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SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 / ZUL-QAADAH 3, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17712 16 PAGES 150 FILS Hajj salvation cut to Kingdom 60,000 Kuwait backs move

DUBAI, June 12, (Agencies): Saudi Arabia announced Saturday this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The announcement by the king- dom comes after it ran an incredibly pared-down pilgrimage last year over the virus, but still allowed a small number of the faithful to take part in the annual ceremony. A statement on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted the kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry making the announcement. It said this year’s Hajj, which will begin in mid-July, will be limited to those ages 18 to 65. Those taking part must be vacci- nated as well, the ministry said. “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is honored to host pilgrims every year, confirms that this ar- rangement comes out of its constant concern for the health, safety and security of pilgrims as well as the safety of their countries,” the state- ment said. In last year’s Hajj, as few as 1,000 people already residing in Saudi Ara- bia were selected to take part. Two- thirds were foreign residents from among the 160 different nationalities that would have normally been rep- resented at the Hajj. One-third were Saudi security personnel and medical staff. Each year, up to 2 million Muslims perform the Hajj, a physically de- manding and often costly pilgrimage that draws the faithful from around In this July 31, 2020 file photo, pilgrims walk around the Ka’aba at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Makkah. Saudi Arabia said June 12, 2021, that this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will the world. The Hajj, required of all be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (AP) able-bodied Muslims to perform once in their lifetime, is seen as a chance to wipe clean past sins and bring about greater humility and unity among Kuwait reports 1,437 more COVID-19 infections Muslims. Day by Day Stakes The kingdom’s Al Saud ruling fam- WHEN statesmen make up their ily stakes its legitimacy in this oil-rich minds, everything falls into place like Thousands take 2nd dose of Astra nation on overseeing and protecting a jigsaw puzzle. It is crystal clear that the hajj sites. Ensuring the Hajj hap- when the senior state officials were pens has been a priority for them. determined to hold paper exams for KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (KUNA): The Oxford-Astrazen- Disease outbreaks have always Grade 12 students, their determina- been a concern surrounding the Hajj. tion paid off, the plan was successful Grant subsidized building materials to citizens: MP eca’s second dose Covid-19 vac- and the students answered the ex- cination campaign, has inoculated Pilgrims fought off a malaria outbreak ams. tens of thousands of people since in 632, cholera in 1821 killed an es- This reaffirms the fact that when Wednesday, and is set to continue timated 20,000, and another cholera the State studies the demands of its Speaker hails IPU condemnation of Israel through the weekend, Ministry of outbreak in 1865 killed 15,000 before people calmly and give deaf ear to the Health said Friday. spreading worldwide. ‘voices of traders’ – those who trade By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh praised the decision of Pacheco to visit capital. He affirmed the IPU is keen Director of the Public Health in public issues – such as MPs, so- Palestine in order to determine the truth on achieving this goal by enhancing More recently, Saudi Arabia faced Arab Times Staff Department Dr. Fahad Al-Ghim- danger from a different coronavirus, cial networking sites and newspaper through meetings with both parties. dialogue between the two parties. las stated to KUNA that the writers, and implements the decisions KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Inter- Addressing Pacheco, Al-Ghanim He underscored the need to con- “White army” is ready complete one that causes the Middle East re- firmly, it means we are on the right Parliamentary Union (IPU) condemns asserted the latter will visit the largest demn the Israeli occupation of Pales- the national vaccination campaign spiratory syndrome, or MERS. The track. Israel’s expansion of illegal settle- prison in the world -- Gaza; which has tinian territories as it will not contrib- at the main two vaccination cen- kingdom increased its public health We say it frankly: see what your ments in the occupied Palestinian terri- become a big jail trapping the innocent ute to the progress of dialogue between ters and health canters. measures during the Hajj in 2012 and people want, and do not listen to those tories, says National Assembly Speak- Palestinians. He said the Israeli apart- the two parties and peace will not be who say: ‘We will not allow you ... ’ Dr. Al-Ghimlas clarified that 2013, urging the sick and the elderly er Marzouq Al-Ghanim. heid regime besieged the Palestinians achieved. He denounced the launch- COVID-19 vaccinations are avail- not to take part. … Yet, tomorrow is just another Al-Ghanim, who is now back in the in Gaza, up to the point of blocking the ing of rockets from Israel towards the day. able at 24 health centers, including In recent years, Saudi officials also country after a two-day visit to Geneva gates between Gaza and Egypt. Palestinians in the same manner he Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed forces Zahed Matar where he met IPU Chairman Duarte Pa- condemned attacks inside Israel, par- instituted bans on pilgrims coming Violated Hospital, Kuwait oil Company from countries affected by the Ebola checo as a representative of geopolitical ticularly the sacred places for Muslims (KOC), besides both elderly care countries at the Arab Inter-Parliamenta- He went on to say that Israel violated and the use of excessive force by Israe- virus. center and prisons. Saudi Arabia had closed its bor- ry Union, made the statement in a press international laws, United Nations (UN) li authorities against the Palestinians He also expressed gratitude for conference after the meeting. Pacheco Newswatch resolutions; as well as articles 2/C and 3 in Gaza; which led to the suffering of all MoH staff for their huge efforts ders for months to try and stop the was also present at the press conference. of the IPU Charter. He clarified that IPU many people. He emphasized the need spread of the coronavirus. Since the During the press conference, Al- in helping citizens and residents in was not established to organize social to establish dialogue between the two order to get vaccinated. start of the pandemic, the kingdom Ghanim thanked Pacheco for support- gatherings, but to adopt strong positions parties, asserting this is the most im- has reported over 462,000 cases of KUWAIT CITY: The decision-makers ing the Palestinian cause and for the Dr. Al-Ghimlas thanked all remain divided on the issue of the re- under such circumstances. He added portant issue at the moment. He said people at the “Ask Me” reception the virus with 7,500 deaths. It has ad- newal of work permits for those who have fruitful meeting. He disclosed that the that on behalf of Arab parliaments, the dialogue must focus on the future IPU condemns the killing of Palestin- deks to answer any questions and ministered some 15.4 million doses reached the age of 60 and above and hold he expects IPU to intensify its efforts of both parties and achieving peace solve technical issues. ian children in Gaza within 51 days, regarding the Israeli attacks on Aqsa rather than talking about the past. of coronavirus vaccines, according high school diplomas or below, reports Moreover, he expressed sincere to the World Health Organization. Al-Qabas daily. pointing out the number of Palestinian Mosque and Christian holy places in Je- On the other hand, MP Khalil Al- victims in 51 days is higher than the appreciation to Interior’s Ministry, The kingdom is home to over 30 mil- The Supreme Advisory Committee rusalem under the leadership of Pacheco. Saleh submitted a proposal to grant Civil Defense unit, Kuwait Red number of Israelis killed in the last 51 Deputy Speaker MP Ahmed Al- lion people. of the Public Authority for Manpower subsidized construction materials to Crescent and Kuwaiti Fire Service (PAM) has been toying with the idea years. He said this is a clear manifes- Shuhoumi, Minister of State for Na- citizens who are not covered by Hous- Kuwait welcomed Saudi Arabia’s tation of the huge imbalance of power tional Assembly Affairs Mubarak Al- Directorate for maintaining safety especially with regards to the fees to be ing Welfare Law No. 19/2014. He and comfort of people during the decision to limit this year’s Islamic between the Israelis and Palestinians. Harees and Secretary General of the suggested that the amount of subsi- slapped on this category of employees vaccination process. Hajj pilgrimage to only 60,000 na- who wish to renew their work permits and He added the Israeli apartheid regime Assembly Adel Al-Lughani welcomed dized construction materials is KD tionals and expatriates living in the are believed to number about 88,000. and racial segregation practiced by Isra- the speaker upon his arrival at Kuwait 30,000 – the same amount granted to He also pointed out that people el against the Palestinians are unaccept- must adhere to their appointment country, due to fears about the spread According to the available information, International Airport. citizens covered by this law. of coronavirus. the civil society and the Chamber of Com- able for any just individual or organiza- Meanwhile, Pacheco revealed they He said these citizens need such a sub- in order to avoid congestions. merce representatives have shown their tion in the whole world. He highlighted discussed relations between IPU and sidy for the renovation and maintenance Kuwait said 1,437 people tested Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry, in a respective reservations on the proposal the statements of the European Parlia- Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union; as of their houses that were constructed a positive for coronavirus while statement, applauded Saudi Arabia’s to impose 2,000 dinars fee, in addition to ment and Human Rights Watch, stress- well as the current situation in the long time ago. He affirmed his propos- four related deaths were reported “huge and appreciated efforts” in health insurance. ing he expects the same from the IPU. Middle East, especially in Palestine. al is in line with the principle of social on Saturday, taking the total up to service of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, ❑ ❑ ❑ He expressed gratitude to Pacheco for He emphasized the importance of equality stipulated in the Constitution; 326,451 and 1,817, respectively, amid its commitment to ensure their instructing the Middle East Committee according to the health ministry. KUWAIT CITY: His Highness the Amir respecting UN resolutions on the es- particularly Article Eight: “The State safety. at the IPU to form a fact-finding panel to tablishment of two sovereign states -- shall preserve the pillars of society and Another 1,317 people were Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber cured of the virus, raising the total The ministry went on to commend Al-Sabah Saturday sent a cable of con- visit the occupied Palestinian territories Palestine and Israel -- living together shall guarantee security, tranquility and Riyadh’s support of scientic and med- and submit a report in this regard. He harmoniously with Jerusalem as their equal opportunity for all citizens.” of those to have overcome the dis- gratulations to the President of the Philip- ease to 308,829, ministry spokes- ical endeavours aimed at tackling the pines Rodrigo Duterte on his country’s man Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad told a COVID-19 pandemic. national day. The Gulf Cooperation Council His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh press conference. Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Israel attacked Iran nuke assets: ex-Mossad chief The number of people hospi- (GCC) and the Organisation of Is- and His Highness the Prime Minister talised with the virus currently lamic Cooperation welcomed Saudi Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- DUBAI, June 12, (AP): The outgoing than yes, sometimes we offer them” a Cohen did not directly claim the at- stands at 15,805, with 161 of them Arabia’s decision to limit this year’s Sabah also sent similar cables. (KUNA) chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence way out, Cohen said. tacks, but his specificity offered the in intensive care units, he added, Hajj season to just 60,000 citizens ❑ ❑ ❑ service has offered the closest acknowl- Among the major attacks to target closest acknowledgement yet of an revealing that some 10,067 swab and expatriates living in the king- edgment yet his country was behind Iran, none have struck deeper than Israeli hand in the attacks. The inter- tests were conducted over the last DALLAS: The airline industry’s recovery recent attacks targeting Iran’s nuclear two explosions over the last year at its viewer, journalist Ilana Dayan, also day out of a total of 2,741,423. dom. from the pandemic passed a milestone program and a military scientist. Natanz nuclear facility. There, centri- seemingly offered a detailed descrip- He went on to urge nationals The decision was made to prevent as more than 2 million people streamed The comments by Yossi Cohen, fuges enrich uranium from an under- tion in a voiceover of how Israel snuck and expatriates alike that abiding the spread of COVID-19, particularly through US airport security checkpoints speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 in- ground hall designed to protect them the explosives into Natanz’s under- by health precautions, mainly, fol- in light of the emergence of new vari- on Friday for the fi rst time since early vestigative program “Uvda” in a seg- from airstrikes. ground halls. lowing social distancing rules, is ants and in accordance with Islamic March 2020. ment aired Thursday night, offered an In July 2020, a mysterious explo- “The man who was responsible for the only way to halt the spread of teachings, GCC’s Secretary General The Transportation Security Admin- extraordinary debriefing by the head of sion tore apart Natanz’s advanced these explosions, it becomes clear, the virus. Nayef Al-Hajraf said in a statement istration announced Saturday that 2.03 the typically secretive agency in what centrifuge assembly, which Iran later made sure to supply to the Iranians million travelers were screened at airport British health authorities have on Saturday. appears to be the final days of Prime blamed on Israel. Then in April of this the marble foundation on which the warned that the COVID-19 Delta Riyadh’s step aims to protect the checkpoints on Friday. It was the fi rst Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule. year, another blast tore apart one of its centrifuges are placed,” Dayan said. time in 15 months that the number of se- variant, initially discovered in In- health of pilgrims, he added. It also gave a clear warning to other underground enrichment halls. “As they install this foundation within dia, is more resistant to current vac- curity screenings has surpassed 2 million scientists in Iran’s nuclear program that Discussing Natanz, the interviewer the Natanz facility, they have no idea On his part, Secretary General of in a single day. cines compared to other variants. they too could become targets for assas- asked Cohen where he’d take them if that it already includes an enormous Now the dominant variant in the Organization of Islamic Coop- Airline bookings have been picking up eration (OIC) Yousef Al-Othaimeen since around February, as more Ameri- sination even as diplomats in Vienna try they could travel there. Cohen said “to amount of explosives.” the UK, Delta, also known as cans were vaccinated against COVID-19 to negotiate terms to try to salvage its the cellar” where “the centrifuges used They also discussed the November B.1.617.2, is more contagious and also applauded the decision, adding and — at least within the United States atomic accord with world powers. to spin.” killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, an spreads faster than the UK variant, that protecting people’s lives and — travel restrictions such as mandatory “If the scientist is willing to change “It doesn’t look like it used to look,” Iranian scientist who began Tehran’s Alpha, according to research con- their wellbeing is part of Islam’s main quarantines began to ease.s (AP) career and will not hurt us anymore, he added. military nuclear program decades ago. ducted by Public Health England. principles. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 2

Weather Expected weather for the next wind with speeds of 25-55 km/h Jahra 44 29 Prayer Timings 24 hours: causing rising dust. Failaka Island - - Fajr ...... 03:13 Asr ...... 15:22 By Day: Hot and dusty with Station Max Exp Min Rec Salmiyah 38 30 Sunrise .. 04:48 Maghrib .. 18:48 fresh to strong north westerly Kuwait City 43 30 Ahmadi 42 31 Zohr ...... 11:48 Isha ...... 20:19 wind with speeds of 35-70 km/h. Kuwait Airport 43 30 Nuwaisib 47 28 By Night: Hot to rather hot with Abdaly 44 28 Wafra 43 29 moderate to fresh north westerly Bubyan - - Salmy 42 25

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

British KSF expertise acquired KCST to make, launch nano satellite KUWAIT CITY, June 12: In February, the Kuwait College of the satellite. The satellite will have many properties such of Science and Technology (KCST) announced the start of a as being able to measure climate factors, testing the air and project to launch the fi rst miniature satellite (nano satellite) ozone layer, and transmitting information about air quality manufactured by its distinguished students, with the coop- and the ozone layer after it is launched into space. eration of the British KSF Space Foundation and under the It also aims to enhance Kuwait’s position in this fi eld supervision of their specialists and university professors, re- and create a productive environment for students to acquire ports Al-Rai daily. research skills that can be used in many fi elds. The aim of KSF is a non-profi t organization that works to encourage the project is to better understand the responses to climate universities in developing research and development mis- change and measure UV rays in space, as the expected results sions using small satellites and micro-satellites. The founda- can prove valuable information for humans and science”. tion is run by offi cers and members of space agencies and One of the participating students Naji Al-Qallaf said he con- major industries, such as NASA, ESA, JAXA, SpaceX. siders the experience as unique, in terms of gaining experience The initiative, in which the KCST students participated, by participating in a project to manufacture nano-satellites and aims to transfer the basic and necessary skills on how to creating new horizons in research and development. manufacture miniature satellites, inspire enthusiasm, en- Sheikha Al-Bahwa, a student of Computer Engineering, hance international understanding and cooperation, strength- said, “We are proud and lucky to have been chosen to par- en an interactive global network of students, teachers and ticipate in this wonderful experience. We thank our college alumni, and encourage the innovative scientifi c development for allowing us to participate in an important achievement, of space for peaceful purposes, to improve life on Earth. which is fi rst of its kind in Kuwait.” The manufacture and launch of the fi rst satellite this year Ahoud Al-Enezi, a student majoring in Electronics and constitutes the fi rst phase of a long-term program. A satellite Communications Engineering, said, “It was a dream for me will be launched annually to collect data and readings and to participate in a space-related project from an early age. transfer them to a database at the university. It will be com- The time has come to achieve it through the Kuwait College pared annually, which will allow the study of climate chang- of Science and Technology, which provided me with the op- es and the resulting indicators of change in the atmosphere. portunity to participate in the manufacture of nano-satellites. Photo by Rizk Taufi q I thank my college for providing me with the opportunity to Kuwaiti fi re-fi ghters tackle a fi re in a carpentry workshop in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh in intense heat of the blaze and the Information scorching sun. achieve my dream.” The availability of information will be a fertile fi eld for Yasmine Bourek, a student majoring in Electronics and university professors and students to carry out a lot of re- Communications Engineering, indicated that she participat- Fire wrecks Shaddadiya chalets search in several fi elds. ed in a project to manufacture a nano satellite with the aim Head of the college Professor Khaled Al-Baqaain said, of realizing achievement at the global level and not only at “The aim of the project is to localize this modern technology the local level. The Public Relations and Media De- Shaddadiya, reports Al-Seyassah meters. in Kuwait. The mini-satellite will be manufactured by our She said, “The most interesting thing about the experiment partment of the Directorate-General daily. The fi refi ghting teams controlled students in the university’s laboratories under the interna- was that we got internal support from college doctors, and of Fire Department announced fi re According to fi re sources the fi re the fi re before it spread to other are- tional supervision of KSF and university professors. external support from lecturers in Britain. Finally, I am very engines from Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh destroyed three chalets made from as. No human casualties have been The number of outstanding participants in the project is 16 excited to see the success of this project.” and Sulaibikhat rushed to the Sa- prefabricated material on a total recorded but an investigation has students who were theoretically trained and had passed the Ahmad Al-Sha’abani, a student in Computer Engineering, bah Al-Salem University City in Al- area of approximately 200 square opened to fi nd the cause of the fi re. fi rst phase of this joint cooperation between KCST and KSF. said, “We believe that we in the college can participate, suc- They are currently guided and practically trained. The ap- ceed and achieve the goals of any project, no matter how dif- propriate equipment needed to build the 3D space capsule fi cult it is to accomplish. This is because the college proposed Ill-prepared to handle crises: Audit Bureau is recommended. Research will be conducted to focus on for us to study specialized materials and general materials in stratospheric studies of the ozone layer, and beyond, as well order to gain many scientifi c and practical experiences that as scientifi c experiments to assess the risks of global warm- allow us to participate in any project or competition and be Govt rapped for mishandling Covid crisis ing and climate change. able to excel in them, because of our scientifi c and practical Students’ training will continue during the manufacture experience in the fi eld of science and technology”. KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The State Audit Bureau has af- time. There is also the absence of clear laws to defi ne the fi rmed that the government does not have a complete and mechanism and forms of contracts in cases of emergency, sound plan for managing emergencies and crises, due to and the responsibilities. There has also been poor coordina- which it has been issuing inappropriate decisions and in- tion among government agencies. structions to manage the COVID-19 crisis and the fi nancial The crisis was managed by some government agencies MoH quashes rumors new and other consequences thereof, reports Al-Anba daily. with individual jurisprudence. A clear and specifi c mecha- The bureau highlighted this in the report it submitted to nism to monitor the number of quarantined people, workers the National Assembly concerning the Cabinet’s mandate to and medical staff was absent along with a mechanism for review the expenditures of government agencies for dealing handling government contracts during the crisis. with the COVID-19 crisis during the period from March 1, The spending priorities in various aspects were not deter- Astra vaccine batch unsafe 2020 to September 15, 2020. mined. There was inaccuracy in estimating the needs, exag- It explained that there were a number of observations, geration in ordering materials and supplies, and failure to most notably the absence of a central authority to buy the take into account the absorptive capacity. agencies’ supplies such as masks, gloves, sterilization mate- The State Audit Bureau indicated that non-competent Around 30,000 get 2nd dose rials, etc despite the similarity of those supplies. bodies were assigned to provide and request basic materials There is a difference in the prices of some items required and supplies for combating the COVID-19 crisis, with some for dealing with the repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis parties purchasing preventive supplies from non-specialized By Marwa Bahrawi from one side to the other, despite buying them at the same companies and institutions. Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, June 12: About 30,000 persons have received their second dose of the ‘Oxford’ in its fi rst round, bringing the total vaccinations given by Ku- wait to citizens and residents since the start of the national campaign for vaccination against ‘Covid 19’ since the end of last December until now to about 2.75 million people, or 64.37 percent of the entire population eligible Kuwait Municipality inspectors during their round at the Qurain Market. for vaccination. While the Ministry of Health ‘Demolish illegal constructions’ harnessed all its soldiers and ef- forts to complete the immunization By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami Majed Al-Mutairi said the fi eld tour of those eligible for the second Al-Seyassah Staff aims to ensure that workers adhere to health requirements and precau- dose of the “Oxford” vaccine in The Kuwait Municipality inspectors tionary measures and follow the in- record time which did not exceed organized inspections campaigns structions of the health authorities a week, a number of those eligible to ensure shops and supermarkets in order to prevent the spread of the for the vaccine are stuck with the and markets adhere to the health Coronavirus and added 5 shops doubt in their mind about the safe- controls that prevent the spread of were administratively closed during ty of the vaccine and refused to re- the ‘Coronavirus’. the tour. The supervisory team in the Likewise, the Municipality supervi- ceive the second dose in exchange Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate sory team in the Capital Governorate for receiving two additional doses toured the parallel shops and mar- conducted an inspection tour of the of the Pfi zer vaccine. kets, just as the Removal Depart- Sharq, Al-Qibla, Bneid Al-Qar and Al- Doubting the validity of the third ment of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Munici- Shuwaikh areas and issued 6 warn- shipment of the Oxford vaccine ex- pality carried out a similar fi eld tour ings to the owners and demanded tended to spreading rumors about its of the Qurain markets. that they demolish construction work invalidity and called for a boycott The head of the department, Eng on roofs and annexes. of the vaccine on various social me- dia sites, rumors that the Ministry of Health confronted and denied in detail. Shocking case of a minor harlot Statement The Ministry of Health confi rmed KUWAIT CITY, June 12: A shocking mit. in an offi cial statement that every- scandal was exposed after a minor The investigations into the com- thing that is being said about the third Kuwaiti girl lodged a complaint plaint did not end with the detention of consignment of the Oxford vaccine is against her naturalized mother whose the mother because the case was a incorrect, noting that the ‘Oxford’ vac- husband is in prison, reports Al-Rai crime of prostitution and incitement to cine, which is produced in Russia, is daily. vice, and involved a minor. licensed and approved by ‘AstraZen- The so-called mother, who violates It led to discovery of two suspects - eca’, and that the manufacturing pro- all principles and moral values of a former MP’s elderly brother who is cess and all procedures are under the motherhood, forced her daughter to currently in custody and a young rul- supervision of ‘AstraZeneca’ which is work as a prostitute in order to earn ing family member. The concerned the licensing company. money. Eventually, the victim, who authorities are currently taking neces- The Ministry of Health said it had became tired of the situation, acted on sary measures to arrest the latter. received the third batch of the ‘Oxford’ her good instincts and lodged a com- The investigations are ongoing to vaccine after matching the results of plaint against her mother for the nab every individual who was immor- its samples with the technical speci- immoral acts she incited her to com- ally involved with the minor. fi cations, and making sure that it was stored in accordance with the approved antibodies or others has been approved He talked of the wave of epidemic temperatures and storage conditions. or licensed as a measurement standard outbreaks in the Gulf continues in light The ministry explained the effective- for acquired immunity after receiving of the possibility of new regional and ness of the fi rst dose of the ‘Oxford’ the “Covid-19” vaccine or after infec- continental developments, pointing out vaccine increases with the lengthening tion with the disease, and that most of that the Ministry of Health is dealing of the period of the second dose to more the tests available in this fi eld are cur- with an epidemic, sustainable health than 12 weeks, as shown by scientifi c rently not considered an approved im- care and misinformation campaigns. studies and realistic statistics. mune measure. ❑ ❑ ❑ The Ministry of Health indicated On the other hand, the head of the that the antibody measurement analyz- advisory committee to confront Co- The Jaber Hospital quarantine sec- es were evaluated to measure the pos- rona, Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah said more tion will receive non-vaccinated male sibility of a previous infection within a than 30,000 people received the sec- and female students of special educa- specifi c data, and were not evaluated to ond dose of the “Oxford” vaccine last tion schools with a foreign curriculum measure the amount of antibodies after Wednesday, which is the fi rst day of – the British International Certifi cate vaccination. the vaccination campaign for the sec- IGCSE system -- to undergo a free The sources stated that some of ond dose of the “AstraZeneca” vac- ‘PCR’ examination to help them an- these analyzes monitor different types cine. swer the exams Sunday, June 13. of antibodies (IgG, IgM), and therefore Al-Jarallah said in a tweet on his The educational sources told the Al- they do not have the ability to monitor Twitter account: “There is a fl uctua- Seyassah daily 600 male and female the specifi c antibodies resulting from tion in the fl attening of the epidemic students are required to take the PCR vaccination. curve and the beginning of a return to test and explained the students of Is- The Ministry of Health confi rmed the rise in (what he called) clinical oc- lamic education, Arabic language and that, so far, no blood test to measure cupancy.” the Holy Qur’an will also take the test. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 LOCAL 3 diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Govt must ward off pressures, go for major tourism, trade projects’ “OVER the past decades, successive governments have been saying they have its projects and stopped its work until the government was fed up with it, and “And because we are talking about the state’s general budget, we give everyone a vision to diversify the sources of income and not rely on oil as the only source looked for someone to buy it at the lowest price. good news that Kuwaiti oil has reached a price of $72 a barrel to continue its suc- of all their work programs. However we did not see realistic plans that can be “If the government is serious about achieving diversifi cation of sources of cessive rises and how much we hoped that the previous decline would be a wake- implemented on the ground other than adopting the views of the World Bank income, it is supposed to face off pressures from the infl uential people, develop up call for the government and the National Assembly to think soundly about the which recommend the lifting of subsidies and increasing service charges and and support leading state projects and adopt huge projects in accordance with danger of low oil prices on the citizen before the state, but what happened confi rms imposition of taxes,” columnist Oweid Al-Salili wrote for Al-Shahed daily. the state’s vision to transform the country into a fi nancial and commercial cent- that those concerned with the decision only work for their day, not for the future.” “Although over the years the state was unable to er based on the weight of the Silk City and Bubiyan Port, and the development ❑ ❑ ❑ achieve that goal due to the reassurance and reliance on of islands and other projects that are collecting dust on the shelves of the Plan- the rise in oil prices and the achievement of surpluses for ning Council and start implementing them without delay and procrastination.” “Most countries of the world have started opening their doors to travel ac- extended years in the state budget. tivities without even the need for a PCR test certifi cate. They include Turkey, “In most Third World countries, governments are Also: which announced the reception of citizens without tests as long as they received leading the development and renaissance in their coun- “The fi nancing of the upcoming housing projects can be looked as a ‘crisis the vaccine, Morocco and others. However, our wise government has set con- tries because of the modernity of the private sector. project’ in every sense of the word if the state budget continues in this state. ditions to not allow citizens to travel without obtaining a vaccine passport, as “In Kuwait, post-independence phase, the state led The government has expressed its opinion on the diffi culty of fi nancing the pro- well as another major handicap called Kuwait-Mosafer,” columnist Moham- the development movement to achieve diversifi cation of jects of South Sabah Al-Ahmad and South Saad Al-Abdullah due to the budget mad Al-Jalahma wrote for Al-Anba daily. the sources of income. The state was the sponsor of most defi cit. It shall be a problem if this issue is not taken into account now and you “I do not know who is behind the so-called Kuwait-Mosafer app, which was of the successful projects in the country at the level of will not be able in any way to fi nance future projects,” columnist Ebrahim Al- most likely set up to prevent citizens from traveling, especially due to the prob- the Gulf region. Awadhi wrote for Al-Rai daily. lems with the app and obstructing citizens from returning to their country. “Logic says that the so-called Kuwait-Mosafer app, if imposed, should be a “Among the most prominent of these projects was the Oweid Al-Salili “This is an important issue that touches every Kuwaiti family, thus it needs government’s establishment of the Kuwait Investment concerted efforts and visions to overcome it in order to provide housing care facilitator for travelers’ affairs, not a headache for them because of the failure Authority, which supervised the Future Generations Fund, the fi fth largest sov- for the citizens of this country. It is an issue that needs realistic and logical of attempts to download the app to their smartphones. ereign fund in the world, and sponsoring the idea of establishing the fi rst bank solutions because if no solutions are found it will have a bearing on the future “According to media reports, the most prominent problem that travelers face in the country in the 1950s and early 1960s, which is a very early start to estab- generations. with the app is the requirement that the traveler must have a Kuwait number in lish a sound economic system. “We talked and everyone talked about the need to address the state’s dys- order to download the app. This poses a diffi culty for those who do not carry a Kuwait sim card outside the country. Other problems faced by the travelers “The successful state projects are many and varied, but the recurring and functional budget and to search for other alternative sources of income away from oil in order to maintain the state’s fi nancial sustainability, but it looks like are related to entering the vaccination certifi cate and PCR test details before striking thing in most of these projects is the deliberate destruction and sabo- boarding the plane. we are in one valley and the MPs in another valley. tage and the attempt to convince the people of the idea of privatizing and sell- “Regardless of the development of the app after the wave of popular anger that ing them under the pretext of doing away with the losses that burden the state “The Future Generations Fund -- which for many years was the fi rst line of reached the nation’s representatives without those in charge of the app or our ration- budget. defense for the state fi nancially, and an important basis in maintaining Kuwait’s al government, there are some questions worth asking - By what right is a citizen “There are many examples of this destructive approach, most notably the economic stability -- has become an easy and simple solution to any problem prevented from returning to his homeland, even if he is sick? Does the state require government’s support in the 1960s to establish the Kuwait Airways and trans- and fi nancial defi cit facing us which is a solid dam to ensure a decent life for the travel of those who receive the vaccine? Does the vaccine reduce symptoms? form it into a government company, until in the 1970s and 1980s it became the the future generations. Isn’t there an expansion in vaccination? Will there be community immunity within leading airline in the Middle East and the infl uential people thirsted for it and “I know that touching the money of the Fund is not taboo but that should not weeks? Is there not a test that the citizen can conduct before coming to the country unfortunately stood as an impenetrable dam for its development to the point that happen until after all available options and solutions have been exhausted. As and another after his arrival and then stay under home quarantine? MPs refused to modernize its fl eet in 2008 in favor of competing companies. for resorting to the easiest solution, it is something that only the weak resort “Many questions I did not fi nd answers to ... And the conclusion I reached is “We also cannot forget the pioneering role played by the government to revi- to because they are unable to think properly about solving problems. I won- that the app is utilitarian or aimed to prevent citizens from traveling to activate talize tourism in the country when it established the Touristic Enterprises Com- der here, did the government and the members of the housing committee think the movement of markets and restaurants and continue to close the door to ex- pany in 1976 which accomplished huge projects such as the Kuwait Towers, the about the rest of the solutions so that this proposal would come out to us? patriates who have valid residency. Entertainment City, the Seafront, the Green Island, the Khairan resort and many “We lost hope in the government for a long time, and we hoped the MPs “In my opinion, all of what will be mentioned is behind the so-called ‘Ku- other projects that were generating a lot of money for the state. would play their role in overcoming these crises but the reality of the situation wait-Mosafer’ app. I personally advise changing the name of the app to - If you “A fi erce war was launched against the company, as usual for the successful says that the mentality of the government and the mentalities of some esteemed travel, you will not return even if you are a Kuwaiti!” state projects from within the corridors of the government and coordination MPs are the same in solving problems as they adopt the easiest and simplest from outside, so it was emptied of its content, neglected the maintenance of way but at the expense of the citizen, the homeland and its future. — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli

