MUHARRAM 4, 1443 AH THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021

16 Pages Max 50º Min 33º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18504 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Food trucks struggle amid Win for Biden as Senate After 60 yrs of Indian rule, Goa’s Sancho, Varane arrivals raise 3 pandemic, licensing woes 8 passes infrastructure bill 13 disappearing Portuguese legacy 15 expectations for Solskajer

Back to school from Sept, with 20 students per class

Masks a must • Group activities banned • MP calls to cut PCR test cost to KD 10

By B Izzak Foreign schools will be allowed to offer online dance, the minister said. a PCR test every week on Sunday. Students are pro- classes before Sept 26, with students attending on- The duration of each period has been extended to hibited from gathering in any form, while all group KUWAIT: Public, private and foreign schools will campus classes from that date, Mudhaf told a virtual one hour from 45 minutes to allow teachers to com- activities are banned, he underlined. reopen for on-campus learning in late September and press conference following a Cabinet meeting. For pensate for any loss in education due to the closure MP Mohammad Al-Huwaila yesterday called on early October amid stringent health precautions by public and private Arabic schools, classes will be of schools from last year due to the coronavirus pan- authorities to reduce the cost of the PCR test from KD authorities, Education Minister Ali Al-Mudhaf said divided into two groups: The first group will go to demic. Like the overwhelming majority of countries 20 to KD 10. MPs Abdulkarim Al-Kandari and Khalil yesterday. All foreign-language schools will reopen for school on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, while the around the world, Kuwait shut down schools and uni- Al-Saleh meanwhile called on the government to facil- students on Sept 26, while public and private Arabic second group will go on Monday and Wednesday. In versities in the last academic year due to the pan- itate the return of foreign domestic helpers to help schools will reopen on Oct 3, the minister said. The the next week, groups will swap attendance, with the demic and resorted to online education. working families who are scheduled to return to work maximum capacity for any classroom will be 20 stu- second group going on Sunday, Tuesday and Mudhaf said a majority of teachers, students and on Aug 15. The two lawmakers said strict government dents, with students sitting two meters apart. A strict Thursday and the first on Monday and Tuesday. The administrators have been vaccinated, and those who procedures have made it difficult and extremely mask mandate for students will be enforced, he added. groups will continue to alternate on-campus atten- choose not to get vaccinated are required to undergo expensive to bring back helpers or recruit new ones.

News in brief Algeria mourns TikTok most downloaded app 69 dead as Med SAN FRANCISCO: TikTok was the world’s most downloaded app last year, overtaking Facebook wildfires spread and its messaging platforms, market tracker App Annie said Tuesday. TikTok, owned by China- TIZI OUZOU, Algeria: The death toll climbed to at based ByteDance, is believed to have one billion least 69 as firefighters, soldiers and civilian volunteers users worldwide including more than 100 million in battled blazes in forests across northern Algeria yes- the US, and its short-form videos are especially terday, in the latest wildfires to sweep the popular with young smartphone users. — AFP Mediterranean. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning starting from today, and authorities say they suspect wide- Instagram unveils new tools spread arson after so many fires erupted in such a short space of time. WASHINGTON: Instagram yesterday In an update, state-run news agency APS said the announced new measures to curb abusive and rash of more than 50 fires that broke out Tuesday had racist content on the image-centric social net- claimed four more lives, in addition to state televi- work. The Facebook-owned platform said it sion’s toll of 65 dead, including 28 soldiers deployed would start using “stronger warnings” when peo- to help overstretched emergency services. Several ple post potentially offensive comments, and a arrests have been announced, but the identities or new “hidden words” feature that enables users to suspected motives of those detained have not been filter abusive messages. Instagram will also allow disclosed. users to limit comments and message requests Images of trapped villagers, terrified livestock and during “spikes of increased attention”. — AFP forested hillsides reduced to blackened stumps were shared on social media, many of them accompanied by pleas for help. AFP journalists saw villagers des- New Samsung foldable phones perately trying to put out the spreading fires with makeshift brooms in an effort to save their homes. TIZI-OUZOU, Algeria: A couple watches a fire in the forested hills of the Kabylie region yesterday. —AFP Continued on Page 2 SAN FRANCISCO: Samsung unveiled two upgraded folding smartphones yesterday as the South Korean sector leader sought to killed and 2.5 million displaced in the Darfur con- head off rising competition from Chinese firms Sudan to hand flict, which erupted in the vast western region in in a fast-evolving market. The Galaxy Z Fold3 2003. The “cabinet decided to hand over wanted and Z Flip3 offer sleeker designs, improved officials to the ICC,” Foreign Minister Mariam Al- water resistance and more durable screens are Bashir to ICC for Mahdi was quoted as saying by state news agency available for pre-ordering for delivery later SUNA, without giving a timeframe. this month in the United States, Europe and war crimes trial The cabinet’s decision to hand him over came South Korea. — AFP during a visit by ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan, KHARTOUM: Sudan will hand longtime autocrat but it still needs the approval of Sudan’s ruling sov- Omar Al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court ereign council, comprised of military and civilian Iraq blast kills 8 troops along with two other officials wanted over the figures. Yesterday, Khan met with the leader of the Darfur conflict, officials said yesterday. Bashir, 77, sovereign council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, BAGHDAD: A blast killed eight members of the has been wanted by The Hague-based ICC for more as well as Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, its deputy KHARTOUM: In this file photo taken on Aug 19, 2019, security forces yesterday during an operation in than a decade over charges of genocide, war crimes chair. Daglo said Sudan “is prepared to cooperate Sudan’s deposed military ruler Omar Al-Bashir looks northern Iraq to detonate explosives planted by and crimes against humanity in the Sudanese region. with the ICC,” SUNA reported. on from a defendant’s cage during the opening of his the Islamic State group, a security source said. The United Nations says 300,000 people were Continued on Page 2 corruption trial. — AFP A military sapper was preparing a charge to detonate unexploded ordnance laid by the mili- tants in Salaheddin province “when a mistake was made and the explosion happened”. The French capital the previous day and blast killed six soldiers and two policemen Messi eyes penning a two-year contract with the charged with oil field protection. — AFP option of a third season. PSG quickly emerged as the glory as Paris favorites to sign Messi following the Dubai passenger volumes slump shock of his departure last week from goes crazy Barcelona and he arrives eyeing a fifth Champions League, with the most DUBAI: Dubai International Airport reported PARIS: Lionel Messi set his sights on recent of his four victories with his old yesterday a 41 percent drop in traffic in the first more Champions League glory after club coming in 2015. “I have said many half of 2021, but said it anticipates “robust being unveiled as a Paris Saint- times that my dream is to win another growth” after the easing of travel restrictions. Germain player yesterday as hundreds Champions League and I think I am in The number of passengers that passed through of fans gathered outside the club’s the ideal place to have that chance the world’s largest airport for international trav- stadium hoping to see their new idol. and to do it,” Messi told reporters el fell to 10.6 million in the first six months of The 34-year-old Argentinian superstar inside a packed auditorium, with the audience including his wife Antonella, PARIS: PSG’s Qatari President Nasser Al-Khelaifi poses alongside Argentinian foot- 2021, according to a statement from the Dubai was presented to media from all over ball player Lionel Messi as he holds up his number 30 shirt at Parc des Princes the world at a news conference at the their children, and his father and Media Office. — AFP (See Page 8) stadium yesterday. — AFP Parc des Princes after arriving in the agent, Jorge. — AFP (See Page 16) 2 Established 1961 Local Thursday, August 12, 2021 Kuwait’s Amir receives letter from Saudi King

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah reads a letter from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, delivered to him by Saudi Ambassador Prince Sultan Bin His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Saad Bin Khaled Al Saud. — Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos meets His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. meets His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- His Highness the Amir was handed the letter by Saudi The letter also dealt with deep-seated ties between the Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. His Highness the Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received, at Bayan Palace Ambassador to the country Prince Sultan Bin Saad Bin two countries and peoples, as well as means of further Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- yesterday, a letter from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz of Khaled Al Saud. It included an invitation to His boosting such ties in all fields. His Highness the Amir Sabah also received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- Saudi Arabia. According to an Amiri Diwan statement, Highness from the Saudi monarch to visit the Kingdom. then received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- Mohammad at Bayan Palace yesterday. —KUNA

decade, as they educated their citizens to pursue minister Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein and Ahmed Qatar plan for democracy,” she told AFP. Bianco pointed to significant Sudan to hand Haroun, a former governor of South Kordofan. The pushback on social media. “Undoubtedly there is ICC issued an arrest warrant for Bashir in 2009 for strong external interference to amplify the dissent for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, polls stirs debate, political reasons, but we should not hide behind trolls Bashir to ICC for... later adding genocide to the charges. Bashir was to delegitimize the organic discontent that exists,” she ousted by the military and detained in April 2019 falsehoods told AFP. Continued from Page 1 after four months of mass nationwide protests Candidates will have to stand in constituencies against his rule. DOHA: Qatar’s long-delayed first legislative elections linked to where their family or tribe was based in the Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who also met The former strongman was convicted in Dec have stirred debate over eligibility as well as a flurry of 1930s, using data compiled by the then British-con- with Khan, said yesterday that “Sudan’s commit- 2019 for corruption, and has been on trial in online distortion. Elections to the 45-seat shura coun- trolled authorities. The council, to be made up of 30 ment to seek justice is not only to abide by its inter- Khartoum since July 2020 for the Islamist-backed cil, as proposed under a 2004 constitution, have been elected members and 15 appointed by the amir, can national commitments, but it comes out of a 1989 coup which brought him to power. He faces postponed repeatedly and its members have instead propose legislation, sack ministers and approve the response to the people’s demands”. But it remains the death penalty if found guilty. Sudan has been been directly named by Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad annual budget, but its decisions are subject to veto by unclear if Bashir would be extradited to face trial in led since Aug 2019 by a transitional civilian-military Al-Thani. the Gulf state’s ruler. The Hague, or could remain in Sudan. Volker administration, that has vowed to bring justice to Following the publication of an election law on July Bianco pointed to a possible compromise under Perthes, UN Special Representative to Sudan, said victims of crimes committed under Bashir. 29, the polls are now expected to be held in October, which representatives of a family or tribe excluded by yesterday that the ICC “can help” with the “estab- The Darfur war broke out in 2003 when non- although a date has yet to be set. Only descendants of the electoral law could instead be appointed directly. lishment of (a) Special Court for Darfur”, without Arab rebels took up arms complaining of systematic Qataris who were citizens in 1930 will be eligible to Under electoral campaign rules, political parties are giving further details. discrimination by Bashir’s Arab-dominated govern- vote and stand, disqualifying members of families nat- banned as is “stirring up tribal or sectarian strife The transitional authorities have previously ment. Khartoum responded by unleashing the noto- uralized since that year. The sizable Al-Murra tribe is among citizens in any way”. The election law has said they would hand Bashir over, but one stum- rious Janjaweed militia, recruited from among the one of those which could be excluded, according to sparked a torrent of fake news on social media with bling block was that Sudan was not party to the region’s nomadic peoples. Human rights groups Cinzia Bianco, a research fellow at the European the Arabic hashtag #BoycottQatarElections trending court’s founding Rome Statute. But last week have long accused Bashir and his former aides of Council on Foreign Relations. on Twitter, despite initially being posted by only one Sudan’s cabinet voted to ratify the Rome Statute, using a scorched earth policy, raping, killing, looting “This is an issue that the Qataris have had since a account, indicating manipulation. — AFP a crucial move seen as one step towards Bashir and burning villages. potentially facing trial. Khartoum signed a peace deal last October with ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah did not com- key Darfuri rebel groups, with some of their leaders ment on the announcement, saying Khan was “in taking top jobs in government, although violence Khartoum to discuss cooperation matters”, but that continues to dog the region. But after years of con- the prosecutor would hold a press conference flict, the arid and impoverished region is awash with today afternoon. Bashir, who ruled Sudan with an automatic weapons and clashes still erupt, often iron fist for three decades before being deposed over land and access to water. Last year, alleged amid popular protests in 2019, is behind bars in senior Janjaweed militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Khartoum’s high security Kober prison. Abd Al-Rahman, also known by the nom de guerre He is jailed alongside two other former top offi- Ali Kushayb, surrendered to the court, where he cials facing ICC war crimes charges - ex-defense faces charges of murder, rape and torture. — AFP

Firefighters battle flames in the forested hills of the Kabylie region east of the capital Algiers yesterday. -— AFP

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the for- Algeria mourns mer colonial power “stands ready” to offer support in tackling the situation, and expressed the “solidar- ity of France with the Algerian people”, in a post on 69 dead as Med... Twitter. The British embassy in Algiers offered “condo- Continued from Page 1 lences to those who have died, or been injured or affected”. State media have reported four arrests High winds fueled the rapid spread of the flames for suspected arson. Meteorologists expect the in tinder-dry conditions created by a heatwave heatwave across North Africa to continue until the across North Africa and the wider Mediterranean, end of the week, with temperatures in Algeria fire official Youcef Ould Mohamed told APS. reaching 46 degrees Celsius. Scores of separate wildfires remained active yes- In Algeria’s neighbor Tunisia, the temperature in terday, spread across 17 provinces, emergency the capital Tunis hit an all-time record of 49 services spokesman Nassim Barnaoui told degrees Celsius on Tuesday. The Tunisian emer- reporters. Most of the fires and 16 of the deaths gency services reported 15 fires across the north were recorded in Tizi Ouzou district, in the mainly and northwest, but no casualties. On the northern Berber region of Kabylie, east of the capital Algiers. shores of the Mediterranean, Turkey reported eight “I left all my stock in my village and fled to Tizi deaths and Greece three from wildfires that have Ouzou with my wife and three children,” said raged for the past two weeks. Abdelhamid Boudraren, a shopkeeper from the vil- Each summer, Algeria endures seasonal wildfires, lage of Beni Yeni. “Luckily I own a flat in the center but rarely anything approaching this year’s disaster. of Tizi Ouzou, where I’m holed up with my family In 2020, nearly 440 sq km of forest were destroyed and some neighbors.” by fire, and several people were arrested on suspi- The situation was “alarming”, Letreche Hakim, cion of arson. On Monday, the UN released a major the head of civil protection in Bejaia, the second report showing how the threat from global warming biggest city in Kabylie, told APS. “Things were is even more acute than previously thought. under control, but with the outbreak of nine large It highlighted how scientists are quantifying the fires on Wednesday morning, our forces are scat- extent to which human-induced warming increases tered,” Hakim said. the intensity and/or likelihood of a specific extreme There have been mounting calls for aid convoys weather event, such as a heatwave or a wildfire. to be sent to the worst-hit districts with food and Climate change amplifies droughts, creating ideal medicine from the capital. On Wednesday, an AFP conditions for wildfires to spread out of control and correspondent saw several lorries headed to Tizi inflict unprecedented material and environmental Ouzou with aid donated by the public. France’s damage. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Thursday, August 12, 2021 Food trucks struggle through pandemic, licensing headache to make profit

KUWAIT: A combination of photos showing food trucks on the corniche in Kuwait City, as well as in Daiya and Kabd. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

By Nawara Fattahova even confiscated by the Kuwait Municipality. does not have a license although he meets all machine and some other equipment and materials Recently, the Municipality handed out fines and requirements. When asked if it’s risky to operate the when I quickly drive away. Also, I’m subject to fines KUWAIT: Over the last few years, food trucks removed several unlicensed food trucks operating food truck without a license, especially since this and even arrest orders. They should have told me have become popular in Kuwait and around the on the seaside. location is frequently checked by inspectors, the from the beginning that they are not issuing licenses Gulf, serving up burgers, fries, sodas and other According to the official website of the Ministry owner, who asked that his name be withheld, told instead of letting me buy all the equipment and then street food. Food trucks are ubiquitous anywhere of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), 126 applications Kuwait Times that when he sees the inspectors, he not being able to run my business,” he added. where crowds gather, but especially in places like for food trucks were received in Dec 2020. Out of drives away. But an inspector from MoCI said licenses for food Khairan, desert camping areas, festivals and these, 44 have been issued and 82 are under “In March I applied for the license after I met all trucks are still being issued by the ministry. “It’s not bazaars. Unfortunately, the pandemic has halted process. The period of the license is set depending the requirements. When I went to get the license, true that we don’t issue licenses now. Our inspectors most large gatherings, and as a result business for on the type of business. An owner of a food truck they told me that no new licenses for food trucks inspect all licensed businesses, including food trucks. these trucks. interviewed by Kuwait Times said the license for are being issued. Later I met an owner of a food Our inspectors hand fines to violating food trucks, So many food trucks have begun parking lately practicing this business depends on the license of truck who told me he just got his license. So I went which is directly transferred to the prosecution,” the in open areas along the corniche in Kuwait City and the vehicle. He added if the vehicle is new, it gets a back in June, but they again said they don’t issue MoCI officer explained. Meanwhile, according to Salmiya, as well as in some neighborhoods. But license of longer duration, while older models licenses anymore, so I wonder how did he got the the Municipality hotline staff, licenses should be brick and mortar restaurants are now challenging receive a shorter license period. license. I guess by wasta,” he deduced. issued by MoCI first. “Based on the license issued by the food trucks’ right to park where they like, claim- The owner says he is tired of running his busi- MoCI, they can apply for a license from the ing that the trucks are negatively affecting their License ‘by wasta’ ness without a license. “I’m now posting an ad to Municipality. Finally, they have to obtain a license business and sales. Kuwait Times found four out of five food trucks sell this truck. I’m tired of running from inspectors from the Interior Ministry. Our inspectors frequently Most of these food trucks are licensed, but some at one location on the seaside were licensed. The every time, not talking about all the losses I have go to check the trucks, which in many cases can be are not, and these unlicensed ones can be fined or owner of the unlicensed truck told Kuwait Times he suffered, including the breakage of the ice cream seized,” the municipal officer said.

‘Significant increase’ in Philippine helpers’ recruitment costs KUWAIT: The arrival of Filipino domestic helpers has been accelerated lately, as demand KUWAIT: Inspectors are seen inspecting a construction site in Al-Msasayel yesterday. — KUNA photos for them is high, which has led to a significant rise in recruitment costs. Sources told Al-Rai workers were forced to work in the days’ most daily the cost of bringing a helper from the Up to 1,502 laborers scorching hours. Up to 1,502 workers were found to Philippines ranges between KD 1,400 to KD have been put in such difficult condition, thus the 1,600, including KD 890 to be paid to the forced to work in inspectors issued 785 penalties against the employ- recruitment office, and the rest goes to pay for ers. In later re-inspections, the inspectors found institutional quarantine, PCR tests and airfare. that 725 employing companies had heeded the All these costs are borne by the sponsor - in Kuwait’s scorching terms for the acceptable work hours. case they wish to bring in the helper without Meanwhile, Abdullah Al-Otaibi, the judicial offi- going through the office, the cost will be KD heat since June 1 cer at the national center, said that the inspectors 890 only, but there will be no guarantee if the have been examining the work conditions in com- helper escapes or refuses to work. KUWAIT: Inspectors yesterday found laborers pliance with the Cabinet Resolution 535/2015 that The sources expect the costs to increase working in the afternoon’s scorching heat in the dis- prohibits compelling the laborers to work out- because of the full curfew imposed from Aug 5 trict of Al-Msasayel, and penalized their employers. doors during the summer from start of June until to Aug 20 in Manila, and the high cost on labor The workers were found pouring masonry and car- end of August from 11 am to 4 pm. He indicated agencies in the Philippines. The arrival of rying construction materials to a building site under that fines set by the teams would be eventually helpers began with two flights from the the day’s peak sunlight, Ahmad Dashti, head of the specified by courts. Philippines to Kuwait in May, four flights in work safety division in Farwaniya Governorate, said There have been significant positive response on June, eight in July and 13 in the current month, in a statement to the press. part of the employing companies since launch of the while 10 flights are scheduled for September, The national department for work safety, an affil- monitoring tour in 2015, Otaibi affirmed, adding that the sources explained. They said around seven iate of the Public Authority for Manpower, received the inspections would proceed until end of the current percent of domestic helpers had positive PCR up to 90 reports about such breaches and upon month. Kuwait this month and the past two months test results before leaving for Kuwait, who that, the inspection teams had headed to 2,001 sites witnessed temperatures soaring to 48 degrees and were not allowed to board the plane. since the start of June to determine whether the above, particularly during middays. — KUNA

Kuwaiti firefighters participates in putting out fires in Turkey

ISTANBUL: The Kuwaiti firefighting areas there. team, with all its equipment, continues The Kuwaiti efforts were greatly to participate in controlling the cur- welcomed by the Turkish government rent situation in the areas affected by and people, praising the efficiency of forest fires in Turkey. Lt Col Abdullah the Kuwaiti team’s performance and Al-Saleem, the general coordinator of Kuwait’s standing by Turkey under the team, said in a statement to the the leadership of His Highness the press that the Kuwaiti firefighters are Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- in the state of Mugla and are current- Jaber Al-Sabah, and his lofty direc- ly coordinating with the Turkish Crisis tives, he said. Some 45 Kuwaiti fire- and Emergency Department to dis- fighters arrived in Turkey to join tribute tasks to help put out the fires. efforts to put out massive wildfires He added that the Kuwaiti team is raging in coastal towns. At least eight helping the Turkish side to put out the people have been killed since fires fires that have been burning for days started in southern and southwestern and to secure the residents of the Turkey on July 28. — KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Thursday, August 12, 2021

