MUHARRAM 16, 1443 AH TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021 16 Pages Max 47º Min 29º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 18514 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net Foreign Minister receives US VP Harris vows ‘enduring Angelina the fastest Instagram Uncertainty, fear for Afghan 2 credentials of new ambassadors 7 engagement’ in Asia 11 user to gain 1 million followers 14 cricketers as Taleban take over Amir approves transit of 5,000 Afghan evacuees US envoy lauds Kuwait’s cooperation for evacuating American citizens KUWAIT: Kuwait approved the transit of 5,000 save and protect both Americans and our partners Afghan nationals, who have been evacuated from facing danger in Afghanistan. We deeply appreci- their country to the US under the directions of His ate the support our allies have offered and are Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- proud to partner with them in our shared support Jaber Al-Sabah, the foreign ministry said on Sunday. of the Afghan people. Kuwait, one of our closest This move comes in “recognition of the strategic friends in the Middle East, quickly rose to the relations between the State of Kuwait and the occasion and lent a helping hand. The Kuwaiti United States of America,” according to the min- Government generously chartered planes from istry statement. It also aims to “enhance the exist- Kuwait Airways to help facilitate this essential ing cooperation between them and in continuation evacuation operation. Thank you to His Highness of the humanitarian role of the State of Kuwait, the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- which calls for the importance of securing safe pas- Sabah for his commitment to this humanitarian sage for diplomats and foreign nationals and the effort and our joint partnership, and his approval facilitation of evacuations from Afghanistan.” of the safe transit of 5,000 Afghans through Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Kuwait Alina Kuwait to onward destinations,” she said. Romanowski has lauded Kuwait for the coopera- “Since August 16, more than 850 Americans and tion for evacuating American citizens and at-risk personnel at embassy in Kabul transited safely locals from Afghanistan and has deeply appreciat- from Afghanistan to the United States via Kuwait ed its support at this level. on five separate flights. Kuwaiti government char- “Over the past several days, the United States tered flights also transferred more than 400 Nepali has mobilized an unprecedented global effort to Local Guards from the US embassy in Kabul to evacuate US citizens, personnel from partner Nepal. This is not the first time Kuwait has stood by nations, and at-risk individuals from Kabul,” the the United States. In 2005, for example, Kuwait US ambassador said in a press statement released pledged $500 million in aid to US relief efforts KUWAIT: A handout picture released by the US embassy in Kuwait shows American Ambassador in yesterday. “The state department is working after Hurricane Katrina, the single largest donation Kuwait Alina Romanowski talking to military personnel as she checks on US evacuees from around the clock with our allies and partners in of its kind at the time,” the statement said. Afghanistan transiting through Kuwait. — AFP every region of the world to mobilize resources to Continued on Page 2 To manage the chaotic airlifting of for- through the Kabul airport, the Pentagon said Taleban warn of eigners and Afghans-many of whom fear yesterday as the US speeds toward complet- reprisals for working with Western nations- ing its airlift by an August 31 deadline. thousands of soldiers have poured back into General Hank Taylor told reporters that 61 ‘consequences’ if Afghanistan, with pressure growing on military, commercial and charter flights Washington to extend the deadline. But the involving a number of countries flew out US extends airlift Taleban, who have so far sought to strike a from Hamid Karzai International Airport in more moderate tone, showed no willingness the 24 hours to 3 am yesterday (0700 GMT) KABUL: The Taleban warned yesterday to compromise on the US pullout. carrying people escaping the country after there would be “consequences” if the “If the US or UK were to seek additional the Taleban seized power. Of the total evacu- United States and its allies extend their time to continue evacuations-the answer is ated that day, 11,000 were taken out by the presence in Afghanistan beyond next week, no. Or there would be consequences,” US military airlift operations, Taylor said. as chaos continued to overwhelm Kabul air- Taleban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sky Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic port. The hardline Islamists’ takeover of the News yesterday. Staying beyond the agreed Cooperation (OIC) said Sunday Afghanistan country last weekend shocked Western deadline would be “extending occupation”, should never again be allowed to shelter nations, coming just two weeks before an he added. “terrorist