BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 QBA, Kazakh Tokyo Paralympics business delegation to open under explore ways to the shadow of boost economic coronavirus relations pandemic

published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 12015 August 24, 2021 Muharram 16, 1443 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In Brief Amir meets First Deputy Qatar, Japan to bolster PM of Kazakhstan Amir condoles with Amir of Kuwait relations at all levels His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the First Strategic Dialogue between the two countries starts Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin QNA announced the start of the fi rst round He praised the mechanism of the Abdulaziz al-Thani sent yesterday Doha of the strategic dialogue between the regular meetings of the joint economic cables of condolences to Kuwaiti two countries, which was signed dur- committee between the two coun- Amir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber ing the visit of His Highness the Amir tries, and the importance of continu- al-Sabah on the death of Sheikha E the Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to ing these meetings, expressing Qatar’s Badriah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Mubarak and Minister of Foreign Af- Japan in January 2019. aspiration to develop it to live up to the al-Sabah, praying to the Almighty Hfairs Sheikh Mohamed bin HE Sheikh Mohamed praised the aspirations of the people and leader- Allah to have mercy on her soul and Abdulrahman al-Thani met yesterday level of bilateral relations, the fruitful ship of the two friendly countries. to rest it in peace in Paradise, and to with Minister of Foreign Aff airs of co-operation and friendship between He also expressed Qatar’s satisfac- inspire the ruling family with patience Japan Toshimitsu Motegi, and his ac- the two countries, stressing Qatar’s tion with the level of economic and and solace. — QNA companying delegation. keenness to strengthen and expand investment cooperation between the During the meeting, bilateral co- these relations at all levels, and its two countries, and its commitment to Germany thanks operation relations between the two interest in celebrating the 50th an- making eff orts to develop it in all fi elds. countries were reviewed. niversary of the establishment of bi- HE the minister reiterated the Qa- Qatar for Afghan Following the meeting, HE the lateral relations next year by holding tari side’s keenness to continue the peace efforts Deputy Prime Minister and Minis- cultural and sports events in the two active participation of Japanese com- ter of Foreign Aff airs and Japanese countries. panies in infrastructure projects in HE the Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister chaired the offi cial HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Qatar, expressing Qatar’s desire to Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh opening session of the fi rst strategic Minister of Foreign Aff airs congratu- benefi t from Japan’s expertise and ca- Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani dialogue between the governments lated Japan for the success of the Ol- pabilities in various fi elds. yesterday received a phone call of Qatar and Japan, which was held ympic Games hosted by Tokyo this He urged the Japanese side to en- from German Minister of Foreign at the headquarters of the Ministry of summer, praising the level of organi- courage more Japanese companies Aff airs Heiko Maas. During the Foreign Aff airs. sation, especially in light of the cur- to invest in Qatar in various fi elds, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Amiri Diwan phone call, the two sides reviewed At the beginning of the session, HE rent pandemic conditions, and also pointing in this regard to the appro- Off ice yesterday with the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan the bilateral co-operation and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minis- indicated Qatar’s aspiration to wel- priate investment environment and Smailov and the accompanying delegation, who called on him to greet him on the latest security and political ter of Foreign Aff airs welcomed Motegi come the Japanese team in the 2022 services provided by Qatar to inves- their visit to the country. During the meeting, the existing co-operation relations developments in Afghanistan. The and his accompanying delegation, and FIFA World Cup in Qatar. tors. To Page 3 between the two countries and aspects of their development were reviewed, German minister expressed thanks besides issues of mutual interest. (QNA) to Qatar for its eff ective contribution to the evacuation of civilians in Afghanistan, and its unremitting eff orts in the peace process in the region. HE Sheikh Mohamed underlined the importance of Qatar Tourism ties up with protecting the civilians, and the need to intensify the necessary eff orts to achieve the national reconciliation Cruise Lines International and to seek a comprehensive political settlement that guarantees a peaceful transfer of power in atar Tourism has entered into Afghanistan, in line with the gains a partnership with Cruise made by the Afghan people. (QNA) QLines International Associa- tion (CLIA) UK and Ireland to promote Masraf Al Rayan buys the destination in the region and with CLIA’s wider community of cruise additional 5% stake lines, travel agents and stakeholders. in Al Rayan Ltd Qatar Tourism will be one of the headline sponsors of the CLIA Sell- Masraf Al Rayan announced the ing Cruise Day taking place in South- Qatar Tourism will be one of the purchase of additional 5% stake in ampton on November 4. It will sub- headline sponsors of the CLIA Selling Al Rayan Ltd from Qatar Holding sequently sponsor the annual CLIA Cruise Day. LLC. This represents a purchase Cruise Forum in December this year. of 5,000,000 ordinary shares In a press statement, Berthold Tren- – and we’ve signed a number agree- of GBP1 par value. As a result of kel from Qatar Tourism said: “This ments already for the coming season the purchase, Masraf Al Rayan partnership is part of Qatar Tourism’s – and Qatar made serious investments shareholding in Al Rayan Ltd has ongoing strategy to diversify the tour- into cruise infrastructure such as the increased from 70% to 75%. Al Rayan ism sector in Qatar, and attract new new cruise terminal that will be ready Ltd holds 98.34% of Al Rayan Bank HE Sheikh Mohamed and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi chaired the official opening session of the first strategic customer segments. Cruise is an im- to welcome visitors for the 2022 FIFA PLC. (QNA) dialogue. portant pillar of our tourism strategy World Cup.” To Page 4 Biden under pressure to extend Aug 31 evacuation deadline

Reuters British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Kabul/Washington will urge Biden to extend the deadline. His spokesperson said Britain still wanted to fl y out thousands of people, ith thousands of desper- but British evacuations could not con- ate Afghans and foreigners tinue once US troops leave. Wcrowding into Kabul airport France’s foreign minister said more in the hope of fl eeing Afghanistan’s time was needed. “We are concerned new Taliban rulers, pressure grew on about the Aug. 31 deadline set by the US United States,” Jean-Yves Le Drian President Joe Biden yesterday to ex- said. tend the deadline for the evacuation German Foreign Minister Heiko operation. Maas said a virtual summit of the Biden on Sunday warned that the Group of Seven wealthy nations on evacuation was going to be “hard and Tuesday needed to agree on whether painful” and said a lot could still go to extend the deadline and how to im- wrong. prove access to the airport. US troops might stay beyond their The airport chaos is also disrupting Aug 31 deadline to oversee the evacu- US Marine hand out water during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International aid shipments. ation, he said. Taliban fighters in a vehicle patrol the streets of Kabul yesterday. Airport. Some 500 tonnes of medical sup- Two US offi cials, speaking on condi- plies were stuck because Kabul airport tion of anonymity, said that while the volved, the Germany military said. the airport area,” said the official. Many fear reprisals and a return to most 3,000 people originating from 43 was closed to commercial fl ights, Ri- fi nal decision was Biden’s, the expec- The security situation around Kabul Britain and France were among those a harsh version of Islamic law that the countries from Kabul, including 1,800 chard Brennan, World Health Organi- tation was that the United States would airport has become increasingly dan- calling for the deadline to be eased. Taliban enforced while in power from Afghans. sation regional emergency director for continue evacuations past Aug 31. gerous, a senior Canadian government But a Taliban offi cial said foreign 1996-2001. Biden said the security situation was the Eastern Mediterranean Region, The diffi culties at the airport were offi cial told reporters. forces had not sought an extension and Twenty people have been killed in changing rapidly and remained dan- told Reuters. underlined yesterday morning when “Crowds are intense, violence is it would not be granted if they had. the chaos, most in shootings and stam- gerous. He said empty planes should divert a fi refi ght erupted between Afghan becoming more common and Taliban Panicked Afghans and foreigners pedes, as US and international forces “Let me be clear, the evacuation of to Dubai to collect the supplies on their guards and unidentifi ed gunmen. checkpoints in surrounding areas have thronged the airport for days, try to bring order. thousands from Kabul is going to be way to pick up evacuees in Afghani- German and US forces were also in- are preventing many from reaching clamouring to catch a fl ight out. Germany said it had airlifted al- hard and painful,” Biden said on Sunday. stan. Pages 7, 11 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, August 24, 2021 QATAR Qatar is an impartial mediator amid Afghan evacuations: FM HE Sheikh Mohamed on CNN. atar is working as an hold subsequent intra-Afghan ernments scrambling to respond “We remain that impartial ed or accepted meeting those of about 7,000 people from Af- “impartial mediator” in peace talks – is using its unique to the new reality on the ground, mediator throughout this standards. ghanistan on Sunday. On Sun- with all the parties which have Qdealings with the Taliban position to stress to the Taliban and foreign nationals and thou- process, and we maintain HE Sheikh Mohamed add- day, the US said it evacuated now helped us in supporting dif- while aiding ongoing evacua- the “importance of acting and sands of Afghan citizens rushing the contact with all the ed that Qatar – one of the few 25,100 people since August 14, ferent foreign citizens who are tions of foreign nationals and behaving as an engaging party to fl ee the country. Amid the un- parties which have now countries to maintain its em- with many transiting through living there in Afghanistan,” HE vulnerable Afghans from the over there as part of the Afghan certainty, HE Sheikh Mohamed helped us in supporting bassy in Kabul since the Taliban the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Sheikh Mohamed said. country, HE the Deputy Prime society”. told US broadcaster CNN that diff erent foreign citizens entered the city on August 15 – is Washington later announced “Right now, we are trying to Minister and Minister of Foreign That comes after the Taliban’s Qatar is stressing “you need to who are living there in continuing to aid the “evacua- it secured agreements with a facilitate the movement of the Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin lightning-fast takeover of Af- engage, you need to agree on a Afghanistan” tion of the foreign nationals and dozen countries in Europe, the people from their places to the Abdulrahman al-Thani has said. ghanistan and as foreign troops peaceful resolution over there, Afghan nationals out of Kabul, Middle East, and Central Asia to airport and the transportation.” He said the Gulf state – which prepared to withdraw by the end a format of power-sharing that education”. “This is what Qatar getting them safely in transit allow temporary transit of evac- “We are trying to facilitate for hosted talks between the US and of August. everybody is represented, pro- is standing for,” he said, adding and going to their countries that uees through their territories. other countries who don’t have Taliban that culminated in the The Taliban’s swift rise, which tect the minorities’ rights, pro- that the Taliban, who have not are receiving them”. “We remain that impartial the access to reach the people 2020 agreement to withdraw surprised Western intelligence tect the basic human rights for yet announced details of how He also told Fox News that mediator throughout this proc- who are there on the ground,” US and foreign troops as well as communities, left foreign gov- the people, the women’s right to they will govern, had not reject- Qatar aided in the evacuation ess, and we maintain the contact he said. Source: Al Jazeera

Amir condoles with US president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Increase in Covid-19 Red list al-Thani sent cables of condolences to US President Joe Biden on the victims of the floods that swept the state of Tennessee, wishing the injured a swift recovery. — QNA countries after MoPH update Al-Hammadi meets Egyptian diplomat he Ministry of Public Health  Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri HE the Secretary-General (MoPH) has updated the Lanka remain in ‘Special Risk 6-Country Zone’ of the Ministry of Foreign TGreen, Yellow and Red list of Aff airs Dr Ahmad bin countries, based on the categorisa-  Number of Green list countries decrease as Yellow list sees Hassan al-Hammadi met tion of Covid-19 risk, even as six yesterday with the charge nations — Bangladesh, India, Ne- increase d’aff aires at the Egyptian pal, Pakistan, the Philippines and embassy in Qatar, Ahmed Sri Lanka — remain in the ‘Special Samir Helmy Marzouk, on Risk 6-Country Zone’. Countries in Green, Yellow and Red lists as of now the occasion of the end of The updates came into ef- his tenure. HE al-Hammadi fect yesterday, the MoPH said in a GREEN thanked the charge d’aff airs tweet. The updates show that the Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Micronesia, Moldova, Mon- for his eff orts in supporting number of countries on the Green Australia, Canada, Croatia, British Virgin Islands, Burki- tenegro, Mongolia, Montserrat, and strengthening bilateral list has dropped from 21 to 11, a de- Czechia, Germany, Hungary, na Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Myanmar, Morocco, Namibia, relations, and wished him crease of 10 compared to the pre- Latvia, New Zealand, Poland, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cay- Nauru, Netherlands, New Cal- success in his new mission. vious list, while the Red list now Romania and Slovakia. man Islands, Central African edonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Ni- — QNA has 167 countries compared to 153 Republic, Chad, Colombia, geria, Niue, North Macedonia, earlier, an increase of 14. The Yel- YELLOW Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Palestine, Panama, Papua New low list now has 27 countries com- Cook Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Por- pared to the 33 on the previous list. Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, tugal, Russia, Rwanda, Saint The full lists and other details of Bulgaria, Brunei Darussalam, Dominica, Dominican Repub- Vincent and the Grenadines, Qatar’s travel and return policy can China, Chile, Cote d’Ivoire, lic, Equatorial Guinea, El Sal- Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and be found at https://covid19.moph. Democratic Republic of Congo, vador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Esto- Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return- Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, nia, Egypt, Fiji, France, French Tome and Principe, Serbia, policy/Pages/default.aspx. Hong Kong, Italy, Luxembourg, Polynesia, Gabon, Gambia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sint Road Patrol-Qatar competition opens Besides these three lists, six na- Kuwait, Mozambique, Macau, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Maarten (Dutch part), Solomon tions - Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Norway, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Greenland, Gibraltar, Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Senegal, Slovenia, Singapore, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, QNA the individual race, the accelera- Saud Mutea al-Ahbabi underlined Lanka - are in the ‘Special Risk South Korea, Uganda and the Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, Sweden, Switzer- Doha tion and emergency braking, the that the organising committee 6-Country Zone’, according to in- UAE. Honduras, Iceland, Indone- land, Syria, Tajikistan, Tan- military-technical relay race, provided all the appropriate con- formation available on the MoPH RED sia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Isle of zania, Thailand, Timor, Togo, the team race, in addition to the ditions of infrastructure for the website. The rules for travellers Man, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, atar Military Police Force extreme parallel parking, traffi c competition, most importantly is coming from these countries are Afghanistan, Albania, An- Jersey, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tur- opened the ‘Road Patrol- regulation, extreme driving, and preparing the fi eld according to as follows: those vaccinated/re- gola, Anguilla, Antigua and Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, key, Turks and Caicos Islands, QQatar 2021’ competition, wheel change race. the technical conditions, provid- covered from Covid-19 in Qatar Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Li- Tuvalu, Ukraine, United King- held within the framework of the Addressing the opening cer- ing cars with special specifi ca- are subject to two-day hotel quar- Aruba, Azerbaijan, Barbados, beria, Libya, Liechtenstein, dom, United States, Uruguay, International Army Games - Rus- emony, Commander of the Mili- tions for the competition for all antine and are allowed to leave the Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Lithuania, Madagascar, Ma- Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Ven- sia 2021. tary Police Forces Staff Brigadier teams, as well as providing eve- hotel on the second day if the result Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhu- lawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, ezuela, Vietnam, Wallis and The competition is held under General Rashid Mohamed al- rything that contestants need of of the PCR test is negative. The rest tan, Bolivia, Bonaire Sint Eus- Malta, Marshall Islands, Mex- Futuna, Yemen, Zambia and the patronage of HE the Deputy Hajri welcomed the sponsor of equipment, weapons and ammu- of the people are subject to hotel tatius and Saba, Bosnia and ico, Mauritania, Mauritius, Zimbabwe. Prime Minister and Minister of the ceremony and the attendees nition in line with international quarantine for a period of 10 days. State for Defence Aff airs Dr Kha- from inside and outside Qatar, standards. lid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, in explaining that the competition He affi rmed the adherence to the presence of HE the Chief of highlights the skills of the military all Covid-19 precautionary meas- Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lieu- patrols and emergency response, ures in order to ensure the safety tenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem and aims to provide opportunities of all and make this event a suc- bin Shaheen al-Ghanem. for all participants to exchange cess. The opening was attended SJC announces proceeds of Execution Dept The competition, which will experiences and knowledge, and by high-ranking offi cers of Qatar continue until August 26 with an create an atmosphere of competi- Armed Forces and sisterly and international participation, in- tion. friendly countries, and a number QNA and 150, which is the proceeds ecution disputes, whatever they program for judicial auctions cludes several contests, including Director of the competition of members of the diplomatic Doha of judicial auctions carried out are, and to issue decisions and was adopted, which achieved the competition of specialists, Air Lieutenant Colonel Engineer corps accredited to the state. by the department. The Execu- orders related to implementa- several things, the most impor- tion Department accomplished tion. tant of which are: and the speed he Supreme Judiciary an unprecedent achievement He also decides on temporary in completion and achieving Council (SJC), repre- in the number of eviction rul- execution disputes in his capac- a higher value for the bidding Tsented by the Execution ings and decisions issued by the ity as a judge for urgent matters. funds with the greatest degree Department, announced the courts and the Rental Disputes On the other hand, the Cabinet of transparency, where the bid- number of rulings it has exe- Settlement Committee, which had previously approved the Ju- ding takes place publicly and di- cuted and the amount of money reached 1,049 evictions. dicial Execution Bill, which is rectly; electronic auctions also that has been paid during the The average time for imple- expected achieve a qualitative saved a lot of expenses that were current judicial season. menting the eviction ruling was leap in the implementation of spent on preparing the auction The rulings executed varied three days after fi ling the ex- judicial rulings and the require- hall and saved a lot of hardship between rulings that include the ecutive case. The Department is ments for the rights of the ac- for employees and bidders. payment of sums of money and headed by a judge of the Court quitted persons as soon as pos- The Supreme Judiciary Coun- others that include obligating of Appeal, assisted by a number sible, while preserving judicial cil inaugurated in February 2019 the convicts to take certain pro- of judges and offi cials who have guarantees for all litigants. the ‘Execution Department’ cedures. the capacity of judicial police. A It is worth noting that one within the framework of Law The Council noted that the suffi cient number of police of- of the reasons for the increase No.(3) of 2019 amending some amounts that were paid ac- fi cers and personnel is assigned in the proceeds of the executed provisions of the Civil and Com- cording to the fi nal judgments to it. funds is due to the adoption of mercial Procedures Law, prom- were QR1bn, 226mn, 160,000 The execution judge is exclu- electronic procedures in the ulgated by Law No.(13) of 1990, and 117.55, in addition to the sively competent to decide on all implementation of court deci- in order to achieve the concept amount of QR334mn, 914,000 substantive and temporary ex- sions, as a modern electronic of prompt justice.

HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem attending the opening ceremony of ‘Road Patrol-Qatar 2021’ competition. Contraband found inside cosmetics shipment

The Air Cargo and Private Airports Customs foiled an attempt to smuggle metham- phetamine (shabo), the Gen- eral Authority of Customs (GAC) tweeted yesterday. The prohibited narcotic substance was found hidden inside a cosmetics shipment and weighed 1kg. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 24, 2021 3 QATAR

Egyptian FM receives copy of credentials of Qatar’s envoy

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry received yesterday a copy of the credentials of Qatar’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary in Cairo, Salem Mubarak al-Shafi. The Egyptian minister wished the ambassador success in his work assignments, and the bilateral relations further Katara set to host development and growth. — QNA S’hail 2021 in Sept Ooredoo expands off ering atara – the Cultural Vil- plication that can be downloaded for prepaid Hala customers lage Foundation is gearing on mobile phones to avoid any Kup to host the fi fth edition direct contact among the par- of S’hail-Katara International ticipants in this regard and to oredoo has announced Hunting and Falcons Exhibition maintain public health. In addi- the launch of a new re- from September 7-11 with the tion, e-sales will be implement- Ocharge option for its pre- participation of 160 interna- ed through fi nancial transfers paid Hala customers, introduc- tional companies representing to guarantee a safe and secure ing them to the “power-packed” 19 countries and in partnership shopping experience. Hala 5G Recharge. with some national companies. In the meantime, Katara has Hala 5G Recharge off ers an The event will take place amid specifi ed the system for visitor “all-in-one recharge, Endless the observance of precautionary entry at the venue through pre- Data, access to the incredible 5G and preventive measures against registration and prior e-booking network, great prices on out-of- Covid-19 and its variants. through the website of S’hail bundle local and international Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al- 2021. voice call rates and free line va- Sulaiti, general manager of Ka- Accordingly, entry to the ex- lidity”, the company has said in a tara and head of the organising hibition venue will be allowed to statement. committee of S’hail, said prepa- Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti people aged 12 years and above, The new recharge options are hassle-free recharge off ering faction. It’s an integral element rations for the fi fth edition of who are fully vaccinated against designed to fully protect each in the form of the Hala 5G Re- of our corporate strategy that the event, which will take place He said applications for buying the country. Adequate distance Covid-19, to guarantee the health customer’s balance from the ad- charge, Ooredoo aims to deliver we provide products and serv- in Hall 12 and Al Hekma Hall at hunting weapons will be received will be maintained while distrib- and safety of all. ditional costs incurred by any more fl exibility and greater value ices tailored to a wide variety of Katara, are continuing well and through the Metrash2 app until uting the stands of participating S’hail is set to open its doors kind of out-of-bundle usage, for its prepaid customers, it adds. customer wants and needs, and the event will be distinctive due August 30. Further, this year’s ministries, organisations, clinics, for visitors from 10am until 10pm coupled with the simplicity of Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, di- those that off er the best service to the availability of additional edition will enjoy international exhibitors and various compa- daily except on Friday, when the being able to activate the desired rector of PR at Ooredoo, said: and value for money, and these space to host more participating participation, including GCC nies, and including stalls meant event will be open to the public Hala 5G recharge and obtain all “We’re delighted to introduce new recharge options are a prime companies in this year’s edition countries such as Saudi Ara- for traditional items and handi- from 2pm until 11pm. Through- the allowances and line validity the new Hala 5G Recharge as example of how our research and of the exhibition. bia and Kuwait, besides 17 other crafts related to the event and out the duration of event, a they seek, the statement notes. part of our constant drive to of- development translates into real- He noted that S’hail has be- countries. other exhibits such as camping number of restaurants and cafes By developing an innovative, fer complete customer satis- ity for our customers.” come an international business Prof al-Sulaiti said this edi- and vehicle equipment. will provide distinguished serv- and marketing platform, where tion of S’hail will have new and Other spaces will be allocated ices to visitors and off er meals the largest international com- advanced events that will be for the accompanying cultural from the meat of the hunted birds panies in the fi eld want to dis- launched by the management and heritage events. such as quail in addition to rab- play their products such as latest of the exhibition in accordance Prof al-Sulaiti pointed out bits, gazelles and others. Al Wakrah Garden temporarily closed weapons, hunting tools and ac- with the applicable Covid-19 that the e-auction of falcons S’hail has become an annual cessories in the fi elds of camp- measures and in co-operation this year will be open to all par- event since the launch of its fi rst ing, hunting and falconry. with the entities concerned in ticipants through a special ap- edition in 2017.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), represented by Al Wakrah Municipality, has been implementing the closure of Al Wakrah Public Garden from August 15 to carry out maintenance, development and rehabilitation works there to meet the needs of the public and keep pace with the urban development being witnessed in the country.

‘Back-to-school’ off erings at LuLu Hypermarket. Qatar Charity supports more than Shoppers cash in on promotions 6,600 Syrian families in Lebanon at LuLu back-to-school campaign NHCR, the UN Refu- able refugee families with cash added Nawaf al-Hammadi, chief gee Agency and Qatar assistance grants, to help them Global Programmes offi cer at UCharity (QC) have an- secure their most urgent needs, Qatar Charity. nternet of Things (IoT) de- countries, Prasad said. “We are nounced a Zakat contribution of such as shelter, food, medicine, This contribution will sup- vices and other related prod- witnessing a good response from QR3,689,369 to support Syrian and other necessities. port UNHCR’s humanitarian Iucts are among the main our customers and have added a refugees in Lebanon. “With thanks to Qatar Char- response in Lebanon, a country highlights of LuLu Hypermar- large selection of products at This contribution will assist ity, UNHCR will be able to sup- that has been struggling with a ket’s ongoing ‘back-to-school’ very good prices. more than 6,600 Syrian refugee port Syrian refugee families in deep economic and fi nancial cri- campaign, an offi cial has said. The back-to-school promo families in Lebanon impacted Lebanon keep afl oat during these sis since late 2019, coupled with Prajin Prasad, LuLu Hypermar- also includes all product cat- by the diffi cult socio-economic challenging times” said Ayat El the Covid-19 pandemic, the dev- ket’s assistant buying man- egories in our supermarket, giv- situation in Lebanon, posed by Dewary, UNHCR Qatar repre- astating explosion in Beirut port ager, said LuLu has witnessed a ing our customers many choices the Covid-19 pandemic, hyper- sentative. as well as a protracted refugee surge in demand for IoT devices, in food and non-food items, infl ation and limited livelihood “We will continue working situation. hence a wide variety of promo- and even items in our ‘healthy opportunities, UNHCR has said with UNHCR to provide the most “All of which had an on impact tions on Bluetooth speakers and range’,” Prasad told Gulf Times in a statement. vulnerable refugees with urgent the refugee population, leading headphones, webcams, routers, yesterday. With this contribution, UNH- humanitarian assistance and en- to an exceptional rise in extreme printer cartridges, desktops and Prasad said in 2021, LuLu also CR will provide the most vulner- sure dignifi ed living conditions” poverty among refugees.” laptops, as well as other IT ac- witnessed a “big jump” in terms cessories and similar products. of sales compared to the same He said the campaign off ers period last year when many promo prices on all types of sta- economies worldwide initiated Qatar, Japan to bolster relations at all levels tionery, school bags, lunch box- their respective lockdowns be- items is also available in the hy- proving our online operations es, boys’ and girls’ apparel, as cause of the Covid-19 pandem- permarket’s web store. in order to cater to our custom- From Page 1 He pointed out that his visit close co-operation and partner- well as footwear. A large number ic. He also underscored the role “All promotions related to ers readily and immediately,” coincides with the approach- ship between the two countries of items available in the promo- played by LuLu’s online plat- the back-to-school campaign he noted, adding that LuLu is For his part, Motegi stressed ing 50th anniversary of the es- will continue, in order to address tion have been imported from form in reaching more custom- are also included in our online “hoping for the best as it looks that his country is linked to a tablishment of diplomatic rela- common challenges. the US and the UK, among other ers, saying an extensive range of platform. We are constantly im- forward to the new school year”. comprehensive partnership with tions between the two countries, On the other hand, the two Qatar, and cooperation relations which will be an opportunity to sides discussed the latest fi eld in various fi elds, especially in start the fi rst strategic dialogue developments in Afghanistan, the energy sector, praising the and discuss the importance of both at the security and politi- great development witnessed establishing an international cal levels, where HE Sheikh Mo- in bilateral relations, pointing system based on the rule of law hamed stressed the importance to the signing during the visit and cooperation in order to en- of protecting civilians, and the of the Amir to Japan in Janu- sure regional stability. need to intensify the necessary ary 2019, of several memoranda Motegi expressed his confi - eff orts to achieve national rec- of co-operation in the fi elds of dence that Japan and Qatar will onciliation, seeking a compre- economy, trade, transport, en- be able to seize this opportunity hensive political settlement that vironment, legal aff airs, culture to further deepen cooperation guarantees a peaceful transfer of and sports. relations, especially in the politi- power in Afghanistan in line with Motegi said that the steady cal and security fi elds, as well as the gains made by the Afghan supply of liquefi ed natural gas economic aspects, including the people. and oil from Qatar has been stability of LNG supplies and the Motegi thanked Qatar for its supportive of Japan’s economic early conclusion of the invest- eff ective contribution to the growth for many years, stressing ment agreement. process of evacuating civilians, that Qatar is a true friend of his The Japanese foreign minis- and its continuous eff orts in the country. ter also expressed hope that the peace process in the region. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, August 24, 2021 QATAR

Qatar participates in meeting of GCC Qatar’s population now senior foreign ministry officials 70.3% fully-vaccinated

he Ministry of Public with the current measures, re- Health (MoPH) reported strictions and guidance issued Tyesterday that 70.3% of by the government. Qatar’s total population have “It is important during the received both doses of the coro- current period that all mem- navirus (Covid-19) vaccine. bers of society, including those A total of 4,268,255 vaccine who have received the vaccina- doses have been administered in tion, continue to wear masks as the country since the start of the recommended and continue to National Covid-19 Vaccination adhere to social distancing,” the Programme, with 15,868 doses statement notes. “With Cov- given in the past 24 hours. id-19 still a threat to our health With this, 92.6% of the eli- here in Qatar, it is important for Qatar participated yesterday in the second meeting of GCC Committee of Undersecretaries of Foreign gible population (12 years and everyone to play their role in Ministries and Senior Consular Aff airs Off icials, which was held via video conference technology. over) have now received at least controlling the virus by follow- The legislative and legal sectors in the foreign aff airs ministries of the member states also participated. one dose of the vaccine and 81% ing precautionary measures.” Qatar’s delegation was headed by HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmad bin both doses. These include adherence Hassan al-Hamadi. – QNA In addition, 80.4% of the to- to physical distancing, avoid- tal population have got at least ing close contact with others, one dose of the vaccine. crowded places and confi ned The MoPH yesterday report- closed spaces where people ed 202 new confi rmed cases of congregate, wearing a face mask Covid-19 among the commu- and washing hands regularly. nity, and 87 among travellers. People should take the Cov- HMC attains ACGME-I It also recorded 211 recover- id-19 vaccine at the earliest ies from the virus during the opportunity when their turn past 24 hours, bringing the total comes, the MoPH advised. re-accreditation as a number of recoveries in Qatar to Anyone who is suff ering from 227,656. symptoms of Covid-19 should In a statement yesterday, the contact the 16000 helpline im- sponsoring institution MoPH stressed that it is “im- mediately. portant to be cautious as the This is important as the ear- second wave is not yet over lier the disease is detected, the amad Medical Corpo- ACGME- I institutional ac- and there are still two highly- easier it will be to receive the ration (HMC) has been creditation in 2012, which laid contagious and highly-virulent lifting of precautionary restric- and the duration of each phase right treatment and recover Hre-accredited by the the foundation for individual strains of the virus that are ac- tions is part of a four-stage plan will depend on the pandemic from it. international body of the Ac- programme accreditation,” he Dr Abdullatif al-Khal: This tively circulating in the com- to be implemented over the indicators, which rely to a great One can visit the MoPH web- creditation Council for Graduate said. “By helping improve the achievement ... creates the ideal munity”. coming months. extent on the degree of compli- site for regular updates and new Medical Education (ACGME-I) quality of our teaching practices, learning environment for the The third phase of the gradual The date of implementation ance of community members information. as a sponsoring institution. encouraging scientifi c research specialisation of medical This international accolade and enhancing our professional graduates. 88 face prosecution for violations of coronavirus preventative measures signifi es that the HMC is an in- medical education practice, we stitution that hosts residency are upholding the principle of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar The designated authorities referred Of these, 87 people were referred to the infectious diseases, and the precautionary and fellowship programmes accreditation designed to benefi t and Qatar University Medical 88 people to the prosecution for non- prosecution for not wearing masks in places measures in force in the country to contain based on very high standards, a patients and the public as well College to become the future compliance with the preventative and where they are mandatory, and one person the spread of Covid-19. press statement notes. as protect the interests and the medical specialists who will precautionary measures in place in the for not installing the Ehteraz app. The authorities have called on the public to Along with the institution- well-being of medical residents.” serve the country.” country to limit the spread of coronavirus The measure is in line with the Cabinet adhere to the precautionary measures in al re-accreditation, the HMC Sponsoring institution refers The ACGME-I employs a (Covid-19). decision and Decree Law No 17 of 1990 on place. – QNA also had two new training pro- to the institution or entity is rec- comprehensive, peer-review grammes accredited by ACGME- ognised by the GME accrediting process to evaluate, improve and I. organisation and designated as publicly recognise programmes The Neurosurgery Residency having ultimate responsibil- and sponsoring institutions in programme and Medical Inten- ity for the assurance of academic graduate medical education. CHS and sive Care Unit (MICU) Fellowship quality and compliance with the This process helps the organi- programme have demonstrated terms of accreditation. sation meet or even exceed their that they meet established in- As of January 2021, 19 spon- standards of educational quality. PRIO publish ternational standards for Insti- soring institutions and 163 pro- The ACGME is a private, tutional, Foundational and Ad- grammes (108 residencies and 55 non-profi t organisation that vanced speciality education. fellowships) have ACGME-I ac- accredits over 9,200 residency major report The newly-accredited pro- creditation. programmes in 133 specialities grammes now join the 14 exist- Qatar was the second country and subspecialities that educate ing residency and nine fellowship in the world after Singapore to more than 110,000 residents. on confl ict training programmes that have achieve this international ac- Its mission is to improve already successfully achieved creditation. healthcare by assessing and ad- ACGME International LLC pro- The HMC sponsors more than vancing the quality of resident trends in gramme accreditation. 20 residency programmes and physicians’ education through Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, deputy many fellowship programmes. exemplary accreditation. chief medical offi cer and direc- “This achievement helps make ACGME-I staff members as- Arab world tor of Medical Education at the the HMC highly attractive for sess all aspects of the educational HMC, said this achievement the best international medical system, including all competen- underpins the organisation’s graduates and top faculty, which cies essential for providing qual- he Centre for Confl ict and Humani- commitment to delivering ex- further strengthens our residen- ity care, supportive structure for tarian Studies (CHS), in collabora- ceptionally high standards of cy programmes,” Dr al-Khal said. the educational team, and the Ttion with the Peace Research Insti- professional education. “It also creates the ideal learning role of the institution in ensuring tute Oslo (PRIO), will jointly release a major “Qatar was the fi rst coun- environment for the specialisa- successful education in the clini- report analysing confl ict trends in the Arab try in the region to achieve the tion of medical graduates from cal setting. world from 1946-2019. A joint online conference will be held “It stresses the necessity of understand- by both partners on August 25 (4pm Doha ing the trajectory of confl ict in the region time) to launch the report, which will be to reverse this cycle of armed confl ict and simultaneously made available on their set the Arab world on a path to sustainable websites. peace and recovery.” QRCS rehabilitates six Covid-19 The conference will begin with opening As part of the wider eff ort by the CHS remarks by CHS director Professor Sultan and the PRIO to examine and contextualise Barakat and PRIO director Henrik Urdal. issues related to confl ict and peacemak- This will be followed by a summary of ing within the region, the report analyses healthcare centres in Yemen the report’s key fi ndings by three of the co- confl ict trends through a comparative and authors: Siri Rustad, research director and historical framework. Qatar Tourism’s Berthold research professor in the Conditions for The CHS and the PRIO will host inter- atar Red Crescent Soci- Trenkel. Violence and Peace Department at PRIO, ested media agencies, journalists, scholars ety (QRCS) has launched a and CHS research fellows Mona Hedaya and academics from all over the world in Qproject to restore and equip Qatar Tourism and Sansom Milton. the press conference and discussions on six health centres in Sanaa and Taiz, Then, an experts’ discussion panel will Zoom. Yemen, aimed at providing health- ties up with be held, which will conclude with a public Those interested can register through care services for coronavirus (Cov- Cruise Lines Q&A session. this link, https://dohainstitute-org. id-19) patients. “The report comes at a moment in which zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yoHIf- As part of the QRCS’s ongoing ef- From Page 1 the Arab world continues to reel from a se- cOwTkqXxqvbbAeFYQ. forts to back the failing health sec- ries of protracted confl icts and their long- The event’s live streaming can be viewed tor of Yemen, this project is funded “As Qatar reopens its borders term consequences,” Doha Institute for on the CHS Facebook and Twitter plat- from the revenue of the fundraising to visitors, and festivals and Graduate Studies has said in a statement. forms. campaign launched in commemo- events resume, we look forward ration of the late Jaber al-Masoud, a to welcoming back cruise travel- renowned blogger. lers. Safety remains paramount, Under Phase 1, two quarantine/ and all initiatives are backed by isolation facilities are being sup- the Ministry of Public Health. ported at the Al-Thawra General “We are eager to showcase Hospital in Sanaa and Al-Jomhouri our range of off erings which are University Hospital in Taiz. grounded in Service Excellence, Later, another four centres will with a range of assets including be supported under Phase 2: Al- world-class hotels, restaurants, Thawra Hospital and Al-Jomhouri and stunning beaches.” Hospital (Sanaa), and the Al-Salam QRCS equips health centres in Sanaa and Taiz, Yemen, to treat Covid-19 CLIA UK and Ireland manag- Hospital and Yemen Red Crescent patients. ing director Andy Harmer said: Hospital (Taiz). “We’re very excited to welcome These were selected from a list enable the health centres to off er the main contributor to the health Qatar Tourism to the CLIA fam- of 38 health centres designated by high-quality treatment services in sector of Taiz and humanity at ily. Their support for the trade is Yemen’s ministry of health and light of the nature of the coronavi- large,” Dr al-Hossami said. a clear indication they are look- population and the Yemen Health rus pandemic. Dr Abdul-Malik Jahaf, chairman ing to build positive cruise mo- Cluster as Covid-19 quarantine fa- Dr Nashwan al-Hossami, direc- of the Al-Thawra General Hospi- mentum. cilities. tor of the Al-Jomhouri General Uni- tal in Sanaa, thanked the QRCS for “The region was proving in- Project manager Mohamed al- versity Hospital in Taiz, lauded the providing the coronavirus control creasingly popular with cruisers Waziza said: “With $593,501 fund- QRCS’s eff orts, saying: “Today, the centre with medical equipment, and we’re all looking forward to ing from the QRCS, the project con- QRCS is making a new contribution medications, and laboratory solu- seeing ships start visiting the tributes to six quarantine facilities, to its health projects.” tions. exceptional facilities of the Doha to save the lives of Covid-19 pa- “We took handover of a fully- A few months ago, the QRCS port and its surroundings again.” tients.” fl edged ICU comprising 14 vital launched a fundraising campaign to In 2019/2020, Qatar wel- It involves supplying intensive signs monitors, liquid sucker, sy- commemorate al-Masoud. comed 207,000 cruise visitors to care units (ICUs) with ventilators, ringe pump, and portable radiogra- The funds will go to the restora- Doha. DC shocks, anaesthesia, vital signs pher,” he said, adding: “In the face tion and maintenance of healthcare With the Doha port undergo- monitors, X-ray and ultrasound im- of Covid-19, the QRCS has always centres that serve an average of ing large-scale refurbishment aging machines, and other medical been there to help both the hospi- 25,000 poor Yemenis, mainly wom- recently, the destination has equipment, medications, and labo- tal’s staff and medical care seekers.” en and children. set its sights on exceeding this ratory solutions. “All the ICU supplies were re- The fundraising campaign was number moving forward in the The project also involves premis- ceived today by the hospital. It is not highly-welcomed by donors in Qa- 2021/2022 season, starting No- es restoration and maintenance to something unusual for the QRCS, as tar. vember. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 24, 2021 5 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Yemen to get $665mn of IMF reserves in new SDR allocation

