olympics Pages 15 & 16

THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT markets Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com Page 9

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 / ZUL-HIJJAH 27-28, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17756 16 PAGES 150 FILS CDC PUTS KUWAIT IN HIGH-RISK CATEGORY FOR COVID Un-vaccinated 91.1% of COVID dead New cases 718 Opinion Kuwait likely to implement VAT KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5, (Agencies): Some KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5, (Agencies): Kuwait will most likely imple- According to the report, the oil exports and local gas consumption 91.1 per cent of the Any chance to get ment the Value Added Tax (VAT) this year or next year, says the will continue to be the driving forces behind the economic growth of latest World Bank report on the economies of the member-nations of Kuwait as the country still relies on oil as its main source of income. people who died from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). As part of measures taken in view of the corona pandemic, the GCC COVID-19 in July out of the dilemma? The World Bank also predicted that the economy of Kuwait will countries provided unemployment insurance; while fi ve of them includ- were not vaccinated, increase by 2.4 percent within 2021; followed by a projected 3.2 per- ed health insurance in their support measures, that is, except Kuwait. Kuwait Health Minis- cent growth in the next two years — 2022 and 2023. These measures somehow mitigated the dire consequences of shortened It presented projections for Kuwait on the following economic in- work hours and closures in a bid to curb the spread of corona. try spokesperson Dr. By Ahmed Al-Jarallah dicators: Closures, curfew and lockdowns in the GCC were equated to the Abdullah Al-Sanad ■ Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), percent change: 2.4 in 2021, Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times loss of 3.3 million full-time jobs, with Kuwait and Oman going be- said on Wednesday. 3.6 in 2022 and 2.8 in 2023 yond the international average of working hour losses — equal to ■ The remaining four per cent IS there a chance to get out of the economic and so- CPI infl ation rate, percent average: 2.0 in 2021, 2.3 in 2022 and more than 400,000 full-time job losses in 2020. received one dose, while 4.9 per 2.5 in 2023 The World Bank expects the economies of GCC countries to start cial dilemma that was imposed on us because of either ■ cent received two doses, added alignment or conflict of interests between opportunistic Government Revenues, percent GDP: 29.8 in 2021, 31.7 in 2022 recovering this year, based on the expected international economic the official. and 42.1 in 2023 recovery and increase in demand for oil. political forces that took religion as a cloak for them to ■ The nationwide COVID-19 Government Expenditures, percent GDP: 52.5 in 2021, 51.0 in Also, budget defi cits will probably continue in most countries. vaccination campaign is ongoing achieve their goals, and the influential people in power 2022 and 50.4 in 2023 who benefited from the abnormal situation until Kuwait ■ However; Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman which recorded the biggest at 101 centers, he said, mention- Fiscal Balance, percent GDP: -22.6 in 2021, -19.3 in 2022 and defi cits last year will continue to be in defi cit in 2021 to 2023, but the ing that daily appointments have reached this dangerous slide? -8.3 in 2023 ■ percentage will be lower than in 2020. reached 100,000. The answer is yes, provided there is a supreme will to General Government Gross Debt, percent GDP: 13.7 in 2021, 27.3 The tangible results of global remedy all the accumulated negatives, starting with the in 2022 and 44.1 in 2023 — Full Report Pages 5 & 6 vaccination campaigns call for restrictions imposed on people, in line with the view- optimism, said Dr. Al-Sanad. points of Islamist groups, through laws that contradict This is demonstrated in the re- religion, tradition and culture of the Kuwaiti society, ductions to fatality rates and in- which is based on openness and acceptance of the other. tensive care admissions. These laws involved silencing women, prohibiting The main path to ending the co-education system in place of the current system, pandemic’s repercussions has which incurs the public budget millions of dinars an- become determined by vaccine nually, and the absence of an economic strategy, which turnout and maintaining adher- ence to health measures, he un- is boosted by the phenomenon of official bodies being derlined. controlled by those who seek to monopolize everything in the country, even the air, in the absence of oversight Decline and supreme follow-up. Despite the announcement There is no doubt that any trend towards development made by Ministry of Health re- is based on the decision of the leaders of a country - garding the decline in the indica- any country - especially if they sense the presence of an tors of the epidemiological situ- economic malaise that involves irresponsible practices ation in Kuwait in terms of rates by the concerned authorities, or because people’s minds of new COVID-19 infections and bed occupancy in the intensive are being tampered with by harnessing some forces and care units, Washington news all available tools to direct the society in one way. agencies have reported that the This is what led to the closure of the country to the US Centers for Disease Control whole world until it became a laughing matter, espe- and Prevention (CDC) has issued cially in the issue of preventing the co-education sys- a warning to its citizens against tem. traveling to Kuwait, regarding it Here we are not talking about the complex and failed as a “high-risk” country, reports measures to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. We are Al-Seyassah daily. talking about an approach that has been ongoing for On the other hand, the offi- forty years, while Kuwait prevents the issuance of visas cial spokesperson for Kuwait’s Ministry of Health Dr. Abdul- except under difficult conditions. lah Al-Sanad said, “The recent This is happening at a time when the European Union period witnessed a decline in the is issuing a single visa that allows roaming in several indicators of the epidemiological countries. Now citizens of some countries are allowed situation in terms of the rates of to enter without a visa, as is the case with the Saudis new COVID-19 cases and the and Emiratis. They are now allowed to roam the Euro- cases requiring intensive care pean Union without a visa for about 90 days as long as treatment. the visitor can spend on himself and has a return ticket The rate of decline in new CO- to his country. VID-19 cases is about 28.3 per- Unfortunately, the Kuwaiti “Garden of Eden”, which cent compared to last week. The decline in active cases is about is firmly established in the minds of some, is almost 25.5 percent. It is about 18.4 an economic hell because of the political shortsighted- percent in the COVID-19 wards, ness in development. In university education, the Gulf while 8.4 percent in the intensive countries have become a destination for students from care units. The ratio of infection abroad, but in Kuwait, it is limited to those within its case and swab tests carried out is borders only despite the presence of many private uni- In this July 31, 2021, Landsat 8 satellite Operational Land Imager (OLI) image taken in natural color and provided by NASA, wild- 2.23 percent”. versities. fires burn near the coastal towns of Manavgat, (left), and Alanya, (right), along the coast in southern Turkey. Inset: A nurse treats Dr. Al-Sanad expressed his an exhausted Turkish volunteer as they fight wildfires in Turgut village, near tourist resort of Marmaris, Mugla, Turkey, Aug 4. (AP) The health sector, which can easily transform into an hope that the decline will con- additional source of national income through its priva- tinue in the next stage, coinciding with the increase in the pace of tization and the imposition of health insurance on ev- vaccination for both citizens and eryone, is not better off, despite the fact that the state residents through the national spends on this sector almost equal to the budgets of de- Newswatch vaccination campaign in its vari- veloping countries. Back to ... work ous branches and centers in all For its development, modern and luxurious buildings governorates. KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5, (KUNA):The Kuwaiti Cabinet agreed, are not sufficient, but rather the need of a conscious and KUWAIT CITY: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf In the weekly update of the capable management, which will only happen through in an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, on returning to pre- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent, Thursday, a congrat- map issued by the US Centers for the private sector. coronavirus regular working hours at all government bodies as of ulatory cable to newly-elected Iranian President Ebrahim Disease Control and Prevention There are those who will say that expatriates use the August 15. Raisi on swearing the oath. and its assessment of the epide- infrastructure, and benefit from its cheapness, and that Following the meeting, which was held under chairmanship His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al- miological levels of the spread of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime of the COVID-19 virus around opening the country will burden the public services. the world, Kuwait was placed in However, the truth is that the wastage of water, elec- Hamad Al-Sabah at Seif Palace, Foreign Minister and Minis- Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah ter of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al- also sent similar cables to President Raisi. (KUNA) the fourth level. This indicates tricity and other services happens through their free use ❑ ❑ ❑ that the risk of spread and im- by citizens. Fees can be imposed on road users, as is the Mohammad Al-Sabah said the Cabinet also instructed that only two categories from unvaccinated nationals could travel as of pact of the COVID-19 virus is case in the whole world. KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) and very high. Because of this, the Frankly, if you are afraid of spending on develop- September 1: Those belonging to age categories not targeted by Aramco Gulf Operations Company (AGOC) have discussed center advised American citizens the Health Ministry’s vaccination campaign and those who are boosting cooperation for optimum exploitation of the crude not to travel to Kuwait as well as ment and skimp on visitors to the country and expatri- exempted by the Ministry of Health from from vaccination due oil resources in the joint Kuwaiti-Saudi Al-Khafji zone. ates, they will not skimp on spending if they have the KGOC said in a statement on Thursday the discussions Saudi Arabia, the United Arab to health reasons. Emirates, Bahrain, the Sultanate opportunity to settle and feel safe. Also, any visitor will During the meeting, Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Bassel Hu- were held between the company acting Chief Executive spend on accommodation, and may have the opportu- Offi cer Imad Sultan and AGOC’s chief manager and head of Oman, Iraq, Somalia, Tunisia moud Al-Sabah briefed the Cabinet about the country’s health situ- of the operations committee in Al-Khafji, Ali Al-Ajmi. and Libya. nity to participate in a project that benefits the country ation. “The talks dealt with boosting brotherly and profes- Risk and its people. He noted that there is a continued decline in coronavirus-related sional cooperation between the two sides for serving joint However, in light of this absurd closure, what Kuwait deaths, infections and hospitalializations. interests and optimal exploitation of the two brotherly The CDC assessment has four will face in the near future will be difficult. At that time, He highlighted the ministry efforts to speed up vaccination to countries’ wealth (namely crude oil) in Al-Khafji joint op- levels, with the fourth level rep- no justifications or arguments will work. reach social immunity. erations zone,” the statement said. (KUNA) resenting the highest risk and the Therefore, a developmental decision must be imple- Over 100,000 appointments are given for people every day to get ❑ ❑ ❑ first level representing the low- mented by the country’s leaders to stop the absurdity the jab at more than 100 vaccination centers across the country, the est. BERLIN : The daughter of a German-Iranian rights activist In its comprehensive guide- that Kuwait is suffering from. minister elaborated. said Wednesday that her mother has been given a prison The Cabinet thanked all the MoH’s staff, topped with the minis- lines, the US Centers for Disease Email: [email protected] sentence of 10 years and eight months in Iran. Control and Prevention recom- ter, for their huge efforts to deal with the pandemic. Mariam Claren wrote on Twitter that her mother, Na- Follow me on: hid Taghavi, “did not commit any crime. Unless freedom mended people who are not fully It also appreciated cooperation of all expats and citizens in im- vaccinated against COVID-19 to plementing health requirements. of speech, freedom of thought are illegal.” (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ not travel to destinations that are Finally, the Cabinet hoped that all people would be inoculated considered “extremely high risk” soon to help return to normal life. [email protected] TEHRAN: The protégé of Iran’s supreme leader, Ebra- areas where more than 500 cases Afterwards, the cabinet discussed a mechanism for following him Raisi, was sworn in as the country’s new president per 100,000 residents are record- up government projects which will be executed in the upcoming during a ceremony in parliament on Thursday, an inaugu- ed in the past 28 days. months. ration that completes hard-liners’ dominance of all branch- According to the CDC, the Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs es of government in the Islamic Republic. fourth-level classification means and Investment Khalifa Hamada reviewed the vital projects cur- The former judiciary chief known for his distrust of the that people should avoid travel- Day by Day West takes the reins at a tense time. Iran’s indirect talks with ing to these destinations. In the rently executed by some public sector companies the US to salvage Tehran’s landmark 2015 nuclear deal Minister of Oil and Higher Minister Dr. Mohammad Al- event that it is necessary to travel have stalled, as Washington maintains crippling sanctions to these destinations, full vac- THE streets are full of gar- adorned the pavements. Fares submitted a plan on following the implementation of on the country and regional hostilities simmer. (AP) projects and means of removing obstacles, Sheikh Ahmad ❑ ❑ ❑ cination must be received before bage, stray cats and dogs. Those were the days when traveling. Those who are responsible for people were conscious of Nasser added. The Civil Service Commission issued a resolution Thursday fol- WASHINGTON: Richard Trumka, the powerful presi- Kuwait’s Health Ministry de- this situation must go around their responsibilities, feared dent of the AFL-CIO labor union, has died, according to clared on Thursday recording and see the state of our roads. God and were faithful to each lowing the cabinet’s meeting last night, to announce that official Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. 718 new COVID-19 cases in ad- Where are the good old other. working system in all government departments would begin on Schumer, an ally of the union boss, announced Trum- days when Kuwait was called dition to five deaths caused by Currently, everything looks August 15. ka’s death from the Senate fl oor Thursday. the deadly virus past 24 hours. the Pearl of the Gulf — the The resolution stated that exemptions of people from work be- “The working people of America have lost a fi erce war- days when we were exporting messy, but like the people of MoH official spokesperson rior at a time when we needed him most,” Schumer said. our thoughts and culture and the great Nile Valley, we say cause of coronavirus pandemic would be abolished, and absence Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said in were proud of our capital that ‘It’s all right, Sir.’ from work will be within the authorized leaves, therefore return to Further details of Trumka’s death were not immediately statement to KUNA the casel- was open to the world? Our … Yet, tomorrow is another full working hours. available. The AFL-CIO did not immediately return mes- oad of contamination cases rose streets then were clean; and day. The CSC indicated that the usual official seven-hour working sages seeking comment. (AP) to 401,697 and the mortality toll jasmine, roses and palm trees Zahed Matar time will be restored. settled at 2,356. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 2

Weather Expected weather for the next By Night: Hot to rather hot and Abdaly 49 33 Prayer Timings 24 hours: relatively humid over coastal ar- Jahra 50 36 By Day: Very hot and relatively eas with light variable wind with Salmiyah 42 39 Fajr ...... 03:42 Asr ...... 15:30 humid over coastal areas with speeds of 06-20 km/h and some Ahmadi 43 38 Sunrise .. 05:10 Maghrib .. 18:37 scattered clouds will appear. Zohr ...... 11:54 Isha ...... 20:02 light to moderate north westerly Wafra 49 32 wind to light variable wind with Station Max Exp Min Rec Salmy 47 31 speeds of 10-30 km/h and some Kuwait City 48 38 Jal Aliyah 48 33 scattered clouds will appear. Kuwait Airport 49 32 Managish - -

VACCINE REGISTRATION WEBSITE: https://cov19vaccine.moh.gov.kw/SPCMS/CVD_19_Vaccine_Registration.aspx

Advanced Technology Co gallops 52 fi ls, Mabanee fl at Kuwait stock index heads north in range bound trading

By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ▲ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30040/500.30040/50 KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: Kuwait stocks headed north ▲ Euro/KD 0.3557 on Thursday following last session’s downtick. The All Shares Index climbed 23.33 pts in range bound trading ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 to 6,565.84 points led by blue chips even as the mid- caps closed mixed. ▲ British £/KD 0.4185 The Premier Market rallied 32.51 points to 7,153.37 pts paring the month’s losses to 10 pts while Main ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0040 Market added 2.62 points. The BK Main 50 inched 1.28 points up to 5,700.15 points. The volume turnover ▼ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0059 meanwhile saw a moderate pullback. Over 293 million shares changed hands — a 9 percent drop from the day ▼ FTSE -3.43 pts at 18:50 Aug 05 before. The sectors closed mostly in green turf. Healthcare outshone the rest with 1.97 percent gain whereas Tech- ▲ Nikkei +144.04 pts at closing Aug 05 nology shed 0.97 pct, the biggest loser of the day. Vol- ume wise, Financial Services topped with 144.83 mil- ▼ Gold $1,811.20 per oz (London) lion shares while Banking sector was ahead in value with over KD 20 million. ▲ NYMEX crude Among the standouts, sector bellwether National $69.14 per barrel Bank of Kuwait rose 3 fi ls on back of over 2 million ▲ Brent crude shares while Gulf Bank scaled 5 fi ls after pushing 10.7 $71.35 per barrel million shares. Kuwait Finance House climbed 4 fi ls to LIBOR rate 0.12175% 785 fi ls with a volume of 6.7 million and is up 114 fi ls year-to-date. Humansoft Holding paced 5 fi ls while Advanced took in 1 fi l to close at 227 fi ls. Warba Bank was un- Technology Co galloped 52 fi ls with thin trading. Boursa changed at 244 fi ls whereas Ahli United Bank BSC Kuwait Securities extended last session’s robust gains added 3 fi ls. Commercial Bank dropped 9 fi ls to 500 fi ls with 20 fi ls jump to KD 1.750. Mabanee Co paused at KUNA photo whereas Al Ahli Bank inched 1 fi l up to 221 fi ls. Ahli Kuwait Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah 738 fi ls. United Bank Kuwait trimmed 1 fi l. receives a letter from United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. Zain ticked 1 fi l higher to 589 fi ls on back of 2.3 mil- Kuwait Cement Co added 2 fi ls whereas Kuwait lion shares whereas Ooredoo gave up 8 fi ls before set- Portland Cement gave up 11 fi ls to close at 869 fi ls. UAE eyes boost in ties with Kuwait tling at 629 fi ls. stc added 4 fi ls while logistics major Shuaiba Industrial scaled 12 fi ls while Metal and Agility paced 5 fi ls on back of over 2 million shares to Recycling Co took in 1 fi l before ending at 120 fi ls. end at 973 fi ls. KIPCO stood pat at 161 fi ls whereas Educational Holding Co was fl at at 700 fi ls and Inde- Kuwait Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Nahyan on boosting bilateral relations in all fi elds. National Investment Co and Al Imtiaz Investment dialed Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah The letter was handed over by the UAE Ambassa- pendent Petroleum Co clipped 2 fi ls. Sultan Centre and received a letter Wednesday from United Arab Emirates dor to Kuwait Matar Al-Neyadi during a meeting with up 2 fi ls each. Arabi Group Holding dialed up 2 fi ls each while Kuwait (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al- Sheikh Dr. Ahmad at the Ministry. (KUNA) National Industries Group was unchanged at 232 Hotels closed 3 fi ls in green. fi ls after pushing 6.2 million shares whereas Gulf Ca- Kuwait and Gulf Links Transport Co eased 0.1 fi l ble dialed up 2 fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemical Co was un- to 51.7 fi ls and Automated Systems Co trimmed 1 fi l. changed at 840 fi ls and Al Qurain Petrochemical Co NAPESCO was unchanged at 860 fi ls whereas KCPC Telecom fi rms laud state efforts against corona slipped 5 fi ls to 370 fi ls. Jazeera Airways stalled at 743 climbed 6 fi ls to 563 fi ls. United Projects Co paced 6 fi ls fi ls and ALAFCO took in 2 fi ls to settle at 219 fi ls. Mez- whereas Burgan Company For Well Drilling and IFA KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5, (KUNA): incoming travellers in isolation. during the isolation. zan Holding was unchanged at 621 fi ls whereas Inte- Hotels and Resorts tripped 1 fi l each. Combined Group Mobile telephone companies have Moreover, they have launched cam- The company also inaugurated, in grated Holding erased 3 fi ls. Contracting Co dialed down 2 fi ls. Mashaer Holding joined ranks in backing up state ap- paigns publicizing medical informa- coordination with the MoH and the The market opened fi rm and ticked slightly lower eased 1.2 fi ls to 61.8 fi ls whereas OSOS Holding stalled paratuses in the fi ght against the novel tion and advices for protection against Central Agency for Information Tech- in early trade. The main index plumbed the day’s low- at 90 fi ls. coronavirus (COVID-19) since its out- the coronavirus. nology, “Shlonik” to monitor con- est level of 6538 points before heading north as buying Kuwait Investment Co climbed 6 fi ls to 257 fi ls on break last year. Zain telecom has provided a quaran- dition of travellers who come from picked up in some of the counters. It see sawed thereafter back of over 8 million shares whereas International Fi- The companies have launched joint tine, built by Kuwait Integrated Petro- abroad and remain quarantined or iso- between small gains losses and closed with modest gains. nancial Advisors gave up 2 fi ls. Arzan Financial Group initiatives, providing back-up applica- chemical Industries Company (KIPIC) lated at their homes for some time. Top gainer of the day, KMEFIC vaulted 22.64 pct to slipped 4 fi ls after pushing 9.8 million shares whereas tions for long-distance teaching, digi- in Al-Zour in April 2020, with a digital Furthermore, Zain has contributed 36 fi ls while ATC sprinted 9.85 percent to stand next. Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) took in 1 fi l. tal infrastructure for quarantines to fa- infrastructure to serve the MoH, where to supporting the national program for Al Manar slipped 4.89 percent, the steepest decliner of Gulf Investment House climbed 7 fi ls to 294 fi ls and cilitate work of the Ministry of Health the quarantined can benefi t from wire- psychological guidance which pro- the day and Mazaya Holding topped the volume with 32 Bayan Investment ticked 0.5 fi l into green. Aayan Leas- (MoH), namely “Shlonik” mobile ap- less communications and the internet vides an electronic interaction plat- million shares. ing and KAMCO paused at 159 fi ls and 119 fi ls respec- plication to follow up on condition of to remain in touch with their families form to provide assistance for free. Refl ecting the day’s gains, the winners outnumbered tively whereas Noor Financial Investment Co erased 3 the losers. 64 stocks advanced whereas 56 closed lower. fi ls. Tamdeen Investment was down 5 fi ls at 252 fi ls. Of the 144 counters active on Thursday, 24 closed fl at. The market has been mixed during the week. The 10,808 deals worth KD 51.84 million were transacted main index closed lower in three of the fi ve sessions during the session. shedding 16 pts week-on-week. It had rallied 190 In the banking sector, Kuwait International Bank and points during whole of July is up 995 points year-to- Boubyan Bank dialed up 2 fi ls each while Burgan Bank date. Students return to schools in Sept sure; plan gets nod

