Arab News
Arab News. Bangladeshi health minister facing ‘Herculean’ task. DHAKA: In the 18 months since Zahid Maleque took office as Bangladesh’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare, he has faced one national emergency after another.
The 61-year-old politician told Arab News that two major health crises meant that he hit the ground running after assuming the high-profile ministerial post. “First, there was the dengue outbreak which infected 101,354 and killed more than 200 people last year. Despite our limited resources, we successfully overcame that crisis compared to other countries,” he said during an exclusive interview on Monday. Anxious Lebanese turn to property amid banking crisis.
BEIRUT: The Lebanese real estate sector has witnessed a spike in activity in the past three months despite an economic crisis that has seen the exchange rate of the dollar reach 6,000 lira, four times the official price.
Raja Makarem, a property expert and director of Ramco Real Estate, said that sales over the past three months amounts to over $2 billion. He told Arab News that the real estate rush “will continue as long as the Lebanese banks agree to give bank checks to their depositors.” The decline of the real estate sector was one of the major signs of the economic crisis that began in 2012. UAE kicks off final stage of clinical trial of COVID-19 vaccine. BEIRUT: The Lebanese real estate sector has witnessed a spike in activity in the past three months despite an economic crisis that has seen the exchange rate of the dollar reach 6,000 lira, four times the official price.
Raja Makarem, a property expert and director of Ramco Real Estate, said that sales over the past three months amounts to over $2 billion. He told Arab News that the real estate rush “will continue as long as the Lebanese banks agree to give bank checks to their depositors.” The decline of the real estate sector was one of the major signs of the economic crisis that began in 2012. The crisis peaked after the end of subsidized housing loans and the decline of foreign investment in the Lebanese real estate market. New Saudi app helps diagnose kids’ developmental problems. JEDDAH: The international community and Muslim organizations have welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow only a “very limited” number of pilgrims to perform Hajj this year due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Officials have said that the number of worshippers taking part in the annual pilgrimage would be around 1,000 and restricted to only Saudis and foreign nationals already residing in the Kingdom. “The COVID-19 pandemic presents enormous challenges for the entire world,” Australian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ridwan Jadwat, told Arab News. “I wish his excellency minister (Dr. Mohammed Saleh bin Taher) Bentin and his team at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah all the very best in their ongoing efforts to identify the proper health and safety measures to look after the limited number of pilgrims that will be permitted to perform the Hajj in 2020.” World community, Muslim organizations welcome strict Saudi limit on Hajj pilgrims.
RIYADH: A new app has been launched to facilitate early detection and accurate diagnosis of developmental problems in children.
Launched by Alwaleed Philanthropies and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Maharat (meaning “skills” in Arabic) aims to help millions of children across the Middle East, and provide specialists with tools to detect issues through scientific and practical methods. Amal Al-Kathiri, executive manager of local initiatives at Alwaleed Philanthropies, said the most valuable element of the app is that it provides accessible professional services for all, developed by experts in psychology, pedagogy and other relevant specialties.
Most of the specialists are from Saudi Arabia, she added. “Alwaleed Philanthropies is committed to support communities and develop sustainable solutions, which is the main goal of the app,” Al-Kathiri told Arab News. Oil markets starting to balance, but not out of the woods yet. The price of Brent Crude more than doubled since mid-April, but is still down just shy of 50 percent from its January highs.
Oil rallied six of the last seven weeks. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) pierced the $42 per barrel mark late Friday. On Monday morning in European trading, Brent stood at $42.34 per barrel and WTI at $39.75 per barrel. Iran nuclear deal: More pressure on Tehran as Europeans lose patience In a development that was expected by many but that perhaps surprised Iran, the three European signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — France, Germany and the UK — on Friday released a statement on Iran’s violations of the nuclear deal.
The statement also touched on Iran’s obstruction of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors from visiting Iran and inspecting sites. In the aftermath of this statement, the US emphasized its commitment to stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The three countries, known as the E3, announced a tough stance on Iran’s breaches of the nuclear deal. The IAEA also criticized Iran over its nuclear program on Friday. Its board of governors passed a resolution officially calling on Tehran to allow inspectors to visit two sites where past nuclear activity may have occurred. UK house prices ‘to fall 5% this year, recover gradually’
LONDON: British home prices will fall this year and won’t recover those losses until the end of 2022, a Reuters poll of property market analysts found, as high unemployment following the coronavirus pandemic saps demand.
Britain’s economy shrank by a quarter over March and April as entire sectors were shuttered by a government-imposed lockdown, leading firms to shed jobs and vacancies to plunge by a record amount. Concerned about their financial health, buyers are likely to be nervous about big purchases and house prices, the bedrock of consumer wealth in Britain, will drop 5 percent this year, the June 9-22 poll of 21 strategists found. Prices are forecast to rise 1.5 percent next year and 3.5 percent in 2022. But in a worst-case scenario values will fall 11 percent this year, the poll found. In a February poll, taken before Britain faced the full brunt of the pandemic’s effect, prices were expected to rise 2 percent this year and 2.8 percent in 2021. Saudi Arabia determined to meet development goals Vision 2030, UN SDGs. In 2016, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched Vision 2030, an agenda for Saudi Arabia’s national development.