Agencies cal needs of the population,” IMF money to cover the defi cit. Sea zones have been left out of pocket bank to Aden after the insurgents ing new, “counterfeit” money. the bills the government recently Aden regional representative Gazi Sh- and air restrictions imposed by by the divergence, but especially seized Sanaa in 2014. The war has Rebel authorities also banned put into circulation had been in baikat said in a statement to Reu- the coalition on Houthi-held ar- those in the former, given ram- pushed the nation, long the poor- their use and issued civilians with the central bank reserves for sev- ters. The war, in which a Saudi- eas, including the country’s main pant infl ation there. This internal est on the Arabian Peninsula, to guides to identify the so-called eral years. Neither Goznak nor the emen will receive about led coalition has been battling port of Hodeidah, have ham- exchange rate has also complicat- the brink of famine and economic “fakes” — something experts said central bank commented when $665mn worth of reserves the Iran-aligned Houthis for over pered the import of fuel and other ed trade and led to manipulation collapse, with most schools, fac- would be hard for an average citi- contacted by AFP. Yfrom the International six years, has depleted foreign ex- goods. Alongside a grinding sev- by profi teers, to the detriment of tories, hospitals and businesses zen to do. “Obviously, this new Social media and newspapers Monetary Fund (IMF) which change reserves in Yemen, which en-year military confl ict, Yemen’s most in a country on the verge of either destroyed or closed. injection of money will aff ect the are rife with stories of profi teers will help ease an acute economic imports the bulk of its goods. government and the Houthi rebels famine. As the riyal plummeted to new economy negatively, increase exploiting the unstable economic and humanitarian crisis in the Around 80% of the population is are locked in battle on another “Right now, we have... an ex- lows in recent weeks in govern- infl ation and aff ect the citizen’s situation. Some people have used war-torn country, the fund’s re- reliant on aid. front — a currency war that has change rate of the same currency ment areas, the central bank there purchasing power,” Alaa al-Haj, the rate discrepancies as an op- gional representative for Yemen To spend their SDRs, states opened up a gulf in riyal values. inside the country,” said Amal pledged to withdraw the series of an Aden resident, told AFP. portunity to cash in, including said. The distribution is part of a would fi rst have to exchange them Both the government and the Nasser, an economist with the banknotes which had accumulat- Yemenis were already battling by using the newly issued “old” $650bn IMF allocation of Special for underlying hard currencies, Houthis used the same notes until Sanaa Center for Strategic Stud- ed in its territory after the Huthi soaring living costs in a country notes in Aden to buy up those Drawing Rights - the fund’s unit requiring them to fi nd a willing late 2019 when the rebels banned ies. “This is bizarre from an eco- ban in late 2019. The central bank where more than 80% of people printed after 2017 at a discount of of exchange backed by dollars, exchange partner country. Yemen new banknotes printed in govern- nomic perspective”. According to in Aden was caught out because are dependent on international around 20 percent. Experts spo- euros, yen, sterling and yuan - is divided between the interna- ment-run Aden, due to concerns Nasser, other experts and ordi- it had expected the new notes to aid. The Houthis have accused ken to by AFP believe that the new which states receive in proportion tionally recognised government about infl ation. The resulting dif- nary Yemenis, the gap between eventually spread evenly through Goznak, a Russian state-owned “old” notes have a strong chance with their existing quota share- based in the south and the Houthi ference in money supply has since the two currency values meant both zones, but the concentration company, of colluding with the of permeating largely undetected holding. group that ousted it from the cap- seen the riyal’s value plummet to higher transfer costs between the of supply in the government zone central bank of Aden to print into Houthi areas, since they are “The SDR allocation will boost ital, Sanaa, in late 2014 and now around 1,000 to the dollar in gov- two zones. Yemen’s confl ict has stoked infl ation there and spurred “large amounts of counterfeit hard to distinguish from the ear- Yemen’s foreign exchange re- holds most of the north and main ernment areas, while the value in split the country between the the exchange rate divergence. The currency” this year - “in particu- lier old notes. serves by over 70%, providing urban centres. Houthi-controlled zones has held mostly Houthi-controlled north, government this month intro- lar 1,000 riyal notes” to pass new Ultimately, this should help the much needed support to help ad- The government, which is relatively stable at 600. and the south under the inter- duced a stockpile of what it claims bills off as old. Wahid al-Fawdai, central bank in closing the gap in dress the crisis, including with struggling to pay public sector Citizens and businesses in both nationally-recognised govern- were old bills, drawing the ire of an economic analyst and former the exchange rate between the two the many urgent food and medi- wages, has resorted to printing government and rebel-controlled ment which relocated the central the rebels who accused it of mint- adviser to the central bank, said zones, they said. Crisis-hit Lebanon to reopen Gaza’s authorities stage jab lottery to schools starting next month boost vaccinations

AFP a luxury, as families struggle Beirut to afford food, yet alone lap- AFP 10 newly vaccinated people win tops and mobile phone devices. Gaza City the equivalent of $200. The pov- Schools have threatened to shut erty rate in the coastal territory tudents in Lebanon will because of extortionate operat- exceeds the 50% mark. Ashraf return to the classroom ing costs amid rampant infla- uthorities in the Hamas- al-Qudra, the ministry spokes- Sstarting next month, the tion. ruled Gaza Strip launched man, said the names of the lot- education minister said yester- In an attempt to ease their Aa lottery yesterday aimed tery’s main three 10,000-shekel day, amid fears an accelerating burden, Majzoub said pub- at encouraging Palestinians to winners would be announced in a economic crisis and the coro- lic schools would open to in- be vaccinated against the coro- month’s time. navirus pandemic would pre- person attendance four days navirus, with winnings of up to He told reporters the initiative vent schools from reopening. a week, with students taking $3,000. should encourage Gazans “to save Rights groups have decried classes online for the fifth day. The enclave of some 2mn peo- their lives”. The Hamas authori- an “education catastrophe”, Private schools are free to ple has seen an upsurge in infec- ties also announced mandatory with more than a million chil- determine their own operating tions of the more contagious vaccination for all civil servants, dren in Lebanon out of school schedule, he added. Delta variant of Covid-19 in re- a measure already taken in the since the country’s Covid-19 The ministry “is coordinat- cent days. So far, around 135,000 occupied West Bank, which too outbreak began in February last ing with relevant authorities Gazans have had two vaccine jabs. has seen a surge in infections and year. and donor countries to settle The territory has received some where the Palestinian Authority Other students are at risk outstanding financial and eco- 336,000 doses but many people holds sway. Of more than 204,700 of never returning, the groups nomic issues,” Majzoub said, remain reluctant to get inocu- coronavirus infections offi cially have warned, due to a financial decrying “a series of crises” lated. recorded in the West Bank, where downturn that has seen poverty plaguing the education sector. Cars queue to fuel up at a gas station in Dora, Lebanon. As an incentive, the health 2.8mn Palestinians live, around rates soar to reach 78 percent of Lebanon’s economic crisis, ministry said those aged 55 and 2,500 people have died. The Gaza the population. branded by the World Bank as above who enter the lottery from Strip, which has been under an Classrooms will gradually likely one of the planet’s worst Iran is ready to ship more fuel Wednesday are in with a chance Israeli blockade since 2007, has reopen starting September 27, in modern times, has seen the of winning 10,000 shekels (over seen more than 122,520 infections outgoing education minis- local currency lose 90% of its Iran said yesterday it is ready people.” On Sunday Hezbollah’s government is willing,” said $3,000). A daily draw will also see and 1,125 deaths. ter Tarek Majzoub told a press value on the black market. to ship more fuel to Lebanon if Hassan Nasrallah said the first Khatibzadeh. conference yesterday. The de- The crisis has led to short- needed, a day after the leader of vessel shipping Iranian fuel to Hezbollah’s foes in Lebanon have cision covers both private and ages of almost everything, from Lebanon’s Hezbollah group said Lebanon, which last Thursday warned of dire consequences public schools as well as tech- fuel to electricity and even more vessels carrying Iranian the group announced was about from the purchase, saying it nical learning centres. All are to bread, with power cuts lasting fuel would sail soon to help ease to leave Iran, had already sailed. risked sanctions being imposed reopen by October 4 at the lat- up to 22 hours a day and fuel for the country’s fuel shortage. “We Last week Iran’s semi-off icial on a country whose economy has est, he added. private generators increasingly sell our oil and its products based Nournews news website reported been in meltdown for nearly two Lebanon had moved to dis- scarce. on our own decisions and the that the fuel shipments to years. US sanctions on Iran’s oil tance learning in March last Majzoub said that with inter- needs of our friend. Iran is ready Lebanon were all purchased by a exports, reimposed in 2018 when year due to the pandemic, with national assistance, the minis- to send fuel again to Lebanon if group of Lebanese businessmen. then-president Donald Trump intermittent returns to the try has provided donations of needed,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry “We announce our readiness exited Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal classroom for some students. textbooks and stationery for spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh to sell fuel to the Lebanese with six powers, aim to cut its But power cuts, internet out- public school students, as well said in an online weekly news government in addition to the crude sales to zero. Hezbollahhas ages and the economic crisis as solar panels for 122 learning conference. “Certainly we cannot fuel purchased by the Lebanese also been targeted by US A man looks on while waiting near coronavirus test samples at a have made online instruction facilities. see the suff ering of the Lebanese businessmen, if the Lebanese sanctions. make-shift medical testing area in Gaza City. Egypt to intensify vaccination ahead of a fourth Covid wave

Reuters Cairo

gypt will vaccinate all 4.5mn of its state employees against ECovid-19 in August and Sep- tember as it seeks to accelerate vac- cinations ahead of a likely fourth wave of infections, the health min- ister said yesterday. The country’s infection rate is still low but started to increase last week and the upward curve is expected to continue for a while, Hala Zayed told a briefi ng, adding that a signifi cant increase is expected in late Septem- ber. “It is important for the Egyp- tian government and the political leadership that we work to intensify vaccinations in the coming period,” Zayed said. As part of the programme, all workers in pre-university educa- tion, university employees and uni- versity students - a total of more China’s Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines produced by VACSERA Co are seen in Cairo, Egypt. than 5mn people - will be vaccinated before the start of the academic year The country’s infection rate is still low id-19 infections as of Sunday, in- in October, she said. So far, about cluding 16,674 deaths. 10mn people have registered online but started to increase last week and the However, offi cials and experts say to get vaccinated and nearly 7.5mn upward curve is expected to continue for the real number of infections is far have received at least one dose, Za- higher but is not refl ected in govern- yed said. a while ment fi gures because of low corona- The prime minister said in June virus testing rates and the exclusion the government aimed to vaccinate Johnson. It has also produced 15mn for the locally produced VACSERA- of private test results. 40% of the population of more than doses of Sinovac’s vaccine locally, Sinovac vaccines, it said in a state- The fi rst Covid-19 infection from 100mn by the end of this year. Zayed said, and will receive about ment. the Delta variant was discovered in Egypt has received millions of 5.2mn doses produced by Pfi zer and The country plans to have 800 Egypt in mid-July, Zayed said, add- doses of Covid-19 vaccines pro- Moderna in September. vaccine centres running by the end ing that it concerned a 35-year-old duced by AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, The Egyptian Drug Authority ap- of August, up from 657 currently. woman who did not need hospitali- Sinovac, Sputnik, and Johnson & proved an emergency use licence Egypt has recorded 286,352 Cov- sation. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, August 24, 2021 WORLD