Two shifts under consideration

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: With the approval of the Cabinet’s Education Com- mittee of the Ministry of Education’s plan to resume studies according to the regular education system in two periods, the road back to school in the com- ing academic year has be- come clear, reports Al-Qa- bas daily quoting informed sources. They revealed that the commit- tee has made some amendments and recommendations to the plan Vaccination campaign at private nurseries. of the Ministry of Education, most notably the change in the work- ing hours to start the fi rst period Jabs for nurseries staff continues at 7:30am instead of 7:00am, and increasing the time for students to By Faris Al-Abdan ters, and will receive children at Al-Seyassah Staff the beginning of next September, leave between the two periods to after completing of all prepara- 30 minutes instead of 10 minutes, KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: A tions. such that the Ministry of Education member of the Private Nurser- For her part, Hanan Al-Mu- will reschedule the second period, ies Owners Association, Fayez dahka, a member of the Private which was planned to start at 11:10 Al-Shimmari, said the second Nurseries Owners Association am. campaign to vaccinate 1,280 male (PNOA), said the association The sources stressed that the and female employees working in coordinates with the Ministry of ministerial committee recommend- private nurseries against ‘Corona’ Health with regards the vaccina- ed government agencies to coor- is a continuous process in light of tion and pointed out a campaign dinate for assisting the Ministry the ongoing preparations to open was organized that targeted of Education in implementing the nurseries for business and receive about 2,500 employees working plan, such as the Ministry of Inte- children early September. in private nurseries who have rior and the Kuwait Fire Service After the launch of the second been vaccinated. Directorate to regulate traffic in vaccination campaign, Al-Shim- Al-Madhahka confi rmed by front of schools. mari said 90 percent of all em- the end of the current campaign They said the committee stipu- ployees working at the nurseries 3,500 male and female em- lated that the Ministry of Education would have been vaccinated for ployees working in the private should not increase the number of the safe opening of the nurseries. nurseries will have received the students in one class to 20 in public He pointed out the nurseries vaccinations with the help of the or private schools, indicating that are committed to the decisions Ministry of Health mobile vacci- the ministry is considering adding issued by the Council of Minis- nation centers. the requirement for students who are not vaccinated or who have received only one dose of the vaccine to un- will be reconsidered, and work will Dr. Basil Al-Sabah highlighted his dergo a PCR test on a weekly basis be done to return to normal school keenness to increase the number and submit negative results in order hours if there is improvement in the of vaccinated people in the coming to enter schools. country’s health situation, if there is period and make a signifi cant accel- The sources said, “The Minister increase in the vaccination rate, and eration in the vaccination process, as of Education Dr. Ali Al-Mudhaf if community immunity has been well as give students and teachers affi rmed during the meeting that achieved”. the highest priority in obtaining the the decision to work in two shifts Meanwhile, the Minister of Health vaccine. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 LOCAL 3 diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Tunisia heading for new ‘Arab Spring’ .... different from Bouazizi episode’ “IN Tunisia, Tunisian ‘Muhammad Al-Bouazizi’ set himself on fire on Dec 17, “Meanwhile, we elucidate the term ‘Savage’ which the author used here to putting pressure on the health system of all the countries of the world. In Tu- 2010 over an argument between him and a policewoman over his vegetables means a state of turmoil that shall engulf any state in the absence of iron fist nisia, the parliament was seemingly devoted to personal and partisan struggles cart which was the source of his daily bread and entered into history books rule. Anyway, in terms of the plot formula, what the book does is not different and this reflected on the country’s health system in addition to increasing of the without knowing it, because of his differences with a policewoman which ig- from that of Sayed Qotob (one of the Muslim Brotherhood Group’s leader who number of victims during the pandemic. nited the so-called ‘Arab Spring Revolutions’ across four Arab states which was sentenced to death in Egypt in 1966). The title of the book is ‘Landmarks “Such being the case, the Tunisian president who was elected by the people, resulted in bringing down their rule,” columnist Suad Fahd Al-Moejel wrote in the Way’ through which Qotob had set up the required landmarks for restor- decided to suspend the constitution and froze the activities of the parliament in for Al-Qabas daily. ing political power. addition to waiving the immunity of the MPs, and this development will open “These days Tunisia is in the news once again -- the opposition Free Con- “However, the recent developments that surfaced in Tunisia, has proved the the door for some MPs and the officials in the country to demand answers to stitutional Party and its president Attorney Abeer Mou- failure of the Muslim Brotherhood Group at a time when the group attempts to some questions such as ‘Where did you accumulate the wealth from?’ sa -- is currently exposed to a series of repeated attacks come to power in Egypt, Syria or Libya as such, we found how the Tunisians “Meanwhile, we have observed how the people following the downfall of crowned by aggression and use of violence, beating, in- are blessed to have President Saeed. the unjust ruler have not opposed what has been done by the current president, sults and slapping MP Mousa. The aggression happened “Such being the case, will the Arab revolution against the Muslim Brother- because the people are fed up of internal feuds among MPs as well as between with the help of some political Islamic current supporters hood Group will be launched from Tunisia as well as to manage the turmoil of the parliament and the government.” or to be exact the Muslim Brotherhood Group. ‘The Savage Management’ among the Arab communities? ❑ ❑ ❑ “But it appears Tunisia once again is likely to constitute “Or will this revolution will be just a tool to confront the strongest and the a new launch pad for another Arab Spring that will be dif- fiercest organization in the Arab World? “With the beginning of the recovery of travel movement in Kuwait according ferent from the Al-Bouazizi upheaval. “In conclusion and during the anniversary month of the invasion, we pray to to government procedures and frameworks aimed at containing the corona pan- “As a matter of fact, the first Arab Spring erupted for Almighty Allah to bestow his mercy upon our martyrs and bless our govern- demic, complaining voices crowded out the technical problems inherent in the the sake of livelihood against both the injustice and per- ment.” two electronic applications -- ‘Immune’ and ‘Mosafer’ -- which were approved by the Ministry of Health and Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as secution which pushed Al-Bouazizi to set himself on fire. Suad Al-Moejel But, the new Tunisian script shows the struggle revolves Also: platforms for organizing procedures to ensure strict compliance with the pre- around schemes of Tunisian Muslim Brotherhood Group, given the fact these “One of the old sayings goes like this ‘Oh Almighty Allah, kindly make oth- ventive regulations among travelers entering Kuwait,” columnist Abdulatif schemes were detected by MP Abeer Mousa and her Free Constitutional Party. ers an example for me, and don’t make me an example for others’,” columnist Bin Nikhi wrote for Al-Rai daily. “These schemes contravene the country’s interests with some agreements Dr. Waleed Al-Taneeb wrote for Al-Rai daily. “The combination of the two applications is neither simple nor limited. On tailored to serve the interests of the World Muslim Brotherhood Organization, “The events have begun in Tunisia -- against the unjust rule -- its end one hand, it is cumulative, because it came due to negligence in preparing and but not the interests of Tunisia. was similar to the end of the TV serials where the unjust ruler tastes the creating the two electronic applications. It exacerbated due to negligence and “We in the State of Kuwait have tasted and come close to know the fact-file downfall and the people are victorious. In other words, the TV serial ends failure to correct errors in their use after their dissemination. of the Muslim Brotherhood Group’s belonging and that of the other groups in with the downfall of the unjust, but what will happen following the down- “On the other hand, it is the result of a distorted and deeply rooted relation- various states during the treacherous Iraqi invasion of our country. This period fall of the unjust? ship between government agencies and their clients, based on a superior view has proved that loyalty of this group is to their international organization and “In Tunisia, we found how following the downfall of the unjust ruler, the on the part of most officials and employees in these entities over most of their not to the homeland or to the state, its institutions or people and this was evident country, witnessed a new phase with a new reign in that country -- a phase of clients in parallel with superior care for private individuals.” through their visit to Iraq during the invasion and exactly to Saddam Hussein freedom and the most significant aspect in this connection, is represented by ❑ ❑ ❑ and the statement that was issued by them in which they supported the invasion couching the country’s constitution to maintain the rights of various denomina- and this became known to all of the people who witnessed the era and of course tions in Tunisia. “Juveniles have been committing various crimes -- extremely violent crimes this was embarrassing to the Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood Group members, as “In the wake of this development, the country witnessed the organization such as quarrels, beatings, theft, attempted murder, murder and kidnapping,” such, they had as usual attempted to resort to camouflage by changing the name of legislative and presidential elections and this means the President is elected columnist Dr Naji Al-Zaid wrote for Al-Jarida daily. of their group post the liberation of Kuwait. by the people, but the parliament has wasted its time in partisan and personal “Unfortunately, the number of minors committing these crimes is increasing “However, according to many observers the struggle against the Muslim struggles. as stated by an official from the Ministry of Social Affairs recently. Brotherhood Group or the confrontation against them shall constitute the prom- “Not just that, the struggles had proved to be too costly for the Tunisians “The most common crime committed by juveniles is driving without a li- inent sign for the forthcoming struggle in the region, where this confrontation because the MPs deserted their basic work and dedicated their efforts to win cense. This dangerous crime often ends in reconciliation either at the General will not be so easy because this organization is known for its long experience in the Speakership and the downfall of the speaker has been transformed for some Traffic Department or the Juvenile Prosecution. dealing with aggravation or the fight against it. MPs and other parties the basic goal to guarantee their existence in the parlia- “The number and magnitude of juvenile crimes are alarming and frightening. “Anyone who wants to know more about the Muslim Brotherhood Group ment, let alone the parliament’s struggle with the government used to impede Driving without a license is worrisome. It is being committed even before the and their confrontation techniques, must go through the book ‘The Savage the endorsement of most government projects. In other words, the country, en- juvenile reaches the legal age to take a driving test. The crime is on the rise and Management’ which talks about the most dangerous phase the nation faced tered into a constitutional and legal struggle. a large part of the blame falls on the parents.” according to the author Abu Baker Naji. “However, the corona pandemic harvested the lives of the people in addition — Compiled by Zaki Taleb PAI receives applications for Other Voices Slander against truth, history By Ahmad alsarraf the practices and positions of their senior positions in reshuffle currents in the Arab countries (the he former parliamentarian and Muslim Brotherhood), and how TAl-Qabas columnist, Mr. Mu- they remained patriotic among the Labor union member quits over malpractices hammad Al-Dalal is described by forces of resistance and rejection of some as the wise man of the Broth- occupation and civil disobedience. erhood. I say here this was not confi rmed by KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: Public Authority In his last article, he touched on any party and they did not play a for Industry (PAI) this week started receiv- the memory of the Iraqi invasion signifi cant role. ing applications for the vacant supervisory and occupation and listed a number Then, Mr. Al-Dalal touched on of main reasons the ideological and organizational positions, and the last day to apply for these that contributed reviews which the Brotherhood positions was August 5, reports Al-Anba to the liberation had done, and this is true, but this daily. of Kuwait, in- only happened after the liberation. PAI had announced the vacancy of 18 supervisory po- cluding its dem- After the situation calmed down, sitions in its various organizational units, and its need ocratic system they retracted their previous re- for different positions, including the following - head of which prompted views and as usual took back their Operation and Technical Support Department, director the countries words, and the evidence is tens or of Environmental Audit Department, head of Procure- of the world to even hundreds of articles and posi- ment Department, head of Customer Service Depart- support its lib- tions that they wrote and stood by, eration. the last of which is their complete ment, head of Industrial Licensing and Registration alsarraf Department , Project Management director, head of Then he goes and unequivocal rejection of what Engineering Services Department, head of Quality De- back and contradicts himself in the Ghannouchi, their man in Tunisia, velopment Department, head of Electrical Laboratory next paragraph and says that one was subjected to and their standing Department, director of Industrial Safety and Environ- of the reasons for the invasion is with him and attacking his enemies mental Control Department, director of Industrial Cit- the weakness of Kuwait’s internal who had never hidden his admira- ies Planning Department, head of Urban Planning and front, the disruption of constitu- tion for Saddam and his disgrace- Development Department, head of Studies and Design tional and parliamentary life and ful standing with him in our great Department, head of Implementation Follow-up Depart- the absence of democracy. cause during his occupation of our ment, head of the Coordination and Follow-up Depart- Then he mentioned the invasion homeland. ment, head of Contracts Follow-up Department, director revealed the great imbalance of As for saying that the loyalty of Kuwaitis, regardless of their affi li- The two drug traffickers and the contraband seized. of the Industrial Cities Facility Department, and head of people of ideas and currents among Facilities Operation and Maintenance Department. the Arabs, and the masks from the ations, was to their homeland, it is Kuwaiti drug-pushers nabbed In another context, a member of the council of the labor faces of the nationalists, Islamist, a slander against truth and history. union of PAI Nayef Suhaim Al-Hajri submitted his resignation Ba’athist and secularists that sup- No one from the Muslim Brother- from the council in protest against the policies it adopted, ac- hood has stood, in complete clar- After monitoring the activities of the ported the occupation, facilitated By Munif Nayef cording to what was stated in the resignation letter. bloodshed, violated honor and ity, inside and outside Kuwait, with suspects their homes were searched After the resignation of Al-Hajri was accepted, his deputy Al-Seyassah Staff and the raiding party found 2.5 kilos of theft of public and private property his country in its ordeal, and the Faisal Al-Sharji was called to replace Nayef Al-Hajri in the evidence is that their oath of loyalty Personnel from the Criminal Investiga- marijuana. Board of Directors. dropped. He added that this refl ects tion Department (CID) have arrested Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior Nayef Al-Hajri had justified his resignation on the following the fragility of the positions of and obedience was to their supreme two Kuwaitis for allegedly pushing has denied the reported killing of an grounds - lack of clarity, transparency and cooperation among these currents in times of crises and guide, and the latter’s position was drugs. Asian inside the Shuwaikh port, reports the union members, concealing some correspondence related adversity. against the intervention of Western According to a security source, the Al-Seyassah daily. to the claims from the members of the union, especially as and infi del forces to liberate Ku- arrest came after the CID men re- A security source said what happened This is a beautiful and something it was not known about them until after they were sent, the nice to thank for, but he went back wait. ceived a tip-off from a secret agent was a quarrel between a group of peo- union president’s failure to play an effective role commensu- following which a team was formed ple and acting on information a police and added that history has also pre- If this is the logic of your wise, and the suspects were put under sur- party rushed to the spot and brought the rate with the responsibility entrusted to him as a union leader, served the position of the Kuwaiti what about ‘your’ crazy? veillance. situation under control. the union’s inability to realize a significant achievement for ❑ ❑ ❑ its members, and the union’s inability to defend the rights of currents and people who belong workers and confront officials if they exceed the rights of its to the same currents in rejecting email: [email protected] MoE gears for Sept schools opening members, as well as the excessive favoritism of some officials. It is worth mentioning that a new board of directors of the union was formed on June 12. It is headed by Saad Mutlaq Al-Azmi, with Fatima Muhammad Shihabi as Vice President, Teachers stranded outside for over Ahmed Al-Salman as Secretary, Saud Marzouq Al-Azmi as Secretary, Jarallah Falah Al-Dosari as Assistant Secretary, one year, six months set for return Muhammad Al-Shallal as Chairman of the Complaints and Suggestions Committee, and Nayef Suhaim Al-Hajri, Abdul- KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: The competent teachers like their total number and names lah Mutlaq Al-Subaie and Fayez Faraj Al-Mutairi as members. authorities at the Ministry of Interior, par- in order to issue entry visas for those whose ticularly the Land Borders Department residency permits expired while abroad and and Directorate General of Civil Aviation arrange procedures in preparation for their (DGCA) started the implementation of pro- arrival in the country. Jahra municipality lifts cedures on allowing expatriates to enter the Sources said the Ministry of Education country in line with the recent Cabinet deci- launched a special link for the stranded sions, reports Al-Jarida daily. teachers to register on its offi cial website abandoned cars, scrap The recent Cabinet decisions allow the and more than 1,620 stranded teachers have entry of expatriates under certain condi- registered as of mid-July. KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: The supervisory team at the tions -- the most important of which is com- Sources affi rmed the concerned authori- General Cleanliness and Road Works Department in plete dosage of any of the corona vaccines ties in the Ministry of Education sorted and Jahra Governorate carried out field tours in the areas approved in Kuwait. This is in addition to reviewed the data of 650 stranded teachers, of Taima, Al-Qasr and Qairawan, to remove everything holding a valid residence permit or obtain- while the issuance of their visas will start in that obstructs the road and distorts the general land- ing an entry visa from the Ministry of Inte- mid-August; indicating the procedures for scape, especially abandoned cars and scraps, reports rior, as well as other travel procedures like the other teachers who registered will be Al-Seyassah daily. the submission of negative PCR test result completed successively. Sources added the The Director of the General Cleanliness and Road Works and registration in the electronic travel ap- teachers who will arrive in the country will Department in the governorate’s Municipality Branch, plications. be subject to the health regulations, such as Fahd Al-Qarifa, explained the goal of the intensive field With this development; around 2,000 quarantine and others. tours is to monitor violators and take legal measures against expatriate teachers -- who were stranded Sources explained these teachers will them, pointing out that the supervisory team in the Depart- abroad due the measures taken to curb the be contacted through the contact details spread of corona -- will start entering the and email addresses they put on the offi- ment of Public Cleanliness and Road Works has paid great country soon. Some of these teachers have cial website of the Ministry of Education; attention to raising the level of cleanliness in the areas un- been outside the country for more than a where a copy of the visa will be sent, der its responsibility, as well as raising the level of cleanli- year and a half. flight reservation will be confirmed and ness in the areas under its responsibility. Sources disclosed the Ministry of Educa- health related procedures are completed He pointed out to the field tours will continue without tion had earlier provided its interior coun- to ensure they will be allowed to enter complacency and will take legal measures against violators terpart with information about the stranded the country. of the public cleanliness regulation and road works. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 LOCAL 4 ‘New market for recruitment of domestic workers to open soon’ MoU on hiring workers from Ethiopia to be done: official

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: Chairman of the Voluntary Committee tasked to study the conditions of domestic workers in the country Bas- sam Al-Shammari revealed that a new market for the re- cruitment of domestic work- KUNA photo ers will open soon; taking into National Assembly Speaker Al-Ghanim receiving the Egyptian ambassador. consideration that the memo- randum of understanding Speaker receives outgoing Egyptian envoy regulating the recruitment of domestic workers from Ethi- Kuwait National Assembly Speaker Thursday on the occasion of ending his Marzouq Al-Ghanim received Egyptian tenure. (KUNA) opia will be completed soon, Ambassador to Kuwait Tareq Al-Qooni reports Al-Jarida daily. Al-Shammari told the daily that many local domestic labor re- cruitment offi ces have concluded the initial recruitment contracts known as ‘job order’ with their counterparts in Addis Ababa. He expects completion of the mem- orandum of understanding between the Kuwaiti and Ethiopian sides soon -- either through the arrival of an Ethiopian delegation to the country or authorizing their ambassador to Kuwait to sign, indicating the Ethiopian side adopted the same mechanism for hiring Filipino workers. KFAED offi cial signing the deal with UNICEF to aid Syrian kids. Recruitment He stressed the importance of allowing the recruitment of domestic workers from several markets, instead Employees of the Supplies and Stores Department preparing to distribute the text- of limiting it to only two or three coun- books. tries. He affirmed the recruitment of Ethiopian workers balances the market and solves the current shortage of Ministry distributes textbooks to domestic workers; while ensuring that the recruitment costs and salaries for these workers are low in order not to public schools in various regions burden the citizens and expatriates. He reiterated his call to address By Abdul Rahman Al-Shimmari equipping new schools with school furni- previous shortcomings in terms of Al-Seyassah Staff ture latest by the second semester of the protecting the rights of workers and next scholastic year (2021/2022). strict application of the law on any- KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: Ministry of Edu- The Director of the Supplies and Stores one who violates the rights of these cation announced the ministry’s Supplies Department Matrouk Al-Mutairi said in a workers to guarantee the continuation and Stores Department has started distrib- of the recruitment process without uting textbooks to government schools in similar statement the Ministry of Educa- obstacles. various educational regions and school tion has an integrated plan to meet and He also stressed the need to treat stages, reports Al-Qabas daily. provide the needs of government schools Ethiopian workers properly such as The Assistant Undersecretary for Fi- for textbooks for the 2021/2022 school avoiding insulting or underestimating year. them, pointing out there should be no nancial Affairs at the ministry, Yousef Al-Najjar, said in a press statement the He stated the department is keen to dis- problem between them and the tribute the available books that are into employers. books were received from the printing He urged the Public Authority for press at the beginning of August, and the the stores in batches, pointing out that there will be subsequent batches with KUNA photo Manpower (PAM) to organize online ministry is currently working to complete the distribution of these books to all edu- each supply process until the comple- The Kuwaiti Red Crescent follows up vaccination campaign in Lebanon. training courses for its employees and the owners of domestic labor recruit- cational areas until the end of August. tion of distribution of all these books to ment offices to familiarize them on the He pointed a tender for school furni- schools according to the budget of each KRCS sends 8 tons of baby formula to Lebanon appropriate ways of handling employ- ture was fl oated since the previous school school before the start of the school year ment issues; especially the labor dis- year for the 2020/2021 academic year to at an appropriate time. putes, to ensure that the rights of all parties are protected. He added this KFAED signs deal with UNICEF to aid will support ongoing efforts to avoid the repetition of previous problems ‘Earthquakes’ in Kuwait have that prompted some countries to stop Syrian children suffering from cancer sending workers to Kuwait. KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5, (KUNA): provinces and shifting the patients aster department Yousef Al-Meraj nothing to do with oil drilling Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic to the four hospitals; Al-Bairou- told KUNA. Development (KFAED) on Thurs- ni, Children University hospital, The society is putting its focus KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: Researcher and ge- the Manakeesh fi eld, the area in which the day inked an agreement with Tichirn and Aleppo hospitals. on the health sector in Lebanon, ologist, Dr Mubarak Al-Hajri, has called on seismic tremor occurred, is 3 km, while the UNICEF to aid children suffering KFAED had inked several co- mainly boosting the immunity of the authorities concerned with monitoring tremor was measured at a depth of 8 km.” from cancer in Syria with an allo- operation and humanitarian ac- children in light of the dwindling and following up on earthquakes, to conduct He added: “There are two types of earth- research to understand and study the causes quakes that occur in Kuwait. The fi rst is cation of USD 2.7 million. cords with the UNICEF in the health conditions of people in the that lead to earthquakes in Kuwait, reports light earthquakes that follow a large earth- KFAED said in a statement past. country, he added. Al-Qabas daily. quake that originates from the nearest line, to KUNA the program aims at Meanwhile, the Kuwait Red In the coming days, KRCS Al-Hajri told the daily, the recent tremor which is the Zagros mountain range in supporting hospitals for treating Crescent Society (KRCS) dis- will send another freight of baby on Monday has nothing to do with oil ex- southern Iran, as a result of the collision of children affl icted with cancer and patched on Wednesday eight tons formula, he noted, mentioning traction especially in the Al-Manakeesh the Arabian Peninsula plate with the Eura- minimize deaths among them. of baby formula to Lebanon as that the Lebanese Red Cross is area, saying what has been announced by sian plate, and it is usually felt by residents The Kuwaiti fund is coordinat- part of its humanitarian aid pack- being tasked with the receipt and the Kuwait Institute for Scientifi c Research of coastal areas in Kuwait.” ing with UNICEF to equip four ages dedicated to the Lebanese distribution of this aid to those in (KISR) that it monitored the tremor at a As for the other type, it occurs locally in hospitals and supply them with people. need. depth of 8 kilometers confi rms this. the Manakeesh area at depths of up to 8 and medicines for treating tumors This aid comes as part of the so- Kuwaiti assistance to Lebanon He added: “There is confusion and a link 10 km, and is felt by the residents of south- among the young patients. ciety’s activities, out of Kuwait’s has been ongoing since the deadly to the reason for the occurrence of these ern Kuwait, but so far there is no clear geo- The program, the statement has supportive role to brothers there, Beirut port blast, which is witness- deep earthquakes with oil extraction op- logical reason that explains the occurrence added, is aimed at covering the 14 head of KRSC emergency and dis- ing its fi rst anniversary today. Bassam Al-Shammari erations, but in fact the deepest reservoir in of this type of local earthquake. Updated advisory ... for stranded Indians KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: The Embassy of India in Kuwait has been receiving queries from Indians stranded in India on the status of their COVID-19 vaccination certifi cates registered on the offi cial portal of Kuwait’s Ministry of Health, says a press release issued by the embassy. In this regard, the Embassy informs all Indians that all issues related to return to Kuwait have been taken up with the concerned authorities in Kuwait through continuous follow-up. On this subject, the following information has been conveyed by the Kuwaiti authorities -- validation process of all the vaccination details and certifi cates uploaded by expatriates, including Indians is currently underway; all applicants whose registrations have been rejected will be formally informed by the Kuwaiti authorities via e-mail giving reasons for the rejection; if there is an error in the applications they will also receive formal communication describing the error. Meanwhile, the applicants who have not received any communication are advised to continue to wait for the processing to be completed. The embassy will take up the cases of Indians who are facing specifi c exigencies and thereby need their registra- tions to be processed on an urgent basis. In this case, such people may write to the Embassy indi- cating his/her full name and all other personal particulars justifying the urgency/special exigency, by email, to info. [email protected]. An endorsement of the same should be issued by the sponsor/employer of the concerned In- dian national. The applicant must submit copies of the following doc- uments as an attachment to the aforementioned letter ad- dressed to the embassy – passport, Civil ID, employment contract (if available), proof/screenshot of completed registration on the portal of Ministry of Health, Kuwait, proof/screenshot of completed registration on all other platforms and applications of State of Kuwait, including Immune/Kuwait Mobile ID, Shlonik, and Kuwait Mosaf- er and fi nal vaccination certifi cate. The e-mails received with incomplete, inaccurate infor- mation or missing documentary proof cannot be processed. All the information must be sent only to the following e-mail address [email protected], and not repeated in other email addresses of the embassy. All other queries on this subject may also be sent only to the same email ID. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 LOCAL 5

GCC countries obligated to do more in diversification of their sources of income Kuwait economy to grow by 2.4% this year, 3.2 pct in 2022-23

