q2 2021, Asia was sents the difference between of QR33.3bn or 88.1 percent com- QR700m (62.1 percent). QR800m or 3.1 percent wh the top destination of Qatar’s QR71.1bn. total exports and imports, pared to QR37.8bn during Q2, On the other hand, The Y-o-Y increase in total exports and the leading origin showed a surplus of QR46.4bn 2020; and an increase of nearly decreases were recorded mainly imports is mainly due to of Qatar’s imports, repre- during the second quarter (Q2) QR7.2bn or 11.2 percent when in Crude Materials, Inedible, increases in Manufactured senting 72.3 percent and 39.7 of 2021, reflecting an increase compared to Q1, 2021. Except Fuels by QR40m (42.1 Goods Classified Chiefly by percent respectively, followed of QR30.9bn or 199.3 percent The year-on-year (Y-o-Y) percent), and Machinery and Material by QR900m (26.9 by the European Union, compared to QR15.5bn during increase in total exports was Transport Equipment by percent), Machinery and accounting for 11.2 percent the same period in 2020, mainly due to higher exports QR400m (14.0 percent). Transport Equipment by and 31.8 percent respectively, according to figures released of Mineral fuels, lubricants and The imports of goods in QR600m (6.5 percent), Chem- and GCC, with 8.6 percent and by the Planning and Statistics related materials by QR29.1bn Q2, 2021 amounted to icals and Related Products 3.3 percent respectively. en Authority (PSA). (98.7 percent), Chemicals and around QR24.8bn, showing n.e.s. by QR400m (14.9 compared to Q1 2021. 02 Home TUESday 17 August 2021

FM holds phone calls with Foreign Ministers of Algeria, Turkey and UK

QNA — DOHA Lamamra, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Deputy Prime Minister and H E Mevlut Cavusoglu, and Prayer Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Secretary of State for Foreign, Timings Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- Commonwealth and Devel- Prayer Timings rahman Al Thani held yesterday opment Affairs of the United phone calls with Minister of Kingdom H E Dominic Raab. Foreign Affairs and National The latest security and Fajr 03.46 am Community Abroad of the political developments in SUNRISE 05.08 am People’s Democratic Republic Afghanistan were reviewed DHUHr 11.38 am of Algeria H E Ramtane during the phone calls. Asr 03.07 pm Maghrib 06.09 pm State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Isha 07.39 pm Sweden meets Qatar’s Ambassador

QNA — Stockholm to Sweden H E Sheikha Moza bint State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Nasser Al Thani. During the of the Kingdom of Sweden H E meeting, bilateral cooperation Robert Rydberg, met with relations between the two coun- Ambassador of the State of Qatar tries were reviewed.

WEATHER TODAY HBKU starts new

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs andE xpatriates academic year of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan H E Dr. Ayman Al Safadi, in Amman, yesterday. the peninsula — DOHA o o 32 C 41 C Hamad Bin Khalifa University Minimum Maximum Qatar, Jordan stress need (HBKU), a member of Qatar Hazy at places at first becomes hot Foundation (QF), has welcomed daytime and humid by night. incoming and returning to unify Arab efforts students, staff, and faculty, to a W Alruwais : 34o → 36o new, hopeful academic year W Alkhor : 32o → 39o 2021/2022 under the over- From page 1 on an ongoing basis, expressing enforcement of international law. arching theme “Hayakom at W Dukhan : 32o → 40o During the meeting, it was Qatar’s appreciation for the He added that the meeting HBKU”. W Wakrah : 28o → 41o stressed the need to unify joint prominent positive role that the discussed the developments in the More than 300 new stu- W Mesaieed : 28o → 41o efforts, bring Arab viewpoints Kingdom plays in the region, and Syrian situation and the impor- dents have started their aca- W Abusamra : 27o → 41o closer, strengthen regional dia- pointing to the continuous coor- tance of reaching a political demic adventure within the Dr. Ahmad Hasnah logue mechanisms and establish dination between the two coun- solution. He also pointed out the HBKU community’s six col- its bases in order to achieve tries in various regional and inter- importance of Iraq’s stability and leges. HBKU marks a return to HIGH TIDE security and stability in the region. national issues. support for its government. in-person learning for the first 13:20– 21:55 After the meeting, the Deputy The Deputy Prime Minister On Afghanistan, he stressed time since the pandemic LOW TIDE 05:28 – 20:04 Prime Minister and Minister of indicated that the meeting that the meeting discussed the prompted a switch to online Foreign Affairs, during a joint touched on the economic files and need to preserve the political learning. press conference with Deputy the developmental role of Qatari gains resulting from the meetings The university offers 34 Prime Minister and Minister of investments in Jordan, praising in Doha, stressing the importance programs and provides a rich Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the positive role and constructive of the safe exit of Western dip- and rewarding journey that the Hashemite Kingdom of contribution of the Jordanian lomats from Afghanistan. enhances students’ knowledge 219 referred to Jordan, expressed his thanks for brothers in Qatar, describing them For his part, Dr. Ayman Al and skill set. HBKU’s multidis- the good reception and the usual as the best representatives of Safadi said that the meeting came ciplinary programs equip them prosecution hospitality and warmth from the Jordan. as a continuation of the meeting to become future leaders who QNA — DOHA Jordanian government and He indicated the need for ini- between Amir H H Sheikh can contribute to the devel- people, and stressed that the State tiatives to be based on clear foun- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and opment of their societies as The designated authorities of Qatar values the relationship dations and sustainable future HM King Abdullah II of the well as supporting Qatar in its referred 219 people to the pros- with the Hashemite Kingdom of goals that live up to the aspira- Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, research and innovation Dr. Maryam Al Mannai ecution for non-compliance Jordan, and looks forward to tions of the Arab peoples and the stressing that bilateral work and ecosystem. staff, students, and alumni who with the preventive and precau- increasing opportunities for goals of joint Arab action. cooperation are continuing HBKU Student Affairs rolled have shaped the organization. tionary measures in place in the bilateral cooperation to be at the On the Arab issue, the Deputy between the two brotherly out a virtual student orientation HBKU strives to empower stu- country to limit the spread of level of ambition of the leadership Prime Minister said that the countries. to familiarize students with the dents and engage alumni to COVID-19. Among them, 196 of the two brotherly countries. meeting touched on the latest He also explained that the university and its resources. A develop skills and competencies people were referred to the His Excellency referred to the issues facing the region and of meeting reviewed regional series of information sessions through diverse, multidisci- prosecution for not wearing results of the visit of Amir H H Arab affairs, foremost of which is issues, foremost of which is the were held, highlighting the plinary educational and social masks in places where they are Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al the Palestinian issue, and other Palestinian issue, in addition to support available to meet stu- learning opportunities. mandatory, 23 people for not Thani, to Jordan, and the joint issues related to common Arab the role played by the State of dents’ academic and personal Highlighting his vision for adhering to the safe distance. meeting with his brother, H M security, with emphasis on the Qatar to contribute to peace in goals. Academic advisors the new academic year, Dr. King Abdullah II of the Hashemite importance of alleviating the suf- Afghanistan, expressing his guided first-semester students Michael J. Benedik, Provost, Kingdom of Jordan. fering of the Palestinian people, thanks to the State of Qatar for through the university’s inter- said: “What is unique at HBKU MoPH reports 260 He pointed to the com- and emphasizing that the solution providing support to the United disciplinary academic is the ability to synthesize infor- mitment of the leadership of the in Palestine must be based on Nations Relief and Works Agency programs. mation and utilize it to solve a new COVID-19 two countries to develop relations international legitimacy and for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). In his message to students, problem. We have designed our HBKU President Dr. Ahmad M. programs and classroom expe- cases, 146 more Hasnah said: “Today is the start riences to provide our students recoveries Al-Ahli Hospital performs complex gynaecological surgery of your engagement with HBKU. with this skill set, which is dif- Learning is a dialogue and we ferent from what they get at the peninsula — DOHA the peninsula — DOHA included her uterus and vagina urge all of you to benefit from most other universities. At hanging out of her body most of interaction with your professors, HBKU, our expectation is that The Ministry of Public Health Al-Ahli Hospital performed a the times. On examination there researchers, and peers. We our students will leave as inno- (MoPH) yesterday announced the successful vaginal hysterectomy was 3-4th degree of utero-vaginal encourage you to take your vators and problem solvers. registration of 169 new confirmed along with the suspension of prolapse with uterus coming out ideas and try to make a change, Many of them will help solve cases of COVID-19 among vaginal vault (upper end of of the vagina for up to 3cm.” whether in the field of science, social problems, while others community and 91 among trav- vagina) procedure for a 52 years Dr. Mumtaz Rashid added: in your society, within your will leave as entrepreneurs ellers. Also 146 people have old woman who had been “We performed vaginal hyster- community, or family. directly impacting the economy recovered from the virus during suffering from prolapse of uterus ectomy, repair of the vaginal “HBKU will support your both locally and globally.” the past 24 hours, bringing the and vagina for the last 5 years. wall prolapse and vault sus- academic and personal devel- In her message to the total number of cases recovered Dr. Mumtaz Rashid Con- pension procedure. The last pro- opment and provide you with student body, Dr. Maryam Al- in Qatar to 226,158. sultant Ob&Gyne at Al-Ahli Hos- cedure is technically demanding the means to enhance your Mannai, Vice President for As many as 4,135,062 pital said that this kind of pro- and only handful of surgeon are entrepreneurship, under- Student Affairs, said: “On COVID-19 vaccine doses have cedure requires the skills and trained to do it. She recovered standing, and capability. behalf of the Student Affairs been administered since the expertise of a vaginal surgeon. well after the surgery and went Throughout your HBKU journey, team, I am delighted to extend start of National COVID-19 Vac- Removing the uterus (vaginal Dr. Mumtaz Rashid home on 3rd day. She was we urge you to look at all the a warm welcome to our new cination Program and 43,493 hysterectomy) wouldn’t have checked 2 months later when challenges we face globally and and returning students for the COVID-19 vaccine doses have been sufficient in this case to herniation of the pelvic organs her vagina is well supported.” as a country through the lens of upcoming academic year. You been administered in the past cure the prolapse, this additional to or beyond the vaginal walls. Dr. Mumtaz Rashid further said innovation, and how we can are about to embark on a 24 hours, while 90.7% of the eli- step was to prevent the vault It is reported to be the most that vaginal hysterectomy is an contribute to solving those journey that will lead you gible population (12 years and coming down after hyster- common reason for hyster- invasive option, provides many issues.” through thought-provoking over) have now received at least ectomy the basic problem is ectomy in women over age 50.” benefits to patients, including HBKU is celebrating 10 academic challenges and a one dose of the vaccine while weakness of the ligamentous “When she attended my quicker recovery time, less pain years since its founding as a vibrant social network 78.7% of the total population support holding the uterus and clinic, she was rather frustrated and no visible scarring so they research-intensive university, alongside a diverse com- have now received at least one vagina. In addition, she said: with the worsening symptoms can return to their busy lives a proud milestone for the munity of students and dose of the vaccine. “Vaginal prolapse is the of genital prolapse, which more quickly. country, QF, and HBKU faculty, educators.” HMC’s Pulmonary Diagnostic Care Laboratory gets prestigious US honour

