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Ahlibank Qatar, Panama reports play out QR308.4m net thrilling profit for first six-goal half of 2021 draw

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THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 5 DHUL-HIJJAH - 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8684 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Amiri Diwan Qatar reiterates support for development of LDCs announces Eid

THE PENINSULA — DOHA international support measure, building Al Adha holidays back better policies and achieving Sus- Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and tainable Development Goals (SDGs). QNA — DOHA the Global Green Growth Institute We will strive to realise Given that most LDCs have been (GGGI), co-hosted a virtual event on the the sustainable heavily affected by the COVID-19 pan- On the occasion of Eid Al Adha, sidelines of the 2021 High-level Political development goals demic, much of the progress on the Amiri Diwan announced Forum (HLPF). The Forum was held under advancing the SDGs has declined or that the Eid holiday will be the theme of ‘Building back better to realize ambitions and work reversed. During the event, panellists from Sunday (July 18) to the SDGs in LDCs: Accelerating action to hand in hand to put emphasised the importance of taking Sunday (July 25) for ministries, achieve inclusive, sustainable, resilient together a strengthened urgent action to deliver inclusive and other government entities and recovery – approaches on the road to the tangible solutions to build back better public institutions. Employees LDC5 conference in Doha’. framework to support to achieve the SDGs, especially in key are to resume work on Assistant Foreign Minister and LDCs. areas such as reducing poverty, Monday (July 26). Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign improving health, promoting inclusive As for Qatar Central Bank Affairs and Vice-Chairperson of QFFD, Lolwah Al Khater and sustainable economic growth, and (QCB), banks and financial H E Lolwah Al Khater in a keynote speech taking action to combat climate change. institutions working under the stressed the importance of solidarity, “This pandemic has added yet an supervision of QCB and Qatar multilateralism and collective action in additional burden to the already existing Financial Markets Authority the face of global challenges faced by least challenges faced by LDCs, making the (QFMA), H E the Governor of developed countries (LDCs). realization of the Sustainable Devel- Qatar Central Bank shall “Now is the moment, to design bold level speakers including H E Ban Ki The aim of the event was to bring opment Goals by 2030 a far-fetched specify the start and the end actions and invest in building the resilience moon, President and Chair of GGGI and together high-level representatives from goal. In order to rise to this challenge, of the holiday. of individuals and communities to Eighth Secretary-General of the United LDCs and leading experts from interna- the international community must invest overcome the long-term development chal- Nations; Ambassador Courtenay Rattray, tional organisations to discuss ways in in a global coordinated response for Dates Festival lenges and prepare better for future crisis. the newly appointed UN High Repre- which the international community LDCs. One that goes beyond recovery, We will strive to realise the sustainable sentative for Least Developed Countries, could help speed up the acceleration of and that ensures inclusive, sustainable begins today at development goals ambitions and work Landlocked Developing Countries, Small climate action post-COVID-19, especially and resilient recovery, to overcome the hand in hand to put together a strengthened Island Developing States (OHRLLS); and in LDCs and Small Island Developing long-term development challenges and Souq Waqif framework to support LDCs,” she said. H E Khalifa Al Kuwari, Director-General States. It also served as a platform to prepare better for future crises,” said A panel discussion featured high of QFFD. reflect on the importance of ensuring Khalifa Al Kuwari. `P2 SIDI MOHAMED THE PENINSULA

The ‘6th Fresh Local Dates Cabinet approves Qatar Tourism’s Airfares to Asian Festival 2021’ will open at 4pm today at Souq Waqif with participation from more than draft decision on holiday homes 80 farms. The event will destinations soar continue until July 30. QNA — DOHA Holiday homes would be carried out following “During the last festival, SACHIN KUMAR and upcoming Eid Al Adha we sold about 205 tonnes Prime Minister and Minister of the provision of Law No.20 of 2018 regarding THE PENINSULA vacation are the two major (2019). We expect to sell more Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin tourism regulations. factors behind soaring airfares. during this festival, as we Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani Airfares to destinations in Asian Earlier, it was mandatory expect more visitors this year,” chaired the Cabinet’s regular Holiday homes mean furnished housing units countries have soared helped for travellers coming from six said Adel Al Kaldi Al Yafei, meeting held at its seat at the by recent decision to waive countries including India, Assistant Director of the Agri- Amiri Diwan yesterday. prepared for residence and they are rented as mandatory hotel quarantine for Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, cultural Affairs Department at During the meeting, the a complete or divided unit on a daily or vaccinated travellers and rush Sri Lanka and the Philippines the Ministry of Municipality Cabinet approved a draft of residents to celebrate Eid Al to undergo 10 days hotel and Environment (MME). The decision of the Chairman of weekly basis or any temporary period. Adha in their home countries. quarantine. The hotel quar- festival would be open daily Qatar Tourism to consider Prices of air tickets have antine was acting as a big in the evenings from 4pm to holiday homes as hotel The Cabinet affirmed the continuation of doubled in a period of just one dampener for the revival of 10pm. establishments. work with the procedures and preventive week. air travel. Speaking to Qatar TV yes- Under the project, holiday There is a high demand But the announcement of terday, Al Yafei said: “What is homes are considered hotel measures taken to combat the pandemic. from Asian expatriates for new travel policy has suddenly distinctive about this edition establishments, according to economy-class air tickets for changed the equations for air is that all the Gulf countries are Law No. 20 of 2018 regarding The 54th session of the Council of Arab next week, but tickets are not travel industry. As per the new now in Rutab (Fresh Local tourism regulation and its pro- Health Ministers was also reviewed. available for cities like Manila, travel policy, which came into Dates) period, and therefore visions apply. Holiday homes Mumbai and Islamabad. effect from July 12, vaccinated there is a particular interest in mean furnished housing units “The situation has changed people from all countries will the festival from the citizens. prepared for residence and pro- H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad combat the pandemic. drastically for air travel in the be exempted from quarantine. “We were at a stage where vided with utilities, whether Al Thani on the occasion of the Also, the Cabinet reviewed past one week. Until last The Ministry of Interior had we wanted to introduce our they are rooms, apartments, approaching Eid Al Adha, topics on the report prepared Thursday, tickets to Asian cities announced on Thursday it dates and let others know houses, villas, or camps, and asking Allah Almighty on this by the Ministry of Municipality were easily available and at would resume issuing tourist more about it, and today we they are rented as a complete occasion good health and hap- and Environment on the results reasonable rates,” a senior and family entry visas from have reached the stage of pre- or divided unit on a daily or piness for His Highness, Qatar of the work accomplished to official of a travel agency told Monday. senting only the best varieties,” weekly basis or any temporary and its people more splendour, implement solutions and rec- The Peninsula. “Now, air ticket “It has been almost two he said. period not exceeding 30 con- goodness, development, and ommendations on building prices for next one week for years since expatriates have not Regarding the entry and secutive days. prosperity under the wise lead- permits and the procedures for certain Asian cities have almost gone to their home countries exit of visitors, he said: “There Minister of Municipality and ership of the Amir. issuing them. doubled. Flights are fully due to COVID-19 crisis. Now, is a regulation by the Souq Environment and Acting Min- The Cabinet was briefed It also reviewed the 54th booked for next one week for most of the travelers are vac- Waqif administration in coop- ister of State for Cabinet Affairs by the Minister of Public session of the Council of Arab some airlines for cities like cinated and cases of infections eration with Ministry of Public H E Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Health on the latest develop- Health Ministers and the 74th Manila, Mumbai and have also come down signifi- Health. The festival tent was Turki Al Subaei in a statement ments to curb COVID-19. It session of the World Health Islamabad,” he added. cantly. Summer vacations have built on an area of 3,600 square stated that the Cabinet con- affirmed the continuation of Assembly, and the 149th session According to the travel started and now hotel quar- metres, and thus it will be able veyed its highest congratula- work with the procedures and of the Executive Board of the agents, removal of hotel quar- antine for vaccinated travellers to accommodate 720 people at tions and blessings to the Amir preventive measures taken to World Health Organisation. antine for vaccinated travellers is also not required." `P2 the same time.” `P2 HMC doctors perform complex brain surgery for the first time THE PENINSULA — DOHA is a procedure that can help a core component of HMC’s hemiparesis (weakness). her brain arteriovenous malfor- identify what different regions commitment to enhance its sur- “Two years later in 2019 the mation in order to prevent any Hamad General Hospital’s of the brain do. gical capacity and capabilities patient started to report unre- further hemorrhage in the brain Neurosurgery team have A “map” of each person’s and making the most advanced sponsive episodes and she was that may be life threatening.” successfully performed a brain can be made by stimu- treatments and surgical tech- diagnosed with seizure disorder During the surgery, which complex and life-changing lating certain brains areas. The niques available to Qatar’s and started on anti-seizure was performed last month in surgery on a patient suffering map tells the doctors just what population. medications, but these gave her Doha by Dr. Belkhair and his from a seizure disorder. It is the parts of the brain are respon- Dr. Sirajeddin Belkhair (pic- some side effects. She was team, they undertook an intra- first time that brain surgery for sible for critical functions such tured), the Head of Neuro- referred for surgical treatment operative electroencepha- epilepsy with intra operative as movement, sensation, or surgery Department and and we undertook compre- logram (EEG) where they put electroencephalography has speech. As a result, the focus Director of the Neurosurgery hensive testing and investiga- electrodes on an exposed area been performed in Qatar. area of brain that is causing epi- Residency Program at Hamad tions with our multidisciplinary of brain during the surgery to Surgery involved making a lepsy can be identified and General Hospital, said the pro- teams including physicians find out area of brain that is skin incision and temporarly removed with less risk. cedure was performed on a from neurology and interven- causing the seizures. removing part of the skull to HMC continues to expand 25-year-old Tunisian woman tional neuro radiology,” Dr. Epilepsy neurologist Dr. expose the brain (craniotomy). abnormal electrical activities and improve the care it offers who had a history of acute brain Belkhair explained. Gonzalo Alarcon and his team, The neurosurgeons inserted and causing patient to have to patients to ensure the bleeding in 2017 from con- “It was concluded that we interpreted EEG recordings and electrodes inside the brain and seizure, also during brain healthcare system is able to genital brain arteriovenous needed to perform surgical helped with identifying areas of on its surface to identify the surgery neurosurgeon per- offer life changing, cutting edge malformation which caused treatment to cure the patient from brain that is most likely causing brain area that is producing formed a brain mapping which procedures. This is her to have left sided transient her epilepsy in addition to treat seizure for patient. `P2 02 HOME THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021

New postage stamps highlight country's Islamic landmarks OFFICIAL NEWS

THE PENINSULA — DOHA The postage stamps Amir congratulates have been launched President of France The Organising Committee for hosting ‘Doha Capital of as part of the ‘Doha DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Culture in the Islamic World Capital of Culture in bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy 2021’ launched four Qatari Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin postage stamps inspired by the Islamic World Hamad Al Thani sent cables of Qatari Islamic cultural land- 2021’ events. congratulations to President of the marks. French Republic H E Emmanuel This Committee launched Macron on the occasion of his these stamps during the Arab present an image of its country’s National Day. Prime Postal Stamp Museum opening richness.” Minister and Minister of Interior ceremony, held in the Cultural Postage stamps contribute H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Village Foundation (Katara). to the rapprochement between Abdulaziz Al Thani also sent a Speaking on the occasion, human beings, and their cable of congratulations to Prime Minister of Culture and Sports, exchange is a sign of peace and Minister of the French Republic H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, love. H E Jean Castex on the occa- said, “Postage stamps are part The inauguration of this sion of his country’s National Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, and other officials unveiling the new of our national identity, and new set of distinctive stamps Day. — QNA postage stamps celebrating the country’s Islamic landmarks. reflect historical events, values, constitutes a special cultural traditions, or cultural events station. The Qatari postal char- that distinguish peoples from acter interacts with the event as an added value for Islamic Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, inauguration of four postage Qatar reiterates each other. They generally of Doha Capital of Culture in countries and the world in said that Katara is pleased to stamps, as Doha is the capital allow us to identify the private the Islamic World 2021 by general. reopen the Arab Postal Stamp of culture for the Islamic world support for civilization of any country and focusing on cultural diversity Director-General of Katara, Museum. He said the in 2021, is significant. development of LDCs