Ethiopia to develop local rival Mozambique’s $2bn to Facebook, other platforms

Reuters The government wants its lo- to comment on Ethiopia’s plans Addis Ababa cal platform to “replace” Face- and did not respond immediately book, Twitter, WhatsApp and to a query about Shumete’s ac- Zoom, the director-general of cusations. fraud trial begins thiopia has begun devel- the Information Network Secu- Ethiopia, a country of about oping its own social media rity Agency (INSA), Shumete Gi- 115mn, has about 6mn Facebook AFP/Reuters Machava, where he has been in Guebuza allegedly acted as a the decision on where he should Eplatform to rival Facebook, zaw, said. users according to Statista. Maputo/Johannesburg pre-trial custody since Febru- facilitator between interested be sent in the hands of Ronald Twitter, and WhatsApp, though Shumete accused Facebook of However, in June, days before ary 2019. parties and his father, who was Lamola, the justice minister. it does not plan to block the glo- deleting posts and user accounts national elections, Facebook said Mozambique’s courts were president at the time. “The Ministry of Justice and bal services, the state commu- which he said were “disseminat- it had removed a network of fake he Mozambique trial of 19 deemed too small to accom- Mozambique’s former head of Correctional Services ... con- nications security agency said ing the true reality about Ethio- accounts in Ethiopia targeting suspects linked to a $2bn modate the dozens of lawyers security and intelligence, Gre- fi rms that a decision has been yesterday. pia”. domestic users which it linked to Tsecret loan scandal that and witnesses and more than gorio Leao, is also among the taken to extradite the accused to Ethiopia has been engulfed International human rights individuals associated with the plunged the southern African 250 journalists accredited to accused. Mozambique,” Lamola’s minis- since last year in an armed con- groups have criticised the Ethio- INSA, which is responsible for country into its worst-ever fi - follow the hearings, which are Revelations of the secret loans try said in its statement, adding fl ict pitting the federal govern- pian government for unexplained monitoring telecommunications nancial crisis began yesterday in scheduled to run over the next plunged Mozambique – one of that concerns Chang was im- ment against the Tigray People’s shutdowns to social media serv- and the Internet. the capital Maputo. 43 days. the world’s poorest countries mune from prosecution in Mo- Liberation Front (TPLF), which ices including Facebook and Twitter declined to comment. The scheme, known as the Only two of the defendants and which relies on donor aid zambique had been resolved. controls the Tigray region in the WhatsApp in the past year. Zoom did not immediately re- “hidden debt” scandal, involved were heard yesterday, during – into its worst fi nancial crisis He would now be handed over country’s north. The government has not com- ply to a comment request. state-guaranteed loans con- which lawyers argued that their since independence from Por- to Mozambican authorities to Supporters of both sides have mented on those shutdowns. Shumete declined to specify a tracted between 2013 and 2015 detention was illegal. tugal in 1975. face charges including embez- waged a parallel war of words on Facebook’s Africa spokesper- timeline, budget and other de- by three public enterprises – None of the 19 have yet com- The United States alleges that zlement, money laundering and social media. son, Kezia Anim-Addo, declined tails. ProIndicus, Mozambique Asset mented on the charges. at least $200mn was spent on a violation of budget laws, it Management and Ematum – to They are accused of having a bribes and kickbacks, includ- said. buy a tuna-fi shing fl eet and sur- hand in the $2bn (€1.7bn) that ing $12mn pocketed by former Chang’s lawyer did not im- Five killed during bid to resist arrest veillance ships that never mate- the three companies borrowed fi nance minister Manuel Chang, mediately respond for a request rialised. from Swiss banking giant Credit who also signed off on the debt for comment. A Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) soldier accused of Former president Armando Suisse and Russian bank VTB, guarantees. Several other judicial proce- attempted rape shot dead the father of his victim, as well as three Lawyer Guebuza’s son, Ndambi Guebu- among others. Chang, who denies wrongdo- dures involving Credit Suisse other people, before being killed himself by the security forces, local za, is among 19 suspects charged An independent audit later ing, has been in custody since are also underway. police said yesterday. with a combination of black- found that $500mn (€426mn) his 2018 arrest in South Africa at Three of the bank’s former In an incident on Sunday in the town of Kisangani in the northeast for Hotel mail, counterfeiting, embezzle- of the loans were diverted, and the request of the US, which had employees pleaded guilty to US of the country, the soldier was killed by police and the army as they ment and money laundering. remain unaccounted for. charged Chang with crimes for charges of money-laundering tried to arrest him for attempted rape, the deputy police chief of Dressed in a winter coat The government hid the loans his alleged involvement in $2bn over the matter in October 2020. Tshopo province, Colonel Gerard Bosange told AFP. Rwanda and striped shirt, Guebuza sat from the country’s parliament in borrowing that US authorities US-led investigations into “On Sunday, a sergeant shot two soldiers and a civilian who had alongside his counterparts as and donors such as the Inter- said was fraudulent. the “hidden debt” scandal have been sent to arrest him after killing a father who had tried to stop proceedings started in a make- national Monetary Fund (IMF), Mozambique subsequently also implicated Mozambique’s him raping his daughter,” Bosange said. “On the orders of the hero gets shift court set up under a can- who cut off fi nancial support requested Chang’s extradition, current President Filipe Nyusi, government in Kinshasa, the police and the army used a mortar to vas tent erected on the premises when the scandal surfaced in prompting a court battle over who was defence minister at the kill the soldier, who had two combat weapons and five loaded clips of the high security prison of 2016. his custody that ultimately left time. and refused to hand over the body of the victim.” – AFP deported

21 dead in weekend attacks in Nigeria Reuters Kigali Twenty-one people were killed and 13 were wounded in two attacks Maasai queue in northwest Nigeria at the weekend, off icials said, in the latest deadly violence in the troubled region. Belgian lawyer for the On Sunday nine people were killed when “unidentified persons” man whose story inspired attacked the village of Ungwan Dooh in Kaduna state’s Zangon Athe fi lm Hotel Rwanda, Kataf district, Samuel Aruwan, the state’s security commissioner who is being tried on terrorism said. charges, has been deported for The village lies in a notorious area for flare-ups between working without a permit, the predominantly Muslim Fulani herders and mainly Christian farmers. head of Rwanda’s immigration “Nine corpses have been recovered so far following a search of service said yesterday. the village,” Aruwan said in a statement. “One resident ... sustained Paul Rusesabagina, the ex- gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital. Two houses hotelier portrayed as a hero in were razed in the attack.” the 2004 fi lm about Rwanda’s On Saturday, 12 people were killed and 12 injured when several 1994 genocide, is accused of hundred members of a criminal gang, known locally as bandits, nine terrorism-related charges, stormed Duba village in neighbouring Katsina state on motorbikes, including forming and funding police said. an armed rebel group. “The criminals rode into the village, around 300 of them, carrying Vincent Lurquin was deported machine guns and RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) and ransacked on Saturday after appearing in the village, where they broke into shops and looted provisions,” said court as one of Rusesabagina’s Gambo Isah, Katsina state police spokesman. – AFP lawyers the previous day despite lacking legal permission to do so, offi cials said. Angola mine waste leaks into river “He did some work, but he was not authorised to work,” Regis Waste material from Angola’s biggest diamond mine leaked into a Gatarayiha, director-general at river last month, filling waterways with sediment before the breach the Rwanda Directorate General was sealed, Sociedade Mineira de Catoca (Catoca Mining Company) of Immigration and Emigration, said in a statement seen by Reuters yesterday. told Reuters. Congolese researchers said on Friday that pollution caused by a Lurquin was in the country on leak from a tailings dam, used to store waste mining material, had a visitor’s visa, Gatarayiha said. turned rivers red and caused fish to die in Congo’s Kasai province. “He is a lawyer of Rusesaba- The researchers did not link the pollution to a specific mine. gina in a case in Belgium ... to Catoca said in a statement, dated August 9 and seen by Reuters be able to assist him in courts of yesterday, that tailings were seen to have leaked into the Lova river Rwanda – he is not a lawyer who on July 27 following a rupture in a spillway for the mine waste dam. is accredited by the Rwanda Bar The company said it immediately sought to repair it, built two dykes Members of the indigenous Maasai community queue to receive the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine at the Bissil Health Centre within Association,” said Gatarayiha. to filter sediment out of the water and by August 9 the breach was Iibissil settlement, in Matapato North of Kajiado county, Kenya. Lurquin should have fi rst sealed. – Reuters gotten accreditation from the Rwanda Bar Association and then obtained a permit from Rwanda immigration, which he did not do, Gatarayiha said. “Any claims that he illegally US sanctions Eritrea’s army or clandestinely entered under a tourist visa are unequivocally false,” Rusesabagina’s legal team chief over Tigray rights abuses said in a statement. Lurquin had been represent- ing Rusesabagina in a Belgium- AFP/Reuters baseless allegations and blackmail di- based investigation and needed Washington rected against it,” the Eritrean foreign to speak to his client, according ministry said in a statement on Twit- to the statement. ter. “This is not, indeed, the fi rst time “With the assistance and he United States has imposed for the US administration to fl oat such knowledge of the Belgium Min- sanctions on Eritrea’s army chief baseless smear campaigns against Eri- istry of Foreign Aff airs, he ar- Tover abuses, including massa- trea.” rived in Kigali, and told the cres and widespread sexual assault, in “In the face of the repetitive and Rwanda immigration authorities Ethiopia’s war-scarred Tigray region. unwarranted accusations, Eritrea can- that he was a lawyer, coming into The move by the US Treasury De- not remain silent,” it added. “In the Rwanda to visit a detained client. partment against General Filipos circumstances, Eritrea calls on the US He was given a visa by the Rwan- Woldeyohannes, chief of staff of the administration to bring the case to an dan immigration offi cials,” the Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF), comes independent adjudication if it indeed statement said. amid reports that Eritrea has deployed has facts to prove its false allegations.” The offi cial record of Friday’s reinforcements to parts of Tigray as The Treasury Department said any trial did not include Lurquin ap- fi ghting escalates. property or interests of Filipos in the pearing on behalf of Rusesaba- Forces under Filipos’s command are United States would be frozen and US gina, who was represented only responsible for “massacres, looting, citizens are barred from conducting by a Rwandan lawyer, the state- and sexual assaults”, the Treasury De- any business with him. ment said. partment said in a statement. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy All Rusesabagina’s non- “EDF troops have raped, tortured, Ahmed sent troops into Tigray last No- Rwandan lawyers have said they and executed civilians; they have also vember to topple the regional ruling were denied permits to defend destroyed property and ransacked party, the Tigray People’s Liberation him in Rwandan courts. businesses,” it said. “The EDF have Front (TPLF). The Rwanda Bar Association purposely shot civilians in the street The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize win- said Lurquin was not a member and carried out systematic house-to- ner said the move came in response to of the organisation and not al- house searches, executing men and TPLF attacks on federal army camps. lowed to practice in the country. boys, and have forcibly evicted Tigray- For months the Ethiopian and Eri- Government spokeswoman an families from their residences and trean governments denied Eritreans Yolande Makolo responded to taken over their houses and property.” were involved in the fi ghting, con- the association’s statement on “The United States will continue tradicting testimony from residents, Twitter, saying that Lurquin’s to identify and pursue action against rights groups, aid workers, diplomats behaviour was “crooked” and a those involved in serious human rights and even some Ethiopian civilian and “desperate” attempt to distract abuse in Ethiopia and prolonging the military offi cials. from the facts of the trial. ongoing confl ict and humanitarian Abiy fi nally acknowledged the Eri- Prosecutors have requested a crisis,” US Secretary of State Antony treans’ presence in March while speak- life sentence for Rusesabagina, Blinken said in a separate statement. ing to lawmakers, and vowed soon after whose family says he is in poor Eritrea angrily rejected the decision that they would leave. health and being mistreated in and the allegations. Eritrea itself vowed to pull out of prison. “The government of Eritrea rejects, the region in April, but that never fully The court is scheduled to issue both in letter and spirit, the utterly happened. its verdict on September 20. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 24, 2021 7 WORLD Biden fi ghts to regain control of Afghanistan narrative

AFP cism from Republicans and some of bers by reporters, he just smiled and “There is no way to evacuate this Washington his own allies. laughed. many people without pain and loss, of Now, though, the White House is “I haven’t seen that poll,” he said. heartbreaking images you see on tel- trying to wrest back control of the nar- If there is anyone working hardest evision. It’s just a fact. My heart aches sked about plummeting poll rative. to rewrite the script for the embar- for those people you see.” numbers, Joe Biden flashed Part of that is down to the Pentagon, rassed US government it’s the military, Biden says he is confi dent in the Ahis megawatt smile and whose daily briefi ngs fi lled the infor- which so far has mounted a remarkably longterm outcome of the drama. But laughed. The Afghanistan exit may mation vacuum left early on by the effi cient airlift from Kabul. Latest fi g- time may not be on his side. look like a disaster but the US presi- White House. ures showed US aircraft had evacuated In the most immediate sense he is dent exudes confidence that he will But increasingly it’s 78-year-old Bi- more than 37,000 people just since Au- racing to complete the mass evacua- be proved right in the end. den leading the charge with a message gust 14 and 42,000 since July. tions by an August 31 deadline agreed “I think when this is over, the centred on his insistence that Ameri- Biden, who was uncharacteristically with the Taliban, who are eff ectively American people will have a clear cans are witnessing not a debacle but terse in the fi rst days of the evacua- standing back to allow their enemy to understanding of what I did,” he told a bravely executed withdrawal from a tion, seems to have regained his famed get out. reporters this weekend. “That’s the war that had to end regardless. ability to express emotion, using this And the clock is running down on job. My job is to make judgments. So far, the spin is not helping Biden’s to praise the US military eff ort while Biden’s ability to steer the political My job is to make judgments no-one political standing, already hammered sharing empathy for suff ering evacu- ship in a town where his opponents are else can or will make.” by the coronavirus Delta variant and a ees. circling and his allies are nervous. When the Taliban completed their civil war over masks and vaccines. “An incredible operation,” he said A pair of giant infrastructure spend- surge across Afghanistan by taking An NBC poll published Sunday gave Sunday. ing packages that were meant to be over Kabul in the middle of August, Biden a 49% approval rating, down But mixed with the patriotism and the legislative crown jewels of the fi rst the Biden administration had the from 53% four months earlier. Disap- empathy is a newer element: tough term are now on hold while Democratic appearance of a deer in the head- proval for the Democrat had shot up President Joe Biden speaks during an update on the situation in Afghanistan in love. congressional leaders continue to try lights. from 39% to 48%. the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC. (AFP) Biden’s argument is that, yes, there to ensure enough votes in the closely In Kabul, there was chaos as pan- On his handling of Afghanistan, dis- may be a mess but a mess is inevitable divided House of Representatives. icked Afghans mobbed the airport, approval was a stunning 60%. when you exit a civil war — and exiting And just a little further on the hori- leading to horrific scenes of people Biden, though, is the model Wash- “I think when this is over, the American people will have is the only goal that really matters. zon looms the potentially game chang- trying to hold on to airplanes and ington “happy warrior” type — a poli- a clear understanding of what I did. My job is to make “The evacuation of thousands of ing test of the midterm elections when falling to their deaths. tician whose default setting is on opti- judgments no-one else can or will make” people from Kabul is going to be hard the Democrats may well lose even the Back home, Biden was initially in- mistic. — US President Joe Biden and painful no matter when it started narrow majorities they now hold in visible, prompting a torrent of criti- Confronted with the dark poll num- and when we began,” he said. Congress. Pain and anger inside the Pentagon aft er Pfi zer-BioNTech fi rst to Afghanistan crumbles get full FDA approval US military off icials said they were unable to hold back tears during the past week Public health off icials are hoping the action will convince

