G7 SUMMIT: Spending plan to rival China adopted
G7 leaders seeking to rival China have adopted a plan to support lower- and middle-income countries in building better infrastructure. President Joe Biden said he wanted the US-backed Build Back Better World (B3W) plan to be a higher-quality alternative to a similar Chinese programme. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has helped finance trains, roads, and ports in many countries. But it has been criticised for saddling some with debt.
In a statement at their summit in the English county of Cornwall, the G7 leaders said they would offer a “values-driven, high-standard and transparent” partnership.
However, details of how the G7 plan will be financed remain unclear. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the group was not yet at a stage to release financing for its initiative.
The US has been particularly critical of China’s so-called “debt diplomacy”. The G7, the world’s seven wealthiest democracies, have also committed to a new plan to stop future pandemics. The measures include cutting the time needed to develop and license vaccines and treatments for Covid-19 to under 100 days. The plan will be officially unveiled on Sunday, alongside the final summit communique. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting the three-day gathering at the seaside resort of Carbis Bay.
Queen Elizabeth insists on cutting cake with sword at G7 event
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth insisted on cutting a cake using a ceremonial sword at an event on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Cornwall in southern England on Friday. Her efforts prompted laughter from the Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge, and the assembled crowds. The Queen had been handed the sword for the task of cutting a large cake marking the Big Lunch at the Eden Project.
As she struggled, one woman is heard saying, “There is a knife.”
To which the Queen replied, “I know there is!”
Queen Elizabeth also met US President Joe Biden on Friday under the canopy of the world’s largest indoor rainforest as she hosted a reception for leaders of the Group of Seven richest nations.
The 95-year-old monarch was joined by the other senior members of the British royal family, with son and heir Prince Charles and his wife Camilla and grandson Prince William and his wife Kate also present. It was their first major public event together since the funeral in April of Prince Philip, the queen’s husband of more than seven decades.
Biden to hold solo news conference after Putin summit
U.S. President Joe Biden will hold a solo news conference after meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin next week, denying the former KGB spy an elevated international platform to castigate the West and sow discord.
Putin’s bravura performance at a 2018 news conference with Donald Trump led to shock when the then U.S. president cast doubt on the findings of his own intelligence agencies and flattered the Russian leader. Talking about the summit alone will also spare Biden, 78, from open jousting with Putin, 68, before the world’s media after what is certain to be a combative encounter.
“We expect this meeting to be candid and straightforward,” a White House official said. “A solo press conference is the appropriate format to clearly communicate with the free press the topics that were raised in the meeting — both in terms of areas where we may agree and in areas where we have significant concerns.”
Biden will meet Putin on June 16 in Geneva for a summit that will cover strategic nuclear stability and the deteriorating relationship between the Kremlin and the West.
Inmate suffered COVID-19 health complications
An inmate who passed away at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) had suffered severe pneumonia due to COVID-19 health complications. A commissioned cornoner examined the deceased’s body and submitted a report stating the cause of the inmate’s death, said Southern Governorate Advocate Prosecutor.
The Reformation and Rehabilitation notified the Public Prosecution last Wednesday about the inmate’s dealth as he was receiving treatment at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).
The Public Prosecution had also received other previous notifications about the inmate and followed up on his health condition, as well as precautionary and medical measures to quarantine him after he tested positive to the virus.
“The infected inmate was then transferred to the hospital on May 29 for medical treatment until he passed away due to COVID-19 complications”, said Southern Govenorate Advocate Prosecutor.
The Public Prosecution paid a visit to the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre on May 28 for an update on precautionay measures being enforced at different buildings and sections. The Public Prosecution also visited a number of buildings and sections and took stock of related documents and met a number of inmates.
It concluded that the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre complies with the mandatory precautionary measures set by the Public Health Directorate and the National Medical Taskforce for Combating Covid-19. The Public Prosecution then ordered the deceased to be buried and extended deepest condolences to his relatives.
Bahrain Health Ministry takes action against 52 restaurants and cafés
The Bahrain Health Ministry has taken action against 52 restaurants and cafés for flouting the mandatory precautionary measures. During inspection visits to 174 restaurants and cafés yesterday, the Health Ministry’s inspectors stressed the need to fully comply with the precautionary measures recommended by the National Medical Taskforce, including mainly the closure of those outlets except for delivery and takeaway services.
The Health Ministry said that the restaurants and cafés facing legal acting had flouted the procedures and terms stipulated in the ministerial edict 51 of 2020 on mandatory health protocols at restaurants and cafés to curb COVID-19 infections. The restaurants and cafés and which were found in breach of the mandatory precautionary measures were referred to competent legal authorities.
Owners of outlets with minor violations were warned to address their irregularities immediately in compliance with the mandatory precautionary measures. The Public Health Directorate at the Health Ministry called on everyone to continue their commitment and spirit of high responsibility, and to immediately report any violations they may spot.
Bid of $28 million wins a rocket trip to space with Bezos
A seat on a spaceship ride with billionaire Jeff Bezos went for $28 million during a live auction on Saturday, concluding the month-long bidding process for the sightseeing trip on the Blue Origin’s maiden voyage next month.
Within four minutes of the open of Saturday’s live phone auction, bids reached beyond $20 million. The bidding closed seven minutes after the auction began. The identity of the winner – presumably an ultra-wealthy space aficionado – was not immediately disclosed.
The July 20 launch of Blue Origin’s New Shepard booster from West Texas would be a landmark moment as U.S. firms strive toward a new era of private commercial space travel.
Blue Origin’s founder and Amazon executive Bezos, the world’s wealthiest man and a lifelong space enthusiast, has been racing against fellow aspiring billionaire aeronauts Richard Branson and Elon Musk to be the first of the three to travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
“To see the earth from space, changes you. It changes your relationship with this planet, with humanity,” Bezos said in a video before the final bidding took place, adding that his brother Mark will join him on the trip.
As the month-long bidding process leading up to the live auction closed on Thursday, the winning figure stood at $4.8 million, fueled by entries from more than 6,000 people from at least 143 countries, Blue Origin said.
“Putting the world’s richest man and one of the most recognized figures in business into space is a massive advertisement for space as a domain for exploration, industrialization and investment,” Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas told clients earlier this month.
While the funds raised from the event are earmarked for charity, Blue Origin is hoping to galvanize enthusiasm for its nascent suborbital tourism business.
Accreditation of Bahrain’s follow-up anti-money laundering report hailed
The accreditation of the second follow-up report of the Kingdom of Bahrain on combating money laundering and terrorism financing and the implementation of international standards was hailed.
Parliament Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee Chairman Mp Mohammed Al Sisi Al Bouainain praised the achievement which was announced during the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) meeting. He paid tribute to Interior Minister, Head of the committee to counter extremism, money laundering, and terrorism, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
He said that decree “Prohibiting and Combating Money Laundering” passed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security was clearly reflected in the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain in updating legislation. He stressed the importance of prohibiting and combating money laundering and criminalizing the financing of proliferation of arms, by making progress in this field by enhancing compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force.
“Bahrain is firmed committed to implementing the recommendations related to combating money laundering and financing terrorism and the proliferation of arms”, he said.
