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FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 / ZUL-HIJJAH 6-7, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17741 16 PAGES 150 FILS Heroism hailed ... Martyrs laid to rest

Amir condoles

KUWAIT CITY, July 15, (KUNA): His High- ness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah on Wednesday sent letters of condolences to the families of ten Kuwait- is, who died in the 1990 Iraqi invasion. His Highness the Amir recognized the martyrs’ he- roic sacrifices made in the name of their country, pray- ing for solace for their fami- lies. His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. Kuwait National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim also sent letters of condolenc- es to the families of the 10 Kuwaitis, after their remains were received from Iraqi au- thorities. The ten Kuwaitis were pris- Photos by Mohamed Morsi oners of war during the Iraqi The mortal remains of ten Kuwaitis who lost their lives during the Iraqi invasion being carried for burial after a military funeral in their honour. Inset: Family members paying their last respects to one invasion of 1990. They were of the martyrs before burial. laid to rest at a military funer- al in their honour in Kuwait. The parliament chief recalled WHO asks China to be more transparent the heroism of the martyrs, Opinion who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their nation’s free- dom. Premature to rule out COVID lab leak Crowds of mourners at- Iraqi anger haunts Tehran’s gangs tended the proceedings, in- BERLIN, July 15, (AP): The head of the World Health Orga- cluding government ministers nization acknowledged it was and leading officials in the By Ahmed Al-Jarallah gionally in order to prolong their presence Residence renewal fee for premature to rule out a poten- country. Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times in Iraq, and also to claim that the largest tial link between the COVID-19 The remains of the ten Ku- military force in the world withdrew from pandemic and a laboratory leak, waiti men, who lost their lives THE illusionary divine victories that Iran Iraq due to its inability to withstand the and he said Thursday he is asking in the Iraqi invasion of 1990, has been attempting to claim have no real “missiles”, which are actually more like over 60s seen debilitating China to be more transparent as were laid to rest at a military meaning. Irrespective of whether in Leba- fireworks than weapons. scientists search for the origins of funeral in their honour after non, Iraq, Yemen or Syria, the ugly reality Iran forgets the fact that the need for the By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh In a press statement after the meet- the coronavirus. they were received from the of the crimes committed by this rogue state United States to ensure a massive military Arab Times Staff ing, Al-Ghanim said it is an honor to In a rare departure from his usu- emerges with every sunrise, not only in the presence in the region has been exhausted have met Egyptian President Abdul al deference to powerful member Iraqi government on Wednes- region, but also within Iranian borders. after the defeat of ISIS. KUWAIT CITY, July 15: MP Abdul- Fattah El-Sisi the previous day; dur- countries, WHO Director-General day. Therefore, its attempt to delude the From this standpoint, it is possible to lah Al-Turaiji called for revision of the ing which he conveyed the messages Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Crowds of mourners, in- Iraqis and the Iranians by claiming that the analyze the sectarian militia attacks not decision of the Public Authority for of His Highness the Amir Sheikh said getting access to raw data had cluding Interior Minister withdrawal of the American military from only on the interests of Washington and Manpower (PAM) to impose KD 2,000 Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah been a challenge for the interna- Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al- Iraq is due to the shellings of the sectarian its forces, but also on civilian and health health insurance fee for the renewal of and His Highness the Crown Prince tional team that traveled to China Salem Al-Sabah, attended the the work permits of expatriates who are gangs backed by Iran is a futile one. The facilities. It was because these gangs are Sheikh Mesha’al Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber earlier this year to investigate the proceedings, offering their more than 60 years old and hold sec- Al-Sabah. fact that they have forgotten, as usual, is trying to kill two birds with one stone - source of COVID-19. The first condolences to the families that the process of this withdrawal has been the first is to mislead the masses and dupe ondary stage certificate or lower. He also expressed happiness over human cases were identified in the in motion since 2011. In fact, the process them with illusionary victory, and the He argued this is an exorbitant his meeting with Al-Jebali as it was a Chinese city of Wuhan. of the deceased and praising would have been completed a long time second is an attempt to hide all the evi- amount and the concerned expatriates manifestation of the sisterly relations Tedros told reporters that the their heroism, courage and ago if not for Tehran’s backing of ISIS. dence that condemn them in terms of the will be forced to leave the country. between Kuwait and Egypt. He af- UN health agency based in Gene- valour. This scene is an exact replica of what systematic looting, impoverishment and He said majority of these expatriates firmed Kuwait’s support for Egypt on va is “asking actually China to be They hailed the martyrs for Iran tried to do in Lebanon in the year starvation of the Iraqis, as well as to use are owners of shops and they might all issues and challenges. transparent, open and cooperate, having sacrificed their lives 2000. It portrayed Israel’s withdrawal from this great country as a backyard for Ira- increase the fees for the services they He pointed out Egypt is considered especially on the information, for their country and having Lebanon to be the result of the impact of the nian terrorism. provide in order to compensate for a ‘beating heart’; such that when it raw data that we asked for at the the cost of renewing their work per- set a great example of patrio- strikes fired by its gangs, and announced an However, like in all countries where Iran recovered, the whole Arab world be- early days of the pandemic.” tism. wreaked sabotage and corruption, these mits. He warned this will negatively came healthy. He revealed that his illusory victory over the rubble of a crush- He said there had been a “pre- The deceased individu- ing defeat for its project in the region. lies will not deceive the Iraqis. Betting on affect the citizens. meeting with Al-Jebali focused on mature push” to rule out the the- The Mullahs regime also tried to exploit people to forget their tragedies by throwing He added this decision will not re- parliamentary coordination of posi- ory that the virus might have es- als’ names were earlier an- its war against Israel in Lebanon in 2006, crumbs of fake victories will not extinguish duce crowds in public clinics because tions on global developments; espe- caped from a Chinese government nounced by Kuwaiti authori- when the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasral- the volcano of anger that is raging under the expatriates will continue availing cially the issues which are important lab in Wuhan — undermining ties between November 2020 lah emerged after 33 days of killing and the ashes of the stifling living crisis that led services in these clinics. He suggested for the Arab and Islamic world, as WHO’s own March report, which and March 2021 after their destruction to announce his divine victory, these Iraqi puppet gangs to them. these expatriates must have health in- well as issues of mutual concern be- concluded that a laboratory leak genetic profiles were identi- and played on the people’s desperation and The blood of innocent Iranians who surance but the fee should be reason- tween Kuwait and Egypt. was “extremely unlikely.” fied by Interior Ministry of- thirst for any victory over Israel after a long were executed by the Mullahs regime for able and that they should go to hospi- He thanked the Egyptian authori- “I was a lab technician myself, tals allocated for them, indicating this ficials, Foreign Ministry Pris- history of defeats, showing indifference to forty years under the pretext of conspiring ties for taking care of Kuwaitis cur- I’m an immunologist, and I have oners and Missing Persons the massive destruction that befell Lebanon to rule is the best evidence. This blood con- can be applied to all expatriates later. rently staying in Egypt for study and worked in the lab, and lab acci- tinues to haunt the Mullahs, even in their Also, he submitted a proposal for other purposes. He highlighted as dents happen,” Tedros said. “It’s Affairs Committee Director from the far north to the far south, and the Rabea Al-Adsani said. thousands that were wounded or died. nightmares. military institutes in the country — well the vital role that the Egyptian common.” Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Se- community plays in Kuwait. In recent months, the idea that They had been prisoners Based on this fact, it was not surprising Email: [email protected] that the commanders of the Revolution- curity Sciences, National Guard and On the other hand, Al-Jebali wel- the pandemic started somehow of war in Iraq, apprehended ary Guards issued orders to the sectarian Follow me on: Ali Abdullah Al-Salem College — to comed Al-Ghanim while asserting in a laboratory — and perhaps during the Iraqi invasion of militias to escalate their attacks against unify the period of study to four years that this historic visit reflects the deep involved an engineered virus — Kuwait in 1990, Al-Adsani the American forces. They are looking for for Bachelor of Law and Administra- ties between Kuwait and Egypt. He has gained traction, especially explained. anything in which to invest, which could be tion; in addition to Bachelor of Mili- said the Kuwaitis and Egyptians rep- with President Joe Biden order- The Kuwaiti official went more disinformation both internally and re- [email protected] tary Studies. resent one nation as reflected in their ing a review of US intelligence to He said the current period of study similar positions on all issues. He de- assess the possibility in May. on to thank Iraqi authorities, for Bachelor of Security Sciences at scribed the speech of Al-Ghanim as China has struck back aggres- the Tripartite and Technical Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Se- factual, confirming that parliamenta- sively, arguing that attempts to Subcommittees, the Interna- curity Sciences, Diploma of Military ry coordination on global issues con- link the origins of COVID-19 to tional Committee of the Red Newswatch studies at Ali Abdullah Al-Salem tinues. He then wished for prosperity a lab were politically motivated Cross and the United Nations College and the National Guard is and advancement for the people of and suggesting that the virus Assistance Mission for Iraq three years. Kuwait under the leadership of His might have started abroad. At (UNAMI) for their contribu- Meanwhile, National Assembly Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- WHO’s annual meeting of health tions which led to determin- Rhine Westphalia Rhineland KUWAIT CITY: The Ministry of Health is and . Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim on Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. ministers in the spring, China ing the fate of the missing accelerating and expanding the Covid-19 His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Thursday met his Egyptian counter- In another development, MP Bader said that the future search for services and is planning to increase the Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah part Hanafi Al-Jebali in the headquar- Al-Humaidi forwarded queries to Min- COVID-19’s origins should con- Kuwaitis. number of workers in hospitals and at and His Highness the Prime Minister ters of Egypt’s House of Representa- ister of Education Ali Fahd Al-Mudaf tinue — in other countries. specialized health centers as the ministry Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sa- tives with Kuwaiti Ambassador to about the schools which have been Most scientists suspect that the prepares to face the possible increase in bah addressed cables of identical content Egypt Muhammad Saleh Al-Zuwaikh turned into private universities since the coronavirus originated in bats, the number of infections during the com- to the German president. (KUNA) in attendance. liberation of Kuwait in 1991 till date. but the exact route by which it Day by Day ing period, especially with the opening of ❑ ❑ ❑ first jumped into people — via an fl ights and people arriving from abroad BOSTON: The State Department will of- intermediary animal or in some and the spread of the Delta virus among other way — has not yet been the residents. fer rewards up to $10 million for informa- THE Boeing Company chose tion leading to the identifi cation of anyone determined. It typically takes de- Kuwait to be its Middle East The increase in the number of beds in cades to narrow down the natural emergency wards and the Covid-19 inten- engaged in foreign state-sanctioned mali- headquarters and train and cious cyber activity, including ransom- source of an animal virus like qualify Kuwaiti youth. This is sive care units the Ministry of Health is Ebola or SARS. currently working to increase the number ware attacks, against critical US infra- an excellent step, and per- Tedros said that “checking haps God will compensate of workers including doctors, nurses and structure. A task force set up by the White House what happened, especially in us in a better way instead of technicians to face the possible increase in feeding us “shrimps, salmon infections. will coordinate efforts to stem the ransom- our labs, is important” to nailing ware scourge. down if the pandemic had any and Abu Kass cheese”. Reliable health sources told the Al- We advise the Minister of Seyassah daily the Ministry of Health The Biden administration is also out laboratory links. with a website, stopransomware.gov, that “We need information, direct Commerce that his people has strengthened the number of anesthe- who are involved in this proj- siologists and intensive care doctors after offers the public resources for countering information on what the situation the threat and building more resilience of this lab was before and at the ect must not inform Boeing opening about seven new intensive care that its employees will have units in various hospitals during the past into networks, a senior administration of- start of the pandemic,” the WHO fi cial told reporters. to leave Kuwait when they few weeks. chief said, adding that China’s reach ‘sixty’ and God willing, ❑ ❑ ❑ In another move Thursday, the Treas- cooperation was critical. “If we ury Department’s Financial Crimes En- the project will go ahead as get full information, we can ex- planned, if not, we will re- KUWAIT CITY: His Highness the Amir forcement Network will work with banks, clude (the lab connection).” Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- technology companies and others on turn to square one and will Throughout the pandemic, find there is no substitute to Sabah sent on Thursday a cable of condo- better anti-money-laundering efforts for Tedros has repeatedly praised Chi- lences to German President Frank-Wal- cryptocurrency and more rapid tracing of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan places carnations at a mon- “shrimps, salmon and Abu ument during a ceremony in the capital Ankara, Turkey, July 15. Tur- na for its speed and transparency Kass cheese”. ter Steinmeier over the victims of rainfall ransomware proceeds, which are paid in despite senior WHO officials in- that swept through the states of North virtual currency. (AP) key on Thursday marked the fifth anniversary of a failed coup attempt ... Yet, tomorrow is another against the government, with a series of events commemorating victims ternally griping about obfuscation day. who died trying to quash the uprising. (AP) from their Chinese counterparts. Zahed Matar ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 2

Weather Expected weather for the next relatively humid specially over Abdaly 48 31 Prayer Timings 24 hours: coastal areas with light variable Jahra 48 32 By Day: Hot and relatively hu- wind to light to moderate south Salmiyah 45 34 Fajr ...... 03:25 Asr ...... 15:28 mid specially over coastal areas easterly wind with speeds of 06- Ahmadi 45 35 Sunrise .. 04:58 Maghrib .. 18:49 28 km/h. Zohr ...... 11:54 Isha ...... 20:19 with light to moderate north east- Wafra 47 30 erly wind to south easterly wind Station Max Exp Min Rec Salmy 46 30 with speeds of 08-30 km/h. Kuwait City 47 36 Jal Aliyah 47 31 By Night: Hot to rather hot and Kuwait Airport 47 30 Managish - -

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

Humansoft Holding jumps 59 fi ls, Zain ticks lower Kuwait stock index gains traction amid renewed buying By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ▼ US$/KD 0.30050/60 KUWAIT CITY, July 15: Kuwait stocks gained traction ▼ Euro/KD 0.3551 amid renewed buying on Thursday. The All Shares Index , after a wobbly start, climbed 28.18 points to 6396.63 pts in ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 a broad advance led by some of the blue chips and mid-caps. The Premier Market jumped 29.29 points to 6934.05 pts ■ British £/KD 0.4166 while Main Market gained 26.54 points. The BK Main 50 index soared 50.80 pts to 5603.16 points. The volume turno- ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0040 ver meanwhile surged past the 200 million mark to hit a 10-day high. Over 266 million shares changed hands – a 49 ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0060 pct jump from the day before. All sectors, barring one, closed in green turf. Technology outpaced the rest with 3.88 pct gain whereas Telecommuni- ▼ FTSE -77.40 pts at 18:50 July 15 cations , the only loser, fell 0.34 percent. Financial Services topped the volume with 155 million shares and sector was also ahead in value with KD 17.52 million. ▼ Nikkei -329.40 pts at closing July 15 Among the prime movers, Kuwait Finance House rallied 8 fi ls to 763 fi ls on back of 7 million shares and Gulf Bank ▲ Gold $1832 added 3 fi ls after pushing 5.9 million shares National Invest- per oz (London) ment Co rose 3 fi ls to 173 fi ls and Mabanee Co followed suit to close at 711 fi ls. Boursa Kuwait Securities scaled 9 ▼ NYMEX crude $72.86 per barrel fi ls with a volume of 1.2 million and Humansoft Holding galloped 59 fi ls. ▼ Brent crude $74.44 per barrel Zain fell 2 fi ls to 584 fi ls after moving over 3 million shares and Ooredoo gave up 5 fi ls. stc stood pat at 858 fi ls LIBOR rate 0.12638% and logistics major Agility dialed down 2 fi ls with a volume of 2.4 million shares. Mezzan Holding clipped 2 fi ls and In- tegrated Holding Co climbed 5 fi ls to 372 fi ls. KIPCO took of 13.7 million shares. Warba Bank took in 1 fi l whereas in 1 fi l while Noor Financial Investment Co was up 5 fi ls Al Ahli Bank closed fl at. Ahli United Bank Kuwait dialed KUNA photo at 235 fi ls. up 2 fi ls. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad National Industries Group inched 1 fi l higher to 221 fi ls Kuwait Investment Co rose 2 fi ls to 227 fi ls whereas In- Al-Sabah presents a memento to the outgoing Senegalese ambassador. while Gulf Cable paced 3 fi ls before settling at 746 fi ls. Bou- ternational Financial Advisors stood pat at 133 fi ls. Kuwait byan Petrochemical Co climbed 6 fi ls to 846 fi ls whereas Financial Centre (Markaz) scaled 6 fi ls and Arzan Financial FM receives outgoing Senegal envoy Al Qurain Petrochemical Co gave up 2 fi ls. Jazeera Airways Group inched 1 fi l into green. First Investment added 1.7 fi ls glided 6 fi ls north on back of over 1 million shares whereas and Gulf Investment House rallied 17 fi ls on back of 1.85 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Ambaki on the occasion of ending his tenure. ALAFCO held ground at 219 fi ls. Egypt Kuwait Holding million shares. KAMCO rose 4 fi ls to 120 fi ls and KFIC Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Moham- The Foreign Minister thanked him for the efforts and slid 17 fi ls to 318 fi ls. ticked 0.1 fi l up. mad Al-Sabah received on Thursday at the Foreign contributions to boost bilateral ties between both na- The market opened gap up and edged higher in early Ministry Diwan the ambassador of Senegal Abdulahad tions. (KUNA) trade before slipping into a shallow trough. The main index Rose plumbed the day’s lowest level of 6370 points and clawed Kuwait Cement Co fell 2 fi ls to 243 fi s whereas Kuwait back amid fresh buying across the board . It sagged briefl y Portland Cement sprinted paced 11 fi ls. Metal and Recycling MoI frees ‘minor offense’ detainees in Eid gesture half way into the session and headed north again before Co and ACICO Industries rose 4 fi ls each close 166 fi ls and closing with moderate gains. 130 fi ls respectively while and HEISC dialed up 3 fi ls. Ku- KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The Un- tions and directives of the Minister Minister and Minister of Defense Top gainer of the day, Kuwait Hotels spiked 21 pct to wait Foundry Co added 2 fi ls Kuwait National Cinema Co dersecretary of the Ministry of In- of Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Sa- Sheikh Hamad Al-Jaber, ordering 92 fi ls while Combined Group Contracting Co climbed 7.67 was unchanged at 830 fi ls with thin trading whereas Sultan percent to stand next. EK Holding shed 5 percent, the steep- terior, Lieutenant-General Essam bah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. the release of the soldiers who were Centre and Inovest BSC took in1 fi l each. Mashaer Holding est decliner of the day and Securities House topped the vol- closed 1.7 fi ls in green. Al-Nahham, has issued a decision He added that the decision re- arrested for disciplinary action. ume with over 31 million shares. to release all members of the po- ferred to the release of all members Also the Undersecretary of the Kuwait and Gulf Links Transport Co rose 1.5 fi ls to 52.5 lice force who were imprisoned as of the police force who were in dis- National Guard, Lieutenant-Gener- Gains fi ls whereas NAPESCO paused at 867 fi ls. KCPC sprinted Refl ecting the day’s gains, the market spread was heav- 12 fi ls to 560 fi ls and Arabi Group Holding dialed up 1 fi l. part of the disciplinary action taken ciplinary detention, starting from al Hashem Al-Rifai, under the di- Educational Holding gave up 3 fi ls while Independent Pe- against them, on the occasion of the the day prior to the day of Arafat’s rectives of the President of the Na- ily skewed towards winners. 84 stocks advanced whereas 24 closed lower. Of the 137 counters active on Thursday, 24 troleum Group and Automated Systems Co paced 4 fi ls each blessed Eid Al-Adha, reports Al- vigil. tional Guard, His Highness Sheikh to close at 615 fi ls and 107 fi ls respectively. Combined Jarida daily. Similarly, on the occasion of the Salem Al-Ali, and his deputy, the closed fl at. 11,765 deals worth KD 48.1 million were trans- acted during the day. Group Contracting Co sprinted 22 fi ls to 309 fi ls while Bur- The Directorate-General of Pub- blessed Eid Al-Adha, the Chief of retired Lieutenant-General Sheikh In the banking sector, National Bank of Kuwait was un- gan Company For Well Drilling Co added 3 fi ls. lic Relations and Security Media the General Staff of the Army, Lieu- Ahmed Al-Nawaf, issued a decision changed at 855 fi ls with a volume of 2.9 million shares and The market was mixed during the week. The main in- Department of the Interior Ministry tenant-General Sheikh Khaled Al- to release all the National Guard Burgan Bank too did not budge from its earlier close of 223 dex closed higher in three of the fi ve sessions, gaining 29 said in a press statement that the de- Saleh, issued a decision, based on personnel who were detained as a fi ls. Boubyan Bank paused at 730 fi ls after pushing over 1 points week-on-week. It has added 10 points from start of cision comes based on the instruc- the directives of the Deputy Prime result as part of disciplinary action. million shares and Ahli United Bank added 2 fi ls on back the month and is up 826 points year-to-date. KD2,000 to stamp ‘iqama’ surprises expats over 60