The Peninsula — DOHA higher rates of chronic commit to established standards However, improvements in res- therapy, and disease pro- countries, including testing obstructive pulmonary disease for pulmonary function testing piratory disease diagnosis and gression. We believe this is a equipment, methodology and Hamad Medical Corporation’s (COPD), lung cancer, asthma as outlined in the joint American management has enabled us to vital step toward improving and diagnostic interpretation. (HMC) Pulmonary Diagnostic and other respiratory tract Thoracic Society (ATS)/ introduce laboratory enhance- maintaining high-quality testing Dr. Hisham Abdul Sattar, Care Laboratory has achieved infections. European Thoracic Society ments designed to deliver better in pulmonary function labora- Chief of Pulmonary / Sleep its goal in July 2021 of being The efforts to provide the (ERS) series of standards for patient care. I am proud of the tories throughout our organi- Division at HMC said that the included in the American safest, most effective care to pulmonary function testing. team that has led this significant zation,” added Dr. Al team involved worked very Thoracic Society (ATS) Registry, patients has been the impetus Dr. Ahmed Al Mohammed, effort to ensure that our labo- Mohammed. hard to meet the international indicating adherence to the for HMC to enhance its Pul- Chairman of the Department of ratory meets the ATS/ERS A laboratory must apply to standards to qualify for this reg- highest international standards monary Diagnostic Care Labo- Medicine at HMC, explained the standards for inclusion in their be included on the ATS Pul- istry: “It took us around six of administering pulmonary ratory based on internationally driving force behind his team’s internationally recognized monary Function Laboratory months to get prepared for the function tests (PFTs). recognized standards. efforts to be included in the ATS Registry.” Registry. This is followed by registry application and finally Chronic respiratory diseases The ATS Pulmonary Registry: “The Department of “Pulmonary function labo- submitting reports on labo- obtain this accreditation. The are among the most common Function Laboratory Registry is Medicine has been operating a ratories produce information ratory operations and its com- inclusion of ATS registry is a non-communicable diseases an inclusion and acknowl- PFT laboratory for 35 years; we that has important clinical mitment to ATS/ERS standards, symbol of quality that reflects worldwide, imposing an edgment program accepting US perform around 12,000 proce- impact, including diagnosis and which are developed in consul- our organisation’s commitment immense worldwide health and international pulmonary dures a year at PFT labs in the classification of disease severity, tation with health care experts to providing safe and high- burden. Qatar is also seeing function laboratories that different HMC facilities. choice of therapy, response to and providers across many quality patient care.” TUESday 17 August 2021 Home 03 ‘Online learning cannot be a long-term substitute for in-class contact, discussion’

FAZEENA SALEEm More than 300 new students have is new (launched in July 2019), and THE PENINSULA started their academic journey within the MPP is the first programme. The the HBKU community’s six colleges. first cohort of students graduated in As Hamad Bin Khalifa University The university offers 34 programmes 2021, and the College had two suc- (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foun- and provides a rich and rewarding cessful admissions cycles since then, dation (QF), marks return to in-person journey that enhances students’ and the programme has grown learning for the first time since the robustly. pandemic, a senior academic has said “While there are other MPPs in that online learning cannot be a long- the region, ours has several distinct term substitute for direct, in-class features. One is that our courses have contact and discussion. a unique combination of global and According to Founding Dean, local/regional lenses on policy issues College of Public Policy (CPP), HBKU, that affect Qatar as well as other FM sends message to Morocco counterpart Dr. Leslie A. Pal, online teaching and countries. Another is that after taking learning can accomplish a lot and in the core courses in the programme, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates in the many circumstances is a useful and our students can specialise in either Kingdom of Morocco H E Nasser Bourita, received yesterday a written message from even indispensable channel for both environmental policy or social Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin professors and students. policy,” said Dr. Pal. Abdulrahman Al Thani, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and “That said, particularly at the “We support these specialisations develop them. The message was delivered by Ambassador of the State of Qatar to graduate level, it cannot be a long- with specialised labs and advanced Morocco, H E Fahad bin Ibrahim Al Mana, during his meeting with H E Nasser Bourita. term substitute for direct, in-class Dr. Leslie A. Pal seminars on key topics in each field. contact and discussion,” he told The A final distinctive feature of the pro- Peninsula. gramme is that students complete “This is particularly true for the More than 300 new their studies with a capstone project, Education Ministry to hold second CPP, where we encourage done in small groups with a partner engagement with the wider policy students have started organisation on a real policy issue round of exams tomorrow community. We were able to adapt their academic journey or problem. This adds an invaluable during the pandemic, and I am proud within the HBKU practical dimension to the MPP,” he of what we accomplished so quickly added. From page 1 as per the protocol isolated rooms will in trying to retain the quality of community’s six colleges. Dr. Pal also said that HBKU is She said that two types of students be available at every school where such instruction and learning,” he added. The university offers 34 applying to launch a Master of Social will take exams of second round – those cases will be shifted immediately. In April 2020, pandemic Policy and Program Evaluation whose luck did not favor in the first “After measuring temperature and prompted a switch to online learning. programmes and provides (MSPPE). It will be unique to the round and those who were unable to checking the health condition of students “Despite the limitations of online, we a rich and rewarding region, both with its combination of appear in the first round. the decision will be made whether to learned a great deal about it as a tool. evaluation and social policy, and in Speaking about the students with allow the students to complete the paper As we go back into the classroom, I journey that enhances the intensive training students chronic diseases, Iman said, “Exami- or to shift him to the nearest hospital know that faculty will be drawing on students’ knowledge and receive in programme evaluation. nation of such students will be held with coordination of parents,” said Iman. the experience gained in the past “There is no other programme under separate examination control Iman Al Mohannadi urged all stu- year and building on the best fea- skill set. like it in the country or the region, committee at the rate of 15 students per dents who are going to take papers on tures of what online tools and sup- and it will equip graduates to work committee as maximum. They will be Wednesday (tomorrow) to adhere ports can provide. So, I am confident almost anywhere and for a range of provided necessary medical services strictly to preventive measures even at that, as we go forward, the student knowledge and skill set. public and private organisations, throughout the examination process.” their social gathering to be healthy in-class experience will be even The College of Public Policy’s assessing and evaluating programme To a question about dealing with sus- during exams as the second round exam better than pre-pandemic,” said Dr. flagship programme is its Master of impacts, with special expertise in pected cases of infection, she said that is a final chance for them. Pal. Public Policy (MPP). The college itself social policy programming,” he said. MES celebrates India’s 75th Independence Day Centrepoint announces the peninsula — DOHA

