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SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021 7 DHUL-HIJJAH - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8686 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Qatar committed to supporting peace process in Afghanistan

QNA — TASHKENT Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi stressed The State of Qatar participated in the “Central and South Asia that the State of Qatar will continue its Regional Connectivity, Chal- efforts in bringing the point of view of lenges and Opportunities” that the Afghan government and Taliban. He is currently taking place in the Uzbek capital Tashkent. said that promoting peace, security and The State of Qatar was rep- development in Afghanistan will benefit resented in the meeting by the Minister of State for Foreign the region and the world. Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. Afghan government and when the world continues to In a speech before the con- Taliban. He said that promoting face common economic and ference, Al Muraikhi reiterated peace, security, and, devel- health challenges, which further Qatar’s commitment to con- opment in Afghanistan will demonstrates that regional and tinue supporting the peace benefit the region and the international cooperation is a process led and controlled by world. must. the Afghans, in order to consol- Al Muraikhi expressed In this regard, His Excel- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi addressing the conference in the idate the gains made on the Qatar’s appreciation to the lency expressed his confidence Uzbek capital Tashkent, yesterday. course of the Doha negotiations important role Uzbekistan plays that this conference will con- in cooperation with interna- in development in Afghanistan, tribute by making a positive transport corridors projects impact on global food security. great importance to multilateral tional partners with the aim of which includes bolstering stra- impact in achieving the inte- helps accelerate the devel- He added that Qatar appreciates cooperation in Asia and sup- ending violence and achieving tegic roads. He said that these gration of Central and South opment of the countries con- Uzbekistan’s ambitious plan to ports development projects in stability, comprehensive peace efforts will help enhance peace Asian countries with the global cerned and is in the interest of enhance regional trade volume. many Asian countries. and development in and security in Afghanistan in economy, while at the same their people, calling for the Al Muraikhi stressed that the He expressed his thanks to Afghanistan. particular, and Central Asia in time increasing their competi- development of transport and State of Qatar, based on its President of Uzbekistan and the He stressed that the State of general. tiveness in the global market. communication routes to be a policy of supporting interna- government for hosting the Qatar will continue its effort in He pointed out that this He said that the implemen- priority of the international tional partnerships to meet conference and for their good bringing the point of view of the conference takes place at a time tation of well-planned strategic community because of its direct existing challenges, attaches hospitality. Over 4,900 residential units likely to be added in six months

SACHIN KUMAR approximately 306,515 units promotions offered by retailers ended the year 2020 on an THE PENINSULA with the addition of 1,650 apart- A total of 1,096 hotel rooms were added during the and landlords of shopping malls impressive note. The volume of ments and 150 villas during the have been observed to boost real estate transactions during The real estate market in Qatar quarter,” it added. quarter. Despite slowdown in activity during footfall this quarter. 2020 was QR31bn compared to continues to show signs of A total of 1,096 hotel rooms Ramadan, transaction volumes of residential houses During the second quarter QR22.8bn in 2019, according to recovery. Around 4,900 resi- were added during the quarter 2021, The Pearl and West Bay the Ministry of Justice. dential units are expected to enter as Cielo Hotel in Lusail, Bentley surged by 90 percent compared to same period in Lagoon saw a huge increase in As of April 2021, 65 hotels country’s realty market over the Luxury Hotel & Suites in West 2020 with a total value exceeding QR1.83bn. Al Khor, demand as volume and value were designated for travellers for next six months, according to a Bay, Banyan Tree Doha at La Kharaitiyat and Muaither had the highest volume of of transactions went up 230 quarantine upon return to Qatar. report released by the real estate Cigale Mushaireb in Mushaireb percent and 240 percent, Domestic tourism has primarily consultancy firm ValuStrat. Qatar’s and Marriot Executive Apart- transactions of residential houses, as per the report. respectively. A slowdown in the led occupancy of hospitality real estate sector has added around ments City Centre Doha in West supply of villas is lessening the properties with average occu- 1,800 residential units during the Bay were unveiled this quarter. fall in rent of villas indicating pancy during the first two months April-June quarter of this year. Hyatt Residences West Bay was Despite slowdown in Kharaitiyat and Muaither had potential stabilisation in the of 2021 was estimated at 56 “4,900 units are planned to rebranded as Marriot Executive activity during Ramadan, trans- the highest volume of transac- medium term. percent, up 10 percent year-on- be handed-over during the Apartments City Centre Doha. action volumes of residential tions of residential houses, as At the end of 2020, the res- year. There was also a recovery remaining quarters of 2021,” Due to lack of international houses surged by 90 percent per the report. idential stock stood at 303,015 in the Average Daily Rate (ADR) said the Second Quarter Real tourists, occupancy of hotels has compared to same period in Regarding the retail sector, units with the addition of 530 as hotels witnessed an increase Estate Market by ValuStrat. “The been driven by domestic 2020 with a total value the report said that Increasing units during the last quarter. of 26 percent compared to the housing stock was visitors. exceeding QR1.83bn. Al Khor, leniency of restrictions and The real estate sector of Qatar same period last year. Turkish envoy praises strong Qatar ties Qatar affirms its efforts FAZEENA SALEEM for regional and global THE PENINSULA Qatar is very important to us, because it has always stood with us in difficult times. In my Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar peace at NAM meeting capacity as the Ambassador, I try to put H E Dr. Mustafa Goksu has QNA — DOHA State of Qatar has made a dip- affirmed the growing devel- more value added to the growing lomatic effort to help find opment of Qatari-Turkish rela- relationship between Qatar and Turkey. This The State of Qatar participated common ground between the tions and said that two coun- year we got 30 scholarships from Qatar in the mid-term Ministerial Somali parties in order to tries are strategic allies, in light University and 10 scholarships from Lusail Meeting of the Non-Aligned achieve comprehensive of the great leap in their rela- University for Turkish students. Movement (NAM), which took national reconciliation and tions in various fields. place via video conference in ensure the holding of elections, The Ambassador affirmed Dr. Mustafa Goksu the Republic of Azerbaijan on as well as its efforts to resolve that the Qatari-Turkish rela- Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar July 13-14. The State of Qatar differences between Somalia tions had been tested more than was represented in the meeting and Kenya. once in difficult situations, and by Minister of State for Foreign Regarding Palestine, the their credibility had been proven. Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Minister of State for Foreign “Qatar is very important to us, students from Turkey and we “Qatar and Turkey are not For example, major Qatari Muraikhi. Affairs affirmed that the Pales- because it has always stood with hope to increase the number only emotionally together but imports from Turkey include In his speech during the tinian issue still needs a just and us in difficult times,” Goksu told every year. We hope that after we have good cooperation in iron and steel, electrical meeting, Al Muraikhi stressed lasting solution in accordance The Peninsula. ten years, we will have hun- commerce and trade, machines and equipment, con- that the State of Qatar spares no with the legitimate rights of the Goksu said that several dreds of students coming from investment, defence, education struction services, tourism, effort to contribute to regional Palestinian people, and the res- scholarships have been offered Turkey to Qatar. They are going and several other fields. We tools and equipment, dairy and and global peace, and said that olutions of international for Turkish students by univer- to be goodwill ambassadors have many projects. We are dairy products, vegetables and its efforts have borne fruit over legitimacy. sities in Qatar and it has between Qatar and Turkey in growing our relationship for the fruits. On the other hand, the past years in reaching a Al Muraikhi said that the cemented the growing bilateral the future,” Goksu added. benefit of two countries and for Turkish imports from Qatar peace agreement in Afghanistan, continuation of the repeated relations. According to Goksu this will the region as well,” said Goksu include LNG and petroleum and the Afghan peace talks that Israeli attacks on Islamic and “In my capacity as the help to expand the Qatar– speaking on the sidelines of an products. were launched in Doha last Christian holy sites, especially ambassador, I try to put more Turkey bilateral relations in event held at the Turkish The Ambassador said that September. Al Aqsa Mosque, come the value added to the growing rela- every sector of life. He also embassy to mark the July 15 Qatar was the very first country He added that Qatar con- framework of a policy of tionship between Qatar and praised the level of bilateral failed coup attempt. which showed its support to tinues its efforts, in cooperation Judaizing Jerusalem, expanding Turkey. For example, this year relations in all fields, pointing Many of the goods and Turkish government during with international partners, settlements and the unjust siege we got 30 scholarships from that the high-level diplomatic services traded between the 2016 failed coup attempt. including the United Nations, to on the Gaza Strip which consti- Qatar University and 10 scholar- visits between the two countries two countries are strategic in “At that time, Qatar was the facilitate a comprehensive peace tutes a flagrant violation of the ships from Lusail University for are important and necessary, as nature and vital to the well- first country called us and agreement that restores peace provisions of international law Turkish students,” said Goksu. they maintain the momentum being of their economies and declared that they are going to and stability in Afghanistan. and resolutions of international “We will bring more smart of bilateral cooperation. residents. be with us,” said Goksu. He pointed out that the legitimacy.`P2 02 HOME SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021

OFFICIAL NEWS Commander of the Military Police Forces meets US officials PRAYER TIMINGS WASHINGTON: Commander of the Military Police Forces Staff Brig- PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING adier General Rashid Mohammed Al Hajri met with Director of Cooperation for the Middle-East in Washington, Tom Willis, during FAJR 03.26 am his visit to the United States, with the attendance of Qatari Military Attache to the US Staff Brigadier General Ali Mohammed Al Kuwari. SUNRISE 04.53 am The Commander of the Military Police Forces also met with DHUHR 11.40 am Assistant Adjutant General, Army and commander of the West ASR 03.05 pm Virginia Army National Guard Murray Holt. The two meetings focused on discussing bilateral military MAGHRIB 06.28 pm cooperation and the means to enhance them. -QNA ISHA 07.58 pm Joint Qatari-Pakistani military committee discusses cooperation