They want us to leave: resident

KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The decision taken by the Board of Directors of the Public Au- thority for Manpower (PAM) to allow the re- newal of work permits for residents who are over 60 years old and have high school level qualifi cation or less but with an annual pay- ment of KD 2,000 was no less shocking than the decision that bans the renewal in the fi rst place, reports Al-Rai daily. Many of those who are affected by the decision expressed their disappointment, especially since they cannot secure such a high amount from their low sala- ries. They indicated that the new decision was intend- ed to force them to leave the country. The daily sought to obtain the opinions of some of those included in the decision. One among them is Abu Faisal who works in a stall in the Mubarakiya market. He asked, “Do you think I am able to earn KD 2,000 per year from this stand?”. Abu Faisal said, “They do not want us in Kuwait. I have KUNA photo reached the age of 60 years old and have respect and ap- Kuwait National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- preciation for what I have achieved. However, where is the Ghanim with the Speaker of the Egyptian House of justice in asking me to pay such a high amount, while the Representatives Counselor Dr. Hanafi Jabali. work permits of those in their twenties are free?” Another worker affected by the decision, Abu Turki, said, “My bank account has never seen KD 1,000, and now I am being demanded to pay KD 2,000 to renew my residency. I MoH is preparing draft pay KD 400 as rent for this shop per month, and I am left with just KD 150. How will I pay KD 2,000 per year with budget for fi scal 22/23 the remaining amount?” One of the oldest sellers in the market, Abu Muhammad, KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The Ministry of Health is prepar- expressed his surprise by the decision. ing the draft budget for the 2022/2023 fi scal year in accord- He said, “This decision is in the hands of the state, and we ance with the budget classifi cation (cash basis) whereby the have no other solution ... So what should we do?” ministry estimates are for three continuous years. The esti- Another worker in the Mubarakiya market, who is includ- mates for the fi rst year (2022-2023) are being prepared in ed in the decision, also expressed surprise by the decision, accordance with the regulations, while that for the following asking, “Is this decision correct? Is it true that the govern- two fi scal years (2023/2024 and 2024/2025) will be in the ment wants to take KD 2,000 from a worker like me who form of a medium-term plan, reports Al-Anba daily. earns KD 150 a month? They gave me KD 500 and I am The ministry has set conditions in terms of the budget es- walking home if they don’t want us. I have completed 60 timates. The head of each sector will adopt a draft budget for years of working in Kuwait and serving the country as a por- the 2022/2023 fi scal year, including all expenditure needs, ter. What is the reward? Being expelled?” compile it at the level of departments affi liated with the sec- The spouse of one of the expatriate workers, on whom tor and send it to the assistant undersecretary for Financial this decision will apply, asked with tears in her eyes, “From Affairs before August 8, 2021. It should be attached with where will we get KD 2,000 for me and this poor old man?”. details of the needs of each department. She said, “We live in a country of humanity, blessing and The director of each health zone must approve a draft giving”. Another worker Abu Mahdi said, “Where can I get budget for the 2022/2023 fi scal year which should include KD 2,000 to pay for the residency? There is no work and I all expenditure needs. It must be compiled at the level of have not paid the rent of the shop to my sponsor until today.” departments affi liated with the health zone, and sent to the ❑ ❑ ❑ assistant undersecretary for Financial Affairs no later than PAM cancels visas: The Public Authority for Manpower August 8. It should be attached with details of the needs of (PAM) canceled 61,975 work permits for expatriates in the each department. last six months, reports Al-Qabas daily. The draft budgets submitted by sector heads and health According to PAM’s statistical report for the period start- zone directors will be discussed with the assistant undersec- ing from Jan 10 to June 30; a total of 38,873 work permits retary for Financial Affairs to determine the actual needs. were forfeited because they expired while the holders are The discussion date will be set and provided later. outside Kuwait. The Ministry of Health has called on its various depart- The authority disclosed that 2,011 expatriates canceled ments not to send their expenditure needs directly to the Fi- their work permits as they decided to leave the country per- nance Sector. Instead, each department must send their needs manently. to the concerned sector head or the director of the health The authority renewed work permits for 401,000 expa- zone, and each sector head or the director of the health zone triates; in addition to more than 99,000 transfers within the will collect the needs of each department and send them col- private sector. lectively to the Finance Sector as mentioned above. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 LOCAL 3 diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘65 percent crimes in country related to drugs sale, consumption’ “UNDOUBTEDLY, youths are considered the pillar of the future. They methods and made signifi cant progress at the public and higher educa- daily. are the main pillar in the building and progress of Kuwait. The main tion levels. “Al-Jarida daily reported that the monthly reward for consultants rang- pillar must be at the highest level of scientifi c and religious culture,” “However, we and some of our colleagues had many years ago hoisted es from KD1,000 to KD1,500 at a total value of KD55,000 per month or columnist Nasser Al-Rasheedi wrote for Annahar daily. the banner of education reform much before Tony Blair and the World KD660,000 annually. “In order to build the future of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti youths must have Bank. In this connection, we refer to a conference that was held the end “This is only in one ministry. How about the other ministries and their all the means to work towards success, development and progress. of last April where we submitted a worksheet over both the education affi liated bodies? Can the minister choose at least fi ve advisors in each “Although the State offers all means for the advancement of the youths and the health complete with recommendations and expressed our readi- body under him? The number will certainly be huge and costly for the and to strengthen their resolve, we fi nd something that destroys these ness to put the same in front of the decision makers. State treasury. means – the spread of drugs in an alarming manner compared to the “However, it is needless to say the recommendations and the studies are “The current mechanism for appointing or using advisors gives the entire population of Kuwait. many but the level of education outcome is still bad. The members of the minister the absolute right to choose any person even if the latter is re- “I read an investigative media report recently and found that drugs is teaching staff in both the colleges and the universities realize the danger tired or an employee in another ministry. A decision is issued to appoint one of the main dangers which must be dealt with as of this issue, and how the pandemic has negatively affected the students. him as an advisor for one year renewable. This is a tool for favoritism soon as possible and by all means. ❑ ❑ ❑ and politeness in the name of friendship, tribe, political current or sec- tarianism. “The results of this investigation were stagger- “On May 22, 2018, the United Nations General Assembly decided ing – 65 percent of the crimes occur in the country “We have seen this with our own eyes in several bodies and ministries. that the world should celebrate the International Day of Parliamentarism Once the minister or director assumes offi ce, decisions are issued to seek are related to the sale, abuse or promotion of these on June 30 every year,”columnist Dr Hind Al-Choumar wrote for Al- toxins. The promoters are targeting the younger the assistance of people from outside the ministry and the institution as Anba daily. consultants. The fi nancial rewards are given to them monthly without generation through social media, which has helped “Several days after this important occasion, we have the right to ask spread the scourge of drug addiction.” them providing a single consultation or getting benefi ts from them. about the relevant events held – whether by ministries, civil society or the “This mechanism of hiring and appointing advisors is one of the rea- Also: National Assembly – to consider this day a chance to raise awareness on sons behind the spread of administrative corruption in the corridors of “Based on what was published by the Al-Rai Kuwaiti democracy, challenges in parliamentary work, achievements of ministries and government agencies. It happened because the issue is the Assembly, its committees and members, and direct or indirect role of daily last week, the World Bank (WB), says the Al-Rasheedi assigned to people who are not qualifi ed. This is wastage of State budget educational process in the Middle East witnesses a Kuwaiti women in parliamentary work. for the sake of favoritism and nepotism. signifi cant setback due to the Coivd-19 pandemic to such an extent 53 “This year, the slogan is about the celebration of the role of youths “For this reason, the government must amend the appointment mecha- percent of children under the age of 10 in this part of the world are un- in parliamentary work. They are considered a key to the future, so they nism and use the expertise of others as consultants by specifying the must be made aware and prepared early for democratic practices. able to read or understand a simple text,” columnist Dr. Turki Al-Azmi number — not more than three advisors to the ministry and affi liated “The question about the role of national institutions in celebrating this bodies. This post should be given only to employees in the ministry or af- wrote for Al-Rai daily. international occasion is a legitimate right of every citizen, especially the “Speaking of Kuwait vision 2035 which was submitted by the former fi liated body who hold university or higher degrees and have experience voter who is the main and active element in parliamentary work.” of not less than 15 years in this fi eld. British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2010 along with a team of inter- ❑ ❑ ❑ national and Kuwaiti experts called for concentrating on education and “Such advisors must be obligated to submit written consultations and health in addition to the change of curriculums as well as minimizing the “Al-Qabas daily published news that the Minister of Commerce and research — not less than three researches and consultancy in the fi eld volume of bureaucracy. Industry requested for the appointment and renewal of the tenure of they were assigned. In this manner, the ministry and the authority can “Of course, it is the World Bank, which was behind the so-called about 39 consultants. He obtained approval from the Civil Service Com- benefi t from them. It will also stop fi nancial wastage in the form of al- ‘competency curriculum’ which has failed drastically. Consequently, we mission (CSC) to appoint 24 of these consultants and work is underway locations for the current consultants.” found how other countries have successfully adopted their educational to appoint the rest,” columnist Hamad Al-Merri wrote for Al-Seyassah — Compiled by Zaki Taleb Rates of renting chalets during Other Voices Eid holidays see major increase Our money and our ‘zakat’ By Ahmad alsarraf have priority in receiving zakat from companies and others over other Many Kuwaiti families opt for travel uwait is perhaps the only coun- charity organizations? Ktry where Muslims, Christians, We say this and complain that the Hindus and others pay zakat money Ministry of Finance, as far as I know, KUWAIT CITY, July 14: Good tidings have come with that activities and complexes will continue to be closed to the state. has not spent any large sums of mon- All joint stock companies that have a long break for Eid Al-Adha, prompting people to start at 8:00pm, reports Al-Qabas daily. ey on any vital, real and well-known a mixture of partners are obliged by project as stipulated in the Companies planning on ways to spend the holidays. Many Kuwaiti Chalets and parks seem to be the most popular destinations, espe- law to pay the Ministry of Finance Zakat Law. families are looking into travelling overseas after sev- cially since they provide activities for children such as swimming 1% of their profi ts in the form of I personally contacted the Finance zakat, knowing that this, according to eral countries opened their doors to tourism which were pools and marine games. Ministry just like the others and asked However, due to the increased demand, the prices of the chalets have my understanding, is imposed on the it about the fate of the money we paid individual Muslim and not on com- closed by the COVID-19 crisis. However, those who de- increased, and there is diffi culty in getting reservations during the Eid in the form of zakat, and why are we cide to stay in the country are left with limited options mercial entities, not allowed, for example, according holidays. especially mul- to spend the Eid holidays, especially with expectations In this regard, informed sources revealed that most of the chalets have to what is stated in this tax law, to ask tinationals. it to direct what we paid towards edu- been fully booked for the Eid al- Despite the Adha holidays, as many families cation, for example, but the ministry billion dinars chose to remain silent. opted to book the entire period that the treas- On the other hand, the joint stock of the holidays (nine days) from ury has accu- companies, often Islamic, deduct Thursday, July 15 to Saturday, mulated in the 2.5% of their profi ts to pay zakat, 1% July 24. form of zakat, of which is paid to the ministry and They indicated that many cha- which Muslim their management controls the rest, lets and parks announced their Brotherhood and the majority of donors do not deputies want offers and dates for Eid Al-Adha alsarraf know how these funds are spent. reservations, while parks, such as to transfer to The Central Bank, or any su- those reserved for Eid, announced the institutions they control, there is pervisory body did not define the that they have no reservations be- an almost absence of how the Min- framework or controls to disburse fore August. istry of Finance spends these funds. these huge funds, especially since Regarding the prices, the sourc- Zakat includes helping the poor and they are not subject to any disclo- es explained that they depend on the needy, and it also includes works sure requirements, as required by the size of the chalet and the num- that others are not able to do, such as the principles of governance, and all ber of rooms. The prices range be- public services, and therefore the dis- that the boards of directors of these tween KD 350 and KD 500 for the bursement of zakat is not limited to companies do is obtain tacit approv- weekend on regular days but dur- helping the poor only. al from the General Assembly and ing the festive season, the prices One of the functions of the mod- are not obliged to disclose how the rise up to KD 1,500 for a period ern state is spending on services, in zakat was spent. of fi ve days starting from the fi rst addition to providing assistance for There is no doubt that a majority day of Eid Al-Adha due to the de- the needy through subsidy programs, of joint stock companies are man- sire of people to rent large chalets grants and gifts, and spending on edu- aged competently, and the reputa- suffi cient for their entire families, cation and treatment, which means tion of most of them is not tainted especially since they will coincide that the Ministry of Finance is doing by any suspicion, but what about the with the “Eid visitations”. the same job as the Zakat House and future? much more which makes the ministry Travel Is there a guarantee that future more deserving than the Zakat House boards will not take advantage of the Meanwhile, as Aug 1 is fast ap- because it is the State Treasury, and KUNA photo lack of transparency to take advan- proaching, many citizens are in- the presence of the ministry renders tage of the situation? The drug pills seized by the customs. quiring about travel procedures; the Zakat House needless – the House Note that the Human Friendship particularly those concerning the which was established for political Society, the well-known charity soci- Drug dealer held with 1.2m Captagon pills 12 to 15 -year-olds due to the pos- reasons, and the best evidence is that ety, had earlier contacted a number of no one from outside the religious cir- sibility of extending the period of these companies to donate zakat mon- cle was able to control it. Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior apprehended on Thurs- search team, the ministry’s security media and pub- application for travel requirements ey, but none of them came forward. day a drug dealer with 1.2 million Captagon pills. lic relations department said in a press statement. for this group, thus, they can trav- The role of the Zakat House is ❑ ❑ ❑ The General Department of Anti-Drug Traffi ck- The Anti-Drug personnel ambushed the suspect el even if they are not vaccinated similar and identical to the role of any ing received an information about a person with and were able to fi nd KD-2-million (USD 6.6 million) against coronavirus, reports Al- charity organization, so why does it e-mail: [email protected] the possession of drugs, and immediately formed a worth of drugs and was taken into custody. (KUNA) Rai daily quoting sources. Sources revealed the 12 to 15-year-old category will start Needy families ‘More centers planned’ taking Pfi zer vaccine on Aug 1 -- the same date that the new travel procedures will take effect, most to get new ACs Bid to save lives and property notably preventing unvaccinated citizens from traveling while vac- KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The Ku- By Munif Nayef Al-Mukrad team then toured the cinated expatriates are allowed to waiti Association for Needy Fami- Al-Seyassah Staff center, which is built with the lat- enter the country. lies (KANF) announced the launch est construction systems to meet the Sources indicated that there is of its annual summer project, ‘Their KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The Chief needs of work and the convenience a possibility these procedures will Summer is Cold 2’ for the second of the General Fire Brigade, Lieu- of the fi refi ghters. tenant-General Khaled Al-Makrad, not be applied to citizens who are year in a row, with the aim of sup- The center consists of a basement, 12 to 15 years old and the exemp- porting the needy families to protect affi rmed the continuation of opening a ground fl oor and a fi rst fl oor and them from the harsh summer heat new fi re centers as part of the efforts contains fully equipped gymnasi- tion might continue until Sept 1 and cruelty, at a time when the tem- to reduce the response time to acci- ums, in addition to a swimming pool -- until completion of the vaccina- peratures reached record levels par- dent reports and save lives and prop- with modern specifi cations, a foot- tion of those who registered. ticularly this year, which doubled the erty from any dangers. ball fi eld, volleyball and a basketball Regarding the expatriates, suffering of these families, reports Lieutenant-General Al-Makrad court, and classrooms for holding sources said the concerned au- Al-Jarida daily. told reporters on the sidelines of training courses. thorities are still studying the situ- The association’s board chair- the inauguration of the Al-Sour The center serves Jaber Al-Ahmad ation; pointing out they will be al- man, Badr Al-Mubarak, said in a Center in Jaber Al-Ahmad City, City, the eastern and western Doha lowed to enter the country starting press statement, the project aims to “On behalf of the Minister of For- stations, Doha chalets and public from Aug 1 provided they got two replace the damaged and dilapidated eign Affairs and Minister of State warehouses, in addition to supporting doses of any of the approved vac- air-conditioners with new ones to for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Al-Tahrir and Sulaibikhat centers. cines in Kuwait. help them cope with the harsh sum- Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed, the ❑ ❑ ❑ On the other hand, sources from mer heat. opening of the center comes within Al-Mubarak indicated the associa- the force’s plan to open fire sta- Contract signed: The Ministry of the tourism and travel sector dis- tion has begun distributing air-con- tions in new cities and regions,” Health has obtained fi nal approval closed that expatriates with chil- ditioning units to low income fami- pointing out that these centers are from regulatory authorities to sign dren who are 12 to 15 years old lies. He disclosed KANF continues equipped with trained human cad- a contract with a local entity for the must ensure their children are vac- to receive donations from benefac- res and provided with the latest provision of air ambulance and med- cinated in their countries if they tors for this vital project which helps mechanisms to protect the lives ical evacuation services at a cost of want to return to Kuwait; other- the poor, needy and those with low- and property of citizens and resi- KD26.98 million, reports Al-Anba wise, they cannot return until new income in Kuwait. dents. daily. decisions are issued in their favor. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 LOCAL 4

HH Crown Prince, PM send condolences Front-line workers incentives Amir condoles Pak president over demise of former leader linked with efforts they put in KUWAIT CITY, July 15, (KUNA): His High- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh ness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Jaber Al-Sabah sent on Thursday a cable of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh condolences to the President of the Islamic Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah ad- ‘MoH, MoI workers come under high risk category’ Republic of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi over the de- dressed cables of identical content to Presi- mise of late president Mamnoon Hussain. dent Alvi. KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The Supreme Min- isterial Committee for Corona Emergencies, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali, has ad- opted a frontline incen- tive mechanism, reports Al-Anba daily quoting sources. Sources revealed the mecha- nism stipulates that workers in the ministries of Health and Interior are under the high risk category, while the medical staff in the Ministry of Defense and National Guard are under KUNA photo the medium risk category. Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Majdi Al-Dhafeeri received on Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan KUNA photos Sources confi rmed that the Wednesday outgoing Ambassador of Senegal to Kuwait AbdulAhad Imbaki on the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bhutan. decision covers Kuwaiti retirees end of his tenure. Assistant Foreign Minister for the Deputy Foreign Minister’s office appointed by the Civil Service Ambassador Ayham Al-Omar attended the meeting. (KUNA) FM receives credentials of new ambassadors Commission (CSC) to render support services, as well as em- The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State tials of the new ambassadors of Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, ployees from other government Event to be held on July 26 for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mo- and Cyprus. The minister wished the new diplomats agencies who provided assis- hammad Al-Sabah received earlier on Thursday at success in their missions, and further prosperity to tance after the offi cial working the Foreign Ministry headquarters copies of creden- Kuwait’s bilateral ties with their nations. (KUNA) hours in their respective work CBK organizes inaugural Financial places. Sources clarifi ed the decision Al-Shaya meets people of Jaber Al-Ahmad city does not apply to employees who Stability Report 2020 symposium worked remotely( online), those assigned in diplomatic missions KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The Central Bank outside Kuwait, and those tasked to of Kuwait (CBK) is organizing an inaugural Minister briefed on components, investment perform rites related to the call for symposium unveiling the Financial Stabil- prayers who are residing within the ity Report 2020, on Monday, 26 July, at opportunities of Jaber Al-Ahmad City project premises of the mosques. 10:00 am. The event planned promotes Sources added the rest days transparency and encourages informed pub- By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami of employees under the shifting lic discourse on topics related to the Ku- system will be excluded during waiti banking and fi nancial sector. Al-Seyassah Staff the disruption period, such that The Governor of the Central Bank of Ku- KUWAIT CITY, July 15: Minis- only the actual working days are wait, Dr Mohammad Y. Al-Hashel, stated ter of State for Municipal Affairs calculated. that this symposium aims to strengthen and Minister of State for Housing Meanwhile, sources said the engagement amongst all stakeholders con- and Urban Development Shaya Al- Ministry of Social Affairs sub- cerned with monetary stability and fi nan- Shaya met with the people of Jaber mitted the list of employees en- cial stability in the country. Additionally, it Al-Ahmad City, in the presence of titled to the frontline incentive to shall provide reliable data and statistics to the Director-General of the Pub- the CSC for review according to interested parties, in line with best interna- lic Authority for Housing Welfare the regulations; in preparation for tional practices and within CBK’s concert- submission to the Ministry of Fi- ed efforts to communicate with all public. (PAHW) Bader Al-Waqayan; senior nance, which will then pave way PAHW offi cials, Municipal Council, Dr Al-Hashel added that the event shall CBK Governor Dr Mohammad Al- for disbursement. examine global and regional economic and Hashel. the Deputy Director-General of Ku- Sources explained the entity’s wait Municipality for Capital Gov- fi nancial developments and their ramifi ca- implementation of regulations tions. Local fi nancial stability drivers, in- system, inspecting multiple angles of credit, ernorate Affairs, Faisal Al-Jumah, stated in Cabinet Resolution num- cluding the ability to withstand shocks and liquidity, market, and operational risks faced and the Deputy Director-General ber 686 will be reviewed and then to supply credit, in addition to supporting by banks during the year and going forward. for Public Authority for Agricul- Photo by Rizk Taufiq referred to the Ministry of Finance the national economy, shall be detailed. Chapter 4 exhibits the strength of local banks, tural Affairs and Fish Resources Minister Al-Shaya listens to an explanation from Al-Shimmari about the to take the necessary procedures demands of the people. In light of the unprecedented events expe- analyzing both profi tability and resilience to (PAAAFR) Ali Al-Farsi. for disbursement. The entity will rienced worldwide resulting from the Co- provide a robust assessment. Chapter 5 pres- During the fi eld visit which was mad City People’s Gathering, the have been built thus turning the site be given a pledge form, stating the vid-19 crisis, this year’s report focuses on ents developments in local asset markets, organized by the Voluntary Coordi- need to implement the regulations, head of the city’s Voluntary Coor- for a landfi ll of construction waste.” the effi ciency and resilience of the banking namely, the real estate and equity markets and nation Committee, Minister Al-Sha- sources added. system and its ability to successfully weath- the potential risks to fi nancial stability. Finally, ya was briefed on the components dination Committee, Muhammad Al-Shimmari added, “As we dis- Al-Shimmari, said, “During the visit er the fi rst year of the crisis. chapter 6 examines payment and settlement of the project and the investment cussed the issue of public cleanli- The Governor explained that the topics systems, including the resilience of the pay- opportunities, stressing his keenness of Minister Al-Shaya, “We touched ness and dilapidated roads in the Man commits addressed in the report are organized in six ment infrastructure and the role e-payments to provide all services to citizens in on many axes related to the city and area, in Block 2, the streets seemed chapters; the fi rst sets the stage by examining played during the pandemic. its service and social needs, most no- addition to the demands of citizens. completely dilapidated, as if they global and regional economic developments, Due to the current health precau- tably the sites for public parks that suicide in ICU Al-Shaya also inspected the Qual- were paved for many years ago. presenting key economic indicators to put into tions taken in Kuwait, the event shall be ity Control Department in the proj- have been neglected for more than By Munif Nayef perspective the magnitude of the crisis. Chap- livestreamed on zoom and will be available ects, met the national workers, and 10 years, as well as the green areas Minister Al-Shaya promised to dis- Al-Seyassah Staff ter 2 gives an overview of the Kuwaiti fi nan- for playback on CBK’s social media chan- listened to a detailed explanation of in the service axis that were handed cuss the issue with the Minister of cial system, highlighting key attributes and nels. CBK invites interested parties to reg- the project’s work and praised their over by the PAHW to the PAAAFR, Public Works, Dr. Rana Al-Faris, KUWAIT CITY, July 15: An In- developments as the year progressed. Chapter ister and attend the event through the link: efforts and dedication to their work. but since that time no green agri- with the possibility of repairing the dian committed suicide in the inten- 3 examines key risks faced by the banking https://events.cbk.gov.kw Spokesman for the Jaber Al-Ah- cultural works, gardens and the like damaged roads.” sive care room of Farwaniya Hos- pital, by jumping from the second floor of the hospital, one day after MoH panel close to completing new structure PAI asks Municipality about steps taken regarding granting a young bedoun assaulted the medi- cal staff in the same department, due KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The committee tasked Informed health sources revealed the pro- with developing the new structure of the Ministry posed project will reduce the technical com- licenses to 27 commercial activities in West Abu Fatira area to the death of his brother, accusing of Health, headed by the Undersecretary of the petencies of directors in all government health some doctors of failing to save him. Ministry, Dr Mustafa Reda, is close to complet- centers and hospitals and give more powers to KUWAIT CITY, July 15: Direc- proved by the Council of Ministers On the other hand, the Munici- According to a security source, tor General of the Public Authority on June 18, 2014 to grant licenses pality approved the request of the ing the mission, reports Al-Jarida daily. central departments, whether already existing, the Indian, who committed sui- The daily quoting health sources said devel- or those proposed by the new structure, adding for Industry Abdul Karim Taqi has for 27 commercial activities in authority to allocate land measur- cide, was suffering from psycho- oping the new structure of the ministry said the new structure has yet to receive approval asked Kuwait Municipality about West Abu Fatira, and those added ing 20,000 square meters for the es- logical problems and was receiv- this came after the committee received pro- from the Minister of Health before sending it the steps it has taken in view of the later such as car showroom and ex- tablishment of a sewage treatment ing treatment in the hospital due posals from assistant undersecretaries regard- to the Civil Service Bureau for study and ob- Municipal Council’s decision ap- hibitions, reports Al-Qabas daily. plant in Sulaibiya Industrial Area. to another illness. ing the departments under their supervision. servations. Next academic year 16 new schools to open KUWAIT CITY, July 15: As part of its preparations for the next academic year, the Ministry of Education has identifi ed 16 schools that are expected to open for the next 2021-2022 scholastic year, reports Al-Anba daily. The Coordination and Follow-up Department of the Pub- lic Education Sector in a letter (a copy of which has been obtained by the daily) has detailed the names of schools that will be opened, which are 12 in the Al-Ahmadi Educational Area -- 5 schools in Al-Wafra district and 7 schools in the residential city of Sabah Al-Ahmad. This is in addition to 4 schools in the Capital Educational Area in Jaber Al-Ahmad City. The Guest Show features Dr Abeer

The Guest Show on Radio Kuwait next Thursday will feature Dr Abeer Sulaiman Al Omar. One of Kuwait’s most accomplished daughters, Dr Abeer looks after Corporate Communications and Government Affairs at Equate Petro Chemical, a global producer of petro- chemicals and the second-largest producer of Ethylene Glycol in the world. DR Abeer’s life reflects her spirit of adventure, strong work ethics, commitment, and the quality of never giving up.