Qatar, France enjoy strong FROM PAGE 1 “Least developed countries ties in all fields: Envoy are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change but QNA — PARIS Qatar’s Ambassador in have the least access to tech- Paris congratulates French nology or finance to increase Ambassador of the State of Qatar to their climate resilience and the French Republic H E Sheikh Ali people on the occasion of achieve carbon neutrality. bin Jassim Al Thani affirmed that the National Day. GGGI supports countries from relations between the two countries the planning stage, to setting have grown stronger, adding that the climate policies, to developing State of Qatar and the French Republic Franciscaines in Deauville and the green and climate investment were able to discuss in depth all National Sports Museum in Nice. projects, and to mobilizing aspects of bilateral cooperation in all The Ambassador expressed his green investment and climate fields, as well as regional issues. wished for a happy National Day to finance. This came in a video recorded by all French people, wherever they are, "GGGI will continue to the Ambassador, congratulating the praising the existing friendship accelerate the green transfor- French people on the occasion of the between the two countries. He also mation in its member coun- National Day of the French Republic. expressed his happiness that the State tries and regional integration He emphasised the essential place of Qatar was able to welcome French organizations to stop the Minister of State meets Ethiopia envoy of the cultural field in the bilateral tourists again, stressing that the global climate crisis and build back relations between the two countries, health crisis highlighted the existing better,” said Dr. Frank Rijs- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met with Ambassador which was embodied in the existing solidarity between the State of Qatar berman, Director-General of of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the State of Qatar, H E Samia Zakaria cooperation with the most prominent and the French Republic, as they stood GGGI. Gutu. During the meeting, cooperation and relations between the two countries were French cultural institutions, from the together to fight the COVID-19 This virtual event provided reviewed. Palace of Versailles to Les pandemic. an opportunity for diverse stakeholders to address a sus- tainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19 with a focus MME presents Qatar’s Nigeria FM on SDG 2, 3, 8 and 13. The outcome of the discussion will meets Qatar’s feed into the Fifth UN Con- food security experience ference on the Least Ambassador Developed Countries (LDC5) at international summit to be hosted by the State of QNA — ABUJA Qatar in Doha in early 2022. QNA — DOHA paper in which he discussed the experience of the State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the The Ministry of Municipality of Qatar as a pioneering Federal Republic of Nigeria H E Dates Festival and Environment (MME) experience in the field of Geoffrey Onyeama met with participated in the Interna- food security and reviewed Ambassador of the State of Qatar begins today at tional Conference on Best the national strategy for to Nigeria H E Abdulaziz bin Practices for Building food security and the efforts Mubarak Al Muhannadi, on the Souq Waqif Sustainable Food Systems in made to reach sustainable occasion of the end of his tenure. FROM PAGE 1 the Organization of Islamic food systems in the State of Relations of bilateral cooper- Cooperation (OIC) Region, Qatar. ation between the two countries Al Yafei also noted that organised via video The conference came have been reviewed during the organisers have sent samples conference by the Islamic under the umbrella of the meeting. of the participating farms’ Organization for Food Food Systems Summit Dia- During the meeting, Nigerian products to laboratories over Security in cooperation with logues, which is one of the Minister of Foreign Affairs the past few days to ensure the OIC. activities of the regional dia- thanked the Ambassador for his they are free of pesticides. The Ministry was repre- logues on sustainable food efforts in supporting and To promote healthy sented by the Director of systems in preparation for enhancing bilateral relations and produce from these partici- Food Security Department the UN Food Systems Summit, cooperation between the two pants, the Organizing Com- Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria H E Geoffrey Onyeama with Dr. Masoud Jarallah Al Marri, which will be held in Sep- countries, and wished him mittee of the festival has set Ambassador of Qatar H E Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Muhannadi. who presented a working tember 2021. success in his new duties. requirements for the dates offered for sale, including that the fresh dates showcased in HMC doctors the festival should be in the QU research explores microbes in Qatari sabkhas ripening stage and free from perform complex any odour. In addition, the AYENI OLUSEGUN under the National Priority shallow coasts, the hot to very environments. Dohat Faishakh dates should have a natural brain surgery THE PENINSULA Research Program (NPRP). QU hot climate, sea-level changes, and Khor Al Adaid sabkhas taste and smell. and ExxonMobil Research groundwater, geological setting, present the best environment The festival is part of a for the first time Microbes living within the Center in Qatar, the ETH Zurich and anthropogenic for this research. major programme of the MME FROM PAGE 1 sabkhas (salt flats) in Qatar have and the Space Exploration interference. These microbes in the to provide platforms to market been discovered to contribute Institute in Switzerland, the The QU research labels the sabkhas create unusual textures local produce during their har- Dr. Belkhair then surgi- to the formation of minerals Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory sabkhas of Qatar as repre- and sedimentary structures that vesting season. cally removed that area suc- significantly, and sedimentary in the USA, and the University senting “natural laboratories to may potentially be found in a Different types of fresh cessfully without having com- rocks, a Qatar university of Toronto in Canada all con- test hypothesis and implement “fossil form” on the surface of local dates will be offered from plication in addition to surgi- research has revealed. The tributed to the research. new proxies useful for the tech- Mars, which may provide a today during the festival at cally treating Brain research said these rocks are Sabkhas are a coastal, nical challenges of the energy platform for understanding life very attractive prices, arteriovenous malformation crucial in studying sedimen- supratidal mudflat or sand flat industries and answering fun- on Mars and preparing for including Khalas, Al Shishi, Al at the same time during the tology, microbiology, oil in which evaporite-saline min- damental scientific exploration of the Red Planet. Khanizi, Barhi, Iraqi, Silji, Sufri, surgery. geology, and material sciences. erals accumulate due to semi- questions.” Meanwhile, away from the Nabt Saif, Al Sawafi, and “Brain mapping with elec- The project led by Prof. arid to an arid climate. A 2013 Professor Al Kuwari’s scientific importance of Khurdi. trical stimulation is done to Hamad A Rahman Al Kuwari is study by Mahmoud Mohamed research was the first to inves- sabkhas, their aesthetic beauty increase the benefits of epi- titled “Geobiological Processes Ashour revealed that ‘the origin tigate the sabkhas from a purely also means they can be pre- lepsy surgery and lower the in the Sabkhas of Qatar” and and evolution of sabkhas in physicochemical perspective served and developed into Airfares to Asian risks. We are happy to report started in 2015. Qatar are greatly influenced by, and focus on the role that tourist attractions, geoparks, that the patient recovered well It is funded by Qatar the low lying topography of the biology may have in these and natural reserves. destinations soar after surgery with no compli- National Research Fund (QNRF) country, the shallow to very extremely inhospitable FROM PAGE 1 cations and she was dis- charged to home just two days “All these factors have after surgery,” Dr. Belkhair. encouraged residents to Medical Director of MoPH: 134 new virus cases Kahramaa wins Qatarization make travel plans,” Mar- Hamad General Hospital Dr. keting Manager of a tour and Yousef Al Maslamani said the THE PENINSULA — DOHA administered in the last 24 Award 2021 in energy sector travel company told The new procedure demonstrated hours. A total of 3,452,235 Peninsula. Hamad Medical Corporation The Ministry of Public Health COVID-19 vaccine doses have QNA — DOHA effective plans to train and Experts say that prices of and Hamad General Hospi- (MoPH) reported 134 new been administered since the empower Qataris, whether its air tickets are expected to tal’s commitment to offering cases of COVID-19 yesterday. start of the National COVID-19 Qatar General Electricity & employees or graduates remain high in coming days the latest treatments to Among them, 54 were Vaccination Program. Water Corporation (Kahramaa) looking for training and devel- because of high demand. patients. travellers coming from Also 78.2% of the eligible has won the Annual Qatari- opment opportunities. It has “I do not see much scope “This is a milestone abroad. population has now received zation Award 2021 for Best also shown a great com- of prices of tickets to fall surgery from HMC and Hamad A total of 116 people at least one dose of the Qatarization Progress within mitment to developing highly much over the next one General Hospital and this will recovered from COVID-19 vaccine. 98.6% of over 60s the energy sector, recognising qualified Qatari cadres, in line month. Summer vacations open door for more patients yesterday, bringing the total (the most vulnerable popu- its continuous efforts to attract with the Strategic Qatarization have started, schools are from Qatar and the region with number of people recovered lation group) have been vac- Qatari talent and provide them Plan and the human resources closed for vacation which epilepsy to be able to undergo in Qatar 221,665. cinated with at least one dose; with the best opportunities. pillar within Qatar National will keep the demand for air this life-changing treatment,” As many as 23,444 while 93.5% have received Kahramaa seeks to develop Vision 2030 four development tickets high for over a Dr. Al Maslamani said. COVID-19 vaccine doses were both doses. its national cadres through pillars. month,” he added. THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 HOME 03 DIFI forum examines work-life balance on family dynamics THE PENINSULA — DOHA academics, policymakers, youth, and parents. Dr. The COVID-19 lockdowns have Abdulla highlighted the ben- forced organisations worldwide to efits of flexible working let their employees work from home, arrangements on personal significantly changing how people growth and productivity, and work. its impact on both parents This new dynamic has shown the and children. She shared her feasibility of applying flexible personal experience and arrangements to many workplaces how the most impactful without compromising output, and events in her career and per- highlighted the practicality of a new sonal lives were a result of paradigm that is productive and pro- flexible working motes a better work-family balance. arrangements. In line with this development, The discussion also pro- Doha International Family Institute vided an overview of policies (DIFI) — a member of Qatar Foun- and procedures practiced Lebanese Deputy PM meets Qatari envoy dation — in collaboration with the worldwide in terms of imple- Permanent Mission of the State of menting flexible work Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Qatar to the United Nations held a arrangements, and how such and Expatriates of the Lebanese Republic, H E Zeina Aker, met with Ambassador Qatar recognises the central role of the forum titled ‘Family Relations and structures positively impact of the State of Qatar to Lebanon, H E Mohamed Hassan Jaber Al Jaber, on the Flexible Work Arrangements: The family in social development and pays relations, parental roles, occasion of the end of his tenure. During the meeting, the Minister expressed Way Forward’. particular attention to supporting and responsibilities, and gender her thanks and gratitude for the efforts of the Ambassador in supporting and The forum opened with an intro- equality within the family reinforcing relations between the two brotherly countries, wishing him success ductory remark by H E Ambassador empowering this basic social unit. sphere. in his future duties. Sheikha Alya Ahmed Saif Al Thani, “There is a wealth of evi- Permanent Representative of the dence to support the benefits State of Qatar to the UN, followed by Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed of flexible working, and the a welcome remark by Dr. Sharifa Saif Al Thani UN is leading by example in Noaman Al Emadi, Executive Qatar’s Permanent Representative providing the maximum Director, DIFI. flexibility for its staff, while Speaking about Qatar’s initiatives to the United Nations continuing to maintain inter- to support the family, Ambassador national peace and security, Sheikha Alya Ahmed Saif Al Thani protecting human rights, said: “The State of Qatar recognises delivering humanitarian the central role of the family in social assistance, and supporting development and pays particular ilies to reshape their relationships.” sustainable development and climate attention to supporting and empow- The event also included a high- action,” said Dr. Muraikhi. ering this basic social unit.” level panel discussion, featuring H E Al Naama said: “There are She cited DIFI as one of Qatar’s Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al several policies that could help sta- institutions advocating for policies Muraikhi, Special Adviser to the UN bilize families, such as adopting and practices that promote work-life Secretary-General; Khalid Al Naama, flexible hours, providing nurseries balance, which contributes to the Family Policy Director, DIFI; and Dr. and breastfeeding rooms in the improved physical and mental health Sara Ali Abdulla, Research Fellow, workplace, and offering part-time wellbeing of societies. Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, contracts. We, at DIFI, renew our In a recent DIFI report on the part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University. call for adopting family-friendly pol- Impact of COVID-19 on Family The panel was moderated by Renata icies, which could provide a more Cohesion in Qatar, 64 percent of the Kaczmarska, Focal Point on the viable model for giving stability to surveyed participants experienced Family, DISD, DESA, UN. families.” positive improvements in their rela- Sharing her insight on family and This forum is part of DIFI’s Doha tionships with family members. parenting support, Kaczmarska said: Briefing initiative, which aims to Reflecting on the outcome of the “The pandemic presented families provide a platform for governments, study, Dr. Al Emadi, said: “In research with new challenges and highlighted civil society, and UN entities to Malta FM meets Qatar's diplomat conducted by DIFI in 2019, one of their irreplaceable role as economic engage in a dialogue to develop a the major recommendations was to and care providers. These roles need better understanding of the progress Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Malta, H E Evarist Bartolo, introduce flexible working arrange- stronger support from governments made by families and the challenges met with the Acting Charges d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Malta, ments, which were implemented by and the private sector.” they face, and to exchange valuable Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and default with the pandemic. COVID-19 The discussed topics were taken lessons concerning new evidence and cooperation. presented an opportunity for fam- from the perspective of the UN, innovations targeting families. 04 HOME THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 Ooredoo distributes Eidiya to orphans Parents urged to protect children THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Ooredoo Qatar has extended from heat-related illnesses its support to vulnerable THE PENINSULA — DOHA Common signs and community members during Eid Al Adha with a charitable With schools closed and children at symptoms of heat stress initiative. home for the long summer break, and heat-related illnesses Volunteers from the telco Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) leader visited the Dreama has remind parents and caregivers include: An elevated Orphan Care Center in Doha to ensure children are not exposed body temperature, cool/ to deliver gifts of Eidiya to to excessive heat and humidity to clammy skin, irritability, enable its young residents to protect them from heat-related enjoy Eid celebrations with illnesses which are more common increased thirst/sweating, An official from Ooredoo handing over Eidiya gifts. the community. The Dreama during the summer months. headache, feeling faint, Orphan Care Center offers Experts at HMC warn parents to care and support to orphaned children in Qatar, aiming to ensure they are fully inte- exercise caution and refrain from dizzy or weak. grated into the community. Moza Khalid Al Muhannadi, Director CSR, Sponsorship, and exposing children to high temper- Media at Ooredoo - said, “Supporting the communities in which we operate, and in par- ature or humidity if they choose to Dr. Rafael Consunji ticular the more vulnerable members of our communities, is a key priority at Ooredoo as do any outdoor activities with them, Dr. Consunji recommends these part of our corporate social responsibility strategy. Eid Al Adha is a time for family and especially with the gradual lifting of proven ‘SMART’ techniques to kindness, and we were delighted to show our commitment to our communities at such a COVID-19 restrictions on outdoors heat stress and heat-related illnesses reduce your child’s risk for heat- special time. We wish everyone a safe and blessed Eid.” and sporting activities in Qatar. include: an elevated body temper- related illness: supervise children as Officials at The Orphan Care “Children are at an increased risk ature, cool/clammy skin, irritability, they play outdoors so any signs of Center (Dreama) thanked Ooredoo of developing heat-related illness if increased thirst/sweating, headache, heat-related illnesses can be iden- for the generous initiative to support exposed to high temperatures feeling faint, dizzy or weak. If unrec- tified and addressed, monitor local the children of the Center and because they don’t adjust to changes ognized or neglected, these signs and heat and humidity forecasts, using present Eid Al Adha gifts to bring joy in environmental conditions as symptoms can lead to more severe any weather app, to know if there and happiness to them on this happy quickly as most healthy adults do. heat exhaustion and stroke. are heat warnings of extreme tem- occasion. They stressed that such Therefore, it is very important for “Children should not be left peratures, > 32-330 C, and/or initiatives enhance social responsi- parents or caregivers to ensure chil- unsupervised to play outdoors. humidity, >50%, avoid unshaded play bility and emphasise the importance dren’s outdoor play time is when With the increasing temperatures, areas and play surfaces that absorb of principles, adding that this initi- temperature and humidity are low, we want to remind the public of the and reflect heat, like asphalt, con- ative contributes to achieving the or they can let children play in air- increased health risks associated crete, dark colored and reflective goals of the Center, which aim to conditioned or shaded area,” notes with children being left outside to surfaces, regular breaks, every 30 integrate the children of Dreama Dr. Rafael Consunji, Director of play. It is understandable that minutes, to take children into air into society, as they are an integral Hamad Trauma Center’s Hamad parents might like to take their conditioned indoors or shaded part of it. Injury Protection Program (HIPP). children to the beach, the pool or spaces and to drink cool liquids, He states further the need for parks to cool off or unwind. every 15 minutes, dry their sweat parents to be vigilant and monitor However, it is advisable to follow off, provide a cool towel wipe and their children while taking them out- some heat prevention precautions change clothes. doors, saying ‘Hot weather can be a such as ensuring the children wear If necessary. Use a phone danger for everyone, but for children, lightweight, light-colored and alarm with lively alarm sounds or the dangers are magnified. He states loose-fitting clothing, using a timer songs and make it a game with the that a child’s temperature can rise to limit their time under the direct children, so they enjoy these breaks five times faster than an adult’s tem- heat to 30 minutes or less and drink and keep outdoor play time before perature, especially on hot days.’ cold fluids every 15 minutes while 10am and after 4pm to reduce dan- Common signs and symptoms of outside,” he highlights. gerous heat exposure. Nando’s flagship 'Casa' is back with a fresh new look in City Centre Mall