Al Muraikhi meets Tajikistan FM DOHA: The joint Qatari-Pakistani military committee held its fifth Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met with the Minister of Foreign meeting which took two days, with participation from President Affairs Republic of Tajikistan, H E Sirojiddin Muhriddin, on the sidelines of the conference titled of the International Military Cooperation Authority Brigadier General Abdulaziz Saleh Al Sulaiti, and Director General of Foreign WEATHER “Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity, Challenges and Opportunities” currently taking TODAY Military Cooperation in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan H E Major place in the Uzbek capital Tashkent. The meeting dealt with reviewing cooperation between the General Zahid Mahmood. two countries. Al Muraikhi also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H The meeting dealt with presenting the most important activ- E Abdulaziz Kamilov, on the sidelines of the event. During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation ities held between the two countries in the military field, discussed relations between the two countries. He also met with First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of bilateral military cooperation and the means to enhance them. the Kyrgyz Republic, H E Nuran Niyazaliev. The meeting dealt with reviewing cooperation between At the end of the meeting, the two sides exchanged commemo- the two countries. rative shields. -QNA 33oC 37oC Minimum Maximum Hot daytime with slight dust and partly cloudy to cloudy with chance MoPH reports 133 new virus of scattered rain maybe thundery at times. W ALRUWAIS : 33o → 36o ALKHOR 34o → 36o cases, 108 more recoveries W : W DUKHAN : 30o → 41o THE PENINSULA — DOHA Meanwhile, 22,610 there are still two highly con- WAKRAH 33o → 38o W : COVID-19 vaccine tagious and highly virulent W MESAIEED : 33o → 38o The Ministry of Public Health strains of the virus that are W ABUSAMRA : 31o→ 41o (MoPH) reported 133 new cases doses have been actively circulating in the com- of COVID-19 yesterday. Among administered in 24 munity,” said the Ministry. them, 65 were travellers The phase three of the HIGH TIDE returning from abroad. hours 3,497,554 and gradual lifting of restrictions 11:29–21:19 A total of 108 people COVID-19 vaccine began on July 9 and is part of a LOW TIDE 04:55 – 16:05 recovered from the virus, four-phase plan to be delivered bringing the total number of doses have been over the coming months. people recovered in Qatar to administered since The plan to gradually lift 221,913. the start of the restrictions will be delivered Meanwhile, 22,610 over four phases with each Smart buses to COVID-19 vaccine doses have National COVID-19 phase lasting three weeks. been administered in 24 hours, Vaccination Program. “The date of implemen- be used for and 3,497,554 vaccine doses tation and the duration of each have been administered since next phase will depend on the school students’ Lebanon’s former PM meets the start of the National The Ministry also said that epidemic indicators, which COVID-19 Vaccination in recent weeks the combined depend to a great extent on the transport Qatar’s Ambassador Program. impact of COVID-19 restrictions degree of compliance of the Besides, 78.3% of the eli- and increasing vaccination community members with the Former prime minister of the Republic of Lebanon, H E Saad Hariri, THE PENINSULA — DOHA gible population has now rates, and the overwhelming current measures, restrictions met with the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Lebanon, H E received at least one dose of the support of the community, has and guidance by the gov- Smart buses will be used to Mohammed Hassan Jaber Al Jaber, on the occasion of the end vaccine, while 98.6% of over resulted in a consistent ernment,” said the Ministry. transport school students from of his tenure. During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation 60s (the most vulnerable pop- reduction in the number of new “For now, it is important that next academic year, Tariq Al relations. Hariri expressed his thanks to the Ambassador for his ulation group) have been vac- daily infections in the country. people, including those who are Emadi, Director of Information efforts in strengthening brotherly relations between the two cinated with at least one dose; “However, it is still vaccinated, continue to wear a Technology Department at the countries at various levels and fields, wishing him success in his while 93.5% have received both important to be cautious as the mask as advised and maintain Ministry of Education and Higher future assignments. doses. second wave is not yet over and social distancing,” it added. Education (MoEHE), said in a television programme. Al Emadi said that the Min- istry of Transport and Commu- Young Palestinian trained by QatarDebate forms Gaza’s first debate club nications (MoTC) is currently preparing the buses to be ready THE PENINSULA — DOHA where he attended training and challenges through the most important goals that any for use. Al Emadi said that the arbitration workshops for clarity of the idea, which debate achieves is to raise movement app of these buses Inspired by the challenges he has debating in the Arabic language, made it understandable, awareness, which is what the will be available on the mobile overcome on his own journey and was also trained in man- adaptable, and Palestinian situation needs in phone, to allow parents to follow of knowledge, a Palestinian aging debate tournaments. implementable.” various issues, such as political the driver of their children’s student trained by Qatar Foun- Al Rzzi said that, since his Al Rzzi had to face division and the relationship buses as they move to and from dation’s QatarDebate has estab- childhood, he has believed that challenges of his own to with the Israeli occupation. schools. In addition, parents will lished the first debate club in debate, dialogue, and logic complete his training at “Usually, debates are receive an alert of their son’s Gaza, with the aim of promoting promote the values of peace in QatarDebate. “I arrived in between two equal parties and arrival at school, as well as if he awareness and dialogue of the the face aggression, oppression, Qatar after a tiring and there are differences in views arrives home. If the bus delays, struggle against oppression and and exclusion, saying: “Because arduous journey,” he between them, but the truth is parents can access the appli- aggression that his people I grew up in Gaza, I believe that recalled. that the issue with the Israeli cation and see the location of the continue to face. I was born as a voice for what I “My journey from occupation is not a difference of bus. Ismail Al Rzzi dreamed of consider to be the most just Gaza to Qatar was not views.” Al Emadi explained that completing his higher education cause on the face of the earth. easy; for many years, I was Al Rzzi also highlights the some officials from MOEHE and achieving his goals in life, “My absolute belief that the waiting for a call that said importance of social media in visited MoTC to find out the latest but the difficulties he faced logic of argument is the civilised Ismail Al Rzzi that the crossing was conveying the voice of young developments of the project, as when seeking to travel created alternative in the face of the open, but to no avail. people, “The truth is that I admire it was confirmed that various an obstacle that threatened his occupation of Palestine was a “The crossings how young people have resorted security and safety measures prospects of achieving this motive for me to work on of communication between remained closed, and one to an alternative reality on social were in place, including the dream. building bridges between Pal- university students and youth opportunity after another ended. media to hold their dialogue and presence of side sensors and He was invited to complete estinian factions, to promote in the Gaza Strip and the West Everyone has the debates there,” he said. cameras on the buses. his training in the art of debate dialogue and bring perspectives Bank, given the continuous right to freedom of “Today, young people have in Qatar in 2012, but his journey to our issues — and I was able to closure of the crossings by the movement and residence within succeeded in influencing global Al Emadi said that from Gaza to Doha took several establish Orient Debating Club, Israeli occupation, as well as the the borders of each state. Eve- opinion through social media. years instead of several hours the first debate club in Gaza”. difficulty of travelling from the ryone has the right to leave any “Young people exposing the the movement app due to the closure of borders. Forming a debate club in Gaza Strip to participate in tour- country, including their own, occupation, and new applica- of these buses will After a long journey which besieged Gaza was not easy, as naments held outside the and to return to their country.” tions and means of communi- be available on the involved stops at several sta- Al Rzzi explains. country, and the lack of pre- Speaking about the impor- cation, have contributed to tions, he eventually reached “The first difficulties we vious experience in the field of tance of debating in raising amplifying the voice of the Pal- mobile phone. Qatar to complete his debating faced when establishing the debate in Palestine at the time. awareness of the Palestinian estinian people and their calls career by joining QatarDebate, club was the difficulty “But I overcame all these cause, Al Rzzi said, “One of the for their rights.” Qatar affirms its efforts for regional, global peace at NAM meeting FROM PAGE 1 Qatar will continue supporting committee completing its work reconciliation government. He said the pandemic provided an January, saying it represents a the Palestinian people until they to achieve the aspirations of the added that the State of Qatar calls important opportunity to activate good opportunity to show the The Minister pointed out that get their rights, led by an inde- brotherly Syrian people. on the Libyan parties to achieve joint efforts on a global scale, in importance of international coop- Qatar has spared no effort in pendent state based on the With regard to Yemen, the comprehensive reconciliation, order to achieve the recovery eration in that regard. coordination with the United borders of 1967. Minister of State for Foreign implement what has been agreed aspired for by everyone in the He also stressed that the State Nations and brotherly and On Syria, Al Muraikhi said Affairs affirmed Qatar’s firm upon in the political, economic world. of Qatar is working on delivering friendly countries in order to that after ten years of the Syrian position to preserve the unity, and security aspects, and hold He stressed that this can only its contribution 100 million to facilitate reaching a ceasefire crisis, the State of Qatar con- sovereignty and independence elections on the scheduled date. be achieved through equitable support small island developing agreement. tinued to stress that getting out of Yemen. He called for a dia- Al Muraikhi pointed out that access to vaccines. He noted that states and least developed coun- He said that Qatar continues of this crisis requires a purposeful logue in Yemen based on the out- this meeting was held in light of the State of Qatar supported GAVI tries to address climate change and to provide humanitarian and political process that leads to a comes of the national dialogue, the persistence of many common with $130m and the World Health environmental challenges. developmental aid to the Pales- political transition in accordance the GCC initiative, and UN global challenges, especially in the Organization to provide vaccines Al Muraikhi stressed that the tinian people, with Amir H H with the Geneva-1 Declaration, Security Council resolutions. areas of climate change, terrorism, to the most vulnerable State of Qatar is an active partner, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al and the full implementation of He also said that Qatar was organized crime, drugs, and the segments. regionally and internationally in Thani issuing directives last May Security Council Resolution 2254, pleased with the positive devel- Coronavirus (COVID-19) pan- He highlighted that the State the fight against terrorism. He to allocate $500m for the and the Constitutional Committee opments in Libya, particularly the demic, which has resulted in of Qatar will host the Fifth United noted that there were two UN rebuilding of Gaza. represents a step on the right ceasefire and the formation of a serious negative repercussions on Nations Conference on the Least Counter Terrorism offices that He added that the State of track, we look forward to this temporary national all countries at various levels. He Developed Countries next opened in Doha recently. SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021 HOME 03 Turkish Embassy marks 5 years since failed coup attempt

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Turkish community in Doha on Thursday gathered at the embassy to mark the fifth anniversary of July 15 failed coup attempt in their country. The Turkish Ambassador in Doha H E Mustafa Goksu; H E Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Dean of Diplomatic corps and Ambassador of Eretria; H E Fahed Salem Al Merri, representative of Director of Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and several other ambassadors were also present at the gathering held at the Turkey embassy in Doha. Two family members of martyrs of 15 July had flown from Turkey to attend the special event held in Doha. They were honoured during the event by Ambassadors Ibrahim Ahmed, Ambassadors, officials and Turkish community members gathered in Doha at an event to mark the July 15 failed coup attempt five years ago in Turkey. Mustafa Goksu and Fahed Salem Al Merri. A minute of silence was observed In his speech Ambassador Mustafa determination to protect the country, leadership for the support extended to during the event. It was a collection of in honour of 251 people who died during Goksu pointed that for the Turkish nation and its democracy. Turkey. Besides, photos of Turkey’s dramatic images captured in Ankara the thwarted coup attempt in Turkey. people, July 15 reminds them of their He also lauded Qatar and its failed coup attempt were displayed and Istanbul. QA, Visit Maldives announce strategic partnership