The Guest Show poster. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 LOCAL 5

Research published not approved for purpose of scientific promotions KU renews ban on accrediting research published by OMICS KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The Ku- Al-Qabas had opened the file of decisions issued by the Council of at not accrediting research pub- reputation of Kuwait University In the context, informed sourc- wait University recently renewed the suspicious journal and followed Ministers and the Kuwait Univer- lished in OMICS, and not count- globally. es revealed that the university the ban on accrediting research it closely, which achieved a wide sity in April 2018 banned the ap- ing research papers in “open The circular indicated that re- is still suffering from the reper- published in the Indian OMICS interaction from the highest levels, proval of any research published in access” journals unless it was searchers should not be compen- cussions of not adopting the re- journal, an issue that the Al-Qabas represented by the announcement this journal. listed in the databases approved sated for the fees for publishing search published in OMICS for daily had highlighted in December by the Ministry of Higher Educa- In a circular issued recently, a in accordance with the academic scientific research in open-access promotions, as it faced a lawsuit, 2017, stressing that the research tion at the time of the formation of copy of which has been obtained standards of Kuwait University, journals unless they have an im- by one of the professors who in- published in this journal was not a fact-finding committee regarding by the daily, the Acting Rector and urged the participating fac- pact factor and are included in the sisted on using their published approved for the purpose of scien- what was published under the title of Kuwait University, Dr. Badr ulty members who are affili- JCR database, and that the funding research to calculate it in promo- tific promotions and that it did not ‘A suspicious Indian magazine Al-Badawi, said the decisions ated with the OMICS journals to of scientific missions for confer- tions, which required the univer- fund any conferences organized by that relies on 84 research papers issued by the University Coun- cancel their membership from ences organized by the OMICS sity to reaffirm its decisions Is- the journal. in Kuwait’, which later resulted in cil previously, which are aimed these journals that may harm the should not be approved. sued in 2018. Discarded face masks in Kuwait given ‘new purpose’ in research ‘Water purifier’ accepted for publication

KUWAIT CITY, July Photo shows indiscriminately discarded face masks. A new scientific re- 15: Presented by Dr. Ali search by Dr. Ali Boumejdad and Dr. Muhammad Jakar Khan from the Boumejdad and Dr. Mu- Department of Chemistry of the College of Science at the Kuwait University that turns contaminated masks into materials used for purifying polluted hammad Jakar Khan water, has been accepted for publication in the prestigious Journal of Engi- from the Department of neering and Chemical Industry. Chemistry of the College of Science at the Kuwait University, a new scien- Embassy of India tific research that turns contaminated masks into materials used for puri- fying polluted water, has Indian ambassador sends been accepted for publi- cation in the prestigious greetings on ‘Eid Al-Adha’ Journal of Engineering KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The In- and Chemical Industry, dian Ambassador to Kuwait HE Sibi reports Al-Seyassah dai- George in a special message said, “On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, I ly. extend my sincere wishes and warm Bio-waste greetings to HH Sheikh Nawaf AI- Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of The Kuwait University said Kuwait; HH Sheikh Misha’aI Al- in a press statement the Kuwait Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince, HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled HE Sibi George, Indian Ambas- Foundation for the Advance- sador to Kuwait ment of Sciences (KFAS) sup- KUNA photo Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minis- Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah during his meeting with the assis- ter and the entire leadership, govern- ported this research which is tants of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. ment and the friendly people of the rifi ce and universal brotherhood. related to the preparation of an State of Kuwait. This occasion is an important re- environmentally friendly cata- “I also extend my warm greet- minder for all of us that no mat- Minister of Foreign Affairs tackles procedures in meeting with officials ings to all my Indian brothers and ter who we are, we are all equal in lytic carbon with nanopores (a sisters residing here in Kuwait humanity. pore or cavity with dimensions Minister of Foreign Affairs and Al-Dhafiri, held a meeting on of Foreign Affairs and all Kuwaiti and making immense contribution “As we mark Eid al-Adha this of only a few nanometers) from Minister of State for Cabinet Af- Thursday at the ministry’s gen- diplomatic and consular missions towards the growth and develop- year, we are reminded of the thou- sources of bio-waste available fairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser eral office with the foreign min- abroad were followed up, and ment of the friendly country of sands of people around the world Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, in the ister’s assistants. the latest developments on the Kuwait.” who have lost their lives and mil- in the region, ‘sedge cane plant’ presence of Deputy Foreign During the meeting, the proce- regional and international arenas He went on to say, “Eid al-Adha lions of people who lost their live- for the purpose of using it to Minister Ambassador Majdi dures undertaken by the Ministry were reviewed. (KUNA) is a special occasion as we reaffi rm lihoods on account of the ongoing purify water contaminated with our resolve to abide by the univer- Covid-19 pandemic and all those heavy metals in Kuwait. to the environment by making use and improved the characteristics in the streets, open areas, parking sal values of peace, prosperity, families battling challenges posed The KU sources indicated that compassion, commitment to the by this deadly infection,” said the of their components to improve the of these materials by making use lots, etc. welfare of society, spirit of sac- Indian envoy. this research work was carried characteristics of catalytic carbon of another pollutant that contains Dr. Boumejdad thanked KFAS out during the Covid-19 pan- and make it more capable of re- plastic materials that have signifi - for supporting the research which demic, a period in which the moving pollutants from the water. cantly increased their consumption is being carried out currently under CSC cancels appointment of consultants use of single-use medical masks The sources added that this mat- globally and locally. his supervision. increased significantly in the ter increased the environmental Reusing He expected that the results of KUWAIT CITY, July 15: Following informed sources. world in general and in Kuwait benefi t of the research, as it har- the research team will lead in the the appointment of 24 consultants by the In its Monday edition, the daily had in particular, where scientists es- nessed organic plant waste, “usu- Dr. Boumejdad believes the re- near future to other valuable re- Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. reported that the Minister of Com- timate the quantity used of these ally burned, causing the emission sults of the research will be useful search related to converting other Abdullah Al-Salman, and his request to merce and Industry had requested the masks at the global level is 200 of carbon dioxide, which is known in the fi eld of reusing plastic that is local organic waste into environ- the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to appointment and renewal of the ap- harmful to the environment, whose appoint 15 other consultants, CSC has pointment of about 39 consultants, billion per month. as the warmest gas circulating in mentally friendly materials and its decided to cancel all of the decisions to that he had obtained CSC’s approval The Kuwaiti research team has the atmosphere, which exacerbates quantity has increased signifi cant- experiment in removing pollutants appoint the current consultants and re- to appoint 24 of them, and that work devised a way to take advantage of the problem of global warming” in ly during the Covid-19 pandemic from Kuwaiti local water, as the jected his request for the appointment of was underway to appoint the remain- these materials that contain plastic the preparation of carbon materials due to the use of single-use masks initial results obtained by the team 15 others, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting ing consultants. materials in a way that is benefi cial used in purifying polluted water that “we began to see thrown away are encouraging. Kuwait’s medical supplies to Tunisia to counter COVID-19 By Arwa Al-Wagayan KUWAIT CITY, July 15, (KUNA): Medical supplies and equipment donated by the State of Kuwait were fl own to Tu- nisia to help the fellow Arab country counter the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) announced on Thursday. Head of medical services at KRCS Manhal Al-Enezi told KUNA that the medical cargo included ventilators and other necessary equipment. The offi cial affi rmed that the Ku- waiti leadership and people would stand with the people of Tunisia in their fi ght against the dreaded coro- navirus, noting that efforts to deliver medical supplies will be coordinated with the Tunisian Red Crescent. Manhal Al-Enezi Al-Enezi thanked the Defense and Foreign Ministries for facilitating delivery of relief package, saying that the KRCS was operating in line with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s directives.

KUNA photos Kuwait Air Force transport plane loaded with medical supplies bound for Tunisia. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021

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‘I will continue to serve my nation and students’ SMC of Pakistan Int’l School bids farewell to VC Dr Shafi q-ur-Rehman By Sana Bashir KUWAIT CITY, July 15: School Man- Radio Kuwait Urdu hosts Pakistani ambassador agement Council, Pakistan International School, Al- Khobar, and School’s Ad- ministration held a joint session in the school to honor Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman, ‘Kuwait and Pakistan have deep roots of friendship’ Member and Vice-Chairman of the SMC: School Management Council for KUWAIT CITY, July 15: A Special his three years of service on the SMC Transmission “AaJ Kay Mehman” was and advocacy for the students of the organized by Radio Kuwait Urdu Ser- school. vice. RK Urdu Service has an honor to Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman decided to host HE Syed Sajjad Haider, Ambas- return to Pakistan after completing five sador of Pakistan to Kuwait on this years of ex-Pakistan leave and complet- occasion. HE Syed Sajjad Haider en- ing his three years of service with SMC: lightens about his life, his journey and School Management Council, Pakistan challenges, he faced so far as Ambas- International School, Al- Khobar. Sit- A photo from the event. sador of Islamic Republic of Pakistan ting as a Guest of Honor in this meeting, in the State of Kuwait. Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman received thanks thanked Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman on be- Chairman, SMC: School Management HE, the Ambassador mentioned and praise from his colleagues on the half of his staff at the Accounts and Council, Abdul Rehman, thanked Dr. about his childhood, early life and his SMC and the Administration. The Finance Department, and other teachers Shafiq-ur-Rehman for his dedication to journey to Civil Services. He praised SMC: School Management Council and who had benefited from his efforts. “Ev- students and the school. He said that he all the efforts exerted by his parents for Administration of Pakistan International ery effort you made has been in the best personally benefited from Dr. Shafiq’s the education provided to him and his School, Al- Khobar honored their col- interest of the school, and its students wisdom and professional competence siblings. He mentioned that prior to his league for his utmost devotion and com- and staff,” Rao Umar Daraz, AVP said. with which he had assisted him in arrival to Kuwait as Ambassador, he mitment with which he had served the Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman said he was bringing academic and administrative was given task to enrich the relations A photo from the event school and its students. overwhelmed by the honor and recog- excellence in the school. He praised his between Kuwait and Pakistan. Kuwait “Your dedication to the school and nition and was happy to have served. dedication to the SMC: School Man- and Pakistan have deep roots of friend- role for operating flights to Pakistan relations. He mentioned that Pakistani students is amazing. Because of your He said that’s the way he was raised agement Council, noting how he par- ship from the beginning which are in the Pandemic time. Currently, Community in Kuwait very Vibrant. great contribution, the school and its and that he would continue serving ticipated in the business of the SMC: strengthen day by day. Visa Issues was many services and facilities, provid- At the End, Memorable shield was pre- schooling is much better now.” Rao the students the and the nation. He ap- School Management Council and at- the core agenda which every Pakistani ed by Embassy of Pakistan, has been sented to HE Ambassador of Pakistan preciated the Chairman, SMC: School tended all formal and informal meet- was suffering since 2011. Kamran Khan, Member and General launched Online and people doesn’t to Kuwait, Syed Sajjad Haider. Secretary, SMC: School Management Management Council, Abdul Rehman ings despite his busy work schedules. In his interview, he mentioned and other colleagues on the SMC and Chairman, SMC: School Management how Embassy of Pakistan in Kuwait require to visit embassy for their is- The broadcast was hosted by Radio Council said. “Our school would not sues. Hiring of health professionals Kuwait Urdu Service Announcer Nida have been what it is today without you,” the school administration for their co- Council, Abdul Rehman presented Dr. is trying the level best for serving Khawaja Salahuddin, a Member on operation. He also appreciated the sup- Shafiq-ur-Rehman with a plaque recog- the Pakistani Community in Ku- were a great achievement in the time Mirza, Co-hostRazia Ashraf whereas- the SMC: School Management Coun- port that the SMC: School Management nizing his three years of service to the wait. Embassy of Pakistan was fully of pandemic and till now, more than Aboobacker Payyoli was coordinator cil stated. Muhammad Ajmal Jamil Council always receives from H.E. the SMC: School Management Council as operational adhering to all SOPs in 1200 medical professionals has ar- and Barkat Khanwas the Sound En- Mian, A/ Principal, thanked Dr. Shafiq- Ambassador of Pakistan and the Link a Council Member, Vice-Chairman, the time of Covid-19 and Relief as- rived in Kuwait and serving Kuwait gineer of the show. The program was ur-Rehman for all he had done for the Officer of the School. “If there is ever and Chair Academics. The meeting was sistance was provided to the needy Ministry of Health. headed by Shejoun Al Sabah (Director school and the students. He appreciated anything, I can do for Pakistan Interna- adjourned with a vote of thanks to all at- country men. Relief assistant was He further mentioned that Kuwait of Programs, Foreign Services) and his warmth, guidance and the profes- tional School, Al- Khobar, SMC and the tendants and expression of best wishes extended to other needy people from and Pakistan have Good relations and Shejoun Al Marshoud (Supervisor of sional excellence he brought to things. school administration can always call to Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman for His future different nationalities as well. Em- Pakistani Community in Kuwait is do- Programs, Foreign Services). Program Finance Controller Asif Iqbal Shaikh on me,” Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman added. endeavors. bassy of Pakistan played a significant ing all the needful to strengthen these broadcasted at FM 93.3 and 963 AM.

Students present their original research GUST students participate in annual URS at UMSL

KUWAIT CITY , July 15: Gulf Uni- versity for Science and Technology (GUST) was represented by six under- graduate students at the annual Under- graduate Research Symposium (URS) hosted by the University of Missouri – Saint Louis (UMSL). The students par- ticipating were: AmnaAlBaghli, Omar Mohamed Abdulazim, Ahmad Abdala AlDabak, Fatme Adel Ghaddar, Nourah Roudan, and Shakha Al Moushirge. The event is usually held for all UMSL un- dergraduates, and this was the first time GUST undergraduate students partici- pated. Presentations were presented on- line via Microsoft Teams. The URS provides a professional conference-style platform for students to present their original research and A flyer of the event. creative works to fellow peers, faculty, staff, administrators, and visitors in a supportive and collegial environment. Last submission date July 17 The six students that presented were di- vided according to their project category and were allowed to prepare an audio or video introduction describing their work Kuwait Muslim Welfare Association while also giving an invitation for ques- tions that could be followed up after the organises Eid cultural get-together symposium. Vice President for Academic KUWAIT CITY, July 15: Karnataka sApp 94061143 or 55553786. Last Affairs,Dr. Bassam Alameddine said, Muslim Welfare Association, Ku- date of submission of video July 17 at “We are very proud to have GUST rep- wait (a subsidiary of IMA Kuwait,) 8 pm. resented at URS for the very first time is organizing Eid cultural get-togeth- Also Featuring a Talk by Eng Hash- and by six outstanding students. Their er on July 22 at 9 pm. In this view we matullah Khan, (PhD) Renowned projects proved GUST great academic have conducted various children’s Trainer and Coach on Topic Motivate aptitude and the students’ excellent competition exclusively for Karna- Children to Study and Families to analytical skills. We congratulate our taka origin children, age eligibility manage Home during Pandemic. students for their immense efforts and A screen shot of the event. up to 12 years. Refer above flyer for more details for elevating GUST’s name in such a Please encourage the children to and participate in our ZOOM online prestigious international event.” participate, the winners will be reward- program with families. The URS application announcement 32 students became members ed with fabulous prizes and a chance to ZOOM ID: 9916805140 Pass- was sent to GUST students from the present it at the live ZOOM program code: 805535 Graduate Studies and Research Office on July 22 at 9 pm. For further details please feel free to (GSR). Interested students contacted Send the recorded videos to What- contact Mobile: 94061143/55553786. the office of international programs at GUST with the details of their research CBA honors students for joining BGS Society work and then were individually con- tacted by the UMSL URS committee to KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The College help them begin setting up their “chan- of Business Administration (CBA) at nel” on Microsoft Teams to present GUST congratulated students for be- their research. GUST is affiliated with coming certified members of the Beta UMSL and shares a summer scholarship Gamma Sigma (BGS) International program that covers summer courses at Honor Society. BGS is an academic UMSL, allowing students to enrich their honor society reserved for the top academic experience abroad. business school students and this is the second annual ceremony where GUST students have been awarded. The cere- STECI Kuwait to hold mony was held virtually via Microsoft Teams due to the current health and safety precautions taken by GUST. online ‘convention’ The ceremony awarded a total of KUWAIT CITY, July 15: St. Thomas 32 students which included 28 under- Evangelical Church of India Kuwait par- graduate students and four Master of ish will be holding an online Convention Business Administration students. The through the zoom application, on July students were welcomed and awarded 21and 22 (Wednesday andThursday) certificates by the Dean of CBA Dr. from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm. The word of Jean-Paul Araout and Advisor of the God will be shared by Rev Dr D.J. Ajith BGS Chapter in Kuwait, Dr. Yaseen Kumar, on the topic – ‘Healing for the Tahat. The students were also notified land’ (2 Chr.7:14). Arrangements are that they can pick up their certificates Photo of the virtual awarding ceremony. being made under the leadership of Rev from campus. John Mathew (Vicar, STECI, Kuwait Dean of the College of Business appreciative and proud of getting the by The Association to Advance Col- Parish), Rev. N.M. James (Assistant Administration, Dr. Jean-Paul Arnaout BGS membership, praising GUST for legiate Schools of Business (AACSB). A flyer of the event. Vicar, Kuwait Parish) George Var- said “I want to thank you for demon- this gesture.” GUST have previously had students strating once again that GUST is the ughese (Vice President), Rexy Cherian Since 1913 Beta Gamma Sigma join BGS for the 2018/19 Academic (Secretary) and Biju Samuel (Treasurer) place where bright minds can grow Year and now have celebrated 32 new Indian School of Excellence announces for the success of the Convention. and shine. Being initiated to the Beta International Business Honor Soci- certified members for the 2019/20 Gamma Sigma is a stamp of interna- ety have recognized and honored top Academic Year which is a testament to Enthusia – Talent Hunt 2021 for students tional recognition of your superior ac- performing students from around the the university’s push for greater aca- ademic achievements.”. Students were world in business schools accredited demic excellence. KUWAIT CITY, July 15: A shout out with an Opening Ceremony on to all the competitive spirits out there! Saturday,24th July 2021 and the cat- Indian students in Kuwait are invited egories are from LKG to Grade 12. Club partners with MECstudygroup to enroll for the upcoming range of Given below are the category divisions competitions “Enthusia – Talent Hunt for the competitions. 2021” conducted by Indian School of Category 1- Classes LKG to 1 Excellence, Kuwait. In the midst of Category 2- Classes 2 to 4 KCC provides scholarships to KCC-registered players the summer vacation, the children in Category 3- Classes 5 to 7 Kuwait are figuring out ways to make Category 4- Classes 8 to 12 KUWAIT CITY, July 15: KCC - MEC- funded MOHE scholarship for Kuwaiti use of their time in the most construc- Exciting prizes awaits the winners study group take a pathbreaking step in Nationals) for all its players looking tive and productive ways. In order to of each category and Certificates will providing scholarships to KCC regis- to study abroad this year. MECstudy- enable the students to keep in pace be provided to all the participants. tered players and their family members. group will support all Kuwait Cricket with their curiosity and intellect, ISEK Participants can register for maximum Kuwait Cricket Club is the official Registered players and their respective invites all the energetic masterminds number of competitions upon which governing body for the game of cricket family member to apply for universi- to this wide range of competitions. no limitations will be there.So, buckle in association with Public Authority of ties within their budget with a mini- The talent hunt aims at motivating our up for a fun filled, intellectual experi- Sports, Olympic Committee of Kuwait (ACC - Operating under ICC) mum budget of 2800 KD to study in young learners to ‘Explore, Design, ence that awaits you. Hurry!! and the International Cricket Council Kuwait Cricket Club in partnership UK, USA, Canada and UAE. To apply Learn, Imagine and Dream’. For online registrations and further (ICC - the world’s governing body for with MECstudygroup announces up book an appointment and visit MEC- The competition commences details visitwww.ise-kw.com A flyer of the event. cricket) and Asian Cricket Council to 25% Sports scholarship and ( Fully studygroup office. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

Coronavirus

‘COVID dictator’s opportunity’ Autocracy advances as world battles the virus

LONDON, July 15, (AP): Here’s the virus outbreak. some of what happened while the In India, the world’s biggest de- world was distracted by the coro- mocracy, populist Prime Minister navirus: Hungary banned the pub- Narendra Modi has been accused of lic depiction of homosexuality. trying to silence voices critical of his China shut Hong Kong’s last pro- administration’s response to a brutal democracy newspaper. Brazil’s pandemic wave that tore through government extolled dictatorship. the country in April and May. His And Belarus hijacked a passenger government has arrested journalists plane to arrest a journalist. and ordered Twitter to remove posts COVID-19 has absorbed the that criticized its handling of the world’s energies and isolated outbreak after introducing sweeping countries from one another, which regulations that give it more power may have accelerated the creep of to police online content. authoritarianism and extremism Even before the pandemic, across the globe, some researchers Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist and activists believe. Bharatiya Janata Party was ac- “COVID is a dictator’s dream cused by opponents of squashing opportunity,” dissent and introducing policies said Theary aimed at refashioning a multifaith Seng, a democracy into a Hindu nation that Cambodian- discriminates against Muslims and American other minorities. human rights In Russia, the government of lawyer who President Vladimir Putin has used has been in- the pandemic as its latest excuse dicted on to arrest opposition fi gures. Asso- Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to the Great Yorkshire Show at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, charges in- ciates of jailed opposition fi gure England, Thursday, July 15, 2021. (AP) cluding trea- Alexei Navalny have been sub- son in the jected to house arrest and charges ostensibly Orban that the mass protests against his democratic arrest violated regulations on mass News in Brief southeast Asian nation, where gatherings. America Prime Minister Hun Sen has been In neighboring Belarus, au- Hurricane forms in Pacifi c: Hur- in power for more than three dec- thoritarian President Alexander ricane Felicia has formed in the eastern ades. Lukashenko extended his quarter- Pacifi c, far off the coast of Mexico, but Human Rights Watch accuses century iron grip on power by win- forecasters said Thursday it appeared to Cambodia’s government of using ning an August 2020 election that pose no threat to land. Dems will ‘get a lot done’ the pandemic as cover to imprison the opposition — and many West- The storm was centered about 730 political opponents without due ern countries — said was rigged. miles (1,175 kilometers) southwest of the process. Scores have been indicted The huge protests that erupted southern tip of the Baja California Penin- and face mass trials. were met with tear gas, rubber bul- sula early Thursday with maximum sus- Biden pitches for huge budget When it comes to government lets and mass arrests. tained winds of 85 mph (140 kph), accord- opposition, “the fear of COVID, ing to the US National Hurricane Center. Threat WASHINGTON, July 15, (AP): competing visions of how costly and ture. Count me out for a tax and on its own and as a political weap- It was moving to the west at 12 mph President Joe Biden made a quick bold the fi nal package should be. But spend plan from Hell,” he said in on, has substantially restricted mo- Then, in May, a Ryanair plane (19 kph).Forecasters said the storm was expected to continue gaining force over foray to the U.S. Capitol hunting many of them say bolstering lower- a statement. bility for a gathering or movement fl ying from Athens to Vilnius was support for his multitrillion-dollar earning and middle-class families, Senate Majority Leader Chuck forced to land in the Belarusian the coming day or so. (AP) to take shape,” Seng said. agenda of infrastructure, health and raising taxes on wealthy peo- Schumer said Republicans simply The biggest global public health capital of Minsk after the crew was ❑ ❑ ❑ emergency in a century has handed told of an alleged threat. Opposition care and other programs, a poten- ple and big corporations to help want to help the rich. “They don’t Dead gunman identifi ed: Authori- tial landmark achievement that pay for it, would nurture long-term want their taxes to rise. They don’t power to government authorities and journalist Raman Pratasevic, a pas- ties in Wisconsin have identifi ed the man restricted life for billions of people. senger, was taken off the plane along would require near-unanimous economic growth and pay political want the government to help peo- they say was lying in wait at a travel backing from fractious Democrats. ple,” he said. Luke Cooper, a London School with his girlfriend and arrested. center before quietly walking up to a dividends in next year’s elections for of Economics researcher and Western nations called the young man who was pumping gas and His visit Wednesday came a control of Congress. To reach their legislative goal, author of the book “Authoritar- forced diversion a brazen hijack- fatally shooting him. day after Senate Democratic lead- Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecti- Democrats want to approve a ian Contagion,” said the vast eco- ing and slapped sanctions on Be- John McCarthy, 32, of Hartland, was ers capped weeks of bargaining by cut said the president urged them to budget resolution before Con- nomic, health and social resources larus, but those seem unlikely to later killed after confronting an undercover agreeing to spend a mammoth $3.5 consider whether their plan would gress’ August recess that would let poured into fi ghting the pandemic induce Lukashenko to change his sheriff’s investigator at another gas station trillion over the coming decade help people in Biden’s blue-collar them push a subsequent, sprawling mean “the state is back as a force ways and underscore the weak- not far away in Caledonia on Tuesday, Ra- on initiatives focusing on climate hometown of Scranton, Pennsylva- spending bill actually fi nancing to manage society and to deliver ness of democracies in confronting cine County sheriff’s offi cials said. change, education, a Medicare ex- nia. “His point was that we need to their priorities through the Senate public goods.” hardline regimes. Hungary’s acts Offi cials on Wednesday identifi ed the pansion and more. That’s on top of be thinking about folks who have by a simple majority vote. Without have drawn sharp words from fel- victim who was fatally shot by McCarthy a separate $1 trillion bipartisan com- given up on democracy,” Murphy that protection, Republicans could Opponents at the Pilot Travel Center as Anthony low European Union leaders, but promise on roads, water systems said. kill the follow-on spending meas- Restrictions on civil liberties the 27-nation bloc has no unifi ed Griger, 22, of Elkhorn. Griger was a 2017 graduate of Franklin High School who and other infrastructure projects that ure with a fi libuster that would re- or political opponents have been response to restrictive regimes like senators from both parties are nego- Agreement quire an insurmountable 60 votes stepped up during the pandemic on those in Hungary or Poland. family and friends called “Nino.” (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ tiating, with Biden’s support. Democrats’ agreement on a to overcome. The budget resolu- several continents. Even before COVID-19 came The president spent just under topline spending fi gure, while sig- tion itself cannot be fi libustered. For a decade in Hungary, con- along, extremism was on the march. Pakistan says terror attack: Pakistan an hour at a closed-door lunch with nifi cant, is merely an initial move Democrats said little about one servative nationalist Prime Min- “Over the last 15 years, au- on Thursday said an initial investigation Democratic senators in the build- that leaves the toughest decisions for challenge they will face. The meas- ister Viktor Orban has curtailed thoritarian politics has replicated into a deadly bus crash the previous day ing where he served for 36 years as later. They must translate their plan ures Democrats contemplate total a media and judicial freedom, all over the world,” Cooper said. in the country’s northwest found “traces of into legislation with specifi c spend- criticized multiculturalism and at- “Democracy feels very fragile. explosives” at the site, raising the possibil- a Delaware senator and where his bit less than the roughly $4.5 trillion tacked Muslim migrants as a threat Democracy doesn’t have a clear ity the incident was a terror attack. party controls the House and Sen- ing and revenue fi gures, then line up for new spending that Biden wants to Europe’s Christian identity. vision for what it’s trying to do in A bus carrying dozens of construction ate, though just barely. Participants the needed votes to enact it, a process for infrastructure, family services, During the pandemic, Orban’s the 21st century.” workers fell into a ravine Wednesday in said Biden paced the room with a likely to grind right through autumn. climate change and other programs. government brought in an emer- The 2008 global fi nancial crisis, the district of Kohistan in Khyber Pakh- microphone taking questions and With unanimous Republican op- To accommodate their lower fi gure, gency powers bill allowing it to im- which saw governments pump bil- tunkhwa province after what authorities received several standing ovations. position likely, Democrats would lawmakers will have to curtail or plement resolutions without parlia- lions into teetering banks, shook said was a gas leak in the vehicle that “It is great to be home,” Biden need support from all their law- eliminate some of his proposals. mentary approval — effectively a confi dence in the Western world caused an explosion. At least 13 people, told reporters after his fi rst work- makers in the 50-50 Senate and “I think we’re in good shape. license to rule by decree. In June, it order. And the years of recession including nine Chinese, were killed and ing meeting at the Capitol with could lose no more than three There may be some slight adjust- at least 36 people were injured. votes in the House. ments in the pay-fors,” meaning passed a law prohibiting the sharing and government austerity that fol- Chinese Embassy in Islamabad prompt- lawmakers since becoming presi- of content portraying homosexual- lowed boosted populism in Europe ly said the bus was attacked, without dent. “It is great to be with my col- Sen. Lindsey Graham of South revenue increases, Biden told ity or sex reassignment with anyone and North America. elaborating. No group has so far claimed leagues, and I think we are going Carolina, top Republican on the governors and mayors visiting the under 18. The government claims In China, authorities saw the responsibility for the deadly incident. (AP) to get a lot done.” Budget Committee, belittled the White House. The proposed tax the purpose is to protect children 2008 economic crash as evidence ❑ ❑ ❑ Democrats’ accord on their over- emerging plan as a wasteful liberal boosts loom as one of the plan’s from pedophiles, but it effectively that they, and not the world’s de- all $3.5 trillion fi gure was a major wish list that would fuel infl ation most politically sensitive items, outlawed discussion of sexual ori- mocracies, were on the right path. Six dead from fl oods: Six people step for a party whose rival moder- and boost taxes. especially for moderate Democrats entation and gender identity in Historian Rana Mitter, director were reported dead in Belgium Thursday ate and progressive factions have “Count me in for real infrastruc- facing competitive reelections. schools and the media. of the University of Oxford China as a result of fl oods in the country. Poland’s conservative govern- Center, said the crisis persuaded The Belgian army has been deployed ment has chipped away at the China’s communist government in a number of provinces in Belgium to rights of women and gay people. A that “the West no longer had les- help residents. Trucks and boats are be- ruling last year by a government- sons to teach them.” Since then, ing used. Soldiers are helping to evacu- ate stranded residents and youth organi- controlled court that imposed a Beijing has increasingly fl exed sation camp sites, local media reported. near-total ban on abortion trig- China’s economic muscle abroad In the Verviers district, four bodies gered a wave of protests that defi ed while cracking down on opposition have been found. Prosecutors say all four a ban on mass gatherings during inside its borders. died as a result of the rainy weather con- ditions in this area. (KUNA) Wells Fargo beats expectations with $6 billion profit in Q2