MES Indian School celebrated India’s back to school offers 75th Independence Day with great the peninsula — DOHA effortless; parents can get trousers and gusto and vivacity. Exuding immense shirts for boys, or pinafores/skirts and joie-de-vivre, students proudly Centrepoint has announced back to shirts for girls. recounted the nation’s glorious history school offers at competitive prices. Shoe Mart at Centrepoint also offers and upheld decades of rich tradition. With more than 100 brands and affordable school shoes from brands The chief guest for the day was Khaleel over 2,000 styles, Centrepoint is here like Frozen, Hello Kitty, Puma, Nike, A.P, President Officiating, MES to help parents prepare for school. That Kappa, Sketcher and many more. Governing Board. too without breaking the bank. Take for Shop online or through the Cen- The programme was initiated by instance the three-piece and five-piece trepoint application, it takes only a few a few minutes of contemplative prayer. trolley backpack sets, starting at just clicks to get them delivered right at your The chief guest, Khaleel A.P unfurled QR79. Sturdy, trendy, easy on the eyes doorstep. the national flag, which was followed and wallet. All their backpacks come Explore the biggest range of back- by the national anthem by the school with a one to two years warranty. That’s to-school gear at Centrepoint stores, or choir. value for money right there. you can also shop online at www.cen- Everyone saluted and pledged to Parents can now shop brands like trepointstores.com. uphold with full honour and integrity. Ryan’s World, The chief guest enlightened one and Cocomelon, Paw all with a thoughtful presidential Patrol, and US address by emphasising, “Let everyone P o l o f r o m of us realise our role and responsibility Babyshop, Pepe to get rid of the corruption demon and Jean, Skylar, other social evils. Let’s forget the dif- Enso, Minmie, J ferences of colour, caste and creed and A view of flag-hoisting ceremony held at the MES Indian School to mark India’s World , Roll Road stand for the greater aims of progress, 75th Independence Day. from Lifestyle, prosperity, peace and justice.” Addidas, Kappa, The School Principal, Hameeda presentation, and a video presentation Isham; Deputy General Secretary MC Puma, Nike from Kadar, addressed the flag bearer of the ‘Hallmark Hall of Fame in the last 75 Muhamed; Director, co-curricular and Shoe Mart. future generation to accept the chal- years’ highlighting the glorious past of cultural activities, Firos. K; Director Babyshop at lenges by remembering the supreme India. The school auditorium rever- Transport and esteemed members of C e n t r e p o i n t sacrifices of our freedom fighters and berated with national fervour. As a the school governing board, Principal, makes uniform- forwarded the strong message saying, tribute to all the frontline warriors of school officials, teaching and non- s h o p p i n g “Our future depends on what we do COVID-19, a musical band per- teaching staff, parents, students and in the present.” formance was presented. the online viewers were whole- The event featured the group The guests of honour, Hazmal heartedly welcomed by the Head Boy, dances, patriotic songs, costume Ismail; General Secretary Ahamed Master Hamd Ashfaque. DPS Monarch International School marks India’s Independence Day Netflix co-founder to share lessons during upcoming edition of Education City Speaker Series the peninsula — DOHA The discussion will be Serial entrepreneur and best known held virtually on August for being the co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, Marc Randolph, will 23, from 5 to 6pm. be sharing lessons from his journey Registration link for the — at what is now the world’s largest event is www.qf.org.qa/ streaming service — with audiences in the upcoming edition of Qatar ecss. Foundation’s Education City Speaker Series. The discussion will be held vir- infrastructure, talent, and policies tually on August 23, from 5 to 6pm. across the research and innovation Registration link for the event is spectrum to help investors, estab- www.qf.org.qa/ecss. lished companies, and entrepreneurs A flag-hoisting ceremony at the DPS Monarch International School to celebrate Titled “Don’t Let Dreams Be Marc Randolph succeed. Dreams: What to Do with an Idea”, In doing this, QF is working 75th Independence Day of India. and themed around innovation and Context Index created by the Global toward becoming the destination of entrepreneurship — coupled with Entrepreneurship Monitor. choice for innovators locally, the peninsula — DOHA service to the society marked its tribute sustainability — Randolph’s talk will Qatar Foundation’s (QF’s) Qatar regionally, and internationally – and to the nation by celebrating the Inde- focus on the start-up culture and Science & Technology Park is home this edition of the Education City DPS Monarch International School has pendence Day. how to foster entrepreneurial to a host of programmes that aim to Speaker Series seeks to align with celebrated 75th Independence Day of Speaking on the occasion, School mindsets, as well as how to start support the start-up culture and eco- that mission. India with great patriotic fervour and Head Boy, paid tributes to the national building innovative businesses that system in Qatar, including the Arab The Education City Speaker Series enthusiasm. Hassan Chougule, Pres- leaders. The programme was streamed are socially and environmentally Innovation Academy, XLR8, and edition with Marc Randolph will be ident of the school, unfurled the Indian live on school Facebook page. The conscious. Stars of Science, thereby improving a 45-minute discussion, and will be flag and marked the beginning of the school Vice-President Yasir Nainar Randolph’s talk comes at a time the country’s private sector, and followed by an opportunity for the celebration. addressed the gathering and his clarion as Qatar’s start-up ecosystem is helping transform startups into small online audience to put their questions In the famous words of Mahatma call on the occasion to the future cit- seeing a healthy growth, with the and medium-sized enterprises to Randolph. It will be available to Gandhi ‘Man becomes great exactly in izens was to enhance their knowledge country being ahead in the region in (SMEs) that contribute to the coun- view on Microsoft Teams with the degree in which he works for the and to utilise it to serve the country and terms of ease of starting and devel- try’s economy. English, Arabic, French, Spanish, and welfare of his fellow men’. their countrymen alike. The school oping a business as per the 2019- Through such efforts, QF’s Italian subtitles, and also on QF’s True to the above words, DPS Head Girl, called an end to the pro- 2020 National Entrepreneurship mission is to provide the Facebook and YouTube channels. Monarch International School amid its gramme with the vote of thanks. 04 Gulf / Middle East / Africa TUESday 17 August 2021

Four Palestinians killed IN BRIEF Saudi Arabia in gunfire by Israeli army calls on Taliban QNA — Occupied Jerusalem Amjad Azmi, who was reported in serious condition. to preserve lives, Four Palestinian youths were killed Sources in Jenin said the Israeli sol- yesterday by Israeli occupation army diers detained Mohammad Abu Zaina property gunfire during a raid into the northern after raiding his home in the Jenin West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee refugee camp. DUBAI: Saudi Arabia called on camp, medical and local sources A general strike and a day of the Taliban and “all Afghan confirmed. mourning have been declared in the parties” yesterday to preserve Sources at Jenin hospital told WAFA city. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Pres- lives and property, after the news agency said that Saleh Amar, 19, idency yesterday condemned what it insurgents seized the capital from Jenin refugee camp, and Raed described as the heinous crime com- Kabul. Abu Saif, 21, from Jenin city, were both mitted by the Israeli occupation forces A statement issued by the killed by occupation gunfire, noting in the city of Jenin, which has resulted Saudi foreign ministry on Twitter that the Israeli forces kidnapped the in the killing of at least four added that the kingdom “stands bodies of two more slain Palestinians, Palestinians. with the choices that the Afghan one of them identified as Nour Jarrar A spokesman for the presidency, people make without any inter- from Jenin city while the fourth was held the Israeli government fully ference,” expressing hope that yet to be identified. responsible for this escalation and its People attend the funeral of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in clashes during a raid, the situation in the central Asian Additionally, Israeli forces also shot repercussions. according to a local official, in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, yesterday. state stabilises as soon as pos- sible. — Reuters Oman records 6 President hopes for Lebanon government in days COVID-19 deaths Reuters — BEIRUT leader of Hezbollah, on Sunday With its currency reserves urged the government to be depleted, the bank has said new MUSCAT: The Omani Ministry President Michel Aoun said he formed in two or three days, legislation is needed to allow of Health confirmed yesterday hoped a new Lebanese saying this was the only way to use of the mandatory foreign that 214 new cases of corona- government would be formed prevent anarchy which had reserve for such imports. virus (COVID-19) have been within the next couple days, as already begun. The government demanded recorded during the past 24 efforts to agree one were He also said Hezbollah prices be left unchanged. There hours bringing the total spurred on by a fuel crisis that would begin bringing diesel and has been no resolution to the number of positive COVID-19 has brought much of the gasoline from Iran with delivery stand-off. The crisis has sunk cases to 300,408. country to a standstill and dates to be announced soon. the currency by more than 90% The Ministry said that 6 new sparked warnings of anarchy. US Ambassador Dorothy and sent more than half the COVID-19-related deaths were The steadily worsening fuel Shea said the economy and population into poverty. reported, bringing the total crisis has marked a crunch basic services had “reached the The Lebanese pound has number of deaths to 3,999. point in Lebanon’s two-year- precipice of collapse”. strengthened since Aoun first The Ministry added that 313 long financial meltdown, with “Every day that goes by signalled optimism on Sunday new cases have recovered, shortages of imported fuel without an empowered gov- about the formation of a bringing the total number to forcing hospitals, bakeries and Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun meets with US Ambassador to ernment committed to and able government. 288,702 recoveries, while the businesses to scale back or shut Lebanon Dorothy Shea, in Baabda, yesterday. to implement urgently needed The ruling elite has failed to number of hospitalized people down in the last week or so. reforms is a day in which the agree a rescue plan, or to form in intensive care reached 107 At least 28 people were being tackled one-by-one, he the government talks were already dire situation slides a new government since Prime cases. — QNA killed over the weekend when said, though he did not know evolving positively although further into humanitarian Minister Hassan Diab’s cabinet a fuel tanker exploded as people how the last would be resolved. some issues remained to be catastrophe,” she said. quit last August after the Beirut Gunmen abduct desperate for gasoline Ahead of his meeting with tackled, mainly the names of The culmination of decades port explosion. Mikati, a busi- scrambled to get a share. Mikati, Aoun indicated a deal ministers. of state corruption and mis- nessman-politician, was desig- 19 people from After meeting Aoun, Prime was close, saying “we are about Explaining the impetus, the management, the crisis entered nated to form the government Minister-designate Najib Mikati to form a government”, speci- source added: “The whole sit- a new phase last week when the after Saad Al Hariri abandoned college in Nigeria said it was still possible for a fying later it would be “within uation is deteriorating, the central bank said it would no his attempts, saying he could government to be formed in the a couple days, God willing”. whole system is collapsing.” longer finance fuel imports at not agree with Aoun. Each KADUNA: Gunmen abducted 15 next two days. The issues were A senior political source said Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the subsidised exchange rates. blamed the other. students and four staff members from an agricultural college in the northwestern Nigerian state of Zamfara, police said Iran’s daily virus deaths Turkey floods death toll climbs to 72 yesterday, the latest in a spate of mass kidnappings across Africa’s hit record high of 655 AP — ANKARA, Turkey 47 people are still dormitories. most populous country. reported missing in Around 40 villages remain During the attack late on Reuters — DUBAI worst-hit country will be closed Rescuers recovered more without power, according to Sunday night, the gunmen until August 21, state TV said. bodies yesterday from the Kastamonu and Sinop AFAD. exchanged fire with a security Iran yesterday reported a Authorities have also severe flooding that devastated provinces. Heavy rains along the team protecting the college, record 655 COVID-19 deaths imposed a travel ban between parts of Turkey's Black Sea northern coast of the Black Sea resulting in the deaths of one over the past 24 hours as the all Iranian cities from Sunday coast last week, bringing the last week also forced 1,500 police officer and two guards, government started imposing until August 27, except for death toll to 72, officials said. pressed ahead with efforts to people to evacuate in Russia. according to Mohammed Shehu, tougher restrictions to combat essential vehicles. Torrential rains battered the locate at least 47 people who The heavy flooding came a spokesperson for Zamfara a surge in coronavirus infec- Health authorities have country’s northwestern Black were still reported missing in after Turkey endured a searing State police. tions led by the highly conta- warned that daily deaths might Sea provinces on August 11, Kastamonu and Sinop. heat wave and as crews in the He said officers were gious Delta variant, state TV reach 800 in coming weeks if causing floods that demolished AFAD said some 8,000 per- south were taming wildfires combing the area surrounding reported. Iranians fail to respect health homes and bridges, swept away sonnel, backed by 20 rescue that raced across the country’s the town of Bakura, where the The health ministry said the protocols. A health ministry cars and blocked access to dogs, are involved in the rescue Mediterranean coast. college is located, in search of the total number of cases had official, Kianoush Jahanpour, numerous roads. and assistance efforts. Climate scientists say victims, and three members of reached 4,467,015 with 41,194 said there was no ban on The Turkish disaster man- About 2,400 people were there’s little doubt that climate staff had been found and new cases in the past 24 hours, importing any approved agement agency, AFAD, said evacuated across the region change from the burning of rescued. while total fatalities had COVID-19 vaccines “including at least 60 people were killed amid the floods — scores of coal, oil and natural gas is Abductions for ransom, par- increased to 98,483, state TV AstraZeneca, Moderna and in the province of Kastamonu, them lifted to safety by driving more extreme events — ticularly at schools and colleges, reported. All non-essential Pfizer, other than those pro- 11 died in Sinop and one in helicopters. such as heat waves, droughts, have increased in northwestern businesses and public offices duced in the US and the UK”, Bartin. Many are being temporarily wildfires, floods and storms — Nigeria over the past eight across the Middle East’s Iranian media reported. Emergency crews yesterday housed in student as the planet warms. months, partly driven by a sharp rise in poverty levels linked to the economic shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Opposition leader elected 2020. Over 1,000 children and students have been taken from their places of education since December. Some have been president in Zambia released following ransom pay- AP — LUSAKA, Zambia ments but many are still missing. — Reuters Zambia’s veteran opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema (pictured) has US to deploy won the southern African country’s presidency with more than 50% of the counter-terror vote. Hichilema was declared president- advisers: Congo elect early yesterday after getting more than 2.8 million votes to President KINSHASA: Special forces Edgar Lungu’s 1.8 million votes, from the United States will achieving one of the biggest electoral soon deploy to Democratic wins in Zambia’s history. Republic of Congo’s restive President Edgar Lungu, 64, investor-friendly economic policies, east to gauge the potential for accepted defeat and said he would better debt management as well as a local anti-terrorism unit to work for a “peaceful transfer of power.” “zero tolerance” to corruption and combat militancy, President Hichilema welcomed Lungu’s con- patronage that allegedly characterized Felix Tshisekedi said on cession but described the outgoing gov- Lungu’s administration. Sunday. ernment as a “brutal regime.” Hich- Hichilema garnered more than half The Special Operations ilema had been arrested multiple times of the nearly 5 million votes cast to win Forces arrived in Congo’s capital and spent some time in jail on treason the presidency outright, without having Kinshasa on Friday to “conduct charges under Lungu’s government, but to go to a runoff election. About 80% an assessment of a future Con- he said he would not seek vengeance of the country’s registered voters cast golese counter-terrorism team,” or retribution. their ballots. US ambassador Mike Hammer Preaching unity in Zambia, a Hichilema will become Zambia’s said. Tshisekedi said in a country of 18 million people with seventh president since the reintro- statement on Sunday that the several political and ethnic divisions, duction of multi-party democracy in troops would “provide support Hichilema urged an end to all political 1991 by founding president, the late to the (army) in the fight against violence in which several people died Kenneth Kaunda, who had ruled the terrorism and to the guardians in the run-up to the elections. country as a one-party state for more of the Virunga and Garamba “It is indeed a new day. Change is than two decades. national parks, which have here,” said Hichilema yesterday. “Let’s Hichilema narrowly lost two pre- become a sanctuary for terrorist put the past behind us. We are not going vious elections to Lungu in 2015 and forces.” He said the troops would into office to arrest those who arrested 2016. His support grew in each of those be present for several weeks in us … to replace those that have been polls and in 2016 he lost by just 100,000 eastern Congo, where martial very violent against our people only to votes. Zambians celebrated overnight, law was established in May to try start a new wave of violence.” Hich- with hundreds of Hichilema’s frenzied to end decades of bloodshed. ilema, a 59-year old businessman con- supporters turning his home on the out- Much of the recent violence testing the presidency for the sixth time, skirts of the capital, Lusaka, into a party has been attributed to the Allied promised democratic reforms, zone. Democratic Forces. — Reuters TUESday 17 August 2021 Asia 05