THE PENINSULA — DOHA reopen the Maldives borders and restart The Maldives has always been a tourism. The touchdown of Qatar Airways Qatar Airways and Visit Maldives have agreed flight QR672 from Doha to Male on July 15, on a strategic partnership to further grow strategically important destination in 2020, with 129 passengers, was a new international tourism to the tropical island our network.This partnership with beginning for the airline and the Maldives. getaway. The agreement brings together an Since then, the presence and frequency of airline and destination that have been leaders Visit Maldives is a natural next step in flights have been increasing. Being amongst throughout the pandemic in providing safe, achieving both of our organisations’ the top three passenger carriers to the Mal- reliable, and luxurious travel experiences long term objectives for this route, dives, we appreciate the support and despite the many challenges. engagement of Qatar Airways in the Maldives The strategic partnership will see the two and we look forward to working tourism recovery. With these new frequencies organisations collaborate on marketing activ- closely with Visit Maldives to help to the Maldives, Qatar Airways is sending a ities in several markets worldwide to grow further grow international tourism to strong message to the world, a commitment, international visitor numbers to the Maldives, that when the borders and gates open, they Director of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry maximising the opportunities provided by the Maldives.. will be there. We are glad they are here in the Hilal bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi attending a UNCITRAL meeting. Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of H E Akbar Al Baker Maldives. Thank you, Qatar Airways, for being over 140 destinations. Less than a year after an important partner of the Tourism Success Qatar attends UNCITRAL meetings being the first international airline to resume Story of Maldives.” services to the Maldives in July 2020 with Since reo- QNA — VIENNA meeting was chaired by daily flights, Qatar Airways expanded oper- pening the Director of Legal Affairs at the ations to four daily on July 1. Passengers trav- borders for The United Nations Ministry of Commerce and elling to the Maldives can enjoy the airline’s international Commission on International Industry Hilal bin Mohammed renowned 5-star service on board a mix of travellers on Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Al Khulaifi. The UN com- the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A320 and July 15, 2020, concluded the meetings of its mission plays a key role in Boeing 777 aircraft. the Maldives 54th session in Vienna, which placing the legal framework Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, has been hailed took more than two weeks. for facilitating trade and H E Akbar Al Baker said, “The Maldives has as a major Qatar’s delegation at the investment internationally. always been a strategically important desti- tourism success nation in our network, as demonstrated by story amidst the our airline being the first to resume interna- in history. The increase in flight frequency pandemic. With 130 referred to Public Prosecution tional services and our rapid expansion of from Qatar Airways gives confidence to trav- an arrival figure of almost one million trav- flights from daily to four daily in less than 12 ellers across the world that Maldives is one ellers, the Maldivian tourism industry is on THE PENINSULA — DOHA measures in the country. months. This partnership with Visit Maldives of the safest destinations to travel to during the path to achieving pre-pandemic arrival “The competent authorities is a natural next step in achieving both of our this time. figures. Travellers from the Middle East region The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has call on the public to adhere to the organisations’ long term objectives for this “With regular joint webinars conducted were among the leading arrivals to the Mal- referred 130 people to Public precautionary and preventive route, and we look forward to working closely for key markets, launching of special dives post the lockdown period and continue Prosecution for violating various decisions in force to protect them with Visit Maldives to help further grow inter- packages such as “safe travel bubble to grow stronger day by day. COVID-19 precautionary and others from the spread of the national tourism to the Maldives.” package” last year, and with an exciting joint Meanwhile, passengers can book flights measures coronavirus in society,” the Min- Managing Director of Visit Maldives, campaign targeting 14 markets in the with peace of mind, knowing that Qatar Among them, 105 were istry said in a statement. Thoyyib Mohamed, said, “I am delighted that pipeline, Qatar Airways is instrumental in Airways offers unlimited date changes and booked for not wearing masks in MoI and health authorities Qatar Airways has increased flights to the the marketing campaigns undertaken by fee-free refunds for all tickets issued before public places and 25 people for have been continuously warning Maldives! This increase indicates Qatar Visit Maldives to promote the Maldives as a August 31, for travel completed by May 31. not maintaining a safe physical the public to follow precau- Airways’ continued trust and support in the safe haven. We are extremely excited about The carrier’s industry-leading flexible distance, the Ministry said on its tionary measures like wearing future of Maldivian tourism. Qatar Airways this decision by Qatar Airways, and we look booking policy also provides the permanent Twitter account yesterday. masks, following social dis- have always supported us at Visit Maldives, forward to seeing the success of this new feature of exchanging tickets for a travel The ministry has referred tancing, and restricting the the tourism marketing body of Maldives, development.” voucher with 10% additional value for all cus- till now thousands of people number of people in vehicles to with our global marketing campaigns. We Also speaking on the partnership, the Mal- tomers booking travel via qatarairways.com. to the Public Prosecution for fight the COVID-19 pandemic appreciate the immense support given by dives Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr. Abdulla For full terms and conditions, visit qatarai- violating the precautionary from spreading. Qatar Airways during this challenging period Mausoom said, “Qatar Airways was there to rways.com/Flexibility. CMU-Q researchers publish review on new possibilities in cancer therapy

THE PENINSULA — DOHA is an important milestone in an The idea for the review began at CMU-Q, where, emerging field: “Minor intron under the guidance of Younis, El Marabti did Ettaib El Marabti, a graduate of splicing is not very well-studied Carnegie Mellon University in in the context of disease and an undergraduate research project that used Qatar (CMU-Q), led a team of pathology. Researchers have minor intron splicing as a novel biomarker for researchers in the first compre- focused on the mechanism at a hensive review of minor intron cellular level, but this paper breast cancer. splicing. Scientific findings in this looks at the relationship lesser-studied area of genomics between the mechanism and could lead to new approaches disease, and offers insights into WCM-Q’s Malek, about doing the field, and there were still things in fighting three classes of how we can use our knowledge review. I learned.” diseases: cancer, autoimmune therapeutically.” Younis remembers: “There The review, which is titled disorders and neurological Michael Trick, dean of has been so much work done in “Minor intron splicing, from conditions. CMU-Q, congratulated the team: this area since 2018. I suggested basic science to disease,” was Ihab Younis and Ettaib El Marabti El Marabti graduated from “This collaboration shows how that under the guidance of Pro- published in the International CMU-Q with a bachelor’s degree the vision of Education City as a fessor Malek and myself, he could Journal of Molecular Sciences in in biological sciences, and is cur- multi-versity can make a tre- biomarker for breast cancer. He discussing the idea of a review do the research project with the June 2021. It was an invited rently a fourth-year student at mendous impact in the world. I won the ‘Best Project’ and ‘Best at that time: “In the first paper, intention of publishing it.” article for the special issue, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar want to extend a special con- Poster’ awards at the 2017 we have a small section where Over a six-month span, El “Splicing modulators which (WCM-Q). Both CMU-Q and gratulations to Ettaib for taking Meeting of the Minds research we mention the broader impli- Marabti collected more than 160 affect gene expression.” WCM-Q are Qatar Foundation an idea from his undergraduate symposium hosted by CMU-Q. cations, but we thought the topic journal articles that have been Ihab Younis’ research into partner universities. research work and developing After graduation, El Marabti deserved its own focus. It wasn’t published on the subject. After minor intron splicing is sup- During his research, El it into this important piece of sci- continued to contribute to the right time in 2018, but it was the WCM-Q research ported by Qatar Foundation Marabti was guided by CMU-Q’s entific literature.” Younis’ lab, and a year later, they still in the back of our minds.” requirement was finished, through Carnegie Mellon Uni- Ihab Younis, area head of bio- The idea for the review published a paper in Frontiers In 2020, El Marabti was a Younis, Malek and El Marabti versity in Qatar’s Seed Research logical sciences, and Joel Malek, began at CMU-Q, where, under in Molecular Biosciences titled, third-year medical student at worked together to prepare the program, and by a Qatar director of the genomics labo- the guidance of Younis, El “The cancer spliceome: Repro- WCM-Q, and he was considering paper for publication. National Research Fund grant ratory at WCM-Q, who are both Marabti did an undergraduate gramming of alternative splicing what project to pursue for his “The end product was through the National Priorities co-authors of the review. research project that used minor in cancer.” research requirement. He excellent,” said Younis. “I con- Research Program. QNRF is a Younis believes the review intron splicing as a novel El Marabti remembers approached Younis, as well as sider myself an expert in the member of Qatar Foundation. Motivational book: Part 4 of ‘Vijayamanthrangal’ released THE PENINSULA — DOHA the managing director of Safari through continuous motivational E.P.Abdurahiman, managing welcomed the gathering and 4th part of the book. group released the book by programmes Shanavas Bava director of care n cure, K.P. Fasil Noufal Abdulrahman Head of The book is highly useful for Part four of Vijayamanthrangal handing over a copy to CA viewed the efforts as a relevant Hameed, general manager Al Marketing & Corporate Relation students and general public as it ( The secrets of Success) a moti- Shansavas Bava, the president timely initiative to overcome the Mufta rent a car, Jeby K John, QFM Radio network proposed a contains motivational stories, life vational book by the Doha based of Kerala Business Forum. stress and pressures created by managing director Qatar Tech, vote of thanks lessons and guidance. Indian author Dr. Amanulla Speaking on the occasion covid pandemic in various Shaheen Muhammed Shafi, Vijayamanthrangal, a The book is published by Vadakkangara was released Zainul Abideen highlighted the walks of human life president of MES Alumni and popular motivational pro- Kozhikkode based Lipi publica- during an event held in Radio importance of motivation in Anvar Hussain, CEO Radio Shajeer purayil, managing gramme being broadcasted by tions and is available in Doha Malayalam premises recently. today’s competitive world and Malayalam chaired the function. director of Star Tech spoke on Malayalam Radio 98.6 has been This is the 68th book by Dr. K. Zainul Abideen a prom- opined that the best in human Dr. VV Hamza, managing the occasion. made in to book form due to Amanulla Vadakkangara , who inent Indian entrepreneur and resources can be moulded director Al Suwayed group, Dr. Amanulla Vadakkangara popular demand and this is the is long term resident in Doha. 04 GULF / MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021 Riots in Lebanon as West calls for quick Cabinet formation