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf Prime Minister receives THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN outgoing Ambassadors Editor-in-Chief ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 COMMERCIAL : 24835618 P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. Email: [email protected] Website: www.kuwaittimes.net

News in brief KIA appoints director

KUWAIT: Kuwait Investment Authority has KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets appointed Badr Al-Ajeel as interim managing Sabah meets Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait Louis Pierre Emond. — KUNA photos Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Tarek Al-Qouni. director pending a permanent appointment for this position, Reuters reported yesterday quot- KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Prime Minister ing an unnamed source. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received yester- day at Seif Palace the Canadian Kuwait, Japan coordinate Ambassador to Kuwait Louis Pierre Emond on the occasion of ending his KUWAIT: Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad tenure. He later met with the Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah yesterday Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait received a telephone call from his Japanese Tarek Al-Qouni, whose tenure is also counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi. The call dealt coming to a close. Minister of Foreign with various aspects of the solid relations Affairs and Minister of State for bonding the two friendly countries. It also Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad tackled means of boosting mutual cooperation, Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah also as well as major occurrences on regional and met separately with ambassadors international arenas. Emond and Qouni yesterday. He praised their efforts and contribu- tions to bolstering brotherly bonds Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Kuwait, Djibouti discuss ties between their respective countries meets Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait Louis Pierre Emond. Sabah meets Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Tarek Al-Qouni. and Kuwait. — KUNA KUWAIT: Kuwait Interior Minister Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah met yes- terday with Djiboutian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Momen. During the meeting, both Pumping gas from sides tackled subjects of common interest, main- ly security issues, said the Ministry of Interior’s public relations department. Ambassador joint zone to Momen thanked Minister Sheikh Thamer for the kind reception, stressing the importance of Kuwait underway issues discussed during the meeting. KUWAIT: Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) announced yesterday the start of operating the Kuwaiti held in Turkey first pipeline from Al-Khafji joint zone to Kuwait. Light gas is transported via the pipeline, which is KUWAIT: Kuwait’s embassy in Turkey is fol- of a 24 million cubic feet capacity, to networks of lowing up with Turkish authorities regarding Kuwait Oil Company. KGOC said in a statement the case of a Kuwaiti man who was recently that operating the pipeline would boost optimum involved in an accident in Turkey that has left use of the petroleum resources in the joint zone one person dead. The man remains in custody between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and meet local pending investigations, as preliminary findings needs for gas, particularly at peak consumption indicate that faults in the brakes in his rented times. The statement lauded the cooperation with vehicle may have caused the accident, Al- the Aramco Gulf Cooperation Company (AGOC) Qabas Arabic daily reported yesterday. for accomplishing the high feasibility gas project in the joint zone. — KUNA

2013 by a decree issued by the late Amir Sheikh Kuwait celebrates Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Rubaie noted that the authority will honor the winners of the youth creative programs in the period between Int’l Youth Day August 16-18. He highlighted the youth’s active role during the pandemic by participating in volunteer KUWAIT: Kuwait and the rest of the world cele- works in hospitals, supermarkets and governmental brate today the International Youth Day under the institutions. The director general said that the theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth authority seeks to create opportunities for the Innovation for Human and Planetary Health.” In this youth and encourage them to work in the private context, Director General of Kuwait’s Public sector by forming training programs in cooperation Authority for Youth Dr Mishal Al-Rubaie said yes- with companies and public beneficiary committees terday that Kuwait’s 2035 vision targets investing in to decrease unemployment. the power of youth and human resources, and the Meanwhile, the authority’s spokesperson Asrar authority has several schemes as a main part of the Al-Ansari said that the authority initiated several country’s development plan. This day, incepted by activities and launched a number of training pro- the UN in 1999, will focus on the repercussions of grams that created more than 160 work opportu- the novel coronavirus on human health, the environ- nities, and more than 370 internships in the pub- ment and diets, also, the importance of producing lic and private sectors since its launch in healthier and more sustainable food regimes. September 2020. She also noted that the authori- Kuwait pays great attention to this category, ty created programs to support craftsmanship which forms 72 percent of society, as the country and industrialism amongst the Kuwaiti youth in established the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs in many fields. —KUNA

GCC countries place the issue of human rights Kuwaiti official among the significant affairs. He also underlined significance of coordination among the relevant opens GCC meeting authorities in the GCC countries to emit “the true image as how deep our leaders attach to the on human rights human rights at various levels.” The GCC was established in 1981 to cement cooperation among KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister the regional countries — Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Majdi Al-Dhafiri inaugurated yes- the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman — at various terday the coordination meeting for human rights’ levels namely in the social affairs’ sector and apparatuses in the Gulf Cooperation Council human rights. These states namely Kuwait have member states. Ambassador Dhafiri has repeatedly affirmed keenness on observing these addressed the conferees, underlining that the basic rights. — KUNA

specific disciplines, Dr Al-Fares highlighted at the Forum discusses role talks. This includes fields such as medical and allied health sciences, computer science, cyberse- of scholarships in curity and sustainable energy engineering, he added. The two-day forum, held remotely, went on to discuss the impacts of the coronavirus on edu- relation to job market cation and solutions to the matter. It also show- KUWAIT: The role of Kuwaiti state-funded cased e-learning models implemented across the scholarships in fulfilling the country’s current job six-nation GCC bloc. requirements was highlighted by Minister of Oil Meanwhile, head of WIDP Kawthar Al-Jowan and Higher Education Dr Mohammad Al-Fares on maintained the importance of raising education Tuesday. This came as the minister inaugurated standards to the economic development of the second Gulf Forum for E-Learning, Education nations, and how education contributes to Post-Coronavirus Pandemic, organized by the Kuwait’s 2035 strategic economic development Women’s Institute for Development and Peace strategy, alongside similar plans assumed by fel- (WIDP), under the slogan “Education: A driving low Gulf countries. She said the discussions also force behind development”. tackled issues related to the transition from Kuwait’s 2021-22 scholarship plan seeks to face-to-face learning to e-learning during the diversify university majors, with an emphasis on pandemic. — KUNA International THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021 Taleban all smiles in captured cities Briton arrested in Germany for ‘spying for Russia’ Page 6 as blitz rolls on Page 7

AYII, Greece: Children pour water after a forest fire near the village of Kastri on Evia island on Tuesday. —AFP Greece counts cost of wildfires Island fire ‘slowly coming under control’ l Situation more precarious in Peloponnese region

EDIPSOS, Greece: Nearly 900 firefighters were slowly in days,” he said, referring to giant smoke clouds that “the entire ecosystem is destroyed” on the island, with the the whole of Greece was burning,” said Nicolas Faure, bringing a wildfire under control that has raged for nine have choked residents and obstructed flights by water- loss of forest animals running in the hundreds. Theodoros part of a detachment of French firefighters that arrived days on the Greek island of Evia, authorities said yester- bombing aircraft. Roumeliotis, the local hoteliers president on the Greek last week, and was later bolstered to over 170. day, while fresh forces were deployed to fight a massive spa town of Aidipsos, said August reservations had col- Another 60 firemen were tackling a smaller fire in blaze on the Peloponnese peninsula. Greece has started to ‘Entire ecosystem destroyed’ lapsed by 90 percent. “It’s a colossal loss,” he told AFP. Laconia, in the southeastern Peloponnese, the fire depart- count the cost from wildfires that have scorched their way But even as the immediate danger receded, Kontzias “Right now, hotels are obliged to refund one million euros ment said. In Evia, nearly 900 firefighters had been through thousands of hectares, leaving three dead, hun- said local businesses “face extinction” in coming months in reservations cancelled,” he said, adding that some deployed, including Cypriots, Moldovans, Poles, Serbs, dreds homeless, causing incalculable damage and capsiz- in a tourism season already decimated by the COVID-19 operators were unlikely to survive the blow. Slovaks, Romanians and Ukrainians. Serbian, Swedish and ing the critical tourism season. pandemic. “We have lost the month of August, which Swiss planes and helicopters were among a fleet of seven The fires have been fanned by the country’s worst would have sustained people here over the coming Peloponnese fires aircraft providing support. most severe heatwave in decades and the authorities have year.” “(Local) tourism has been demolished, most (visi- The fire situation was more precarious yesterday in There have been growing calls in Greece for the resig- pointed the finger at climate change, which experts say tors) have left,” he said. “The damage is huge, and the the mountainous Peloponnese region of Gortynia. nation of top public safety officials who as recently as increases the intensity and frequency of such extreme environmental disaster will have economic repercussions Christos Lambropoulos, deputy governor for the broader June had insisted that the country was well-prepared. weather events. Algeria has meanwhile become the latest for decades.” Arcadia region, said efforts were concentrated on keeping There was additional anger over the loss last week of Mediterranean country to be hit by devastating wildfires From July 29 to August 11, more than 93,000 hectares the fire from reaching the thickly forested Mount Mainalo. much of the forest of Varibobi, one of Athens’ last remain- this summer, with the death toll there rising to 65 on were burnt in Greece, according to the European Forest “Villages do not seem at risk at the moment... but condi- ing nature reserves. Civil protection deputy minister Wednesday after eight people were killed in blazes in Fire Information System. The average area burnt over the tions change by the hour,” he told ERT. Nikos Hardalias said Greece’s resources were “stronger Turkey earlier in the month. same period between 2008 and 2020 was 2,330 hectares. Forces in Gortynia were beefed up yesterday to nearly than ever before”. “We faced an operationally unique sit- A huge multinational force has been deployed to A draft UN assessment seen exclusively by AFP called the 600 firefighters including crews from the Czech Republic, uation with 586 fires in eight days during the worst back fire crews on the Greek island Evia, where the town Mediterranean a “climate change hotspot” and said Britain, France and Germany. EU states and other coun- weather phenomenon in 40 years,” he said on Tuesday. of Istiaia has been under threat for days. “I think we can increasing temperatures and aridity had lengthened fire tries have so far contributed 21 aircraft, 250 vehicles and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis this week say that the fire fronts are slowly coming under control,” seasons and “doubled potential burnable area”. more than 1,200 firefighters, some of whom were due to apologized to the nation for any possible “shortcom- Istiaia mayor Yiannis Kontzias told state TV ERT. Dimitris Haliotis, the head of a Red Cross team who arrive by Friday. Support from abroad has helped avert an ings” in the state’s response. He is to hold a press con- “Yesterday, we saw the light of the sun for the first time came to Evia from across the country in Patras, said that even greater disaster. “When we arrived, it seemed like ference today. —AFP

pinned its hopes on vaccinations, but the campaign Khamenei says launched in February has progressed slower than anticipated. Choked by US sanctions that have made it difficult to transfer money abroad, Iran has said it Facebook shuts halting COVID is struggling to import vaccines for its 83 million- strong population. The authorities have approved the emergency down anti-vaccine ‘urgent’ priority use of two locally produced vaccines, with the only TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali mass-produced one, COVIran Barekat, still in short influencer campaign Khamenei said yesterday that halting COVID-19 is supply. The other vaccines used in Iran include an “urgent” priority and called for more vaccine Russia’s Sputnik V, China’s Sinopharm, India’s SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook on Tuesday said it shut imports and production, after record deaths and Bharat and AstraZeneca/Oxford, according to the down a disinformation operation which sought to spread infections. The Islamic republic’s COVID cases and health ministry. More than 13.8 million people have COVID-19 vaccine hoaxes by duping social media influ- fatalities have surged in recent weeks, in what offi- been given a first vaccine dose, but only 3.7 million encers into backing false claims. The leading social net- cials have said is a “fifth wave” caused by the highly have received the necessary two jabs, the ministry TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei work labeled the operation a “disinformation laundro- infectious Delta variant. “Today, the issue of the said yesterday. delivers a televised speech on the coronavirus situation mat” which sought to legitimize false claims by pushing coronavirus disease is the country’s primary and Khamenei on July 24 received the second Barekat yesterday. —AFP them through people with clean reputations. urgent issue,” Khamenei said in a televised address jab, developed by a powerful state-owned foundation Influencers who caught onto the sham turned out to known as Setad, his office said. In January, the be the undoing of a deceitful influence campaign orches- focused on the health crisis. utmost care”. “Do not let these events be a cause of Khamenei said the record number of casualties supreme leader had banned the use of vaccines made trated by marketing firm Fazze in Russia, according to by the United States and Britain, calling them “com- the virus’ spread so that ... the enemies ridicule Facebook. “The assumption was the influencers wouldn’t was “truly painful,” and demanded greater efforts to them and say (the events) caused the spread,” boost vaccine “imports and domestic production”. pletely untrustworthy”. “Part of the problem is lack of do any of their own homework, but two did,” Facebook observance of health protocols by the people,” Khamenei added. global threat intelligence lead Ben Nimmo said while Iran is the Middle East country worst hit by the pan- Iran has avoided imposing a full lockdown on the demic. It has recorded more than 95,600 deaths and Khamenei said yesterday, calling on the public to briefing journalists. “It’s really a warning - be careful alleviate the “truly great concern” of overburdened population, and instead resorted to piecemeal meas- when someone is trying to spoon feed you a story. Do over 4.2 million infections, with health authorities ures such as temporary travel bans and business clo- acknowledging the official casualty numbers under- health centers by being more careful. your own research.” Facebook said that in July it He also pointed to the religious events held dur- sures. The national COVID taskforce said it was con- removed 65 accounts at the leading social network and estimate the real toll. sidering imposing new restrictions as of Saturday, In the past 24 hours, 42,541 people tested posi- ing the Islamic mourning month of Muharram as a 243 accounts at photo-centric Instagram that were linked “blessing” and a necessity for the Islamic republic state media reported, following a meeting chaired by to the campaign, and banned Fazze from its platform. tive for the coronavirus - the country’s highest daily President Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday. —AFP caseload since the start of the pandemic. Iran has but urged health protocols to be observed “with the Fazze is a subsidiary of a AdNow, an advertising compa- ny registered in Britain, according to media reports. The operation targeted primarily India and Latin America, but can’t do that’ - I find that totally counter intuitive and nated workers they didn’t have to wear them. also took aim at the United States, as governments Delta variant quite frankly disingenuous,” President Joe Biden, a The pandemic is currently especially severe in debated approving vaccines to fight the pandemic, Democrat, said Tuesday. the southeastern United States, which is also the according to Nimmo. region with the lowest percentage of vaccinated Late last year, the network of fake accounts tried to reignites US High viral spread residents. “The people that are unvaccinated are fuel a false meme that the AstraZeneca vaccine against The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and much less likely to wear masks,” Northwell Health COVID-19 would turn people into chimpanzees, Prevention told vaccinated Americans in May that public health expert Eric Cioe-Pena told AFP. “We Facebook reported. After going quiet for five months, the mask debate their risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 don’t have the buy-in from the very people that we organizers attacked the safety of the Pfizer vaccine and was low enough that they no longer needed to wear need the buy-in for.” leaked what it billed as an AstraZeneca document stolen WASHINGTON: The recent surge of COVID-19, masks. And in early July, the CDC assured parents In Arkansas, Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson by hacking, Facebook said. The campaign took advantage driven by the Delta variant, has reignited political that the stance would also apply to vaccinated kids imposed a mask mandate during the peak of the pan- of online platforms including Reddit, Medium, Change.org, controversy around mask-wearing in the United starting the new school year, which usually begins demic last winter. But he lifted it as cases fell, and, and Facebook, creating misleading articles and petitions States, with some governors opposing all measures to in August or September. But those recommenda- under pressure from deeply conservative local gov- then providing “influencers” with links, hashtags and more make masks mandatory despite advice from health tions did not account for the highly contagious ernments, signed a law banning mandates from being to spread vaccine misinformation, according to Nimmo. authorities. The dispute feels familiar, harkening back Delta variant. imposed again. “In hindsight, I wish that had not “In effect, this campaign functioned as a cross-platform to the early days of the pandemic when masks Nor did it account for the fact that only about become law,” Hutchinson said earlier this month. disinformation laundromat,” Nimmo said. became a symbol of political affiliation in the US - the half of all Americans have now been fully vaccinated, On Twitter Monday, he alerted followers about The operation was exposed by influencers in France clash led by then-president Donald Trump, who made and children under 12 aren’t eligible yet. By the end his state’s record number of Covid hospitalizations, and Germany who questioned claims made in email it a point of pride to be seen without a face covering. of July, an about-face: Mask-wearing was once warning there were only eight open ICU beds left. pitches from Fazze, prompting journalists to dig into the More than a year later, the subject has again again recommended in indoor spaces, even for vac- While Republican governors in Texas and Arizona matter, according to Facebook. Facebook does not know become particularly sensitive as another school cinated people, in areas with high rates of COVID have followed Florida’s lead, Democratic-run states who hired Fazze for the anti-vaccine campaign, but has year approaches. “This should be something that a spread. That currently covers about 90 percent of like New York and Illinois have imposed mask man- shared its findings with regulators, police, and internet parent is ultimately making the decision on,” the country. dates for all students. industry peers, according to head of security policy Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida reit- “We’re behaving like they’re two countries,” Nathaniel Gleicher. The campaign appeared to fall flat, erated on Tuesday, having banned his state’s ‘Two countries’ Nahid Bhadelia, director of the Center for Emerging with almost none of the Instagram posts receiving “likes,” schools from requiring students to wear masks. The health authority is basing their recommenda- Infectious Diseases Policy and Research at Boston and English and Hindi language petitions at Change.org “We’re going to do whatever we can to vindicate tion on data that shows that vaccinated people University, told AFP. “And the sad part is they’re not. each getting fewer than 1,000 signatures, Facebook said. the rights of parents,” he said. infected with the Delta variant can spread the virus Because what happens in the South is going to The security team at the social network has seen a trend Several Florida school districts have announced more easily than those infected with earlier variants. affect the North.” With unvaccinated children in a of deceptive influence operations targeting multiple plans to defy the governor’s order and require masks Now, many businesses have also reverted back to classroom “if you take the politics out... the way you social media platforms and trying to recruit established anyway. In response, DeSantis threatened to cut their requiring masks. Walmart, the biggest retailer in the make it safer is you vaccinate everybody around personalities with followings to spread false messages, funding or even suspend the salaries of school offi- United States, has re-imposed mask mandates on them who’s eligible,” Bhadelia said. “And you require according to Gleicher. —AFP cials. “That a governor has the authority to say, ‘You employees, two and a half months after telling vacci- masks.” —AFP 6 Established 1961 Thursday, August 12, 2021 International Feigned ignorance or generational shift? #MeToo’s ‘redrawn lines’ Cuomo not the only powerful man to attribute behavior to not knowing better

NEW YORK: New York’s soon-to-be ex-governor tionally designed to do anything wrong or be inap- Andrew Cuomo is the latest politician to blame propriate.” inappropriate behavior on shifting cultural norms, a defense critics see as a tactic to shirk responsibility ‘Power grab’ in the face of scandal. Prior to his dramatic downfall For Jean Sinzdak, an associate director of the and resignation, Cuomo was well-known for ruling Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers with a mix of paternalism and pugnacity. He has University, such a defense is “a disingenuous argu- insisted he always acted within bounds, even as ment and missing the point”. “This behavior has women including former staffers began speaking always been inappropriate,” she told AFP. “There’s out against him. nothing new about the fact that it’s inappropriate.” But on Tuesday, one week after the release of a “It’s just now our society’s understanding that it’s bombshell report from the state attorney general’s inappropriate, that women have been suffering with office - allegations included inappropriate touching this for so long, and it’s no longer acceptable that and intimidating accusers - the now politically they suffer.” ostracized 63-year-old said he now realized the Audrey Nelson, a Colorado-based expert in gen- boundaries had shifted. “I have been too familiar der communication, called Cuomo’s blame on a gen- with people. My sense of humor can be insensitive erational disconnect “a scapegoat”. “Personal space and off-putting,” the governor said in a lengthy is personal space,” she told AFP. “It is not genera- address announcing he would step down. tional.” And invading that space? “If you want to “In my mind, I have never crossed the line with reduce it to one simple concept, it’s about power,” anyone,” said the nearly three-term state leader Nelson said. She recalled the tenure of Bill Clinton - once tapped as a national political contender. “But I a former US president who multiple women in the didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been 1990s accused of sexual harassment - who Nelson redrawn. There are generational and cultural shifts said “was known for pulling people in” when greet- that I just didn’t fully appreciate.” Cuomo - who fre- ing them. “You’d shake hands, then he’d grab your quently touted his own efforts to end workplace upper arm and pull you in,” Nelson said. “The pow- discrimination, including signing legislation to that er grab.” The same was true in Cuomo’s case, she NEW YORK: A screen shows news coverage of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigning over allegations effect - is far from the only powerful man accused added: “It’s about conquering.” of sexual harassment in Times Square on Tuesday. —AFP of sexual misconduct to attribute his behavior to not knowing better. Different political standards? Former senator Al Franken, who resigned from A number of the US politicians who’ve resigned women including several minors. “putting a spotlight on the issues of harassment and US Congress in 2017 after snowballing allegations in recent years in the face of harassment accusa- Sinzdak said the responses to sexual harassment abuse, and giving women a voice and a platform to of unwanted touching and kissing, said he “learned tions have been Democrats, including Franken, one- allegations don’t necessarily fall along party lines - share their stories”. “It’s been the equivalent of a from recent stories” that “I crossed a line for some time New York State attorney general Eric “every case is different,” she said - but that cultural earthquake in the political world, and we’re women”. And President Joe Biden has faced a num- Schneiderman, and now Cuomo. Conversely many Democrats may “have a harder time looking away” going to feel the reverberations for a long time,” she ber of accusations of inappropriate physical con- Republicans, including former president Donald given their frequent support of causes like anti- said. Part of that earthquake for Nelson means tact, which he and his supporters attributed to his Trump and Supreme Court judge Brett Kavanaugh, harassment laws. “It would be hard for them as a “intentions” - which politicians including Cuomo touchy-feely style. “So I invaded your space. I’m have declined to step down despite accusations of party, with the platform that they have, to look the have cited in explaining that they never meant harm sorry this happened,” Biden said, when asked to sexual assault. Alabama Republican Roy Moore ran other way. In that sense, the Democrats are held to - are no longer a valid excuse to justify bad behav- apologize during the 2020 race. “I’m not sorry in twice for Senate office - both times unsuccessfully - a higher standard,” she said. ior. “Be aware. Pay attention,” she said. “Hell is full of the sense that I think I did anything that was inten- despite claims he had sexually assaulted multiple Sinzdak praised the #MeToo movement for people with good intentions.” —AFP