organizations”, and called for August 31 deadline for all troops to fully Around 16,000 people were evacuated inclusive dialogue to resolve the crisis withdraw from the country. over the past 24 hours from Afghanistan Continued on Page 2 KABUL: Taleban fighters in a vehicle patrol the streets of Kabul yesterday. — AFP 21 dead, 20 missing after US flooding WASHINGTON: Devastating floods after record rainfall in the southern US state of Tennessee have left at least 21 people dead and at least 20 more missing, local officials said Sunday in what they warned was a preliminary toll. Tennessee was hit Saturday by what meteorologists called historic storms and flooding, dumping as DOHA: Candidates leave after registering to run in the country’s upcoming elec- much as 17 inches (38 centimeters) of rain. tion to the Shura Council in Doha Sunday. — AFP Rural roads, state highways, bridges and hundreds of homes were washed out and Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Only widespread power outages affected thou- Qatar opens descendants of Qataris who were citi- sands of people. zens in 1930 will be eligible to vote and However, tropical storm Henri was HELMETTA, US: Members of the New Market Volunteer Fire Company perform a second- stand, disqualifying members of families downgraded to a tropical depression late ary search during an evacuation effort following a flash flood as Tropical Storm Henri registration naturalized since that year. Sunday after slamming into Rhode Island makes landfall in Helmetta, New Jersey, Sunday. — AFP Some members of the sizable Al- on the US east coast, knocking out power for Oct 2 polls Murra tribe are among those who face to thousands of Americans, uprooting died. Henri is a rare tropical storm to rescuing 86 people, including 16 children, being excluded from the electoral process. It will take a super-majority trees, and bringing record rainfall. strike America’s northeastern seaboard from submerged vehicles. In Helmetta, 30 DOHA: Qatar opened candidate regis- In Humpreys County, about 90 minutes tration for its first legislative elections vote of the new, elected Shura Council to and comes as the surface layer of oceans miles south, volunteer firefighters waded amend the eligibility law and extend the from country music hub Nashville, the warms due to climate change. The warm- through waist-deep water to help evacu- Sunday, announcing the much-delayed downpour on Saturday broke a 24-hour polls would be held on October 2. franchise to include more recently ing is causing cyclones to become more ate residents from waterlines rising dan- arrived Qatari families. “(A) decree stipu- rainfall record for Tennessee, the National powerful and carry more water, posing an gerously close to their homes. Some Elections to the 45-seat Shura Council, as proposed under a 2004 con- lated that Saturday, October 2, 2021 Weather Service said. Tennessee Governor increasing threat to the world’s coastal 79,000 people lost power in Rhode stitution, have been postponed repeated- would be set as the date for electing Bill Lee described “picture of loss and communities, scientists say. Island and another 33,000 suffered members heartache” in Waverly, a hard-hit town of ly and its members have instead been In Newark, New Jersey, flash flooding blackouts in directly named by the Amir Sheikh Continued on Page 2 around 4,500 where 20 of the victims caused havoc with emergency services Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961 Local Tuesday, August 24, 2021 Kuwait’s Foreign Minister receives credentials of new ambassadors KUWAIT: Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah meets Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah meets Sabah meets Ambassador of Senegal to Kuwait. Ambassador of Mauritania to Kuwait. Ambassador of Qatar to Kuwait. KUWAIT: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah received yesterday at the Foreign Ministry Headquarter copies of credentials of the new ambassadors of Senegal, Mauritania and Qatar. The Minister wished the new diplomats success in their missions, and further prosperity to Kuwait’s bilateral ties with their nations. — KUNA Defense Minister receives Kuwait donates call from US counterpart six fire engines KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Deputy Prime to Tunisia Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al- TUNIS: Tunisia yesterday expressed its Sabah received a phone call from appreciation for Kuwait’s assistance in the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd fighting devastating wildfires fanned by Austin. During the call, both sides soaring temperatures, saying it was discussed issues of joint interest, a thankful for the “gracious gesture.” The host of topics regarding the regional and international arenas, aid, comprising an assortment of fire- according to a statement released fighting equipment, could not have come by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense at a more appropriate time, Tunisian Kuwait’s Defense Minister Sheikh yesterday.