THULQADA 13, 1442 AH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

16 Pages Max 48º Min 31º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18467 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait expresses concern over hate Singaporean woman jailed 30 Turkmen capital Ashgabat tops Troubled Tokyo Olympics near 2 speech, Islamophobia, discrimination 5 years for torturing, killing maid 8 Hong Kong as world’s costliest 13 finish line with one month to go

Assembly passes budget amid quarrels, fisticuffs

Premier, ministers vote standing at chamber’s entrance

By B Izzak outside the chamber. The three-hour session was marred by non-stop KUWAIT: In a historic session that shouting and heated arguments saw punches, quarrels and heated between opposition lawmakers and arguments from the start to the end, Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- the National Assembly yesterday Ghanem and a minority of MPs who passed the state budget for the supported the government. 2021/2022 fiscal with a KD 12.1 billion Two MPs, one from the opposition deficit. HH the Prime Minister Sheikh and another from the pro-government Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and most camp, exchanged punches that led to Cabinet ministers did not enter the chaos and promoted Ghanem to call chamber after opposition MPs occu- off the session prematurely, but after pied their seats, but they still voted the budget had been approved. while standing at the chamber’s Throughout the session, no Cabinet entrance, a first in Kuwait’s 59 years minister spoke and Finance Minister of democracy. Khalifa Hamada sat on the podium The budget was passed without without making any statement. any technical debate and without At one point, angry opposition reports by the budgets committee, MPs went up to the podium, but the controlled by opposition lawmakers, in speaker called the guards, who pre- perhaps the shortest session to debate vented the lawmakers from approach- the state budget. The budget was ing the speaker. Opposition MPs passed with a slim majority with 32 arrived early and occupied seats MPs, including 16 Cabinet ministers, in reserved for Cabinet ministers, a tac- favor, and one against, while 30 oppo- tic they have used in recent weeks to sition lawmakers refused to vote. highlight their demand to question the Head of the budgets committee MP prime minister over a host of issues. Bader Al-Mulla asked the speaker But the ministers this time did not how 32 members voted in favor of the boycott the session as they did in KUWAIT: MPs trade blows during a bad-tempered session of the National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat budget when seven ministers were Continued on Page 2

among 20 organizations granted per- News in brief India tests mits by the government since May to conduct experimental flights beyond Egypt arrests Tiktok influencer the current limit of 450 m. Two drones longer-range - one that can carry up to one kilo- CAIRO: Egyptian police arrested Tiktok influ- gram for 20 km or nearly an hour, and encer Haneen Hossam yesterday, two days after drone flights another that can lift two kilos for 15 she failed to appear in court for her sentencing km - were tested on Monday in the to 10 years on “human trafficking” charges. BANGALORE: An aviation firm has southern state of Karnataka. Hossam, 19, was caught in a Cairo suburb and carried out the first tests in India of “Medicines was the payload here will be transferred to the Public Prosecution. longer-range drone deliveries, as and... 2.5 kilometers were covered in Hossam’s arrest came a day after she posted a hopes grow that they could deliver seven minutes and it delivered the tearful video on social media that went viral medicines as well as COVID-19 vac- medicines at the designated point and pleading with authorities to drop the charges. cines to remote areas. Greater use of the drone returned,” Throttle’s co- “10 years! I didn’t do anything immoral to drones could be a game-changer for founder, Sebastian Anto, told AFP at deserve all this. I was jailed for 10 months and medical services in the South Asian the test site in the southern state of didn’t say a word after I was released... Why do nation’s hard-to-reach rural areas Karnataka. The government this you want to jail me again?” she asked. — AFP where healthcare is limited and roads month also invited bids from drone GAURIBIDANUR, India: Technicians fly a drone belonging to Throttle Aerospace often poor, experts say. operators to help set up a pilot Systems which flies Beyond Visual Line of Sight to deliver lifesaving medical sup- Throttle Aerospace Systems is Continued on Page 2 plies during a test flight on Monday. — AFP Madame Tussauds to open in Dubai

DUBAI: London’s renowned wax-work muse- um Madame Tussauds will open its first outpost Thai family Hashed armed in the Arab world in Dubai later this year, the group’s owner Merlin Entertainments said yes- terday. The brand, which began life in London gets repeat alliance rising to where it boasts 250 wax sculptures that draw millions of visitors annually, also has smaller jumbo visitor dominate Iraq branches in the US, Europe and Asia. The Dubai branch would display 60 sculptures of “global BANGKOK: Some families living BAGHDAD: With the second-biggest bloc in Iraq’s stars”, 16 of them from the region including in a jungle may be fearful of parliament, powerful friends in Iran and vast financial Lebanese pop stars Nancy Ajram and Maya things going bump at night, but assets, the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary alliance Diab, it added. — AFP for one household in Thailand, the has become the predominant force in Iraqi politics, sight of an elephant rummaging experts say. In a boost for the alliance, largely made Detained journalist ‘close to death’ through their kitchen was not a up of pro-Tehran armed groups, neighboring Iran on total shock. “It came to cook Friday elected ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi again,” wrote Kittichai Boodchan PA LA-U, Thailand: An elephant searches for food in the kitchen of CASABLANCA: A detained Moroccan jour- as president. Hashed commander Abu Ala Al-Walai sarcastically in a caption to a Radchadawan Peungprasopporn’s home on June 20, 2021. — AFP welcomed the judiciary chief’s election win as a vic- nalist is “close to death” 76 days into a Facebook video he shot over the hunger strike, his family said as his trial tory for the “axis of resistance”, Iran and its allies weekend of an elephant nosing its elephants often bathe while Kittichai said a general rule of across the region from Yemen to Syria. The Hashed resumed yesterday in his absence. way into his kitchen. roaming in the jungle. thumb in dealing with unwel- was created seven years ago to battle the Sunni Soulaimane Raissouni, editor-in-chief of Likely driven by the midnight He was unperturbed by the come visitors crashing is not to extremist Islamic State group which had seized now-defunct newspaper Akhbar Al Yaoum, is munchies, the massive animal mammoth mammal, recognizing it feed them. “When it doesn’t get almost a third of Iraq in a lightning offensive. accused of indecent assault against another pokes its head into Kittichai’s as a frequent visitor as it often food, it just leaves on its own,” man, which he denies. His supporters say the kitchen in the early hours of wanders into homes in his village he told AFP. “I am already used Later, the Hashed was integrated into the armed case is part of an official defamation cam- Sunday, using its trunk to find where it eats, leaves and shoots to it coming, so I was not so forces of the state. Then it moved into politics. The paign against critical journalists and activists. food. At one point, it picks up a off back into the jungle. The ele- worried.” Wild elephants are a alliance “is not an anomaly but an example of how power works in Iraq,” said Renad Mansour, a Senior Morocco says its judiciary is independent. plastic bag of liquid, considers it phant had actually destroyed their common sight in Thailand’s Research Fellow at Chatham House. The lack of Earlier this month he appeared in court, stag- briefly, and then sticks it in its kitchen wall in May, he said, cre- national parks and its surround- oversight and rule of law in Iraq allows non-state gering and emaciated. Over the weekend, the mouth - before the video cuts ating an open-air kitchen concept ing areas, with farmers some- actors to gain power without being held account- 49-year-old was hospitalized twice after los- out. Kittichai and his wife live reminiscent of a drive-through times reporting incidents of their near a national park in western able “to either the people or the system”, he said. ing consciousness. — AFP window. This weekend, its sole fruits and corn crops being eat- Thailand, by a lake where wild task was to find food. en by a hungry herd. — AFP Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961 Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Local Kuwait expresses concern over Islamophobia, hate speech GENEVA: Kuwait expressed yesterday before the some parts of our region, not only because of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), its spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but also due concern of the spreading phenomenon of to the series of armed conflicts that put lives at risk, Islamophobia, hate speech, and discrimination. This and violate human rights, resulting in displacement came during a speech given by Kuwait’s Permanent of large number of people,” he said. Kuwait strongly Envoy to the United Nations and international condemns the Zionist forces’ occupation of the organizations in Geneva Ambassador Jamal Al- Palestinian territories, and committing flagrant vio- Ghunaim, before the UNHRC 47th session held lations against the unarmed Palestinian people, between June 21 and July 13 in Geneva, Switzerland. totally ignoring the international humanitarian law, The session is held via videoconference, as part of and UNHRC resolutions, he affirmed.” an interactive dialogue with United Nations High The Zionist aggression on the Gaza Strip and the Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. blatant violations of Palestinians’ human rights are Islamophobia is undermining peaceful societies, part of many crimes committed against the unarmed and requires the international community’s firm people of Palestine, with international failure of measures to counter it, in order to spread peace questioning the Zionist authorities over their and tranquillity worldwide, he said. He also called apartheid crimes,” he added. Kuwait hopes that the for protecting the individuals from the acts of vio- international community provide further financial lence, discrimination and hate crimes. Kuwait aid to UNHRC, to allow it practicing its work expressed its deep conviction in human rights and actively, said Ghunaim. Kuwait is keen on continuing constructive dialogue to protect those rights based to assist UNHRC, highly appreciating the efforts on the communities’ right in choosing the appropri- exerted to spread human right worldwide, he said. ate values, principles and concepts that suit their The Annual report issued by UNHRC highlighted people, he said. the challenges countering the human rights, espe- Kuwait also “rejects the attempts of some com- cially following the spread of COVID-19, and the munities to impose their culture on others, justifying negative impact it left on those rights, the such an action by globalizing the human rights,” he Ambassador added. Kuwait will always be of a said. “We cannot accept any values that contradict great support to the United Nations Human Rights with our culture and religion of Islam,” he affirmed.” Council and its work in serving human rights all The sustainable development is hardly moving in over the world, he said. — KUNA

CBK issues coins commemorating Kuwaiti Dinar, GCC

KUWAIT: Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Dr Samer Haddadin visited Kuwait Times yesterday and met with Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan. UNHCR Donor Relations Associate Eiman Al-Einawi accompanied Haddadin during the visit. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) announced the release of the second batch of com- memorative coins marking the 60th anniversary of the issuance and circulation of Kuwait’s national currency, as well as the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). A second batch was minted due to the high demand on the two commemorative coins upon their previous release. The press statement highlighted the special occasion of the 60th anniversary of the issuance and circulation of the national currency and its sta- bility and strength. It also marks the CBK’s con- certed efforts over decades and deliberate exchange that kept the Kuwaiti Dinar pegged to an undisclosed special weighted basket of currencies of countries that share significant economic and trade relations with the State of Kuwait, and, ulti- KUWAIT: Ambassador of South Africa to Kuwait Manelisi Genge visited Kuwait Times yesterday and dis- mately, supports the country’s monetary stability cussed with Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan issues of mutual interest. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat itself an integral pillar of financial stability. Likewise, CBK issued a commemorative coin to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of comes to drones - or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - the Gulf Cooperation Council, and to recognize the India tests both in terms of their uses and the regulatory frame- work. Under current regulations, they have to be GCC’s vital role and efforts towards stability and flown in full view, or within 450 m, of their operators development in the region despite the geopolitical longer-range... on the ground. headwinds throughout the last decades, and to In Germany, researchers are reportedly testing honor the founding leaders and their roles in the Continued from Page 1 drone prototypes that can track down disaster vic- Council’s success story. tims by their screams. In Australia, drones using arti- In conclusion, CBK expressed its pride in such project for the delivering of medical supplies as ficial intelligence algorithms are being used to spot coins that mark deeply felt occasions and impor- it seeks to bolster its faltering coronavirus vaccina- crocodiles and count koalas in rugged terrain. India, tant historical events, pointing out that the two tion drive. home to 1.3 billion people spread across some 3.2 commemorative coins are made of gold-plated fine The closing date for expressions of interest was million sq km, is the world’s seventh-largest country silver in line with the world standard specifications. yesterday, although the government has yet to by land mass. Those wishing to acquire the coins may visit the announce when such projects would become oper- “Drone technology would have a huge impact in CBK’s Banking Hall by booking an appointment ational. The epidemiology chief of the Indian those areas where emergency medicines and vac- through the “Meta” App. Council of Medical Research, Samiran Panda, told cines could be supplied,” co-founder of lobby group The Hindu daily newspaper that the technology the Drone Federation of India, Vipul Singh, told AFP. could help vaccinate priority groups in hard-to- “Where it takes a few hours to travel 20-30 kilome- adding that there are “a few loyal commanders who are reach places. “We need smart vaccination instead of ters by road, whereas a drone can actually travel that Hashed armed trying to resist these efforts.” Experts have also linked mass vaccination to stem an epidemic,” Panda told distance in 10 to 15 minutes,” said Singh, also the co- the Hashed to previously unheard-of groups which the newspaper last week. founder of Bangalore-based Aarav Unmanned have claimed attacks against US targets in recent India lags behind many other nations when it Systems. —AFP alliance rising... months. Creating murky proxies would allow the alliance to prime minister and the speaker of collaborating “to Continued from Page 1 act against its archenemy without being directly impli- Assembly passes play with the future of the Kuwaiti people”. “The ses- cated in operations - although some of its top com- sion witnessed a moral, popular and constitutional In a demonstration of its clout, the Hashed this manders have hailed rocket and drone attacks on downfall of the government ... This government does month secured the release of one of its commanders American targets, without ever claiming responsibility. budget amid... not deserve to continue for another day,” Hajraf said. after he was arrested on suspicion of ordering the Having one foot inside the state and one foot outside “The ghosts of the government and the prime min- killing of Ihab Al-Wazni, a pro-democracy activist. The allows the coalition to maximize its room for maneuver, Continued from Page 1 ister voted on the budget while standing at the cham- judiciary said it had found “no proof” of Qassem experts say. ber’s gate. This is shameful,” MP Thamer Al-Suwait Muslah’s involvement in the murder. His release was Hashed members run some of Iraq’s main ports and three previous sessions, although they remained said. “It is humiliating for Cabinet ministers to stand at also a blow to Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhemi’s land border crossings, where bribes help fund their standing. At the start, opposition MPs protested that the gate. Voting for the budget is a stigma in the face efforts to win over Iraq’s pro-democracy protest move- operations. But none of that is needed to pay their the speaker cannot under the constitution hold a spe- of the government,” MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari said. ment, which has seen more than 70 activists targeted in fighters’ wages: Since they are integrated into the state, cial session in place of the regular session. Ghanem “Our problem is not with the budget, it is with the gov- assassinations or attempted assassinations since 2019. they are paid from the public purse. The profits are immediately voted on a motion to turn the regular ses- ernment,” MP Abdulaziz Al-Saqabi said. Authorities have consistently failed to publicly iden- instead used to support multiple allies, including Iran, sion into a special session amid massive protests by Pro-government MPs however justified their support tify or charge the perpetrators. The commander’s whose economy has been battered by American sanc- the opposition that his action clearly breached the for the government over the need to pass the budget to release “shows the connectivity of the Hashed to state tions, and its regional allies such as Hezbollah. constitution. But he did not stop. “We have the right to allow new spending to serve the interests of the Kuwaiti power, it shows that in some ways the Hashed have One leading Iraqi bank official said some $60 billion request a special session because all regular sessions people. They warned that failure to approve the new more connection to state power than (Kadhemi),” had been transferred to Lebanon “by politicians and have been disrupted,” Ghanem said, referring to oppo- budget will block fresh spending on essential items like Mansour told AFP. The Hashed also has agents militiamen who have spent the last 18 years loading sition tactics. In a special session, the prime minister housing, salaries and development projects. throughout the country’s regular armed forces, which aeroplanes with palettes full of cash.” With such a cannot be questioned. The Assembly is scheduled to meet again today to they “no longer fear”, one senior military official told strong financial base and powerful friends across the MP Obaid Al-Wasmi said the session was full of debate the financial status of the country in a closed AFP on condition of anonymity. region, the Hashed has less and less need for a popular constitutional violations from the beginning to the end, session. The government will brief MPs on the future “Armed groups within the Hashed are working to base. The alliance’s popularity took it to second place while MP Hasan Jowhar accused the speaker of taking generations and general reserve funds and other finan- fragment what remains of the security forces of the in 2018 parliamentary elections, the first time it took part in a “plot”. MP Mubarak Al-Hajraf accused the cial indicators in light of the sharp drop in oil prices. state to weaken them and break them up,” he said, part as a political force. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Kuwait cabinet follows up on coronavirus developments KUWAIT: Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Basel Oil and Minister of Higher Education Al-Sabah briefed the Cabinet on the latest Mohammad Al-Fares, on the outcomes of his coronavirus developments, saying that the partaking in the second Islamic summit for sci- country is witnessing a noticeable instability ences and technology last Wednesday. Foreign over the last period due to growing numbers of Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet coronavirus cases and deaths. The health min- Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad istry had on Monday reported 1,935 new Al-Sabah made a presentation on the results of COVID-19 cases - its highest daily count - and his participation in the consultative meeting of seven related deaths in the past 24 hours. Dr Arab foreign ministers and the Arab League Basel noted that vaccination would lead to herd ministerial council’s gathering in its extraordi- immunity, affirming the efficacy and effective- nary session on the developments of the Grand ness of the vaccines accredited in Kuwait. The Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) held in Cabinet stressed the necessity of abidance by Doha last Tuesday. health instructions in this regard and working as The minister briefed the Cabinet on the out- a teamwork to face and eradicate this epidemic. comes of his participation in the GCC foreign During its weekly meeting held at Seif Palace ministers’ meeting held in Riyadh last on Monday under the chairmanship of His Wednesday on backing the GCC path in all Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- fields and the topics relating to the current Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Cabinet dis- developments in the region. He also informed cussed the recommendations of the public serv- the Cabinet about the outcomes of his partici- ices committee on the labor city and other top- pation in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in ics. The ministers also studied the recommenda- Turkey held last Friday and Saturday. KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the tions on the periodic report submitted by the Furthermore, the Cabinet discussed the polit- Cabinet’s weekly meeting. — KUNA Ministry of Public Works regarding the stages ical affairs in light of the current developments of implementing the works related to the Kuwait on the political arena on both Arab and interna- forces. The Cabinet reiterated Kuwait’s support Cabinet congratulated new Iranian President International Airport (T2) project until the end tional levels. The council of ministers expressed to Saudi Arabia in all measures it takes to Ebrahim Raisi on being elected as the country’s of March 2021, and the visual presentation of Kuwait’s condemnation and denunciation of defend its territories, and maintain its security leader. It wished further success and achieve- the latest developments. Houthi militias’ repeated attempts aiming to tar- and stability. ments in Iran under the new leader’s leadership, At the beginning of the meeting, the Cabinet get some Saudi cities, pointing to the Houthis’ It affirmed its rejection to those criminal hoping that the Iranian-Gulf ties would witness members listened to a presentation made by attack with a booby-trapped drone on Saudi attacks that reflect the persistence of the mili- further improvement and cooperation as well as representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Arabia on Sunday, expressing satisfaction about tias in increasing tension in the region and enhance confidence to achieve common inter- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of the destruction of these attacks by the coalition undermining the peace endeavors. On Iran, the ests and back the region’s stability. — KUNA