It is steering the country toward long-term economic, social and environmental outcomes to achieve sustainable social and economic development. In his foreword to Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed wrote: “Our Vision is a strong, thriving, and stable Saudi Arabia that provides opportunity for all. Real Madrid unaffected by Barca blip, says Zidane. LONDON: Premier League strugglers Watford rescued a dramatic 1-1 draw against Leicester thanks to Craig Dawson’s last-gasp overhead kick at the start of a weekend which could see Liverpool move within one win of the title.
In the first full weekend of English top-flight matches since the coronavirus shutdown in March, Watford’s hopes of avoiding relegation looked set to be dented by Ben Chilwell’s superb 90th minute strike. But in a remarkable conclusion, Hornets center back Dawson launched himself into an acrobatic effort moments later to claim his first goal for the club. “It’s something you practice in training and it probably doesn’t go in very often.
I’m delighted with my first goal. It was obviously a very important goal and it was good to get a point in the end,” Dawson said. Watford snatch late point as Liverpool prepare for title push. LONDON: Premier League strugglers Watford rescued a dramatic 1-1 draw against Leicester thanks to Craig Dawson’s last-gasp overhead kick at the start of a weekend which could see Liverpool move within one win of the title. In the first full weekend of English top-flight matches since the coronavirus shutdown in March, Watford’s hopes of avoiding relegation looked set to be dented by Ben Chilwell’s superb 90th minute strike. But in a remarkable conclusion, Hornets center back Dawson launched himself into an acrobatic effort moments later to claim his first goal for the club.
INTERVIEW: Bill Gates, vaccines and the fight against COVID-19. Hassan Damluji, the deputy director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, gave a candid, perhaps pessimistic view of the coronavirus pandemic that has upturned everyone’s lives. “Some people are thinking it’s all over, and it may be receding in their countries, but actually, globally, it’s a very worrying picture,” he told Arab News. “We’re deep into wave three.” The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the multibillion-dollar philanthropic organization started by the Microsoft founder and his wife. It is now one of the most important players in the fight against the virus.
“The first wave hit China, other countries were relatively unaffected and China had big problems while other countries were underestimating the risk,” Damluji explained. “The second wave really hit the world’s wealthiest countries, in Europe, North America but also East Asia and that is now reducing, though cases in America are still quite high. Dubai ports giant ‘prepares for worst’ as virus impact looms.
Hassan Damluji, the deputy director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, gave a candid, perhaps pessimistic view of the coronavirus pandemic that has upturned everyone’s lives. “Some people are thinking it’s all over, and it may be receding in their countries, but actually, globally, it’s a very worrying picture,” he told Arab News. Pakistan to reopen border with Afghanistan. MUMBAI: China lost at least 40 soldiers in a clash with India at their disputed border this week, a federal government minister has said, as the nuclear-armed countries remained locked in confrontation on the frontline on Sunday.
China has not said anything about any losses in the hand-to-hand combat that took place in the heavily contested Galwan Valley in the western Himalayas, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed and at least 76 injured. “If 20 were martyred on our (Indian) side, then there would have been at least double the casualties on their (China) side,” V.K. Singh, the minister for roads and transport, told TV News24 in an interview broadcast late on Saturday. Singh, who is a former army chief, did not provide any evidence to support his statement. 10 shot with injuries of ‘various severity’ in Minneapolis. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan says it will reopen a key border crossing with Afghanistan to allow trade between the neighbors.
Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables and other items will start crossing the Ghulam Khan border in northwestern North Waziristan district from Monday. Pakistan has already reopened its border with Iran. On Sunday, Pakistan reported 119 more COVID-19 deaths and 4,951 new cases, raising its total to 176,617 cases including 3,501 fatalities. Pakistan put its entire population of 220 million in lockdown in March, but the government last month eased restrictions, saying it was necessary to save the economy even though cases went up. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan says it will reopen a key border crossing with Afghanistan to allow trade between the neighbors. Jordan resumes domestic flights at major airport. Morocco opens field hospital after spike in virus cases. Arabnews. Saudi Arabia’s KAEC continues its innovative efforts to provide real estate ownership.
JEDDAH: King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is continuing its efforts to provide real estate ownership, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Its initiatives include launching financing solutions to attract customers and helping those in the government, military and private sector who wish to benefit from housing offers in the economic city in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan. George Floyd protests: We should not be afraid to confront history The echoes of George Floyd’s words “I can’t breathe” continue to haunt the world. Whatever may have been the particular sequence of events that transformed the death of an unarmed black man at the hands, or knee, of police in the US into a global cry of anguish may never be repeated.
