Friday July 30, 2021 Dhul Hijjah 20, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5324 QR 2

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World 3 Business 6 Sports 9 Israeli army probes death of QSE sees weekly gain as foreign High jump in focus as Barshim 11-year-old Palestinian funds turn bullish takes centrestage at Tokyo

Amir issues Shura Council electoral system law

QNA & TNN ● Doha Candidates must be of Qatari origin Amir issues decree defining and at least 30 years old electoral districts His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar ● Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on The candidate must be fluent in His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Thursday issued Law No 6 of 2021, on the Arabic (both reading and writing) Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Shura Council’s Electoral System. The law ● The candidate must be registered in on Thursday issued Decree No 37 of is effective starting from its date of issu- 2021 defining the electoral districts of ance and is to be published in the Official the electoral district where he the Shura Council and their respective Gazette. is running regions. HH the Amir also issued Law No 7 of ● The decree stipulated that the elec- 2021 regarding the Shura Council. The candidate should be of good toral districts of the Shura Council and HH the Amir confirmedS hura Council reputation, of good conduct, and their respective regions shall be defined known for honesty and uprightness elections will be held for the first time in The Shura Council comprises a total as indicated in the table attached to this Qatar in October. ● decree, and that one member shall be “Today, HH the Amir confirmed the The candidate has not been of 45 members, 30 of whom are elected for each electoral district from the Shura Council Elections Law, which pro- previously convicted of a crime directly elected in a secret general constituencies indicated in the table. motes civic participation in the elections, involving moral turpitude or ballot, whilst the remaining 15 are The decree is effective from the date and which will be held for the first time dishonesty appointed by HH the Amir of its issuance and is to be published in in Qatar in October,” according to Qa- the OfficialG azette. (QNA) tar’s Government Communication Office (GCO). According to the law, the right to vote coming Shura Council elections: shall not be less than 30 years for honesty, uprightness, and good man- The law on the electoral system for the has been expanded to include everyone ☛ The candidate must be a Qatari; that ☛ Fluent in Arabic, both reading and ners Shura Council is in line with the Qatari Con- who has acquired Qatari citizenship, pro- is from a family that resided in Qatar be- writing ☛ The candidate has not been previ- stitution and Qatar National Vision 2030, vided that his grandfather is Qatari and fore 1930, as stated in the Constitution, ☛ The candidate must be registered in ously convicted of a crime involving moral which aims to enhance the participation of was born in Qatar. issued in 2004 and was voted on by the the electoral district where he is running turpitude or dishonesty, unless he has citizens in the decision-making process. It also stipulates the following condi- Qatari people. ☛ The candidate should be of good been rehabilitated in accordance with the tions for those who seek to run for the up- ☛ Age at the closing of the nomination reputation, of good conduct, and known law. Continued on page 2 

Amir appoints new PM urges citizens ambassadors Phase 3 of re-opening plan to QNA to register to vote Doha continue in August: MoPH in Shura elections His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Tribune News Network Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Doha Tribune News Network Thursday issued Amiri Decision No 22 Doha of 2021 appointing HE Sheikh Moham- The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) med bin Nasser bin Jassim Al Thani as has decided to continue with the third Prime Minister and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipo- phase of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 Minister of Interior tentiary to the Republic of Turkey. restrictions in August. HE Sheikh Khalid bin HH the Amir issued Amiri Decision The lifting of COVID-19 restrictions Khalifa bin Abdulaziz No 23 of 2021 appointing HE Salem bin was scheduled to be implemented in four Al Thani has urged citi- Mubarak bin ShafiA l Shafi asA mbas- phases. The first phase began on May 28, zens to get themselves sador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 2021, the second phase on June 18 and registered to vote in to the Arab Republic of Egypt. the third phase on July 9. the upcoming Shura HH the Amir also issued Amiri The fourth phase was originally Council elections. Decision No 24 of 2021 appointing Ali scheduled to begin on July 30 , which has “By issuing a law Yousef Abdulrahman Al Mulla as Ambas- now been delayed. on the electoral system sador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary In a statement, the MoPH said the for the Shura Council, to the Republic of Cyprus. third phase of the gradual easing of COV- we call on our citizens HH the Amir issued Amiri Deci- ID-19 restrictions, currently in place, to register in the voter registration starting from sion No. 25 of 2021 appointing Khalid will continue until the new infections fall August 1 to ensure a broad participation befit- Mohammed Zabin Al Zabin Al Dosari, as substantially. ting this historic entitlement, which establishes a Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipo- The MoPH said the ministry contin- new stage of Qatari citizen participation in public tentiary to the State of Libya. ues to monitor key performance indi- affairs, and his contribution to making the future The decisions are effective from cators to ensure a balance between the on the other hand. selves, their families and members of the and prosperity of his country,” the PM said in a the date of its issuance and are to be continuity of providing protection to the The ministry called on all people who society from the dangers of this disease tweet on Thursday. published in the Official Gazette. population on the one hand and restor- are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as and contribute to a speedy return to the ing social and economic life to normal, possible so that they can protect them- normal life. Qatar warns against letting MADLSA extends probation period the situation continue in Palestinian territories for workers from 3 to nine months Qatar has warned QNA labour legislation, regulations and policies in against the danger of Doha the country, and to provide the worker before the current situation in he is recruited with a copy of the signed data the Palestinian ter- The Ministry of Administrative Development, and conditions of work from the employer. ritories to continue and Labour and Social Affairs The employer is also the lack of a sustain- (MADLSA) has extended obligated to issue a work able settlement of the the probation period for contract for the worker Palestinian cause. workers, including domestic before his arrival in the Qatar called on the helps, from three months to country according to the UN Security Council to nine months. same conditions that the assume its responsi- The ministry announced worker accepted, in addi- bilities in enforcing in- the start of implementation tion to providing private ternational law, implementing its resolutions, putting of the Decision No 21 of housing and meals for the an end to the illegal occupation and settlement and 2021 amending some provi- recruited workers. supporting peace. This came in a statement made sions of Resolution No. 8 of The ministry explained by Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United 2005 regarding regulating that the decision included Nations Ambassador HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin the conditions for the re- obligating the licensee to Saif Al Thani at UN Security Council meeting on the Assistant FM meets Belgian envoy cruitment of workers from guarantee an additional “situation in the Middle East, including the Palestin- Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs abroad. six-month probationary ian Question. The statement drew attention to the HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bel- According to the decision, office owners are period for the user, starting immediately after repeated provocations and attacks carried out by the gium to Qatar HE Dr Bart de Grove on the occasion of the end of his tenure. Al bound by the instructions issued by the minis- the end of the three-month preliminary proba- authorities of the occupying power in the occupied Khater thanked the ambassador for his efforts in supporting and strengthening try and other concerned authorities in recruit- tion. The total probation period becomes nine city of Jerusalem and settlers on the Islamic and bilateral relations, wishing him success in his new missions. (QNA) page 2 ing workers from abroad, the most important months. Christian holy sites. (QNA) page 12 of which is to abide by the amendments to the Continued on page 2  02 Friday, July 30, 2021

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ASSISTANT FM MEETS BELGIAN ENVOY News in brief

Amir sends greetings to president of Peru The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable of congratulations to President of the Republic of Peru Pedro Cas- tillo on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day. (QNA) Deputy Amir sends greetings to presi- dent of Peru The Deputy Amir HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable of congratulations to President of the Republic of Peru Pedro Castillo on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day. PM sends greetings to Peruvian counter- part Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Assistant FM Meets Ambassador of Indonesia Assistant Foreign Minister and Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater met Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani has sent a cable of congratulations Qatar HE Dr. Bart de Grove, on the occasion of the end of his tenure. HE Lolwah with Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the State of Qatar HE Ridwan Hassan. to Prime Minister of the Republic of Peru Violeta Bermudez on the Al Khater expressed gratitude to the ambassador for his efforts in supporting and The bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries were reviewed during the occasion of her country’s Independence Day. strengthening bilateral relations, and wished him success in his new assignments. meeting.

Qatar Charity holds weekly Shura Council electoral law to cultural activities for orphans enhance citizens’ participation in Bosnia and Herzegovina Continued from page 1  and shall exercise control over Council may address an inter- Council or upon a request from the executive authority as speci- pellation to ministers on mat- the Council of Ministers. Tribune News Network Through the electoral law, fied in this Constitution. ters within their jurisdiction. In order for sessions to be Doha the wise leadership has been Every member of the Shura An interpellation may not be valid, the majority of the mem- keen for the Shura Council to be Council shall have the right to made unless it is agreed on by bers, including the speaker or Qatar Charity (QC), through a true representative of Qatari propose legislative bills, and one-third of the members of the his deputy, must attend them. If its Bosnia and Herzegovina of- citizens’ will. As a result, the law every proposal shall be referred Council. Such an interpellation the number is not complete, the fice, has been organising cul- came to enshrine the principle to the relevant committee of the may not be discussed until at session is postponed to the next tural and recreational activities of popular participation in the Council for scrutiny. least ten days from the date of convocation date. for the orphans it sponsors in legislative process while also de- This committee will in turn submission, save in urgent cir- The decisions of the Council the country, aiming to develop riving its articles and chapters submit recommendations to the cumstances and provided the are made through absolute ma- their capabilities, enhance self- from the Qatari constitution, Council. If the Council agrees minister agrees to the reduction jority of present members – in confidence and improve com- which was approved by popular to the amendments, the same of this period. cases where a special majority is munication skills effectively. vote. shall be referred in draft form The Council’s annual ses- not specified – and if the votes The activities, which are The Shura Council of Qatar to the government for study and sion lasts eight months, which are equal, the Speaker’s vote de- held during weekends, come as was established in 1972 in ac- opinion. Such draft shall be re- commences and closes upon termines the final decision. part of QC’s keenness to pro- cordance with the provisions of turned to the Council during the convocation by His Highness The law in Qatar has crimi- vide comprehensive care to the an interim political order issued same or the following session. the Amir in October of each nalized foreign funding, es- sponsored orphans in Bosnia on April 19, 1972, concerning (Any legislative bill rejected by year. His Highness the Amir, pecially in the elections of the and Herzegovina. the regulation of the State’s new the Council may not be re-intro- or his deputy, opens the an- Shura Council, and has estab- The weekly activities in- institutions, including the Shu- duced during the same session.) nual session by giving a com- lished deterrent penalties in clude training sessions, edu- ra Council. “The current Shura The Shura Council shall prehensive speech in which order to ensure the absence of cational and sports events, Council comprises a total of 45 have the right to forward pro- he addresses the affairs of the such serious violations that af- lectures on Islamic education, members, 30 of whom are di- posals relative to public mat- state. fect legislative life, as it is pun- history and computer, creative rectly elected in a secret general ters to the government. If the His Highness the Amir may ishable by imprisonment for a workshops and visits to some of ballot, whilst the remaining 15 government is unable to comply issue a decree to convoke an period not exceeding five years the famous tourist attractions in are appointed by HH the Amir. with such aspirations, it must extraordinary session by the and a fine not exceeding ten Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and The terms of service of the ap- give its reasons to the Council. Council, in cases of emergency million riyals or one of these Herzegovina. pointed members end either The Council may comment only or a request by a majority of the two penalties are for any can- The orphans thanked their when they resign or when they once on the government’s state- members. In extraordinary ses- didate who requests, accepts, sponsors in Qatar, as well as are relieved from their posts,” ment. sions, the Council may only look or receives movable or immov- QC, for organising educational the Government Communica- Every member of the Shura into matters that it was specifi- able funds, directly or indirect- and recreational activities, in- tions Office (GCO) said. Council may address a point of cally convoked for. ly, or obtains an advantage or dicating that they greatly ben- In November 2020, HH the clarification to the Prime Minis- Summoning and adjourn- benefit from any foreign per- efited from the programme. Amir announced that the Shura ter and to any of the ministers ing the ordinary and extraordi- son or entity, to support him or Student Sima Ebrilich they are not forgotten people. dition to classrooms, canteens Council will hold its first-ever pertaining to matters within nary sessions of the Council is finance his electoral campaign, thanked the benefactors in Qa- She thanked the philanthro- and lobbies. It provides a fully elections in 2021. their jurisdiction; only the per- done by a decree. as well as confiscate the funds tar for their support, noting pists of Qatar for their efforts, secured and protected environ- The Shura Council shall as- son who raised the question has The sessions of the Coun- and benefits obtained It must that she came to know about and QC for providing compre- ment. sume legislative authority, ap- the right to comment once on cil are public. Closed sessions be re-elected if this candidate significant historical aspects of hensive care for the sponsored QC has recently built a prove the general policy of the the response. may be held upon a request of wins the elections in the dis- various places and gained new orphans. dormitory in the heart of Sara- government and the budget, Every member of the Shura one third of the members of the trict in which he won. knowledge from the computer QC has been organising jevo, the capital of Bosnia and course. rehabilitation programmes Herzegovina, for female or- Karim Vecicic, a student every week for the sponsored phans enrolled in universities, sponsored by QC, expressed orphans. The programmes will and for girls from low-income his happiness with the program continue until the end of the families, who come from rural MADLSA tasked with resolving recruitment disputes and the recreational activities, year to involve all sponsored areas to the capital to continue as he could visit tourist attrac- orphans in beneficial activities education, aiming to achieve Continued from page 1  of the employer during the ad- when the employer assaults the licences to recruit workers from tions that he had never visited held in the Orphan Care and their aspirations for a better ditional probation period, with worker and violates any of the abroad for others, and settling before. Rehabilitation Center, which future. During the additional proba- deduction of government fees terms of the contract with the disputes that arise between The mother of Anida was established by QC in 2019 The total number of those tion period, the licensee shall incurred in any of the follow- worker. recruitment agencies and em- Dervičić, sponsored by QC, to accommodate more than 100 sponsored by QC in Bosnia, in- guarantee the return of the sum ing cases: the worker’s refusal The competence of MADL- ployers in accordance with the praised the charity’s role, ex- orphans at a time. cluding orphans, poor families, paid to him by the employer, to work, the employee’s quit, SA, represented by the Employ- Labor Law and the decisions plaining that such programmes The centre has halls with in- students, teachers and persons minus 15 percent of the total the employee’s illness with a ment Department, is to study implementing it, and referring provide confidence to the or- ternet service and air condition- with special needs, has reached amount due, for each month chronic disease, and the right of special requests for recruiting them to the judiciary if they phans and remind them that ing and heating facilities, in ad- nearly 2,800. the worker spent in the service the employer shall be forfeited workers from abroad, granting cannot be settled amicably. MoI announces polling stations for Shura Council elections