Think-tank founder represents Kuwait at French conference KUWAIT: Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri, founder and CEO of Kuwait-based Reconnaissance Research, will represent Kuwait at the 1st Middle East Session, organized by the Institut Des Hautes Etudes De Defense Nationale (IHEDN) in Paris, France at the invitation of the French government. “He [Al- Anjeri] will be an added value throughout his participation and a KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Majdi Al- great reflection on Dhafiri meets the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Majdi Al-Dhafiri meets Kuwait’s future Lewis. — KUNA photos the outgoing Qatari Ambassador to Kuwait Bandar Al-Attiah. thinkers,” said Anne- Claire Legendre, French Ambassador to Kuwait. Deputy Foreign The session will be seven days long, and Minister meets will focus on France’s Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri contribution to Middle East security ambassadors and stability. Established in 2005, the con- KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister ference brings together high-level represen- Ambassador Majdi Al-Dhafiri yesterday held tatives, politicians, military personnel and talks with the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to directors of research institutes from coun- the State of Kuwait Belinda Lewis, on bilateral tries in Asia and the Middle East including relations, regional and international issues. The Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Palestine, Deputy Foreign Minister, separately, met the Qatar and Saudi Arabia along with regional Chinese Ambassador Li Minggang, discussing French organizations such as The identical topics. He also received the outgoing Directorate of Security and Defense Qatari Ambassador Bandar Al-Attiah, express- Cooperation and The French Institute of ing good wishes to him on end of his tenure. Geopolitics. Ambassador Ayham Al-Omar, Assistant Foreign Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Majdi Al-Dhafiri meets the Chinese Ambassador This year the conference will focus on Minister for Deputy Foreign Minister Office, to Kuwait Li Minggang. key topics including defense relations and attended the three meetings. — KUNA strategy, international cooperation, the fight against terrorism, migration and supporting post-crisis countries. “I am honored to attend this event. I believe Kuwait and Ooredoo Kuwait, MoH join France enjoy very strong relations with ample room to expand them further in vari- ous fields, specially through collaborating forces to fight COVID-19 with policy institute, think-tanks and French scholars,” noted Anjeri. KUWAIT: The COVID-19 pan- ensure the safety and comfort of all demic calls for a prompt response those who participated in the from all sectors, corporates, and process, including workers in the organizations to retain the coun- Ministry of Health and employees. try’s economy, save the public’s Commenting on vaccination Kuwait vows health and welfare, and maintain a campaign, Abdulaziz Yaqoub Al- safe world free of disease. For Babtain, Chief Executive Officer, Ooredoo Telecom, the first to Ooredoo Kuwait, said: “The goal of to protect introduce innovative digital servic- this vaccination campaign is to es in Kuwait, there is one way to preserve the health and safety of whistleblowers ensure sustaining the national our employees and customers, cre- economy and maintaining the com- ate a healthy work environment munity’s welfare, which is mobiliz- that increases productivity and KUWAIT: Kuwait’s anti-corruption body ing all the needed resources and preserves public health, and sup- vowed yesterday to protect whistleblowers in capabilities to assist the govern- port the government’s efforts to a bid to give impetus to a sweeping anti-cor- mental bodies in the country in the reduce the spread of the epidemic ruption crusade, the watchdog said. The battle against COVID-19. and expand the base of beneficiar- efforts of whistleblowers in Kuwait have been Ooredoo Kuwait has launched a ies of the COVID-19 vaccine.” largely instrumental in uncovering corrupt vaccination campaign for its “I would like to extend my sin- practices, in addition to protecting public employees against the COVID-19 cere thanks to all the frontline funds worth millions of Kuwaiti dinars, said and in association with the workers, especially the medical Mohammad Buzabar, the anti-corruption Ministry of Health (MoH). The cam- staff, for their efforts and dedica- body’s deputy director general. Protecting paign is the largest of its kind in tion throughout the past months, whistleblowers, who are often the target of the private sector in the country. and I would also like to thank abuse on the part of those involved in nefari- Ooredoo was keen to organize the Kuwait’s Health Minister Sheikh Dr ous actions, is among the watchdog’s priorities vaccination process for more than Basel Al-Sabah, and the undersec- given its significance towards a national strat- 1,000 employees who work in dif- retary at Kuwait’s Ministry of egy to root out corruption, according to a ferent departments within the Health, Dr. Mustafa Reda, for their Kuwait is still offering three months Ooredoo Kuwait supported the statement released by the body. On a day organization, which was held yes- leadership in taking serious steps free of charge to all its customers - governmental bodies in the country where the world celebrated the World terday, at Ooredoo Tower. Hence, in saving the public’s health and with post-paid subscriptions- who by providing them with the latest Whistleblowers Day, he said the role of these the vaccination process was car- building a healthier and safer have had the COVID-19 vaccine. digital solutions and services, along individuals is crucial to the success of any ried out within the highest stan- world,” Babtain added. Hence, in its efforts to promote with hundreds of smart devices. anti-corruption campaign, thanking them for dards of accuracy, in order to It is worth noting that Ooredoo vaccination against COVID-19, their significant contributions.— KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf Commerce Ministry monitors THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 Founder and Publisher construction materials’ prices YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN Industry is monitoring the market to control prices EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 of construction materials, which have been soaring ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 globally. The ministry issued a number of resolu- FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 tions to maintain prices of construction materials, ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 including banning export and re-export of cement, COMMERCIAL : 24835618 lumber and iron but allowing citizens to import con- P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. struction materials for personal use. The ministry Email: [email protected] Website: www.kuwaittimes.net also sent teams to monitor the market and fine con- struction shops which increase prices. The ministry “supports commercial and economic activities, and make sure goods, construction materi- als and services in local market are meeting Gulf and NBK supports international standards, as well as protecting con- sumers from any deliberate rise of prices,” Mohammad Al-Enezi, Ministry’s Assistant LOYAC’s ‘KON’ Undersecretary for Technical and Trade Development, said. Prices of construction materials program have risen generally since December 2020, he acknowledged, but the ministry was keeping a close KUWAIT: As a platinum eye on shops violating prices-related regulations and sponsor, National Bank of has indeed referred 29 shops to prosecutor’s office Kuwait (NBK) welcomes since January. The ministry, on the other hand, the participants from addressed obstacles facing local factories. Enezi said KUWAIT: This file photo shows an aerial view of buildings in Kuwait City and its surrounding areas. LOYAC’s program “KON”. a ton of iron was sold with KD 248 ($815) and KD — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat This social entrepreneur- 1.05-1.2 for a cement bag, the cheapest among neigh- ship program is co-created boring countries. A price increase was caused by halt that 750 people benefited from subsidizing materi- iron with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tons, with Babson College, the in sea freight, he added, and said surge in coronavirus als in May with a value of KD 13.7 million ($45 mil- however, market needs were 1.2-1.5 million tons. most prestigious entrepre- Manal Al-Mattar cases and deaths in India for example forced goods lion). Dr Nayef Al-Shemmeri, professor of econom- Shemmeri said opening doors for neighboring mar- neurship college in the to remain in ports for more than 90 days. ics at Kuwait University, said prices were subjected kets as well as lowering custom duties and adminis- United States and the num- Dalal Al-Shemmeri, Director of the Ministry’s to supply not demand. trative fees would contribute to less prices. He also ber one institution in the world for entrepreneurship Supply Department, said the ministry was subsidiz- Demand, he added, was “very limited.” He said proposed setting up warehouses for storage with education. The program aims to introduce young ing construction materials like iron, cement and domestic production of cement was around nine affordable prices. Shemmri also called for recycling adults between the ages of 12 to 16 to the world busi- ready-mix concrete, insulating white and black million tons per year but demand was at six million of copper and iron in order to provide raw materials ness and to turn their ideas into action. bricks, and air conditioning units. Shemmeri added tons. Raw materials were imported to manufacture for local factories. — KUNA NBK will take part in the training sessions that will be ongoing until the 15th of July 2021. Throughout the three weeks program, leaders from NBK along ested in participating will any of its various initiatives, stc ensures that the with a group of professional leaders mentors and stc Masters, compete in four gaming appropriate guidelines issued by the Ministry of trainers, locally and regionally will encourage the titles held over 16 tourna- Health regarding social distancing are met to the participants to create a profitable business that the ultimate ments, where finalists will highest degree. This also comes as a practice that solves social challenges. battle in the grand tourna- stc enforces within its headquarters, across its NBK Public Relations Assistant General Manager, ment taking place in branches, and at any external initiatives it partici- Manal Al-Mattar said, “NBK’s sponsorship and par- destination for gamers October 2021. The final pates in to avoid the spread of infection. ticipation in the program comes as a part of its tournament will be Chief Consumer Officer (CCO) of stc, Engineer strategic partnership with LOYAC. NBK is dedicated KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Company - streamed live for viewers, Amer Atoui, said, “We are proud to introduce the towards supporting talented young people and stc, a world-class digital leader providing innovative revealing the ultimate win- first season of stc Masters in collaboration with the Amer Atoui empowering them towards achieving their goals.” services and platforms to customers, enabling the ners of the stc Masters award winning eSports event management compa- “KON” is one of these initiatives that help invest digital transformation in Kuwait, announced the season 1. Following the ny ‘Zawaya Gaming’. Through Zemmz Play, we aim and support young youths. NBK supported KON for launch of stc Masters, an online gaming hub that end of the first season early October, stc Masters to host online tournaments that will elevate the local five consecutive years. Even in this time of uncertain- features eSports tournaments for gamers. The ini- will launch a longer and more extensive season that gaming scene and emerge stc as a regional player in ty, the program continue to provide its expertise to tiative is part of a long-term partnership with will maintain the same caliber and consistency of this rapidly growing industry. Our goal through this young people through online training sessions and regional SME, Zawaya Gaming, an award winning challenging local gamers to prove they are the best partnership is to enhance our exposure within this workshops and looks forward to seeing the partici- eSports event management company, that focuses in Kuwait. field and provide gamers with an advanced bilingual pants moving into key leadership roles in their near on showcasing the various talents of online gaming stc Masters’ season 1 is open to all gamers in platform that will reflect our vision of becoming the future,” Mattar added. through engaging tournaments. Kuwait through Zemmz play and will consist of a preferred eSports hub in Kuwait.” “KON” students will experience different stages stc issued a statement highlighting that its part- series of tournaments. Online games under Season 1 He added, “Season 1 of stc Masters is only a during the program, thinking, planning and doing. The nership with Zawaya Gaming supports the long- include the widely popular Battle Royale games steppingstone in our journey within the online gam- experiential learning journey the students undertake term objectives the two companies share in trans- PlayerUnkown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) and Call of ing industry, as we are already aiming to expand throughout the three weeks supports them to learn forming the local gaming scene by utilizing the Duty, licensed by Tencent and Activision. FORT- skills that include creativity, critical thinking, problem our activities through bigger plans that are already Kuwait-based simplified event management plat- NITE and FIFA 21 tournaments will also be held as under way. Moving forward, we aim to expand on solving, communication and collaboration. The stu- form, Zemmz Play. The platform will enable avid dents also learn technical skills to write up a success- approved community events for the first season, the concept behind stc Masters and provide gamers gamers to join organized eSports tournaments to ful business plan, and how to pitch their business prior to forming official tie-ups with Epic Games with an unrivaled experience backed by pioneering showcase their professional skills and talents, while ideas to investors. By the end of the program, stu- and EA Sports in the following seasons. For more digital and connectivity solutions.” dents will be able to present their business ideas competing for valuable prizes. The newly formed information on the upcoming seasons, gamers can Atoui also mentioned that launching stc Masters before a jury panel, in addition to a professor from partnership marks stc’s first steps into the gaming visit masters.stc.com.kw, a dedicated page on stc’s falls in line with the Company’s commitment to enable Babson College. arena in support of an industry that has gained website providing updates and news on the initia- digital transformation in Kuwait across various fields NBK believes that investing in human resources is wide traction and popularity on a global scale. tive held under stc Masters. and industries. stc’s investment in building a strong investing in our future. The KON program goes along The tournaments organized under this initiative Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the first season 5G infrastructure able to provide ultra-high-Internet with NBK’s initiatives to invest in youth and support will provide gamers with a chance to compete for a will purely focus on online tournaments with plans speeds through a stable network with low latency, their aspirations. LOYAC is a nonprofit organization large prize pool amounting to over $50,000 award- in place for live gaming tournaments in the future can be the ultimate solution for gamers wanting to that runs several programs for the youth to develop ed to winners throughout the season. Gamers inter- once the pandemic subsides. When implementing enjoy a seamless online gaming experience. their professional skills, enhance their personal growth and help them find their sense of purpose by Affairs, government of India for his extending themselves to others. Indian embassy special Video Message on International Yoga Day. He expressed celebrates Int’l his gratitude to the government of State of Kuwait and other Indian Woman dies in associations and groups in Kuwait for Yoga Day 2021 providing India with Medical wall collapse Assistance when it was required the KUWAIT: The Embassy of India in most. The ambassador also highlight- KUWAIT: A woman died after a wall of her house Kuwait celebrated the ‘7th ed the improving COVID-19 situation collapsed on her, a local daily reported. Three cars International Day of Yoga (IDY)-2021’ in India. He underlined the importance were also damaged, Al-Rai Arabic newspaper noted on the theme ‘Yoga For Wellness’ at of Yoga in the current scenario, and in a report published yesterday. Police and para- the Embassy of India premises asked all to adopt Yoga in their lives. medics rushed the woman to hospital, where she recently in hybrid format. The event is Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State (IC) succumbed to her injuries. Authorities summoned one of the many events the Embassy, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Youth the building’s officials to question them why there under the banner of Indian Cultural Affairs and Sports and Minister of was no maintenance of the dilapidated wall. Network (ICN), has been organizing, State for Minority Affairs, government Separately, security authorities are investigating under India@75 and 60th anniversary of India presented his greetings on the case of a Syrian woman in her 20s who fell to celebrations of the establishment of celebration of 7th International Day of her death from the third floor of a Mahboula build- diplomatic relations between India Yoga (IDY)-2021 through a video KUWAIT: Ambassador of India to Kuwait Sibi George (left) participates in the event. ing. Forensics recovered the body as investigations and Kuwait. The event also marks the message. He mentioned the impor- are being carried out to determine the circum- government of India’s initiative to tance of Yoga and also highlighted the port of Government of State of was also released. Video Messages stances that led to her death. spread awareness about Yoga and its transformation Yoga can bring in one’s Kuwait and Indian Diaspora in Kuwait from Yoga Gurus viz. Sri Sri Ravi In a separate case, a doctor accused a person of benefits, all around the world. life, especially during these challeng- for their supply of oxygen to India, Shankar, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, indecent actions after he attempted to enter the clinic Ambassador of India to Kuwait ing pandemic times. He thanked the during critical times. Dr HR Nagendra, Shri Kamlesh Patel before his turn. The doctor said the man asked the Sibi George delivered the opening leadership of the State of Kuwait for In addition to celebration of and Sister Jayanti on importance of doctor to see him first, but he refused, so the patient remarks on this prestigious event. hosting a large Indian community in International Day of Yoga (IDY), in Yoga, were also streamed. The event got angry and offended him with profanities. Ambassador, in his speech, welcomed Kuwait and the people of Kuwait for Kuwait, the embassy also felicitated also witnessed live demo of Detectives are investigating. In another incident, police and thanked Kiren Rijiju, Minister of the care and support extended to the the winner of ‘Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz Yogasanas, while following COVID-19 seized a dog from its Indian owner after it attacked State (IC) Ministry of AYUSH, Indian community during the COVID- (BKJQ)’ from Kuwait by conferring protocols. The event received a huge and bit an Egyptian on the beach. The dog’s owner Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports 19 pandemic. In his speech, Rijiju silver medal and certificate. A special response from Kuwait on the was charged with negligence in caring for an animal. and Minister of State for Minority thanked and acknowledged the sup- edition of ‘AYUSH Bulletin’ on Yoga embassy’s social media.

Firemen put out transformer blaze

KUWAIT: Firemen extinguished a blaze that erupted in a power transformer in Sabahiya yester- day. No injuries were reported in the incident as an investigation was opened to determine the cause of the fire, Kuwait Fire Force said. International WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 In Mali women’s prison, inmates S Lanka’s #MeToo movement starts from its newsrooms face a long wait Page 7 Page 6

BARCELONA: File photo taken on July 14, 2018 shows people holding pictures of Catalan leaders in jail or exiled (from left) Carme Forcadel, Anna Gabriel, Carles Puigdemont, Marta Rovira, Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Turull and Clara Ponsati dur- ing a demonstration in support of jailed Catalan leaders in Barcelona.— AFP Spain pardons jailed Catalan separatists All nine will be banned from holding public office

BARCELONA: Spain yesterday pardoned nine jailed violence and followed by a short-lived declaration of A divisive measure for support in the national parliament. It remains Catalan separatists behind a failed 2017 independence independence, sparking Spain’s worst political crisis in When the separatists were sentenced in October to be seen though if the pardons will drive for- bid as it aimed to break the deadlock over the political decades. Several fled abroad but 12 others were tried 2019 by Spain’s Supreme Court, the ruling trig- ward dialogue between Madrid and the Catalan crisis in the wealthy northeastern region. In announc- and convicted, with three-quarters of them handed gered an outcry across Catalonia, with thousands regional government, headed by Pere Aragones, a ing the decision, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he prison terms of nine to 13 years. hitting the streets in protests that sometimes turned recently elected moderate separatist from the hoped the move would draw a line under past con- Sanchez said they were partial pardons, that all nine violent. Sanchez said although the move to grant leftist ERC party. In the coming weeks, Sanchez frontations with Catalonia’s separatist-led regional would be banned from holding public office and that clemency would directly affect the lives of the nine will meet for the first time with Aragones, who is government and open the way for talks. the pardons would be conditional on them not com- prisoners, it would also affect “the hundreds of far more open to negotiating than his hardline “With this act, we want to open a new stage of dia- mitting “a serious crime” for a set period of time. “The thousands of Catalans who feel solidarity with predecessor, Quim Torra. logue and reconciliation and close once and for all the Spanish government has taken this decision because it them” and also many others across Spain “who did- Even so, the independence movement is unlikely division and confrontation,” he said. The decision to is the best for Catalonia and for Spain,” Sanchez said. n’t support their actions but believe they’ve served to give up on its desire for an amnesty and to hold a grant clemency to nine separatist leaders who were But the decision has been attacked by Spain’s right- enough time”. referendum on self-determination-this time with serving long prison sentences was taken in order to wing opposition as well as by many in the pro-inde- Although 53 percent of Spaniards oppose the Madrid’s approval. Both options have been firmly “re-establish coexistence and harmony within Catalan pendence camp who want a full amnesty that would pardons, more than two-thirds — 68 percent-of ruled out by Sanchez’s government. society and Spanish society as a whole,” he said. allow those who fled abroad to return home. Analysts Catalans are in favour, an Ipsos poll found. The “Catalonia without Spain would not be Although the date of their release remains unclear, have also warned it was a risky political gamble that Supreme Court has also opposed the pardons, as European, nor prosperous, nor plural,” Sanchez said media reports suggested it could happen very quickly. may help calm tensions but won’t solve the years-long have Spain’s right-wing opposition parties who yesterday. “Spain without Catalonia simply would The separatists were convicted over a banned ref- turmoil over the separatist crisis, which has left accuse Sanchez of playing politics as his minority not be Spain, just as Catalonia without the rest of erendum in October 2017 that was marred by police Catalonia sharply divided. government relies in part on Catalan separatists Spain would not be Catalonia.” — AFP