MoH adopts antibody analysis to Other Voices track previous Covid-19 infection Prolonging life in Covid times By Ahmad alsarraf viruses multiply in the lungs and every technical problem has a solution. Thus ears ago, Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn we do not need miracles. If the heart suf- Nursing students training eyed at Mishref center Y(1948), a Nobel laureate in physiol- fers, we can stimulate it or even a new ogy, discovered a bio-marker called ‘tel- implant in its place, and so on. omerase’, the enzyme that fuels the telo- It is true that we are currently unable KUWAIT CITY, June 12 , (Agencies): The meres that protect our genetic heritage. to solve all technical problems, but the Her research showed that the life and best minds have become preoccupied Ministry of Health announced it has adopt- health of telo-meres indicate a healthy with issues of prolonging life, investi- ed measures to possibly valuate the antibod- mind-body connection and longev- gating and verifying the microbiologi- ies of the emerging corona virus (Covid-19) ity. She said that cal, physiological and genetic systems making some responsible for disease and aging, de- within a specifi c data that has been approved changes to our veloping new drugs and revolutionary and not to evaluate or measure the number habits can pro- treatments, and achieving remarkable of antibodies after vaccination. tect them and in- success in their endeavors. crease the num- Over the past two centuries, life ex- The ministry said in a press statement some of these ber of years in pectancy jumped from less than 40 years analyses detect different types of IgG-IgM antibodies, which we remain to 72 years worldwide and to more than so they do not have the ability to detect special antibod- healthy, active 80 in some countries. Children in partic- ies resulting from vaccination. and disease-free ular have escaped the clutches of death, In a related context, the ministry said the Oxford vac- including the after a third of them, and until the Twen- quality of sleep, tieth century, did not reach adulthood. cine, which is produced in Russia, is licensed and exercise, diet alsarraf approved by the AstraZeneca company and that the Harari asks: Will the Corona epi- and avoiding demic change human attitudes towards manufacturing process and all procedures are under its chemical additives in food, while avoid- death? And he answers that most likely supervision because it is the licensing company. ing chronic stress, negative thoughts and not. Rather, Corona will often cause a With regard to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the tense relationships. redoubling of efforts to protect human ministry stated that it has received the third batch of the She added the telo-meres respond to lives. vaccine after the results of its samples matched the tech- a person and understand the instructions When an epidemic was spreading in and feelings they receive, whether they pre-modern society, people feared for nical specifications and ensured that they were stored in are tension, relaxation, sadness or happi- accordance with the approved temperatures and storage their lives and feared the death of their ness. Thus, telo-meres contribute to the loved ones, and the reaction to that was conditions. state of your brain, your mood, the speed to surrender to heavenly punishment. of your aging and the risk of disease. KUNA photo Confi rmed However, when many in our time die The occasion to return to the book of as a result of horrifi c accidents, we tend Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Waleed Al-Khubaizi during the video The sources confirmed the effectiveness of the first Blackburn refers to an article written by meeting. to view what happened as a human fail- dose of the Oxford vaccine increases with the extended the Israeli researcher, Yuval Harari, a ure that could have been prevented and period of the second dose to more than 12 weeks, as few months ago, in which he stated that not a heavenly punishment. In our time, Kuwait, Malta set to boost ties indicated by scientific studies and realistic statistics. the formation of the modern world was mass death has become a reason for fi l- Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health plans to induct done through a revolutionary position ing lawsuits and searching for the culprit Foreign ministry offi cials from Kuwait covering matters that include efforts to 500 nursing students into the health area to be posted at that humans can control death and defeat rather than attributing it to superpowers. and Malta assembled via video link re- fi ght terrorism and current happenings it by perpetuating life. Kuwait Vaccination Centers in Mishref, Jaber Bridge, Heroes today are not the priests and cently for a fresh round of talks focus- around the world, said a Kuwaiti foreign Until a few decades ago, the belief preachers, but doctors and scientists who ing on economic and healthcare ties, in ministry statement. Educational ties and a number of ministry facilities to support medical was that death is inevitable and a ma- work tirelessly inside their laboratories. addition to political and security issues. have shown remarkable improvement staff during the Corona pandemic, reports Al-Anba jor source of life’s meaning. It was also The world has never lost hope in discov- The Kuwaiti side, headed by Assistant as of late, the Kuwaiti diplomat was daily. prevalent among many, and still is, that ering a cure for corona, and the clergy Foreign Minister for European Affairs cited as saying, adding that many of his one day fate will destroy death through Waleed Al-Khubaizi, engaged their compatriot students have increasingly The Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the during that time had to listen to scientists Public Authority for Applied Education and Training a major metaphysical gesture such as the and close the places of worship. Maltese counterparts, led by Director begun to take up academic opportuni- coming of Christ, but with the scientifi c General for Political, External Relations ties in the Mediterranean island. and the Ministry of Health, has worked on the financial Harari concludes by saying human- revolution, death was given a different and European Affairs Fiona Formosa, They agreed on the need for more cost of hiring 500 nursing students from the College and ity needs less than two centuries to meaning, and it ceased to be a theo- make life continue, and until then, we in talks that yielded some 14 deals de- cooperation in several key sectors, in- Institute of Nursing to support medical staff during the signed to push bilateral ties to higher cluding trade and investment, ahead of retically inevitable matter, but merely a will lose our loved ones, and one day levels. similar talks planned for the near future, Corona pandemic, based on the decision taken by the technical problem. we will die. The coronavirus pandemic was ex- as both countries seek to bring common Council of Ministers. People always die because of a techni- ❑ ❑ ❑ pectedly in the forefront and center goals and aspirations to fruition, added Informed sources told the daily the students will be cal defect, such as the heart stops pump- on the agenda as well, with the talks the statement. screened over a period of 6 months to enable them to ing blood; cancer destroys the liver, and e-mail: [email protected] give them practical experience and qualify them to work in health facilities in future. The sources stated the students – both male and News in Brief female – will be paid 100 dinars each monthly stipend. The Cabinet during a previous session had given the nod for the Ministry of Health request to use 500 male and female students from the College and Institute of Unstable weather: Kuwait’s Ministry On the other hand, a security source Nursing to fill the shortage in the Ministry of Health of Interior (MOI) called on citizens and said the Ministry of Interior is in the pro- residents to keep a wary eye on the cur- cess of deporting four Bangladeshis who facilities during the Corona pandemic. rently unstable weather. were caught stealing construction mate- In a press release Saturday, the minis- rial from houses under construction in the try urged citizens and residents to remain suburb of Al-Mutla’a. vigilant for their safety and not to hesitate The men were reportedly caught red- 700 out of 8,000 pass in seeking help via the MOI emergency handed. number 112, or Civil Defense number ❑ ❑ ❑ 1804000 for any assistance. Timings changed: The Ministry of In- tests for Justice Dept It also advised sea-goers to call the terior announced changes in the schedule Coast Guard number 1880888 in case of of allowing entry through the land borders KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Ministry of Justice said emergency. (KUNA) -- from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm starting on the expert interviews committee headed by the Under- ❑ ❑ ❑ Sunday, instead of 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, secretary Omar Al-Sharqawi interviewed the account- reports Al-Jarida daily. ants a week ago, and currently he is holding interviews 12 workers arrested: Personnel from In a press statement, the Public Rela- the Ahmadi Criminal Investigation De- with the engineers specialized in architecture and civil tions and Security Media General De- engineering, reports Al-Anba daily. partment (CID) have arrested 12 workers partment disclosed this decision is in for stealing sand in the Sabah Al-Ahmad compliance with the directive of Interior The sources told the daily, the interviews with engi- area and referred them to the competent Minister Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al- neers specializing in architectural and civil engineering authority. Salem Al-Sabah in coordination with the will end within two weeks, after which the interviews According to a security source, the CID health authorities. with engineers specializing in mechanics, electricity and men, in coordination with the Municipal- The department pointed out this is part computers will begin. ity, raided a site where the men were at of the efforts of the ministry to facilitate work fi lling sand in trucks sand from an procedures for citizens, especially this The sources explained about 700 Kuwaitis out of open area close to Sabah Al-Ahmad and time when temperatures are extremely nearly 8,000 passed the exams held at the Kuwait Uni- arrested the ‘men at work’ and referred high. The department called on citizens to versity in December 2019. them for interrogation to fi nd out who was adhere to the new schedule for the safety The sources revealed the Ministry of Justice is waiting the mastermind behind the theft. of everyone. to allocate job grades to appoint those who have passed the current interviews. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 LOCAL 4

Amiri Diwan mourns Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Amir receives condolences from regional leaders KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (KUNA): wellness to both. deepest condolences to His Highness Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on the sincere sentiments, wishing good In the call, Sheikh Tamim expressed The Amiri Diwan on Thursday His Highness the Amir also re- the Amir on the sad occasion, asking demise of Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad health and wellness to Sheikh Moham- deepest condolences to His Highness mourned Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad ceived Friday a telephone call from Almighty Allah to bestow mercy on Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. mad. the Amir and the ruling family on the Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who passed away Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk the deceased’s soul. In the cable, Sheikh Khalifa ex- His Highness the Amir received Sat- sad occasion, asking Almighty Allah at the age of 79. province Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Bin In a reply cable, His Highness the pressed deepest condolences to His urday a cable from the Crown Prince to bestow mercy on the deceased’s Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Abdulaziz Al-Saud, on the demise of Amir expressed appreciation for the Highness the Amir on the sad occa- of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammad bin soul. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber sincere sentiments, wishing good sion, asking Almighty Allah to bestow Zayed Al-Nahyan on the demise of In return, His Highness the Amir Al-Sabah received Friday a telephone Al-Sabah, health and wellness to King Hamad. mercy on the deceased’s soul. Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber expressed appreciation for the sincere call from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz In the call, Prince Fahad expressed His Highness the Amir received Sat- In a reply cable, His Highness the Al-Sabah. sentiments, wishing good health and of Saudi Arabia on the demise of deepest condolences to His Highness urday a cable from the Bahraini Crown Amir expressed appreciation for the In the cable, Sheikh Mohammad wellness to Sheikh Tamim. Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber the Amir and the ruling family on the Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa sincere sentiments, wishing good expressed deepest condolences to His ❑ ❑ ❑ sad occasion, asking Almighty Allah on the demise of Sheikh Mansour Al- Highness the Amir on the sad occa- Al-Sabah. health and wellness to Sheikh Khalifa. Oman: His Highness the Amir Sheikh In the call, King Salman expressed to bestow mercy on the deceased’s Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Also, His Highness the Amir re- sion, asking Almighty Allah to bestow soul. In the cable, Prince Salman ex- mercy on the deceased’s soul. Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah deepest condolences to His Highness ceived Saturday a cable from the UAE received Friday a cable from Sultan the Amir and the ruling family on the In return, His Highness the Amir pressed deepest condolences to His Vice President, Prime Minister and In a reply cable, His Highness the expressed appreciation for the sincere Highness the Amir on the sad occa- Amir expressed appreciation for the of Oman Haitham Bin Tariq on the sad occasion, asking Almighty Allah Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin demise of Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad to bestow mercy on the deceased’s sentiments, wishing good health and sion, asking Almighty Allah to bestow Rashid Al-Maktoum on the demise of sincere sentiments, wishing good wellness to Prince Fahad. mercy on the deceased’s soul. health and wellness to Sheikh Moham- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. soul. Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber In the cable, Sultan Haitham ex- His Highness the Amir received a ❑ ❑ ❑ In a reply cable, His Highness the Al-Sabah. mad. Amir expressed appreciation for the ❑ ❑ ❑ pressed deepest condolences to His similar call from Crown Prince, Depu- Bahrain: His Highness the Amir sincere sentiments, wishing good In the cable, Sheikh Mohammad Highness the Amir on the sad occa- ty Prime Minister and Minister of De- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- health and wellness to Prince Salman. expressed deepest condolences to His Qatar: His Highness the Amir re- sion, asking Almighty Allah to bestow fense Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Sabah received Saturday a cable from ❑ ❑ ❑ Highness the Amir on the sad occa- ceived Friday a telephone call from mercy on the deceased’s soul. Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khal- sion, asking Almighty Allah to bestow Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin In a reply cable, His Highness the In return, His Highness the Amir ifa on the demise of Sheikh Mansour UAE: His Highness the Amir received mercy on the deceased’s soul. Hamad Al-Thani on the demise of Amir expressed appreciation for the expressed appreciation for the sincere Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Saturday a cable from the President In a reply cable, His Highness the Sheikh Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber sincere sentiments, wishing good sentiments, wishing good health and In the cable, King Hamad expressed of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Amir expressed appreciation for the Al-Sabah, health and wellness to the Sultan. National Day greetings sent MEW team ‘records’ 22 violations HH the Amir congratulates Russia KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (KUNA): His as further development of bilateral rela- Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- tions. regarding electricity connections Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh of congratulations to Russian President Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Vladimir Putin Friday on occasion of his also sent a cable to President Putin to con- Campaign launched in Shuwaikh Industrial Area country’s National Day. gratulate him on Russia’s National Day. His Highness the Amir wished Presi- His Highness the Prime Minister dent Putin good health, and for Russia Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sa- By Mohammed Ghanem Water and Renewable Energy and member of the Sin- further progress and prosperity, as well bah sent a similar cable. Al-Seyassah Staff gles Committee Ahmed Al-Shimmari announced 22 KUWAIT CITY, June 12: Deputy Head of the Judi- citations were issued during the campaign launched cial Enforcement Team at the Ministry of Electricity, by the team on the Shuwaikh Industrial Area (in- dustrial plots) on the Al-Sahafa Street, in cooperation and coor- dination with the Cap- ital Control Team of the Electrical Distri- bution Networks Sec- tor and a municipality branch in the Capital Governorate. Al-Shimmari said in a statement to Al-Seyassah dai- ly that this campaign comes within the ongoing campaigns Members of the judicial police team during the campaign. in all northern governorates, which recently targeted the industrial areas, where doz- Prices of sacrifi cial animals up by almost KD3 Part of Minister Al-Mutairi’s meeting with Prince Ali bin Al Hussein. ens of campaigns have been launched since the beginning Kuwait, Jordan seek ways to boost sports cooperation of this year, most notably the Ministry launches ‘sacrifi ce project’, campaign and the comprehen- Kuwait’s Minister of Information sive fi eld survey in the ports and Culture and Minister of State corporation 3 months ago and grants advanced charities licenses for Youth Affairs Abdul Rahman the campaigns in the Abdali Al-Mutairi discussed with the KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Ministry of President of the Jordanian Foot- area. He explained the campaign Social Affairs and Community Develop- Glucophage safe: MoH ball Association Prince Ali bin Al- ment launched the sacrifi ce project for the Hussein ways to enhance cooper- against industrial plots on Al- Sahafa Street came after sev- year 2021, granting advanced charities li- KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Min- ation at the sports level between censes to start collecting ‘sacrifi ce shares’, the two brotherly countries. eral reports were received re- istry of Health stated Glucophage In a press statement that the reports Al-Qabas daily. drugs with all their concentrations garding theft of power through Al-Qabas learned that yesterday some two sides affi rmed, during a illegal electricity connections, used to treat diabetes in Kuwait are meeting held Friday evening, at charities have already launched a portal to safe, reports Al-Qabas daily. which necessitated launching collect sacrifi ce shares, leaving the choice The ministry said in a statement the headquarters of the General of the campaign to identify the Sports Authority, the two coun- of the country and place of the sacrifi ce to on its social networking site Twitter: tries’ keenness to develop sports suspects despite pressures and be offered to those willing to pay. “The Ministry of Health has not is- relations and open more pros- threat the department faced Informed sources said that licenses for sued any decision to withdraw the pects for cooperation to serve “but we continue to perform the sacrifi cial animal project had been drug from pharmacies, health cent- ers or hospitals.” sports work. our duty”. granted to each charity separately, divided The statement stated that the Al-Shimmari indicated the by countries, indicating that the prices of two sides agreed on the need to campaign targeted 65 indus- sacrifi cial animals for this year rose by al- KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Ministry of exchange sports delegations to trial plots, and the violations most 3 dinars from last year. Health stated Glucophage drugs with all gain more experiences, stress- KUNA photos varied between direct power The sources added, the Ministry of So- their concentrations used to treat diabetes ing the need to pay attention to connection (without a meter) athletes and their issues and to Minister Al-Mutairi and Prince Ali bin Al Hussein exchange memorial cial Affairs encourages the implementa- in Kuwait are safe, reports Al-Qabas daily. give them the appropriate sup- shields. to changing the capacity of the tion of sacrifi ce projects inside the country The ministry said in a statement on its port to empower and develop fuses and extensions in viola- through charity societies and food rations social networking site Twitter: “The Minis- them. Association Sheikh Ahmed AlY- danian side, the media advisor tion of the schemes approved are distributed to needy families and work- try of Health has not issued any decision to The meeting was attended by ousef Al-Sabah and his deputy, to the federation, Ghaleb Hijazin. by the Ministry of Electricity ers on Eid days through volunteer associa- withdraw the drug from pharmacies, health the head of the Kuwait Football Ahmed Oqla, and from the Jor- (KUNA) and Water. tions. centers or hospitals.”