2020 “at the latest”. His arrest was the result of a joint oper- “The fact that the arrest has been made in Berlin sug- News in brief Briton arrested ation by German and British authorities. The British gests it’s a non-diplomatic member of the embassy, that’s embassy in Berlin declined to comment. The Metropolitan why the German judicial system has been brought to bear Biden announces democracy summit Police in London said the suspect was a 57-year-old on it,” he told Times Radio. If the suspect was a diplomat, in Germany for British national and that the investigation was conducted the British authorities would have been more involved, he WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden will convene a by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and German added. Lucas, a former foreign correspondent with The virtual “Summit for Democracy” on Dec 9 and 10 to counterparts. It said his alleged offences were related to Economist covering eastern and central European affairs, which heads of state, civil society, philanthropy, and the ‘spying for Russia’ being engaged in “Intelligence Agent activity” under said the arrest was “a reminder of how much effort the German law and that the German authorities would retain Russians put in to trying to find out what Western private sector will be invited, the White House said yes- BERLIN: A British man suspected of spying for Russia in primacy over the probe. David S was to appear later yes- alliances are up to”. terday. The summit “will galvanize commitments and ini- exchange for cash has been arrested in Germany, federal terday before an investigating judge who will decide In June, German police arrested a Russian scientist work- tiatives across three principal themes: defending against prosecutors said yesterday, in a stunning case compared whether he will be remanded in custody. ing at a German university accused of working for Russian authoritarianism, fighting corruption, and promoting to a Cold War thriller. The suspect identified only as David secret service since October 2020 at the latest. And German respect for human rights,” according to a White House S, who worked as local staff at the British embassy, “on at Like Le Carre prosecutors in February filed espionage charges against a statement. A year later Biden plans to host them once least one occasion passed on documents he acquired as Germany has arrested a number of people in recent years German man suspected of having passed the floor plans of more - hopefully in person - to “showcase progress part of his professional activities to a representative of accused of spying for Russia, but the capture of a citizen of a parliament to Russian secret services in 2017. made against their commitments.” —AFP Russian intelligence”. closely allied country is highly unusual. German foreign min- Moscow is at loggerheads with a number of Western “The accused received a cash payment in an unspecified istry spokesman Christofer Burger told reporters Berlin was capitals after a Russian troop build-up on Ukraine’s borders amount in return,” the federal prosecutor’s office said in a taking the case “very seriously”, adding that “espionage by a and a series of espionage scandals. In June, Italy said it had statement. It said David S was taken into custody Tuesday in close alliance partner on German soil is unacceptable”. created a national cybersecurity agency following warnings the eastern city of Potsdam on an arrest warrant issued on Get COVID shots - or else Security specialist Edward Lucas likened the arrest to an by Prime Minister Mario Draghi that Europe needs to pro- Aug 4. His home and place of work were searched. The sus- early spy novel by the British writer John le Carre. tect itself from Russian “interference”. —AFP NAIROBI: Kenyan civil servants have until late August to pect was believed to have been spying since November get vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk disciplinary action, according to a government document made pub- coalition partner Social Democrats. lic this week. The order comes as parliament is due to Laschet missteps “Shocking polls,” exclaimed Bild consider a motion to bar unvaccinated people or those daily as it pointed out that the without negative COVID certificates from certain public leave race for results could mean any variety of and private spaces. “Some public servants have deliber- coalition emerging following the ately avoided getting vaccinated so that they can stay Merkel job open September 26 elections. And that away from work under the guise of working from home,” includes combinations leaving public service head Joseph Kinyua said in a memo to FRANKFURT: Armin Laschet, the Merkel’s conservatives out of the government ministries. —AFP conservative candidate to succeed ruling equation. Laschet, who Angela Merkel as German chancellor, secured the conservatives’ nomina- yesterday launched his campaign tion after a damaging battle with the with polls showing falling support leader of sister party CSU, Markus ‘Lucifer’ heatwave sweeps Italy that could leave the outcome of Soeder, began his quest for the September’s vote wide open. chancellery already under pressure ROME: A blistering heatwave is sweeping across Italy this Laschet, 60, once a frontrunner in from within his own alliance. week, fueling fires in the south of the country, notably the race, is now on the back foot as A whiff of discontent from Soeder’s Sicily and Calabria, where a UNESCO-designated natural he begins his delayed tour with a camp and disunity among the ranks park is threatened. Temperatures hit 47 degrees Celsius in dialogue with youths attending a had threatened to derail Laschet’s bid Sicily on Tuesday, near Syracuse, with meteorologists boxing training camp. for Germany’s top job. But Laschet warning that Italy’s all-time record of 48.5 degrees, in The visit in Frankfurt coincides subsequently benefitted from a slump Sicily in 1999, could be beaten yesterday. Elsewhere in the with latest opinion polls showing that in support for the Greens’ Annalena FRANKFURT: Christian Democratic Union leader and candidate for south of Italy, the anticyclone dubbed Lucifer was fore- backing for Laschet’s CDU-CSU Baerbock after she was ensnared in a Chancellor Armin Laschet addresses the media after visiting a children cast to send the mercury rising to 39-42 degrees yesteray alliance has fallen another three points series of scandals including plagiarism and youth boxing camp as part of his electoral campaign yesterday. —AFP before sweeping northwards, with weekend temperatures to 23 percent. The drop - a precipi- allegations. Yet the tide dramatically of up to 40 degrees in the central regions of Tuscany and tous 13 points since the beginning of turned against Laschet in mid-July, As state premier of North Rhine- the disaster response. His visits to the Lazio, which includes Rome. —AFP the year - leaves the conservatives when deadly floods struck western Westphalia - one of the two hardest- flood-hit zones however have been just three points clear of the Greens Germany, washing away homes, busi- hit regions, the conservative candi- marked by serious missteps that have and four points ahead of their current nesses and critical infrastructure. date was propelled to the frontline of left him sinking in the polls. —AFP Priest died from blows to head Electoral Court have ordered him investigated for poten- PARIS: A priest in western France who was murdered by a Bolsonaro flexes tial crimes in his unrelenting campaign against the sys- Rwandan asylum-seeker suspected of setting fire to a cathe- tem, which Brazil has used since 1996. The military dral in an arson attack last year and to whom he had been parade came on the same day Congress defeated a giving shelter died from a succession of blows to the head, muscles with Bolsonaro-backed bill to overhaul the system. The presi- prosecutors said. An autopsy showed that Maire had six dent wants “printable and auditable” paper ballots for lesions in his head caused by violent blows, but it was not military parade every vote cast, in addition to the electronic system. But clear what weapon had been used, local prosecutors said in a the bill got only 229 of the 308 lower chamber votes it statement late Tuesday. Rwandan asylum-seeker Emmanuel BRASILIA: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro drew criti- would have needed to progress. Bolsonaro is trailing in Abayisenga turned himself into police on Monday morning cism Tuesday for presiding over a military parade outside the polls for the presidential election in October next and said he had carried out the attack. —AFP the presidential palace, a show of strength as he fends off year. Opponents accuse him of setting the stage to claim sinking popularity and a raft of investigations. Smiling widespread fraud if he loses, following in the footsteps of with the military top brass at his side, the far-right leader his political idol, former US president Donald Trump. Bolsonaro insisted there was no link between the military stood atop the palace steps as a long convoy of tanks BRASILIA: Troops arrest protesters trying to block a Libyans launch political talks parade and the bill debated before Congress. Officially, and armored vehicles filed through the Brazilian capital. military parade in front of the Planalto Palace on Critics said the display was reminiscent of Brazil’s the event was for the armed forces to give the president Tuesday. —AFP TRIPOLI: Delegates from war-torn Libya launched a new 1964-1985 military dictatorship, for which Bolsonaro, a an invitation to upcoming military exercises outside the round of UN-led talks via video conference yesterday former army captain, is openly nostalgic. “This is pathet- capital. However, it is the first time tanks have rolled past aiming to reach a compromise ahead of planned elections. ic... Our democracy has the means to defend itself from a the presidential palace, Congress and high court since demning the display, including the Workers’ Party of for- The meeting comes six weeks after the failure of negotia- coup-mongering outburst,” said Senator Omar Aziz, chair the dictatorship era. “The president is using this tank mer president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who leads tions held in Switzerland between the 75 participants of a Senate committee investigating the government’s parade to try to intimidate Congress and the Supreme Bolsonaro in the polls for 2022. Soldiers arrested a group from all sides gathered for the Libyan Political Dialogue widely criticized handling of COVID-19. Bolsonaro, 66, is Court,” said political scientist Mauricio Santoro of Rio de of protesters who tried to block the convoy. A small Forum. Yesterday, the forum was to again try to agree on also facing investigations over his attacks on Brazil’s elec- Janeiro State University. “He wants to show the armed crowd of Bolsonaro supporters also attended, some car- a constitutional framework to govern the crucial parlia- tronic voting system, which he alleges - without evidence forces are on his side.” rying signs calling for the military to intervene to “save mentary and presidential elections in December. —AFP - is riddled with fraud. The Supreme Court and Supreme Nine opposition parties issued a joint statement con- Brazil”. —AFP Established 1961 7 International Thursday, August 12, 2021 Afghan leader flies into besieged Mazar as Taleban extend gains Biden gives no hint of delaying deadline to withdraw all US troops MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Afghan President and represent the complete collapse of its during the fight for the city. Ashraf Ghani flew to the besieged north- control over the north - long a bastion of ern city of Mazar-i-Sharif yesterday to anti-Taleban militias. No regrets rally his beleaguered forces, with Taleban Hours before Ghani arrived, pictures Government forces were also battling fighters having now taken more than a posted on official government social the hardline Islamists in Kandahar and quarter of the country’s provincial capitals media accounts showed Dostum boarding Helmand, the southern Pashto-speaking in less than a week. His visit was immedi- a plane in Kabul en route to Mazar, along provinces from where the Taleban draw ately overshadowed by the mass surren- with a contingent of commandos. After their strength. In Kandahar, fierce clashes der of hundreds of Afghan soldiers in arriving in the city, Dostum issued a warn- erupted between Taleban insurgents and nearby Kunduz, along with the overnight ing to the approaching Taleban. “The security forces, with heavy fighting capture of another provincial capital - the Taleban never learn from the past,” he told reported near the city’s prison, which the ninth city to be overrun since Friday. reporters, vowing to kill the jihadists. “The militants have been trying to reach for One army officer who asked not to be Taleban have come to the north several weeks. The Taleban frequently target pris- identified said they had endured withering times but they were always trapped. It is ons to release incarcerated fighters and mortar fire at Kunduz airport, and were not easy for them to get out.” replenish their ranks. left with no choice but to surrender. Dostum stands accused of massacring But even as the Taleban routed govern- “There was no way to fight back,” he told hundreds, if not thousands, of Taleban ment forces, US President Joe Biden gave AFP. “My unit, with 20 soldiers, three prisoners of war during the US-backed MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani arrives in this city yesterday. — AFP no hint of delaying his deadline to with- humvees and four pick-up trucks just sur- operations in 2001 that toppled the hard- draw all American troops by Aug 31, rendered. We are now all waiting to get line Islamists’ rule over the country. forces had retreated after days of heavy An unknown number of government instead urging Afghan leaders to “fight for our pardon letter. There is a big queue.” Fighting in Afghanistan’s long-running clashes. “The Taleban have captured the forces were still holding out at an army themselves” on Tuesday. And as fighting In Mazar, Ghani held talks with long- conflict has escalated dramatically since city now,” said Zabihullah Attiq, confirm- barracks outside the city. The insur- raged, US diplomats were desperately time local strongman Atta Mohammad May, when the US-led military coalition ing the latest city to fall. Kunduz remains gents appeared to be consolidating trying to breathe life back into all-but- Noor and infamous warlord Abdul Rashid began the final stage of a withdrawal set to the Taleban’s largest prize to date, with their hold over captured cities in the dead talks between the Afghan govern- Dostum about the defense of the city, as be completed before the end of the month. the mass surrender at the airport making north, with rifle-toting militants ment and Taleban in Doha, where Taleban fighters inched closer to its out- Further to the east of Mazar, in a potential counterattack to retake the patrolling the streets of Kunduz on Washington’s special envoy Zalmay skirts. The loss of Mazar would be a cata- Badakhshan province’s capital Faizabad, a provincial capital highly unlikely for the foot and in armored humvees as smoke Khalilzad was pushing the hardline strophic blow to the Kabul government local lawmaker told AFP that security time being. rose from smoldering shops destroyed Islamists to accept a ceasefire. — AFP

Philippines hands News in brief out cash to poor during lockdown MANILA: Philippine tricycle driver Jesus Gomez struggled to make a living even before the capital Manila went back into a coronavirus lockdown last week that forced most of his customers to stay home and halved his meagre income. Six months behind in rent and unable to afford cooking gas, the 77-year- old joined hundreds of others yesterday at a covered Indo Tibetan Border Police personnel are basketball court to receive a thousand peso ($20) seen during rescue operations at the site of government handout. a landslide at the Reckong Peo-Shimla About 80 percent of the more than 13 million peo- MANILA: People line up to receive cash aid from the national government yesterday. — AFP Highway in Kinnaur District in Himachal ple living in the sprawling national capital region are Pradesh yesterday. —AFP eligible for the one-off cash payment to ease the eco- about 10 percent of the population fully vaccinated chair waiting for her name to be called to collect her nomic pain caused by the latest lockdown. “It’s a big and hospitals filling up fast, authorities have few cash. “If I don’t work, I don’t eat,” said Guerrero, who 10 dead in India landslide help because if there’s no cash aid I can’t buy (cook- options to slow the spread of the virus. The stricter plans to use the aid to buy groceries on Sunday, her ing) gas,” said Gomez, who earns 200 pesos on a rules, which include an eight-hour nighttime curfew only day off. SHIMLA: Rescuers were working to good day during lockdown. as well as a ban on restaurant dining and outdoor Officials warned Tuesday of economic “speed clear tons of rocks and mud yesterday Restrictions introduced since the start of the pan- exercise, are expected to cost the economy about $3 bumps” ahead, even after data showed gross after a landslide buried about 60 people demic have shattered the Philippine economy, cost billion a week in lost output. domestic product rebounded 11.8 percent on-year in India’s Himalayan north, killing at least millions of jobs and left many families hungry. A in the second quarter. It was off a 17 percent slump 10. A bus carrying between 20 and 25 resurgence in infections, partly fueled by the hyper- ‘Even one peso is important’ in the same period last year when the country people had been buried under rubble, said contagious Delta variant that has torn through neigh- Enriqueta Guerrero, 68, said she used to rely on endured its first crippling lockdown. “Before I could the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), boring countries, has triggered lockdowns in the cap- her children to supplement the 100 pesos she earns a take it fairly easy driving the tricycle, but now even which is involved in the rescue efforts. ital and other areas. day cleaning and cooking for another household. But one peso is important,” Gomez told AFP, before Television channels showed images of a President Rodrigo Duterte said recently the coun- they have also struggled to make ends meet during walking back to his vehicle in the hope of finding a truck and cars mangled and half-buried in try could not afford more lockdowns. But with only the pandemic, she explained as she sat on a plastic rare customer. — AFP the debris as well as slabs of rock and bits of tree on a road. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Thakur and offered the national government’s support Taleban all smiles in captured for the rescue operation, which also Afghan cities as blitz rolls on involves the local border police. — FP KUNDUZ: As residents of Kunduz fled dered, a local lawmaker told AFP. Melbourne extends lockdown the northern Afghan city in fear for their Victorious fighters in militant garb lives this week, its Taleban captors were now police the city on the backs of MELBOURNE: Five million people in all smiles. One bearded fighter motorcycles or humvees taken from the Australia’s second-largest city will remain patrolling the city, clad in camouflage overrun Afghan forces, while others pose under stay-at-home orders for at least with a gun slung over his shoulder, for photographs with captured weapon- another week after authorities extended a beamed ear-to-ear as he offered a ry. They also received a warm welcome lockdown yesterday after failing to curb friendly handshake to an arm extended 100 km south in Pul-e-Khumri, where Melbourne’s latest COVID outbreak. The from a car window. Buoyed by a foreign young men swarmed their gun-toting city entered its sixth pandemic lockdown troop withdrawal that is due to end lat- Taleban occupiers for selfies just hours last Thursday after a fresh Delta variant er this month, the hardline Islamist after security forces were overpowered PUL-E-KHUMRI: A Taleban fighter is seen with locals yesterday after the Taleban cap- tured the capital of Baghlan province. —AFP cluster emerged at a Melbourne school group’s rank-and-file have flooded the and the city fell to the insurgents. and quickly spread. In Sydney, more than streets of Kunduz and other provincial With police cars now sporting the five million people are enduring their sev- capitals after capturing them in a rapid distinctive white flag of the Taleban - government workers, summary execu- for a strict interpretation of Islamic law enth week under stay-at-home orders, advance since the weekend. which also now looms over the city tions, beheadings, and kidnappings of that punished even petty crimes with currently scheduled to remain until the Nine cities have fallen to the insur- square - there were few outward signs girls for forced marriages. Shops in public floggings and executions. The end of August. — AFP gents in the last week - some without a of the heavy fighting that had taken Kunduz’s markets were left blackened Taleban captured Kunduz - capital of fight - in a lightning offensive that has place as civilians went about their day and burnt out by the fighting between the province of the same name - in two seen mostly northern population cen- under the watchful eyes of their motor- Afghan forces and the Taleban. brief offensives in 2015 and 2016, ters fall like dominoes. Kunduz’s last line bike-riding rulers. But those who have During their first stint in power - before Afghan forces heavily backed by China approves mixed-vaccine trial of defense appeared to collapse yester- fled the frontlines have brought tales of from 1996 until their toppling by US-led US firepower ousted them from the city. China’s drug regulator has day as hundreds of Afghan soldiers who horror wrought by the hardline Islamist forces soon after the Sept 11, 2001 The first lasted two weeks, and the sec- BEIJING: approved the country’s first mixed-vac- retreated to a nearby airport surren- group, detailing reprisals against former attacks - the Taleban earned notoriety ond just a day. — AFP cine trial, a company involved in the study said, as the rapid spread of the containers to block the route to Prayut’s residence, Delta variant raises concern about the Thai police crack prompting a separate clash amid heavy rain as police efficacy of domestically produced jabs. fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters from an The trial will test the efficacy of combin- elevated tollway. ing an “inactivated” vaccine made by down on protest Protesters retaliated by flinging projectiles and China’s Sinovac with a DNA-based one developed by US pharmaceutical com- BANGKOK: Thai police used rubber bullets and setting a police truck on fire, black smoke pluming into the air. Demonstrators had clashed with and pany Inovio, a statement issued on tear gas on protesters for a second day in a row yes- Tuesday said. — AFP terday as demonstrators rallied against the govern- police in Bangkok Tuesday, with 48 arrested and nine ment and its handling of the coronavirus crisis. officers injured including one shot in the leg. Officers used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets while Demonstrators in Bangkok defied a ban on public Two die jumping from building gatherings as Thailand tries to curb its worst virus protesters retaliated with firecrackers and rocks. outbreak so far - more than 21,000 new cases were Bangkok police, facing accusations of heavy- YANGON: Two people died and three announced yesterday. handedness, insist their approach is in line with the were injured after jumping from the The slow roll-out of the kingdom’s vaccination law and urged people not to jeopardize public health fourth floor of a building in Myanmar’s program as well as financial hardship from restrictions and safety. A youth-led pro-democracy movement commercial capital to escape a raid by are fueling public anger towards Prime Minister began last year and at its peak drew tens of thou- sands of people to rallies demanding the resignation security forces, authorities said yesterday. Prayut Chan-O-Cha’s government. About 150 pro- Security forces arrested two men and a testers gathered at the major intersection of of Prayut, the former army chief who came to power in a 2014 coup. woman during a raid on a building in Bangkok’s Victory Monument yesterday afternoon, Botadaung township in Yangon on The movement broke long-held taboos by BANGKOK: Pro-democracy protesters set a police truck on intending to march to Prayut’s residence. They quickly Tuesday, according to the junta-backed demanding reforms to Thailand’s monarchy, and fire during a protest calling for the resignation of prime dispersed as riot police moved in and arrested at least True News channel. Four other men and a scores of protesters have been hit with multiple royal minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha yesterday. — AFP two demonstrators. woman “jumped out of the window of the defamation charges, which carry maximum penalties Earlier protesters burnt an effigy of a Thai judge fourth floor to avoid arrest,” it said, who denied bail to political detainees. “Police are not of 15-year jail terms. But the movement lost momen- bail to protest leader and human rights lawyer Anon adding the woman and one of the men our enemies. Our true enemy is the government,” one tum as COVID cases surged and its leaders were Numpa, citing concerns over the likelihood of further had died of their injuries. — AFP protester told the rally. Authorities then used shipping detained. A Bangkok criminal court yesterday denied offending and breaching bail conditions. — AFP Established 1961