On the second floor of the Pentagon, a small at first intended to oust the Taliban and target unvaccinated Americans that the shot is safe, eff ective map marks the path that a hijacked American Al Qaeda militants there who planned the Airlines plane took before hitting the military attacks on New York and Washington. headquarters on September 11 2001, an Over the years, 800,000 Americans deployed Reuters cine mandatory for US military id-19 vaccines given emergen- preparing the guidance to the attack that propelled the US-led invasion of to Afghanistan as the mission developed into New York personnel. US health offi cials cy-use authorisation — made force right now.” Afghanistan. a nation-building exercise. Nearly 2,400 were expect that the FDA’s full ap- by Moderna Inc and Johnson The FDA’s approval extends A few corridors over hangs a full wall-sized killed and more than 20,000 injured. proval also will prompt more & Johnson — have not yet re- the shelf life of Pfi zer shots from poster of a 2009 Time magazine cover, with To critics, the US military was part of the he US drug regulator state and local governments, ceived full FDA approval. six months to nine months. It the words “How not to lose in Afghanistan” and problem. Senior military leaders have often yesterday granted full as well as private employers, to More than 204 million peo- also confi rms that the shot in- an image of a US soldier smoking a cigarette presented overly-optimistic views. US Tapproval to the Pfi zer impose vaccine mandates. ple in the United States already creases risk of heart infl amma- somewhere in the country. airstrikes and raids killed women and children. Inc/BioNTech SE Covid-19 “While millions of people have received the Pfi zer/BioN- tion, particularly among young The building near Washington that houses As intelligence reports started trickling in two vaccine, making it the fi rst to have already safely received Tech vaccine. men in the week following their off ices for more than 20,000 service members weeks ago that the Taliban were sweeping secure such Food and Drug Covid-19 vaccines, we recog- The United States leads the second shot. and civilian defence employees, is littered with through the country with little resistance by Administration validation as nise that for some, the FDA world in reported Covid-19 In Pfi zer’s clinical trial, ap- reminders of 20 years of US involvement in the Afghan forces, Pentagon off icials said they health authorities struggle to approval of a vaccine may now cases and deaths. More than proximately 12,000 recipients Afghanistan, America’s longest war. were shocked. win over vaccine sceptics dur- instil additional confi dence 625,000 Americans have died of the vaccine have been fol- That’s a question senior military leaders are When President Joe Biden gave a speech ing a relentless pandemic. to get vaccinated,” said Janet from the disease, including an lowed for at least six months. grappling with following the collapse of the in which he said some at-risk Afghans did The FDA, which gave the Woodcock, the FDA’s acting average of more than 600 daily “Based on the longer-term US-trained and funded Afghan military, the not want to leave, there was anger over his two-dose vaccine emergency- commissioner. in recent weeks. follow-up data that we submit- Taliban’s shockingly rapid takeover, a bungled perceived lack of empathy. use authorisation in December, The approval also makes it According to the Centers for ted, today’s approval for those evacuation of civilians from Kabul and the In the past few days, there has been frustration went a step further based on easier for physicians to pre- Disease Control and Prevention aged 16 and over affi rms the ef- prospect of Afghans who helped Americans in over the slow pace of the evacuations of US updated data from the com- scribe a third dose of Pfi zer’s (CDC), 71% of Americans age 12 fi cacy and safety profi le of our the war being left behind to face reprisals from citizens and vulnerable Afghans. pany’s clinical trial and fully vaccine off -label for people and older — the population eli- vaccine at a time when it is ur- the militants in power. US military off icials said they were unable to approved it for use in people who may benefi t from addi- gible to receive Covid-19 vac- gently needed,” Pfi zer CEO Al- “We see videos and photos, we read stories hold back tears during the past week. age 16 and older. Public health tional protection against Cov- cines — have gotten at least one bert Bourla said in a statement. that bring back memories for some of us, and For some, it was reading reports about the offi cials hope the action will id-19. Pfi zer shares were up dose and 60.2% are fully vac- The vaccine will now be mar- it becomes intensely personal,” General David bases they lived in being overrun. For others convince unvaccinated Ameri- nearly 4% and BioNTech shares cinated. For the entire popula- keted under the name Comir- Berger, the commandant of the Marine Corps, it was receiving messages from Afghans, cans that Pfi zer’s shot is safe were up nearly 10%. tion, including children up to naty. wrote in a memo to Marines. begging for help and warning that the Taliban and eff ective. The FDA gave emergency- age 11 for whom no vaccines are The FDA on August 13 au- “Was it worth it? Yes. Does it still hurt? Yes,” would kill them. There is entrenched vaccine use authorisation to the vaccine yet approved, 60.7% of Ameri- thorised a third dose of the Berger wrote. “I want to be very clear: your service was not scepticism among some Amer- for people age 16 and older in cans have received at least one Pfi zer/BioNTech and Moderna It is common for service members to form in vain, and it made a diff erence,” Admiral Mike icans, particularly conserva- December — making it the fi rst dose and 51.5% of them are fully vaccines for people with com- bonds with the countries they deploy to, Gilday, the chief of US Naval operations, said in tives. Covid-19 cases, driven shot to gain such backing in the vaccinated. promised immune systems especially in combat. his own memo last week. by the highly infectious Delta United States — and then gave The FDA’s approval should who are likely to have weaker There was deep frustration among service Aides to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin variant, have surged in parts of further emergency-use author- signal that the vaccine is “safe, protection from the two-dose members deployed to Syria when then- and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the United States with lower isation for people age 12 and up eff ective, and has been manu- regimens. Pfi zer’s shot has not President Donald Trump in December 2018 General Mark Milley, who both served in vaccination levels. in May. The FDA is awaiting ad- factured consistently,” said Dr yet been authorised for more abruptly announced the withdrawal of 2,000 Afghanistan, included references to the range “This FDA approval should ditional data before deciding on Paul Offi t of the University of widespread use as a booster. troops who had largely defeated Islamic State of emotions service members were feeling give added confi dence that this fully approving Pfi zer’s vaccine Pennsylvania, a member of the A third dose of Pfi zer’s vac- (ISIS). The move was criticised by off icers when they spoke to reporters. vaccine is safe and eff ective,” in children ages 12 to 15. FDA’s vaccine advisory panel. cine has signifi cantly improved and lawmakers as abandonment of Kurdish Both said they understood that the events President Joe Biden, who has Woodcock said the FDA was “We’re going to move for- protection from infection and allies and leaving unchecked Russia and Iran’s in Afghanistan were personal for service sought to increase vaccination not recommending children ward making that vaccine serious illness among people influence in Syria. members and these were diff icult times. levels, wrote on Twitter. below 12 years of age get the mandatory,” Pentagon spokes- age 60 and older in Israel com- But unlike Syria, a generation of service “It was going to end sometime. It just didn’t Shortly after the FDA’s an- vaccine at this time, with more man John Kirby told reporters, pared with those who received members were shaped by Afghanistan, a war have to end like this,” one military off icial said. nouncement, the Pentagon said data needed to ensure it is safe adding that the timetable was two shots, a study published on it is preparing to make the vac- for them. The two other Cov- still being worked out. “We’re Sunday showed.

Search for dozens US govt defends missing in eviction ban at Rare tropical storm downgraded Tennessee flood Exiting Cuomo rues Supreme Court

AFP Rescue teams searched ‘rush to judgment’ President Joe Biden’s New York yesterday for dozens of people administration yesterday asked believed missing in Tennessee the US Supreme Court to leave in after record downpours and AFP place a Covid-19 pandemic-related ropical Storm Henri was flash flooding left at least 21 New York federal ban on residential evictions downgraded to a tropical dead, swept cars into ditches while the justices consider a Tdepression late Sunday after and washed away homes and challenge by landlord groups to the slamming into Rhode Island on the buildings, authorities said. utgoing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he had ban’s legality. US east coast, knocking out power Humphreys County Emergency been the victim of a “political fi recracker” as he prepared In a court filing, US Justice to thousands of Americans, up- Management Agency said Oto leave offi ce yesterday after resigning over sexual har- Department lawyers said the rooting trees, and bringing record rescuers were searching assment allegations. Centers for Disease Control and rainfall. through houses, rubble and In a pre-recorded farewell address, the once-powerful Demo- Prevention (CDC) acted within its The storm hit land near the town debris for 40 people still missing crat insisted an inquiry that found he sexually harassed multiple lawful authority this month when it of Westerly, Rhode Island, at ap- in the area, directly west of women, including staff ers, had been designed to force him to quit. renewed the moratorium through proximately 12:15pm, the National Nashville. “The number of the “There was a political and media stampede. But the truth will October 3 after it had lapsed at the Weather Service said. Henri had missing keeps changing as we out in time. Of that, I am confi dent,” said Cuomo, who hands over end of July. Groups representing already been downgraded from a Members of the New Market Volunteer Fire Company perform a get more information, but we’re the reins of America’s fourth-most populous state to Lieutenant landlords have sought to lift the Category 1 Hurricane earlier on secondary search during an evacuation eff ort following a flash flood hoping it will go down as people Governor Kathy Hochul. moratorium, pointing out that even Sunday. as Tropical Storm Henri made landfall in Helmetta. (AFP) report in,” said Grey Collier, a Cuomo — son of three-term governor Mario Cuomo — led New Biden administration off icials have But the National Hurricane spokeswoman for the agency. York for a decade, fi rst winning election in 2010. He shot to inter- conceded it may not be lawful. Center (NHC) said in its 5am ad- increasing threat to the world’s cated the storm was not as bad as “We’re going to every home,” national fame last spring when he was widely praised for com- The CDC first issued an eviction visory that Henri was “nearly sta- coastal communities, scientists projections feared although fallen she said. “Many have slid forting Americans with daily, straight-talking televised briefi ngs moratorium in September 2020, tionary” and winds had reduced to say. Millions of residents in New trees nearly damaged homes in off their foundations, some about the pandemic. with agency off icials saying the 30 miles per hour (48km per hour) England and New York’s Long Is- Groton, Connecticut. collapsed. We’re also working His performances, which came as then-president Donald policy was needed to combat — much lower than predicted gusts land had been told to prepare for “We dodged a bullet,” James along side the creeks, looking Trump sowed confusion with incoherent messages about coro- the spread of Covid-19 and of 75mph — with “little change in violent winds, days without elec- Kiker, of Newport, Rhode Island, for anyone we can.” Tennessee navirus, even led to clamour among some Democrats for a presi- prevent homelessness during strength” forecast. tricity, and storm surges of up to told AFP, saying he saw only “min- Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, dential run. the pandemic. Realtor groups in Henri is a rare tropical storm fi ve feet. imal damage” in his area, including said at a press conference But Cuomo’s stock started to slide late last year as he became Alabama and Georgia were among to strike America’s northeastern Rhode Island Governor Dan a few broken branches. late Sunday that he would engulfed in accusations that he covered up the true extent of those challenging the moratorium. seaboard and comes as the surface McKee said there was “signifi cant Residents on Long Island, home request emergency assistance Covid-19 deaths at nursing homes. Several women then came Under heavy political pressure layer of oceans warms due to cli- fl ooding” in areas. There were no to the plush Hamptons villages from the federal government forward this year alleging that the 63-year-old had behaved in- from Biden’s fellow Democrats, mate change. immediate reports of any casual- where wealthy New Yorkers retreat in the next few days after an appropriately towards them. The accusations culminated in an his administration on August 3 The warming is causing cy- ties. By mid-afternoon, the NHC in summer, expressed relief that initial assessment. “This is still explosive report by state Attorney General Letitia James released issued a slightly narrower eviction clones to become more powerful had lifted all surge warnings and the storm’s path had skirted east unfolding right now in a tragic earlier this month that said he sexually harassed 11 women, in- moratorium three days after the and carry more water, posing an initial reports from residents indi- of them. and diff icult situation,” Lee said. cluding by engaging in unwanted touching. prior one expired. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, August 24, 2021 WORLD

COMMENT DECISION RULING CRACKDOWN POLITICS US has no hostile intent Bali ‘suitcase killer’ Indonesian ex-minister China warns off icials over Japan ex-minister Kishida toward N Korea: envoy set for early release jailed for 12 years links with businesses ‘likely to run in LDP race’

The US has no hostile intent toward Pyongyang and An American woman convicted with her boyfriend Indonesia’s ex-social aff airs minister was jailed Members of China’s Communist Party in Hangzhou Japan’s former foreign minister Fumio Kishida is open to meeting any time and any place, Washing- of killing her mother and stuff ing the body in a for 12 years yesterday after being convicted of have been ordered to resolve any potential business- is likely to run in the ruling party’s leadership ton’s special envoy for North Korea said yesterday suitcase at a luxury Bali hotel is to be freed from taking $1.2mn in bribes linked to food aid for related conflicts of interest involving themselves or race when incumbent Yoshihide Suga’s current during a visit to South Korea. Sung Kim arrived in prison early, her lawyer said yesterday. In 2015, poor families hit by the coronavirus pandemic. relatives, the country’s graft watchdog said. The state- term ends in September, the Sankei newspaper Seoul on Saturday for a four-day visit. The visit comes teenager Heather Mack was handed a 10-year jail A Jakarta court handed out the stiff sentence to ment from the Central Commission for Discipline In- reported. Kishida is likely to formally announce as a brief thaw in inter-Korean relations in July gave term while her boyfriend Tommy Schaefer got 18 Juliari Batubara following his December arrest spection (CDDI) came two days after it announced a his candidacy when the date of the ruling Liberal way to a new standoff over US-South Korean military years for the murder of Chicago socialite Sheila and a sting operation that turned up suitcases, probe into the most senior party off icial in Hangzhou, Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership race is fixed, exercises that North Korea has warned could trigger von Wiese Mack on the Indonesian holiday island. backpacks and envelopes stuff ed with cash. city party secretary Zhou Jiangyong. Zhou is under the paper said. The party will decide on Thursday a security crisis. “The US does not have hostile intent Schaefer beat the 62-year-old victim to death with “The court sentences the defendant to 12 years investigation for “serious violations of discipline and when to hold the race, with the most likely date toward (North Korea),” Kim said after meeting with his a fruit bowl during a heated argument at the five- in prison and orders him to pay 500mn rupiah laws”, the CCDI said. The CDDI said close to 25,000 seen as September 29. An ally of Suga backed South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk. “The ongo- star St. Regis resort, before the couple abandoned ($35,000) in fines or serve six more months in current party cadres in leadership positions in the by the LDP lost a mayoral race in Yokohama on ing (US-South Korea) combined military exercises are the suitcase containing the battered body in a taxi, prison,” presiding judge Mohamed Damis told the eastern city, as well as those who had retired within Sunday, Japanese media reported, in a blow to longstanding, routine, and purely defensive in nature and fled. Heather, now 25, was set to be released hearing, which was held virtually for virus safety the last three years, were undertaking “self examina- Suga, who has seen his popularity plunge due to and support the security of both our countries.” from Bali’s Kerobokan prison in October. reasons. tions” to review any potential conflicts of interest. his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid strategy under fi re as New Zealand extends curbs