Wells Fargo had its most prof- period last year as the coro- $1.6 billion from its loan-loss ing moved back onto the In this file photo, a man walks itable quarter in two years, navirus pandemic ravaged reserves, money set aside to “good” side of their balance past a Wells Fargo location easily beating Wall Street the global economy. cover bad loans. Wells set sheets. in Philadelphia. Wells Fargo estimates as the global econ- Revenues also came in aside $8.4 billion to cover Wells said its net interest & Co. swung to a profit of $6 omy continues its rapid im- much higher than projec- potentially bad loans in last income fell 11%, mostly due billion in the second quarter, provement in the wake of the tions, with the bank pulling year’s second quarter. to falling interest rates and after reporting a loss in the virus pandemic. in $20.27 billion in the quar- Expectations were high for lower loan balances. same period a year earlier. Wells earned $6 billion ter. Analysts were expecting the banks this earnings sea- As previously announced, (AP) in the period, or $1.38 per revenue of $17.76 billion, ac- son. Banks set aside tens Wells plans to raise its third- share, easily surpassing ana- cording to FactSet. of billions of dollars to guard quarter dividend to 20 cents lysts projections of 98 cents In a sign of the improving against customer defaults per share from 10 cents per per share. The company lost economic conditions, the early in the pandemic; some share, pending board ap- $1.01 per share in the same San Francisco bank released of those billions are now be- proval. (AP)

Market Movements 15-07-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts SAUDI - Tadawul +16.44 10,794.51 JAPAN - Nikkei -329.40 28,279.09 INDIA - Sensex +254.80 53,158.85 UK - FTSE 100 -79.17 7,012.02 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 +136.79 47,628.26 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 -43.11 4,056.39 UAE - DFM -11.17 2,744.28 EGYPT - EGX 30 -41.13 10,561.28 PHILIPPINES - All Shares -107.48 6,727.93 SINGAPORE - Straits Times STI -13.17 3,139.98 Business UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS FALL TO 360K US factory output slides 0.1% in June on auto chip shortage Workers assemble ice-skating shoes at a manufacturing factory in the ice and snow sports equipment industry park in Zhangjiakou in northwestern Coronavirus threat recedes China’s Hebei province Thursday, July 15, 2021. (AP) Factory output rises 8.3% in June WASHINGTON, July 15, (AP): US factory output slid last month as a short- China’s economic growth age of computer chips dis- rupted auto production. slows to still-robust 7.9% Manufacturing production BEIJING, July 15, (AP): China’s eco- slower, more sustainable growth based dipped 0.1% in June - third drop in nomic growth slowed to a still-strong on domestic consumption instead of five months, the Federal Reserve 7.9% over a year earlier in the three exports and investment. reported Thursday. months ending in June as a rebound “With output already above its pre- Overall, industrial prdouction - from the coronavirus leveled off. virus trend, the economy is struggling including output at factories, mines As expected, the growth reported to gain ground at its usual pace,” Julian and utilities - rose 0.4% last month Thursday fell from the previous quarter’s Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics after increasing 0.7% in May. Indus- explosive 18.3%, which was magnified said in a report. “Headwinds to growth trial output is up 9.8% from a year by comparison with early 2020, when the are likely to intensify during the sec- earlier. world’s second-largest economy closed ond half of the year.” factories, stores and offices to fight the China’s economy shrank by 6.8% in The chip shortage pushed produc- coronavirus. China led a global recov- last year’s first quarter, the worst per- tion of cars, trucks and auto parts ery after the ruling Communist Party formance since at least the mid-1960s. down 6.6% in June. Excluding au- declared the disease under control last Activity started to recover in the second tos, industrial production rose 0.4% March and reopened most industries. quarter, when the economy expanded by last month. The United States and other major 3.2% over a year earlier. That accelerated Utility output climbed 2.7% in economies are bouncing back, but to 4.9% in the third quarter and 6.5% in June as Americans cranked up the some are hampered by the spread of the final three months of the year. For the air conditioning to battle a heat wave new virus variants. The rapid U.S. full year, growth was 2.3%, while the across much of the country. Mining recovery has led the Federal Reserve U.S., European and Japanese economies output rose 1.4% on an uptick in oil to suggest it might start unwinding its contracted. and gas production. stimulus earlier than planned, late next Reassure American industry has been bus- year instead of in 2023. tling as the coronavirus threat re- China’s growth in the April-June In an apparent effort to reassure the cedes, despite a shortage of workers quarter over the previous three months, public and financial markets, the gov- and trouble getting supplies in time. A hiring sign is displayed outside a retail store in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Thursday, June 24, 2021. The number of the way other major economies report ernment took the unusual step Thurs- Americans applying for unemployment benefits has reached its lowest level since the pandemic struck last year, day of reporting average growth in the The Institute for Supply Manage- results, was 1.3%, reflecting a return to further evidence that the U.S. economy and job market are quickly rebounding from the pandemic recession. The normal for factory activity and consumer second quarter and the same period of ment, an association of purchasing report from the Labor Department released Thursday, July 15 showed that jobless claims fell by 26,000 last week 2020 was 5.5%, up from 5.0% for the managers, reported that its manu- to 360,000. (AP) spending as government stimulus and easy credit wind down. That was up from first quarters of the two years. facturing ticked slightly lower last World markets took the update in month compared to May. But it still sion is proceeding so quickly that can fi ll them. The worker shortage in end of July in what proponents say is the January-March period’s 0.6% expan- sion over the final three months of 2020 stride. Benchmarks rose in Hong Kong came in at 60.6 on a scale where any- many forecasters have predicted that many industries is causing employ- an effort to nudge more of the unem- and Shanghai, while U.S. futures were the economy will expand this year ers to raise wages and in some cases ployed to seek jobs. but still was among the past decade’s thing above 50 signals growth. Still, weakest quarters. marginally lower. factory hiring shrank, ISM found, by roughly 7%. That would be the to raise prices to offset their higher Last month, employers added a Beijing is in the midst of dual cam- most robust calendar-year growth labor costs. “Overall, China’s economy looks to largely because manufacturers are hefty 850,000 jobs, and hourly pay be on track for recovery,” said Chaop- paigns to step up oversight of a fledg- struggling to fi ll job openings as the since 1984. The supply of potential hires is be- rose a solid 3.6% compared with a ing Zhu of JP Morgan Asset Manage- ling industry of online finance com- economy rebounds with unexpected The rollout of COVID-19 vac- ing held back by a variety of factors. year ago - faster than the pre-pan- ment in a report. The latest data, Zhu petitors such as tycoon Jack Ma’s Ant speed from the coronavirus reces- cines has sharply reduced new viral Many Americans still have health demic annual pace and evidence that said, suggest the economy “has already Group and to reduce risks to the finan- sion. cases - from a seven-day average of concerns about working around companies are being compelled to peaked and is easing back to its long- cial system by forcing the real estate Meanwhile, the number of Ameri- around 250,000 in early January to large numbers of people. Many peo- pay more to attract and keep work- term average growth rate.” industry to cut its debt levels. “Both will put downward pressure cans applying for unemployment roughly 25,000 recently - despite a ple, mostly women, are no longer ers. Even so, the United States re- Outlook benefi ts has reached its lowest level recent uptick. As the health crisis working or looking for work because mains about 6.8 million jobs short on growth in the short term,” Iris Pang since the pandemic struck last year, has receded, cooped-up Americans they had to care for children when of the number it had in February China’s outlook is clouded by a of ING said in a report. further evidence that the U.S. econ- have increasingly emerged from schools and day care centers shut 2020, just before the virus erupted lingering trade war with Washington Retail spending has revived more omy and job market are quickly re- their homes, eager to spend on things down. And roughly 2.6 million older across the country and paralyzed the over Beijing’s industrial development slowly than manufacturing, prompting bounding from the pandemic reces- they had missed during pandemic workers took advantage of enlarged economy. tactics. President Joe Biden has said he concern that might weigh on the re- lockdowns - dinners out, a round stock portfolios and home values to wants better ties with Beijing but has covery. That led Beijing to inject extra sion. And weekly applications for un- yet to say whether he will roll back tar- money last week into the pool avail- Thursday’s report from the La- of drinks, sports and entertainment retire early. employment benefi ts remain high by iff hikes imposed by his predecessor, able for lending to shore up business bor Department showed that jobless events, vacation getaways and shop- A temporary $300-a-week fed- historical standards: Just before the Donald Trump. and consumer activity. But the central claims fell by 26,000 last week to ping trips. eral unemployment benefi t, on top pandemic, they amounted to about Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen bank and economic planners say they 360,000. The weekly tally, a proxy In response, businesses have of regular state jobless aid, may be 220,000 a week. All told, 13.8 mil- called this week for a “unified front” are sticking to plans that call for a re- for layoffs, has fallen more or less scrambled to meet the unexpected enabling some people to be more lion Americans were receiving some with Europe against China’s “unfair turn to normal policy. steadily since topping 900,000 in surge in customer demand: They selective in looking for and taking type of unemployment aid during economic practices.” Biden has ex- Retail sales in June rose 12.1%. early January. are posting job openings - a record jobs. Roughly half the states plan to the week of June 26, down from 30.6 panded the list of Chinese companies That was down from 13.9% for the The U.S. recovery from the reces- 9.2 million in May - faster than they stop paying the supplement by the million a year earlier. Americans are barred from investing full quarter and well below the 33.9% in due to possible military connections. surge in the January-March period. Still, Chinese manufacturing, auto “Domestic demand remained mut- Jobs recovery continues apace as restrictions eased sales and consumer spending have re- ed,” Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics covered to above pre-pandemic levels. said in a report. Exporters benefited from their Factory output rose 8.3% in June relatively early return to work while over a year ago and was up 0.6% from UK inflation rises to highest level in nearly 3 yrs foreign competitors were hampered the previous month. by anti-disease controls. Exports Manufacturers face hurdles includ- LONDON, July 15, (AP): Official are experiencing a sharp increase in Meanwhile, the U.K.’s jobs recov- the jobless rate was unchanged at surged 32.2% in June over a year ear- ing shortages of processing chips. figures show inflation in the UK ris- inflation as their economies recover ery has continued apace as lockdown 4.8% in May - the unemployment lier, though a government spokesman Auto production fell 13.7% in June ing to its highest level in nearly three from the shock of the onset of the restrictions were eased and the rapid figures are conducted separately to warned growth might weaken due to from a year earlier and sales fell 11.1% years because of increases in the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, rollout of coronavirus vaccines shored the more timely payroll data. uncertain global conditions. to 1.6 million, according to the China As- prices of food and motor fuel. official figures showed the U.S.’s The International Monetary Fund sociation of Automobile Manufacturers. up confidence in the wider economy, At the outset of the pandemic, there and private sector forecasters expect It blamed “insufficient supply of chips.” The Office for National Statistics annual inflation rate running at a 13- official figures showed Thursday. were fears that unemployment would economic growth this year of about Investment in factories, real estate said Wednesday that the annual rate year high of 5.4%. Support rise sharply to over 10% but a British 8% but say that should decline in and other fixed assets rose 12.6% in of inflation rose to 2.5% in June from Central banks around the world government salary support scheme However, economists cautioned 2022. The government is in the midst the first half but was up only 0.4% in 2.1% the previous month. June’s rate are hoping that the sharp spike in helped limit the number of people los- of a marathon effort to steer China to June over the previous month. is the highest August 2018 when in- inflation is due to temporary factors against complacency amid concerns ing their job during the pandemic. flation hit 2.7%. related to pent-up demand and sup- over the sharp pick-up in infections “We are bouncing back,” said The increase has moved inflation ply pressures, which will wind down and the upcoming end of a salary Treasury chief Rishi Sunak. “The California men plead guilty in further above the Bank of England’s over months to come. support scheme. number of employees on payrolls is target of 2% and has stoked specula- “Policymakers are pricing in a re- The Office for National Statistics at its highest level since last April tion that the U.K’s central bank will covery that is just right, with strong said the country saw the number of and the number of people on fur- Florida to $1.3 bn fraud scam have to respond at some stage soon growth and temporarily higher infla- workers on payroll jump by 356,000 lough halved in the three months to MIAMI, July 15, (AP): Two more bridge held real estate loans that to keep a lid on price pressures in the tion,” said Debapratim De, senior in June. That’s the biggest monthly May.” California men have pleaded guilty would pay them rates of interest economy. economist at Deloitte. “That seems increase since equivalent records be- That Job Retention Scheme, which in South Florida for their roles in a between 5% and 10%. In fact, the Many countries around the world likely. But it is by no means assured.” gan in 2014. at its most generous saw the govern- $1.3 billion real estate fraud scheme real estate also was owned by Sha- The statistics agency said the ment paying 80% of the salaries of that stole money from thousands of piro through 270 shell companies gradual easing of lockdown restric- those unable to work because of the investors nationwide. and did not generate the necessary tions during the spring, particularly restrictions, is being phased out and is Dane Roseman, 38, and Ivan money for investors. Sometimes, the reopening of the hospitality sec- due to end at the end of September. Acevedo, 44, both of Los Angeles, the properties didn’t even exist. tor drove the recovery. pleaded guilty Monday in Miami It became a Ponzi scheme that “This was especially marked for Spike federal court to participating in a paid older investors with money younger people, who had been hard- There are concerns that unem- massive investment fraud scheme, from newer ones, court records est hit by earlier lockdowns,” said ployment will spike then, especially in which more than 7,000 victims show. Five states entered cease- Darren Morgan, the agency’s direc- if the current resurgence of the virus suffered fi nancial losses, accord- and-desist orders because Wood- tor of economic statistics. as a result of the spread of the delta ing to court records. Co-defendant bridge was selling unregistered Firms are expected to be further variant forces the government to re- Robert Shapiro was previously securities. on the hunt for workers ahead of the impose restrictions. sentenced to 25 years in prison for Roseman and Acevedo both final lifting of restrictions in England “These encouraging signs must orchestrating the scheme. Rose- worked as sales managers for man and Acevedo are scheduled to Woodbridge, offi cials said. They on July 19, when all legal limits on not breed complacency among pol- be sentenced on Sept. 20. sold securities and trained and social contact are to be ditched. The icy makers,” said Nye Cominetti, Shapiro was the the former supervised Woodbridge internal other nations of the U.K. have also senior economist at the Resolution owner, president and CEO of sales agents who sold Woodbridge been lifting restrictions but a little bit Foundation think tank. Woodbridge Group of Companies securities. Using high-pressure slower than in England. “The U.K.’s jobs recovery is far LLC. The company had offi ces sales tactics, Shapiro, Roseman, Despite seven months of increas- from complete, and big challenges employing 130 people in Califor- Acevedo and others marketed and es, the number of payrolled workers lie ahead as the spread of the virus nia, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado promoted these investments as In this file photo, Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak speaks has still fallen by 206,000 since the continues, and the furlough scheme and Connecticut. Prosecutors say low-risk, safe, simple and conser- during a press conference following the 2021 Budget, in 10 Downing Street, pandemic struck in March last year. ends - just as unemployment support Shapiro told investors that Wood- vative. London. (AP) Overall, the statistics agency said is set to be cut.” ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 BUSINESS 9

In this fi le photo, UAW workers ratify deal, will end Volvo truck strike workers install parts on a truck on the Volvo truck Striking blue-collar workers at a Volvo Union spokesman Brian Rothenberg in tor of the Heavy Truck Department, said assembly line at heavy truck plant in southwestern Virginia Detroit confi rmed that the totals are ac- in Wednesday’s statement that the union the Volvo plant have narrowly ratifi ed what the company curate. The UAW said in a statement that has an established process to address in Dublin, Va. said was its fi nal offer in a long-running members will return to work for their Sun- concerns raised over the salary agree- Striking work- labor dispute. day and Monday shifts. ment that narrowly failed. ers at the Volvo The hourly workers voted 1,147 to 1,130 About 2,900 workers represented by the “The democratic process played out at heavy truck plant in southwestern for the six-year deal contract, and will sus- UAW have been on strike at the Dublin, Volvo Trucks,” Curry said. “UAW Mem- Virginia narrowly pend their on-and-off strike that began in Virginia, plant. They rejected three tenta- bers stood together through their strike ratifi ed what the April. However unionized salaried workers tive contract agreements reached with lo- and now the overall agreement and hourly company said was voted against the pact 45-40, according cal union negotiators, including the same agreement have been ratifi ed despite the its fi nal offer in a to the Facebook page of the United Auto contract that was ratifi ed on Wednesday. company’s actions earlier in the week.” long labor dispute, Workers local. Ray Curry, UAW president and direc- (AP) Wednesday, July 14, 2021. (AP)