The following is the first part of The world’s largest natural gas ex- World Bank Group’s Gulf Economic porter, Qatar leaned on higher natural Update titled ‘COVID-19 Pandemic gas production to moderate the con- and the Road to Diversification’. traction of its hydrocarbon sector. GDP The report was prepared under growth fell 3.7 percent in 2020, largely the direction of Issam Abousleiman driven by the non-oil sector, more than (Regional Director, GCC) and Kevin half the economy. The hydrocarbon Carey (Practice Manager, EMNM2). sector still shrank, however, accounting — Editor for a more than one-third of the nega- ❑ ❑ ❑ tive outturn, as a fall in natural gas pric- es, normally tracking oil prices, offset The Pulse of the Region the effect of higher gas production and Recent Developments exports. Private consumption fell more Hit by twin shocks — the compound than the overall economy. Qatar, which shock of the spread of COVID-19 and quit the OPEC in December 2018 os- countermeasures and the decline in tensibly to concentrate on gas devel- global oil prices — the GCC econo- opment in the giant North Field, led a mies contracted sharply in 2020. meeting of the Gas Exporting Coun- Aggregate gross domestic product tries Forum (GECF), the 11-member (GDP) for the Gulf Cooperation Coun- inter-governmental organization of the cil (GCC) states fell steeply by 4.8 world’s largest gas exporters, in Febru- percent in 2020. For the group and for ary 2020. Headlined at the Doha meet- most of the individual countries, the ing, Global Gas Outlook 2050 forecasts economic downturn triggered by the gas to overtake oil as the world’s larg- coronavirus disease (COVID-19) — est energy source by 2050 (27 percent which has caused 3.1 million deaths of the total). More importantly, a dip- in 148 million confirmed cases world- lomatic breakthrough appeared to have wide and produced an unprecedented been achieved in January 2021 after global recession — exceeded the out- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and comes in the worst years of the global the Arab Republic of Egypt signed a financial crisis in 2008-09 and the oil ‘solidarity and stability’ deal with Qatar price plunge of 2014-17. The econom- — the Al Ula Agreement — to end the ic contraction bottomed in the second diplomatic rift that started in June 2017. quarter of 2020, but all GCC econo- Saudi Arabia reopened land, sea, and mies remain smaller than they were air borders with Qatar ahead of the deal. in the fourth quarter of 2019 and still The most reliant of the GCC econo- face substantial risks from resurgences mies on hydrocarbons, Kuwait reversed of the disease and its economic conse- a modest growth in 2019 with an esti- quences. mated 5.4 percent downturn in 2020. The non-oil sectors led the decline The oil sector drove the economic con- in most of the regional group’s econo- traction, as the third GCC member of mies. Activity lockdowns — stoppage the OPEC cut oil output by one-tenth of work, closure of schools, cancella- from 2019. On the demand side, pri- tion of public events, restrictions on vate consumption and fixed investment gatherings, shutdown of public trans- accounted for under 60 percent of the port systems, stay-at-home require- economic decline. With the govern- ments, curtailment of internal move- ment managing to offer only a modest ment, and controls on international discretionary fiscal mitigation, public travel — dragged down the services consumption fell as well. And consis- sector, the mainstay of the non-oil tent with reduction in oil production economies (60–70 percent of non-oil and the decline in oil prices, net exports GDP). Meanwhile, supply chain dis- (oil exports are more than 90 percent of ruptions and increases in prices of ma- terials and shipment costs, driven by a good exports) dropped, accounting for downshift in global trade, added im- one-third of the decline in GDP. pediments to industrial activity, affect- GDP growth was an estimated nega- ing manufacturing, construction, and tive 6.3 percent in Oman in 2020. The utilities.The oil and gas sector shrank non-oil economy posted a steep decline from a drop in global oil demand and of 9 percent from 2019. Activity in the services sector, the mainstay of the non- international oil prices. Global oil de- (the number of deaths divided by the quarantined new arrivals, and prohib- the Pfizer vaccine in December and the in mid-January, public parks and lei- mand slipped 10 percent from 99.7 oil economy (over 60 percent of the number of confirmed cases, expressed ited its citizens from traveling overseas. non-oil economy, and under 40 percent Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines in sure spaces in late February, and night- million barrels per day in 2019 to 94.7 in percent) stood below the global me- It shut down most public places and January 2021. Vaccinations started in time activities in March. So far, Oman million barrels per day in 2020, and the of the total economy), contracted across dian (of 1.7 percent for 178 countries) public transport and allowed only food the board, dragged down by lockdowns, mid-December and 6.7 million doses has implemented the slowest vaccina- average oil price plunged 33 percent in all GCC countries, reflecting both the and medical retail outlets to operate. had been administered by mid-April tion program among the GCC; only from US$61.41 per barrel in 2019 to travel bans, and supply chain disrup- severity of the disease and the impact Notably, the army declared a state of 2021, or 20 doses per 100 people. tions. The oil economy declined a less 296,000 doses were administered by US$41.26 per barrel in 2020. For the of interventions taken in response to the emergency. The army also began steril- Qatar initially concentrated on early June, a ratio of 3.8 vaccinations GCC which remains highly reliant on dramatic 2 percent from 2019. One of disease. izing roads and public places. Together risks in areas where migrant workers three GCC states that are not members per 100 people. hydrocarbons — an average 40 percent The containment strategies, how- with Saudi Arabia, Oman reported the lived before pivoting to a phased na- Avoiding strict lockdowns altogeth- of GDP, 70 percent of government rev- of the OPEC, Oman has not been bound ever, triggered domestic demand and largest drop in electricity consumption tional containment and exit strategy. by the series of the OPEC+ production er, Bahrain began easing containment enues, and 75 percent of exports — the supply shocks. Reduced mobility, in 2020 in the GCC — over 5 percent, This amounted to a quarantine for the measures in April. Vaccinations be- decline in global oil demand and prices cutback agreements since 2017 and compounded by declining incomes, from 35 GWh in 2019 to 33.2 GWh. industrial area outside Doha and then managed to keep its 2020 crude oil out- gan in December and 1 million doses exacerbated the economic downturn in shrank consumer demand, evidenced Kuwait recorded relatively sharp de- a reopening in May 2020, albeit un- were cumulatively administered by 2020, trimming resources available for put at roughly the level in 2019. More- in retail sales data. Work stoppages clines in mobility over lengthy periods der strict entry and exit regulations, over, Oman was able to increase oil mid-April, or 60 doses per 100 people, government spending and downgrad- and workplace closures cut industrial in 2020. The government progressive- including for goods and materials. topped only by the UAE. Despite the ing the priorities for capital spending condensate production in the year, an production, as reflected, among others, ly tightened measures to control the Qatar unveiled a four-phase plan to item not covered by the OPEC+ pact. rapid vaccine rollout, a second wave on upstream oil and gas projects. in reduced electricity consumption. spread of the virus throughout the year. reopen the economy in June and by of infections hit Bahrain in the first On the expenditure side, fixed in- On the expenditure side, private con- Meanwhile, economic uncertainty The measures included suspension of September announced that the coun- sumption, government consumption, quarter of 2021, with the number of vestment plunged 8.4 percent. The crimped investment. The domestic ef- inbound commercial flights, closure try had entered the fourth phase of the daily cases in March surpassing the decline in investment contributed 2.3 and fixed investment accounted for fects of the pandemic were magnified of universities and schools, banning plan, with rotational in-school atten- one-third each of the reduction in GDP. monthly peak in 2020. The authorities percentage points to the 4.8 percent by negative spillovers from the rest of of public gatherings and celebrations, dance authorized in November. The have since reintroduced some contain- contraction in the group GDP in 2020. Weighed down by a 7 percent con- the world, including from the down- suspension of nonessential work in country began vaccinations in late traction of the non-oil sector, Bah- ment measures, including by halting Private consumption dropped 4.9 turn in global trade and the widespread government, and most notably, impo- December 2020 and granted three- in-person education, banning social percent, adding another 2.1 percent- rain’s economy shrank by 5.8 percent disruption to international travel and sition of 24-hour curfew. month exemptions from quarantine in 2020. gatherings, reinstating remote work ar- age points to the GDP contraction. tourism. In the GCC, where travel and Initial efforts in Bahrain to stem requirements for fully vaccinated rangements for the public sector, and Driven by fiscal support measures, Services, the mainstay of the non- tourism account for 5–13 percent of contagion were focused on travels people in February 2021, while the oil economy (80 percent of GDP), de- restricting selected indoor activities. government consumption managed to GDP, international tourism arrivals from particular destinations and risks unvaccinated would remain under The fall in global oil demand contribute half a percentage point to clined significantly across the board, dropped 73 percent from 42.8 mil- related to migrant living conditions. quarantine till end-May. led by the tourism and retail trade in- squeezed oil prices, forcing a return to growth, slightly offsetting the drop in lion in 2019 to 11.7 million in 2020 In February 2020, the Bahrain Civil The UAE, deciding early on the production cuts … private consumption. Additional on- dustries. Fixed investment fell by al- and tourism spending dropped by 69 Aviation Authority suspended flights potential advantages of a risk-based most 7 percent and accounted for the Facing a downshift in global oil budget spending, foregone revenues, percent from US$59 billion to US$41 from Sharjah and Dubai in the UAE, reopening strategy, outpaced the rest demand, Saudi Arabia and Russia extra-budgetary measures, guarantees, largest part of the economic downturn billion. the routes used by Shia pilgrims re- of the GCC in testing and vaccina- on the demand side. A large fiscal miti- ended their price war in May 2020 and quasi-fiscal operations came at a Saudi Arabia limited the 2020 Hajj turning from the Islamic Republic of tion. Reflecting the intensity of its with an OPEC+ agreement to reduce cost, however, of substantial incre- gation program, estimated at around 6 season to only around 1,000 pilgrims. Iran, an early epicenter of the disease. testing effort, the UAE has performed percent of GDP in on-budget spend- production by 10 million barrels per ments to government debt, withdraw- Deemed the largest recurring an- In March, the authorities restricted 83 tests per one confirmed COVID-19 day over two months. The coalition als from foreign reserves (current ac- ing and another 1 percent of GDP in nual gathering worldwide, the Hajj to traffic on the causeway connecting case, twice the rate achieved by Saudi guarantees and quasi-fiscal operations, would remain flexible with their joint count deficits reflected fiscal deficits), Mecca attracted 2.5 million pilgrims the country to Saudi Arabia (used by Arabia, the second-ranked at 40 tests production decisions in the remainder and drawdowns on liquid assets at sov- boosted government consumption, in 2019. As elsewhere, the authori- 50,000 commuters daily) to commer- per case. Government workers, for in- largely almost offsetting the drop in of the year — in June and September, ereign wealth funds. ties also implemented a range of other cial vehicles only. The government stance, are regularly tested. The UAE as well as in January 2021. With the After barely growing 0.4 percent in private consumption. The decline in oil measures to contain the spread of initially aimed to control the return of has also delivered 90 vaccine doses per and gas exports (around 70 percent of supply cuts, oil prices began to recover 2019, Saudi Arabia’s economy con- COVID-19. These included curfews, Bahrainis from overseas as the pan- hundred people, one-third more than in May–June, supported as well by an tracted 4.1 percent in 2020. The oil goods exports) was matched by a pro- travel restrictions both domestically in demic worsened but eventually repa- that delivered by Bahrain, the second- portionate decline in capital and con- easing of lockdown measures, some sector drove the decline, as the world’s the public transportation system and triated some 60 percent of its nationals ranked at 60 doses per hundred people. pickup in travel and transport, and a third-largest crude oil and condensate sumer goods imports (over 50 percent internationally on overseas flights, sus- abroad, mostly stranded in the Islamic The emirates have adopted gradual of merchandise imports). modest recovery in global consump- producer (after the United States and pension of prayers at mosques, closure Republic of Iran, in early May. To ad- reopening strategies. Abu Dhabi re- tion. Overall, global oil demand con- the Russian Federation, in 2020) and Early measures to contain the of shopping malls and schools, and dress clusters of infections at shared opened food outlets in July, schools pandemic saved lives, but hurt eco- tracted by 5 percent in 2020, or 5 mil- the largest exporter (16 percent of suspension of employee attendance at housing facilities, Bahrain relocated in September, and tourist and cultural lion barrels per day, while supply was nomic activity … government and private workplaces. global crude oil exports, in 2019) bore many of its foreign workers to unused attractions in December. Dubai al- cut by 8 percent, or 8.1 million barrels As elsewhere globally, the GCC The government also offered tempo- the brunt of production cuts by the buildings and also established quaran- lowed international tourists in July. per day. The three GCC OPEC mem- authorities quickly launched health, rary housing accommodation and re- OPEC+ coalition of 10 Organization tine facilities. Meanwhile, the federal government bers — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and of the Petroleum Exporting Countries containment, and economic measures patriation flights to foreign workers. … and have since been countered resumed issuing visitor visas in Sep- to address the COVID-19 pandemic at The UAE unveiled a National Epi- Kuwait — led the OPEC+ cutbacks, (OPEC) members and their 13 non- with efforts to reopen the economy, tember and employment visas in Octo- reducing output by a combined 1.3 OPEC partners. Fixed investment col- similar times, but there was much more demic Control Plan to respond to the albeit at measured and uneven paces ber. Following a surge of infections in variance in the exit strategy. The public health crisis. The measures included million barrels per day from 2019. lapsed in 2020, accounting for more An easing of the infection rate gave January 2021, however, new activity … and prompting a pause in capi- health measures consisted of emergen- closure of schools, nurseries, shop- than three-fourths of the decline in the GCC authorities some latitude to restrictions have been reintroduced, in- tal projects cy spending on health care, including ping malls, parks, dine-in restaurants, aggregate demand. The contraction in start reopening their economies begin- cluding capacity limits at commercial The destruction of demand and the private consumption was partly offset on quarantine facilities, public health and various tourist attractions. The au- ning in the second quarter of 2020. The malls and public places. information campaigns, health adviso- thorities also grounded flights, halted overall economic uncertainty cut up- by a rise in government consumption basic reproductive rate for COVID•19, After staging a five-phase reopen- stream investment in the oil and gas ries for social distancing and facial cov- visa issuance, suspended prayers at estimated by the World Health Organi- as the authorities unveiled a fiscal ing plan, Kuwait reverted to curfew industry in 2020. Globally, capital ering, testing for the virus, contact trac- mosques, and ordered teleworking ar- zation (WHO) at around 2–4 globally mitigation program of over 2 percent hours in March 2021. The reopening expenditures fell to their lowest since ing, and, beginning in December 2020, rangements at government offices. A dropped to under 1.5 in the GCC coun- of GDP in on-budget spending and al- plan had been carefully orchestrated 2006, as operators spent one-third less most 1 percent of GDP in extra-bud- vaccinations. Governments combined dedicated task force worked to ensure tries by the end of May 2020. with curfew hours reduced to 12 these with many other policy measures an uninterrupted supply of consumer The GCC complemented the paced than they planned at the beginning of getary measures. Imports compressed hours in May, 9 hours in June, and the year. with the fall in capital investment and to contain the spread of the disease, in- goods, prevent manipulative pricing easing of restrictions with intensi- 6 hours in July. Curfew was lifted in cluding restrictions on domestic mobil- practices, and launch a remote learn- fied health measures. Five countries In Saudi Arabia, the Marjan and the private consumption — capital goods August, with employees allowed to Berri oil field expansion projects were account for under one-fourth and con- ity and international travel — the strin- ing initiative to ensure the continuity (no data are available for Oman) return to work, public transportation gency of these measures exceeded the of education services. The country performed 36.8 million tests in 2020 delayed because of lower oil prices. sumer goods for over one-fourth of services resumed, and commercial air Sanctioned in 2019, the two offshore goods imports, matching the decline global median daily score (51) through- reported a drop in retail sales of more and added another 28.2 million in the flights restarted albeit at a maximum out most of 2020. than 8 percent in volume terms and first four-and-a-half months of 2021. projects were part of Saudi Aramco’s in exports, dominated by oil and gas 30 percent capacity. A resurgence US$18 billion plan to boost production shipments (80 percent of total exports). It was likely the case that private cit- more than 10 percent in US dollar val- The GCC were among the earliest to of COVID-19 cases in 2021 neces- izens and residents in the GCC socially ue terms in 2020. roll out vaccination programs, most capacity by 550,000 barrels per day of Featuring a comparatively large sitated a reimposition of night•time crude oil and 2.5 billion cubic feet per non-oil economy, the UAE posted distanced or quarantined themselves Qatar ordered remote working beginning in December 2020. The curfew, however, from early March voluntarily, with or without mandatory for 80 percent of private employees. target was to have the majority of day of natural gas. The Marjan project a negative 6.1 percent GDP growth to early April. Kuwait, which started involved the development of a fourth off- in 2020, dragged down by a sizable lockdowns. Recent studies reveal that Meanwhile, working hours in the pub- their populations inoculated by end- its vaccination program in late De- mandatory policies mattered less than lic sector were greatly reduced. In- 2021. shore gas and oil separator plant and two decline in non-oil activity. For a sec- cember 2020, had covered 14 percent dozen oil, water, and gas injection plat- tor that comprises 70 percent of the voluntary social distancing in reducing school attendance was replaced with Progressive steps at reopening al- of its population by mid-April 2021. mobility in several advanced and some distance learning in all public and pri- lowed economic activity to gradually forms to produce an additional 300,000 economy, the non-oil sector contrib- A month earlier, the government an- barrels per day of crude and 360,000 uted almost two-thirds of the drop in large emerging market economies. In vate schools. Health measures includ- revive. The Purchasing Managers’ In- nounced a US$2 billion bonus for these places, the dominant driver in re- ed the building of a dedicated hospital dex, an indicator of the prevailing barrels per day of ethane and natural gas growth in the year — strict lockdowns, staff serving in the frontlines against liquids and to process an additional 1.5 travel bans, and supply chain disrup- ducing mobility was self-regulation on for quarantined workers, drive-through direction of the economic trends in the COVID-19 pandemic. tions constricted construction, tourism, a large part of the population. Individ- COVID-19 testing, home delivery of the manufacturing sector, moved into billion cubic feet per day of gas by 2022. Oman alternated between opening The Berri project involved the construc- and domestic trade. The oil economy uals adopted self-protection measures medical services, cancellation of rou- positive territory in Saudi Arabia, the and closing its service economy. Se- also shrank, with the third-largest with increased incidence of illness and tine medical and dental appointments, UAE, and Qatar beginning in the sec- lected business activities, including at tion of a new gas and oil separator plant OPEC crude oil and condensate pro- death and heightened perceptions of mandates for face masks, mandates for ond half of 2020. The pace of reopen- money exchanges, electronic stores, at the Abu Ali facility, new gas facilities ducer (after Saudi Arabia and Iraq), personal risk. the installation of the Ehteraz App on ing and recovery, however, is uneven and car rentals, were allowed in April. at the Khursaniyah plant, two drilling is- backing the OPEC+ decision with its The private social distancing re- mobile phones for contact tracing, in- across the GCC and will likely track Office work in the private sector and lands to the north and south of the King own sizable cutback of 300,000 bar- sponse and the public lockdown orders tensive cleaning of public places, and the ebb and flow of the disease in a in the government was regularized in Fahad industrial port causeway, 11 oil rels a day in 2020, most of it concen- appear to have saved lives. In a region even food inspections. The measures contest between virus mutation and May, as the lockdown in Muscat gov- and water offshore platforms, nine on- trated in the third and fourth quarters with population of 58.7 million, the were supported with extensive public vaccinations. ernorate was lifted. Industrial activity shore oil and water supply drill sites, and of the year. A less-than-proportionate number of COVID-19 cases has re- awareness campaigns. Saudi Arabia resumed the Um- restarted and foreign travel was autho- one water injection facility to produce reduction in imports allowed interna- mained under 500,000 in each country Oman organized its pandemic re- rah pilgrimage for nationals and for rized in July even as the lockdown in an additional 250,000 barrels per day tional trade (net exports) to drive the as of mid-April 2021. The number of sponse through a Supreme Commit- residents in October, starting with an Dhofar governorate was extended. But of crude and 40,000 barrels per day of economic contraction, viewed on the deaths was 12,516, with the ratio of tee headed by the Minister of Interior. initial capacity of 30 percent and pro- the government had to order national hydrocarbon condensate and to process demand side. Private consumption deaths per 100,000 population track- In March 2020, the body banned the gressing toward 75 percent. It permit- lockdowns twice, July and again in 370 million standard cubic feet per day also declined significantly, accounting ing below the global median (of 24.2 issuance of tourist visas, ordered the ted pilgrimage for foreigners, ages 18– October. A second wave in the first of sour gas by 2023. for one-third of the overall economic for 178 countries) for Saudi Arabia, the shutdown of schools, stopped the pas- 50, in November. Focusing on health quarter of 2021 drew more restrictive downturn. UAE, and Qatar. The case-fatality ratio sage of non-citizens through its borders, measures, the authorities authorized measures — land borders were closed Continued on Page 6 ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 LOCAL 6

various government fees and penalties Kuwait economy and rebates on commercial lease pay- ments in the tourism and hospitality Continued from Page 5 industries in Abu Dhabi and reduction of government fees and simplification In the UAE, the Belbazem greenfield, of business procedures in Dubai. Of Upper Zakum expansion, and Lower the AED 32 billion (US$8.7 billion) Zakum expansion projects were all in above-the-line measures announced delayed as the industry grappled with (additional spending and foregone rev- idled production capacity. The Belba- enues), about AED 16 billion (US$4.4 zem offshore gas field off Zirku Island, billion) were due to the federal govern- to be developed by Al Yasat Petroleum ment, AED 9 billion (US$2.5 billion) Operations Ltd., would produce 45,000 to Abu Dhabi, and AED 6.8 billion barrels per day of crude and 765,000 (US$1.9 billion) to Dubai. The UAE cubic meters per day of gas by 2024. also approved off-budget spending Owned by a joint venture of Abu Dhabi (loans by Abu Dhabi to SMEs, loan re- National Oil Company, Exxon Mobil, structuring by state-owned enterprises and Japan Oil Development Company, [SOEs], and reduced lease payments the expansion at Upper Zakum, the by real estate companies) and contin- second-largest offshore oilfield in the gent liabilities (credit guarantees by world with an estimated 50 billion bar- Abu Dhabi to SMEs and loan restruc- rels of oil reserves, would add 750,000 turing by SOEs). barrels per day to the current production Relying principally on monetary of 640,000 barrels per day and be sus- measures, Qatar announced a fiscal tainable for 25 years. Meanwhile, the support package estimated at QAR 2.1 expansion of Lower Zakum, majority billion (US$577 million), the smallest owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil in the GCC. Beginning in March, the Company and counting on China Na- measures consisted of exemption from tional Petroleum Corp. and China Na- electricity and water utility payments tional Offshore Oil Corp. as concession for businesses in sectors affected by partners, would add 300,000 barrels per the economic effects of the pandemic day to the current production. (retail, commercial, logistics, hospi- Policy support measures were siz- tality, and tourism) (until December); able overall exemption from rental payments for The sum of fiscal, monetary, and SMEs and firms in logistics areas (un- macro-financial measures made in til December); exemption of food and response to the economic downturn medical goods from customs duties (un- were sizable, although tilted toward til December); waiver of utility fees due monetary and macro-financial support. from households and businesses (until In Bahrain, for instance, the measures February 2021); and payment of the full added up to 37 percent of GDP. In Qa- salaries of migrant workers undergoing tar, although the fiscal support was 0.4 medical treatment or under quarantine. percent of GDP, the overall package Kuwait allocated KWD 500 mil- was nearly 14 percent of GDP. Also lion (US$1.6 billion) for four fiscal in Oman and Kuwait, where the au- mitigation measures. The government thorities did not quantify the fiscal and committed to provide full unemploy- monetary measures, respectively, the ment benefits to nationals; deferred available figures do not fully reflect the social security contributions for private scope of the policies taken. companies for six months; removed Fiscal support focused on addi- government fees levied on firms in tional spending and foregone non-oil selected sectors, provided the savings revenues … were passed on to customers; and, as As elsewhere internationally, the an off-budget initiative, authorized GCC governments responded to the concessional, long-term loans to SMEs economic fallout from the pandemic that would be financed jointly by the with fiscal policy measures. Globally, National Fund for Small and Medium fiscal support has consisted of on-budget Enterprise Development and private curities issued in the international bond corded the largest deficit the year be- eral Reserve to the federal funds rate, compliant lender and partly owned mitigation -additional spending, fore- banks. market were US$42.1 billion, up 25 fore, at 10 percent of GDP. Most reliant by 50 basis points from 1.625 percent by the Qatar Investment Authority, gone revenues, accelerated spending, Most of the fiscal measures activat- percent from US$33.5 billion in 2019, in the group on hydrocarbon receipts, at to 1.125 percent (target range of 1.0- offered interest-free loans to private and deferred revenues; extra-budgetary ed by Oman consisted of foregone and according to data from Capital Eco- 89 percent of GDP in 2019, revenues 1.25 percent) on March 3 and by 100 companies under the same guarantee measures •equity injections, asset pur- deferred revenues. In March 2020, the nomics. Gross general government debt fell by more than 8 percentage points basis points from 1.125 percent to 0.125 program. Meanwhile, the Qatar Fi- chases, loans, and debt assumptions, in- government suspended rent payments exceeded 100 percent of GDP in Bah- of GDP in 2020 following cuts to oil percent (target range of 0-0.25 percent) nancial Centre, the country’s onshore cluding through extra-budgetary funds; by companies in industrial zones (un- rain and 60 percent of GDP in Oman production and the drop in oil prices. on March 15. The GCC central banks international financial center with 960 and contingent liabilities -guarantees til June), waived municipal taxes and and Qatar. Counting on the largest spending rate have regularly tracked policy decisions registered firms, extended the deadline on loans and debts and quasi-fiscal op- some government fees (until August), Saudi Arabia might slip on its target in the group, at more than half of GDP by the US Federal Reserve to maintain for paying taxes until August 2020, cut erations (the noncommercial operations reduced port and air freight charges, for fiscal balance by 2023 after the defi- since 2015, government expenditures the peg of the GCC currencies to the US the rate on late tax payments to zero of public corporations on behalf of the and postponed loan payments due cit widened to over 11 percent of GDP rose by 8 percentage points of GDP dollar, and the rate reductions in 2020 until September 2020, and further ex- government). from borrowers of the Oman Devel- in 2020, reversing the narrowing trend in 2020 on the strength of additional were not unexpected. Separately, the tended the deadline on tax payments Worldwide, fiscal measures have opment Bank and the SME Develop- since 2015. The deficit would have been spending in response to the pandemic. monetary authorities launched various to June 2021. Lowering interest rates added up to 14.5 percent of global ment Fund Oman (until September). In wider, but the government tripled the Unable to raise financing overseas un- measures to support credit and econom- twice in March, the central bank re- GDP. Data from the IMF show that in April, the Sultanate of Oman Tax Au- rate on the value added tax (VAT) from der statutory borrowing limits—the ic activity, headlined by the opening of duced the repo rate by 100 basis points 2020, on-budget additional spending thority allowed the payment of taxes in 5 percent, set on a harmonized basis Parliament has continually resisted pro- new facilities to boost bank liquidity. from 2 percent to 1 percent, the deposit and foregone revenues stood at 7.4 per- installments, waived fines and penal- when introduced in January 2018, to 15 posals to raise the cap — Kuwait has The size of the packages ranged from rate by 100 basis points from 2 percent cent of world GDP (1 percent of world ties for late disclosures, and authorized percent in July 2020 to offset the impact been dipping into the liquid assets of 4 percent of GDP in Saudi Arabia to 33 to 1 percent, and the lending rate by GDP on health spending alone); accel- the tax deduction of donations made to of lower oil revenue on state finances. the General Reserve Fund (GRF), the percent of GDP in Oman. 175 basis points from 4.25 percent to erated spending and deferred revenues, combat COVID-19 (until December). Saudi Arabia also suspended the cost sovereign wealth fund that covers any The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) 2.5 percent. 1 percent; extra-budgetary equity injec- In June, the government authorized a of living allowance for state employees deficit the country suffers. The reserve launched two packages of SAR 50 The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) tions, asset purchases, loans, and debt program of interest-free emergency at midyear, but the 2.2 percent-of-GDP fund was recently replenished with billion (US$13.3 billion) each to sup- committed to provide liquidity to banks assumptions, 0.4 percent; and contin- loans for enterprises that suffered from on-budget fiscal mitigation boosted KWD 6-7 billion (US$19.9-23.2 bil- port private activity. The first mea- as needed. The authorities did not re- gent liabilities, 5.6 percent (including the economic effects of the COVID-19 expenditures. The government raised lion) in a swap of assets with the Future sure, announced in March 2020, pro- port opening new facilities, and the guarantees, 4 percent, and quasi-fiscal pandemic and to clients of the Oman US$12 billion in international markets Generations Fund (FGF), after a law in vided funding to banks to allow them support measures were not quantified operations, 1.6 percent). Compared Development Bank and the Al Raffd and SAR 174.3 billion (US$46.5 bil- 2020 halted the mandatory transfer of to increase lending to businesses and for their liquidity impact in gross finan- with the advanced economies (21 coun- Fund, organized in 2013 to promote lion) in the domestic market, after in- 10 percent of annual state revenues to to defer payments on existing loans. cial terms. They included guarantees tries) which have spearheaded the eco- entrepreneurship. In October, the tax creasing its debt ceiling to 50 percent of the FGF. The Kuwait Petroleum Cor- It also covered fees for point-of-sale for bank loans to businesses affected nomic response with fiscal mitigation authority suspended the collection of GDP from a previous 30 percent. Saudi poration also agreed to pay accrued and e-commerce transactions for three by the pandemic (covered by a parlia- worth almost 24 percent of group GDP, additional taxes imposed for the fail- Arabia issued its first Eurobond for the dividends owed to GRF of about KWD months. Moreover, the central bank mentary act); delays in loan payments the GCC states (all are high-income) ure to settle overdue income tax pay- year in January with a US$5 billion 35- 8.25 billion (US$27.4 billion), includ- instructed banks to delay payments of by companies and households to banks managed to marshal only 0.4–6.4 per- ments and suspended the enforcement year tranche, priced to yield 3.84 per- ing fees, in annual installments over the loans extended to Saudi employees by (since extended for loans to nationals, cent of country GDP in fiscal support of fines and penalties charged for the cent (investors placed more than US$23 next 15 years. three months, provide financing to bank until September 2021); provision by measures. failure to submit tax reports (until De- billion of orders). Saudi Arabia issued Oman’s fiscal deficit nearly doubled customers who lose their jobs, and ex- banks of loans to SMEs at a maximum Saudi Arabia assembled SAR 80 cember). its second Eurobond in April for US$7 from 2019 to 2020. A sharp fall in hy- empt customers from various banking interest rate of 2.5 percent; a decrease billion (US$21.3 billion) in additional Bahrain rolled out a sizable fiscal billion in three tranches — US$2.5 bil- drocarbon revenues (over 75 percent fees. The second measure, unveiled in in the risk weights used in calculating spending, both on-budget and off-bud- mitigation effort. Some BHD 177 mil- lion in 5-1/2-year bonds at 260 basis of government revenues for this small June, involved the injection of another capital adequacy ratios for bank loans get, to respond to the pandemic. Bud- lion (US$0.5 billion) was appropriated points over US treasuries, US$1.5 bil- crude oil producer) and an expansion in SAR 50 billion (US$13.3 billion) into to SMEs from 75 percent to 25 percent getary reallocations within the Minis- for additional health spending, while lion in 10-1/2-year bonds at 270 basis expenditures to provide economic relief the banking system through deposit of risk-weighted assets; reduction in try of Health and from other parts of BHD 560 million (US$1.5 billion) was points over the same benchmark, and to businesses and households widened placements to support bank liquidity capital adequacy requirements at banks the budget for emergency spending to allotted for financial support to sectors US$3 billion in 40-year bonds at 4.55 the fiscal deficit to over 17 percent of and private sector credit. A total SAR from 13 percent to 10.5 percent; reduc- fight COVID-19 amounted to SAR 47 most affected by the crisis. The origi- percent (investors placed more than GDP in 2020. Oman managed to secure 100 billion (US$26.6 billion) has been tion in the regulatory net-stable-funding billion (US$12.5 billion). Additional nal spending measures included the US$54 billion of orders). a US$2 billion one-year bridge loan used under these support programs. ratio from 100 percent to 85 percent and spending in areas other than health payment of salaries of nationals work- Incurring a consolidated budget from a group of international and re- Meanwhile, the deferred payments the liquidity ratio from 18 percent to 15 consisted of wage benefits provided ing in the private sector; subsidies for deficit of 8 percent of GDP, the UAE gional banks in August before a US$2 and guaranteed facility programs are percent; and increase in the loan-to- through the unemployment insurance electricity and water for companies emerged as the most active debt issuer billion bond issue in October. Follow- effective until June 2021. The support value limit on land purchases for resi- scheme, SANED, to employers who and households of nationals; a national in 2020. Least dependent on hydrocar- ing a decline in yields of more than 70 package followed policy decisions to dential projects from 50 percent to 60 kept their workers, pegged at SAR 9 employment program to train the work- bon revenues among the GCC, at 41 basis points, Oman returned to the mar- reduce benchmark interest rates twice percent, on purchases of existing homes billion; temporary electricity subsidies force and to create jobs in the private percent of total revenues in 2019, rev- ket in November in a tap of the bonds in March, taking the reverse repo and from 60 percent to 70 percent, and on to the commercial, industrial, and ag- sector; and support for workers in the enues slipped a comparatively moder- originally issued in October, selling repo rates lower by a combined 125 home construction from 70 percent to ricultural sectors and coursed through education and the transportation sec- ate 1 percentage point of GDP in 2020. US$200 million in bonds due in 2027 at basis points to 0.5 percent and 1 per- 80 percent. The central bank had cut the the Ministry of Energy, estimated at tors. A more targeted package later in The UAE also deployed a 2.5 percent- a yield of 6.3 percent (against an initial cent, respectively. discount rate by 100 basis points from SAR 0.9 billion (US$240 million); and the year provided for the payment of of-GDP fiscal mitigation package in guidance of 6.45 percent) and US$300 The Central Bank of the United Arab 2.75 percent to 1.5 percent in March funding for the Ministry of Finance to half of salaries of nationals in the most response to the pandemic. Abu Dhabi million in bonds due in 2032 at a yield Emirates launched an AED 256 billion 2020. It followed up with cuts of 125 help businesses defer payments due affected sectors of the economy. Rev- raised US$7 billion in April and an- of 6.9 percent (against an initial guid- (US$70 billion) monetary mitigation, basis points on other monetary policy in the year, costing SAR 0.67 billion enue measures included exemptions other US$3 billion in May. It planned ance of 7.05 percent). Government debt headlined by AED 50 billion in zero-in- instruments — the repo, CBK bonds, (US$179 million). In addition, the from government fees for industrial to return to the market in August with a topped 80 percent of GDP in end-2020 terest-rate collateralized loans to banks. the term-deposit system, direct inter- National Development Fund, estab- and commercial enterprises, exemption three-tranche offer — setting guidance for the GCC’s second most-indebted The package of measures also included vention instruments, and public debt lished in 2017 to fulfill development from tourism fees for tourist facilities, at 70-75 basis points over US treasur- government (after Bahrain). Standard reductions in bank reserve requirements instruments — over the entire yield priorities and economic obligations re- and exemption from business fees for ies for a three-year offering, 110-115 and Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s, and Fitch from 14 percent to 7 percent; authoriza- curve (up to the 10-year term) in Octo- lated to Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, the the establishment and operation of e- basis points for a 10-year security, downgraded the country’s sovereign tions in the use of bank’s excess capital ber 2020. strategic framework to diversify the stores. In addition, the government dou- and 2.75 percent to 2.8 percent for a rating twice in the year, with the S&P’s buffers, estimated at AED 50 billion; The Central Bank of Oman esti- economy, provided off-budget support bled the size of the Liquidity Support 50-year bond, which would be Abu second downgrade to B+ (four levels reductions in provisioning for loans to mated the impact of its macro-finan- totaling SAR 22 billion (US$5.9 bil- Fund, the credit facility created in 2019 Dhabi’s longest yet. Dubai returned to into the non-investment grade) settling SMEs by 15-25 percent; increases in the cial support measures at OMR 8 bil- lion) for three spending items: various to reinvigorate businesses and revitalize public debt markets in September for one grade lower than either Moody’s or loan-to-value ratio for first-time home lion (US$20.8 billion) of additional loans programs for small and medium the national economy, to US$530 mil- the first time in six years, successfully Fitch’s. buyers by 5 percentage points; limits liquidity. The first package in March enterprises (SMEs), including loan lion and directed the Tamkeen, the pub- issuing US$2 billion in debt, consist- Deploying the largest fiscal mitiga- on bank fees for SMEs; waivers on all consisted of a reduction in the capi- rescheduling and restructuring, worth lic authority created in 2006 to promote ing of a US$1 billion Islamic sukuk tion in the GCC relative to the size of payment services fees charged by the tal conservation buffer at banks by 50 SAR 13 billion (US$3.5 billion); em- private sector employment (the agency and a US$1 billion government bond the national economy, Bahrain widened central bank for a period of six months; percent; an increase in the net credit- ployment programs in the private sec- funds its activities from fees collected (orders exceeded US$10 billion). The its fiscal deficit to over 17 percent of increases in the limit on banks’ expo- to-deposit-base from 87.5 percent to tor, set at SAR 5 billion (US$1.3 bil- from employers of foreign workers), to federal government, acting under a GDP in 2020. The outturn reversed the sure to real estate from 20 percent to 30 92.5 percent; the immediate approval lion); and social loans to families with provide loans and assistance to SMEs. new law permitting it to begin issuing narrowing path achieved in 2019, after percent of risk-weighted assets, subject of requests by borrowers for deferral low incomes, estimated at SAR 4 bil- … and weighed on fiscal balances sovereign debt (which is usually sold the country received a US$10 billion to adequate provisioning; permission of loan installment payments for the lion (US$1.1 billion). Apart from these and public debt by the individual emirates), aimed to financial support package from Saudi for banks to defer loan repayments un- next six months, without adverse im- spending items, the government de- Part of the fiscal support measures, issue federal bonds in 2020 but de- Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait in return til end-2020; extension of the support pact on the risk classification of the ferred four revenue streams: deferred foregone and deferred revenues deduct- layed the plan. for a fiscal consolidation plan, the Fis- measures until June 2021; and relax- loans; and the postponement by six declaration and payment of taxes for ed from government revenue streams Activating the smallest fiscal miti- cal Balance Program (FBP), that would ation of the net-stable-funding ratio and months of the risk classification of three months, waiver of customs duties in 2020 were already depressed by the gation among the GCC, in both dollar balance the budget by 2023. Facing the advances-to•stable-resources ratio loans to the government for projects. for 30 days to three months, waiver of recession. Government revenues in the and percentage of income terms, Qatar budgetary financing needs of US$4.3 until end-2021. Earlier, the central bank The central bank added to these mea- expatriate fees for three months, and GCC dropped 22.2 percent in 2020, recorded a comparatively small deficit billion in 2020 alone, not including a reduced policy rates twice, by a com- sures with a second package in Sep- waiver of municipal fees on companies topped only in 2015 when revenues in 2020. The fiscal deficit of 3.6 percent US$1.25 billion bond repayment due bined 125 basis points, taking the cen- tember consisting of an extension of for three months. The size of the de- declined steeply by 39 percent during of GDP in the year reversed a modest in March, Bahrain went to the market tral bank certificate of deposit (CD) rate the loan deferment scheme to March ferred revenues was estimated at SAR the oil price plunge of 2014-17. Gov- surplus of 1 percent of GDP in 2019. twice in 2020. In May, it sold a US$1 from 2.5 percent to 1.25 percent and the 2021; the increase in the limit of the 56 billion (US$14.9 billion). ernment expenditures fell less dramati- The government postponed US$8.2 bil- billion 4-1/2-year sukuk at 6 percent repo rate on CDs with the central bank foreign exchange swap facility of up Fiscal measures adopted by the cally, by 2.5 percent in 2020, supported lion of unawarded contracts on capital and a US$1 billion 10-year conven- from 2 percent to 0.75 percent. to 100 percent of a bank’s net worth; UAE consisted of additional budget- by spending to provide relief from the expenditure projects, in a bid to balance tional bond at 8 percent. In September, The Qatar Central Bank introduced the extension of the tenor of the facil- ary spending, foregone revenues, off- pandemic and to spur a recovery from its finances as gas prices declined in the it sold a US$1 billion 7-year sukuk at a zero interest rate special repo win- ity for up to one year; the reduction budget spending, and contingent li- the recession. year, crimping government revenues 3.95 percent and a US$1 billion 12- dow of QAR 50 billion (US$14.6 bil- in the loan-to-value ratio on housing abilities. Additional spending was part Deficits in 2020 added markedly to (hydrocarbon revenues account for 79 year conventional bond at 5.45 percent, lion) to provide liquidity to banks. The loans for first-time buyers from 20 directed at the health sector and part at deficits incurred in 2019. percent of government revenues). The receiving more than US$7.6 billion in window would allow banks to grant percent to 10 percent; and a scheme private activity. Health spending sup- The cumulative fiscal deficits over first in the GCC to raise funds in the combined offers for the two-tranche new loans and to postpone loan install- allowing banks to temporarily oper- ported active screening and testing for the two years exceeded 25 percent debt market in 2020, Qatar sold US$10 paper. Bahrain added the most — 31 ments. The central bank repo window ate below the 100 percent liquidity COVID-19; continuous surveillance of GDP in the region’s three smaller billion in three tranches in April — percentage points of GDP — to gov- was separate from, and additional to, coverage ratio to a minimum 75 per- and rapid response to suspected cases; economies, Bahrain, Oman, and Ku- US$2 billion on a five-year bond at 300 ernment debt in 2020, taking the gen- other facilities opened by government- cent, in cases of liquidity stress and and disinfection procedures at health, wait. Facing fiscal strains ahead of the basis points above US treasuries, US$3 eral government gross debt ratio to 133 owned financial institutions to support subject to the approval by the central credit during the pandemic. Admin- education, and other public facilities. outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, billion on a 10-year bond at 305 basis percent of GDP in end-2020 in an ex- bank. Executing a two-step reduction ceptionally rapid buildup of public debt istering the National Guarantee Pro- To address the economic downturn, Bahrain and Oman found fiscal adjust- points over the same benchmark, and in its policy rate, the Central Bank of the federal government accelerated ment programs difficult to implement US$5 billion on a 30-year bond at 4.4 from 120 percent of GDP in 2019 and gram, the Qatar Development Bank percent. Although the final cost of the 45 percent of GDP in 2014. allocated QAR 5 billion (US$1.46 Oman cut its repo rate by a cumula- infrastructure projects; Abu Dhabi under drastically changed conditions tive 165 basis points to 0.5 percent launched an AED 9 billion (US$2.5 but benefited from financial aid from deal was 35 basis points below the ini- Monetary policy and macro-finan- billion) in government guarantees for billion) fiscal mitigation package, part tial offer rate, it was still 40 basis points cial measures aimed to ease financial a period of 12 months to local banks over March–April 2020. The repo their GCC partners — Bahrain from rate had stood at 2.15 percent in Feb- of Ghadan-21, the emirate’s three- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait above Qatar’s existing bonds due in conditions … for loans granted to private companies year, AED 50 billion (US$20 billion) (part of the US$10 billion aid pack- 2024, 2029, and 2049. The government In addition to lowering policy rates, for paying wages and rental fees. The ruary. The central bank also extended accelerator program; while Dubai an- age approved in 2018) and Oman from received US$44 billion in bids on the the GCC central banks opened new li- development bank also postponed loan the period of repo operations to three nounced additional electricity and Qatar (US$1 billion in aid extended in three-tranche sale. quidity facilities to support bank liquid- payments due from all borrowers for a months and reduced the interest rates water subsidies. Economic support October). Kuwait posted the GCC’s largest ity and private sector credit. The rate re- period of six months. Both measures for other money market instruments. through foregone revenues took the Bond issuances by the GCC rose headline fiscal deficit in 2020, at 26 ductions were made in March and April expire in June 2021. The Qatar Islamic form of suspensions and reductions of significantly in 2020. The total debt se- percent of GDP. The country also re- 2020 and followed cuts by the US Fed- Bank, the country’s largest Shari’a- To be continued on Sunday ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