AP — BEIRUT In Beirut, protesters briefly closed several main roads yesterday, prompting a swift intervention Tension intensified in Lebanon by the troops to clear them. Demonstrators also yesterday, with riots leaving closed the main highway linking Beirut with more than two dozen people injured in the northern city of southern Lebanon. In the northern city of Tripoli, Tripoli, including five soldiers residents angry over rising prices, electricity cuts who were attacked with a hand that last for most of the day and severe shortages grenade. in diesel and medicine, rioted in the streets and France, the European Union and the United States in the attacked troops. meantime called on Lebanese politicians to urgently form a In Beirut, protesters briefly The EU’s foreign policy Cabinet and planned an interna- closed several main roads yes- chief, Josep Borrell, said Leb- tional conference to help stabilize terday, prompting a swift inter- anese leaders are responsible for Lebanon after a series of crises. vention by the troops to clear solving “the current domestic, “All concerned parties need them. Demonstrators also self-made crisis,” adding that it to work with urgency to put in closed the main highway is urgent to form a new Cabinet place a government that’s able linking Beirut with southern quickly. He said that an Mina ready to receive pilgrims to implement reforms imme- Lebanon. agreement with the International diately,” tweeted US Secretary In the northern city of Monetary Fund remains essential A general view of Mina area, ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi of State Antony Blinken. Tripoli, Lebanon’s second to rescue Lebanon from financial Arabia, yesterday. The announcements came largest and most impoverished, collapse. at a moment of great uncer- residents angry over rising “Lebanon’s stability and tainty for Lebanon after Prime prices, electricity cuts that last prosperity are crucial for the Minister-designate Saad Hariri for most of the day and severe whole region and for Europe,” Ramaphosa vows army will stepped down on Thursday shortages in diesel and med- Borrell said in a statement. over disagreements with the icine, rioted in the streets and France, once Lebanon’s president on the shape of the attacked Lebanese troops. colonial ruler, has been urging return order to South Africa Cabinet. Hariri did not endorse The Lebanese Red Cross Lebanese political leaders to anyone else to take the post. said its paramedics took 19 quickly form a government Hundreds of his supporters injured to hospital. The Leb- tasked with implementing AP — JOHANNESBURG warehouses and set them alight. line to the strategic Indian Ocean rioted in the streets, blocked anese army said 10 soldiers badly needed reforms and The burned-out shells still ports of Durban and Richard’s major roads and hurled stones. were injured by stones hurled fighting corruption that has Standing at the entrance to a smoldered yesterday. Bay was also closed by the Yesterday morning, the by protesters while five others brought Lebanon to near looted mall and surrounded by More than 2,200 people have unrest, the state-owned trans- Lebanese pound hit a new low, were wounded when attacked bankruptcy. soldiers, South African Pres- been arrested for theft and van- portation company, Transnet reaching 23,400 to the dollar with a hand grenade. It was not France’s Foreign Affairs ident Cyril Ramaphosa vowed dalism and 117 people have died, said earlier this week. on the black market. immediately clear who threw Ministry said the latest devel- yesterday to restore order to the Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, acting With order restored in President Michel Aoun was the grenade. opment confirms the political country after a week of violence minister in the presidency, said Gauteng, authorities have expected to call for consulta- The Biden administration deadlock in which “Lebanese set off by the imprisonment of Thursday. Many were trampled begun holding residents tions with heads of parlia- expressed disappointment that leaders have deliberately held former President Jacob Zuma. to death when shops were looted, accountable. Police in Johan- mentary blocs; the person who Lebanese political leaders have the country back for months, Visiting the port city of according to police. nesburg have started recov- gets the most support will be squandered the last nine even as it sinks into an unprec- Durban in hard-hit KwaZulu- The army rollout in KwaZulu- ering stolen property and asked to work on forming a months since Hariri was named edented economic and social Natal province, Zuma’s home Natal is expected to restore order arresting suspects. new Cabinet. premier-designate. crisis.” area, Ramaphosa said the chaos in the coastal province within a There has been an increase and violence had been “planned few days. An uneasy calm has been in people trying to spend cash and coordinated” and that the secured in Gauteng province, that is stained with green dye, instigators will be prosecuted. which includes Johannesburg, evidence that the money was “We have identified a good South Africa’s largest city and stolen from the hundreds of ATM number of them and we will not industrial hub. machines broken into during the allow anarchy and mayhem to In a sign of a return to sta- riots, according to the South just unfold in our country,” he bility, a strategic highway African Banking Risk Infor- said. As army tanks rolled by linking Durban and Johan- mation Center, which warned the trashed Bridge City mall, nesburg reopened yesterday that the notes won’t be honored. Ramaphosa said the after being closed for a week, To restore respect for law, deployment of 25,000 troops officials announced. South the South African Council of would end the violence and Africa’s unrest first flared at the Churches has proposed that the rampant theft in KwaZulu- Mooi River toll gate for the N3 government declare a limited Natal and Gauteng provinces. highway where more than 20 amnesty of two weeks when South Africa’s unrest trucks were burned. people can return stolen erupted after Zuma began The military will patrol the property to the police and will serving a 15-month sentence for highway but drivers are warned not be charged. contempt of court for refusing to use the road with care. “It is “We need leaders of all to comply with a court order to vitally important to proceed with faiths everywhere, civic and testify at a state-backed inquiry extreme caution and to stay alert community leaders, traditional investigating allegations of cor- at all times,” said the highway leaders in rural communities, ruption while he was president authority in a tweet yesterday. and business and trade unions from 2009 to 2018. The military is also working to in the workplace, all of us to Protests quickly escalated keep open the N2 highway, pull together and chart a path into theft in township areas. In which links Cape Town to of restoration,” Bishop Malusi Durban, rioters attacked retail Durban. The highways are vital Mpumlwana, general secretary Lebanese army take cover behind shields as they deploy during a protest after Prime Minister- areas and industrial centers transport routes carrying fuel, of the ecumenical group, wrote designate Saad Al Hariri abandoned his effort to form a new government, in Beirut, Lebanon, on where they emptied food and other goods. The rail in an open letter. Thursday night.

Killer of prominent analyst arrested: Iraqi officials IN BRIEF AP — BAGHDAD analyst who appeared regularly crime before an investigative as Ahmed Hamdawi Al Kinani, Europe sends aid to help Tunisia on Iraqi television and whose judge. The man was connected a police officer with the rank of A year later, Iraqi police expertise was sought out by to a militia group, they said, but first lieutenant in the Interior counter COVID-19 surge arrested the shooter in the government officials, journalists did not name which one. Ministry. killing of a prominent public and researchers. The officials spoke on con- According to Iraqi law he TUNIS: Italy, Spain and Switzerland sent medical aid yesterday commentator whose slaying The killing of the 47-year- dition of anonymity because will be sent to trial for sen- to Tunisia which is facing its worst health crisis since the start of sent shockwaves through the old Al Hashimi—whose they were not authorized to talk tencing following his con- the coronavirus pandemic, with a sharp rise in deaths, hospitals country, officials said yesterday. shooting was captured on a sur- to reporters. Iraqi Prime Min- fession. He did not implicate filled to capacity and a lack of oxygen supplies. Iraq’s prime minister declared veillance camera - contributed ister Mustafa Al Kadhimi any militia group in his Deaths from COVID-19 exceeded 150 per day during the past that with the arrest, his to a prevailing atmosphere of tweeted the development: “We confession. week in Tunisia, prompting countries including Qatar, Algeria, government has fulfilled its intimidation and fear among promised to arrest the killers of It is not unusual that officers the UAE, Morocco, Turkey and Kuwait to send aid. Egypt and promise to bring the perpe- activists in Iraq and highlighted Hisham Al Hashimi. We fulfilled and officials in Iraq have con- Saudi Arabia opened an air bridge earlier this week, sending at trators to justice. the government’s struggle to the promise.” nections to militias working least 8 planes of aid. France said this week it also planned to send Hisham Al Hashimi was bring armed groups into line. Later yesterday, state without or with the state’s about one million vaccination doses and medical aid. Intensive gunned down last July outside Two security officials told Iraqiya TV station broadcast endorsement. The government care units and emergency departments are full in hospitals across his home in Baghdad in a drive- The Associated Press that one footage of the alleged suspect, has struggled to reign them in, Tunisia, officials said, and the authorities have begun installing by shooting that involved two of the men on the motorcycle, showing him confessing to his partly because they are so field hospitals sent by Qatar and Morocco. -Reuters attackers on a motorcycle. He the shooter, was arrested two purported crime. The man entrenched within the state was a well-connected security weeks ago and confessed to the identifies himself in the video structure. Turkey restores Pro-Kurdish MP's status ISTANBUL: A pro-Kurdish politician regained his status as a Sudan gets $14bn lawmaker in Turkey’s parliament yesterday four months after it UNSC asked to authorise more troops for Mali was removed, following a top court ruling that his rights had been in debt relief from REUTERS — BAMAKO Qaeda and Islamic State, who reach and mobility of the violated by his imprisonment on terrorism charges. have expanded their operations Mission”, the report said. Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a human rights activist and a Paris Club United Nations Secretary- from their strongholds in the Guterres said the plan could member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), had his parlia- General Antonio Guterres has desert north into Mali’s centre only work in concert with mentary status in March after a 2-1/2 jail sentence became final. AP — PARIS asked the Security Council to and neighbouring countries. stepped-up efforts by Malian He was found guilty of spreading terrorist propaganda based Creditor countries agreed to authorise additional troops for “Scaling up MINUSMA’s authorities to bolster security on a link he shared on Twitter to a news story that included com- cancel $14.1bn of Sudan’s the peacekeeping mission in uniformed personnel capacity and enhance governance. ments by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Gerger- international debts, praising Mali in response to rising would enhance the ability of the But the proposal comes as lioglu denies any wrongdoing. But the Constitutional Court ruled its economic reforms and violence by militants, according Mission to protect civilians in Malian forces increasingly pull this month that Gergerlioglu’s rights had been violated by his efforts to fight poverty. to a report seen by Reuters. central Mali and create further back from the hotspots in the imprisonment and he was subsequently released from jail, having In a statement yesterday, The proposed increase of space for the peace process in countryside where they have been there since April.-Reuters the Paris Club of creditor 2,069 soldiers and police officers the North,” Guterres said. suffered steep losses, effectively nations also announced that it would take the authorised size The additional 2,069 per- ceding control to the Israeli forces detain seven Palestinians rescheduled Sudan’s of the mission, known as sonnel would include 1,730 sol- militants. remaining $9.4bn in debt to MINUSMA, to 17,278 uniformed diers and 339 police officers. Former colonial power RAMALLAH: Israeli occupation forces yesterday detained seven the group, and held out the personnel, the largest since it Three quick reaction force France has also announced Palestinians from the West Bank district of Jenin, in the northern possibility of more debt relief was established in 2013. companies, comprising 750 plans to begin drawing down occupied West Bank, according to security sources. in the future. Guterres made the proposal personnel in total, and two hel- its 5,100-strong taskforce that In the northern occupied West Bank, Israeli forces detained Sudan’s overall foreign in a report to Security Council icopter units with 260 members targets the militants across three Palestinians, including an ex-detainee in Israeli jails and debt is estimated at $70bn. The members that is dated July 15 would be created. West Africa’s Sahel region. his brother, after raiding and searching their family homes in the Paris Club, a group of 22 but has not yet been released In central Mali, the epi- Meanwhile, Mali is mired in town of Yabad. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that forces nations that lend to govern- publicly. centre of the conflict in recent political uncertainty after mil- also stormed the town of Aneen to the west of Jenin, placed several ments in need, urged other He said additional per- years, additional troops would itary officers in May conducted flying checkpoints at the towns entrances, and detained a man lenders to provide similar debt sonnel were needed to respond be used to create forward oper- their second coup in nine and his three sons after raiding and wreaking havoc into their forgiveness. to militants, many tied to Al ating bases “to expand the months. home. -QNA SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021 ASIA 05 Philippines tightens curbs after new Delta variant cases