UN Security 7 killed in Kabul airport evacuation chaos Council pushes Afghanistan’s aviation authority said yesterday for talks to form the country’s airspace had been “released new Afghan govt to the military” and advised airlines to avoid its air corridors, prompting major airlines to Reuters — UNITED NATIONS divert flights. The UN Security Council yesterday called for talks to create a new government in Agencies — KABUL Residents raced to Kabul’s Afghanistan and an end to international airport, where the fighting and abuse after UN chief Thousands of Afghans rushed “civilian side” was closed until Antonio Guterres warned of onto the tarmac of Kabul’s further notice, according to “chilling” curbs on human rights international airport yesterday, Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation and mounting violations against some so desperate to escape the Authority. The US military and women and girls. Taliban capture of their country other Western forces continued The 15-member council that they held onto an American to organize evacuations. issued a statement, agreed by military jet as it took off and Videos circulating on social consensus, after Guterres plunged to death in chaos that media showed hundreds of appealed to the body to “use all killed at least seven people, US people running across the tools at its disposal” to suppress officials said. tarmac as US troops fired a global terrorist threat from The crowds of people warning shots in the air. One Afghanistan and guarantee rushing to the airport came as showed a crowd pushing and respect for human rights. the Taliban enforced their rule shoving its way up a staircase, People try to get into Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, yesterday. The Security Council over the wider capital after a trying to board a plane, with stressed the importance of com- lightning advance across the some people hanging off the happening in Kabul, but that of no one shall be harmed but Afghanistan — would be uncon- bating terrorism in Afghanistan country that took just over a railings. President Joe Biden “stands by” must be protected by the muja- trolled, meaning planes would to ensure other countries were week to dethrone the country’s In another video, hundreds his decision to pull out because hideen,” he said. no longer be guided from the not threatened or attacked, and Western-backed government. of people could be seen running he didn’t want the war there - Afghanistan’s aviation ground. said “that neither the Taliban While there were no major alongside a US Air Force C-17 already the longest in US history authority said yesterday the “Kabul airspace has been nor any other Afghan group or reports of abuses, many stayed transport plane as it moved - to enter a third decade. country’s airspace had been released to the military. Advise individual should support ter- home and remained fearful as down a runway. Some clung to Meanwhile, the head of US “released to the military” and transit aircraft to reroute,” the rorists operating on the territory the insurgents’ advance saw the side of the jet just before Central Command met face-to- advised airlines to avoid its air notice said. of any other country.” prisons emptied and armouries takeoff. face with senior Taliban leaders corridors, prompting major air- “Any transit through Kabul US Ambassador to the looted. Another video showed in Qatar and won their lines to divert flights in the airspace will be uncontrolled. United Nations Linda Thomas- The Taliban swept into several falling through the air agreement to establish an wake of the Taliban’s takeover Surrounding FIRs (air traffic Greenfield called for a stop to Kabul on Sunday after President as the airplane rapidly gained arrangement under which of Kabul. control regions) have been attacks on civilians and respect Ashraf Ghani fled the country, altitude over the city. evacuation operations at the The authority did not advised.” for human rights and freedoms. bringing an end to a two- Senior military officials, airport can continue without specify which military, given Analysts said flights Afghanistan’s UN Ambas- decade campaign in which the who spoke on condition of ano- interference, a US defense the collapse of local security between Europe and parts of sador Ghulam Isaczai, speaking US and its allies had tried to nymity to discuss the ongoing official said. forces in the face of the Taliban Asia would be among those for millions of people “whose transform Afghanistan. The operation, told The Associated Suhail Shaheen, a spokes- offensive. most affected, adding to fate hangs in the balance,” country’s Western-trained Press that the chaos left seven person for the Taliban, said in In a notice to pilots on its growing route headaches after called on the United Nations not security forces collapsed or fled, dead, including several who fell a message on Twitter that their website, the Afghanistan Civil Middle East conflicts and the to recognize any administration ahead of the planned with- from the flight. fighters were under strict orders Aviation Authority (ACAA) said forced diversion of a jet over that achieves power by force drawal of the last American A senior US official said “it’s not to harm anyone. any transit through Kabul air- Belarus, which put its skies off or any government that is not troops at the end of the month. heartbreaking” to see what’s “Life, property and honour space — which covers all limits to many airlines. inclusive.

