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Macron refused Russian COVID test in Putin trip over DNA theft fears

The Straits Times reported, citing Reuters, two sources in Macron's entourage told Reuters, French President Emmanuel Macron refused a Kremlin request that he take a Russian Covid-19 test when he arrived to see President Vladimir Putin this week, to prevent Russia getting hold of Macron's DNA.
As a result, the visiting French head of state was kept at a distance from the Russian leader during lengthy talks on the Ukraine crisis in Moscow.
Observers were struck by images of the two leaders sitting at opposite ends of a 4m-long table on Monday during their talks, with some diplomats and others suggesting Mr Putin might be wanting to send a diplomatic message.
But two sources, who have knowledge of the Mr Macron's health protocol, told Reuters that he had been given a choice: either accept a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test done by the Russian authorities and be allowed to get close to Mr Putin, or refuse and have to abide by more stringent social distancing.
One of the sources told Reuters: "We knew very well that meant no handshake and that long table. But we could not accept that they get their hands on the President's DNA." It referred to security concerns if the French leader was tested by Russian doctors.

The Kremlin confirmed on Friday (Feb 11) that Mr Macron was kept at a distance from Mr Putin.
The Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was understanding of the French position and had been guided by the need to protect Mr Putin at the meeting, where the leaders sat at opposite ends of the table.
He said this was not about politics and had not affected the talks.
The second source in Mr Macron's entourage confirmed Mr Macron declined to take a Russian PCR test.
The source said Mr Macron instead took a French PCR test before departure and an antigen test done by his own doctor once in Russia.
The second source said: "The Russians told us Putin needed to be kept in a strict health bubble."
Putin meets Macron to discuss Ukraine and European security
Mr Macron’s office said the Russian health protocol "did not seem to us to be either acceptable or compatible with our diary constraints", referring to the length of time that would have been required to wait for the results.
When asked specifically about DNA theft, Mr Macron's office said: "The president has doctors who define with him the rules that are acceptable or not in terms of his own health protocol."
Macron discusses Ukraine crisis with Biden ahead of meeting with Putin
On Thursday, three days after Mr Macron and Mr Putin had their socially distanced meeting, the Russian leader received Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The two men shook hands and sat close to each other, divided only by a small coffee table.
Source: straitstimes
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BENEFIT Sponsors Gulf Uni...
- April 17, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.
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