Gaiyathiri in a bid to avoid the life sentence sought by Singaporean woman the prosecution, Justice See Kee Oon sentenced her to 30 years in prison starting from the date of her arrest in 2016. See cited the “abject cruelty of the accused’s jailed 30 years for appalling conduct” in his sentencing, which he added must signal “societal outrage and abhorrence” at the torturing, killing maid crime. But taking into account the defendant’s obses- sive compulsive disorder and the depression she developed around the time she gave birth, See said he SINGAPORE: A Singaporean woman who starved, did not think that life imprisonment was “fair and assaulted and ultimately killed her domestic worker appropriate”. was sentenced to 30 years in prison yesterday, with The prosecution had sought a reduced charge of the judge describing the case as “among the worst culpable homicide rather than murder — punishable types of culpable homicide”. The affluent city-state is with the death penalty in Singapore — after taking home to about 250,000 domestic workers who mostly into account her mental health. The maid was come from poorer Asian countries, and stories of mis- employed by Gaiyathiri and her husband, a police offi- treatment are common. cer, in 2015 to help take care of their four-year-old But the abuse inflicted on Myanmar national Piang daughter and one-year-old son. Ngaih Don, 24, was particularly awful and captured on But Gaiyathiri physically assaulted the victim CCTV installed in the family’s home. The domestic almost daily, often several times a day, with her 61- worker was stamped on, strangled, choked, battered year-old mother sometimes joining in, according to with brooms and burnt with an iron, according to court court documents. The domestic worker, who had been documents. The domestic worker died in July 2016, employed by the family for over a year at the time of after her employer, Gaiyathiri Murugayan, repeatedly her death, was only allowed to sleep for five hours a assaulted her over several hours. night, and was forced to shower and relieve herself Gaiyathiri, 41, pleaded guilty in February to 28 with the door open. Provided very little food, she lost YANGON: Protesters hold a banner that reads, “Sanchaung main strike Gen Z” as they make the three-finger charges including culpable homicide. Another 87 about 38 percent of her body weight during her salute during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon yesterday. — AFP charges were taken into account in sentencing. She employment, and only weighed 24 kilogrammes (53 appeared in court yesterday wearing glasses and a pounds) at the time of her death. Gaiyathiri’s lawyer black mask, and sat silently with her eyes closed and Joseph Chen had asked for a sentence of eight to nine in a landslide, her lawyer The Maung Maung told head bowed as the judge read his decision. After hear- years, arguing that a “combination of stresses” had ing an additional plea of mitigation submitted by Suu Kyi back in reporters. turned the struggling mother into an abuser. —AFP The special court in Naypyidaw also heard testimo- ny on separate sedition charges. Journalists were junta court on barred from the proceedings. Su Kyi appeared in good health, The Maung Maung said. Brief meetings with sedition charges her legal team have been the only channel to the out- side world for Suu Kyi-who remains widely popular in Myanmar-since she was detained in February. NAYPYIDAW: Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has justified his pow- Suu Kyi appeared in a junta court again yesterday on er grab by citing alleged electoral fraud in the trial for sedition and for flouting COVID-19 restric- November poll and has threatened to dissolve the tions during an election her ousted party won in a NLD. Suu Kyi’s lawyers have said they expect the trial landslide. A mass uprising in Myanmar against a to wrap up by July 26. The other charges against her February military putsch has been met with a brutal include claims that she accepted illegal payments of crackdown that has killed more than 870 civilians, gold and violated a colonial-era secrecy law. according to a local monitoring group. The hearing came as soldiers battled an anti-junta Under house arrest and invisible bar a handful of civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the city court appearances, Suu Kyi has been hit with an eclec- of Mandalay yesterday, with at least four protesters tic raft of charges, including accepting illegal payments and two security personnel killed, authorities said. of gold and violating a colonial-era secrecy law. Fighting has flared across Myanmar since the February SINGAPORE: File photo provided by The Straits Times taken on August 3, 2016 and received by AFP yesterday shows Yesterday, the court heard testimony she violated coup as people form “defence forces” to battle a bru- police officers escorting Gaiyathiri Murugayan (C) to her home for investigations into a case involving the starvation COVID-19 restrictions during elections last year that tal military crackdown on dissent, but previous clashes and death of her domestic worker in Singapore. — AFP her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won have largely been restricted to rural areas. — AFP 6 Established 1961 International Wednesday, June 23, 2021 New Yorkers vote in Democratic primary for post-pandemic mayor Winner of the vote is unlikely to be known for several weeks NEW YORK: New York City residents cast ballots shootings and homicides have all surged since the in a Democratic primary yesterday that will select coronavirus struck. Thousands of businesses have the candidate almost certain to take over as mayor closed, tens of thousands of wealthier residents tasked with shaping the post-pandemic future of have fled and many employees are still working America’s largest metropolis. Registered Democrats from home. will choose from a diverse group of 13 candidates for the job often called “the second-most difficult” Five choices in the United States after that of president. The pandemic, demonstrations sparked by the Voters head to polls with COVID-19 still casting murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and attacks a long shadow over the Big Apple, the epicenter of on Asian Americans have also highlighted the extent America’s early outbreak, and which has lost of racial inequalities in the city of 8.5 million. New 33,000 people to the virus. But the city is now York’s first new mayor in eight years will have to coming back to life-virtually all coronavirus restric- contend with projected budget gaps of several bil- tions have been lifted, and 66 percent of adults have lion dollars each in the next few years. received at least one vaccine dose. They will succeed unpopular far-left Democrat A crowded field of progressives and moderates Bill de Blasio, who has been mayor since January face off in a race made all the more uncertain by a 2014. Eric Adams, the moderate, Black ex-police- new ranked-choice system of voting that has man and president of the borough of Brooklyn, has clouded all predictions. The winner of the vote is been leading in most recent polls, putting crime at unlikely to be known for several weeks. Since New the forefront of his campaign. NEW YORK: New York City mayoral candidate Eric Adams exits his polling location after voting during Primary York is a Democratic stronghold, though, they are Tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who ran for Election Day at P.S. 81 yesterday in New York City. —AFP virtually guaranteed to win November’s mayoral president, is also a moderate and was frontrunner election against whomever Republicans choose as for much of the campaign. Kathryn Garcia, another preference, makes predictions almost impossible. exceeds the 50 percent threshold. their candidate. moderate, and Maya Wiley, a Black lawyer special- Unless a candidate immediately garners more This may not produce a clear winner until mid- “There’s a lot at stake here,” said Columbia izing in civil rights who was endorsed by Alexandria than 50 percent of the votes-an unlikely scenario- July. More than 191,000 people have already cast University politics expert Lincoln Mitchell, citing Ocasio-Cortez, are bidding to become New York’s the candidate who came in last is eliminated, and ballots during the nine-day early voting period that issues ranging from the post-pandemic recovery to first woman mayor. The new voting system, which the ballots cast for them are redistributed to voters’ ended Sunday. Tens of thousands of absentee bal- climate change. Unemployment, homelessness, asks voters to rank up to five candidates in order of second choice, and so on until a candidate finally lots will also need to be counted. — AFP

Sebastian, whose car was missing. Frenchman on But a few weeks later a jogger found Charlotte’s banking and social trial for killing security cards in a pair of trousers, and Cowardly attack kill Sebastian’s car was located in nearby Saint-Nazaire the next day. Caouissin 14 innocent victims: partner’s family and Lydia Troadec were again arrested and charged with murder after his NANTES: A Frenchman who admit- DNA traces were found at the victims’ Mexico president ted to killing his partner’s parents and home and in Sebastian’s car. two of their children, allegedly in a CIUDAD VICTORIA: Mexican President Caouissin, who worked at the Brest dispute over a family gold horde, went naval yards, confessed to killing the Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday on trial yesterday. Hubert Caouissin condemned a shooting spree that he said had family with a crowbar and then work- faces life in jail but the defence wants ing “like a maniac” to cut up the bod- killed 14 innocent victims over the weekend in to convince the court he was not psy- the crime-plagued border state of Tamaulipas. ies, burning some of the parts in an chologically fit at the time of the oven and scattering others around his “Everything indicates that it wasn’t a con- killing and thus escape the maximum frontation” between rival gangs, Lopez farm in Brittany. penalty for premeditated murder. The NANTES: Lawyers of main accused Hubert Caouissin, Thierry Fillion (L) and Patrick Obrador told reporters following the massacre so-called “Troadec affair” made Gold horde? Larvor are seen at Nantes’ courthouse, western France, yesterday, during a break of the on Saturday by gunmen traveling in vehicles in headlines in February 2017, when trial of so-called “Troadec case”. —AFP the city of Reynosa. He claimed that Lydia had been Pascal Troadec and his wife Brigitte, deprived her share of a trove of gold “It was a cowardly attack that took the lives both 49, were reported missing along of innocent people,” he said, adding that he coins and ingots purportedly found by he’s trying to exploit to the max.” examined beginning today. with 20-year-old son Sebastian and Pascal Troadec’s father had found Investigating magistrates had also He faces a life sentence without had instructed the attorney general’s office to 18-year-old daughter Charlotte. lead the investigation into the murders. The while renovating an apartment in expressed doubts about a supposed parole if convicted of murder, while Police found traces of blood at Brittany. Pascal allegedly took the gold stash, and Caouissin’s lawyer Lydia Troadec faces three years in attorney general’s office confirmed in a state- their home outside Nantes in western ment later Monday that it had taken over the stash for himself and began flaunting a Thierry Fillion has acknowledged that prison and a 45,000 euro fine on France, and relatives immediately flashy new lifestyle, sending postcards “at the time of the events, he was not charges of helping to hide the corpses case and said that an individual had been pointed fingers at Caouissin, who was arrested during the attacks. from his family’s holiday travels, living in reality.” Two expert panels and tampering with a crime scene. in a relationship with Pascal and Pascal’s mother said in a press inter- determined a “paranoid personality” “He’s just a normal guy who had no The individual, who was captured with “a Brigitte’s daughter Lydia. They were long weapon of exclusive use of the Army,” view. But a lawyer for the Troadec and “chronic delusions,” and intention of becoming... a murderer,” taken into custody for questioning but family, Cecile de Oliveira, dismissed Caouissin, who appeared in court in a his lawyer said. A verdict is expected will appear before a judge, the statement said. released, and suspicions turned to Five alleged perpetrators were killed by the the account as a “fable” and “a claim navy blue polo shirt, will be cross- for July 8 or 9. — AFP security forces, authorities said. The victims included 19-year-old Fernando Ruiz Flores, who was working in the street to install In Mali women’s drainage with his stepfather, his sister Olga Ruiz said. “From what my stepfather Jesus says, they prison, inmates killed my brother in cold blood,” she told AFP by telephone. The gunmen arrived in pick-up face a long wait trucks and “just like that, they took out their weapons and started shooting,” she said. BAMAKO: Laughing children, yoga classes, job- Reynosa, on the border with the United training sessions: Mali’s only women’s prison is a far States, has been shaken by escalating turf wars cry from the squalid, overcrowded jails found else- between rival drug cartels in recent years. It is where in the war-torn Sahel. Once past the rusty one of the most violent regions in a country doors and ochre-coloured walls of the Bolle peni- where more than 300,000 people have been tentiary in the capital Bamako, there is little indica- murdered since the government deployed the tion that this is a prison at all. military in the war on drugs in 2006. Most of Women pound millet as their children play the killings are linked to fighting between around a slide in the nursery. A long-time prisoner gangs, according to the authorities. — AFP who gave her name as Mariam told AFP that there is a strong sense of solidarity among the 144 inmates. “We stick together,” said Mariam, adding that new arrivals are welcomed. Bolle is one of the only 4 troops killed women’s prisons in Africa’s Sahel region, which has BAMAKO: A detainee tries on a dress in the sewing atelier of the Bolle re-education and rehabilitation detention cen- been plagued by a brutal jihadist conflict since 2012. tre for women in Bamako on May 21, 2021. Bolle is one of the only female prisons in the semi-arid Sahel, a poor Standards are far higher than other in prisons in African region which has been plagued by a brutal jihadist conflict since 2012. —AFP in Ukraine’s Mali, where male criminals and jihadists are crammed into dark and filthy cells. “We don’t con- Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Founded in 1999, Bolle has bars up along with their children, who are innocent war-torn east sider Bolle a detention centre,” said Babou Togora, its origins in the turmoil triggered by Mali’s 1991 of any crime. an official from Mali’s prison service. The peniten- coup d’etat. Binta, a woman in her twenties convicted of KIEV: Russia-backed separatists have accused the tiary is similar to others in the Sahel in some During the putsch, male prisoners reportedly fraud two years ago, is locked up with her young Ukrainian army of killing four and injuring five of respects, however. preyed upon female inmates. The central prison in son Nabil. She said the boy’s father comes to the their troops as a result of shelling in the war-torn Bamako was one facility where men “took advan- prison several times a week to take him for car east of the country. The new casualties were report- Delays tage of the revolution to abuse the female inmates,” rides around the city, but that Nabil cries when he ed after Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US Most of the inmates are yet to stand trial according to Inspector Gabriel Flazan Sidibe, has to return to jail. President Joe Biden held their first summit meeting because of lengthy delays in the former French Bolle’s deputy warden. Other prisons in Mali still Moussa Bagayoko, from a local NGO that aids in Geneva last week. colony’s under-resourced legal system. A Nigerian contain women’s sections. But Sidibe said “we are the imprisoned children, said that “they didn’t do The years-long conflict in eastern Ukraine- woman in the courtyard, who declined to be named, doing everything to group them” at Bolle. anything to end up here — it’s their mothers who including an escalation of tensions since the start of said she has been imprisoned for 19 months, await- did something wrong.” He added that the foreign 2021 — was on the agenda, but no agreements had ing trial. “That’s how it is here,” she said, in heavily ‘To err is human’ funding on which Bolle relies is becoming increas- been announced. Officials in the self-proclaimed accented French, with a smile. Bolle’s inmates are detained on charges of ingly rare. Donetsk People’s Republic said Monday evening About two thirds of the women are in a similar everything from infanticide to assault and involve- Mariam, who is serving a 20-year sentence for that three of their troops were killed and one position, according to prison authorities. Nineteen ment in the drug trade. One prisoner, who was killing one of her husband’s other wives, said that wounded in a mortar fire in the village of Lozove of the inmates hail from surrounding Sahel coun- released a few months ago, had been detained on “we need a presidential pardon”. “To err is human,” close to the separatists’ de facto capital Donetsk. tries, with some coming from as far away as terrorism charges. Many inmates are put behind she added. “No one is perfect in life.” — AFP The separatist mouthpiece, DAN news agency, said one more fighter was killed and four were wounded hours later, when an ambulance car was “we unfortunately can confirm the death of one lyptic scene as cars stopped on a highway with the hit from a grenade launcher while evacuating the Tornado kills one, man,” the deputy premier and minister of public tornado directly ahead. Footage from a residential injured. In a statement, top Donetsk official Denys safety of Quebec Genevieve Guilbault wrote on area showed dark skies, with trees straining in Pushilin said the separatists would take “retaliatory injures others Twitter on Monday. strong winds and debris whirling in the air as the steps” following the incident. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. twister drew nearer. Kiev has been battling Russian-backed sepa- Our government teams are mobilized on the ground “The severe thunderstorm watch remains in ratists in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions near Montreal to help victims and support municipal authorities,” effect until further notice so we ask you to be cau- since 2014, following Moscow’s annexation of the she added. Two people were injured and around 50 tious and avoid travel,” the mayor of the town of Crimean peninsula. The war has claimed more than MONTREAL: A tornado that tore into a town buildings were damaged, Mascouche spokeswoman 50,000 residents, Guillaume Tremblay, posted on 13,000 lives. After a lull last year, fighting escalated near Montreal killed one person and injured two Marisa Curcio told AFP early yesterday. Facebook. Environment Canada had warned at the start of 2021 and in April Russia amassed others, Canadian authorities said. After an A video shared on social media showed a fast- Monday evening that a “severe thunderstorm 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border and in “extreme weather phenomenon in Mascouche,” moving, wide column of swirling dust approaching watch” was in effect and the storm could produce Crimea, prompting warnings from NATO. —AFP around 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Montreal, a road, whilst another captured an almost apoca- strong winds, hail and tornadoes. — AFP Established 1961 7 Wednesday, June 23, 2021 International Hong Kong leader says press must not ‘subvert’ government New security law has criminalized a host of political views HONG KONG: Media outlets in Hong Kong must not overwhelmingly state-owned and heavily censored, business. Lam rejected those suggestions. “Don’t try “subvert” the government, the city’s leader said yester- semi-autonomous Hong Kong has free speech protec- to accuse the Hong Kong authorities of using the day, rejecting US criticism of recent action against a tions baked into its mini-constitution. national security law as a tool to suppress the media, pro-democracy newspaper under a powerful new secu- But an ongoing campaign by China to root out dis- or to stifle the freedom of expression,” she said. “All rity law. Hong Kong has long hosted a vibrant interna- sent after huge and often violent democracy protests in those accusations made by the US government, I’m tional and local media scene but press freedoms have 2019 has deepened unease over the business hub’s afraid, are wrong.” slipped dramatically in recent years. future. The new security law has criminalized a host of Apple Daily has long been a thorn in Beijing’s side, Last week, authorities froze the assets of Hong political views and the action against Apple Daily has with unapologetic support for the city’s pro-democracy Kong’s largest pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, left the media wondering what opinions or reporting movement and caustic criticism of China’s authoritarian using the national security law Beijing imposed on the could trigger an investigation. leaders. The arrests and asset freeze last week have city in 2020. Two of the paper’s executives were crippled its ability to continue operations. Board mem- charged with “collusion”, a national security crime, over Resignations and closures bers of the paper’s parent group Next Digital have what police said were articles calling for international Echoing other officials, Lam said the prosecution of asked Hong Kong’s Security Bureau to unfreeze some of sanctions against China and Hong Kong’s leaders. Apple Daily was not an attack on “normal journalistic its assets so it can pay staff. “It’s not a problem to criticize the Hong Kong gov- work” and that the paper was trying to undermine If that does not happen, the paper said it will cease ernment, but if there is an intent to organize activities to China’s national security with its coverage. When asked publishing with a final print date to be announced on incite the subversion of the government then that is, of by a reporter what the government’s definition of nor- Friday. Resignations have already begun and some of course, a different thing,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam mal journalistic work was, she replied: “I think you are in the paper’s sections have gone silent in the last 24 said when asked about Apple Daily and press freedom a better position to answer that question.” hours. On Monday night, the anchor of an Apply Daily in the city. The United States was among multiple Western online evening show announced it was her final HONG KONG: Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam “Media friends should have the ability to distinguish nations that criticized the police operation against broadcast. The paper’s financial news desk and its speaks during her weekly press conference at the gov- between them,” she added during her weekly press Apple Daily, saying it undermined press freedoms as English edition also announced they would cease ernment headquarters in Hong Kong yesterday. — AFP conference. Unlike mainland China, where the press is well as Hong Kong’s reputation as a safe place to do publication. — AFP