Shortages push prices higher US stocks edge lower, drags Sri Lanka in crisis as debt mounts, reserves ‘shrink’ indexes below recent ‘highs’ COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, July 15, critics say violates human rights. (AP): Sri Lanka has cut back on To help rebuild its reserves, Sri imports of farm chemicals, cars Lanka obtained a $1.5 billion swap and even its staple spice turmeric facility from China earlier this as its foreign exchange reserves year. A $400 million swap from dwindle, hindering its ability to India will be available by August, repay a mountain of debt as the according to the Central Bank. South Asian island nation strug- Offi cials say they hope to attract gles to recover from the pandemic. more foreign investment and avoid Toothbrush handles, venetian seeking help from the International blinds, strawberries, vinegar, wet Monetary Fund, which tends to im- wipes and sugar are among the pose strict policy conditions on its hundreds of foreign-made goods borrowers. that were banned or made subject The government’s decision in to special licensing requirements April to ban the use of agricul- meant to chip away at a trade tural chemicals, ordering farmers defi cit that has been deepening the to switch to organic farming, was country’s fi nancial quandary for aimed at saving $400 million a years. year on imports. Shortages are pushing prices But Sri Lankan farmers rely higher for many consumer goods, heavily on such chemicals. Some from bread to construction materi- said they are using cow dung, als to gasoline, triggering protests poultry litter and compost to make among Sri Lankans fed up with the up for the loss of fertilizer, but the prolonged crisis. sudden switch is hurting yields. Thusitha Vipulanayake ran out “The leaders of the country of motorcycles to sell in August could have done better in making 2020. Usually able to sell at least decisions,” farmer Pathmasiri Ku- 30 a month, and a dozen motorized mara said he worked in his fi eld in trishaws, he now gets by selling Welimada, a village in the central bottled, locally grown turmeric hills of this tropical island country. paste and LED lightbulbs. “These problems come when you “This is something we never don’t come and see the farmers and expected,” Vipulanayake said as make decisions sitting on swive- he sat at his empty motorcycle ling chairs.” showroom along a road outside the “Look at this potato plant, it’s capital Colombo. not growing the way it should be- Sri Lanka was in trouble before cause there is no fertilizer,” Ku- the pandemic struck, laying low mara said. “It’s a very sad situa- a tourism industry that is a vital tion. This is our main crop and if source of foreign exchange earn- we don’t get chemical fertilizer we ings. It normally provides jobs for will be losing our income for the more than 3 million people and ac- entire year, at least by half.” Trader Robert Charmak works on the fl oor of the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, July 12, 2021. Stocks were broadly lower on Wall Street, pulling major indexes a bit further below the record highs they marked at the beginning of the week. (AP) counts for about 5% of GDP. The pressure is on garment mak- Visitors already were staying ers, as well, as the European Union away after deadly suicide bomb- reviews its favorable tariff treat- ings on Easter Day 2019 killed ment for Sri Lankan products un- Investors remain focused on economy, earnings more than 250 people. But efforts der the GSP, or generalized system to revive the industry are falling of preferences. It eliminates import NEW YORK, July 15, (AP): A larger bulk of companies will start 18.3% annual rate in January-March across the economy is temporary. fl at as the country endures another duties on a large share of Sri Lan- reporting next week, when earnings and the latest data showing growth Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Pow- wave of COVID-19 infections. ka’s products, such as textiles, tea Stocks edged lower Thurs- season gets into full swing. slowed in the last quarter refl ects a lev- ell suggested in testimony to a House Now, the country’s foreign ex- and fi sh, an advantage worth some day, pulling major indexes American International Group, bet- eling off of its relatively early recovery committee that infl ation will likely re- change reserves have dwindled $360 million annually, according a bit further below the re- ter known as AIG, rose 3.4% after from the pandemic, economists said. main elevated, but eventually moder- to barely enough to pay for three to the EU. cord highs they marked at the insurance company reached a deal Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 ate, reinforcing the central bank’s posi- months of imports at a time when A decision is not due until next with Blackstone Group to help manage slipped 1.2% to fi nish at 28,279.09. tion that rising infl ation is a temporary big repayments of its foreign debts year. But the impact of losing the the beginning of the week. some of its life insurance assets. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped impact from the recovering economy. are falling due, straining its fi nan- concessions would be “quite se- Investors continue to be fo- Traders will also be closely watch- 0.3% to 7,335.90. South Korea’s Kospi Investors had a mixed reaction to cial system. The Petroleum Minis- vere,” said Sirimal Abeyratne, pro- cused on where the economy ing a second day of testimony before added 0.7% to 3,286.22. Hong Kong’s a new batch of earnings news from ter, Udaya Gammapilla, recently fessor of economics at the Univer- is headed as the pandemic Congress by Federal Reserve Chair Je- Hang Seng added 0.8% to 27,996.27, banks, airlines and other companies, said the country lacked enough sity of Colombo. rome Powell. Powell suggested in tes- while the Shanghai Composite rose as well as the latest report showing an- cash to pay for oil imports. About 20% of Sri Lanka’s total wanes and also on the latest timony to a House committee Wednes- nearly 1.0% to 3,564.59. other rise in infl ation. They also kept To conserve precious foreign exports are to EU countries. An- company earnings reports. day that infl ation will likely remain Market reaction to the Chinese GDP an eye on the latest comments on in- exchange, the government has lim- other 10% go to the United King- The S&P 500 index fell 0.2% as elevated, but eventually moderate, news was muted. fl ation from the Federal Reserve chair, ited U.S. dollar transactions. De- dom, which may follow the EU’s of 11:42 a.m. Eastern. The Dow reinforcing the central bank’s position “With little direction from Wall who reaffi rmed the Fed’s view that the spite the limits imposed last year, lead if it suspends its GSP status, that rising infl ation is a temporary im- Street, which seems to be focusing surge in costs across the economy is imports still outpace the country’s said Abeyratne. Jones Industrial Average rose 34 exports of tea, rubber, seafood and In the meantime, Sri Lankans points, or 0.1%, to 34,968 and the pact from the recovering economy. on upcoming earnings now, Asian temporary. Investors also got a report from the markets have been left to their own “Investors right now are focusing on garments. are chafi ng at the import restric- Nasdaq composite fell 0.5%. The Labor Department showed that unem- individual devices,” Jeffrey Halley, earnings because they are still buying “The condition of the economy tions that are slowing activity in S&P 500 is now down 0.1% for ployment claims fell by 26,000 last senior market analyst Asia Pacifi c at what the Fed is saying about infl ation is in dire straits, there is no doubt various industries. the week, while the the Nasdaq is week to 360,000, the lowest level since OANDA, said in a commentary. (and) that it’s too early to start to raise about it” said Muttukrishna Sar- Metlal Weerasuriya waited fi ve down 0.9%. the pandemic struck last year. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 eked rates and potentially slow a reopening vananthan, head of the economic months to buy a toilet for his home. Technology and communications The yield on the 10-year Treasury out a 0.1% gain, to 4,374.30, after re- economy,” said Sam Stovall, chief in- research group Point Pedro Insti- “I went to many retail and stocks fell and were the biggest weight note fell to 1.33% from 1.35% the day covering from an early stumble and vestment strategist at CFRA. tute of Development. wholesale shops. They had run out on the market. Banks, which have been before. then losing much of its momentum by In energy trading, benchmark U.S. Sri Lanka needs to make for- of stocks and there was a waiting reporting mostly solid fi nancial results, eign debt payments totaling $3.7 list to get one,” said Weerasuriya, Global shares were mostly lower on late afternoon. The Nasdaq composite crude fell 62 cents to $72.51 a barrel billion this year, having paid $1.3 a journalist. Finally, he tracked made the broadest gains within the Thursday after China reported its eco- slipped 0.2%, to 14,644.95. in electronic trading on the New York benchmark S&P 500. billion so far. That’s in addition to down one advertised online. nomic growth slowed in the April-June The Dow Jones Industrial Average Mercantile Exchange. It dropped $2.12 local debt, according to the central “So, it took at least fi ve months More companies are reporting their quarter to a still robust 7.9%. added 0.1%, to 34,993.23. The Russell to $73.13 per barrel on Wednesday. bank. Its currency has been gradu- to buy a commode and complete latest quarterly earnings. Progressive France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.2% in 2000 index of smaller companies slid Brent crude, the international standard, ally weakening against other major the bathroom, “he said. sank 2.3% after the insurance compa- early trading to 6,547.07. Germany’s 1.6% to 2,202.36. shed 46 cents to $74.30 a barrel. currencies, making such repay- Vipulanayake, the motorcycle ny’s results fell far short of analysts’ DAX edged down 0.5% to 15,710.47, Investors are keeping an eye on the In currency trading, the U.S. dol- ments more costly in local terms. dealer, said he’s relying on income forecasts. Morgan Stanley rose 1.3% while Britain’s FTSE 100 gained less latest comments on infl ation from the lar fell to 109.79 Japanese yen from Fitch Ratings has downgraded from a modest rubber plantation he after reporting a 10% rise in quarterly than 0.1%, to 7,096.79. Federal Reserve chair, who reaffi rmed 109.97 yen. The euro cost $1.1844, up Sri Lanka to its CCC category, owns, on top of his sales of various profi ts from a year earlier. China’s economy expanded at an the Fed’s view that the surge in costs from $1.1838. indicating a real possibility of de- other products, to get by. fault. It says the country’s foreign He’s determined to hold onto debt obligation will balloon to $29 his showroom, which is in a prime Automaker to focus on mobility technology billion over the next fi ve years. location. And it is facing the possible loss “I believe things will be okay of preferential trade status for its and bikes will come,” he said. garment exports to Europe, due to “Maybe I’m just dreaming, since Toyota revs up its digital mapping unit Woven Planet criticism over an terrorism law that things are so uncertain.”

TOKYO, July 15, (AP): Toyota plans tegic for Woven Planet, whose Woven to hire more people and invest heavily Alpha team is developing the automat- in its subsidiary Woven Planet to work ed mapping platform. Woven Planet, Titomic buys Tri-D Dynamics on mobility technology so the Japanese formerly called the Toyota Research automaker stays competitive amid the Institute, has been collaborating with MELBOURNE, Australia, July 15, Titomic USA, Inc as key employees, global shift to using artifi cial intelligence CARMERA since 2018. (Agencies) Titomic Limited an- focusing on Titomic’s initiatives in and robotics in everyday driving. All major automakers are working on “Toyota’s traditional strength in similar technology, and no one is ahead nounce that its wholly owned sub- the defence, aerospace as well as the hardware is something we never want of the pack, said Koji Endo, auto analyst sidiary Titomic USA, Inc has com- oil and gas industries. to lose. To make safe mobility we need with SBI Securities Co. in Tokyo pleted the acquisition of the business Titomic USA, Inc will benefi t both, great hardware and great soft- “We’re talking about two or three of Tri-D Dynamics Inc on the terms from Tri-D’s existing product port- ware,” Woven Planet Holdings Chief decades into the future, and so no one set out previously on 22 April 2021. folio and contracts within a range of Executive James Kuffner said. “The really knows for sure, to be honest,” The Tri-D acquisition is another industries including, Clean Technol- world is changing. The automotive in- Endo said, noting the automakers are milestone in the Titomic strategy to ogy, Oil and Gas, and Surveying. dustry is going through this once-in-a- partnering or investing in several play- be a global solutions leader in addi- Additionally, with having Titomic hundred-year revolution. And so how ers to hedge their bets. “But one thing tive manufacturing. commercial and technical employ- do we remain relevant?” is clear: No one wants to fall behind.” Tri-D is a Silicon Valley-based ees on the ground in North America Woven Planet, fully owned by Toy- The various technology that allows design and manufacturing company it is expected that this will accelerate ota Motor Corp., announced Thursday cars to communicate with each other, developing smart pipe infrastructure Titomic’s local presence, as well as it had acquired CARMERA Inc., based drive themselves and slash emissions for the 21st-century economy. Tri-D broadening the service offering and in Seattle and New York. will mean improved safety, less traffi c aims to upgrade and electrify infra- product portfolio in the region. CARMERA specializes in sophis- In this photo released by Woven Planet Holdings, Inc., Woven Planet Hold- congestions and quicker parking, Endo ings Chief Executive James Kuffner speaks during a company event in To- structure by embedding electronics Titomic CEO Herbert Koeck com- ticated road mapping updates that are said. directly into metal structures to outfi t mented: cheaper and faster by using crowd- kyo on Jan. 29, 2021. Toyota plans to hire more people and invest heavily Kuffner said he hoped to bring his in its subsidiary Woven Planet to work on mobility technology. (AP) them with digitally connected tech- “We are delighted to welcome sourced information, obtained in real Silicon Valley-type expertise to Toy- nology. The smart-pipe product de- Deepak, Alex and Jesse to the Ti- time from the millions of net-connect- iting family. ployees at Woven Planet from 860 to ota, traditionally known for craftsman- veloped by Tri-D represents a unique tomic team. The acquisition of the ed Toyota cars on roads. “Making a computer system that is more than 1,000 people. ship in hardware. Companies downsiz- innovative solution, which is set to be Tri-D business is an important part Kuffner stressed that winning social just as good as a human may not be But Kuffner said he wanted to pos- ing because of economic damage from fully commercialised when combined of our U.S. strategy into the defence acceptance for such technology, which good enough.” the pandemic has proved an invest- in the future will become commercial sibly quadruple that number, while ac- ment opportunity, he added. Toyota with the licensed TKF process. and aerospace industries where there products, was as much a challenge as Kuffner, who sits on Toyota’s board knowledging he was careful to avoid has held up relatively well in the pan- Tri-D founders Deepak Atyam, is a strong need for the cost and perfecting the software. and is based in Tokyo, worked as part getting “too bloated or too bureaucrat- demic and has cash. Alex Finch and Jesse Lang are ex- performance advantages which our “When a person crashes, we have of the initial engineering team that ic.” The monetary value of Thursday’s “Some things we’re going to do are perienced innovators with skill sets market-ready solutions with best- empathy for that person. We all make built Google’s self-driving cars. acquisition was not disclosed. going to fail. But, as I always tell my encompassing cold-spray, compos- in-class CSAM technology provide. mistakes, and we think: That could The latest Woven Planet deal fol- San Francisco-based Lyft develops, team, it isn’t a failure if you learn. We ites and rocket engine design; com- The team from Tri-D will add Sili- have been me. If a computer crashes, lows the one in April to acquire Level markets, and operates a mobile app, are always going to be learning, in the plementing Titomic’s commerciali- con-Valley innovation and dynam- people have no empathy,” Kuffner said 5, the self-driving division of Lyft, offering vehicles for hire, motorized spirit of ‘kaizen’ and improvement,” sation plans of its industry leading ics to develop novel and disruptive in an interview with The Associated for $550 million. That deal, once ap- scooters and food delivery. Kuffner said, using a long-time Toyota Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing applications in line with our growth Press from Portland, where he was vis- proved, will raise the number of em- The addition of CARMERA is stra- manufacturing term. (CSAM) technology. They will join strategy”. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 BUSINESS 10

with taxpayers’ help, Delta posts $652mn profi t in Q2

A Delta Airlines Delta Air Lines is reporting a $652 million prof- airline would have posted an adjusted loss of 90 days ago. We posted a solid profi t in the aircraft makes it in the second quarter, helped by hordes of $678 million. month of June, and it augers well for where its approach at vacation travelers in the U.S. and money from Crowds at the nation’s airports are ap- we’re going this summer.” Dallas-Fort Worth taxpayers, positioning the airline for stronger proaching 2019 levels, but Delta’s revenue Bastian predicted that the airline - which International results once business and international fl ying remains halved compared with quarters be- lost more than $12 billion last year - will be Airport in Grape- recover from the pandemic. fore the pandemic, after excluding sales from profi table in both the third and fourth quarters, vine, Texas, in this However, Wednesday’s fi nancial report its fuel refi nery. The company expects costs with third-quarter revenue down a more man- Monday, June 24, from Delta - the fi rst U.S. carrier to post quar- to rise as it rebuilds its operation, including ageable 30% to 35% compared with 2019. 2019, fi le photo. terly numbers - shows that airlines still face hiring and training employees to handle the Delta was the most profi table U.S. airline (AP) turbulence as they try to rebound from their growing number of passengers. going into the pandemic, and it is likely to worst year ever. “We still have a long ways to go,” CEO Ed emerge from virus outbreak at or near the Without $1.5 billion in federal pandemic Bastian said in an interview, “but the business front of the pack. Other carriers are looking relief and other one-time events, the Atlanta is in a much, much better place than it was healthier, too. (AP) Boubyan Bank records KD 21.5mn net profi t for fi rst half, up 25% y/y

EPS clocks 6 fi ls, operating profi t for H1 KD 50mn

KUWAIT CITY, Boubyan branches, the fi rst in the Sabah Al Ahmad area, making Boubyan the fi rst bank with Bank has announced KD 50 a presence in the area serving customers. A fl yer of AUB Al-Hassad Islamic Account campaign. million in operating profi ts for This step came to keep up with the rapid the fi rst half of this year, while urban development and population growth 20 winners announced continuing to allocate provi- expected for this new city over the up- coming years. Additionally, the bank has sions amounting to KD 28 mil- opened a new branch at Egeila, thereby ex- lion, thereby achieving KD 21.5 panding the bank’s presence to two branch- AUB holds weekly draw million in net profi ts at a growth es in the area. rate of 25% compared with the The bank continued supporting its of ‘Al-Hassad’ campaign human resources by announcing the ac- past year, while the earning per ceptance of a new group of employees KUWAIT CITY, July 15: Ahli United Bank (AUB) share amounting to 6 fi ls. in GUST’s MBA program, which was held its weekly draw of Al-Hassad Islamic account cam- Boubyan Bank’s Vice-Chairman & been launched over 10 years ago to sup- paign, the fi rst Islamic prizes account in Kuwait which Group Chief Executive Offi cer, Adel port the bank’s valued employees, mak- offers more than 50 prizes over a 12 month period and Al-Majed stated: “Thanks to Almighty ing Boubyan the only bank supporting provides numerous other features. Allah, we managed to achieve positive its employees in their journey to earn an Such features include the simplest and easiest sav- levels of operating and net profi ts de- MBA by providing them with moral and ings program, highest number of winners, largest spite the ongoing repercussions of the financial support. prize value, loyalty multipliers, and unique account Covid-19 pandemic, with its clear effect Since 2012, more than 100 male and fe- opening feature online with all ease with instant de- on the banking industry.” male employees have earned their MBA posit option. “In spite of the exceptional circumstanc- degrees from GUST within the frame- The Bank and announced 20 Winners of KD 1,000 es we are going through, Boubyan Bank work of the joint program by Boubyan and as follows: Lotfi Shawky Darwish, Tareq Abdulaziz has shown its ability to weather this storm GUST, which is managed through the Itqan Alabdulaly, Wasmeyah Saad Al-Mutairi, Wajihah Mo- and to continue providing the highest lev- Academy, the training arm of the bank. hamad AlRashid, Wadhah Khadher Al-Dhafi ri, Basema Al-Majed went on to highlight promi- Additionally, the bank participated in els of customer service while maintaining nent achievements during the fi rst half of Hasan Al-Hassani, Mohammad Eissa Al-Kasabrah , fl exibility in incorporating our services and several virtual career fairs organized by this year, the most signifi cant of which, Kuwait’s universities, where the bank Najwa Mohammad Al-Sherbeeni, Bader Mohammad products via our various digital channels was the bank’s regional and international Al-Otaibi, Shaker Mahmoud Khalifah, Maryam Hamad to make the lives of our customers much promoted its most signifi cant efforts to- success in undertaking a USD 500 million wards supporting national cadres, whether Al-Mulla, Zayed Medad Al-Azemi, Adwan Abdullah easier.”, he added. sukuk issuance at 3.95% annual profi t rate. Al-Mutari, Yasser Tin, Husain Ibraheem Hajai, Hassan Al-Majed, who is also the Chairman of through attracting them to work at the bank He added: “The total subscription re- or by providing them with the necessary Abdulsalam, Zilfa Zaid Al-Zaid, Abdulla Ali Aburah- the Bank of London and the Middle East quests exceeded USD 1.3 billion (the is- “BLME”, stated that the announcement of training and expertise after joining the mah, Mubarak Fahhad Abdullah And Lulwa Mohamed suance was oversubscribed by 2.6 fold bank. Al- Dakhil. Boubyan Bank’s profi ts coincided with the the issued sukuk). This confi rms Boubyan ■ launch of NOMO Bank, as the world’s fi rst The Be Aware Campaign “Diraya” The draws of Al-Hassad include several cash prizes, Bank’s international and regional status As a part of its corporate social respon- such as KD 100,000 each Eid and the grand quarterly Islamic international Digital Bank through and reputation, gained owing to its achieve- the UK-based Bank of London and the sibility, the bank provided its full support draw of KD 250,000 prize which continues to be a Middle East “BLME”, a member of Bou- ments over the past years across many lev- to CBK and KBA’s campaign “Be Aware key aspiration for customers who are wishing to fulfi ll byan Bank’s Group, which will operate els.” - Diraya” during the fi rst half of this year their dreams. Al Hassad offers 20 weekly prizes of KD Adel Al-Majed, Vice-Chairman and On the other hand, the crisis caused by to spread awareness about a broad range subject to the laws of the UK’s fi nancial Group CEO 1,000 for each winner. Furthermore, for the fi rst time regulatory authorities. the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in of banking matters amongst citizens and in Kuwait, the AUB Al-Hassad presents the “Privilege “This new bank is a demonstration of Kuwait has revealed the strength of Bou- residents. Draw”, which is a quarterly draw of KD 25,000 exclu- Boubyan Bank’s strategy in action through KD 5.4 billion, while the fi nancing portfo- byan Bank and how it continued with its Furthermore, over the past months, the sively for Al-Hassad customers who maintained their quality customer service without compro- international expansion after affi rming our lio grew by 12% to reach KD 5.2 billion, bank launched the biggest campaign in balances for more than one year and have not won a domestic position, and follows in the path and operating income grew by 17% to mising the high levels maintained over the Kuwait to encourage and reward our vac- past years. This helped the bank continue prize in the past fi ve years. of our plans to expand our digital banking reach KD 92.6 million. cinated customers, with valuable prizes For all draws, the clients are eligible for one draw services.”, he added. Speaking of the bank’s market shares, topping the pyramid of customer service including trips to other countries abroad the bank’s share of local fi nancing in- in Kuwait, which was confi rmed by being inclusive of all costs, in addition to valu- chance for each KD 50 deposited in their Al-Hassad ac- Al-Majed, who is the Chairman of Ku- count. wait Banking Association as well, went on creased generally to 10.7% approximately, named the Best Islamic Bank in Customer able cash prizes to more than 20 winners. to add: “We hope that all the economic sec- while its share of retail fi nance grew to Service for the eleventh year in a row since Customers may continue to register for the In addition to this attractive package of rewards, Al- tors in Kuwait return to work normally in about 13.4%. 2010 by Service Hero, the international draw through the bank’s App via Msa3ed, Hassad Islamic account incorporates a Wakala contract light of the efforts exerted by the various “Of course, we had to allocate additional consumer-driven customer satisfaction in- our chatbot, by typing “Yes for the vac- for projected annual profi ts, making this account unique bodies in Kuwait to vaccinate the majority precautionary provisions to support the dex. cine”, and then they will be registered in and attractive to all society segments that are aspiring to of Kuwaitis and expatriates in order to pave bank’s fi nancial position, and to bolster our Furthermore, as a part of the growth the campaign immediately. build their short and long-term savings through a unique the way for the reopening of all sectors and ability to face any future repercussions of plans for our bank’s branches across vari- Similarly, the bank started a staff cam- savings account with many advantages. the gradual return to normal life.” the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, which is nor- ous areas of Kuwait to serve its customers, paign last January to encourage employ- For more information about Al-Hassad Account add- Al-Majed highlighted the most signifi - mal as a result of this unprecedented crisis; the bank inaugurated its new Mubarkiya ees to get vaccinated. This campaign was ed to the investment savings account, the prizes it offers cant numbers recorded by the bank during a fi rst in our modern world.”, Al-Majed Branch, designed and dedicated to serving an instant success with the number of and relevant criteria, please visit any of AUB branches, the fi rst half of this year where the total of elaborated. both retail and corporate customers. vaccinated employees jumping to more contact “Haakon” Service on 1812000 or visit our web- customers’ deposits grew by 15% to reach ■ Achievements and Successes Moreover, the bank inaugurated two new than 70%. site: www.ahliunited.com.kw. ECB takes step ‘toward’ introducing digital euro BRUSSELS, July 15, (AP): The European Central Bank said Wednesday it is launching a two-year inves- tigation on whether to introduce a digital version of the euro that would complement cash, taking a cautious step toward introduction as central bankers around the world eye digital currencies and their potential impact on policy and the fi nancial system. The ECB said in a statement that the digital euro must be able to meet consumers’ needs while helping prevent illegal activity such as money laundering and must not have an adverse impact on fi nancial stability and monetary policy. Digitalization “is reaching all areas of our lives,” Fa- bio Panetta, a member of the ECB’s executive board, wrote in a blog post. “The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has shown just how fast such change can happen. And this is affecting the way we pay. We are increasingly buying digitally and online.” He said that there were many questions to be an- swered and that “a decision about whether or not to is- sue a digital euro will only come at a later stage.” If the idea gets a green light at the end of two years, it would take three more to actually develop the digital euro. Currency The central bank for the 19 countries that use the euro is launching the in-depth study after already gath- ering input from citizens and fi nancial professions. The U.S. Federal Reserve is also looking into the im- plications of issuing a digital currency. In simple terms, a central bank digital currency would be a digital banknote. It could be used by in- dividuals to pay in shops, or each other. The Bank for International Settlements, an international association of central banks, says digital currencies issued by cen- tral banks could promote diversity in payment options, make cross-border payments faster and cheaper, in- crease fi nancial inclusion for people without bank ac- counts, and possibly facilitate fi scal stimulus transfers in times of economic crisis, such as a pandemic. A BIS survey showed that 86% of central banks were researching the potential for digital currency, 60% were experimenting with the technology and 14% were deploying pilot projects. They would be different from cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin because central bank digital currencies would be legal tender and thus usable for any transac- tion, and their value would remain stable. Panetta said they would also be more environmentally friendly, since they would use less electricity than “mining” or creating Bitcoin. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Health