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021 Wages rise in US as companies scramble for staff amid crunch Consumer prices up 0.5% in July, up 5.4% past 12 months

WASHINGTON: An acute labor crunch Target, Chipotle and Amazon, among supermarket and restaurant workers has amid the coronavirus pandemic is boost- others. The new policy will take effect at now topped $15, according to an article ing US wages, with many large chains CVS in July 2022. in The Washington Post. now paying $15 an hour, a minimum level Walmart, the biggest private US “Overall nearly 80 percent of US long sought by Democrats and labor employer, in late July announced it was workers now earn at least $15 an hour, up activists. The disruption of COVID-19 dropping the $1-a-day fee for its from 60 percent in 2014,” the newspaper has led to record job openings, but also employee education program. The initia- said, while adding that a $15 average millions of unemployed workers, some of tive supplements wages at the giant wage is different from a minimum wage whom dropped out of the labor force to retailer, which pays less than its much and many workers still earn less. The stay home to take care of children. smaller rival Costco. trend of rising wage pressure is expected But some workers have used the pan- to continue for some time. Companies demic to retire or try to change careers. Inaction in Congress surveyed by Willis Towers Watson Economists say that so far, the wage The announcements comes as expect to lift wages three percent in bump has not resulted in troubling infla- President Joe Biden’s effort to win a 2022, up from 2.7 percent this year. tion. “For the first time since the late significant boost to the federal mini- 1990s, low-wage workers have a little mum wage remains stalled in Congress. Permanent change? more leverage to demand higher pay,” Upon taking office, Biden sought to But experts do not believe the trend said David Cooper, an economist at the more than double the wage to $15 an to necessarily endure beyond the pan- SANTA MONICA,US: In this file photo a shopper pays for oranges in a citrus tent at the Economic Policy Institute, a progressive hour from $7.25 where it has been for demic. “The structures of the US econo- Washington think tank. the last 12 years. my that have suppressed wage growth ... West LA Farmer’s Market in Santa Monica, California. —AFP Facing a sudden jump in business as “What the Democrats could not for decades haven’t changed,” Cooper the US economy reopened, restaurants, accomplish, businesses are delivering to said. “We should be careful not to con- consumption,” Daco said. “Whatever nesses can find workers easily.” retailers and other employers have strug- them because of pandemic effects,” clude that this will be a long-term per- more the companies are giving to work- The next major update on inflation will gled to fill open positions, and have Rubeela Farooqi, chief US economist at manent change.” ers, they’re likely to make up in higher come Wednesday with the consumer boosted pay, and even offered signing High Frequency Economics, told AFP. Gregory Daco, chief US economist at sales.” Farooqi also expects the current price index for July, which is expected to bonuses or other perks to new workers. “There was so much opposition to a Oxford Economics, said many of the period of wage hikes to end, noting the rise 0.5 percent after surging 0.9 percent Last week, pharmacy chain CVS became $15 minimum wage but companies have companies boosting wages should also large number of unemployed workers. in June. Hourly wages rose 0.4 percent in the latest big chain to announce plans to no choice right now but to pay up to see a benefit. “It’s the people with the “We do not expect a wage spiral that will July compared with June and 4.7 percent lift its minimum wage to $15 an hour, attract/retain workers.” The competition lowest salaries who are getting a raise feed into inflation,” Farooqi said. “Wages over the year-ago period, according to joining a group that already includes for workers means average pay for and that usually means more of it goes to are not likely to keep accelerating if busi- the Labor Department. — AFP

ment of accustomed tourists who are Jazeera Airways reports 138% more than eager to return to London this summer, as well as for students at spike in passengers flown in Q2 universities in the city. Other new services, some never Win for Biden as before served by a direct route from KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways yester- tries within our network, travel Kuwait, comprised destinations that day reported on its financial and restrictions have eased, and countries do not require quarantine for vacci- Senate passes operational performance for the sec- started opening their borders ahead nated tourists. These included Bishkek ond quarter of the year, announcing a of the summer season. Appetite for (Kyrgyzstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) 137.7 percent increase in number of travel was evident and Jazeera rolled Marwan Boodai infrastructure bill and Yerevan (Armenia). passengers flown with a higher load out a series of new destinations by the WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden factor of 51.3 percent and an operat- month of June to cater to the signifi- Lebanese capital, Beirut, in addition Positive outlook for Q4 2021 hailed the Senate passage Tuesday of a “his- ing revenue of KD 7.4 million. cant demand for popular touristic to other popular summer destinations Boodai concluded: “We remain toric” $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, cele- The operational performance destinations as well as new places to such as Tbilisi (Georgia), Trabzon and positive that demand for travel will brating a major bipartisan win on a plan he shows positive signs that travel will discover. We acquired milestone traf- Bodrum (Turkey). The airline only increase and restrictions lifted. recover at a fast pace after eased fic rights and operated at a high load launched a new service to London vowed would “transform America.” By funding restrictions come to effect by mid of factor despite limitations in the num- Heathrow airport, making it the first Kuwait has already announced easing work on roads, bridges and ports, as well as Q3 2020 and the number of vaccinat- ber of returning passengers at Kuwait LCC in the Middle East to operate its restrictions starting August 1, clean water and high-speed internet, Biden said ed in Kuwait improve. International Airport.” direct flights to the airport. The air- increasing the number of arriving pas- the bill-which still needs House approval-would The airline registered a net loss of Rolling out its summer schedule port is the favourite gateway to the sengers and opening return flights to create thousands of high-paying jobs for people KD 6.5 million for Q2, driven by lower with favorite destinations for tourists, UK for the Kuwaiti traveller, and there non-Kuwaiti residents. Recovery is without college degrees. yields as scheduled operations started Jazeera resumed its services to the is high demand from the large seg- imminent as vaccinations continue to “This historic investment infrastructure is to return in comparison to Q2 2020 be administered at high pace. what I believe you, the American people, want,” and higher costs due to increase “Jazeera maintains a strong financial Biden said in a White House address. “This bill operations and higher fuel prices. position and has completed its capital shows that we can work together,” he said. Yield decreased from Q2 2020 to the increase which was oversubscribed by Some seven weeks after the Democratic average level of KD 68.3. 210 percent. The airline has historically leader stood with senators from both parties Commenting on the results, Jazeera safeguarded its shareholders’ rights hailing a preliminary agreement, the bill received Airways Chairman, Marwan Boodai and ensured a reliable service during rare bipartisan support in Washington’s highly- said: “With vaccinations rolling out at crises, and we have our team to thank polarized political atmosphere. Needing just a a fast pace in Kuwait and other coun- for their long-term vision.” simple majority, it passed by 69 votes to 30 with backing from a third of Republican Senators. The measure now faces a make-or-break vote in the House of Representatives in coming Output hikes by weeks, where its future is less certain as divi- sions have sprung up in the Democratic majority. oil producers Democratic Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer credited Biden for winning approval of “the first major infrastructure package in over a not enough: US decade on a bipartisan basis” after just seven WASHINGTON: A boost in production agreed on months in office. by the world’s leading oil producers is “simply not “It’s been a long and winding road, but we enough” to fuel the global economic recovery from have persisted,” Schumer said. The ambitious COVID-19, US national security advisor Jake Sullivan plan provides for $550 billion in new federal said yesterday. The increases agreed on by OPEC+ spending on transport infrastructure, but also for (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting public transit, broadband internet, and clean Countries and allies) last month “will not fully offset water, as well as electric charging stations and previous production cuts that OPEC+ imposed dur- other measures to fight climate change. The total reopen to tourism in July last year. ing the pandemic until well into 2022,” he said in a price tag-the equivalent of Spain’s 2020 gross Dubai airport It became a magnet for visitors escaping dreary statement released by the White House. “At a critical domestic product-relies on other public funds winter weather and stringent COVID-19 restrictions. moment in the global recovery, this is simply not that have already been appropriated. The UAE launched a vaccination campaign in enough,” the statement said. passenger volumes December and has inoculated 72 percent of its nearly “Competitive energy markets will ensure reliable Sweeping domestic agenda 10 million population. Last year, Dubai International and stable energy supplies, and OPEC+ must do In a deeply divided Washington, the bill’s final slump 40% in Airport reported a 70 percent drop in traffic, with the more to support the recovery.” The price of gasoline approval would mark a resounding victory for number of travellers falling from more than 86 million is currently $3.19 per gallon, up from $3.14 a month Biden, a former senator who touts his ability to in 2019 to 25.9 million in 2020. According to the ago and more than a 45 percent jump from the year- reach across the aisle. In a sign of the continued first half of 2021 International Air Transport Association (IATA), global ago level when travel was constrained in the United influence wielded by former president Donald air passenger traffic plunged by an unprecedented 66 States by myriad COVID-19 restrictions. Sullivan’s Trump, three Republican senators who partici- DUBAI: Dubai International Airport reported yes- percent last year owing to travel restrictions imposed statement comes three weeks after the OPEC+ group pated in the negotiations announced they would terday a 41 percent drop in traffic in the first half of during the pandemic. unveiled an agreement to boost output by 400,000 not support the plan after Trump threatened 2021, but said it anticipates “robust growth” after But the airport is expecting better volumes in the barrels per day (bpd) each month from August. reprisals for helping to hand Biden a political win. the easing of travel restrictions. The number of pas- six months to the end of December 2021. “In anticipa- The deal means the group’s output will be restored But top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell sengers that passed through the world’s largest air- tion of the robust recovery of global air travel, we to its pre-pandemic level by the end of 2022. Oil pro- voted for it, aware of the program’s huge popu- port for international travel fell to 10.6 million in the started the second half on a high note,” Paul Griffiths, ducers have faced a complex challenge to modulate larity among voters tired of historic neglect of first six months of 2021, according to a statement CEO of Dubai Airports, said in the statement. “We output amid COVID-19, with the most recent uptick the nation’s highways. Passage looks less certain from the Dubai Media Office. have already witnessed some of our busiest weekends in infections from the Delta variant raising doubts in the House of Representatives, where rifts have In the first quarter of last year, the airport had of the year in July, and... the outlook for 2021 in terms about demand, especially in China. Crude prices, emerged within the narrow Democratic majority welcomed 17.8 million passengers before it tem- of passenger numbers looks very promising.” Tourism which briefly hit six-year peaks in June, have fluctuat- between the progressive and moderate wings. porarily suspended commercial flights in the second has long been an economic mainstay of Dubai, which ed in recent days amid these worries. The Biden Negotiations are likely to be drawn out, and a quarter to curb the spread of the coronavirus. welcomed 16.7 million such visitors in 2019. The gov- administration also released a letter from National final vote in Congress may not come until the “Dubai Airports is projecting robust growth for ernment was last year counting on the six-month Economic Council Chief Brian Deese to the Federal fall. US business groups applauded the Senate Dubai International in the second half of the year,” Dubai Expo 2020 global trade fair-delayed by a year Trade Commission calling on the agency to use “all of vote saying it provides long-overdue invest- the statement said. The emirate, one of the seven that and now set to open in October-to attract millions of its available tools to monitor the US gasoline market” ments and creates jobs. —AFP make up the UAE, was one of the first destinations to visitors and boost the economy. —AFP and guard against “anti-competitive” conduct. —AFP Established 1961 9 Thursday, August 12, 2021 Business Kamco Invest reports net profit of KD 6.3 million for first half of 2021 Total revenue reached KD 15.9m with fee income representing 54.1%

KUWAIT: Kamco Invest, a regional non-banking best performing in the con- Kuwait, Saudi and Oman, and the role of Fiscal and financial powerhouse with one of the largest AUMs in ventional and sharia-com- Principal Paying Agent for the redemption of KD 100 the region, announced its financial results for the six pliant Kuwait equity funds million subordinated T2 Capital Securities. The team months period ended 30 June 2021. The company categories, reporting returns also acted as issuance advisor and subscription agent to reported a net profit of KD 6.3 million (EPS: 18.41 fils) of 22.27 percent and 22.79 the rights issue of a listed company on Boursa Kuwait, compared to a net loss of KD 3.9 million during the percent respectively. exclusive buy-side advisor to an insurance group to same period in 2020 (EPS: -11.35 fils). Income generating prop- acquire 66 percent of a non-listed insurance company, Total revenue for the period reached KD 15.9 million erties were acquired in the exclusive buy-side advisor to an insurance group to (6M 2020: KD4.5 million), with fee and commission UK and US, raising the acquire 75 percent of a listed insurance company in income amounting to KD 8.6 million, representing 54.1 managed real estate value Jordan and sell-side advisor to sell a minority stake of a percent of total revenue. Faisal Mansour Sarkhou by $145 million. The Special listed company on Boursa Kuwait. 2021 (an increase of 14.5 percent in comparison to end As at end of June 2021, assets under management Situations Asset First Securities Brokerage Company, Kamco Invest’s of December 2020). In its most recent review in May, stood at KD 4.3 billion ($14.2 billion), an increase of 9 Management team continued exit negotiations with brokerage arm, continued to provide its services to Capital Intelligence maintained its “BBB” long-term percent since 31 December 2020 impacted by new several parties on behalf of clients and successfully clients without interruption, while increasing market credit rating and “A3” short-term rating with a stable amounts raised, as well as the positive performance of completed the exit of a 24 percent stake in Al-Mazaya share and attracting new clients through its online trad- outlook. managed assets. Kamco Invest’s equity funds and man- Holding worth approximately KD 10.5 million. In terms ing platform. The company successfully completed the Faisal Mansour Sarkhou, Chief Executive Officer, aged portfolios continued to outperform their respec- of new investment offerings available to clients, the MD3 test for netting, which now serves as a new rev- said, “We are proud by the achievements reported since tive benchmarks, whereas Kamco Investment Fund Asset Management team worked diligently to launch enue stream for the company. the beginning of the year, leveraging on the competitive emerged as the winner of the Refinitiv Lipper Fund several initiatives including leveraged fixed income and During the period, Kamco Invest also managed to performance of our products and services, and positive Awards Kuwait 2021 in the categories of “Best Equity venture capital. reduce its total liabilities by 3.3 percent or KD 2.1 mil- market sentiments. We further strengthened our finan- Fund Over 5 Years”, and “Best Equity Fund Over 10 The Investment Banking team successfully played lion to reach KD 62.7 million. cial position, enhanced our liquid assets, reduced our Years”. During the 6 months period, both the Kamco the role of Joint Lead Manager & Joint Bookrunner for The company enjoys a strong financial position with total liabilities and most importantly remained focused Investment Fund and Al-Durra Islamic Fund were the five regional debt issuances worth $2.15 billion across KD 57.3 million in shareholders’ equity as of 30 June on the recurring fee-based income.” Markaz reports net Betting on a profit of KD 10.41m future ‘Made in first half of 2021 in Cameroon’

KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz” reported YAOUNDE, Cameroon: She thought it was a “crazy its financial results for the first half of 2021 with total gamble” at the time, but four years on, Gaelle Laura revenues of KD 19.06 million, as compared to a loss of Zambou Kenfack has never looked back since creating KD 1.71 million in the same period last year. Markaz a firm to produce and sell “Made in Cameroon” items. achieved a net profit of KD 10.41 million, as compared Zambou returned to Cameroon at the end of 2016 after to a loss of KD 10.05 million in H1 2020, and earnings 10 years working as a consultant for BMW in per share of 22 fils for the half year ended June 30, 2021. their visions to life with the help Germany, the one-time colonial power in the central Diraar Yusuf Alghanim, Chairman stated: “I am Lexus Design of renowned industry experts African country of some 25 million people, highly pleased to report that Markaz has continued to deliver and contribute to a better dependent on imports. positive financial performance with improved prof- tomorrow,” said Kei Fujita, Other business leaders like her are betting on the itability in H1-2021. The world economy is experienc- Award 2022: Call for Chief Representative, Middle “Made in Cameroon” (MIC) mark-a concept formally ing an exceptionally strong recovery. Global growth is East and Central Asia launched by the private sector five years ago to pro- set to reach 5.6 percent in 2021, its strongest post- entries now open Representative ?Office, Toyota mote local production, processing and consumption. recession pace in a long time, underpinned by the Motor Corporation. “Going The goal is to overcome a long-standing weakness in accelerated global movement to overcome the beyond the conventional to Cameroon’s economy: the lack of “value-added” activ- COVID-19 pandemic. Markaz has successfully imple- KUWAIT: Lexus recently announced a call for entries create amazing experiences has always defined Lexus’ ities that create jobs and generate money beyond the mented its investment policy to face the circumstances to the Lexus Design Award 2022, an international bold approach to design. Our esteemed panel of business of selling primary resources such as minerals, of the regional and global markets, and is well poised design competition launched in 2013. Over the years, judges will also be looking for ideas that are grounded oil and timber. to benefit from the post-COVID recovery, supported many distinguished leaders of the design world have in sustainability and can create a positive impact on Stores labeled “Made in Cameroon” have already by our dynamic risk management and asset manage- generously contributed to the Lexus Design Award’s society. I would like to thank everyone involved in the opened in several cities across the country. “Five years ment strategies.” mission of nurturing and supporting the next genera- Lexus Design Award for their continuous support, ago, there was only one store dedicated to the MIC tion of creators. Now in its tenth year, the Lexus which ensures the award’s success year after year in mark. We are now at 33,” says Carine Andela, presi- Design Award continues to evolve as a platform for uncovering innovative solutions from the brightest dent of a group calling itself the Association of design innovation that leads to a better tomorrow. young minds across the globe.” Ingenious Entrepreneurs of Africa (Asenia). Entries to the Lexus Design Award 2022 competition An elite judging committee will review the entries Andela has taken up fish farming. Aquaculturists will be accepted until October 10, 2021. from around the globe, choosing six finalists to be have until now imported a lot of their fry - juvenile fish Entrants will be expected to demonstrate how their announced in early 2022. The finalists’ prototype - from neighboring Nigeria, but “what is interesting is creative ideas express three key principles of the development is funded by Lexus with a budget of up that some young people have started growing them Lexus brand: Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate. Their to JPY 3 million (over USD 25,000) each. In the spring themselves,” she says. designs should anticipate global challenges facing of 2022, the six finalists will present their final propos- society and imagine engaging and innovative ways to als to the judges, who will then select one Grand Prix ‘Not rocket science’ Diraar Yusuf Alghanim Ali H Khalil contribute to a sustainable future, while seamlessly winner. Lexus will announce the names of the Lexus In Biyem-Assi, a popular district of the capital enhancing the happiness of all. Lexus is looking for Design Award 2022 judging committee members and Yaounde, Zambou’s company Kenza Market was one captivating designs that intersect with thoughtful solu- mentors later this year. of the first MIC businesses to open. Spices, dried fruits Ali H Khalil, Chief Executive Officer stated: “imple- tions and ideas that can truly create a brighter tomor- and vegetables, vegetable oils for the skin, or mari- menting a conservative investment policy, and meeting row for people and societies in diverse circumstances. nades, line the shelves. One of the flagship products of the market needs for innovative financial services, The Lexus Design Award distinguishes itself from the store is “spicy salt”, a mixture of salt and several Markaz’s Asset Management fees has reached KD 4.53 other design competitions by inviting four of the local spices. “Our concept is to promote MIC by high- million in H1 2021, a 39 percent y-o-y growth. world’s foremost creators to serve as mentors to six lighting local products because that is what makes the Investment banking fees increased by 78 percent y-o- finalists, providing a priceless, once-in-a-lifetime economy grow,” said Zambou. y to KD 0.46 million. H1 2021 real estate rental income learning and mentoring experience. Through one-on- To ensure regular supplies for her shop, Zambou is increased by 20 percent to KD 1.72 million, reflecting one dialogues with these esteemed mentors from vari- in contact with a dozen local producers from whom the high quality of our real estate portfolio which was ous backgrounds and specializations, the finalists she buys raw materials before processing them. She well poised to benefit from the markets recovery. Total receive personalized guidance to build and evolve has another store in Douala, the main port and eco- revenues also include gains from investments of KD prototypes that bring out the potential of their ideas. nomic capital of Cameroon, and wants to open more 11.45 million as compared to a loss due to the pandem- Over the past nine editions, the Lexus Design shops quickly. ic of KD 10.2 million in H1 2020. This solid and consis- Award has showcased 90 creative works and celebrat- Samuel Safo Tchoffo, a former oil industry engineer, tent financial performance is a result of the efficiency ed the talents of 139 individuals and teams who are has also taken the plunge in creating his own company. of our team, the diversity of our activities, prudent helping shape a better tomorrow through the power of Its pilot pumpkin seed-shelling plant is located in asset allocation, and research based investment selec- design. Montee Jouvence, another working-class district of tion. The Markaz balance sheet remains robust and liq- “We are pleased to announce the launch of the Yaounde. “It took 27 years of research to get to this uid, our net debt to equity ratio is 0.37x, enabling us to Lexus Design Award 2022 and extend our annual invi- factory,” Safo says with a broad smile. The production seize arising attractive opportunities. Our Assets tation to talented creatives to share their ideas with line is made up of a chain of 11 machines assembled to Under Management increased for a third consecutive the world. This program offers a unique opportunity Last year LDA convey, shell and sort the pumpkin seeds, then press quarter to KD 1,037 million at the end of June 2021.” for the next generation of emerging designers to bring the kernel to extract oil. “The machines are totally made in Cameroon, and resources and it is limited in space, which is why we ted with ultraviolet rays. The end product, dubbed we made it a point of honor not only to process prod- Singapore turns are always looking for ways to explore water “NEWater”, is mainly used in microchip manufactur- uct locally, but also to show young people that it can sources and stretch our water supply,” Low Pei Chin, ing plants-which are ubiquitous in the city-state and be done - and that it is not rocket science,” explains chief engineer of the Public Utilities Board’s water require high-quality water-and for cooling systems Safo, whose plant also produces soap and low-fat sewage into reclamation department, told AFP. in buildings. flour. “I am interested in the virtues of this oil,” cus- One key strategy is to “collect every drop” and But it also helps boost drinking water supplies. tomer Juliette Mbango says during a local fair. “I’ve ultra-clean water “reuse endlessly”, she added. This is in addition to During the dry season, it is sent to top up several often heard about it. I came to buy some to discover it the city-state’s other main approaches to securing man-made reservoirs and, following further treat- for myself.” water supplies-importing it, using reservoirs and ment, flows to people’s taps. For all the public interest in MIC, management con- SINGAPORE: Giant pumps whir deep under- desalinating seawater. At the heart of the recycling Singapore is expanding its recycling system. It sultant Edith Laure Pokam argues that the label suffers ground at a plant in Singapore that helps transform system is the high-tech Changi Water Reclamation will add an extra underground tunnel and a major from major handicaps. “Many consumers are willing to sewage into water so clean it is fit for human con- Plant on the city’s eastern coast. water reclamation plant to serve the western half of buy what is made locally, but they have doubts about sumption while reducing ocean pollution. The tiny Parts of the facility in land-scarce Singapore are the island, which should be completed by 2025. the quality,” she says.—AFP island nation has little in the way of natural water underground-some as deep as 25 stories-and it is Singapore will have spent Sg$10 billion (US$7.4 sources and has long had to rely principally on sup- fed by wastewater that flows through a massive, 48- billion) on upgrading its water treatment infrastruc- plies from neighboring Malaysia. To boost self-suffi- kilometre (30-mile) tunnel, linked to sewers. ture by the time the expansion is finished. One impe- ciency, the government has developed an advanced The site houses a maze of steel pipes, tubes, tus to seek greater self-sufficiency are the city- system for treating sewage involving a network of tanks, filtration systems and other machinery, and state’s historically fractious relations with key water tunnels and high-tech plants. can treat up to 900 million liters (237 million US gal- source, Malaysia. Recycled wastewater can now meet 40 percent lons) of wastewater a day-enough to fill an Olympic- The neighbors have had stormy ties since of Singapore’s water demand-a figure that is sized swimming pool every 24 hours for a year. In Malaysia ejected Singapore from a short-lived union expected to rise to 55 percent by 2060, according one building, a network of ventilators have been in 1965, and they have in the past had rows over to the country’s water agency. installed to keep the air smelling fresh, although a water supplies. While most is used for industrial purposes, some putrid whiff still hangs in the air. Stefan Wuertz, a professor of environmental of it is added to drinking water supplies in reservoirs engineering at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological in the city-state of 5.7 million people. And the sys- ‘Limited amount of water’ University, stressed the importance for other coun- tem helps reduce maritime pollution, as only a small Sewage that arrives at the plant undergoes an ini- tries to treat wastewater more effectively, warning of amount of the treated water is discharged into the tial filtering process before powerful pumps send it serious long-term impacts otherwise. “There is a sea. This is a contrast to most other countries — 80 flowing to facilities above ground for further treat- limited amount of water on the planet,” he told AFP. percent of the world’s wastewater flows back into ment. There, the treated water is further cleansed, “If we were to keep polluting the freshwater, at the ecosystem without being treated or reused, with impurities like bacteria and viruses removed some stage we would reach the point where... treat- YAOUNDE, Cameroon: An employee of the Zenka Market according to UN estimates. “Singapore lacks natural through advanced filtration processes, and disinfec- ment becomes extremely expensive.” — AFP Shop arranges an assortment of spices in Yaounde. — AFP 10 Established 1961

Thursday, August 12, 2021 Business PACI applauds KFH e-services and continuous development Al-Roshood: KFH, first bank in Kuwait to launch e-signature service for personal finance transactions

KUWAIT: The Director General - Public with the PACI at a high level of coordination and Authority for Civil Information, Musaed Al- cooperation. This has given KFH the privilege to Asousi praised the major technology develop- provide unique and distinguished services at the ment in KFH services, the continued efforts to market level, namely those related to electronic achieve digitalization and benefit from the latest signature applications. technological developments and their use in the Al-Roshood praised PACI efforts during the field of banking business, thus achieving distinc- COVID-19 pandemic including the cooperation tion in customer service. KFH was able, during to establish electronic platforms for several gov- the COVID-19 pandemic, to exhibit a remarkable ernment and private bodies including the level of performance and service through latest issuance of permits during full and partial lock- modern technologies, multiple applications, and down and making appointments with hospitals its website kfh.com. and cooperative societies and other entities. He Al-Asousi said, during KFH Acting Group expressed his thanks and gratitude to the author- CEO- Abdulwahab Essa Al-Roshood, and execu- ity for the significant role it played and its out- tives visit to PACI head office - South Surra, to standing efforts in this field. view PACI services and work mechanism, discuss Al-Roshood reiterated that KFH has always the means of cooperation between the two enti- endeavored to enhance its digitalization strategy ties, and provide more services and advantages to to achieve customers satisfaction, enhance its KFH customers, that PACI welcomes all efforts market share, achieve targets, mitigate costs, made by national companies and institutions to enhance marketing services, attract new cus- provide modern technologies. PACI is always tomers, and innovate new banking and investment Abdulwahab Essa Al-Roshood and Musaed Al-Asousi ready to provide all support to achieve an elec- products. He added that KFH aims to increase tronic government and digitalization of the state PACI machines to expand the E-Signature service could be completed in a fully automatic manner form for digital banking. The agreement aims to official services. He emphasized that this goal at all KFH branches through KFH GO, which have according to terms and conditions. digitalize all banking services provided by the would not be achieved without establishing a reached 10 branches so far. Action is still in KFH has introduced the online bank account bank to retail and corporate customers. Several comprehensive system to comprise all main serv- progress to increase the number of these opening service to the new customers without the digital banking services were made available to ices including government and banking services machines and services. The first bank in Kuwait to need to visit the branch. This service is the first of KFH customers recently including bank transfers under the umbrella of an advanced technology launch E-Signature and digital finance application its kind at the market level. KFH has earlier through SWIFT GPI, merging the account with system that would provide users with the ele- service. Al-Roshood indicated that KFH is the applied the E-Signature project to its employees the trading No. at the Kuwait Clearing Company, ments of safety, speed, and accuracy. first bank in Kuwait to launch the E-Signature in cooperation with the PACI to save time and Smart cheque deposit service and card free with- On his part, Al-Roshood valued the fruitful service for personal finance transactions including effort for the employees and cope with the transi- drawal service through QR Code technique. cooperation between KFH and PACI and praised electronic processing of all paper transactions. tional plans to the electronic ID era. Customers have also benefited from the electronic the efforts exerted in the technical and technolog- The service enables customers to sign any To enhance infrastructure and provide more e- gold account opening service which enables cus- ical arrangements which have resulted into the required document electronically through any services, Al-Roshood said that KFH has signed an tomers to buy and sell gold online in addition to successful establishment of the electronic link device at any place i.e., the finance application agreement with Aion Digital, a specialized plat- other services.

tage of multi-device collaboration. Real-time PC casting is Huawei MateView: supported via a wireless connection, saving you the hassles of connecting multiple wires. For instance, the 12.6-inch Huawei MateBook Pro’s screen can be projected wirelessly to the Gulf Bank launches Bringing a real Huawei MateView that can take advantage of the larger 3:2 display and the Huawei MateBook D15 can connect to the cards summer campaign Huawei MateView via a wired USB-C connection. color display Users can also utilize the Huawei MateView as an extended display while connected to a laptop like the Huawei MateBook to reward 20 winners KUWAIT: Monitors have always been an essential part of any D15. Once the screen is projected or the notebook display is PC and while it originally was just a simple display to show connected, users have the ability to control the tablet and note- KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has launched its summer information, up and coming technologies have allowed it to book interface and apps using a connected keyboard and cards campaign, which gives all Gulf Bank card- evolve into something more innovative. The traditional monitor mouse on the monitor. holders the chance to win back their card spends comes in a bulky frame and the same design, barely distin- Another cool feature is OneHop Projection, where a Huawei when they use their Gulf Bank cards locally, interna- guishable when compared to the competition. smartphone can use the bigger screen of the Huawei MateView tionally and for online shopping. During the course Meet the Huawei MateView, a standalone monitor that puts with a single tap. Once a user has established a connection by of the campaign, which is scheduled to run from special emphasis on its design without compromising on quali- tapping on the monitor’s dock, it will automatically activate August 8 until November 8, 2021 cardholders who ty resulting in a display with pleasing aesthetics and perform- Desktop Mode where it combines the smartphone’s computing cooling the monitor. Also present is a dual microphone array use their Gulf Bank credit, debit or prepaid cards ance. The Huawei MateView brings a forward-thinking power with the large screen experience of the Huawei for far-range sound pickup. approach that complements Huawei’s Super Device experience, will automatically be entered into the final draw. For MateView. every KD 10 spent locally on a Gulf Bank prepaid letting users enjoy seamless wireless collaboration across lap- Simplify device connectivity tops, smartphones, and tablets. or credit card, customers will receive one entry into Huawei MateView With USB-C support, the Huawei MateView effectively the draw. For every KD 10 spent internationally Pleasing looks and an aesthetic design that break tradition solves all the pains of having multiple cables with just a single Huawei MateView using a prepaid, credit, or debit card, customers will The Huawei MateView was designed with futuristic aes- one. The USB-C port allows data transfers as well as monitor Bring photos and videos to life with the real color display receive three entries into the draw. thetics in mind that would not go out of fashion for years to input and charging all through the use of a single cable. The The Huawei MateView features a 28.2-inch display with a Gulf Bank will be announcing 20 lucky winners come. The rectangular design of the monitor is composed of USB-C port on the monitor also supports 65W reverse charg- 4K+ 3850 x 2560 resolution that brings incredible color at the end of the campaign, each of whom will only vertical and horizontal elements that also features ultra- ing that can also charge laptops without all the messy wires. reproduction. Its 3:2 aspect ratio means that users have more receive their card spends back with a maximum thin bezels for a borderless viewing experience. The Huawei Unique to the Huawei MateView is the Huawei Smart Bar vertical room to see documents and web pages in a taller view. cashback of KD 1,000.. The draw will take place on MateView is crafted from aluminium to achieve the narrow design, a world’s first touch OSD design to be found on a moni- The ultra-thin bezels gives a more immersive feel, achieving an bezel effect that help reduce visual distractions. tor. It strips away all the cluttered physical buttons often found November 21 , 2021 in the presence of a represen- impressive screen-to-body ratio of 94 percent and a screen Be at the center of the action with an immersive sound on traditional monitors to create a new touch bar experience. tative of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and that’s as thin as 9.3mm. The display manages to outshine its experience Hidden underneath the screen, all the monitor functions can be the winners will be notified by text, phone call, and competitors thanks to its support for the DCI-P3 color gamut The Huawei MateView comes with two speakers that offer performed by simply tapping and touching the Huawei Smart email. that covers the monitor with 1.07 colors and color accuracy. an impressive soundstage that put you in the center of the Bar allowing for more convenient and intuitive operation. Gulf Bank is constantly working to offer its cus- Additionally, the Huawei MateView brings support for high action. It supports a weighted maximum volume of 75dB and tomers the very best banking products and servic- dynamic range (HDR) output perfect for deeper colors and an actual maximum volume of 78dB. Final verdict es, including the Bank’s latest Win your spends back increased contrast and brightness. In fact, the monitor support The Huawei MateView’s audio path includes an algorithmic More than just a standalone monitor, the Huawei MateView campaign for its prepaid, debit and credit cardhold- a maximum brightness level of 500 nits. brings the best technologies with a wireless real color display ers. Throughout this campaign, cardholders can adjustment module that can dynamically adjust the frequency response and timbre according to the device’s characteristics. along with a Smart Office experience elevated by a pleasing enjoy all the benefits of Gulf Bank’s prepaid, debit A super device experience There is also a grill comprising 5,920 holes that not only help aesthetic design, making this one of the best choices for a As part of the Smart Office experience, the Huawei and credit cards while being entered into the draw with the sound quality, but also with air intake for effectively desktop monitor. for the chance to win their card spends back. MateView leverages technologies that allow it to take advan- Gulf Bank credit cards provide customers with a variety of travel offers and benefits which include discounts on hotel bookings, flights, and car rentals. CBK grants UPayments an electronic payment license Additionally, Gulf Bank credit card customers can also take advantage of complimentary airport KUWAIT: The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has especially in the recent period with the spread of the flexibility of financial trans- lounge access at over 600 airports across the recently agreed to grant an electronic payment (e- COVID-19 pandemic, where all business sectors actions, supports plans to world. Moreover, Gulf Bank credit cardholders can payment) license to UPayments.com, a company spe- moved towards electronic payment and embraced enhance innovation in the also access the Gulf Points program, the fastest cialized in financial technology, allowing it to provide technological changes. In this regard, Al-Humaidi provided financial services, rewarding program in Kuwait that gives cardhold- financial services and enhance its leading role in this revealed a significant increase in the number of reg- in accordance with interna- ers valuable points to use for free airline travel, field. On this occasion, Co-founder and CEO of istered customers, and a subsequent increase in the tional standards, to ensure hotel accommodation, and exclusive seasonal travel UPayments, Nasser Fawzi Al-Humaidi, revealed that number of payment transactions. The company pro- the stability of the financial packages. To further ease the travel planning the CBK, through its Resolution 430/44 of 2018, aims vides innovative payment solutions to large, medium, sector and the fairness of its process, Gulf Bank credit card customers can also to regulate e-Payments and the work of companies and even small companies through payment links and transactions. receive free travel insurance for themselves and operating in this important sector, through clear and e-commerce, through a website dedicated to facili- Al-Hamidi stated that their families, which can be used for the Schengen explicit instructions specifying how to provide pay- tating the collection of funds. The company also pro- “UPayments” is keen to ment services in a safe and sustainable manner. The vides an integrated system for paying and collecting provide distinguished serv- Visa application. company’s success in obtaining an e-payment license rents, designed to help real estate owners and com- ices in an ongoing basis to Nasser Fawzi Al-Humaidi As customer experience and satisfaction are from the CBK is the culmination of a long journey of panies manage their properties professionally online, its customers through the the primary focus of the Bank’s products, a num- continuous development of information security pro- thus contributing to their growth and enhancing trust latest online payment tech- ber of benefits have been added to Gulf Bank’s grams and internal regulations in the company, in order between the owner and the tenant, especially in nologies, and through signing partnerships in various Prepaid Card to enhance customer experience. to keep pace with the requirements of the CBK, which these difficult circumstances. “This achievement fields. Most notably, it has been linked with delivery, These benefits include fraud protection with Gulf comes within the framework of the bank’s belief in the comes as a result of great efforts made by the com- warehousing, and air freight companies, aiming to Bank 3D secure, online shopping, and instant dis- importance of the financial technology sector. pany’s team under the guidance of the National Bank enable entrepreneurs and project owners to enter the counts of up to 20 percent at over 300 renowned Al-Humaidi said that complying with the CBK’s of Kuwait, which accelerated the company’s accredi- e-Commerce market and reach customers globally restaurants and coffee shops, and discounts of up requirements would strengthen the company’s capa- tation and enhanced its leadership in this field,” Al- with great flexibility. Al-Humaidi concluded that to 25 percent at over 150 retail outlets in Kuwait bilities, providing more services that fulfill the aspi- Humaidi added. “UPayments” was ranked as the best financial technol- across travel, entertainment, health, beauty, and rations of companies and customers in various fields. He pointed out that the CBK’s continuous keenness ogy company in Kuwait by Valuer.ai, stressing that this lifestyle segments This step keeps pace with global changes in the e- to support the payments and financial technology sec- achievement indicates a merit and acknowledgement payments sector, which have developed significantly, tor system, and raise the level of effectiveness and for all the entire staff of the company.

or until stock lasts. Burgan Bank customers can get every month. Burgan Bank provides one free JCPal screen protector with a one-year Burgan Bank announces Each account warranty and can change it as many times as they holder has one customers with special want to, simply by showing any valid Burgan Bank winner of Al-Thuraya card under the applicable terms and conditions. chance to enter offer from e-market Burgan strives to provide its customers with an the draw. exceptional banking experience combining innova- Salary Account draw The Al- tive products and services, cutting-edge digital Thuraya account KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced an offer in KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday collaboration with E-market, one of the best local services and payment solutions, as well as rewarding holders have the Abdullah Khaled Al-Hajaj as the lucky winner of electronic gadgets’ platforms is in line with the offers and promotions that meet their expectations. option to hold the draw prize of Al-Thuraya Salary Account bank’s commitment to continuously provide its To learn more about Burgan Bank’s latest money in Kuwaiti dinar and other major currencies offers, products and services, you can visit any of monthly draw. The draw rewards new and existing customers with a variety of special and exclusive and can access account-related services such as promotions that suit their needs. the bank’s branches or Burgan’s Instagram customers who transfer their salary to Burgan standing orders, loans and credit cards, and benefit The offer will be available at E-Market’s account @BurganBankKuwait, or contact the Call Bank by offering them a chance to win KD 10,000 Shuwaikh store from the 12th to the 14th of August, Center or the WhatsApp service at 1804080. from the discounts and offers throughout the year. Established 1961 11

Thursday, August 12, 2021 Lifestyle Gossip

hrissy Teigen has called out get “all sorts of mad” at her if she leaves a her mental health. Alongside a photo of club is a fascinating thing and I have c “next-level haters” who have positive comment on someone’s post, her own legs, Chrissy - who has children learned a whollllle lot. “Only a few under- accused her of deleting nega- because she is “alive”. Speaking in a Luna, five, and Miles, three, with husband stand it and it’s impossible to know till tive comments on her social video on her Instagram Stories, she John Legend - wrote on Instagram: “Iiiii you’re in it. And it’s hard to talk about it in media posts. The 35-year-old model added: “If I leave a comment underneath don’t really know what to say here...just that sense because obviously you sound insisted people are “crazy” if they think somebody’s photo, even if it’s nice, ‘You feels so weird to pretend nothing hap- whiney when you’ve clearly done some- she erases “angry comments” from her look great,’ ‘I love this outfit,’ people get all pened in this online world but feel like thing wrong. It just sucks. There is no win- socials, but she tried to laugh off the accu- sorts of mad. “Because ... I am alive.” This utter s*** in real life. “Going outside sucks ning. But there never is here anyhow.” sations. She said: “Two things that I think comes after Chrissy admitted last month and doesn’t feel right, being at home are funny right now. “One: People in my she felt “lost” and “depressed” after alone with my mind makes my depressed comments that are mad that there’s not becoming a part of “cancel club”. The ‘Lip head race. But I do know that however I’m enough angry comments in my com- Sync Battle’ star recently apologized for handling this now isn’t the right answer. “I ments. “They think that I delete them. But being a “troll” following bullying accusa- feel lost and need to find my place again, I like, what? “That’s like next-level hater, tions from Courtney Stodden - who need to snap out of this, I desperately when you’re mad that there’s not enough claimed Chrissy used to message her to wanna communicate with you guys hate. It’s pretty ... you’re crazy.” Chrissy tell her to take her own life - but she instead of pretending everything is okay. also admitted some social media users admitted the scandal has taken its toll on I’m not used to any other way! “Cancel