Bid to collect bonus Provide frontline workers with IDs, KPC asks affi liate oil cos KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Kuwait Petroleum Corpora- tion (KPC) has asked the affi liated oil companies to provide frontline employees with identifi cation documents to help them collect the front-row bonus, reports Al-Anba daily. The daily added, earlier a list of front line workers was submitted to the KPC, according to oil sources. The sources said the required supporting documents must prove the presence of workers during the business disruption period from March 12, 2020 to May 31, 2020. An internal memo issued by the Kuwait National Petro- leum Company, a copy of which has been obtained by the daily, stated the oil companies are required to provide the KPC with electronic statements of employees (soft copy), and that each employee’s statement complete with his/her job number, no later than the end of the working day, next Monday, June 14, 2021. Bid to check exam papers MoE starts ‘procedures’ for disbursing fi nancial reward

KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Ministry of Education has started the procedures for disbursing the fi nancial reward for those who worked in various committees during the supplementary elections of the National Assembly in the Fifth Constituency in May, report Al-Anba daily The daily obtained a copy of the decision issued by Minister of Education Dr Ali Al-Mudhaf specifying the amount of the fi nancial reward depending on the position of the benefi ciaries as follows: KD1,500 for the under- secretary and assistant undersecretary; KD1,000 for the administration director, school principal and his assis- tant; KD400 for the supervisor and department head; and KD250 for the engineer and ordinary employee. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has assigned thousands of academic staff to the grade assessment com- mittees tasked to check examination papers at the end of the current academic year, reports Al-Rai daily quoting a source from the educational sector. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 LOCAL 5

Youth Public Authority keen to develop young people’s skills and capabilities ‘Imkan’ platform to provide distance learning courses for youths KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (KUNA): sustainable development for the coun- multiple hobbies, family and society, and Acting Director General of the Youth try and society, adding that the author- entrepreneurship. Public Authority Shafi q AlSayed Omar ity also sought to create an opportunity He stated that these courses will be announced the launch of the electronic for young people to remotely learn and presented by a group of academics and platform ‘Imkan’ starting Sunday, develop the services provided to them specialists in these fi elds and will be in- which allows young people to par- in this regard due to the circumstances teractive, explaining that each partici- ticipate in training courses remotely in of COVID-19 pandemic. pant in any training course on the plat- various fi elds of youth interest. Regarding this project, the Deputy form, which he will choose according Omar told Kuwait News Agency Director-General of the Youth Develop- to his desire, will receive an approved Saturday that the launch of this plat- ment Sector at the Authority, Mishaal Al- certifi cate of participation to benefi t form comes under the directives of the Subaie, explained in a similar statement Minister of Information and Culture to KUNA that the platform will start its from in the future. and Minister of State for Youth Affairs work by broadcasting 23 training courses He called on young people to partic- Abdul Rahman Al-Mutairi, which aims in the fi rst phase, and that it will hold oth- ipate in the platform by registering at to invest the youth’s time during the er courses in succession. Al-Subaie indi- the authority’s website www.ypa.gov. summer vacation for their benefi t, their cated that these activities will develop the kw, then entering the Imkan platform society and their country, skills of the youth participants in various and creating a personal account by en- He stressed the authority’s keenness fi elds, the most important of which are tering the basic and offi cial data of the to develop young people and develop leadership and self-development, science participant and choosing the appropri- their skills and capabilities to achieve and technology, culture and literature, ate training course for them. Shafi q AlSayed Omar Mishaal Al-Subaie Bureau seeks to evaluate local ‘higher education’ institutions Bid to apply quality standards set by authority

KUWAIT CITY, June 12: In a step considered as the fi rst of its kind, a recent meeting of the Embassy of the Philippines Board of Directors of the Na- tional Bureau for Academic Ac- creditation and Education Qual- ity Assurance (NBAQ) ended with a decision to start evaluat- ‘Unity and healing’ Defense Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Environment Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah during the visit. ing local higher education insti- tutions, and applying the quality Message of H.E. Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot, standards set by the authority on Ambassador of the Republic of the them, reports Al-Qabas daily. Philippines to the State of Kuwait Two memoranda of understanding On Philippine Independence Day between the NBAQ and the Quality 2021 Assurance Agency for Higher Education ❑ ❑ ❑ in the United Kingdom (QAA), and the wish to express my warmest greet- Education and Training Evaluation Iings to the 220,000-strong Filipino Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Community in Kuwait on the 123rd Arabia (ETEC) were reviewed during anniversary of the Proclamation of the meeting in order to use the two bod- Philippine Independence. It has been ies to train the staff of the bureau and to 123 years since General Emilio Agu- also consider the possibility of using inaldo declared independence from external arbitrators from both sides to Spain, paving the way for the estab- evaluate local institutions according to lishment of Asia’s fi rst republic. the standards of the national body. While we take stock of the free- doms that we now cherish, this day Praised also reminds us of our continuing H.E. Philippine Ambassador Mohd. The Minister of Oil and Minister of Higher struggle to be free from the Corona- Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot Education Dr. Muhammad Al-Faris praised virus Disease. It is through bayani- the efforts of the bureau in improving the han, the collective will and action of the Philippines and Kuwait have quality of higher education and its keenness the Filipino people, that today’s cele- been cordial and friendly as the two to support the local labor market with high bration carries the theme: “Kalayaan countries are continuously endeav- Defense Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Environment Sheikh Hamad Jaber and homogeneous academic inputs either 2021: Spirit of Freedom in Unity and oring together in taking signifi cant Al-Ali Al-Sabah during the meeting. from inside or outside Kuwait in order to National Healing.” steps to further boost and strengthen enhance Kuwait’s competitiveness globally their diplomatic relations. in line with the vision of 2035. I take this opportunity to express my sincere and profound appre- The Philippines-Kuwait Agree- He insisted that the quality of education ment on the Employment of Domes- and the requirements of sound educational ciation to His Highness The Amir, attainment require setting the necessary con- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber tic Workers was signed in Kuwait in trols and procedures to ensure their achieve- Al-Sabah, and the Government of May 2018 to protect the rights and ment in educational institutions that meet the State of Kuwait for their continu- promote the welfare of Filipino do- international standards, affirming that this is ous hospitality extended to almost a mestic workers. Three years on, we what the bureau has been doing in its various quarter of a million Overseas Fili- hope to live up to the noble intentions councils by issuing decisions and setting pinos who have made Kuwait their of this agreement, including the full procedures aimed at leading the process of second home, especially during the implementation of the new Standard improving higher education in Kuwait and pandemic. Contract for Domestic Workers. assessing its qualitative level. In April 2020, the Philippines be- The friendly relations between the The minister said the bureau also supports came the fi rst country that benefi ted Philippines and Kuwait will always local higher education institutions to reach a from the Kuwaiti government’s am- remain strong based on trust, confi - regional leadership position, and identifies dence, and mutual cooperation. higher education institutions outside Kuwait nesty program for undocumented in terms of the quality that allows the accred- residents, bringing home more than I express my faith that the Philip- itation of the qualifications of its graduates. 2,200 Filipinos. In December 2020, pines and Kuwait, linked by histori- In a press statement issued after the meeting, when the Kuwaiti government rolled cal and people-to-people ties, could the Director General of the agency Dr. Hamad out its COVID-19 vaccination pro- overcome any issue and would con- Al-Adwani explained that the aforementioned gram, among the fi rst who received tinue to work together to achieve our memoranda of understanding were presented, their shots are Filipino front liners. mutual goals and interests. whereby QAA and ETEC will be used for Since the opening of diplomatic May the Almighty continue to bless training employees of NBAQ and other educa- ties in 1979, the relations between the Philippines and Kuwait. Mabuhay! tional institutions in the country on academic accreditation processes. Virtual workshops will KUNA photos be used for the training purpose. At the end of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Public Authority and Director General Sheikh the training program, a certificate of training Abdullah Ahmad Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah briefs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah on the nature of quality reference or training quality practitio- the work and tasks of the authority. ner will be granted. Revealed He revealed that the most important devel- opments in academic standards and evalua- Defense minister visits EPA tion controls were discussed, in addition to the lists of accredited universities and the latest studies and recommendations issued by the competent committees regarding ‘Preserving natural resources key updating the lists of higher education institu- tions in the Gulf Cooperation Council coun- tries. He affirmed that the bureau took the to achieving development goals’ appropriate decisions in this regard. Dr. Al-Adwani concluded by praising the KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (KUNA): Depu- the Board of Directors and Director Gen- constructive and fruitful cooperation and con- ty Prime Minister and Minister of Defense eral of the authority, Sheikh Abdullah tinuous coordination between NBAQ and the and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Ahmad Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah, about the Ministry of Higher Education, which greatly the Environment Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al- work of the authority and its role in pre- contributed to the continuous improvement of Ali Al-Sabah stressed the need to preserve serving natural resources and environ- academic outputs and keeping pace with natural resources and environmental sys- mental systems. EPA also inspects the Kuwait’s vision regarding the quality of educa- tems in order to achieve sustainable devel- Environmental Compliance Department tion outputs to serve the labor market. opment goals. concerned with environmental disputes, Last month, Minister Al-Faris has called This came in a statement by Sheikh ways to pay violations, and how to deal on the concerned authorities to increase the number of seats available at the external mis- Hamad Jaber Al-Ali, quoted by a press with them. sions and higher education institutions inside statement issued by the General Staff of Meeting the country more than the number of Kuwaiti the Kuwaiti Army Thursday, on the occa- students expected to graduate from high sion of his visit to the Environment Public In the same context, the Environment school in the academic year 2021-2022 from Authority, during which he was briefed Public Authority stated in a press release in the public and private schools. on the nature of the work and tasks of the this regard that Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali authority to implement the state’s policy chaired a meeting of the Supreme Council related to protecting the environment and for the Environment, during which many develop strategies and action plans to pro- environmental issues and issues were dis- tect it. cussed, such as restructuring the Board of Directors of the Environmental Protection Expressed Fund and examining the projects that were Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali expressed implemented through it. his pride in the great role played by the He also discussed the Environmental authority, the efforts and services it pro- Protection Fund’s mandate to supervise vides, and its constant endeavor to spread landfi lls and rehabilitate damaged sites in awareness among members of society and Kuwait and discuss arrangements for pro- to show the importance of preserving the tecting and securing natural reserves. environment and protecting it from pollu- The meeting also touched on the devel- tion and destruction resulting from wrong opment and expansion project of Doha individual and collective practices and be- Port, the two projects of the Doha plant haviors. for the production of electricity and water During the visit, the minister listened distillation, and the development of Sulai- to an explanation from the Chairman of bikhat Bay. Dr Muhammad Al-Faris, Minister of Oil and Minister of Higher Education. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 LOCAL 6

Dr Jaishankar thanks Kuwait leadership for prompt supply of medical assistance India-Kuwait relations rooted in history, have stood test of time By Paul Francis X. Fernandes on strengthening bilateral trade, eco- Kuwait celebrates its 60th anniversary ing Group and a MoU in the domain nomic and commercial engagements. I of its Independence. And as the one of of medical cooperation. We are rein- Arab Times Staff see strong complementarities between the first countries to have recognized vigorating this existing mechanism. KUWAIT CITY, June 12: Tradition- the two countries and look forward to Kuwait’s independence, we celebrate Healthcare is one area which I would ally India and Kuwait are enjoying achieving tangible results. the 60th Anniversary of Establishment call is the low hanging fruit. The time friendly relations, rooted in history and AT: Kuwait recently assisted India of Diplomatic Relations between our is also ripe to explore forging a special have stood the test of time. Over the in its fight against COVID. There was two countries. partnership in the healthcare domain ages, geographic proximity, histori- commitment from the Kuwaiti leader- This year is also the year where we as we battle the ongoing pandemic to- cal trade links, cultural affinities and ship to ensure all possible assistance have launched the 2-year long celebra- gether. I am well aware of the excel- presence of large number of Indians in be delivered to India. How do you de- tions of the 75th Anniversary of Inde- lent work being done by Indian medi- Kuwait have continued to sustain and scribe this special gesture? pendence of India. Such confluence is cal professionals, including doctors, nurture this long-standing relationship. Dr Jaishankar: Like I mentioned a rare occurrence; and therefore it must nurses and other para-medical staff in The Indian Minister of External Af- earlier, relations between India and be celebrated in an appropriate man- Kuwait. India is a leading destination fairs Dr S. Jaishankar paid a three-day Kuwait are millennia old. They are ner. When I say celebrations, I do not for healthcare in the world. India’s ex- – June 9-11 – visit to Kuwait during deep rooted, anchored in strong peo- just mean festivals; I am talking in a pertise, talent reservoir and world class which he held high level talks with ple-to-people relations and have been broader manner. offerings in this domain are notewor- high-level Kuwaiti officials, including sustained and nourished by civiliza- We have just upgraded our institu- thy. Our two sides have already started a meeting with HH the Prime Minister tional affinities and vibrant exchanges tional engagement architecture; I look discussing further enhancing collabo- Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- at all levels. We have been standing by forward to increased official interac- ration in this important field. Sabah and Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser each other’s side at all times. tions which will be a celebration of the AT: How do you see India’s current Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Minister of Last year, during the peak of the strength of our institutional engage- and long-term role in the region; and Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for first wave of COVID crisis, India had ments. We are creating a new economic also in the world as a major geopoliti- Cabinet Affairs and also announced Dr Jaishankar speaking to the Arab Times. responded to Kuwait’s call for help chapter with the launch of Aatmanirb- co-economic power? the establishment of an upgraded Joint by dispatching a 15-member medical har Bharat Mission and other flagship Dr Jaishankar: This region is In- Ministerial Commission. mational change in the way we engage. Kuwait. I held bilateral talks with my team to augment the healthcare infra- programs of Government of India as dia’s extended neighborhood. The The minister during the visit also The upgraded Joint Ministerial Com- counterpart His Excellency Sheikh structure of this country. In February part of a vision to build a New India. region, and its peace and stability, thanked the Kuwaiti authorities for mission in that sense is a reinvigorated Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed earlier this year, India again imme- Kuwait is charting its own Vision of has from times immemorial been and Kuwait’s prompt supply of medical tool that will help us deliver to the Al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs diately dispatched 200,000 doses of New Kuwait, one which has diversifi- will continue to remain crucial for the assistance to fight the second wave of aims and aspirations of the leadership of State of Kuwait. We had a compre- Made-in-India Covishield vaccine to cation of the economy at its core. progress and the development of our Covid-19 pandemic in India. Dr Jais- and the peoples of our two countries. hensive dialogue touching upon every Kuwait. I look forward to increased business country. hankar spoke to the Arab Times in an AT: Can you describe your visit aspect of our bilateral partnership. I am When we went through the second collaborations, trade events, and bilat- We have shared views on many of exclusive interview. to Kuwait? Can you give a brief dis- glad that we signed the Memorandum wave in India, we in turn benefited eral visits of high level business del- the global issues, be it our commit- Arab Times: During your visit the cussion of meetings with Kuwaiti of- of Understanding (MoU) on domestic from Kuwait’s generosity. It was one egations from both sides and a whole ment to reform the world order to re- establishment of an upgraded Joint ficials. workers. of the first and largest foreign suppli- lot more; this is what I would call flect the realities of the 21st century Ministerial Commission was an- Dr Jaishankar: This is my first vis- The MoU, I believe is a significant ers of medical oxygen during this cri- celebration of the partnership of the and our keenness to work together to nounced. What does it mean to the it to this beautiful and friendly country development which will help in further sis period. I am extremely grateful to future. And of course, we have cen- address contemporary challenges such relationship? of Kuwait. I have been received with streamlining manpower recruitment. the leadership of the State of Kuwait. turies of shared civilizational history, as the Covid-19 pandemic, climate Dr S. Jaishankar: Our bilateral re- so much warmth and affection, I am I am excited to carry forward all the There was never a moment of hesi- so I would like to see celebrations in change, sustainable development and lationship is age old and time tested. touched and honored. I had excellent substantive and I must say progres- tancy. This signifies the strength and the domain of culture, art, sports and a terrorism. We will continue to work Over the course of centuries, it has ma- official engagements yesterday with sive discussions we have had during depth of our relationship. plethora of other areas. closely with our partners in the region tured into a deep dynamic partnership. the leadership of the country. I had a the talks. AT: This year marks the 60th year AT: Indian healthcare sector is and deepen our engagement across all We have created institutional architec- call on His Highness Sheikh Sabah There is so much enthusiasm on of the establishment of diplomatic re- world renowned; we have many Indian spheres. tures to engage in a systematic manner Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime both sides to catapult this relationship lations between India and Kuwait. Do medical professionals working here in As far India’s role at the global stage and collaborate in various spheres of Minister of the State of Kuwait. I hand- to a significantly higher level. His Ex- you have any special plans on this im- Kuwait. Is there any scope to explore a is concerned, we will continue to be a mutual importance. However, given ed over a letter to him from Hon’ble cellency Dr. Abdullah Issa Al Salman, portant milestone? special partnership in this domain? major pillar of the rebalanced interna- the tremendous latent scope that exists Prime Minister of India addressed to Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Jaishankar: We have a conflu- Dr Jaishankar: Yes, definitely. tional world order across the political in our partnership, we need a transfor- His Highness the Amir of the State of also participated in the discussions ence of milestones this year. This year We also have an existing Joint Work- and economic domains. India and Kuwait initial MoU on domestic workers’ recruitment New Joint Working Groups eyed

KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (Agencies): During the recent visit of India’s External Af- fairs Minister to Dr. S. Jais- Signing of the MoU hankar to Kuwait to enhance high level political exchanges in the context of 60th anni- US envoy meets VO team versary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Kuwait, a Memo- VO’s Creative Hub set to randum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed be- welcome Kuwaiti talents tween both sides within the KUWAIT CITY, June 12: In the pres- – to meet Kuwait’s objectives under ambit of a legal framework ence of Her Excellency Sheikha Ohoud Vision 2035. The U.S. Department of which streamlines the re- Salem Al Ali Sabah, Chairman of VO, State offers many initiatives and ex- cruitment of domestic work- Alina L. Romanowski, U.S. Ambassa- change programs that can support Ku- dor to Kuwait, and Ms. Riham Al Ayyar, wait’s creative capital. Programs like ers, says a press release is- CEO of VO, the fi rst Kuwait-based in- American Film Showcase and Arts sued by the embassy. tegrated youth platform for incubating Envoy bring U.S. and Kuwaiti artists, The employment contract ensures young talents, has softly launched its all- fi lmmakers, and musicians together for the rights and obligations of both the inclusive, fully equipped, and high-tech collaborations and trainings that help Creative Hub. The studios will offi cially Kuwait’s youth build their skills and employer and the domestic workers be inaugurated to welcome Kuwaiti tal- gain international exposure for their and establishes a mechanism for 24 ents on 20 June 2021. work,” the U.S. Ambassador said. hours assistance to the employees of The U.S. Ambassador’s visit to Discussing the potential opportu- this denomination. It provides for the VO’s Creative Hub included an ex- nities of collaboration between VO establishment of a joint committee clusive tour at the hub’s studios and a and the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, the for periodic review and assressment meeting between VO’s team and the CEO of VO, Ms. Riham Al Ayyar, and to follow up the implementation U.S. Embassy’s Commercial Offi cer, explained that VO is unlike any other of the MoU which will conduct an- Deputy Counselor for Economic Af- youth platform. VO is building an up- nual meetings. fairs, and staff members. coming generation that is equipped to The MoU was signed on behalf of “The idea of VO came in light of our go beyond borders and challenge all India by Ambassador of India to Ku- strong belief that Kuwait possesses so the constraints of Kuwait’s develop- wait Sibi George and on the part of many hidden talents and gifts that need to ment. “Our goal is to open a gateway Kuwait Deputy Minister for Foreign be unleashed and given the opportunity of opportunities for Kuwaiti youth Affairs of Kuwait Majdi Ahmad Al- to grow. Kuwait is more than capable through collaborations with local and Dhafi ri put his initial on the document of positioning itself globally and diver- international entities so we can start that will facilitate the employment of sifying its economy through its younger exporting our talents to the global mar- Indian domestic workers in Kuwait. generations. Our country’s resources are ket,” stressed Ms. Al Ayyar. The MoU was signed in the pres- way beyond oil and gas. Kuwaiti youth VO, the integrated youth platform KUNA photos ence of Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser are capable, they are full of talents, and and Kuwait’s fi rst talent incubator, Top: Part of the EPA team’s inspection tour. Above left and right: Birds on the island of Kubbar. Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Minister of can support the renaissance of Kuwait,” was founded in July 2020 as result of a Foreign Affairs and Minister of State stated H.E. Sheikha Ohoud Al Sabah, fruitful collaboration between Sheikha Birds help maintain ecological balance: Dr Al-Zaidan for Cabinet Affairs, State of Kuwait Chairman of VO. Ohoud Al Sabah and Riham Al Ayyar and Dr S. Jaishankar. During their meeting, the U.S. Am- aiming to empower local talents and Kuwait and Indian has agreed to bassador praised the efforts of VO and position them in the global market. hold the fi rst meeting of the India- the potential of Kuwaiti youth and stat- The platform has already broken EPA determined to protect islands, biodiversity Kuwait Joint Commission Meeting ed: “We’re excited to hear about VO the record in supporting multiple Ku- Studio’s new model of inspiring young waiti talents, including the production KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (KUNA): later this year and also to set dates for early meetings of the Joint Working people and supporting them through of a song bringing Kuwait talents and The Environment Public Authority the journey of their own creativity,” prominent celebrities, called ‘BRA- (EPA) said it is keen and determined Groups on Health, Hydrocarbon and Manpower. The two sides also agreed said Ambassador Romanowski. “It’s VO’, that crossed above 13M views on to carry out inspection tours of the Ku- important for countries to create con- YouTube in a week. waiti islands periodically during the to set up new Joint Working Groups in other areas of cooperation. ditions where entrepreneurship and VO provides an academic program weekend, especially the islands that innovation are possible. This is where for Kuwaiti youth to identify and the people frequent during the summer On Thursday, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser the creative industries can play a key nurture their talents, an all-inclusive such as Kubbar, Qaruh and Umm Al- role,” she added. creative hub to empower and express Maradem to follow up on the situation Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah hailed the “depth” of his country’s ties with In- “As a global leader in innova- their ideas, and a ‘smart’ app to pro- of these islands. dia, saying bilateral relations remain tion and entrepreneurship, the United mote their creative productions on a The EPA said raising awareness of on an upward trajectory. States is working to help Kuwait har- seamless, high-tech and effi cient digi- the visitors to the island is of prime Against the backdrop of the 60th ness its greatest resource – its youth tal platform. importance to protect the islands from anniversary of the establishment of environmental damage and their natu- diplomatic ties, the Kuwaiti foreign ral components, calling this a shared minister, amid talks with his Indian social responsibility. counterpart S Jaishankar, said relations Deputy Director-General for Tech- have made tremendous progress across nical Affairs at the EPA, Dr. Abdul- KUNA photo numerous fi elds. lah Al-Zaidan, told the Kuwait News EPA team tours Kuwait’s islands. As the world’s second most popu- Agency (KUNA), Friday, that the lous nation fi ghts an upsurge in coro- authority is carrying out these inspec- endangered species. island of Kubbar. navirus cases, fueled by an indigenous tion tours in cooperation with the He explained the authority recently He stated in July 2001, about four variant, the Indian minister said New concerned authorities to implement documented the nesting of terns (a tern thousand birds were recorded in the Delhi appreciates the copious amounts the environmental protection law, is a seabird related to the gulls, typically hatchery in Kubbar, and indicated of aid it has received from Kuwait to whereby the islands are inspected and smaller and more slender, with long these birds travel thousands of kilome- help cushion the blow from the pan- the encroachments on the coasts and pointed wings and a forked tail) in coop- ters, thus linking ecosystems in differ- demic. underwater are monitored to ensure eration with the EPA ‘lens team’ on the ent parts of the world, where they feed Matters such as healthcare and food the safety of coral and living creatures. Kubbar Island, where they are found in on fi sh and crustaceans. security were among the focal points Dr. Al-Zaidan added the EPA is abundance and are considered one of the Dr. Al-Zaidan stressed the impor- of the talks, which also covered re- currently working to evaluate the en- most important habitats in Kuwait. tance of preserving these birds, whose gional and international happenings, vironmental conditions on the islands He mentioned there are three species presence helps to maintain the ecologi- with both sides seeing more room for and will soon monitor and document of terns that inhabit the island in the cal balance due to their role in transfer- cooperation in crucial sectors such as sea turtles in order to preserve them summer from May to August, -- Leg- ring seeds and nutrients from one place trade and investment. and their sustainability, and to edu- ma, white-cheeked and small crested to another and help preserve the envi- The talks also yielded a deal for the cate the public in general and visitors -- indicating that these birds migrate to ronment of these islands to ensure the recruitment of domestic labor from to these islands in particular about the Kuwait in March and then leave south sustainability of the existence of these India, one of many agreements that importance of co-existing with these at the beginning of September, and few types of birds and the preservation of typify the growing proximity between Sheikha Ohoud Salem Al Ali Sabah, Chairman of VO, Alina L. Romanows- creatures since they form part of the of them are seen in the winter on the biodiversity. the two countries. ki, U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, and Ms. Riham Al Ayyar, CEO of VO. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