QNA follows:  Sixth polling sta-  Eleventh polling station: Al Taawoun Primary School for in Al Khor.  Twenty-sixth polling sta- Doha  First polling station: tion: Hamza bin Abdul Mo- Maymouna Primary School for Girls in Al Maared.  Twenty-first polling sta- tion: Al Ghuaireya School for Jawaan Bin Jassim Model taleb School for Boys in Bin Girls in Al Matar.  Seventeenth polling sta- tion: Al Kaaban School for Girls Girls in Al Ghuaireya. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) School for Boys in Onaiza Mahmoud.  Twelfth polling station: tion: Ali bin Abdullah Model in Al Kaaban city.  Twenty-seventh polling said Thursday it has allocated  Second polling station: Al  Seventh polling station: Al Markhiya Primary School for School for Boys in Al Rayyan Al  Twenty-second polling station: Al Shihaniya School for the polling stations for the Shu- Quds Model School for Boys in Hassan bin Thabet Secondary Girls in Al Markhiya. Jadeed. station: A tent close to Ein Senan Girls in Shihaniya. ra Council elections set to take Umm Ghawlina. school for boys in Al Matar.  Thirteenth polling sta-  Eighteenth polling sta- Petrol Station in Fuairet.  Twenty-eighth polling place in October.  Third polling station: Ka-  Eighth polling station: tion: Zainab School for Girls in tion: Al Shifa bint Abdulrah-  Twenty-third polling sta- station: Dukhan School and Kin- In a statement, the ministry mal Naji Model School for Boys Omar bin Al Khatab Primary Al Waab. man Al Ansareya Primary tion: Al Shamal School for Girls dergarten for Girls in Dukhan. said it determined the polling in As Salatah. School for Boys in Muhairja.  Fourteenth polling sta- School for Girls in Umm Salal in Ruwais.  Twenty-ninth polling stations in line with the provi-  Fourth polling station: So-  Ninth polling station: tion: Al Wakra School for Girls Mohammed.  Twenty-fourth polling station: Sakina bint Al Hus- sions of the law on Shura Coun- maya Primary School for Girls in Zubaida Secondary School for in North Al Wakra.  Nineteenth polling sta- station: Al Shamal School for sein School for Girls in Rawdet cil elections and the decree on As Salatah. Girls in Nuaija.  Fifteenth polling station: tion: Semaisma Primary School Boys in Al Shamal. Qadeem. determining the polling stations  Fifth polling station:  Tenth polling station: Souda bint Zamaa School for for Boys in Al Dhaayen.  Twenty-fifth polling sta-  Thirtieth polling station: and their location. Heteen Model School for boys in Hamed bin Hanbal Secondary Girls in South Al Wakra.  Twentieth polling station: tion: Al Shamal Primary School Rashid School and Kindergarten The polling stations come as Al Aziziyah. School for Boys in Najma.  Sixteenth polling station: Al Khor Primary School for Girls for Girls in Al Shamal. for Girls in Rawdet Rashid. World Friday, July 30, 2021 03

News Israeli army probes death in brief Dozens feared dead in heavy flooding in eastern Afghanistan of 11-year-old Palestinian Kabul: Dozens are feared dead after a flash flood hit a village in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nuristan, officials said on Thursday. According to the provincial council chief of the province, According to Palestinian media reports, the boy was sitting in his father’s car when he was fatally injured Saaedullah Nuristani, the flood destroyed at least 80 houses, and so far, the bodies of at least 35 people were recovered. Nuristani said that neighbouring villagers were trying to recover more bodies and the number of casualties might rise. In the meantime, a spokesman for the Afghanistan Nation- al Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), Tamim Azimi, said that the flash floods have left at least 100 dead and wounded according to initial reports. Azimi said that the area was controlled by the Taliban and as a result, government-supplied aid cannot be delivered to the scene. He added that negotiations with impartial organiza- tions to deliver the urgent aid have already begun. According to Saaedullah it was the first time the area was hit by such a flood which surprised the villagers. (dpa)

16 dead in flash floods in India hill states Srinagar, Kashmir: - Sixteen people have died and at least 20 are missing after cloudbursts led to heavy rains and flash floods in the hills of northernI ndia, officials said on Thursday. Nine bodies had been found so far and around 19 people are still missing from Honjar Dacchan village in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior police official, Shafqat Bhat, said. More than a score of houses and buildings and a bridge and a mosque were damaged by the floods and landslides trig- gered by the cloudburst in the early hours of Wednesday. Seventeen people had been rescued from the debris and were being treated in hospitals. Search and rescue operations had been affected by inclem- ent weather. (dpa)

Kerala spike in 3 killed as fires COVID-19 triggers rage on Turkey’s alarm in India Antalya coast New Delhi: A surge in Istanbul: At least three Covid-19 infections in the people have died as a result Indian state of Kerala triggered of fires in Turkey’s coastal alarm, and the federal govern- Antalya region, while 183 ment appointed a six-member have been injured, Bekir team from the National Dis- Pakdemirli, minister of agri- Mourners carry the body of Palestinian boy Mohamad al-alami during his funeral in the town of Beit Ummar, northwest of the flashpoint city of Hebron, on Thursday.( afp) ease Control Centre on Thurs- culture and forestry, said on day to help local authorities Thursday. There were further dpa The shooting comes on the contain a renewed outbreak of fires reported in the regions Ramallah/Tel Aviv The shooting comes on same day a Palestinian man the disease. of Mersin, Alanya and Mugla, the same day a was shot dead by Israeli sol- India is second only to among others. The state Following the death of Palestinian man was shot diers near Nablus under un- the US in its total number of broadcaster TRT reported an 11-year-old Palestinian in dead by Israeli soldiers clear circumstances. Covid-19 cases, with more on Thursday that hotels in the the southern West Bank, Is- The man had quickly ap- than 31.5 million at the last Mediterranean city of Marma- rael’s army is investigating the near Nablus under unclear proached several soldiers count. According to official ris had also been evacuated incident. circumstances south of Nablus with an iron data, 422,662 people have after a fire broke out near the Israeli soldiers observed bar in his hand, the Israeli died, many during a virulent city. A hotel near the resort “suspicious activity” near a the air. The soldiers then shot army said. second wave between April of Bodrum also had to be military base near Hebron, the at the tyres. The soldiers initially fired and June. Since then, although evacuated, Pakdemirli said. military said late on Wednes- “We are investigating al- warning shots into the air. the number of new infections Since Wednesday, a total of day night. legations that a teenage Pal- When the Palestinian man did has fallen nationwide, Kerala 53 forest fires had broken Some men had got out of estinian was killed by the gun- not stop, the commander fired has reported a spike in cases out in multiple provinces, said a car and were digging in the fire,” the army statement said. at him. over the past week. (dpa) Pakdemirli. (dpa) ground. During an investiga- “The incident is being The Palestinian Health tion, the soldiers found two investigated by senior com- Ministry said the 41-year-old sacks, one containing the manders.” Military police are was killed. body of a newborn baby. also involved in the investiga- Family members mourn over the body of Mohamad al-alami. (afp) Palestinian representa- Shortly afterwards, the tion, it added. tives on the ground said the troops saw a vehicle ap- According to Palestinian he later died of his injuries in etery near Hebron. After the man had tried to open a tap Iran’s internet bill met with proaching and assumed it was media reports, the boy was sit- hospital. soldiers had dug it up, they on a pipe to supply water to the same car as before. The ting in his father’s car when he Palestinian media report- were told by the authorities his community. The army an- driver did not stop despite was fatally injured. The Pales- ed that local residents had to come back and rebury the nounced an investigation into unprecedented backlash shouts and warning shots in tinian Ministry of Health said buried a newborn in a cem- child. the incident. dpa on Wednesday after lengthy Tehran negotiations and debate. Its details are still to be Following unprecedented finalized by a technical com- OUT-OF-COUNTRY TRAINING backlash against legislation mittee and then forwarded to Israel’s Green regulating the use of the inter- Iran’s Guardian Council for fi- net in Iran, the speaker of par- nal approval as required by the Pass back in NATO trains Afghan special forces in Turkey liament has sought to appease country’s constitution. the population with a post on Critics have dismissed the force as virus dpa regular training programmes The basis of the continued institutions in promoting se- Instagram. parliamentary debates as a dis- Ankara outside Afghanistan. NATO support for the Afghan curity and upholding the hard- “All the media reports re- traction to conceal the meas- cases rise A NATO spokesman in government’s troops is a deci- won gains of the last 20 years,” garding this do not correspond ure’s real goal, however, which NATO has launched the first Brussels confirmed the start sion by the heads of state and the final declaration said. to the facts,” wrote Moham- they see as making it almost dpa training programme outside of the training programme to government of the 30 alliance The end of the NATO mili- med Bagher Ghalibaf on the impossible for the population Tel Aviv the country for soldiers from dpa but would not comment countries. tary mission in Afghanistan app on Thursday. to access many popular web- Afghanistan shortly after the on the location or details for They had assured the was decided in April after According to Ghalibaf, sites and apps that are beyond Due to rising numbers of coro- end of its training mission security reasons. country at their summit meet- the United States, the larg- popular online services such the government’s control. navirus infections, the so-called there. “In addition to continued ing in June that they would est troop contributor, decid- as Instagram and WhatsApp The law would also require Green Pass has been in force According to information funding and diplomatic pres- continue to provide assistance ed against remaining in the will not be blocked by the law, all internet users to be regis- again in Israel since Thursday. from Ankara, members of the ence, NATO’s continued sup- even after the end of the mili- country. though their “technical pa- tered with the state and would At gatherings of more than Afghan Special Forces were port to Afghanistan includes tary mission. It is unclear what will hap- rameters” will be examined by ban the use of virtual proxy 100 people, participants older flown to Turkey on Wednes- out-of-country training for Af- “We affirm our commit- pen in the country even after experts. networks, which are widely than 12 years of age must show day for a training course. It is ghan special forces. This train- ment to continue to stand with the complete withdrawal of Parliamentary hardliners used by Iranians to access un- a certificate proving they have supposed to be the prelude to ing has now begun,” he said. Afghanistan, its people, and its Western troops. pushed through the measure authorised websites. been vaccinated against or re- covered from Covid-19 or a negative coronavirus test re- sult. This applies to sporting Malaysian PM defiant after asked to quit over row with monarch and cultural events as well as gyms, restaurants, conferences and houses of worship, among dpa coronavirus after two parlia- had been briefed twice and is dorsed the calls for Muhyid- others. Bangkok mentary staff members tested obliged to follow government din to quit, as did another The Green Pass, which positive during the day. advice. ex-premier, Najib Razak, who brought relief for the vaccinat- Malaysian Prime Minister Earlier in the day the While the monarchy’s is facing 12 years in jail after ed and recovered, had been in- Muhyiddin Yassin on Thurs- king issued a statement com- role is mostly ceremonial, being convicted of corruption troduced in Israel in February. day insisted he had done noth- its formal sign-off is needed last year. However, after a significant ing wrong after some of his for anything to do with emer- While Anwar claimed drop in the number of infec- own supporters accused him Former PM Mahathir gency rule, which gives the Muhyiddin has lost majority tions, most of the restrictions of treason and the opposition Mohamad endorsed the government decree powers support in parliament, Deputy had been lifted again. demanded he quit over allega- and is due to end on Sunday. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri A team of experts has rec- tions he misled the country’s calls for Muhyiddin to quit, After the king’s statement, Yaakob said the government ommended a third booster parliament and king. as did another ex-premier, opposition leader Anwar Ibra- has the backing of 110 of 220 vaccination for adults, accord- According to a statement Najib Razak, who is facing him tried to file a no-confi- MPs, barely enough to hold ing to a Health Ministry state- by Muhyiddin’s office, the gov- 12 years in jail after being dence motion in Muhyiddin on. ment. starting on Sunday, peo- ernment “adhered to the laws convicted of corruption and has demanded a vote be The current parliamen- ple over 60 can receive a third and the Federal Constitution.” held on Monday when parlia- tary session, which began on dose. A rare sitting of Malaysia’s ment is due to sit again. Monday and in which votes The background for this is parliament was earlier dis- plaining the government did “If he has any integrity left and debates are banned, was figures from the ministry ac- banded in chaos, hours after not consult him as required he should resign,” Anwar said, only permitted by Muhyiddin cording to which the effective- King Abdullah reprimanded over the revoking of emer- accusing Muhyiddin of us- after heavy pressure from the ness of the BioNTech/Pfizer Muhyiddin’s government. gency rule and did not allow ing emergency powers to king, opposition and the big- vaccination used in Israel has As the session was put on debate in parliament. dodge scrutiny. gest party in his own coalition, declined sharply since the be- Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin at the parliament in Kuala Lumpur ice, lawmakers were locked The Prime Minister’s Of- Former prime minis- which had earlier demanded ginning of June. recently. (afp) inside to be screened for the fice later retorted that the king ter Mahathir Mohamad en- an end to emergency rule. 04 Friday, July 30, 2021

Established September 3, 2006 hamad bin suhaim al thani chairman Opinion adel ali bin ali managing director dr hassan mohammed al ansari editor-in-chief