UN urged to probe alleged Malaysian PM Muhyiddin resigns, to remain as caretaker Reuters — KUALA LUMPUR of COVID-19 infections. Muhyiddin said he resigned Malaysia’s infections and senior economist at Natixis in disappearances The Southeast Asian along with his cabinet after deaths per million rank as the Hong Kong, adding that political Malaysia’s Muhyiddin Yassin nation’s king appointed Muhy- losing majority support in par- region’s highest in the uncertainty had become the in Bangladesh stepped down as prime minister iddin as the caretaker prime liament. As caretaker, he added, pandemic. new normal in Malaysia. yesterday after months of minister until a new one is he will have no cabinet, but will It was not immediately clear The central bank slashed its AP — DHAKA political turmoil culminated in found, but did not set a timeline. perform executive functions who could form the next gov- 2021 outlook last week because the loss of his majority, but his King Al Sultan Abdullah and advise the king until a new ernment, as no lawmaker has of the disease resurgence and A global human rights group resignation is likely to open ruled out elections because of prime minister is appointed. a clear majority in parliament. extended lockdowns. urged the United Nations another chapter of instability in the pandemic, saying he would “I hope a new government The opposition bloc and the Muhyiddin’s resignation is yesterday to lead an inde- the absence of any obvious invoke his constitutional power can be formed immediately so biggest party are split on likely to return the post to the pendent investigation into the successor. to appoint a prime minister he that the administration of this support for their prime minis- United Malays National Organ- alleged disappearances of Muhyiddin’s resignation ends believes is likely to command a country is not disrupted,” he terial candidates. isation (UMNO), Malaysia’s government critics and others a tumultuous 17 months in office, majority. said in a televised speech. “There is no clear ‘grand old party’, which was at the hands of security forces the shortest stint of a Malaysian Malaysia’s ringgit currency “The next two months is replacement, which raises voted out in a 2018 election in Bangladesh, an allegation leader, but hampers efforts to fell to a one-year low on the crucial, as we expect to achieve uncertainty further, and that after being tarnished by graft the country’s government has reboot a pandemic-stricken news and the stock market herd immunity in October,” means more economic stag- accusations, though it remained long denied. economy and curb a resurgence slipped. Muhyiddin added. nation,” said Trinh Nguyen, a influential. New York-based Human Rights Watch listed 86 alleged victims, providing profiles and IN BRIEF details of each case. It said they remain 16 communist rebels killed in raid, missing, mainly blaming the Rapid Action Battalion, an elite says Philippines military anti-crime force that is credited by the government of MANILA: Philippine soldiers killed 16 communist rebels during a Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina raid on a suspected guerilla hideout in the central Philippines with crushing a rise in Islamic where dozens of high-powered firearms were also recovered, militancy in the Muslim- the army said yesterday. majority nation. Government troops received information from the community This report, based on more about the presence of “terrorists in their bomb-making hideout” than 115 interviews between in the area, said Major Reynaldo Aragones, an army spokesman July 2020 and March 2021 with in the central Philippines. alleged victims, family “The fire fight was really intense, that is why we delivered members and witnesses, says indirect fire (artillery) support and air asset support,” said Aragones. authorities have consistently President Rodrigo Duterte’s government has stepped up efforts refused to investigate enforced to crush a Maoist-led rebellion, one of the world’s longest-running disappearances or to hold insurgencies, which has killed more than 40,000 people. Duterte’s those responsible accountable. vaunted peace effort has repeatedly been derailed and he has The group said authorities each time promised to destroy the movement. - Reuters use disappearances — and the threat to carry them out — to Mumbai resumes rail services as part silence critics, chilling free speech. Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivers his annual State of the Nation Address ahead of the of wider easing of lockdown “Bangladesh authorities country’s Independence Day, at the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. mock victims and routinely MUMBAI: Authorities in India’s financial capital Mumbai have obstruct investigations, making almost fully resumed suburban rail services for the first time in clear that the government has Pandemic changed Indonesia culture: Widodo more than a year, as part of a wider easing of COVID-19 restric- no intention of meaningfully tions, as the pace of infections declined. addressing enforced disappear- AP — JAKARTA learning, online meetings and pandemic, the acceleration of Previously, only essential workers were allowed to use the ances by its security forces,” said online court have become new innovation has become an inte- trains, but those who are fully vaccinated were allowed on board Brad Adams, Asia director at Indonesia’s president pledged to habits “that we used to be hesitant grated part of our everyday lives.” trains from Sunday. Human Rights Watch. improve COVID-19 testing and to do,” President Joko Widodo said Only half of the 711 law- Parks, seafronts and playgrounds were also allowed to stay open “As critics of the gov- treatment in an address yesterday in the national speech marking the makers and senators were in for all until 10pm local time, from the previous closing hours of 4pm, ernment live in fear of being marking the country’s inde- country’s 76th anniversary of Parliament for Widodo’s speech, the city’s civic body said. Yesterday, the second day that trains were forcibly disappeared, and fam- pendence and said the pandemic independence. with the rest attending remotely 95% open, crowds were sparse because of a public holiday. ilies of the disappeared have had changed Indonesian culture “Amid today’s disruptive in a social-distancing measure. In normal times, more than 8 million people travel on Mum- little hope of getting justice in ways that would be a foun- world, the spirit to change, the The world’s fourth-most bai’s local trains every day, but services have been closed to com- from the government, U.N, dation for advancement. spirit to make changes and the populous country hit peaks last muters since March 2020, when the first COVID-19 related human rights experts should Wearing masks, not shaking spirit to innovate have become month with daily highs of lockdown was announced in the state. - Reuters open an investigation into hands and avoiding crowds of the foundation to build an 50,000 new cases, more than enforced disappearances,” people were once taboo, while advanced Indonesia,” Widodo five times the usual highs in Thai police, protesters clash over Adams said. working from home, distance said. “With the COVID-19 June. handling of pandemic BANGKOK: Thai police and anti-government protesters clashed Staff resignations hit overwhelmed Philippines hospitals for a second straight day in Bangkok yesterday, as anger over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic continues to simmer. Reuters — MANILA thousands of medical workers quarantine or resigned,” said elsewhere in Southeast Asia and Police in riot gear fired a water cannon and tear gas to force back who have resigned during the Loui, who was earning 20,000 worldwide. about 200 protesters as they approached Government House, where Exhausted by the COVID-19 pandemic, complaining of low pesos ($394) a month, including The Private Hospitals Asso- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has an office. The organizers called workload, Loui quit her job as pay and poor working condi- overtime, before she quit in ciation of the Philippines off the rally soon afterward. Later, there were more disturbances in an intensive care unit nurse at tions. Others have sought better March. (PHAPi)estimated that 40% of the Din Daeng area of the city when a group of young protesters tried a private hospital in the Philip- jobs abroad. Hospitals fear the deser- private hospital nurses resigned to move toward an army base where Prayuth has his residence. pines earlier this year. “We can’t even take a tions have reached a critical last year, but more followed The demonstrators are calling for Prayuth’s resignation over The 30-year old, who proper day off because we are point just as the Delta variant new waves of infections this his perceived bungling of the government’s coronavirus vacci- declined to give her last name often called back to cover for sends the number of cases year. Public hospitals are facing nation program. Infections have surged in the past few weeks for fear of reprisals, is among other staff who were in soaring, as it has done similar challenges. while vaccination rates remain low. -AP 06 Europe TUESday 17 August 2021 Greece wildfires: Two new blazes burning outside Athens