Once votes are counted, national MPs will elect the Grave concerns Counting under prime minister as well as the president, a largely cere- News in brief monial role. Abiy called on all parties to remain calm and committed to peace during the tabulation phase raised about China Myanmar troops kill 4 way in ‘historic’ until results are announced. at UN rights council YANGON: Myanmar soldiers battled an anti- Ethiopia election Imperfect junta civilian militia with small arms and The election was twice delayed-once because of grenades in the country’s second city yester- the coronavirus pandemic, which has hammered NEW YORK: More than 40 countries led by Canada day, with four protesters killed and several DOUET: Vote-counting was under way yesterday fol- Ethiopia’s economy, and again to allow more time to voiced grave concerns at the UN Human Rights Council members of the security forces injured, authori- lowing elections in Ethiopia that went ahead without organise the ballot. Holding smooth elections is a yesterday about China’s actions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong ties said. Fighting has flared across Myanmar polling in the war-torn northern Tigray region and other daunting task at the best of times in such a large and Tibet-triggering a fierce backlash from Beijing. The since the February coup as people form restive parts of Africa’s second-most populous nation. country with poor infrastructure, and some of the widely anticipated joint statement had been in the “defence forces” to battle a brutal military Some 38 million were registered to vote but many must challenges that beset preparations also troubled the pipeline for several days and was delivered on day two of crackdown on dissent, but clashes have largely wait until September, with elections postponed or can- vote itself. the 47th session of the council in Geneva. been restricted to rural areas. Acting on a tip- celled in one-fifth of national constituencies because of The electoral board noted problems getting ballot “We are gravely concerned about the human rights off, security forces raided a house in war, insecurity and logistical problems. papers and other voting material to some areas on time, situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,” Mandalay’s Chan Mya Tharsi township yester- Nevertheless, ballots were being tallied in the vast leading to delayed starts and long waits for those in line. Canada’s ambassador Leslie Norton said. The statement day morning, the junta’s information team said nation of 110 million, where results are not expected for Some opposition parties lodged complaints, alleging was backed by Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, in a statement, and were met with small arms several days. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Monday voting interference and the intimidation of their Japan, Spain and the United States, among others. fire and grenades. — AFP was “a historic day for Ethiopia”. “All sections of society observers at polling stations. Beijing must allow UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet have gone out to cast their voice in our nation’s first free More than 40 parties and 9,500 candidates contest- and other independent observers “immediate, meaningful and fair election,” the 44-year-old leader posted on ed the national and regional elections, but in some areas and unfettered access” to Xinjiang, and end the “arbitrary Twitter, alongside images of crowds waiting to vote. the opposition boycotted, including in Abiy’s populous detention” of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, it “Pictures are a thousand words and they show the and influential home region of Oromia. There, the major- said. “Credible reports indicate that over a million people Kabul airport talks earnestness, commitment to peace and the democratic ity of national parliamentary seats were contested by have been arbitrarily detained in Xinjiang and that there process, by our people.” Abiy faced voters for the first sole candidates, election data showed, raising concerns is widespread surveillance disproportionately targeting ANKARA: US defence officials will visit time since coming to power in 2018, and his ruling party about the vote’s credibility. But the election, though Uyghurs and members of other minorities and restric- Turkey tomorrow to discuss the future of is expected to secure a comfortable majority. Voting declared a triumph by Abiy, also spotlighted violent tions on fundamental freedoms and Uyghur culture,” it Kabul’s airport, a Turkish defence ministry stretched into the evening, with the nearly 50,000 divisions across a diverse nation made up of dozens of said. The statement cited reports of torture or cruel, inhu- source said, after Ankara promised to secure polling stations staying open an extra three hours to different, often competing, ethnic groups. mane and degrading treatment or punishment, forced the strategic site. Turkey committed to provid- accommodate long queues after delays in delivering Elections in several conflict-hit pockets of the coun- sterilisation, sexual and gender-based violence, and ing security for the airport after US forces ballot papers. try were deemed impossible on June 21, with armed forced separation of children from their parents. complete their troop withdrawal from The national electoral board said the vote was most- insurgencies and ethnic violence posing risks. Most The number of signatories is an increase from the 22 Afghanistan in September, in a move hailed as a ly peaceful but reported “high levels of intimidation” of were postponed to September 6, the electoral board ambassadors who wrote to Bachelet in 2019 condemning mark of improving ties between Ankara and opposition party members in some regions. A coalition says. But no vote has been scheduled for Tigray, a China’s treatment of the Uyghurs. China denies mistreat- Washington. The US defence delegation will of civil society election monitors reported 118 incidents, region of six million represented by 38 seats in the ing the Uyghurs-once a clear majority in their ancestral hold talks with Turkish officials, the source said including 93 they had verified. In Bahir Dar, the capital national parliament, afflicted by war and starvation. homeland until waves of state-backed migration of ethnic yesterday, without providing details. The visit of the northwestern Amhara region neighbouring Tigray, Aid groups say 350,000 people face famine con- Han Chinese-and insists it is simply running vocational will come 10 days after Turkish President daily life had resumed yesterday, with businesses open ditions in the northernmost region, while the UN training centres designed to counter extremism. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US counterpart Joe and traffic returning to the streets. rights chief on Monday voiced alarm at ongoing Bachelet told the council on Monday that she hoped Biden met in Brussels on the sidelines of a Counting had finished in a number of polling stations atrocities including sexual violence and extrajudicial at last to visit Xinjiang this year and be given “meaningful NATO summit. — AFP in Bahir Dar, with results displayed clearly for the public. killings. — AFP access”. In a move that was bound to further enrage Beijing, which decries what it says is the interference by foreign powers in its internal affairs, the statement added the group’s concerns over the deterioration of fundamen- Moscow battered by heat wave tal freedoms in Hong Kong and the human rights situation in Tibet. The move came after US President Joe Biden’s MOSCOW: Moscow has been hit by a historic first foreign trip, in which he garnered G7 and NATO heat wave this week, with temperatures reach- unity in pushing back against Beijing, with Washington ing a 120-year record due to the effects of cli- identifying China as the pre-eminent global challenge. mate change, Russia’s weather service said yes- Agnes Callamard, head of the human rights group terday. On Monday the temperature in the Amnesty International, said the statement “sends a cru- Russian capital hit 34.7 degrees Celsius (94.5 cial message to China’s authorities that they are not degrees Fahrenheit), according to above international scrutiny.” Countries “must now move Roshydromet, matching the record for a June beyond handwringing and take real action”, she said. day hit in 1901. The weather service, which has Aware that the statement was coming, China respond- kept records since 1881, is forecasting tempera- ed-before it was delivered. Beijing’s representative read tures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees out a statement on behalf of a group of countries “deeply Fahrenheit) on Thursday and Friday. “The concerned about serious human rights violations against increase in temperatures recorded in Moscow the indigenous people in Canada”. Belarus, Iran, North for these days is unprecedented in 120 years,” Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria and Venezuela were Roshydromet meteorologist Marina Makarova among the other signatories, according to the United told. — AFP. Nations.—AFP

happened to me as well,” Ilham said. S Lanka’s #MeToo US journalist Jordana Narin, who had been an intern at a Sri Lankan newspaper, said a senior col- league had subjected her to a campaign of sexual ADDIS ABABA: Voters look at pollings station tallies posted outside a polling station in Addis Ababa, yesterday. movement starts harassment before the chief editor forced him to Ethiopia voted in an election billed as the most democratic yet in Africa’s second-most populous country, but resign. “(He) was the best journalist Sri Lanka had ever taking place as famine blights its war-torn Tigray region. — AFP from its newsrooms seen. I couldn’t wait to learn from him... Instead I spent the next two months being favoured by him, then yelled at by him, embarrassed by him, and groped Niyongere, head of the human rights group Acat Sri Lanka’s government ordered an COLOMBO: repeatedly by him,” Narin said. Burundi, told AFP on Monday that Rukuki had been investigation yesterday into sexual harassment in the Court cuts Burundi Another, Kavindya Thennakoon, hailed women for re-tried at an appeals court in March. media after a string of #MeToo allegations from speaking up about “predatory men”, describing how a “It delivered its verdict by reducing his sentence to female newsroom staff. The flood of claims began after senior colleague tried to kiss her against her will. activist’s 32-year one year in prison and a fine of 20 euros ($24) for journalist Sarah Kellapatha tweeted last week that a Dharisha Bastians, former editor of the Sunday ‘rebellion’,” he said. A judicial source, who declined to male colleague had threatened to rape her while work- Observer, called the allegations “disturbing, agonising, be named, confirmed the information. “We’re waiting ing at an unnamed newspaper from 2010-17. jail term to one and all too familiar.” for Rukuki, who has already served his sentence, to be “It was almost impossible for any female to wear a “Solidarity with women journalists for the courage released immediately,” Niyongere said. dress to work, without having to endure salacious to speak out about what has been happening in BUJUMBURA: A human rights activist in Burundi The verdict was announced just moments after remarks from male colleagues about their legs and #SriLanka newsrooms for too long,” she said. “Past who was jailed for 32 years after protesting against the Ndayishimiye met with Burundi’s EU ambassador bodies in general, or they’d utter a loud ‘sexy’ whenev- time for accountability, critical reflection & change to late president has had his sentence reduced to just one Claude Bochu on Monday. Bochu told reporters the er they felt like it,” Kellapatha said. make editorials safer. #MeToo,” she said on Twitter. year, a rights group and judicial source said. The ver- bloc was considering lifting sanctions because of She said she had “blocked (the rape threat) from my Government spokesman and Minister of Mass dict was announced just as Burundi’s EU ambassador “positive developments initiated by the president in mind for years, as a coping mechanism, until one day, I Media, Keheliya Rambukwella said he had asked the said the bloc was considering lifting sanctions imposed terms of good governance, rule of law and human remembered it and broke down in tears”. Other women Government Information Department to investigate on the country after a deadly political crisis in 2015. rights.” journalists have since taken to Twitter in a campaign and ensure women journalists could work in a safe Germain Rukuki was one of thousands arrested for Ndayishimiye’s election last year has raised hopes reminiscent of the #MeToo movement that began in environment. “We will take the sternest action possi- protesting against then president Pierre Nkurunziza’s for a more open political environment after many years the United States in 2017 when sex offender Harvey ble,” Rambukwella told reporters in Colombo. “We will controversial bid for a third term, and was given one of of repression and violence in the troubled East African Weinstein’s crimes emerged. not hesitate to take appropriate action.” the heaviest sentences ever handed down to a rights nation. But in an open letter on Monday, 12 interna- One was journalist Sahla Ilham who said she was He said he had already ordered the Director- activist in Burundi. tional NGOs raised concerns that the EU and some of sexually abused by a “famous editor” at a now-defunct General of the Information Department to launch an But his ruling was quashed last year by Burundi’s its member states “seem willing to turn a blind eye on paper who had pressured her family to keep quiet. “I investigation into the allegations made on social Supreme Court after Evariste Ndayishimiye took the lack of meaningful progress on the human rights have been silent for too long, now I have to add what media. — AFP office following the sudden death of Nkurunziza. Armel situation.” — AFP Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 Turkmenistan capital tops HK as world’s costliest: Survey ‘World’s happiest country’ Finland seeks migrants

ASHGABAT: Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat has overtaken Hong Kong as the world’s most expensive city for for- eign workers, a survey showed yesterday. Beirut jumped to third place in the 2021 Mercer survey from 45th a year earlier owing to a “severe and extensive economic depression” resulting from multiple crises, including the country’s financial trouble, Covid-19 and a deadly blast in the Lebanese port. Ashgabat rose from second in the previous survey to the first spot due to “high local inflation”, Mercer France global mobility practice leader Jean-Philippe Sarra told AFP. Turkmenistan is almost wholly dependent on natural gas exports and has struggled to recover from the global energy price slump in 2014 that battered the local manat currency and plunged Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan in Central Asia, is the most expensive city to live in many citizens into poverty. Despite the this year, according to Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey Helsinki, the capital of Finland long-running economic crisis, authorities broke ground on a major expansion of nation on the planet with world-beating little corruption, crime and pollution. Finland’s exorbitant prices, cold weather ence or qualifications, as well as prejudice Ashgabat in May, with autocrat leader living standards, Finland should be del- But anti-immigrant sentiment and a and notoriously complex language. against non-Finnish applicants. Ahmed Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov pledging uged by people wanting to relocate, but reluctance to employ outsiders are also Finland has nonetheless seen net immi- (who requested his name be changed for to turn it into “one of the most prosper- in fact it faces an acute workforce short- widespread in Western Europe’s most gration for much of the last decade, with professional reasons) is a 42-year-old Brit ous cities in the world”. age. “It’s now widely acknowledged that homogenous society, and the opposition around 15,000 more people arriving than with many years’ experience in building While Hong Kong, with its notoriously we need a spectacular number of people far-right Finns Party regularly draws sub- leaving in 2019. digital products for multinational, house- expensive housing, dropped to second to come to the country,” recruiter Saku stantial support during elections. But many of those quitting the country hold-name companies. place, Tokyo also fell one spot to fourth. Tihverainen from agency Talented are higher-educated people, official sta- Yet six months of networking and Zurich dropped to fifth and is among Solutions said. Workers are needed “to Tipping point tistics show. Faced with the OECD’s applying for jobs in Helsinki, where he three Swiss cities in the top 10 along with help cover the cost of the greying gener- After years of inertia, businesses and largest skilled worker shortage, some was trying to move for family reasons, Geneva (8) and Bern (10). ation”, the recruiter explained. government “are now at the tipping point Finnish startups are creating a joint proved fruitless. “One recruiter even Two other Chinese cities are among While many Western countries are and are recognizing the problem” posed careers site to better bag overseas talent. refused to shake my hand, that was a the most expensive in the world for battling weak population growth, few are by a greying population, said Charles “As you can imagine, this is a slow burn- standout moment,” he told AFP. expatriates: Shanghai climbed one spot feeling the effects as sharply as Finland. Mathies, a research fellow at the er,” Shaun Rudden from food delivery “There was never a shortage of jobs to number six while Beijing rose to ninth. With 39.2 over-65s per 100 working-age Academy of Finland. Mathies is one of firm Wolt said in an email, adding that going, just a shortage of mindset,” said Singapore took seventh place. people, it is second only to Japan in the the experts consulted by the govern- “We try to make the relocation process Ahmed, who during his search in Finland US cities fell in this year’s ranking extent of its ageing population, accord- ment’s “Talent Boost” program, now in its as painless as possible.” received offers from major companies in mostly because of currency fluctuations, ing to the UN, which forecasts that by fourth year, which aims to make the Norway, Qatar, the UK and Germany, and despite rising inflation, according to 2030 the “old age dependency ratio” will country more attractive internationally, in Systemic problem and eventually began commuting weekly Mercer. New York dropped eight spots rise to 47.5. The government has warned part through local recruitment schemes. Startups “have told me that they can from Helsinki to Dusseldorf. but was the most expensive in the coun- that the nation of 5.5 million needs to Those targeted include health workers get anyone in the world to come and Recruiter Saku Tihverainen said try at number 14. practically double immigration levels to from Spain, metalworkers from Slovakia, work for them in Helsinki, as long as he or shortages are pushing more companies The world’s least expensive city for 20,000-30,000 a year to maintain public and IT and maritime experts from Russia, she is single,” the capital’s mayor, Jan to loosen their insistence on only foreign employees is Kyrgyzstan’s capital services and plug a looming pensions India and Southeast Asia. Vapaavuori, said to AFP. employing native Finnish workers. “And Bishkek at 209, according to the survey. deficit. Finland might seem like an attrac- But previous such efforts have petered But “their spouses still have huge yet, a lot of the Finnish companies and tive destination on paper, scoring high in out. In 2013, five of the eight Spanish problems getting a decent job.” Many organisations are very adamant about Happiest country international comparisons for quality of nurses recruited to the western town of foreigners complain of a widespread using Finnish, and very fluent Finnish at Repeatedly dubbed the happiest life, freedom and gender equality, with Vaasa left after a few months, citing reluctance to recognize overseas experi- that,” he said. —AFP