Reuters was causing some economic un- Wellington certainty. With about 80% of the 5.1mn New Zealanders yet to be fully rime Minister Jacinda vaccinated, Ardern, the leader of Ardern extended New the Labour Party that holds the PZealand’s coronavirus majority in the parliament, chose lockdown yesterday, saying the to quickly lock down the entire current outbreak has not peaked, country, angering many of her as criticism mounts of her strat- critics. egy to eliminate Covid-19 amid “New Zealand was not pre- the slow rollout of its vaccine pared for the arrival of Delta be- programme. cause Labour has failed to show Ardern garnered global praise the urgency on vaccinations that for stamping out Covid-19 in Kiwis deserve,” Judith Collins, New Zealand last year and the the leader of the opposition Na- country was virus-free since tional Party, said in a statement February. yesterday, adding many frontline But an outbreak of the highly workers remain unvaccinated. contagious Delta variant of the Domestic media that had been coronavirus last week while few largely favourable of Ardern’s people have been vaccinated has success have also turned against called into question the approach her. Bryce Edwards, a political US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to troops as she visits the USS Tulsa in Singapore yesterday. of snap lockdowns and border analyst in residence at Victoria restrictions that have curtailed University of Wellington, said the economy. that Ardern’s government is be- ing judged diff erently in its Cov- “We don’t yet believe id-19 response in 2021 compared that we have reached to 2020. the peak of this “This time around, people outbreak, or necessarily are much more sceptical about the edge of it” how the government has been US pledges ‘enduring handling all of the Covid related Ardern extended the strict lev- issues, especially the vaccine el 4 national lockdown by three roll-out which is judged to be too days until midnight on August 27 slow,” he said. while its largest city Auckland, Ardern defended her strategy the epicentre of the current out- yesterday. “For now everyone break, will have restrictions in is in agreement... elimination engagement’ in Asia place at least until August 31. is the strategy. There is no dis- “We don’t yet believe that we cussion or debate amongst any AFP mitted to enduring engagement evacuation from Kabul airport fl ashpoint South China Sea, orchid named after her, a typical have reached the peak of this of us about that because that is Singapore in Singapore, into Southeast overseen by the US army. which overlaps with the claims honour for a visiting dignitary. outbreak, or necessarily the edge the safest option for us while we Asia and the Indo-Pacifi c,” US President Joe Biden’s ad- of several Southeast Asian states Harris also visited a naval base of it,” Ardern said at a news con- continue to vaccinate our peo- Harris told a press conference ministration is seeking to re- and Taiwan. and addressed US sailors aboard ference in the capital Wellington. ple,” Ardern said. ice President Kamala alongside Singapore’s leader. set relationships in Asia after At yesterday’s press confer- the visiting USS Tulsa warship. “That does mean the safest But, she did not rule out New Harris vowed “endur- “The reason I am here is be- the turbulent Trump era, and ence, Harris reiterated US com- Singapore and the US have options for all of us right now Zealanders eventually having to Ving engagement” in Asia cause the US is a global leader, project Washington as a stabil- mitment to “uphold the rules- strong and long-standing secu- is to hold the course for longer,” live with the virus. yesterday, off ering reassurances and we take that role seriously.” ising force in the face of growing based international order and rity ties. she added. The highly transmis- “Going into next year let’s of Washington’s commitment to But she dodged questions Chinese aggression. freedom of navigation, includ- The city-state also has good sible Delta variant breached New continue to get their (experts) the region even as the US com- about whether US credibility Harris is also facing criticism ing in the South China Sea”. relations with Beijing, and its Zealand last week and spread advice. But I would say that’s pletes its chaotic withdrawal had been damaged by the Afghan for being tone-deaf in going After arriving at the week- leaders have warned the US fast, with cases topping over 100 always been our approach... from Afghanistan and the Tali- debacle, saying her govern- ahead with a visit to Vietnam as end, Harris began her offi cial against taking too tough a line yesterday after one case was fi rst constantly learning, constantly ban takeover. ment’s focus was on “evacuating US forces struggle to evacuate engagements yesterday by hold- towards China. reported on August 17, when a adapting,” she said. The Afghan debacle has cast a American citizens, Afghans who tens of thousands of people. ing talks with Lee as the US and Harris will today give a speech snap three-day lockdown was In neighbouring Australia, shadow over the US’ status as a worked with us and vulnerable Southeast Asia is seen as crit- Singapore signed agreements on laying out Washington’s vision announced. The Reserve Bank of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, global superpower. Afghans, including women and ically important at a time China combating cyber threats, cli- for the region and meet with New Zealand last week held off who is also under growing pres- But on a visit to Singapore, her children”. is challenging US political sway mate change, and the coronavi- business leaders to discuss sup- hiking interest rates following sure for rising Covid-19 cases fi rst stop on a trip that will also Prime Minister Lee Hs- and naval dominance in the re- rus pandemic. ply chain issues, particularly a the outbreak and lockdown. and poor vaccination rates, said include Vietnam, Harris repeat- ien Loong welcomed the vice gion. She was formally welcomed microchip shortage that has hit The bank’s chief economist this week that the country will edly insisted that Washington president’s reassurances and Washington has repeatedly at the president’s offi cial resi- the auto industry. said yesterday that the outbreak have to start to learn to live with could be depended on. said Singapore was off ering a criticised Beijing’s expansive dence, inspected a guard of hon- She departs for Hanoi today was not a ‘game changer’ yet, but the virus “Our administration is com- military aircraft to help in the claims to almost the entire our and was presented with an evening. Vietnam deploys troops to Lanka lockdown Philippines reports enforce Covid shutdown record virus cases Reuters ant cases for which the source could not be traced had been After managing to contain Manila Vietnam implemented move- a total of 176,000 Covid-19 in- detected in the capital region Covid-19 for much of last year, ment restrictions in Ho Chi Minh fections and 6,670 deaths, ac- and nearby provinces, the health Vietnam has recorded a total City in early July, but announced counting for half of Vietnam’s he Philippines health ministry said in a separate state- of 348,000 infections and at its harshest curbs yet last week, as overall cases and 80% of fatali- ministry reported a record ment. least 8,277 fatalities infections have continued to surge. ties, according to the health min- T18,332 Covid-19 infec- Authorities have for several Authorities have said the en- istry. tions yesterday and for the fi rst weeks attributed the current rise Reuters forcement of recent curbs had Vietnam has over recent weeks time acknowledged community in cases to the Delta variant, but Hanoi not been suffi ciently strict. sent 14,600 additional doctors transmission of the highly con- genome sequencing capacity in The government said on Friday and nurses to the city and its tagious Delta variant of the virus the Philippines is limited, with a tighter lockdown would begin neighbouring provinces to sup- in its capital region. only a few thousand samples ietnam deployed soldiers on Monday, prohibiting people port its overwhelmed medical The region, an urban sprawl processed weekly. to the streets of Ho Chi from leaving their homes, even system, the ministry said. containing the capital, Manila, The country’s genome centre VMinh City yesterday to for food, and said the military Patients with mild or no and 16 cities home to more than yesterday said it had detected help enforce a strict lockdown in would step in to help. symptoms have been told to self 13mn people, had been subject to an additional 466 Delta variant the country’s biggest urban area The announcement, which isolate at home. strict lockdown measures which cases, bringing the number of and the current epicentre of its was later amended so that peo- People in the city’s Phu Nhuan were relaxed for 10 days from people confi rmed to be carrying worst coronavirus outbreak to ple in some areas could still shop and Go Vap districts said they August 21 to allow more busi- the variant to 1,273. date. for food but then subsequently had received packages of rice, nesses to operate. The Philippines has recorded After managing to contain reverted to a total ban, triggered meat, fi sh and vegetables from “Widespread lockdown or a total of 1.86mn Covid-19 cas- Covid-19 for much of last year, confusion and panic-buying at the military. restrictions are no longer ef- es, the statement said, a fi fth of Vietnam has recorded a total of supermarkets in the city over the The government announced fective in the country,” health which were detected over the 348,000 infections and at least weekend. on Friday it would send 130,000 ministry spokesperson Maria last 40 days. 8,277 fatalities. Witnesses said soldiers were tonnes of rice from state stock- Rosario Vergeire told a regular Nearly 32,000 people in the Most of those cases have been delivering food to residents of piles to Ho Chi Minh City and 23 news conference yesterday. “It Philippines have died with recorded in Ho Chi Minh City the city yesterday and images other cities and provinces. would be more effective if re- Covid-19, according to offi cial and its surrounding industrial broadcast by state media showed Just 1.8% of Vietnam’s 98mn A policeman inspects a car during a nationwide 10-day strictions were loosened a bit data. The number of active cas- provinces, where the Delta vari- armed soldiers manning check- people have been fully vacci- lockdown imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 in and if lockdowns were more es in the country increased to a ant of the virus has sent numbers points and checking documents. nated — one of the lowest rates in Colombo yesterday. targeted”. four-month high of 130,350, the soaring since late April. Ho Chi Minh City has recorded the region. Large numbers of Delta vari- statement added. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 24, 2021 9 WORLD

PEOPLE CRIME CRACKDOWN INVESTIGATION PROTEST Botham appointed trade Teenage girl raped in UK warns Covid travel Murder victims named as Extinction Rebellion ambassador to Australia Manchester park test providers over pricing police hunt for suspect targets central London

Ian Botham, the former England cricketer and cross- Detectives are appealing for information after The British government yesterday said it had Police have released the names of a man and Thousands of climate change demonstrators bench peer, has been appointed a UK trade ambas- a 17-year-old girl was raped while walking her warned dozens of domestic private medical testing a woman who were killed in separate locations thronged London yesterday, as environmental activ- sador to Australia, the government has announced. dog in a park in Manchester. The teenager was companies over “misleading prices” for coronavirus in Lisson Grove area of north-west London last ist group Extinction Rebellion held its latest round of He is one of 10 parliamentarians given a new role as approached by two men at Boggart Hole Clough travel tests, following a review of costs and stand- week. Scotland Yard identified them as Clinton protests, promising two weeks of disruption. Protest- a trade envoy, taking the total number of MPs and park in Blackley, in the north of the city, at about ards. The department for health and social care Ashmore, 59, and Sharon Pickles, 45. Police con- ers were greeted with a visibly heavy police presence peers performing unpaid trade ambassador roles 9.30pm on Sunday. Police said one of the men (DHSC) said more than 80 firms would be issued tinue to search for the chief suspect in their kill- as they converged on Trafalgar Square in the heart of to 36. In a tweet welcoming the appointment, the snatched her dog while the second pushed her a “two-strike warning” and could be removed from ings – Lee Peacock, 49. Pickles was found stabbed the British capital, where they rallied with a marching International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, said Botham to the ground and raped her. The girl managed the government’s online database of test provid- to death when police were called to an address band and speeches. The latest action – branded the would “bat for business down under” and help firms to take back the dog and run from the scene, ers if they fail to accurately advertise their prices. in Ashbridge Street near Marylebone station at “Impossible Rebellion” – saw participants block roads seize the opportunities created by the free trade deal Greater Manchester police (GMP) said. Police It added that the companies would now also face 9.30pm last Thursday. Ashmore had similar stab leading to the square, deploying a large pink struc- with Australia agreed in outline this summer. Botham said one of the suspects was described as a regular spot checks to ensure prices are accurate wounds to the neck when off icers found his body ture with the slogan “come to the table” written on is popular with Boris Johnson and his ministers black male aged between 20 and 30. The second and providers are legitimate. It launched the review at 2.15am the following morning in nearby Jerome it. “What are you waiting for? Your local area to flood, because of his strong support for Brexit and he was suspect is a white man, aged between 20 and 30, amid a public backlash over the cost of compulsory Crescent, closer to Lord’s cricket ground. The Met or your street to get blocked with rubble and cars?” given a peerage in the honours list last summer. bald with a short beard. Covid-19 tests after returning to the UK from abroad. said the two killings were being treated as linked. Extinction Rebellion’s UK branch said on Twitter. Carbon from UK blue hydrogen bid ‘to equal 1mn petrol cars’

Guardian News and Media tween blue and green hydrogen. London This has raised concerns among climate groups that an over-reliance on blue hydrogen pting for hydrogen that could lock the UK into decades of is made using fossil fuels North Sea gas production, fos- Orather than renewable sil-fuel imports and millions of electricity could create up to 8m tonnes of carbon emissions. tonnes of carbon emissions every Richard Dixon, the director of year by 2050, according to an Friends of the Earth Scotland, analysis of UK government data. said the government’s support The fi gures show that the use for the major oil companies be- of fossil-fuel hydrogen, or “blue hind plans for blue hydrogen hydrogen”, would create the same projects would allow them to carbon emissions each year that “prolong fossil-fuel production more than a 1mn petrol cars would indefi nitely”. produce, compared with using ze- A spokesperson for the de- ro-carbon “green hydrogen”. partment for business, energy Ministers plan to use both blue and industrial strategy, which and green hydrogen to replace reviewed the analysis, said in- fossil gas in factories, refi ner- vesting in both green and blue ies and heating, but new fi gures hydrogen would “allow us to show that an over-reliance on kickstart an entire industry from blue hydrogen would still lead scratch that creates tens of thou- to millions of tonnes of carbon sands of jobs and unlocks bil- emissions entering the atmos- lions of pounds worth of private phere every year. investment”. Workers stand in front of the 82-foot high smog tower, built to purify the air during pollution season, in New Delhi yesterday. Blue hydrogen is extracted “Achieving the scale we need from fossil gas in a process that would be more challenging if we requires carbon capture technol- just used green hydrogen,” the ogy to trap emissions – but this spokesperson added. method still fails to capture be- The government’s offi cial cli- tween 5% and 15% of the CO2. mate advisers at the Committee Carbon emissions are also re- on Climate Change (CCC) have leased when the fossil gas is ex- backed the idea of a “blue hydro- tracted from oil and gas fi elds. gen bridge” through the 2030s Indian capital opens Using blue hydrogen exclu- for areas of the UK economy sively to replace fossil gas would which would struggle to run on result in between 6mn and 8mn electricity, while the UK uses its tonnes of carbon dioxide emis- renewable electricity to meet the sions every year from the late growing demand for electric ve- 2020s, or the equivalent of run- hicles and heating. ning an average of 1.5mn more But David Joff e, the head of first ‘smog tower’ fossil-fuel cars on the road every carbon budgets at the CCC, year by 2050. warned that the government AFP 25-metre (82-foot) tower will Delhi’s environment min- number to clean the air substan- has been spent, let Delhi be the If the government used zero- must begin to rein in the propor- New Delhi pump 1,000 cubic metres of air ister Gopal Rai said the Aam tially across the city would cost test case for all other Indian carbon green hydrogen to meet tion of hydrogen produced from per second through fi lters that Aadmi Party (AAP) will form a huge amounts of public money, cities... to ensure no other city a third of the UK’s forecast hy- fossil fuels in favour of green halve the amount of harmful team of experts for the study and that eff orts would be bet- spends on such ideas which we drogen demand, blue hydrogen hydrogen by the late 2030s to ndia’s capital New Delhi particulates in a radius of one which is expected to last two ter directed at the sources of the can’t aff ord,” he added. would create the same emissions meet its legally binding climate opened its fi rst “smog tow- square kilometre, according to years. smog. India has 14 of the world’s 15 as around 1mn cars running on targets. “Blue hydrogen is not an Ier” yesterday aimed at re- engineers. The Delhi Pollution Control These include vehicle ex- most polluted cities, according the UK’s roads each year. amazing solution, and we don’t ducing the air pollution blamed “This is a big day for Delhi in Committee is the nodal agency haust, heavy and small-scale to the World Health Organisa- The analysis, undertaken on embrace it unreservedly,” he told for thousands of premature its fi ght for clean air against pol- for the tower, while NBCC is the industry, construction activity, tion. behalf of the Guardian by Friends the Guardian. deaths every year, but experts lution,” Chief Minister Arvind project management consultan- the combustion of waste and A 2020 study in the Lancet of the Earth Scotland, was based But relying on blue hydrogen were sceptical. Kejriwal said after the inaugura- cy and the executing agency was fuel, and in winter the burning found there were 1.67mn deaths on government data published in the short term, while the UK Concentrations of tiny deadly tion near the busy shopping area Tata Projects Limited. of crops in neighbouring re- in the country attributable to air last week in a long-awaited re- builds its green hydrogen ca- particles in Delhi’s air regu- of Connaught Place. A Supervisory Control and gions. pollution in 2019 including al- port on the future of the UK’s pabilities, would still play an larly exceed safe limits by up to The installation “is being Data Acquisition (SCADA) sys- “Let’s just be clear that this most 17,500 in Delhi. hydrogen economy. important role to help prevent 20 times, particularly in winter looked at in an experimental tem has been installed in the is futile, an absolute waste,” In 2018 China built a much The strategy sets out a “twin millions of tonnes of carbon when its 20mn people are envel- way. We will analyse the data tower to collect data and moni- Karthik Ganesan from the larger 60-metre smog tower in track” approach to support- from being released into the at- oped in a noxious grey blanket of and if it’s eff ective, more towers tor its functioning. Council on Energy, Environ- the polluted city of Xian, but the ing hydrogen production, but it mosphere in a crucial decade for smog. will be built across Delhi,” Kejri- The tower cost $2mn and ment and Water said. experiment has not spread to failed to suggest a balance be- tackling emissions, he said. Forty giant fans on the wal added. critics say erecting a suffi cient “Now that taxpayers’ money other cities so far. Singer loses fi ght over It’s back! India crop sowing lags on scanty rains songs in TV show Reuters (the) real concern is crop yields Mumbai since rainfall distribution was erratic. Guardian News and Media During a week-long hearing in not be any dispute about wheth- “Some areas are witnessing a London London, Jones and Cook argued er the agreement allows licens- ummer-sown crop plant- prolonged dry spell while (a) few that, under the terms of the BMA ing decisions to be made “by a ing in India has been lag- pockets were fl ooded,” said Nitin made in 1998, decisions regard- majority” and said Lydon was in Sging as the country received Kalantri, a trader based in Latur ormer Sex Pistols frontman ing licensing requests can be breach of the BMA by refusing to below-normal rainfall, the gov- in the western state of Maharash- Johnny Rotten has lost a high determined on a “majority rules provide his consent. ernment said, raising concerns tra. India has received 9% below- Fcourt attempt to block the basis”. But Lydon, who has pre- They told the court Cook and about food grain production in average monsoon rains since June punk band’s songs from being used viously told the Sunday Times Jones’s claim was against Lydon Asia’s third biggest economy. 1, although in some regions the in a forthcoming drama series. he thinks the series is the “most alone, and that the original India is the world’s biggest ex- defi cit is as high as 58%. The group’s former drummer, disrespectful thing I’ve ever had band member Glen Matlock, porter of rice and top importer of The area planted with cotton Paul Cook, and guitarist, Steve to endure”, argued that licences who was replaced by Sid Vi- edible oils. was at 28.9mn acres until last Jones, sued the band’s ex-singer, could not be granted without his cious, and representatives of A drop in production could week, down 8.3% from a year whose real name is John Lydon, consent. the estate of Vicious – who died not only limit rice and cotton ago, the ministry said, as top- to allow their songs to feature His lawyers told the court in February 1979 – supported exports, but also boost imports growing Gujarat state received in Pistol, a TV series directed by that the agreement had never their position. of edible oils such as palm oil, 47% lower rainfall than normal. Danny Boyle. been used and that he consid- Finding that Lydon must have sunfl ower oil and soyoil. Planting of rice, the key sum- In a ruling yesterday, Sir An- ers it a “nuclear button” for the been aware of the eff ect of the Indian farmers had planted mer crop, stood at 92.4mn acres, thony Mann found the pair were claimants and their manager, BMA, Sir Anthony said: “Lydon 25.8mn acres with summer crops marginally down from last year’s entitled to invoke “majority voting Anita Camerata, to “impose their must have been fully advised as of August 20, down 1.6% from 93.4mn acres in the previous rules” against Lydon, in relation wishes” on him. about the BMA and its conse- a year earlier, the ministry of ag- year, the ministry said. to the use of Sex Pistols material They said he had a “deep-felt quences. On his side he had an riculture and farmers’ welfare The state-run India Meteoro- in the series, under the terms of a and passionate aversion to be- English lawyer, a US attorney and said in a statement. logical Department has forecast band member agreement (BMA). coming a ‘prisoner’ of a hostile his manager … it is impossible Members of the Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards Farmers typically start plant- the country will receive normal The six-part drama, which is be- majority” and in his evidence to to believe that he did not know take part in the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham ing summer-sown crops on June monsoon rains in 2021, but pri- ing made by Disney and is due to the court, Lydon said the agree- what its eff ect was and I reject Palace. The ceremony took place yesterday for the first 1, when monsoon rains usually vate weather forecasting agency air next year, is based on a 2016 ment “smacks of some kind of the suggestion made by him that time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in reach India. Planting then con- Skymet yesterday said the coun- memoir by Jones called Lonely slave labour”. Lawyers for Cook he did not really know or appre- London. tinues until early August. try could receive below-normal Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol. and Jones argued there should ciate its eff ect.” “Area is down marginally but rainfall during the season. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, August 24, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES The dangerous Balkan standstill