Burkle and priced at $40 million - which is complete with five acres and a golf Lopez and course. A source told TMZ that the couple is not just looking for a property for Jennifer and, instead, one for both of them and their families. The news that the Ben Affleck pair are looking for a property together eal is dating his former personal won’t come as too much of a surprise to S assistant Laura Strayer. The 58- their friends as a source previously said year-old star - who split from they were planning to spend as much former wife Heidi Klum in 2012 house hunting time with one another as possible. An after seven years of marriage - is in a rela- insider explained: ”Their friends wouldn’t tionship with Laura, who was previously be surprised if they move in together and employed by Seal and Heidi in 2006, and in LA ultimately end up together. They’re spend- now works in the music industry. Seal and ing all of their free time together and mak- Laura have been spotted looking loved up ing each other a priority.” And, although on a romantic getaway to France this summer. A family source told The New ennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck things seem to be getting serious J have been house-hunting between them, the couple is not planning together. The ‘On The Floor’ hit- to tie the knot. A source said previously: maker and the 48-year-old “They are fully committed to each other ... actor only rekindled their romance earlier They have been meshing their lives and this year, but it seems things are going families and don’t feel the need to get from strength to strength between them engaged yet or even tie the knot. They as they were spotted looking at properties have both been there and don’t feel it’s together in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, necessary. They are both very secure California, on Tuesday. The couple were within their relationship and Ben worships seen looking at a 12-bedroom, 24-bath- her. It’s truly meant to be and everyone room mansion, which is listed on the mar- around them thinks they are a perfect he 25-year-old singer has family through the darkest time of our ket for $85 million, that boasts an indoor match.” The ‘Justice League’ star has chil- T claimed she wasn’t allowed to lives.” The pop star has, at times, felt sports complex with a basketball court dren Violet, 15, Seraphina, 12, and sing much when she was in the guilty about working amid Andrea’s health and boxing ring, a massive pool, as well Samuel, nine, with his ex-wife Jennifer girl group - who announced an battle. However, Normani - whose mother York Post’s Page Six: “I literally had no as a guest penthouse and a caretaker’s Garner, whilst the 50-year-old beauty has indefinite hiatus in 2018 in order to pursue first underwent cancer treatment when idea that Seal was dating Laura until I saw house. They then reportedly drove over 13-year-old twins Emme and Max with solo careers - and that, in turn, has dent- she was just four years old - has been photos. “Of course, we all want him to be the hill to the San Fernando Valley where her ex-husband Marc Anthony. ed her confidence as an independent urged by her family to keep writing and happy - but it’s definitely ironic that he’s they viewed the late Bob Hope’s former artist on the music scene. Speaking in the recording new music. She explained: “For dating the help when he had such strong estate - which is currently owned by Ron latest edition of Allure magazine, Normani it to happen all over again, in such a piv- said: “I didn’t get to really sing in the otal and heightened moment for my feelings about Heidi seeing Martin [Kirsten group. “I felt like I was overlooked. That career ... there are so many moments I - Heidi’s former bodyguard].” Seal memo- idea has been projected on me. Like, this was like, ‘I need to be at home’ and I felt rably lashed out when it was revealed that is your place.” The brunette beauty hasn’t guilty for not being able to be physically Heidi was dating her bodyguard Martin had the easiest of times recently as her there with her. “I remember being in the after the marriage split. He fumed to TMZ mother, Andrea Hamilton, was diagnosed doctor’s office with her after she had her at the time: “I would have preferred Heidi with breast cancer last year. Normani - surgery in October. She’s like, ‘Baby, I’m show a little bit more class and at least wait who recently released her new single, gonna be fine. What I need you to do is until we separated first before deciding to ‘Wild Side’ - shared: “This past year, my focus. I need you to be Normani. I need fornicate with the help, as it were ... But I mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. you to be the best version of yourself. I guess you now all have the answer that “For me, this work that I was able to put need you to continue to work hard. We you’ve been looking for over the past sev- out into the world really saved me, to be gotta get this music out. We have the en months.” Heidi later said: “Yes ... he has completely honest. “ Even just being on world to impact.’ She was just like, ‘I’m a very unique choice of words. I’m used to FaceTime with her as she’s going through gonna be fine.’ Anything that my mom them. I don’t know. I don’t love that. her chemo and her radiation, and just says, to be completely honest, I believe.” Obviously, it’s not true. I’ve never looked at wanting me to update her on how this another man while I was with him. And it’s video is going, and how the music is com- hard when you think that he thinks that, ing, it really got her through that. It got my you don’t know ... He was hurt.”

I’m naturally very calm, which I think around.” And the 40-year-old business- translates into my parenting. I don’t get woman loves that her children share such Kim Kardashian super stressed or impatient, which I think a strong bond because it reminds her of is definitely a superpower when you have growing up with her siblings Kourtney, 42, three kids age five and under running Khloe, 37, and Rob, 34. She explained: West trying to be “They get along so well and have so much love for each other. It reminds me of growing up with Kourtney, Khloe and Rob. ‘stricter’ on kids There’s something so special about hav- ing a big family, and I’m happy my babies get that experience the way I did. “It’s so im Kardashian West is trying to amazing to watch my kids grow and K be “stricter” with her children. develop into their own people. I get the The ‘Keeping Up With the kids outside as much as possible, and I’m Kardashians’ star has admitted good at creating activities for them. she’s too soft on her four children North, They’re always playing sports or working eight, Saint, five, Chicago, three, and on projects.” Kim is also trying her best to Psalm, two - whom she has with her keep things amicable between her and ets per nomination. Unfortunately, this estranged husband Kanye West - and Kanye - whom she filed for divorce from in means not all nominees will be able to usually gives into them when they ask for February after almost seven years of mar- Emmy Awards attend this year’s awards. “We recom- something, but she’s determined to lay riage - for the sake of their young children. mend those on nominated teams coordi- down some ground rules now that they A source said recently: “Kanye and her nate between themselves and identify are getting older. Speaking in have been co-parenting successfully and downsized due to how they will allot their four tickets prior to September’s Parent magazine, Kim said: both of them want what’s best for the filling out the RSVP form. The Television “When my kids want something, typically kids.” Academy will reach out to any nominated candy, they give me this look directly in COVID concerns teams who have already responded my eyes that cuts right through me. I usu- requesting more than four tickets.” The ally give in and give them what they want. ot all Emmy nominees will be decision to grant only four tickets to each production will mean that some nominees fan. I don’t want them to. I don’t know. I’ll N able to attend the awards cere- mony. The 73rd annual Emmy from shows including ‘ ‘The Crown’, ‘The Jason Momoa try my damnedest to keep ‘em out of it. I Mandalorian’, ‘WandaVision’, ‘The love storytelling, I love theatrical things, I Awards will take place on September 19, one week after the Handmaid’s Tale’, ‘Saturday Night Live’ like directing and filmmaking, but I just and ‘Ted Lasso’, which all have 20 or want them to, you know, really to go for Creative Arts Emmys on September 11 bans his kids and 12 but ceremonies for both have more nominations, will miss out. To pro- other things. If they [really] want to, tect against the COVID-19 Delta Variant, maybe. But I don’t want them to get into been scaled back, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emmys - which are set to the Emmys ceremonies will be held out- from acting acting. It’s very hard on people and I don’t side. The statement continued: “In addi- want them to have that pressure. I’m be hosted by comedian and actor Cedric the Entertainer - will now take place out- tion, the Television Academy and CBS tough, I can handle it, but I wouldn’t want have decided to host all ceremonies, ason Momoa has banned his to put someone I love [through] that.” And doors and tickets have been limited. A statement on the Emmys website including the Creative Arts, on The Event J children from going into acting. the ‘Aquaman’ star is even trying to Deck at L.A. LIVE, directly behind the The 42-year-old actor may have branch out from acting himself and, explained: “We are excited to be welcom- ing live audiences back to the Emmys this Microsoft Theater. This will provide an a successful collection of block- instead, land a few more directing roles. opportunity to use an ‘indoor/outdoor’ set- busters and TV shows under his belt, but He explained: “I’ve been directing for a year. However, following discussions with health and safety experts for Los Angeles ting and more socially-distanced audience he doesn’t want his daughter Lola, 14, while now, so it’s been a passion. I love to seating. “The health and safety of our and son Nakoa, 12 - whom he has with see the full project, not just be in one County and the Emmy ceremonies, the Television Academy has concluded that nominees is of paramount importance. his wife Lisa Bonet - to follow in his foot- piece of it. But it’s nice also to just do the Conversations are ongoing and we will be steps because he doesn’t think they’re actor stuff. I’m happy I can do both.” But, we must further limit the number of nomi- nees attending the Creative Arts Emmys in touch with further information. Thank “strong” enough to deal with the pressure although he’s planning to focus more on you for your understanding as we contin- and he will do whatever he can to ensure directing, Jason - who is the stepfather of on September 11 and 12 as well as the 73rd Emmys on September 19. “Although ue to navigate the COVID-19 Delta they don’t pursue a career in the glam- actress Zoe Kravitz - is determined to Variant.”— Bang Showbiz orous industry. Speaking to make a film with his friend Dwayne ‘The invitations have just been mailed out, ‘Entertainment Tonight’, he said: “Aw man, Rock’ Johnson “one of these days.” nominated teams of three or more will one of them wants to do it and I’m not a now be limited to no more than four tick- 12 Established 1961

Thursday, August 12, 2021 Lifestyle Gossip

wen Stefani received a touching Wang, 72, for her dresses and her sweet cut away back, fitted bodice and high low note and a bunch of white roses gesture. The No Doubt star said: “Wow hand tumbled tulle skirt. The dress that G from Vera Wang thanking the Vera! Thank you so much for the gor- Gwen wore at her reception was a lily- pop star for letting her design geous flowers, but the dress ... like, it was white Italian silk crepe and hand tumbled her wedding dresses. The 51-year-old literally a dream come true to be able to tulle strapless mini-dress which featured a singer shared an Instagram Story in which work with you and get married to Blake in pair of hand-sewn love birds symbolizing she showed off the large bouquet of flow- your gown. I love you so much. Thank Gwen and Blake’s love for one another. ers she received from Wang along with a you!” Gwen also shared a video which Gwen and Blake, 45, tied the knot in a message expressing the designer’s joy at seemed to show one of her wedding chapel set up in the back garden on the being able to contribute the gowns for her dresses stored in a large white box with country singer’s Oklahoma ranch on July nuptials to Blake Shelton in July. The note the words “My Wedding Gown” inscribed 3 in front of 40 of their closest friends and read: “Dearest Gwen, what a pleasure to at the top and “Fragile. Handle with Care” family members, including her sons have shared in your happiness by choos- on the side. Wang’s two creations were Kingston, 15, Zuma, 12, and Apollo, sev- ing us to dress you, not once, but twice. inspired by Gwen’s personality and music. en, who she shares with her ex-husband “As an enormous fan, on behalf of me and The wedding dress that the ‘Hollaback Gavin Rossdale. my team, again thank you. Wishing you Girl’ hitmaker wore on her big day when both a lifetime of happiness! XVERA.” she said “I do” was a custom lily-white silk Gwen, 51, then posted a video thanking georgette gown with a plunging neckline, Beckinsale to front scorpion venom-infused eyonce loves to “co-ordinate” B her outfits with her kids on vacation. The ‘Formation’ singer skincare line - who has children Blue Ivy, he 44-year-old model and reali- nine, and Rumi and Sir, four, with hus- T ty TV personality has finally tied band Jay-Z - explained how she decided the knot with Count Kaz to add children’s sizes to her IVY PARK x ate Beckinsale is the new face Balinski-Jundzill, 52, after they adidas collaboration because her own off- K of a scorpion venom-infused were forced to postpone the ceremony spring like to “match” with what she’s skincare line. The 48-year-old three times during the COVID-19 pan- wearing so she had been putting them actress has been unveiled as demic. Sophie told the Daily Mail’s into the smallest garments available until the spokesperson for Mrvl Skin Solutions Richard Eden last week: “Yesterday, I now. She told Harper’s Bazaar’s Icon and will help launch their range of six married my best friend, soulmate and life- issue: “I’m excited that IVY PARK x adi- products - a recovery cream, hyaluronic time partner in crime. I cannot believe das will now feature kids’ clothing with this cream, night cream, serum, eye cream after so many obstacles and date drop. “On our family vacations, we love to and collagen mask - in the autumn. Mrvl’s changes, I am officially Mrs Kaz Balinksi.” coordinate our outfits. My kids are usually CEO, Rick Langley, is also the founder of The pair wed in Ireland, where Kaz owns on set with me for shoots, and we’d find the world’s largest blue scorpion farm, ing”. Taking to Instagram to show off the a 1,500-acre estate, Glendalough House, ourselves putting them in extra-extra- and the company believe the blue scorpi- results, she said: “After a long flight I do in County Wicklow. The couple now live in smalls so we could match. So it is a natu- on venom has many benefits for the skin. like to lie down and be covered in a mask Wicklow, with Sophie previously explain- ral progression for IVY PARK to introduce Their website claims: “This peptide has of liquified cloned foreskins-frankly who ing: “I moved here in July 2018. I was a selection of key silhouettes in children’s been clinically proven to help stimulate doesn’t? “Thank you @georgialouisesk sizing.” The 39-year-old star has taken Many of them were originally called natural collagen production, fight free radi- for an amazing facial. I especially liked inspiration from her own childhood for the cowhands, who experienced great dis- cals, help regenerate symptoms of dam- you reassuring me it would be “light on collection, as well as the “overlooked his- crimination and were often forced to work aged skin and smooth the appearance of pe***” as it was my first time x” (sic) And tory” of Black American cowboys. She with the worst, most temperamental hors- fine lines and wrinkles.” The products will she is also a fan of the vampire facial, explained: “This collection is a mixture of es. They took their talents and formed the retail between $175 to $250. Kate is no where a shot of Platelet-rich plasma my childhood growing up in Texas and a Soul Circuit. “Through time, these Black stranger to unusual beauty treatments as (PRP) is injected into the skin. She bit of American history. I grew up going to rodeos showcased incredible performers she previously credited her youthful com- recently said: “I do like PRP, when they the Houston rodeo every year. “It was this and helped us reclaim our place in west- plexion to a serum containing ‘liquefied take your blood [plasma and re-inject it amazing diverse and multicultural experi- ern history and culture. “We were inspired foreskins’. The ‘Jolt’ actress underwent a into your skin]. That’s a real thing, from ence where there was something for by the culture and swag of the Houston bizarre £465 facial that includes a special your own body. But not with scary poison- every member of the family, including rodeo. We combined classic elements epidermal growth factor (EGF) serum - ous things!” great performances, Houston-style fried with the athleticwear of IVY PARK x adi- which uses stem cells from the cloned Snickers, and fried turkey legs. “One of das, adding our own spin, monogrammed foreskins of South Korean infants - to revi- my inspirations came from the overlooked denim, chaps, and cowhide.” talize her skin following a long-haul flight history of the American Black cowboy. and said that the procedure was “amaz-

om Hardy dreamed of opening behaviors and how I lived my life and fridge, how much is enough? Because it’s T a ‘sourdough cafe’ during lock- what’s important and what isn’t. I spent a not a dress rehearsal, life, is it? It’s going down. The ‘Venom: Let There lot of time fighting the concept of ‘grown- out live. This is one-time.” The ‘Legend’ Be Carnage’ actor - who has up’. I think all the baddies and all those actor is fine with the idea of “disappear- travelling a lot back and forth there on in two children, aged five and two, with wife sorts of ‘grrrr’ characters that I’ve played, ing” now because he has “established” but I absolutely love it here in Ireland. “I Charlotte Riley and a 13-year-old son I’m not that. The whole acting thing has himself and his career. He said: “I’m not was staying with Kaz, my fiance, for from a previous relationship - enjoyed the been kind of peacock-ish, counter to what so worried to disappear now. When I was weekends and we just decided that actu- “commitment” of making his own bread I am. “What’s most indelible on my mem- a youngster you had to be heard, other- ally we wanted to be together. “Even while isolating at home amid the coron- ory are things that are shocking or scary wise you’d be invisible. Once you’ve though it’s an hour flight, the long distance avirus pandemic and it led to him imagin- so it’s very easy to mimic them. It’s actual- established yourself you can stop making was taking its toll so it’s actually the best ing an alternative career for himself. He ly much harder to mimic things that are that much noise. “Because you’re here move I’ve ever made and I absolutely love said: “Fifteen-minute workouts in the gar- soft and nice and intimate if you don’t now, what are you going to do? And what it here. “Who knew? I’m a country girl at den, home- schooling and making sour- grow up in that way. “Now I’m getting old- is enough? What do you need? What do heart. “I think the backdrop actually out- dough. I still have the leaven! You have to er these things are becoming less scary. my family need? So that is very relevant. shines me because it’s one of the most feed that every day. That’s a commitment. So it’s not caring so much what people “I think everybody needs a little bit of their incredibly beautiful places I’ve ever lived.” I’ve actually managed to back it up so I’ve think.” And Tom feels he has “less reason” own thing that they do. I like jiu-jitsu and And she previously said Kaz - who was got two. “Just in case someone drops one to work now because he’d rather be sourdough. That fulfils me.” The Autumn previously married to TV chef Lorraine on the floor or the jar explodes and it’s around his family. He said: “I think there’s 2021 issue of Esquire UK is on sale from Pascale - was “worth waiting for”. Sophie like, ‘That’s a year-and-a-half’s work!’ “I time to reflect over the last year and has less reason to work, ultimately, because 11th August. explained: “I’m really looking forward to was thinking I might open up a sourdough learned to care less about what people the life-drive is to be with the kids and to getting married and having children. I’ve cafe?. Coffee and sourdough and jiu-jitsu think of him. He told the new issue of be fit and healthy and eat well and stuff. If been waiting for someone to be an amaz- and AA meetings. You can bring your Esquire UK magazine: “I had an opportu- you’ve got a roof over your head and a ing father to my children, and it was so dog.” The 43-year-old star has had a lot of nity to observe the world and my own bed underneath you and food in the worth the wait.”

recalled a family vacation to New Zealand Christina Ricci where her spouse “said something that made me think” he “could kill me.” She wrote: “He said the only way he could feel is pregnant sorry for me is if I were dismembered into small pieces. “That night I hid all the he 41-year-old actress - who knives in the cabin where we were stay- T has six-year-old Freddie with ing. I feared for my life and the life of our former husband James son. I slept in a separate bedroom with Heerdegen - shared a photo of Freddie, and I locked the door.” The film- alle Berry found it “surprising” a film role just because it pays the bills as her sonogram on Instagram on Tuesday, maker’s lawyer insisted at the time that H that she wasn’t overloaded with the dream roles she’s looking for don’t a month after her divorce was signed off, his client “unequivocally denies all allega- work offers after winning an always come along. She said: “It’s like, as she celebrated the fact her life “keeps tions of abuse made by Ms. Ricci as hav- Oscar. The 54-year-old actress okay, that’s a film I can’t say I’m totally in getting better”. She wrote alongside the ing occurred in 2020.” James had also made history as the first Black woman to love with, but this isn’t a hobby. It’s how I photo: “Life keeps getting better. [party sought his own restraining order, in which take the Best Actress Academy Award in take care of my children. But I try to keep popper emoji] (sic)” It has not been con- he accused Christina of domestic violence 2002 for her role in ‘Monster’s Ball’ and that sense of wonder and stay curious. firmed who the father of the ‘Addams and excessive drinking, but it was denied she admitted the “fundamental change” Because being a black woman, I haven’t Family’ star’s baby is, however, according by the courts. she anticipated in her working life didn’t always had parts that I absolutely love.” to TMZ, her hairstylist Mark Hampton happen. She told Entertainment Weekly: And Halle illustrated her point by mention- shared the same photos and caption on “It was surprising. Because I thought they ing ‘Catwoman’, the superhero story his account. Christina filed for divorce were going to just back up the truck and which was widely panned and earned her from James - who she married in 2013 - a drop them off at my house, right? “When a Razzie award. She said of the block- year ago following an alleged domestic you have a historic win like that, you think, buster: “For me it was one of the biggest battery incident. Six months later, she was ‘Oh, this is going to fundamentally paydays of my whole life, which, there’s granted a domestic violence restraining change.’ It did fundamentally change me, nothing wrong with that.... I don’t want to order, which means her estranged hus- but it didn’t change my place in the busi- feel like ‘Oh, I can only do award-worthy band can’t go within 100 yards of her. The ness overnight. “I still had to go back to stuff.’ What is an award-worthy perform- actress stated the alleged abuse began in work. I still had to try to fight to make a ance?” 2013 when she found out she was preg- way out of no way.” The ‘Bruised’ star - nant and she claimed James has also who has children Nahla, 13, and Maceo, threatened to “kill” her on multiple occa- seven, from previous relationships - sions. She wrote in a declaration: “I began admitted she’s sometimes had to take on to feel extremely isolated.” She also Established 1961 13