G-7

‘Belt and Road Initiative’ Biden urges G-7 leaders to ‘compete’ with China CARBIS BAY, England, June 12, (AP): Leaders of the world’s largest economies unveiled an infrastructure plan Saturday for the developing world to compete with China’s global initiatives, but there was no immediate consensus on how forcefully to call out Beijing over human rights abuses. Citing China for its forced labor practices is part of Presi- dent Joe Biden’s campaign to persuade fellow democratic leaders to present a more unifi ed front to compete economi- cally with Beijing. But while they agreed to work toward competing against China, there was less unity on how ad- versarial a public position the group should take. Canada, the United Kingdom and France largely en- dorsed Biden’s position, while Germany, Italy and the Eu- ropean Union showed more hesitancy during Saturday’s fi rst session of the Group of Seven summit, according to a senior Biden administration offi cial. The offi cial who briefed reporters was not authorized to publicly dis- cuss the private meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity. Biden held talks with France’s Em- manuel Macron, who said coopera- tion was needed on a range of issues and told the American president that “it’s great to have a U.S. president part of the club and very willing to cooperate.” Relations between the al- Trump lies had become strained during the four years of Donald Trump’s presidency and his “Amer- ica fi rst” foreign policy. Biden also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel From left, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President of the European Council Charles Michel, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide in between Saturday’s G-7 sessions, according to photo- Suga, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron, President of the European Commission Ursula graphs her spokesperson tweeted. Merkel is scheduled to von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during the leaders offi cial welcome and family photo in Carbis Bay England on Friday, June 11, 2021. (AP) meet with Biden at the White House next month. White House offi cials have said Biden wants the leaders of the G-7 nations - the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Ger- Britain many, Japan and Italy - to speak in a single voice against forced labor practices targeting China’s Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities. Biden hopes the denunciation will be part of a joint statement to be released Sunday when the summit ends, but some European allies are reluctant to Elizabeth II honors key women in vaccine drive split so forcefully with Beijing. China had become one of the more compelling sublots of the wealthy nations’ summit, their fi rst since 2019. Last After charming leaders, Queen views parade year’s gathering was canceled because of COVID-19, and LONDON, June 12, (AP): Fresh whose funeral also took place at Wind- vaccines, running clinical trials, deliv- recovery from the pandemic is dominating this year’s dis- from charming leaders at the Group sor Castle. ering testing and tracking coronavirus cussions, with leaders expected to commit to sharing at of Seven summit, Queen Elizabeth II Though she has been mourning the infections. The selfless work of people least 1 billion vaccine shots with struggling countries. was back at her residence at Windsor loss of her husband of 73 years, the to help others during the pandemic, The allies also took the fi rst steps in presenting an in- Castle on Saturday to view a military queen has carried on performing her from running free taxis for key work- frastructure proposal called “Build Back Better for the parade to mark her official birthday. duties, including delivering a govern- ers to making bottles of hand sanitizer, World,” a name echoing Biden’s campaign slogan. The The 95-year-old monarch sat on a dais ment-scripted speech to mark the new was also recognized by the 95-year-old plan calls for spending hundreds of billions of dollars in to watch the ceremony that despite ongo- session of parliament. monarch. collaboration with the private sector while adhering to cli- ing social distancing restrictions did not On Friday, she was the star turn at Of the 1,129 people receiving hon- mate standards and labor practices. disappoint on the pomp and pageantry a reception with the G-7 leaders and ors, 62% are being recognized for Projects front. If she was tired after meeting G-7 their spouses at the Eden Project, a fu- community work, with nearly a quarter leaders, including U.S. President Joe turistic botanical garden housed inside recommended for their activities dur- It’s designed to compete with China’s trillion-dollar Biden, on Friday evening, it didn’t show. domes that features the world’s largest ing the pandemic. “Belt and Road Initiative,” which has launched a network The ceremony is a gift from the indoor rainforest. One of those was 25-year-old Rhys of projects and maritime lanes that snake around large por- Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II during a Household Division of army regi- She drew laughter from her guests Mallows, who was awarded a British tions of the world, primarily Asia and Africa. Critics say ceremony to mark her offi cial birth- ments, which has a close affinity with Empire Medal for helping to repurpose day at Windsor Castle, Windsor, as she chided them during a group China’s projects often create massive debt and expose na- England, Saturday, June 12, 2021. the monarch. It featured soldiers who photo session: “Are you supposed to Mallows Bottling, a Welsh firm, to tions to undue infl uence by Beijing. In line with government advice The have played an integral role in the CO- be looking as if you’re enjoying your- produce more than one million bottles Britain also wants the world’s democracies to become Queen’s Birthday Parade, also known VID-19 response, as well as those who self?” of hand sanitizer following a deal with less reliant on the Asian economic giant. The U.K. gov- as Trooping The Colour, will not go have been serving on military opera- forefront a Scottish distiller. He estimates that ernment said Saturday’s discussions would tackle “how ahead in its traditional form. (AP) tions. She was seen beaming from ear around 81 million hands have been we can shape the global system to deliver for our people to ear as the nine planes of the Royal Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II sanitized. in support of our values,” including by diversifying supply Air Force’s Red Arrows flew past in used her birthday honors list to cel- “We’re not scientists, but we really chains that currently heavily depend on China. formation and let loose their red, white ebrate those at the forefront of the felt that if we can give people little and blue smoke. U.K.’s rapid rollout of COVID-19 vac- bullets to protect themselves, then it’d Not every European power has viewed China in as harsh cines over the past few months, which a light as Biden, who has painted the rivalry with China as The traditional Trooping the Color make a big difference,” he said. ceremony is normally staged in Lon- has been credited with turning around Lulu, the veteran singer, was also the defi ning competition for the 21st century. But there are don and features hundreds of service- the country’s pandemic response. awarded a CBE alongside keyboardist some signs that Europe is willing to impose greater scru- men and women and thousands of Two of the most high-profile women and songwriter Rick Wakeman, whose tiny. spectators. However, for the second in the vaccination drive, Professor Sarah career has seen him collaborate with a Before Biden took offi ce in January, the European Com- year running, that was not possible and Gilbert of the University of Oxford, and varied bunch - from David Bowie to mission announced it had come to terms with Beijing on a it was a slimmed-down affair in the venture capitalist Kate Bingham, the Black Sabbath. deal meant to provide Europe and China with greater ac- grounds of Windsor Castle, which is former head of the U.K. Vaccines Task- The youngest recipient was 21-year- cess to each other’s markets. The Biden administration had around 27 miles (44 kilometers) west force, have been recognized with dame- old Amika George, founder of the hoped to have consultations on the pact. Johnson Chacon of the capital. hoods in the list published late Friday. FreePeriods campaign, who was made But the deal has been put on hold, and the European Dubbed a mini Trooping the Col- Gilbert was instrumental in the de- an MBE for services to education after Union in March announced sanctions targeting four Chi- or, it featured soldiers in ceremonial velopment of the vaccine being manu- campaigning against period poverty. nese offi cials involved with human rights abuses in Xinji- scarlet coats and bearskin hats. The factured by pharmaceutical company Among the oldest recipients was ang. Beijing responded with penalties on several members America servicemen and women on parade AstraZeneca, while Bingham has been 95-year-old Sylvia McKeegan, who of the European Parliament and other Europeans critical of numbered almost 275, with 70 horses, widely lauded for the country’s suc- was honored with a BEM for her de- compared with the 85 soldiers who cessful vaccine procurement program. cades of support for the elderly, new the Chinese Communist Party. YouTube suspends Sen. Johnson: Sen. Biden administration offi cials see an opportunity to take took part in the ceremony last summer. Though the U.K. has seen Europe’s mothers, and children in Londonderry, Ron Johnson was suspended Friday from up- highest virus-related death toll, with concrete action to speak out against China’s reliance on loading videos to YouTube for one week, after A small handful of seated guests lined Northern Ireland. forced labor as an “affront to human dignity.” the company said he violated its COVID-19 part of the quadrangle - a change from nearly 128,000 people having lost Siblings John Brownhill and Aman- While calling out China in the G-7 communique would “medical misinformation policies.” last year when only the military were their lives, the vaccination program da Guest were also awarded the British not create any immediate penalties for Beijing, one senior The Wisconsin Republican’s removal present. has been deemed as one of the world’s Empire Medal for setting up Food- stems from statements he made during a The ceremony originated from tradi- speediest and most coherent rollouts. 4Heroes, which delivered more than administration offi cial said the action would send a mes- tional preparations for battle. The col- In December, a 90-year-old British 200,000 meals to the National Health sage that the leaders were serious about defending human June 3 Milwaukee Press Club event, which were posted to YouTube. He criticized the ors - or flags - were “trooped,” or car- grandmother became the first person Service. rights and working together to eradicate the use of forced Trump and Biden administrations for “not ried down the lines of soldiers, so they in the world to be given the Pfizer “You see in a time of crisis the labor. only ignoring but working against robust re- could be seen and recognized in battle. vaccine outside of a trial. Since then, strengths of humanity I think”, Brown- An estimated 1 million people or more - most of them search (on) the use of cheap, generic drugs Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone, who around 61% of the U.K. population hill said. Uyghurs - have been confined in reeducation camps in to be repurposed for early treatment of planned the queen’s official birth- has received at least one dose of vac- The honors list is also a record- China’s western Xinjiang region in recent years, ac- COVID,” the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel day celebrations in Windsor Castle’s cine, while about 43% has had two. breaking one in terms of diversity, cording to researchers. Chinese authorities have been reported. quadrangle, said he wanted to create a The rollout, which has primarily been with 15% of recipients from an ethnic accused of imposing forced labor, systematic forced A YouTube spokesperson said: “We “memorable and uplifting day” for the based on age, was earlier this week ex- minority background. Meanwhile, 9% birth control, torture and separating children from in- removed the video in accordance with our monarch. tended to 25- to 29-year-olds. of those honored had a disability and carcerated parents. COVID-19 medical misinformation poli- The ceremony took place a cou- Also honored are a multitude of spe- 5% identified as LGBT. More women, Beijing rejects allegations that it is committing crimes. cies, which don’t allow content that encour- ple of months after the death of her cialists from across the scientific com- 50.2%, than men feature on the list, for ages people to use Hydroxychloroquine or 99-year-old husband Prince Philip, munity for their efforts in developing the first time since 2015. The G-7 leaders also hope three days of meetings at a Ivermectin to treat or prevent the virus.” seaside resort in southwestern England will help energize The company’s policy says it doesn’t al- the global economy and sharpen a focus on combating low content that spreads medical misinfor- seph Chacon said at a 4 a.m. news confer- “Our offi cers responded very quickly,” The reenactment was scheduled for June climate change. The leaders planned to attend a barbecue mation contradicting local health authorities ence. He said investigators were examining the interim chief said. “They were able to 19 - the traditional commemoration date of Saturday night, complete with toasted marshmallows, hot or the World Health Organization’s infor- surveillance video and other evidence, and immediately begin life-saving measures for the emancipation of enslaved people in the buttered rum and a performance by a sea shanty troupe. mation about COVID-19.Johnson blasted he asked anyone with information about the many of these patients, including applica- United States, known as “Juneteenth.” Protesters the website. (AP) shooting to contact the police. tions of tourniquets; applications of chest Offi cials in Mecklenburg County said ❑ ❑ ❑ The gunfi re erupted just before 1:30 a.m. seals.” (AP) via Twitter on Friday that the performances Hundreds of environmental protesters took to the Cor- along 6th Street, a popular area fi lled with ❑ ❑ ❑ at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, which nish seaside early Saturday in a bid to draw the attention US closes Trump-era offi ce: The Biden administration said Friday it has dismantled a bars and restaurants. At the time, the street among other things would have portrayed to climate issues. A crowd of surfers, kayakers and swim- was barricaded to keep out vehicle traffi c, Event on ‘Juneteenth’ canceled: Of- Confederate soldiers lamenting the down- Trump-era government offi ce to help victims fi cials in North Carolina have denounced mers gathered on a beach in Falmouth for a mass “paddle of crimes committed by immigrants, a move Chacon said. fall of the Confederacy, would not take plans - now canceled - by a historic museum out protest” organized by Surfers Against Sewage, a group that symbolizes President Joe Biden’s rejection Eleven of the wounded were taken to one place as previously announced. campaigning for more ocean protections. of former President Donald Trump’s repeated local hospital and the other two were taken to put on a reenactment of a white slave “We immediately reached out to the or- British Prime Minister Johnson opened the summit on efforts to link immigrants to crime. to other hospitals, the chief said. owner being pursued by Union soldiers. ganizers and the event was cancelled,” the Friday by warning that the world must not repeat errors of Trump created the Victim Of Immigration tweet said. the past 18 months , or those made during the recovery from Crime Engagement Offi ce, known by its ac- The county said it has “zero tolerance” for ronym VOICE, by executive order during his programming that does not represent equity the 2008 global fi nancial crisis. If not, he said the pandemic and diversity. As a result, the county said it was “risks being a lasting scar” that entrenched inequalities. fi rst week in offi ce in January 2017. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce- reviewing its contract with the facility vendor Johnson said the goal of the measures was “to make sure ment said it was replacing VOICE with a regarding future programming. that never again will we be caught unawares.” “more comprehensive and inclusive victim A screen grab from the museum website Brexit was casting a shadow over Johnson’s meetings support system.” showed people were invited to the one-night with European leaders, including Merkel and Macron, VOICE will be replaced by The Victims event to hear stories from a “massa,” or an amid tensions over Britain’s implementation of U.K.-EU Engagement and Services Line, which will actor portraying the owner of an enslaved divorce terms. combine longstanding existing services, person during a time when federal troops Biden ends the trip Wednesday by meeting in Geneva such as methods for people to report abuse were pursuing those who owned slaves. with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The White House announced and mistreatment in immigration detention The word mocks the Black pronunciation of Saturday that they will not hold a joint news conference centers and a notifi cation system for lawyers “master.” (AP) afterward, which removes the opportunity for comparisons and others with a vested interest in immigra- ❑ ❑ ❑ tion cases.The new offi ce will add a service to the availability that followed Trump and Putin’s 2018 for potential recipients of visas designated 2 dead in bus, SUV collision: Two Helsinki summit, in which Trump sided with Moscow over for victims of human traffi cking or violent people were killed and many more injured his own intelligence agencies. Only Biden will address the crimes in the United States. (AP) when an SUV collided with a Greyhound news media after the meeting. ❑ ❑ ❑ bus Friday on Interstate 65 in northwestern Putin, in an interview with NBC News, said the U.S.- Indiana, police said. Russia relationship had “deteriorated to its lowest point in Attacker wounds 13 in Austin: Some- The driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe lost one opened fi re in a busy entertainment control while traveling south on the inter- recent years.” district in downtown Austin early Saturday, state when the vehicle was sideswiped by a He added that while Trump was a “talented” and “color- wounding 13 people, including two criti- Mazda Miata. ful” person, Biden was a “career man” in politics, which cally, before getting away, authorities said. US First Lady Jill Biden meets military surfers and their families in Newlyn, Corn- The Tahoe then crossed the median and has “some advantages, some disadvantages, but there will Investigators were looking into what wall, England, on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Saturday, June 12, 2021. Jill collided with the bus in the northbound not be any impulse-based movements” by the U.S. presi- sparked the shooting and weren’t able to Biden met with veterans, fi rst responders and family members of Bude Surf Vet- lanes, state police said. dent. get a detailed description of the shooter, but erans, a Cornwall-based volunteer organization that provides social support and Two people in the Tahoe were killed. they believe it was a man, Police Chief Jo- surfi ng excursions for veterans, fi rst responders and their families. (AP) Their names were not released. (AP) Amazon now says remote work OK 2 days a week

Corporate and tech employ- each year. work. other large tech companies. ees at Amazon won’t have to Amazon’s work policy up- Most Amazon employees Google said last month that In this fi le photo, the work in offi ces full time after date follows backlash from will start heading back to of- it expected roughly 60% of its Amazon campus outside coronavirus restrictions are some employees to what they fi ces as soon as local jurisdic- workforce to come into the of- the company headquar- lifted. interpreted as the expectation tions fully reopen - July 1 in fi ce a few days a week, and ters in Seattle sits nearly The Seattle Times reports they would have to return to Washington state - with the for 20% to work from home full deserted on an otherwise the online retail giant said in a the offi ce full time once states sunny and warm after- majority of workers in offi ces time. Google also gave all em- noon. (AP) company blog post Thursday reopen. by autumn, the company said ployees the option to work re- that those workers can work Some tech companies had previously. motely full time four weeks per remotely two days a week. In launched recruiting cam- Amazon has about 75,000 year. Facebook and Microsoft addition, the employees can paigns that seemed targeted employees in the greater Se- have both said most workers work remotely from a domes- in part at Amazon workers’ attle area. The company’s new can choose to stay remote. tic location for four full weeks dismay over an end to remote remote-work plan is similar to (AP)

Market Movements 11-06-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts SAUDI - Tadawul +6.09 10,796.33 JAPAN - Nikkei -9.83 28,948.73 UK - FTSE 100 +45.88 7,134.06 EGYPT - EGX 30 -64.28 9,977.90 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +30.63 4,126.70 SINGAPORE - Straits Times STI -4.53 3,157.97 UAE - DFM +10.48 2,842.41 PHILIPPINES - All Shares +32.08 6,907.79 INDIA - Sensex +174.29 52,474.76 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 +53.23 48,304.72 Business UK economy edges to pre-virus levels Lockdown eases

LONDON, June 12, (AP): The easing of lockdown restrictions in April helped the Focus shifts to second half British economy grow at its fastest rate since July 2020 and recoup further ground Oil demand to exceed lost during the coronavirus pandemic, of- fi cial fi gures showed Friday. ‘pre-virus’ levels – IEA The Offi ce for National Statistics said the econ- omy grew by 2.3% during April, which saw the By Kamel Al-Harami Independent Oil Analyst Clockwise from left, German Chancellor Angela Merkel Michel, and Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga sit reopening of shops selling non-essential items and and French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime around a table during the G-7 summit at the Carbis Bay a number of other service providers, such as hair- OUT of the blue, the International Energy Agency Minister Boris Johnson, U.S. President Joe Biden, Cana- Hotel in Carbis Bay, St. Ives, Cornwall, England, Friday, dressers, resuming work. Schools were fully open (IEA) has started asking oil producing countries to dian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Italy’s Prime Minister June 11, 2021. Leaders of the G-7 begin their fi rst of three for in-class learning, while pubs and restaurants pump more oil and continue investing in new oil Mario Draghi, European Commission President Ursula days of meetings on Friday, in which they will discuss were able to serve customers outdoors for the whole fields. For the time being, it is not asking to switch von der Leyen, European Council President Charles COVID-19, climate, foreign policy and the economy. (AP) month. to green energy or demanding any minimum or The four nations of the U.K. - England, Scotland, zero production; this indicates the inclination to US Congress could be a hurdle stay with oil for some time. Wales and Northern Ireland - have been lifting lock- This request is coming at a time when the down restrictions in stages after new coronavirus agency was pushing to switch away from oil, and infections fell sharply and vaccines were rolled out with rulings from the European courts for reduced rapidly. carbon emission. The Biden sells G7 on global minimum tax Despite the growth recorded in April, the British same is happening with economy remained 3.7% smaller than it was in February LONDON, June 12, (AP): President upon by countries in the Organization lican on the House Ways and Means the shareholders of Joe Biden might have persuaded some for Economic Cooperation and De- Committee, said GOP lawmakers 2020, before the U.K.’s first virus lockdown. Of the major international of the world’s largest economies to hike velopment and implemented by each would fi ght “tooth and nail” against the major sectors in the economy, only construction was American oil companies taxes on corporations, but the U.S. Con- of them. The president needs other tax. Republicans view lower taxes as above the level it was at on the eve of the pandemic. in terms of the demand gress could be a far tougher sell. countries to back a global minimum encouraging companies to invest and The British economy is expected to regain more to go green and mini- Leaders of the Group of Seven - tax to ensure that his own plans for an hire, putting little stock in Biden’s argu- ground over the summer as remaining restrictions are mize oil and gas invest- which also includes the United King- enhanced one in the U.S. don’t hurt ment that improved infrastructure and lifted. ment. dom, France, Canada, Germany, Italy American businesses. better-educated workers would help in- “Following the historic collapse in spring 2020, The focus is on the and Japan - are in sync with Biden on ”It has the potential to stop the race to crease growth. second half of this year, the U.K. remains on track to return to its pre-pan- whereby demand for oil placing a global minimum tax of at least the bottom,” said Thornton Matheson, a “It is an economic surrender,” Brady demic level by the turn of the year,” said Holger Al-Harami 15% on large companies. The G-7 lead- senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center. said Friday. “President Biden has man- is expected to rise in ers began a three-day summit in Eng- “It would be a huge sea change in the aged to do the impossible -- he has Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank. view of the increased vaccination globally, which land on Friday after their fi nance min- way things have been going in corpo- made it better to be a foreign company “Judging by recent data trends, that could happen could push for demand for almost everything and isters earlier this month endorsed the rate taxes for the last three decades.” and a foreign worker than an American even sooner.” open all countries globally. However, some hic- global tax minimum. The idea of an enhanced global company and an American worker.” Though most sectors of the economy have reopened, cups could emerge from some countries or a new A minimum tax is supposed to halt minimum tax is also an integral part of Senate Republican Leader Mitch there are concerns that the next planned easing for variant may appear. an international race to the bottom for Biden’s domestic agenda, but it faces McConnell of Kentucky has repeatedly England, scheduled for later this month, may have to be For now, the oil price is comfortably at $ 72 per corporate taxation that has led multina- resistance in Congress. said his party will oppose any measures delayed because of a recent spike in new infections barrel and likely to move up. This will prompt tional businesses to book their profi ts in The president has proposed using that undo the 2017 tax cuts signed into largely due to the delta variant that was first identified OPEC-Plus to push for releasing more oils without countries with low tax rates. This ena- a global minimum tax to help fund law by President Donald Trump. in India. any hesitation at any level. It is time to move for- bles them to avoid taxes and encourages his sweeping infrastructure plan. His The 2017 overhaul did create a new ward with more volume and not be concerned countries to slash rates. The minimum budget proposal estimates it could raise way to tax companies’ foreign profi ts The hope is that the rapid rollout of vaccines will dramatically break the link between new infections, about any fallbacks. OPEC and its partners have rate would make it tougher for compa- nearly $534 billion over 10 years, but with what is known as “global intangi- now learned their lesson and can build on it. nies to avoid taxes, and could possibly Republicans say the tax code changes ble low-taxed income.” Congressional hospitalizations and deaths. So far, the evidence sug- The current oil stock is estimated to be below supplant a digital services tax that many would make the United States less com- Democrats said that framework encour- gests that a large proportion of the people being the five-year average, and the demand could reach European nations are imposing on U.S. petitive in a global economy. aged fi rms to invest in foreign coun- infected are in younger age groups, many of which 99 million by the end of this year. This of course tech fi rms that pay at low rates. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen tries, instead of at home. have yet to receive a first dose. depends on the on-target implementation of the Biden administration offi cials be- framed the agreement as a matter of ba- Biden has proposed raising that rate Under the government’s plan for ending lockdown vaccination campaigns in all countries with the lieve the use of overseas tax havens has sic fairness after the fi nance ministers’ to 21% among other changes to the measures, social distancing restrictions are set to be help of American and other companies that manu- discouraged companies from investing meeting. code. The administration views the lifted on June 21, which would be a particular boon to facture the COVID-19 vaccines. domestically, at a cost to the middle “We need to have stable tax systems G-7’s 15% as a fl oor rather than a ceil- businesses such as pubs and cinemas. They are cur- Iran will definitely be on the map and aims to class. The president hopes a G-7 en- that raise suffi cient revenue to invest in ing for rates. But the G-7’s plan var- increase its current production from today’s 2.5 dorsement can serve as a springboard essential public goods and respond to ies from what Biden has proposed and rently operating with capacity limits to meet the need to keep people apart. million to 4 million by the end of first quarter of for getting buy-in from the larger Group crises and ensure that all citizens and there are details to be fi nalized, with tax 2022, provided there is progress in its relations of 20 complement of nations. corporations fairly share the burden of experts noting that there appear to be British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to announce Monday whether the next easing will take with the USA, and how soon it can reach an ami- The agreement is not a fi nished deal, fi nancing government,” she said. gaps in rates and the treatment of assets cable settlement, which is currently happening. as the terms would need to be agreed Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, top Repub- such as buildings and equipment. place. Oil is on the right track ... OPEC Plus is learning and adding new lessons to manage supply... And experts are eyeing a level of $80 a barrel. What is Kuwait going to do with better and improved oil prices? Anything! ❑ ❑ ❑ Email: [email protected] Two-year sentence for man convicted of insider trading

SEATTLE, June 12, (AP): A Washington state man who admitted using inside information from his wife about Am- azon to trade the company’s stock has been sentenced to 26 months in prison. Viky Bohra, 37, received the sentence Thursday for ille- gally trading Amazon stock after pleading guilty last year to securities fraud, said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman. Bohra admitted he made profi ts of $1.4 million between 2016 and 2018 with information provided by his wife, Gor- man said. She had access to confi dential information about Ama- zon revenue and expenses and because of her work, the couple was subject to blackout periods when no stock could be traded, prosecutors said. Despite that restriction, Bohra conducted trades during blackout periods, the pros- ecutors said. Bohra’s wife, Laksha Bohra, will not face charges as a result of her husband’s plea agreement with federal pros- ecutors. Boyra and his family have paid $2.6 million in penal- ties and interest in the case. Because of those payments, the federal government won’t seek forfeiture, Gorman said. Laksha Bohra started her work with the company as a transfer pricing manager in Amazon’s tax department in December 2012 and was promoted to senior manager in May 2018, according to court records. She had access to Amazon’s fi nancial reporting databases and shared network fi les, was suspended from her job in Oc- tober 2018 and resigned soon after that, court records said. Ian Allen-Anderson, a spokesman for Amazon, declined to comment on the case Friday. Gorman characterized the insider trading as unbridled greed. “This defendant and his wife were earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary and bonuses from their jobs in tech - but he was not content with that - greedily schem- ing to illegally profi t by trading Amazon stock,” Gorman said in statement. She added: “This case should stand as a warning to those who try to game the markets with insider trading: there is a heavy price to pay with a felony conviction and prison sentence.” ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Google offers UK watchdog role in browser cookie phase-out