because mining often uses electricity produced from Bitcoin drops fossil fuels, he noted. China has broadened a crackdown on its massive cryptocurrency mining industry with a ban on mines under $30,000 in the key southwestern province. Fed chief offers Chinese mines power nearly 80 percent of the LONDON: Bitcoin fell underneath $30,000 yester- global trade in cryptocurrencies despite a domestic day for the first time in five months, hit by concerns trading ban since 2017, but in recent months several more assurances over China’s ongoing crackdown on the world’s most provinces have ordered mines to close as Beijing turns popular cryptocurrency. At about 1230 GMT, bitcoin a sharp eye to the industry. Authorities in the province sank as low as $29,334, a level last seen in January, on economy of Sichuan ordered the closure of 26 mines last week, with analysts citing Chinese efforts to curb trading according to a notice widely circulated on Chinese and mining operations. WASHINTON: The US economy remains social media and confirmed by a former bitcoin miner. The unit later stood at $29,590, down 9.25 percent on a positive trajectory even as it contends Sichuan, a mountainous region in southwest China, in value. “Concerns mount over China’s ongoing clam- with higher inflation, according to con- is home to a large number of cryptocurrency mines — pdown and fears that widespread acceptance of bit- gressional testimony released Monday by huge data centers which require a colossal amount of coin and other digital currencies will be delayed the head of the Federal Reserve. energy. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are minted because of concerns about their environmental Fed Chair Jerome Powell, in prepared by solving puzzles using powerful computers that impact,” said analyst Fawad Razaqzada at trading site This file photo taken in Paris shows a physical imitation remarks ahead of a House hearing consume enormous amounts of electricity — much of ThinkMarkets. Bitcoin also faces a green backlash of the Bitcoin crypto currency. Tuesday, reiterated that the central bank which is usually produced by coal plants. — AFP will continue its supportive stance to ensure that the “sustained improvement” was at the heart of a recent case in France-brought since the depths of COVID-19 pandemic is EU launches antitrust by News Corp, French daily Le Figaro and Belgium’s UK borrowing extended. The labor market has improved, Groupe Rossel-that saw Google fined 220 million but progress has been “uneven,” said probe against Google euros ($267 million). Powell, in remarks consistent with his It is also central to blockbuster cases in the US sinks in May on response to questions at a news confer- where state prosecutors accuse the company of rig- ence last week. over online ads ging the ad-tech market and snuffing out rivals. “We at the Fed will do everything we easing lockdown can to support the economy for as long as As in the other cases, the EU will try to determine BRUSSELS: The EU launched a wide-ranging it takes to complete the recovery,” Powell whether Google gave preferential treatment to its LONDON: UK government borrowing sank in May as antitrust probe against Google yesterday over con- said in the testimony. Powell acknowledged own ad inventory technologies AdX and Doubleclick, cerns that it is using its technology to keep out rivals the easing COVID lockdown boosted the economy and that inflation has “increased notably in but will also look at other aspects of the ad-tech in the lucrative online advertising market. tax revenues, but remains elevated on costly pandemic recent months” due in part to higher oil business. Crucially, the probe will also look into The case opens yet another front by the European support, official data showed yesterday. prices and the hit from supply chain dis- Commission against the search engine giant, which Google’s announced plans to prohibit the placement Public sector net borrowing, the state’s preferred meas- ruptions. has already received eight billion euros ($9 billion) in of third party “cookies” on its Chrome browser, a ure of the deficit, slid to £24.3 billion ($33.7 billion, 28.3 But he restated that higher prices are fines for its anti-competitive practices. The investiga- move that has angered some publishers and advertis- billion euros) last month, the Office for National Statistics due to “transitory” factors, adding that tion will “assess whether Google has violated EU ers. Critics fear that the project-known as the (ONS) said in a statement. However, that was still the sec- “inflation is expected to drop back competition rules by favoring its own online display “Privacy Sandbox”-will only increase Google’s domi- ond highest May level since records began after £43.8 bil- toward our longer-run goal.” advertising technology services”, a statement from nance since the giant holds mountains of data on lion in May 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Powell’s appearance before the House the EU executive said. consumer behavior that will be denied to others. The ONS also revised down borrowing for the finan- Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus The probe narrows in on an important component The probe will also look into ads on Youtube, cial year to the end of March to £299.2 billion — but Crisis comes less than a week after the US of Google’s profit-making machine: more than 80 Google’s video platform, and whether advertisers this remained the highest level since World War II. The central bank moved up its timeframe for there are forced to channel their business through percent of the giant’s revenue in 2020 came from public purse has been plagued by emergency COVID lifting interest rates to 2023. The Fed’s Google’s ad technology. A Google spokesperson advertising, or $147 billion. “We are concerned that measures, in particular a furlough scheme which has monetary policy committee said it will not said the company “will continue to engage construc- Google has made it harder for rival online advertising paid the bulk of private sector wages for millions of begin to withdraw the stimulus measures tively with the European Commission to answer their services to compete” in display ad technology, said workers across the UK during the crisis. implemented at the start of the pandemic EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager. At issue is questions and demonstrate the benefits of our prod- However, the economy is regaining its footing thanks until progress is made on reducing unem- Google’s largely unnoticed, but highly dominant tech- ucts to European businesses and consumers.” The ployment and keeping inflation above their to a phased reopening. Bars and restaurants restarted nologies that serve as an intermediary or broker in-depth look into Google’s online ad-tech is not two percent goal. outdoor dining in April and indoor services in May. between advertisers and publishers online. unexpected as it follows a broader inquest launched At last week’s news conference, Powell Google owned technologies include services such in 2019. The investigation comes as the EU is That came after non-essential retailers reopened warned that the “recovery is incomplete” as AdX, Doubleclick or AdSense that power much of preparing new laws to better oversee tech giants by their doors in April. “May’s public finances figures sug- and improvement has been “uneven,” with the EU’s display advertising market for web pages giving them special “gatekeeper” rules that would gest the strong economic recovery is starting to feed employment in hard-hit sectors well below and apps, which the commission estimated to be more tightly regulate how they can operate, but through into lower government borrowing,” said Capital pre-pandemic levels. —AFP worth about 20 billion euros in 2019. The business those will not be implemented for years. — AFP Economics analyst Thomas Pugh. —AFP 9 Business Wednesday, June 23, 2021 World economy surpassed its pre-pandemic peak: Data firm Global recovery accelerates thanks to vaccination and end of virus-related restrictions WASHINGTON: The global econ- plete their recoveries in the final omy has surpassed its pre-pandem- quarter of this year. ic peak, data survey firm IHS Markit “As recovery from the COVID-19 Opinion Editorial said Monday, as the recovery accel- recession is completed, the global erates thanks to vaccination and the economy is moving into the sweet end of pandemic-related restric- spot of the current expansion,” said Funding hydrogen’s tions. IHS Markit, which conducts IHS Markit’s executive director for monthly surveys of businesses that global economics, Sara Johnson. rapid evolution? are highly valued by the market as a “World real GDP growth is picking leading indicator of economic activ- up from an annual rate of 1.5 percent By Badar Chaudhry ity, forecasts that with 6.0 percent quarter on quarter in the first quarter growth this year the global econo- to rates of 6.0-7.0 percent over the ow do investors feel my will post its biggest expansion remainder of 2021,” she added. about a hydrogen in nearly 50 years. IHS Markit’s 2021 global GDP Hmarket that is expect- “The global economy has growth forecast is in line with that ed to be valued at $300 bil- reached an important milestone in made by the International Monetary lion by 2027, according to the second quarter of 2021, sur- Fund in April. However, the IMF Global Market Insights? In passing the pre-pandemic real emphasized the unevenness of the short, mixed - but sentiment GDP peak attained in the fourth recovery and said it expects many is certainly strengthening. quarter of 2019,” the firm said in a nations will not recover to pre-pan- As the world recovers statement. demic levels until 2022 or 2023. from what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) The second quarter ends at the Both the OECD and World Bank semiconductors used in electronics become increasing worried that the called the worst economic Badar Chaudhry end of June. The Asia-Pacific region have also warned about the recovery goods and cars. Its survey “found rapid recovery inflation may prompt depression in nearly 100 recovered from the pandemic reces- leaving some nations behind, espe- that supplier delivery times length- central banks to remove stimulus years, and big oil faces sion at the end of last year thanks to cially given the lack of vaccines in ened in May to the greatest extent in support and raise interest rates soaring environmental pressure, the allure of hydro- the resilience of China’s economy. many countries. IHS Markit acknowl- survey history.” faster than they have stated previ- gen has intensified. This is especially true for green IHS Markit’s economists estimat- edged that COVID-19 flare-ups Supply disruptions are one rea- ously. “In the United States, the and blue hydrogen, which both support climate goals ed that US real GDP hit a new peak remain a risk to economic recovery son behind a jump in prices. IHS eurozone, and other advanced to varying degrees, and the appetite is only expected in May. The firm estimates that in places where vaccination has pro- Markit said it expects to consumer economies where inflation expecta- to continue. Hydrogen use overall is expected to Africa and the Middle East will ceeded slowly. price inflation to rise to 3.3 percent tions are well-anchored, monetary climb seven-fold by 2050, according to the return to pre-pandemic GDP in the It also pointed to constraints on this year before dropping to 2.7 tightening can be delayed in the International Energy Agency (IEA). third quarter that begins in July. the recovery posed disruptions in the percent next year as supply condi- short term but not indefinitely,” said Europe and Latin America will com- supply of certain goods, including tions improve. Investors have IHS Markit’s Johnson. — AFP Bullish push Against this backdrop, there is understandable interest among investors, both private and public. This is especially true in regions, like the Middle East, Australia to challenge UNESCO which want to capture a first-mover advantage in becoming a hydrogen hub. Examples this year in the Middle East alone include the start of the Abu Dhabi downgrade of Great Barrier Reef Hydrogen Alliance by ADNOC, Mubadala, and ADQ; SYDNEY: Australia said yesterday commend Australia’s efforts to the alliance aims to spur the Emirate’s role as a leader it will strongly oppose a UNESCO improve reef quality and its financial in green and blue hydrogen. In Saudi Arabia, Air plan to list the Great Barrier Reef as commitment. But it noted “with the Products, ACWA Power, and NEOM, signed a $5bn “in danger” over deterioration utmost concern and regret... that the deal for a world-scale green hydrogen-based ammo- caused by climate change. long-term outlook for the ecosystem nia production facility powered by renewable energy. And Oman’s OQ, with its partners, will produce The UN body released a draft of the property has further deterio- 25GW of renewable solar and wind energy to gener- report on Monday recommending rated from poor to very poor,” refer- ate millions of tons of green hydrogen per year. the reef’s World Heritage status be ring to Australia’s move to down- downgraded because of its dramatic grade the reef’s health status after Sitting on the fence coral decline, after years of public back-to-back mass bleaching events What is equally understandable, however, is other threats to do so. in 2016 and 2017. investors’ hesitation. For some, it is a case of too Environmental campaigners said Ley said she had spoken to much change too soon. Many are just getting to the decision highlighted Australia’s UNESCO Director-General Audrey grips with renewable markets amid the energy tran- lack of action to curb the carbon Azoulay overnight Monday to sition and adding another market to the list is a step emissions which contribute to global express “very clearly our strong dis- An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of the Whitsunday Islands, along too far, especially amid a pandemic. This certainly warming. Environment Minister appointment, even bewilderment”. the central coast of Queensland. — AFP applies to many investors who have long specialized Sussan Ley said Australia would Placement on the UN body’s in-dan- outside energy markets or in big oil for decades and challenge the move, accusing UN ger list is not considered a sanction. prompted environmental groups to tre-long (1,400-mile-long) reef was now find they face a steep, green learning curve. officials of backflipping on their According to UNESCO, some take aim at the Australian govern- worth an estimated US$4.8 billion a Plus, the cost of building a hydrogen economy assurances ahead of the World nations have their sites added to gain ment’s reluctance to take stronger year in tourism revenue for the tends to be higher than other sources of low-carbon Heritage Committee’s 44th session in international attention and help to climate action. The Climate Council Australian economy before the coro- energy, such as solar and wind. And hydrogen is China next month, where the recom- save them but it is seen as a dishonor said it brought “shame on the federal navirus pandemic. generally a riskier bet right now than other greener mendation will be formally consid- by others. government, which is standing by as In December, the International energy markets, with both green and blue hydrogen ered. “Politics have subverted a the reef declines rather than fighting Union for Conservation of Nature largely untested as sizeable and scalable projects. proper process and for the World ‘Shame’ to protect it”. (IUCN) said climate change had And of course, these in turn often demand bigger, longer-term financial commitments too. Heritage Committee to not even fore- Australia has resisted calls to “The recommendation from pushed the reef into critical condi- UNESCO is clear and unequivocal tion. Australian Marine Conservation shadow this listing is, I think, commit to a target of net-zero car- Security in track records? appalling,” she told reporters in bon emissions by 2050, with Prime that the Australian government is not Society environmental consultant The narrative of hesitation among investors that Canberra. Minister Scott Morrison saying the doing enough to protect our greatest Imogen Zethoven said the UNESCO hovers over hydrogen is not a new one. It echoes the The UN body did not consider the country hoped to reach carbon neu- natural asset, especially on climate report made clear that limiting global initial to-and-fro that surrounded the development billions of dollars spent attempting to tral “as soon as possible” without change,” said WWF head of oceans temperature rises to 1.5 degrees of the renewables market - an even harder sell in protect the world’s largest coral reef, harming its commodity-dependent Richard Leck. Aside from its ines- Celsius above pre-industrial levels what was then a world of $100/bl of oil. Eventually, she added. economy. The downgrade recom- timable natural, scientific and envi- was critical for the Great Barrier after more than a decade of stagnated moves, the The committee’s draft report did mendation for the Great Barrier Reef ronmental value, the 2,300-kilome- Reef. — AFP push by climate activists and pioneering investors has truly paid off. Solar power prices have fallen by more than 90% over the last decade, according to Bloomberg Green. This marks a dramatic turnaround YouTube may be US, European for a niche market that only the most adventurous of investors deemed worthy. And, as seen in renewables, the greater investors’ liable for copyright stocks steady, support, the greater the scale and efficiency of the market, and the more competitive the cost. Today, breaches: EU court bitcoin retreats renewable power is increasingly cheaper than any new electricity capacity based on fossil fuels. Not BRUSSELS: The EU’s top court yesterday said NEW YORK: US and European stocks held even the most optimistic climate activist or the most online platforms like YouTube can in some cir- steady yesterday ahead of key testimony from US reluctant investor could have imagined this new cumstances be held responsible for copyrighted Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell that could dynamic ten years ago. There is no reason the same material illegally uploaded by users. shed light on plans to hike interest rates and pare push will not pay off for the development of green The preliminary ruling will likely be welcomed PARIS: The logo of the US Youtube application on the back stimulus measures. and blue hydrogen markets. by German music producer Frank Peterson who screen of a tablet. The EU’s top court yesterday said Meanwhile, bitcoin fell under the $30,000 price has been locked in a long-running legal battle online platforms like YouTube can in some circum- Guiding beacons level for the first time in five months in the face of a Equally, proactive steps must be made to help with YouTube over unauthorised uploads featur- stances be held responsible for copyrighted material crackdown by Chinese authorities on cryptocur- illegally uploaded by users. — AFP investors quickly feel more comfortable, notably ing British artist Sarah Brightman. The Court of rency miners. And oil prices hit new two-year highs when it comes to regulatory goalposts. For example, Justice of the European Union found that general- above $75 on demand optimism. Europe’s comprehensive Hydrogen Strategy defines ly speaking, YouTube and the likes are not through German courts for years. Investors are waiting for testimony from Powell clear goals within relatively short timelines, giving responsible for users posting protected content Peterson is seeking damages from YouTube, in which he is widely expected to shed more light investors more clarity and tangibility. As the world without permission. arguing that the site is liable for the copyright on the monetary policy outlook. “The markets grapples with the economic and social impact of the “Operators of online platforms do not, in prin- infringements and has earned advertising revenue remain focused on inflation and the implications on pandemic, such markers from governments and reg- ciple, themselves make a communication to the from hosting the videos. the timing of when the Fed may begin to dial back ulatory bodies are invaluable. public of copyright-protected content illegally The second case involves a claim by Dutch its monthly asset purchases,” said analysts at Plus, policy schemes, such as contract for differ- ences (CfDs) or regulated asset-based models, can posted online by users of those platforms,” publisher Elsevier against file-hosting website Charles Schwab brokerage. judges said. be used to help provide greater certainty to Cyando, for copyrighted works uploaded by users Markets were sent into turmoil last week after But the situation changes once operators of without permission. It is now up to the German investors across various parts of the hydrogen sup- the Fed brought forward its forecasts for hiking such sites are made aware of copyright breaches court to decide how to interpret the EU judge- ply chain, Deloitte said. The same applies to stimulat- interest rates as it looks to prevent overheating in and fail to act “expeditiously” to remove or block ment in these two cases. The impact of the EU rul- ing innovation and research to help integrate differ- the US economy. In prepared remarks ahead of a the content and ensure the infringements do not ing beyond these two cases will be limited howev- ent energy systems and to provide a system-wide recur, they said. Operators can also be liable for er because they cover events that took place House hearing yesterday, Powell pledged again the view of hydrogen’s role. copyright violations if they refrain from putting in before the European Union reformed its copyright bank’s continued support to ensure the “sustained Clearly, there is still a long way to go. For one, the cost of producing hydrogen from renewables will place technological tools to “credibly and effec- laws in 2019. The new regulations place a heavier improvement” in the economy is extended. need to fall by more than 50 percent to $2-$2.5/kg by tively” fight against illegal uploads. burden on online content-sharing services to pro- Investors contemplated the US central bank’s latest projections for hiking interest rates in light of 2030 to make hydrogen a viable alternative to con- The EU judgement was triggered by two cases tect copyright. ventional fuels, detailed S&P Global Ratings. This is currently before Germany’s Federal Court of In a response to yesterday’s ruling, YouTube the country’s blockbuster economic recovery and sharp spike in inflation. The Fed’s “dot plot” fore- achievable with solar or wind production costs of Justice, whose judges in 2018 asked the said it “supports rights holders being paid their $20-$30/MWh and a 30-50 percent cut in the cost cast last week indicated liftoff in 2023 — a year Luxembourg-based court for guidance. fair share”. of electrolysers. This ambitious target is certainly The first involves a lawsuit by Hamburg music “That’s why we’ve invested in state of the art earlier than first flagged — with some policymakers doable, but not without more investors taking a seat producer Peterson against YouTube and its parent copyright tools which have created an entirely eyeing the end of 2022, while discussions on wind- at the hydrogen table. The sooner those seats are company Google for various songs and perform- new revenue stream for the industry,” it said in a ing down, or “tapering” its vast bond-buying pro- filled, the sooner costs will fall and a market that many ances by soprano Sarah Brightman that were ille- statement. “In the past 12 months alone we have gram are likely in the next few months. Schwab are calling the oil of the 21st century can truly flourish. gally posted in 2008. YouTube removed some but paid $4 billion (3.4 billion euros) to the music analysts said investors will be looking to Powell’s Note: Chaudhry is senior vice president, sector not all of the content, to which Peterson holds the industry, over 30 percent of which comes from discussion with lawmakers for “some color on what head - energy at Mashreq Bank rights, and the case has been snaking its way monetized user-generated content.” — AFP the tapering process may look like.” — AFP 10 Business Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Brazil Congress green-lights Eletrobras privatization A victory for Bolsonaro’s privatization agenda RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s Congress passed a bill warned the plan would in fact increase consumers’ paving the way to privatize the biggest electric util- electricity bills and threaten Brazil’s control over its ity in Latin America, state-controlled company energy supply. Eletrobras, a victory for far-right President Jair Opponents have also criticized amendments that Bolsonaro’s privatization agenda. The bill, which would increase the amount of electricity produced sets up a share issue that will dilute the govern- by heavily polluting thermoelectric plants. It is a ment’s stake in the company, passed the lower sensitive subject for a government already facing house by a vote of 258 to 136. Lawmakers must still international criticism over the destruction of the vote on a series of amendments before sending it to Amazon rainforest, a vital resource in the race to Bolsonaro. curb climate change. It had already passed in the Senate Thursday. The legislation will reduce the government’s stake in Shares jump Eletrobras from 51.82 to 45 percent, via a share Eletrobras shares surged more than five percent issue penciled in for early next year that the state Friday after the Senate passed the bill, and gained estimates will raise 60 billion reais (around $12 bil- another 2.21 percent Monday. They have risen more lion). Of that amount, 25 billion reais would go to than 40 percent on the year on expectations the the company’s coffers and the rest to government company would be going private. Before that hap- programs, experts estimate. The government will pens, Eletrobras must first transfer ownership of the retain a “golden share” in the company, giving it the Itaipu hydroelectric dam and Angra dos Reis final say on strategic matters. nuclear power plants to the state, since Brazil’s con- Created in 1962, Eletrobras is one of Brazil’s “big stitution designates them as strategic assets. four” state-controlled firms, along with oil company The privatization comes just as Brazil faces an Petrobras and banks Banco do Brasil and Caixa electricity crisis caused by the worst drought in The facade of Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian Economica Federal. It supplies around one-third of almost a century in the central-west and southeast, Chamber of Deputies votes a bill that would authorize the privatization of Eletrobras Monday. —AFP the electricity consumed in Brazil, Latin America’s key regions for the hydroelectric dams that supply biggest economy. But critics complain it is ineffi- the majority of the country’s electricity. The cient, bloated and needs more cash to invest in drought has led the National Water and Sanitation tricity crunch-its highest extraordinary surcharge struggled to implement the privatization plans he modernizing its assets. Agency (ANA) to declare a “critical shortage of ever. Rising electricity prices are fueling a surge in campaigned on in 2018. Politics and the pandemic “Without privatization, Brazil’s energy system is water resources,” effective until November, for the inflation, which came in at 8.1 percent last month, have delayed the mass spinoff of state firms he and going to end up in chaos,” Bolsonaro had warned. Parana river basin, the heart of Brazil’s hydroelec- well above the central bank’s target range of 2.25 to Guedes had promised. But those plans have started His ultra-liberal economy minister, Paulo Guedes, tric capacity. 5.25 percent. to pick up again, with lucrative concessions in has said the privatization will save Brazilians up to The national electricity regulator has imposed an Brazilians are fearing a return to painful electrici- recent months for the operating rights to Rio de 7.4 percent on electricity. However, during a some- additional tax of 6.24 reais ($1.25) per 100 kilowatt ty rationing instituted in 2001. Janeiro water company Cedae and a raft of airports, times fiery debate in the lower house, opponents hours on consumers for June because of the elec- The legislation is a win for Bolsonaro, who has port terminals and a key railroad. — AFP

National digital trans- er with the private sector to develop a comprehen- Kuwait’s digital formation was further sive cybersecurity strategy and create a safe and accelerated due to the strong cyber infrastructure. COVID-19 pandemic as Cybersecurity and privacy protection are the KFH’s digital economy is our public and private entities, foundation of our shared future. As technology educators, etc., turned to becomes ever more ubiquitous, Kuwait’s enterprises services offer latest shared responsibility advanced technologies to and government entities need to take an enhanced stay connected, sustain approach to mitigate cyber threats. Hence, an all- By Rico Lin their businesses and drive industry, full-society approach to collaboration is payment solutions growth. The rapid essential to strengthening systematic cybersecurity igitization in Kuwait has accelerated remark- advancement of technolo- governance for everyone. KUWAIT: Rico Lin Acting Group ably over the past few years. The country gy is leading us to a new With a goal of encouraging industry-wide Deputy General Manager has been at the forefront of innovation and era of intelligence that will cooperation towards common security standards Cards at Kuwait Finance D adoption of ICT technologies, enabling its economy unlock new economic opportunities. Huawei esti- and verification mechanisms, Huawei recently House (KFH), Talal Al- to become more competitive. By leveraging mates that by 2025, 97 percent of all large enter- launched the Huawei Global Cyber Security and Arbeed said that KFH is advanced technologies, organizations in Kuwait are prises will use AI, and AI will power 77 percent of Privacy Protection Transparency Center. At the keen on meeting cus- increasingly more responsive and predictive to the all cloud applications. heart of the centers’ design is a concerted effort to tomer’s needs and aspira- citizens’ digital needs. However, as the country continues to build its address cybersecurity across various technology tions by providing best In line with Vision 2035, Kuwait’s ambitious digital economy and implements new and innovative platforms. It is designed to facilitate communica- products and services in a strategic roadmap for a post-oil economy, the technologies, it also faces sophisticated and com- tion, open collaboration, knowledge sharing and way that strengthens country has reaffirmed its long-standing commit- plex cybersecurity challenges. In fact, many busi- trust-building between the government, partners, Talal Al-Arbeed Kuwait’s economy and ment to the development of its digital economy to ness leaders cite cybersecurity as one of the most and customers to build an era of unparalleled glob- development plans. further empower economic diversification. By significant challenges they encounter as they al cyber resilience. He added that KFH implementing wide-ranging digital transformation embark on their digital transformation journey. With As a business, we thrive on openness, collabora- keeps providing products, services and promo- across its key industries through the integration of recent remote working initiatives rolled out exten- tion, and shared success to address real needs and tional campaigns that encourage using a variety technologies like cloud computing, Big Data, 5G, sively across the public and private sectors, the create real value. As Kuwait continues to build its of KFH banking cards. To this effect, KFH IoT (Internet of Things), and AI (Artificial need for proper security measures and deliverables digital economy, we need to ensure we are laying launched Oasis Club credit card products in col- Intelligence), Kuwait is improving the competitive- has only further amplified. the foundation for a robust cybersecurity infra- laboration with Kuwait Airways. These include ness of its businesses in line with global standards. The Kuwaiti government acknowledges these structure through open public-private collabora- KFH MasterCard and World Elite Oasis Credit The country has leveraged digitalization to enhance challenges and had made digital security a priority. tions. After all, Kuwait’s digital economy is our Card for Private Banking customers, and KFH its position in the Middle East as a regional finan- With the Kuwait National Cyber Security Strategy shared responsibility. MasterCard and KFH Oasis Card credit cards cial, commercial, and cultural hub. in place, the government envisages working togeth- Note: Rico Lin is CEO, Huawei Kuwait exclusively for Alruwad and Altamayoz cus- tomers as well as those who meet the conditions. Al-Arbeed stressed on moving forward with use their card to fast-track to the next Tier quicker providing latest payment solutions locally and Emirates Skywards - unlocking elite tier benefits such as bonus Miles globally, adding that KFH launched the Digital while flying Emirates and flydubai, Emirates lounge Wallet service through smart mobiles and watch- launches Tier Miles access, priority check-in, complimentary seat selec- es in cooperation with Samsung, Fitbit and tion, additional baggage allowance, and many more Garmin. Compatible with IOS and Android apps, privileges. this service also includes Visa and Mastercard offer with ABK Members can earn even more Skywards Miles cards and POS which is compatible with NFC when spending with the ABK Emirates Visa Cards technology. This comes as a culmination of KFH’s KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK), in part- across a variety of hotel, car rental, retail and initiatives that aim to provide the highest level of nership with Emirates Skywards, the award-winning lifestyle partners such as skywardsmilesmall.com, services and new values for the market and ben- loyalty program of Emirates and flydubai, has Emirates Skywards Hotels and more. Skywards eficiaries in various economic conditions. launched an industry-first offer allowing ABK Miles can be redeemed for an extensive range of He mentioned that: “in order to encourage Emirates Visa cardholders to earn Tier Miles, in rewards, including flight tickets with Emirates and local market use of cards and boost traders’ addition to Skywards Miles, on spends until 31 partner airlines, upgrades, hotel stays and money- sales, KFH launched several promotional card December 2021. The offer is available for ABK can’t-buy experiences. campaigns, most recently “Ready for summer” in Emirates Visa Infinite and Signature credit card- The loyalty program was one of the first of its collaboration with Visa Cards. This campaign holders and ABK Emirates Visa Gold Prepaid Travel kind globally, to offer members an extension on Tier provides KFH customers with unique banking cardholders on eligible spends across all categories, status until 2022 and has extended validity of any experience and several chances to win including: online shopping, utility bill payments, Skywards Miles due to expire since April 2020 until Skywards reaffirms the Bank’s commitment to Fliteboard or Sea Ray boats when using KFH groceries, educational fees, and much more. 31 December 2021. Emirates Skywards has over 27 enhancing its customers’ banking experience by Visa Cards.” This exclusive offer allows ABK Emirates Visa million members globally and provides members providing exclusive personalized offerings, reward- cardholders to earn 1 Tier Mile for every 4 with valuable offerings and unmatched rewards. ing value propositions and shopping experiences Skywards Miles earned. Cardholders need to simply ABK’s strategic partnership with Emirates with added-value.