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Nando’s opened its first Casa (restaurant) in Qatar in 2001 at Salwa Road and due to its imme- diate popularity, opened another Casa the very next year at the City Center Mall, Doha. This City Center Mall Casa has been their most popular to date, going from strength to strength, through good times and bad times. Nando’s is famous for its flame- grilled PERi-PERi chicken as well as for its love and passion for Southern African contemporary art. As for design, each Nando’s res- Officials during a ceremony to mark the opening of upgraded Nando's Casa taurant is uniquely designed – no in City Centre Mall. BELOW: A view of the outlet. two are the same. About the makeover of this popular Casa at City Center, Nando’s design and architect team said; “Our main objective for the Nando’s City Centre’s design was to feature a space with strong patterns, an inviting ambiance, and vibrant colours that boldly represents the Southern African heritage of Nando’s. This is particularly evident in the Afro-Portuguese tribal pat- terns and handmade green deco- rative wall tiles. The contrast created by playing industrial style finishes off against

natural elements, contributes to the uniqueness of the spaces. Woven fabric with geometrical patterns was used on the furniture in combi- nation with Pop Art influences of colour in the upholstery. Southern African original art pieces adorn the walls thus showcases Nando’s love of art. The design is rounded off by an authentic and modern addition of handwoven mon- ochromatic light pendants by South-African designer maker Ashanti. About the makeover, Sajed Jassim Mohd. Sulaiman, Vice Chairman & Managing Director – Nando’s Qatar said, ‘’Out of many things that we are proud of in Nando’s, our interior design and love for Southern African art is among them. We invite the chicken and the art lover to come by and have a look at this beau- tifully renovated Casa. We guarantee that it is worth taking a trip from any part of the country. Interesting fact is that with more than 21000 art- works, Nando’s is the largest collector of contem- porary Southern African art in the world. The collection can be found on the walls of more than 1200 restau- rants on 5 continents across the globe. THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 HOME 05 At 21, Qatar Duty Free unveils 21 new shopping, dining outlets THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Qatar Duty Free (QDF) is We aim to offer an marking its 21st anniversary by unrivalled retail and dining unveiling a significant experience in a unique investment and an enhanced retail portfolio of 21 new environment for all our shopping and dining outlets. passengers travelling With a focus on embracing a through HIA and introduce range of tastes and budgets, the “21 in 21” project will elevate the our customers to an existing award-winning duty enhanced Qatar Duty Free free experience at Hamad Inter- shopping experience. national Airport (HIA), trans- forming it into a premier global A view of two of the newly-added shopping outlets at Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Doha. destination for international air Akbar Al Baker travellers. The new outlets, which will Qatar Airways Group Chief to reach out to a truly global shopping avenue at HIA — will the Emporio Armani Ristorante spare. In April, Qatar Airways be located in both the departure Executive audience. We are always incorporate luxury outlets such and Caffè. signed a memorandum of and arrival areas, will gradually looking to diversify our offering as Armani and Chloe with an A stunning new Perfumes understanding (MOU) for a joint open over the coming months to curate memorable retail unrivalled selection of ready- and Cosmetics store will also venture with HMSHost Inter- featuring global brands, several experiences for all.” to-wear fashion items and include the first Christian Lou- national, part of Autogrill convenience and travel- Mr Thabet Musleh, Vice accessories. In addition, QDF boutin boutique, making QDF Group, the largest food and bev- essential stores — including a in the Middle East and the third- President, Operations, Qatar will launch the first airport the first travel retailer in the erage operator at high traffic Big Value — and an enhanced best in the world — and Duty Free, said: “In celebration boutique in the Middle East for world to provide Christian Lou- locations globally. dining offer that will make QDF introduce our customers to an of 21 years of award-winning the fashion designer Valentino boutin products. QDF will also The arrival duty free will the perfect place for all pas- enhanced Qatar Duty Free accomplishments and deliv- and will debut stand-alone be home to the first Adidas reveal a new look and feel and sengers to wind down with shopping experience.” ering a five-star service to cus- stores — the first in an airport airport store, Q-Denim — a a larger footprint with a wider some shopping therapy and Engr. Badr Mohammed Al tomers, this major investment in the Middle East — for pres- multi-brand men’s denim store selection of products and an culinary delights between Meer, Chief Operating Officer marks the start of a new tigious brands such as Emilio — and the Qatari fashion brand impressive selection of global flights. at HIA, said: “The latest chapter in QDF’s history and Pucci, Fendi and Jimmy Choo. Kashkha. brands for travellers arriving in Qatar Airways Group Chief expansion of QDF’s retail port- demonstrates our continuous An Emporio Armani Ristorante For diners, there will be Qatar. Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, folio is part of its joint effort commitment to providing a and Caffè will add more something for all, including In October 2020, HIA and said: “We aim to offer an unri- with HIA to provide passengers world-class duty free glamour to the Vialle di Lusso grab-and-go eateries for those QDF were voted as “Best Airport valled retail and dining expe- with a diverse range of retail experience.” and offer an exquisite culinary on the move, a range of dine-in Voted for by Millennials” and rience in a unique environment and culinary experiences. HIA’s Adding to an existing out- experience in a relaxed setting, outlets, and fine-dining con- “Best Airport Retail Envi- for all our passengers travelling expansive commercial space standing portfolio of brands, making QDF the first travel cepts to satisfy customers’ ronment”, respectively, by the through HIA — the best airport offers brands the opportunity Vialle di Lusso — a new retailer in the world to house appetite with more time to Travel Retail Awards 2020. Atos, Ooredoo deliver critical Ooredoo expands global cybersecurity services to TASMU 5G roaming partners THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA detection, auto-containment, and incident response orchestration. The Ooredoo Qatar has extended its network Atos and Ooredoo deliver key cyber- MDR service will be delivered from of international roaming partners to security threat detection and response state-of-the-art Atos Security Oper- maximise customer experience as the services to Qatar Smart Program ations Center (SOC), ensuring strong summer vacation season starts by “TASMU” driven by the Ministry of data sovereignty for “TASMU.” With expanding 5G data roaming networks. Transport and Communication Atos’ solution, the Ministry of As part of offering the best experi- (MOTC) — ultimately supporting Qatar Transport and Communication will ences to travelling customers, Ooredoo’s National Vision 2030. TASMU is the be able to protectively hunt, monitor, 5G data roaming will now work on the first smart city project in the Middle contain, and respond to threats 24/7, networks of Ooredoo Kuwait, TT Mobil East and aims to improve the way of with the best industry-based security (AVEA) and Turkcell of Turkey, Etisalat life of Qatari citizens, residents, and practices. (UAE), and DU, Zain & Mobily (Saudi visitors. TASMU focuses on harnessing Arabia), KT (South Korea) and Globe Atos and Ooredoo’s solution inte- technology and innovation to drive a Telecom (Philippines). Ooredoo is grates cloud-native intelligent sustainable economic agenda while working with Zain and Batelco in security analytics and next-gener- improving quality of life and Bahrain, while similar arrangements now An aerial view of Doha's financial and business district, West Bay. ation Artificial Intelligence (AI) capa- enhancing the delivery of public exist with Taiwanese operators Far- bility from the Atos Alsaac platform services in Qatar across various top EastOne and T-STAR and the Swiss net- to secure TASMU’s infrastructure and priority sectors, such as transpor- capabilities to Qatar. This powerful proud to be working with Atos to play works Sunrise and Swisscom. applications. tation, logistics, healthcare, sports, combination has laid down strong such a pivotal role in enabling the Customers need to select the roaming As Ooredoo’s security partner in and environmental. This effort is sup- foundations for Atos and Ooredoo’s digital transformation of Qatar data option on their device. Ooredoo will Qatar, Atos builds on its strong ported through a collaborative and partnership and joint business in the through TASMU. As a leading tele- be recognised as the visiting operator, expertise in cybersecurity and lead- thriving ICT ecosystem and global region. It has also given us an edge communications operator, with inno- and the customer will be granted 5G data ership position in delivering capabil- innovation network to co-create rel- over the competition to enable us to vation firmly at the heart of our network access if the mobile supports ities for Smart Cities to help the Min- evant technology solutions. serve our customers better,” strategy, we are committed to pro- 5G. istry and its ecosystem of partners “TASMU showcases the inte- explained Marc Veelenturf, Head of viding our knowledge and expertise Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin Nasser that will provide smart city services gration of Atos AIsaac and cutting- the Middle East and Head of Telecom, to our country with the overall Al Thani — Chief Commercial Officer at to collect, orchestrate and secure data. edge partner technologies in cyber Media & Technology for Growing ambition to achieve the goals of Qatar Ooredoo — said, “Now that easing of In particular, Atos will provide its analytics for the first smart city Markets, Atos. National Vision 2030. We look COVID-19 restrictions means Qatari cit- Managed Detection and Response project in the Middle-East region and Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin forward to a long and mutually ben- izens and residents can begin to travel (MDR) service powered by its AIsaac brings advanced threat hunting, Nasser Al Thani, Chief Commercial eficial relationship with our esteemed once more, we’re delighted to be platform for multi-vector threat orchestration, and remediation Officer at Ooredoo, said, “We are partners.” extending our network partnerships to ensure our customers can enjoy the superior 5G network access they are used to at home when they’re travelling QM's new website a gateway to nation's cultural landscape overseas. Complete customer satisfaction is our strategic goal, whether customers THE PENINSULA — DOHA launch to come out of the organisation. The site will are at home or abroad, and our compre- recently formed Digital enable Qatar Museums to hensive roaming options help us to Qatar Museums (QM) has announced the launch Experience department grow and evolve its digital achieve this goal.” of its newly enhanced website qm.org.qa, thor- and represents a new initiatives in a future- Ooredoo will continue to add more oughly redesigned as a gateway to the nation’s approach toward digital forward way, bringing its national and regional operators to its cultural landscape, including its growing network content and product digital strategy to life for network of collaborators as they become of museums, heritage sites, festivals and public development for the years to come.” available. art installations. This launch is in line with Qatar Museums’ strategy to harness the power of digital engagement to reach its local constituents and an expanded global audience, including the many tourists to Qatar. The website provides a virtual look into the world of Qatar Museums. It offers a user-focused experience centred on stories that convey the diversity and breadth of the organisation’s pro- gramming, collections and activities and pro- The new bilingual Arabic and vides tools and information for visiting, whether English website provides stories as an individual, group, school or family. The content on the site will evolve and expand over and information for Qatar time, based on audience interests and current Museums’ key audience groups, events and programming. New features of the bilingual Arabic and a comprehensive calendar of English website include pages that aggregate rel- exhibitions and events across evant stories and information for Qatar Museums’ various museum venues, and an key audience groups, a comprehensive calendar of exhibitions and events across various museum improved online booking system. venues, an improved online booking system, streamlined management of Qatar Museums’ Culture Pass membership program, and enhanced ten months using an agile and virtual way of mobile device compatibility. Ahmad Musa Al working – all during the COVID-19 lockdown. Namla, CEO of Qatar Museums, said: “The launch This new site and team give us a great foundation of Qatar Museums’ redesigned website is part of upon which to further expand Qatar Museums’ our wider goal to elevate the role of digital inno- digital transformation in support of Qatar’s vation across the organisation. Through this thriving arts and culture scene.” enhanced platform we are pleased to deliver an The design and development of the website online destination that provides local, regional was led by Qatar Museums’ new Digital Expe- and global audiences with authentic and rience Directorate together with Fabrique, a stra- immersive cultural experiences.” tegic digital design agency based in the Nether- Sheikha Shaikha Al Thani, Acting Deputy CEO lands, and international museum consultancy of Digital Experience and Audience Engagement, Allegra Burnette & Associates (ABA). Qatar Museums, said: “In March 2020, Qatar Matthijs Klinkert, Managing Director, Fab- Museums embarked on an ambitious plan to build rique, said: “We are very proud to be the digital a Digital Experience team to meet the growing partner to Qatar Museums on this journey. No needs of our audiences. This launch signifies a other place in the world shows so much ambition milestone in our digital transformation strategy, and offers so many possibilities for a design undertaken by a diverse team based both here agency to create truly outstanding and important in Qatar and abroad. The team went from work.” Allegra Burnette, Principal, ABA, said: onboarding to the launch of this new site in under “The Qatar Museums website is the first major 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021