J&J recalls sunscreen Device gives voice to paralyzed man

NEW YORK, July 15, (AP): In a medical fi rst, research- ers harnessed the brain waves of a paralyzed man unable to speak - and turned what he intended to say into sentences on a computer screen. It will take years of additional research but the study, re- ported Wednesday, marks an important step toward one day restoring more natural communication for people who can’t talk because of injury or illness. “Most of us take for granted how easily we communicate through speech,” said Dr. Edward Chang, a neurosurgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, who led the work. “It’s exciting to think we’re at the very beginning of a new chapter, a new fi eld” to ease the devastation of patients who lost that ability. Today, people who can’t speak or write because of paralysis have very limited ways of communicating. For example, the man in the experiment, who was not identifi ed to protect his privacy, uses a pointer attached to a baseball cap that lets him move his head to touch words or letters on a screen. Other devices can pick up pa- tients’ eye movements. But it’s a frus- tratingly slow and limited substitution for speech. Chang Tapping brain signals to work around a disability is a hot fi eld. In recent years, experiments with mind-controlled prosthetics have allowed paralyzed In this 2017 photo provided by the University of California, San Francisco, neurosurgeon Dr. Edward Chang is reflected in a computer monitor displaying brain scans people to shake hands or take a drink using a robotic arm as he performs surgery at UCSF. In a medical first, researchers, led by Chang, harnessed the brain waves of a man paralyzed and unable to speak for 15 years — — they imagine moving and those brain signals are relayed and turned what he intended to say into sentences on a computer screen. (AP) through a computer to the artifi cial limb. Chang’s team built on that work to develop a “speech neu- roprosthetic” — decoding brain waves that normally control the vocal tract, the tiny muscle movements of the lips, jaw, Coronavirus tongue and larynx that form each consonant and vowel. Volunteering to test the device was a man in his late 30s who 15 years ago suffered a brain-stem stroke that caused widespread paralysis and robbed him of speech. The re- searchers implanted electrodes on the surface of the man’s Vaccine deliveries rising brain, over the area that controls speech. Computer A computer analyzed the patterns when he attempted to say common words such as “water” or “good,” eventually Delta virus variant slams Asia becoming able to differentiate between 50 words that could generate more than 1,000 sentences. JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 15, (AP): As many Asian countries battle their Prompted with such questions as “How are you today?” worst surge of COVID-19 infections, or “Are you thirsty” the device eventually enabled the man the slow fl ow of vaccine doses from Will COVID-19 vaccines work if to answer “I am very good” or “No I am not thirsty” — not around the world is fi nally picking up voicing the words but translating them into text, the team speed, giving hope that low inocula- I have a weak immune system? reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. tion rates can increase and help blunt It takes about three to four seconds for the word to appear the effect of the rapidly spreading delta NEW YORK, July 15, (AP): Will ited data and experience with flu on the screen after the man tries to say it, said lead author variant. David Moses, an engineer in Chang’s lab. That’s not nearly COVID-19 vaccines work if I have and pneumonia vaccines suggest Tiziana di Costanzo, co-founder of With many vaccine pledges still un- a weak immune system? they won’t work as well as they as fast as speaking but quicker than tapping out a response. fulfi lled and rates of infection spiking In an accompanying editorial, Harvard neurologists Leigh Horizon Insects, holds up a cup of Probably not as well as they do do in others. That means people dried crickets to be ground up and across multiple countries, however, in healthy people, but the shots with weakened immune systems Hochberg and Sydney Cash called the work a “pioneering added to pizza dough, in her London experts say more needs to be done to should offer some protection. should keep taking precautions like demonstration.” kitchen on June 2, 2021. While insects help nations struggling with the over- It’s why vaccinations are still rec- wearing masks and avoiding large They suggested improvements but said if the technology are commonly eaten in parts of Asia fl ow of patients and shortages of oxy- ommended for people with immune crowds. pans out it eventually could help people with injuries, strokes and Africa, they’re increasingly seen gen and other critical supplies. systems weakened by disease or “It’s prudent to use all the pre- or illnesses like Lou Gehrig’s disease whose “brains prepare as a viable food source in the West as Some 1.5 million doses of the Mod- certain medications. It’s also im- cautions you were using before messages for delivery but those messages are trapped.” Earth’s growing population puts more erna vaccine arrived Thursday after- portant that your family, friends and you were vaccinated,” said Dr. Ajit Chang’s lab has spent years mapping the brain activity pressure on global food production. noon in Indonesia, which has become caregivers get vaccinated, which Limaye, a transplant expert at Uni- that leads to speech. First, researchers temporarily placed Experts say they’re rich in protein, a dominant hot spot with record high will make it far less likely that they versity of Washington Medicine in electrodes in the brains of volunteers undergoing surgery for yet can be raised much more sustain- infections and deaths. pass on the virus. Seattle. epilepsy, so they could match brain activity to spoken words. ably than beef. Regulatory change The U.S. shipment follows 3 mil- About 3% of U.S. adults have Although most cancer patients has also made things easier for Eu- lion other American doses that arrived weakened immune systems. should get vaccinated as soon as Only then was it time to try the experiment with someone ropean companies looking to market Among them are people with HIV they can, people getting stem cell unable to speak. How did they know the device interpreted insects directly to consumers. (AP) Sunday, and 11.7 million doses of As- or AIDS, transplant recipients, transplant or CAR T-cell therapy his words correctly? They started by having him try to say traZeneca that have come in batches some cancer patients and people should wait at least three months specifi c sentences such as, “Please bring my glasses,” rath- since March through the UN-backed with autoimmune disorders such as after treatment to get vaccinated, er than answering open-ended questions until the machine COVAX mechanism, the last earlier rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory according to guidance from the translated accurately most of the time. this week. bowel disease and lupus. National Comprehensive Cancer Next steps include ways to improve the device’s speed, “It’s quite encouraging,” said Sow- COVID-19 shots weren’t studied Network. That delay will make sure accuracy and vocabulary size — and maybe one day allow mya Kadandale, health chief in Indo- in large numbers of people with the vaccines work as well as they a computer-generated voice rather than text on a screen — nesia of UNICEF, which is in charge weak immune systems. But lim- can. while testing a small number of additional volunteers. of the distribution of vaccines pro- ❑ ❑ ❑ vided through COVAX. “It seems now to be, and not just in Indonesia, a race tracing - a shortage in vaccines has left UNICEF’s Kadandale, noting that In- Johnson & Johnson said Wednesday that it is recalling between the vaccines and the variants, 70% of the population still waiting for donesia plans to have some additional fi ve of its sunscreen products after some samples were found and I hope we win that race.” their fi rst shot. Thailand, which only 208.2 million people vaccinated by to contain low levels of benzene, a chemical that can cause Many, including the World Health started its mass vaccination in early year’s end and is giving 1 million shots cancer with repeated exposure. Bunch Bezos Organization, have been critical of June, is seeing skyrocketing cases and daily. “Every single dose does make a The affected products, packaged in aerosol cans, are the vaccine inequalities in the world, record deaths, and only about 15% of huge difference.” Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen, and four pointing out that many wealthy nations people have had at least one shot. In Many other countries in the region Neutrogena sunscreen versions: Beach Defense aerosol have more than half of their popula- Vietnam, only about 4% have. have vaccination rates far below Indo- sunscreen, CoolDry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Invisible Discovery tions at least partially vaccinated, “Parts of the world ... are talking nesia’s for a variety of reasons, includ- Daily Defense aerosol sunscreen and UltraSheer aerosol while the vast majority of people in about reclaiming lost freedoms such as ing production and distribution issues sunscreen. lower-income countries are still wait- going back to work, opening the cin- as well as an initial wait-and-see atti- The recall includes all can sizes and all levels of sun pro- Bezos donates $200m to museum: ing on a fi rst dose. emas and restaurants,” tude from many early on when num- tection factor, or SPF. The products were distributed nation- Amazon founder and soon-to-be-space The International Red Cross warned Matheou told The Associated Press. bers were low and there was less of a wide through retailers. traveler Jeff Bezos is donating $200 this week of a “widening global vac- “This part of the world is far away sense of urgency. The health care giant said the benzene was found after million to the Smithsonian Institution to cine divide” and said wealthy coun- from that.” Some were shocked into action after boost its National Air and Space Museum, tries needed to increase the pace of fol- witnessing the devastation in India in testing by the company and an independent laboratory. It is the largest gift received by the institution lowing through on their pledges. Vaccinating April and May as the country’s health investigating how the chemical got into the products. since its founding in 1846. “It’s a shame it didn’t happen earlier Indonesia started aggressively system collapsed under a severe spike J&J said it’s working to get all lots of the fi ve products The Smithsonian said $70 million of and can’t happen faster,” Alexander vaccinating earlier than many in the in cases that caught the government removed from store shelves. It urged consumers to stop us- the money would support museum reno- Matheou, the Asia-Pacifi c director of region, negotiating bilaterally with unprepared and led to mass fatalities. ing the sunscreens immediately and said customers can get vations. The other $130 million would go the Red Cross, said of the recent uptick China for the Sinovac jabs. Now about At the same time, India - a major re- a refund by calling J&J’s Consumer Care Center at 1-800- toward building a new education center in deliveries. “There’s no such thing as 14% of its population - the fourth larg- gional producer of vaccines - stopped 458-1673. More information is available at the websites for at the museum called the Bezos Learning too late - vaccinating people is always est in the world - has at least one dose exporting doses so that it could focus Neutrogena and Aveeno. Center to inspire students to promote in- of a vaccine, primarily Sinovac. Sev- on its own suffering population. novation and explore careers in science, worth doing - but the later the vaccines J&J said in a statement that “use of these products would come, the more people will die.” eral countries also have their own pro- The U.S. has sent tens of millions not be expected to cause adverse health consequences” and math and engineering. “This historic gift will help the Smith- Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea duction capabilities, including South of vaccine doses to multiple countries that it voluntarily decided to recall them “out of an abun- sonian achieve its goal of reaching eve- have all imposed new lockdown restric- Korea, Japan and Thailand, but still in Asia recently, part of President Joe dance of caution.” The statement added that people should ry classroom in America by creating a tions over the past week as they struggle need more doses to fi ll the needs of the Biden’s pledge to provide 80 million use an alternate sunscreen to protect themselves from the world-class learning center with access to contain rapidly rising infections amid region’s huge population. doses, including Vietnam, Laos, South skin cancer melanoma. and inspiration at its heart,” said Smithso- sluggish vaccination campaigns. “Both Moderna and AstraZen- Korea and Bangladesh. The US plans Benzene is a highly fl ammable, widely used chemical nian Secretary Lonnie Bunch. In South Korea - widely praised for eca have been really critical in ramp- to donate an additional 500 million that’s present throughout the environment. It can cause can- The donation comes as the richest man its initial response to the pandemic that ing up these numbers and ensuring vaccines globally in the next year, and cer with repeated exposure at high enough levels. It also can in the world by Forbes’ estimate prepares included extensive testing and contact that the supplies are available,” said 200 million by the end of 2021. damage the immune system and prevent cells from function- to fulfi ll his childhood dream of traveling ing properly, according to the US Centers for Disease Con- to space. Bezos, 57, will blast into space trol and Prevention. on July 20 when his space exploration company Blue Origin makes its fi rst fl ight widely used to create solar energy and “It’s very important. We want to be cli- innovative,” Arne Schaddelee, a provin- The chemical’s effects vary by whether a person acci- with a crew. He’ll be bringing along his cial offi cial, said. (AP) dentally inhales or ingests it or gets it on skin and clothing. serve cyclists as the province of Utrecht mate-neutral in 2040, and then you have younger brother Mark, an investor and seeks to slash its carbon emissions. to dare to use innovation, and this is very ❑ ❑ ❑ Symptoms range from dizziness and irregular heartbeat to volunteer fi refi ghter. convulsions and, at very high levels, death. Bezos, a past contributor to Smithso- Dead fi sh blamed on red tide: A J&J, which is based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, said nian museums, said in a statement that he unusually large bloom of toxic red tide it has notifi ed the Food and Drug Administration of the re- wanted to support the Smithsonian’s “vi- is being blamed for a massive fi sh kill call. tal role in igniting the imaginations of our in Florida’s environmentally sensitive future builders and dreamers.” Tampa Bay. Also: “Every child is born with great poten- Offi cials say more than 600 tons (540 tial, and it’s inspiration that unlocks that metric tonnes) of dead fi sh and other ma- PRISTINA, Kosovo: The mayor of a municipality in western rine life have been scooped up in recent Kosovo declared a state of emergency Tuesday after hun- potential,” he said. “My love affair with science, invention and space did that for weeks along the St Petersburg shoreline. dreds of residents experienced vomiting and diarrhea in re- me, and I hope this gift does that for oth- There’s no immediate sign of relief and cent days. ers.” (AP) some experts say the problem could linger More than 1,500 residents of Decan have sought emer- ❑ ❑ ❑ for months. gency medical assistance since Saturday and reported fear- “The bay is not very happy right now, ing they were poisoned by something in the local water sup- Solar bicycle path unveiled: Author- to say the least,” said Robert Weisberg, ply, according to Selmon Berisha, the municipality’s health ities in a central Dutch province opened physical oceanography professor at the director. what they are billing as the world’s long- University of South Florida. Kosovo media reported two deaths possibly linked to est solar bicycle path Wednesday, mixing “The prognosis is not all that good,” sustainable energy with emission-free Weisberg told the Tampa Bay Times. whatever caused the sickening of residents from six Decan travel. St Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman villages. Health Minister Arben Vitia said the deaths were Students from a local elementary said at a news conference Wednesday that unrelated. school were the fi rst to ride along the state assistance is needed to tackle the red Initial tests have not revealed any problems with the 330-meter-long (360-yard) path located tide bloom. So far, no emergency declara- municipal water supply, according to the State Institute of in the village of Maartensdijk, near Utre- tion has been forthcoming from Gov. Ron Public Health. Conducting further bacteriological tests will cht. It is made up of blocks of prefabricat- DeSantis. require more time, the institute said. ed concrete topped with a thin transparent In this image made from video, a firefighter tries to capture a python in the Ben- “Right now, it’s all about clean up,” Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has asked for an inves- layer that protects and allows sunlight to jasiri Park in Bangkok, Thailand on July 15. Bangkok parkgoers looking for relief Kriseman said. “It’s pretty awful. The tigation. hit solar cells encased in the blocks. from renewed coronavirus restrictions got a slithering surprise Thursday when a odor sticks to you. Plus, there’s the emo- The pilot project is aimed at establish- python as long as two of the Thai capital’s ubiquitous motorbikes was spotted in tional toll of seeing dead animals wash up ing if such dual-use roads can be more one of the popular green space. (AP) day after day.” (AP) Film FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 FFeatureseatures on atthetime.(AP) those householdswithtelevisions centage tunedtoatelecastamong broadcast andtheshareisper- television householdstunedtoa on ESPN2. Statcast-themed alternatetelecast ESPN and767,000viewersfora year drew6,358,000viewerson most viewerssince2017.This from 6.2millionin2019andits and ESPN2onMondaynight,up a combined7,126,000onESPN canceled duetothepandemic. from 9-9:15pmEDT. seen by8,140,000viewers. which hadan11shareandwas Ohtani on Tuesdaynightfeaturing win overtheNationalatDenver increased by1%. sank toarecordlowbutviewers ing forbaseball’sAll-StarGame victory at 5.0 fortheAmericanLeague’s4-3 2 andup,FoxsaidWednesday. was seenby8,237,000viewersages got a4.5ratingand11share, tors saidSmollett hired andpaidto question arebrothers whoprosecu- spoke tohim.The witnessesin witnesses inthecasesaidthey confl of whether he saiditcenteredonthequestion James Linn in thecourtroom. clear exactlywhatwasbeingsaid well intotheafternoon,itwasnot began inthemorningandlasted allowed toattendthehearingthat the mediaandpublicwerenot cago inJanuary2019.Butbecause attacked himindowntownChi- he reportedthattwomaskedmen is accusedoflyingtopolicewhen the chargesagainstSmollett,who attack againsthimself. he stagedaracistandhomophobic in hiscaseagainstaccusationsthat allowed tokeeprepresentinghim of theactor’sattorneysshouldbe hearing todeterminewhetherone fi turned tocourtWednesdayforthe belly oftherestaurantworld,catapultshimintostardomandalifeas “Kitchen Confi at Manhattan’sBrasserieLesHalles.Itreallystartsage44,when out ofcollege,washingdishesinCapeCod—evenhisyearsaschef “Here’s alittlepre-emptivetruth-telling:there’snohappyending.” he alreadyknowswhathappens,especiallywhenquipsearlyon: himself isnarratinghislifestory.Andit’shardtoshakethefeeling and countlesshomemoviesphotos,itcomestofeellikeBourdain footage —muchneverseenfromproductionofhisTVtravelogues, with. BetweenBourdain’sownrecordingsandvoiceovers,copious paths. honest, andpainfullypublic,evenwhenittookhimdownsomedark ille paintsofamanwhocouldn’tresistbeinganythingbutpainfully genuine therapysession.Butitfi “I suspectit’stoolate.” She askshimifhewantstochange,andfeeldifferently.Hereplies: of hisshow,hedescribessomefrighteningpsychologicalurgeshas. gentina. AsBourdainliesonhercouch,camerasrollingforanepisode ryteller AnthonyBourdain,whotragicallytookhislifeattheageof61. T CHICAGO: NEW YORK: exploresDocumentary AnthonyBourdain’s unknown’ own‘parts rst timeinayearforfi The ratingisthepercentageof The HomeRunDerbydrew The 2020All-StarGamewas Viewers peakedat8,897,000 The American League’s 5-2 The AmericanLeague’s5-2 The previous low rating was The previouslowratingwas When The hearinghadnothingtowith Neville dispensesquicklywiththeearlystuff—Bourdaindropping It’s alsoanexampleofjusthowmuchmaterialNevillehadtowork We neverlearnherewhyBourdainwantedtofi Here’s justonethatsticksout:aquickscenewiththerapist,inAr- ict ofinterestaftertwokey ille’s richandmovingdocumentaryaboutthesingularculinarysto- here aremanystartlingmomentsin“Roadrunner,”MorganNev- Amy Jacksonposesforphotographersuponarrivalatthepremiereoffi asthefi ❑ Cook County Cleveland Nenye Uche Jussie Smollett ordered thehearing, The televisionrat- rst two-way All-Star rst two-wayAll-Star dential,” hiswickedlyfunnymemoirabouttheunder- two years ago, twoyearsago, Judge had a By JocelynNoveck ve-hour Shohei Shohei re- ts inperfectlywiththeportraitNev- attorney hasaconfl result inthejudge determiningthe them aboutthecase. Thatcould representing themandtalkedto had spokenwiththepreviously njo Osundairo legal team, was anattack. carry outwhatSmollettmaintains After UchejoinedSmollett’s like ahabitsolidifi hood afteranepilepticfi parodies withhisbrother,Wesley,whodiedinchild- menting it.Itstartedwith16mmshortfi — hesaysis“onceinalifetime.” happened —throughaconfl harmony andasenseofdestiny.Thatthedocumentary life offull-heartedabandon—allthemore. made Kilmeronlywanttotellhisstory—aboundless of tapeshadjustsatinboxes.Butlosinghisvoicehas “Val” madeitsanticipatedarrival.Foryears,thehours Kilmer saidhewasfeeling“blessedandgrateful”as attend. cancer andnumeroustracheasurgeries,wasn’tableto Scott. Kilmer,whohasdiffi and JackKilmer,thedirectorsTingPooLeo celebrate theoccasionwerehischildren,Mercedes miere attheCannesFilmFestival.HereinFranceto Amazon PrimewilldebutAug.6,madeitsrecentpre- acter isreallyjustPRAYER.” “The transformationand/ormanifestationofeachchar- the screen,”saidKilmerinaninterviewoveremail. clip, heshootsliveroundsinthebackyard. gear, trudgingthroughaCaliforniaswamp.Inanother Jacket” thatKilmerhadafriendshoothim,incombat consumed withbeinginStanleyKubrick’s“FullMetal las.” Hamletheprivatelytackledforyears.Hewasso cluding somehenevergotto(offi and there.TheycaptureKilmerlivinginparts—in- audition tapesofhimself.It’snotjustafewsceneshere But themostremarkablethingisseeingKilmer’sown videos andbackstageglimpses,asyoumightexpect. Kilmer shothimselfoverhis61years,includeshome movies hewasn’tin. CANNES, France,July15,(AP):ValKilmerwasin Val Kilmeronalifeinillusion And formuchofKilmer’slife,hewasself-docu- “I shouldKNOW,”saidKilmer.“It’smyLIFE.” Kilmer, himself,tendstoviewhislifewithmystical But exchangingwordsoveremailfromLosAngeles, “Val,” whicha24willopenintheatersJuly23and “I’m afi There’s footageofhimasHenryHillin“Goodfel- The newdocumentary“Val,”burstingwithfootage Variety Abimbola rm believerinmagicalrealismONandOFF allegedthatUche lm whatseemsa ict ofinterest ed bygrief,Kilmeroftenhadacam- and Olabi- A painfullyhonestandpublicperson t inaJacuzzi. Foreverafter, uence ofpeopleandevents culty speakingafterthroat Film was almostneveraboutfood.ItTonylearningtobeabetter making. Changalsohasoneofthecatchiestlinesabouthisfriend:“It The tearsfl -- loving,sadandangryallatoncefromcelebritychefDavidChang. of themoremovingmomentsfi not havingkeptaclosereyeonhimoncetheirmarriagewasoverisone -- OttaviaBusia,withwhomhesharedadaughter.Hertearfulregretat Putkoski doesn’tspeaktoNeville,butBourdain’ssecondwifedoes ner tablewasthegreatleveler,”Bourdainsays.“NowI’mnotsosure.” by apoolfordayswhileconfl fl ares upbetweenIsraelandHezbollah,thecrewislefttolounge cially) play. A casualtyofBourdain’soutsizedfameishisfi In a2006episodeof“NoReservations”shotinBeirut,violence mletOsundairo Smollett a chaoticsceneofhungryyouthsseekingfood. that cobraheart.OrtoHaiti,whereanepisodeonlocalcuisineleads Provence withchef-buddyEricRipert,ortoVietnam,whereheguzzles Unknown” onCNN,weaccompanyBourdaintoanidylliclunchin born,” sayshisbrother,ChrisBourdain. saying BradPittwantstoplayhim.“Itwaslikehediedandre- the streets.He’ssittingdownwithLetterman,andOprah.They’re heart orasheep’stesticle. a globetrottingraconteurboldenoughtoswallowstill-beatingcobra In footagefromhisvariousshows,whichculminatedwith“Parts The transformationisdizzying:PeopleareshoutingtoBourdainin lmsandmovie ow copiouslyinthisfi lm ‘TheStoryofMyWife’atthe74thinternationalfi lm festival,Cannes,southernFrance,Wednesday,July14.(AP) There are laughsandtearsin‘Val’ — isreallytrue. to askifoneofhisdad’sstories—anewhim fi rectors saytheyforgetitisn’tVal.Inonescene,the scrap books.Abouthalfwaythroughthefi wrote thenarrationsporadically,intextmessagesand by Jack.HissonlooksandsoundslikeKilmer,who tor.” are nonstop.Yethe’sknownasaserious,dramaticac- should domorecomedies.Allhisbestfriends,thejokes “Everyone whoknowshimislike:Hesofunny. 26, sittingalongsidehis29-year-oldsisterinCannes. on histalentforcomedy. “Top Secret!”oneofrelativelyfewmoviesthattraded more dramaticallythanmost.Hisbreakcamein1984’s when hewent,experiencedtheupsanddownsoffame knew existed.” because Ihavelostandfoundpartsofmyselfnever zarrely tosome.Idenynoneofthisandhavenoregrets poorly. Ihavebehavedbravely.bi- lived outsideofit,”hesaysin“Val.”“Ihavebehaved lmmakers captureJack,inarecordingbooth,pausing “Val” isnarratedbyKilmerbutvoiced,movingly, “He’s thefunniestpersonIknow,”saysJackKilmer, Kilmer, theyoungestactoreveracceptedtoJulliard “I’ve livedintheillusionalmostasmuchI’ve ego thanextreme,evenmanicdedication. cult” actor.Butin“Val,”weseeanactordrivenlessby Moreau” helpedgiveKilmerareputationas“diffi tears.” tional witheachviewing.Therearelaughs. mother duringtheshoot,soI’mmoreandemo- the restofstoryisextremelymeaningful.Ilostmy movies andartcreatedbyWesleywithinthecontextof in thefi tor JohnFrankenheimeron“TheIslandofDr.Moreau.” Gun”; proddingMarlonBrandoandwarringwithdirec- way in“SlabBoys”;histrailerwhileshooting“Top faced SeanPennandKevinBaconbackstageonBroad- era inhishands.In“Val,”weseehimshootingfresh- ict rages.“Ihadbeguntobelievethedin- Confl Scenes liketheonehemadeon“TheIslandofDr. “My brotherWesleyandmymotherarebothalive lm, acredittoNeville’svibrantfi ict lm,” Kilmersays.“Seeing thatfootageandthe lm, asisthefrankcommentary v. JussieSmollett will beonZoom next hearinginthe caseofPeople private hearinglateWednesday. said attorneysemergingfromthe regarding Ucheatalaterdate, has deniedtalkingtothebrothers. from representingSmollett.Uche that wouldrequirehimtobar A courtspokesman saidthe Linn willannouncehisdecision Talent rstmarriage.Nancy lm- lm, thedi- ning time:118minutes.Threestarsoutoffour.(AP) tion PictureAssociationofAmerica“forlanguagethroughout.”Run- will foreverremainunknown. want tobeaboutalife,notdeath.Afascinatingpartsofwhich swers. Thererarelyareclearanswers,anyway,andthisfi here. It’s unfortunatethatthefi though oneofthempointsout,rightlycourse,that“Tonydidthis.” with ArgentosentBourdainintoatailspinthatledtohisdeath—even ing ineasternFrance. pictures ofherwithanotherman,shortlybeforehisdeathduringfi love. Wealsohearhowdevastatedhewaswhenatabloidpublished Unknown” inHongKong,andweliterallywatchBourdainfalling accuser ofHarveyWeinstein.Shedirectedanepisodehis“Parts Bourdain hadbecomeinvolvedwithItalianactorAsiaArgento,akey Bourdain wouldlikelybewithustoday. Yorker magazine. I’m nothappy,it’safailureofimagination,”heoncetoldTheNew ous ofamanwhofreelyadmittedhehadthebestjobinworld:“If person.” “Roadrunner,” aFocusFeaturesrelease,hasbeenratedRbytheMo- But onecannotfault“Roadrunner”fornotcomingupwithclearan- It’s clearthatsomeofBourdain’sco-workersfelttherelationship The fi But ifimaginationwasallittooktobehappy,thisfi The fi our position,”she said. proof waslaidout todaytosupport and disqualifyUche. judge wouldrulewithprosecutors reporters theywereconfi attorney fortheOsundairos,told on Aug12,beforeLinn. The hearingmarks thelatest “I thinkenoughevidenceand Gloria SchmidtRodriguez - rst two-thirdsarefi nal actof“Roadrunner”isinfusedwithafeelingdread. experienced miracles.” he says.“Thebestisyettocome.” theater program.AndHamlet?“Don’tcountmeout,” dio inHollywoodthathelendsspacetoaninner-city book ofpoetrythata24willpublish.Hekeepsastu- ues tocreateinmyriadways—collages,anupcoming Mexico ranch. Kilmer, whomorerecentlysoldhis6,000-acreNew in advanceofworkshoppingtheone-manshow,”says which heplayedMarkTwain. takings, theone-manstageshow“CitizenTwain,”in Together theymountedoneofKilmer’slargestunder- himself fromHomeDepot),keptonworkingwithhim. to create(herememberstheactorsendinginvideosof sion.” self, forthe2012VICEproject“TheFourthDimen- Harmony Korine’sshort,inwhichKilmerplayedhim- fi “The Doors,”“Tombstone,”Saint,”“Heat.”Scott typecast lastedforever.“Willow,”“BatmanForever,” by everypilotatairportIevergoto.” For therestofhislife,hesays,“IwillbecalledIceman Tony Scott’sset,hewasmoreenergizedbythefi gering inthefi thought thescriptwassillyandIdislikedwarmon- Gun,” amovieherecallsnotinitiallywantingtodo.“I says Jack.“Defi door toherfather. fore Leoshowedme,”saysMercedes,wholivesnext They hadonlyseensomeofthetapes. the experienceofwatchingthismovie.” with him.He’lljustdropastoryonyou.It’skindoflike er knowwhatyou’regoingtogetwhenyouhangout rst encounteredKilmerwhileworkingwithhimon “I havenoregrets,”addsKilmer.“I’vewitnessand Kilmer’s outlookis,asever,enthusiastic.Hecontin- “I wanderedmyranchtalkingtomyselfforyears Scott, captivatedbyKilmer’sfreewheelingenergy But Kilmer’sresistancetobeingpigeonholedand Kilmer’s biggestbreakthrough,ofcourse,was“Top “We’ve beensittingonthismovieforalongtime,” “I hadeverseenfootageofmyparents’weddingbe- For JackandMercedestherewereotherepiphanies. “Our dadhassomanystories,”saysJack.“Younev- lm,” henarratesinthedocumentary.On nitely ourwholelifetime.” dent the lm doesnotincludeArgento’sownvoice ttingly exhilarating.It’shardnottobejeal- , an ning off.(AP) noose aroundhisneck beforerun- with liquidandlooped amakeshift men attackedhim,dousedhim the middleofnightwhentwo was walkingdownthestreetin “Empire” —toldpolicethathe who starredinthetelevisionshow of themsinceSmollett—aBlack twist inacasethathasbeenfull lm makesclear, lm seemsto lm. lm- ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