The $56,000 Question Simone Biles Just About Treating Alzheimer’s Demonstrated A True

WO major US health systems announced in mid- July that they will not administer an expensive, newly approved drug to treat Alzheimer’s dis- ease. That action, by the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and Mount Sinai Health System in New York, Champion Mindset onceT again focuses attention on a fundamental ques- tion: Most of us already know that Americans pay the world’s highest prices for prescription medications, but are they worth the sometimes-exorbitant prices At the end of the day, we’re human, too, says the greatest gymnast drug companies charge for them? The drug in question, Aduhelm, was granted ac- America has ever produced celerated approval on June 7. It was approved even though 10 of 11 members on a neurology advisory pan- Lindsay Crouse “We have a fundamental misconcep- el said there was not enough evidence that the drug NYT tion of what it means to be tough,” Mr. could slow cognitive decline. The drug is expected to Magness told me. “It’s not gritting our be priced at $41,000 for the first-year of therapy and hat kind of champion with- teeth through everything; it’s having the $56,000 for subsequent years. draws at the Olympics? space to make the right choice despite In the wake of Aduhelm’s approval last month, One who can recognize her pressure, stress and fatigue.” three of the advisory panel members resigned. Among limits and stop before she crash- It’s impossible for most of us to un- them was Dr. Joel Perlmutter of Washington Univer- es into them. And so in dropping derstand the kind of pressure that elite sity, a leading Alzheimer’s researcher. outW of the team gymnastics competition athletes face, Mr. Magness said. And in Aduhelm is the first new Alzheimer’s drug approved at the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles, the her decision to stand down, Biles offered a since 2003. It has been shown to reduce a brain protein best gymnast America has ever produced, master class in how to deal with that pres- called amyloid. People with Alzheimer’s disease have a issued a statement as powerful as any- sure. If anything, she probably only helped buildup of amyloid plaque in their brains. The hope for thing she’s done in competition: She said her team by ignoring ego and staying out decades was that reducing the amyloid plaque would “enough.” when she recognized she wasn’t capable of improve cognitive function. Unfortunately, that hope After an unusual underperformance performing at her high standard. hasn’t been realized. Aduhelm isn’t the first experi- at the preliminaries — by her own high “Performance is all about self-aware- mental drug to reduce amyloid plaque. But those ear- standards — Biles realized she could not ness,” said Mr. Magness. “You are trying lier drugs have not been shown to improve cognitive execute her planned vault in the team fi- to match your skills on that day with the function. Two clinical trials of Aduhelm were stopped nals. After some deliberation, she bowed demand of the event. So Simone is aware early because independent reviewers determined that out. when to go for broke and pull out the big they did not appear to be helping patients taking the “At the end of the day, we’re human, difficulty tasks, but she also knows when drug. too, so we have to protect our mind and Simone Biles. she is slightly off and needs to scale it “Based on the current data regarding its safety and our body rather than just go out there down slightly.” efficacy, we have decided not to carryA duhelm at this and do what the world wants us to do,” who landed a vault on a torn ankle to help Facebook page, “I truly do feel that I have It’s worth remembering: Simone Biles time,” officials at the Mayo Clinic said in a statement. she told reporters after the competition, her team win the 1996 Olympics. (It later the weight of the world on my shoulders is not a viral gif flipping through your For a widely feared disease like Alzheimer’s or can- in which her team earned Olympic silver turned out that this heroic performance at times.” phone. She may be wearing a USA leo- cer, the lure of a newly approved drug can be irresist- medals. was unnecessary; America already had The pressure on athletes may be more tard, but she doesn’t work for us. No mat- ible. Desperate patients and their families can aban- Biles joins a growing number of enough points to win.) intense now than it’s ever been. It’s a time ter what hopes and dreams we invested don therapy with older drugs that might work simply younger athletes, including her fellow In fact, that’s a worthy comparison, when any armchair sports analyst can in her, she earned her place, and she gets because of the hype surrounding a newer drug. Hope Olympian the tennis star Naomi Osaka, but not in the way Biles’s critics contend. dissect your form, question your commit- to decide. Athletes, and their physical is important for people with cancer and Alzheimer’s who are pushing against the traditional While it was roundly applauded at the ment or remind you that the goblins sow- and mental health, are not commodities. disease but not more important than effective clinical American narrative of gold at all costs, in- time, and it still is often held up as a mo- ing doubt in your mind may be right. Biles knows that — and is not willing to therapy. cluding the expense of their own mental ment of Olympic glory, what Strug went Biles said that she dropped out for be disposable. Rather, she is investing in The Affordable Care Act set aside funding for or physical health. through was horrific — hurting herself mental health reasons, in addition to her longevity. what’s known as comparative-effectiveness research. There was, predictably, plenty of while America cheered. She never com- physical ones. But they’re not so differ- Despite all the hullabaloo and recrim- Such research is used around the world to assess the pushback. Critics on Twitter lamented peted professionally again. ent — especially when you’re perform- inations against Biles for not competing, value of new treatments, drugs and devices and to set that quitting is the new winning, casting it This is what change looks like: choice. ing moves as difficult as those Biles has the American team performed brilliantly prices based on that value. Unfortunately, opposition as weak and lazy Generation Z behavior. Biles has spent her entire career de- wowed crowds with lately. (Some of these and took silver. Biles still has the opportu- to the bill has limited comparative-effectiveness re- But in a social-media-driven world, young fining her own boundaries — usually moves were so potentially dangerous that nity to perform in the individual competi- search. elite athletes have a new power, too: They by pushing them. She won the national judges scored them lower to discourage tion. Rather than sulking, she cheered for The approval of Aduhelm is already the subject of have more control of their own careers, championships with broken toes and the other, less-skilled, gymnasts from at- her teammates from the stands, hugged an investigation by the Food and Drug Administra- and the narratives around them. world championships with a kidney stone. tempting them.) the gold-medal-winning gymnasts from tion’s independent inspector general. Since approving Obviously, everyone wants to win. So She survived sexual assault at the hands of And sometimes the best thing an ath- Russia and proudly posted a picture of her the drug for widespread use, the FDA has since dialed it’s exciting that many of these stars are her own team doctor, Larry Nassar — and lete can do for her performance is to take teammates smiling with their medals on back, restricting the drug to people with mild cogni- also recognizing that being the greatest instead of running away, she stayed and a break. Especially when you’re in a rut, her Instagram feed. tive impairment. Further studies of the drug are con- means knowing your own variable lim- leveraged her fame to push for progress. quitting to regroup can be the fastest way Ultimately, this is just sports. As Biles tinuing. its and when to push through the pain Her desire to be a symbol for change is to refresh and re-energize. After two dis- herself said after the competition, “there’s It’s clear that patients don’t benefit from expensive — and when not to force it. How many part of why Biles has stuck around to com- appointing performances in a row, Biles more to life than gymnastics.” These new medications that produce no clinical improve- Olympians have we seen push, persevere pete in these Games at all, she has said. was wise to stop and refresh, said Steve young women and men have extraordi- ment, especially when those medications cost as much and then crumble when the Games are So Biles knows how to be tough. But, Magness, a performance coach for Olym- nary talent and perform under incredible as a new Mercedes Benz. It’s also clear that the FDA’s over? Some compared Biles unfavorably of course, the burden of that toughness pians and the author of a forthcoming pressure, but they are not superhuman. approval of Aduhelm was hasty and deeply flawed. against Kerri Strug, the teenage gymnast gets heavy. This week, she posted on her book, “Real Toughness.” We have no right to expect them to be. While Planet Burns, Billionaires Take To The Sky Where some find inspiration and awe, a growing number of people are disillusioned with the glaring inequality of billionaires doing somersaults in zero gravity MICHAEL MAKOWSKI beyond their money, eccentricities, and de- reach net zero emission by 2040, and Be- Why? To be frank, we had larger and sire to float in space? They don’t like paying zos himself has pledged $10 billion toward more immediate concerns at home on HILE record-breaking wildfires taxes. the new Bezos Earth Fund. But, one year Earth. And we still do. burned across the Western Unit- Branson has moved billions between after creating the pledge, the company’s Inequality levels in the United States ed States, Amazon CEO and bil- tax havens to avoid paying in his home carbon emissions increased by 19 percent, are among the highest levels ever record- lionaire Jeff Bezos stepped out country of England. A groundbreaking and Bezos has only given a fraction of his ed. During the pandemic, US billionaires of his space capsule to a crowd of ProPublica investigation revealed that pledge. have collectively increased their fortunes Wcheering fans. His company Blue Origin’s most of the United States’ richest billion- Climate change is an immediate crisis by more than $1 trillion. A survey shortly first launch into space was a success. aires maneuver their fortunes to pay less that, at this point, we are in a stage of harm before the pandemic showed that nearly 70 Bezos became the second billionaire taxes than most Americans. For a number management and not prevention. Propo- percent of Americans don’t have more than to reach space and cement his stature as a of years, Bezos and Musk, the two richest nents of the Green New Deal argue that to $1,000 saved. leading private space industry figure.T he men in the world, paid no federal income salvage our planet and its inhabitants re- Upon his return from the sky, Bezos three billionaires building the private space taxes. quires a war-like scale of mobilization. Es- made it a point to thank Amazon work- industry so far are: Richard Branson with While Branson has the more docile plan timates of the cost of reconstructing a new, ers, who “paid for all this.” This rhetorical Virgin Galactic, Elon Musk with SpaceX of business expansion and commercial green economy usually amount to trillions thanks is a stark contrast to the working and Bezos with Blue Origin. . Musk has yet space travel (think space tourism), Bezos of dollars of government spending. conditions in Amazon warehouses and the to make the trip to space himself. and Musk share a more intense ambition: beautiful gem of a planet that it is.” In short, $10 billion isn’t going to cut it. union-busting efforts pushed by Amazon After his return, with a cowboy hat on a vision of capital-led space expansion and Admissions like this demonstrate a Today’s billionaires exhibit a power around the country. his head and a childlike grin on his face, settlement. Bezos envisions settlements on willful ignorance of the billionaires’ own that entire countries once only dreamt It’s important to remember how these Bezos fashioned himself a sort of jolly fron- the moon. Musk, famously, locates human- complicity in these existential crises. of—and many still do. Where some find billionaires made their money and what tiersman. Indeed, these billionaires see ity’s future in the colonization of Mars. Bezos’s Amazon in particular has be- inspiration and awe, a growing number of their space race really means while so themselves as virtuous trailblazers of a new Behind their space ambitions is a recog- come a pollution behemoth. The company people are disillusioned with the glaring, many issues persist at home. space age. nition of the more earthly challenges to our is responsible for a carbon footprint that shocking inequality of billionaires doing While they continue their privatized Branson, who preceded Bezos’s space future: the depletion of resources, popula- rivals that of some countries. At the same somersaults in zero gravity. space race, the rest of humanity is imper- trip by about a week, nearly said as much. tion growth, and most importantly, climate time, Bezos and his company fund a lead- Even rocket launches have lost the iled. The planet will continue to burn, and “If we can do this,” exclaimed Branson as change. In his post-launch briefing, Bezos ing climate-change-denial think tank and shine they once held. Whereas in 1969 a inequality will worsen until massive action he looked out of the spacecraft’s window, even spoke of the Earth’s fragility and the reject grassroots employee demands for country watched, captivated, as the first and investment is taken, which means bil- down at the rest of us, “just imagine what need to protect it. greater climate action. American stepped foot on the moon, this lionaires finally paying their fair share. you can do.” With a billion dollars, he “As we move about the Earth, we dam- Bezos may be giving more attention past summer, Elon Musk’s SpaceX suc- Billionaires would do best to put their should have added. age it,” he said. In a separate interview, he to the company’s climate impact; Amazon cessful launching in Florida was merely a space race on pause and focus more of their What do these men share in common stressed the need to keep Earth “as this has created the Amazon Climate Pledge to blink in the news cycle. attention on this planet.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Friday, July 30, 2021 05 Tension boils over between activists, Biden over voting rights

dpa of new GOP-backed voter re- most, to press lawmakers to the midterm elections, they town hall last week, when he Washington strictions they say will make it pass federal voting reforms. The disagreement is the lat- wouldn’t be implemented in suggested Democratic voters harder for minorities to vote. But President Joe Biden est example of the growing states until 2023 at the earli- could still turn out en masse Democrats’ increasing fo- “You lose elections, that’s has refused to tell Democrats rift between the Biden est. And that would happen to the ballot box next year, in cus on defeating Republicans what’s next,” said civil rights they should change the rules administration and its allies only if Democrats stay in full spite of new restrictions on in next year’s midterm elec- attorney Bakari Sellers. of the US Senate to allow vot- control of Congress after the voting access. tions as the best way to push “You can’t take the voters ing rights legislation to pass over how to respond to a election, a historically rare “Look, the American pub- voting rights forward is an- who literally have not just vot- over the objection of Repub- wave of new GOP-backed feat for the incumbent presi- lic, you can’t stop them from gering progressive activists ed for you, but died for these licans. Supporters of the new voter restrictions they say dent’s party. voting,” Biden said. and civil rights leaders, who rights and not care about voting rights measures want will make it harder for Progressive activists are “You tried last time. More say the strategy risks backfir- them or put their various is- him to make more frequent minorities to vote warning that without greater people voted last time than ing and overlooks the need for sues at the forefront. The be- use of his bully pulpit. prioritization of voting rights any time in American history, immediate action. lief that somehow we’re just “We need this federal leg- issues, Black voter turnout in the middle of the worst The disagreement is the going to out-organize voter islation now,” said Lisa Cylar years is certainly not an op- could be low in the next elec- pandemic in American histo- latest example of the grow- suppression is disappointing Barrett, the NAACP Legal tion.” tion. ry. More people did. And they ing rift between the Biden at best, asinine at worst.” US President Joe Biden in Defense Fund’s director of If the voting rights re- Of particular frustration showed up. They’re going to administration and its allies The White House says it Macungie, Pennsylvania on policy. forms Democrats want to see for activists were Biden’s show up again. They’re going over how to respond to a wave is continuing, first and fore- Wednesday. (afp) “Waiting a number of become law are enacted after comments during a CNN to do it again.”