Iraq obtains Iraqis blame membership in Executive government for Council of OPCW QNA — BAGHDAD hospital fire The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Iraq has officially obtained An initial police report said that the hospital had membership in the Executive been built with lightweight panels separating Council of the Organization for the wards, making the fire spread faster, and the the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the hospital lacked enough emergency exits which period 2022-2024. caused higher casualties. A Health Ministry Ministry Spokesman statement yesterday put the death toll at 60, Ahmed Al Sahaf said in a including 21 unidentified bodies. statement that the nomination will be approved during the Conference of the States REUTERS — NASSIRIYA, IRAQ crime to lose my son and I can’t Parties to the Organization, bury him?” said Kareem, a which will be held in The With no body to bury, Hatam policeman. “Last night, I took Hatem Karim holds a picture of his son Karrar Hatem Karim, who died in Al Hussain coronavirus Hague in late November. Kareem comforted himself by out his clothes and embraced hospital in Nassirya where a fire broke out, in Shatrah, Iraq, yesterday. Iraq also obtained the clutching the clothes of his son, them in bed. I want my son.” position of Vice-President of who died along with his mother Families of the victims and number was lower than a death week, the prime minister’s helpless... shortly afterwards I the Conference of the States and grandmother in a fire that residents in general have toll of 92 reported by the state-run office said on Tuesday. was trapped by smoke and fires Parties to the organization killed dozens at a hospital in the blamed the authorities for the Iraqi National News agency on More than 20 bodies are still and I couldn’t breath.” during 2019 and 2020, which Iraqi city of Nassiriya this week. fire that tore through the hos- Tuesday. Reuters could not imme- waiting to be identified at the Natiq Hashim, 35, lost his strengthened Iraq’s role within “Look at him, what crime did pital set up to treat COVID-19 diately reach the Health Ministry morgue, where 28-year-old sister, mother and a 14-year-old the organization. he commit to be burned alive?” patients. An initial police report, spokesperson for comment. Mustafa Khalil sat with his back niece in the fire. He said he said Kareem, 40, weeping as he a copy of which was seen by It was Iraq’s second such to the wall, hoping for infor- arrived at the hospital about 15 PM: Israel could beat took out his mobile phone to Reuters, said the fire was caused tragedy in three months, and mation about his mother. minutes after the fire began, and COVID-19 variant show a photo of his 17-year-old when an oxygen tank exploded. the country’s president on “I want my mother... even if that it took more than an hour boy, whose remains are among The report noted that the Tuesday blamed corruption for only one bone is left, I want it,” for firefighters or ambulances without lockdown the charred bodies that have yet hospital had been built with both. In April, a similar explosion he said. Khalil, who had been to arrive, with tuk-tuks being to be identified. lightweight panels separating at a Baghdad COVID-19 hospital visiting his mother at the time used to evacuate patients and AP — JERUSALEM Kareem buried his wife yes- the wards, making the fire killed at least 82. of the blaze, described chaotic the wounded. “I buried two terday in the holy city of Najaf spread faster, and the hospital Many Iraqis are furious with scenes and a stampede as the members of my family — my Israeli Prime Minister Naftali before returning to his lacked enough emergency exits a ruling establishment that has fire spread and people trying to mother and sister—and my Bennett said yesterday that the hometown of Shatra where, which caused higher allowed corruption to spread flee encountered locked doors. niece’s body is still missing. I country can beat a concerning dressed in black, he received casualties. while millions of people live in “When the fire started they hold the government fully rise in new coronavirus cases mourners at a mosque. A Health Ministry statement poverty despite the country’s told us to stay beside our responsible - the prime min- without a nationwide shutdown, “The government bears full yesterday put the death toll at vast oil wealth. The results of a patients... they told us ‘if you ister, the interior and health but that depends in part on responsibility for the death of 60, including 21 unidentified government investigation leave you’ll die’,” he said. ministers bear all people wearing masks indoors my wife and my son. What’s my bodies. It did not say why the would be announced within a “We stayed near patients, responsibility.” to suppress the spread of the highly contagious delta variant. Bennett told reporters at a news conference that he has Ethiopia’s Amhara vows to go on offensive as new phase of civil war looms instructed police to step up enforcement of the mask rule REUTERS — ADDIS ABABA region in the past three weeks marked a shift in rhetoric from defensive to an offensive,” territory administered for with high fines for people who after an abrupt reversal in an Abiy, who had previously Amhara spokesperson decades by Tigrayans. Since Abiy’s violate it. “That’s the fair thing Ethiopia’s Amhara region said eight month war, has vowed to emphasised a unilateral Gizachew Muluneh was quoted abrupt withdrawal on June 28, the to do, because it’s wrong to yesterday it will go on the retake western Tigray, an ceasefire that the TPLF mocked as saying by the region’s state- TPLF has pushed steadily out- have people who are lazy and offensive against forces from expanse of fertile territory con- as “a joke” designed to justify run Amhara Media Corporation. wards, recapturing most of Tigray. hurt the rest of the public,” the neighbouring Tigray region, trolled by Amhara forces who his forces’ retreat. A spokesman “Amhara militia and special Its forces retook Alamata, the main Bennett said. A national as advancing Tigrayans bear seized it during the conflict. for the Amhara regional gov- forces have been systematically town in the south, on Monday and shutdown, he said, was “a last down on Amhara-held territory, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, ernment said the authorities trying to defend but now our pushed across the deep ravine of resort,” a reflection of the gov- potentially opening a major new who abruptly pulled central there were rallying their own patience has run out and as of the Tekeze River to take Mai Tsebri ernment’s effort to keep phase in Ethiopia’s civil war. government troops out of most forces for a counter-attack today we have opened an from Amhara control on Israel’s economy strong. The Tigray People’s Liber- of Tigray last month, said on against Tigrayans. offensive attack.” Tuesday. But a tougher fight “Stop shaking hands,” he ation Front (TPLF), which has Tuesday he was still determined “The regional government He did not respond to could loom for western Tigray, advised Israelis, suggesting an recaptured most of its home to repel any TPLF threat. That has now transitioned from requests for further comment. which the Amhara consider a elbow bump instead. He also On Tuesday the National reclaimed part of their own his- urged Israelis not to travel Movement of Amhara, a major toric homeland and have vowed abroad as the delta variant regional political party, called to occupy permanently. spreads in Europe and else- on irregular volunteer militia - Abiy’s more forceful where. Bennett spoke as new known as Fano - to mobilise. remarks in a statement on daily infections in Israel Western Tigray has long been Tuesday suggested his gov- climbed to more than 700 yes- home to large populations of both ernment was abandoning its terday. That’s despite one of Tigrayans and Amahara, and three-week-old emphasis on the world’s fastest inoculation renewed fighting between two of its ceasefire declaration, pro- campaigns. Ethiopia’s biggest ethnic groups claimed as government troops More than 5.7 million over the territory could drive abandoned regional capital people of Israel’s population another wave of refugees from a Mekelle to the advancing TPLF. of 9.3 million have been vac- conflict that has already forced 2 “The ceasefire could not cinated at least once. Some 5.2 million from their homes. bear the desired fruits,” he said. million people have received When Abiy sent troops to “The TPLF...poses a great two doses. Israel has a standing fight the TPLF last year, Amhara danger to the sovereignty of the mask-wearing mandate for militia fought on the central country. The federal gov- people gathering indoors, but government’s side, using the ernment, through mobilising adherence is poor —even on opportunity to take control of the people of Ethiopia, is deter- public transit and in hospitals a swathe of mined to curb this threat.” — and enforcement is lax. THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07 Turkey vows to continue fighting FETO terrorism ANADOLU — ANKARA "Just as we carry out our fight against other terrorist groups defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in without compromise and with determination, we will follow which 251 people were killed and Turkey’s fight against the Fetullah 2,734 injured. Terrorist Organization (FETO) will FETO until its last member is neutralized," President Recep Ankara also accuses FETO of continue with determination, the Tayyip Erdogan told his Justice and Development (AK) Party's being behind a long-running cam- country’s President said yesterday, paign to overthrow the state on the eve of the fifth anniversary parliamentary group. July 15, the day of the defeated coup, is through the infiltration of Turkish of FETO’s deadly defeated coup now marked as Democracy and National Unity Day, with institutions, particularly the mil- against the Turkish government on itary, police, and judiciary. July 15, 2016. commemorations of that fateful day set to be held across Turkey. Erdogan also praised his Peo- “Just as we carry out our fight ple’s Alliance ally, the Nationalist against other terrorist groups without to be held across Turkey. Turkey has the power, will, and determi- Movement Party (MHP), for their compromise and with determination, will not turn a blind eye to those nation “to find and destroy all kinds support in fighting terrorist groups. we will follow FETO until its last who exploit the nation under the of threats to the integrity of its He stressed that the People’s member is neutralized,” President guise of religion, said Erdogan, homeland, the unity of its nation, Alliance is the “only political Recep Tayyip Erdogan (pictured), adding: “Let this be known.” and the survival of its state …no structure” whose “aim is to leave a told his Justice and Development (AK) While infiltrating and under- matter where they are in the world, great and strong Turkey to the Party’s parliamentary group. mining the Turkish government and whether they are made by using nation, the state, and their July 15, the day of the defeated other governments, FETO has terrorist groups or brought before children.” coup, is now marked as Democracy cloaked itself in the facade of a reli- them using other tricks.” The alliance of the two parties and National Unity Day, with com- gious or educational organization. FETO and its US-based leader was forged ahead of the June 2018 memorations of that fateful day set Erdogan also noted that Turkey Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the general elections. Iran signals nuclear escalation as negotiations handed to Raisi

BLOOMBERG — TEHRAN this week that Iran was in an interview last month. unlikely to return to negotia- As little as 10 to 15 kilo- Iranian leaders conceded they tions aimed at restoring the grams of highly-enriched won’t secure the revival of a landmark accord — which all uranium could be used to man- nuclear agreement with world but collapsed after then US ufacture a crude nuclear powers during their last few President Donald Trump uni- weapon, according to estimates weeks in office, and signaled laterally withdrew in 2018— published by the Federation of that they’re leaving behind an until mid-August, after Raisi American Scientists. atomic program poised on the enters office. Iran has always main- threshold of what’s required for The talks are being closely tained that its nuclear a weapon. watched by energy markets program is for civilian uses but President-elect Ebrahim anticipating a surge in Iranian concern in Western capitals Raisi, an ultraconservative oil and gas exports if sanctions and Israel over the potential cleric, will have to conclude on the country’s sales are for bomb-making helped talks aimed at reviving the 2015 lifted. prompt the 2015 deal. agreement that lifted US sanc- Iran has almost tripled its Rouhani appeared to blame tions in exchange for nuclear stockpile of uranium enriched Iran’s conservative-dominated Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun meets with Prime Minister-Designate Saad Al Hariri at the Presidential caps, the outgoing president, to 60% to 8.9kg (19.6 pounds) parliament for his failure to Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, yesterday. Hassan Rouhani, said yes- from 2.4kg verified by inter- revive the accord after the terday at one of his final national inspectors in a June assembly passed a law late last cabinet meetings. Hours later, report, according to a tweet year triggering a rapid Hariri presents cabinet proposal to President his foreign minister, by Zarif, which advised US expansion in Iranian nuclear Mohammad Javad Zarif, President Joe Biden to “look activity. REUTERS — BEIRUT truth,” Hariri, who has been at The political deadlock has tweeted a chart indicating that closely” at Iran’s most-recent He said US sanctions loggerheads with Aoun over the deepened the financial crisis, Iran’s stockpile of highly- nuclear capacity and stockpile would’ve been lifted by March, Lebanon’s prime minister- naming of ministers since his dubbed by the World bank as enriched uranium has almost figures. if the bill hadn’t been designate Saad Al Hariri said designation in October, told one of the deepest depressions tripled since June. That level of uranium introduced. yesterday he had presented a reporters after the meeting. of modern history. “The table has been set,” enrichment is technically “They snatched the oppor- cabinet proposal to President Lebanon has been without “For me this government said Rouhani, who leaves office indistinguishable from the tunity from the hands” of the Michel Aoun and is awaiting his a government since the last one can start to rescue the country on August\. 3. “We hope, God material needed to make government, he said in the response today, in a move that resigned in the aftermath of the and stop the collapse,” Hariri willing, that the 13th gov- nuclear weapons, Interna- comments shown on state TV. could end almost nine months Aug. 4 Beirut port blast that said. ernment can complete the tional Atomic Energy Agency “Four, five, six months of of political deadlock amid an killed hundreds, injured thou- The cabinet proposal is for work.” Director General Rafael opportunities have been lost, economic collapse. sands and destroyed large 24 specialist ministers in line Diplomats told Bloomberg Mariano Grossi told Bloomberg which we sorely regret.” “Now is the moment of swathes of the city. with a French initiative. IN BRIEF Unrest continues in parts of South Africa Lebanon President says no one AP — JOHANNESBURG is protected in Beirut port probe Rioting continued in parts of BEIRUT: Lebanon’s president said yesterday there would be no South Africa yesterday, in political cover for anyone implicated in last year’s massive unrest sparked by the impris- explosion at the Beirut port, speaking a day after protests erupted onment last week of ex-Pres- over the handling of the investigation. The blast on Aug. 4 was ident Jacob Zuma that has caused by the ignition of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, spiraled into days of looting in a highly explosive fertilizer that had been stored for years at the two of the country’s nine prov- port with the knowledge of top government officials. It still is not inces. clear what exactly caused the explosion, and an investigation by South Africa’s police say 72 a state-appointed judge has been riddled by charges of political people have been killed and interference. The first investigator, who charged senior officials 1,234 have been arrested in with negligence, was removed from the case -AP waves of rioting that have hit the KwaZulu-Natal and Iran says US claim of kidnapping Gauteng provinces. Many of the deaths were caused by plot is ‘baseless, ridiculous’ chaotic stampedes as thou- sands of people stole food, DUBAI: Iran rejected as “ridiculous and baseless” the United States’ electric appliances, liquor and claim of Tehran’s involvement in plotting to kidnap a New York jour- clothing from stores, police nalist and human rights activist who was critical of the Islamic Maj. Gen. Mathapelo Peters Republic, Iranian state media reported yesterday. “This new claim said in a statement. Members of a private security walk at a looted shopping mall as the country deploys army to quell by the US government... is so baseless and ridiculous that it is not In eastern Johannesburg, unrest linked to the jailing of South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, in Vosloorus, South Africa, really worth answering,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed some retail centers continued yesterday. Khatibzadeh. A Justice Department indictment showed that US pros- to be under attack Wednesday, ecutors have charged four Iranians, alleged to be intelligence oper- while in Soweto township, caused by the destructive mobs with a court order to testify at a spree of looting in township atives for Tehran, with plotting to kidnap the activist. - Reuters south of the city, police and 24 hours earlier. a state-backed inquiry investi- areas of the two provinces, army units patrolled malls and The violence broke out after gating allegations of corruption although it has not spread to Senegal sees ‘unprecedented’ streets. Community volunteer Zuma began serving a 15-month while he was president from South Africa’s other seven groups have begun cleaning up sentence for contempt of court 2009 to 2018. provinces, where police are on surge in coronavirus cases the broken glass and debris last week for refusing to comply The protest escalated into alert. DAKAR: Senegal is experiencing an “unprecedented” surge in COVID-19 infections, the health ministry said yesterday, after 14 deaths from virus reporting a new daily record of 733 cases. The previous record Aid offers hope as Tunisia struggles was 529 cases recorded on Sunday. Senegal has seen relatively in Saudi, 12 in Oman few coronavirus-related cases and deaths so far. But like many African to cope up with surge in infections countries, it does not have enough doses to vaccinate widely, leaving AGENCIES — RIYADH/MUSCAT it vulnerable to fresh surges. “The situation is unprecedented. We REUTERS — TUNIS nurse at Charles Nicolle, told promised help earlier this have never seen such an increase in cases,” said health ministry Saudi Arabia confirmed 14 new Reuters. “Even the mortuary