AP — ATHENS, Greece Greece has been roiled by hundreds of wildfires this month, with the blazes coming on the heels of the country’s most More wildfires broke out yesterday in hard-hit Greece, severe heat wave in decades, which left its forests tinder dry. with two blazes fanned by strong winds triggering evacu- firefighters, six water-dropping evening, potentially hampering ation alerts for villages planes and six helicopters. the firefighting effort. southeast and northwest of the Dimitris Loukas, the mayor More than 60 firefighters Greek capital. of the Lavreotiki region which there were being supported by The first blaze, which broke encompasses the area where eight water-dropping planes out in the morning in the the fire broke out, told Greek and five helicopters. Keratea region southeast of television that arson was sus- Greece has been roiled by Athens, quickly burned through pected as the cause. He said hundreds of wildfires this shrubland and was heading local residents had reported month, with the blazes coming toward a national park in the seeing someone in a car setting on the heels of the country’s Sounion area. a dumpster on fire in the area most severe heat wave in Three communities in the before driving quickly away. decades, which left its forests area were ordered evacuated. Loukas said authorities were tinder dry. Some residents desperately looking into the reports. Tens of thousands of hec- hosed down their homes, On the other side of the tares of forest and farmland A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Sinterina, Greece, yesterday. hoping to save them from the capital, to the northwest, have been destroyed, homes approaching flames, while vol- another blaze broke out in the and businesses have been have been hospitalised, Hardalias, who coordinates the hospital where he underwent unteers armed with hoses and Vilia area, triggering an evacu- burned and thousands of people including two in critical con- fight against wildfires as well as unscheduled heart surgery. A branches joined the battle ation alert for seven other vil- had to be evacuated by land or dition with burns. the country’s response to the health ministry statement said against the blaze. The fire lages. Strong winds were pre- by sea. One volunteer firefighter Yesterday, Greece’s civil coronavirus pandemic, was the angioplasty was department sent in 91 dicted to last until at least the died and four other firefighters protection chief, Nikos urgently taken to an Athens successful. UK’s Johnson plans virtual G7 leaders meeting on Afghanistan EU top envoys in emergency talks Reuters — LONDON nationals from Kabul. Council, including on a possible Britain, which had initially quickly if needed, the Ministry Johnson told French Pres- joint-resolution. committed 600 members of the of Defence said. British Foreign on Afghanistan British Prime Minister Boris ident Emmanuel Macron in a Western governments are armed forces to evacuate British Secretary Dominic Raab also Johnson intends to host a virtual call that he planned to host a discussing how to handle the nationals and former British told reporters yesterday that the AP — BRUSSELS meeting of G7 leaders to discuss Group of Seven meeting in the situation in Kabul where thou- staff, will shortly have 900 government could impose sanc- the deteriorating situation in coming days and the two sands of civilians desperate to troops in Kabul. tions and withhold aid on European Union foreign Afghanistan, his office said yes- leaders agreed that Britain and flee Afghanistan have Further personnel will be Afghanistan if needed, ministers will hold emergency terday, as the government France should work together at descended on the airport after deployed in the region and be depending on the conduct of the talks today (Tuesday) to stepped up efforts to evacuate the United Nations Security the Taliban seized the capital. able to move to Afghanistan Taliban. discuss the crisis in Afghan- istan, after the Taliban seized control of the capital, Kabul, French shopping over the weekend. Postal vote begins ahead of Germany’s Sept election EU foreign policy chief malls to require Josep Borrell said in a tweet Reuters — BERLIN fractured political landscape in consultancy. Pollsters and party conservative alliance tends to yesterday that he decided to virus health pass which no party enjoys a com- strategists expect a third or do well among older voters, convene the extraordinary Postal voting for Germany’s fortable lead, and Laschet has more of voters to cast their Jung added. videoconference so the min- Reuters — PARIS federal election began seen his ratings slump since he ballot by post at this election as Laschet is conscious that he isters can make “a first yesterday, piling pressure on was seen laughing on a visit to worries mount about a fourth needs to build momentum a s s e s s m e n t ” o f Shopping malls in Paris and conservative chancellor a flood-stricken town. wave of the coronavirus. At the quickly as his conservatives developments. large parts of France had to candidate Armin Laschet to Laschet’s woes have opened last federal election in 2017, a have lost around 10 points in Borrell says that “Afghan- ask customers to show a reinvigorate his floundering up the possibility that the Social record 28.6% of votes were by polls since the beginning of the istan stands at a crossroad. health pass yesterday, as the campaign or else risk losing out Democrats (SPD) could lead a post. year. “Our goal now is to Security and wellbeing of its government increased to a left-leaning coalition. three-way coalition with the “We will experience a two- become stronger in the next few citizens, as well as interna- pressure on people to get An official at the Federal Greens and the business- part election campaign,” said weeks so that we can lead a tional security are at play.” vaccinated against COVID-19. Election Commissioner’s office friendly Free Democrats (FDP), Matthias Jung of pollster Forsc- future government,” he said European nations have been The requirement to show confirmed postal ballots would though FDP leader Christian hungsgruppe Wahlen, as the yesterday. The SPD is looking caught by surprise at the speed proof of vaccination or a neg- be sent out from Monday, six Lindner has downplayed such parties seek to mobilise their to maximise the popularity of of the takeover. They’ve been ative test applies to all malls weeks ahead of the Sept. 26 a scenario. “A high share of supporters for the postal vote its chancellor candidate, Olaf evacuating embassies and with a surface area of more election, after which Chancellor postal ballots should benefit before trying to attract floating Scholz, who polls show voters leaving the strife-torn country than 20,000 square metres in Angela Merkel plans to step parties like the Greens, repre- voters ahead of election day. much prefer to his rivals even in recent days. The EU has regions where the COVID-19 down following 16 years in senting affluent, well-educated Older people opt for postal if that has not yet translated into small diplomatic mission in incidence rate is higher than power. voters,” said Carsten Nickel at ballots to a greater degree than such strong support for the left- Kabul. It’s one of Afghanistan’s 200 cases per 100,000 citizens Merkel leaves behind a Teneo, a political risk younger voters, and Merkel’s leaning party. biggest aid donors. per week. This will mainly affect retail centres in the south of IN BRIEF the country — which has a higher incidence rate - but fol- Italy reports 24 COVID-19 deaths lowing a regional prefecture decision over the weekend, the MILAN: Italy reported 24 coronavirus-related deaths yesterday measure will also apply to against 19 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily malls and department stores tally of new infections declined to 3,674 from 5,664. in Paris, including tourist Italy has registered 128,456 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its magnets Galeries Lafayette outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in and Printemps. Europe after Britain and the eighth-highest in the world. The country Daily new infections have has reported 4.44 million cases to date. risen from a seven-day Patients in hospital with COVID-19 — not including those in average of less than 2,000 at intensive care — stood at 3,334 yesterday, up from 3,162 a day earlier. the end of June to nearly There were 32 new admissions to intensive care units, up from 29 24,000. on Sunday. The total number of intensive care patients increased to Most shoppers yesterday 404 from a previous 384. Some 74,021 tests for COVID-19 were carried showed their health pass will- out in the past day, compared with a previous 160,870, the health min- ingly, seeing it as a minor istry said. -Reuters hassle that will allow a resumption of normal life. Russia posts 806 coronavirus deaths “Unfortunately, we don’t have many other options at MOSCOW: Russia reported 806 coronavirus-related deaths this point, so I don’t mind,” yesterday, close to a record high amid a surge in cases that author- said Parisian pensioner Fre- ities blame on the infectious Delta variant. deric Gaide in front of the The government coronavirus taskforce also reported 20,765 new Printemps department store. Demand for action against climate change cases in the last 24 hours, including 1,489 in Moscow, pushing the From this week, police will infection tally to 6,621,601 since the pandemic began. -Reuters also get tougher enforcing the Extinction Rebellion activists block roads around the Brandenburg Gate as they take part in a protest use of the health pass in res- to demand actions against climate change, in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. North Macedonia reimposes restrictions taurants, trains and indoor public spaces, after being SARAJEVO: North Macedonia has reimposed restrictions on access lenient when it was first intro- to cafes, restaurants and public events in a bid to subdue a fresh duced last week. Europe eyes arthritis drug for COVID-19 cases spike in COVID-19 infections and nudge citizens to get vaccinated, While there were few prompting public anger and protests. reports of customers trying to AP — AMSTERDAM was assessing an application to Drug Administration granted Those who want to go to restaurants, concerts or any public events circumvent the rule, some res- extend the use of tocilizumab the drug an emergency use will have to show a certificate of at least one COVID-19 vaccination taurant owners complained The European Medicines for adults suffering from severe authorization and the World or of recovery from the disease within the past 45 days. about time lost as customers Agency has started an accel- coronavirus in the hospital, Health Organization recom- Only open-air parts of restaurants and cafes will be open and cus- tried to find their health pass. erated review process to who were already being treated mended its use last month for tomer numbers will be limited to 30, the government said, adding that “It takes time to unlock the determine if a common arthritis with other steroids or required people who are critically ill with owners would have to provide security guards to check compliance phone, to find the application, drug might help people hospi- extra oxygen, including via a COVID-19. The European reg- with the measures. The government has also introduced hefty fines to open it and to find the QR talized with severe COVID-19, ventilator. ulator said it expected to make for those who disobey the measures, ranging from ¤250 for indi- code. The scanning part works months after the drug was Tocilizumab is an anti- a decision by mid-October on viduals to up to ¤30,000 for legal entities depending their size. very well, but every step granted an emergency use inflammatory drug currently tocilizumab, based on data from The restrictions follow a sudden rise in the number of coronavirus before that takes time, “ said authorization in the US. used to treat adults and children four large studies. cases after previous curbs were eased in the small Balkan republic, Ewa Fontaine at Paris res- In a statement yesterday, with severe arthritis. The drug was first licensed with 3,497 new infections reported over the past week and 807 on taurant Le Mesturet. the EU drug regulator said it In June, the US Food and in the EU in 2009. Sunday alone, with 10 recorded deaths.