online before committing to connecting in the Tinder adds new real world, according to Lanzone. Congo, China agree “Twenty-somethings today want something a features as love little bit different, which is more substantive and debt restructuring more virtual-first,” Lanzone said. “That trend, generationally, was pre-Covid. Then Covid just BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday seekers stay virtual really cemented it across all generations.” agreed in principle to a restructuring of Congo’s vast The “Gen Z” demographic, referring to peo- debts, an issue which was blocking negotiations with the SAN FRANCISCO: Dating app Tinder yester- ple in their early twenties, accounts for more International Monetary Fund, a minister said. Congolese day added more ways for people to get to know than half of Tinder’s users, according to the Finance Minister Rigobert Roger Andely said President each other from afar before meeting in a world company. Denis Sassou Nguesso had “raised the problem” in a changed by the pandemic. “People want to take “The ultimate need for people is to meet telephone call with Xi, “proposing a second restructur- more time to get to know somebody virtually offline, and to have a real relationship in the ing” of the debt. “President Xi Jinping approved” the before deciding that they want to match and real world,” Lanzone said. “How they get to request, Andely told reporters. meet offline,” chief executive Jim Lanzone said that point and the tools they use to get to that “This restructuring is to allow the country to have a while briefing AFP on the app updates. point have shifted.” few more resources to deal with its own internal needs The smartphone app for finding love, Tinder makes its money from subscriptions and to lift this obstacle to good relations with the IMF.” whether it be fleeting or life-long, unveiled new that provide more features than the basic free Andely said experts from both the Chinese and features including playful “Hot Takes”: multiple- access to the platform. The app is available in 2012, Tinder has become the top dating site for Congolese sides would be charged with fixing the condi- choice questions to see whether users’ “flirty some 190 countries. The dating app is known for marriage, according to a recent report on wed- tions of the new agreement. China had already restruc- banter” is in sync. its trademark system of swiping right on a ding website The Knot. “Not only are we one of tured Brazzaville’s debts in 2019 to allow the Central Tinder is also providing an option to add screen to signal interest in someone’s profile and the leading sources of relationships and mar- African oil producer to unlock an IMF loan of $449 mil- video clips to user profiles to provide glimpses left to pass on them. riages, we are also one of the leading reasons lion. Since then, Congo’s debts have risen to some 110 of people’s lives, interests or adventures. As the why there has been an increase in interracial percent of GDP — a level deemed “unsustainable” by Tinder, owned by Match Group, boasts being pandemic accelerated trends of remote work, the top dating app in the US and elsewhere. relationships,” Lanzone said. “That comes from the IMF, Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso told getting outside of your social circle and open- parliament Monday. —AFP learning and socializing, it also gave momentum Despite getting a reputation as an app for to cultivating new relationships more deeply casual sexual encounters after its launch in ing up these possibilities.” —AFP Established 1961 11 Lifestyle Fashion Wednesday, June 23, 2021

ilan Men’s Fashion Week wrapped up yesterday, following Giorgio MArmani’s first live runway show since coronavirus that opened the door to a return to normality for the industry. “Back where it all began” was the name chosen by Armani, 86, for his latest men’s collection shown late Monday before a live audience.

It was a fitting description for the indus- try hoping to see the end of a punishing period of dismal sales and audience-free shows caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. Combining fluidity of movement with extreme elegance, the Men’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection was pre- sented in the courtyard of Armani’s Milan headquarters near the city’s fashion dis- trict, with models-both with and without masks-making their way down a runway in The Italian luxury house was the first to but looks felt relaxed and unencumbered- nel to emerge on a sunny beach in front of the well-manicured lawn. announce the return of live audiences in unsurprisingly, following the constraints on Sardinia. “Immersing yourself in nature, Bold floral graphics in black and white May this year, after being the first to movement felt over the past year. The going to the beach, is synonymous with adorned light knitwear or pants, blouson renounce them in February 2020, at the deconstructed, unlined jacket, the brand’s freedom. It is utopian. It’s really a primal jackets were relaxed and roomy, while beginning of the coronavirus crisis. emblem since its founding in 1975, was need, but it’s also an intellectual need,” Bermuda shorts-some in tribal indigo blue, Fashion experts have described the also in the spotlight, sometimes sporty, said designer Miuccia Prada. grey and red prints-were paired with vests live shows as an important sign of recov- sometimes featuring more dandy flair. Together with co-creative director Raf or jackets. “My new collection reflects my ery for the Italian fashion industry, where Armani was the last of three fashion Simons, Prada brought back short-shorts state of mind after the pandemic. It is very revenue fell by 26 percent last year. Pre- heavyweights to hold live shows in Milan, for men, loose or close to the body, often classic in a sense, but also informal and pandemic sales levels are only expected after Dolce & Gabbana’s show Saturday The majority of brands, however, including rolled up, and combined with blazers, col- relaxed,” Armani told journalists after the to be regained in 2022. at the Metropol, a former movie theatre Prada and Ermenegildo Zegna, offered orful tank tops, leather jackets or classic show. “And of course, I wanted the collec- that has become the brand’s headquar- filmed presentations for fashion week. waxed raincoats. — AFP tion to bear my trademark, a certain effort- Prada at the beach ters, and Etro’s show Sunday, which trans- Prada’s, presented Sunday, saw mod- less elegance,” he added. Armani dusted off the traditional suit, formed old railroad tracks into a catwalk. els emerge from a claustrophobic red tun-

MILAN: Models present creations for Giorgio Armani’s Men’s Spring Summer 2022 MILAN: Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani (center) poses MILAN: Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani (right) and his historical fashion collection during the Milan Fashion Week. — AFP photos with models following the presentation of Emporio Armani’s collaborator Leo Dell’Orco acknowledge applause following the presenta- men’s spring/summer 2020 fashion collection. tion of Giorgio Armani’s Men’s Spring Summer 2022 fashion collection dur- ing the Milan Fashion Week.

at a fixed time.” His last two men’s and for “a return to a bit of discipline”, and the women’s collections, in February and storied fashion house will be back on the Paris fashion April, were presented via poetic short films catwalk for next month’s haute couture set in castles. week in Paris. Morand played down these absences, So will Dior, which already returned to houses make saying there had always been names live shows last week with its mid-season missing from the roster and that the institu- show in Athens. tion of the fashion calendar was not under threat. “C’est la vie,” he said of the missing ‘A responsibility’ tentative return brands, and highlighted the return of This is about more than just returning to Courreges and Balenciaga to next champagne receptions. Fashion houses month’s haute couture week, as well as have “a responsibility to their suppliers,” to catwalk the desire of many young brands to join Dior women’s designer Maria Grazia the line-ups. Chiuri told AFP, especially after the terrible economic blow many have been dealt by Ballooning spiders rance’s fashion houses are tip-toeing ‘Made on Instagram’ the pandemic. Smaller fashion houses, back on to the catwalk this week after Brazilian designer Francisco Terra, however, with markets focused on dress- leave Australian to think that the days of the rigid Fmore than a year of crisis that has from young label Neith Nyer, is not among ing the ultra-rich from outside Europe, say spring/summer calendar are over in the upended the industry and left many won- those keen to return to the traditional way it is still too early to return to the catwalk. region covered in webs four main fashion capitals. Berluti, for dering if the traditional calendar will ever of doing things. He has pulled out of the “We aren’t going to do a live show example, has said it will run its own return. official event in Paris this week to organize knowing that the opinion-makers from n arachnid invasion left swathes of timetable from now on, and presented its With pandemic restrictions easing, his own catwalk show tomorrow followed China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Australia’s Gippsland region cov- men’s collection in Shanghai in April, many in the Paris fashion world hope by a pop-up store that will run for four days States can’t come,” said French designer Aered in webs as the spiders sought reflecting the increasing importance of men’s fashion week, will mark the start of “to directly test clients’ reactions”. Julien Fournie. higher ground to escape flooding. A sea of Asian buyers. Another major absentee a return to normalcy. Still, only six of 72 “I don’t think we really need the calen- “At the moment, there isn’t the right silk engulfed an area in Australia’s south- from Paris this week is Hedi Slimane, brands that make up the official Paris fash- dar,” he told AFP. “The image of a young ambiance,” added his contemporary east hit by flooding earlier in June, caused head designer at Celine. ion calendar will present live shows this brand is made on Instagram, with celebri- Stephane Rolland. “I don’t miss the live by sheet web spiders that normally live on Even before the coronavirus pandemic, week, though they include two big names ties and above all outside of the seasons.” shows because I know they will eventually the ground looking for shelter according to he had declared the fashion calendar in the form of Dior and Hermes. But some of the most gilded names are return.” — AFP ecologist Dieter Hochuli. “When we get “obsolete”, telling Le Monde: “These days, It follows a similarly tentative return in preparing for a return. Chanel’s head of these types of very heavy rains and flood- creating a sense of event and rarity seems Milan, where only three of 47 — Dolce fashion Bruno Pavlovsky called last month ing, these animals who spend their lives and Gabbana, Etro, and Armani-offered more essential than an obligatory exercise cryptically on the ground can’t live there live events for this week’s Spring/Summer anymore, and do exactly what we try to 2022 show. New York won’t be back in do-they move to the higher ground,” physical form until September, while the Hochuli, from the University of Sydney, newly gender-neutral London Fashion told local broadcaster Channel 7. Week has also remained fully digital up to Spiders are known to release webs to now. create makeshift parachutes and ride the In Paris, many big names are staying wind to change location, a phenomenon within the confines of computer screens, known as ballooning. At least two people including Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten, died when the storms hit Victoria earlier Loewe and Tom Browne. Pascal Morand, this month, with authorities finding both president of France’s Federation of Haute bodies in separate partially submerged Couture and Fashion, told AFP there was vehicles. Thousands of people in the hard- “a very strong appetite to return to the est-hit areas were also left without power physical.” for weeks, with some homes yet to be But he was not ashamed to deploy the reconnected to electricity. Australians living word “phygital” for the current state of in regional and rural areas have struck by affairs. “It won’t be one thing or the other. It a series of disasters in recent years. will be both, and it’s a sign of innovation,” PARIS: France’s A prolonged drought was followed by he insisted. fashion houses are months of devastating bushfires in late tip-toeing back on to 2019 to early 2020 before welcome rains ‘Obsolete’ the catwalk this week brought damaging floods in several Nonetheless, many big designers seem regions. — AFP 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, June 23, 2021

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron (foreground, left) and Head of French PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron and Head of French multinational cor- PARIS: This general view shows a store inside within multinational corporation LVMH Bernard Arnault (foreground, right) applaud during poration LVMH Bernard Arnault (right) attend a ceremony marking Paris’ Iconic the ‘La Samaritaine’ department store in Paris. a ceremony marking Paris’ Iconic department store ‘La Samaritaine’ reopening department store ‘La Samaritaine’ reopening after 16 years of closure Monday. — AFP photos after 16 years of closure, Monday.

arisians will once again be able to For the revamp, LVMH shrank the floor- but you will find all of Paris at La They also discovered that an elegant, fast-fashion specialist Uniqlo and other stroll the gilded aisles of the space in the flagship building, a classified Samaritaine,” said Eleonore de Boysson, golden-hued peacock fresco, an Art shops. LVMH also carved out an PSamaritaine department store start- monument, by a third and took its offerings Europe director at LVMH’s DFS retailing Nouveau masterpiece extending along the esplanade complete with fountains where ing Wednesday, after 16 years of firmly upmarket-applying the formula at Le arm. walls under the glass atrium roof, had cars used to whiz past, making it easier to painstaking work to restore the Art Deco Bon Marche, LVMH’s other temple of luxe been covered in white paint in the 1990s. marvel at the ornate facades and hopefully and Art Nouveau landmark to its former in Paris. Gone is the hunting gear, house- ‘Complicated’ A court battle with residential and her- drawing more Parisians as well as tourists. glory. Luxury conglomerate LVMH shut the wares, tools and toys, despite the historic Opened in 1870 by Ernest Cognac, a itage groups angry over a new undulating The store and hotel alone will create 151-year-old emporium overlooking the signs still on the facade. Instead, think travelling salesman, and expanded with glass facade on one section, designed by 2,100 jobs, further revitalizing a district that Seine river in 2005, when safety inspec- designer fashion labels, an entire floor his wife Louise Jay, the four Samaritaine the Pritzker-winning Japanese firm Sanaa, has seen a spate of recent projects, tors discovered widespread risks including dedicated to swank watches, two concept stores became a fixture of Paris culminat- also went to France’s top court before including the new Bourse de Commerce antiquated wiring. stores and a vast beauty and cosmetics ing in a 1930s golden age. LVMH was allowed to proceed. Press art museum by Arnault’s luxury rival Once a retail anchor for the historic department in the basement. He named it La Samaritaine after a reports say the budget climbed to 750 mil- Francois Pinault. But only a handful of the core of the capital between the Louvre and Restaurants, bars and food offerings pump on the nearby Pont Neuf bridge that lion euros, an amount executives have not nearly 750 employees abruptly dismissed Notre-Dame, by then it was losing money like Street Caviar by Prunier are spread depicted the Gospel story of the woman of officially confirmed but quietly concede is 16 years ago have been rehired-dozens and customers no longer interested in its throughout, while a Cheval Blanc hotel Samaria offering water to Jesus. It’s the in the ballpark. “Renovating is much more were interviewed but LVMH requires sales pitch: “You can find everything at La opening in September will offer Seine bridge Matt Damon’s character spies on complicated to do than just rebuild,” staff to speak at least three languages. Samaritaine.” “It was dying,” the store’s views and a restaurant with Michelin- from the Samaritaine’s roof in the 2002 Guiony said. “It’s a rebirth,” said Mourad Khati, 53, a chief Jean-Jacques Guiony told journalists starred Arnaud Donckele at the helm. thriller “The Bourne Identity”-though the manager once again on site. “I first started on Monday, when President Emmanuel Rooms start at 1,150 euros (nearly huge lettered sign he stands behind won’t ‘It’s a rebirth’ when I was 21, having just arrived from Macron visited for the restored site’s inau- $1,400) a night, and the two-storey rooftop be replaced. The work was originally As part of the project negotiated with Kabylia” in Algeria. “In those days it was guration. Macron, touring alongside penthouse will have its own pool, spa and expected to last three to six years, but City Hall, much of the store was converted more working-class,” he said. “Today it’s Bernard Arnault, LVMH’s chief and one of cinema and a private elevator direct to the delays emerged as LVMH sought out hun- into office space as well as 97 low-income very high-end.” — AFP the world’s richest people, called it “a stun- street. Price upon request. “You’ll no dreds of artisans across France capable of housing units and a child daycare center. ning French cultural treasure.” longer find everything at La Samaritaine, restoring mosaics and other artworks. One building will be rented to Japanese

PARIS: French ballet dancer of the Paris Opera Ballet Dorothee Gilbert says goodbye to a ollywood star George Clooney will child after dancing for him at the intensive launch an academy for Los Angeles care child unit of the Hospital Necker-Enfants high school students as part of a H Malades AP-HP in Paris. — AFP new scheme to teach movie industry skills ATHENS: Adriana Theohari and women participating in a project on to children from disadvantaged and minor- ATHENS: Fatemeh Jafari, from Afghanistan (right) and Greek Donna ity communities, it was announced gender equality edit short films and podcasts in the office of an Petropoulou listen to Greek Olympic sailing champion Sofia organization. — AFP photos Monday. Clooney and fellow A-listers Don Bekatorou, who started a belated #MeToo awakening in Greece, Cheadle and Eva Longoria will spearhead Paris ballet stars during an interview. the program initially available next fall for 14 to 16-year-olds at a downtown high bring relief in have gradually seen more exposure in propriate behavior,” Sude said. The two school, with plans to expand to other ages Refugee women recent years after decades of silence. sisters had previously lived in the notori- and pilot locations throughout Los Sexual harassment is also more widely ous Moria camp on the island of Lesbos. Angeles’ public school system. children’s hospital reported since January when Greek After it burned down in September, they “Our aim is to better reflect the diversity promote gender Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou wandered the streets of Athens and of our country. That means starting early,” n an intensive care unit, an intubated boy accused a federation official of sex abuse, Thessaloniki for days before going to the Clooney said in a statement announcing is watching intensely as two star dancers equality through film spurring a belated #MeToo awakening in Elaionas camp in the capital. “As women, the Roybal School of Film and Television Ifrom the Paris Opera twirl before him in Greece. “The voices of women are hardly dangers are everywhere, in the camps this Production. “It means creating high school shimmering costumes. “We’re going to do audible in the media, especially those of feeling is even more present. You are programs that teach young people about a promenade, an arabesque, a porte pois- n the offices of a small Athens charity young refugees,” says GlobalGirl Media’s afraid to go to the toilet, to walk alone at cameras, and editing and visual effects son,” says dancer Hugo Marchand as he offering vocational courses, a group of coordinator in Greece, American director night,” says Elie. One of the short films and sound and all the career opportunities pulls off some elaborate moves with his Iwomen are busy editing short films and Amie Williams. “The idea is to allow them deals with a space on Lesbos set aside for that this industry has to offer.” partner Dorothee Gilbert around the bed podcasts under the supervision of an to train in journalism professions, to be women for showering and relaxation. and beeping machines. “We just came to American director. heard but also to rebuild themselves by Another asks female interviewees to iden- say a little hello,” he says as they depart, tify what constitutes feminism. and the child gives a small wave of acknowledgement. ‘I was lucky to find a good man’ The dancers move from room to room, At 14, Ataa Brimo was married off by dressed in the green and gold costumes her parents to a man nine years her sen- of the “La Bayadere” ballet-with added ior, and had her first child a year later. Now surgical masks-joking with caregivers and 30, stranded in Greece and separated getting some bemused expressions from from her family in Germany for the past the patients. In one room, it’s a baby two years, this Syrian refugee has made a US actor George Clooney arrives to the pre- watching them, eyes wide as Gilbert’s short film on underage marriages that res- miere of “Catch-22” at the TCL Chinese pirouette sets her dress fluttering. onates with thousands of women with sim- Theatre in Hollywood, in this file photo. — AFP They are in the Necker-Enfant Malades ilar experiences-and many more with even Hospital as part of the “What Dance Can worse tales to tell. The program follows similar star- Do Project” organised by a Swiss-French Titled “Little Mother”, Brimo’s film has backed collaborations with Los Angeles association, which aims to empower chil- been selected for the Thessaloniki public schools, including an inner-city edu- dren though dance, especially those Documentary Festival that opens tomor- cational facility announced last week by affected by poverty, exile or illness. Its field row. “I was lucky to come across a good music producers Dr Dre and Jimmy of operations never stops growing, from man. But clearly I was not prepared to Iovine. The Los Angeles Unified School an orphanage in Morocco to a dance ATHENS: (Left to right) Fatemeh, Sude and Ataa work on the editing of an interview while District teaches some 650,000 students, school in New Zealand to hospitals in participating in a project on gender equality in the office of an organization. become a mother so young, I did not understand what happened to me,” she who are mainly from low-income back- Paris and Zurich. “We see how it lifts them filming their stories or those of other told AFP. According to Greek police, the grounds and predominantly Latino or out of their complicated daily lives,” said Refugees from Congo, Syria, Black. Hollywood’s poor record on diversi- women who are committed to gender number of domestic violence incidents Marchand, adding that he likes the oppor- Afghanistan and Iran, the women are ty both in front of and behind the camera equality,” she said. quadrupled in Greece between 2010 and tunity to “feel useful”. being trained by GlobalGirl Media, an has come under close scrutiny in recent On June 30, the United Nations will 2018, from 1,148 to 4,254. “The thing that moves me the most is organization teaching digital media and years, including the #OscarsSoWhite host a forum on gender equality in Paris, But many cases still go unreported. managing to bring them a bit of lightness. I journalism skills to young women from campaign launched in 2015 on social Last week, a 32-year-old Greek confessed always hope these children go to sleep under-served communities. But although where activists will seek to influence states media to denounce and draw attention to some have come to Greece from halfway to advance gender equality. For the occa- to killing his 20-year-old British wife as she that night dreaming of dance.” the overwhelming majority of white nomi- “In their looks, we see little sparks, across the world, they have found that the sion, Williams says the young refugees slept next to their baby daughter, and tried nees honored year after year. problems they face are not so different received training and money to make short to disguise the crime as a deadly burglary. curiosity, maybe some admiration, or In a sign of positive change, a report in maybe just ‘What on earth are these peo- after all. films by interviewing organizations and “These young women did not neces- April found female and minority actors “I was not aware of the difficulties expe- feminist icons in Greece. Sude Fazlolah, a sarily know until now what gender equality ple up to?’” laughs Gilbert. In her bed, 15- were proportionately represented in year-old Maely smiles as she watches rienced by Greek women. During the inter- 38-year-old Iranian, said she “learned a was,” said Williams. “But even without Hollywood for the first time last year in a views, we discussed at length the need to lot” after she and her sister Elie inter- knowing it, they are very strong and femi- Marchand jumping across the corridor. “watershed moment for diversity.” But it “We are like giant frogs,” he tells her. support each other as women whatever viewed Bekatorou. nists... they have left their families, patriar- warned that films with female or racial our origins, because we are going through chal societies, travelled, faced many hard- “There’s no talking in ballet?” the young minority directors still have far smaller girl asks. So the dancers show her some similar experiences”, notes Fatemeh ‘Speak up’ ships alone.”—AFP budgets, and that groups including Latinos Jafari, a 25-year-old Afghan. Violence “You shouldn’t be afraid to speak up or pantomime. “I’m the swan queen,” says remain severely underrepresented on Gilbert, making a crown above her head against women and femicide in Greece be ashamed to denounce a man’s inap- screen. —AFP with her hands.—AFP Established 1961 13 Sports Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Troubled Tokyo Olympics near finish line with one month to go