COVID WOES Britain hits ‘pingdemic’ record as self-isolation alerts multiply PA Media/dpa After a week-long fall in London cases, the latest government figures showed a rise for the The number of people being second day in a row. told to self-isolate in Britain As of 9 am (0800 GMT) Maltese journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia (picture) has reached another record on Thursday, there had been was killed by a car bomb outside her home. (File photo) (dpa) high, with almost 700,000 a further 31,117 lab-confirmed alerts sent to Covid app users Covid-19 cases in Britain. in England and Wales. Meanwhile, the easing of The so-called pingdemic restrictions for EU and US Maltese state failed saw a further rise last week, travellers coming to Eng- with 689,313 alerts sent to land has been defended as a to protect murdered users of the National Health “smart, sensible” approach Service’s (NHS) Covid-19 app, by the government, amid con- telling them they had been in cerns about the risk of a new journalist, inquiry finds close contact with someone variant emerging. who had tested positive for Foreign Secretary Domi- dpa ing pressure from the Coun- the coronavirus. nic Raab said he is confident it Valletta cil of Europe. Led by three The latest NHS figures, is the right step and described judges, the inquiry heard for the week to July 21, are an the new rules on travel as a The Maltese state failed evidence from 120 witness- 11-percent rise on the previ- “modest opening up.” to adequately protect mur- es in total. ous record high of 619,733 From 4 am on Monday, dered journalist Daphne In its report, the inquiry alerts a week earlier. England is to allow people Caruana Galizia from found “abundant proof” of This week, the govern- visiting from the US and the threats to her life, a public a cosy relationship between ment said it was expanding its EU who are fully vaccinated inquiry into her death has the Maltese government and daily contact testing for front- against coronavirus to enter determined. big business, and concluded line sectors who are exempt without the need to quaran- In a report released on that the risk to Caruana from isolation. A man wearing a face mask walks past shops and restaurants at Leadenhall Market in London recently. (AFP) tine. Thursday, the inquiry con- Galizia’s life escalated from Downing Street has now The opposition Labor par- cluded that a “culture of the moment she exposed confirmed that some 260 test- to do so, saying there “isn’t While there is a legal duty ty has claimed there is a risk impunity” had developed at the offshore dealings of top ing sites are open, while 800 very long to go” until August Steep rise in England for people to self- of allowing a new Covid vari- the highest levels of Malta’s politicians through the 2016 more are “in the process” of 16, when all fully vaccinated isolate if anyone tests posi- ant to “run rampant” through government in the years Panama Papers leak. being set up for support work- contacts who test negative The so-called pingdemic tive or is contacted by NHS the country, and it has been leading up to Caruana Gali- That confrontation with ers in critical industries. can avoid isolation. saw a further rise last Test and Trace, this does not reported the Cabinet had zia’s 2017 assassination. government, the board con- A spokesperson for the He told the BBC news week, with 689,313 alerts extend to notifications via been warned the move posed That culture then spread to cluded, continued to esca- prime minister said: “Follow- channel: “I appreciate that it sent to users of the NHS the app, although the govern- a “clear public health risk.” other state bodies, such as late “until the moment she ing them, we will then estab- is a significant number of peo- Covid-19 app, telling them ment strongly advises people Raab admitted the govern- the police force, and caused was assassinated.” The in- lish the remaining 1,200 over ple and it can be frustrating they had been in close to do so. ment “cannot guarantee” that a “collapse in the rule of quiry’s report made a series the coming days.” but the app is doing what we contact with someone The latest Test and Trace US and EU travellers will not law,” the inquiry found. of recommendations, rang- Daily negative test results asked of it.” who had tested positive figures showed the proportion try to show fake vaccination Caruana Galizia was ing from altering Malta’s will enable eligible workers, But one in four young for the coronavirus of people not being reached certificates. killed in a car bomb in Oc- criminal code to introduc- including those in prisons, adults who test positive no by the scheme to provide de- He told BBC Radio Four’s tober of that year. A million- ing better protection for waste collection, defence, longer follow the rules for tails of recent close contacts Today programme: “We can’t aire businessman, Yorgen journalists working in the the food industry, transport, self-isolating, a new survey positive for coronavirus. has hit the highest level for guarantee that some people Fenech, has been accused of country. Border Force and police and published on Thursday sug- This was “statistically sig- nine months, sitting at 14.8 might not do it. I think it is masterminding the murder. Prime Minister Rob- fire services, who have been gested. nificantly” lower than the per- percent. highly unlikely.” At the time of her death, the ert Abela, who made the alerted by the NHS Covid-19 The Office for National centage of 35 to 54-year-olds The number of people Raab said there is a “dou- journalist was investigating inquiry report public, said app or called by NHS Test and Statistics (ONS) said 75 per- who said they followed the testing positive in England in ble lock” of written certifica- a deal involving a power sta- that the report merited Trace as coronavirus contacts cent of respondents aged rules (86 percent), according the week to July 21 reached tion and proof of US residen- tion part-owned by Fenech. “mature analysis.” “Lessons to continue working. between 18 and 34 said they to the ONS, whose figures are 307,758, up 18 percent on the cy for American travellers, A public inquiry into must be drawn and the re- Communities Secretary fully adhered to the isolation based on responses collected previous week and the highest which he said could allow Caruana Galizia’s murder forms must continue with Robert Jenrick urged people requirements for the entire from adults in England be- number since January 13, ac- “further checks if there is any began in June 2019 follow- greater resolve,” he said. to isolate if they are advised 10-day period after testing tween July 5-10. cording to the figures. suspicion of fraud.”

Virus case numbers in Lloyd Austin visits Vietnam, News Africa fall though only seeks to fortify military ties in brief Australia’s New South Wales sees record dpa number of virus infections 1.6 percent vaccinated Hanoi Sydney The Australian state of New South Wales reported the dpa US Defence Secretary Lloyd highest number of daily coronavirus infections on Thursday, Johannesburg According to the Africa Austin met with his Vietnam- just a day after the lockdown in the state capital Sydney was CDC, 6.5 million infections ese counterpart in Hanoi in extended to August 28. Despite only 1.6 per cent of in total have been record- a visit analysts say aims to New South Wales (NSW) state Premier Gladys Berejiklian the population in Africa having ed on the continent, of strengthen military coopera- said 239 new locally transmitted cases were recorded in 24 been fully vaccinated against which more than 167,000 tion to counter China’s influ- hours to Wednesday evening from almost 111,000 tests. the coronavirus, the number of were fatal ence in the region - and ad- Just 81 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious cases has slightly fallen, accord- dress the legacy of war. period, NSW health authorities said, and at least 66 cases ing to figures from the Africa Austin’s visit marks the were infectious in the community. Centres for Disease Control and sidering a two-dose schedule, first by a top member of the “Based on those numbers we can only assume that things Prevention (Africa CDC). 820 million vaccine doses are Biden administration to Viet- are likely to get worse before they get better given the quan- Week-on-week, new coro- needed to reach the target of a nam. He arrived in Hanoi on US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (centre) with Vietnam’s Defence tum of people infectious in the community,” Berejiklian said in navirus infections fell by 15 per- fully vaccinated 30 per cent of Wednesday following a trip to Minister Phan Van Giang (left) in Hanoi on Thursday. (AFP) her daily Covid-19 briefing.(dpa) cent to a total of 239,000 cases, the population by the end of this Singapore and prior to visiting said Africa CDC’s John Nken- year,” said Moeti. the Philippines. Marc Knapper, who Biden gasong. Tanzania has become one On Thursday morning, Austin’s visit marks the nominated as the next US am- New lab docks with the ISS after an However, World Health of the last countries in Africa to Austin met with Vietnamese first by a top member of bassador to Vietnam, said the eight-day journey from Earth Organisation (WHO) regional roll out a nationwide vaccina- Defence Minister Phan Van the Biden administration US intends to strengthen se- director Matshidiso Moeti on tion campaign, leaving just Eri- Giang, during which they dis- curity relations with Vietnam Moscow A new Russian research module named Nauka Thursday said that Africa is “still trea and Burundi, though the cussed war legacy issues such to Vietnam only if the country improves its docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday in the throes” of the pandemic’s latter is planning one, according as the clearing of land mines human rights record. after completing its eight-day flight from Earth. third wave. “We’re not out of the to Nkengasong. and the consequences of Agent comments arrive amid deepen- Le Hong Hiep, a senior fel- A live transmission of the arrival broadcast by the Rus- woods yet by any means.” According to the Africa Orange. ing ties between the two former low at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yu- sian space agency Roscosmos showed the craft, whose name The wave of coronavirus in- CDC, 6.5 million infections in They also signed a memo- foes, while China’s territorial sof Ishak Institute, said “the US means “science” in Russian, docking with the ISS some 400 fections first seen at the start of total have been recorded on the randum of understanding claims in the South China Sea views Vietnam as an important kilometres above the Earth. May is driven by the highly con- continent, of which more than highlighting America’s com- grow increasingly forceful. partner in countering China’s Nauka was originally planned for launch in 2007, but tagious Delta variant, which is 167,000 were fatal. mitment to help Vietnam re- In November 2019, former expanding strategic influence various technical problems led to repeated delays. Nauka currently leading to rising case However, the number of cover the remains of US sol- US defense secretary Mark in Southeast Asia, while Viet- is replacing the now retired Pirs module, which was recently numbers in the western part of unreported cases on the con- diers from the Vietnam War. Asper gifted Vietnam a coast- nam considers the US as an im- decoupled from the ISS and crashed into in the Pacific Ocean. the continent. tinent of 1.3 billion people is Austin also said the US will guard cutter to boost its mari- portant partner in dealing with Several field missions yb Russian cosmonauts are planned Africa has so far procured thought to be higher, according assist Vietnam to improve its time patrols. China’s maritime expansion in now that the research module is finally in place.(dpa) 82 million vaccine doses. “Con- to experts. maritime security capacity. His However, in mid-July, the South China Sea.” Google parent Alphabet profit soars as ads surge page 7

Friday, July 30, 2021

35,084.14 10,753.28 52653.07 1,832.90 Dow +153.21 pts QE +44.91 pts sensex +209.36 pts Gold +1.57 % US economy grows 6.5% in Q2, surpasses pre-pandemic size page 11 Price percentage Price percentage 25.63 Brent 76.06 +1.77 % WTI 73.59 +1.66 % Silver +3.01 % QSE sees weekly gain as foreign funds turn bullish Market capitalisation of QSE moves up 0.5% to reach QR621.6 billion at the end of the week In the manufacturing sector, an increase of 6.1 percent was recorded in June 2021, when compared with the previous month. Satyendra Pathak Doha

Qatari stocks resumed the weekly gaining trend after Qatar’s PPI the country’s stock market opened post-Eid break. In the first week after Eid, the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) gen- rises 8.5% eral index moved up by 56.98 points, or 0.53 percent, to close at 10,753.28 points. The market capitalisation of the local bourse moved up in June 2021 by 0.5 percent to QR621.6 billion (bn) as compared to Tribune News Network The prices increase was QR618.8 billion at the end of Doha seen in ‘basic chemicals’ by the previous week. 10.2 percent, followed by, Foreign institutions Qatar’s producer price in- ‘refined petroleum products’ turned bullish, ending the dex (PPI) grew 8.5 percent in by 6 percent, ‘cement and week with net buying of June this year compared to the other non-metallic products’ QR116 million against net previous month, according to by 2.5 percent, ‘dairy prod- selling of QR40 million in the data released by the Planning ucts’ by 1.2 percent, ‘basic previous week. and Statistics Authority (PSA) metals” by 1.1 percent, ‘juic- Foreign retail investors, on Thursday. es’ by 0.8 percent, ‘bever- however, closed the week The PPI covers goods re- ages’ by 0.7 percent. with a net selling of QR19 mil- lating to ‘mining’ (weight: However decreasing prices lion against net selling of QR4 72.7 percent), ‘manufacturing’ are noticed in ‘grain mill and million in the previous week. (weight: 26.8 percent), and other products’ by 0.4 percent, As of Wednesday closing, ‘electricity and water’ (weight: ‘rubber and plastics products’ foreigners were net buyers of 0.5 percent). by 0.3 percent. No change was Qatari shares worth $685.1 In the mining sector, the noticed in ‘paper and paper million since the start of this The week saw five of the seven sector indices listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange close in the positive territory. PPI of June 2021 showed an products” and ‘other chemical year, according to an estimate increase of 9.9 percent on a products and fibres”. by QNB Financial Services (QNB) was the top value 31,603 in the previous week. added 35.2 and 19.6 points to the telecom index, all other monthly basis, primarily due As for the electricity and (QNBFS). traded stock during the week Of the 48 traded compa- the index, respectively. More- sector indices closed in the to the price increase of ‘crude water sector, the PPI showed Qatari institutions turned with a total traded value of nies, 17 closed the week high- over, IQ tacked on a further positive territory. petroleum and natural gas’ by an increase of 1.6 percent in negative with net selling of QR199.9 million. er, while 31 stocks closed in 18.2 points to the index. The week witnessed con- 9.7 percent, while ‘stone, sand June 2021 compared to the QR13 million against net Trading volume declined the negative territory. Doha The week saw five of the ventional stocks perform bet- and clay’ decreased by 0.8 previous month, resulting buying of QR25 million in by 0.4 percent to 448.5 mil- Bank was the best perform- seven sector indices close in ter than the Islamic stocks. percent. from rising prices in ‘water’ the week before. Qatari retail lion shares against 450.1 mil- ing stock for the week, with the positive territory. The The week also saw a num- The mining sector PPI for by 4.3 percent, while prices investors also turned bear- lion shares in the previous a gain of 6.5 percent. On the banking and financial servic- ber of QSE-listed companies June 2021, when compared of ‘electricity’ decreased by 1 ish with net selling of QR85 trading week. Salam Inter- other hand, Alijarah Holding es sector index, which gained announce better than expect- with the same month in the percent. million against net buy- national Investment Limited (NLCS) was the worst-per- 1.3 percent, was the best per- ed half-year financial results. previous year, there was an in- When compared with the ing of QR19 million in the was the top volume traded forming stock with a decline forming sector index for the Meanwhile, most major crease of 119.5 percent. PPI of June 2020, the PPI previous week. stock during the week with a of 7.7 percent. week. stock markets in the Gulf In the manufacturing sec- of June 2021 showed an in- Trading value during the total traded volume of 85.2 QNB, Commercial Bank of The insurance sector, rose in on Thursday led by tor, an increase of 6.1 percent crease of 10.8 percent, due week declined by 1.5 percent million shares. Qatar (CBQK) and Industries which gained over 1 percent, financial shares,while the has been recorded in June to price rise in ‘water’ by 13.3 to QR1.27 billion against The number of transac- Qatar (IQ) were the primary also played a vital role in lift- QSE general index almost 2021, when compared with the percent, and ‘electricity’ by QR1.289 billion in the previ- tions, however, increased by contributors to the weekly in- ing the index higher. 45 points to close at 10,753 previous month. 8.2 percent. ous trading week. QNB Group 24.9 percent to 39,467 against dex increase. QNB and CBQ Except the real estate and points for the day.