Google is offering U.K. regulators a role giving the Competition and Markets Author- stantial limits” on how Google will use and source of privacy concerns because they back until July from other players in the tech overseeing its phasing out of ad-tracking ity an oversight role as the company designs combine individual user data for digital ad can be used to track users across the inter- and digital ad industry on Google’s commit- technology from its Chrome browser, in a and develops a replacement technology. purposes and a pledge not to discriminate net. ments. Then it will decide whether to accept package of commitments the tech giant is “The emergence of tech giants such as against rivals in favor of its own ad busi- Google shook up the digital ad industry Google’s offer and close the competition proposing to apply globally to head off a Google has presented competition authori- nesses with the new technology. with its plan to do away with third-party cook- case. competition investigation. ties around the world with new challenges If Google’s commitments are accepted, ies, which raised fears newer technology Google has been busy grappling with a The U.K. competition watchdog has been that require a new approach,” Andrea Cos- they will be applied globally, the company would leave even less room for online ad ri- wave tide of antitrust investigations in Eu- investigating Google’s proposals to remove celli, the watchdog’s chief executive, said. said in a blog post. vals. The plan involves replacing “individual rope. The U.K. offer comes days after it re- so-called third-party cookies over concerns The Competition and Markets Author- Third-party cookies - snippets of code that identifi ers” with techniques that hide users in solved another case involving its digital ad they would undermine digital ad competition ity will work with tech companies to “shape log user info - are used to help businesses large online groups based on their interests business, when it agreed to pay a 220 mil- and entrench the company’s market power. their behaviour and protect competition to more effectively target advertising and fund while keeping web browsing histories on de- lion euro ($268 million) to France’s antitrust To address the concerns, Google on Fri- the benefi t of consumers,” he said. free online content such as newspapers. vices to maintain privacy. watchdog for abusing its ‘dominant’ position day offered a set of commitments including Google’s promises also include “sub- However, they’ve also been a longstanding The competition watchdog will seek feed- in online advertising. (AP) Wall Street caps listless week with uptick Investors remain in wait-and-see mode ahead of Fed meet

NEW YORK, June 12, (AP): were marginally lower. On Thursday, Wall Street logged gains Wall Street closed out a while bond yields mostly fell despite the mostly listless week Friday much-anticipated report showing con- with a wobbly day of trad- sumer prices rose 5% in May, the biggest year-over-year increase since 2008 and ing that helped nudge the more than economists had expected. S&P 500 to its third straight Investors also reacted positively to weekly gain. more data that showed continued im- The benchmark index edged up provement in the labor market. 0.2% after spending much of the The worry is that if signs of infl ation persist, central banks may move to with- day in the red. The small uptick draw stimulus from the economy to ease was enough to lift the S&P 500 to price pressures. an all-time high for the second day But investors are still buying into the in a row. Federal Reserve’s stance that the current Technology companies and banks ac- bout of infl ation is transitory, said Jeffrey counted for much of the upward move. Halley of OANDA. The gains were offset by a broad slide in “Financial markets have long raised health care, energy and real estate stocks. a selective use of facts to an art form,” Bond yields were mixed. Halley said in a report. “Although the With the exception of select “meme” US infl ation measures rose once again stocks like GameStop and AMC Enter- and slightly above forecast, the actual tainment hyped by individual investors increases were less than those recorded in online forums, the broader market was in April.” relatively quiet this week. Investors re- Taking all factors into consideration, main in wait-and-see mode ahead of the “that was all the street needed to return to Federal Reserve’s upcoming meeting of its buy-everything happy place.” policymakers Wednesday. In Asia, where China-U.S. tensions are Wall Street is keen for clues about among many factors weighing on senti- how much of a threat the central bank ment, the mood was less ebullient. deems rising infl ation as the economy Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index was un- emerges from its pandemic-induced re- changed, at 28,948.73, while the Hang cession, and whether the Fed has begun Seng in Hong Kong rose 0.4% to considering beginning to taper its support 28,847.02. The Kospi in Seoul gained for the economy. 0.8% to 3,249.32, while the Shang- “No one is suggesting that it will be hai Composite index slipped 0.5% to at this meeting, but the market is poised 3,593.20. for the Fed to at least even tangentially People wearing face masks walk past a bank’s electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index in Hong Kong, Friday, June 11, 2021. Shares were India’s Sensex gained 0.3%. suggest that they’re discussing” tapering, mostly higher in Asia on Friday after the S&P 500 index notched another record high despite a 5% surge in U.S. consumer prices in May. (AP) On Thursday, the S&P 500 gained said Quincy Krosby, chief market strate- 0.5% to 4,239.18, just beating its previous gist at Prudential Financial. of 13.1% and the Nasdaq’s 9.2% gain. tex Pharmaceuticals dropped 11% after to temporary factors. That could mean 1.46%, down from 1.57% a week ago. all-time high set on May 7th. The Dow The S&P 500 rose 8.26 points to Among the winning technology and telling investors it will end development less pressure on the Fed to pull back on Yields have been mostly headed lower Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.1% 4,247.44. The Dow Jones Industrial Aver- fi nancial stocks were chipmaker Nvid- of a potential treatment for a genetic its measures supporting the economy. this week despite reports showing more to 34,466.24. The Nasdaq Composite rose age added 13.36 points, or less than 0.1%, ia, which rose 2.3%, and Wells Fargo, condition that targets the liver. Incyte A signifi cant share of May’s rise in strength in the economy and possible 0.8%, to 14,020.33, while smaller compa- to 34,479.60. The Nasdaq gained 49.09 which gained 1.3%. Several retailers also fell 5.7% as its potential eczema cream consumer prices was tied to the sale of signs of infl ation. ny stocks lagged the broader market. The points, or 0.4%, to 14,069.42. The tech- rose. V.F. Corp., maker of Vans shoes ruxolitinib faces a delayed regulatory re- used cars, which is largely attributed to Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Russell 2000 index fell 0.7% to 2,311.41. heavy index also notched a weekly gain. and other apparel, climbed 4.7% for the view. The two stocks topped the list of purchases by rental car companies beef- Friday after the S&P 500 index notched A signifi cant share of May’s rise in Investors bid up shares in smaller biggest gain in the S&P 500, while Gap decliners in the S&P 500. ing up their fl eets as people return to another record high despite a surge in consumer prices was tied to the sale of company stocks. The Russell 2000 in- rose 3.2% and L Brands gained 2.3%. Investors were relieved to see Thurs- traveling. U.S. consumer prices in May. used cars, which is largely attributed to dex picked up 24.40 points, or 1.1%, Traders dumped shares in several day that a much-anticipated report Bond yields were mixed Friday, Shanghai fell, Tokyo was nearly un- purchases by rental car companies beef- to 2,335.81. The index is up 18.3% this health care companies after they issued showed that a big rise in consumer-level though the yield on the closely watched changed, while shares rose in Hong ing up their fl eets as people return to year, outgaining the S&P 500’s advance disappointing development updates. Ver- infl ation last month was mostly attributed 10-year Treasury note was trading at Kong, Seoul and Sydney. U.S. futures traveling. Verdict constitutes a serious precedent: Brussels EU challenges top German court’s ruling

BERLIN, June 12, (AP): The Euro- pean Union on Wednesday launched proceedings against Germany over a ruling by the top German court last Migrant ‘workers’ in Malaysia year on a European Central Bank bond-buying program that broke with a verdict from the EU’s own top court. win lawsuit against Goodyear Brussels says that “constitutes a se- rious precedent.” KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June “It’s a victory for migrant work- Germany’s Federal Constitutional 12, (AP): A Malaysian court on Thurs- ers. There should be no discrimination Court in May last year gave the ECB day ruled in favor of 65 migrant work- against them,” Chandrasegaran said. three months to prove that its key ers who sued U.S. tiremaker Goodyear He said he believes the case against bond-buying program was justifi ed for underpaying them, their lawyer Goodyear is just the tip of the iceberg and appropriate. It ruled that, if the said, calling it a victory for foreign em- and hopes the victory will encourage bank failed to do so, Germany’s own ployees. other companies to treat their foreign national central bank could no longer Chandrasegaran Rajandran said the workers fairly. participate in the program -- and would Industrial Court agreed that the work- Goodyear offi cials couldn’t immedi- even have to sell bonds that it had pur- ers from Nepal, India and Myanmar ately be reached for comment Friday. chased. were entitled to benefi ts under a collec- Anil Kumar, one of the plaintiff, The issue has since been resolved tive labor agreement that include shift told The Associated Press that he was without disruption to the ECB’s stimu- allowances, annual bonuses and pay in- grateful for the court’s decision. The lus efforts. But the ruling upset Brus- creases. The company argued that the 27-year-old Myanmar citizen, who has sels because the German court broke foreigners were not represented by the been working at Goodyear’s factory with the EU’s own top court, the Eu- labor union. in central Selangor state for over two ropean Court of Justice, which had He said the plaintiffs were the third years, said foreign staff got the short approved the bond purchases. In the group of foreign workers to win a end of the stick. EU’s judgment, that broke the prin- case against Goodyear in the Indus- Foreign workers get only a basic sal- ciple of the primacy of EU law in the trial Court. Goodyear Malaysia Berhad ary with overtime, while local employ- 27-nation bloc. has appealed the verdicts in the earlier ees have many other renumerations The EU’s executive arm, the Euro- cases involving 119 migrant workers, such as meal vouchers and extra allow- pean Commission, decided Wednes- with a decision due on July 26, he said. ances, he said. day to send a formal notice to Ger- In total, the workers are claiming more “We are happy. Before this we felt many for “violation of fundamental than 5 million ringgit ($1.2 million) in that the Malaysian law was biased but principles of EU law,” giving it two unpaid wages, he said. now, we feel it’s fair,” he added. months to reply. If it isn’t satisfi ed with Berlin’s response, it could then take the case to the European Court of Justice. “The Commission considers that the judgment of the German Consti- tutional Court constitutes a serious precedent, both for the future practice of the German Constitutional Court itself, and for the supreme and consti- tutional courts and tribunals of other member states,” the EU executive said in a statement. The German government said it had taken note of the EU’s move but was otherwise tightlipped. “We will look closely at the con- cerns expressed by the European Com- mission and then, as the procedure foresees, respond to them in writing,” Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokes- man, Steffen Seibert, told reporters in Berlin. “Beyond that, I can’t give you A man wearing a face mask walks in front of a Goodyear shop in Bukit Jalil, any information at this point.” outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, June 11, 2021. (AP) GM softens on standards for car pollution DETROIT, June 12, (AP): The na- ifornia deal signed onto by fi ve other EPA Administrator Michael Regan, tion’s largest automaker said Wednes- automakers, offering hope for a break- who has been meeting with auto day it can support greenhouse gas through on an industrywide deal. companies this week in advance of emissions limits that other car manu- But GM’s proposal of an accelerated the agency’s release of its proposed facturers negotiated with California - if transition to electric vehicles - in the last tailpipe-pollution and fuel-economy they are achieved mostly by promoting year, fully electric vehicles accounted standards, set for July. sales of fully electric vehicles. for less than 2% of US new vehicle sales Regan discussed the standards with It is a new stance for General Mo- - falls short of more strict emissions re- GM CEO Mary Barra, and he also tors, which had supported the Trump ductions for gas-powered vehicles being talked with Stellantis (formerly Fiat administration’s efforts to end Califor- urged by a top Senate Democrat. Chrysler) and Toyota offi cials this nia’s ability to set its own limits. The Details of GM’s shifted stance came week, the EPA said. More meetings shift brings GM closer to the 2019 Cal- in a letter from CEO Marry Barra to with automakers are coming. Hertz on track to exit bankruptcy protection this month

Hertz will likely emerge from $2.2 billion in liquidity. Credi- ment fi rms for $4.2 billion. its U.S. vehicle fl eet, was eyed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protec- tors will be paid in full and ex- Knighthead Capital Manage- as a way to provide the fund- tion by the end of the month isting shareholders will receive ment and Certares Opportuni- ing needed for the company to In this fi le photo, a Hertz after a bankruptcy court con- more than $1 billion in value. ties would have the chance to complete its restructuring. car rental is closed fi rmed the reorganization plan Hertz was among the fi rst buy the entire reorganized car Hertz’s emergence from during the coronavirus for the beleaguered car rental major corporations to be felled rental company, but no less bankruptcy protection comes pandemic in Paramus, company. by the pandemic last year as in- New Jersey. (AP) than a majority of its shares. at a time when Americans Hertz Global Holdings Inc., fections surged and shut down The proposed investment, are getting vaccinated for which fi led for bankruptcy travel on a global scale for both combined with a new $1 billion COVID-19 and eager to start protection in May 2020, said companies and vacationers. fi rst-lien fi nancing, a new $1.5 traveling again. Demand for Thursday that its plan will It announced in March that billion revolving credit facility, car rentals is surging, and with erase more than $5 billion in it might sell a controlling stake and a new asset-backed se- limited supply, prices are sky- debt and provide more than in the company to two invest- curitization facility to fi nance rocketing. (AP)

Pandemic used as opportunity to fl ee higher-cost metropolitan areas Spending will be up 5.5% Many Americans moved to affordable homes As kids ‘return’ to class, stores sees strong sales LOS ANGELES, June 12, (AP): Many Americans who moved last year relocated NEW YORK, June 12, (AP): As more children go back to areas where homes were, on average, to the physical classroom and families look to restart their bigger and less expensive. lives, back-to-school spending this year could top pre-pan- On average, people who moved to a demic levels, according to one key spending measure. different city in 2020 ended up in a ZIP Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending across code where average home values were all payment forms including cash, forecasts that spending nearly $27,000 lower than in their previ- will be up 5.5% between July 15 and Sept. 6. That’s com- ous ZIP code, according to Zillow. pared with the year-ago period when sales were up a modest People who relocated last year also 1.2% as the pandemic wreaked havoc on schools’ reopening moved to ZIP codes where the average plans and back-to-school shopping. home sold was 33 square feet bigger than In a more telling sign of a rebound, back-to-school sales their previous home, the real estate infor- should increase 6.7% on a two-year basis, according to Mas- mation company said. tercard SpendingPulse. The fi gures exclude sales from autos Zillow based its fi ndings on an analysis and gas. of data from tens of thousands of moves Last year, parents focused their spending online and nationwide handled by relocation com- bought supplies and electronics to help their children set up work stations at home. When it came to apparel, they limited pany North American Van Lines. their purchases to sweatpants and other comfy clothes for While the data doesn’t show how many their kids and avoided department stores. people who moved ended up buying a The rosy forecast issued Thursday comes as retailers, par- home, it suggests many Americans used ticularly mall-based stores, are seeing a strong recovery as the pandemic, and the broader acceptance newly vaccinated shoppers feel safe going out and social- of working remotely, as an opportunity to izing. On Wednesday, the National Retail Federation, the fl ee higher-cost metropolitan areas. nation’s largest retail trade group, sharply revised its annual Home prices have been steadily ris- outlook for retail sales. It now expects the increase to be any- ing over the past decade, but 2020 was where from 10.5% to 13.5% compared to an earlier forecast the fi rst year since at least 2016 where made in February of at least 6.5%. people, on average, weren’t moving into “The economy and consumer spending have proven to areas with higher housing costs than they be much more resilient than initially forecasted,” Matthew faced in their previous location, Zillow Shay, president and CEO of the retail trade group, said in a found. statement. “The combination of vaccine distribution, fi scal “What that suggests to me is more stimulus and private-sector ingenuity have put millions of movement away from the more expensive Americans back to work.” housing markets in the country,” said Jeff While NRF noted risks related to worker shortages, an Tucker, a senior economist at Zillow. overheating economy, tax increases and over-regulation, it A survey by Redfi n of people who pointed out that overall households are healthier, and con- moved to a different metropolitan area in In this fi le photo, a sold sign stands in front of new home under construction in Houston. Mortgage rates remained near historic sumers are showing their ability and willingness to spend. the 12 months since March 2020 found lows this week, Thursday, June 10. (AP) The downside is that many retailers may not be able to similar trends. About two-thirds of re- fully capitalize on this sudden surge of spending. For many 30-year loan at 2.96% items produced overseas, stores had to place their orders at spondents now have the same or lower least six months ago, and they were conservative, says Steve housing costs, and nearly as many said Sadove, senior adviser for Mastercard and former CEO and their new home is the same size or bigger. chairman of Saks Inc. He also cited the logjam at ports, mak- The survey was made up of 500 people US average mortgage rates tick lower ing it diffi cult for retailers to bring in goods to their stores. who use the online brokerage’s website. “The supply chain is backed up. The ports are backed up,” Many Americans continued moving to NEW YORK, June 12, (AP): Mortgage In the latest economic news, the ventory continues to cause pricing to he said. “You’re going to fi nd scarcity.” He said that a num- more affordable and less densely popu- rates remained near historic lows this government reported that the number remain elevated.” ber of retailers he has spoken to are having to air ship items lated areas in the fi rst three months of this week. The benchmark 30-year home of Americans seeking unemployment Another report Thursday found that instead of transport them by boat in order to have them in year, according to some 300,000 moves loan held below the 3% mark amid fur- benefi ts dropped last week for the sixth Americans moved to slightly bigger stores in time for back-to-school. handled by relocation tech company Up- ther signs of the economy’s recovery straight week, to 376,000, a new pan- homes in less expensive areas. On av- For this back-to-school season, Sadove said clothing dater. from the pandemic recession. demic low. erage, people who moved to a differ- should enjoy a stronger-than-expected rebound, with Mas- The company found that pricey metro- Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said “Despite the stronger economy, the ent city in 2020 ended up in a ZIP code tercard SpendingPulse forecasting a 78.2% sales increase politan areas like New York, Los Ange- Thursday the average for the 30-year housing market is experiencing a slow- where average home values were nearly compared with last year. On a two-year basis, the fi gure is les and Boston, or midwestern cities like rate loan dipped to 2.96% from 2.99% down in purchase application activ- $27,000 lower than in their previous ZIP expected to be up 11.3%. Sadove said that retailers are see- Cleveland and Indianapolis, continued to last week. ity due to modestly higher mortgage code, according to Zillow. ing a shift in consumer spending toward trendier items like The rate for a 15-year loan, which is a rates,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Rising prices, a dearth of homes on cropped tops and mini skirts. lose residents in favor of largely South- popular option among homeowners refi - chief economist. “However, it has yet the market and the ability to work re- ern and Western cities such as Nashville, In particular, department stores are enjoying a solid re- nancing their mortgages, edged down to to translate into a weaker home price motely motivated many Americans to covery after struggling last year with stiff competition from Phoenix, Dallas and Tampa, Florida. 2.23% from 2.27% last week. trajectory because the shortage of in- relocate last year. Still, outfl ows from dense urban cities discount stores like Walmart and Target. The department such as New York, San Francisco and sector’s sales should be up 25.3% during the back-to-school Boston slowed in the fi rst quarter, the The Sunbelt cities in the South and push up their selling price, while moving were in L.A., according to Zillow. While period, compared to a year ago. Sales should rise 9.5% on a West have been relocation hot spots for to a less pricey area likely put them in the the typical home value in areas movers two-year basis. company said. Sadove told The AP that department stores are reaping Rising prices, a dearth of homes on the years as many Americans seek relatively position to buy a bigger home at a lower relocated to in Los Angeles was $614,793 affordable housing and warmer weather. cost. higher, on average, than in the areas they the benefi ts of their moves to expand into online services market and the ability to work remotely like allowing online shoppers to pick up orders at the stores. motivated many Americans to relocate And, of course, snowbirds and retirees Nationally, the average home value in moved from. They’re also expanding into new categories like wellness. last year, especially those eager to move from the Northeast and Midwest have ZIP codes with a net departure of resi- Zillow also found that the average Consumer electronics should have strong sales growth out of dense urban areas in the Northeast long fl ocked to Florida, Arizona and Ne- dents was $419,344, while the average size of homes in ZIP codes where peo- compared to a year ago and on a two-year basis. But online like New York City in favor of more sub- vada, among other Sunbelt destinations. value of a home in ZIP codes with net in- ple moved to last year increased to 1,913 sales are expected to drop 6.6% for this period compared to urban areas. The pandemic in many ways just in- creases in move-ins was $392,281, nearly square feet from an average of 1,880 last year when shoppers focused mostly on buying online. In the Zillow analysis, some of the met- tensifi ed existing migration patterns and 7% lower, according to Zillow. That dy- square feet in their previous location. That Still, that fi gure should be up 53.2% on a two-year basis, ropolitan areas that saw the highest net accelerated established trends, including namic refl ects more moves originating increase in square footage is about the size according to Mastercard SpendingPulse. outbound moves last year were Chicago, that of people moving from the Northeast in larger metropolitan areas where home of a walk-in closet, pantry or bathroom. Los Angeles, New York, San Diego and and Midwest to the Sunbelt, Tucker said. values tend to be higher. “The move toward bigger homes is San Francisco. Among the cities that saw Last year’s relocation wave, happening For example, Los Angelenos who also consistent with this hypothesis that the biggest net gain in people moving in: during a red-hot housing market, likely moved to another metropolitan area last its being driven by home workers, be- Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Texas, Charlotte, benefi ted relocating homeowners in par- year could expect home values to be cause one thing they need is a home offi ce North Carolina and Sarasota, Florida. ticular. Competition would have helped $591,517 lower, on average, than they in most cases,” Tucker said.

In this fi le photo, fi fth graders wearing face masks are seated at proper social distancing spacing during a mu- sic class at the Milton Elementary School in Rye, New York. (AP) American plans orders for electric-powered aircraft FORT WORTH, Texas, June 12, (AP): American Airlines said Thursday it plans to invest $25 million in U.K.-based Vertical Aerospace Group and consider a $1 billion order for small, electric-powered aircraft that can take off and land like helicopters. The American announcement came as Vertical Aerospace disclosed that it has agreed to merge with special-purpose acquisition company Broadstone Acquisition and become a publicly traded company later this year. American, Microsoft’s M12, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce and others will take stakes in Vertical through private in- vestment in public equity, or PIPE transactions. Another in- vestor, Irish aircraft leasing company Avolon, said Thursday that it placed a $2 billion conditional order for up to 500 Vertical aircraft. Vertical is working to develop a four-passenger electric air- craft that could carry people from city centers to airports. The company said it plans to conduct its fi rst test fl ight later this year and hopes to gain regulatory approvals as early as 2024. American said it expects to make a “pre-order” up to 250 aircraft - suggesting a price tag of $4 million per aircraft - with an option for 100 more. The order hinges on Vertical meeting certain terms, which the companies did not detail. The deal is the latest move by a major airline to demon- strate interest in developing technology around electric air- craft and alternative fuels. United announced a similar deal with another electric vertical-takeoff hopeful, Archer Avia- tion, in February. Critics view the announcements as green- washing by airlines whose planes are a growing source of climate-changing emissions. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Health