This image released by Apple TV+ shows the cast of ‘Schmigadoon!,’ premiering Friday. (AP)

People Television

Remove dad: Spears ‘Schmigadoon!,’ a light and charming musical Meghan, Harry produce Old Broadway pizazz collides with 2021 a new animated series NEW YORK, July 15, (AP): behind during a group dance producer, says the show’s genius LOS ANGELES, July 15, (AP): Meghan and Prince A pair of modern-day hikers number. “No, no, that’s not OK! lies in reexamining strict post- Harry’s second Netfl ix project will focus on a 12-year- step out of the woods and into a Unless it’s consensual,” says World War II gender, sexual and old girl’s adventures in an animated series. town where they are greeted by Strong’s character. racial roles without the show be- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell something strange: Suspiciously Cinco Paul, who co-created Productions announced Wednesday that the working ing overtly political, not to men- title “Pearl” will be developed for the streaming ser- friendly residents who burst into and co-wrote the series with Ken tion offering plenty of songs and vice. Meghan created the idea of the family-focused a high-kicking, knee-slapping Daurio, said he adores old musi- dancing. animated series, which was inspired by a variety of group welcome song. cals but also knows that they’re “It’s a very light touch,” he women from history. “What is this and why is music often highly problematic in parts said. “We’re in a very heavy- Meghan will serve as an executive producer with coming from everywhere?” says and wanted to explore the ten- handed time right now, where fi lmmaker David Furnish, who worked as a producer one of the hikers in disbelief. sion. on “Rocketman” and “Sherlock Gnomes.” Sharon Stone poses for photogra- people feel making a point about “Like many girls her age, our heroine Pearl is on phers upon arrival at the premiere “It’s like if ‘The Walking Dead’ “I would be thrilled to be stuck justice is kind of enough. And a journey of self-discovery as she tries to overcome of the fi lm ‘The Story of My Wife’ at was also ‘Glee.’” in a musical town,” he says. you go ‘Well, no. You also have life’s daily challenges,” Meghan said in a statement. the 74th international fi lm festival, So starts the charming, genre- “But I also am hyper-aware of to entertain.’” “I’m thrilled that Archewell Cannes, southern France, Wednes- bending Apple TV+ comedy the things that are just not great The show’s writers also in- Productions, partnered with day, July 14. (AP) “Schmigadoon!,” which com- about them. And so I wanted the the powerhouse platform of clude Allison Silverman, Julie Netfl ix, and these incredible bines Cecily Strong with Keegan- show to point those things out Klausner, Kate Gersten and producers, will together bring Michael Key and fi nds hilarity in and have fun with them.” Bowen Yang. Paul jokes he you this new animated series, the clash between modern sen- The creators managed to con- picked people who “maybe which celebrates extraordinary sibilities and classic Broadway vince a bushel of Broadway have a bit more of a poison pen women throughout history.” musical theater norms. A-listers to fly to Vancouver The couple recently signed than I would.” But “ultimately, “This is not a show that is only and quarantine for two weeks all of us in the room loved mu- a deal to create content for for musical audiences. I love Netfl ix and are creating con- before joining the show, in- sicals so much and that came tent podcasts for Spotify. The that it is for musical audiences cluding Alan Cumming, Kristin so much, but I think it’s special through.” fi rst project with Netfl ix will Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, Jane The songs are also by Paul, Meghan center on the Invictus Games, and I think it’s genuinely very Krakowski, Ann Harada and who re-immersed himself in which gives sick and injured military personnel and funny and I think it’s genuinely Ariana DeBose. veterans the opportunity to compete in sports. the songwriting of composers Cohen Joe Exotic very sweet,” says Strong. “In that The couple have been detangling their lives from way, I think it’s kind of can be Relationship like Frank Loesser and Richard the British royal family and are living in California. Rodgers. But he initially didn’t ❑ ❑ ❑ for everybody.” Cumming plays the top-hatted Variety The town of Schmigadoon is mayor, Chenoweth is a sour Bi- like what came out, calling the A judge allowed Britney Spears to hire an attor- stuck in the overly cheery Tech- ble-thumper, Trevit is a rapscal- fi rst batch lazy. ney of her choosing at a hearing Wednesday in which lion carnival worker and Martin “I needed to be harder on my- she broke down in tears after describing the “cruelty” nicolor age, where two hotel BOSTON: Actor Sacha Baron Cohen has rooms cost $1 — unmarried cou- Short has a cameo as a lepre- self and to try to really embody of her conservatorship. sued a Massachusetts cannabis dispensary these songs, emulate them in a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny he says used an image of his character Bo- ples should never sleep in one chaun. The backpacking couple approved Spears hiring former federal prosecutor rat on a billboard without his permission, bed, of course — and residents learn they can’t leave the magi- real and a really authentic way,” Mathew Rosengart, who called on Spears’ father to according to documents fi led in US District suddenly sing about corn pud- cal town until they fi nd true love, he said. The goal was to “sound immediately resign as her conservator. Court in Boston. ding to the astonishment of the putting a strain on their already like they were from an undis- “The question remains, why is he involved,” Rosen- The billboard for Somerset-based Solar covered Rodgers and Hammer- gart said outside the courthouse. Therapeutics Inc showed Baron Cohen strangers. “Oh no. It’s a song. crumbling relationship. Britney Spears, taking part in the hearing by phone, posing as Borat with two thumbs up and You just started another song,” The title is a joke on another stein musical that fi nally came to told the judge she approved of Rosengart after several the words “It’s nice!” — one of Borat’s Key’s character exclaims to his village unaffected by time from light.” conversations with him. She then asked to address the catchphrases. partner at one point. the splashy Broadway musical Strong is still laughing about court, but asked that the courtroom be cleared. “By use of the billboard, the defendants them. “I think singing about corn falsely have conveyed to the public that Mr Behavior typical in apple- “Brigadoon” and it skewers such As Rosengart began to argue for a private hearing, cheeked musicals from the 1940s escapist and naïve shows like pudding is ridiculous,” she says. Spears interrupted him to say “I can talk with it open.” Baron Cohen has endorsed their products “My dad needs to be removed today,” she said, add- and is affi liated with their business,” ac- and ’50s is skewered, like when “Seven Brides for Seven Broth- “And then girls and the boys split cording to the complaint fi led Monday. “To one resident fl ips his mate over ers” and “Hello, Dolly!” up and dance. It’s just so ridicu- ing that she would like to see him charged with abus- the contrary, Mr Baron Cohen never has ing his position. used cannabis in his life. He never would and gives her a smack on her Lorne Michaels, an executive lous.” She spoke so rapidly she was at times diffi cult for participate in an advertising campaign for the court reporter and the dozens of media members in cannabis, for any amount of money.” the courtroom to understand. The billboard along a Massachusetts Denver found that the trial court wrongly The panel agreed with Maldonado- under 22 years and 27 years in prison. The She said she wanted the conservatorship to end interstate highway was taken down in treated those two convictions separately in Passage that the court should have treated court ordered the trial court to re-sentence immediately but not if it required going through any April, three days after Baron Cohen’s at- calculating his prison term under sentenc- them as one conviction at sentencing Maldonado-Passage. more “stupid” evaluations. She said she did not want torneys sent a cease-and-desist order to the ing guidelines. because they both involved the same It’s possible that Maldonado-Passage another opportunity for “people to question my intel- dispensary, according to the suit. The blond mullet-wearing zookeeper, goal of killing Baskin, who runs a rescue could receive an even lower sentence than ligence for the millionth time.” “Mr Baron Cohen is highly protective known for his expletive-laden rants on You- sanctuary for big cats in Florida. Accord- the range cited in the ruling because the She described being denied things as basic as cof- of his image and persona, and those of Tube and a failed 2018 Oklahoma guberna- ing to the ruling, the court should have court has to consider other factors too, his fee, her driver’s license and her “hair vitamins” by the his characters. Mr Baron Cohen is very torial campaign, was prominently featured calculated his advisory sentencing range appeals attorney, Brandon Sample, said. conservatorship. careful with the manner in which he uses in the popular Netfl ix documentary “Tiger to be between 17-1/2 years and just under Meanwhile, another attorney represent- “If this is not abuse, I don’t know what is,” Spears his persona and his characters to interact King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.” 22 years in prison, rather than between just ing Maldonado-Passage, John M. Phillips, with his fans and the general public,” the hinted at the possibility of seeking a new trial, said. saying in a statement he would be fi ling mo- She recalled that “I thought they were trying to kill complaint says. Baron Cohen and his California-based tions citing previously undisclosed and newly me” in the early years of the conservatorship as she discovered evidence in the case as well as was being overworked and constantly examined. company Please You Can Touch LLC are seeking $9 million in damages. examples of government misconduct. She began to sob as she talked about taking com- An attorney for Solar Therapeutics said “People should know what they saw on fort in a therapy dog when she felt abandoned by her he was aware of the suit. television isn’t the full truth. It isn’t even family. “Upon receipt of the cease-and-desist the tip of the iceberg. It was snowfl akes on James Spears would not be stepping down as letter from Mr Cohen’s legal counsel Solar the tip of the iceberg, largely manufactured Rosengart challenged, his attorney Vivan Thoreen immediately requested that the sign com- by those who wanted to see Joe Exotic in said in court, adding that he has only ever had his pany remove the billboard in question,” jail for their own benefi t,” he said. daughter’s best interests in mind. Nicholas Hemond said in an emailed state- Maldonado-Passage, who has main- Thoreen said Britney Spears had many inaccurate ment. “As there is an active case before the tained his innocence, was also sentenced beliefs, among them that “her father is responsible for court, we have no further comment at this for killing fi ve tigers, selling tiger cubs and all the bad things that have happened to her.” time.” (AP) falsifying wildlife records. “Whether it’s misinformation, lack of correction, ❑ ❑ ❑ His supporters were disappointed that or being wrongly advised, I don’t know,” Thoreen former President Donald Trump failed to said. DENVER: A federal appeals court ruled issue him a pardon before leaving offi ce. Wednesday that “Tiger King” Joe Exotic They were so confi dent in his chances that Thoreen emphasized that for nearly two years should get a shorter prison sentence for his they had readied a celebratory limousine James Spears has had control only over his daughter’s role in a murder-for-hire plot and violating and a hair and wardrobe team to whisk him money, ceding power over her life choices to a court- federal wildlife laws. away from prison. appointed professional, Jodi Montgomery. Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph In his pardon application, Maldonado- Thoreen argued that an evidentiary hearing was Maldonado-Passage, was sentenced in Passage’s attorneys argued that he was necessary to look into the allegations that Britney January 2020 to 22 years in federal prison “railroaded and betrayed” by others and Spears made at the June 23 hearing, including that she after being convicted of trying to hire two said “he will likely die in prison” because was being forced to take medications and use an intra- different men to kill animal rights activist Mercedes Kilmer, (from left), Jack Kilmer, director Leo Scott and director Ting of health concerns. He is serving his sen- uterine device for birth control. Carole Baskin. A three-judge panel for the Poo pose for photographers at a photo call for the fi lm ‘Val’ during the 74th tence at a medical prison in Fort Worth, US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in international fi lm festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, July 7. (AP) Texas. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 SPORTS 14 First tour defeat as Lions lose to SAfrica A Nkosi, Am star

CAPE TOWN, South Afri- ca, July 15, (AP): A South Africa A team that started with 11 World Cup-win- ning Springboks beat the British and Irish Lions 17- 13 to hand the touring team their fi rst defeat. South Africa A led 17-3 at Cape Town Stadium after fi rst-half tries by wing Sbu Nkosi and center and captain Lukhanyo Am, and held off a second- half surge by the Lions to strike a psychological blow ahead of the three-match test series that starts on July 24. The Lions closed to within four points after a Nkosi try by prop Wyn Jones and eight points from the boot of Owen Farrell. That revival came early in the second half with South Africa A down to 13 men after yellow cards for scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and fl anker Marco van Staden. Those two went to the sin-bin within minutes of each other just before the break. But the Lions couldn’t get closer than those four points, although they were within inches of a late try by Welsh wing Louis Rees-Zammit, who grounded the ball agonizingly close in the corner. Defeat was a setback for coach War- ren Gatland and his Lions, who have beaten domestic teams by 40 points or more in their fi rst three tour games and have barely been stretched. But this was a different level of op- position as South Africa A started with Cheslin Kolbe of the South Africa ‘A’ is caught by Louis Rees-Zammit of the British & Irish Lions during a rugby match between South Africa A and British and Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium those 11 World Cup winners and also in Cape Town, South Africa, on July 14. (AP) brought a bunch of test regulars off the bench. Aussies secure 4-run win over West Indies Savea returns RUGBY Mo’unga to start at “You know the physicality that Marsh, Starc help Australia end losing streak fl yhalf for Fiji clash we’ve had over the last few weeks, WELLINGTON, New Zealand, that was a different level tonight and GROS ISLET, St Lucia, July 15, (AP): July 15, (AP): Richie Mo’unga I think we needed that,” said Lions Mitchell Marsh struck 75 and then will start at fl yhalf while Anton captain Conor Murray. “We learned a took three wickets to get Australia Lienert-Brown and Ardie Savea lot of things.” Murray said the defeat into a winning position, but in the end will make welcome returns from didn’t mean “an awful lot.” it came down to paceman Mitchell injury in the All Blacks team to Although the Lions weren’t at full Starc’s fearless last-over bowling to face Fiji on Saturday in the second strength, and South Africa A wasn’t end the West Indies’ winning streak. rugby test at Hamilton. quite a full Springboks team, the game The West Indies had won the fi rst Mo’unga and Beauden Bar- gave some clues as to what might three games to clinch the fi ve-match rett, rivals for the No. 10 jersey, come when the tests begin in Cape Twenty20 International series with have each started in one of New Town. After the home team named two games to spare, and went within Zealand’s two tests this season, such a strong side, it was billed as an one scoring shot of making it four against Tonga and Fiji. Mo’unga unoffi cial fourth test. straight wins. now seems favored in the starting For the Lions, there were standout The hosts needed 11 runs off the last role ahead of the Rugby Champi- performances from lock Maro Itoje, over but Starc bowled fi ve consecutive onship. fl anker Tom Curry and prop Jones, dot balls, cramping Andre Russell’s Lienert-Brown returns at in- who went off holding his shoulder scoring options, before conceding a side center after missing the tests straight after scoring his try. The scrum six on the fi nal ball to secure a four- against Tonga and Fiji as he recov- often got the better of a South Africa run win for Australia. ered from elbow surgery. He may A pack that had fi ve men expected to Australia captain Aaron Finch said bring stability in the All Blacks start for the Boks. the last over was But Farrell had a tougher time at more about trust RUGBY fl yhalf than in earlier games. South Af- than jitters. rica A also got its maul working in the “We knew that last 20 minutes - a major weapon for if Mitchell Starc the Boks - and that seemed to trouble executes he’s as midfi eld which has been in fl ux this season after the additional, the Lions. good as anyone in The game was far more important the world,” Finch season-ending injury to Jack Goodhue. for South Africa’s preparations than said. “He’s done Ardie Savea was named at the Lions’. The Boks have played just it for the best part openside fl anker and will also one test in nearly two years since win- of 10 years, so we bring solidity in a constantly- ning the 2019 World Cup and, starved had a lot of faith changing backrow. of match practice, decided to throw a Marsh in him. He’s got a England’s Heather Knight lifts the series trophy with team-mates after winning the third IT20 cricket match against host of fi rst-choice players into the en- India at The Cloudfm County Ground, in Chelmsford, England, on July 14. (AP) Fiji also will be reinforced lot of faith in him- by returning players. Scrumhalf counter for much-needed game time. self. Just great to get across the line.” Frank Lomani, who is based in “We know where we’re at and we’ll The Australians batted fi rst and Australia and missed the fi rst test be able to judge and analyze where we posted 189-6 in an innings twice inter- because of border restrictions, re- need to improve for the tests,” said rupted by rain breaks, with Marsh belt- Mexico down Guatemala in Gold Cup turns to the starting lineup. Peceli Am. ing his 75 from 44 balls for his third Yato forces a backrow change, Five of the Boks in the backline half-century of the series and sharing DALLAS, July 15, (AP): Rogelio Salvador 2-0. Mexico closes the Funes Mori doubled the lead in the displacing Albert Tuisui at No. 8. were playing their fi rst and only war- a 114-run second-wicket stand with Funes Mori scored twice and group stage against El Salvador on 55th with a right-footed shot from 8 Lock Leone Nakarawa will cap- mup for the tests. Finch, who contributed 53. Orbelín Pineda added a goal to lead Sunday in Dallas. yards off a cross from Pineda, and tain the tourists in place of Levani They included center Damian de Al- Marsh raised his 50 from 24 balls defending champion Mexico over In a match delayed by a storm, Pineda added a goal on a 6-yard leap- Botia, who has been ruled out with lende, who gathered a charge down of a with a straight six against Fabian Al- Guatemala 3-0 in the CONCACAF Funes Mori put El Tri ahead in the ing header in the 79th from a Luis a knee injury. Farrell kick to release Nkosi, who sprint- len as light rain started falling in the Gold Cup. Rodríguez cross. Sam Whitelock again will cap- ed more than half the length of the fi eld 9th over. Funes Mori, a 30-year-old born in At Frisco, Texas, El Salvador (2-0) tain the All Blacks from lock after for South Africa A’s fi rst try. Right wing The West Indies were better after Argentina, scored his second and SOCCER assured itself a quarterfinals bertg starting on the bench in the fi rst Cheslin Kolbe breezed past two defend- the interruption. Hayden Walsh Jr. third goals for Mexico. He made his with a 2-0 win over Trinidad on goals Fiji test and handing the leader- ers to set up Am for the second. (3-27), the leading wicket taker in the debut in a June 3 exhibition against by Jairo Henriquez in the 30th minute ship to scrumhalf Aaron Smith. Jones had a try disallowed late in the series, bowled Finch and took a return Nigeria and was playing his third 29th minute, chesting a lofted pass and Walmer Martínez in the first min- The starting lineup for second test fi rst half as the Lions camped on South catch to remove Alex Carey (0) on the international match. from Héctor Herrera just inside the ute of second-half stoppage time. The against Fiji appears to be close to Africa A’s line, prompting de Klerk to next delivery to slow down the Aus- Mexico had opened Group A with penalty area, cutting the ball back to Soca Warriors have a draw and a loss the All Blacks’ strongest with the go to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle tralians at 126-3. a 0-0 draw against Trinidad and his right foot and beating goalkeeper going into Saturday’s game against start of the Rugby Championship and van Staden for infringing at the Tobago, and Guatemala lost to El Nicholas Hagen from 12 yards. Guatemala in Frisco. now only a month away. ruck. CRICKET ‘I try to make her think more’ McLaren boss to The run-rate only lowered as the West Indies’ slow bowlers contained ‘miss’ British GP the middle-order. The West Indies started aggressively Quadarella is among Ledecky’s few challengers for Tokyo SILVERSTONE, England, July 15, in reply, with openers Lendl Simmons ROME, July 15, (AP): Carefree. Spontaneous. Full of gue with Quadarella’s strategy - or lack thereof. departure for Japan was delayed by a few days be- (AP): McLaren chief executive Zak (72) and Evin Lewis (31) racing to 62, life. A contagious ear-to-ear smile. Especially amid a pandemic. cause she picked up a stomach bug. Brown will miss the British Grand Prix taking 15 in the second over from Ri- Simona Quadarella is your typical 22-year-old Quadarella was among more than 10 Italian swim- “The way coaches operate has really been thrown this week after testing positive for the ley Meredith and 23 in the fourth over Italian. mers who were quarantined in their hotel rooms for upside down over the last year and a half,” Minotti coronavirus. from Dan Christian. She’s also one of the few swimmers capable of several weeks during an altitude training camp that says. “You’ve got to go day by day. Nobody knows The British team said its prepara- Wrist spinner Adam Zampa was challenging American standout Katie Ledecky in the was halted by a coronavirus outbreak toward the end what will happen tomorrow.” tions for the Formula One race at introduced early, in the fi fth over, and longest pool races at the Tokyo Olympics. of last year. Minotti left meals for Quadarella on the For all that Quadarella has accomplished, it seems Silverstone on Sunday will not be af- had almost immediate success when he “She’s impulsive. She’s not someone who thinks fl oor outside her room. strange that these will be her fi rst Olympics. fected. bowled Lewis for 31 from 14 deliver- a lot about what she’s doing. She acts depending on Making matters more complicated is Quadarella’s She’s won six gold medals at European champion- Driver Lando Norris, who contract- ies. how she feels,” says Christian Minotti, who has been ships and a medal of each color at the worlds, starting ed the virus while in Dubai in January, Marsh’s fi rst wicket was a big one, coaching Quadarella since she was 12. “I try to make with a bronze in the 1,500 in 2017 - a performance having Chris Gayle (1) caught just her think more.” that came a year after she narrowly missed out on inside the long-on boundary and the Ask Quadarella what tactics she might employ to qualifying for the 2016 Olympics at age 17. MOTOR RACING Australians rallied to peg back the run- stay close to Ledecky in the 800- and 1,500-meter She even won gold in the 800 at the 2014 Summer rate. Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China, at 15. “To defend what we defended to- “It’s been really long (to get to Tokyo),” Qua- and teammate Daniel Ricciardo, were night, against a very good West In- darella says. “It was fi ve years (between Olympics) not considered to be among Brown’s dies team, was a great performance,” SWIMMING instead of four and last year was a complicated and close contacts. Marsh said. “It was a great fi nish and tough year. … So these fi rst Olympics mean a lot to “McLaren Racing confi rmed today Starc’s last over was excellent.” freestyle races and it becomes clear that planning me not just because it’s the fi rst but also because it’s that three team members, including When Marsh removed Nicholas isn’t her priority. a chance for a new beginning.” CEO Zak Brown, tested positive for Pooran (16) and ended Simmons’s 48- “I’ve got to try to stay near but not ahead of her in While Quadarella will likely race only the 800 and COVID-19 during the team’s rigorous ball innings on consecutive deliveries the fi rst laps. That’s for sure,” Quadarella told The 1,500 in Tokyo, Ledecky has a much bigger program testing programme before the British in the 16th over, it appeared the West Associated Press in a recent interview. “Because - which means the American should be competing in Grand Prix. Neither of our drivers are Indies counterattack had withered. she starts really strong. But she also fi nishes really the fi nal of the 200 free on the same morning of the close contacts. But there was sting in the tail. strong. So I really don’t know. We’ll see when we’re In this July 23, 2019 fi le photo, Italy’s Simona 1,500 fi nal. “All three cases are unconnected Needing 36 off the last two overs there. Every race is different.” Quadarella poses with her gold medal after win- Might that be an advantage for the Italian? and now isolating in accordance with to win, Russell and Fabian Allen (29) Looking back to the 2019 world championships, ning the women’s 1500m freestyle fi nal at the July 28 could be a big day for Italian swimming, as government guidelines. The team’s took on the bowling and plundered when Ledecky withdrew from the 1,500 fi nal due to World Swimming Championships in Gwangju, Federica Pellegrini is among the medal contenders in operations for the British Grand Prix Meredith for 25. illness and Quadarella swam to gold, it’s hard to ar- South Korea. (AP) the 200 at her fi fth Olympics. are unaffected.” ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 SPORTS 15