Oil price rally to support Can G7’s B3W compete with China’s BRI? aviation sector Tribune News Network which continues to stymie devel- recovery: IATA Doha G7 initiative opment in emerging economies around the world. Tribune News Network Following the expansion of ● G7 leaders announce a According to the Global Infra- Doha Chinese-led projects in many new global infrastructure structure Hub, a G20 initiative, emerging markets over the past initiative dubbed Build Back the world is facing a $400 billion The rally in oil prices indicate decade, the G7 has unveiled its Better World (B3W) gap in infrastructure investment an economic rebound that own initiative to support global in- this year, a figure that could cu- will propel the global avia- frastructure development, dubbed ● The plan aims to help close mulatively grow to $15 trillion by tion industry’s recovery from Build Back Better World (B3W). the infrastructure gap in the 2040 if current rates of spending the COVID-19 pandemic, the Announced at a G7 meeting in developing world continue. head of the International Air June, the B3W will focus on four Another key pillar of B3W is Transport Association (IATA) main areas: climate, health, digital ● Project to serve as a sustainability, a term that has be- has said. technology and gender. Its over- counterweight to China’s Belt come a watchword globally in light The fuel bill represents arching goal is to catalyse hundreds and Road Initiative of COVID-19 and escalating eco- about 20 percent of an air- of billions of dollars of infrastruc- logical disasters. In this respect, line’s cost base this year and ture development in low- and mid- ● Sustainability and private the B3W’s aims dovetail with grow- comprises a higher percent- dle-income countries. sector involvement core to ing appetite among private sector age for low-cost carriers, Wil- Beyond this outline, little in- China’s shift away from infrastructure projects has left a gap which the B3W is the plan investors for green projects – evi- lie Walsh, director general of formation has been released about aiming to fill. denced by the record $269.5 billion IATA said on Wednesday. how the B3W initiative will operate in green bond issuance last year, “The positive I take out of in practice. However, it is clear that Launched in 2013 and initially 99-year lease after the government This pivot has meant that the according to the Climate Bonds In- the oil price is that it generally it responds to two broad, intercon- intended to revive ancient Silk was unable to service Chinese loans countries participating in the BRI itiative, a figure which some expect reflects strong global econom- nected aims. Road trade routes between Eurasia used to build the $1.3 billion strate- are receiving fewer financial re- to double in 2021. ic demand, clearly prices are On the one hand, the B3W will and China, the BRI grew to become gic gateway on the Indian Ocean. sources: from a peak of more than Among other factors, this would not driven by speculation at constitute a values-driven, high- a far-reaching plan for transna- Concerns have also been raised $125 billion in total spending in suggest that the B3W is well placed the moment,” Walsh said. standard, and transparent infra- tional infrastructure development, over the lack of transparency in 2015, China spent around $47 bil- to capitalise on investment trends. “Strong demand for oil, at structure partnership, according to linking countries and continents terms of lending, environmental lion on BRI projects last year. Many emerging economies the $70-$75 range, reflects a a fact sheet put out by the US gov- through land and sea corridors and and social impacts, and corruption. China’s shift away from infra- are in urgent need of funds to generally positive economic en- ernment. It seeks to help narrow the industrial clusters. However, some of these appre- structure projects has left a gap drive their COVID-19 recover- vironment which will support more than $40 trillion infrastruc- The BRI caused consternation hensions have been eased by recent which the B3W is aiming to fill. ies, and are waiting expectantly the airline industry as we recov- ture gap in the developing world among G7 countries from the mo- developments. As OBG has covered A key aspect of the B3W is for further details of how the er through this crisis,” he said. that has been exacerbated by the ment of its inception. This was due previously, since the COVID-19 the mobilisation of private sector initiative will operate. How- Airlines’ fuel hedging ra- COVID-19 pandemic. in part to the fact that it was widely pandemic the BRI has increasingly capital through the expansion of ever, while the principles en- tios are slightly lower now On the other hand, the B3W will seen as a way to expand Chinese ge- moved away from big-ticket infra- existing development finance tools. shrined in recent announce- compared to pre-COVID serve as a counterweight to China’s opolitical influence. structure projects, with China plac- This reflects an awareness that ments are certainly encouraging, levels but this will be com- flagship Belt andR oad Initiative For example, in December 2017 ing a greater focus on sustainable, what the US administration calls more details will need to emerge pensated by a recovery in air (BRI), with the fact sheet highlight- Sri Lanka formally ceded 70 per- digital and health-related aspects “status quo funding and financ- promptly in order to demonstrate travel demand and passenger ing that it will be a means of ‘strate- cent control of Hambantota Port the so-called green, digital and ing approaches” are insufficient to that the B3W is more than a revenue, Ezgui Gulbas, IATA’s gic competition with China’. to a Chinese state-owned firm on a health silk roads. close the vast infrastructure gap memorable acronym. senior economist, said during the online conference. Economy & Business Friday, July 30, 2021 07

Apple profit Airbus doubles nearly profit, raises doubles as plane delivery lockdowns outlook eased Agencies Airbus doubled its profit Agencies forecast for the year and aims to deliver more than 600 air- Apple says its profit in craft in 2021, with plans to the just-ended quarter launch an A350 freighter as nearly doubled amid im- global demand for jets picks up proving consumer spend- and travel rebounds from the ing and a “growing sense coronavirus pandemic. of optimism” as pandemic The company raised its lockdowns eased. forecast for earnings before in- The California tech gi- terest and tax for the full year ant’s profit rose to $21.7 to €4 billion ($4.75bn) from billion on growth in iP- an earlier target of €2bn, the hone sales and its increas- European plane maker said in ingly important digital a statement on Thursday. services. The company swung to an Revenue surged 36 operating profit of €2.01bn percent from a year ago to in the second quarter from a $81.4 billion, the best ever loss of €1.23bn a year earlier, for the tech titan’s fiscal as revenue rose 70 per cent to third quarter. €14.18bn. “This quarter saw a In the first half of the year, growing sense of optimism Airbus recorded an operat- for consumers in the Unit- ing net profit of €2.7bn, com- ed States and around the pared with a loss of €945m in world, driving renewed the same period in 2020 when hope for a better future,” international travel came to a chief executive Tim Cook near standstill because of the told a conference call. “We pandemic. Revenues increased are especially humbled 30 per cent year-on-year in the that our technology has first half to €24.6bn. continued to play a key Airbus’ shares rose 4.9 per role in keeping our cus- cent to €119.4 at 9.12am in tomers connected.” Google parent Alphabet reported a sharp rise in profits amid growth in digital advertising. Paris on Thursday Cook said an easing “Although the Covid-19 of pandemic lockdowns pandemic continues, the nu- helped boost consumer merous actions taken by the spending in many parts of teams have delivered a strong the world, with Apple ben- H1 [first-half] performance. efitting from that. Google parent Alphabet This enables us to raise our He maintained that 2021 guidance although we Apple can continue to continue to face an unpredict- grow as consumers seek able environment,” Guillaume new devices for superfast Faury, Airbus’ chief executive, 5G wireless networks. profit soars as ads surge said. “We’re only in the The company delivered early innings of 5G, but 297 aircraft in the first six already its incredible per- The internet titan’s profit nearly tripled from last year to $18.5 bn on revenue that rose sharply to $61.9 bn months of the year compared formance and speed have with 196 in the same period made a significantimpact Agencies slightly rose more than three quarter and points to the con- started thinking deeply about in 2020, when lockdowns on how people can get the percent after release of the tinued strength of video adver- their vulnerabilities,” he told disrupted production. Airbus most out of our technol- Google parent Alphabet has earnings figures, which beat tising for both direct response financial analysts on an earn- said it now expects to deliver ogy,” he said. “Customers reported quarterly profit that market expectations. and brand goals,” said eMar- ings call. “It is definitely an 600 planes this year as against love iPhone 12 for its su- had nearly tripled, as money Pichai credited long-term keter principal analyst Nicole area where we are seeing a lot the previously estimated 566 perfast 5G speeds.” poured in from ads on its investments in artificial intelli- Exceeds expectations Perrin. of conversations, a lot of inter- planes. Apple shares were little search engine and YouTube gence and cloud computing as Revenue at the global video est.” Demand is also growing Toulouse, France-based changed in after-market video platform. powering the internet giant’s Alphabet shares that ended sharing platform topped $7 for tools that enable employ- Airbus said while the aviation trading following the re- “There was a rising tide of performance. the formal trading day down billion, a leap from the $3.8 ees to get jobs done remotely industry is showing signs of sults, which were stronger online activity in many parts of The strong quarter also re- slightly rose more than three billion brought in during the as companies explore “hybrid” recovery, the uneven global than most forecasts. the world, and we’re proud that flected “elevated consumer on- percent after release of the same period a year earlier, ac- approaches that combine vaccination rates and the Revenue from iPhone our services helped so many line activity and broad-based earnings figures, which beat cording to Alphabet. working from home and the spreading Delta variant casts sales jumped some 50 per- consumers and businesses,” strength in advertiser spend,” market expectations. CEO Meanwhile, daily views at office. uncertainty over the industry’s cent and posted increases Alphabet chief executive Sund- as the global economy strives Sundar Pichai credited the YouTube Shorts service “Google Workspace con- revival. for its services such as ar Pichai said of the quarter. to recover from damage done that competes with sensation tinues to show strong growth, Giving impetus to its digital payments, music, The internet titan reported by the pandemic, according to long-term investments in TikTok surged past 15 billion particularly in the enterprise growth will be an addition to streaming television and that profit nearly tripled from chief financial officer Ruth -Po artificial intelligence and cloud in the quarter, according to Pi- space, because we have de- the Airbus family, a wide-body gaming. last year to $18.5 billion on rev- rat. computing as powering the chai. signed the product to meet the freighter A350 aircraft, which The results come with enue that rose sharply to $61.9 Pichai opened an earnings internet giant’s performance. Google’s cloud comput- challenges of hybrid work,” Pi- Airbus plans to roll out by Apple and other tech gi- billion. call by urging people to get vac- ing business, which competes chai said. 2025. ants facing heightened Google is among the tech cinated against COVID-19. fornia-based tech colossus 28.6 with powerhouses Amazon Google recently reopened “Following board approv- pressure from antitrust companies that saw use soar Google is on track to gener- percent of the worldwide digi- and Microsoft, is positioned its campuses to workers who al, we are enhancing our prod- enforcers around the as the pandemic accelerated a ate $130 billion in overall ad tal ad market, with Facebook to attract more business given want to return voluntarily to uct line with an A350 freighter world for their dominance trend toward working, shop- revenue this year, an increase in second place with just shy of its strengths in analyzing data California offices abandoned derivative, responding to cus- of key economic sectors, ping, socializing and more on- of some 25 percent from a year 24 percent, the market tracker for companies and defending early in the pandemic. tomer feedback for increased which has increased dur- line. earlier, according to eMarket- projected. against threats such as ran- “I was excited to see so competition and efficiency in ing the pandemic. Alphabet shares that ended er. “YouTube was the fastest- somware, Pichai said. many people in person,” Pichai this market segment,” Faury the formal trading day down That would give the Cali- growing segment during the “Companies have really said. said. As China reins in private sector, another businessman gets 18 years