No more kidney dialysis? Severe shortages hit Lebanese hospitals BEIRUT, June 12, (AP): Hospitals in Lebanon warned Thurs- day they may be forced to suspend kidney dialysis next week due to severe shortages in supplies, the latest in Lebanon’s ac- celerating crises and collapsing health sector. Lebanon is grappling with an unprecedented economic and fi nancial crisis that has seen the local currency collapse and banks clamp down on withdrawals and money transfers. As the Central Bank’s foreign currency reserves dry up, the coun- try has been witnessing shortages in medicines, fuel and other basic goods, with long lines forming outside petrol stations. The once-thriving health care system has been among the hardest hit, with some hospitals halting elective surgeries, lab- oratories running out of test kits and doctors warning in recent days that they may even run out of anesthesia for operations. On Thursday, doctors said they may be forced to suspend kidney dialysis next, blaming short- In this image released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday, June 11, 2021, the landing platform with a Chinese national flag and outlines ages on a dispute between medical of the mascots for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics on Mars is seen from the rover Zhurong. China on Friday released a series of photos taken importers and the Central Bank over by its Zhurong rover on the surface of Mars, including one of the rover itself taken by a remote camera. (AP) subsidies. “It is a crime against humanity,” said George Ghanem, chief medical offi cer at the Lebanese American University Coronavirus Medical Center - Rizk Hospital, read- ing a statement on behalf of the doctors. “The hospitals and medical sector cannot continue this way. We are ap- US to donate 500mn doses to help speed pandemic’s end proaching very diffi cult days where we Aoun will no longer be able to receive pa- tients,” he added. Ghanem appeal to the United Nations and the World Health Biden lays out US vax donations Organization, urging them to step in by sending aid directly to hospitals or the Red Cross, bypassing the Lebanese govern- ST. IVES, England, June 12, (AP): ment and Central Bank. President Joe Biden called on global “Otherwise there are patients tomorrow who will not have leaders Thursday to join him in sharing US extends expiration dates for their dialysis, patients who will not be diagnosed, and patients coronavirus vaccines with struggling who will not be operated on,” he said. Already, there were nations around the world after he prom- 350 brands of basic medications that were in short supply, he ised the US would donate 500 million J&J COVID vaccine by six weeks added. doses to help speed the pandemic’s end The crisis in Lebanon, which is rooted in decades of corrup- and bolster the strategic position of the WASHINGTON, June 12, (AP): including paid time off and $1 mil- tion and mismanagement by an entrenched political class, has world’s wealthiest democracies. Johnson & Johnson said Thursday lion lottery prizes. driven more than half of the population into poverty, caused Speaking in England before the sum- that US regulators extended the ex- As vaccinations have slowed it’s the local currency to lose more than 85% of its value. The piration date on millions of doses of become clear the US is unlikely to mit meeting of the Group of Seven, its COVID-19 vaccine by six weeks. meet President Joe Biden’s goal to World Bank on Tuesday said Lebanon’s crisis is one of the Biden announced the US commitment worst the world has seen in the past 150 years. Stephanie Ward of Littleton, Colo., The company said a Food and have 70% of adults partially vaccinat- jokes with reporters (not seen) after to vaccine sharing, which comes on Drug Administration review con- ed by July 4. Roughly 64% of Ameri- Challenges she was introduced as the state’s top of 80 million doses he has already cluded the shots remain safe and cans older than 18 have had at least The crisis has worsened considerably because of politicians’ second, $1-million winner for being pledged by the end of the month. He ar- effective for at least 4 1/2 months. one dose, according to the Centers inability to agree on a new government amid colossal chal- vaccinated against COVID-19 Friday, gued it was in both America’s interests In February, the FDA originally for Disease Control and Prevention. lenges the country faces. The Cabinet of outgoing Prime Min- June 11, 2021, in Denver. The state is and the world’s to make vaccination authorized J&J’s vaccine for up to J&J’s vaccine was highly antici- ister Hassan Diab resigned days after a massive explosion at awarding five, $1-million prizes to vac- widely and speedily available every- three months when stored at nor- pated because of its one-and-done Beirut’s port last August, and the country has been without a cinated residents in hopes of encour- where. mal refrigeration levels. formulation and easy-to-ship refrig- aging people to protect themselves “We’re going to help lead the world Thursday’s announcement eration. The shot was expected to fully functioning government since. from the spread of the coronavirus. Michel out of this pandemic working alongside comes after state officials warned play a key role in vaccination cam- Locked in a power struggle, Lebanon’s President (AP) that many doses in storage would paigns in rural areas and low-in- Aoun and prime minister-designate Saad Hariri continue to our global partners,” Biden said, an- nouncing that on Friday the G-7 nations expire before the end of the month. come countries with limited health trade blame as the country sinks deeper into crises that every The change gives health providers care infrastructure. day become more intractable. would join the US in outlining their vaccine donation commitments. more time to try and use remain- But rival drugmakers Pfizer and The meltdown, with no end in sight, poses the gravest threat Discovery ing J&J shots sitting at pharmacies, Moderna, which started shipping to Lebanon’s stability since the 1975-90 civil war. It’s a remarkable turnaround of hospitals and clinics. Many states shots months earlier, have already “We are headed for a real catastrophe,” said Hala Kilani, the America’s standing from a year ago, have adopted a “first-in-first-out” supplied more than enough doses when the US was the deadliest hotspot doctor in charge of the dialysis department at the LAUMC- Rover on Martian surface: The dusty, approach to try and use their old- to meet US demand. Rizk Hospital. She said medical teams were fi ghting each day rocky Martian surface and a Chinese rover of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing est vaccines first. More than 129 million Ameri- to secure the necessary amounts of fi lters needed to continue and lander bearing small national flags were the cancellation of the G-7 summit it Vaccine expiration dates are cans have been fully vaccinated with dialysis and blood tests for patients. Even fi nding needles seen in photos released Friday that the rover was due to host. Now, the country is based on information from drug- with the companies’ two-dose to administer blood for dialysis patients, who are usually ane- took on the red planet. emerging as a model for how to suc- makers on how long the shots stay shots. By comparison, just 11 mic, is a struggle. The four pictures released by the China cessfully recover from more than 15 at the right strength. J&J said the million Americans have been “We have to call one million pharmacies just to fi nd one National Space Administration also show months of global crisis. FDA added six weeks based on vaccinated with the J&J shot. or two needles,” she told The Associated Press. “This is very the upper stage of the Zhurong rover and the “In times of trouble, Americans reach data from ongoing studies assess- About 10 million more J&J doses dangerous.” view from the rover before it rolled off its out to offer help,” Biden said, saying ing the vaccine’s stability. have been sent to states, accord- platform. the US doses would “supercharge” The FDA has been reviewing ing to the CDC. Issam Yassin, a 40-year-old on dialysis, said said he was at expiration dates on all three US Use of J&J’s vaccine has been a loss for words. “It is very diffi cult and it will be a catastrophe Zhurong placed a remote camera about the global vaccination campaign. “Our 10 meters (33 feet) from the landing plat- values call on us to do everything that authorized vaccines as companies hurt by links to a rare blood clot if it continues.” have continued to test batches in disorder. That issue led US health “For us, if there is no dialysis there is no alternative,” he form, then withdrew to take a group portrait, we can to vaccinate the world against the CNSA said. the months since the shots first officials to “pause” use of the shot said. COVID-19.” rolled out. Vaccines from Pfizer and for an 11-day review. Officials lifted China landed the Tianwen-1 spacecraft He added the doses would be shared Kilani, the doctor, said the current situation was worse than carrying the rover on Mars last month after Moderna, authorized in December, the hold in late April after conclud- during Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war. “with no strings attached” or “pressure have a six-month shelf life. ing that the vaccine’s benefits out- it spent about three months orbiting the red for favors.” “We have honestly never reached the situation we are in planet. China is the second country to land The J&J extension will help main- weighed its risks now,” Kilani said. “If we cannot secure the supplies needed, and operate a spacecraft on Mars, after the “We’re doing this to save lives, to end tain vaccine supplies even as the J&J’s rollout has also been the patients will die.” United States. this pandemic, and that’s it,” he said. number of Americans getting shots slowed by contamination problems ❑ ❑ ❑ The orbiter and lander both display small The US commitment is to buy and has slipped. The country averaged at a Baltimore factory that helps Chinese flags and the lander has outlines donate 500 million Pfizer doses for dis- about 800,000 new injections per make the shots. The facility was AIDS: The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a of the mascots for the 2022 Beijing Winter tribution through the global COVAX day last week. That’s down from a shuttered after an FDA inspection declaration last Tuesday calling for urgent action to end AIDS Olympics and Paralympics. alliance to 92 lower-income countries high of nearly 2 million daily shots uncovered unsanitary conditions by 2030, noting “with alarm” that the COVID-19 pandemic The six-wheeled rover is surveying an and the African Union, bringing the two months ago. Government of- and other problems in April. None has exacerbated inequalities and pushed access to AIDS medi- area known as Utopia Planitia, especially first steady supply of mRNA vaccine to ficials and companies have turned of the vaccines made there have cines, treatments and diagnosis further off track. searching for signs of water or ice that could the countries that need it most. A price to incentives to encourages shots, been distributed. The declaration commits the assembly’s 193 member na- lend clues as to whether Mars ever sustained tag for the 500 million doses was not tions to implement the 18-page document, including reduc- life. released, but the US is now set to be ing annual new HIV infections to under 370,000 and annual pandemic. also has health reasons for spreading At 1.85 meters (6 feet) in height, Zhu- COVAX’s largest vaccine donor in ad- US officials hope the summit will vaccinations - preventing the rise of AIDS-related deaths to under 250,000 by 2025. It also calls for rong is significantly smaller than the US’s dition to its single largest funder with a progress toward eliminating all forms of HIV-related stigma Perseverance rover which is exploring the conclude with a communique showing potentially dangerous variants - and $4 billion commitment. a commitment from the G-7 countries geostrategic ones as well. and discrimination and for urgent work toward an HIV vaccine planet with a tiny helicopter. NASA expects Biden had faced mounting pressure to and a cure for AIDS. its rover to collect its first sample in July for and nations invited to participate to do China and Russia have shared, with outline its global vaccine sharing plan, more to help vaccinate the world and varying success, their domestically Without a huge increase in resources and coverage for those return to Earth as early as 2031. especially as inequities in supply around vulnerable and infected, “we will not end the AIDS epidemic In addition to the Mars mission, China’s support public health globally. produced vaccines with some needy ambitious space program plans to send the world have become more pronounced National security adviser Jake Sul- countries, often with hidden strings by 2030,” the assembly warned. and the demand for shots in the US has It said the coronavirus pandemic has created setbacks in the first crew to its new space station next livan told reporters Wednesday that attached. Sullivan said Biden “does week. The three crew members plan to stay dropped precipitously in recent weeks. G-7 leaders are “converging” around want to show - rallying the rest of the combating AIDS, “widening fault lines within a deeply un- The global alliance has thus far dis- equal world and exposing the dangers of under-investment in for three months on the Tianhe, or Heavenly the idea that vaccine supply can be world’s democracies - that democ- Harmony, station, far exceeding the length tributed just 81 million doses and parts increased in several ways, including racies are the countries that can best public health, health systems and other essential public ser- of any previous Chinese mission. They will of the world, particularly in Africa, re- vices for all and pandemic preparedness.” by countries sharing more of their deliver solutions for people every- perform spacewalks, construction and main- main vaccine deserts. White House of- own doses, helping to increase global where.” While the international investment response to the pandem- tenance work and carry out science experi- ficials hope the ramped-up distribution ic is inadequate, it is nonetheless unprecedented, the assembly manufacturing capacity and doing The US-produced mRNA vaccines ments. program can be the latest example of more across the “chain of custody” have also proven to be more effec- said. Subsequent launches are planned to ex- a theme Biden plans to hit frequently The response to the coronavirus by many nations has from when the vaccine is produced to tive against both the original strain pand the station, send up supplies and ex- during his week in Europe: that West- when it is injected into someone in the and more dangerous variants of CO- demonstrated “the potential and urgency for greater in- change crews. China has also has brought ern democracies, and not rising authori- vestment” in responding to pandemics, underscoring “the developing world. VID-19 than the more conventional back lunar samples, the first by any coun- tarian states, can deliver the most good vaccines produced by China and Rus- imperative of increasing investments for public health sys- try’s space program since the 1970s, landed for the world. Surplus a probe and rover on the moon’s less ex- sia. Some countries that have had suc- tems, including responses to HIV and other diseases mov- White House officials said the 500 British Prime Minister Boris John- cess in deploying those conventional ing forward,” it said. plored far side. (AP) million vaccines will be shipped start- son wrote in The Times of London ❑ ❑ ❑ vaccines have nonetheless seen cases The assembly adopted the resolution at the opening session ing in August, with the goal of distrib- newspaper that it was now time for spike. of a three-day high-level meeting on AIDS by a vote of 165-4, Robotic explorer on horizon: Venus uting 200 million by the end of the year. wealthy countries to “shoulder their Biden’s decision to purchase the with Russia, Belarus, Syria and Nicaragua voting “no.” is hotter than ever, with a third new robotic The remaining 300 million doses would responsibilities” and “vaccinate the doses, officials said, was meant to Before the vote, the assembly overwhelmingly rejected explorer on the horizon. be shipped in the first half of 2022. world,” although his own country has keep them from getting locked up by three amendments proposed by Russia. A week after NASA announced two new “We’re in this position because yet to send any doses abroad or an- richer nations that have the means to They would have eliminated references to human rights vio- missions to our closest neighbor, the Euro- we’ve had so much success at home nounce any solid plan to share vac- enter into purchasing agreements di- lations that perpetuate the global AIDS epidemic and a “rights- pean Space Agency said it will launch a Ve- vaccinating Americans,” White House cines. Johnson indicated Britain had rectly with manufacturers. Just last based” collaborative approach by UNAIDS, the U.N. agency nus-orbiting spacecraft in the early 2030s. press secretary Jen Psaki told CBS millions of doses in surplus stocks. month, the European Commission leading the global effort to end the AIDS pandemic They Named EnVision, the orbiter will attempt to News on Thursday. Last week, the White House un- signed an agreement to purchase as would also have dropped references to reforming discrimina- explain why Venus is so “wildly different” After leading the world in new cases veiled plans to donate an initial allot- many as 1.8 billion Pfizer doses in the tory laws, including on the age of consent, on interventions from Earth, even though the two planets are and deaths over much of the last year, ment of 25 million doses of surplus next two years, a significant share of to treat HIV among intravenous drug users including “opioid similar in size and composition. the rapid vaccination program in the vaccine overseas, mostly through the NASA will provide EnVision’s radar. the company’s upcoming production - substitution therapy,” and on “expanding harm reduction pro- US now positions it among the leaders United Nations-backed COVAX pro- though the bloc reserved the right to grams.” NASA’s own pair of upcoming missions to our solar system’s hottest planet - called of the global recovery. Nearly 64% of gram, promising infusions for South donate some of its doses to COVAX. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima welcomed adults in the US have received at least and Central America, Asia, Africa and Global public health groups have the declaration’s adoption and told the assembly it “will be the DaVinci Plus and Veritas - will be the first for the US in more than 30 years. They’ll one vaccine dose and the average num- others. been aiming to use the G-7 meetings basis of our work to end this pandemic that has ravaged com- bers of new positive cases and deaths in Officials say a quarter of that excess to press wealthier democracies to do munities for 40 years.” blast off sometime around 2028 to 2030. “It’s a Venus hat trick!” tweeted NASA’s the US are lower now than at any point will be kept in reserve for emergencies more to share vaccines with the world. Calling AIDS “one of the deadliest pandemics of modern since the earliest days of the pandemic. and for the US to share directly with Biden’s plans drew immediate praise. times,” she said 77.5 million people have been infected with top science chief, Thomas Zurbuchen. The Europeans have visited more re- The Organization for Economic Co- allies and partners, including South Tom Hart, acting CEO at The ONE HIV since the fi rst case was reported in 1981 and nearly 35 cently, with their Venus Express in action operation and Development last week Korea, Taiwan and Ukraine. Campaign, a nonprofit that seeks to million have died from AIDS. around the hothouse planet until 2014. Ja- projected that the US economy would Sullivan noted that Biden has pre- end poverty, said Biden’s announce- “HIV rates are not following the trajectory that we together pan has had an orbiter around Venus since grow at a rate of 6.9% this year, mak- viously committed to turning the US ment was “the kind of bold leadership promised,” she said. “Indeed, amidst the fallout from the CO- 2015 to study the climate. ing it one of the few nations for which into a modern day “arsenal of de- that is needed to end this global pan- VID crisis, we could even see a resurgent pandemic.” It’s a forbidding place: the thick carbon- forecasts are rosier now than before the mocracies” for vaccines, but that it demic.” Byanyima said COVID-19 showed that science moves “at dioxide atmosphere is home to sulfuric acid the speed of political will” and urged speeded up spending on clouds. innovations for AIDS treatment, prevention, care and vaccines “A new era in the exploration of our “as global public goods.” closest, yet wildly different, solar system On the plus side, the assembly’s declaration said that neighbour awaits us,” the European Space (300 miles) north to the outskirts of the pro- lead them back to their original home in the since 2001 there has been a 54% reduction in AIDS-related Agency’s science director, Gunther Has- vincial capital of Kunming. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture deaths and a 37% reduction in HIV infections globally, but inger, said in a statement. (AP) As of Saturday, they were spotted in Shi- southwest of Kunming. it warned that “overall progress has slowed dangerously ❑ ❑ ❑ jie township in the city of Yuxi, more than 8 Authorities have been attempting to keep since 2016.” Elephants on the move: China’s famed kilometers (5 miles) southwest of the Kun- a distance between them and local residents, The assembly expressed “deep concern” that in 2019 wandering elephants are on the move again, ming suburb they had arrived at last week, while blocking roads into villages and seek- there were 1.7 million new infections compared to the 2020 heading southwest while a male who broke according to state media reports. The lone ing to lure them away with food drops. De- global target of fewer than 500,000 infections and that new from the herd is still keeping his distance. male was 16 kilometers (10 miles) away, spite that, the herd of 15 have raided farms, HIV infections have increased in at least 33 countries since The group left a wildlife reserve in the still on the outskirts of Kunming. strolled down urban streets and foraged for 2016. southwest of Yunnan province more than The direction of their travel could be a snacks in villages and even a retirement a year ago and has trekked 500 kilometers good sign, since authorities are hoping to Zurbuchen Hasinger home. (AP) Film SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 FFeatureseatures so, “Carrere drawsanincisive statement. Itadded that,indoing ity,” theaward’s jury saidina tion andrelentlessly dissectreal- unmasking ofthe humancondi- experience orthelivesofothers. write storiesnarratinghisown career infi Carrere abandonedaprevious meaning “No.” tacks, wroteonTwittersimply“Yeahnah,”aNewZealandphrase plans. around theworldforherresponse. mark addresssoonaftertheattacks.Attime,Ardernwaspraised matic weapons. unity, andhersuccessfulcalltobanthedeadliesttypesofsemiauto- tacks andhowpeopleralliedbehindhermessageofcompassion 51 peoplewerekilledattwoChristchurchmosques. national buyers. being shoppedbyNewYork-basedFilmNationEntertainmenttointer- Byrne wassettoplayArderninthemovie“TheyAreUs,”which Zealand onFridayfornotfocusingthevictimsofattacks. a gunman’sslaughterofMuslimworshippersdrewcriticisminNew movie thatrecountstheresponseofPrimeMinisterJacindaArdernto WELLINGTON, NewZealand,June12,(AP):Tentativeplansfora Plans formovieonNewZealandmosqueattacksdrawcriticism Spanish throne, tion namedaftertheheirto prestigious prizesbythefounda- Asturias LiteratureAward. this year’sSpanishPrincessof literary vein,hasbeengranted his non-fi manuel Carrere MADRID: CORNISH, NH: derer sary” in2000,aboutthemur- fi works tostraddlerealityand because oftheabilityhis 33 candidatesfrom20countries Carrere, 63,waschosenamong author library trustee street parkingandrunningwater, built around1910andlacksoff- and sospecial.” what makesCornishsoamazing community comestogether.Itis is thatwhenhelpneeded,this town, whatIloveaboutCornish, of place.WhatIloveaboutthis community andcreatingasense to thewiderworld,serving They areaboutconnectingus more thanjustaboutbooks. reported. “Librariestodayare Town Meeting,theValleyNews aloud byafriendatTuesday’s thrive,” shesaidinaletterread place thathelpsourcommunity but closedabout18monthslater. eral storein2016.Itreopened, bought thetown’sformergen- public eye.Hediedin2010. in Cornish,farremovedfromthe last nearlysixdecadesofhislife Catcher intheRye,”spent into alibrary. the townsoitcanbeconverted she ownsinNewHampshireto donate theformergeneralstore said. (AP) ction. “His bookscontributetothe The award is one of the eight The awardisoneoftheeight Starting withhis“TheAdver- Its jurysaidWednesdaythat The town’scurrentlibrarywas “A librarycanbethatvital Colleen O’Neill Salinger, authorof“The Abdigani Ali,aspokespersonfortheMuslimAssociationofCanter- Aya Al-Umari,whoseolderbrotherHusseinwaskilledintheat- But manyinNewZealandareraisingconcernsaboutthemovie The titleofthemoviecomesfromwordsArdernspokeinaland- Deadline saidthemoviewouldfollowArdern’sresponsetoat- The moviewouldbesetinthedaysafter2019attackswhich Hollywood newsoutletDeadlinereportedthatAustralianactorRose Jean-Claude Romand J.D. Salinger ction booksinahigh ction andbeganto ❑ French author Laura Cousineau Princess Leonor Thewidowof , popularfor , hiswidow, wantsto Em- , .

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Sheryl This imagereleasedbyParamountPlusshowsSophieCooksoninascenefrom‘Infinite.’(AP) nite” isinfi By LindseyBahr

nites (peoplewhoremembertheir Under- Hong Kongtocensorfi nitely silly,butit’snot nite” neverquitefi Film Underwood Carrere for anOscar. “The Terminal”andTrumanShow,”forwhichhewasnominated New Zealandbutdidnotsaywhen. quests forcomment.Thereportsaidtheprojectwouldbefi fellow humanbeings.” an exampleofhowweshouldrespondwhenthere’sattackonour it willspeaktopeoplearoundtheworld,”NiccoltoldDeadline.“Itis response. with severalmembersofthemosquesaffectedbytragedy. and directtheprojectthatscriptwasdevelopedinconsultation her governmenthavenoinvolvementwiththemovie. “white womanstrength.COMEON.” the slaughterofMuslimsshouldnotbebackdropforafi authentic, andsensitivematter.” be told“butwewouldwanttoensurethatit’sdoneinanappropriate, bury, saidthecommunityrecognizedstoryofattacksneededto Niccol isknownforwritinganddirecting“Gattaca” Byrne’s agentsandFilmNationdidnotimmediatelyrespondtore- “The fi Niccol saidthefi Deadline reportedthatNewZealanderAndrewNiccolwouldwrite Ardern’s offi Tina Ngata,anauthorandadvocate,wasmoreblunt,tweetingthat lmmakers aren’t lmmakers lms. nite” itself. lm addressesourcommonhumanity,whichiswhyIthink nds he’s specialin‘Infi gures cesaidinabriefstatementthattheprimeministerand lm wasn’tsomuchabouttheattacksbutmore cerns that freedom of expression is being further curtailed cerns thatfreedomofexpressionisbeingfurthercurtailed ban fi Ejiofor), anihilistInfi plored). 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Somematerialmaybeinappropriateforchil- Running time:106minutes.Twostarsoutoffour. bloody images,stronglanguageandbriefdruguse.” America for“forsequencesofstrongviolence,some is ratedPG-13bytheMotionPictureAssociationof There’s evenanopeningforasequel. to defi silly, occasionallyexcitingspectaclethathavecome feels veryYA-adjacent.Andit’sexactlythekindofbig, about teensorveryyoung20-somethings,butitstill his pastlives,stopBathurstandsavetheword. it’s aracetoexplaineverything,getEvanremember who’d likeeverythingtonotbedestroyed.Fromthere thing, andTammy(SophieCookson),abelieverInfi HONG KONG: MPAA Defi “Infi The mostnovelthingabout“Infi But theInfi remembering, notlearning?” Are therethingsyoujustknowhowtodo...likeyou’re you evercatchyourselfinthemirrorandaresurprised? ever haveadreamsorealitfeltlikememory?Do why heisthewayandnoanswersyet:“Didyou that keephismindincheck.Hehasbigquestionsabout worried aboutpayingrentandrunningoutofthepills is unemployableafteramentalhealthincidentand everyman here,amaîtred’forhighendrestaurantswho lmsthatendangernationalsecurity,promptingcon- As Evan,Wahlbergisattemptingtobeakindof ne summermovieseason,forbetterorworse. nite,” aParamount+release availableFriday, Inaba iscurrently onleave from Ann Inaba Sharon Osborne former “TheTalk” colleagues show thatairedon CBSwith co-hosted lastyear’svirtual in LosAngeles.underwood annual ceremonyonJune25 Daytime EmmyAwards. Hong Kong censors now have the power to HongKongcensorsnowhavethepowerto She’ll presideoverthe48th nites catchwindofhis existence afterhe lms ‘endangeringnationalsecurity’ nition ofPG-13:Parentsstronglycau- Authentic and nitewho’dliketodestroyevery- Also: Marie Osmond , Eve, Carrie nite” isthatit’snot lm about lm lmed in lmed . of Muslimsinfi of $25,000. the FordFoundation,willofferselectgranteesanunrestrictedaward ship, inpartnershipwiththeUSCAnnenbergInclusionInitiativeand wood’s leadingMuslimprofessionals. inated actorisspearheadingtheeffort,hejoinedbysomeofHolly- both onandoffthescreen.WhileEmmy-winningOscar-nom- tiative meanttoincreasetherepresentationofMuslimsinHollywood, lywood. the newprogramandforincreasedrepresentationofMuslimsinHol- the characterswerechildrenunderageof12. animated fi of theworld’spopulation. of thosecharactershadaspeakingrole.Muslimsmakeuproughly24% from 2017-2019hadanonscreenMuslimcharacter,andlessthan2% social media. announced during theshowvia trophies. Somewinners willbe shows andhomestoaccepttheir as fromthestudiosofvarious will appearonstage,aswell the show. Trebek LOS ANGELES: The effortgrewoutofaUSCAnnenbergstudyontherepresentation The BlueprintforMuslimInclusionandthePillarsArtistsFellow- In aseriesofimpassionedTwitterposts,Ahmedmadecasefor The surveyincludeddatafrom200fi Among thenominees are CBS saidTuesdaythattalent nite and lm featuredaMuslimcharacter.Furthermore,onlysevenof Byrne isknownforrolesin“Spy”and“Bridesmaids.” LarryKing he said.(AP) solvement ofbasicdemocraticrightsinHongKong,” ment andBeijingonlywanttocontinuewiththisdis- tional securitylaw,”hesaid. are putinprison,chargedunderthenewdraconianna- further whereactivistsandpro-democracypoliticians 2021 wehaveseenhowthesituationisdeteriorating nominated documentaryaboutthe2019protests.“In Anders Hammer of expressionisdisappearingfromHongKong,”said tests, afteritdidnotreceiveapprovalfromcensors. Hong Kongfollowingthe2019anti-governmentpro- “Far FromHome,”ashortaboutpoliticaldivisionsin national ShortFilmFestivalcanceledthescreeningof values thatthegovernmentseekstoespouse. 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Riz Ahmed lms on the Chinese mainland, which lms ontheChinesemainland,which Ora TVbroadcast. (AP) host categoryfor his eponymous nod intheinformative talkshow who diedinJanuary, receiveda last yearfor“Jeopardy!” King, most recentlywonin2019and show hostcategory,whichhe ber, willcompeteinthegame deceased. Trebek, whodiedinNovem- lms andfoundthatnotasingle nite’ haslaunchedanewini- lms fromexhibition lm scene. lms ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Pulitzers