America

‘Trauma his shield’ Cuomo’s apology, defense criticized NEW YORK, Aug 5, (AP): He monster, we’re more inclined said his actions had been mis- to doubt the allegations against construed, his words misunder- him. And accused men often stood. He said it was cultural: He strategically tap into this cultural hugs, he kisses, he says “Ciao, bias by highlighting, as evidence bella.” He said it was genera- of innocence, their best qualities tional: Sometimes he lapses into - including, perhaps, empathy for “honey” or “sweetheart” or tells victims of sexual assault.” bad jokes. For Indira Henard, director of But of all New York Gov. the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, the Andrew Cuomo’s responses case against Cuomo’s statement to investigative fi ndings that he was simple: You can’t support sexually harassed 11 women, one survivors in one sentence and that most disturbed many women discredit them in another. - particu- “If you stand and believe sur- larly sex- vivors, then you believe survi- ual assault vors,” Henard said. “You don’t survivors get to take apart their story.” and their Many also questioned the ef- advocates fectiveness of other parts of Cuo- - was his mo’s taped statement, which was use of a accompanied by a slideshow of family him hugging and kissing people member’s in benign settings. sexual as- “I do kiss people on the fore- sault to head,” he said. “I do kiss people explain his Cuomo on the cheek. I do kiss people own behav- on the hand. I do embrace peo- Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., is joined by Cindy McCain, (right), the widow of the late Senator John McCain of Arizona, as Kelly arrives to deliver his maiden ior with an accuser. ple. I do on occasion say, ‘Ciao, speech to the Senate, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. (AP) “We will not be moved by bella.’” Governor Cuomo’s attempts to use the stories of survivors, in- Crisis $1 trillion infrastructure bill cluding those he harassed, as a Evan Nierman, CEO and shield for his own misconduct president of Red Banyan, a cri- and abuse of power all while sis public relations fi rm based in claiming the harassment was a Florida and Washington, D.C., McConnell vows stopping Biden’s agenda ‘misunderstanding,’” said an called it “a bold move” by Cuo- open letter to be released Thurs- mo “to assert that he’s some sort WASHINGTON, Aug 5, (AP): Senate opposition to Biden’s agenda and tamp- recess. McConnell has derided an up- Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who led day by the National Women’s of a serial hugger and therefore Republican leader Mitch McConnell ing down calls to eliminate the Senate’s coming budget blueprint from Demo- the Republican side in its negotiations Law Center and several gender none of the allegations could be had vowed to be “100% focused” on 60-vote fi libuster rule, which some say crats that will set the stage a $3.5 trillion on the infrastructure bill, pointed out and survivor groups, demanding true because he hugs and kisses stopping President Joe Biden’s agenda. is preventing Congress from approving spending package on health, environ- that McConnell’s wife, former Trans- the Democratic governor’s resig- everybody.” But when it comes to the bipartisan in- major legislation. ment and social programs later in fall; portation Secretary Elaine Chao, knows nation or removal. “There’s a big difference frastructure plan, McConnell is sound- “He’s a very pragmatic person. I McConnell calls it a “reckless tax and well the country’s infrastructure needs. Tarana Burke, the survivor between appropriate physical ing like a go. think he knows that everybody sort of spending spree.” That package would “He understands that the politics and advocate who gave the #Me- contact and types of allegations McConnell has been acting and vot- wins if it’s true, hard infrastructure,” be paid for with higher taxes on corpo- of this are also good for Republicans. Too movement its name, wrote in that were levied against the gov- ing like a lawmaker ready to set aside said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. rations and the wealthy. And when our members are out there an email to The Associated Press ernor,” said Nierman, “and so I - for a few days, anyway - his reputation “This is a good demonstration that Republican strategist Scott Jennings, running for re-election, it’s good to be that “abusers, no matter their don’t think most people are go- as a roadblock for one of the Democrat- he can preserve the fi libuster and still a longtime McConnell ally, said it’s talking about accomplishments,” Port- own personal histories, do not ing to confl ate the two.” ic president’s chief legislative priorities, have meaningful, bipartisan legisla- easy to see how McConnell could get to man said. get to center themselves in cases Deborah Tannen, a George- a roughly $1 trillion public works bill. tion,” Cramer said. “And at the end of “yes” on this fi rst part of Biden’s infra- McConnell’s vote could make or of abuse.” town University linguistics pro- Last week, the Kentucky senator al- the day, he’s got a constituency back structure priorities. break the package, serving up a victory “In these moments, survivor’s fessor who studies cross-cultural lowed debate to proceed on the meas- in Kentucky that probably looks pretty for Biden with passage or delivering stories are the ones that should be communication, noted Cuomo’s ure, which would boost spending on favorably on it.” Democrats see another Focused another failure by Washington to ad- elevated,” Burke said. “There are reference to his heritage. She ac- just about every facet of the country’s dynamic at work. “Just listen to what he said,” Jen- dress the nation’s infrastructure needs. 11 women, whose stories were knowledged that Italian Ameri- transportation systems as well as water Sen Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said nings said. “He always said it should The Trump administration was unable corroborated, who experienced cans tend toward casual touches and broadband. This week, he said nice Republicans are at risk of being seen as be a smaller package focused on roads to follow through on the president’s call harassment at the hands of the in conversation, “but that’s not things about the legislation, opening the having little to show voters after having bridges airports and broadband.” for investing trillions of dollars in infra- governor. His family’s story does touching sexual places.” door to potentially giving his support already opposed Biden’s $1.9 trillion Kentucky is not a state without needs, structure. not exonerate him, and he does “That is friendly kissing,” she for fi nal passage. COVID-19 rescue. Not a single Repub- with its roads and bridges requiring in- One theory making the rounds on not get to use someone else’s said. “So I think that, too, is not “There’s an excellent chance it will lican senator supported that plan. vestments, Jennings said. Capitol Hill is that passing the bipar- trauma as his own shield.” really relevant to the most seri- be a success story for the country,” Mc- “I think they want to be able to point Biden and former President Barack tisan package will put pressure to trim The allegations that investi- ous allegations.” Connell told reporters Tuesday. to something positive that they’ve Obama both cited the Brent-Spence the size of the larger plan. Already, Sen. gators said they corroborated From crisis communica- His efforts are raising a big question done,” Van Hollen said. “And, if they Bridge between Kentucky and Ohio Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., has said she ranged from inappropriate com- tion experts to survivors, many on Capitol Hill: Just what is the self- oppose everything, they are not going when promoting plans to boost jobs. does not support a bill that costs $3.5 ments to forced kisses and grop- agreed that Cuomo’s political described “grim reaper” thinking? to be able to claim credit for anything.” Politically, the votes ahead could be a trillion. ing. future seems unsalvageable. Some colleagues say McConnell win-win for McConnell and Republicans Democrats have the full sweep of In a taped statement Tuesday, For New York and his accusers simply likes the bill and that his state Warning to show some bipartisanship on this fi rst power in Washington for the fi rst time Cuomo denied ever touching an- to move forward, they said, the would benefi t from the federal invest- McConnell could still vote “no” on package while launching into a strictly in a decade, with the White House and yone inappropriately but apolo- governor needs to be held ac- ments. Others say McConnell thinks the the public works plan. But so far, he partisan broadside against the larger plan. slim majorities in Congress, and will try gized to two accusers, including countable. “Simply put, he needs bill could help some of the Republicans has twice voted to advance the legisla- “I do think it gives Republicans sena- to pass that next package on their own. former staffer Charlotte Bennett. to resign,” Henard said, adding in contested elections next year if they tion. And while warning Senate Major- tors a chance to say Look, they always McConnell’s Republicans are almost He said he asked Bennett about that if he doesn’t, he should be pass it and send government aid to their ity Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claim we’re going to stop everything, ” certain to split over the narrower, bi- her love life in a misunderstood removed. “There’s no coming states. against rushing the amendment process, Jennings said. partisan bill, and his eventual vote will bid to help her cope with trauma back from this.” Still others say McConnell is also he has not tried to halt the work. “It does give the Republicans a carry weight. Conservatives groups are from a past sexual assault. He A majority of state Assem- thinking about a much bigger picture, McConnell has saved his scorn for chance to say, `We’re for the stuff that warning Republican senators not to sup- spoke of a family member, about bly members support begin- such as showing Americans that Re- the big vote that Schumer is preparing makes sense and we’re against the stuff port the bipartisan bill, arguing it will the same age, who’d been sexu- ning impeachment proceedings publicans are more than the party of before the Senate breaks for an August that doesn’t.’” only enable the costlier one to come. ally assaulted in high school. against Gov. Andrew Cuomo if “I thought I could help her he doesn’t resign over investiga- work through a diffi cult time,” tive fi ndings that he sexually har- the governor said of Bennett. assed at least 11 women, accord- News in Brief ing to an Associated Press count Suggesting Wednesday. Ying-shih dies at 91: Yu Ying-shih, a Emily Martin, vice president At least 83 of the body’s 150 historian of China who taught at Harvard, for education and workplace jus- members have said publicly or Princeton and Yale Universities and whose tice at the NWLC, said Cuomo told The AP that they favored ini- books were banned by the ruling Commu- was “suggesting that he is a hero tiating the process of ousting the nist Party in 2014 after he expressed sup- for survivors of sexual assault, third-term Democratic governor port for pro-democracy activism, has died. which is an especially disturbing if he doesn’t quit. A simple ma- He was 91. move given all that this report jority of Assembly members is Yu died Aug. 1 in the United States, ac- found.” needed to authorize an impeach- cording to an announcement by the Chinese “In some ways it reminds me ment trial. University of Hong Kong, where he taught of the ‘father of daughters’ com- The tally refl ects a governor and was vice chancellor in the 1970s. It ments that we hear from so many plunged into a political deep gave no cause of death. men in power,” Martin said, “that freeze - a Democratic scion who Yu “made lasting contributions to the we should take them at their has now lost most, if not all, of study of Chinese history and culture,” the word that they care about these his allies in the party establish- university’s acting vice chancellor, Alan issues based on their personal ment, just a year after basking K.L. Chan, said in a statement. (AP) family relationships.” in national attention as the blunt- ❑ ❑ ❑ Bennett herself called Cuo- but-relatable voice of fi ghting the UK police arrest 11: British police said mo’s apology “meaningless.” coronavirus. Thursday they have made 11 arrests in con- “If he were sorry, he would Cuomo has denied that he nection with the online racial abuse of Eng- step down. That’s how accounta- made any inappropriate sexual land soccer players following their team’s bility works,” she told the AP im- advances and insisted the fi nd- loss to Italy in the fi nal of the European mediately following the remarks. ings didn’t refl ect the facts. But Championship last month. Elaborating Wednesday on while political pressure grew, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and ABC’s “Good Morning Amer- so did the potential for criminal Bukayo Saka endured a barrage of abuse ica,” Bennett said: “He insinu- charges against Cuomo. after they missed penalties in England’s ated that survivors of trauma and District attorneys in Manhat- shootout defeat at London’s Wembley sexual assault can’t tell the dif- tan, suburban Westchester and Stadium on July 11. ference between mentorship and Nassau counties and the state The U.K. Football Policing Unit said it leadership and sexual harassment capital of Albany said they asked has requested data from social media com- itself, which is not only insulting for investigative materials from panies to advance its investigation and has to me but to every survivor who the inquiry, overseen by Demo- passed on information to local police forces, which so far have arrested 11 people on sus- listened to him yesterday.” cratic state Attorney General picion of a number of offences, including Marissa Hoechstetter was one Letitia James. James’ investiga- malicious communications. (AP) of those survivors. She said she tion found that Cuomo - a former ❑ ❑ ❑ was saddened by Cuomo’s refer- state AG himself - had violated ence to his relative’s assault “be- civil laws against sexual harass- Fire rages near Athens: Wildfi res rekin- cause I do not want to diminish ment. Making no conclusions dled outside Athens and forced more evacu- those experiences.” But, added about whether he should be crim- ations around southern Greece Thursday as the advocate for reform in New inally charged, investigators left weather conditions worsened and fi refi ght- York state, “two things can be the door open for local prosecu- ers in a round-the-clock battle stopped the true. You can have someone in tors to bring cases. fl ames just outside the birthplace of the an- his family who experienced sex- “We are reviewing the deeply cient Olympics. ual harm, and he could also have disturbing fi ndings,” said Joyce As additional support arrived from caused this harm.” A. Smith, the acting district at- Greece’s military and European Union countries, water-dropping planes and heli- “You feel so gutted when you torney in Long Island’s Nassau copters swooped over blazes near the capi- see people’s trauma trotted out to County. She pledged her offi ce tal, on the island of Evia and near Ancient try to explain away another per- would “thoroughly and expedi- Olympia to the south. (AP) son’s rightful voice,” Hoechstet- tiously investigate any potential ❑ ❑ ❑ ter said. crimes” that happened there. Deborah Tuerkheimer, a After James released her re- German Greens criticized: Germany’s Northwestern University law port Tuesday, Democrats from Green party has come under fi re on social professor who specializes in sex- the statehouse to the White media for tweeting a photograph of its elec- ual misconduct, saw Cuomo’s re- House called for Cuomo to go. tion candidates cropped in such a way as to marks as part of a larger strategy President Joe Biden said the gov- remove all the men. to discredit his accusers and save ernor should resign, though press The party’s local branch in Berlin’s Mitte his political career. secretary Jen Psaki wouldn’t say district posted the all-women picture “We often draw on a set of Wednesday whether Biden want- Wednesday on Twitter with a caption that longstanding misconceptions ed to see Cuomo impeached and poked fun at photos of the rival center-right Union bloc which it said showed only “old about abusers as ‘monsters’ with removed from offi ce. “The presi- men.” no redeeming qualities whatso- dent believes Governor Cuomo It later emerged that three of the Greens’ ever,” Tuerkheimer said. “When- should do the right thing, resign, male candidates had been cropped from the ever an accused man looks and leave space for future leader- image to show only the six women. All of different from this imagined ship in New York,” Psaki said. the men are members of ethnic minority groups. (AP) Grab sees sales jump, expects to list in Q4

Grab, Southeast Asia’s biggest ride- “We remain on track to close our to merge with, allowing the target to cess incentives given to consumers, hailing company, saw adjusted net proposed business combination with go public more quickly than if it went merchants and drivers on its platform In this file photo, pas- sales for the first three months of the Altimeter Growth Corp. by the end of through a more traditional initial public which are expected to decline over sengers wait for Grab year jump 39% to $507 million as it this year,” Grab President Ming Maa offering. time as its business matures. car outside a shop- narrowed its losses, months ahead of said during an earnings call Monday. The board of directors of the merged Grab’s first-quarter growth was ping mall in Kuala a planned public listing in the U.S. Grab in April had announced company will include Grab CEO Antho- mainly driven by Grab’s delivery busi- Lumpur, Malaysia. The Singapore-based company, a planned merger with Altimeter ny Tan, co-founder Tan Hooi Ling, as ness, which includes food, groceries (AP) which has expanded from ride-hailing Growth, a special purpose acquisi- well as Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, and parcel delivery. Its deliveries busi- to also provide food delivery and pay- tion company (SPAC), at a valuation together with three others, Grab said in ness nearly doubled, growing 96% ments services, also said in its first of nearly $40 billion that would allow its earnings release. in adjusted net sales to $293 million quarterly earnings report that it ex- it to list on the Nasdaq. With a SPAC, Grab said that its $507 million ad- compared to the same time last year pects to go public during the fourth investors plug in cash and then wait justed net sales is an all-time high and contributing to more than half of quarter. for it to find a privately held company and is normalized to account for ex- its total sales. (AP)

Market Movements 05-08-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts SAUDI - Tadawul +47.04 11,209.42 UK - FTSE 100 -3.43 7,120.43 JAPAN - Nikkei +144.04 27,728.12 PHILIPPINES - PSEi -37.94 6,547.27 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +16.18 4,161.08 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -149.00 47,640.88 UAE - DFM +7.17 2,820.37 SINGAPORE - Straits Times STI -7.80 3,175.10 EGYPT - EGX 30 +4.29 10,723.18 INDIA - Sensex +123.07 54,492.84 Business

BoE paints a fairly rosy picture about near-term prospects for British economy Bank of England hints at rate rise amid buoyant UK recovery

LONDON, Aug 5, (AP): The Bank of England indicated Thursday that interest rates may be on the up soon as it painted a fairly rosy picture about the near-term prospects for the British economy following the lifting of lockdown restrictions in the wake of the rapid rollout of coronavirus US trade deficit hits a record vaccines. In a statement accompanying its decision to keep the bank’s main interest rate unchanged at the record low of 0.1%, the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee said “some modest tightening of monetary policy” over the coming period “is likely to be necessary to be consistent with meeting the inflation target sustainably in the me- $75.7b in June, exports surge dium term.” The most recent fi gures showed the annual rate of infl a- tion in the U.K. at 2.5% following a spike largely in energy prices. The latest forecasts show the bank expects infl ation Jobless claims drop by 14,000 to 385,000 to pick up to 4% in 2021, which would be the highest level since 2011 and double the bank’s target. “There are good reasons to believe that above-target infl a- WASHINGTON, Aug 5, (AP): tion will be temporary,” Bank Governor Andrew Bailey told a press briefi ng. “If this outlook appears to be in jeopardy, The U.S. trade deficit increased the MPC will not hesitate to act.” to a record $75.7 billion in For now, the eight-member panel unanimously voted June as a rebounding Ameri- against any increase in rates. The panel also maintained the bank’s monetary stimulus at current levels though can economy sent demand for one of the eight members voted to reduce the level of imports surging. asset purchases from 875 billion pounds ($1.2 billion) to 830 billion. The Commerce Department reported Armed with quarterly economic projections, also pub- Thursday that the deficit rose 6.7% from lished Thursday, the rate-setting panel said “a waning im- a revised May deficit of $71 billion. The pact” from COVID-19 would boost demand growth and help June deficit set a record, topping the old the British economy reach its pre-pandemic level by the end mark of $75 billion set in March. The of the year. trade deficit represents the gap between It said the British economy is set to rebound by 7.25% what the country exports to the rest of this year following the lifting of lockdown restrictions, the world and what it purchases from unchanged from its previous projection. However, it modestly upgraded its forecast for next year to 6% from other countries. 5.75%. In June, exports edged up a modest 0.5% However, it cautioned that the more contagious delta vari- to $207.7 billion while imports surged 2.1% ant, which has seen coronavirus infections spike sharply in to $283.4 billion. the U.K. over the past couple of months, and voluntary so- The politically sensitive goods deficit cial distancing could pose a risk to the outlook. with China rose to $27.8 billion in June, Overall, growth is expected to slow toward more normal up 5.8% from the May level. So far this rates in the months and years to come, partly refl ecting lower year, the goods deficit with China, the government spending as many pandemic programs, such as largest that the United States runs with a salary support scheme, end. any country, totals $158.5 billion, an in- One uncertainty cited was how the economy will adjust to crease of 19.2% compared to the same the end of the furlough scheme, which was introduced at the period in 2020. start of the pandemic last March to ensure unemployment Donald Trump made China a principal didn’t rise substantially when lockdown restrictions were target of his trade policies, accusing the imposed. country of violating trade laws to gain un- A help wanted sign is displayed at a gas station in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The number of Americans Under the program, the government paid 80% of the sala- fair advantages over American companies ries of those workers unable to work because of lockdown and workers. Trump imposed a variety of applying for unemployment benefits fell last week by 14,000 to 385,000, Thursday, Aug. 5, more evidence that the economy and the job market are rebounding briskly from the coronavirus recession. (AP) measures. tariffs on China, triggering a tit-for-tat trade The program, which is being phased out and due to end at war in which the Chinese retaliated by im- tal Economics. travel. and consumers to return to shops, restau- the end of September, helped support over 11 million people posing higher tariffs on U.S. goods such as With the U.S. economy rebounding much Meanwhile, the number of Americans ap- rants and bars. The United States has been but the number now is down below the 2 million mark as soybeans. more quickly than the rest of the world, U.S. plying for unemployment benefi ts fell last adding more than 540,000 jobs a month many sectors have reopened, notably hospitality. It kept a lid Through the fi rst six months of this year, demand for imported goods is out-stripping week by 14,000 to 385,000 more evidence this year, and the Labor Department’s July on unemployment, which remains relatively low at below the U.S. trade defi cit totals $428.6 billion, a slower increase in foreign countries’ ap- that the economy and the job market are jobs report out Friday is expected to show it 5%. up 46.4% from the defi cit during the same petite for U.S. exports. rebounding briskly from the coronavirus tacked on nearly 863,000 more last month, The committee also warned of a “more pronounced pe- period in 2020, a time when Americans’ de- The widening trade defi cit has been a drag recession. according to a survey of economists by the riod” of above-target infl ation in the near term than expected mand for imports was being dampened by on the economy this year. While the overall The Labor Department reported Thurs- data fi rm FactSet. in May but said that its overall view is that cost pressures the pandemic. economy, as measured by the gross domes- day that unemployment claims - a proxy for The U.S. economy is still 6.8 million jobs will prove “transitory.” Analysts said the surge in the defi cit may tic product grew at a strong rate of 6.5% layoffs - dropped last week from a revised short of where it stood in February 2020. The bank also outlined its approach to removing econo- start to slow in coming months as the ini- in the April-June quarter, the trade defi cit 399,000 the week before. The applications Companies are posting job openings - my-boosting measures when necessary, saying it would start tial boom in consumer spending from the subtracted 0.4 percentage-points from GDP have mostly fallen steadily since topping a record 9.2 million in May - faster than to unwind its quantitative easing program when the man in- economy’s re-opening starts to level off and growth. 900,000 in early January. Still, they remain applicants are showing up to fill them. terest rate reaches 0.5%, which is lower than the previous increased growth in foreign countries helps The defi cit in just goods trade totaled high by historic levels: Before the pandemic Many states have responded to business threshold. to boost U.S. export sales. $93.2 billion in June, a fi gure that was re- slammed the United States in March 2020, complaints of a labor shortage by ending Economists said the fi rst interest rate rise could come as “With the peak in consumer goods de- duced by a $17.4 billion surplus the U.S. they were coming in at around 220,000 a expanded federal unemployment benefits soon as next year. mand behind us, we expect consumer goods recorded in trade in services. The United week. meant to ease financial strains from the “If there is no other major wave of COVID-19 during the imports to weaken from here while survey States typically runs surpluses in services, Since cratering in the spring of 2020, the health crisis, including an extra $300 a winter and the economy performs in line with the bank’s measures of export orders support that ex- items such as airline travel and hotels, but U.S. economy has bounded back as the roll- week on top of traditional state benefits. forecasts, the fi rst rate rise is likely to come in the spring or ports growth is set to strengthen,” said Mi- that fi gure has been depressed this year be- out of vaccines encourages businesses to The federal benefits are scheduled to ex- early summer of next year,” said Ian Stewart, chief econo- chael Pearce, senior U.S. economist at Capi- cause of the pandemic’s impact on foreign reopen or return to normal operating hours pire nationwide Sept. 6. mist at Deloitte. Falls short of forecast Germany’s economy rebounds in 2nd qtr BERLIN, Aug 5, (AP): Germany’s economy grew by 1.5% in the second quarter compared with the previous three- month period, picking up after a sharp fi rst-quarter fall but less strongly than expected. The fi gure released by the Federal Statistical Offi ce fell short of the 2% gain economists had forecast. In addition, the fi rst-quarter decline was sharper than previously report- ed - a 2.1% drop in gross domestic product, rather than the 1.8% reported in May. Second-quarter GDP was 9.2% higher than a year earlier, in price- and calendar-adjusted terms. Last year’s second quarter saw the strong initial impact of the coronavirus pan- demic on the German economy, Europe’s biggest. This year’s April-June period saw infections fl are up again and then decline to a very low level, prompting authorities to relax many restrictions, while the country’s vaccination campaign picked up speed. Despite the upturn, which was attributed to higher house- hold and government spending, the economy hasn’t yet re- turned to its pre-pandemic size. The statistics offi ce said GDP was still 3.4% lower in the second quarter than it was in the fi nal quarter of 2019, the last one before the pandemic started. Carsten Brzeski, an economist at ING, said the gap be- tween upbeat confi dence indicators and the hard data was due to “the long list of supply chain frictions,” including the disruption caused by a ship blocking the Suez Canal and de- lays in the production and delivery of microchips and semi- conductors. Any new restrictions prompted by the more contagious delta variant of the coronavirus “could easily derail a further acceleration of the economy,” but signifi cant new restric- tions that could undermine economic activity aren’t likely with a national election due on Sept. 26, he added. Continu- ing supply chain issues and rising infl ation could also dent growth and spending. Despite those risks, “we expect the German economy to return to pre-crisis levels before the end of the year,” Brzeski said. The Federation of German Industries, Germany’s main industry lobby group, also warned of possible pitfalls ahead. “The global fourth corona wave and persistent delivery diffi culties with primary products threaten to endanger the still-intact German and European economic recovery in the second half,” the group’s director general, Joachim Lang, said in a statement. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Sony’s profits up on ‘Demon Slayer,’ digital camera demand