REUTERS — MANILA Sixteen people had recorded its first Delta cases in been found with two workers who returned from The Philippines has recorded the the United Arab Emirates and country’s first locally acquired the Delta variant, Oman. cases of the more infectious Delta including five who “Mutation from the local pop- variant, prompting authorities to ulation does not happen. It must reimpose stricter coronavirus had returned from have been introduced from measures in some areas as health Gulf countries and foreign travelers,” Cynthia experts sought bans on social Britain between April Saloma, executive director of the gatherings. Philippine Genome Center, told The Southeast Asian country and June, health the news conference. is battling one of the worst undersecretary Maria Philippine authorities have COVID-19 outbreaks in Asia, but been scrambling to try and stop infection numbers have been Rosario Vergeire told the variant from spreading after declining since peaking in March a news conference. it has helped trigger a surge in and April, allowing for a gradual infections across the region. The relaxation of restrictions. Philippines has banned travellers Sixteen people had been One patient had died after being from eight countries including found with the Delta variant, hospitalised in Manila on June 28. India, Indonesia and the UAE A file photo of residents undergoing counselling before receiving their first dose of Sinovac Biotech’s including five who had returned “The spread of COVID-19 until the end of July. CoronaVac vaccine at the Barangay Sucat Covered Court, in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines. from Gulf countries and Britain globally, while being controlled But while tightening border between April and June, health by vaccination, is still being controls to keep the variant out, undersecretary Maria Rosario driven by these variants of authorities have been loosening deaths, the Philippines has the mass gatherings are held, and The sluggish rollout of Vergeire told a news concern,” said Vergeire, as other curbs, including allowing second-highest number of infec- even small gatherings for fam- COVID-19 vaccines is another conference. authorities announced a tight- limited gatherings and permitting tions and deaths in Southeast ilies and work groups,” Dr. Anna reason for authorities to be The other 11 were locally ening of restrictions in Cagayan children aged five and above to Asia, and the detection of the Lisa Ong-Lim, a technical adviser nervous. The Philippines has so acquired cases, including a de Oro and Misamis Oriental go outdoors. Delta variant could slow the for the health ministry, said, far fully immunised only 3.9% of cluster of five people in the province. With more than 1.49 million country’s return to normality. warning of the risk of “super- its 110 million population, gov- southern city of Cagayan de Oro. In May, the Philippines cases and 26,314 “We need to make sure no spreader events”. ernment data show.

Pakistan military UN appeals for $850m to help war-torn Afghanistan rescues five AP — UNITED NATIONS As American and NATO troops complete their pullout Reuters journalist killed covering clash telecom workers The UN humanitarian chief in from Afghanistan after nearly 20 Afghanistan appealed for years, the Taliban in recent REUTERS — DERA ISMAIL KHAN $850m on Thursday to help the weeks have gained control of SPIN BOLDAK: Reuters journalist Danish Siddiqui was killed yesterday while covering a clash war-torn country cope with the many districts and key border between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters near a border crossing with Pakistan, an Pakistan’s military rescued impact of the Taliban offensive, posts with neighbours Iran, Afghan commander said. five telecommunications protracted malnutrition for a Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghan special forces had been fighting to retake the main market area of Spin Boldak when workers kidnapped by mili- third of the country, a severe Tajikistan. In many instances, Siddiqui and a senior Afghan officer were killed in what they described as Taliban crossfire, the tants last month close to the drought, and the return of Afghan security forces and mil- official said. Afghan border in a series of 627,000 Afghans this year, most itary have put up little or no Siddiqui had been embedded as a journalist since earlier this week with Afghan special forces operations in which two of them deported from neigh- resistance after often being left based in the southern province of Kandahar and had been reporting on fighting between Afghan soldiers were killed, the boring Iran. without supplies or commandos and Taliban fighters. “We are urgently seeking more information, working with military said yesterday. Ramiz Alakbarov told reinforcements. authorities in the region,” Reuters President Michael Friedenberg and Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Ten of the workers were reporters at UN headquarters Alakbarov said the second Galloni said in a statement. “Danish was an outstanding journalist, a devoted husband and father, later released but one man after a virtual briefing from the drought in three years and the and a much-loved colleague. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.” Afghan Pres- was beheaded and the mili- capital of Kabul that at least 80 Taliban’s offensive have led ident Ashraf Ghani said in a statement on Twitter that he was “deeply saddened with the shocking tants demanded a ransom million Afghans are in need of 270,000 people to flee their reports” of Siddiqui’s death and extended condolences to his family. -Reuters for the last five. assistance and the UN plan is to homes in rural areas toward “To rescue the remaining provide help for at least 15.7 urban areas and regional Afghans trying to use paths away suffering and allow Afghan ref- Alakbarov reported a sig- 5 abducted labourers, million of them. centers, where they need food, from the official crossings to try ugees into their countries. nificant increase in attacks on security forces launched But he said the UN’s $1.3 water, shelter and sanitation. to leave the country, he said. The United Nations regis- humanitarian workers this year. series of intelligence based billion appeal is only 37% funded The UN is also seeing “very Alakbarov expressed hope tered 627,000 Afghans who He said 35 humanitarian operations in highly inhos- — $450m — with the United intensive movements of popu- that Afghanistan’s neighbors will have returned from neighboring workers have been killed and pitable terrain under States the largest donor. He said lation in the areas when the look at the situation in terms of countries so far this year, he 63 injured, which “represents a extreme weather condi- the remaining the $850m being Iranian and Pakistan borders are human rights and their respon- said, and “most of them are from 30% increase compared to last tions,” the military said in a sought is desperately needed. now largely closed,” with sibility to protect people from Iran.” year.” statement. IN BRIEF South Korea weighs tighter Australian leaders under pressure to contain COVID-19 outbreak Vietnam reports over 3,000 new restrictions as cases surge REUTERS — SYDNEY Of major concern to health officials is the fact that the pro- infections REUTERS — SEOUL Australian Prime Minister Scott portion of people out in public Morrison and state premiers while infectious remains stub- HANOI: Vietnam reported South Korea’s prime minister were under increasing public bornly high despite Sydney res- 3,336 new COVID-19 infec- yesterday said tighter limits on pressure yesterday to get on top idents heading into a fourth tions yesterday, the second private gatherings may be of a fast-growing Delta variant week of lockdown. straight day the country has needed as authorities reported COVID-19 outbreak that poses “I can’t stress to the com- recorded more than 3,000 1,536 new coronavirus cases and the country’s biggest threat in munity my absolute concern cases as it battles its largest treatment centres filled up, months. that we need to work harder at and most difficult outbreak prompting calls for more people The outbreak has high- reducing mobility and reduce yet, the health ministry said. to be allowed to receive care at lighted what critics say were our interactions with others,” Vietnam has been one of home. major flaws in Australia’s pan- New South Wales Chief Health the world’s coronavirus South Korea was for months demic response — delays in Officer Kerry Chant said. success stories, thanks to tar- a coronavirus success story as it ordering vaccines, flipflopping The situation has fuelled geted mass testing, aggressive kept outbreaks under control guidance that led to widespread criticism of New South Wales contact tracing, tight border with testing, tracing and social vaccine hesitancy, too-soft state Premier Gladys Berejik- restrictions and strict quar- distancing, but the more conta- lockdowns and lax quarantine lian’s approach to the crisis, antine, but new clusters of gious Delta variant has fuelled a at the international border. with some health officials infections in recent weeks fourth wave of infection among Officials reported 103 new saying she was too slow to have tarnished that record. the unvaccinated. cases yesterday, the bulk in impose a lockdown in Sydney The Southeast Asia country Prime Minister Kim Boo- Sydney with the remainder in and then did not make it harsh also registered an additional kyum asked local governments Melbourne, taking total cases enough. 18 deaths from July 8-14, to standardise gathering limits since the current outbreak Berejiklian, who has raising its total death toll due to less than four people to avoid A woman gets tested for COVID-19 in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. began a month ago to above already extended the lockdown to COVID-19 to 225. -Reuters confusion in the non-metro- 1,000. Two people have died, twice to a total of five weeks, politan area, after imposing a area, including a ban on gath- government expects to continue 75 people are hospitalised with yesterday pleaded with people Slovakia to give semi-lockdown in the greater erings of more than two people until mid-August. 18 in intensive care. to follow stay-home orders and Seoul area. after 6pm. Even so, South Korea has Not a huge number on a said she would tighten restric- Taiwan 10,000 “If the number of confirmed About 75% of the 1,476 locally seen no significant increase in world scale, it was a sharp turn- tions if necessary. Her gov- cases continues to spiral, I stress acquired cases on Thursday were hospitalisations or deaths, with around for a country that had ernment has repeatedly vaccine doses that there is no choice but to recorded in the greater Seoul 171 severe cases as of Thursday. experienced only small, declined to specify what busi- further limit the number of gath- area, but authorities fear summer The mortality rate of 1.17% is far localised flare-ups for several nesses and personal move- TAIPEI: Taiwan has garnered erings after 6pm outside the met- travellers could spread the below levels seen during the pre- months. ments count as essential, saying another donation of COVID-19 ropolitan area as well,” Kim told disease to regional areas where vious peak in December. From yesterday, 40% of the people should use “common vaccines, this time from a televised government meeting cases are rising sharply. Seoul asked the central gov- country’s 25 million people - sense”. Slovakia, which has pledged yesterday. Authorities have reported ernment to allow more infected across Sydney, the outbreak Many homestores and other 10,000 doses in what the The government on Monday 1,000 or more new daily cases people with mild symptoms to epicentre, and the state of Vic- non-food retailers, which have central European country said imposed its toughest level of dis- since July 7 with a new peak of stay at home to free up beds in toria — were living under some become virus hotspots, have was a show of support after a tancing curbs in the greater Seoul 1,615 on Wednesday, a trend the hospitals and treatment centres. form of lockdown conditions. remained open. Taiwanese gift of face masks to Slovakia last year. Under the slogan “Taiwan can help, Taiwan is helping”, Indonesia surpasses Brazil with most new COVID-19 cases the island has since the pan- demic began donated millions BLOOMBERG — JAKARTA people died from the disease in numbers as a whole, with nearly Tracker shows. That low per- doses were administered on of face masks around the the last 24 hours. 34 million cases and over centage means the spike in Wednesday, Indonesia’s daily world, including to the United Indonesia’s daily COVID-19 case The grim tally comes after 608,000 deaths. cases is being closely followed average for July has hovered at States, Asia and European count has passed Brazil’s to Indonesia this week surpassed The crisis in Indonesia by a surge in fatalities. In many less than 850,000 shots, below countries, with 700,000 going become the worst in the world, the numbers in India, where underscores how a lack of developed economies, the link its 1-million target. to Slovakia. hitting a record 56,757 on daily cases have dropped from access to vaccines is leaving between infections and deaths The government wants to Since a spike in domestic Thursday as the highly-conta- a peak of over 400,000 in May. developing countries vulnerable has been largely severed by raise that to 2 million in August cases began in Taiwan in May, gious delta variant rampages Brazil’s new infections fell while others reopen and try to widespread vaccination. and then 2.5 million. the government has received through the nation. below 53,000 on Thursday. normalize. Indonesia is speeding up Deaths in the wider almost six million vaccine Infections topped 40,000 Indonesia — the world’s Indonesia has administered vaccinations, hoping to achieve Southeast Asia region surged doses gifted by Japan and the for five straight days through fourth-most populous country vaccines to cover just 11% of its herd immunity when 70% of its 39% in the week through United States, while Lithuania yesterday, a striking increase — has reported more than 2.7 population, compared with 48% population of about 270 million Wednesday, faster than any- has said it will donate 20,000 from less than 10,000 a month million cases and 70,192 deaths in the European Union and 53% is inoculated. where else in the world, and doses. -Reuters ago, and as many as 1,205 overall. The US has the worst in the US, Bloomberg’s Vaccine While a record 2.4 million will likely continue to climb. 06 EUROPE SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021 Rescuers rush to help as flood toll surpasses 125 AP & REUTERS — BERLIN Floodwaters still rising in western Europe