Explanatory reporting win Pulitzers honor COVID & US protest coverage

NEW YORK, June 12, (AP): The Associated Press won two Pulitzer Prizes in photography Friday for its coverage of the racial injustice protests and the coronavirus’s terrible toll on the elderly, while The New York Times received the public service award for its detailed, data-filled reporting on the pandemic. A wounded woman is evacuated after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, Agustina Cañamero, 81, hugs and kisses her husband Pascual Pérez, 84, In a year dominated by COVID-19 and furious de- Aug 4, 2020. The image was part of a series of photographs by The Associated through a plastic film screen to avoid contracting the coronavirus at a nursing bate over race and policing, the Star Tribune of Min- Press that was a finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news photog- home in Barcelona, Spain, June 22, 2020. The image was part of a series by As- neapolis won the breaking news reporting prize for its raphy. (AP) sociated Press photographer Emilio Morenatti that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize coverage of George Floyd’s murder and its aftermath, for feature photography. (AP) while Darnella Frazier — the teenager who recorded the killing on a cellphone — received a special cita- tion. Frazier’s award was intend- ed to highlight “the crucial role of citizens in journalists’ quest for truth and justice,” the Pu- litzer Board said. The AP and The New York Times each won two Pulitz- ers, the most prestigious prize in journalism, fi rst awarded in 1917. The feature photography prize went to AP’s chief pho- Morenatti tographer in Spain, Emilio Morenatti, who captured haunting images of an older couple embracing through a plastic sheet, mortuary workers in hazmat gear removing bodies, and people enduring the crisis in isolation. The breaking news photography prize was shared A woman sits on her balcony in downtown Barcelona, Spain, May 7, 2020. The A demonstrator stares at a National Guard solider as protests continue over the by 10 AP photographers for their coverage of the pro- image was part of a series by Associated Press photographer Emilio Morenatti death of George Floyd, June 3, 2020, near the White House in Washington, DC. tests set off by Floyd’s killing. One widely published that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography. (AP) The image was part of a series of photographs by The Associated Press that photograph by Julio Cortez on the night of May 28 won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news photography. (AP) in riot-torn Minneapolis showed a lone, silhouetted protester running with an upside-down American fl ag past a burning liquor store. “Everybody, not just myself, has given up some- thing to go cover this stuff,” Cortez said. “To be an illegal immigrant kid who now has a piece of the AP history is just insane. I’m just super proud of every- one’s work.” AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt said the two prizes are a “true testament to the talent and dedication of AP photojournalists.” He added: “These photogra- phers told the stories of the year through remarkable and unforgettable images that resonated around the world.” The New York Times received its public service prize for pandemic coverage that the judges said was “courageous, prescient and sweeping” and “fi lled a data vacuum” that helped better prepare the public. Wesley Morris of the Times won for criticism, for his writing on the intersection of race and culture. Traumatic Similarly, the prize for commentary went to Mi- chael Paul Williams of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia for a series of columns on dismantling Confederate monuments in Richmond following This cover image released by Liveright/ The cast of ‘The Hot Wing King’ appears during a performance on Feb 8, 2020. This cover image released by Liveright Floyd’s death. Norton shows ‘Franchise: The Golden Playwright Katori Hall won the Pulitzer Prize for drama for her play. (AP) shows ‘The Dead Are Arising’ co-au- And Star Tribune journalists were honored for cov- Arches in Black America’ by Marcia thored by Tamara Payne and her father ering the rage in Minneapolis, where protesters burned Chatelain, winner of the Pulitzer Prize Les Payne, winner of the Pulitzer Prize buildings, including a police station, in the wake of for History. (AP) for Biography. (AP) Floyd’s death. The Black man died after a white Min- neapolis police offi cer pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyd’s neck for up to 9-1/2 minutes. The offi cer was later convicted of murder. Pulitzers “Our staff poured its heart and soul into covering this story. It has been such a traumatic and tragic time for our community,” Star Tribune Editor Rene Sanchez said in a statement. “We felt that our journal- ism had to capture the full truth and depth of this pain ‘The Night Watchman,’ Malcolm X biography honored and the many questions it renewed about Minnesota and the country.” Prizes for explanatory reporting went to two re- cipients. Ed Yong of The Atlantic won for a series of Stories of race, racism win arts Pulitzers deeply reported articles about the pandemic. Andrew Chung, Lawrence Hurley, Andrea Januta, Jaimi Dow- NEW YORK, June 12, (AP): Stories lation. The Paynes’ collaboration is also dell and Jackie Botts of Reuters were honored for a of race, racism and colonialism in “This story belongs to him and the second Malcolm X biography look at the legal concept of qualifi ed immunity and the US swept the Pulitzer Prizes for to the Turtle Mountain people. It to win a Pulitzer for an author who how it shields police from prosecution. the arts, from Louise Erdrich’s novel is very moving, this is very mov- didn’t live to see his book released. Two prizes for feature writing were also awarded. “The Night Watchman” to a Malcolm ing recognition,” said Erdrich, who Manning Marable, whose “Malcolm Nadja Drost won for her freelance piece on global X biography co-written by the late Les runs an independent bookstore in X: A Life of Reinvention” won for migration in The California Sunday Magazine, which Payne to Katori Hall’s play “The Hot Minneapolis, where Floyd was history in 2012, died shortly before suspended publication late last year. And freelance Wing King.” killed in May 2020. She called the publication. contributor Mitchell S. Jackson won for an account in The awards were announced Friday Pulitzer a welcome contrast to the Natalie Diaz’s “Postcolonial Love Runner’s World on the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a during a remote ceremony that hon- news of the past year. Poem,” a work of pain and of ecstasy Black man who was chased down and shot while jog- ored the best work in journalism and “I love this city and it hurts to know her publisher describes as “a call to- ging in Georgia. the arts in 2020, a year defined in part how deep the racism goes. It’s some- ward goodness, even as it recognizes This cover image released by Harper by the police killing of George Floyd thing indigenous people also know the violence of our time,” was the The national reporting prize went to the staffs of shows ‘The Night Watchman’ by Louis The Marshall Project, AL.com, IndyStar and the In- and the protests and reckoning which about well. It’s been a painful time.” poetry winner and David Zucchino’s Erdrich, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for followed. The news also comes amid Pulitzer judges called Erdrich’s nov- “Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous visible Institute for an investigation into attacks on Fiction. (AP) people by police K-9 units around the country. an intensifying debate over race and el “a majestic, polyphonic novel about Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White BuzzFeed News won its fi rst Pulitzer, in interna- education, with legislators in Texas a community’s efforts to halt the pro- Supremacy” was cited for general non- tional reporting, for a series by Megha Rajagopalan, and elsewhere seeking to restrict the posed displacement and elimination fiction. Alison Killing and Christo Buschek on the infrastruc- teaching of racial injustice. of several Native American tribes in Tania León’s composition “Stride” ture built by the Chinese government for the mass de- Variety “What the Pulitzers are awarding the 1950s, rendered with dexterity and won for music. The judges commend- tention of Muslims. this year seems so timely,” Tamara imagination.” ed it for being “a musical journey full Payne, Les Payne’s daughter and the of surprise, with powerful brass and Also, BuzzFeed News and the International Con- Accolades sortium of Journalists were fi nalists in that category MIAMI: Michele Gillen, a former South principal researcher for his book, told rhythmic motifs that incorporate Black for an expose on the global banking industry’s role in Florida television investigative reporter, The Associated Press. “All of these It was the first Pulitzer for Erdrich, music traditions from the US and the money laundering. A former US Treasury Department has died. She was 66. voices are so important and always who turned 67 this week and has been Caribbean into a Western orchestral employee was sentenced to six months in prison this Longtime friend and producer Marcia have been important.” a published author for more than 40 fabric.” month for leaking the trove of confi dential fi nancial Izaguirre confi rmed Gillen’s death from Marcia Chatelain, whose “Fran- years. Her previous honors include a “The Hot Wing King” by Katori reports that served as the basis for the series. natural causes in a Facebook post Friday. chise: The Golden Arches in Black National Book Award for “The Round Hall, a play set around a hot wing “For all those who knew her, she was America” won for history, said that she House” and the National Book Critics cooking competition, won the prize for Information a relentless warrior who fought inde- felt honored to be among a group of Circle prize for “LaRose.” drama during a theater season that saw Matt Rocheleau, Vernal Coleman, Laura Crimaldi, fatigably for the vulnerable,” Izaguirre writers who have “tried to find a way The Pulitzer for “The Dead Are most venues largely shuttered. Evan Allen and Brendan McCarthy of The Boston wrote. “In every story she delved into, to make clear that writing about race is Arising” continues the posthumous ac- The drama award, which includes a Globe received the investigative reporting Pulitzer for she aimed to discover the truth and spur fundamental to understanding what we claim for Les Payne, an award-winning $15,000 prize, is “for a distinguished change to improve the quality of life of need as a society.” Newsday journalist who died in 2018. play by an American author, prefer- a series demonstrating the systematic failure by state her community.” governments to share information about dangerous Erdrich, a member of the Turtle He began working on the Malcolm X ably original in its source and dealing Gillen won 39 local Emmys over Mountain Band of Chippewa Indi- book in 1990 and compiled more than with American life.” truck drivers. several decades. McCarthy, the editor on the series, said the Globe ans, has drawn upon her background 100 hours of interviews, including The Pulitzer board hailed “The Hot Gillen graduated from Emerson Col- and blended the traditions of oral with family members of the late Black Wing King” as a “funny, deeply felt “quickly found that this kind of tragedy had been hap- lege in Boston in 1977 and took a job pening year after year for decades. The problems were and written storytelling for such activist, before he died. Tamara Payne consideration of Black masculinity and at a TV station in Bangor, Maine, a helped complete “The Dead Are Aris- in plain sight but had never been addressed.” short time later. She moved to Miami in acclaimed novels as “The Round how it is perceived, filtered through the The winner of the public service Pulitzer is honored 1980 to work for WPLG-ABC10, where House” and “The Plague of Doves.” ing,” which has been praised highly experiences of a loving gay couple and with a gold medal. The awards in the other categories Izaguirre said Gillen’s work on housing She based “The Night Watchman” on by critics and last fall won a National their extended family as they prepare carry a prize of $15,000 each. The prizes are adminis- facilities for the elderly led to national the life of her maternal grandfather, Book Award. for a culinary competition.” tered by Columbia University. legislation against elder abuse. (AP) a night watchman whose reservation “I do wish he were here, to receive Finalists included “Circle Jerk” by The Boston Globe received the investigative report- ❑ ❑ ❑ in rural North Dakota was threatened the accolades,” Tamara Payne said of Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley,” ing Pulitzer for a series demonstrating how poor gov- in the 1950s by congressional legis- her father. and “Stew” by Zora Howard. ernment oversight imperils road safety. NEW YORK: Jailed R&B singer R. Matt Rocheleau, Vernal Coleman, Laura Crimaldi, Kelly wants to shake up his legal defense Evan Allen and Brendan McCarthy were recognized team two months before he is set to go on “for reporting that uncovered a systematic failure by trial in New York on federal racketeering state governments to share information about danger- charges. lawyers. fi rst time in more than seven months after ous truck drivers that could have kept them off the His top two attorneys, Steve Green- “Sometimes you can’t save someone he was caught ... on a Zoom call with road,” the Pulitzer board said. berg and Michael Leonard, of Chicago, from themselves,” Greenberg wrote on former colleagues at The New Yorker. The investigation reported how the increasingly fi led a motion this week seeking to Twitter this week, “no matter how hard Toobin, in an interview with CNN’s withdraw from the long-delayed case, you try.” Alisyn Camerota, said that he was deadly trucking industry operates with minimal fed- saying it would be “impossible” for them grateful to CNN for another chance and eral government oversight. A request for comment was sent “to properly represent Mr Kelly under Thursday to Greenberg and Leonard. that he was “trying to become the kind of Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory praised his the current circumstances.” person that people can trust again.” staff’s winning coverage for the investigative report- (AP) US District Judge Ann Donnelly ❑ ❑ ❑ Camerota asked him bluntly, “what the ing Pulitzer, highlighting their “tireless shoe-leather did not immediately grant the motion, hell were you thinking?” reporting” and the reforms their work produced. requesting more details about the appar- NEW YORK: CNN legal analyst Jeffrey “Obviously, I wasn’t thinking very ent falling out among Kelly’s team of Toobin returned to the network for the Kelly Camerota well or very much,” he said. (AP) ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 SPORTS 14

Horton won’t defend 400-meter gold medal 4 more divers earn berths on US team for Tokyo Olympics

INDIANAPOLIS, June 12, (AP): Mi- nizing committee. Much of that will be chael Hixon and Andrew Copobianco lost and has to be made up by Japanese earned berths for the Tokyo Olympics government entities. in men’s 3-meter synchronized div- ing at the U.S. trials on Friday night. Also: Jessica Parratto and Delaney Schnell ADELAIDE, Australia: Mack Horton won the women’s 10-meter synchro to won’t defend his Olympic 400-meter claim spots on the team. freestyle title in Tokyo after failing to Hixon, a silver medalist at the 2016 make the Australian team for the event. Rio Games, and recent NCAA cham- Horton finished third in the final on pion Copobianco won handily with the first night of the Australian selec- 1,289.27 points. Greg Duncan and tion trials on Saturday. Only the top Grayson Campbell took second at two — Elijah Winnington and Jack 1,168.80. McLoughlin — gained selection for Hixon and Copobianco capped off the Tokyo games beginning July 23. their list with a forward 4 1/2 somer- The opening night of the trials fea- sault tuck that earned 90.6 points for tured Australian records for Emma a dive with a 3.8 degree of difficulty. McKeon in the 100-meter butterfly Parratto, a 2016 Olympian, and and Brendon Smith in the 400-meter Schnell were consistent throughout individual medley. the final round, finishing with 930.00 Winnington won in 3 minutes, points. Katrina Young, who made the 42.65 seconds, ahead of McLough- Olympic team in 2016, and Murphy lin (3:43.27). Horton, who clocked Bromberg finished second at 888.54. 3:43.92, can still earn selection in the Krysta Palmer and Alison Gibson 200-meter freestyle to be contested made the U.S. team by winning the Sunday. women’s 3-meter synchro on Thurs- Earlier, McKeon broke her own na- day. tional 100-meter butterfly record and was on a world-record pace until fad- OLYMPICS ing in the last five meters. McKeon, who could race as many as eight events in Tokyo, won in 55.93 seconds, bet- Meanwhile, the question of allow- tering her previous Australian record ing any fans into Tokyo Olympic ven- of 56.18. ues is still being debated with a deci- McKeon won four medals — gold sion unlikely to be announced before and two silvers in relays and a bronze the end of the month. in the 200 freestyle — at the 2016 Rio This would be just a few weeks be- de Janeiro Olympics. fore the Olympics are to open on July At Tokyo, the medal races will be 23. Fans from abroad have already held in the morning with heats at night. been banned in what is shaping up as a But Australia’s selection trials have largely made-for-television Olympics. switched that around to the traditional Tokyo and several prefectures are morning heats and night finals, after under a state of emergency until June all previous domestic meets this year 20. Infections have slowed recently, raced to the Tokyo schedule. but the spread of variants is still a con- In this July 28, 2014 file photo, Maddie Groves of Australia swims to win silver in the Women’s 200m Butterfly final at the Tollcross International Swimming cern that could put pressure on already Centre during the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. Cody Simpson was dominating attention ahead of Australia’s Olympic swimming stressed medical facilities. trials, until Groves pulled out of the six-day meet following a series of social media posts condemning ‘misogynistic perverts’ in the sport. (AP) Dr. Nobuhiko Okabe, director gen- eral of the Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health, suggested on Friday he would lean toward few fans. He spoke on a panel put together by the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee. Blues & Highlanders to meet in “Thinking in a different way, I think it’s an option to suggest to people to enjoy the games on TV - like telework- ing,” he said. “We could suggest a dif- ferent way of enjoying the games.” Okabe said it was not just a matter of fans in the venues, but what they do Super Rugby trans-Tasman final after leaving - heading to bars or res- taurants. “We don’t want people to move much,” he said. “That’s our wish as we Chiefs hand Waratahs their 13th loss in a row think about anti-virus measures.” Organizing committee president Oregon’s Cole Hocker celebrates Seiko Hashimoto originally said she his win in the men’s 1,500 meters, AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June Manasa Mataele before breaking into the open absence the Rebels scored a try through scrumhalf would announce a decision in April ahead of Notre Dame’s Yared Nu- field. Joe Powell which made the Crusaders’ winning equa- about local fans but has repeatedly guse during the NCAA Division I 12, (AP): The Auckland-based Blues With the goal line beckoning, Ennor tried to ad- tion more complex. postponed it. Outdoor Track and Field Champi- will play the Dunedin-based High- just the position of the ball and managed only to In the end, the Crusaders had only themselves to Ticket sales were to account for onships, on June 11, at Hayward landers in the final of Super Rugby drop it cold, meaning a vital seven points went beg- blame. They had chances to win the match but left $800 million in income for the orga- Field in Eugene, Ore. (AP) trans-Tasman next weekend after ging. too many points on the field. There were other pivotal moments: in the 74th They started well with tries to scrumhalf Mitch New Zealand champions the Crusad- minute, winger Leicester Fainga’anuku appeared to Drummond and Jordan in the first five minutes, which LSU wins men’s NCAA track and ers fell short of a finals place in the have scored the vital try but saw it disallowed for a should have been the launching pad they needed for tournament’s final round. double movement; and in the 42nd minute, fullback a 33-point win. But in their desperation to achieve Will Jordan was tackled into touch in the right corner that margin, they departed from the usual precision of fi eld ‘championships’ team title The Blues, who led the competition for most their game plan and made too many errors. of the fi ve-round season, beat the Western Force by Rebels center Andrew Kellaway. Jordan also received a contentious yellow card for “Our plan was to be patient, hold the ball and not EUGENE, Ore., June 12, (AP): Oregon Carolina A&T won the 400 in 43.85 and 31-21 to clinch their fi nals place on Saturday a deliberate knock on in the 26th minute and in his force the issue,” Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock said. freshman Cole Hocker won the 1,500 USC’s Isaiah Jewett claimed the 800 in while the Highlanders unexpectedly claimed a “But it was a little bit disappointing, we didn’t quite at the NCAA track and field champion- 1:44.68. place a day earlier with a bonus-point win over get there. We had it in our hands tonight and unfortu- ships, and LSU took the men’s team title. Oregon’s Cooper Teare won the 5,000 the ACT Brumbies. nately we came up short.” Hocker bested collegiate record in 13:12.27, setting a school record for The Blues started strongly but finished poorly in holder and defending champion Yared the Ducks while also beating the qualify- RUGBY their win over the Force which brings a Super Rugby Nuguse of Notre Dame with a finish in 3 ing time for the Olympics. final to Eden Park for the first time since 2003. minutes, 35.35 seconds at his home sta- Earlier this week, LSU’s JuVaughn In the first half, they kicked accurately to pin the dium at Oregon’s Hayward Field. Harrison won the long jump with a leap The Highlanders’ win meant the Christchurch- Force in their own half, plundered the Force’s lineout The showdown between Hocker and based Crusaders had to win their last match against and built up patiently, working the middle of the part Nuguse was one of the most anticipated the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday with a bonus point before using flyhalf Otere Black’s long pass to probe races of the meet. Hocker then finished TRACK AND FIELD and a margin of at least 33 points to join the Blues in on the outside. fourth in the 5,000. the final. Backrower Hoskins Sotutu scored two first half LSU won its first title since 2002. Or- of 27 feet, 1¾ inches. On Friday, he took But while they won 52-26 and by eight tries to tries, helping the Blues to a 28-0 lead at halftime. egon was second. high jump at 7- 7 3/4. four, they fell seven points short of the necessary 33 The Blues then faltered, scoring only three points The top-ranked Tigers were boosted Harrison won both events in pulling point margin. in the second half while the Force scored tries through by sprinter Terrance Laird, who ran the off a rare double at the NCAA Indoor That threw the spotlight on several crucial inci- hooker Feleti Kaitu’u, center Tevita Kuridrani and 100 in 10.02. Micah Williams of Oregon championships. He hopes to qualify for dents in the match, especially in the 40th minute In this June 6, 2021 file photo, Chiefs Zane former Ireland international Rob Kearney. posted the top time in the heats, running in the Olympic team this summer. when Crusaders center Braydon Ennor dropped the Kapeli runs at the defense during the Super In the final match on Saturday, New Zealand’s similar cool conditions, but finished third LSU won the 400 relay in 38.48 sec- ball with the goal line open, not a defender in sight. Rugby Transtasman game between the Chiefs Chiefs beat New South Wales 35-7 to hand the Wara- behind Houston’s Shaun Maswanganyi. onds. The Tigers did not qualify for the The Crusaders had broken out from near their own and the Rebels at the Leichhardt Oval in Sydney, tahs their 13th loss in a row. Winger Sean Wainui Florida’s Joseph Fahnbulleh won the men’s 1,600 relay, which was the final line and Ennor had exchanged passes with winger Australia. (AP) scored four tries to lead the Chiefs. 200 in 19.91. Randolph Ross of North event of the day Friday. ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 SPORTS 15