TOKYO: The Tokyo Olympics have weathered a his- “unavoidable”. On Monday, organizers set a maximum of In a taste of the challenges ahead, a coach from toric postponement, an unprecedented ban on overseas 10,000 domestic fans per venue, but warned events Uganda’s Olympic team tested positive on arrival in fans and persistent domestic opposition, but with one could move behind closed doors if infections surge. Even Japan on Saturday, despite the delegation being vacci- month to go, the finish line is finally in sight. with some spectators in the stands, there’s no doubt this nated and testing negative before travel. Yesterday, the The journey to Tokyo 2020 has involved a long list year’s Games will be a pale imitation of Olympics past. team’s other eight members were put into quarantine of complications that sometimes threatened to make it Cheering will be banned, and athletes can’t hug or until July 3, a local official tosaid. the first modern Olympics cancelled in peacetime. Now, high-five. They must wear masks except when eating, The relentless preparations may have taken their toll just four weeks remain until the opening ceremony on sleeping or competing, and can only move between the on Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who will take the rest July 23, and while the mood is far from jubilant, organ- Olympic Village and their venues. They face warnings, of the week off to recover from exhaustion, her office izers might just have cause to celebrate. fines or being kicked out of the Games for breaking said yesterday. The Olympic delay and virus security The first Olympic teams are already in Japan, along the rules. have added at least 294 billion yen ($2.6 billion) to an with key officials and some overseas media. And polls already hefty budget of 1.64 trillion yen ($14.9 billion), suggest long-standing public opposition to the Games Hurdles ahead which could make Tokyo among the most expensive may be weakening as D-day approaches. “We are in The Tokyo Olympics faced setbacks as far back as Summer Games ever. But despite the coronavirus and the full delivery phase,” International Olympic TOKYO: In this file photo a general view shows the 2015, when the main stadium’s revamp was sent back to the hefty expense, there are signs public opposition is Committee chief Thomas Bach said on Monday. Olympic rings lit up at dusk on the Odaiba waterfront the drawing board because it was too expensive. In softening, with recent surveys finding 50 percent or “Athletes are beginning to arrive in Tokyo, ready to in Tokyo on April 28, 2021. — AFP 2019, the head of Japan’s Olympic committee stepped more favor the Games going ahead over cancellation. make their Olympic dreams become a reality.” down over a French investigation probing $2.3 million in Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who faces his It has been an uphill battle since the unprecedented payments made before and after Tokyo’s nomination. He first election just after the Games, will be hoping for a decision to postpone the Games in March 2020, as the No cheering, high-fives denied any wrongdoing. success that can boost his political career. His govern- scale of the pandemic started to emerge. Back then, Officials pressed ahead, contending with delayed And in February, Tokyo 2020 chief Yoshiro Mori ment has faced pressure over its coronavirus response, there was cause to hope the pandemic might be over qualifiers and test events and launching a mammoth resigned after causing a furor with his sexist remarks though Japan has seen a smaller outbreak than many before the opening ceremony came around. But a glob- effort to draft virus rules they say will keep the event that women talk too much in meetings. As the Games nations, with around 14,500 deaths despite avoiding al coronavirus surge and the rise of more infectious safe. In March they announced the Games would be the finally approach, the IOC says more than 80 percent of harsh lockdowns. The country vaccine rollout started variants put paid to those dreams and fuelled rising first to bar overseas spectators, a decision that Tokyo those in the Village will be vaccinated, but competitors slowly, though the pace is now increasing, with around opposition in Japan. 2020 chief and former Olympian Seiko Hashimoto called will still be tested daily. seven percent of the population fully inoculated. — AFP

Dismantle networks Increased doping in “Testing is not the only weapon in anti-doping,” said Niggli, who has worked as a lawyer in pandemic ‘not a worry’, Switzerland. “You have other means of fighting doping like the longitudinal profile and the athlete’s passport, storage of samples. So it’s not as simple as thinking says WADA chief that because you’re not going to get tested, you won’t be caught.” MONTREAL: World anti-doping chiefs insist they Niggli added: “Also the reality that when there was are not overly worried by athletes who may have tried no testing, there was no competition... no training. So it to take advantage of reduced drugs testing programs wasn’t a period of time where doping would have during the coronavirus pandemic. With just one month brought you any real benefits. So yes, maybe some to go before the Tokyo Olympics, Olivier Niggli, the have tried to take advantage of that, but it’s not some- director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency thing that I would say is a particular worry for us.” (WADA), told AFP in an interview that testing levels Niggli, however, said doping was an “ever- had made a significant, and timely, recovery. “For sure, evolving situation where more sophistication at the beginning of the pandemic, there had been a comes into the picture”. He cited not only new slowdown of testing and anti-doping due to health substances and new ways of ingesting drugs like TOKYO: This file photo taken on September 7, 2019 shows a general view of the Nippon Budokan, a venue for the measures,” Niggli said. micro-dosing, but also the influence of athletes’ upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. — AFP Although COVID-19 restrictions had had an initial entourages that demands investigations that can impact, “we are now back to a level which is even help dismantle networks of professionals who are helping the athletes to dope. two-kilometer basin protected from the sea by a dam, higher than it used to be,” Niggli added. “A lot of where rowers will glide along eight competition lanes. countries have simply closed down for all fields in “That’s where you can see drastic change in how Arenas of gold: Tokyo the fight against doping is conducted,” he said. The Built to seat 24,000, the arena’s capacity will be society. But since March last year, things have recov- reduced to 2,000 afterwards when it will host 30 com- ered significantly, and to the point that... the number of use of dried blood spot testing is also being trialed at venues ready to forge the Tokyo Olympics. The technique — in which small petitions per year as well as canoeing and rowing tests that are being conducted, out of competition, are classes. higher than they were at the same time in 2019, pre- samples are collected from a finger prick and blotted Olympic dreams pandemic.” Turning to athletes potentially abusing onto an absorbent card — could mark a new era in anti-doping, and WADA believes it could eventually Ariake Arena strict restrictions on travel and face-to-face contact by The brand-new Ariake Arena will host Olympic vol- allow for more athletes to be targeted and more tests turning to doping, Niggli said the issue was “not that TOKYO: From a state-of-the-art aquatics center to a leyball and Paralympic basketball, with seating for to be carried out.—AFP straightforward”. historic martial arts arena whose roof resembles 15,000. Solar panels on its curved roof were carefully Mount Fuji, Tokyo’s Olympic sites are ready for action aligned to avoid reflecting sunlight into nearby apart- after a year’s virus delay. The 43 venues are located in ments. The solar panels, heat sensors and geothermal two main areas: the “Tokyo Bay Zone” in the capital’s pumps will reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The ven- busy port district, and the more central “Heritage ue is earmarked for concerts and sporting events after Zone” incorporating several sites from the 1964 Tokyo 2020. Olympics. Coronavirus rules announced Monday mean a maximum of 10,000 spectators will be allowed at Nippon Budokan each venue, though sponsors and Olympic officials The renowned martial arts arena was first built for may slightly swell that figure. With one month to go judo in 1964 and boasts a curved roof to resemble until the opening ceremony, AFP takes a tour of the Mount Fuji. It will also host karate in 2020. It became key venues: a renowned concert venue after the 1964 Olympics and famously played host to the Beatles in 1966 when Olympic Stadium they made their first appearance in Japan. Naomi Osaka Caeleb Dressel Trayvon Bromell Used for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics and some football matches, the Olympic Village 68,000-seater Olympic Stadium in central Tokyo has regularly during the pandemic, although pool ses- The Olympic Village, which will house athletes been built on the site of the 1964 stadium. The original sions were scaled back. and officials from over 200 countries, was built on Osaka, Dressel, design, by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, was jetti- reclaimed land on a huge rectangular site looking soned in July 2015 after public outrage over its $2 bil- out over the water. The 21 residential towers will Trayvon Bromell lion price tag — which would have made it the world’s Bromell: Stars to The American established himself as favorite to have a total capacity of 18,000 beds during the most expensive stadium. A slimmed-down, cheaper succeed Usain Bolt as Olympic 100m champion when Olympics and 8,000 for the Paralympics. They have version was commissioned and the five-floor facility he blasted to a gun-to-tape victory in the US trials in been empty for months, but after the Games will be watch at Olympics was unveiled in December 2019, along with special 9.80sec on Sunday. The 25-year-old from Florida has converted into luxury apartments to buy or rent — features to beat the heat of the Tokyo summer. TOKYO: Five stars to watch at the Tokyo 2020 made a remarkable return to form this year after a with around 900 units already sold before the post- Olympics, which start on July 23 after a year’s delay career ravaged by injuries. ponement. Aquatics Centre because of the coronavirus pandemic: With world champion Christian Coleman banned The 56.7 billion yen ($516 million) Aquatics Centre for missing doping tests, Bromell will attempt to Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre was completed in February 2020 but its grand opening The first artificial canoe slalom course in Japan has Naomi Osaka become the first US sprinter to win the Olympic 100m was postponed by the virus. A ribbon-cutting ceremo- vast concrete basins that slope at a two-degree gradi- The Japanese tennis star’s return to action is certain crown since Justin Gatlin took gold at the Athens ny was finally held in October 2020 at the 15,000-seat ent. Four pumps will be installed and blocks placed on to draw plenty of attention after she withdrew from Olympics in 2004. Bromell said there was no danger venue in the Bay Zone for swimming, diving and artis- the course to create a raging current. The site is the French Open citing mental health concerns and he would suffer from over-confidence. tic swimming events. intended for a wide range of watersports and leisure also skipped Wimbledon. Osaka, 23, prompted soul- “I feel with confidence sometimes comes compla- The main pool features a movable wall allowing the activities after the Games. searching in the sport and media with her French Open cency,” he said. “I come from the hood, nothing was 50m facility to be converted into two 25m pools, with pull-out over her refusal to take part in press confer- easy for me, and so every time I go to training I feel I the depth also adjustable. Tokyo hopes to make the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium ences, which she said were like “kicking people while have everything to lose.” World 200m champion Noah most of the facility after this summer, aiming to attract Japanese authorities have dubbed Tokyo 2020 the they’re down”. Lyles failed in his bid to attempt an Olympic sprint one million users a year, mostly through swimming “Reconstruction Olympics” and they are determined Osaka said she had suffered “bouts of depression” double when he failed to make the team for the 100m. since winning the first of her four major titles at the competitions but also allowing casual punters to swim. to show that areas in eastern Fukushima have been revitalized since the crippling 2011 earthquake, 2018 US Open and needed to “take some time away Sifan Hassan Sea Forest Waterway tsunami and nuclear meltdown. The venue will be from the court”. However, she is currently expected to The versatile Dutch runner this month came within On a lush artificial island, in the shadow of the huge used for baseball, one of Japan’s most popular compete in Tokyo where her treatment by the press is half a second of a stunning world record in the Tokyo Gate Bridge, sits the Sea Forest Waterway — a sports, and softball. — AFP likely to be under close scrutiny. women’s 1500m, just five days after setting a short- She had already proved her willingness to challenge lived 10,000m world record. The Ethiopian-born the status quo at last year’s US Open, where she wore Hassan already has three world records to her name, a different facemask in each round highlighting victims and it was briefly four before Ethiopian Letesenbet of racism and police brutality. She went on to win the Gidey set a new world best in the 10,000m just two US Open and then this year’s Australian Open, giving days after she herself had knocked off more than 10 her back-to-back Grand Slam titles. seconds off the record. Hassan, who moved to the Netherlands from Caeleb Dressel Ethiopia at the age of 15 in 2008, said she was not sur- Caeleb Dressel is poised to be one of the faces of prised by Gidey’s performance, insisting she was the Tokyo Games as he targets a possible seven gold “actually happy about it because I want to make the medals in the pool. The 24-year-old American swim- distance more exciting!” The world 1500m champion ming star was the stand-out performer at June’s will face a battle royale in Tokyo with Olympic cham- national trials winning the 100m freestyle, 100m but- pion Faith Kipyegon of Kenya. terfly and 50m freestyle. He will arrive in Tokyo as the gold medal favorite in each of those and is also likely Adam Peaty to feature in four US relay teams. Olympic champion and 100m breaststroke world Dressel flew under the radar at the Rio Games, record holder Adam Peaty had a training pool installed with two Olympic relay golds, but exploded into view in his back garden after facilities were closed during at the 2017 world championships in Budapest with Britain’s first coronavirus lockdown last year. The seven gold medals followed by six more at the 2019 extraordinary measure has already paid off for the 26- worlds in Gwangju, where he also broke Michael year-old, who won four gold medals at last month’s Phelps’ 10-year-old world record in the 100m butter- European Championships. Peaty won gold in the 100m This file photo taken on August 3, 2019 shows Fukushima Azuma baseball stadium, venue for the baseball and softball fly. The 6ft 3in (1.91m) Floridian lives close to his breaststroke in Rio and silver in the 4x100m medley in Fukushima. strength and conditioning coach so was able to train relay. He is an eight-time world champion. — AFP 14 Sports Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Argentina, Chile through to Copa America quarter-final

BRASILIA: Argentina and Chile on Monday booked Group A with seven points — enough to secure its In the other match Monday, Chile drew 1-1 with their places in the Copa America quarter-finals, ending spot in the next phase of the tournament being played Uruguay to end the day with five log points. With four top of Group A after low-scoring matches that left the in empty stadiums in coronavirus-battered Brazil. The matches left to play in Group A, Paraguay has three other two spots up for grabs. Argentina logged its sec- match marked a personal milestone for Messi, who tied points, Uruguay one, and Bolivia zero, meaning they all ond win in three group matches played, beating Javier Mascherano’s record for the most games played still stand a theoretical chance to go to the quarter- Paraguay 1-0, with Alejandro “Papu” Gomez scoring for Argentina — 147. But it was not a night of glory for finals. Brazil has already qualified from Group B. the sole goal of a lacklustre match in Brasilia in the Messi or his team, who in the second half seemed to Despite opposition from politicians and citizens, ninth minute. resign themselves to defending a spirited, but ulti- Brazil agreed at the 11th hour to host the world’s oldest The win placed Lionel Messi’s La Albiceleste top of mately fruitless, Paraguayan attack. international tournament after South American foot- ball’s governing body CONMEBOL took it from co- hosts Argentina, battling a pandemic surge, and Colombia where dozens have died in anti-government protests. The contest had already been delayed by a year due to the pandemic and many players and coaches spoke out against it going ahead before the tourna- ment began. The build-up to Monday’s Chile-Uruguay game had been overshadowed by controversy in the Chile camp after revelations the team had breached COVID-19 protocols by bringing a local hairdresser into the team hotel. CONMEBOL said it would fine those involved $30,000. However there was no sign of the controversy affecting their play, with Vargas firing Chile ahead on 26 minutes from a tight angle after latching onto a clever pass from English-born Ben Brereton. Uruguay grabbed a share of the points in the second-half when Suarez bundled in the ball from close range during a tangle with former Barcelona team-mate Arturo Vidal at the far post following a corner. Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani almost snatched victory for Uruguay in the 85th minute, but his glancing header flashed just wide of the post. Vargas’s first-half strike saw him draw level with Peru’s ROME: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the Paolo Guerrero on 14 goals in the Copa America’s all- second set against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas during CUIABA: Chile’s Francisco Sierralta (left) and Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani vie for the ball during their Conmebol Copa time goalscoring rankings, three behind the record of their quarter final match of the Men’s Italian Open at America 2021 football tournament group phase match at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba, Brazil, on Monday. — AFP 17 held by Brazil’s Zizinho and Argentina’s Norberto Foro Italico on May 15, 2021 in Rome, Italy. — AFP Mendez. — AFP