month. A Qatari field hos- spokesman Mamadou Ndiaye. “Measures must be taken urgently COVID-19 related deaths yesterday, In Charles Nicolle Hospital was full and we could no pital has already arrived and to reverse the trend... We hope that more energetic measures will raising the total number of fatalities to in the Tunisian capital, the longer find a place for them.” this week planes from be taken well ahead of Eid Al Adha,” Ndiaye said. - Reuters 8,020. The Ministry of Health confirmed emergency department is Tunisia recorded 157 Egypt, Algeria, the UAE and 1,226 new cases reported in the filled with patients who are coronavirus deaths on Turkey touched down Explosion strikes unused ammunition Kingdom in the previous 24 hours, sharing oxygen in rooms Tuesday, the highest daily loaded with urgent medical meaning 504,960 people have now and even hallways. death toll since the start of aid and vaccines. dump near Saudi air base contracted the disease. After successfully con- the pandemic. In all, it has Saudi Arabia pledged to Of the total number of cases, 10,929 taining the initial wave of reported around 17,000 send 1 million doses of DUBAI: An explosion yesterday in Saudi Arabia struck what remain active and 1,430 in critical the COVID-19 pandemic last deaths and 500,000 coro- vaccine and important authorities described as an ammunition dump containing “unserv- condition. year, Tunisia is struggling to navirus infections. medical aid and Morocco to iceable munitions.” Videos showed sparks, flames and smoke shooting The Omani Ministry of Health con- cope with a resurgence of “We are suffering, we send 100 intensive care out of a desert location southeast of Riyadh near a major air base. firmed yesterday 1,084 new cases of the virus, with intensive urgently need oxygen, it beds. The blast happened at 5:10 a.m. as the sun rose over the city of Kharj, coronavirus (COVID-19) during the past care wards full and doctors (demand) has exceeded the France said it would Brig. Gen. Turki Al Malki said, according to a report by the state-run 24 hours, bringing the total number of overburdened by a rapid stocks that we have,” said send medical aid and about Saudi Press Agency. He described the blast as an accident. positive COVID-19 cases to 288,138. rise in cases and deaths. Dr Rym Hamed, head of the a million doses of vaccine “Thankfully, no damages or injuries have occurred,” Al Malki The Ministry said that 12 new “Doctors are exhausted, emergency department at to its former colony, while said. “The incident is being monitored by competent authorities.” COVID-19-related deaths were as the number of patients Charles Nicolle. That dis- the United States also Kharj is close to Prince Sultan Air Base, which has some 2,500 reported, bringing the total number of exceeded the capacity of the tress call is now being pledged 500,000 doses of American troops now manning fighter jets and Patriot missile deaths to 3,484. hospital,” Ahmed Ghoul, a answered. Arab countries vaccine. batteries to counter Iran. US. Air Force Capt. -AP 08 VIEWS THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 July 15 coup attempt in Turkey Established in 1996 CHAIRMAN and the people’s victory DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The night the Turkish people chose freedom and democracy DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected] At 10 pm on a Friday, precisely closing down of state organi- five years ago, a failed attempt zations and arrests of demo- of a military coup unfolded in cratic and political leadership. ACTING MANAGING EDITOR full view of the whole world. Those putschists arrested MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED The horrendous violence 650,000 citizens, put 230,000 [email protected] gripped Turkey’s major cities on trial, 517 people were sen- including the capital Ankara tenced to death and 50 were and Istanbul. Each year on this executed. That black chapter DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR day we are reminded of the meant 30,000 people were MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI hundreds of lives lost and dismissed from their work- [email protected] thousands of people wounded places, 14,000 had their citi- as a result of the criminal zenship revoked, 300 people ambition of a few. Yet it’s also were mysteriously killed, 171 a day where the people of were tortured and eventually Turkey came together, setting 30,000 died in exile. But on EDITORIAL aside their political views and this day in 2016, the brave and rushing to the streets. Tens of loyal citizens of the Republic thousands of patriots filled of Turkey continued to come Qatar, Turkey bonds remain strong squares and avenues, valiantly the streets and squares even a stood on bridges and made month after they defeated the SINCE Qatar and Turkey established bilateral relations ultimate sacrifices for their H E DR. M. MUSTAFA GÖKSU coup, to ensure the preser- in 1972, both countries have become close partners freedom and democracy Turkey’s Ambassador to Qatar vation of their achievements. and allies. which gave them their legit- The modern state of Turkey Turkey and Qatar’s relationship dates back to the imate government. The world stands tall on the principles of late 19th century when the Ottoman Empire considered also witnessed the faith and Modern Turkey will never tolerate any the rule of law in absolute adding the Eastern Arabian Peninsula, including modern- passion of Turkish people as military coups, deposition of an contrast of the past where pre- day Qatar, into its vast empire – a claim it gave up in they all became a united force vious coups leaders who 1913 after the fall of the Ottomans. against tyranny. Their words elected government and protect at all sought turmoil by restraining More recently, the strength of this relationship covers still echo today, “Our souls and costs the decisions and achievements anything that resembled the various facets in diplomacy, shared international interest, blood are a sacrifice for law. Today, Turkey emerged economic and trade growth, and global peace and sta- freedom, democracy and of the Turkish people”. stronger after such treach- bility. Turkey’s main export items to Qatar include elec- constitutional legality”. erous attempts and has taken trical and electronic equipment, furniture, construction It was an unprecedented appropriate measures to components, petroleum and mineral oils, milk and dairy national moment as men, treacherous plans in the face of dormant, waiting for a cow- improve its domestic and products. In contrast, Qatar exports raw aluminum, women and children; old and the nations which backed this ardly opportunity, their sinister foreign politics; particularly mineral fuels (LNG), and plastic products. young; critics of the ruling failed coup. It is also worth designs became public through the restructuring of institu- As reiterated by the Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar party and its supporters; noting that the Turkish people their failed coup attempt. The tions including the police and H E Mustafa Goksu, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad nationals and residents all demonstrated their exceptional resilience of the Turkish people the adoption of a presidential Al Thani was the first foreign head of state to call Pres- joined in to declare to those persistence despite the false was a surprise for the military system. ident Recep Tayyip Erdogan to express solidarity in the who conspire against the narrative spewing on domestic coup’s leaders, who in their Today, Turkey is proud to aftermath of Turkey’s abortive coup in 2016. The Ambas- republic that “Modern Turkey and international media. We blind lust for power and be joined by the nations of the sador praised this gesture saying, “Turkey and the will never tolerate any military remember the agenda-driven control, responded brutally world who appreciate freedom Turkish people will never forget Qatar’s strong support,” coups, deposition of an elected media outlets spreading fake with their tanks and vehicles and peace, who take the as they marked five years since the ill-fated coup. government and protect at all news of so-called success of running over unarmed pro- Turkish experience as an “After five years with many challenges, our bilateral costs the decisions and the coup and the false narrative testers. Their barbaric and example and view it with relations have successfully reached an excellent level,” achievements of the Turkish that Turkish leadership fled to chaotic attempt, captured admiration and pride, who Goksu told a press briefing. people”. On this day, a modern escape the attempted coup. The forever on dozens of videos. compare the situation before Another critical element of the Turkey-Qatar rela- Turkey bid farewell to the dark valiant people resisted tank fire Conspirators wanted to and after the prevalence of tionship is that it has been through several challenges reminders of an undemocratic and air bombardment which capitalize on differing political democracy and the progress and has managed to wade through unscathed. After past and the whole nation cost more than 250 innocent opinions and ended up demon- Turkey was able to achieve. the unjust blockade against Qatar in 2017, Turkey swiftly cemented its resolve to a Turks to become martyrs for strating to the world a col- Our achievements also entail mobilized aid to Qatar in Qatar’s time of need. The promising future. The people of their nation and also resulted in lective awareness of the openness in foreign affairs, a Turkish government sent over approximately 4,000 Turkey have learnt from the more than 2,000 civilians Turkish people and the deep- reengagement with Turkey’s tonnes of food supplies to Qatar amidst the crisis to past and remain united to being injured. rooted principles of freedom, regional and international help avert blockade-induced food shortages. During develop a future built on the Faced with a systematic democracy and justice. On this perimeters, active and positive that period, Turkish military presence in Qatar increased foundations of Allah’s media onslaught of Turkey’s day, the maturity, the evolution involvement in local and global to around 3,000 soldiers and military personnel. guidance. Our future shall enemies, a single FaceTime call and shared conscience of the organizations, humane and Turkey’s exports to Qatar increased to $1.1bn in forever be dominated by love, from the Turkish President Turkish people became evident exemplary hosting of refugees 2018 from $650m the previous year. That is, the annual peace, freedom, democracy Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was as even opposition parties con- from neighbouring countries; increase was 69%. Turkish imports from Qatar increased and preserving human rights. enough to shatter the dreams demned all anti-democratic And all this has bequeathed by 27%, from $264m to $335m, during the same period. That’s been possible through of the conspirators. The whole attempts of removing a demo- Turkey with the respect and The amount of total Turkish investments in Qatar are righteous principles and the world watched in awe as the cratically elected government. acknowledgement from coun- worth $17bn, and they have increased further during the astute will of the people to call ignited the passion of the Together, these parties stood tries and peoples all over the preparations for the football World Cup in 2022. Mean- strengthen our democratic entire population to gather in under the dome of the Turkish world. while, Qatari investments in Turkey have reached $22bn. establishments and play their huge crowds to protect the Par- Parliament, united against As Turks living abroad, we At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar signed a role to create a better world. liament building, the Ministry coup leaders who decided to proudly greet the Turkish $15bn swap agreement in mid-2020, which extended a The vision is a global village of of National Defense in Ankara, cowardly retaliate against the people on this anniversary, a further helping hand to lighten Turkish economic burdens. humanity which stands against Atatürk International Airport in representatives of the Turkish day commemorating freedom, The increasingly close cooperation between Turkey terrorism, oppression, injustice Istanbul and Public Security people by shelling the Par- democracy and human rights. and Qatar is rooted in mutual interests. Both parties and does not tolerate any form Directorates in several cities. liament - a horrendous, anti- Greetings to the representa- continue to explore new opportunities for collaboration, of colonization or invasion of The president’s rallying appeal democratic crime with no par- tives of the Turkish people, coordination, and increasing the joint workspaces that one’s land to exploit its wealth to his people asking them to allels in modern Turkish whose resolute model of would contribute to achieving stability and prosperity. and resources. back the democracy of their history. awareness, wise leadership The people of Turkey, once country effectively defeated This unity of the Turkish and steadfastness to sacrifice again, proved to the world how military, forcing them into parties withered the everything to stand for and morals and ethics are etched in rapid retreat and brought about putschists’ efforts and the protect the principles of their collective way of thinking. the failure of the plans of the Turkish people’s heroic sacri- democracy entrusted upon D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR We are reminded of that coup’s conspirators. fices forced them to surrender them through the votes of the The coup leaders led by to police forces by the very Turkish people. This is a day EMAIL: [email protected] special moment when the Turkish people stood at the Fethullah Gülen’s movement next day. The plans of the which reminds us of what they Bosphorus Bridge (a prominent (which had previously claimed putschists backfired as Turkey have demonstrated in their EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 to emphasize on knowledge, launched a campaign to bring positions as independent FAX: +974 4455 7758 landmark of Istanbul’s progress and connectivity) with their education, religious principles, justice by arresting all those administrations, representing MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 fists clenched and chests held cultural advancement and who were involved or con- the dignity of a free people high. The youth and the elderly openness) did not last for long spired to take part in the coup. through their upright character, DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 using bare hands against the when they tried to terrorize The Bosphorus Bridge wit- bold decisions and a deter- armoured tanks and military Turkey’s proud masses into nessed both the criminality of mined outlook to chart out LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 aircrafts of the putschists. submission. In their failed the putschists and the courage their own destiny. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 Unfaltering resolve, staring attempt at dividing the people of the Turkish people. The Again on the 5th anni- down the danger they were in, of Turkey, they even used two people’s government renamed versary of this important day SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 the people stood their ground F-16 fighter jets to break the it as the “Martyrs’ Bridge” to in Turkey`s history of and defeated a complicated sound barrier and flew them forever commemorate the democracy, we would like to ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 conspiracy against their nation. numerous times above the heroes who sacrificed their thank the Amir of Qatar, H H email: [email protected] It happened because they crowds and near Atatürk Inter- lives for their nation’s freedom Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al and ensured our democracy’s Thani, who was the first to PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 firmly believed that if the national Airport. Each time the email: [email protected] putschists get away with a mil- fighter jets flew overhead, the survival with their blood. reach out to President Recep itary coup, it would eventually streets roared with the unified Although the crime was Tayyip Erdoğan on the night MARKETING: TEL: 4455 7657 destroy all of the hard-earned voice of the crowds chanting: new but the brutality of the of the failed coup attempt email: [email protected] achievements of the Turkish “Allahu Akbar” – God Is Great!. coup against peaceful Turkish and immediately provided people’s in all spheres of life. For decades, Fethullah protesters was not new. In full support from the State of ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 857 Defending their principles and Gülen used to repeat: “I seek 1980, the military coup was Qatar to the Turkish gov- FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] accomplishments in economic, refuge in Allah from Satan and led by the Chief of the General ernment and its people. His CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 social, cultural, industrial and politics” while members of his Staff General Kenan Evren, leadership, nobility and email: [email protected] military arenas; it was average, movement secretly infiltrated was orchestrated by sus- humanity will forever be part ordinary, unarmed Turkish the state apparatus including pending the constitution, of the history and brotherly SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 people who decisively defeated the judiciary, the army, the removal of the government, relationship between the two FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected] the putschists and threw the police and academia. Lying dismissal of the parliament, great nations.