Pederson, Rizzo, Contreras homer as Cubs beat Cardinals DeGrom exits with elbow injury in Mets’ victory over Padres NEW YORK, June 12, (AP): Jacob de- Grom was pulled from a do-it-all gem with right fl exor tendinitis, a troubling MLB Results/Standings diagnosis for the New York Mets that clouded a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. Suns spoil Jokic’s MVP party, DeGrom (6-2) faced the minimum WASHINGTON, June 12, (AP): Results and standings from the MLB games on Friday. over six innings and ripped a two-run Tampa Bay 4 Baltimore 2 single, giving him fi ve RBIs this sea- Cleveland 7 Seattle 0 son - compared to four earned runs al- Chic. Wht. Sox 5 Detroit (10 inn) 4 lowed. He struck out 10 in the abbrevi- Boston 6 Toronto 5 ated outing. Houston 6 Minnesota 4 top Nuggets to take 3-0 lead Oakland 4 Kansas City 3 DeGrom left after 80 pitches and LA Dodgers 12 Texas 1 extending his scoreless streak to 22 LA Angels 6 Arizona (10 inn) 5 innings. He had a no-hit bid until Chicago Cubs 8 St Louis 5 Wil Myers beat the shift with a weak San Francisco 1 Washington 0 NY Mets 3 San Diego 2 76ers grab series edge with 127-111 win over Hawks grounder in the fi fth. Cincinnati 11 Colorado 5 Billy McKinney drove in a run with Miami 4 Atlanta 3 the fi rst of his two doubles in the fi fth, Milwaukee 7 Pittsburgh 4 DENVER, June 12, (AP): Devin Booker and the Phoenix second-round exit. and deGrom followed with his two-run American League Suns spoiled Nikola Jokic’s MVP celebration with a 116- Booker scored 28 points and teamed with Chris Paul to lead a hit. East Division W L Pct GB 102 victory over Denver in Game 3 that put “The Joker” steady offensive onslaught that countered Jokic’s triple-double of San Diego dropped its third straight. Tampa Bay 40 24 .625 _ Blake Snell (2-3) allowed three runs Boston 39 25 .609 1 and the rest of the reeling Nuggets on the brink of a quick 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. in four-plus innings, and the Padres New York 33 30 .524 6-1/2 With their sixth straight victo- couldn’t do enough damage against Toronto 31 30 .508 7-1/2 ry, the second-seeded Suns took New York’s bullpen. Baltimore 22 40 .355 17 Central Division a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Cubs 8, Cardinals 5 W L Pct GB Chicago 39 24 .619 _ series. Game 4 is Sunday night at In Chicago, Anthony Rizzo hit a ty- Cleveland 33 27 .550 4-1/2 Ball Arena. ing home run in the sixth inning on the Kansas City 30 32 .484 8-1/2 Paul had 27 points, eight as- 14th pitch of his at-bat against Daniel Detroit 26 37 .413 13 Ponce de Leon. and Joc Pederson and Minnesota 25 38 .397 14 sists and three steals for the Suns, West Division who pulled away after halftime Willson Contreras also went deep to W L Pct GB lead Chicago over St. Louis. Oakland 38 27 .585 _ for the third straight time. All With Wrigley Field allowed 100% Houston 36 27 .571 1 fi ve Phoenix starters scored in capacity for the fi rst time since 2019, Los Angeles 31 32 .492 6 double fi gures. the Cubs rallied from a 5-1 defi cit be- Seattle 31 34 .477 7 They are a one win away from fore a crowd of 35,112. Texas 24 40 .375 13-1/2 National League their fi rst trip to the Western Pederson drove in three runs and East Division gave the Cubs a 7-5 lead in the seventh W L Pct GB Conference Finals since 2009-10 with a two-run double against Génesis New York 31 24 .564 _ - which was the last time Phoenix Cabrera (1-2). Philadelphia 30 31 .492 4 made the playoffs. Monte Morris Atlanta 29 32 .475 5 Miami 28 35 .444 7 Washington 25 34 .424 8 BASEBALL Central Division BASKETBALL W L Pct GB Chicago 36 27 .571 _ Milwaukee 36 27 .571 _ scored 21 off the bench for Den- Tommy Nance (1-0) threw two in- St Louis 32 31 .508 4 nings to win his fi rst major league de- Cincinnati 30 31 .492 5 ver. cision. and Craig Kimbrel retired three Pittsburgh 23 39 .371 12-1/2 76ers 127, Hawks 111 batters for his 16th save. West Division W L Pct GB In Atlanta, Joel Embiid scored Giants 1, Nationals 0 San Francisco 39 23 .629 _ Los Angeles 38 25 .603 1-1/2 Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, (front), drives past Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. during the sec- 27 points and Philadelphia beat In Washington, Washington ace ond half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series, on June 11, in Denver. (AP) Max Scherzer left after just 12 pitches San Diego 37 28 .569 3-1/2 Atlanta Hawks to take a 2-1 lead Colorado 25 39 .391 15 in the Eastern Conference semifi - because of groin infl ammation, Buster Arizona 20 44 .313 20 Posey homered and San Francisco beat nal series. the Nationals on Anthony DeSclafa- Embiid, playing with a carti- ni’s career-best two-hitter. Storm remain unbeaten on road lage tear in his right knee, added A crowd of 18,029 attended the nine rebounds, eight assists and first game at Nationals Park without ATLANTA, June 12, (AP): Jewel Seattle take a 45-35 lead. Stewart fi n- home. Candace Parker scored 17. three blocked shots. capacity limits since the 2019 World Loyd scored 20 points, Breanna Stew- ished with 13 rebounds as Seattle im- Seattle shot 58% in the fi rst half, hit- Series. art pitched in with a double-double and proved to 4-.0 away from home. ting 6 of 10 from distance. Atlanta made Tobias Harris had 22 points Scherzer retired leadoff batter La- the Seattle Storm remained unbeaten Courtney Williams had 19 points - just 10 of 37 shots (27%), including 2 of and Ben Simmons added 18 Monte Wade Jr. on a fl y ball to left and on the road with an 86-75 victory over 10 from beyond the arc, in the fi rst half to help the 76ers end Atlanta’s had a 3-2 count on Brandon Belt when the Atlanta Dream in WNBA action. but kept within striking distance by mak- streak of 13 home wins. The he stretched his body. He took a war- Loyd, who came into the game tied BASKETBALL ing 13 of 14 free throws. 76ers have taken the series lead mup toss before exiting. for third in the league with 25 made Epiphanny Prince came off the with back-to-back wins. DeSclafani (6-2) struck out eight 3-pointers, hit 2 of 5 from beyond the bench to score 11 for the Storm, who and walked on his his third career shut- arc as the Storm (9-2) shot 47.6% from on 7-of-20 shooting - and 11 rebounds won their second straight and sport the Trae Young led Atlanta with out and complete game. distance (10 of 21). Stewart scored 11 to pace the Dream (4-6), who lost their best record in the league. Prince sank 3 28 points. Game 4 is Monday Angels 6, D-backs 5, 10 Innings of her 18 points in the fi rst half to help fourth straight game and fell to 1-4 at of 4 from beyond the arc. night in Atlanta. In Phoenix, Shohei Ohtani struck out eight, hit two doubles and pushed Miami ahead to stay, and the Marlins through an injury scare to lead Los An- beat Atlanta for the fourth time in fi ve Arizona powers past Ole Miss geles past slumping Arizona. New York Mets’ Jacob deGrom de- meetings this year. Max Stassi’s RBI groundout scored livers a pitch during the third inning Sandy Alcantara (4-5) allowed two Jared Walsh in the top of the 10th to of a baseball game against the San runs in six innings. Yimi García, the Vandy’s Rocker & Stanford’s Beck put the Angels ahead for good. Extra Diego Padres, on June 11, in New Marlins’ fi fth pitcher, earned his 11th innings were needed after Arizona’s York. (AP) save in 14 chances. Eduardo Escobar hit a two-out, tying The Braves have lost three consecu- dominate in NCAA super regionals homer off Raisel Iglesias (4-2) in the nine and walked none. tive games by a run each. Mike Foltynewicz (1-7) fell behind WASHINGTON, June 12, (AP): NCAA Tournament last year because ninth. Reds 11, Rockies 5 Alex Claudio earned his fi rst save of 6-0 in the fi rst. Vanderbilt’s Kumar Rocker and of the pandemic. He’s now 6-0 in his the season. Athletics 4, Royals 3 In Cincinnati, Joey Votto’s three- Stanford’s Brendan Beck turned in career in the national tournament with run blast highlighted a fi ve-homer ef- dominant pitching performances in a 0.63 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 42 2/3 Arizona lost its eighth in a row and In Oakland, Calif., Elvis Andrus hit has lost 31 of its last 36. The team’s fort as Cincinnati extended Colorado’s NCAA super regionalsto put their innings. a winning single in the ninth inning af- road woes. teams on the cusp of berths in the Rocker (13-3) prevailed in the 20-44 record is the worst in the big ter making pair of fi elding gaffes, and leagues. Nick Castellanos, Scott Heineman, College World Series. pitcher’s duel with Gavin Williams Oakland beat Kansas City. Kyle Farmer and Tyler Stephenson Rocker led the reigning national (10-1), who lost for the first time this D-backs starter Merrill Kelly gave Seth Brown homered to snap a long up three runs over fi ve innings. also went deep against Kyle Freeland champion Commodores to a 2-0 vic- season after scattering seven hits and funk for the A’s. Matt Chapman had (0-2), who set a career high for home tory over East Carolina in Nashville, striking out 13 in 7 1/3 innings. Dodgers 12, Rangers 1 three hits including an RBI double. runs allowed in a game. The Reds fell East Carolina (44-16) is in its sixth Salvador Pérez hit solo homers in and Beck held down one of the In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw one short of matching their single- Seattle Storm forward Katie Lou nation’s top offensive teams in a 15-3 super regional, and its 30 NCAA bounced back from two bad outings the seventh against Cole Irvin and the game season high for homers. Samuelson shoots over Atlanta eighth against former teammate Jake win over Texas Tech in Lubbock, Tournament appearances without with six sharp innings, Gavin Lux The Rockies fell to 5-25 away from Dream guard Courtney Williams Texas. making it to the CWS is the longest drove in four runs and hit one of fi ve Diekman. Coors Field and have lost every road during the fi rst half of a WNBA bas- Kansas City has lost six of seven. No. 1 national seed Arkansas made streak of its kind. Dodgers homers as Los Angeles rout- series this season. ketball game, on June 11, in Col- fast work of North Carolina State in the Stanford’s Beck (9-1) went to the ed Texas. Lou Trivino (3-2) retired four bat- lege Park, Ga. (AP) ters. Scott Barlow (2-2) took the loss. Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 5 opener of its best-of-three series, getting mound in the bottom of the first inning Max Muncy, Justin Turner and Lux a grand slam from Cullen Smith and two with a four-run lead. He had 0-2 counts homered in the fi rst inning. Albert Pu- Indians 7, Mariners 0 In Boston, Alex Verdugo hit a line drive off the Green Monster to drive Brewers 7, Pirates 4 homers from Robert Moore in a 21-2 on 18 of the 30 batters he faced and jols and Will Smith also went deep as In Cleveland, Aaron Civale gave up struck out a career-high 13 in 7 1/3 in the game-winning run in the ninth In Milwaukee, Christian Yelich hit win in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was the Los Angeles won its fourth in a row a single to start the game before domi- largest margin of victory in super region- innings. He gave up two runs and was and sent Texas to its 16th straight road inning and Boston rallied from a four- a bases-loaded double that broke a tie nating Seattle’s light-hitting lineup for run defi cit to beat Toronto. never stressed after the No. 9 Cardinal loss. eight innings, leading the Cleveland to and Pittsburgh relievers issued three Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three of consecutive bases-loaded walks in a (37-15) scored four times in the first Kershaw (8-5) gave up only one the win in front of the largest crowd at BASEBALL on a homer by Tim Tawa and three unearned and three hits. He struck out Toronto’s 16 hits, including his major fi ve-run seventh inning that helped Progressive Field since 2019. league-leading 19th homer of the sea- straight RBI singles. Civale (9-2) allowed J.P. Crawford’s fuel Milwaukee’s win. son, to help the Blue Jays open a four- Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a two-run hom- Stanford entered the game 1-8 in its leadoff hit and nothing else to become run lead in the sixth inning. The Red als since the tournament went to its cur- last four super-regional appearances the fi rst AL pitcher with nine wins. He er, and Ben Gamel and Gregory Po- Sox scored three in the bottom half and lanco added solo shots for the Pirates, rent format in 1999. and is going for its 17th CWS appear- struck out a career-high 11 and retired tied it on Christian Arroyo’s towering Tony Bullard continued his three- ance, and first since 2008. The No. 8 22 in a row after loading the bases in who lost their fi fth straight. Pittsburgh solo home run. pitchers issued a total of 11 walks. week offensive surge, homering twice Red Raiders (39-16) are trying to get the fi rst. Blake Parker worked the ninth Verdugo’s single off the wall in left and tripling to lead Arizona past to their third straight CWS. to complete the two-hitter. Clay Holmes (2-1) took the loss. was his third hit, and pinch-runner Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff Mississippi 9-3 in Tucson, Arizona. The Razorbacks’ 21 runs were their Rays 4, Orioles 2 Danny Santana scored easily for Bos- (5-2) gave up the homers to Gamel and Rocker was the biggest star of the most in 162 all-time NCAA In St. Petersburg, Fla., Ryan Yar- ton’s major league-best 23rd come- Polanco. He allowed two other hits in last NCAA Tournament, and he’s Tournament games and the most brough pitched six solid innings and back win of the season. seven innings, striking our fi ve with no doing his thing again, keeping batters allowed by the Wolfpack in 123. Tampa Bay became the fi rst team to Astros 6, Twins 4 walks. off balance while mixing his mid-90s Moore’s first homer gave the fastball with a slider and curve. Razorbacks a 2-1 lead in the second reach 40 wins this season. In Minneapolis, Martín Maldonado White Sox 5, Tigers 4, 10 Innings Yarbrough (4-3), the fi rst Rays’ Rocker, who could be the first player inning and his three-run blast in the hit a go-ahead double in the ninth and In Detroit, Liam Hendricks angrily taken in the Major League Baseball draft eighth closed the scoring. Charlie pitcher to go the distance in fi ve years Houston beat Minnesota. in his previous start, gave up two un- threw a wet ball into foul territory af- next month, allowed three hits and Welch also went deep for the Hogs, earned runs and three hits, striking out Jose Altuve and Yuli Gurriel ter his fi rst pitch of the ninth inning, struck out 11 in 7 2/3 innings in what whose 106 homers lead the nation. six. homered and Alex Bregman drove in leading to a lengthy rain delay, then was probably his final appearance at Patrick Wicklander (7-1) gave up a Brandon Lowe homered for the two runs for Houston, which won for gave up a tying two-run homer to Daz Hawkins Field. In the regional opener run and six hits in six innings, and two Washington Nationals’ Kyle Rays, who are 21-5 since May 13. the fourth time in fi ve games. Michael Cameron before Chicago beat Detroit against Presbyterian last week, he threw relievers allowed the Wolfpack (33- Schwarber (12) is out at second Baltimore got a home run from Trey Brantley added three hits for the As- in 10 innings. seven innings of two-hit shutout ball for 18) one hit the rest of the way. as San Francisco Giants second Mancini. Keegan Akin (0-1) took the tros. Chicago led 4-2 when Hendriks en- No. 4 national seed Vandy (44-15). Arizona’s Bullard, who hit one baseman Donovan Solano, (right), loss. Ryne Stanek (1-1) allowed a tying tered to start the ninth, seeking his AL- Rocker in 2019 pitched a no-hitter home run in his first 36 games, went throws to fi rst to complete the dou- homer to Josh Donaldson in the eighth high 17th save. Marlins 4, Braves 3 against Duke in the super regionals deep in the second and fourth innings ble play on Yan Gomes during the but earned the win in relief of starter Hendriks (3-1) had entered with 14 and was selected the CWS Most and has hit six homers in his last six fi fth inning of a baseball game, on In Miami, Jazz Chisholm’s two-out, José Urquidy. Ryan Pressly notched straight scoreless appearances and had Outstanding Player. There was no games. June 11, in Washington. (AP) two-run single in the fourth inning put his 10th save in 11 chances. retired 26 of his previous 28 batters. Islanders-Lightning, Knights-Canadiens in uncertain fi nal 4 NEW YORK, June 12, (AP): If the fi nal two rounds with the Stanley Cup It allowed all 31 teams to complete a ing one playoff series than they have teams left in the NHL playoffs are sick on the line bring every element of the condensed, 56-game schedule with all-time in the regular season, because and tired of facing the same opponents unknown. 16 making the playoffs. New York the Golden Knights began playing in over and over, they are in luck in the “It’s such a different series in emerged from the East, Tampa Bay the 2017. semifi nals. terms of the preparation,” Vegas gen- Central, Vegas the West and Montreal The Lightning and Islanders grinded After exclusively divisional play eral manager Kelly McCrimmon said. the North. Players and coaches from out a six-game series nine months ago this season and through the fi rst two “Now with the Islanders and Tampa these teams haven’t thought much in the postseason bubble in Edmonton, rounds, the hockey playoffs are down about each other all season, let alone Alberta, so there will be some familiar- to a fi nal four of teams that haven’t scout or prepare for them. ity when the puck drops Sunday after- played each other all year. The New ICE HOCKEY “Different season for everyone,” noon in Tampa. York Islanders face the Tampa Bay Canadiens coach Dominique Ducha- “It helps a little bit,” Islanders coach Lightning in one semifi nal that’s a re- rme said. “Different style of play or Barry Trotz said. “Most of our players match of the 2020 Eastern Conference Bay, our own series with Montreal, it’s different teams that you play often, but played in that series, so they under- fi nal, while the Vegas Golden Knights brand new. Starting from scratch.” that’s part of the challenge for every- stand when we’re talking about certain play the Montreal Canadiens in a play- The league that has emphasized one right now.” trends or the way they play.” off series for the fi rst time. rivalries for decades limited play If Montreal-Vegas, which begins Tampa Bay won that series last fall Vanderbilt’s Enrique Bradfi eld Jr. hits an infi eld single against East Caro- After so much familiarity from see- within four remade divisions for one Monday night, goes the distance, the before beating Dallas and hoisting the lina in the eighth inning of an NCAA college baseball super regional game, ing the same teams over and over, the season only because of the pandemic. teams will face off more times dur- Stanley Cup. on June 11, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP) ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 16

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic slams a forehand to Spain’s Rafael Nadal during their semifi nal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Krejcikova wins 1st Grand Slam title Djokovic hands Nadal 3rd loss in 108 French Open matches

PARIS, June 12, (AP): Thinking of her late coach the whole time, Barbora Krejcikova went from unseeded to Grand Slam champion at the French Open. Krejcikova beat 31st-seeded An- astasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 in the final at Roland Garros on Saturday to win the title in just her fifth major tournament as a singles player. When it ended with Pavlyuchen- kova’s backhand landing long on the fourth match point for Krejcikova, a 25-year-old from the Czech Republic, they met at the net for a hug. Krejcikova is the third unseeded women’s champion since 2017 at Roland Garros. There were zero from 1968 through 2016. She now will try to become the fi rst woman since Mary Pierce in 2000 to win the French Open singles and dou- bles titles in the same year. Krejcikova and partner Katerina Siniakova already own two Grand Slam doubles titles and reached Sunday’s fi nal of that event. TENNIS

Pavlyuchenkova, a 29-year-old Rus- sian, was playing in her fi rst Grand Slam fi nal in the 52nd major tournament of her career - the most appearances by a wom- an before reaching a title match. This was only the second WTA sin- gles title for Krejcikova - and they’ve come in her past two tournaments. She is the sixth consecutive fi rst- time Grand Slam champion to collect the women’s championship at Roland Garros, where the red clay can frus- trate players by diminishing the effec- tiveness of speedy serves and by creat- Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova poses with the Cup after defeating Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros ing odd bounces. Stadium in Paris. (AP) Saturday’s matchup was a fi t- ting conclusion to two surprise-fi lled weeks. Eriksen taken to hospital after collapsing, Wales hold Switzerland to 1-1 draw Some jitters were apparent in the fi - nal’s opening game, when Krejcikova double-faulted twice and got broken. But she snapped out of it right away, excel- ling with her crisp two-handed backhand, Italy make flying start to European Champ’ship net skills honed in doubles and perfect defensive lobs. One curled over Pavly- uchenkova and landed right in a corner ROME, June 12, (AP): Italy waited a for a winner that helped Krejcikova break long time for this European Champi- Saudi Arabia close in on 3rd round spot to 1-1 and begin a six-game run. onship to start and then showed just Pavlyuchenkova went up 5-1 in how eager the team was to play the the second, before she stretched for a tournament opener. Kuwait WC hopes end as Australia advance to 3rd round backhand, winced and reached for her After humiliatingly failing to quali- upper left leg. During a medical time- fy for the 2018 World Cup, Italy were already back on track with a perfect KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (Agencies): Kuwait hopes of ad- China kept alive their hopes of adding to their sole World out, a trainer taped that leg while Pav- vancing to the third round of Asian World Cup were ended Cup appearance in 2002 by beating the Maldives 5-0 in lyuchenkova was on a towel, a bag of qualifying campaign of 10 wins in 10 matches. Now Roberto Mancini’s after drawing 0-0 with Sharjah. Victory against Group A winners Syria on Tuesday candy within reach. Jordan at Jaber International Stadium. will be enough to send China into the third round. In the third set, Krejcikova nosed team have begun their fi rst major inter- national tournament in fi ve years with The fi rst half lacked intensity as both sides created little The team’s form is good. In three games since the second ahead for good at 4-3 by breaking at chances. round resumed on May 30, China have taken nine points, love with a forehand winner. a convincing 3-0 win over Turkey. Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne The turning point of the game came in 60th minute after scored 14 goals and conceded none. But Syria will be a Soon enough, she was being handed tougher test. both scored after an own-goal from Kuwait defender was sent off for two yellow cards. the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen by 18- The visitors were denied the maximum points by out- time major champion Martina Navra- Turkey defender Merih Demiral had standing goalkeeping from Khaled Al-Rashid. tilova and gently rocking the trophy given Italy the lead - all in the second 10-man Kuwait nearly broke the deadlock in closing stage SOCCER during the Czech national anthem. half. of the game but striker Youssef Nasser Sprinting, sliding and stretching, antici- Demiral redirected a cross from missed that golden opportunity. Iran thrashed Cambodia 10-0 but will still have to win against pating each other’s moves for four sets and Domenico Berardi into his own net With this result Jordan stayed second with 14 points while Group C leaders Iraq - which defeated Hong Kong 1-0 to stay more than four hours, Novak Djokovic after attempting to intercept the pass. Kuwait third with 11 points. two points clear at the top - on Tuesday to fi nish fi rst. and Rafael Nadal produced a masterpiece Immobile then poked in a rebound of Australia became the fourth Asian team to advance to the There will be another showdown between fi rst and second in the French Open semifi nals. a shot from Leonardo Spinazzola on Wales’ Gareth Bale, (right), and third stage of World Cup qualifying after beating Nepal 3-0. in Group G. Vietnam stayed two points clear of the United Djokovic, as it happens, is one of only another play that began with Berardi, Switzerland’s Ricardo Rodriguez Goals from Mathew Leckie, Fran Karacic and Martin Arab Emirates with a 2-1 win over Malaysia. UAE’s 5-0 vic- two men in tennis history who knows and Insigne later curled one in after a battle for the ball during the Euro Boyle in Kuwait City earned Australia Group B honors and tory over Indonesia means victory over Vietnam on Tuesday what it takes to beat Nadal at Roland Gar- failed clearance by Turkey goalkeeper 2020 soccer championship Group will be enough for fi rst place. A match between Wales and Swit- a seventh win out of seven matches. The Australians joined ros. And now Djokovic has done it twice Uğurcan Çakır. Japan, South Korea and Syria in the next round, scheduled In Group D, Saudi Arabia scored three goals in the last six Italy dominated from the start but zerland at Baku Olympic Stadium in - this time ending Nadal’s bid for a 14th Baku, Azerbaijan. (AP) to start in September. minutes to defeat Singapore 3-0 in Riyadh, a result that left championship there and record-breaking was denied in the fi rst half by a superb Only the eight group winners progress along with the four the host needing on Tuesday just a point against Uzbekistan, 21st Grand Slam title overall by coming save from Çakır and a decision by the bar with his fi ngertips. best second-placed teams. which beat Yemen 1-0, to fi nish fi rst. back to win their 58th career matchup referee not to award a penalty for an With his head wrapped in bandages 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2. apparent handball. the same color as his red shirt, Keiffer “Just one of these nights and match- The victory extended Italy’s unbeat- Moore nodded in an equalizer to give es that you will remember forever,” en run to 28 matches and boosted the Wales a 1-1 draw with Switzerland at said the top-seeded Djokovic, who Azzurri’s status as a title contenders. the European Championship in Baku, trailed 2-0 in the closing set before Italy, which won their only Euro- Azerbaijan . reeling off the last half-dozen games pean title in 1968, had never before The goal off a cross from Joe Mor- to reach his sixth fi nal at the clay-court scored more than two goals at the Eu- rell in the 74th minute hinted that ropean Championship, according to major tournament. Wales could again be a surprise con- UEFA. “Defi nitely the best match that I tender at Euro 2020, like it was fi ve was part of ever in Roland Garros, for years ago when the team reached the me, and (one of the) top-three matches SOCCER Euro 2016 semifi nals. that I ever played in my entire career - For Moore, it was the biggest step so considering quality of tennis, playing The tournament, which is still being far in a long journey to soccer’s elite my biggest rival on the court where after starting in the non-league system he has had so much success and has called Euro 2020, began a year late be- cause of the pandemic. in southwest England. been the dominant force in the last 15- He nearly gave Wales a lead with plus years,” Djokovic said, “and the The Stadio Olimpico was still only atmosphere, which was completely 25% full because of coronavirus mea- a looping header which Switzerland electric.” It was Nadal’s third loss in sures and fans sat in small groups goalkeeper Yann Sommer stretched to 108 matches at a tournament he won safely distanced from one another. push over the bar, but he was hurt in each of the last four years, including Still, the crowd of about 16,000 was a clash on the resulting corner. Moore by beating Djokovic in the 2020 fi nal. the largest gathering in Italy since the left the fi eld bleeding and returned in Nadal’s fi rst defeat at the French pandemic took hold. bandages, but was largely cut out of Open came against Robin Soderling Italy appeared energized from the the game as Wales defended deeper in in 2009; the next against Djokovic in start and dominated possession while the fi rst half. Switzerland dominated possession KUNA photo 2015. Turkey sat back and waited for rare A Kuwaiti player kicks the ball as two Jordanians look on during a World Cup qualifying match in Kuwait. “Each time you step on the court with counterattacks. but wasted numerous chances before him,” Djokovic said, “you know that you In the fi rst half alone, Italy produced Breel Embolo scored the opening goal have to kind of climb Mt. Everest to win 13 attempts and Turkey none. By the in the 49th minute. First he won a cor- Italy lead Group A with three points. he was awake. He was treated for about 10 minutes against this guy here.” And to think: There end, Italy had 24 attempts and Turkey ner when his shot was pushed wide Wales and Switzerland have one point “Christian Eriksen is awake and is after collapsing. He was then carried wasn’t even a trophy at stake in this one. three - and none on goal. after a solo run, then rose above his each. undergoing further examinations at off on a stretcher. UEFA then an- That will happen Sunday, when Djokovic, Midway through the fi rst half, Çakır marker to head in a cross from Xher- Denmark midfielder Christian Er- Rigshospitalet,” the Danish federation nounced the game had been suspended a 34-year-old from Serbia, faces Stefanos made an acrobatic save to deny Gior- dan Shaqiri. iksen was taken to a hospital Saturday wrote on Twitter. “due to a medical emergency.” Tsitsipas, a 22-year-old from Greece. gio Chiellini. The Italy captain was left The Swiss pushed for a winning after collapsing on the field during a The Euro 2020 match between Den- UEFA said the teams were having The fi fth-seeded Tsitsipas edged unmarked on a corner and directed a goal after Moore’s header and thought match at the European Championship. mark and Finland was suspended after an emergency meeting and more infor- sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-3, header toward the target before Çakır they had one when Mario Gavranovic The governing body of European Eriksen was given urgent medical at- mation would be provided at 7:45 p.m. 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 earlier to reach his leaped up, extended his right arm high put the ball in the net, but it was ruled soccer said Eriksen has been stabilized tention on the field near the end of the local time. A stadium announcer asked fi rst Grand Slam fi nal. into the air and pushed the ball over the offside on video review. and the Danish soccer federation said first half. fans to stay in their seats and stay calm.

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