NYT ployees. ness and speed with which the That brush with the law, The harsh sentence comes court handled the complex which earned him fame, is in Sun Dawu, a rural tycoon and amid broader efforts by the case, often pushing the trial sharp contrast to this week’s outspoken critic of the Chinese Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, to past 12 hours a day for 14 con- trial. This time, Sun faced Communist Party, was sen- muzzle outspoken business secutive days, “showed this charges in a different kind of tenced to 18 years in prison leaders and bring the private was not a normal trial,” the China. Wednesday, the latest in a sector to heel. Under Xi, a lawyers added. Under Xi, a series of string of harsh punishments growing number of tycoons While Sun was best known crackdowns on civil society meted out by China against have been punished and a bar- for his unstinting criticisms of has thinned out the ranks of business leaders. rage of new rules have laid low China’s government, he was liberal-minded lawyers and in- The 67-year-old Sun had corporate Goliaths in the tech- also renowned for his busi- dependent journalists. Xu Zhi- been detained in November nology and education indus- ness acumen. A veteran of yong, one of three lawyers who after a land dispute between tries. Stocks for some of Chi- the People’s Liberation Army, represented Sun in 2003 and his company, Dawu Agricul- na’s best-known companies, Sun worked at China’s state- a prominent activist, was de- tural and Animal Husbandry like Tencent and Didi, have owned Agricultural Bank of tained last year after he urged Group, and a neighboring sagged, while an anti-monop- China before striking out on Xi to resign, writing to Xi that state-owned farm. Prosecuted oly investigation into Alibaba his own. Starting with 50 pigs “you’re just not smart enough.” in a trial closed to the public led to a $2.8 billion fine. and 1,000 chickens, he and At the time, Sun spoke up for alongside 19 family members Sun’s 18-year sentence his family built a business that Xu. This time, there were few and employees, Sun was con- matched those given in recent came to employ thousands of left to speak up for Sun, who victed of a range of crimes, years to two other business- people. argued repeatedly of the need including organizing people to men. In 2018, Wu Xiaohui, As his business grew, he to push back against power attack state agencies, obstruct- a Chinese tycoon who rose to built a town, Dawu City, that grabs and political bullying. ing public affairs and provok- prominence after he bought provided services to his grow- “When confronted with ing quarrels. the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, was ing number of employees and terror, what could ordinary Long a thorn in the side sentenced to 18 years in prison eventually included a 1,000- people like us do?” Sun said in of Beijing, Sun was a frequent for defrauding investors. Last Sun Dawu, a rural tycoon and outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party, at warehouse in Bao Ding, bed hospital. In the early a 2015 speech. “Open our eyes and loud critic of Chinese year, Ren Zhiqiang, a retired China. (NYT/file) 2000s, Sun took his ideas on in fear and shriek.” The fate government policies, from its real estate mogul, was given the road to some of China’s of Sun’s business remains un- early handling of COVID-19 an 18-year prison term after family described brutal police misery beyond words, and life him, saying all faults were his top universities, speaking out clear. His oldest son and com- to local government cover- he called Xi a clown in an es- treatment during monthslong was worse than death,” Sun own. In its verdict, the court on behalf of farmers and en- pany chairman, Sun Meng, ups over a 2019 outbreak of say. interrogation that forced what said, describing how he did said only that the employees trepreneurs. said through his lawyer that African swine fever that killed “If this were wartime, I they said were false confes- not see the sun for more than and his company would be The speeches nettled of- the government appeared to thousands of his pigs. He was would have been sacrificed a sions. One son said he had three months during the de- punished, without providing ficials and brought him un- be pushing for a takeover. also a businessman who cul- long time ago,” Sun said in a been strapped to a chair for 30 tention. details. wanted attention. In 2003 he “An official came and said tivated an image of generos- statement. “With my charac- hours until his limbs swelled Sun also asked the court in Sun’s lawyers said in a was arrested on accusations that Dawu Group needed ity. As his agricultural empire ter, I can’t give others a flat- painfully, while Sun’s brother the rural county of Gaobeidi- statement that the other 19 of illegal fundraising. A cast someone to operate it and rec- grew he created a town around tering smile. I can’t do it. That described being left with an an, southwest of Beijing, to ac- defendants had received sen- of academics, lawyers and ommended several companies his holdings and provided ser- has doomed my destiny.” Sun untreated hernia. quit the executives at his com- tences ranging from one to journalists successfully cam- to me to take over the group,” vices, like hospital care, to em- and several members of his “My treatment produced pany who stood trial alongside 12 years in prison. The eager- paigned for his release. he said. 08 Friday, July 30, 2021 Economy & Business US infra deal includes US economy grows 6.5% in Q2, much-reduced spend on electric vehicles surpasses pre-pandemic size Agencies rural, disadvantaged and hard-to-reach communi- The US Senate has voted to ties.” Figure less than analysts expected as supply chain bottlenecks hamper firms’ restocking efforts push ahead with an almost Range is a major con- $1 trillion infrastructure plan cern for those weighing an Agencies that would include billions of EV purchase, particularly dollars to revamp America’s in rural areas connected by Fuelled by vaccinations rusting bridges, crumbling vast stretches of motorway and government aid, the U.S. roads and ailing power grids. that currently have far fewer economy grew at a solid 6.5% The bill also provides charging points than petrol annual rate last quarter in an- $15 billion in support for stations. other sign that the nation has electric vehicles (EVs), in- The US market share achieved a sustained recovery cluding $7.5bn to build out a of plug-in EV sales is still from the pandemic recession. network of charging stations only one third the size of the The total size of the economy that would help make travel- Chinese market, the White has now surpassed its pre- ling across the vast country House said. pandemic level. more appealing for electric The bill the Senate voted Thursday’s report from the car owners worried about to advance on Wednesday Commerce Department esti- range. also includes $2.5bn for mated that the nation’s gross While $15bn for EVs may thousands of electric school domestic product — its total sound like a lot, it is a far cry buses that would replace output of goods and services — from the $157bn Democrats many of the noisy, diesel accelerated in the April-June initially sought — a cut of 90 exhaust-spewing yellow quarter from an already robust per cent, with many Repub- coaches that are a common 6.3% annual growth rate in the licans still sceptical or open- sight in cities and rural areas first quarter of the year. ly dismissive of the threats everywhere across the US. The quarterly figure was from climate change and the “These investments will less than analysts had ex- importance of reducing fos- drive demand for American- pected. But that was mainly sil fuel emissions. made batteries and vehicles, because supply chain bot- But Democrats are op- creating jobs and supporting tlenecks exerted a strong- timistic they can eventually domestic manufacturing, er-than-predicted drag on score billions more in EV while also removing diesel companies’ efforts to restock spending through a subse- buses from some of our most their shelves. The slowdown quent bill they aim to push vulnerable communities,” in inventory rebuilding, in under different Senate rules the White House said, refer- fact, subtracted 1.1 percentage that would not require a Re- ring to the asthma-causing points from last quarter’s an- A person passes the office of the California Employment Development Department in Sacramento. publican sign-off. effects of particulate pollu- nual growth. Several popular EV and tion. By contrast, consumer Yet overhanging the rosy tertainment events and shop- tion that could get out of con- ries — from used cars and air- battery maker stocks were President Joe Biden has spending — the main fuel of economic forecasts is the pos- ping sprees. Businesses are trol. Consumer prices jumped line tickets to hotel rooms and up on Thursday, with Tesla been trying to convince Re- the U.S. economy — was ro- sibility of a resurgent corona- also showing renewed faith in 5.4% in June from a year ago, auto rentals — that have been gaining more than 5 per cent publican voters that EVs are bust last quarter: It advanced virus in the form of the highly the economy, with orders for the sharpest spike in 13 years distorted by temporary supply by midday, while the Global the “future of the auto in- at an 11.8% annual rate. contagious delta variant. The manufactured goods pointing and the fourth straight month shortages related to the econ- X Lithium and Battery Tech dustry”. In May, he toured a Spending on goods grew at an U.S. is now averaging more to solid corporate investment. of sizable price jumps. omy’s swift reopening. Those ETF was up about 4 per cent Ford electric vehicle plant in 11.6% rate, though down from than 60,000 confirmed new Underpinning the re- The measure of consumer shortages involve items like and Canada-based Lithium Dearborn, Michigan, where a 27.4% surge in the first quar- cases a day, up from only covery have been trillions in inflation in the second-quar- furniture, appliances, clothing Americas rocketed more he test drove the new electric ter. And spending on services, about 12,000 a month ago. federal rescue money, rang- ter GDP report showed an and computer chips, among than 6 per cent. version of the F-150 pickup from restaurant meals to air- Should a surge in viral infec- ing from stimulus checks to annual rise of 3.4% for core others. “The bill will provide truck that is hugely popular line tickets, expanded at a 12% tions cause many consumers expanded unemployment inflation, which excludes food Magnifying the supply bot- funding for deployment of in rural America. rate, up from a 3.9% gain in to hunker down again and pull benefits to small business aid and energy. It was the fastest tlenecks is a rise in viral cases EV chargers along highway On Wednesday, while the January-March period back on spending, it would to just-distributed child tax such jump since 1991. at transportation ports in Asia corridors to facilitate long- viewing the big lorries at as vaccinations encouraged weaken the recovery. credit payments. And millions In addition to the drag on that have caused some manu- distance travel and within a Pennsylvania factory, he more Americans to shop, trav- For now, the economy is of affluent households have GDP from weak inventory re- facturing plants to shut down. communities to provide promised workers his poli- el and eat out. showing sustained strength. benefited from a vast increase stocking, reflecting the supply Those bottlenecks could, in convenient charging where cies would reshape the US For all of 2021, the econo- Last month, America’s em- in their wealth resulting from chain problems, housing con- turn, continue to obstruct the people live, work and shop,” economy for the working my is expected to expand per- ployers added 850,000 jobs, surging home equity and stock struction fell at a 9.8% annual flow of goods to retailers in the White House said in a class — a message clearly haps as much as 7%. If so, that well above the average of the market gains. rate last quarter. This decline the United States. statement. aimed at a group of voters would be the strongest calen- previous three months. And The economy is also re- reflected, in part, the troubles A shortage of workers, “Federal funding will who have drifted to the Re- dar-year growth since 1984. average hourly pay rose a sol- ceiving substantial support home builders have had in ob- too, has made it harder for have a particular focus on publicans. And it would mark a sharp id 3.6% compared with a year from the Federal Reserve. taining lumber and other sup- restaurants, retailers and reversal from last year’s 3.4% earlier, faster than the pre- On Wednesday, the Fed reaf- plies. many other service-industry economic contraction — the pandemic annual pace. firmed that it will maintain its Some economists have employers to fill jobs as con- worst in 74 years — as a result “The fundamentals for key short-term interest rate warned that by choosing not sumer demand surges — even of the pandemic. consumers and businesses are at a record low near zero to to begin withdrawing its ex- employers that have been Despite the lower-than- still very good,” said Gus Fau- keep short-term borrowing traordinary support for the raising wages. Despite the job expected second-quarter cher, chief economist at PNC costs low. It will also continue economy, the Fed may end up market’s steady gains, unem- growth, Lydia Boussour, lead Financial, who said he had so to buy government-backed responding too late and too ployment, at 5.9%, is still well U.S. economist at Oxford Eco- far seen no effects from a rise bonds to put downward pres- aggressively to high inflation above the 3.5% rate that pre- nomics, still foresees solid in confirmed viral cases. sure on long-term loan rates by quickly jacking up rates vailed before the pandemic gains ahead, with growth of Consumer confidence has to encourage borrowing and and perhaps causing another struck. And the economy re- around 7% for all of 2021. reached its highest level since spending. recession. mains 6.8 million jobs short “We expect the economy the pandemic struck in March The recovery, in fact, has But at a news conference of its pre-pandemic total. to carry strong momentum 2020, a key reason why retail been so rapid, with pent-up Wednesday, Fed Chair Je- Should the economy’s into 2022, with growth under- sales remain solid as Ameri- demand from consumers driv- rome Powell underscored his shortages persist well into the pinned by strong consumer cans shift their spending back ing growth after a year of lock- belief that recent inflation future, the economy would Employees assemble a Volkswagen electric car. and corporate fundamentals,” to services — from restaurant downs, that one looming risk readings reflect price spikes likely struggle to maintain its Boussour said. meals and airline trips to en- is a potential spike in infla- in a narrow range of catego- current robust pace of growth.

SPOT CHECK Once fading, mask sales starting to rebound as delta cases surge

Agencies on the sales floor following the COVID-19 cases and elevated hos- CDC move to relax guidance on pitalization rates. Masks, which had started to dis- masks in May. Even before then, But 3M CEO Mike Roman appear from store shelves, may be data from NielsenIQ shows that told analysts on Tuesday that, just front and center again. mask sales started to consistently like in the past, it is “prepared to A spot check of businesses and decline weekly since early April, increase production in response to other data sources are showing going from $101 million worth of COVID-19-related needs or future that mask sales have been rising in masks to roughly $37 million for emergencies when needed.” recent weeks as Americans worry the week ended July 3. It doesn’t Honeywell International Inc., about the surging cases of the delta yet have July sales figures. another big manufacturer of N95 variant of the coronavirus. Retail “People were just not buying masks, said it “continues to pro- analysts expect mask sales will get them — masks were really fading duce N95 masks in the U.S. to meet another jolt after the Centers for out,” said Neil Saunders, manag- the needs of frontline and essential Disease Control and Prevention ing director of GlobalData Retail. workers.” late Tuesday changed course on He noted that even as consumers In light of renewed interest in some masking guidelines, recom- go back to buying masks, the mask face coverings, Vanessa Gordon mending that even vaccinated business is still not going to be as plans to relaunch later this week people return to wearing masks big as last year during the height of her website that sells masks she indoors in parts of the U.S. where COVID-19. But he noted that stores designed and produces in India. the cases are surging. face challenges in determining how She launched Eastendtastelife- Sales of masks rose 24% for the much they should order and how style.com in September 2020 with week ended Tuesday, compared to much they should display them. Shopify but closed it down in Janu- the prior week, reversing weekly “No one actually wants to go ary because she only sold about 50 declines since May, according to out and make another big com- through the site and another 50 the Adobe Digital Economy Index. mitment,” Saunders said. “No one through family and friends. She San Francisco-based grocery deliv- knows what’s going to happen.” said there was too much competi- ery company Instacart said mask For many stores looking to tion elsewhere. She also realized sales via its online platform have generate sales in an overall retail shoppers weren’t wearing face increased since the Fourth of July sales slump last year, masks were Sales of masks in the US rose 24% for the week ended Tuesday, compared to the prior week, reversing weekly declines coverings as much. weekend, reversing a decline that a bright spot. Most notably, Gap, since May, according to the Adobe Digital Economy Index. Gordon says she now feels had begun in April. And Google along with its portfolio of brands confident she will quickly sell out of reports that searches for the term including Old Navy and Athleta, as second quarter of 2020 to less than demic, 3M Co. increased its annual hospitals. It’s now seeing a decel- her inventory of 1,000 masks and “masks” doubled since the CDC well as Etsy made millions of dol- 3% in the first quarter of 2021. The production of N95 masks fourfold eration in overall health care de- will produce even more. announcement. lars on masks. company declined to comment on to 2.5 billion by building extra mand and is adjusting production, “People are still getting sick — The scenario marks a shift from Etsy, a global online market- mask sales trends on Wednesday, capacity. It said that global demand increasing supply to industrial and even those who are vaccinated,” the past two months when masks place for handmade goods, has noting it’s in its quiet period ahead reached its peak in the first quar- consumer outlets while continuing Gordon said. “This is shifting were getting heavily discounted seen its masks go from 14% of of its earnings release next week. ter of this year, which included to prioritize health care workers in people’s mindset. I think we will be and were being pushed to the side gross merchandise sales in the Since the onset of the pan- stockpiling from governments and the geographies seeing increased wearing masks for a long time.” Sunisa QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Lee of the QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune USA wins Olympic all-around gold page 10 FRIday, JULY 30, 2021 Athletics stars carry Qatar’s hopes Tribune News Network Tokyo