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Yes, it is hard. But it's also an obligation, because if we renounce our obligation to help humanity, live /Peninsula_Qatar within planetary boundaries, we would fail, not just ourselves, but we would fail our children and our /ThePeninsulaNewspaper grandchildren. +974 6698 6188 Frans Timmermans, EU Climate Policy Chief THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 ASIA 09

Vietnam to tighten Indonesia reports grip on social media livestream more than 54,500 activity REUTERS — HANOI new virus cases Vietnam’s government is seeking to increase scrutiny of Officials fear that the more highly livestream content on social transmissible Delta variant is now spreading media such as Facebook and Google, in its latest move to from the islands of Java and Bali, where rein in online activities it outbreaks prompted a partial lockdown. deems to be anti-state. According to a draft decree by the information and com- AP — JAKARTA They should be twice as munications ministry, cross- stringent since we are facing the border social media platforms Indonesia reported more than delta variant, which is two times operating in Vietnam must 54,000 new coronavirus cases more contagious.” provide contact information for the first time yesterday, The Health Ministry of account operators with surpassing recent daily infec- reported 54,517 new cases and more than 10,000 followers tions in India, whose disastrous 991 deaths yesterday, bringing or subscribers. outbreak is declining, and the number of confirmed cases The ministry estimates the Workers prepare oxygen cylinders at a warehouse of a government-run hospital amid the surge of becoming Asia’s new virus since the pandemic began top 10 Vietnamese social media coronavirus disease, in Jakarta yesterday. hotspot. above 2.6 million and the platforms have about 80 million Officials fear that the more number of confirmed fatalities users combined, while foreign highly transmissible Delta to more than 69,000. Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the gov- trated,” Sadikin said. in the middle of the night.” competitors are dominant, with variant is now spreading from A month ago, daily cases ernment has identified the spread With the increase in deaths The government is strug- Facebook’s 65 million users, the islands of Java and Bali, were running at about 8,000. of the Delta variant in some over the past month, some res- gling to acquire enough vac- YouTube’s 60 million users and where outbreaks prompted a Reported daily cases in regions outside Java and Bali. idents near Jakarta have begun cines to reach its target of inoc- TikTok’s 20 million. partial lockdown that closed Indonesia are now higher than He told lawmakers on helping overburdened ulating more than 181 million of “These platforms have not places of worship, malls, parks in India, despite Indonesia Tuesday that across the country, gravediggers. its 270 million people by March fully abided by Vietnamese and restaurants. having far less testing by more than 90,000 of the “As the diggers are too tired 2022. So far, only 15.6 million laws,” the ministry said. “I predict the outbreak will population. 120,000 hospital beds for and do not have enough people have been fully “A lot of content posted increase continuously in July as India reported fewer than COVID-19 patients are resources to dig, the residents vaccinated. there is disinformation, we are not able yet to prevent 39,000 cases yesterday, far below occupied. in my neighborhood decided to So far, the world’s fourth- causing instability and frus- the spread of infections,” epide- its peak of more than 400,000 “Nationally, we still have help,” said Jaya Abidin, who most populous country has tration in the society and ine- miology expert Pandu Riono at daily cases in May, following lock- some room. But the bed occu- lives in Bogor on the outskirts secured 137.6 million doses of quality between domestic and the University of Indonesia said downs in its worst-hit areas and pancy rate is very high in some of the capital. “Because if we do Sinovac, AstraZeneca and foreign companies.” yesterday. “Emergency social a stepped-up vaccination drive. provinces where the explosion not do this, we will have to wait Moderna vaccines, enough for Facebook and TikTok had restrictions are still inadequate. Indonesian Health Minister of the delta variant is concen- in turn a long time for a burial about 69 million people. no immediate comment when contacted, while Google did not immediately respond. The ministry said people US urges Asean to press for return to democracy in Myanmar were increasingly using plat- forms like Facebook, Twitter, AP — MANILA “unlawful” territorial claims in and the release of all those changed from a political crisis five-point document called for YouTube and TikTok to deliver the South China Sea and unjustly detained,” Price said in to a “multi-dimensional human an immediate end to violence their own news or provide US Secretary of State Antony stressed that Washington stands a statement, using the former rights catastrophe”, adding that and the start of a dialogue false information. Blinken asked his Southeast with nations at odds with name for Myanmar. nearly 900 people have been among contending parties with The draft has yet to be Asian counterparts yesterday Beijing in the sea disputes. The US and European killed and 200,000 forced to a special Asean envoy medi- approved and requires social to press for an end to violence Blinken’s meeting with the nations have been the most flee their homes because of mil- ating in the talks. media providers to block or in Myanmar, its return to 10-nation bloc also addressed the vocal opponents of the military itary raids. The World Food Philippine Foreign Sec- remove flagged content within democracy and the release of coronavirus pandemic, State takeover that ousted Aung San Program has estimated that retary Teodoro Locsin Jr. 24 hours upon “justified” requests all political prisoners in a video Department spokesman Ned Price Suu Kyi’s elected government more than 6 million people are pressed for the restoration of by Vietnamese individuals and conference attended by the said, as surging infections fill hos- in February. Suu Kyi was in severe need of food aid, she the political conditions before affected organisations. military-led nation’s top pitals and morgues and further arrested and detained with top said. the February 1 military “Virtually every country diplomat. devastate Southeast Asian states’ members of her National Blinken urged Asean to take takeover, but lamented that “So that has adopted laws relating In the meeting with foreign once-bustling economies. League for Democracy party, immediate action “to hold the far, nothing’s happened.” to online content has jeop- ministers from the Association Blinken “called on Asean to including President Win Myint. Burmese regime accountable” Although highly contentious ardised human rights in doing of Southeast Asian Nations, take joint action to urge the end Last week, UN human rights to a consensus forged in April issues were raised, the two- so,” said Peggy Hicks, Director Blinken also underscored the of violence, the restoration of chief Michelle Bachelet said the by the bloc’s heads of state with hour meeting was “very civil”, of Thematic Engagement at the US rejection of China’s Burma’s democratic transition rights situation in Myanmar has Myanmar’s military leader. The a Southeast Asian diplomat said. UN human rights office. Australia extends Sydney lockdown as cases near 900 IN BRIEF Malaysia: Cabinet ministers pledge REUTERS — SYDNEY support to PM Muhyiddin Australian authorities extended a lockdown in Sydney yesterday KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian cabinet ministers yesterday unan- by at least 14 days after three imously pledged support for Muhyiddin Yassin to continue as the weeks of initial restrictions nation’s prime minister. failed to stamp out the biggest The backing comes a week after the United Malays National outbreak of COVID-19 this year Organisation, the largest party in the ruling coalition, retracted in the country’s largest city. support for Muhyiddin and demand he step down for failing to New South Wales state control the worsening COVID-19 situation, calling for a new leader Premier Gladys Berejiklian said to take over until fresh elections can be held. restrictions would remain in Still, the cabinet ministers, including those from UMNO, rallied place until at least July 30 after around Muhyiddin and in a statement said the priority is to ensure reporting 97 new locally trans- the success of the National Recovery Plan, aimed at controlling mitted cases, a slight increase the pandemic and boosting economic growth by gradually lifting from a day earlier. “It always movement restrictions. - Bloomberg hurts to say this, but we need to extend the lockdown at least a US sending over 1.5 million doses further two weeks,” Berejiklian said in Sydney yesterday. of Moderna vaccine to Sri Lanka “We want to get out of this lockdown as soon as we can WASHINGTON: The US was sending more than 1.5 million doses and that is why we have the set- of Moderna Inc’s coronavirus vaccine to Sri Lanka yesterday, the tings in place that we have.” latest shipment as President Joe Biden begins sharing the American People wait in line outside a COVID-19 vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park, in Sydney yesterday. Since the first case of the stockpile of shots. outbreak was detected near the The doses will arrive in Sri Lanka on Friday and are being sent famous Bondi Beach in mid- country this year. close to zero. Many non-essential busi- through Covax, the global vaccine procurement initiative intended June, the shutdown has been Berejiklian has repeatedly said Of the 97 new cases, 24 nesses are closed, and most to secure inoculations for low- and middle-income nations, extended twice. Total infections that the lockdown, in effect since people were infectious in the school students are staying according to a White House statement. across the harbour city of 5 June 26, will only be lifted when community, meaning authorities home, with residents only Biden’s administration has pledged to ship at least 80 million million now stand at just under the number of newly reported expect more cases of the highly allowed outside their homes for doses — a mix of Moderna, Pfizer Inc and Johnson & Johnson vac- 900 and two deaths have been cases that were circulating in the contagious Delta variant to come essential activities and some cines — out of the country this summer. The US has sent them bit reported, the first for the community while infectious were to light in the coming days. exercise. by bit as arrangements and transportation logistics fall into place. He had planned to send 80 million by the end of June, but missed that target. Series of quakes The administration has separately ordered 500 million doses Thailand preparing to limit exports of Pfizer’s vaccine to donate abroad, beginning next month. The in Taiwan causes president has escalated international assistance on vaccinations some damage of its AstraZeneca vaccine doses as demand within the US fades. -Bloomberg Australian prosecutors drop ‘needles in AP — TAIPEI AP — BANGKOK to obtain supplies elsewhere. despite having no experience in Dr. Nakorn Premsri, manufacturing vaccines. strawberries’ charge against woman A series of more than 20 earth- Health authorities in Thailand director of the National Vaccine Several countries have quakes struck the east coast of said yesterday they will seek to Institute, said its vaccine com- reported being told by Siam CANBERRA: An Australian court yesterday ordered the release of Taiwan yesterday morning, impose limits on exports of mittee agreed in principle to BioScience that they would not a woman accused of sparking a major food scare by contami- causing some damage. The locally produced AstraZeneca issue an order temporarily lim- receive the contracted vaccines nating strawberries with sewing needles in 2018 after prosecutors Central Weather Bureau coronavirus vaccine because iting exports, but did not give on time, lending weight to spec- said charges would be dropped. reported 22 quakes over two the country doesn’t have any details. The order would be ulation that the Thai factory The strawberry industry, worth A$160m ($119.4m), was rocked hours starting at 6.52am. enough for its own needs. issued by designating it a matter was having production in September 2018 after nearly 200 complaints of sewing needles The first was the largest with The proposal comes as new of national security. problems. Nakorn said yes- found in strawberries and other fruits. a magnitude of 5.2 and struck at cases and deaths are rapidly A company owned by Thai- terday that AstraZeneca is sup- Several major supermarkets withdrew the fruit as shoppers a relatively shallow depth of increasing along with the spread land’s king, Siam BioScience, posed to deliver at least one- abandoned purchases, forcing some growers to dump fruit amid 5.9km. The others ranged from of the more contagious delta was supposed to supply the third of its monthly production warnings of widespread bankruptcies. magnitude 3.0 to 5.0. variant of the virus, straining country with 10 million doses of at the Thai facility to Thailand’s My Ut Trinh, a former worker at a farm in Queensland, was A photo posted on the hospital facilities and threat- AstraZeneva vaccine a month, government. within weeks charged with seven counts of contamination of Taiwan Apple Daily news ening to set back a recovery of but acknowledged earlier this Thailand launched a mass goods with intent to cause economic loss. website showed the remains of the country’s battered economy. month that it can provide only vaccination campaign only in But after two days of hearings at the start of her trial, prose- a second floor wall above a Limiting exports will pose a 5 million to 6 million doses. early June, and critics accuse cutors said they would not proceed with the case against Trinh. storefront that had fallen to the problem for Southeast Asian Siam BioScience was the government of Prime Min- They did not give a reason. street and crumbled. The countries that have signed con- awarded a licence by AstraZeneca ister Prayuth Chan-ocha of “The prosecution have indicated that they will no longer quakes were in Hualien County tracts to buy Thai-produced vac- to be a regional production hub failing to secure adequate and proceed against you with these charges,” said residing Justice around the island’s east coast. cines, though some may be able supplying eight other countries timely supplies of vaccines. Michael Byrne. -Reuters 10 ASIA / EUROPE THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 Taliban seize border crossing with Pakistan in major advance REUTERS — KABUL A Pakistani official said fighters had taken down the Taliban fighters in Afghanistan Afghan government flag from atop the Friendship said yesterday they had taken Gate at the border crossing between the Pakistani control of one of the main border town of Chaman and the Afghan town of Wesh. crossings with Pakistan, perhaps the most strategic objective they have captured so far in a rapid “Wesh, which has great earning. advance across the country as US importance in Afghan trade President Ashraf Ghani forces pull out. with Pakistan and other coun- travelled to northern province A Pakistani official said tries, has been captured by the of Balkh on Tuesday to assess fighters had taken down the Taliban,” said a Pakistani security after the Taliban Afghan government flag from security official deployed at the pushed government forces out atop the Friendship Gate at the border area. of several districts there. border crossing between the Officials in Chaman said Ghani, 72, met civilians and Pakistani town of Chaman and the Taliban had suspended all assured them that “the Taliban’s the Afghan town of Wesh. travel through the gate. backbone will be broken” and The crossing, south of “The mujahideen have cap- government forces would soon Afghanistan’s main southern tured an important border town retake all of the areas lost to the city Kandahar, is the landlocked called Wesh,” Taliban spokes- militants, the Tolo News Retired police officers attempt to storm the parliament building during a rally to demand an increase country’s second busiest entry person Zabihullah Mujahid said network reported. in their pensions, in Kiev, yesterday. point and the main link in a statement. Separately, Vice President between its vast southwest and The Taliban, fighting to expel Amrullah Saleh said on Twitter Pakistani ports. Afghan gov- foreign forces and defeat the US- that the Taliban were forcing ernment data show it is used by backed government in Kabul members of a small ethnic Retired police officers protest in Ukraine’s capital 900 trucks a day. since they were ousted in 2001, minority to either convert to The takeover forced have in recent days seized other Islam or leave their homes in AP — KIEV The demonstrators later Avakov, 57, has been widely Pakistan to seal parts of its major border crossings, in Herat, the northern province of Bada- blocked two streets near the viewed as one of the most influ- border with Afghanistan after Farah and Kunduz provinces in khshan. “These are minority A crowd of retired police parliament and the government ential Cabinet members in heavy fighting between Taliban the north and west. Kerghiz who lived there for officers tried to storm Ukraine’s buildings in the center of Kyiv, Ukraine. He has served as and Afghan forces around Control of border posts centuries... They are now in parliament yesterday and paralyzing traffic. interior minister in four different Wesh. Afghan officials said gov- allows the Taliban to collect Tajikistan awaiting their fate,” blocked several streets in the The demonstration of about governments and under two ernment forces had pushed revenue, said Shafiqullah Attai, he said. capital, Kiev, during a protest a thousand people took place the presidents, holding on to the post back the Taliban fighters and chairman of the Afghanistan A Taliban spokesman was demanding higher pensions. day after Ukraine’s longtime despite frequent government were in control of the Spin Chamber of Commerce and not immediately available for Former police officers interior minister, Arsen Avakov, reshuffles and numerous cor- Boldak border district in Kan- Investment in the capital, comment but the U.N. mission rammed through a metal barrier submitted his resignation without ruption allegations. dahar province. But civilians Kabul. “Income has started to in Afghanistan said it was fencing off the parliament and disclosing the reasons behind the Parliament must accept his and Pakistani officials said the go to the Taliban,” Attai told increasingly concerned about tried to access the building’s decision to step down. The resignation for it to take effect, Taliban controlled the Wesh Reuters, though he could not reports of rights abuses as the entrances. Officers used tear gas interior minister is responsible and lawmakers may consider border posts. say how much they were fighting spreads. to deter the protesters. for law enforcement in Ukraine. it today. IN BRIEF South Korea tightens social distancing rules as cases soar 4 Georgian TV stations REUTERS —SEOUL Agency (KDCA) said. which include a ban on gath- of serious sickness because rocketed like now.” go off air in protest Prime Minister Kim Boo- erings of more than two people many older and more vul- KDCA chief