With two decades of war in Afghanistan coming to the grimmest of possible ends, it is worth remembering that three decades have now passed since war came to the Balkans. Both are case studies in how the mismanagement of war can have devastating eff ects that linger for decades. In the Balkans, a small war between the disintegrating state of Yugoslavia and one of its constitutive republics, Slovenia, was followed by a bigger confl ict in Croatia. Within a year, a savage confl ict was raging in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. Suddenly, Europe’s “post-war” period had ended. The Balkan wars raged for a decade. The Dayton Peace Agreement ended the confl ict in Bosnia in 1995, but then came the Kosovo War, which continued until 1999 and was followed, in 2001, by a serious outbreak of violence in what is now North Why nation-building Macedonia. All told, the Balkan wars claimed more than 100,000 lives, displaced millions of people, and set back the region’s economic and social development by decades. Though it had been living largely on credit, the old Yugoslavia had given its citizens a better standard of living than those of its socialist peers. The failed in Afghanistan country’s long, violent disintegration changed all that. The peace agreements that were cobbled together at the time were merely stopgap measures. Everyone understood With more than 100,000 lives society organised around local customs From the very beginning, the Afghan Even more telling is the US military’s that lasting stability would require a wider and much more lost and some $2tn spent, all and norms, where state institutions population perceived the US presence as own recent experience in Iraq. As comprehensive framework. And so, in 2003, European Union have long been absent or impaired. a foreign operation intended to weaken research by Eli Berman, Jacob Shapiro, America has to show for its True, the top-down approach to their society. That was not a bargain and Joseph Felter shows, the “surge” leaders declared that all the region’s countries should work eff ort are this month’s scenes toward a future of stability and lasting peace within the EU. state-building has worked in some cases they wanted. there worked much better when of a desperate scramble out of (such as the Qin dynasty in China or What happens when top-down state- Americans tried to win hearts and No-one expected that to happen overnight; but nor did the Ottoman Empire). But most states building eff orts are proceeding against minds by cultivating the support of anyone think the integration process would be as drawn-out as the country – a humiliating have been constructed not by force a society’s wishes? In many places, the local groups. Similarly, my own work it has been. Since Slovenia and Croatia’s accession in 2004 and collapse reminiscent of the but by compromise and co-operation. only attractive option is to withdraw. with Ali Cheema, Asim Khwaja, and 2013, respectively, the EU’s Balkan enlargement has eff ectively fall of Saigon in 1975 The successful centralisation of Sometimes, this takes the form of a James Robinson fi nds that in some stalled. power under state institutions more physical exodus, as James C Scott shows places, people turn to non-state The reason for this is By Daron Acemoglu commonly involves the assent and in The Art of Not Being Governed, his actors precisely when they think state institutions are ineff ective and foreign twofold. First, political and Istanbul co-operation of the people subject to it. study of the Zomia people in Southeast Now that the In this model, the state is not imposed Asia. Or it could mean co-habitation to them. economic reform in non- on a society against its wishes; rather, without co-operation, as in the case of None of this means that the prospect of EU Balkan countries has he United States invaded state institutions build legitimacy by Scots in Britain or Catalans in Spain. withdrawal could not have been been painfully slow, while Afghanistan 20 years ago with securing a modicum of popular support. But in a fi ercely independent, well- managed better. But after 20 years integration corruption and nationalist Tthe hope of rebuilding a country This does not mean that the US armed society with a long tradition of of misguided eff orts, the US was sentiment has become that had become a scourge to the world should have worked with the Taliban. blood feuds and a recent history of civil destined to fail in its twin objectives is fading, the ever more entrenched. and its own people. As General Stanley But it does mean that it should have war, the more likely response is violent of withdrawing from Afghanistan and Second, support for further McChrystal explained in the run-up worked more closely with diff erent local confl ict. leaving behind a stable, law-based current charade to the 2009 surge of US troops, the groups, rather than pouring resources Perhaps things could have turned out society. enlargement has faded objective was that the “government into the corrupt, non-representative diff erently if Nato drone attacks had not The result is an immense human cannot continue within many EU countries. of Afghanistan suffi ciently control its regime of Afghanistan’s fi rst post- further alienated the population, and if tragedy. Even if the Taliban do not revert Though politicians still pay territory to support regional stability Taliban president, Hamid Karzai (and US-backed Afghan elites had not been to their worst practices, Afghan men lip service to the idea, new hurdles and delays tend to be greeted and prevent its use for international his brothers). Ashraf Ghani, the US- extravagantly corrupt. But the cards and especially women will pay a high with relief in several key member states. terrorism.” backed Afghan president who fl ed to were stacked against America’s state- price for America’s failures in the years Moreover, the problems within Balkan countries are Now, with more than 100,000 lives the United Arab Emirates this week, co- fi rst strategy. and decades ahead. — Project Syndicate severe. A quarter-century after the Dayton Agreement, the lost and some $2tn spent, all America authored a book in 2009 documenting And the fact is, US leaders should has to show for its eff ort are this how this strategy had fuelled corruption have known better. As Melissa Dell and Daron Acemoglu, Professor of international community has deemed Bosnia to be so politically month’s scenes of a desperate scramble and failed to achieve its stated purpose. Pablo Querubín document, America Economics at MIT, is co-author (with dysfunctional as to warrant a new High Representative with out of the country – a humiliating Once in power, however, Ghani adopted a similar top-down strategy in James A Robinson) of Why Nations wide-ranging powers (I was the fi rst to hold such an offi ce, collapse reminiscent of the fall of Saigon continued down the same road. Vietnam, and it backfi red spectacularly. Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity serving from 1995 to 1997), eff ectively derailing the country’s in 1975. What went wrong? The situation that the US confronted Places that were bombed to subdue the and Poverty and The Narrow Corridor: EU-accession agenda. Pretty much everything, but not in in Afghanistan was even worse than Viet Cong became even more supportive States, Societies, and the Fate of Meanwhile, Serbia has come under the boot of an autocratic the way that most people think. While is typical for aspiring nation builders. of the anti-American insurgency. Liberty. regime that fl irts with China one day and kowtows to Russia the poor planning and a lack of accurate intelligence certainly contributed to the next, all while its representatives continue to put on a good face disaster, the problem has in fact been 20 at the European Commission in Brussels. Despite enormous years in the making. eff orts by both the EU and the United States, the outstanding The US understood early on that the issues between Serbia and Kosovo are nowhere close to being only way to create a stable country with resolved. some semblance of law and order was Finally, after being blocked from joining the EU by Greece (owing to establish robust state institutions. to a dispute over its name), North Macedonia now fi nds itself being Encouraged by many experts and now-defunct theories, the US military blackballed by Bulgaria for reasons that go far back in the region’s framed this challenge as an engineering history (but that lack any contemporary relevance). problem: Afghanistan lacked state Further complicating matters, the EU’s struggle to rein in the institutions, a functioning security Hungarian and Polish governments’ attacks on the rule of law force, courts, and knowledgeable and independent media has dampened its appetite for taking bureaucrats, so the solution was to a risk with potentially illiberal new members. When Hungary pour in resources and transfer expertise off ers its enthusiastic support for Serbia’s accession bid, many from foreigners. NGOs and the broader Western foreign-aid complex were others in the EU see a hidden agenda that must be blocked. there to help in their own way (whether The EU’s overture in 2003 was a courageous and wise the locals wanted them to or not). And strategic step. But now that the prospect of Balkan integration is because their work required some fading, the current charade cannot continue. Instead, political degree of stability, foreign soldiers – leaders must accept reality and start mapping out realistic mainly Nato forces, but also private interim steps that could improve conditions in the region contractors – were deployed to maintain without abandoning the fi nal goal. — Project Syndicate security. In viewing nation-building as a top-down, “state-fi rst” process, US policymakers were following a venerable To Advertise tradition in political science. The assumption is that if you can establish [email protected] overwhelming military dominance over a territory and subdue all other sources Display of power, you can then impose your will. 44466621 44418811 Yet in most places, this theory is only half right, at best; and in Afghanistan, it Classified was dead wrong. 44466609 44418811 Of course, Afghanistan needed a functioning state. But the presumption Subscription that one could be imposed from above by foreign forces was misplaced. As [email protected] James Robinson and I argue in our 2019 book, The Narrow Corridor, this approach makes no sense when your AFTERMATH: US soldiers stand guard behind barbed wire as Afghans sit on a roadside near the military part of the airport in © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved starting point is a deeply heterogeneous Kabul last Friday, hoping to flee from the country after the Taliban’s military takeover of Afghanistan. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, August 24, 2021 11 WORLD The art of the deal: US envoy behind Taliban return

AFP the envoy was working the phones in where the war raged. But when the US down, with the US promising to pull all Kabul hopes of encouraging a diplomatic set- withdrawal deal was fi nally signed in of its remaining troops from Afghani- tlement. February 2020, Khalilzad had secured stan by May 2021 — a deadline later ex- But the deal he had hoped could end mostly nebulous assurances from the tended until September. f one individual could bring peace the war had actually unleashed disas- Taliban about any future peace. The Afghan government was left to Afghanistan, US envoy Zalmay ter. “Khalilzad prised... just one strong with little time or space to manoeuvre. IKhalilzad touted himself as the man Husain Haqqani, a senior fellow at commitment — that they would not US President Joe Biden’s decision in for the job. the Hudson Institute, said Khalilzad attack the US and ‘its allies’,” wrote April to follow through with the with- In the end, however, the seasoned told successive US presidents eager Kate Clark of the Afghanistan Analysts drawal lit the fi nal fuse, sparking an diplomat has overseen the demise of to withdraw their troops that he had a Network in a new report. all-out off ensive by the Taliban that the republic he so painstakingly as- peace deal, but it was in fact a surren- More vague were promises from the overthrew the Afghan government by sembled. der. Taliban to abandon Al Qaeda and other force on August 15. The 70-year-old Afghan-American “He negotiated poorly, emboldened international jihadist groups, and to Two days earlier, US lawmaker envoy spent years as Washington’s the Taliban, and pretended that talks begin talking to the Afghan govern- Michael Waltz — an Afghan veteran — point man for talks with the Taliban would yield a power-sharing agree- ment. sent a letter to Biden pillorying Khalil- that paved the way for the deal to see ment even though the Taliban had no In hindsight, the agreement appears zad’s performance. the US end its longest war and exit Af- intention to share power,” Haqqani to have been little more than a string of Khalilzad “has provided you with ghanistan. told AFP. American concessions. poor counsel and his diplomatic strat- That milestone came after more Khalilzad took control of the US-Af- The US was leaving Afghanistan egy has failed spectacularly”, he wrote. than a year of intense shuttle diplo- ghan portfolio in 2018 after the Trump without a ceasefi re and had not even “In light of this catastrophe, Am- macy during which Khalilzad visited administration named him a special established a framework for a future bassador (Khalilzad) should resign im- foreign capitals, attended summits envoy overseeing negotiations with peace process that would be vital for mediately or be relieved from his posi- at glitzy hotels, and gave speeches at the Taliban. FAILURE: Touted as the man for the job, Zalmay Khalilzad has only overseen the locking down a settlement to end the tion.” prestigious think tanks. The new assignment followed a sto- demise of the republic he so painstakingly assembled. war. That same day, Khalilzad sent out The Taliban were ready to discuss a ried career. Khalilzad had shaped em- Rather than securing compromises his last tweet — begging the Taliban to compromise, he assured his audiences. bryonic governments in Afghanistan bombers into the Afghan capital. During months of negotiations sub- from the Taliban in the months fol- pull back its fi ghters as they converged Once a prolifi c social media voice, and Iraq following successive US inva- Khalilzad secured the release of the sequently, Khalilzad was said to have lowing the deal, Khalilzad piled more on Kabul. Khalilzad has gone silent since the sions, gaining a reputation for bringing Taliban’s co-founder Mullah Abdul developed a close rapport with the pressure on the Afghan government — “We demand an immediate end to Taliban returned to power following disparate groups to the table. Ghani Baradar from Pakistan’s custody Taliban delegation. strong-arming the palace into releas- attacks against cities, urge a political the collapse of the US-backed govern- Washington’s decision to pursue to kickstart the initiative, with the two Pictures published online showed ing thousands of insurgent prisoners settlement, and warn that a govern- ment in the face of an overwhelming talks followed years of rising violence sides cobbling together an agreement the gregarious envoy sharing laughs who immediately bolstered the mili- ment imposed by force will be a pariah blitzkrieg. in Kabul where the Taliban unleashed charting the US withdrawal after near- and smiles with insurgent negotiators, tant ranks. To add to Kabul’s woes, the state,” the envoy wrote. The State Department said last week chaos by sending waves of suicide ly two decades of confl ict. stirring resentment in Afghanistan agreement eff ectively set off a count- By then, it was too late. Push for ‘broad-based’ Afghan govt G7 leaders eye unity pledge on Taliban recognition, sanctions

Reuters Leaders of the United States, man rights commitments, she and commit to co-ordinating Washington Britain, Italy, France, Germa- said. closely on further steps, in- ny, Canada, and Japan may use G7 leaders will also discuss cluding security, humanitar- the possibility of unifi ed of- a possible extension of Biden’s ian assistance, resettlement of eaders of the G7 ad- fi cial recognition, or renewed August 31 deadline for with- refugees and potential sanc- vanced economies are sanctions to push the Taliban drawing US forces, to give the tions, the sources said. Lexpected to pledge unity to comply with pledges to re- United States and other coun- “We need to make sure that on whether or not to offi cially spect women’s rights and in- tries more time to locate and more funds are provided ur- recognise or sanction the Tali- ternational relations. evacuate Western citizens, gently for humanitarian aid,” ban when they meet virtually Recognition is a political act Afghans who aided Nato and German Foreign Minister to discuss Afghanistan today, taken by sovereign states with US forces and other vulnerable Heiko Maas said yesterday. according to two diplomatic important consequences, in- people, the sources said. “I believe the G7 countries sources. cluding allowing the Taliban Britain and France are press- should live up to their re- US allies are still smarting access to the foreign aid re- ing for more time, but a Tali- sponsibilities and find a re- from Washington’s delays in lied upon by previous Afghan ban offi cial said foreign forces sponse to mitigate the acute outreach after Kabul fell on governments. A 2020 agree- had not sought an extension humanitarian hardship that’s August 15, and foreign diplo- ment signed by the former and it would not be granted if already prevalent in the region mats in Washington said co- Trump administration explic- they did. and that will increase over the operation will be a key theme itly states that the group “is “The United States have over coming weeks.” of the call. not recognised by the United 6,000 people in Kabul airport Biden told reporters on Sun- “The G7 leaders will agree States as a state.” and when they withdraw that day that the United States was to coordinate on if or when to The tool of recognition is will take away the framework already working with the Tali- recognise the Taliban,” said “one of the most important re- that has allowed us to with- ban to facilitate the evacua- one European diplomat. “And maining pieces of leverage that draw and we will have to go as tions, but that the hardliners they will commit to continue we have,” said Annie Pforzhe- well,” British Defence Minister were “seeking legitimacy” in Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaks during a news conference over the to work closely together.” imer, a retired US diplomat Ben Wallace said yesterday. the longer term. ongoing situation in Afghanistan at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad yesterday. Qureshi said The Taliban’s lightning-fast who served as the deputy chief G7 leaders will also commit That meant it would need Pakistan’s role in the push to create an inclusive political arrangement in Afghanistan following takeover of the country this of mission at the US embassy to co-ordinate on any sanc- “additional help in terms of US withdrawal was being recognised globally. He said that with the help of some regional players, month, after US troops start- in Kabul from 2017 to 2018. tions, resettlement of a wave economic assistance, trade, Pakistan was facilitating an arrangement in Afghanistan that would have “broad-based representation ed to withdraw and President It would be “infi nitely more of refugees, and concerns and a whole range of things,” and wider acceptability”. He pointed out that only five embassies were operating in Afghanistan and Ashraf Ghani fl ed, left foreign powerful” if it is well coordi- about possible attacks by Is- but the international response Pakistan’s is one of them. Qureshi is due to visit China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran governments scrambling and nated and ensures that the new lamic State groups, the sources — including potential sanc- soon to discuss the Afghan situation. (AFP) sparked a panicked mass exo- government is inclusive and said. The G7 will take stock of tions — would depend on their dus from the country. recognises Afghanistan’s hu- the current evacuation eff orts actions going forward. A haven in Brussels France watching Afghan evacuee suspected of links to Taliban