Emergency workers in western More than 100 people have died in Germany German and Belgium rushed 1,300 people missing in district near Cologne yesterday to rescue hundreds of people in danger or still At least 20 dead in Belgium, 20 missing unaccounted for as the death Dam close to Belgian border flooded toll from devastating floods rose to more than 125 people. More than 1,000 people were missing German President Frank- Germany were without power in flood-stricken regions of Walter Steinmeier said he was yesterday and mobile phone western Germany and Belgium, “stunned” by the devastation networks had collapsed in some where waters were still rising. caused by the flooding and flooded regions. Authorities in the German pledged support to the families In Rhineland-Palatinate, state of Rhineland-Palatinate of those killed and to cities and around 1,300 people were said 63 people had died there, towns facing significant reported missing in the Ahr- including 12 residents of an damage. “In the hour of need, weiler district south of Cologne, assisted living facility for dis- our country stands together,” the district government said. abled people in the town of Steinmeier said. Further north, in Erftstadt, Sinzig who were surprised by a A harrowing rescue effort several houses collapsed and sudden rush of water from the unfolded In the German town authorities feared casualties. nearby Ahr River. In neigh- of Erftstadt, southwest of Roads around the town bouring North Rhine-West- Cologne, where people were were impassable after being phalia state officials put the trapped when the ground gave washed away by the floods. death toll at 43, but warned that way and their homes collapsed. Rescue crews tried to reach res- A view of a damaged building following heavy rainfalls in Erftstadt-Blessem, Germany, yesterday. the figure could increase. Some 114,000 households in idents by boat and had to com- municate via walkie-talkie. After Germany, Belgium the north of the Limburg on Twitter. Italy sent a civil pro- The German military has was the hardest hit by the floods province in the Netherlands tection officials, firefighters and deployed over 700 soldiers to that caused homes to be ripped were ordered to leave their rescue dinghies to Belgium to support rescue efforts. Some away. Belgian Interior Minister homes as floodwaters peaked. help in the search for missing 4,500 people were evacuated Annelies Verlinden said that the Emergency services were on people from the devastating downstream from the Stein- country had confirmed the high alert, and authorities were floods. Flash floods this week bachtal dam in western Germany, deaths of 20 people, with also reinforcing dikes along vul- followed days of heavy rainfall which had been at risk of a another 20 still missing. nerable stretches where flood- in Western Europe. breach overnight, and a stretch Water levels on the Meuse waters continue to rise. Meanwhile, sustained of motorway was closed. Rriver that runs from Belgium Waters were receding in the rainfall in Switzerland has German Interior Minister into the Netherlands remains southern city of Maastricht, caused several rivers and lakes Horst Seehofer told magazine critical, and several dikes were where there was no flooding to burst their banks. Spiegel the federal government at risk of collapsing, Verlinden and in the town of Valkenburg, Public broadcaster SRF aimed to provide financial said. Authorities in the southern where damage was widespread, reported that a flash flood swept support for the affected regions Dutch town of Venlo evacuated but no one was hurt. away cars, flooded basements as quickly as possible, adding a 200 hospital patients due to the France sent 40 military and and destroyed small bridges in package of measures should go looming threat of flooding from a helicopter to Liege in Belgium the northern villages of Sch- Damaged vehicles are parked on the street, following heavy rainfall to the cabinet for approval on the river. to help with the flood situation, leitheim und Beggingen late on in Verviers, Belgium, yesterday. Wednesday. Thousands of residents in Prime Minister Jean Castex said Thursday.

Russian ‘miracle’ UK govt plan to end virus orders queried as cases top 50,000 as passengers AP — LONDON Despite the increase, the said they joined forces through COVID-19 in the UK also joined on social media. survive hard plane British government plans on a “sense of urgency” to warn of in the criticism of the Conserv- Johnson is urging people to The UK recorded more than Monday to lift all remaining the global consequences of ative government’s plan. remain vigilant when meeting landing in Siberia 50,000 new coronavirus cases legal restrictions on social contact allowing the delta variant to “The overwhelming scientific with others and to carry on for the first time in six months in England and to ditch social dis- spread rapidly through the consensus is that lifting restric- wearing masks in enclosed and REUTERS — MOSCOW yesterday amid a warning from tancing guidelines as well as the British population. tions on Monday will be disas- crowded places. His chief the British government’s top legal requirement for people to The scientists warned that trous, and bereaved families medical officer, Chris Whitty, told All 18 people on board a medical adviser that the wear masks in most indoor set- the combination of high know firsthand how tragic the a webinar on Thursday that the Russian Antonov An-28 number of people hospitalized tings, including shops, trains, infection prevalence and high consequences of unlocking too UK is “not out of the woods yet”. passenger plane that vanished with COVID-19 could hit “quite buses and subways. levels of vaccination “create the early can be,” said Jo Goodman, More than two-thirds of from radars were found alive scary” levels within weeks. The government is hoping conditions in which an immune co-founder of COVID-19 British adults have received yesterday after the aircraft was Government figures showed that the rapid rollout of vaccines escape variant is most likely to Bereaved Families for Justice. both doses of a vaccine, and forced to make a hard landing another 51,870 confirmed lab will keep a lid on the number emerge.” One of the co-signa- Scotland, Wales and almost 88% have had one dose. in Siberia, the emergencies cases, the highest daily number of people becoming seriously tories to yesterday's statement, Northern Ireland — are taking Yesterday's government data ministry said. since mid- January. Infections ill — a stance that some leading Dr. William A. Haseltine of the more cautious steps out of showed 3,964 people hospi- Fears had swirled over the have surged in recent weeks, international scientists at an New York-based Access Health lockdown. In UK, concerns are talized with COVID-19, the most fate of the plane after it went mainly among unvaccinated “emergency international International, went further, clearly growing. Prime Minister since late March. Another 49 missing as it flew from the younger people, as a result of the summit” critiqued as “reckless”. describing the strategy as “mur- Boris Johnson has sought to rein virus-related deaths were town of Kedrovy to the city of far more contagious Delta variant The group, which includes derous” and “unconscionable”. in any euphoria around Mon- recorded, taking the UK’s total Tomsk. Rescuers were dis- and the continued easing of advisers to the governments of Families representing many of day’s lifting of restrictions, an to 128,642, the seventh-highest patched to search for the plane lockdown restrictions. Italy, New Zealand and Taiwan, those who have died from occasion tagged “Freedom Day” in the world. and located the survivors in a wooded area near the damaged aircraft. “We all believed in a miracle Couple mark Eiffel re-opening and thanks to the profession- alism of the pilots it happened, with marriage proposal everyone is alive,” regional gov- ernor Sergei Zvachkin said. The REUTERS — PARIS Two. Gopel said his friend had damaged body of the plane always wanted to visit Paris could be seen lying overturned Eric Gopel made the most of the because it was so beautiful. “Now in a wooded field in footage Eiffel Tower re-opening yesterday it’s more special,” he said. published by TASS news agency. after months of COVID-19 Earlier, as a countdown clock “The AN-28 plane turned lockdown by proposing to his girl- at the foot of the tower turned over during its hard landing. Its friend on the top deck. to zero, there were cheers and nose has been damaged as well With a panoramic view of applause from visitors queuing as its landing gear,” TASS cited Paris as the backdrop, Gopel, a to get in, a brass band started an emergency services source 29-year-old from Germany, got playing and people starting filing as saying. The crew was forced down on one knee and placed a through the entrance. to make an emergency landing ring on the finger of 25-year-old "We feel pretty lucky to be due to what looks to have been Katja Panke. She accepted his here," said Patrick Perutka, an engine failure although that is proposal. “I’m happy,” she told 18-year-old from Croatia who not yet conclusive, TASS cited a Reuters through tears of joy. had been waiting for three hours source as saying. Gopel and Panke were among for the gates to open. From July The ministry said all 18 the first visitors to the Eiffel Tower 21, visitors will need to show a people on board had survived when it opened again yesterday French government "health pass" and were now being evacuated after having been closed for more to demonstrate they are either from the site. The aircraft was Tourists applaud musicians as iconic Eiffel Tower reopens its doors to tourists since late October than 8 months, its longest period vaccinated or have had a recent operated by SiLA, a small airline 2020, after the second national COVID-19 lockdown, in Paris, France, yesterday. out of action since World War negative test for COVID-19. that offers regional flights in Siberia. The airline cancelled all its flights on An-28 aircraft due today following the incident, Belarus expands crackdown Swiss to vote on reform local media reported. of pension system Hungary to offer on independent media third dose of REUTERS — ZURICH bring the retirement age to 66 AP — KIEV The country’s main security raided the homes of Alena by 2032, from the current 64 vaccine: PM agency, which still goes under Anisim, head of the Union of Swiss voters are to get a fresh for women and 65 for men. Authorities in Belarus raided the its Soviet-era name KGB, said Belarusian Language, and chance to decide on reforming “The reform discussed in REUTERS — BUDAPEST homes and offices of inde- those targeted were suspected activists with the nongovern- their increasingly underfi- parliament doesn’t go far pendent media outlets and civil of involvement in “extremist mental organization Legal Ini- nanced state pension system enough. It only secures the Hungary will offer the option of society activists yesterday, activities.” Among those tar- tiative. Belarus’ Investigative under a proposal that would system for a few years, but the taking a third dose of a widening a crackdown on oppo- geted were 22 journalists who Committee, the top state inves- raise both men’s and women’s big problem comes afterwards,” COVID-19 vaccine from August sition in the ex-Soviet nation. worked for the Belsat TV tigative agency, said the raids retirement ages to 66 at first, said Patrick Eugster, president 1 and will make coronavirus The Belarusian Association channel, which is funded by were part of a probe into and to just over 67.5 by 2050. of the initiative committee. vaccines mandatory for all of Journalists and the Viasna Poland, and for US-funded alleged tax evasion and viola- Recent attempts to initiate The proposal would raise healthcare workers, Prime human rights center said broadcaster RFE/RL. Author- tions of financial regulations by a reform through the Swiss the retirement age more slowly Minister Viktor Orban said. authorities searched the apart- ities broke down the door of NGOs and media outlets. system of direct democracy from 2032, in line with average Orban said doctors will ments and offices of at least 31 RFE/RL’s office in Minsk. The new raids continue a have failed at the ballot box. life expectancy. The initiative decide which vaccine people journalists and activists in the RFE/RL journalist Aleh sweeping clampdown on inde- Now the Young Liberals, youth needs validation from par- should take as a third dose, and capital of Minsk and seven Hruzdzilovich was detained pendent media and non-gov- wing of the business-friendly liament, and a referendum it should come at least 4 months other cities. “The authorities are after the search of his family’s ernment organizations in the Liberal Democratic Party (FDP), would then be expected in after the second shot, unless using an entire arsenal of home, his wife, Maryana, said. country. Earlier this week, law are having another go. around three years. doctors advise otherwise. repressions against journalists “Nine people broke into our enforcement officers raided the Under the slogan “Revolt of Critics say the reform is As of Thursday, Hungary - intimidation, beatings, apartment, seized all the homes of 10 Viasna workers, as the Young”, they submitted unfair to women, whose had inoculated more than 5.55 searches and arrests,” Andrei equipment and took Aleh away well as the human rights 145,000 signatures to author- retirement age would rise million of its people, while the Bastunets, the head of the jour- in handcuffs,” she said. center’s offices in Minsk and ities in Bern yesterday to force faster, and would only benefit number of total cases rose to nalists’ association, said.. Viasna said authorities also other cities. a referendum on a proposal to the wealthy. 808,661 with 30,013 deaths. SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021 AMERICAS 07 Biden: US reviewing European travel ban