Jeong Eun- South Korea tightened social kyum said from today the gov- after 6 pm, were imposed on nerable people are now vacci- kyeong apologised yesterday over journalist’s death distancing rules across most of ernment would tighten dis- Monday in the greater Seoul nated, despite recent shortages after a planned rollout of vac- the country yesterday to tackle tancing rules across most of the area. For much of the pandemic of vaccine supplies slowing the cines for people aged 55-59 was TBILISI:Four television its worst-ever outbreak of coro- country, with the exception of South Korea has been one of the campaign. halted for a week after the rush channels in Georgia went off navirus a day after new cases some southern regions, to Level world’s coronavirus success The number of people of people trying to get a shot the air yesterday in protest at soared to a new daily peak of 2 on a four-level scale. stories with a largely effective getting a shot has slipped to crashed a government-run res- the death of a cameraman who 1,615. Under Level 2, gatherings campaign to trace and smother some 30,000 a day from more ervation website. was beaten up during violence The latest daily tally easily of more than eight people are clusters of infection. than 850,000 a day in early Jeong said the government against activists, and surpassed the previous record of banned, and restaurants and The recent outbreaks have June, KDCA data showed. Just had ordered sufficient supplies demanded the prime minister’s 1,378 set last Friday, adding to clubs must close by midnight. tarnished that image and 30.6% of the 52 million popu- of vaccines but the scheduling resignation. Hundreds of growing worries centred on the “The average numbers of shaken public confidence but lation have received at least one of some shipments over coming people took to the streets of the rapid spread of the more conta- new cases from regions outside nevertheless, South Korea’s dose of vaccine. weeks had not been finalised. former Soviet republic’s capital, gious Delta variant and a slowing the Seoul metropolitan area have case numbers are much lower “I wish the government had From today, all schools in Tbilisi, on Sunday to demand vaccination campaign. Clusters more than doubled from last than those of many other coun- secured more vaccines and the greater Seoul area will punishment for those respon- of infections have sprung up week,” Kim told an intra-agency tries at 171,911 infections in all begun inoculation earlier,” said switch to online classes until sible for Alexander Lashkarava’s quickly around the capital Seoul COVID-19 meeting, adding and 2,048 deaths, KDCA data Oh Ji-won, a 35-year-old res- July 25, and private educational death. He was found dead at his and neighbouring areas fuelled further curbs would be enforced showed. ident of Seoul. “It’s regrettable. institutes are required to close home by his mother after being by the Delta variant, the Korea in some high-risk areas. The latest infections have If they had done so, the daily by 10 pm, the education min- hurt when groups opposed to a Disease Control and Prevention The toughest Level 4 curbs, brought fewer deaths and cases counts might not have sky- istry said. planned march ransacked thecampaign office last week, his employers at TV Pirveli 9 Chinese among 13 dead said. -Reuters Swedish court hands in Pakistan bus explosion life sentence to Afghan STOCKHOLM: An Afghan REUTERS — PESHAWAR/BEIJING thorough investigation and pro- refugee was sentenced to life tection of its personnel and in prison by a Swedish court A blast on a bus killed 13 people projects. Pakistan’s foreign yesterday for a stabbing spree in north Pakistan yesterday, ministry said a mechanical in March that left seven victims including nine Chinese nationals failure caused a gas leak which hospitalised. The man carried in what Beijing said was a bomb led to the explosion. out the attacks on March 3 in attack but Islamabad called a However, the province’s the small town of Vetlanda, in vehicle failure. top police official, Inspector southern Sweden, stabbing Two Pakistani soldiers were General Moazzam Jah Ansari, seven people before being shot also among the dead after the earlier told Reuters foul play and taken into custody by explosion sent the bus over a was suspected. “Looks like sab- police. Police initially inves- ravine, local government and otage,” he said. tigated possible terror motives police sources told Reuters. A senior administrative but the man was only charged Chinese engineers and officer of the Hazara region, who for attempted murder. The Pakistani construction workers asked not to be named, said the man had suffered from mental People gather near an ambulance outside a hospital in Dasu, after a bus with Chinese nationals on have for several years been bus was carrying more than 30 illness at the time of the attack, board plunged into a ravine in Upper Kohistan in Pakistan yesterday, following a blast. working on hydroelectric Chinese engineers to the Dasu but was not judged unfit to projects as part of Beijing’s Belt dam in Upper Kohistan. stand trial. -Reuters and Road Initiative in the The Dasu hydroelectric in Global Times, a Chinese waged an insurgency against including Chinese engineers, to western province of Khyber- project is part of the China- tabloid run by the ruling Com- authorities in a state where a hospital in Dasu, about 10km Amnesty says Greece Paktunkhwa, where the blast Pakistan Economic Corridor munist Party’s official People’s China develops mines and a from the blast site, authorities occurred. (CPEC), a $65bn investment Daily, calling it the most serious port. The separatists have also said. police using pandemic China’s embassy in Pakistan plan aiming to link western attack on Chinese nationals in attacked the Chinese consulate “Police and the bomb dis- to crush protests confirmed that nine of its China to the southern Pakistani recent years. in the southern city of Karachi. posal squad are at the site,” nationals died. Terming the port of Gwadar. Chinese working in Pakistan Additionally, Islamist militants added regional official Arif ATHENS: Amnesty Interna- explosion a bomb attack but not “This is clearly an act of ter- have been attacked previously, have also previously targeted Khan Yousufzai outside the tional accused Greek police of giving more details, the Chinese rorism that has been carefully particularly in the south- Chinese nationals. hospital, adding that an inves- using the COVID-19 pandemic foreign ministry offered con- planned and was supported by western province of Balochistan Using an air ambulance, tigation was awaited to as an excuse to impose blanket dolences and urged both a information,” said an editorial where separatist militants have rescuers took the injured, ascertain details. bans on protests and apply excessive force to crush peaceful demonstrations. Street protests are common Hong Kong book fair sees self-censorship and fewer books in Greece, and several have taken place in recent months on AP — HONG KONG their books carefully to avoid about 2014 pro-democracy Some books published by Chinese Communist Party and issues ranging from a new violating the national security demonstrations that became Subculture were pulled from Hong Kong in the last century, labour law to Israeli attacks on Booksellers at Hong Kong’s law. known as the Umbrella the shelves of Hong Kong’s said his book is not allowed at Gaza, or a hunger strike by a annual book fair are offering a Beijing imposed the law on Movement, said many books public libraries earlier this year. the fair this year - not because far-left militant political reduced selection of books Hong Kong in June 2020. critical of the government have Those books are not available of government interference but gunman. Amnesty said Greek deemed politically sensitive, as Authorities have used it to crack disappeared. at the fair. because of political pressure police had used “arbitrary they try to avoid violating a down on dissent, arresting more “Every vendor will read Now that authorities have from government policies. arrests, blanket bans, unjus- sweeping national security law than 100 pro-democracy sup- through the books that they are used the national security law “That’s why we can only see tified fines and unlawful use imposed on the city last year. porters in the city. bringing to the book fair to see to quash dissent, publishers, publications which are (in) of force” from November 2020 The book fair was post- The law has drawn criticism if there is any content that might distributors and even importers favor to the government in the through March. “Governments poned twice last year due to the from governments and other cause trouble,” said Pang, who and exporters have become book fair,” he said. do not have carte blanche to coronavirus pandemic. It critics who say it restricts is president of the Subculture wary about the risks of pub- Benjamin Chau, deputy restrict human rights, even usually draws hundreds of freedoms not found on the publishing house. lishing or dealing with poten- executive director of the Hong during a pandemic,” the thousands of people looking for communist-ruled mainland “We don’t want to get into tially sensitive books, said Hui Kong Trade Development London-based rights group everything from the latest best- that were promised to the trouble that will affect the oper- Ching, research director of the Council, which organizes the said in a report published yes- sellers to works by political former British colony for 50 ation of the book fair, so we Hong Kong Zhi Ming Institute, book fair. told reporters earlier terday. A police spokesperson figures. years after it was handed to self-censor a lot this time. We a private, independent think this week that books written by declined to comment on the This year, far fewer politi- Beijing in 1997. read through every single book tank. pro-democracy authors can still report on Wednesday and said cally sensitive books are on Jimmy Pang, a local pub- and every single word before Political author Johnny Lau, be sold as long as they don’t a response would be issued in display. Vendors are curating lisher who used to sell books we bring it here,” he said. author of a book about the break the law. due course. -Reuters THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 EUROPE 11

Johnson vows EU unveils big plan to fight climate change to tackle online REUTERS — BRUSSELS The European racist abuse Commission, the EU European Union policymakers REUTERS — LONDON yesterday unveiled their most executive body, set ambitious plan yet to tackle out in painstaking British Prime Minister Boris climate change, aiming to turn Johnson pledged yesterday to green goals into concrete action detail how the bloc’s toughen measures against online this decade and set an example 27 countries can racist abuse of soccer players, for the world’s other big econ- banning fans from games if they omies to follow. meet their collective are found guilty of such offences The European Commission, goal to reduce net and fining social media for the EU executive body, set out greenhouse gas failing to remove it. in painstaking detail how the Johnson and his interior bloc’s 27 countries can meet emissions by 55% minister, Priti Patel, have come their collective goal to reduce from 1990 levels under fire for some of their his- net greenhouse gas emissions torical comments since three by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030 by 2030 — a step black soccer players were sub- — a step towards “net zero” towards ‘net zero’ jected to online racist abuse after emissions by 2050. England’s defeat in the final of This will mean raising the emissions by 2050. Euro 2020 on Sunday. cost of emitting carbon for “I do think that racism is a heating, transport and manufac- problem in the United Kingdom, turing, taxing high-carbon avi- parliament, a process that could and I believe it needs to be ation fuel and shipping fuel that take two years. tackled, and it needs to be European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Vice-President Frans Timmermans and EU have not been taxed before, and As policymakers seek to stamped out with some of the Commissioners Kadri Simson, Paolo Gentiloni, Adina-Ioana Valean, Virginijus Sinkevicius and Janusz charging importers at the border balance industrial reforms with means that I’ve described this for the carbon emitted in making the need to protect the economy Wojciechowski present the EU’s new climate policy proposals in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. morning,” Johnson told par- products such as cement, steel and promote social justice, they liament, where he was often and aluminium abroad. It will will face intense lobbying from planet’s life-support systems.” conference. proposed a dozen policies to drowned out by shouts from consign the internal combustion business, from poorer member But business is already worrying “Europe was the first con- target most big sources of the opposition politicians. engine to history. states that want to ward off rises about its bottom line. tinent to declare to be climate fossil fuel emissions that trigger Earlier, Johnson had out- “Yes, it is hard,” EU climate in the cost of living, and from the Peter Adrian, president of neutral in 2050, and now we are it, including power plants, fac- lined to parliament the policy chief Frans Timmermans more polluting countries that DIHK, the German association the very first ones to put a con- tories, cars, planes and heating measures he was taking to try told a news conference. face a costly transition. of chambers of industry and crete roadmap on the table,” said systems in buildings. to tackle the online abuse after “But it’s also an obligation, Some environmental cam- commerce, said that the high European Commission President The EU has so far cut emis- hosting the heads of social because if we renounce our obli- paigners said the Commission CO2 prices were “only sus- Ursula von der Leyen. sions by 24% from 1990 levels, media companies at his gation to help humanity, live was being too cautious. Green- tainable if at the same time com- The package arrives days but many of the most obvious Downing Street residence on within planetary boundaries, we peace was scathing. pensation is provided for the after California suffered one of steps, such as reducing reliance Tuesday. would fail, not just ourselves, but “Celebrating these policies companies that are particularly the highest temperatures on coal to generate power, have “What we’re doing is today we would fail our children and is like a high-jumper claiming a affected”. recorded on earth, the latest of been taken already. taking practical steps to ensure our grandchildren.” The price of medal for running in under the The EU produces only 8% of a series of heatwaves that has The next decade will require that the Football Banning Order failure, he said, was that they bar,” Greenpeace EU director global emissions, but hopes its hit Russia, Northern Europe and bigger adjustments, with a long- regime is changed so that if you would be “fighting wars over Jorgo Riss said in a statement. example will elicit ambitious Canada. term eye on 2050, seen by sci- were guilty... of racist abuse water and food”. “This whole package is action from other major econ- As climate change makes entists as a deadline for the online of footballers then you The “Fit for 55” measures based on a target that is too low, omies when they meet in itself felt from the typhoon- world to reach net zero carbon will not be going to the match, will require approval by member doesn’t stand up to science, and November in Glasgow for the swept tropics to the blowtorched emissions or risk climate change no ifs, no buts, no exemptions states and the European won’t stop the destruction of our next milestone UN climate bushlands of Australia, Brussels becoming catastrophic. and no excuses,” he said. IN BRIEF No change here: London to retain masks on public transport German President AP — LONDON Khan said he is “not pre- as mask-wearing will no longer of the final stage of his road map - Scotland, Wales and Northern pared” to put transport users “at be required by law. out of the coronavirus Ireland - have not opted to ditch urges compatriots Mask-wearing will be required risk” by removing the rules on “What would have been far lockdown. legal requirements on mask- to get vaccinated on London’s transport network face coverings after legal restric- better is for the national rules to However, Johnson urged wearing in enclosed spaces. even after the legal obligation to tions are lifted next Monday apply across the country, not just people to remain cautious and “Whilst we are going from wear them in England is lifted despite a big resurgence of the in London but across the to exercise “personal responsi- this being a legal requirement BERLIN: The President of on July 19, the city’s mayor said virus across the UK as a whole. country,” he told the BBC. bility,” a stance that has led to to guidelines, we do expect indi- Germany appealed yesterday yesterday. Under the new approach “That would have provided accusations of mixed vidual carriers to make sure to hesitant compatriots to get Sadiq Khan has asked the outlined by Khan, enforcement clarity in relation to what the messaging. they are putting in place vaccinated against COVID-19. body that oversees transport in officers would be able to deny rules are.” Earlier this week, Transport Secretary Grant whatever is appropriate for President Frank-Walter the capital to enforce the use of access or eject passengers not British Prime Minister Boris Shapps said Khan’s decision their network,” Shapps told Sky Steinmeier’s video message mask wearing on the subway, wearing a mask while using the Johnson confirmed that most of was “very much in line” with News. came a day after Chancellor buses and trams as a “condition subway, buses and trams. Lon- England’s coronavirus restric- what the British government, Next Monday’s lifting of Angela Merkel urged German of carriage” — basically con- don’s Metropolitan Police and tions, including compulsory which sets public health policy legal restrictions comes at a residents to get the shot. tracts between passengers and British Transport Police won’t mask wearing in many indoor for England, wanted to happen. time when coronavirus infec- Although case numbers Transport for London. be able to get involved, though, public settings, will end as part The other nations of the UK tions have been rising sharply. remain very low — currently around seven weekly new cases per 100,000 residents — they have been edging up for a week, Flooding affects parts of and German leaders are wary of worse to come now that the Europe after heavy rainfall more contagious Delta variant is dominant. -AP AP — BERLIN Mud inundated houses in some towns in eastern Belgium Spain’s top court Storms caused heavy flooding as sustained rains hit the across parts of western and Ardennes hills hard. The tourist rules lockdown central Europe overnight, and a center of Spa, close to the famed man swept away by a raging Formula One track, could not unconstitutional stream in eastern Germany handle the water streaming remained missing yesterday. down from the surrounding hills MADRID: Spain’s Constitu- Firefighters resumed their that turned streets into rivers. tional Court ruled yesterday search for the man in the Saxony Cars piled on top of one that last year’s strict stay-at- state town of Joehstadt yesterday another and cellars flooded, but home lockdown order by the morning. German