-Reuters Former Bosnian Serb soldier sentenced to 20 years for war crimes AP — SARAJEVO, 20 years in prison. systematic persecution of of Bosnia during the conflict, is recognized as Europe’s only law, enforced disappearance of Bosnia-Herzegovina The Court of Bosnia-Herze- Bosniak civilians, who are forcing non-Serbs from their post-World War II genocide. persons and other inhumane govina found Rade Garic guilty mostly Muslim, during the homes and killing scores. In Vlasenica, Bosniak acts,” said the verdict against A court in Bosnia yesterday of atrocities in the eastern town ethnic carnage in the Balkan In Srebrenica in 1995, civilians were persecuted “by Garic. convicted a former Bosnian of Vlasenica in 1992 and later nation that killed over 100,000 Bosnian Serb soldiers and police way of murders, imprisonment Local media said Garic Serb policeman and soldier of in Srebrenica in 1995. people and left millions dis- executed more than 8,000 men or other sever deprivation of remains in detention. It was not war crimes during the 1992-95 Garic’s conviction relates to placed. Bosnian Serb forces and boys and dumped their liberty in violation of funda- immediately clear whether he conflict and sentenced him to his involvement in the seized control of large swaths bodies in mass graves, in what mental rules of international will appeal the verdict. TUESday 17 August 2021 Americas 07 Biden says he stands ‘squarely behind’ Afghanistan decision AP — WASHINGTON decision,” Biden said in a tele- Afghan people, push for vised address to the nation from After 20 years, I’ve learned regional diplomacy and speak Striking a defiant tone, Pres- the White House East Room. out for the rights of Afghans. ident Joe Biden said yesterday "After 20 years, I've learned the the hard way that there was Senior US military officials that he stands "squarely behind” hard way that there was never never a good time to said the chaos at the airport in his decision to withdraw US a good time to withdraw US withdraw US forces (from Kabul left seven people dead forces from Afghanistan and forces.” yesterday, including some who that the Afghan government's Biden said he'd rather take Afghanistan). fell from a departing American collapse was quicker than antic- the criticism over the fallout in military transport jet. The offi- ipated. Afghanistan than pass the cials spoke on condition of ano- Biden said he was faced decision to a fifth president. He Joe Biden nymity because they were not with a choice between sticking said the decision to leave US President authorized to publicly discuss to a previously negotiated Afghanistan is "the right one for ongoing operations. agreement to withdraw US America." He said keeping a US The Pentagon confirmed US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the crisis in Afghanistan troops this year or sending presence in Afghanistan was no yesterday that US forces shot during a speech at the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday. thousands more service longer a US national security that the Taliban takeover and killed two individuals it said members back into Afghanistan interest. unfolded faster than had been were armed, as Biden ordered The speed of the Afghan gov- failed. Biden expressed confi- for a "third decade” of war. Biden described the images anticipated. another battalion of troops — ernment’s collapse and the dence in his decision to proceed Biden said he will not repeat coming out of Afghanistan as About a month ago, Biden about 1,000 — to secure the air- ensuing chaos posed the most with the withdrawal and said he mistakes of the past and did not "gut-wrenching." batted away the notion of a field, which was closed to serious test of Biden as com- was prepared to take the heat. regret his decision to proceed But he did not admit any US rapid Taliban takeover. arrivals and departures for mander in chief, and he came He said he was "deeply sad- with the withdrawal. fault in how the drawdown was Biden said yesterday the US hours yesterday because of under withering criticism from dened by the facts we now face, "I stand squarely behind my executed. He acknowledged will continue to support the civilians on the runway. Republicans who said he had but I do not regret my decision.” Haiti quake death toll at 1,297 as search for survivors continues AP — LES CAYES, Haiti struggling with the coronavirus on us.” The magnitude 7.2 or relatives caring for them pandemic, gang violence, wors- earthquake left at least 5,700 wore face masks amid a coro- Rescuers and scrap metal scav- ening poverty and the political people injured, with thousands navirus surge, and all could be engers dug into the floors of a uncertainty following the July more displaced from destroyed drenched by the impending collapsed hotel yesterday in this 7 assassination of President or damaged homes. Les Cayes rain. quake-ravaged coastal town, Jovenel Moïse. was darkened by intermittent Officials said more than where 15 bodies had already And the devastation could blackouts, and many people 7,000 homes were destroyed been extracted. Jean Moise soon worsen with the coming slept outside, clutching tran- and nearly 5,000 damaged Fortunè, whose brother, the of Tropical Depression Grace, sistor radios tuned to news, ter- from the quake, leaving some hotel owner, was killed in the which was predicted to reach rified of the continuing 30,000 families homeless. Hos- quake, believed there were Haiti last night. The country’s aftershocks. pitals, schools, offices and more people trapped in the Civil Protection Agency said Efforts to treat the injured churches also were destroyed rubble. strong winds, heavy rain, rough were difficult at the hospital, or badly damaged. But based on the size of seas, mudslides and flash where Michelete said pain Underlining the dire condi- voids that workers cautiously flooding were expected. Rainfall killers, analgesics and steel pins tions, local officials had to nego- peered into, perhaps a foot (0.3 amounts could reach 15 inches to mend fractures were running tiate with gangs in the seaside meters) in depth, finding sur- (38 centimeters) in some areas. out amid the crush of patients. district of Martissant to allow vivors appeared unlikely. While residents of Les Cayes People search for survivors at the site of a collapsed hotel after “We are saturated, and two humanitarian convoys a The quake, centered about carted away twisted heaps of Saturday’s 7.2 magnitude quake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, yesterday. people keep coming in,” he said. day to pass through the area, the 125 km west of the capital of scrap metal to earn some Nearby, on the hospital’s UN Office for the Coordination Port-au-Prince, killed at least money, families who lost their continued to stream into Les “After two days, they are open-air veranda, patients were of Humanitarian Affairs 1,297 people as it nearly razed homes camped out in soccer Cayes’ overwhelmed general almost always generally on beds and mattresses, hooked reported. The agency called some towns and triggered land- field, using sheets and sticks to hospital, three days after the infected,” said Dr. Paurus up to IV bags of saline fluid. Haiti’s southern peninsula a slides that hampered rescue erect a bit of shade, and gath- earthquake struck Saturday. Michelete, who had treated 250 Others lay on the garden just “hot spot for gang-related vio- efforts in a country that is the ering to receive food distributed Patients waited to be treated on patients and was one of only beyond, under bed sheets lence,” where humanitarian poorest in the Western Hemi- from a truck. stair steps, in corridors and the three doctors on call when the erected to shield them from the workers have been repeatedly sphere. Haiti already was Injured earthquake victims hospital’s open veranda. quake hit. “That makes it hard brutal sun. None of the patients attacked. Fresh Venezuela talks set for September; opposition leader freed Left-wing candidate ahead Reuters — MEXICO CITY/ economic crisis, which has actors that is as inclusive as sanctions are responsible for Opposition leader Guevara CARACAS caused millions to flee the possible,” they said in the the OPEC member’s economic was released a month after he in Chile poll South American nation. Rep- statement, noting they would crisis. was arrested by intelligence Representatives of Vene- resentatives of Norway acted show the “utmost caution” For its part, the oppo- agents while driving his car on Bloomberg — Santiago zuela’s government and the as facilitators. before commenting on the sition coalition wants a Caracas highway. opposition said they will The two sides, who gave no process. humanitarian aid, including Officials later said he was Former student protest leader resume talks next month after details on the outcome of the For the discussions to vaccines against COVID-19, linked to a bout of gang vio- Gabriel Boric edged back into a round of preliminary talks that began in Mexico last reach a potential agreement, to enter into Venezuela; the lence in the capital. the lead in Chile’s latest meetings in Mexico City, just week, said in a joint statement Venezuelan President Nicolas release of dozens of sup- Guevara said on Sunday he opinion poll, though well as opposition leader Freddy they would meet again from Maduro has demanded that porters whom it considers had been in isolation until within the margin of error, Guevara was released from September 3 to 6 without sanctions imposed by the “political prisoners”; and some days ago and did not pointing to a tight race ahead prison on Sunday. saying where. United States and Europe on guarantees it will be allowed have any further details about of November’s election. The talks between the two “We have discussed estab- officials and institutions be to participate fairly in his release, according to Boric obtained 24% of voter sides are aimed at overcoming lishing a consultation mech- lifted. regional elections in footage from Internet broad- intentions, up from 21% in the Venezuela’s acute political and anism with political and social Venezuela says the November. caster VIVOPlay. previous week’s survey, according to a Cadem poll pub- lished yesterday. Right-wing IN BRIEF candidate Sebastian Sichel NY City to require proof of COVID-19 shot placed second with 22%, down Brazil registers 270 COVID-19 deaths from 24% previously. AP — New York As the variant posed a that proof of vaccination would The poll contributed to a 1% growing threat and vaccination be required to partake in much SAO PAULO: Brazil recorded 13,957 new confirmed cases of the decline in the Chilean peso Vaccine mandates expanded rates leveled off this summer, of public life, from indoor coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 270 deaths from against the dollar yesterday, the yesterday as New York state some cities, states and federal dining to gym workouts to COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. biggest drop in emerging ordered hospital and nursing agencies have rapidly shifted theater. Other cities, including Brazil has registered more than 20 million cases since the pan- markets. Last week’s survey, home workers to get COVID-19 from encouraging vaccination San Francisco, later followed demic began, while the official death toll has risen to 569,058, according which showed Sichel with a inoculations and New York to either-or requirements — New York's move. to ministry data. -Reuters narrow lead, triggered a three- City was poised to start inoculation or testing — to a It applies to patrons, day rally in the currency, the requiring them for anyone in flat-out insistence on vacci- employees, New Yorkers, Mexico records 213 virus deaths biggest such gain in five months. restaurant dining rooms, gyms, nation for some settings or commuters and visitors alike The presidential contest museums and many other workforces. in settings ranging from MEXICO CITY: Mexico reported 9,295 more confirmed corona- remains wide open following a leisure venues. "Just buy into this because arenas to coffee shops to yoga virus cases on Sunday and 213 additional fatalities, according to period of intense social unrest The new policies aim to it’s going to work for all of us, studios. health ministry data, bringing the total number of cases to 3,101,266 that’s prompted many people to goad people into getting vacci- is going to make us all safer,” There are exceptions for and the overall death toll to 248,380. -Reuters turn their backs on traditional nated as New York, like the rest New York City Mayor Bill de children under 12 — who are parties. Both Boric and Sichel are of the US, confronts a corona- Blasio said yesterday. not yet eligible for vaccination Gas explosion injures 22 in Mexico riding momentum after they virus wave powered by the In a nationwide first for a — and athletes, contractors and pulled off upset wins in last highly infectious delta variant city government, the Democrat some performers who don't live City apartment building month’s primary elections. Going of the virus. announced earlier this month in the city. forward, they will compete MEXICO CITY: At least 22 people were injured when an apparent against the winner of this week- gas leak triggered an explosion that largely destroyed a Mexico end’s vote between center-left City apartment building yesterday, the city’s mayor said. contenders. The explosion occurred mid-morning on the capital’s south Cadem interviewed 704 side, leaving a shattered, windowless facade and crumbling interior people nationwide between Aug. walls exposed in the 63-unit building. 11-13. The margin of error is plus Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum inspected the scene and said six or minus 3.7 percentage points. of the injured had been taken to hospitals. Some 300 people were The first round of Chile’s evacuated from neighbouring buildings as a precaution. The presidential election will be Mexico City prosecutor’s office and experts from other agencies November 21. If needed, a runoff were investigating to determine the source of the gas leak.- AP vote will take place in December. California fire leaves one million acres burned Bloomberg — Washington scorched about 570,000 acres as soon as Tuesday evening to and destroyed more than 1,000 prevent electrical lines from Never before has so much land- structures, according to the Cal- sparking new fires during dry scape burned in California at ifornia Department of Forestry and windy weather. this point in the year with more and Fire Protection known as The National Weather than 1 million acres torched and Cal Fire. Service has issued a fire- firefighters bracing for more The Dixie Fire was 31% con- weather watch for portions of conflagrations this week. tained as of yesterday morning. Northern California for Tuesday Crews are battling 10 large Meanwhile, PG&E began evening through late blazes including the Dixie Fire, notifying about 39,000 cus- Wednesday with expected wind People gather during an anti-mandatory coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine protest held outside the second-biggest in state tomers in Northern California gusts as high as 35 miles per New York City Hall in Manhattan, New York City, yesterday. history, that has already that it may need to cut power hour (56 km per hour). 08 VIEWS TUESday 17 August 2021