REUTERS — WASHINGTON The Centers for COVID-19 transmission even as Disease Control and some lawmakers call for ending President Joe Biden said that the rules. the United States is reviewing Prevention wants Marty Cetron, director for when it can lift restrictions that airlines to implement CDC Division of Global Migration ban most-non US citizens from international and Quarantine, said the agency’s traveling to the United States “current position” is the mandate from much of Europe after passenger contact should not be lifted. “Masks are German Chancellor Angela tracing as part of any really powerful and we should Merkel raised the issue. lifting of restrictions, make sure they’re part of our “It’s in process now,” Biden arsenal,” Cetron said. “We mask said of discussions about when sources said. It is not just to protect ourselves - we restrictions could be lifted. He unclear how long mask because it’s the way we said he expects to be able to take care and express our answer “within the next several that will take to concern for each other.” days what is likely to happen... implement. The rules in place since I’m waiting to hear from our January require masks to be folks in our COVID team as to worn by all travellers on air- when that should be done”. generally been occurring every planes, ships, trains, subways, An aeroplane flies over the Grandview Fire as it rages in Jefferson and Deschutes Counties, in Oregon, US. Merkel said Biden told her two weeks but some have buses, taxis, and ride-shares and the same that he told the press recently been delayed. at transport hubs like airports, and they discussed the impact of A White House official said bus or ferry terminals, train and Oregon wildfire displaces thousands the COVID-19 Delta variant. “It last week that “there are further subway stations and ports. has to be a sustainable decision. discussions to be had before we A group of Republican It is certainly not sensible to have can announce any next steps lawmakers this week intro- as blazes flare across US West to take it back after only a few on travel reopening with any duced legislation to prohibit days,” Merkel said. country... We want to ensure mask mandates for public REUTERS — KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON perimeter, up from 5% a day have been linked to the Bootleg Airlines and others have that we move deliberately and transport, arguing they no earlier, but Incident Commander fire, officials said, but it has urged the administration to lift are in a position to sustainably longer make sense with a Hand crews backed by water- Joe Hessel said the blaze would destroyed at least 21 homes and restrictions covering most reopen international travel growing number of Americans dropping helicopters struggled continue to expand. “The 54 other structures, and forced non-US citizens who have when it is safe to do so”, getting vaccinated. to suppress a huge wildfire that extremely dry vegetation and an estimated 2,000 people recently been in Britain, the 26 The Centers for Disease Republican Representative displaced roughly 2,000 resi- weather are not in our favor,” from several hundred dwellings Schengen nations in Europe Control and Prevention wants Andy Biggs said transit mask dents in southern Oregon, the Hessel said on Twitter. placed under evacuation. without border controls, airlines to implement interna- rules “are only being kept in largest among dozens of blazes More than 1,700 fire- Nearly 2,000 homes were Ireland, China, India, South tional passenger contact tracing place by those who relish con- raging across the drought- fighters and a dozen heli- threatened. Africa, Iran and Brazil. as part of any lifting of restric- trolling our day-to-day lives.” stricken western United States. copters were assigned to the The Bootleg ranks as the Numerous countries not tions, sources said. It is unclear In mid-May, CDC said fully The Bootleg fire has charred blaze, with demand for per- largest by far of 70 major active subject to travel restrictions how long that will take to vaccinated people could avoid more than 227,000 acres of sonnel and equipment across wildfires listed on Thursday as have far higher COVID-19 rates implement. Airlines and some wearing masks indoors in most desiccated timber and brush in the Pacific Northwest having affected nearly 1 million than many European countries government officials have said places - with some exceptions and around the Fremont- beginning to strain available acres in 11 states, the National covered by the restrictions in they do not anticipate the like transit. The mask mandate Winema National Forest since resources, said Jim Gersbach, a Interagency Fire Center in place since March 2020. United States lifting restrictions has been a huge source of erupting on July 6 about 400km spokesman for the Oregon Boise, Idaho, reported. It was In early June, the White until August at the earliest. friction on US airplanes. south of Portland. Department of Forestry. also the sixth-largest on record House launched interagency Meanwhile, a senior US The Federal Aviation That total, exceeding the land Firefighter Garrett Souza, in Oregon since 1900, according working groups with the health official who signed a Administration said on Tuesday mass of New York City, was 42, a resident of the nearby to state forestry figures. European Union, Britain, sweeping order for masks to be that since January 1 it has 12,000 acres higher than town of Chiloquin, said he and Other states hard hit by the Canada, and Mexico to look at worn on nearly all forms of received 3,420 unruly pas- Wednesday’s tally. Strike teams his team spent 39 hours straight latest spate of wildfires include how to eventually to lift restric- public transport said they were senger reports, including 2,559 have carved containment lines on the “initial attack” of the fire California, Idaho, Montana and tions. Those meetings have a key tool in preventing for refusing to wear masks. around 7% of the fires’s last week. No serious injuries Alaska. Bolsonaro says will be 'back in action soon' IN BRIEF REUTERS — SAO PAULO “Back in action soon, God Canada may allow fully vaccinated willing!,” he wrote. “We’ve done travellers by early September: PM Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, a lot, but we still have a lot to undergoing hospital treatment do for our Brazil!” Bolsonaro TORONTO: Canada may permit fully vaccinated travellers into for an obstructed intestine after had said in a TV interview on the country by early September, the country’s prime minister a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said Thursday that he could be out said, if the current trend in vaccination rate and public health yesterday that he hoped to be of hospital soon. conditions continue. Justin Trudeau made the remarks in a call “back in action soon,” while On Thursday evening the with Canadian provincial leaders, according to a readout of the doctors gave no date yet for him President’s doctors said they call released by his office. Trudeau also said there were ongoing to be discharged. had removed a gastric catheter discussions with the United States to begin allowing fully vacci- Bolsonaro, 66, has been in from Bolsonaro and that he nated US citizens and permanent residents into Canada for non- hospital since Wednesday, when would begin eating again. essential travel by mid-August. Some 78% of people aged 12 years he travelled from Brasilia to Sao Bolsonaro has faced several or older in Canada have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 Paulo for treatment relating to health issues during his presi- vaccine, health officials said recently. About 44% of people 12 complications from the 2018 dency, mainly stemming from years or older are fully vaccinated. Canada also said it will allow knife. After initial concerns he longterm complications after he large cruise ships to visit once again starting in November as the might need emergency surgery, suffered a perforated intestine COVID-19 pandemic fades, but they must fully comply with public doctors now say he is improving, when he was stabbed on the health requirements. — Reuters with an operation less likely. campaign trail in 2018. He was His doctors said in a also ill with COVID-19 last year. Recovery effort at collapsed South statement on Friday afternoon Bolsonaro is in a weak the president was recovering in political position as senators Florida building could end soon a satisfactory manner, but gave probe a corruption scandal over no date for his release from the purchase of coronavirus SURFSIDE: Efforts to recover human remains from the debris of hospital. vaccines and he faces criticism a South Florida condo building are nearing an end. Miami-Dade Earlier yesterday, Bolsonaro over his handling of the pan- police identified six more victims of last month’s Surfside condo tweeted a photo of himself, demic. COVID-19 has killed collapse on Thursday, meaning that 92 of the 97 confirmed dead walking along a hospital cor- nearly 540,000 people in Brazil have been identified. County officials have accounted for at least Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro walks at the Vila Nova Star Hospital in ridor with a drip attached to his — the world’s second highest 240 people connected to the building, with just a few still clas- Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday in this image obtained via social media. neck and looking stern-faced. death toll behind the US. sified as missing, or “potentially unaccounted for”. A county statement late on Thursday said the task of identifying victims had become increasingly difficult, relying heavily on the medical Haiti vote at least examiner’s office and expert technical and scientific work. More US charges two men for plotting to than 12 million kilograms of debris and concrete have been one year off: Key removed as recovery work continues. The collapse has raised alarm and focused scrutiny on other older apartment buildings. opposition leader blow up Democratic HQ in California Two high-rises in Miami-Dade County have been evacuated over structural concerns. On Thursday, another building, with three REUTERS — PORT-AU-PRINCE REUTERS — WASHINGTON indicted in connection with the told him to switch communi- stories of apartments in northwestern Miami-Dade, was evac- January 6 attack on the US cation platforms and delete the uated following a partial roof collapse. — AP Fair elections in Haiti cannot Two California men have been Capitol by supporters of former evidence. be held for at least a year after indicted on charges they President Donald Trump. Rogers was arrested on the US to ship 3.5 million COVID-19 the assassination of President conspired to attack the Demo- John Ambrosio, a lawyer for day the search warrant was Jovenel Moise due to the cratic Party headquarters in Copeland, said in an email: “We executed and remains in the vaccine doses to Argentina influence of violent gangs and Sacramento, the state’s capital entered a plea of not guilty, custody of the state. Copeland a compromised electoral city, the US Justice Department denying all allegations and was arrested on Thursday and WASHINGTON: The United States will begin shipping 3.5 million council, a senior opposition said yesterday. counts. We have no further will appear for a detention doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines to Argentina, part of a leader said. According to the unsealed comments at this time.” An hearing on July 20, the Justice bilateral deal between the countries. A White House official said The brazen killing of Moise indictment, Ian Benjamin Rogers, attorney for Rogers declined to Department said. said the US government will also purchase 500 million Pfizer- last week by a suspected hit 45, of Napa and Jarrod Copeland, comment In numerous mes- In the detention memo, BioNTech vaccines to distribute through the year to the African squad of foreign mercenaries 37, of Vallejo started plotting to sages they exchanged, the two prosecutors said Copeland Union and 92 low and lower middle-income countries. This will has upended the impoverished attack Democratic targets after discussed blowing up buildings, joined the US military in be in addition to the $2bn donated to COVAX, the World Health Caribbean country, including the 2020 presidential election. the Justice Department said. December 2013, but was Organization’s scheme for distributing doses to poorer countries, its already fragile political They also tried to get support In one exchange in January arrested for desertion in May the official said. The United States has in recent weeks shared system, which has been unable from an anti-government group 2021, for instance, Rogers told 2014. He received an “other vaccines with Taiwan, Brazil, El Salvador, Bangaldesh, Peru and to hold elections since 2016. to further the cause. Copeland: “I want to blow up a than honorable discharge” in Pakistan among other countries. — Reuters A referendum on a new The indictment does not democrat building bad.” lieu of being court-martialed. constitution and delayed leg- name the militia group they Copeland responded: “I agree. The memo says Copeland Mask mandate returns to Los Angeles islative and presidential elec- contacted, but prosecutors in a Plan attack.” Federal law and Rogers were infuriated tions are currently scheduled different court filing said enforcement agents executed after Joe Biden was declared the LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles County will reimpose its mask mandate for September 26. Senator Copeland emailed the far-right a search warrant on January 15 winner of the 2020 presidential this weekend in the latest sign that public health officials are strug- Patrice Dumont, one of only 10 group Proud Boys, trying to at Rogers’ home and seized a election, and they “understood gling with an alarming rise in coronavirus cases tied to the highly sitting lawmakers in the nor- “recruit others to join the plot,” stockpile of weapons including they would be viewed as contagious Delta variant. The county, home to 10 million people mally 30-seat Senate, said that and also was a member of a 45 to 50 firearms, thousands of domestic terrorists” if they and the nation’s second-largest city, Los Angeles, is one of several quick elections are “impossible” militia group affiliated with the rounds of ammunition and five carried out their vision to jurisdictions to recommend or mandate wearing masks or other given problems including Three Percenters. pipe bombs. Prosecutors say overturn the US government. pandemic restrictions in recent days as cases rise to worrisome manipulated voter lists and an Both the Proud Boys and the Copeland tried to destroy evi- The indictment does not allege levels in many parts of the United States. The mandate will go electoral authority he sees as Three Percenters have come dence during the investigation that Rogers or Copeland had any into effect tonight. The announcement follows six straight days beholden to Moise’s allies and under government scrutiny, and communicated with the involvement in the January 6 of more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in Los Angeles hostile to opposition parties. after some members were leader of a militia group who attack at the US Capitol. County. — Reuters 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 17 JULY 2021