Thursday, August 12, 2021 Lifestyle Features

Actress/Singer Jennifer Hudson attends the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Respect’ in Westwood, Actress/Singer Jennifer Hudson (right) and director (From left) MGM Motion Picture Group Chairman Michael De Luca, MGM Board Chairman Kevin California. — AFP photos Liesl Tommy attend the Los Angeles premiere of Ulrich, MGM Motion Picture Group President Pamela Abdy, Liesl Tommy, and Jennifer Hudson ‘Respect’. attend the premiere of MGM’s ‘Respect’ at Regency Village Theatre.

retha Franklin decided Jennifer dered by her sister’s estranged husband performance already tipped for awards which failed to land a single hit. Franklin counted Martin Luther King Jr among his AHudson was the natural woman to in 2008. “I needed to be in a certain place, recognition, even if the film itself has was dropped by Columbia Records family friends. Franklin often sang at politi- play her in musical biopic and to have gone through what I’ve expe- drawn lukewarm early reviews. In a before finding her gospel-inflected voice cal rallies, and performed at King’s 1968 “Respect,” personally hand-picking the rienced in life, to be able to portray her,” departure from most musical biopics, through sessions at a remote Alabama funeral-just as Hudson would ultimately singer-actress a few years before her Hudson told a Los Angeles screening Hudson sang and recorded live on set recording studio during which she drew perform at the diva’s own memorial. death in 2018. The late “Queen of Soul” ahead of the film’s release this Friday. “At Franklin’s hits such as “I Never Loved a on her own dark past. “I think it was her “Being in her position at a time like shared not just a phenomenal vocal ability least at this point that’s how I feel.” Man (The Way I Love You),” “(You Make ability to translate her pain for an audi- that-being a Black woman, and then being with the “Dreamgirls” star, but also a deep Hudson’s own tragedy had not yet struck Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and of ence of millions,” the film’s screenwriter as close as she was to Dr King-and then vein of personal tragedy. As the movie when she first nervously met with her idol course “Respect.” Hudson also learned to Tracey Scott Wilson told AFP at its Los having to get out there and still lift every- shows, Franklin’s childhood was shat- Franklin to discuss the nascent film proj- play piano for the part, which involved 83 Angeles premiere. one else up... think about the pain she tered at just nine years old by her moth- ect some 15 years ago. costume changes and 11 different wigs- “She was able to take her own person- was going through in that moment,” said er’s death, and her own pregnancy at the Eight years would pass before including Franklin’s signature beehive al pain and sing all types of songs about Hudson. “I think of moments like that,” age of 12. She later battled a controlling Franklin-having considered other con- look. it-songs of empowerment, sexy-romantic added Hudson, who-like Franklin-began father, a violent husband and alcohol tenders including Halle Berry-called and songs. She was always able to live her singing in gospel choirs, and has credited addiction. told Hudson she had the part. “To play the ‘Translate her pain’ life through her music.” The movie also her faith with helping her get through Hudson, who rose to fame on Queen of Soul is nothing you’re ever The movie spans two decades of covers Franklin’s long involvement with tragedy. “Because too often people forget “American Idol” and won an Oscar at age going to get used to. I’m still taking it in Franklin’s life, beginning with her child- the civil rights movement, having grown icons and legends are human beings too 25, dealt with her own horrors when her doses,” said Hudson. The choice of hood and then chronicling the years spent up the daughter of an influential Baptist and they have a life.”— AFP mother, brother and nephew were mur- Hudson has been a hit, with her soaring working on her first nine albums, each of minister (played by Forest Whitaker) who

t’s a typical Berlin scene: A long line of Isharply dressed people waiting round the corner to get into a club. The thud of music from inside the venue, strict entry controls and the chance of waking up with a headache the morning after are all familiar, too. Only, on a rainy evening in the east Berlin neighborhood of Alt- In this photograph Lorraine Alberto, professor of Portuguese language at Goa University, writes on Treptow, the draw isn’t just dance music A DJ performs as people arrive to receive a vaccination against the coronavirus. a whiteboard as she leads an online class at Panaji in Goa. — AFP photos but vaccines as well. The German capital renowned for its clubbing scene is throw- cines sit spaced out on chairs under city. “It’s a Berlin experience to get vacci- enthusiasm has not been inherited by the ing three vaccination parties this week, strobing lights, while one of the DJs-some nated at a party,” she adds. next generation. giving patrons jabs to the sound of elec- of them well known figures of Berlin’s As of Tuesday, 52 million people in After 60 years of “My wife and I still speak Portuguese tronic music. The site is Arena club-which underground and some who have volun- Germany-or 62.5 percent of the popula- out of habit, but never with our children,” had been transformed into one of Berlin’s teered in the vaccination center itself- tion-have had at least one dose of the Indian rule, Velho told AFP. Across the state, homes five main vaccination centers over the last works away on a set of turntables. Some vaccine. Reaching the remaining 37.5 influenced by old Portuguese design year, after it, like other similar venues, are in full party gear, others in their regular percent of the population-many of them trends are falling into disrepair or being was forced shut to curb coronavirus trans- clothes. The idea to combine dance music younger-is a key challenge for officials. Goa’s disappearing pulled down to make way for apartment mission. and vaccines was hatched by Markus Just vaccinating older citizens won’t be blocks. The gradual disappearance of After delivering well over a million jabs Nisch, the Arena vaccination centre man- enough, Dilek Kalayci, Berlin’s minister for Portuguese legacy covered terraces and mother-of-pearl a day at its peak, Germany is now seeing ager for the German Red Cross. “We had health, says outside the Arena center. shell windows-built to diffuse harsh sun- the takeup for inoculation against the relatively low expectations at the start,” he “We need to reach younger people now light-is not just a loss to architecture, said coronavirus slow dramatically, according says. “But the queue goes all the way and to motivate them, convince them to author Heta Pandit. These houses are evi- to figures from the Robert Koch Institute down there,” he adds, pointing to dozens get themselves vaccinated.” Compulsory s Lorraine Alberto begins her for disease control and prevention. In a of social-distancing people waiting in line. vaccination is unlikely to be introduced. Portuguese class at Goa University, dence of Goan history, they are capsules A of our culture,” she said. Only a handful of bid to incentivize more to take the jab, In all, about 420 people were vaccinated Instead, officials are resorting to more students from the former colony are traditional homes have been earmarked Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday against the coronavirus at the Arena cen- ingenious means to get doses distributed. in short supply. Across Goa, a tiny coastal agreed with regional leaders to end free tre on Monday, the Berlin ministry for Berlin has been offering vaccines at Ikea, state once administered by Lisbon, there for protection from development or destruction, Pandit added. COVID tests from October 11. health said. The word was spread on as well as organizing the three nights’ fes- is little appetite for the territory’s 450 years In the Arena club, the scene is like a social media. “I found it on Instagram, tivities at Arena.—AFP of European heritage after a few short ‘I just wasn’t interested’ high-school disco with very limited danc- people were posting it widely,” says Olga generations of Indian rule. Ramshackle ing. Patients who have just had their vac- Kapuskina, 27, who recently moved to the colonial homes and Bollywood’s increas- Some Goans have nonetheless found ing cultural dominance portend the disap- themselves drawn into a relationship with their heritage, even against their own ear- pearance of local history in a place where career since the establishment of LOYAC very short time. The video that we pub- speaking Portuguese was once a pass- ly inclinations. At a recent outdoor concert in a coastal village, dozens of people Fareah Al-Saqqaf and her great efforts in strengthening the lished with her help achieved great suc- port to status and power. “My children cultural and sports cooperation represent- cess and spread because of its spontane- don’t speak it at all,” Alberto told AFP. gathered to listen to Goan singer Sonia Shirsat, an accomplished performer of tra- ed by the football school AC Milan, which ity and honesty. “They just don’t see the point of learning awarded the ‘Knight she sought to establish with her team As for Christiana Baldocci, the it.” ditional Portuguese fado music. The 40- year-old specializes in the melancholy, since 2009, which achieved remarkable Ambassador’s wife, she said that from the guitar-driven genre, which was born at the of the Order of the success and became the most distin- first moment she visited LOYAC and met turn of the 19th century and was in recent guished among football schools in Kuwait. Al-Saqqaf, she felt the familiarity and years recognized by UNESCO for its Ambassador Baldocci expressed his belonging that she even volunteered at “intangible cultural heritage”. Star of Italy’ deep impression and admiration for Al- the FAD Arts Festival. She added: “What Shirsat paused between songs to Saqqaf’s interaction and sympathy with LAPA is doing under the leadership of Al- patiently explain the meaning behind each the tragic situation that Italy experienced Saqqaf is a great work, and my experi- track, knowing many in the enraptured ithin a small reception ceremony due to the Corona pandemic in March ence with LAPA was unique and enjoy- audience spoke little if any Portuguese. Wheld at the Italian Embassy in 2020. He said: “Al-Saqqaf showed great able. Al-Saqqaf is very interested in build- It’s a role she is well-suited to play, tracing Jabriya, the Ambassador Carlo sympathy with the suffering of the Italian ing bridges between cultures and she her own journey from a teenager who Baldocci, on behalf of the President of the people, and she responded to our idea of always looks forward to projects that bring refused to learn Portuguese to a fado Republic of Italy, awarded Fareah Al- collecting messages from Kuwaitis in the the East and the West closer, which is evangelist who is now training others to Saqqaf the award of “Knight of the Order Italian language that support the Italian what we also look forward to”. follow in her footsteps. “My mother tried to of the Star of Italy”. In attendance were a people in their ordeal. Her response was In her reply to the ambassador’s teach me the language, but I just wasn’t number of LOYAC’s and LAPA’s board quick and enthusiastic in a way that speech, Al-Saqqaf expressed her appreci- interested,” she told AFP. That changed members, as well as Loyac’s youth mem- exceeded our expectations, as she was ation and gratitude for the initiative of the bers. The ceremony included a speech by In this photograph Lorraine Alberto, professor when Shirsat met a Portuguese guitarist able to collect a large number of support- ambassador to nominate her for this the ambassador, in which he expressed of Portuguese language at Goa University, who told her that her rich, velvety voice ive and sympathetic messages from dif- award, and her thanks for the President of his gratitude and appreciation for the speaks to her students during an online class was ideal for the genre. ferent spectrums of the Kuwaiti and Arab the Republic of Italy for awarding her this efforts of Fareah Al-Saqqaf during her at Panaji in Goa. She decided to move to Lisbon for people and from different age groups in a reward, she said: “I thank Ambassador training, becoming the first Indian to Carlo Baldocci for nominating me, and I also thank the President of the Republic Those alive in 1961, when Indian stage a solo fado concert there in 2008. Shirsat has since performed all over the of Italy for this appreciation that I would troops marched into Goa and incorporat- like to dedicate to every member of the ed it into the rest of the country, recall an world, sometimes incorporating a cross- cultural element with the use of Indian LOYAC family, both present and absent, overnight transformation. India’s exit from because this appreciation is for all of the British Empire in 1947 spurred many instruments like the sitar. All fado songs are infused with a sense of yearning for them, as each of them had a role in our Goans to demand an end to Portuguese success in strengthening the Italian- rule, but few expected so much to change the past, but in Goa, they also serve as a bridge between two eras. “Fado doesn’t Kuwaiti relations”. “There are still a lot of so quickly. “It was a very strange feeling... projects that we planned before the pan- The changes came so fast,” said just talk about what is lost, it also talks about what is to come,” she said. “It has demic and that stopped because of it, but Honorato Velho, a retired school principal. we are determined to implement them as The 78-year-old once lived next to the lived in Goa for over 100 years. If we don’t preserve it, it is as if we are killing a soon as we return to normal life”, she grandfather of Antonio Costa, Portugal’s added. current prime minister, and he fondly part of ourselves.” — AFP remembers a childhood peppered with European and local influences. But his 14 Established 1961 Sports Thursday, August 12, 2021 Westbrook says Lakers role to ‘make game easy’ for James