Sony’s April-June profi t rose 9% ($20.7 billion), the company said coronavirus pandemic turned to music projects for the quarter In this fi le photo, to 211.8 billion yen ($1.9 billion) Wednesday. video games, including those were “Fine Line” by Harry Styles a man passes as the Japanese electronics and Sony had posted a 193.6 bil- from Sony. and “Singles: Sun Goes Down, by the Sony logo video game maker continued to lion yen quarterly profi t the previ- The PlayStation 5 went on sale Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” at an electronics benefi t from a sales perk from the ous year. Sony raised its full year late last year ahead of the holiday by Lil Nas X, while, in Japan, No- retail chain store hit “Demon Slayer” animation fi lm. profi t forecast to 700 billion yen shopping season, each machine gizaka46 sold well. (AP) in Tokyo. Sony’s Healthy results in its music ($6.4 billion) from an earlier 660 costing about $500. Production In its movie division, “Peter April-June profi t streaming business and robust billion yen ($6 billion). has not kept up with demand, and Rabbit 2: The Runaway,” a 3D rose 9% to 211.8 demand for digital cameras, im- The higher projection is still a it’s often sold out. Sony said 2.3 computer-animated comedy was billion yen ($1.9 age sensors and the PlayStation drop from the 1 trillion yen profi t million PlayStation 5 consoles a hit. The horror fi lm “The Unholy” billion). (AP) 5 video game console helped To- Sony had racked up the previous were sold during the April-June was also popular. Sony said some kyo-based Sony Corp.’s quarterly fi scal year, when its sales jumped period. theatrical releases were delayed sales grow 15% to 2.26 trillion yen as people stuck at home for the Among Sony’s top-selling because of the pandemic. (AP) Stocks rise on positive jobs data, earnings

Asian stock markets close mixed Honda reverts to NEW YORK, Aug 5, (AP): ‘profi t’ in last qrtr Stocks rose on Wall Street Thursday as investors re- TOKYO, Aug 5, (AP): Honda re- viewed encouraging jobs turned to profi tability in April-June, data and a strong batch of recording a 222.5 billion yen ($2 billion) profi t, as better sales and corporate earnings reports. costs cuts added to the Japanese au- The S&P 500 index rose 0.4% tomaker’s bottom line. as of 11:28 a.m. Eastern. The Dow Honda Motor Co. had racked Jones Industrial Average rose 202 up a 80.8 billion yen loss the same points, or 0.6%, to 34,995 and the period the previous year, when the Nasdaq rose 0.7%. entire auto industry was hurt by the The gains were broad in what has coronavirus pandemic. been a choppy week of trading, with Honda’s quarterly sales totaled technology companies leading the way. Banks made solid gains as long-term 3.6 trillion yen ($33 billion), up bond yields rose, which they rely on to nearly 69% on year, as global vehi- charge higher interest rates on loans. cles sales recovered in North Amer- The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose ica. Its motorcycle sales jumped in to 1.22% from 1.18% late Wednesday. India and Indonesia. Smaller company stocks outpaced Honda’s fi nancial services im- the broader market in a sign that inves- proved because of the higher prices tors are feeling more confi dent about for used cars, while its aircraft op- economic growth. The Russell 2000 erations suffered, according to the rose 1.7% Tokyo-based maker of the CR-V Wall Street got another glimpse of the recovering jobs market after the sports-utility vehicle, Odyssey Labor Department reported that unem- minivan, Gold Wing motorcycle ployment claims - a proxy for layoffs and Asimo robot. - dropped last week by 14,000. The Honda raised its profi t forecast generally encouraging report follows for the year through March 2022, to a weak report from payroll processor 670 billion yen ($6.1 billion), revis- ADP on Wednesday showing that the ing its previous projection upward private sector added jobs at a much by 80 billion yen ($734 million), slower pace than expected in July. boosted by better sales and costs The labor market has lagged other Traders Timothy Nick, (left), and Joel Luchese work on the fl oor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. Stocks rose on Wall Street cuts. areas of the economy during the recov- Thursday as investors reviewed encouraging jobs market data and a strong batch of corporate earnings reports. (AP) But it slightly lowered its vehi- ery from the virus pandemic. Investors will get a more comprehensive picture streaming service Roku shed 5% after The ADP report “missed expecta- munities, suspended fl ights and trains, slipped in Singapore but rose in India, cle sales forecast for the fi scal year on Friday when the Labor Department active accounts and streaming hours tions by a wide margin,” Yeap Jun and ordered mass coronavirus testing in Malaysia and Indonesia. to 4.85 million vehicles from the releases its July jobs report. fell short of analysts’ forecasts. Rong of IG said. Wuhan, the city where the disease was In energy markets, benchmark U.S. previous 5 million vehicles. The Investors are also weighing another Weber, the pioneering grill maker, “Although there has been no clear fi rst detected in late 2019. Although crude lost 22 cents to $67.93 per barrel new lower number is still better batch of earnings reports. Underwear jumped 17% in its stock market debut. correlation between the ADP data and China’s numbers are small compared in electronic trading on the New York than the 4.5 million vehicles Hon- maker Hanesbrands jumped 6.4% after In Europe, France’s CAC 40 rose the non-farm payrolls, the slowdown in to outbreaks elsewhere, its containment Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the da sold the previous fi scal year reporting solid second-quarter fi nancial 0.5% to 6,782.92 in early trading hiring in the leisure and hospitality sec- strategies and the subsequent impact price basis for international oils, gave up through March. results. Booking Holdings rose 6.8% while Germany’s DAX added 0.2% tors seems to draw some concerns on on its large economy are being closely 29 cents to $70.09 per barrel in London. It sold 998,000 vehicles in after it reported solid revenue. to 15,722.35. Britain’s FTSE 100 ad- the rise in virus cases in July bringing watched. “I continue to believe that material the April-June quarter, up from Several companies that benefi ted vanced 0.1% to 7,129.77. about some impact,” he said. In Asia, the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo selloffs in oil will be short-lived and 792,000 the same period last year. from the shift in consumer habits dur- The U.S. Labor Department will re- Concerns have been mounting closed 0.5% higher at 27,728.12. The followed by equally vigorous rallies,” ing the height of the pandemic slipped lease a more comprehensive jobs report around the coronavirus delta variant’s Kospi in South Korea lost 0.1% to Jeffrey Halley of Oanda said in a note. Honda’s results underline the after releasing disappointing results or on Friday. Economists are projecting spread in the U.S., Europe and Asia, 3,276.13, while the Hang Seng in Hong “A powerful U.S. non-farm payrolls recovery at Japanese automakers, forecasts. Online crafts marketplace that U.S. employers added 700,000 and particularly in China, which is on Kong slipped 0.8% to 26,204.69. tomorrow would deliver that scenario.” which all have been hurt by the Etsy fell 6.1% after giving investors jobs in July, bringing the national un- high alert as it confronts hundreds of The Shanghai Composite index fell The U.S. dollar rose to 109.62 Japa- coronavirus pandemic and a global a weak sales forecast as more people employment rate down to 5.7% from fresh cases. 0.3% to 3,466.55. Sydney’s S&P/ASX nese yen from 109.47 yen on Wednes- shortage of semiconductors. return to shopping in person. Video- 5.9%, according to FactSet. China has sealed off residential com- 200 gained 0.1% to 7,511.10. Shares day. The euro retreated to $1.1840. Earlier Wednesday, Toyota Mo- tor Corp. reported a record 897.8 billion yen ($8.2 billion) profi t for the fi scal fi rst quarter, zooming Nintendo sees dwindling impact from pandemic megahit game more than fi ve-fold from last year. TOKYO, Aug 5, (AP): Nintendo’s April-June regular Switch works for both traditional at-home boost from people turning to at-home entertain- evolve with new technology such as virtual reality. profi t declined 13% from the same period the pre- and portable play. ment during the coronavirus pandemic. A big plus for Nintendo is its wealth in intellec- vious year, when the hit game “Animal Crossing: “Animal Crossing,” released in March last But analysts don’t expect such fortunes to last tual property, which means lucrative merchandiz- New Horizons” dramatically boosted sales. year, didn’t sell as well this year as it did in the as normal activities resume with vaccine rollouts. ing and theme parks. Nintendo Co.’s profi t for the fi scal fi rst quar- April-June quarter the previous year, when 10 That change is expected to hurt Nintendo, which Nintendo kept its forecasts unchanged for the ter totaled 92.7 billion yen ($843 million), down million units were snatched up. tends to attract casual game users, more than ri- full fi scal year through March 2022 at 340 bil- from 106 billion yen, the Japanese maker of “Su- “Animal Crossing” sales totaled 1.26 million vals such as Sony and Microsoft, which have lion yen ($3.1 billion) in profi t on 1.6 trillion yen per Mario” and “Pokemon” games said Thursday. in April-June, for cumulative sales of 33.9 mil- products that draw so-called core gamers. ($14.5 billion) in sales. Quarterly sales fell 10% to 322.6 billion yen lion. A closure to pandemic times may also coincide That marks a 29% profi t drop and a 9% sales ($2.9 billion). More than 89 million of the Switch machines with a peak in the life cycle, or duration of con- decline from the previous year. Sales of the Switch consoles dropped nearly have been sold so far around the world, according sumer appeal, of the Switch. The Switch platform continues to drive sales, In this Jan. 23, 2020 fi le photo, Nin- 22% during the quarter to 4.45 million units, to Nintendo. Questions also remain about Nintendo’s ability according to Nintendo, with 2.07 million units of tendo characters, including Mario, mainly because of the sales decline of the smaller Kyoto-based Nintendo has been a primary to profi t from the growing mobile game sector, as the “New Pokemon Snap” software sold during (right), are seen on a glass of its of- Switch Lite, dedicated to handheld playing. The example of a Japanese company that received a well as from next-generation consoles that may the April-June period. fi cial store in Tokyo. (AP) Siemens raises its outlook for ‘2021’ FRANKFURT, Germany, Aug 5, (AP): Germany’s Siemens AG raised its outlook for the year Thursday, joining other major European industrial companies in signaling that the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is gath- ering pace despite parts shortages and concerns over the spread of the delta variant. Rebounding global demand for infrastructure and manu- facturing software led to a sharp increase in orders in the April-June quarter at Munich-based Siemens AG, with an order from U.S. rail company Amtrak a large contributor. Siemens said orders saw “double-digit growth in all in- dustrial businesses and reporting regions.” The engineering and manufacturing company raised its outlook for its fi scal year, joining Volkswagen and Airbus in raising their predictions for business performance amid a global recovery from the worst of the pandemic shutdowns in the April-June quarter a year ago. Siemens cautioned that its business could be affected by the same shortage of semiconductors for electronic compo- nents that has forced production cutbacks among automak- ers. It said it was also seeing higher costs for raw materials, parts and freight services. The company said its order book increased by 47% to 20.5 billion euros ($24.2 billion). The fi gure was boosted by 2.8 billion euros in contracts awarded by Amtrak for 73 trains to be built at the company’s factory in Sacramento, California. The order book also benefi tted from an order for passen- ger coaches in the Czech Republic and a signaling system in Taiwan.

In this fi le photo Siemens CEO Roland Busch poses prior to the virtual annual shareholders meeting in Mu- nich, Germany. Germany’s Siemens AG on Thursday raised its outlook for the year. (AP) Stellantis reports record H1 margins, $7b profits

Stellantis said operations are million euros the same period ers. ity and driver assist, naviga- meshing faster than expected last year when COVID-19 Semiconductor shortages tion and hybrid electric sys- since the company’s creation shut down vast swaths of the accounted for 200,000 units tems. This file photo shows the with France’s Peugeot PSA; manufacturing sector. of production losses in the Stellantis achieved 1.3 bil- Stellantis sign outside the takeover of the Italian-Amer- Shipments rose 44% to 3.2 first quarter and 500,000 in lion euros in cost savings Chrysler Technology Center ican car maker Fiat Chrysler, million units. Revenues rose the second quarter as sup- in the first half, mostly by in Auburn Hills, Michigan. yet snarled global supply 46% to 75 billion euros. ply chains again kicked into sharing investments in new (AP) chains clipped production by “We are very pleased with action as infections slowed technologies and platforms, 700,000 vehicles. the speed with which the new in Europe and the U.S. Semi- which Palmer said was a In the first half of the year, team has begun to execute conductors are used more faster rate than initially fore- Stellantis booked profits of as one company, as Stellan- than ever before in new ve- cast. It aims to achieve 80% 5.9 billion euros ($7 billion), tis,’’ Chief Financial Officer hicles with electronic features of the targeted 5 billion in compared with a loss 813 Richard Palmer told report- such as Bluetooth connectiv- cost savings by 2024. (AP)

Supply chain breakdown is paralyzing many businesses Shipping snags prompt US firms to mull retreat from China

WASHINGTON, Aug 5, (AP): Toy Southeast Asia. maker Eric Poses created a card game “Are we in a 21st century version of last year he called The Worst-Case Sce- the Cold War? Yes,’’ said trade lawyer nario, a wry reference to the way the Michael Taylor, a partner at King & coronavirus had upended normal life. Spalding. “The endgame is not nuclear He had no idea. annihilation. The endgame now is eco- In a twist that Poses never could nomic dominance.’’ have predicted, his game itself would For decades, companies have piled become caught up in the latest fallout up profits by moving manufacturing to from the health crisis: a backlogged China and other low-wage countries, global supply chain that has delayed then exporting their products back to shipments around the world and sent the United States. They have also held freight costs rocketing. down costs by keeping inventories to a Worst-Case Scenario, produced in minimum. Under a “just-in-time” ap- China, was supposed to reach U.S. proach, factories buy materials only as retailer Target’s distribution centers they need them to meet orders. in early June. Instead, the games were But relying on distant factories stuck for weeks at the Port of Seattle and keeping inventories threadbare is and didn’t arrive until mid-July. risky. In March 2011, an earthquake “It’s consuming my life,’’ said and tsunami damaged auto parts plants Poses, who started his Miami Beach, in northwestern Japan. The resulting Florida-based toy company All Things parts shortages temporarily idled car Equal in 1997, selling games from the plants around the world, including trunk of his car. “You do everything some in the United States - a sobering right. You produce on time. You’re reminder that lengthy supply chains psyched about your product.’’ are vulnerable to disruption. And then ... unforeseeable disaster. Then came Trump’s trade war. Im- Like other importers, Poses is con- porters scrambled to reconfigure their tending with a perfect storm of supply supply chains and find alternatives to trouble - rising prices, overwhelmed Chinese factories after Trump imposed ports, a shortage of ships, trains, trucks stiff tariffs on goods from China. - that is expected to last into 2022. The But they’d never seen anything like experience proved disturbing enough what COVID-19 inflicted on global that Poses is reconsidering a cost-sav- commerce. ing decision he made five years ago: to As countries locked down and fami- shift production of his games and toys lies took refuge at home in February out of the United States to China. Now, and March last year, companies sold he thinks, it might make sense to bring off inventories and canceled orders production back - at least to Mexico, if from suppliers. And the economy did, not the United States - to protect him in fact, collapse: In the United States, from the risks of relying on factories gross domestic product, the broadest an ocean away in China. measure of economic output, fell at a “I’m willing to make smaller mar- 31.2% annual rate from April through gins,” he said, “if it means less anxiety.” June 2020 - the worst quarter in re- Other American companies are cords dating to 1947. making similar calculations: 52% of Then something unexpected hap- the U.S. manufacturing executives pened. surveyed by the consulting firm Ke- “What nobody knew was that when arney said they have started buying you send everybody home, the first In this file photo, The Warnow-Dolphin container ship enters PortMiami, in Miami Beach, Fla. Importers are contending with a perfect storm of supply more supplies in the United States in thing we all do is shop’’ online, said trouble - rising prices, overwhelmed ports, a shortage of ships, trains, trucks - that is expected to last into 2022. (AP) response to COVID-related supply dis- Lewis Black, CEO of Almonty Indus- Tin prices have doubled. The price of ruptions. Forty-seven percent said they tries, which mines the rare metal tung- high density polyethylene blow-molded plan to reduce reliance on supplies or sten. “You had, on one hand, invento- plastic - common in bottles, fuel tanks, Prep with these 6 steps factories from a single country; 41% ries being run down and manufacturing industrial drums and other products - has specifically said they wanted to cut ground to a halt, and on the other, peo- surged 157%, according to the Plastics their dependence on China. ple were spending like crazy.’’ Exchange spot market. And not just because of the virus-re- Fueled by pent-up consumer de- Freight costs shot up, too, as compa- Ready to hire your first employee? lated bottlenecks in shipping, severe as mand, especially as vaccines allowed nies tried to book shipping containers. they are. Companies are worried, too, economies to reopen and families to The Baltic Dry Index, which measures By Rosalie Murphy new employee can help you gen- money for tax and insurance pay- about becoming caught in the cross- get back outside again, growth roared shipping costs, has rocketed more than NerdWallet erate more revenue by expanding ments. fire of a trade war between the United back. The U.S. economy expanded at 700% since mid-May 2020. your capacity. “When you’re at this stage, it is States and China, the world’s two big- a stunning clip - a record annual rate Getting products onto container espite the pandemic, the IRS Spence says metrics like average really important to start thinking gest economies. of 33.8% from July through September ships was hard. But that wasn’t the Dreceived more than 7 million re- monthly sales and average revenue about your systems and invest a The conflict began when President 2020 - and kept chugging along, most end of the trouble. Ports were over- quests for new employer identifica- Donald Trump imposed taxes on $360 recently registering a healthy 6.5% an- whelmed when the cargo arrived. per sale can help you understand little bit of time and energy in your tion numbers between January 2020 how hiring someone will affect systems,” Spence says. billion worth of Chinese imports to nual growth rate from April through “They couldn’t get the ships in and and June 2021, according to data protest Beijing’s combative effort to June this year. out,’’ said Richard Gottlieb, CEO of your finances and when it’s time to Those systems could include from the U.S. Census Bureau. take that step. payroll software, most of which surpass American technological domi- Suddenly, companies were over- the consultancy Global Toy Experts. As those businesses grow, many nance. whelmed with orders they couldn’t meet. “They were backed up. You know that “(Hiring is) not necessarily tied can automatically withhold funds But neither Chinese leader Xi Jinping “They had an oops moment,’’ Black horrible experience where your air- will reach an important milestone: to a date - it’s really tied to hitting from paychecks, or accounting nor Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, ap- said. plane lands and there’s no open gate? hiring their first employees. Here that number of customers or num- software, which you can use to pears to be in a hurry to seek peace. “It’s a classic case of overreacting That’s what happened to containers.’’ are six things business owners ber of projects or products or ser- keep your finances organized as “The whole relationship is in bad on the front end and having to play The result is that the supply chain should do first. vices,” Spence says. your business grows. shape,’’ said Rosemary Coates, a long- catchup,’’ said Tom Derry, CEO of the breakdown is paralyzing many busi- 1. Make sure you need help time consultant to companies wanting Institute for Supply Management, an nesses. 3. Find professional support 5. Position new employees for First, look for signs that your Outside experts can help you success to establish factories in China. association of purchasing managers. Consider Elmer Schultz Services, business can’t move forward with- In America, there is bipartisan frus- “No one really foresaw the strength a Philadelphia company that repairs navigate the hiring process. That Your first employee is the first tration over China’s sharp-elbowed in the surge of demand .... Supply just and maintains kitchen equipment for out assistance. team might include an attorney, person that you are entrusting your trade practices - which, critics say, in- can’t keep up.’’ restaurants and other clients. It is fac- If you’re “personally at capaci- bookkeeper, accountant and HR vision to, says April D. Hallibur- cludes cybertheft - as well as its crack- As companies hurried to meet surg- ing maddening delays in getting parts. ty” and receiving more orders than consultant. ton, founder and president of vir- down on civil liberties in Hong Kong, ing demand, the cost of raw materials It used to take seven to 10 days to get you can handle, it may be time to “Make sure that you get the ad- tual HR company All-4-HR . Hal- repression of Muslims in Xinjiang and soared: The price of oil is up more than backordered parts. Now, it takes three hire someone, says Phelan Spence vice of a professional to kind of bullying of neighbors in South and 70% over the past year, aluminum 55%. or four weeks. liburton is also a volunteer mentor , a services and financial analysis lead you along the way,” says An- with SCORE, a nonprofit organi- associate at JumpStart, a Cleve- gel Washington, owner of Cleve- zation that offers business owners land-based nonprofit that works land-based medical billing and free resources, including webinars with entrepreneurs. coding business Consult 2 Code . and how-to guides about hiring Hiring may also be on the hori- “You just want to make sure you employees. zon for business owners who are do everything right from the begin- Start by writing a clear job de- missing deadlines, fielding cus- ning so you don’t have to go back scription, Hallburton says, and tomer complaints or thinking about and fix things.” don’t rely totally on a template be- taking on a big project. Expert advice can help you stay cause “10 different companies are 2. Know your numbers compliant with employment law, going to have receptionists doing Before hiring full- or part-time like understanding when you can things 10 different ways.” employees, your cash flow should hire independent contractors and Halliburton encourages business be steady enough to support regu- when you need employees, and owners to work with an HR profes- lar paychecks . making sure new hires fill out the sional to create an employee hand- Business owners need to plan for necessary tax forms. book so employees know how to expenses beyond wages, includ- 4. Set up payroll and account- navigate the workplace. Also, con- ing Social Security, Medicare and ing systems sider creating manuals that walk payroll taxes, and, in many states, When a business owner hires a new employees through key tasks. workers’ compensation. Benefits new employee, they need to gather “I think you make the big- like health insurance add addition- certain documents for tax and legal gest impact within the first few al costs. reasons. And when they pay that months,” Halliburton says. “The At the same time, bringing in a employee, they need to withhold last thing you want to do is not give the effort and energy that is needed when you’re hiring your employees and growing your staff and culture.” 6. Get ready to let go Washington started Consult 2 Code as a solopreneur. She now has a team of seven, including full- and part-time employees as well as independent contractors. Washington thinks most entre- preneurs “want to do things our- selves because our name is the brand and the brand is our name.” But hiring a team has allowed her to step back from day-to-day tasks and focus on running and growing her business. “Being able to let go was really hard,” Washington says. “But once A hiring sign is seen at a Stella’s Place cafe in Des Plaines, Illinois, Sun- you do let go, you can finally be day, July 11, 2021. (AP) able to breathe.” (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Climate