Qatar’s hopes of winning an Olympic medal in Tokyo 2020 Olympics will rest on its athletics stars who will begin their campaign in the games on Friday. After winning the bronze medal in London 2012 Olym- pics and the silver medal in Rio 2016 Olympics, Qatar’s high jumper Mutaz Barshim has his sight now set on win- ning the gold medal in Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The two-time world cham- pion will participate in Men’s High Jump qualificationsto begin at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Friday. Barshim has scaled 2.40m 11 times since 2013 – only world record holder Javier Sotomayor, with 17, has more successful clear- ances at that formidable barrier – and with a 2.43m High jump in focus personal best, is the second- highest jumper of all time. The other Qatari medal contender Abderrahman Sam- as Barshim takes ba will be action on Friday. The 25-year-old Qatari middle-distance will begin his challenge in Men’s 400m centrestage heats at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. utaz Barshim’s A slight injury slowed Olympic journey him in 2019 but he regrouped seems to have a enough to take the bronze on logical progres- home soil at the World Cham- Msion. He hopes so, at least. pionships. Mnawari will face a stern test in the knockout stages of the of Switzerland on Sunday then Bronze in London (lat- Samba qualified forT o- when she participates in Wom- men’s Olympic beach vol- they edged past Italy’s Adrian er upgraded to silver) in kyo 2020 Summer Olympics en’s 100m heats on Friday. leyball tournament, Qatar’s Carambula and Enrico Rossi 2012. Then silver in Rio in Games after winning the 400 On the other hand, Qa- Cherif Younousse and Ahmed on Wednesday 2016. Back-to-back world hurdles gold medal in the tar’s rower Tala Abujbara will Tijan will take on Jacob Gibb For his part, Qatar’s Mo- titles followed in 2017 and Shanghai Diamond League participate in Final E race of and Tri Bourne of USA at the hamed Al Rumaihi finished 2019, the latter in front of meeting 2019 with a world- women’s singles sculls event Shiokaze Park on Friday the men’s trap shooting quali- a vociferous home crowd in leading time of 47.27 seconds on Friday to conclude her Cherif and Ahmed began fying rounds in the 13th place Doha that capped a marve- and will arrive in Tokyo with a historic appearance in Tokyo their Olympic campaign with a with 121 points, just one point lous comeback from career- 48.26 season’s best. Olympics. 21-17, 21-16 victory over Adri- behind the last qualifier to the threatening injury. Gold is For her part, Bashayer Al After securing their spots an Heidrich and Mirco Gerson finals. the only place to go for the 30-year-old, who is widely considered the best high jumper of the past decade, if Track & Field Show at Tokyo 2020 OLYMPICS not of his generation. Barshim has scaled our years, 11 months and US athlete to win the event. the list, while defending Olympic 2.40m 11 times since 2013 nine days after the action 100m and 200m champion – only world record holder Fin Rio came to a close, Warholm takes to the track Thompson-Herah is just 0.01 Javier Sotomayor, with 17, Olympic Games athletics will Men’s 400m hurdles heats off her 10.70 PB from 2016 so has more successful clear- make its highly anticipated re- After two world title wins, this far this season. ances at that formidable turn at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium time Karsten Warholm will stand Meanwhile, Olympic and world barrier – and with a 2.43m on Friday. There is one final on a global start line and be 400m medallist Jackson, who personal best, is the second- – the men’s 10,000m – taking introduced as the world record- is concentrating on the shorter highest jumper of all time. Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim has scaled 2.40m 11 times since 2013 – place on the first day of the holder. In 2016, the Norwegian sprints this year, has run a PB But Barshim hasn’t only world record holder Javier Sotomayor, with 17, has more athletics programme, while a was just settling into his first of 10.77. The 100m entries jumped that high since a successful clearances at that formidable barrier – and with a series of heats and qualification full year as a 400m hurdles joining them in having dipped 2.40m clearance at the Gy- 2.43m personal best, is the second-highest jumper of all time. rounds will set the scene for all specialist. Rai Benjamin, at under 10.90 in 2021 are ulai Memorial in Szekesfe- that is to come. Here are five 18 and two years Warholm’s multiple world medallists Marie- hervar, Hungary, on 2 July son’s top jumpers, author- and sailed a lifetime best of things to follow on day one. junior, had just wrapped up his Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast and 2018. He later had the bar ised neutral athlete Ilya 8.47m in the long jump. That Mixed relay. Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare, raised to a would-be world Ivanyuk and Maksim Ne- made him the first US ath- while Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith record of 2.46m and came dasekau of Belarus, to put on lete to qualify for both events women competing against each has clocked 10.91. tantalisingly close on his first maximum pressure. since the legendary Jim other in any order they choose. try, grazing the bar slightly Ivanyuk topped a then- Thorpe in 1912. His 2.36m Fans will get an early taste of Field focus on his way up before it fell, PB of 2.35m in Doha to take PB leap at the SEC champi- the new event on the first day of Men’s high jump, men’s discus, almost with hesitation, soft- surprise bronze. This year he onships has him third on the action, with the final set for the women’s triple jump, women’s ly to the ground. He would kicked off his outdoor season world list at the moment, so, Friday evening. shot put later characterise it as one of with a 2.37m PB on 17 May Harrison figures, why not The qualification rounds for the his best jumps ever. A decent and followed up with Wanda continue his extraordinary Sprint stars align men’s high jump, men’s discus, second try followed before he Diamond League victories in double duty in Tokyo? Women’s 100m heats women’s triple jump and wom- landed clutching his ankle Doha and Rome. His only off His busy four-day sched- The women’s 100m is an event en’s shot put all take place on after this third. The verdict? night came in his last com- ule kicks off with high jump on fire right now, with eight the first day (Thursday). Stars in Ruptured ligaments that petition, where he topped qualifying on Friday morning women having gone sub-10.90 action include Qatar’s two-time would end his season and just 2.25m in Monaco on an (30) then continues with long in 2021 and three athletes on world champion Mutaz Barshim cast doubt on a successful evening when most jumpers jump qualifying on Saturday the Tokyo entry list – Jamaica’s in the high jump, Sweden’s world title defence. seemed to struggle. evening (31) followed by the Men’s 10,000m: Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine world champion Daniel Stahl in When he returned to ac- Nedasekau, who finished high jump final on Sunday Thompson-Herah and Shericka the discus, Venezuela’s two-time tion in 2019, he competed fourth in Doha at just 21, is a night (1) and long jump fi- A new champion first year of NCAA competition. Jackson – all having run under world champion Yulimar Rojas in only three times prior to the much-improved jumper two nal on Monday morning, 15 Men’s 10,000m final In Tokyo they’ll co-star in one 10.80. Multiple global gold the triple jump and New Zea- World Championships, pro- years later. He had a particu- hours and 10 minutes later. With two-time winner Mo Farah of the Games’ most eagerly medallist Fraser-Pryce’s 10.63 land’s shot put star ducing modest results: a pair larly strong indoor season, Others to watch include missing from the field, a new awaited showdowns as two of to become the second-fastest Valerie Adams. of back-to-back 2.27m clear- capped by a 2.37m national authorised neutral athlete Olympic men’s 10,000m cham- the three fastest 400m hurdlers 100m sprinter of all time leads (worldathletics) ances and a 2.20m in Zu- indoor record to take the Mikhail Akimenko, the Doha pion will be crowned in Tokyo for of all-time. rich – just one month before European indoor title. He silver medallist who has the first time since 2012. Warholm – who ran 46.70 to Doha. Back home and on equalled that mark outdoors topped 2.33m twice this sea- Two Ugandan stars – world break Kevin Young’s long stand- centre stage, he performed in Szekesfehervar on 6 July, son and beat a strong field in record-holder Joshua Cheptegei ing world record in Oslo – goes admirably, staying alive with another national record. Monaco on 9 July. and world-leader Jacob Kiplimo in heat three at 11:41am local a third attempt clearance at Rising US star Ju- Six other men have – shape up as the men to beat time. Benjamin – who clocked 2.33m before taking com- Vaughn Harrison will also topped 2.33m in 2021, in- in an event in which some of 46.83 less than a week earlier mand of the competition attract considerable atten- cluding Australian Brandon the sport’s all-time greats have at the US Olympic Trials – races with firstattempt successes tion, given the 22-year-old’s Starc, the Oceania record won consecutive golds dating in heat five at 11:57am. at 2.35m and 2.37m. penchant for high level high holder at 2.36m, and an- back to 1996. Similarly, Barshim has jump/long jump double vic- other Doha finalist, Italy’s The last time the Olympics Relay exciting debut competed just four times tories in 2021. The Alabama Gianmarco Tamberi, the were held in Tokyo, the men’s Mixed 4x400m heats this season, but better than native won both titles at the 2016 world indoor champion 10,000m produced one of the There is one event on this ath- he did in his Doha lead-in, Southeastern Conference who continues to battle back greatest athletics upsets in letics programme that has no topping 2.30m on three oc- indoor championships, the from injury, plus Swiss re- Games history. Unheralded US previous Olympic medallists, no casions. Assuming a similar NCAA indoor and outdoor cord-holder Loic Gasch and runner Billy Mills, a Native Amer- Olympic records and, in fact, no approach, Barshim’s com- championships and, incredi- Canada’s Django Lovett, the ican, sprinted past the leaders Olympic history at all. The mixed petitive ferocity will be diffi- bly, at the US Olympic Trials 2018 Commonwealth Games in the final straight of an epic 4x400m relay makes its debut cult to beat. last month where he topped bronze medallist. race to claim gold at the 1964 in Tokyo, a discipline featur- We can expect the sea- 2.33m in the high jump (worldathletics.org) Games – the first, and still only, ing teams of two men and two Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah. 10 Friday, July 30, 2021