LOS ANGELES: Star guard Russell Westbrook assists and rebounds — in 42 games — and says his role with his new Los Angeles Lakers joined Oscar Robertson as the only players to teammates will be simple — and it includes mak- average a triple double for a full campaign. ing things easier for superstar LeBron James. The Westbrook managed the feat in three of the Lakers landed the Westbrook in a blockbuster next four seasons as well, his record career tally deal with the Washington Wizards with hopes of of triple doubles now standing at 184. But despite a “Big Three” lineup of James, Westbrook and the relentless Westbrook’s all-around excellence, Anthony Davis could push them back to the top his teams have combined to win just one playoff in 2022 after they relinquished the NBA title in series in the last five years. Some pundits have 2021. On Tuesday Westbrook was officially intro- wondered how he’ll mesh with James and Davis. duced, the Southern California native saying it Westbrook said that won’t be a problem. “I’m was a “blessing” to land in Los Angeles where always looking at the roster and seeing how I can had many memories of Lakers glory. make other guys better,” he said. “I’m coming to a championship caliber team and my job is make sure that I’m able to make Schroder joins Celtics (James’s) game easy for him, and I’ll find ways to Elsewhere, German point guard Dennis do that throughout the game,” Westbrook vowed. Schroder said he is signing a one-year contract “As it pertains to ball handling and all that, it real- with the Boston Celtics, ending a one-year spell ly doesn’t matter. There are many different ways with the Los Angeles Lakers. “I’m proud to you can impact the game without having the ball announce that for the 2021-22 season I’ll be play- in your hands.” ing with the Boston Celtics!” Schroder wrote on James and Davis led the Lakers to the 2019 Instagram on Tuesday. “This is one of the best NBA title, but their push for a repeat was hin- franchises in NBA history and a honor to put on dered by injury. Westbrook was the 2017 NBA the green and white and do what I love! I’m going Most Valuable Player with Oklahoma City, where out there every night and leaving it all on the he played from 2008 through 2019. He was trad- floor for the city!! Who’s ready?!” LOS ANGELES: (From left) General manager Rob Pelinka, Russell Westbrook and head coach Frank Vogel ed to Houston then traded last December to ESPN reported Schroder’s free agent deal with of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a picture during a press conference at Staples Center on Tuesday in Washington, where he helped the Wizards reach the Celtics is for the $5.9 million mid-level excep- Los Angeles, California. —AFP the playoffs for the first time since 2018. tion, and it comes after he reportedly turned The Nine-time NBA All-Star, who won down a four-year, $84 million extension offer Olympic gold in 2012, has led the NBA in assists from the Lakers in March to see if he could do the Lakers in a season that saw him miss two eliminated in the first round of the 2021 playoffs in three of the past four seasons and was the better as a free agent. weeks late in the campaign because of the by the Phoenix Suns. In Boston, Schroder will league scoring champion in 2015 and 2017. In The 27-year-old arrived in Los Angeles in a league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. bolster a Celtics team that traded four-time All- 2017 he set a record with 42 triple doubles in a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to The Lakers, who won the 2020 NBA title in Star point guard Kemba Walker to Oklahoma season — amassing double-digit stats in points, last season. He averaged 15.4 points per game for the league’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, were City. —AFP Kuwait Shooting Federation Spence out of Foot injury fells Nadal honors Olympic medalist as top seed Medvedev Pacquiao fight wins in Toronto with eye injury LOS ANGELES: Manny Pacquiao’s anticipated TORONTO: A nagging left foot injury forced showdown with Errol Spence is off after the unbeat- Rafael Nadal out of the ATP Toronto Masters on en American suffered a torn retina in his left eye, Tuesday as top seed Daniil Medvedev rallied to organizers said Tuesday. World Boxing Association reach the third round. Nadal, a five-time champi- welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas will replace on in Canada, pulled the plug on his participation Spence and defend his title against the 42-year-old before his scheduled second-round opener with Filipino southpaw, an eight-division world champion, plans to return to Spain for treatment of the injury on August 21 in Las Vegas. Ugas had been scheduled which kept him from Wimbledon and the Tokyo to defend his title on the undercard. Olympics. “I’m very disappointed that I won’t be able to “I’ve had this issue for a couple of months,” fight Manny Pacquiao on August 21,” Spence, the he said. “It is not a happy situation after all the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing success that I had here in Canada. I need to go Council champion, said in a statement. “I was excited back (to Mallorca) and try to find a way to be about the fight and the event. Unfortunately, the doc- better again. With this pain, I’m not able to tors found a tear in my left eye and said I needed to enjoy (playing).” get surgery on it ASAP and that there was no way I “I believe that I am not able to compete at the could fight with my eye in that condition.” Spence level that I need because the foot doesn’t allow discovered he had a torn retina during a pre-fight me to move the way that I need,” added Nadal, medical examination by the Nevada State Athletic who was the second seed in the hardcourt tourna- Commission in Las Vegas on Monday, organizers ment. Top-seeded Russian Medvedev opened his said. He has returned to his home in Texas for treat- week in the second round after a bye and staged a KUWAIT: Abdullah Al-Rashidi (second left) shows off his bronze medal during a ceremony the Kuwait ment. Pacquiao, 62-7 with two drawn and 39 knock- fightback to overhaul Kazakh Alexander Bublik 4- Shooting Federation held on Tuesday to honor him following his return from Tokyo, Japan where he par- outs, last fought in July 2019 when he beat American 6, 6-3, 6-4. ticipated in the 2020 Olympics. —KUNA Keith Thurman for the WBA version of the 147- The Russian came back a changed man after a pound division throne. second-set rain delay. “I was not playing well KUWAIT: Kuwait Shooting Federation honored the COVID-19 pandemic. Otaibi hailed the political But the Philippine senator was stripped of the before the rain,” he said. “I was not feeling the ball crown in January due to inactivity. While preparing Olympic bronze medalist Abdullah Al-Rashidi and leadership’s sponsorship to the Kuwaiti athletes, and was missing on returns. “I just wanted to play for the bout with longtime trainer Freddy Roach in better - I knew I had to if I was going to win. the delegation that took part in Tokyo 2020 praising the support of the Minister of Information Los Angeles, Pacquiao insisted the layoff had “When we got back on court, I felt much better Olympics. On the sideline of the ceremony Tuesday, and the State Minister for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman “helped my body and my mind a lot. “This time from the first game.” the Federation’s Head Duaij Al-Otaibi said that the Al-Mutairi. Meanwhile, Rashidi thanked the federa- around, I’m as excited as ever and feeling like I’m Medvedev advanced with 27 winners and 28 Kuwaiti shooters faced various difficulties during tion for their support and efforts in helping the ath- young again,” he said. —AFP unforced errors in the two-hour victory. New their participation in the Games due to the spread of letes prepare for the Games. —KUNA world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas cured an extended case of the jitters with a runaway third set to finally overcome Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-7 in Katurura, the capital city’s largest township. Along (13/15), 6-1. Dance, water cannon the route, locals, some waving the country’s flag, blew With the win he avenged a pair of previous whistles and screamed with joy at their hero who rode losses to Humbert, including in the third round of in an open fire-fighters’ truck — waving at her compa- the Olympics. The Greek wasted five match points salute for Namibian triots that lined the streets. in the second set while his French opponent held Mboma clinched a silver, producing one of the most on in a 23-minute tiebreaker. eye-catching performances of the Tokyo Games last But after a speedy deciding set, Tsitsipas final- teen Olympic medalist ly prevailed on his seventh match point, finishing week, surging through a star-studded women’s 200m with 37 winners including 16 aces. “It’s all about WINDHOEK: Namibian teen athlete and their first field to claim silver in 21.81 seconds, a new under-20 the fighting spirit,” Tsitsipas said. “I don’t like to woman Olympian medalist Christine Mboma was given world record. She is Namibia’s first woman Olympic give up. It was not easy out there, I had to put in a a water cannon salute, songs, dance and a carnival medalist and the country’s second after sprinter Frankie lot of effort and give my best. It didn’t work out street parade when she touched down on Tuesday from Fredericks, a four-time Olympic silver-medalist in 1992 for me in the second set but nothing could stop Tokyo. and 1996. me in the third.” Water cannons showered the commercial jet that “I feel proud of being Namibian, the land of the TOKYO: Silver medalist Namibia’s Christine Mboma cele- Sixth seed Casper Ruud made a smooth transi- flew back home the 18-year-old at Hosea Kutako brave,” she later told a news conference. But her victo- brates during the medal ceremony for the women’s tion to hardcourt after winning three consecutive International airport in Windhoek, to celebrate the ry reopened debate about track and field’s complex 200m event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at claycourt titles, knocking out Marin Cilic 6-3, 3-6, country’s second ever Olympic medal since independ- rules regarding women born with elevated testos- the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 4, 2021. —AFP 6-3. The Norwegian, who has moved to 10th in the ence three decades ago. She disembarked the plane to terone. rankings, won his 36th match of the season. Kei the sound of the Namibian and African Union anthem Fellow Namibian, 18-year-old Beatrice Masilingi, physiology is deemed to give them an unfair competi- Nishikori, runner up in 2016, carried his Tokyo played by the national police brass band. who finished sixth, also impressed by reaching the tive advantage in track events ranging between 400m Olympic and Washington momentum into a 6-4, 6- Outside the airport, traditional dancers, bikers and 200m final in her first major competition. Both Mboma and one mile. Neighboring South Africa’s two-time 7 (5/7), 6-2 first-round win over Miomir sports fans joined in the frenzied celebrations before and Masilingi are determined as having differences in Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya, who is also Kecmanovic. she and fellow athletes were taken to the city in a con- sexual development (DSD) — or “intersex” athletes — classified as a DSD athlete, failed to defend her middle- Asia’s leading player, who reached the quarter- voy of hundreds of cars and bikes in a victory parade with naturally high testosterone levels. distance crown in Tokyo following a requirement to finals at the Games and followed up by reaching along the main Independence Avenue that culminated Under World Athletics rules, the two sprinters’ rare lower her testosterone level. —AFP the semi-finals in Washington, broke the 59th- ranked Serb five times in their match lasting for just over two hours. each innings-at Trent Bridge. “My level is good, I’m playing some of my best Kohli looks for ‘perfect Ashwin has five Test hundreds to his credit but with tennis so far this year over the last couple of tour- left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja making a fifty at naments,” Nishikori said. “I’m back on track now.” balance’ as India forced Nottingham in a match where India’s tailenders added Olympic silver medalist Karen Khachanov defeated valuable runs, Kohli told reporters: “That already makes Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 with 10 our batting a bit deeper and the lower order contributed aces, lining up a date with 15th-seeded fellow to replace injured Thakur with the bat as well.” Russian Aslan Karatsev. Star batsman Kohli, out for a golden duck at Trent American John Isner, winner of a sixth Atlanta LONDON: India captain Virat Kohli said how best to Bridge, added: “We are very comfortable as a batting trophy earlier this month, pounded 19 aces in his take 20 wickets rather than extra runs would be the main unit and we don’t feel we might be a batsman short if 6-4, 6-1 thrashing of Spaniard Alejandro consideration when it came to replacing Shardul Thakur Shardul doesn’t play.” With high temperatures forecast, Davidovich Fokina. Serb Dusan Lajovic put out for the second Test against England at Lord’s. Pace- the pitch may favour spin bowling, but Lord’s is also Finnish qualifier Emil Ruusuvuori 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 bowling all-rounder Thakur was ruled out yesterday, the where Ishant Sharma took a Test-best 7-74 during while Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili beat day before the match at the ‘home of cricket’, with a India’s 95-run win in 2014. hamstring strain. Washington semi-finalist Jenson Brooksby 2-6, 6- “For us it’s about finding that perfect balance but if LONDON: India’s Rohit Sharma (left) gestures after a net Paceman Ishant Sharma or off-spinner 0, 6-4. Brooksby erupted as he was aced on match someone like Shardul is not available, we will definitely session during training ahead of the second Test match Ravichandran Ashwin, neither of whom played in last point, firing his racquet angrily into advertising think first about how we pick up 20 wickets not plug-in between England and India at Lord’s cricket ground in week’s rain-affected drawn first Test in Nottingham, hoardings at the side of the court. —AFP another guy who can give us some runs with the bat,” London yesterday. —AFP could replace Thakur, who took four wickets - two in said Kohli. —AFP Established 1961 15 Sports Thursday, August 12, 2021 Sancho, Varane arrivals raise expectations for Solskajer at Manchester United MANCHESTER: Manchester United ended last achieve once the action gets underway. turnaround between seasons caused by the pan- season with disappointment on the field and upris- demic and a lack of reinforcements contributed to ing among their support off it, but the rancor has Better prepared three defeats in their opening six league games to dissipated as two major signings have allowed the Despite defeat on penalties to Villarreal in the leave a mountain to climb. Red Devils to look ahead to the new campaign with Europa League final in May to stretch United’s wait “Transfer-wise, we’ve done our business early renewed confidence. Jadon Sancho’s arrival at Old for a trophy to four years, Solskjaer was handed a and I’m very pleased with what we’ve done,” added Trafford from Borussia Dortmund was a drawn out new three-year contract last month. The Norwegian Solskjaer. “I felt we lost too many points early on saga two years in the making, but United moved has been rewarded for steady progress in his two- (last season). From November 1 until the Leicester quickly to secure Raphael Varane from Real Madrid. and-a-half years in charge. game in May, we only lost one league game. That’s An outlay of over £100 million ($139 million) has For the first time since Alex Ferguson’s retirement the consistency we want to see again.” temporarily at least quelled the anger directed at in 2013, United have finished in the Premier League A favorable opening run of Southampton, the club’s American owners, the Glazer family, for top four in two consecutive seasons to secure the Wolves, Newcastle, West Ham, Aston Villa and their attempt to form a breakaway Super League lucrative source of Champions League revenue that Everton to follow Leeds’ visit offers Solskjaer’s men and a perceived lack of investment in the club since has allowed the English giants to continue making the chance at a flying start they will need to get the a controversial leveraged takeover in 2005. United’s marquee signings like Sancho and Varane. better of a strong pack of title contenders. Premier League clash with Liverpool was post- However, after a finishing second to Manchester City have broken the Premier League transfer poned in May as fans stormed the pitch before City last season, the pressure is on Solskjaer to end record to sign Jack Grealish for £100 million and kick-off at a time when they were still shut out from an eight-year wait to win the title. “We’ve gone could do so again before the end of the month in the stadium due to coronavirus restrictions. from third to second and a lot closer in points; their bid to land England captain Harry Kane from With restrictions now eased, Saturday could see we’ve gone from three semi-finals to a final and one Tottenham. Chelsea are set to add Romelu Lukaku Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the first full house of 76,000 at Old Trafford for 17 kick away from winning, so it’s about taking the to a squad that won the Champions League in May, months when Leeds visit on the opening weekend next step now,” said Solskjaer. “That’s the chal- while Liverpool are expected to bounce back after of the Premier League season. But planned protests lenge.” an injury-ravaged season. quality and depth to sustain a title challenge. against the Glazers have been muted with the focus United are at least far better prepared for that Since Ferguson’s departure sent United into a Solskjaer has admitted he has been given every- instead on what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men can challenge than they were 12 months ago. A rapid spiral, they have rarely boasted a squad with the thing he wanted, now it is time to deliver. — AFP Monaco reach Champions League Nagelsmann under play-offs after Sparta pressure to land Prague racism row Bayern’s 10th PARIS: Monaco beat Sparta Prague 3-1 on Tuesday to reach the Champions League’s play-off straight league title round, a week after the Ligue 1 club’s Aurelien Tchouameni suffered racist abuse during the first BERLIN: The new Bundesliga season starts leg in the Czech Republic. On Monday, Sparta said tomorrow with new Bayern Munich head coach in a statement they were “deeply saddened by the Julian Nagelsmann under pressure to deliver a incident” during their 2-0 first leg loss when tenth straight league title for the Bavarian Tchouameni was the subject of monkey chants after giants in his first year at the helm. scoring the opener in the Czech capital. With predecessor Hansi Flick having left to After his torrid first leg experience in Prague, take charge of Germany, 34-year-old 21-year-old Tchouameni was again in the starting MONACO: Monaco’s players react at the end of the Champions League match Q3 football match between AS Nagelsmann now faces the biggest challenge of line-up for Monaco, picking up a first half yellow Monaco and AC Sparta Praha at “Louis II” stadium in Monaco, on Tuesday. —AFP his young coaching career. He proved his card before Gelson Martins and Aleksandr Golovin impressive ability with stints at Hoffenheim and gave the Principality outfit a comfortable lead by a 4-2 win on aggregate. “We’ve passed the first Moscow 3-0 over two legs, Joao Mario scoring RB Leipzig, who he guided to the semi-finals of the hour mark. David Moberg-Karlsson closed the test. It wasn’t as easy as that,” said Monaco coach the opener in Tuesday’s 2-0 win. the Champions League in 2019/20. gap for the visitors with less than a quarter of an Niko Kovac. Malmo beat Scottish champions Rangers 2-1 for But keeping the egos in Bayern’s star-stud- hour remaining before Sofiane Diop put Monaco “They (Shakhtar) will be a formidable oppo- a 4-2 overall win while Greek champions ded squad in check, while maintaining the within 180 minutes of the Champions League nent, used to the Champions League, the Olympiakos lost 4-1 on penalties to Bulgarians club’s insatiable thirst for success, will test him group stages. favourites for our match,” he added. Elsewhere, Ludogorets. That match ended 2-2 on the night fully. “If I don’t win anything here, it’s down to Monaco will face Shakhtar Donetsk on August PSV Eindhoven cruised past Mitjylland 4-0 over which last year would have been good enough for me,” he bluntly told the club’s magazine. His 17 before the second leg a week later. The the two legs to set up a play-off against two-time the Greeks to progress but UEFA has done away first competitive game is at Borussia Ukrainians beat Genk 2-1 on the night to complete champions Benfica who eased past Spartak with the away goal rule this season.— AFP Moenchengladbach tomorrow to kick off the new league campaign. Ronaldinho, who won his only Ballon d’Or at the Nagelsmann is still chasing his first win Ronaldinho wishes Camp Nou in 2005, predicted a first Champions with Bayern after three defeats and a draw League success for the Qatari-owned Parisians with from four pre-season friendlies. A 2-2 draw Messi ‘many moments former Real Madrid and Spain captain Sergio against Ajax came amid losses to Cologne, Ramos also heading to the French capital. Moenchengladbach and Napoli, who won 3- Messi and Ronaldinho played together at Barca 0 in Munich against a near full-strength of joy’ after PSG move between 2004 and 2008. “It’s a great joy to have Bayern side. played in these two clubs and now see my friend Having only celebrated his birthday last SAO PAULO: Former Barcelona and Paris Saint- wearing this shirt, may there be many moments of month, Nagelsmann is a year younger than club Germain midfielder Ronaldinho wished Lionel joy Leo!” he said on Twitter. captain Manuel Neuer and only 13 months old- Messi “many moments of joy” on Tuesday after the “I’m also very happy with my partner @sergio- er than star striker Robert Lewandowski. He Argentina attacker joined the French club from the ramos on the team and a super cast, I’m feeling will be measured in terms of titles at Bayern, La Liga giants. Earlier PSG announced 34-year-old Champions,” he added. Elsewhere, Brazil will host where Flick set the bar high by winning the tre- Messi had signed a two-year deal with the club, Argentina on September in Sao Paulo, which could ble of Champions League, Bundesliga and making the opposite move to the one the former German Cup in 2019/20. pit Messi against PSG’s Neymar, in a qualifying Ronaldinho Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho made in 2003. game for the 2022 World Cup. — AFP Bayern showed their faith by giving Nagelsmann a five-year contract after report- edly paying Leipzig 25 million euros ($29 mil- While Barcelona fans may be crying at the loss lucky to have the best player in the world in Paris.” lion) for his services. His most pressing job is to Argentines celebrate of their star and PSG diehards rejoicing, Argentines Constatino said he had received “many calls” from rebuild Bayern’s back four after the departure viewed the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s move posi- people wanting to meet Messi. of defenders David Alaba and Jerome Boateng. ‘new stage’ in tively. “He’s come to the end of the cycle at Argentina’s football association produced an He will have to quickly integrate new sign- Barcelona and it’s good to broaden your horizons,” emotional video that was circulating on social ings like France center-back Dayot Upamecano Jose Iturria, a 60-year-old health worker in Buenos media called “Chin up champion” that began with and England under-21 left-back Omar Richards. Messi’s career Aires, told AFP. “The truth is he deserves the best Messi’s tears at his farewell press conference in Bayern have won the Bundesliga every year because he’s the best player in the world.” Barcelona. “The most incredible thing is that no since 2012/13 and landing a tenth straight BUENOS AIRES: Argentines reacted with joy and Messi is joining other stars in Paris such as Argentine will ever desert you, go where you go,” pride as their national idol Lionel Messi arrived in German league title is mandatory for the fans France forward Kylian Mbappe, Italy goalkeeper said the video that featured scenes from Messi’s and the board. France on Tuesday ahead of his move to Paris Saint- Gianluigi Donnarumma, Spain center-back Sergio career and family life. Germain following two decades at Barcelona. The Ramos and Brazil’s Neymar. Dario Luque, 38, said Last month, Messi inspired Argentina to vic- South American country may be 11,000 kilometers High demands his new club will give Messi “a change of air and as tory in the Copa America to end the country’s “At Bayern, success has to come very quick- from Paris but Argentines were glued to their he’ll be surrounded by more stars... it will be good 27-year wait for a major trophy. “PSG is a team screens following the latest developments of the ly,” insisted Oliver Khan, the club’s new CEO. for him and the team.” full of (major) figures and Leo keeps saying he “Our rivals are going to hunt us like never world’s most famous No 10. “Messi and the day of Speaking to Argentine channel C5N, Argentina’s wants to carry on achieving things, it’s the ideal the 10: he’s arrived and revolutionized Paris!” said before, so we’ve got to be ready for that. We Ambassador to France, Leonardo Constatino said team for him,” Elvio Paolorosso, a former physio want to continue to belong to the top three in sports newspaper Ole, referring to the day of the amongst Argentines in France “there is great pride. with Argentina and Barcelona, told AM 550 radio month and Messi’s shirt number. Europe,” he added, even though Bayern went Everyone is delighted and it’s very exciting. “We’re station. — AFP out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season. would return again on Thursday for a fourth straight Nagelsmann knows he will only be estab- Ex-FIFA chief Blatter day of questioning. lished “when I win titles. Only then will I have “It’s a little grueling for him,” Renggli told AFP. really arrived at Bayern”. He is still waiting for ‘optimistic’ in grilling “He is always having to say the same thing. The the first major trophy as a coach after his prosecutor does not want to accept that there was Leipzig side lost last season’s German Cup final an oral contract between Blatter and Platini. Mr to Borussia Dortmund. by Swiss prosecutor Blatter is still optimistic but it is a bit tiring for him However, Nagelsmann has a fierce desire to given his medical situation. But he will continue, he win everything — even down to a round of the GENEVA: Former world football chief Sepp Blatter is fighting for his rights. This will continue today, family board game Ludo. “I can accept that I remained “optimistic” yesterday, his spokesman maybe tomorrow.” lose sometimes. But when I start to be able to said, as he faces a fourth day of questioning by a Under the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure, in lose, I’m no longer a winner,” he explained. Swiss prosecutor investigating a suspect FIFA pay- lengthy and complex proceedings, suspects “are ment to Michel Platini. questioned one last time before the investigation is Childhood dream FIFA’s ex-president Blatter is being investigated concluded”, the OAG said. While Platini’s final inter- Nagelsmann hails from the Bavarian town over a two million Swiss franc ($2.2 million, 1.85 mil- view with the prosecutor was in March, Blatter’s of Landsberg am Lech, 60km west of lion euro) payment in 2011 to Platini, who was then hearing was postponed to August due to the retired Sepp Blatter Munich, and slept under a Bayern duvet as a in charge of European football’s governing body Swiss football administrator’s health. He spent two child. He dreamt of playing in the famous red UEFA. months in hospital in December and January after are now being conducted on suspicion of fraud, shirt until injury curtailed his career prema- In final hearings in the investigation, Blatter has undergoing heart surgery. breach of trust and unfaithful business manage- turely, so coaching the club is “very close to met with a federal prosecutor from the Office of the Joseph “Sepp” Blatter was forced to stand down ment,” the OAG said in a statement ahead of my lifelong dream”. Attorney General (OAG) of Switzerland for three as FIFA president in 2015 and was banned by world Monday’s hearing. He has already begun winning over Bayern’s consecutive days in Zurich, where FIFA has its football’s governing for eight years, later reduced to In his own statement ahead of the hearing, Blatter stars. “Nagelsmann can build something here,” headquarters. Due to Blatter’s fragile health, he can six, over ethics breaches for authorizing what pros- insisted the payment to Platini, 66, was above board. insisted Germany forward Thomas Mueller. only stay at the hearing venue for a couple of hours ecutors termed a “disloyal payment” to Platini — in “It was based on an oral contract that regulated Nagelsmann has a talent for nurturing talent, maximum at a time. After yesterday’s third session, other words, one made in his own interests rather Platini’s advisory activities for FIFA between 1998 like Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala, who only his spokesman Thomas Renggli said afterwards that than FIFA’s. and 2002,” he said. “The process was correctly turns 19 in February. — AFP Blatter was finding the process hard going but “The criminal proceedings against Joseph Blatter declared as a late payment of wages.” — AFP Established 1961 Sport

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021 Messi sets sights on Champions League ‘dream’ after PSG unveiling

PARIS: Lionel Messi has set his sights on more ing to buy the shirt with his name and number on the Champions League glory after being unveiled as a back. Paris Saint-Germain player yesterday as hundreds of Messi was given a hero’s welcome when he fans gathered outside the club’s stadium hoping to arrived in Paris on Tuesday, greeting supporters at Le see their new idol. Bourget airport to the north of the city and waving The 34-year-old Argentinian superstar was pre- from the balcony of the plush hotel where he is stay- sented to media from all over the world at a news ing near the Champs Elysees. conference at the Parc des Princes after arriving in Yesterday, he appeared unfazed as he emerged, the French capital the previous day and penning a immaculately turned out, to talk to media, although two-year contract with the option of a third season. he did seem slightly uneasy at times, not least when PSG quickly emerged as the favorites to sign one member of the audience started chanting his Messi following the shock of his departure last week name. from Barcelona and he arrives eyeing a fifth Unlike when Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed for PSG in Champions League, with the most recent of his four 2012 there was no glitzy unveiling in front of the victories with his old club coming in 2015. Eiffel Tower, but Messi was photographed on the “I have said many times that my dream is to win pitch before greeting the supporters who had waited another Champions League and I think I am in the at the stadium entrance, watching his press confer- ideal place to have that chance and to do it,” Messi ence on a big screen. “I’m very proud to present Leo told reporters inside a packed auditorium, with the Messi as a PSG player,” said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the audience including his wife Antonella, their children, president of the Qatar-owned outfit. “It is an amazing and his father and agent, Jorge. Messi and Barcelona and historic day for the club, for the football world.” were knocked out of the Champions League last sea- Messi made no secret of his sadness at leaving son by PSG, who went on to reach the semi-finals Barca, the only club he has so far represented in his following their run to the final in 2020. 17-year professional career, as he gave a tearful “Sometimes you can have the best team in the news conference at the Camp Nou last weekend. world and not win. That’s football,” Messi, who won 35 trophies in total with Barca, added as he prepares ‘Can’t wait to start’ PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi salutes supporters gathered outside the Parc to team up with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in Paris. However yesterday he said he was looking for- des Princes stadium after his first official press conference as a PSG player in Paris yesterday. (Inset) Messi “We know how difficult the Champions League is but ward to getting started in his new home. “Everyone speaks at a press conference during his unveiling at PSG’s stadium in Paris. — AFP Paris know that too-they have come very close in knows that my departure from Barca was very hard recent years but it is a competition in which the best because I spent so many years there, but as soon as I Strasbourg at home in Ligue 1. and visibility of our league on all continents,” he said. teams take part and the best team doesn’t always arrived here I felt enormously happy,” said the player PSG are now even more obvious favorites to run Attention, though, will now turn to the future of win.” who scored 672 goals in 778 games for the Catalans. away with the French title, a trophy they missed out 22-year-old Mbappe, who has just a year left on his “Now I can’t wait to start training.” on last season to Lille. However, despite concerns contract and has been strongly linked to Real Messi-mania Messi has had no pre-season having been on holi- about a lack of competitive balance, French League Madrid. “Kylian is a Parisian, he’s very competitive. PSG are reportedly paying 35 million euros ($41 day since winning the Copa America with Argentina president Vincent Labrune hailed the arrival of the He said he wanted a competitive team,” Al-Khelaifi million) a year to Messi, who will wear the number 30 a month ago. He is therefore unlikely to make his six-time Ballon d’Or winner as “extraordinary news said. “Now there’s no-one more competitive than us. jersey-fans were already queueing up outside the debut for PSG any time soon, and certainly not this for the exposure of Ligue 1 internationally”. “The He has no reason to do anything else,” other than club’s different shops in the capital yesterday morn- weekend when Mauricio Pochettino’s team play arrival of Lionel Messi will increase the attractiveness stay, he added. — AFP