Penguins habitat at risk Summer of extremes hits wealthier places

NEW YORK, Aug 5, (AP): As the world staggers through another summer of extreme weather, experts are noticing something different: 2021s onslaught is hitting harder and in places that have been spared global warming’s wrath in the past. Wealthy countries such as the United States, Canada, Ger- many and Belgium are joining poorer and more vulnerable nations on a growing list of extreme weather events that sci- entists say have some connection to human-caused climate change. “It is not only a poor country problem, it’s now very ob- viously a rich county problem,” said Debby Guha-Sapir, founder of the international disaster database at the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters at Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. “They (the rich) are get- ting whacked.” Killer fl oods hit China, but hun- dreds of people also drowned in parts of Germany and Belgium not used to being inundated. Canada and the Pa- cifi c Northwest of the US had what cli- mate scientist Zeke Hausfather called “scary” heat that soared well past triple digits in Fahrenheit and into high 40s in Celsius, shattering records and ac- companied by unusual wildfi res. Now southern Europe is seeing unprecedent- Williams ed heat and fi re. Cedric Daniels, 37, of Gonzales, La., rests in his room, recovering from COVID-19 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Aug 2, 2021. And peak Atlantic hurricane and US Louisiana is leading the nation in the number of new COVID cases per capita and remains one of the bottom five states in administering vaccinations. (AP) wildfi re seasons are only just starting. When what would become Hurricane Elsa formed on July 1, it broke last year’s record for the earliest fi fth named At- lantic storm. Colorado State University has already increased Coronavirus its forecast for the number of named Atlantic storms - and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will update its season outlook on Wednesday. For fi re season, the US West is the driest it has been since 1580, based on soil moisture readings and tree ring records, Unvaccinated and hospitalized setting the stage for worsening fi res if something ignites them, said UCLA climate and fi re scientist Park Williams. What happens with US hurricane and fi re seasons drives the end-of-year statistics for total damage costs of weather disas- COVID patient now advocates for shots ters, said Ernst Rauch, chief climate and geo scientist for insur- ance giant Munich Re. But so far this year, he said, wealthier BATON ROUGE, La., Aug 5, (AP): regions have seen the biggest economic losses. Cedric Daniels and Joshua Bradstreet Droughts Contreras didn’t think they really needed the coronavirus vaccine. Af- Can I get ‘long COVID’ if I’m But when poorer countries are hit, they are less prepared and ter all, the uncle and nephew are both their people can’t use air conditioning or leave so there’s more young — 37 and 22, respectively — harm, said Hausfather, climate director of the Breakthrough and Contreras was “as healthy as a infected after vaccination? Institute. While hundreds of people died in the Pacifi c North- horse,” Daniels said. west heat wave, he said the number would have been a much But just days after Daniels went higher in poor areas. NEW YORK, Aug 5, (AP): Can I get virus mutant so far in the pandemic, to visit Contreras in New Orleans - a ‘long COVID’ if I’m infected after but COVID-19 vaccines still provide Madagascar, an island nation off East Africa, is in the mid- long-awaited reunion that came after dle of back-to-back droughts that the United Nations warns are vaccination? strong protection against it. Nearly not seeing each other for months be- It’s unclear, but researchers are all hospitalizations and deaths are pushing 400,000 people toward starvation. cause of the pandemic — the nephew studying the chances of long-term among the unvaccinated. Though it’s is too early to say the summer of 2021 will again A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, stands on Space Launch Com- was rushed away in an ambulance. He symptoms developing in anyone Still, the US Centers for Disease break records for climate disasters, “We’re certainly starting couldn’t breathe, even when sitting who might get infected after vac- Control and Prevention cited the to see climate change push extreme events into new territories plex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station with Boeing’s CST-100 completely still. He is now in a hospital cination. delta’s surge for its updated ad- where they haven’t been seen before,” Hausfather said. in a New Orleans suburb, on a ventila- The COVID-19 vaccines in vice that fully vaccinated people The number of weather, water and climate disasters so far Starliner spacecraft, Aug. 4, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. A second attempt to tor and in a medically induced coma. use around the world are effec- return to wearing masks indoors this year is only slightly higher than the average of recent At about the same time, Daniels tive at preventing severe illness in areas with high transmission. years, said disaster researcher Guha-Sapir. Her group’s data- launch was scrubbed due to technical issues and a new launch date has not started feeling weak, had blurred vi- and death from the coronavirus, The change is based on recent re- base, which she said still is missing quite a few events, shows been set. (AP) sion and was so short of breath he but some people do get infected search suggesting that vaccinated 208 such disasters worldwide through July — about 11% more could barely make it from his couch after the shots. With such “break- people who get infected with the delta variant can spread it to oth- than the last decade’s average, but a bit less than last year. in the living room to the bathroom. through” cases, health experts say Last year, the record-shattering heat that came out of no- the vaccines should help lessen ers, even if the vaccinated don’t He tested positive for the virus, then the severity of any illness people get seriously ill. where was in Siberia, where few people live, but this year it went to a hospital in Baton Rouge al- struck Portland, Oregon, and British Columbia, which gets Discovery experience. The new guidance helps pro- ready overwhelmed with COVID-19 But researchers are also looking tect the unvaccinated, including more western media attention, Hausfather said. patients, where he stayed for a week What’s happening is “partly an increase in the statistics of at whether those breakthrough cas- children who aren’t yet eligible on oxygen as he recovered from pneu- es could lead to long COVID-19, for the shots, and others who are these extreme events, but also just that the steady drumbeat, Customs intercepts shipment: A monia. at high-risk for serious illness if the pile on year-on-year ... takes its cumulative toll on all of which is when people experience shipment containing 10th century arti- Contreras and Daniels are among a persistent, returning or new symp- infected. us who are reading these headlines” said Georgia Tech climate facts was intercepted by US Customs and fl ood of patients fi lling up overloaded toms a month or more after an in- Some breakthrough cases with scientist Kim Cobb. Border Protection offi cers in Louisville, hospitals across the US amid a surge of fection. The condition can develop mild or no symptoms were always “This pattern of recent Northern Hemisphere summers has the agency said. COVID-19 cases driven by the virus’s after severe initial infections or expected, since the vaccines were been really quite stark,” said University of Exeter climate sci- The items were on their way from highly contagious delta variant. Health even in those who initially had mild designed to prevent serious illness. entist Peter Stott. Mexico to a residence in Sumter, South offi cials say the most serious cases or no symptoms. The CDC no longer publicly counts While overall temperature rise is “playing out exactly as we Carolina, when they were seized July 24, have been among the unvaccinated. Some estimates indicate about those milder breakthrough cases, said 20 years ago, ... what we are seeing in terms of the heat according to a news release. 30% of unvaccinated COVID-19 but a Kaiser Family Foundation An expert determined that the pieces in “It is frustrating, because it’s pre- waves and the fl oods is more extreme than we predicted back ventable … but more than that, it’s patients develop long-term symp- analysis of data from states that then,” Stott said. the collection — a skull and 12 chopping toms, including shortness of breath, keep a tally found they make up a tools — dated back to the Post-classical really sad,” said James Ford, a criti- tiny share of all COVID-19 infec- Climate scientists say there is little doubt climate change cal care doctor in the ICU at Our fatigue, difficulty concentrating, from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme and Aztec eras, from 1100-1532. insomnia and brain fog. Similar tions. “I’m extremely proud that our offi cers Lady of the Lake Medical Center It’s not yet clear if the delta vari- events. in Baton Rouge, where Daniels was symptoms can develop after other Aside from dramatic fl oods and fi res, heat waves are a major were able to stop priceless artifacts from viral infections, too. ant makes people sicker. But ex- being lost forever,” LaFonda Sutton- treated. A small study from Israel pub- perts say it spreads more easily risk to prepare for in the future, Guha-Sapir said . Burke, the agency’s fi eld operations di- To help with the infl ux, the hospital “It’s going to be a very big deal in the Western countries lished recently found apparent long because of mutations that make it rector in its Chicago offi ce, said in the brought in a disaster medical assis- COVID-19 in several health work- better at latching onto cells in our because the most susceptible to sudden peaks of heat are older statement. tance team of nearly three dozen health bodies. people. And the demographic profi le of the people in Europe ers with breakthrough infections. “Customs and Border Protection will care workers on Monday. That same They developed mild symptoms The delta, first detected in In- is very old,” she said. “Heat waves are going to be a real issue continue to use our border authority to day, hospital leaders at a news con- including cough, fatigue and weak- dia, has quickly become dominant in the next few years.” identify and rescue precious antiquities ference where Gov John Bel Edwards ness that persisted for at least six wherever it has landed, including Also: being smuggled by those who profi t on announced a reinstated statewide mask weeks. the US. the theft of historical and cultural property mandate described grim conditions Larger studies are ongoing. Viruses constantly mutate, and WASHINGTON: With climate change threatening the sea ice and return them to their rightful owners.” across Louisiana: facilities fi lled with Researchers don’t know why most changes aren’t concerning. habitat of Emperor penguins, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Most countries have laws that protect COVID-19 patients, including chil- symptoms linger, but believe some But the worry is that unchecked on Tuesday announced a proposal to list the species as threat- cultural property, such as artifacts, that symptoms reflect lung scarring spread could fuel mutations and include export controls and national own- dren, and hospital hallways lined with ened under the Endangered Species Act. stretchers because there aren’t enough or damage to other organs from produce a variant that’s even more “The lifecycle of Emperor penguins is tied to having stable ership. The agency says importers must severe initial infections. Another contagious, causes more severe ill- have permits and receipts when bringing beds. ness or evades the protection that sea ice, which they need to breed, to feed and to molt,” said “A lot of them are debilitated and theory suggests that the virus may Stephanie Jenouvrier, a penguin ecologist at the Woods Hole such items into the US. linger in the body and trigger an im- vaccines provide. The Department of Homeland Security need around-the-clock care,” said It’s why experts say making vac- Oceanographic Institution. Ford, who has been working on his mune response that leads to the enforces cultural property import restric- symptoms. cines accessible globally is so criti- Research published Tuesday in the journal Global Change tions set in agreements between the US days off to help ease his hospital’s bur- Biology found that by 2100, 98% of Emperor penguin colo- ❑ ❑ ❑ cal. And they note the importance and 20 countries, and through emergency den. “It’s very labor intensive.” of being fully vaccinated; getting nies may be pushed to the brink of extinction, if no changes import restrictions with three other coun- What should I know about the just one dose of the two-dose vac- are made to current rates of carbon emissions and climate tries. Oxygen delta variant? cines isn’t as protective against the change. Restricting the importation of certain Some of those patients, like Daniels, It’s the most contagious corona- delta. Around 70% of colonies will be in danger sooner, by 2050. archeological material reduces the moti- now wish they had taken the shot. The new study looked at overall warming trends and the vation for looting at historic sites, accord- “They’re talking about putting tubes increasing likelihood of extreme weather fl uctuations due to ing to Customs and Border Protection. down your throat possibly if your had her 19-year-old son who lives in or do anything. I had to call an ambu- global warming. And it noted that extremely low levels of sea The agency says it has seized cultural oxygen doesn’t go up within the next the same house in New Orleans. Brad- lance.” property 21 times since the start of the ice in 2016 led to a massive breeding failure of an Emperor hour, and that is frightening,” he told street said she tried to persuade Con- A while later, the hospital called and penguin colony in Antarctica’s Halley Bay. 2020 fi scal year. The items valued more The Associated Press on Monday as That year, seasonal sea ice broke up before penguin chicks than $18 million. (AP) treras to get the shot, but said she had said, “’Your son is on a ventilator,’ he lay in a bed with an oxygen tube only so much pull over him. and I almost died,” Bradstreet said. had time to develop waterproof adult feathers, and about ❑ ❑ ❑ in his nose. He was released shortly 10,000 baby birds drowned, Jenouvrier said. The colony did “Josh hardly goes anywhere since “I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t realize Spin impact requires study: Space afterward but still must use oxygen at COVID hit, so he didn’t think he need- how serious it was. I didn’t know. He not recover afterward. engineers will analyze whether a glitch home. Emperor penguins breed exclusively in Antarctica during ed the vaccine,” Bradstreet said. almost died.” that caused the International Space Sta- “I am now a huge advocate for doc- One of the places to which Con- Bradstreet talks to her son every day winter. They endure temperatures of minus 40 degrees Fahr- tion to spin out of its normal orientation tor’s orders,” Daniels added. “They enheit (minus 40 degrees Celsius) and wind speeds approach- could have impacted any of its systems, think we ought to get vaccinated, I treras did go, however, was his sum- through one of the hospital’s portable ing 90 miles (144 kilometers) per hour by huddling together in a Russian space offi cial said Wednesday. think we ought to get vaccinated.” mer job at Café Reconcile. About the laptops, so that he can hear her voice groups of several thousand birds. But they can’t survive with- Sergei Krikalev, the director of crewed Daniels, who lives in Gonzales, time he started getting ill, he got a call even if he can’t see her. out suffi cient sea ice. space programs at the Russian space cor- about 57 miles (92 kilometers) north- from the restaurant telling him that a She also prays a lot, and hopes that “These penguins are hard hit by the climate crisis, and the poration Roscosmos, emphasized that last west of New Orleans, said he and co-worker had tested positive for the sharing her son’s story will motivate US government is fi nally recognizing that threat,” said Sarah week’s incident did not infl ict any observ- Contreras were the only unvaccinated virus and he needed to get tested him- others who have not yet been vacci- Uhlemann, international program director at the nonprofi t able damage to the space station but he members of their households. Daniels’ self. nated to go and get the shot. Center for Biological Diversity. said that experts would need to study its wife and live-in mother-in-law, both “He had a headache and some nau- “When we go through things, it’s The US government has previously listed species outside potential implications. of whom were inoculated months ago, sea, so at fi rst we thought it was de- to help other people, to teach people the country as threatened, including the polar bear, which lives “It appears there is no damage,” Krika- hydration,” Bradstreet said. “A week something,” she said. “Their choice lev said in an interview broadcast by Rus- have both tested negative twice since in Arctic regions and is also imperiled by climate change and he tested positive. later, he couldn’t smell. He couldn’t may leave them in the hospital. Maybe sea ice loss. sian state television. “But it’s up to spe- cialists to assess how we have stressed the Contreras’ mother, Tarsha Brad- breathe. I noticed his breath was quick they’ll get the lesson before they have Emperor penguins — the world’s largest penguins — cur- station and what the consequences are.” street, had also been vaccinated, as and rapid, and he could barely stand up to go through this.” rently number about 270,000 to 280,000 breeding pairs, or NASA emphasized Wednesday that the 625,000 to 650,000 individuals. The proposed listing will be station was operating normally and noted published in the Federal Register on Wednesday to open to a that the spin was within safety limits for 60-day public comment period. its systems. Listing the bird provides protections such as prohibition Thrusters on Russia’s Nauka labora- against importing them for commercial purposes. Potential tory module fi red shortly after the module wasn’t in danger during the incident. and the loss of control was discussed with impacts on penguins must also be evaluated by US marine arrived at the International Space Station The station needs to be properly aligned the crew. “Further analysis showed total fi sheries currently operating in Antarctica. on Thursday, making the orbiting outpost to get the maximum power from solar attitude change before regaining normal “Climate change, a priority challenge for this Administra- slowly spin about one-and-a-half revolu- panels and to maintain communications attitude control was (tilde)540 degrees,” tion, impacts a variety of species throughout the world,” said tions. Russia’s mission controllers fi red with space support teams back on Earth. NASA said. Martha Williams, principal deputy director of the wildlife thrusters on another Russian module and The space station’s communications with On Wednesday, NASA noted that service. “The decisions made by policymakers today and dur- a Russian cargo ship attached to the space ground controllers blipped out twice for a “continued analysis following last week’s ing the next few decades will determine the fate of the Em- station to stop rotation and then push the few minutes on Thursday. event with unplanned thruster fi rings on peror penguin.” station back to its normal position. NASA said in a tweet Tuesday that the Nauka has shown the space station re- Both US and Russian space offi cials station was 45 degrees out of alignment mains in good shape with systems per- said the station’s seven-person crew when Nauka’s thrusters were still fi ring Burke Krikalev forming normally.” (AP) Music FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 FFeatureseatures lawmaker pop singer,aswellformer in alegislativeby-election. viding entertainmenttoswayvoters after initiallyaccusinghimofpro- singer andpro-democracyactivist, tion chargesagainstaprominent Kong onThursdaydroppedcorrup- racy candidateAu Nok-hinina attendees tovotefor pro-democ- songs atthe2018 rally andurged tions ordinance. by Auin2018violatedtheelec- Wong gaveatapoliticalrallyheld accusations thataperformance Kong’s corruptionwatchdogover rested earlierthisweekbyHong they mustbeongoodbehavior. order of18monthsduringwhich each, andweregivenabindingover of 2,000HongKongdollars($257) asked topayaguaranteeinthesum real nameis Monday thatthe36-year-old,whose woman withminorinjuries. an incidentinLondonthatlefta has beenchargedwithassaultafter 2020 forhisservicestomusic.(AP) of theOrderBritishEmpirein “Dirtee Disco”and“Shout”. wiv Me”,“Bonkers”,“Holiday”, the number-onesingles“Dance United Kingdom exceeding 300,000unitsinthe n’ Cheekgoingplatinumforsales certifi Cheek werecriticallypraisedand Maths +English,andTonguen’ debut “BoyindaCorner”2003. Britain became theyoungestartisttowin a genreofelectronicrap,and sic festivalsinLondonAugust. is onthelineuptoperformatmu- did notprovidefurtherdetails. south LondononSept3.Police at treatment. ries. Shedidnotrequirehospital and awomanreportedminorinju- southeast London,onJune8. residential addressin was chargedaftertheincidentata HONG KONG: LONDON: munity.” our effortssetanexampleforpeersinthemusiccom- ing anenvironmentofinclusionindustrywideandhopethat make,” Masonsaidinastatement.“We’rededicatedtofoster- diversifying ourindustryisatthecoreofeverydecisionwe and systematicallyexcludedfromtheindustry. and hireonstageoffstagepeoplewhohavebeenhistorically 16. nity. ThefullinclusionriderwillbereleasedpubliclyonSept. concept a“monumentalstep”foraninclusivemusiccommu- all levelsofproduction. 64th annualawardsasawaytoensureequityandinclusionat rider willbeaddedtoitsagreementwithproducersstagingthe for nextyear’sceremony. more diversecandidatesbackstageandinfrontofthecamera an inclusionriderthatwillrequireproducerstorecruitandhire LOS ANGELES,Aug5,(AP):TheGrammyAwardswilladopt Grammys committomore hiringdiversityfor2022show Croydon Anthony Wong Wong, 59,hadperformed two Wong andAuwerebothar- The Metropolitan Police said late The MetropolitanPolicesaidlate He was honored with a Member He washonoredwithaMember Follow-up albumsShowtime, Mills isapioneerofgrime, According tohiswebsite,Mills The rapperisexpectedtoappear The forcesaidoffi “As theacademycontinuesitstransformationaljourney, The riderrequiresGrammysproducerstoaudition,interview, Academy PresidentandCEOHarveyMasonjr.calledthe The RecordingAcademyannouncedWednesdaythatthe ed platinum, with Tongue ed platinum,withTongue ’s MercuryPrizewithhis ❑ Au Nok-hin Rapper Magistrates’Courtin Dylan KwabenaMills Prosecutors in Hong Prosecutors inHong . He has achieved . Hehasachieved , a Cantonese , aCantonese Dizzee Rascal cers attended Streatham were both wereboth , , offence” andisagainst theelec- is “acorruptconduct andaserious entertainment atan electionevent ing otherswithrefreshmentsand would beperforming. social mediaandsayingthatWong in partforpublicizingtherallyon won theelection,wasalsocharged legislative by-election.Au,who ‘A reliable levityamidallthetumult. sick accompanist-turned-conductorwhoprovidessome likable character-inSimonHelberg’sfunnyandheart- a tragicnightonboat. Annette hasanextraordinarytalentthatmanifestsafter disarmingly infant-likeinhermovements.Andbaby frame. Yetforallherartifi child, babyAnnette,whohaslargeearsandawooden cheap ShowbizzNews.Andsoon,they’vewelcomeda Lopez, whoseeverymoveiscoveredbythewinkingly media sensationonparwithBenAffl they’re inloveandlusttogethertheybecomea audience everynight.He’sthedevilwhokillshis.But opera singerwhohe’srecentlystarteddating. one thing,itturnsout:Cotillard’sAnnDefrasnoux,an genuinely enjoyshishostilecomedy.Andhedoeslike everything, doesseemtohavealoyalfanbasewho despite hisintellectualsuperiorityanddisdainformost up andperformanceartistinagreenboxer’srobe,who, er isHenryMcHenry,acausticandprovocativestand- couple andtheirpassionate,volatilerelationship.Driv- unabashedly grandoddness. distance Ihavefrom“Annette,”themoreadmireits ney, it’salsosomethingthathaslingered.Andthemore on “Annette”orthatIevenenjoyedmostofthejour- that later. tle woodenpuppetbabywhocansing,butwe’llgetto and sometimesevenilluminating.Oh,there’salit- modern popoperaiswildlyunique,oftenmaddening adds uptosomethingthatdefi “Annette,” starringAdamDriverandMarionCotillard, their sophisticated,theatricalandirreverentsongs, ten bySparksduoRonandRussellMael,knownfor But tackonthefactthatscriptandmusicwaswrit- fantasy “HolyMotors,”probablyalreadyknewthat. Leos Carax,bestknownforthesurrealDenisLavant The watchdogsaidthatprovid- In ‘Annette,’eccentric,tortured popopera There’s anothercharacter,too-maybetheonlytruly They’re amismatchedpair.Sheisgrace,savingher The LosAngeles-setstoryiscenteredonanartistic While Ican’tsayhaveanythingresemblingagrasp Anyone familiarwiththeworkofFrenchdirector Variety rather thandescribed. nnette’ isafi Sundance FilmFestivalsetsvaccinationrequirement By LindseyBahr lm that’slikelybestexperienced ciality, babyAnnetteisalso es explanation.Thispost- Broadway, HollywoodcostumesgoonexhibitinNYC Film Marion Cotillardappearsinascenefromthefi ability measures.” analyzing applicantandhiringdataimplementingaccount- benchmarks andtargetsforhiring,collectingthoroughly mitment to“deepeninganddiversifyinghiringpools,setting that theinclusionriderforGrammyswillincludeacom- ability,” saidKotagal,whoisacivilrightsattorney.Sheadded history of“exclusionandunderrepresentation.” will haveanenormousimpactonindustrythathasalong Grammys, andwillmakeinclusionthenorm.” rider isawrittenrulethatwillchangethecultureofhiringat Rashad Robinson,presidentoftheorganization.“Thisinclusion know thattochangesocietyyouhavetherules,”said dustry thatcreateracialexclusion,andatColorOfChange,we Center forMusicBusinessatHowardUniversity. Ryan Butler,thefoundingdirectorofWarnerMusic/Blavatnik co-authors KalpanaKotagalandFanshenCoxDiGiovanni, several groupsincludingtheColorofChange,inclusionrider il Wong Mills eck andJennifer The academy’sinitiativewascreatedinpartnershipwith “Part ofwhatmakestheinclusionridersopotentisitsadapt- Kotagal saidincorporatingtheconceptintoawardsshow “There arealotofunwrittenrulesintheentertainmentin- ated fromthemezzanineinatheater. crafted beautyofgarmentsthatcan’talwaysbeappreci- a newexhibitthissummerrevealingthecareful,hand- ilton,” “DearEvanHansen”and“Wicked”arepartof shine. but there’saplaceinTimesSquarewherethecostumes minutes. Threestarsoutoffour. some nudityandsexualcontent.”Runningtime:140 Motion PictureAssociationofAmericafor“language, lease FridayandstreamingAug.20,isratedRbythe And maybethat’sgoodenough. Maels takeyouonthisbizarrejourney. the slightestbitintrigued,youshouldletCaraxand in yourmind,whetheryoulikeitornot.Ifyou’reeven thing called“Annette”hasawayoftakingupresidence of artistsorlovetragedy?Maybenot,but,again,this and puppetrywork. fi are momentsofbreathtakingtranscendenceinboththe irony” canbechallengingandalienating.Andyetthere the fi at times,which,yougetthesense,ispoint.What artifi Sparks andCaraxcreations,it’sjustitsownthing.The closely resemblesthatformthanamusical.Likeother the musicdoesn’tsoundlikeanopera,itsspiritmore NEW YORK: lmmaking andmusic,alongsideextraordinaryacting More than100costumesfromsuchshowsas“Ham- “Annette,” anAmazonStudiosreleaseinlimitedre- But don’tgetmewrong:“Annette”isaconundrum. Will youexitwithanysortofelevatedunderstanding “Annette” ismostlysung,bytheway.Andalthough Henry McHenry,youcan’ttakeyoureyesoffofhim. for reasonsIwon’tgetinto,butevenifyoudon’tlike Ann’s eyes.Thisbecomesabitofproblemlateron acter whoyoucanonlyreallylovewhenseenthrough physicality tocreateanimposinganddangerouschar- working today?Herehefullyembraceshisanimalistic and heisbreathtaking.Isthereamoredisarmingactor certainly theco-lead,thisisverymuchDriver’sshow ciality andwinkingsarcasmcanevenbegrating lmmakers havecalledtheproject’s“multilayered Even thoughCotillard(magnifi Most Broadwaystagesmaystillbedark, paralyze thegovernment. ties saywasasubversive plotto primary heldlastyearthatauthori- security lawoveranunoffi earlier thisyearunderthenational and isoneof47activistsarrested has beenbehindbarssinceMarch, tions ordinance. Wong rosetofame inthe1980s Au, apro-democracyactivist, Creations lm ‘Annette.’(AP) Also: cent, asalways)is cial US some “satellite”screeningsatregionaltheatersthroughoutthe screenings in ganizers areplanningtoholdin-personeventsin2022with and passholders.Moredetailswillfollowinthecomingmonths. vaccine. Thatmeanseveryonefromvolunteerstofi or Sundance-affi Jackson ticipants mustbefullyvaccinatedtoo,festivaldirector in NEW YORK: The 2022FestivalissetforJan.20-30. Following thelargelyvirtualSundanceearlierthisyear,or- The 2022Festivalisrequiringpeopleattendingthefestival Utah . tests led to a ban on performing in tests ledtoabanon performingin 2014. Hissupport for the2014pro- Umbrella Revolution ralliesin protests aswelltheso-called racy movement,backingthe2019 supporter ofthecity’sdemoc- solo career. Ming Pairandlaterembarkedona as thevocalistforpopduoTat mon, BenAffl actress Oscaracceptancespeech.MichaelB.Jordan,MattDa- 2018 whenFrancesMcDormandmentioneditduringherbest by pledgingtouseinclusionridersintheirproductionprojects. nextyearisgoingtoneedmorethanabadge.Allpar- He became an outspoken He becameanoutspoken The term“inclusionrider”wasbroughtintothespotlightin said Tuesday. AnyonelookingtogotheSundanceFilmFestival lous Mrs.Maisel”and“SaturdayNightLive.” “Frozen” and“Aladdin,”aswellTV’s“TheMarve- Rouge! TheMusical,”“Chicago,”“TheCherShow,” Lion King,”“ThePhantomoftheOpera,”“Moulin way hitsas“HarryPotterandtheCursedChild,”“The Costume IndustryCoalition’srecoveryfund. iors andchildaccessfor$24.Allproceedsgotothe Screen” opensThursdayandticketsare$29,withsen- year. (AP) collectively lostover$26.6millioninrevenuelast and surgicalgownsduringthepandemic.Members New YorkCity,manywhopivotedtomakingmasks independent businessesandartisansinaround costume industry.Itismadeupof56small,unique, vocate forthesurvivalofNewYorkCity’scustom the chancetoshowwhatwedo.” ers withtheircharacter,”shesaid.“We’regratefulfor story ofthewholepiece.Butalsowehelpperform- ices. a crewtodemonstratehowtheymakecorsetsandbod- Simba costumesfor“TheLionKing,”willbesending order houseParsons-Meares,whichmadetheNalaand Industry Coalition. Kristiansen said we bringtothestageorscreenbutalsoprocess,” borrow assets,notonlytoshowofftheproductofwhat showing intenseworkthatgoesintothegarments. at workspacesbeading,paintingorstitchingcostumes, sporting thegarments.Visitorscanseerealcraftspeople transformed intoanimmersiveareaswithmannequins ship ofthesportsretailchainModell’s—hasbeen 234 West42ndSt.,—oncethe pany, NewYorkCityBalletandSanFranciscoBallet. American BalletTheatre,MarthaGrahamDanceCom- biopic “Respect,”aswellcruiseships,DisneyWorld, “No TimetoDie”andtheupcoming There alsoarecostumesfromtheJamesBondfi The costumeshavebeenborrowedfromsuchBroad- “Showstoppers! SpectacularCostumesfromStage& The coalitionwasbornduringthepandemictoad- “One ofourjobsistobestorytellersandtellthe Sally AnnParsons “We reachedouttoallofourpartnersandasked The 20,000-square-foot,two-levelexhibitspaceat Park City Brian Blythe liated eventstohavereceivedtheCOVID-19 eck, PaulFeigandWarnerBros.followedsuit costumeshopandfoundedtheCostume and Also: , whoco-runsthefull-service Salt LakeCity , owneroftheveteranmade-to- to Chinesecontrolin 1997.(AP) promised whenitwas handedover was losingthefreedoms itwas cern thattheformerBritishcolony government protests,leadingtocon- Hong Kongfollowing2019anti- ment cracksdownondissentin removed fromstreamingsites. mainland New YorkCity Their arrestscameasthegovern- Aretha Franklin , Utah,aswell China lmmakers and saw his music andsawhismusic Tabitha fl John ag- lm ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Lifestyle