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Vice-President Frans Timmermans and EU Commissioners Kadri Simson, Paolo Gentiloni, Adina-Ioana Valean, Virginijus Sinkevicius and Janusz Wojciechowski present the EU’s new climate policy proposals in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday. EDITORIAL Europe’s climate plans could Attracting global companies WITH high economic growth and supportive policies for private sector, Qatar has emerged a preferred des- provoke friction with US tination for companies across the world. The recent data show that several companies are choosing Qatar diplomatic swan song in 2050. The legislative package announcements, but we have to grow their business despite the challenging envi- Washington as her long spell includes proposals to tax jet not seen many concrete ronment created by COVID-19 outbreak. in power draws to a close. fuel, ban the sale of gasoline- policies.” Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore The two leaders touted a new and diesel-powered vehicles There’s no guarantee that financial and business centre in the region, exhibited “Washington Declaration,” in the next two decades, the EU proposals will stick. steady growth during the first half of 2021 despite the outlining a common political increase the use of renewable The legislation would require ongoing COVID-19 disruption, with the number of reg- vision on democratic prin- energy and raise funds to help approval from the bloc’s 27 istered firms on the platform witnessing 32 percent ciples, human rights and an lower-income households as member states and the increase since H1 (first half) 2020. ISHAAN THAROOR open world. “I’ll miss seeing national economies accelerate European Parliament, and THE WASHINGTON POST A total of 136 firms from several countries launched you at our summits,” Biden their transition off fossil fuels. resistance is expected, espe- their businesses in Qatar by registering on the QFC told Merkel during a joint The most politically cially from countries like platform during the first half of this year. The firms, It was a bumper week for news conference. loaded element in the Poland that are more reliant mainly originating from UK, Canada, India, Lebanon, transatlantic goodwill. On It’s obvious that Europe’s package could be “the cre- on fossil fuels. and Qatar, represent key sectors including digital, Wednesday, at the elegant political elites are relieved by ation of a ‘carbon border Critics say measures like financial services, and sports, continuing to bolster house of the French ambas- the change in atmosphere adjustment mechanism,’ the carbon border tax illus- Qatar’s increasingly flourishing economic landscape. sador in Washington, French that Biden represents after which would impose tariffs trate how unpopular climate QFC witnessed a significant increase of 63.7 percent Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le the disruptive tirades and on some goods imported from action may prove to be. “The in the number of new firms licensed on the QFC platform Drian and US Secretary of tariffs of his predecessor. But non-EU countries with climate tariff is a tacit in 2020, compared to 2019. The QFC registered 334 State Antony Blinken they are wary of the possible weaker climate laws,” The admission that Western elites firms in 2020, compared to almost 200 firms registered commemorated Bastille Day, return of Trumpist politics in Washington Post reported. haven’t convinced their over the same period in 2019. France’s national holiday. the years to come. And even “In practice, environmental voters to pay the price of their Ending the year on a high note, the QFC maintained They unveiled what’s been with Biden and his liberal groups hope, this could climate obsessions,” noted the its business growth for the 8th consecutive year, despite dubbed the “little sister” of internationalist lieutenants in become a powerful incentive conservative editorial board the unprecedented global economic slowdown as a New York’s Statue of Liberty power, plenty of wrinkles for other nations to follow the of the Wall Street Journal. “In result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The expansion of the in the gardens of the resi- remain in Washington’s rela- bloc’s policies.” the process they’ll force their QFC registered firms, which represents a variety of dence, and Le Drian hailed tions with its closest partners. In conversation with consumers to pay more for industries, both financial and non-financial services, “the new transatlantic Some will be difficult to iron European Union officials, the imports and domestic goods, included a record increase of 139.5 percent in the digital momentum” forged by the out - including differences in Biden administration pushed and they’ll harm their own sector. The QFC also continued to leverage its support Biden administration and its strategy over China, Russia, against this proposed carbon exporters if countries to other firms across its strategic clusters, namely sports, allies in Western Europe. trade and the regulation of tax on imports. If imple- retaliate.” media and financial services, registering 62 newcomers The next day, President Big Tech companies. mented, it could trigger a sig- “There are concerns that from these sectors. Joe Biden hosted German And then there’s the dan- nificant set of disputes the poor will pay an inequi- The year 2020 saw the QFC’s implementation of Chancellor Angela Merkel at gerous matter of climate between Brussels and Wash- table share of the cost of support measures in the face of the COVID-19 out- the White House for a change. The Biden adminis- ington. “The White House decarbonization and that it break, which offered relief to its registered firms, in tration has spent its first could take a page from will be seen as an elite addition to new policies that create opportunities for The most politically months in office rallying allies Trump’s trade playbook and project, prompting more firms looking to tap into the Qatar’s flourishing market. loaded element in the and partners to the cause of impose its own retaliatory political backlash from pop- This included a legal services policy, which ensures global climate action after the tariffs, or it could seek to ulist parties and groups, like that new QFC licensed legal firms have the capacity package could be “the hiatus of the Trump years. challenge the EU’s move by the 2018 ‘yellow vest’ protests and expertise to serve international clients across geo- creation of a ‘carbon Biden and his transatlantic resurrecting the World Trade over a climate-related graphic boundaries. colleagues, including Merkel Organization’s hobbled increase in French gasoline With Qatar expecting to experience substantial eco- border adjustment on Thursday, tout their dispute resolution body, an prices,” noted the New York nomic growth this year, QFC continues to receive mechanism,’ which shared commitments to the option sharply opposed by US Times. increasing interest from global businesses expanding struggle against climate climate policy advocates,” “We have to do the [green to Qatar and the wider region. More than 1,100 firms would impose tariffs change. But Europe is racing noted Politico. transition] in such a way that have so far been registered on the platform, surpassing on some goods ahead with measures that “To the United States, I all income levels can QFC’s target of registering 1,000 active firms by 2022, imported from non-EU could, in theory, provoke would say if you are so maintain their lifestyles,” a major step in diversifying key economic sectors, friction with the United worried, then maybe it is time Mark Rutte, the center-right including digital, financial services, sports, and media. countries with weaker States. you come forward with very Dutch prime minister, said climate laws. On Wednesday, the credible plans on decarbon- earlier this year. “If we run up European Commission ization of your economy,” Bas costs because of plans drawn announced an ambitious set of Eickhout, a European law- up in Brussels or The Hague, plans that would put the bloc’s maker from a Dutch green we will lose support for what 27 member states on the path party, told The Post. “We have we are doing. It is crucial we D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR toward carbon neutrality by heard a lot of carry society along.” EMAIL: [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Just give the homeless a home – it worked before

MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 NOAH SMITH piles of filthy blankets. Needles while unsheltered home- nowhere to go but out into the BLOOMBERG litter public parks and people lessness rose 7%. The West streets. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 afflicted by drug withdrawal or Coast has borne the brunt of this The tragedy is that we The West Coast had a home- mental illness bellow as they increase. Contrary to the already know how to reduce LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 lessness crisis even before the stagger down the street. popular image of vagrants homelessness. Eight years ago, BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 pandemic. Now it's worse. It's unconscionable that so drifting around the country people who paid attention to Fortunately, the solution is many citizens should have to looking for welcoming cities, the issue were celebrating a SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 already well-established: Just wallow in a level of squalor most of the homeless people in dramatic multi-year decline in give homeless people a place more befitting the Middle San Francisco became homeless the number of Americans ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 to live. Republican President Ages in a region that gen- while living in the city; only 8% living on the streets. From email: [email protected] George W. Bush helped prove erates so much wealth. And came from out of state. 2005 to 2007, chronic home- PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 the effectiveness of that simple the crisis isn't just bad for the That strongly suggests rising lessness dropped by 30% - and email: [email protected] idea; what we need is a return homeless themselves; it gives rents are behind the increase in then, despite the Great to his successful policies. cities like San Francisco, homelessness since 2016, espe- Recession, fell by another 15% MARKETING: TEL: 4455 7657 Living in San Francisco, as I Seattle and Los Angeles a cially in pricey West Coast cities by 2013. The reason was a email: [email protected] do, makes you acutely aware of dirty, unsafe reputation and that have refused to build suffi- policy called "Housing First," the problem of homelessness. makes simply walking down cient housing to accommodate implemented by the George ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 857 There are tent cities not just the street an unpleasant expe- population growth. Now W. Bush administration and FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] under overpasses, but along rience for many. covid-19 has added another carried on during Barack CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 whole stretches of the street, Homelessness in America layer to the problem; some of Obama's first term. But though email: [email protected] surrounded by the sad litter of was decreasing until around the low-income people who fall the price tag was modest it indigent people's meager pos- 2016; then that trend reversed. through the cracks in gov- was undermined by austerity SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 sessions. Men and women Chronic homelessness rose by ernment relief programs and and ultimately died under FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected] slumber in doorways under 15% just from 2019 to 2020, can't pay their rent will have President Donald Trump.

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+974 6698 6188 Roberto Cingolani, Energy Transition Minister of Italy