Established in 1996

Chairman Dr. Khalid bin Thani Al Thani

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dr. Khalid MUBARAK Al-SHAFI [email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR Mohammed OSMAN Ali [email protected]

EDITORIAL Sanity must prevail United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the Security Council regarding the situation in Afghanistan at the United THE State of Qatar, which led the mediation between Nations in New York City, New York, US. the United States and the Taliban that culminated in signing of the Doha Agreement on February 29, 2020 and under which the US and its Nato allies started withdrawal of their troops from the country, is still con- Afghanistan is a disaster we tinuing its efforts even after the Taliban forces entered the capital Kabul on Sunday. As the ultimate goal of the State of Qatari is to bring lasting peace and stability to Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday called for an immediate, will probably cause again comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in all Afghan territories. history and simple common sense. fire of freedom will reach the darkest The Taliban, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996 Sept. 11 took our baseline belief in our corners of our world.” We’re so convinced of to 2001, has regained control of the entire country but own moral innocence and righteousness, our own benevolent intentions that we can’t the State of Qatar strongly believes that there is still a and cranked it up to the red line. On top of wrap our heads around the idea that people need to work urgently for a peaceful transfer of power everything else we were now victims, a in the rest of the world see us not as a force that would pave the way for a comprehensive political nation that believed that in the name of of altruism and liberation but as a global settlement and it should include all Afghan parties to vengeance it could do nearly anything. hegemon imposing its will and maintaining achieve lasting security and stability in the country. Paul Waldman In a jingoistic frenzy - one New York its control, so often indifferent to the death In statement the ministry reiterated the commitment The Washington Post Times headline at the time read “Marchers and dislocation it causes. They do not trust of the State of Qatar to continue working with the Oppose Waging War Against Terrorists” - our motives, they do not share our confi- United Nations and international partners to realize Afghanistan may have fallen, but the we invaded Afghanistan almost gleefully, dence, and they often view our own history lasting peace in Afghanistan to fulfil the aspirations of delusions and deceptions that brought ostensibly to find Osama bin Laden and with a clearer eye than we do. its people for security, stability and development. the United States to this day have not. destroy Al Qaeda. But bin Laden disap- Today we’re all united in sadness and Qatar’s call is consistent with the calls made yes- While some would like to blame this peared and we quickly settled in, thinking disgust over the disaster of Afghanistan, terday by the members of the UN Security Council tragedy on military decisions, or on intel- that in short order we’d create a thriving even if we differ on who is most to blame. and a call made by the Secretary-General Antonio ligence failures, or on Afghans them- liberal democracy. But rest assured, there are those among us Guterres urging the Taliban and all other parties “to selves, or on President Biden - the fourth Then just a year and a half later, Bush who are only too eager to put this failure exercise utmost restraint to protect lives and ensure president to preside over the disaster - mounted the most extraordinary propa- behind us so we can do it all over again. that humanitarian rights can be addressed.” the roots lie deep in the ideology we have ganda campaign in US history to convince In 1991, just 16 years after the last Amer- Although the Taliban says they are holding nego- been taught and retaught over decades. the public that Saddam Hussein was not only icans were lifted off the roof of the embassy tiations with senior politicians in order to form an Just as before, there will be an effort to implicated in Sept. 11 but would soon attack in Saigon, President George H W Bush “inclusive, Islamic government” with other factions, unlearn Afghanistan’s lessons so its mistakes us with his fearsome weapons of mass exulted in the effect his tidy little war to expel there is fear the Taliban can re-impose the harsh rules can be repeated. destruction if we did not invade Iraq as well. the Iraqi army from Kuwait would have. “By and regulations they relied on when they ran the That ideology is about what the United So we did, repeating again and again that God,” he said, “we’ve kicked the Vietnam country twenty years ago. States does and represents to the world. It these were not wars of conquest or imperi- syndrome once and for all.” No longer would The way Taliban controlled different provinces and says that we can accomplish anything, alism but mere self-defense, combined with we be constrained by doubts about the utility entered the capital Kabul on Sunday without a fighting including remolding other countries in our a boundless concern for the people on of an invasion here or there, skeptical ques- gives hope that peace will prevail in Afghanistan and image. It says not only that our motives are whom we were dropping ordnance. tions about the costs and long-term impacts the various parties will give peace a priority, as sought always pure but that even when we are These wars, their promoters assured us, of US military action, or the lack of vision by the State of Qatar. breaking down doors and raining down would not only bring the blessings of liberty that prevented us from seeing what glory The statements by Taliban officials also give hope bombs, those on the other end will crawl to the lands we invaded, they would set off a awaited when we sent young people to fight that the peace process that began in Doha can be from the rubble of their homes and thank us cascade of freedom spreading from one and die for whatever purpose the current completed. “We ask all countries and entities to sit for delivering them “freedom.” And it says country to another until much of the world political leadership devised. Bush’s triumph with us to settle any issues,” Taliban spokesman that even in the wake of a catastrophic rested comfortably in our beneficent shadow. was fully realized a decade later, when his Mohammad Maeem told Al Jazeera TV. failure like this one - 20 years, thousands of Even in January 2005 at his second son took the nation into two simultaneous The people of Afghanistan should be given an American lives lost, over $2 trillion spent - inaugural - after he won reelection in a wars in countries Americans barely bothered opportunity to decide their future themselves away all we have to do is wait a few years and campaign built on the idea that anyone who to understand, while telling themselves their from external interventions from which the Afghan then we should be ready to do it all again. questioned either of the raging wars was a truest goal was the spread of liberty. people have gained nothing but wars, destruction and We’ve often said over the last five terrorist sympathizer - Bush insisted that One day - and it won’t be too long - loss of lives for over four decades. years that everything in our political life this noble crusade was proceeding as another president will come along and Our last word to the Afghans is that it is a time to seems bizarre and out of control. The planned: “Yet because we have acted in the tell us that morality and national security rebuild what has been destroyed during years of con- Afghanistan war began in a period just as great liberating tradition of this nation, tens demand that we launch yet another flicts with sanity and national consensus and get ref- crazed, albeit in different ways. At George of millions have achieved their freedom. invasion to add to our long list. ugees and displaced persons back to their homes and W Bush’s urging, the nation told itself in And as hope kindles hope, millions more “By God,” he’ll say, “we’ve kicked the meet aspirations of new generations. 2001 that its disbelief and anger over the will find it. By our efforts, we have lit a fire as Afghanistan syndrome once and for all.” attacks of Sept. 11 had turned to “resolve.” well - a fire in the minds of men. It warms What actually gripped it was a mass those who feel its power, it burns those who The author is an opinion writer for the delusion, a willful blindness to both fight its progress, and one day this untamed Plum Line blog. d-ring road, post box: 3488, doha - qatar Marking war’s end, face global changes to maintain peace email: [email protected] Japan News nations that threaten the safety Necessary measures should situation. Japan should have editor-in-chief office: tel: 4455 7741 / 767 of the people’s livelihoods. have been taken, but is it wrong learned this lesson from the fax: +974 4455 7758 The day marking the 76th anni- The “war against the virus” to say that the discussion for Showa era (1926-89) war. managing editor: tel: 4462 7505 versary of the end of World of this pandemic has lasted this purpose has been Writer Kazutoshi Hando, War II has arrived, with a about a year and a half. Even neglected? The lack of cooper- who passed away in January, deputy managing editor: tel: 4455 7769 government-sponsored now, there are no signs that the ation between the central gov- noted in his book “Showashi” national memorial service for pandemic is abating. The gov- ernment and local govern- (Showa History) that among the local news section: tel: 4455 7743 the war dead held at Nippon ernment’s response during this ments and the delay in digiti- political leaders and senior mil- business news section: tel: 4462 7535 Budokan in Tokyo. period can be said to have high- zation have also been itary officials of the time, they In order to prevent the lighted the structural problems conspicuous. Confusion arose were “overly self-confident” sport news section: tel: 4455 7745 spread of the novel corona- facing Japan in the postwar era. over the special cash benefit of and there was “immeasurable virus, the number of partici- The government has failed 100,000 yen per person and irresponsibility.” The famed online section: tel: 4462 7501 pants in the ceremony has been to properly manage to secure compensation for leave from book “Shippai no Honshitsu” email: [email protected] scaled down for the second hospital beds and accommo- work, and many benefits have (The Essence of Failure) by dation facilities for recuper- not swiftly been delivered to Ryoichi Tobe and others, ana- public relations: tel: 4455 7613 year in a row. The significance email: [email protected] of mourning the 3.1 million war ation, and whenever the those in need. lyzing the organizational dead and reflecting on the number of COVID-19 patients A glitch in the smartphone problems of the Japanese mil- Marketing: tel: 4455 7657 peace and prosperity of the surges, cries are heard that the app that alerts people to pos- itary, also cited the “piecemeal email: [email protected] postwar period remains medical system is in a tight sit- sible contact with infected commitment of troops” and unchanged. As the security uation. Vaccine development people has been left unat- “groundless optimism” as advertising department: tel: 4455 7837 / 857 environment around Japan and procurement, even vacci- tended for four months, and its factors in the defeat.In order to fax: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] deteriorates, the event should nation itself, have also lagged use has not spread at all. ensure national security, it is classified department: tel: 4455 7857 serve as an opportunity to behind other countries. In crisis responses, it is even more important to take email: [email protected] rethink how to respond to There have been many important to have an accurate into account the lessons of the crises and how to avoid proposals so far for measures grasp of what happens on the past and at the same time subscription & distribution: tel: 66766718 contingencies. against infections and to front lines and to respond calmly assess the changes in the WhatsApp: 66766718, email: [email protected] It is not only wars between increase hospital beds. flexibly to an ever-changing international situation.

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar We are receiving chilling reports of severe restrictions on /ThePeninsulaQatar human rights throughout the country. I am particularly /Peninsula_Qatar concerned by accounts of mounting human rights violations against the women and girls of Afghanistan. /ThePeninsulaNewspaper Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General +974 6698 6188