Love rekindled Real-life Bennifers fi nd happy endings

NEW YORK, Aug 5, (AP): They’re getting cozy on a yacht off Saint-Tropez. They’re cuddling on a walk in the Hamptons. They’re nuzzling over sushi at dinner in Malibu. If PDA were an Olympic sport, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affl eck would be champs. But there’s something more that’s driving interest in Bennifer: the storybook nature of long-lost love requited. The A-listers rekindled their romance 17 years after they broke up in 2004. It’s a familiar road to countless couples who came together years after coming apart. The two stars spoke of intense tabloid pressure as a factor in calling off their engagement way back when, with Lopez telling People in 2016: “I think different time, different thing, who knows what could’ve hap- pened? But there was a genu- ine love there.” While the tabloids aren’t an issue for regular folk who have rekindled, the genuine love part is universal no mat- ter what got in the way the fi rst time around. “She never left my thoughts. There was something about her, something about her soul, Lopez her spirit, that I felt like I was just drawn to even as I got older,” said 43-year-old Matt Escobar Sr. of his wife, Jessica. The Merced, California, couple — he a youth center program director and she a nurse — met in eighth- grade math class after Escobar was sent to live with an uncle just outside Seattle to escape his troubled youth in New York. They had their fi rst kiss on a walk in the woods that year, but Escobar’s wayward behavior continued, including arrests for robbery and assault. He was ex- pelled and sent back East, where he landed in a deten- tion facility. More trouble followed, including a stint on the Former Beatle George Harrison performs during the Bob Dylan anniversary concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Oct. 16, 1992. Harrison’s landmark streets, and the two lost contact for 15 years before Es- album ‘All Things Must Pass’ is celebrating its belated 50th anniversary this year. (AP) cobar tracked her down on Classmates.com in 2006. In between, there were marriages, children, moves and jobs, but Jessica also never forgot. Respectful Music Her longtime best friend “would always say nobody could ever measure up to Matt. Even though he was troubled, you know, he was always very, very respect- ful and just very funny and very warm and very kind ‘It’s a family time capsule’ and not like what people might picture in their head about a kid who got into trouble,” she said. They married in 2013 and have six children be- tween them. “It was such a blessing to have her back in my life Harrison’s ‘All Things’ hits a milestone again after all the hard stuff I had gone through,” Es- cobar said. By Mark Kennedy — has been remixed for the anniver- versions were somehow the only way Meg Calkins, a 56-year-old college professor in Ra- sary editions from Capitol/UMe and to play them. eorge Harrison’s landmark album are now augmented with 47 demos and “Once you hear it, you can’t unhear leigh, North Carolina, and Steve Badger, a lawyer of “All Things Must Pass” is cel- the same age, became close friends in Indianapolis in G outtakes, 42 of them previously unre- it. It does change the way you hear the ebrating its belated 50th anniversary leased. whole record forever. But it doesn’t fi fth grade. They remained in the friend zone through and the former Beatles’ son thinks a high school but became college sweethearts junior The 1970 session tapes produced ruin the experience of knowing the re- new remixed collection might make 25 hours of music, including several cord,” said Harrison. year, just briefl y. the perfect post-pandemic soundtrack. “I made the fi rst move,” Calkins laughed. “I told songs that didn’t make the album like A very human George Harrison — him, `I kinda have a crush on you. We’ve always “I think that the message of this re- “Cosmic Empire,” “Going Down To who died at age 58 in 2001 — can also had a connection because we just love talking to each cord is more ready to be received now Golders Green,” “Dehra Dun,” “Sour be heard in the mix. He’s captured ask- other and we get each other’s humor.” than it was when it fi rst came out,” Milk Sea,” and “Mother Divine.” ing for orange juice — while playing After a couple of months, the two headed off for Marion Cottilard, (left), and Adam said Dhani Harrison. “The message is Dhani Harrison and Hicks started a very cool version of “Get Back.” summer programs abroad. That’s when Calkins met Driver pose for photographers at clearer and now it’s sonically clearer. work on the anniversary editions fi ve His “Going Down to Golders Green” someone else. She was 20. She got married when she the photo call for the fi lm ‘Annette’ This is a really important bit of music.” years ago, re-digitizing and listening to is Harrison doing his very best Elvis was 23. at the 74th international fi lm festival, The original collection was auda- every song and every take made during impression, a real treat. There’s also And that was it for Badger. Cannes, southern France on July 6, cious for its time — the fi rst triple the sessions. It was an ever deeper dive Harrison’s recording of “It’s Johnny’s Five years passed and Calkins’ marriage ended in 2021. The fi lm opens in theaters na- studio album in rock history, a virtual than the 30th and 40th anniversary re- Birthday,” a gift to mark John Len- divorce. A second marriage also didn’t work out, after tionwide on Friday and debuts Aug. fl urry of vinyl. The anniversary editions issues. Hicks calls the new work “fo- non’s 30th birthday. 20 years. Badger married while in law school. That 20 on Amazon Prime. (AP) out this week make that look quaint, rensic.” The demos reveal the origin of a very union lasted 29 years, before divorce. containing eight LPs (or fi ve CDs) plus They emerged from the vault with rootsy “Woman Don’t You Cry For For 30 years, Calkins and Badger laid eyes on each a Blu-ray audio disc, with the remixed some 110 different songs and Harri- Me,” which would become the opening other just once, at their 20th high school reunion. album, demos, outtakes and jams. son and his team had to decide how to track of his 1976 album, “Thirty Three “He didn’t speak to me,” she recalled. There are reprinted archival notes, present what he’d found. He recalled & 1/3.” And during the 14th take of Badger added: “I did not. I wasn’t very kind about track annotations, photos and memo- once listening to a Beach Boys box set “Isn’t It a Pity,” a fed-up artist goes off- that.” rabilia. The most expensive edition that had 10 versions of every song and script to instead sing: “Isn’t it a pain/ Both found themselves free in 2019. “Facebook comes in its own wooden crate, com- didn’t want to go that route. Why we do so many takes?” would always tell me, oh, you should be friends plete with fi gurines of the famous Instead, he wanted to bring the lis- The younger Harrison also inves- with Steve Badger, but I never friended him because garden gnomes featured on the album tener into the recording process to hear tigated stories behind the songs, like I thought he was so mad at me about our awkward cover. But fi rst is the music, which how the songs had evolved. “What we the album opener, “I’d Have You Any breakup,” Calkins said. Rolling Stone lists among the 500 were looking for was the ones that re- Time.” He learned that Clapton strug- He wasn’t. He got over it. He wound up reach- greatest albums of all time. ally stood out and that really screamed gled at times to play Harrison’s notes. ing out himself on Facebook after his divorce. They “We’re not trying to make it sound something new,” said Harrison. “It was incredible to hear Eric say how chatted online, then Badger drove 100 miles to have Harden Witherspoon modern,” said triple Grammy Award- hard it was because that’s a guy that lunch with Calkins in Louisville, Kentucky, where winning engineer Paul Hicks. “I’m not Dynamic doesn’t fi nd playing guitar very hard.” her daughter was playing in a volleyball tourna- trying to put any sort of stamp on it. Listeners familiar with the album The “All Things Must Pass” record- ment. We are very respectful to the mixes track “Let It Down” — a dynamic tune ing sessions began just six weeks after “I kept looking at Steve and his eyes were exactly Variety that were there and follow them as that got the Spector Wall of Sound the April 1970 announcement of The the same as they were when he was 20 years old,” much as possible.” treatment and resembles a James Bond Beatles’ break-up and the younger Har- Calkins said. “It’s like there’s a kindness and an intel- LOS ANGELES: It’s a perfect day for The skeleton of “All Things Must theme — may be stunned to hear the rison notes that his father was going lect that radiates from his eyes. One of the things that Reese Witherspoon as the actress and Pass” was recorded over two days in stripped down, heartfelt acoustic demo through a lot during that time: In addi- I really love about him is that he’s the smartest person producer is selling the media company late May 1970. On May 26, Harrison version Harrison recorded on Day 2. tion to the band’s break-up, he lost his I know. And he’s also the kindest.” she founded to a newly formed company record 15 songs backed by Ringo Starr There’s a slowed-down version of mother and he was also leaving a lover. The two moved in together just three weeks ago backed by private equity fi rm Blackstone and his longtime friend, bassist Klaus “Isn’t It a Pity” that’s even sadder than “It’s a family time capsule and after tending a long-distance relationship during the Group. Voormann. The next day, he played the album version, and a sublime ver- there’s so much love in it,” said Dhani pandemic. Terms of the transaction were not dis- an additional 15 songs for co-producer sion of “Art of Dying” that’s arguably Harrison. “He was brave to do this “I don’t really love the person that I was at 21 and I closed but The Wall Street Journal reported Phil Spector on just an acoustic guitar. better than the fi nal. Some songs got when he did it. It’s lightning in a bot- don’t love the person that I was in high school, either,” that the deal was worth about $900 million. The original 23-track album — sped up and some got slower during tle. I don’t think that those conditions Calkins said. “But I do like the person that I am now, Witherspoon, known for her roles in complete with hits “Isn’t It a Pity,” the process, potentially blowing the come around maybe once in a lifetime and I think that’s a big thing to consider when rekin- fi lms such as “Legally Blonde” and “Walk “What Is Life” and “My Sweet Lord” mind of anyone who thought the fi nal for an artist.” (AP) dling relationships for sure.” the Line,” created Hello Sunshine in 2016. Clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, author of She will continue to oversee its day-to-day “Date Smart: Transform Your Relationships & Love operations along with members of Hello leaders, shaping discourse on how to best “His greatest contribution was providing State Rep Wendell Gilliard, a Charles- Fearlessly,” agreed. Sunshine’s existing senior management address problems of economic distress and the vehicle that a lot of people used to wage ton Democrat, told The Post and Courier team, including CEO Sarah Harden. racial inequity as it advocated for the Black (their) battles,” said Barney Blakeney, a that French used to spend hours discussing Relationships Witherspoon and Harden will also serve community. longtime Chronicle contributor. the problems facing Charleston’s com- “Relationships that are renewed after many years as board members for the new media munities. can actually thrive under certain situations, particular- company run by entertainment executives “The Chronicle actually paved the way ly if both partners are emotionally intelligent and self- Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs. for my political career,” Gilliard said. aware,” she said. “If partners were truly connected and Hello Sunshine, which focuses on “Anyone who aspired to be anything in the well-matched but found that life issues got in the way, putting women at the center of its stories, community, in terms of serving the public, a later-life reconnection can be delightful and deeply creates scripted and unscripted television, we would meet in Jim’s offi ce and talk rewarding.” feature fi lms, animated series, podcasts, about community-related issues — jobs, audio storytelling, and digital series — crime, public housing. Those were the Manly has seen a rise in rekindled love matches in including “Big Little Lies,” “The Morning things on Jim’s mind.” the digital age with the ease of internet searching and Show,” and “Little Fires Everywhere.” It is French edited and oversaw the paper social media. But the quest doesn’t always pay off. also houses Reese’s Book Club, with many until 2016, when he turned operations over “Sometimes, former partners give too much hope of the club’s picks turned into movies or to his grandchildren. (AP) and effort to resuscitating a relationship that was never limited series. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ meant to be,” she said. ❑ ❑ ❑ Tammy Shaklee, the founder of an LGBTQ match- PLYMOUTH, Pa: A book checked out a making company in Austin, Texas, warned that the CHARLESTON, SC: James “Jim” half-century ago has been anonymously reasons for a breakup may still exist years later. Cer- French, the founder of a weekly paper that returned to a library in northeastern Penn- tain traits don’t drastically change, she said. has served as a mainstay for Black commu- sylvania, offi cials said. The maturing process, however, can sometimes go nities in Charleston, South Carolina, for The Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice a long way toward a happy ending. nearly half a century, has died. He was 94. reports that the 1967 copy of “Coins You Page Jordan in Dallas was a 19-year-old intern in French, who founded The Charleston Can Collect” by Burton Hobson arrived the commercial real estate brokerage where 25-year- Chronicle in 1971, died July 31, The Post last month at the Plymouth Public Library old Jake Jordan worked when they began dating while and Courier reported. in Luzerne County along with a $20 bill. she was still in college. She graduated and they broke The Kansas native established the An accompanying unsigned letter, writ- esteemed community paper after retiring ten as if by the book itself, said “Fifty years up after three years. from the Navy, crafting the publication into ago (yes 50!), a little girl checked me out “She had just gotten out of school and I started get- a go-to news source for African Ameri- Daryl Hall and John Oates perform in Glendale, Ariz. on July 17, 2017. The of this library in 1971. At this time, she ting a little bit more serious about it. I think that scared cans in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. multi-platinum duo behind hits like ‘Private Eyes,’ ‘Rich Girl’ and ‘Maneater,’ didn’t know they were going to move from her a little bit,” Jake said. The Chronicle soon became a respected hit concert stages again. Their new tour kicked off Aug. 5 at Xfi nity Center in Plymouth. Back then, kids weren’t told institution among Charleston’s Black Mansfi eld, Mass. (AP) things like that. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 SPORTS 14 Rizzo homers again, Yanks overpower O’s Scherzer Ks 10 in Dodgers’ debut, LA hits 4 HRs to beat Astros

NEW YORK, Aug. 5, (AP): Recently acquired Antho- ny Rizzo homered again, DJ LeMahieu drove in four runs and the New York Yankees beat the Balti- more Orioles 10-3. Rizzo’s solo homer in the fourth inning made him the fi rst player in Yankees history with at least one RBI in each of his fi rst six games with the club. Rizzo became just the fourth player in the majors over the last 70 years to do it - Bobby Murcer drove in a run in his fi rst seven games with the Chicago Cubs in 1977 and Jimmy Wynn (Dodgers, 1974) and Jim Spencer (Texas, 1973) did it six in a row, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Dodgers 7, Astros 5 In Los Angeles, Max Scherzer struck out 10 in his Dodgers debut and got plenty of offensive support as Los An- geles hit four home runs to defeat Hou- ston. Mookie Betts homered twice, while Will Smith and AJ Pollock also went deep off Astros starter Jake Odorizzi (4- 6). Michael Brantley, Carlos Correa and Kyle Tucker connected for Houston. It was the third game at Dodger Stadium since July 10 with seven or more home runs. Mets 5, Marlins 3 In Miami, Javier Báez hit a tiebreak- ing homer in the eighth inning after scoring on a nifty slide in the second, and New York beat Miami to snap a three-game losing streak. The Mets, who had lost five of six, let an early 3-0 lead slip away but re- covered to maintain their 1 1/2-game lead in the NL East over surging Phil- adelphia. Báez, acquired in a trade-deadline deal with the Chicago Cubs last Friday, put New York back in front 4-3 with an New York Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo watches the ball after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, on Aug. 4, in New York. (AP) Royals 9, White Sox 1 BASEBALL In Chicago, Salvador Pérez hit a two- run homer and Kansas City went deep Pulido, Sallói lead Sporting KC to 4-1 win over LAFC opposite-fi eld drive off Anthony Bass four times to beat Chicago. Kansas City (1-7) that sailed on a line into the front ended a four-game losing streak, while row of seats in right. It was his 24th the AL Central-leading White Sox lost home run this season and second with for the eighth time in 13 games. Kamara, Reyna help DC United top Crew his new team. Royals starter Carlos Hernández (3-1) yielded only two hits over fi ve innings COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 5, (AP): Ola Philadelphia (7-4-7) won for just the Athletics 5, Padres 4, 10 Innings in beating the White Sox for the second Kamara and Yordy Reyna each scored second time in its last eight matches - In Oakland, Calif., Matt Olson hit a time in seven days. Pérez launched his twice and D.C. United beat the Colum- snapping a three-game winless streak. two-run, walk-off double in the 10th 27th homer in the third, tying his career bus Crew 4-2. Union goalkeeper Andre Blake denied inning and Oakland rallied to beat San high previously accomplished in 2017 Reyna dispossessed Aboubacar Keita Yeferson Soteldo’s penalty-kick at- Diego. The A’s scored twice in the ninth and 2018. in the attacking half, Kamara took the tempt in the 53rd. with two outs off closer Mark Melancon Blue Jays 8, Indians 6 ball and beat goalkeeper Eloy Room to Toronto (3-9-5) is 2-1-3 under in- to tie it at 3. make it 1-0 in the 19th minute. Reyna terim coach Javier Perez. He took over After San Diego scored a run in the In Toronto, George Springer hit his 42nd career leadoff home run for headed home a cross by Andy Najar in July 4 after Chris Armas was fi red in the top of the 10th off Lou Trivino (4-4) to the 40th, and Kamara converted from wake of a six-game losing streak. take a 4-3 lead, Olson came to the plate the fi rst of his four hits, Steven Matz pitched six shutout innings and Toronto the penalty spot in fi rst-half stoppage Austin FC 3, Dynamo 2 with runners on the corners and no outs. time to give D.C. United (7-7-3) a 3-0 beat Cleveland. In Austin, Texas, Tomás Pochettino Giants 7, Diamondbacks 1 Springer connected on J.C. Mejia’s lead at halftime. Kevin Molino scored in the 65th and Cecilio Domínguez each scored to In Phoenix, Kevin Gausman threw fi rst pitch for his 13th homer of the sea- help expansion Austin FC beat 10-man six stellar innings, Alex Dickerson add- son. He singled and scored in the sec- minute and Lucas Zelarayán added a goal in the 71st to pull Columbus (6-5- Houston. ed a three-run homer and San Francisco ond, hit a two-run double in the third Austin (4-8-4) entered with just 10 beat Arizona. and singled again in the fi fth. Needing 6) to 3-2, but Reyna slipped a left-footer between a pair of defenders and inside goals this season - going scoreless in Gausman (10-5) gave up fi ve hits, a triple to complete the cycle, Springer 10 of its opening 15 matches. Houston the post to cap the scoring in the 74th walked none and struck out eight. He fl ied out in the eighth. (3-5-9) has won just one of its last 14 minute. cruised through the fi rst fi ve innings Phillies 9, Nationals 4 matches against MLS expansion teams before running into trouble in the sixth. D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid left in dating to 2012. Asdrúbal Cabrera tagged Gausman for In Washington, Rhys Hoskins the 17th minute because of a lower-leg homered and drove in three runs, Didi Austin FC’s Matt Besler, (right), heads the ball next to Houston Dynamo’s Austin took a 1-0 lead in the seventh an RBI single. Fabrice-Jean Picault during an MLS soccer match, on Aug. 4, in Austin, injury. He was replaced by Jon Kempin minute when Pochettino’s shot went off Gregorius hit a two-run homer and Phil- in the 17th minute. Angels 2, Rangers 1 adelphia beat Washington for its fourth Texas. (AP) the post and defl ected off Houston defender FC Dallas 1, Sounders 1 Zarek Valentin for an own goal. Pochettino In Arlington, Texas, Shohei Ohtani straight victory. Nationals reliever Jefry Rodriguez hit In Seattle, Franco Jara scored in stop- gave Austin a 2-1 lead in the 45th, and pitched six solid innings, Juan Lagares Domínguez made it 3-1 in the 56th. raced home from second base on a wild Hoskins with an up-and-in pitch in the Becker signs contract extension page time to give FC Dallas the tie with pitch for the lead with the two-way top of the seventh. Hoskins motioned NYCFC 0, Fire 0 standout at the plate, and Los Angeles to the Phillies’ dugout, then looked at SOCCER In Chicago, Gabriel Slonina became beat Texas. Rodriguez before going to fi rst base. the youngest goalkeeper to start an MLS Jack Mayfi eld went 3 for 3 while Gregorius hit a 412-foot home run on ‘Messi leaving Barcelona’ game and fi nished with four saves to homering from the No. 9 spot for the the next pitch. help Chicago tie New York City FC. Seattle. Jara redirected a cross by Nkosi second consecutive night. His sixth Reds 6, Twins 5 BARCELONA, Aug 5, (AP): Barcelona Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian At 17 years, 81 days, Slonina broke homer was a solo shot in the fi fth that Tafari in the fi rst minute of injury time In Cincinnati, Luis Castillo pitched said Thursday that Lionel Messi will not Mbappé, a longtime target for the club. the record set by David Monsalve (18 gave Ohtani the extra run he needed as to pull Dallas (4-7-6) even. years, 220 days) in 2007 with Toronto six effective innings, Tyler Stephenson stay with the club. The strategic agreement with interna- Fredy Montero headed home a per- the Japanese star won for the third time Barcelona said in a statement that a tional investment fund CVC Capital FC. in four starts. homered and Cincinnati held on to beat fectly placed free kick from João Paulo Minnesota. deal between the club and the player for Partners, being dubbed “Boost LaLiga,” New York City (8-5-3) played a man to give the Sounders (9-3-6) a 1-0 lead down after Keaton Parks was shown his Rays 4, Mariners 3 Castillo (6-10) allowed Jorge Polan- a new contract had been reached but still needs to go through the league’s in the 72nd minute. second yellow card in the 73rd minute. co’s fi rst-inning solo homer but settled financial “obstacles” made it impossible general assembly, when a majority of In St. Petersburg, Fla., Randy Aroza- Sporting KC 4, Los Angeles FC 1 Chicago (3-9-5) has lost only two of its rena had a two-run triple during a three- in nicely from there, allowing six hits for the player to remain with the club. the clubs from the first and second divi- ❑ ❑ ❑ sions must give their final approval. In Los Angeles, Dániel Sallói had a last eight games after losing seven of its run third and AL East-leading Tampa and one walk while striking out seven previous eight matches. Bay beat Seattle to avoid a season series to win his third straight start. Michael “I think there could be one or two goal and an assist and Sporting Kansas sweep. Lorenzen came in for a fi ve-out save, his The Spanish league took a step clubs that won’t agree with it, but this is City beat Los Angeles FC. FC Cincinnati 0, Red Bulls 0 The Rays went 1-6 overall against fi rst of the season after making just one toward cutting into the Premier positive for soccer in general,” Real Alan Pulido, Gadi Kinda and Luis In Harrison, N.J., Kenneth Vermeer Seattle, losing the fi rst two games of the appearance over the fi rst three months League’s global dominance on Betis president Ángel Haro told The Martins also scored to help Kansas City made three saves for his fi fth shutout of three-game set. because of injuries. Wednesday, securing 2.7 billion euros Associated Press. (10-4-3) tie Seattle atop the Western the season and FC Cincinnati tied New ($3.2 billion) in funding to boost its Conference standings with 33 points. Red Sox 4, Tigers 1 Braves 7, Cardinals 4 ❑ ❑ ❑ York. Cincinnati (3-7-6) has lost only clubs’ finances and increase revenue Daniel Musovski scored for Los An- two of its last nine matches - with four In Detroit, Eduardo Rodriguez struck In St. Louis, Adam Duvall and Jorge growth over the next few years. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson geles (6-6-5). clean sheets. New York (5-7-4) had its out 10 in fi ve shutout innings and Bos- Soler homered, and Stephen Vogt drove The deal unanimously approved by Becker signed a long-term contract Nashville 0, Revolution 0 winless streak extended to fi ve matches. ton beat Detroit to snap a fi ve-game los- in the eventual winning run with a sac- the league’s executive committee extension on Wednesday, the club said. New York goalkeeper Carlos Miguel ing streak. rifi ce fl y in Atlanta’s victory over St. should increase the clubs’ spending The 28-year-old Brazil international’s In Foxborough, Mass., Joe Willis made six saves for his MLS-leading Coronel made two saves for his fi fth Rodriguez (8-6) allowed two hits Louis. power and is expected to help deal follows extensions for midfielder shutout. and four walks in helping Boston end Dansby Swanson went 4 for 4 with Barcelona guarantee a new contract Fabinho and right back Trent Alexander- eighth shutout of the season and Nash- its longest losing streak of the season. three runs to help the Braves move to for Lionel Messi, who is yet to offi- Arnold. Details were not disclosed but ville tied New England. Atlanta United 2, Montreal 2 J.D. Martinez, Enrique Hernandez and .500 at 54-54. Chris Martin (1-3) was cially say whether he will remain with media reports said Alisson’s deal is Nashville (6-1-10) extended its un- In Montreal, Mason Toye and Rudy Jarren Duran homered for the Red Sox. the winner, and Will Smith, the sixth the club. through the 2026-27 season. beaten streak to nine matches - including Camacho scored and Montreal over- Brewers 4, Pirates 2 Braves’ pitcher, picked up his 22nd save Real Madrid, which has often been Liverpool has won the Champions four wins. New England (11-3-4) had a came two red cards to tie Atlanta United. with a 1-2-3 ninth. at odds with the league and reportedly League and Premier League since four-game winning streak snapped. New Montreal (6-6-5) ended a three-game In Milwaukee, pinch-hitter Rowdy England goalkeeper Matt Turner returned losing streak in front of the fi rst general- Tellez launched a three-run homer with Cubs 3, Rockies 2 was against the deal, could also benefit Alisson’s arrival in the summer of 2018 by increasing its chances of signing from Roma. from the Gold Cup to make two saves for admission crowd at Stade Saputo since two outs in the seventh inning to help In Denver, Patrick Wisdom hit a his fourth shutout of the season. the beginning of the COVID-19 pan- Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh. three-run double to back a solid outing demic. Tellez is batting .340 (18 of 53) with from Alec Mills and lead Chicago past Union 3, Toronto FC 0 In Chester, Pa., Jakob Glesnes, Dan- Josef Martinez and Marcelino More- fi ve homers and 16 RBIs in 21 games Colorado. MLB Results/Standings no scored for Atlanta (2-6-9). since the Brewers acquired him from Mills (5-4) overcame a rocky start to iel Gazdag and Sergio Santos scored in Toronto on July 6. He hit .209 with four pitch six innings and earn his fi rst win the fi rst half and Philadelphia Union Inter Miami 1, Orlando City 1 homers and eight RBIs in 50 games with since July 7, and Wisdom fi nished with cruised past Toronto. In Orlando, Fla., Kieran Gibbs scored the Blue Jays. three hits. WASHINGTON, Aug 5, (AP): Results and standings from the MLB games on Wednesday. his fi rst MLS goal and Inter Miami ral- Tampa Bay 4 Seattle 3 LA Dodgers 7 Houston 5 lied to tie Orlando City. Cincinnati 6 Minnesota 5 Milwaukee 4 Pittsburgh 2 Gibbs fl icked in a header off an en- Oakland 5 San Diego (10 inn) 4 Philadelphia 9 Washington 5 NY Yankees 10 Baltimore 3 NY Mets 5 Miami 3 try by Victor Ulloa to tie it in the 66th Toronto 8 Cleveland 6 Atlanta 7 St Louis 4 minute. The 31-year-old played 14 Boston 4 Detroit 1 Chicago Cubs 3 Colorado 2 seasons in the English Premier League LA Angels 2 Texas 1 San Francisco 7 Arizona 1 before signing with Inter Miami (3-8-4) Kansas City 9 Chicago W. Sox 1 American League National League in March. East Division East Division Galaxy 1, Real Salt Lak 0 W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Tampa Bay 65 44 .596 _ New York 56 51 .523 _ In Carson, Calif., Efraín Álvarez Boston 64 45 .587 1 Philadelphia 55 53 .509 1-1/2 scored in the 53rd minute and the LA New York 58 49 .542 6 Atlanta 54 54 .500 2-1/2 Galaxy beat Real Salt Lake. Toronto 56 49 .533 7 Washington 49 59 .454 7-1/2 Baltimore 38 69 .355 26 Miami 46 62 .426 10-1/2 Los Angeles (10-6-1) won for the Central Division Central Division fi fth time in its last eight matches. Salt W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Lake (5-5-6) had its two-game shutout Chicago 63 45 .583 _ Milwaukee 65 44 .596 _ streak end. Cleveland 52 53 .495 9-1/2 Cincinnati 57 51 .528 7-1/2 Detroit 52 58 .473 12 St Louis 53 54 .495 11 Earthquakes 1, Timbers 1, TIE Kansas City 46 60 .434 16 Chicago 52 57 .477 13 Minnesota 45 63 .417 18 Pittsburgh 41 67 .380 23-1/2 In Portland, Ore., Felipe Mora scored West Division West Division in fi rst-half stoppage time to pull the W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Timbers into the tie with San Jose. Houston 65 43 .602 _ San Francisco 68 40 .630 _ Columbus Crew’s Erik Hurtado, The Earthquakes (4-7-6) struck fi rst Oakland 61 48 .560 4-1/2 Los Angeles 65 44 .596 3-1/2 Seattle 58 51 .532 7-1/2 San Diego 62 48 .564 7 (left), and D.C. United’s Frederic with a second-chance goal from Javier Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to a Houston Los Angeles 54 54 .500 11 Colorado 47 61 .435 21 Brillant vie for the ball during the López in the 25th minute. The Timbers Astros batter during the fi rst inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, on Texas 39 69 .361 26 Arizona 34 75 .312 34-1/2 fi rst half of an MLS soccer match, (6-8-2) tied it on Mora’s fl ick off a pass Aug. 4. (AP) on Aug. 4, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP) from Bill Tuiloma just before the break. Hirano ends without Tokyo medal

Ayumu Hirano is no stranger to the Olympics: “I have no regrets.” The multi-talented athlete from Japan has two The 22-year-old Hirano said he now plans silver medals from snowboarding at the 2014 to go back to the cold stuff. The 2022 Winter Ayumu Hirano of and 2018 Winter Games. Olympics in Beijing are only a few months away. Japan competes So competing on four polyurethane wheels “I’m going to switch to snowboarding soon,” in the men’s park under blazing sun in the skateboarding park at he said. “This is a beginning, too.” skateboarding prelims the Tokyo Games was a whole new thing for Hirano was Shaun White’s prime rival in at the 2020 Summer him. There was no medal this time, though. the past two Winter Olympics, in Sochi in Olympics, on Aug. 5, Hirano placed 14th in qualifying on Thursday, 2014 and in Pyeongchang in 2018. in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) missing out on the eight-man fi nal won by He fi rst expressed interest in making a run Keegan Palmer of Australia. at the Olympic debut of skateboarding in 2018 But Hirano said the experience was positive. after winning his second straight silver medal in “Skateboarding made me stronger,” he said. snowboarding. (AP)

ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021

15

South Korea face Dominican Republic for bronze Alvarez a summer-winter medalist, US reach baseball fi nal YOKOHAMA, Japan, Aug 5, (AP): Eddy baseball gold medal and fi rst since 2000, im- season when the Marlins’ roster was deci- taking notice of his minor league righty/lefty Alvarez became only the third American to proved to 4-1 and will play Japan (5-0) on mated by the coronavirus, hitting .189 with splits. Olympic Medalists earn medals at both the Summer and Winter Saturday night. no RBIs in 12 games. López, a 28-year-old infi elder promoted to Olympics when the United States beat de- Japan, which stopped its major league Eagen earned a gold in light heavyweight Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox in May, fending-champion South Korea 7-2 Thurs- season to make top players available for the boxing in 1920 and a gold in the four-man lined a two-out RBI single in the second for day night to gain a berth into this weekend’s Olympics, defeated the U.S. 7-6 in 10 in- bobsled in 1932. Williams won silver in his fi rst hit in eight Olympic at-bats. López ATHLETICS gold medal game against host Japan. nings on Monday in the double-elimination the 100-meter sprint in is a nephew of former big league shortstop Men’s 110m Hurdles The former U.S. speedskater-turned-in- second round. 2004, gold in the 400 Onix Concepción. GOLD: Hansle Parchment, Jamaica fi elder wept in the dugout after the fi nal out South Korea (3-3) faces the Dominican relay in 2012 despite Westbrook homered about 20 rows into SILVER: Grant Holloway, United States as teammates patted him on the back and of- not running in the fi - the left-fi eld seats for a 2-0 lead in the fourth. BRONZE: Ronald Levy, Jamaica fered handshakes and hugs. nal and a silver in the The 26-year-old was demoted to Double-A Men’s 20km Race Walk After earning a silver in 2014 at Sochi as BASEBALL two-woman bobsled in Biloxi by Milwaukee in mid-May, then pro- GOLD: Massimo Stano, Italy part of the U.S. four-man short track team, 2014. moted back to Triple-A Nashville in early SILVER: Koki Ikeda, Japan he’ll get at least a silver in baseball. The Ryder Ryan (1-0), a June. BRONZE: Toshikazu Yamanishi, Japan other Americans with summer and winter Republic (2-3) for the bronze. 26-year-old right-hand- Park Hae-Min chased Ryan with an RBI Men’s 400m medals are Eddie Eagen (boxing in 1920, At the fi nal out, a line drive caught by er at Texas’ Triple-A single in the fi fth, and Ryan needed just two GOLD: Steven Gardiner, Bahamas SILVER: Anthony Jose Zambrano, Colombia bobsled in 1932) and Lauryn Williams (track reliever Anthony Carter, Alvarez raised his Round Rock, pitched 1 pitches to escape two-on trouble, getting BRONZE: Kirani James, Grenada and fi eld in 2004 and 2012, bobsled in 2014). right arm in triumph, then raised both arms 2/3 hitless innings for Kang Baek-Ho to ground into an inning- Men’s Shot Put Jack López drove in his fi rst two runs of and hugged shortstop Nick Allen. Alvarez the Americans’ second ending double play. GOLD: Ryan Crouser, United States the Olympics with RBI singles for his fi rst A 31-year-old infi elder with the Mi- win over South Korea American hitters batted around against SILVER: Joe Kovacs, United States two hits, Jamie Westbrook hit a solo homer, ami Marlins’ Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo following a 4-2 victory in the fi rst round. four relievers in the sixth. Kolozsvary and BRONZE: Tomas Walsh, New Zealand and Tyler Austin hit a two-run single as the Shrimp, Alvarez and his team came up U.S. starter Joe Ryan, a 25-year-old right- López had RBI singles, Alvarez’s RBI Men’s Triple Jump U.S. built a 7-1 lead with a fi ve-run sixth. 0.271 seconds short of the Russians in the hander obtained by the Twins in last month’s grounder made it 5-1 and Austin, in his home GOLD: Pedro Pichardo, Portugal Alvarez and Mark Kolozsvary also drove in 5,000-meter relay in 2014. He’s hoping this trade that sent Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay, ballpark of the Central League’s Yokohama SILVER: Yaming Zhu, China BRONZE: Hugues Fabrice Zango, Burkina Faso runs. time to fi nish the job against another host na- allowed four hits in 4 1/3 innings and left DeNA BayStars, followed with a two-run The U.S. team of prospects and released tion. with a 2-1 lead. South Korea stacked its bat- single that gave him seven RBIs in the tour- Women’s Pole Vault GOLD: Katie Nageotte, United States veterans, seeking the Americans’ second Alvarez made his major league debut last ting order with six left-handed hitters, likely nament. SILVER: Anzhelika Sidorova, ROC BRONZE: Holly Bradshaw, Britain French top Argentina BOXING Men’s Feather (52-57kg) ROC men’s volleyball GOLD: Albert Batyrgaziev, ROC US men’s ‘hoops’ breeze past SILVER: Duke Ragan, United States BRONZE: Lazaro Alvarez, Cuba ‘stun’ Brazil in semis BRONZE: Samuel Takyi, Ghana TOKYO, Aug. 5, (AP): The focus for CANOE SPRINT the Russian men’s volleyball team had started to shift to the fourth set Men’s Kayak Single 200m GOLD: Sandor Totka, Hungary Aussies to play for more gold of the semifi nals when it fell behind SILVER: Manfredi Rizza, Italy by a big defi cit to powerhouse Brazil BRONZE: Liam Heath, Britain in set three. Men’s Kayak Double 1000m That ended up relaxing the players GOLD: Australia (Jean van der Westhuyzen, Thomas Green) and led to an epic third-set comeback SILVER: Germany (Max Hoff, Jacob Schopf) that sent them into the gold medal BRONZE: Czech Republic (Josef Dostal, Radek Slouf) match. Women’s Canoe Single 200m The Russians rallied from eight GOLD: Nevin Harrison, United States points down to win the third set and SILVER: Laurence Vincent-Lapointe, Canada BRONZE: Liudmyla Luzan, Ukraine went on to deny Brazil its fi fth con- secutive trip to the gold medal game Women’s Kayak Single 500m GOLD: Lisa Carrington, New Zealand with an 18-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-23 SILVER: Tamara Csipes, Hungary victory on Thursday. BRONZE: Emma Aastrand Jorgensen, Denmark The Russians will play France for the gold medal on Saturday. The CLIMBING French swept Argentina 25-22, 25- Men’s Combined 19, 25-22 in its fi rst Olympic semifi - GOLD: Alberto Gines Lopez, Spain SILVER: Nathaniel Coleman, United States nal appearance ever. BRONZE: Jakob Schubert, Austria Brazil will play Argentina for the bronze after failing to make it to the CYCLING TRACK gold medal game for the fi rst time Men’s Omnium since 2000. GOLD: Matthew Walls, Britain This marked the third straight SILVER: Campbell Stewart, New Zealand Olympics that Brazil faced a team BRONZE: Elia Viviani, Italy from Russia in the medal round, with Women’s Keirin the Russians winning the gold medal GOLD: Shanne Braspennincx, Netherlands SILVER: Ellesse Andrews, New Zealand match in fi ve sets at the 2012 London BRONZE: Lauriane Genest, Canada Games and the Brazilians sweeping the semifi nal on the way to gold at DIVING home in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Women’s 10m Platform These countries have dominated GOLD: Hongchan Quan, China the Olympics in recent years, with SILVER: Yuxi Chen, China BRONZE: Melissa Wu, Australia the Russians making the semifi nals in seven straight Olympics and the HOCKEY Brazilians making the previous four Men fi nals. GOLD: Belgium (Arthur van Doren, John-John Dominique M Dohmen, Florent van Aubel, Sebastien Dockier, Cedric Daniel An- dre Charlier, Gauthier Boccard, Nicolas de Kerpel, Augustin Jean J Meurmans, Alexander Robby P Hendrickx, Thomas Briels, Felix VOLLEYBALL Veronique B. Denayer, Vincent Vanasch, Simon Pierre F Gougnard, France’s Rudy Gobert, (right), reaches over Slovenia’s Luka Doncic (77) for a rebound during a men’s basketball semifi nal round game Arthur Anne-Marie Thierry de Sloover, Antoine Sylvain T Kina, Loick at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on Aug. 5, in Saitama, Japan. (AP) Fanny A Luypaert, Victor Nicky B Wegnez, Tom Alain Boon) Brazil took the fi rst set 25-18 SILVER: Australia (Lachlan Thomas Sharp, Thomas William thanks to a strong blocking defense Craig, Tom Joseph Wickham, Matthew Dawson, Joshua Beltz, up front led by the masked middle Edward Clive Ockenden, Jacob Thomas Whetton, Blake Govers, France outlast Slovenia to reach final Dylan Martin, Joshua Simmonds, Tim Howard, Aran Zalewski, blocker Lucas Saatkamp, known by Flynn Andrew Ogilvie, Daniel James Beale, Trent Grant Mitton, Brazilians as Lucão. Tim Brand, Andrew Lewis Charter, Jeremy Thomas Hayward) SAITAMA, Japan, Aug. 5, (AP): Kevin Durant pic men’s basketball semifi nals after falling into a 15-point hole. The Russians did a much better BRONZE: India (Dilpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Surender With their gold-medal streak looking in jeopardy midway through the job on the attack in the second set Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Gurjant Singh, Simranjeet and the Americans still have their grip on gold and and won it 25-21 on a spike by Egor Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, second quarter, the Americans overwhelmed the Australians with a 48- Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher it’s going to take more than a few bad minutes for 14 stretch that gave them a 74-55 lead after three periods. Kliuka. That led to some heated talk Singh, Varun Kumar, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Vivek Sagar anyone to take it away from them. The U.S. missed its fi rst 10 3-point attempts and didn’t hit one until among the Brazilian players between Prasad) late in the second quarter, then it felt as if the Americans hardly missed sets as they tried to regroup. KARATE They were awful early, then awesome afterward against Aus- again, with Booker making three 3-pointers. It seemed to work as Brazil went Men’s Kumite — 67kg tralia. Jrue Holiday had 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the up 20-12 in the third set before GOLD: Steven da Costa, France Durant scored 23 points, Devin Booker had 20 and the U.S. blew past U.S., which will play European champion Slovenia or France for a the Russians rallied. Back-to-back SILVER: Eray Samdan, Turkey and eventually blew away the Aussies 97-78 on Thursday in the Olym- fourth straight gold medal Saturday. The French beat the Americans 83- blocks by Ivan Iakolev tied the set BRONZE: Darkhan Assadilov, Kazakhstan at 23 and then Ilyas Kurkaev ended BRONZE: Abdel Rahman Almasatfa, Jordan 76 in their Olympic opener. it at the net on the Russians’ second Women’s Kumite — 55kg That was part of a 2-3 start to the summer for set point. GOLD: Ivet Goranova, Bulgaria the U.S., which included a loss to the Austral- The Russians played from ahead SILVER: Anzhelika Terliuga, Ukraine US, Spain set for water polo fi nal ians in an exhibition game in Las Vegas. in the fourth set thanks to a string of BRONZE: Bettina Plank, Austria The Americans don’t look like that team any- BRONZE: Tzuyun Wen, Taiwan TOKYO, Aug. 5, (AP): Maddie Musselman four service errors on fi ve attempts by more. thinks about it all the time. Playing on the Brazil. They then closed it out on an Women’s Kata They look like the best team in the world, like GOLD: Sandra Sanchez Jaime, Spain talented U.S. women’s water polo team, attack point from Kliuka and started SILVER: Kiyou Shimizu, Japan those that used to win gold with ease. celebrating, with some players falling Musselman is constantly debating whether she Patty Mills scored 15 points for Australia, BRONZE: Mo Sheung Grace Lau, Hong Kong should pass or shoot the ball. to their knees in disbelief. BRONZE: Viviana Bottaro, Italy which still needs a win for its fi rst Olympic bas- While the fi rst semifi nal featured She decided to shoot Thursday, and it ketball medal. MARATHON SWIMMING worked out quite well for the Americans. two of the sports’ heavyweights, the Men’s 10km Musselman scored four of her five goals in France 90, Slovenia 89 teams in the second matchup didn’t GOLD: Florian Wellbrock, Germany the second half, rallying the U.S. to a 15-11 Game on the line, chance for gold on the line, have the same kind of pedigree. SILVER: Kristof Rasovszky, Hungary and Slovenia’s Klemen Prepelic thought he had France had never made it this far BRONZE: Gregorio Paltrinieri, Italy victory over the Russian team in the semifi- nals at the Tokyo Olympics. Did it ever. a layup that would have given Slovenia the win. in four previous Olympic trips but is on a good run after losing three of SKATEBOARDING Led by Musselman and clutch plays by fi ve matches in pool play, including a Men’s Park Alys Williams and Melissa Seidemann, the fi ve-setter to Argentina. GOLD: Keegan Palmer, Australia U.S. stayed in the mix for a third consecutive BASKETBALL SILVER: Pedro Barros, Brazil United States’ Margaret Steffens, (left), The French beat Pool A winner gold medal. Next up is Spain, which advanced Poland in fi ve sets in the quarterfi nals BRONZE: Cory Juneau, United States with an 8-6 victory over Hungary. defends against Evgeniya Soboleva (10), of the Russian Olympic Committee, dur- France’s Nicolas Batum thought differently. and now is assured its fi rst medal in TABLE TENNIS Captain Maggie Steffens had three goals as ing a semifi nal round women’s water polo Batum reached over Prepelic to block the volleyball after winning the rematch Women’s Team the U.S. improved to 133-4 since it won gold match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on layup try with 2.4 seconds left, the last play in against Argentina. GOLD: China (Meng Chen, Yingsha Sun, Manyu Wang) at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. It has won Aug. 5, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) what became France’s 90-89 win over Slovenia Argentina has won only one medal SILVER: Japan (Mima Ito, Kasumi Ishikawa, Miu Hirano) three in a row since it lost 10-9 to Hungary in in the men’s basketball semifi nals at the Tokyo in the sport, a bronze in 1988 against BRONZE: Hong Kong (Hoi Kem Doo, Wai Yam Minnie Soo, Ho Ch- group play for its first loss at the Olympics ing Lee) finally got on the board when Dorottya Olympics on Thursday night - overcoming a Brazil, and made its only other semi- Szilagyi scored with 4:39 left in the first half. historic night from Luka Doncic. fi nal appearance in 2000. WRESTLING The U.S. beat the Russian team 18-5 last Doncic had the third triple-double in Olym- The French were in control for Men’s Freestyle 57kg WATER POLO week, but the Russian team was much more pic men’s history: 16 points, 10 rebounds and most of the match against Argen- GOLD: Zavur Uguev, ROC SILVER: Kumar Ravi, India engaged in the semifinal meeting. The U.S. 18 assists. But it wasn’t quite enough, and Slo- tina, winning the fi rst set 25-22 when BRONZE: Nurislam Sanayev, Kazakhstan had to rally after it trailed 7-4 with 48 seconds venia fell to 17-1 all-time when he’s in the na- Chinenyeze’s block capped a long BRONZE: Thomas Patrick Gilman, United States since the 2008 final against the Netherlands. left in the first half. tional team colors. rally on set point. Men’s Freestyle 86kg Spain is looking for its first gold medal. It Maria Bersneva had three goals on three He may be good as gold one day, but not yet. France kept up its strong play at GOLD: David Morris Taylor Iii, United States lost to the U.S. 8-5 in the 2012 final, and then shots for the Russian team, which won bronze France will play the United States on Saturday the net in the fi nal two sets and rolled SILVER: Hassan Yazdanicharati, Iran finished fifth at the Rio Olympics. It also lost in 2016. Anastasia Simanovich and Ekaterina (11:30 a.m. local time in Japan, 10:30 p.m. Fri- to the victory on Earvin Ngapeth’s BRONZE: Artur Naifonov, ROC to the U.S. in the final at the 2019 world Prokofyeva each scored twice, and Evgeniia day EST) to decide the gold medal at the Tokyo point at the net. A frustrated Argen- BRONZE: Myles Nazem Amine, San Marino championships. Golovina made 10 stops. The Russians shut Games. France has been this far at an Olympics tine player then kicked the ball high Women’s Freestyle 57kg Anni Espar, who played with U.S. attacker down the U.S. for much of the first half, forc- only once - losing to the Americans in the ti- into the mostly empty stands as the GOLD: Risako Kawai, Japan SILVER: Iryna Kurachkina, Belarus Kaleigh Gilchrist in college at Southern ing the Americans to go deep into the shot tle game at the 2000 Sydney Games. They’ve French celebrated. BRONZE: Helen Louise Maroulis, United States California, had three goals for Spain, and clock looking for an opening. Simanovich was won the last two meetings with the U.S., fi rst in Now they get to play the Russians BRONZE: Evelina Georgieva Nikolova, Bulgaria. (AP) 16-year-old Elena Ruiz scored twice. tough inside and Bersneva’s power-play goal the quarterfi nals at the Basketball World Cup in for the gold after beating them al- Spain posted the first three goals. Hungary made it 5-2 with 3:24 left. 2019, then to open group play in Tokyo. ready in group stage. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 6-7, 2021 16

Albert Batyrgaziev, of the Russian Olympic Commit- tee, connects with a punch to Duke Ragan, of the United States, during their fi nal round feather weight 52-57kg fi nal boxing match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com BELGIUM WIN FIELD HOCKEY TITLE; UNEXPECTED GOLD FOR U.S. IN POLE VAULT India end drought with bronze Chinese teens sweep top two spots, rare medal for Ghana

TOKYO, Aug 5, (AP): The celebrations started simul- taneously in Tokyo and across India for a bronze medal that’s taken 41 years to forge. For the most successful nation in Olympic fi eld hockey competition, India’s 5-4 victory over Germany in the bronze-medal match at the Tokyo Games was celebrated like a gold. It was India’s 12th Olympic medal in the sport, but its fi rst since 1980. India rallied from 3-1 down and then fended off a German penalty corner in the last few sec- onds. Meanwhile, Belgium defeat- ed Australia in a shootout to win gold in men’s fi eld hockey. The score was tied 1-all at the end of regu- lation before Warner Belgium won the shootout 3-2. Alexander Hendrickx scored the penalty stroke that put Bel- gium ahead in the shootout and Vin- cent Vanasch got the clinching save. Belgium were the 2016 Olympic runners-up. The India fi eld hockey team pose for a photo with their bronze medal after taking third place in the men’s fi eld hockey event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas won the men’s Olympic 400-meters gold medal, pulling away from the Medals Table fi eld at the halfway point and fi nishing Kuwait Olympic Committee in 43.85 seconds. Gardiner adds the Olympic gold to TOKYO, Aug 5: Olympic Games med- the world title he won in Qatar two als table on Thursday. rewards shooter Al-Rashidi years ago. G S B T China 34 24 16 74 Jose Anthony Zambrano of Colom- United States 29 35 27 91 KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5, (KUNA): champion Abdullah Al-Turgi Al- bia took silver, also the same as he did Japan 22 10 14 46 Kuwait Olympic Committee an- Rashidi after achieving a bronze at worlds. The bronze medal went to Australia 17 5 19 41 nounced on Thursday a reward medal in Tokyo 2020 Olympics’ Grenada’s Kirani James, who now has ROC 16 22 20 58 Great Britain 16 18 17 51 worth KD 30,000 to the shooter skeet competition. gold, silver and bronze from the last Germany 9 9 16 34 three Olympics. France 7 11 9 27 Hansle Parchment of Jamaica won Italy 7 10 18 35 Netherlands 7 9 10 26 Waterway. the 1,500-meter freestyle on the last day gold in the 110-meter hurdles. New Zealand 7 6 6 19 Carrington won her third gold medal of swimming at the pool. South Korea 6 4 9 19 in three days, to go with her victories The silver went to Hungary’s Kristof Hungary 5 7 3 15 in the kayak single 200 and double 500. Rasovsky in 1:48.59.0, while Italy’s Gre- OLYMPICS Canada 5 5 8 18 United States’ Samantha Mewis and Australia’s Chloe Logarzo go for a Cuba 5 3 4 12 header in the women’s bronze medal soccer match at the 2020 Summer She is still scheduled to race the 500 gorio Paltrinieri picked up the bronze in Brazil 4 4 8 16 Olympics in Kashima, Japon. (AP) fours. 1:49.01.1. The Italian was silver medalist American Grant Holloway, the Czech Rep 4 3 2 9 Like her earlier races, Carrington in the 800 freestyle at the pool. world champion, was in front through Spain 3 4 5 12 vacs fi nished second and Tomas Walsh rounds on three of the fi ve judges’ cards. Australia’s Keegan Palmer won the Switzerland 3 4 5 12 was dominant from start to fi nish. Ta- nine out of the 10 hurdles, but sud- Poland 3 3 4 10 of New Zealand was third. Lázaro Álvarez of Cuba and Samuel mara Csipes of Hungary won silver. last skateboarding gold of the Tokyo denly faded on the last. Parchment fl ew Croatia 3 3 2 8 Crouser was already the world-re- Takyi of Ghana won bronze medals. Denmark’s Emma Aastrand Jorgensen Games. past him to add an Olympic gold to the Jamaica 3 1 3 7 cord holder after breaking a 31-year-old Takyi’s medal is the fi fth won by Gha- won bronze. He won in men’s park, breaking what bronze medal he won at the 2012 Lon- Belgium 3 1 1 5 Sweden 2 5 0 7 mark on June 18 at the U.S. Olympic na in all sports in their Olympic history, Australia’s Thomas Green and Jean had been Japanese domination in all don Games. Chinese Taipei 2 4 6 12 trials. His throw that evening went and their fi rst since 1992. van der Westhuyzen won the men’s three previous events. Parchment won in his season’s best Georgia 2 4 1 7 23.37 meters. Hungary’s Sandor Totka won the gold kayak double 1,000 at the Sea Forest The silver time of 13.04 seconds. Denmark 2 2 4 8 In the heat at Olympic Stadium, medal in the men’s kayak 200-meter, be- went to Pedro Iran 2 2 1 5 Waterway with a fi nishing kick over the Damian Warner of Canada won the Norway 2 2 1 5 Crouser took the lead on his fi rst attempt coming the fi rst non-British paddler to fi nal 200. Barros of Bra- decathlon after two grueling days of Slovenia 2 1 1 4 and saved his best for his fi nal one. win the event since it started in 2012. Germany’s Mox Hoff and Jacob zil. Cory Juneau competition in the Tokyo heat and hu- Ecuador 2 1 0 3 Pedro Pichardo of Portugal won the Rizza Manfredi of Italy took silver Schopf were 0.304 seconds behind took bronze, the midity. Greece 2 0 1 3 second skate- Uzbekistan 2 0 1 3 men’s triple jump gold medal. and defending Olympic champion Liam to to take silver. Rodek Slouf and Jo- Warner, who wore an ice vest often Kosovo 2 0 0 2 The Cuban-born Pichardo recorded Heath of Britain won bronze. sef Dostal of the Czech Republic won boarding medal during the competition to battle those Qatar 2 0 0 2 17.98 meters on his third attempt to Totka beat Heath for the European bronze. for the United conditions, posted an Olympic record Ukraine 1 3 9 13 clinch his fi rst Olympic title. He previ- championship earlier this year and States. Romania 1 3 0 4 Sandra Sánchez of Spain won the of 9,018 points for the gold. He im- Venezuela 1 3 0 4 ously won silver medals at the 2013 and bolted off the start line before claiming fi rst Olympic gold medal in karate, Palmer’s gold proved on his bronze fi ve years ago in Hong Kong 1 2 2 5 2015 world championships while repre- victory in a photo fi nish that saw 0.045 beating Japan’s Kiyou Shimizu in the was the fi rst Rio de Janeiro. Kenya 1 2 2 5 senting Cuba. seconds separate gold from silver. fi nal matchup in women’s kata. medal in skate- Kevin Mayer of France (8,726 South Africa 1 2 0 3 boarding for Slovakia 1 2 0 3 China’s Zhu Yaming took silver at The United State’s Nevin Harrison The 39-year-old Sánchez scored a Nageotte points) took the silver, as he did in Rio. Austria 1 1 5 7 Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium with 17.57. won the women’s canoe sprint 200 in 28.06 in the fi nal bout, her screams ech- Australia. All Ashley Moloney of Australia (8,649) Turkey 1 1 5 7 Burkina Faso’s Hugues Fabrice Zan- the event’s Olympic debut, overtaking oing off the walls at the Budokan as she the golds in the other three events went won the bronze medal. Serbia 1 1 4 6 go claimed the bronze with 17.47, the Canada’s Laurence Vincent Lapointe at put in a spirited demonstration of karate to Japanese skaters. Indonesia 1 1 3 5 Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd Nafi ssatou Thiam successfully de- Bulgaria 1 1 2 4 fi rst Olympic medal ever for his West the halfway mark and powering across form. Shimizu’s score was 27.88. fended her Olympic title in the heptath- Portugal 1 1 2 4 African country. the fi nish line. Grace Lau of Hong Kong, China, and each scored a pair of goals and the lon as a seventh-place fi nish in her heat Belarus 1 1 1 3 Chinese teenagers Quan Hongchan The Olympics were the fi rst time Viviana Bottaro of Italy won bronze. United States won the bronze medal in in the last event, the 800 meters, was Ethiopia 1 1 1 3 and Chen Yuxi swept the top two spots Harrison and Vincent Lapointe faced Steven Da Costa gave France the women’s soccer with a 4-3 victory over Philippines 1 1 1 3 Australia. enough for her to take the gold with Uganda 1 1 1 3 in women’s 10-meter platform diving. each other on the water. Harrison won fi rst gold medal in Olympic men’s ka- 6,791 points. Tunisia 1 1 0 2 The 14-year-old Quan took gold with the world championship in 2019 when rate competition, beating Turkey’s Eray It was arguably the best the Ameri- She won ahead of Dutch pair Anouk Ireland 1 0 2 3 Samdan 5-0 in the fi nal of the 67-kilo- cans had looked during the course of a Israel 1 0 2 3 466.20 points and the 15-year-old Chen she was just 17 and Vincent Lapointe Vetter in silver (6,689) and Emma grabbed silver with 425.40 as China was serving a provisional drug suspen- gram kumite division. rocky tournament that opened with an Estonia 1 0 1 2 uncharacteristic 3-0 loss to Sweden. Oosterwegel in bronze (6,590). Fiji 1 0 1 2 completed a golden sweep of the wom- sion that was later overturned on ap- The 24-year-old Da Costa is the 2018 Thiam got revenge for losing out to Latvia 1 0 1 2 en’s diving events. peal. The Canadian had won the previ- world champion and a two-time Euro- Rapinoe set the tone early with a goal Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson Thailand 1 0 1 2 scored directly from a corner kick. Bahamas 1 0 0 1 Melissa Wu of Australia claimed the ous six world titles. pean champion in his weight class, but at the world championships two years bronze medal with 371.40 points. he won a disappointing bronze at the The loss spoiled the Australians’ Bermuda 1 0 0 1 Harrison is the fi rst American woman fi rst-ever trip to the medal round at the ago. Johnson-Thompson withdrew on Morocco 1 0 0 1 Albert Batyrgaziev of the Russian to win gold in a canoe sprint race, and European competition last May. the fi rst day of the heptathlon in Tokyo Puerto Rico 1 0 0 1 team won the gold medal in men’s He overcame an early loss Thursday Olympics. No Australian soccer team, Colombia 0 3 1 4 the fi rst to medal since 1964. men or women, has ever won a medal. with a calf injury. India 0 2 3 5 featherweight boxing, beating American Liudmyla Luzan of Ukraine won in Tokyo to Jordan’s Abdl Rahman Katie Nageotte won an unexpected Almasatfa and got a boost from the in- Spanish teenager Alberto Gines Armenia 0 2 1 3 Duke Ragan in a meeting of two profes- bronze. Lopez claimed the fi rst Olympic gold gold for the United States in the pole Dominican Rep 0 2 1 3 sional fi ghters chasing Olympic glory. New Zealand’s Lisa Carrington won jury retirement of Italy’s Angelo Cres- vault ahead of world champion Anzhe- Kyrgyzstan 0 2 1 3 medal in sport climbing, riding a win Mongolia 0 1 2 3 Batyrgaziev won the bout 3:2, cruis- the women’s kayak single 500 to add to cenzo, the 2018 world champion at 60 lika Sidorova of Russia. kilograms. Da Costa beat Kazakhstan’s in the speed discipline to the top of the San Marino 0 1 2 3 ing to victory after winning the fi rst two her gold medal haul at the Sea Forest podium. Nageotte failed on her fi rst two at- Jordan 0 1 1 2 Darkhan Assadilov to reach the fi nal. tempts of the competition at 4.50 me- Nigeria 0 1 1 2 Ivet Goranova earned Bulgaria’s fi rst The 18-year-old opened the fi nals ters but improved from there to clinch N. Macedonia 0 1 0 1 gold medal at the Tokyo Games and with the speed win, then showed off his Namibia 0 1 0 1 all-around skills by fi nishing seventh in her fi rst major medal. Turkmenistan 0 1 0 1 the fi rst Olympic karate gold medal in Sidorova took the silver at 4.85. Kazakhstan 0 0 7 7 kumite competition, beating Ukraine’s lead and fourth in bouldering. He fi n- Britain’s Holly Bradshaw won the Azerbaijan 0 0 3 3 Anzhelika Terliuga in the fi nal of the ished with 30 points - the fi nishes are Egypt 0 0 3 3 multiplied together - to edge American bronze medal. Mexico 0 0 3 3 women’s 55-kilogram division. Nageotte cleared 4.90 at her third Nathaniel Coleman by two. Finland 0 0 2 2 The 21-year-old Goranova won the Coleman topped three of the four attempt in the medal-clinching round. Argentina 0 0 1 1 fi nal bout 5-1, scoring two yukos in Burkina Faso 0 0 1 1 “problems” to win bouldering, was fi fth Sidorova passed on her last chance at Côte d’Ivoire 0 0 1 1 the opening minute and adding a waza- 4.90 and moved the bar to 4.95 but in lead and sixth in speed. Ghana 0 0 1 1 ari with 1:16 left. The 2019 European Austrian Jakob Schubert had the didn’t come close to clearing that. Grenada 0 0 1 1 champion qualifi ed in June for the inau- climb of the night, becoming the fi rst Italy’s Massimo Stano won the Kuwait 0 0 1 1 gural Olympic competition in karate at Malaysia 0 0 1 1 man or woman to reach the top of the men’s 20-kilometer race walk at the Syria 0 0 1 1 the Budokan. 45-meter high lead wall in three days Olympics, and Japan secured the silver Note: Table reads as gold, silver, Chinese Taipei’s Wen Tzuyun and bronze and total of competition. His climb moved him and bronze. Austria’s Bettina Plank took bronze. into the bronze medal spot and knocked It was the fi rst time since the 2008 Germany’s Florian Wellbrock added Czech climber Adam Ondra off the po- Beijing Games that China wasn’t on a gold medal in marathon swimming to Yamanishi the bronze in 1:21:28. dium. the podium. his bronze medal at the pool, winning Shanne Braspennincx of the the Neth- Stano took the gold medal in 1 hour, Ryan Crouser broke his own Olym- the men’s 10-kilometer race at Tokyo pic record on his way to shot put gold. erlands took gold in the women’s keirin, 21 minutes and 5 seconds in Sapporo Bay. hours after teammate Laurine van Ries- on the northern Japanese island of On his last attempt, Crouser went Wellbrock pulled away on the fi nal 23.30 meters to earn the fi rst track and sen was taken out of the Izu Velodrome Hokkaido. Australia’s Aran Zalewski (17) passes the ball past Belgium’s Florent van lap to win by a dominating 25.3 sec- on a stretcher following a crash. Koki Ikeda took silver for the home fi eld gold for the American men at the Aubel (8) during the men’s gold medal fi eld hockey match at the 2020 Sum- onds, fi nishing in 1 hour, 48 minutes, country in 1:21:14 and Toshikazu Tokyo Games. U.S. teammate Joe Ko- mer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) 33.7 seconds. He also won a bronze in Medalists – See Page 15

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