AFP Taliban even if this person greatly helped in last week that France would “protect those Paris the evacuation from the French embassy,” the who are most under threat in Afghanistan” minister said of the main suspect. while also vowing Europe would put together According to a ministerial document seen a “robust” initiative to thwart illegal migra- rance has placed under surveillance an by AFP, the man admitted his membership tion and in particular people-smuggling net- Afghan evacuated from Kabul who is of the Taliban and said he had worked as the works. Fsuspected of links to the Taliban, Inte- armed head of a Taliban checkpoint in Kabul. “We must anticipate and protect ourselves rior Minister Gerald Darmanin said yester- “Given the considerable diffi culties of car- against signifi cant irregular migratory fl ows day. rying out security investigations on the peo- that would endanger the migrants and risk About 1,300 Afghans have in recent days ple being repatriated”, the French authorities encouraging traffi cking of all kinds,” he said. been evacuated by France via a military base “agreed to take this person and his family on His comments angered the French left and in Abu Dhabi, after President Emmanuel Ma- board” the evacuation fl ight, the minister activists who argued he had implied that cron said the country was opening its arms to said. When the man arrived in Abu Dhabi, France would let only a limited number of people under threat from the Taliban. France’s DGSI intelligence agency carried out people in and turn a blind eye to many Af- Four others thought to be close to the main investigations and he has now been notifi ed ghans who needed help. suspect are also the subject of surveillance of the surveillance order, as have the four Migration is due to be one of the most con- measures by French intelligence, Darmanin other evacuees believed to be linked to him, tentious battlegrounds as Macron prepares told AFP. Darmanin said. for 2022 presidential elections that may “We believe that he may be linked to the Macron promised in a televised address come down to a duel with the far-right. A group of Afghan nationals arrive on the tarmac after disembarking from a chartered Air Belgium airplane at the military airport in Melsbroek near Brussels yesterday. The Belgian military evacuation mission ‘Operation Red Kite’ flies defence cargo planes back and forth between the Pakistani capital Islamabad and Kabul in Afghanistan, to get Belgians and their families, but also Afghans such as Delegates hash out UN biodiversity goals online interpreters, fixers and employees of human rights organisations safely out of Afghanistan. (AFP) Spain may host up to 4,000 Afghans at 2 military bases AFP “living in harmony with nature” by 2050, ‘safe for human health’,” a representative Paris outlining dozens of targets and milestones for the groups said in an email, proposing to be hit by 2030 to preserve biodiversity. new language that would outlaw any activ- Spain could temporarily host up to 4,000 Afghans, whether it is necessary for them to come to Spain But environmental and conservation ity that carries a risk of “pathogen spillo- who had worked for the United States, at two or not,” Robles told journalists. ountry delegates met online yester- groups are lobbying for stronger language ver”. military bases used by the US military in southern It was not clear when they could arrive in Spain day to start tackling a draft agree- in the draft agreement around several key Highlighting further concerns, the Spain, the defence minister Margarita Robles said because the defence minister also said there was Cment for the pandemic-delayed issues, including the measures needed to Avaaz online activist network called for the yesterday. a chance they “could go first to bases in Germany COP15 global summit on biodiversity, days stave off further outbreaks of deadly vi- agreement to include the full recognition Robles said that under the agreement reached or Italy.” after the new summit date of April 2022 ruses such as Sars-CoV-2. of indigenous peoples and the elimination between Madrid and Washington the Afghans Separately, a plane carrying 260 Afghan refugees was set. “It’s not ambitious enough at all,” Wild- of at least $800bn in subsidies for environ- could stay in Spain for up to two weeks. and their families arrived on Monday at a Spain- The virtual discussions between delega- life Conservation society vice president mentally harmful activities. The agreement follows a deal reached over the based European Union hub at a military base tions from 195 countries are the fi rst to be Susan Lieberman told AFP, adding “There It also said the text should “conserve and weekend by US President Joe Biden and Spanish outside Madrid in Torrejon de Ardoz. held since the UN unveiled the text in July is no mention of the pandemic.” protect at least half of the planet by 2030 as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to host Afghans at The Madrid base is being used to host Afghan and are slated to run until September 3. Eleven civil society organisations a means of staying below 1.5C and address- the Rota (Cadiz) and Moron de la Frontera (Seville) refugees who worked with the European Union The fruit of months of online talks, the warned in a statement that the current ing the acceleration of biodiversity loss”. air bases. and their families, who will then move to other EU draft calls for the preservation of at least language on wildlife trade was dangerously The text will need to withstand the cru- “The important thing is that Spain and the United countries. More than 800 Afghan refugees have so 30 percent of land and oceans, along with weak, despite it’s probable link to the Covid cial online negotiations phase in October as States have reached this agreement, that this far landed in Spain since last week. other biodiversity targets. outbreak. China assumes the presidency of the sum- agreement is in place, that it is the result of good Robles also said around 390 more were expected It maps out the route for humanity to be “The (text) calls only for such trade to be mit. relations, and we will see over the coming days to land in Spain tomorrow. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, August 24, 2021 QATAR ‘Do more, think less’: Netfl ix icon  Marc Randolph calls on entrepreneurs to build businesses that will be rything is going to be done diff erently, incredibly predictable and dependable ‘relevant today, and relevant when world changes’ and the people prepared to take advan- way,” he explained. “They could see  Shaping post-pandemic future ‘is bringing great opportunities for tage of that are the people who have an their sales and revenue for 8-12 quar- startups across world’ entrepreneurial mindset,” Randolph ters into the future.” added. “And I think the change we will “Then along comes a world where, By Joseph Varghese “Successful entrepreneurs do more see will be driven by new business for- all of a sudden, everything is chang- Staff Reporter and think less – when an idea pops into mation.” ing,” Randolph said. “We all know that, their head, they don’t think of whether Interacting with moderator Agata eventually, things will go back to nor- it’s good or bad, these people quickly Braja, Randolph recounted his journey mal, but nobody knows what that ‘nor- here is no way to determine execute it,” he said. at Netfl ix – of how the idea emerged, mal’ will look like.” whether an idea is good or bad “In a startup, there are hundreds of and what it took to become the stream- “There has been an incredible ac- Tuntil it is tried, Marc Randolph, things that are broken and dozens of ing service that it is today – saying: celeration of e-commerce and mobile the co-founder and fi rst chief executive things that need your attention, and a “The idea of Netfl ix came over a long medicine, but what’s going to happen of Netfl ix, has said. classic mistake is that an entrepreneur period of time. Netfl ix co-founder Reed in 12 months’ time? “What I have learned as an entrepre- wants to do everything,” Randolph Hastings and I brainstormed hundreds “Nobody knows whether it will stay neur over 40 years is that it is almost added. of ideas, such as personalised shampoo the same or go back, and that is the impossible to tell whether an idea is a “That results in one-third of it get- among others, before settling into an most wonderful circumstance for en- good idea or bad idea. The only way to ting done,” the entrepreneur said. “You Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph: Don’t fall in love with the idea. Fall in love with idea of a DVD rental service.” trepreneurs who have trained them- know whether it is good or bad, is to try have to focus – to have the ability to the problem. Focusing on how to prepare startups selves not to predict the future, but to it,” Randolph said during the latest edi- dedicate 110% of your time to a very for a post-pandemic world, Randolph be ready for whatever the future hap- tion of Qatar Foundation (QF)’s Educa- small subset of items at the exclusion of largest streaming service with audi- in a long, long time” for entrepreneurs, said: “The worst thing for any entre- pens to bring them,” he added. tion City Speaker Series yesterday. everything else.” ences, as he discussed ways to foster Randolph said. preneur is status quo – meaning taking He advised entrepreneurs to think “It is a dangerous fallacy to think that In the virtual talk, titled Don’t Let a startup culture and entrepreneurial He said: “Entering into a world with for granted that if something worked in about how to build a business that is you are looking for a good idea because Dreams Be Dreams: What to Do With mindsets. tremendous uncertainty is, in my opin- the past, it will continue to work in the relevant today, and one that will still be the only thing you are doing is evalu- an Idea and themed around innovation Shaping a post-pandemic future is ion, the most exciting thing we have future.” relevant when the world changes. ating it in your mind, and of course, in and entrepreneurship, coupled with bringing great opportunities for star- seen in a long, long time for entrepre- “Before (the coronavirus) Covid-19 “Don’t fall in love with the idea. Fall your mind every idea is a great one,” he sustainability, he shared lessons from tups across the world and has created, neurship.” (pandemic), we had a world where very, in love with the problem,” Randolph continued. his journey at what is now the world’s “the most exciting thing we have seen “Everything is now up for grabs, eve- very large companies operated in an advised. NU-Q welcomes incoming Class of 2025

elcoming Northwestern University in Qatar (NU- WQ)’s 13th incoming class during its annual convocation cer- emony, dean Marwan M Kraidy en- couraged the Class of 2025 to strive to “mastering your craft and letting your creativity bloom” as they embark on their Northwestern journey. In his address at the ceremony, he said that “a university education is not Plenty simply a blueprint to make a living, but a roadmap to make a life”, and advised students to “keep your imagination of events fi red up, for it is where you meld what you learn to forge a life worth living”. “Every crisis carries within it the lined up for seeds of renewal, that the human spir- it always overcomes adversity,” Kraidy told the new class, urging them to seize this year’s the opportunities for personal and professional growth at NU-Q as they navigate the next four years in a world The NU-Q’s 13th incoming class was off icially welcomed to school during the annual convocation ceremony. Shop Qatar unsettled by the impact of the global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. ses have caused to world order, noting pressing global issues, she emphasised years to pursue meaningful experi- before we try it ourselves,” he added. Drawing from her professional and that “in moments of serious disrup- that “the new genius is a collaborative ences and expand their learnings. The NU-Q’s convocation ceremony affl e draws, fashion and make-up academic experience, convocation tions like our own, it is critical for us genius” and went on to task the new “Go to a fi lm set even if you want to is hosted at the beginning of each aca- masterclasses, and entertain- speaker Annelise Riles, executive di- all to create spaces for acknowledging class with being open to collaborating be a journalist; try reporting on sto- demic year following a week-long ori- Rment activities “curated for all rector of the Roberta Buff ett Institute the unknowns, for wondering, and for and engaging in new discovers beyond ries even if you are a communication entation for the incoming class, which ages” will highlight this year’s Shop for Global Studies and associate prov- tinkering, too”. their areas of interests and expertise. major; take advantage of Studio 20Q includes the Northwestern “March Qatar, taking place at various shopping ost for global aff airs at Northwestern Highlighting the importance of NU-Q’s Student Union president and The Daily Q, because I can tell you Through the Arch” tradition serving malls across the country from Septem- University, underscored the challeng- interdisciplinary research and collab- Krishna Sharma encouraged his fellow from my experience, sometimes we as a formal welcome for the new class ber 10 to October 10, Qatar Tourism has es the pandemic and other global cri- orative eff orts in fi nding solutions to students to take their undergraduate don’t realise what we are interested in and kicking off the academic year. announced. Visit Qatar, the offi cial social me- dia tourism account of Qatar Tourism, noted that at least 12 major malls and shopping centres will be participating in the month-long event, which “aims Ten DFI-supported fi lms selected for Venice Film Festival to enhance the nation’s fashion and lifestyle scene and showcase its hospi- tality”. en fi lms supported by the Doha “Shop Qatar presents exciting shop- Film Institute (DFI) have been ping opportunities, featuring promi- Tselected to screen at the 2021 nent and aspirational brands in fash- Venice International Film Festival, to ion and beauty,” Visit Qatar said on its be held from September 1-11. website. One of the largest selections of fi lms Qatar hosts world-class malls and funded by the DFI to be shown at the family-friendly destinations, off ering festival, the diverse line-up includes an array of high-end and renowned six exciting works from the Arab restaurants and cafes, boutiques, world, one of which is the fi rst-ever theme parks, movie houses and super- Yemeni fi lm selected for the offi cial markets, among others. shorts fi lm competition. These malls include Mall of Qatar, Continuing to build on the DFI’s which houses a selection of around 500 track record of showcasing Arab talent retail, dining and café options; Doha to an international audience, Shaima Festival City, a destination bringing al-Tamimi sets history as the director visitors “the largest avenue of fashion, of the fi rst Yemeni fi lm – Don’t Get Too dining, entertainment and more”; and Comfortable – selected for competi- the Italian-inspired Al Hazm (mean- tion at an international fi lm event. ing “the higher ground”), described as “We are incredibly proud to show- Stills from White Building (above, left), Don’t Get Too Comfortable (above, right), an “opulent complex” that embodies case 10 fi lms backed by the DFI at the Under the Fig Trees (right) , The Stranger (left), and The Mother of All Lies luxury, among others. Venice Film Festival this year, under- (below). Shoppers will also have the chance to lining our commitment to support take advantage of a wide range of pro- emerging Arab talent and fi lmmakers motions and discounts at participating from across the globe,” DFI chief ex- retail outlets, in addition to winning ecutive Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said prizes at raffl e draws. in a press statement. “The selection Apart from make-up masterclasses, includes thought-provoking works by the much-anticipated shopping fes- new voices in global cinema and es- tival will feature fashion shows, live tablished names that off er fresh per- concerts, arts and crafts, and a number spectives on life that refl ect human of activities designed for families and hopes, aspirations, and challenges.” children. “Our funding programmes are dedi- ments of a young man from Phnom ent Erige Sehiri, about three female “The Shop Qatar calendar is full of cated to supporting emerging talent, Penh, from the demolition of his life- friends on the threshold of an adult life entertaining activities that will give captivating storytelling, and unique long home to societal pressures who work in fruit orchards to pay for you the thrills,” Visit Qatar said on its narrative styles, and there is no doubt  2020 Fall Grant recipient Kiro their studies, prepare for their wed- website. that these fi lms are among the most Russo’s El Gran Movimiento (Bolivia, ding and help their families, and The The event is also set to introduce a anticipated projects to emerge this France, Switzerland, Qatar), set in Mother of All Lies (Morocco, France, variety of indoor and outdoor activi- year from the region and beyond,” she contemporary Bolivia, the fi lm follows Qatar) by 2019 Spring Grants recipient ties. added. “Their Venice debut will mark Elder and his companions who arrive Asmae El Moudir. Visit Qatar also suggests following the beginning of an exciting journey in La Paz after a seven-day walk and The latter is a feature documentary its curators and popular infl uencers like for all these fi lms, and I congratulate seek to be reinstated at the local mine. that follows El Moudir’s personal jour- Elmira Kahrobaie, who loves to share the teams behind them on their inclu- Premiering in the Orizzonti Shorts Co-fi nanced by the DFI, the fi lm is Diana El Jeiroudi’s Republic of Si- ney in order to learn more about her some “tips and tricks to empower other sion at this prestigious festival.” Film Competition, 2020 Fall Grant a political satire set in the near future lence (Syria, Germany, France, Qatar), childhood, but she soon unfolds the women, whether this is about lifestyle, Competing in the Festival’s Oriz- recipient, al-Tamimi’s Don’t Get Too where America has closed its borders a 2016 Fall Grants recipient premieres secrets of Morocco to tell the story of beauty, motherhood or fashion”. zonti segment are three DFI-support- Comfortable (Yemen, UAE, US, Neth- and become more insular than ever. in the offi cial out of competition seg- the 1981 “bread riots”; exploring how Originally from Iran, she said she ed fi lms: erlands, Qatar) contemplates the con- The other fi lm by 2018 Fall Grants ment. this event refl ects Morocco’s society received many awards as an infl uenc-  Atlantide (Italy, France, Qatar) by tinuous pattern of movement among recipient Mounia Akl, Costa Brava, The feature documentary presents today. er and has been in Qatar for 16 years, Italian director Yuri Ancarani, 2020 Yemenis in the diaspora and highlights Lebanon (Lebanon, France, Spain, a fi rst-person account of El Jeiroudi’s Syrian screenwriter, director and working with international and local Spring Grants recipient, which follows the collective feeling of statelessness Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Qatar) journey from Syria to Berlin, exploring 2019 Spring Grants recipient Ameer Qatari brands. three young men who fi nd an interest and belonging by migrants through in- follows the free-spirited Badri fam- how cinema saved her life. Fakher Eldin competes in Gionarte According to Qatar Tourism, curators in small fast boats and drive the audi- trospective letters to her grandfather. ily who have escaped the toxic pollu- Two DFI-supported fi lms have Degli Autori, an independent side- provide tips and personal recommen- ence through a summer of dreams and The 2021 Venice Film Festival’s new tion of Beirut by seeking refuge in the been selected for the Final Cut, a Ven- bar at the Festival with The Stranger dations on a wide variety of off erings nightmares. sidebar programme, Orizzonti Extra, utopic mountain home they have built. ice Production Bridge initiative that (Syria, Qatar) that follows Adnan, a in the country, including on topics like  Kavich Neang’s debut fi lm and features two DFI-backed projects – However, when the government in- supports projects from African and young man returning home against “how to indulge in some of the coun- 2020 Spring Grants recipient White including opening fi lm Land of Dreams augurates a landfi ll outside their fence, Arab countries: Under The Fig Trees the will of his father after unsuccess- try’s best cuisine, art, sports or luxury Building (Cambodia, France, China, (US, Germany, Qatar) by Shirin Neshat everything they escaped catches up (Tunisia, Switzerland, Qatar, France) fully studying medicine in the former retail, highlighting favoured spots – Qatar) explores the life-changing mo- and Shoja Azari. with them. by 2021 Spring Grants 2021 recipi- Soviet Union. both old and new”.