Games going ahead during pandemic despite persistent opposition IOC’s Bach brings attention to Hiroshima – some unwanted

TOKYO, July 15, (AP): Many resi- dents of Hiroshima welcome attention from abroad, which IOC President Thomas Bach will bring when he visits on Friday. The western Japanese city has been in the forefront of the world Ogunbowale shines, helps WNBA peace movement and a campaigner for the abolition of nuclear weapons. But Bach will also bring political baggage - as will his vice president John Coates when he visits Nagasaki the same day - that is largely unwel- come in two cities viewed as sacred by many Japanese. All-Stars defeat US Olympic team Bach and Coates are using the backdrop of the cities, hit with atomic bombs by the United States in 1945, to promote the fi rst day of the so-called Olym- pic Truce, a tradition from ancient Greece that was revived by a United Nations resolu- tion in 1993. They will also be signaling the Bach start of the To- kyo Olympics in one week. The Games are going ahead during the pandemic despite persistent opposition in Japan from the general public and the medical community. “Many Japanese believe that that Team WNBA’s Arike Ogunbowale IOC strictly forced Japan to have the holds up the MVP trophy after Team Olympics this year,” Yasushi Asako, WNBA defeated United States in a a political scientist at Waseda Univer- WNBA All-Star basketball game, on sity, wrote in an email to The Associ- July 14, in Las Vegas. (AP) ated Press. “Many Japanese believe that it is their (IOC’s) fault for having such an international event during the pandemic, and there is a high possibil- ity that the pandemic becomes more severe after the Olympics.” OLYMPICS

Some of those fears were reinforced on Thursday when Tokyo reported 1,308 new COVID-19 cases, up from 896 a week ago. It was the 26th straight day of cases being higher than a week previous. Thursday’s cases were the highest reported since Jan. 21. Japan has at- tributed 15,000 deaths to COVID-19, good by world standards but worse than many Asian neighbors. Bach will be welcomed on Friday by Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yu- Team WNBA’s Kahleah Copper shoots around United States’ Chelsea Gray during the fi rst half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game, on July 14, in Las Vegas. (Bottom right) Allie Quigley of the zaki and is expected to place a wreath Chicago Sky holds up a trophy after winning the 3-point contest during halftime of a WNBA All-Star basketball game. (AP) at the Peace Memorial Park, visit the Peace Memorial Museum and view the Atomic Bomb Dome. Quigley wins 3rd 3-point shootout ‘We have solid determination to face changing world’ He will not be welcome by every- one. Shuichi Adachi, a former Hiroshi- LAS VEGAS, July 15, In ordinary times, the visits - largely (AP): Arike Ogunbowale 2022 Winter Oly on track despite pandemic ma bar association head, submitted a photo ops - would draw little attention strong statement this week to Yuzaki were it not for the pandemic and the put on a show against the and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui ZHANGJIAKOU, China, July 15, Olympics. Depending on the poll and U.S. national team, hand- opposing Bach’s visit. It was written on FINA suspends 2 Russian swimmers (AP): With the postponed Summer behalf of 11 anti-Olympic and pacifi st how the question is phrased, a majority ing the Olympic squad a Olympics set to open in Tokyo next groups. of Japanese oppose holding the Olym- week, Beijing has made moves to show pics. rare loss. its preparations for the Winter Games “President Bach using the image The game’s MVP scored 26 of ‘a peaceful world without nuclear Bach defended the visit in a briefi ng 2 runners ‘dropped’ from Kenya are well on track for February despite weapons’ only to justify holding of the on Wednesday, saying it was focused points to help the WNBA All-Star the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pan- Olympics by force under the pandemic only on marking the fi rst day of the team beat the U.S. Olympic team demic. is a blasphemy to atomic bombing sur- Olympic Truce. He termed it an IOC 93-85. Olympic team over doping tests Journalists taken on a tour of snow vivors,” the group said in a statement. offer of peace “and nothing else.” Ogunbowale downplayed that she event venues in the outlying city of “An act like this does nothing but do “This is the message we are going was trying to make a statement for not NAIROBI, Kenya, July 15, (AP): months of a major championship. Zhangjiakou this week were shown the harm to the global nuclear weapons to send in the city of peace - of Hiro- making the team headed to Tokyo next Kenya was forced to drop two run- The tests have to be at least three locations for ski jumping, snowboard- ban movement.” shima,” Bach said. “This will have week. ners from its Olympic team just weeks apart. Those rules are ing and Nordic events. They also noted the poor timing. The nothing to do with politics. We will not “I think that shows that out of 144 over a week before the Tokyo enforced on Kenya because the While China has largely eliminated date - Friday, July 16 - marks exactly politicize this visit in any way.” players everybody’s good,” she said. Games because they haven’t taken country is considered high risk by local transmission of the coronavirus, 76 years since the Trinity nuclear test Reports out of Hiroshima say the “We wanted to get Team USA ready the required number of out-of-com- the World Anti-Doping Agency after it has maintained strict quarantine reg- took place in New Mexico that led to security will be similar to what was in for Tokyo. They are representing all petition doping tests, an official said a large number of doping cases in ulations. Organizers have not the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and place for President Barack Obama’s of us.” on Thursday. recent years. announced what rules will be in place Nagasaki just weeks later. visit in 2016. It wasn’t a typical All-Star Game, That has given 1,500-meter world Another runner, United States- for athletes, officials and coaches at the A separate group has also launched The offi cial cost of the Tokyo Olym- with the teams playing hard on both champion Timothy Cheruiyot a last- based 400-meter hurdler Moitalel 2022 Winter Olympics, or if fans will an online petition opposing Bach’s vis- pics is $15.4 billion, though a govern- ends of the court for the entire game minute place on the squad. Mpoke Naadokila, was also taken be allowed. it. The petition, which has garnered al- ment audit suggests it is much more. from the start. Usually there isn’t much Kenya also hasn’t decided if off the team because he hasn’t met most 70,000 signatures, is addressed to The IOC has a large fi nancial stake defense played until late in the fourth steeplechase world and Olympic the doping test requirements. champion Conseslus Kipruto will be q q q the government of Japan, the Japanese in the Olympics going ahead since al- quarter. OLYMPICS “It was really competitive,” said on the team and able defend his Two Russian swimmers set to Olympic Committee, and the mayor most 75% of its income is from selling title in Tokyo. compete at the Tokyo Olympics and governor of Hiroshima. broadcast rights. 12-time All-Star Sue Bird. “Defi nitely Jia Maoting, general manager of the Kipruto dropped out of the race at were provisionally suspended for company overseeing construction of not a typical All-Star game. Usually the national trials last month after anti-doping violations by world gov- talk to players about trying to put on a the venues, told reporters that the “pan- two laps and is out of shape, while erning body FINA. demic situation is uncertain, we cannot good show and having a good time and he is also facing a criminal case in Alexandr Kudashev and hopefully the fans enjoy it. This, right guess how it will develop.” Kenya having Veronika Popova Andrusenko “We have solid determination to from the tip, felt different. It had an in- been charged were suspended based on evi- tensity about it you could tell.” last year with dence supplied by the World Anti- face the changing world,” Jia added. The WNBA team led 75-73 mid- statutory rape. Doping Agency, according to FINA. “We built good venues in any case and way through the fourth quarter before He is released It said the evidence came from then we wait and expect a good result.” Ogunbowale had a four-point play to on bail. China has also faced calls for a boy- extend the advantage to six. The Olym- Kenyan cott of the games from foreign politi- pic squad closed within 83-78 before team officials OLYMPICS cians and human rights groups over the Ogunbowale hit another 3-pointer and will meet to country’s detention of more than 1 posed for the crowd, which included make a late WADA’s examination of materials million members of the Uyghur and many current and former WNBA play- decision on recovered from the former Moscow other Muslim ethnic groups in the ers and team owners. Kipruto’s inclu- Anti-Doping Laboratory, including northwestern region of Xinjiang. The Olympic team cut its defi cit to sion. the lab’s management information Beijing says it provided voluntary 91-85 and had a chance to get closer, Cheruiyot is Cheruiyot system. job training and anti-radicalization but Courtney Williams blocked A’ja now a strong Kudashev and Andrusenko were classes and has denounced boycott Wilson’s shot with 1:15 left and they contender for gold in the 1,500 in set to compete for the non-federa- calls as a politicization of sports based Tokyo after setting the world-lead- tion Russians. The Russian federa- on false evidence. ing time this year and winning back- tion is barred from competing as a The Chinese capital hosted the 2008 BASKETBALL to-back Diamond League titles in country in Tokyo because of ongo- Summer Olympics and is the first city Stockholm and Monaco this month. ing doping issues found by WADA. to be given rights to host the Winter Protesters stage a rally against the visit by IOC President Thomas Bach, in He wasn’t initially on the Kenya Andrusenko competed for Russia could get no closer. Games as well. front of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan, on July 15. (AP) team after finishing fourth at the tri- in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in Chen Rongqin, an official with the The Olympic team is a heavy fa- als. several events. The 30-year-old vorite to win a seventh straight gold planning committee’s construction Cheruiyot will replace 18-year- swimmer also competed in the department, said work was largely medal at the Tokyo Games. No team old Kamar Etiang, who surprised to International Swimming League in they’ll meet has nearly as much tal- completed apart from construction on Ogwumike, Williams petitions to finish second at the trials in a per- 2019. temporary facilities that can’t be built ent as the WNBA All-Star team they sonal-best time. Kudashev would have been com- faced. Still, like the U.S. men’s Olym- too early. But Etiang hasn’t met doping peting in his first Olympics. The “We still need to build some more play for Nigeria ‘denied’ by FIBA pic team which lost consecutive exhi- regulations that require Kenyan 25-year-old swimmer was a gold bition games to Nigeria and Australia, athletes to take at least three out- medalist at the 2019 World facilities and houses in the next few LAS VEGAS, July 15, (AP): Nneka Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams an American loss is rare. of-competition tests within 10 University Games. months, and those are our major work Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams had been given consent by USA Bas- The U.S. squad has won 49 consec- now,” Chen said. have been notifi ed by FIBA that their ketball to play for Nigeria. Usually The National Ski Jumping Center utive Olympic contests dating to 1992. lead of more than a few points in the won the title in 2017 and 2018 got a was one of the major venues for the petitions to play for Nigeria in the players that compete for the U.S. in Brittney Griner scored 17 points and fi rst half. The WNBA All-Stars led 44- hug from her wife and Chicago Sky tour, highlighted with an evening light upcoming Olympics were denied be- major FIBA events after they turn 17 Breanna Stewart had 15 to lead the show. It is has been nicknamed Snow cause they played for the U.S. for too Olympic team, which had been 3-0 in 43 at the half. teammate Courtney Vandersloot after are not allowed to start playing for an- Early in the second half, Candace the victory. Ruyi, after an ancient ski slope-shaped long, said two people familiar with the previous games against WNBA select other country. Parker, who was left off the 2016 Quigley said that it would be the jade ornament symbolizing good for- situation. FIBA’s regulations do allow the squads. tune. As well as its two ski jumping Both teams were missing a player. Olympic team after winning two gold last time she competed in the contest, The people spoke to The Associated organization’s secretary general to au- medals with the U.S., stole the ball which drew boos from the fans. tracks, it has a football pitch at its base. Press Wednes- thorize a player to compete for their Diana Taurasi suffered a hip injury in Zhangjiakou is about 200 kilometers practice a few weeks ago and missed from Brittney Griner and scored an The WNBA will donate $10,000 to day night on country of origin if it will help grow easy layup that gave the WNBA All- the Patrick Quigley Memorial Scholar- (125 miles) to the west of Beijing in condition of basketball in the country. the fi nal three games before the Olym- Hebei province, connected by highway pic break for the Mercury. She was Stars a 53-48 lead - their biggest of the ship Fund in honor of her dad. anonymity be- game to that point. Sami Whitcomb and Jewell Loyd and a high-speed rail line. warming up before the game, but It is due to host ski jumping, snow- cause no offi - didn’t play. The game was tied at 66 after three shot well, but couldn’t advance to the cial announce- BASKETBALL boarding, freestyle skiing, cross-country Liz Cambage also was in uniform quarters. fi nals. skiing, and Nordic combined and biath- ment had been but didn’t play. She is on Australia’s “The All-Star Game has a label The WNBA honored the 1996 U.S. made. ESPN Ogwumike, who was hoping to play lon competitions during the Games. Olympic team and the Opals played where it’s a lot of offense and no de- Olympic team that started off the run The 2020 Summer Games were last fi rst reported in the Olympics with her sisters Chiney Nigeria in an exhibition contest on fense,” Stewart said. “This was a game of six consecutive gold medals that the and Erica, competed for the U.S. in the year postponed for 12 months because the denials. Tuesday. They play the U.S. on Fri- of All-Stars.” Americans have won. The current U.S. of the pandemic. The Nigerian 2018 World Cup where the Americans day. Allie Quigley won the 3-point Olympic team presented their prede- There’ll be heavy restrictions on all Federation has Ogwumike beat Nigeria in the quarterfi nals. The U.S. Olympic team jumped shootout for a third time, beating cessors with fl owers, while the 1996 participants at the Games, which open already fi led an Nneka Ogwumike had hoped to out to an 11-4 lead and Team WNBA 6-foot-6 Jonquel Jones in the fi nal. team gave personal notes of encour- July 23. And with Tokyo in a state of appeal to FIBA and both players are make the U.S. roster for Tokyo, but coaches Lisa Leslie and Tina Thomp- Quigley hit nine of her fi nal 10 shots, agement to the current squad. emergency and rising numbers of looking into taking the denials to the was left off the team when it was an- son called a quick timeout - another including all fi ve from the wing on her The U.S. has exhibition games later COVID-19 cases in the city, there’ll be Court of Arbitration in Sport, the peo- nounced. She had been dealing with a rarity in an All-Star Game. After that “money ball” rack. Each of those was this week against Australia and Nige- no fans allowed at most of the Olympic ple said. knee injury suffered early last month. early burst, neither team could build a worth two points. Quigley, who also ria. venues. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2021 16 Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wear- ing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, tries to break away form Spain’s Jonathan Castroviejo, in second postion and Richard Carapaz of Ecuador, (left), dur- ing the eighteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 129.7 kilometers (80.6 miles) with start in Pau and fi nish in Luz Ardiden, France. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Police raid Bahrain Victorious team at Tour de France Pogacar wins fi nal Tour mountain stage, cements overall lead LUZ ARDIDEN, France, July 15, (AP): Tadej Pogacar won the fi nal mountain stage of the Tour de France on Thurs- day to cement his grip on the race. The short trek in the Pyrenees fea- tured a daunting combination of the Col du Tourmalet and the fi nal sharp climb to the Luz-Ardiden ski resort, two classics of the Tour. Pogacar’s main rivals did not take advantage of the brutal course. The de- fending champion surged away from a reduced group of four riders in the last kilometer. After Enric Mas attacked, Pogacar countered the move and dropped Jonas Vingegaard and Rich- ard Carapaz to claim a third stage win this year and win his second straight mountaintop fi nish. “It’s unbelievable, it’s crazy,” Pogacar said. “It’s been a game for me since I started (my career) and I’m en- joying playing it,” Pogacar said. Barring an accident, the 22-year-old UAE Team Emirates rider should be crowned Tour champion for the sec- ond straight year when the race ends in Paris on Sunday.

CYCLING

Before Sunday’s processional ride leading to the Champs-Elysees, there is just one diffi cult stage remaining - a time trial through the Bordelais vine- yards scheduled Saturday. Pogacar ex- cels in the race against the clock and won the fi rst time trial of this year’s Tour, beating the pure specialists. Pogacar has a huge lead of fi ve min- utes, 45 seconds over Vingegaard in the general classifi cation. Carapaz is in third place, 5:51 off the pace. “Still three days, but it looks good,” Pogacar said. The stage start was overshadowed by the news that the Bahrain Victori- ous team had been raided by French police as part of a doping investiga- tion. The team confi rmed that riders’ rooms were searched by offi cers at the hotel it stayed in on Thursday in the southwestern city of Pau. In a statement to The Associated Press, the Marseille prosecutor in Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, (left), and Jae Crowder, (right), during Game 4 of basketball’s NBA Finals in charge of the case said a preliminary Milwaukee. (AP) investigation targeting members of the team was opened on July 3 “for acqui- were allowed to start the stage. A group sition, transport, possession, import of of three competitors formed early as a substance or method prohibited for Christopher Juul-Jensen led over the use by an athlete without medical jus- fi rst climb of the day, with world cham- tifi cation.” pion Julian Alaphilippe and Pierre-Luc The team’s seven remaining riders Perichon chasing hard behind. Bucks even NBA Finals 10 athletes to represent Kuwait in Tokyo Middleton scores 40 points MILWAUKEE, July 15, (AP): Khris Mid- while dribbling. That sent Middleton off for a layup and he followed with four free throws to make it 107-101. ‘Kuwaitis well prepared for Olympic Games’ dleton is an All-Star with unwavering con- Brook Lopez had 14 points for the Bucks and Holiday KUWAIT CITY, July 15, (KUNA): fi dence in his shot, always believing that added 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He shot Kuwaiti swimmer Lara Dashti in re- no matter how poorly he starts that he can only 4 for 20, but his defense helped knock Paul off his game. marks to KUNA ,said she and her fel- turn things around. Before Middleton’s run, it appeared it was going to be low citizens are well prepared for the Booker’s night. He bounced back in a big way from a 3-for- Middleton’s big shots - and throw in Giannis Ante- 14 night in Game 3 with his third 40-point game of this post- upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games,due tokounmpo’s big block - may have turned around the July 23 to August 8. season. course of these NBA Finals. But he had to spend portions of the third and fourth quar- Dashti and Abbas Qali will compete Middleton scored 40 points, including 10 straight for the ters on the bench after picking up fouls and his teammates in swimming, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhel Bucks down the stretch to send them past the Phoenix Suns, couldn’t handle things without him. in rowing and Mohammad Al-Musawi 109-103 on Wednesday night to tie the series 2-2. With the leaders of their only title team in the arena, the in Karate. Middleton’s hot hand and a big block from Antetokounm- Bucks improved to 9-1 at home in the playoffs. They are The two Kuwaiti swimmers took po gave the Bucks their second straight victory in the fi rst trying to overcome a 2-0 defi cit for the second time in this part in external training camps, under close game of the series. postseason. supervision of their Italian coach Si- Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight as- mon Tastaka. sists. His streak of 40-point games ended at two but the only number that matters for the Bucks is on the series scoreboard. BASKETBALL OLYMPICS Devin Booker scored 42 points for the Suns, but his foul trouble cost them a chance to build a big lead in the second The Suns never got more than two wins in their two previ- half. Chris Paul struggled through a 5-for-13 night, fi nishing ous trips to the NBA Finals but it seemed they were fi nally Italy players celebrate with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after he saved The 17-year-old Dashti is confi dent the last penalty shot of the Euro 2020 soccer championship fi nal match be- with 10 points and fi ve turnovers. headed there Wednesday. Booker had a big fi nish to the of making a good run in the 50-m free- Game 5 is Saturday night in Phoenix. third quarter to send them to the fourth leading 82-76, but he tween England and Italy at Wembley Stadium in London. (AP) style after intensive training . Phoenix led by two with 2 1/2 minutes left before Middleton picked up his fi fth foul barely a minute into the period and sat Al-Musawi said he is hoping to be made the next two baskets to give Milwaukee a 101-99 edge for about fi ve minutes. among the top winners. with 1:28 to play. It appeared the Suns would tie it with a lob The Bucks trimmed only three points off the lead before Rower Al-Fadhel qualifi ed for the pass to center Deandre Ayton but Antetokounmpo swooped in he returned midway through the fourth, but Middleton made top Olympics after excelling in the to block it, fl exing his muscles to the crowd behind the basket sure they surged ahead when it mattered. Donnarumma ‘signs’ Asian championship. as the Bucks broke the other way on the fast break. Antetokounmpo had dominated the previous game with Kuwait is partaking in the Olym- Middleton missed a couple of jumpers but Paul lost the his offense, but the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year made pics with 10 athletes.Four shooters, ball after the second one when he slipped and fell down his biggest mark on this game on the other end of the fl oor. 5-year deal with PSG Abdulrahman Al-Faihan, Mansour Al- Rashidi, Abdullah Turgi Al-Rashidi PARIS, July 15, (AP): Italy’s Eu- striker Kylian Mbappe to agree a and Talal Turgi Al-Rashidi. ropean Championship-winning new contract. In the fi eld-and-track, Kuwait is goalkeeper Gianluigi Donna- PSG haVE signed veteran de- represented by Yaaqoub Al-Yoha and Madhawi Al-Shemmari. rumma signed a five-year contract fender Sergio Ramos on a free with Paris Saint-Germain. transfer after he played 16 years The 22-year-old Donnarumma for Spanish giant Real Madrid and starred at Euro 2020 and made de- bought right back Achraf Hakimi Rashford condemns cisive saves in the penalty shoot- from Italian champion Inter Milan out as Italy beat England in the for a reported fee of 60 million eu- social media giants final. ros ($71 million). PSG said that Donnarumma has ❑ ❑ ❑ LONDON, July 15, (AP): One of the signed a deal until the end of June England soccer players targeted with 2026. Philippines goalkeeper Neil online racist abuse after his team’s loss “I feel ready to take on this new Etheridge has been hospitalized in the fi nal of the European champion- challenge and continue to grow with COVID-19, his second-di- ship condemned social media compa- here,” Donnarumma said. “With vision English club Birmingham nies Thursday for doing too little to Paris, I want to win as much as said. block “hateful and hurtful” messages possible and to bring joy to the on their platforms. supporters.” SOCCER In comments directed at Instagram, He was a free agent after leav- Twitter and Facebook, Bukayo Saka ing AC Milan, where he broke into said he didn’t want anyone else to be the side as a 16-year-old and made The 31-year-old Etheridge “is targeted by the kind of messages he and 251 appearances. currently receiving treatment in teammates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho received after the three Black Five years ago, Donnarumma hospital for COVID-19,” Birming- ham said on theirTwitter account. players missed penalty kicks during the became the youngest goalie to shootout that ended Sunday’s game. play for Italy at 17 years and 189 Etheridge had recently reported “I knew instantly the kind of hate that days when he featured against back to the Championship squad I was about to receive and that (it) is a France. for pre-season training. He made sad reality that your powerful platforms PSG lost the French title to Lille 43 appearances for the Blues last are not doing enough to stop these mes- last season and has strengthened year after three seasons with Car- sages,” the 19-year-old Saka wrote on its squad in a bid to persuade star diff. Instagram. “There is no place for rac- Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, (center), fi ghts for a rebound with Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) and ism or hate of any kind in football. …” center Brook Lopez, (right), during the fi rst half of Game 4 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Milwaukee. (AP)

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