working then that’s half of the match right there. She Djokovic ready to Ball in Serena’s court has that experience and flexibility.” Evert, though, concedes that like any great champi- on who appears vulnerable all her opponents suddenly be first among at Wimbledon with entertain hopes of beating her. “The players are better now than they were two years ago and they are not equals at Wimbledon rivals’ fitness doubts intimidated,” said the 66-year-old, 18-time Grand Slam singles champion. “They all feel they have a chance against Serena.” LONDON: Novak Djokovic is targeting a record- LONDON: Serena Williams turns 40 on September equaling 20th major and sixth Wimbledon title 26 and the arrival of that landmark birthday will be all ‘Going to have fun’ from next week, edging him closer to becoming the sweeter if she has at last equaled Margaret Court’s Barty will go into Wimbledon without a warm-up only the third man to complete a calendar Grand all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. The tournament on grass after pulling out due to a hip Slam. The world number one has already won a tennis legend could even hold the record outright if injury in the middle of the second set of her second ninth Australian Open and second French Open she wins both Wimbledon and the US Open but round match at the French Open. The 25-year-old this season. despite holding her own in the top 10, there is a fear Australian has been practicing on grass at Wimbledon That has put him halfway to emulating Don that age is impacting on her powers. labeling them “baby steps” as the 2019 French Open Budge (1937) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) in A fourth round loss at the French Open to Kazakh champion bids to be fighting fit. sweeping all four majors in the same year. It is a 21st seed Elena Rybakina reflected this although clay Halep too will open her defense of the title — feat that even his closest rivals Roger Federer and would be her least preferred surface despite three Wimbledon having been cancelled last year due to the Rafael Nadal have never managed and will proba- Roland Garros titles. However, her chances of an coronavirus pandemic — without a match on grass bly never achieve. eighth Wimbledon crown have improved with the under her belt. The 29-year-old Romanian’s calf injury “Everything is possible,” said 34-year-old withdrawal of world number two Naomi Osaka, who is forced her to miss the French Open and although she PARIS: Serena Williams of the US returns the ball to Djokovic after winning the French Open earlier this taking time out of the game after revealing she has turned up for this week’s Bad Homburg tournament Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu during their women’s month when asked if the Golden Slam of all four been battling anxiety and depression. she felt she was not fit enough to compete. majors and Olympic Games gold was a realistic tar- There are also fitness doubts over Australia’s world “My calf is not ready for a competition,” she said. “I singles second round match of the French Open in Paris on June 2, 2021. — AFP get. “I’ve achieved some things that a lot of people number one Ashleigh Barty and third-ranked Simona will keep practising as I really want to be able to play thought it would be not possible for me to achieve.” Halep, who denied Williams the record-equaling Slam at Wimbledon but for now I have to take care of my Djokovic memorably captured a fifth Wimbledon at Wimbledon two years ago. That was one of four body and to see how the recovery is going.” lit up the 2019 tournament both on and off the court in 2019, saving two championship points to defeat Grand Slam finals Williams has played since she drew Barbora Krejcikova is the form player after her sur- after reaching the last 16 having come through the Federer in the longest ever final at the All England within one title of the controversial Court’s record at prise triumph in the French Open. The 25-year-old qualifiers. Club at four hours and 57 minutes. He was deprived the 2017 Australian Open. Czech paid a moving tribute to her late compatriot and Unlike Halep and Barty she is getting match prac- of defending his title in 2020 when Wimbledon was Fellow American tennis legend Chris Evert believes former coach Jana Novotna when she won at Roland tice in at the Eastbourne tournament this week. Gauff, cancelled due to the pandemic. Williams is still capable of winning at Wimbledon Garros. She might have to repeat it should she win at ranked 23 in the world, says the limelight might shine However, Djokovic has been at this juncture where she has been the losing finalist on her last two the All England Club, the venue where Novotna won on her again at Wimbledon. “People might expect me before, winning in Australia and Paris in 2016 but visits. “Like Roger Federer I would give Serena a bet- her only singles Grand Slam crown in 1998. to feel pressure going into it, but I don’t really feel any coming up short at the Rio Olympics, Wimbledon ter chance at Wimbledon because the grass is perfect One player who will remind spectators of what fun pressure,” she said. “I’m just going to have fun and and the US Open later in the year. Djokovic has won for her game,” Evert told Eurosport prior to the French it was to watch tennis before coronavirus will be enjoy it. I don’t really want to push myself to compare seven of the last 11 Slams as he ramps up his assault Open. “On the grass, if Serena is fit and that serve is American teenager Coco Gauff. As a 15-year-old she my result this year with last time.” — AFP on the record of 20 majors held jointly by Federer and Nadal. Nadal, the Wimbledon champion in 2008 and 2010, has already withdrawn from this year’s tournament, still scarred by the bruising loss Kuwait Cycling to the Serb in the French Open semi-finals. Club thanks ‘Huge challenge’ Eight-time winner Federer, meanwhile, will be 40 in August and won just one match on grass at Halle sports authority in the build-up to Wimbledon. Federer, who under- went two knee surgeries in 2020, won the last of his KUWAIT: Public Authority for Sports Deputy eight Wimbledons in 2017 and the most recent of Director General for Competitive Sport Affairs Dr his 20 majors in Australia in 2018. Saqer Al-Mulla received Secretary General of Kuwait The Swiss star has lost three finals to Djokovic at Cycling Club Abdallah Al-Shimmari, who presented to the All England Club in 2014, 2015 and the epic him the third-place winner’s jersey that the club has 2019 clash. “It’s a huge challenge for me,” said won during the Estonia tour recently. Shimmari said Federer of his comeback. “Things don’t come sim- this achievement “would not have happened without ple, they don’t come easy.” the support” of PAS, who he thanked for “exerting The rest of the current top 10 have endured so tremendous efforts to facilitate the cycling team’s par- far mediocre Wimbledon records. Only 33-year-old ticipation” in the tournament. Roberto Bautista Agut, a surprise semi-finalist two years ago, has got beyond the last 16. Daniil Medvedev has a best of the third round, while Dominic Thiem, who made the fourth round in 2017, TAMPA: Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders crashed at the first hurdle in 2018 and 2019. during the first period in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Alexander Zverev had a best last 16 run in 2017 Arena on Monday in Tampa, Florida.— AFP but was also a first-round loser two years ago while Andrey Rublev has yet to get past the second front of a crowd of 14,700 at the Amalie Arena. The round. Of the remainder of the top 10, French Open Lightning explode for Canadian forward has now scored in eight straight runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini games, one of the longest playoff scoring streaks in are Djokovic’s most likely threats. league history. He leads the NHL with 13 goals in the Tsitsipas made the last 16 in 2018 before exiting 8-0 win over Isles postseason. The Islanders were not only blown out in the first round two years ago. The Greek, how- Monday, but they also may have lost their top player ever, is one of the form players of 2021, winning Mathew Barzal to a possible suspension after he deliv- titles in Monte Carlo and Lyon before forcing LOS ANGELES: Steven Stamkos rediscovered his ered a cross check to the head of Lightning defenceman Djokovic to recover from two sets down in the scoring touch, and Brayden Point stretched his goal Jan Rutta. The Lightning can wrap up the series and Roland Garros final. streak to eight games as the Tampa Bay Lightning rout- advance to their second straight NHL finals with a win Queen’s Club champion Matteo Berrettini is also a ed the New York Islanders 8-0 in the fifth game of their on the road tonight at Nassau Coliseum. If there is a dangerman for Djokovic. The Italian made the last 16 NHL semi-final series. game seven, it would be Friday in Florida. in 2019 where it took Federer to stop his progress. Stamkos and Alex Killorn both had two goals and one Stamkos had no goals heading into Monday’s contest He was also the first man to win the Queen’s title on assist, and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 21 shots for as the Lightning scored almost as many goals in game debut since Boris Becker in 1985 — the German his fourth shutout of the playoffs as the defending five as they had in the first four games of the series went on to win a maiden Wimbledon just weeks later. Stanley Cup champions seized a 3-2 lead in the best-of- (nine). The Lightning captain said this is going to be a Andy Murray, the 2013 and 2016 champion, will KUWAIT: Secretary General of Kuwait Cycling Club Abdallah seven series. ‘’This showed our bounce-back ability,’’ confidence booster. ‘’There was no frustration. You never hope to ride a national wave of emotion at least into Al-Shimmari presents the jersey to Public Authority for said Stamkos of the Lightning, who lost game four 3-2. know when it is going to be your night,’’ Stamkos said. ‘’I the second week. But the injury-plagued Briton, a Sports Deputy Director General for Competitive Sport ‘’Coming off a loss we have always found a way to win.’’ had some better looks tonight so this is going to give me former world number one, is down at 119 in the rank- Affairs Dr Saqer Al-Mulla. Point scored on the powerplay in the third period in some confidence.’’—AFP ings and has won just two matches all season. — AFP Wednesday, June 23, 2021 15 Denmark ‘unit’ rides wave of emotion into Wales last-16 clash

COPENHAGEN: Denmark is a nation united behind which the players had to deal with seeing teammate of Eriksen’s sudden cardiac arrest midway through its football team after they charged into the Euro Christian Eriksen nearly die on the pitch. their opener against Finland, the Danes came into 2020 knockouts on a cathartic night in Copenhagen Asked how he managed to hold things together for Monday’s match with their tournament status in dan- which sets them up well for the rest of the tourna- the team after they secured a spot in the next round, ger. They needed eventual Group B winners Belgium ment. Considered by many a dark horse before the Hjulmand said: “I have a great team around me, great to beat Finland and a win by two goals or more — or Euro started thanks to a squad packed with talent, staff, great people around me, great players.” a single-goal win by any other score than 1-0 — over Denmark will face Wales in the last 16 and on the evi- “I think the only way I can tell it is we are a unit. the Russians. dence of Monday’s thrilling 4-1 thumping of Russia It’s not one person, it’s not me or anything else, it’s a will be favorites to make the last eight. unit,” he added. “We’re backing each other up and ‘Thinking about Christian’ Before the tournament started, coach Kasper that is the best within Denmark I think, the best val- Mikkel Damsgaard gave Denmark the lead with a Hjulmand said he wanted his side to “dare to dream” ues we can show that we stand united, we are helping stunning curling strike shortly before the break but it of going all the way as in 1992, and on Monday their each other.” wasn’t until Yussuf Poulsen capitalised on Daler resolve shone through after a rough fortnight in Having lost their first two matches in the aftermath Kuzyaev’s horrendous backpass to tap into an open goal on the hour mark that the rowdy fans packed into the Parken Stadium knew the knockouts were within their grasp. After one false alarm in Saint Petersburg — and in the meantime, a Russia penalty — Belgium finally took the lead through a Lukas Hradecky own goal and the partying started in beer-soaked stands, helped by two late goals in quick succession from SAINT PETERSBURG: Belgium’s defender Jason Denayer Andreas Christensen and Joakim Maehle which com- (right) vies for the ball with Finland’s midfielder Glen pleted the rout. Kamara during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group B football “We hoped that it would be a magic night,” said match between Finland and Belgium at Saint Petersburg Hjulmand. “When we heard about Belgium I thought Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Monday. — AFP that it was OK that we had 2-0, and then when Belgium’s goal was disallowed we got a little nervous. But when they scored one more time we got more stable.” Clinical Belgium Monday’s match felt like the true beginning of the Euro campaign for Denmark after their traumatic put Finland opening week, the first time since Eriksen’s fall that the football was the main story. During the match’s opening ceremony fans roared as a huge Denmark on brink of exit shirt with “Eriksen 10” written on it was unfurled, and Hjulmand said his team were playing in honor of their SAINT PETERSBURG: Belgium scored two late close friend. goals to see off a valiant Finland 2-0 on Monday, “The team spirit we have and how everyone con- pushing their opponents to the brink of a group-stage tributed is amazing, and then mixing it up with exit from Euro 2020 and sending Denmark through to amazing performances it’s just fantastic,” he said. the last 16. Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky’s 74th- COPENHAGEN: Denmark’s forward Mikkel Damsgaard celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Euro “It’s hard to describe what this team has been minute own goal and Romelu Lukaku’s third strike of 2020 Group B football match between Russia and Denmark at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Monday. — AFP through the past four weeks. We’re thinking about the tournament ensured Roberto Martinez’s Belgium Cristian all the way.” — AFP finished top of Group B. The world’s number-one- ranked side will face a third-placed team in the next round on Sunday in Seville. and has started on the bench for both of Spain’s “We’re making good progress and we’ll be ready,” Doubts hang over opening two games. “We are all fighting for places,” Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne told RTBF. he said. “For now, we don’t know anything about the Finland finish third in the group, but appear unlikely Spain ahead of next line-up.” to be one of the four best third-placed teams. “We Wembley to host received tremendous support from the Finns,” said Finland coach Markku Kanerva. “They inspired us. 60K+ fans for ‘do or die’ game We could not achieve our goal of taking at least one point. We are obviously disappointed. I am proud of my team.” MADRID: Spain are bracing themselves for a test semis, final The other game saw Denmark thrash Russia 4-1 in of nerve in their last group game against Slovakia Copenhagen to snatch second place and book a tick- tonight, with Luis Enrique’s side needing victory to et to the last 16. Finland knew they would only need a LONDON: More than 60,000 fans will be guarantee their place in the last 16. After leaving out point to go through if the Danes won, but despite allowed to attend the semi-finals and final of Sergio Ramos, Luis Enrique has left himself open to holding off Belgium for more than 70 minutes, they Euro 2020 at Wembley with attendance questions about a lack of leadership in his youthful couldn’t keep it up in the Saint Petersburg heat. increased to 75 percent of capacity, the British squad. A bright start against Sweden fizzled out in “There were no spaces, it was a little bit difficult,” De government announced yesterday. The matches the second half while a missed penalty against Bruyne said. will see the largest crowds assembled at a Poland turned a decent display into one paralyzed sporting event in Britain in more than 15 by anxiety and tension. “This country has won the Strong Belgium months, with numbers previously strictly limited Euro and the World Cup but in this squad there are This was arguably the strongest XI Belgium have due to the coronavirus pandemic. many youngsters,” Cesar Azpilicueta said on fielded in the tournament so far, with captain Eden All ticket holders will need to follow a num- Monday. “There are several captains in our team, Hazard, De Bruyne and Axel Witsel all starting after ber of strict entry requirements, including hav- we know how to act and everyone is going to give recent struggles with injury. They did not take long to ing a negative COVID-19 test or proof of full their all on Wednesday.” find their stride, with De Bruyne releasing Lukaku, vaccination. “We have worked extremely close- Captain Sergio Busquets is expected to return who fired wide, before seeing a low cross hacked away ly with UEFA and the FA (Football Association) after rejoining the group on Friday following his by a panicking Finland defense. to ensure rigorous and tight public health negative COVID-19 test. Busquets has not played in MADRID: Spain’s coach Luis Enrique leads the team’s MD-1 The first half was largely played at a slow pace, but measures are in place whilst allowing more fans either of Spain’s first two matches. “He’s an impor- training session at Las Rozas near Madrid yesterday, on the Belgium always looked dangerous when they moved to see the action live,” said culture and sport tant player, with his experience on and off the eve of their UEFA Euro 2020 Group E football match against the ball more quickly, with two such moves ending in secretary Oliver Dowden. “The finals promise to pitch,” Azpilicueta said. “He’s an incredible captain Slovakia. — AFP Witsel and Hazard blasting over the crossbar. The Red be an unforgettable moment in our national and we know the dominance he can bring in mid- Devils showed what they are capable of shortly before recovery from the pandemic.” field. We’re very happy he’s back.” half-time with a wonderful counter-attack led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman Azpilicueta said Spain can draw inspiration from Azpilicueta’s experience might be a valuable Hazard, but Hradecky denied teenager Jeremy Doku had said earlier yesterday that Britain is looking Chelsea’s triumph in the Champions League last addition to a youthful Spanish team, who now find with a diving, one-handed save. forward to staging a “fantastic” Euro 2020 final, season. He lifted Chelsea’s second European Cup themselves under pressure to make it out of what Hazard tried to win a penalty by falling near Finland in a clear hint the matches would take place at after the team changed gear under new coach looked a straightforward group. “We are not in the defender Daniel O’Shaughnessy, but his appeals for a Wembley despite issues around coronavirus Thomas Tuchel, a superb finish culminating in a sur- situation we expected,” Azpilicueta said. “We would spot-kick were waved away. Finland showed a little restrictions. The Puskas Arena in the Hungarian prise victory over Manchester City in the final. have liked to be more comfortable but football more adventure at the start of the second half, which capital was floated as a potential alternative rarely gives you what you expect. We are alive and left them more open at the back. should the matches not be able to go ahead in Not about ‘how you start’ we depend on ourselves. Hradecky pulled off a magnificent save to deny London, while Italian Prime Minister Mario Spain are pinning their hopes on a similar trans- “We must be humble, self-critical and correct Hazard, but was beaten by Lukaku in the 65th minute. Draghi also suggested Rome could step in. formation after two disappointing draws against what we are doing wrong and also assess what we However, the goal was ruled out by VAR for the tight- He voiced concerns over the increase in Sweden and Poland mean they currently sit third, a are doing well. It’s a combination of the two. It’s an all est of offside decisions. But Finland did fall behind, in coronavirus infections in Britain. The highly con- point behind Slovakia and two behind Sweden in or nothing game so we have to approach it with the agonizing circumstances, as Thomas Vermaelen’s tagious Delta variant, first detected in India, has Group E. confidence that we will go through. The situation is header from a corner struck the post and crossbar fuelled a spike in new cases in Britain and forced “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” said not what we hoped it would be but you can’t just say: before being nudged over his own line by Hradecky. the government to delay planned reopenings. Azpilicueta. “I have seen it this year in the Champions ‘We didn’t win the first two games, that’s us out.’ The underdogs had no choice but to chase an The government has a difficult path to tread, League. Before January we weren’t very good, and “You have to fight to the end and all pull in the equalizer if they wanted to finish second in the group, with any decision to ease the rules for UEFA after that we did very well. A lot of people gave us up same direction. Now we have a clear objective and but they were caught out again nine minutes from time. officials likely to prove controversial. Britons’ for dead last season, they thought we were out of the it’s important we have the right mentality because De Bruyne’s clever pass into the area found Lukaku, ability to travel on holiday has been restricted Champions League, out of the race for top four. Wednesday is do or die, we have to approach it like who turned and slammed home a right-footed shot to by rules enforcing a strict period of self-isola- People write you off but you never give up.” that.” Luis Enrique could make changes, with score his 63rd international goal. Finland now face a tion or quarantine on their return. — AFP Despite his excellent form for Chelsea, Azpilicueta, Thiago Alcantara and Mikel Oyarzabal nervy wait to see if they have done enough, but would Azpilicueta has rarely been favored by Luis Enrique among those in contention to come in. — AFP need a remarkable run of results to progress. — AFP Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 Germany eye last 16 with Portugal at risk of shock exit

BUDAPEST: Germany can secure a place in the last 16 of Euro 2020 tonight, but holders Portugal are at real risk of crashing out despite a prolific start to Group F by Cristiano Ronaldo. France top the section with four points heading into their final game against Portugal, a repeat of the Euro 2016 final, despite an underwhelming 1-1 draw with bot- tom side Hungary in Budapest. Germany and Portugal are locked on three points apiece but Joachim Loew’s side crucially have the head-to-head edge following a thrilling 4-2 win in Munich that shifted the pressure onto Ronaldo and co. Portugal began their campaign with a 3-0 win against Hungary as Ronaldo became the leading scorer in European Championship history, but Fernando Santos watched his team ripped apart by Germany last Saturday. “We will have to look at this game and now what we have to do is clear our heads as we have a very important game against France,” Santos said after the loss to Germany. Ronaldo scored for the third time in two games after starting and finishing a lightning counter- attack against Germany, taking his European Championship tally to 12 goals at a record fifth tournament appearance. But a fifth defeat in as many meetings with the Germans left Portugal HERZOGENAURACH: Germany’s coach Joachim Loew speaks to his players during an MD-1 training session at the team’s base at the Adi Dassler stadium in needing to avoid defeat against world champions Herzogenaurach, Germany, yesterday, on the eve of their UEFA EURO 2020 Group F football match against Hungary. — AFP France to be guaranteed a spot in the knockout rounds. “The next task is a very difficult one against significance has happened, we have only won a of Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian hope he gets a goal soon, but the most annoying thing France,” said midfielder Joao Moutinho. “We want game, but now come further challenges which will Mbappe has become the talking point back home would be if he were not even getting the chances.” to give a better image of ourselves than we did in be just as testing,” he said. — against Germany it was a Mats Hummels own Ronaldo is two goals shy of the all-time interna- the last match.” goal that decided the game. Griezmann, the Euro tional record, set by Ali Daei who scored 109 times A draw would likely send Portugal through as Benzema yet to fire 2016 Golden Boot winner, defended Benzema, who for Iran. However the Portugal captain has never one of the four best third-placed teams, just as At the last World Cup in Russia, Germany is under the spotlight after firing blanks in his first scored in six previous attempts against France. As when they went on to win the title five years ago in bounced back after a shock 1-0 defeat by Mexico two games at the tournament. for Germany, they could be without Hummels, France. An opening loss to France had left Germany in their opening game with a last-gasp 2-1 win over “He wants to score just like Kylian and I, and as a Thomas Mueller and Ilkay Gundogan for the clash in trouble, contemplating the prospect of another Sweden, only to then finish bottom of the group player you need it to feel relaxed and liberated,” with Hungary, after the trio picked up knocks group stage failure after their 2018 World Cup flop. after being stunned by South Korea. Germany will Griezmann said. “He has been really important in our against Portugal. Hungary had fervent home support They responded by delivering arguably their best go through with a draw, but would be guaranteed a link-up play and I am sure when he gets one goal the behind them in Budapest, but must spring an upset performance since winning the 2014 World Cup, but top-two finish if they beat Hungary. tap will open and it will keep running. He knows he in Munich if they are to reach the last 16 for a sec- Loew has tried to temper expectations. “Nothing of The lack of goals from France’s superstar attack has the support of the staff and the players and we ond straight Euro. — AFP