news agency no serious injuries were government under a state of dpa reported that he had been reported. Authorities in the Neth- emergency was unconstitu- trying to secure his property erlands warned the heavy tional. from rising waters when he rainfall in the southern province The court ruling was in disappeared. of Limburg could turn streams response to a suit brought by German government into dangerously fast-flowing the far-right Vox party. spokesman Steffen Seibert torrents and urged the public to While leaving intact most described the images from stay away from them. Boat of the state of emergency’s regions hardest hit by flooding owners were advised to steer terms, the court said that the as “terrible.” “Even though not clear of the Maas river due to President Emmanuel Macron of France poses with volunteers at the end of the annual Bastille Day key articles ordering the pop- every event, not every flooding strong currents and debris being military parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, yesterday. ulation off the streets except or local incident, is related to washed downstream. for shorts trips for shopping climate change, many scientists Dutch media showed people and unavoidable commutes tell us that the frequency, the being rescued on Tuesday from for work and other official France cautiously celebrates intensity and the regularity with a historic mill in the Netherlands business were unconstitu- which this happens is a conse- that was partially submerged tional. -AP quence of climate change,” under floodwaters estimated at Seibert said. 1.5 meters (5 feet) high. UK mulls ending Bastille Day amid virus fears In the neighbouring Czech In Switzerland, authorities Republic, firefighters received raised the flood warning for Lake prosecutions for AP — PARIS fully vaccinated, had recently recovered from 800 calls about incidents ranging Lucerne to the highest level and the virus or a had negative virus test. Similar from fallen trees to flooded base- banned all shipping. ‘Troubles’ crimes Bastille Day is back, sort of.France celebrated restrictions will be in place for those gathering ments. A highway linking the France’s national weather its national holiday yesterday with thousands to watch an elaborate fireworks show at the capital, Prague, to the east of the service issued warnings yes- LONDON: The UK government of troops marching in a Paris parade, warplanes Eiffel Tower yesterday evening. country partly flooded overnight. terday for five regions in the announced yesterday that it roaring overhead and traditional parties around Spectators converged on Paris from around Thousands of households country’s northeast area. Much plans to introduce a statute of the country, after last year’s events were scaled France, glad to be able to see the show in person remained without electricity of France has seen an unusually limitations for alleged crimes back because of virus fears. even if frustrated with the restrictions and long yesterday. cool and wet summer so far. committed during decades of Two horses stumbled while parading on lines for virus security checks. violence in Northern Ireland, the Champs-Elysees, tossing their uniformed “I came especially for my son who is a move that would end pros- riders, but overall the day’s main event went marching today,” said Gaelle Henry from ecution for killings by both according to plan, and looked a lot like Bastille Normandy. British soldiers and members Days of the past. One soldier even used the “It’s nice to be able to get out a little bit and of militant groups. occasion to propose to his girlfriend on the cob- finally get some fresh air and think that all the Northern Ireland Secretary blestoned avenue, kneeling and kissing her people are here, and that we are getting back Brandon Lewis told lawmakers hand. to normal a little bit.” in the House of Commons that Virus fears are still lurking, but France’s Masks were ubiquitous among the smaller- the statute would “apply equally government decided to go ahead with the than-usual crowds along the avenue, and de to all Troubles-related parade anyway, as part of a broader effort to rigueur for the dignitaries watching the parade incidents.” return to pre-pandemic activity. under a red-white-and-blue awning emulating He said the change reflected The number of onlookers was limited, and the French flag. the increasing difficulty of pros- they were restricted to a small section of the The marching soldiers were unmasked - A car is seen in a flooded street following heavy rainfall in Hagen, ecuting people for long-ago parade. In addition, each person attending had the French military said they have all been fully Germany, yesterday. crimes. -AP to show a special pass proving they had been vaccinated or freshly tested for the virus. 12 AMERICAS THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 Biden meets Democrats to firm up support for spending

AP — WASHINGTON Top Democrats acknowledged yesterday. have announced an But he said Democrats President Joe Biden stepped up would press ahead because his bid to push his multitrillion- agreement among “we must make average dollar domestic plans through themselves on plans American lives a whole lot Congress yesterday, lunching better.” Underscoring the with Senate Democrats a day to spend a mammoth political complexities, West after party leaders announced $3.5 trillion over Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin a compromise for pouring the coming decade stopped short of saying yes- federal resources into climate terday that he would back all change, health care and family on a wide range of the policy initiatives that Biden service programs. domestic programs. and top Democrats are pur- “It is great to be home,” suing. “I really haven’t seen Biden told reporters as he left everything yet,” Manchin, one the building where he spent 36 boosts on the rich and big cor- of the chamber’s more con- years as a Delaware senator. porations. Included in the pro- servative Democrats, told a “It is great to be with my posal would be a top priority for reporter. colleagues, and I think we are progressives — an expansion of Republicans could well going to get a lot done.” The Medicare, the health insurance oppose the effort unanimously, midday session, which lasted program for older Americans, criticising its costs and likely US President Joe Biden walks with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at the US Capitol, where just under an hour, was his first to include vision, dental and tax increases. Democrats will Biden attended a lunch with the Senate Democratic Caucus, in Washington, DC, yesterday. working meeting with law- hearing coverage. need support from all their makers at the building since Yet Democrats’ emerging lawmakers in the 50-50 Senate becoming president. plans — most details remain a and could lose no more than and social program packages finances the party’s priorities proposal, as senators work to The closed-door meeting work in progress — fall short three in the House. fall a bit short of the roughly with just 50 votes and Vice finalise details for a Thursday was also the start of his efforts of even bolder progressive Separately, a bipartisan $4.5 trillion Biden had proposed President Kamala Harris’ tie- deadline. to firm up support for forth- goals, like extending overall group of senators is working to to help communities and fam- breaking vote in the Senate, not He was to highlight some of coming legislation embodying Medicare coverage to people flesh out a related measure that ilies in every corner of the the 60 votes Republicans could the areas where Democrats and his priorities among Democrats, as young as 60. Biden and party would cost around $1 trillion — country. That means some otherwise require with a bill- Republicans agree, including whose skinny congressional leaders face a tricky task of including around $579 billion increases Biden has proposed killing filibuster. investments in removing lead majorities leave him with vir- winning over moderates wary in new spending — on roads, will have to be curtailed or cut. The actual spending legis- pipes, expanding access to high- tually no votes to lose. about tax boosts and further water systems and other more The Democrats’ goal is to lation would likely not start speed Internet, improving Late Tuesday, top Demo- ballooning budget deficits, and traditional infrastructure push a budget resolution moving through Congress until transit and rebuilding roads and crats announced an agreement progressives demanding even projects, another Biden priority. reflecting on Tuesday’s the fall. Yesterday, Biden was bridges. Biden was to speak also among themselves on plans to more spending. Biden and that group had agreement through the House also to push for public support about the impact his policies spend a mammoth $3.5 trillion “We know the road ahead agreed to an outline of that and the Senate before law- of his infrastructure proposal would have on local commu- over the coming decade on a is gong to be long. There are measure last month, and bar- makers leave for their August by hosting bipartisan governors nities, according to an admin- wide range of domestic pro- bumps along the way,” Senate gainers are hoping to craft a recess. Budget passage would and mayors at the White istration official who shared grams, an expansion Biden has Majority Leader Chuck compromise bill in coming days. let Democrats move a follow- House. He was to emphasize details with the AP on condition proposed financing with tax Schumer of New York Together, the infrastructure up spending bill that actually the bipartisan aspects of the of anonymity. IN BRIEF US invites UN’s racism and human rights envoys to visit Faced with rare protests, Cuba AP — WASHINGTON compile information on race “lead by example” on the global membership. The Trump admin- and discrimination and report stage by allowing international istration had also scoffed at crit- curbs social media access The Biden administration is back to the world body. scrutiny of its own issues and icism of its policies by the UN and formally inviting United Nations Secretary of State Antony publicly confronting them. its envoys. HAVANA: Cuba has restricted access to social media and messaging racism and human rights Blinken also welcomed the The invitations come as racial In a statement, Blinken said platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, global Internet envoys to visit the United States adoption of a resolution by the justice issues loom large in the “great nations such as ours do not monitoring firm NetBlocks said on Tuesday, in the wake of the amid a contentious ongoing Geneva-based UN Human Rights US and elsewhere and are a hide from our shortcomings; they biggest anti-government protests in decades. domestic debate over the Council to address racism sharp contrast to the Trump acknowledge them openly and Thousands of Cubans joined demonstrations throughout the treatment of minorities in directed against Africans and administration’s disdain for UN strive to improve with trans- Communist-run country on Sunday to protest against a deep eco- America. people of African descent. approaches to the matter. parency.” The message appeared nomic crisis that has seen shortages of basic goods and power The State Department In a statement, Blinken said Former President Donald aimed not only at an American outages. They were also protesting against the government’s han- announced late Tuesday that President Joe Biden’s adminis- Trump, for instance, had pulled audience but also at countries dling of the coronavirus pandemic and curbs on civil liberties. the administration would issue tration “is deeply dedicated to the US out of the Human Rights like Russia, China and others that Cuba’s government has said the demonstrations were orches- a standing invitation to all UN addressing racial injustice and Council over its treatment of routinely reject accusations of trated by counter-revolutionaries financed by the United States, envoys, known as special rap- inequities at home and abroad.” Israel and the presence of discrimination against manipulating frustration with an economic crisis largely caused porteurs, who He said the administration would numerous autocracies in its minorities. by the decades-old US trade embargo. -Reuters US and UK condemn detention of Haiti seeks five Venezuelan opposition politician fugitives as probe WASHINGTON: The United States and the United Kingdom on Tuesday deepens into condemned the detention of Venezuelan opposition politician Freddy Guevara, who faces charges of terrorism and treason following his Moise death arrest on a Caracas highway on Monday. Guevara is a close ally of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is AP — PORT-AU-PRINCE recognized as the South American country’s legitimate president by the United States and others. Venezuela’s chief prosecutor’s office A former Haitian senator, a fired said on Monday it had sought an arrest warrant for Guevara due to government official and an his alleged “ties with extremist groups and paramilitaries associated informant for the US government with the Colombian government.” His detention came as opposition are the latest suspects identified leaders including Guevara were seeking to hold negotiations with as part of a sweeping investi- the government of President Nicolas Maduro, who the US and Europe gation into the killing of Pres- accuse of running roughshod over democratic principles. -Reuters ident Jovenel Moïse. The men are among five Bolsonaro admitted to hospital fugitives who police said are armed and dangerous as they for persistent hiccups continued yesterday to track down those suspected in the July RIO DE JANEIRO RIO: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted 7 pre-dawn attack at Moïse’s to a hospital yesterday to determine what is causing hiccups that private home in which the pres- have lasted for days, according to a statement from the President’s ident was shot to death and his office. wife, Martine, wounded. Bolsonaro was at the Armed Forces Hospital in Brasília and was One of the suspects was “feeling well,” according to the statement. He was to be under obser- identified as former Sen. John Rally for global access to COVID-19 vaccine vation for 24 to 48 hours, either at the hospital or at home.Bolsonaro Joël Joseph, a Haitian politician has appeared to struggle with speaking on various occasions in recent Activists rally for global access to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, outside Pfizer World and opponent of the Tet Kale weeks and said that he suffers from recurring hiccups. “I apologise Headquarters in New York City, US, yesterday. party that Moïse belonged to. In to everyone who is listening to me, because I’ve been hiccuping for a video posted last year on five days now,” Bolsonaro said in an interview with Radio Guaiba YouTube, Joseph compared on July 7. -AP Moïse to the coronavirus, saying Haitians have died from hunger Virus cases rising again in US Mexico reports biggest jump in or been killed amid a spike in violence under his AP — NEW YORK infectious-disease division at 260 per day on average after COVID-19 cases since February administration. Washington University’s School topping out at more than 3,400 “Insecurity has infected The COVID-19 curve in the US of Medicine in St. Louis. over the winter — a testament MEXICO CITY: Mexico on Tuesday reported the biggest daily every single Haitian,” he said. is rising again after months of At the same time, parts of to how effectively the vaccine increase in new COVID-19 infections since February, as a fresh Police identified the second decline, with the number of the country are running up can prevent serious illness and wave of contagion threatened to undermine the government’s suspect as Joseph Felix Badio. He new cases per day doubling against deep vaccine resistance, death in those who happen to efforts to vaccinate the population. previously worked for Haiti’s over the past three weeks, while the highly contagious become infected. Health ministry data showed that coronavirus cases jumped Ministry of Justice and joined the driven by the fast-spreading mutant version of the corona- Still, amid the rise, health by 11,137 to 2,604,711, while fatalities were up by 219 to bring the government’s anti-corruption delta variant, lagging vacci- virus that was first detected in authorities in places such as Los total death toll to 235,277. Mexico’s coronavirus czar, Deputy Health unit in March 2013. The agency nation rates and Fourth of July India is accounting for an ever- Angeles County and St. Louis Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell, said in a statement that in comparison issued a statement saying Badio gatherings. larger share of infections. are begging even immunised to two earlier waves of infection, there were 75% fewer hospital- was fired in May following Confirmed infections Nationally, 55.6% of all people to resume wearing isations and deaths thanks to advances in vaccination. -Reuters “serious breaches” of unspecified climbed to an average of about Americans have received at masks in public. And Chicago ethical rules, adding that it filed 23,600 a day on Monday, up least one COVID-19 shot, officials announced Tuesday Norwegian cruise sues Florida a complaint against him. from 11,300 on June 23, according to the Centers for that unvaccinated travelers “This villainous act is an according to Johns Hopkins Disease Control and Prevention. from Missouri and Arkansas over virus vaccination law affront to our democracy,” the University data. And all but two The five states with the biggest must either quarantine for 10 unit said in a statement Tuesday. states — Maine and South two-week jump in cases per days or have a negative MIAMI: Norwegian Cruise Line is challenging a new Florida law “The authors, co-authors, Dakota — reported that case capita all had lower vaccination COVID-19 test. that prevents cruise companies from requiring passengers to show accomplices must be hunted numbers have gone up over the rates: Missouri, 45.9%; Meanwhile, the Health proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus. down, investigated and punished past two weeks. Arkansas, 43%; Nevada, 50.9%; Department in Mississippi, The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Miami federal court, contends with the utmost rigor.” “It is certainly no coinci- Louisiana, 39.2%; and Utah, which ranks dead last that the law jeopardises safe operation of cruise ships by increasing The third suspect was iden- dence that we are looking at 49.5%. nationally for vaccinations, risk of contracting the virus. Norwegian intends to restart cruises tified as Rodolphe Jaar. He was exactly the time that we would Even with the latest surge, began blocking posts about from Florida ports on August 15 with vaccinations required for all born in Haiti, speaks English and expect cases to be occurring cases in the US are nowhere COVID-19 on its Facebook page passengers. Norwegian wants a judge to lift the ban by August 6. has a college degree in business after the July Fourth weekend,” near their peak of a quarter- because of a “rise of misinfor- The law imposes a fine of $5,000 each time a cruise line man- administration, according to said Dr. Bill Powderly, co- million per day in January. And mation” about the virus and the dates that a passenger provide vaccination proof. Norwegian claims court records. director of the deaths are running at under vaccine. it violates federal law and several constitutional rights. -Bloomberg