Job insecurity is the new normal for oil and gas. Battaash finally crowned Ascot’s king sprinter at third attempt. JEDDAH: The Saudi Bowling Federation (SBF) is one of the oldest sports federations in the Kingdom. Goalline tech firm apologizes after Villa escape with point on Premier League return. JEDDAH: The Saudi Bowling Federation (SBF) is one of the oldest sports federations in the Kingdom. Saudi Aramco and PIF seal ‘milestone’ $69bn SABIC deal. DUBAI: Saudi Aramco has sealed the $69.1 billion acquisition of a 70 percent stake in SABIC, creating a new force in the global petrochemicals industry. Post-virus recovery goes up in flames for Tunisian vendors. Military tensions rise after North Korea vows to send troops to border. Five dead in latest flooding in southern China rainstorms. LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday is being marked Saturday with a smaller ceremony than usual, as the annual Trooping the Color parade is canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic.
LIVE: Arab countries in global brotherhood amid coronavirus pandemic. Yemen calls for international pressure against Houthi recruitment of child soldiers. Saudi student invents effective and inexpensive COVID-19 testing device. Arab Council for Childhood and Development chief calls for extra efforts to fight child labor. Oil prices recover in a bullish market. Investors’ big appetite for online food companies. EU states back spending up to $2.7 billion upfront on COVID-19 vaccines. Use the right airline for a safe flight - Itx Emma Stone. Exposed: How Qatar Airways risked lives of flight attendants for coronavirus PR stunt. Houthi missile injures three women in Saudi Arabia. Duterte orders local govt units to accept returning overseas workers. Yemenis ignore health warnings during Eid. Lebanese MPs warn Hezbollah over US sanctions. Saudis reveal their post-COVID-19 wish lists.
Coronavirus asks questions of renewables as well as oil. Saudi Arabia extends tourist visas for 3 months for free. Domestic flights to resume in Saudi Arabia. Saudis, expats ready to restart their lives, vow to stick to health guidelines. Saudi women rappers, singers to star in at-home concert on Instagram. The revolution that sparked Iran’s hostility. Saudi interior ministry announces curfew hours change for Ramadan. Saudi Arabia’s active mass testing contains virus spread. Saudi film project to represent KSA in TFI virtual event. A day for the history books and one shale producers will want to forget. Turkey postpones S-400 missile activation date. Has coronavirus ended the era of American oil dominance? Saudi Arabia monitoring oil markets closely, prepared for additional measures. Trump vows to rescue US oil amid further crude market turmoil.
UK cemetery adopts new way of burying Muslims amid rising coronavirus deaths. Pakistan to allow Ramadan prayers despite virus threat. Wolves, boars and bears spotted as Italian lockdown continues. Bats besiege Egyptian village causing coronavirus panic. Shot by Houthis, Yemeni government liaison officer in Hodeida dies. Egyptian Copts celebrate Easter at home amid coronavirus pandemic. Darwin was right: Only the fittest will survive COVID-19. Why coronavirus is a ticking bomb in war-ravaged northern Syria. Saudi Arabia announces $533m action plan to support food sector. Wife of Sheikh Talal Al-Thani accuses Qatar of torturing husband.
British Muslims warned against Hajj bookings. Mafia defies Italy’s coronavirus lockdown. Mafia defies Italy’s coronavirus lockdown. Lebanon suspends repatriation flights for virus-stranded nationals until April 27. Lebanon suspends repatriation flights for virus-stranded nationals until April 27. ‘Corona’ dates invade Egypt markets. Palestinians and Israelis divided over a common foe: coronavirus. Cairo shootout exploits COVID-19 crisis. Saudi Arabia ‘acted, not reacted’ to COVID-19 pandemic, says Dr. Reem bint Mansour Al-Saud. America’s divided house has weakened nation’s defenses. America’s divided house has weakened nation’s defenses. Amnesty slams Qatar’s expulsion of migrant workers during coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia allocates SR50 billion for private sector support. G20 fights to save global economy from virus disaster. Iranian influence aggravated COVID-19 spread in Syria: Researchers. War-weary Afghanistan faces uphill coronavirus battle.
Pakistan braced for double blow of coronavirus outbreak. Repatriations to Lebanon continue amid slowdown in recorded virus cases. Houthis forcing migrants to storm Saudi borders, says Al-Maliki. The pandemic: What employers can and cannot do. BBC broadcasts Muslim prayers on radio for the first time. Oil crisis puts 300m livelihoods at risk, says IEA chief. Saudi Arabia to host virtual meeting of G20 energy ministers to discuss market stability amid coronavirus pandemic. Number of coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia could hit 200,000, says health minister. Three Sudanese arrested over French ‘terror’ stabbing. Phased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad begins. Saudi food authority uses artificial intelligence to facilitate medical attention. How Saudis can stop social distancing from getting them down.
Virgin Mary’s story offers relevant lessons on survival. Virus pandemic hits Egypt’s Ramadan preparations, prayers. Mystery surrounds murder of Hezbollah fighter. Oil prices fall sharply as OPEC+ meeting delayed, stocks jump on virus slowdown. Revealed: How coronavirus outbreak is shining a light on violations inside Qatar’s labor camps.