Sunisa Lee steps up for Biles, wins Olympic all-around gold DPA Tokyo

Sunisa Lee of the United States won the women’s gym- Family and friends watch as Sunisa Lee of Team United States nastics all-around gold at the competes on floor routine during the Women’s All-Around Gymnastics Tokyo Olympics on Thursday. Final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Thursday in The event missed US su- Oakdale, Minnesota, USA. (Getty Images/AFP) perstar Simone Biles, who pulled out of the individual USA’s Sunisa Lee poses with competition, after she with- her gold medal at the Ariake drew from all-around team Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on How Sunisa nailed it final on Tuesday, to focus on Thursday. (AFP) NYT also important. Graba said he her mental health. TOKYO and Lee often discussed win- Lee scored a total of 57.433 support I’ve received has ning the Olympic gold medal, points to beat Brazil’s Rebeca made me realize I’m more For years, Sunisa Lee, a teen- even in the era of Biles, be- Andrade by 0.135. than my accomplishments and ager from Minnesota who be- cause he knew she had the po- “It feels super crazy, I defi- gymnastics which I never truly came the Olympic all-around tential to do it under the right nitely didn’t think I would be believed before,” the 24-year- gymnastics champion Thurs- circumstances. Even if Biles here in this moment with a gold old posted on Twitter. day night, wasn’t training just had been in the competition medal,” Lee said. “I haven’t re- She could yet contest the for herself. in Tokyo, he said, he thought ally let it sink in yet because I four individual events next Lee, a Hmong American, Lee could come close to beat- feel like it’s not real life.” week with USA gymnastics went to the gym every day for ing her. Andrade was biding for saying “Simone will continue all the first-generationA meri- “Too much of the conver- gold, but was out of bounds to be evaluated daily” before a cans who wanted to achieve sation has been about one per- with two feet and then again decision is made. success when their parents son,” Graba said, adding that on the last tumbling pass. Biles, a four-time Olympic had come to the United States he was thrilled that the world Her medal is the first for a champion from Rio 2016, was with nothing. And she trained has had a chance to see Lee at South American woman in the USA’s Sunisa Lee competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s all-around final seeking to become the first through grueling practices and her best and appreciate her, as women’s all-around final. Be- during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on Thursday. (AFP) woman to win consecutive painful injuries for her father, he and his wife have done for fore her performance, the best all-around titles at the Games John, who suffered a spinal more than a decade. “I thought finish by a Brazilian woman time [Tokyo], I knew that I champion from Rio 2016, was Biles thanks fans for ‘love since Vera Caslavska of Czech- cord injury in 2019 and now she was this good all the time. was Jade Barbosa’s 10th place was going for a medal and I seeking to become the first and support’ oslovakia in 1964 and 1968. uses a wheelchair. I feel best that everybody else finish in 2008. was way more confident [than woman to win consecutive Meanwhile, Simone Biles took USA gymnastics said Lee, 18, came into the got to see it. She finally got to “I am very, very happy,” Rio],” she said. all-around titles at the Games to social media on Thursday to Wednesday it supported her Olympics wanting to win a gold show it.” Andrade said. “I’m very thank- “I was 16 in Rio, so this was since Vera Caslavska of Czech- thank her fans after her shock decision to withdraw from the medal for her father, who is ful to all the people who have very different.” oslovakia in 1964 and 1968. withdrawal from events. competition. “We wholeheart- her biggest fan, and for all the supported me.” Melnikova was also part Biles congratulated Lee on Biles withdrew from all- edly support Simone’s deci- Hmong Americans who she Before the medal ceremo- Angelina Melnikova got of the Russian squad that Instagram after her win: “Ab- around team final on Tuesday sion and applaud her bravery feels are unseen in the United ny, Sunisa FaceTimed her bronze for the Russian Olym- claimed a first women’s Olym- solutely killed it!!! OLYMPIC and later pulled out of Thurs- in prioritizing her well-being. States. But she had publicly family, which had been pic Committee (ROC). pic all-around team gold in 29 CHAMPION RIGHT HERE day’s individual competition Her courage shows, yet again, stated that her goal was to win watching the competition “When the score came up, years on Tuesday. !!! So so so beyond proud of to focus on her mental health. why she is a role model for so silver in the all-around be- from a large hall near her all my dreams came true. This Biles, a four-time Olympic you!!!!” “The outpouring love and many.” cause teammate Simone Biles, home in St. Paul. She the four-time Olympic medal- talked to her father first, ist, had been considered a lock to win that title. saying, “I did it!” But after a lifetime of chas- They both cried. Medals ing Biles in the all-around Tally Dressel claims men’s 100m freestyle because Biles hasn’t lost that Lee’s gold in the all- marquee event since 2013, Lee around, which determines the Country G S B T honour; Finke wins first men’s 800m took advantage of her shot to best overall gymnast, came China 15 7 9 31 do so in Tokyo. Biles, consid- just two days after she rallied ered the best gymnast of all her teammates to win silver in Japan 15 4 6 25 100m fly, won gold in the time, withdrew from the team the team final. Biles had pulled USA 14 14 10 38 China break 200m butterfly in 2:03.86, event and the all-around be- out of the team event after ROC 8 11 9 28 4x200m freestyle 1.44 seconds ahead of second cause of mental stress, leaving competing on the vault, the Australia 8 2 10 20 placed Regan Smith of the US Lee in position to win it all. first of four events. On the next Great Britain 5 7 6 18 world record who took home the silver. Fel- “It didn’t even think I’d event, the uneven bars, Lee de- low American Hali Flickinger ever get here,” Lee said. “It cided to perform her hardest South Korea 4 3 5 12 DPA won bronze with 2:05.65. doesn’t even feel like I’m in bars routine — the most diffi- France 3 5 3 11 Tokyo And Zhang returned an real life.” cult in the world — instead of Germany 3 3 7 13 hour later to lead China to gold On Thursday, Lee hit rou- the easier one she had planned Italy 2 7 10 19 Caeleb Dressel continued in a 4x200m freestyle relay tine after routine, often as if because she knew the team Netherlands 2 7 4 13 his bid for swimming im- world record 7:40.33 seconds. she were at practice, not at the would need every tenth of a Canada 2 3 5 10 mortality at the Tokyo Games Junxuan Yang, Muhan most important competition point to win a medal. Her 15.4 on Thursday with a tight vic- Tang and Bingjie Li were in a of her life. She even nailed the points on bars was the highest Hungary 2 1 2 5 tory in the men’s 100-metre dogfight withA ustralia from floor exercise in her last rota- score of the night. Slovenia 2 1 1 4 freestyle over 2016 Olympic USA’s Caeleb Dressel competes in a heat for the men’s 100m butter- the start, but eventually pre- tion, with new choreography Later, Lee competed on Croatia 2 0 1 3 champion Kyle Chalmers. fly swimming event at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on Thursday.(AFP) vailed while an incredible an- and elements that had been the floor exercise after not Kosovo 2 0 0 2 Dressel, 24, was widely chor performance by 1,500m changed by her coach, Jess practicing her floor routine for considered the heir to Ameri- American Robert Finke won touching the wall 0.46 seconds winner Katie Ledecky earned Graba, that morning. They two days because her coach can greats Mark Spitz and Mi- the inaugural men’s 800m after Finke. the US silver. had decided to take out her wanted to spare her ankle. chael Phelps going into the freestyle at the Games thanks The men’s 800m freestyle Australia, led by 100m, fourth tumbling pass because She wasn’t initially selected Olympics with a potentially to a blistering last 50 metres. is officially debuting at the 200m and 4x100m winner her left ankle, which she frac- to perform the floor exercise Tennis huge medal haul available to Finke came back from Olympics 117 years after Ger- Ariarne Titmus, took bronze tured last year, hasn’t com- at the team final because each Vondrousova sets him depending on his relay fourth at the last turn, swim- many’s Emil Rausch won the in an Oceania record 7:41.29 pletely healed, leading to poor country chooses only three of participation. But the 100m ming 26.39 seconds in the last 880 yards (804m) at the 1904 with the US posting a conti- landings — and big deductions its four gymnasts to compete up Bencic final free, the blue riband event 50 metres to beat Italy’s Gre- Games in 13:11.4. nental best 7:40.73. And Led- — for that final pass. on each apparatus. With Biles Marketa Vondrousova landed in the pool, ensures Tokyo is gorio Paltrinieri to gold in 7 The 200m breaststroke ecky also topped the 800m The change worked. Lee out, though, Lee had little another huge scalp in the form a success regardless after he minutes 41.87 seconds. went to Australia’s Izaac qualifier with Titmus sixth. had her best floor exercise choice. During the all-around, of Elina Svitolina to book her touched the wall in 47.02 sec- “I noticed 10 metres out I Stubblety-Cook, who turned Dressel, who already has score of these Olympics. Lee brought the same resolve place in the gold medal match onds, a new Olympic record, was catching up a little bit of on the jets in the last length to 4x100m freestyle gold from Graba, Lee’s coach since to make it to the podium. And at Tokyo 2020 against Belinda just 0.06 seconds ahead of ground and that was the only overtake Dutchman Arno Kam- Tokyo and two Olympic golds she was in elementary school, in the end, she made it to the Bencic. It has been a memora- Australia’s Chalmers. motivation I needed to try and minga, finishing in 2:06.38, a from Rio relay participation, knew that she could hit her top of it. ble week for Vondrousova, who Russian Kliment Kolesnik- pass and get my hand to the new Olympic record. was given a test to claim his new routine — and the other Before the medal ceremo- knocked out cauldron-lighter ov took bronze a further 0.36 wall first,” said Finke. Kamminga, who won sil- first individual honour. routines, too. From the start, ny, she FaceTimed her family, and “face of the games” Naomi seconds back. Paltrinieri, 2019 world ver in the 100m, swam the first “I knew that weight was on he believed she was a special which had been watching the Osaka in round three. One more “I wasn’t worried about champion in the event and 150 metres well below world my shoulders - I’d won (Olym- athlete, one that had “a lot of competition from a large hall hurdle still stands in her way in anything,” Dressel said. “Dur- Rio Olympic champion in the record pace before fading in pic) relay medals but never spunk” and was fearless. He near her home in St. Paul. A the form of ninth seed Bencic, ing the race there’s only so 1,500m freestyle, led for the the last stretch, but managed individual, so it was really spe- and his wife, Lee’s other coach, huge contingent of family and who fought hard for a three-set much you can do, whatever’s first 700 metres and held on to hold off a charge by Fin- cial,” he said. Alison Lim, worked closely to- friends, many from the Hmong triumph over Elena Rybakina. going to happen is going to in the last eighth of the race to land’s Matti Mattsson, who Dressel will also contest gether to usher Lee to the top American community, had Vondrousova has had a Games happen. win silver with 7:42.11. had to settle for bronze. the 50m free and 100m but- of the sport but also keep the joined them. She talked to her to remember and she was a “That’s what I had in that Ukraine’s Mykhailo Ro- China’s Zhang Yufei, who terfly - which heats he later sport fun. father first, saying, I“ did it!” 6-3, 6-1 winner against heavily moment and I executed it.” manchuk won bronze after on Monday won silver in the topped in an Olympic record Winning, of course, was They both cried. fancied fourth seed Svitolina, 50.39 seconds - and he is cer- becoming the first female Czech tain to be part of the 4x100m to reach an Olympic singles final medley team, and could com- in the process. It means the pete in mixed relays as well. Czech Republic will have a wom- Spitz took a famous seven en’s singles competitor on the golds in Munich 1972 and podium for the second straight this was bettered by Phelps in Games after Petra Kvitova fin- Beijing, whose record eight in ished with bronze at Rio 2016. 2008 helped him to a career Incredibly, Vondrousova did tally of 23 - with 26 more at not even automatically qualify world championships. for these Games with Karolina Australian Emma McK- Pliskova, Barbora Krejcikova, eon topped the women’s 100m Kvitova and Karolina Muchova free semis followed by Hong ahead of her in the qualifying Kong’s Siobhan Haughey and pecking order. Vondrousova two-time Olympic champion opted to use her protected rank- Cate Campbell of Australia ing, dating back to a wrist injury while South African Tatjana prior to the pandemic, meaning Gold medallist China’s Li Bingjie, China’s Yang Junxuan, China’s Tang Muhan and China’s Zhang Yufei pose Schoenmaker just missed the John Lee (R), Sunisa Lee’s father, and Yeev Thoj react after Sunisa Lee Muchova missed out. (DPA) with their medals after they set a new World Record in the final of the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay world record in the 200m of Team United States competed on balance beam at the Tokyo 2020 swimming event at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Japan on Thursday. (AFP) breaststroke, 2:19.33. Olympic Games in Oakdale, Minnesota, on Thursday. (Getty/AFP) Sports Friday, July 30, 2021 11

Qatar Goodwood Festival Day 3 Lady Bowthorpe lands Qatar Nassau Stakes Tribune News Network Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas (L) and Mercedes’ British Goodwood (UK) driver Lewis Hamilton address a press conference at the Hungaroring race track in Mogyorod near Budapest on Thursday, ahead of In presence of His Excellency the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix. (AFP) Yousef bin Ali Al Khater, Am- bassador of the State of Qatar to the United Kingdom, the Verstappen and events of the 2021 renewal of the Qatar Goodwood Festival continued on Thursday. Hamilton resume The echoes of the events of the opening day and the sec- ond day have been very high title fight before given their outstanding suc- cess in terms of both organi- sation and top-quality racing F1 summer break as well as the large-scale par- ticipation of many stars, espe- DPA cially with the return of things Budapest to normal and the increase in the racegoer turnout to attend Formula One is to success- the Festival’s races. fully complete its first half of The Qatari success on the the racing calendar amid the second day have added to re- challenges posed by the coro- sounding success with Khalifa navirus pandemic with the bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Lady Hungarian Grand Prix, the Princess landing the Gr1 PA last round before the summer Qatar International Stakes break, on Sunday. and Al Shaqab Racing’s AR- The race at the Hungaror- MOR taking the Gr3 Markel HE Yousef bin Ali Al Khater, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Kingdom, presented the trophies to the winners of Qatar Nassau ing follows a hectic British GP, Mechanics and engineers work Molecomb Stakes. Stakes at the Goodwood racecourse on Thursday. where championship leader on the car of Mercedes’ British The small-sized but mighty Max Verstappen of Red Bull col- driver Lewis Hamilton in the five-year-old mare added a Racing’s Ebro River (IRE) lided with title contender Lewis garage at the Hungaroring race fourth Gr1 PA victory to her (Galileo Gold x Soft Power) Hamilton of Mercedes, was track in Mogyorod near Budapest tally and kept the coveted title and Jassim bin Ali Al At- forced out of the race and saw on Thursday. (AFP) for Qatar for the third year in a tiyah’s Gubbass (Mehmas x the rival close the gap to the top. row, cementing Qatar’s stand- Vida Amorosa) were in the Verstappen admitted he’s two drivers in Silverstone is ing as the world’s leader in fray in the second race in still “a little bruised” but “ab- gone, but not forgotten. Red Arabian racing. The two-year- the card, the Group 2 Unibet solutely fine” to keep the title Bull has lodged a request for old Armor, on the other hand, Richmond Stakes for two- race up and running. ruling body FIA to review the made a grand entry to the year-old Colts and Geldings “I did a 24-hour sim [simu- incident and were summoned racing world as a hero in the over 1,200 metres. lator] race this week and it was alongside Mercedes for a making with two victories in They did very well and a cer- a good test to see how my body hearing on Thursday. his record in only three starts. tain stage, the race seemed a would react to spending time Red Bull advisor Helmut The fact that he won a Group contest between them. How- sat in one position and behind Marko said the team would 3 in just his start attempt tells ever, in the final stages the Le- screens for a long time, I felt bring new evidence that will stories. ora Judah-owned Asymmetric absolutely fine which makes put the accident in a “slightly (Showcasing x Swirral Edge), me feel positive heading into different light.” “Those facts Lady Bowthorpe much the under signals from his jockey the weekend,” he said. will be brought forward on best in Nassau Martin Harley, came from be- But Hamilton, who now Thursday, and we hope that The third day of the annual hind to take the lead and win sits only eight points behind that will [result in] a reassess- five-day Festival had a sevenb- by half a length for trainer Verstappen in the champion- ment, because we still think race card, featuring the Gr1 Alan King. Khunan (Twilight ship, hasn’t lost a race in Bu- that this penalty was too leni- Qatar Nassau Stakes for three- Son (x Hilary J) was just after dapest since 2018 and will try ent for Hamilton,” Marko said. year-old and older fillies and him in second. The Richard to keep his dominance in a bid Hamilton received a 10-sec- mares over 2,000 metres. It Lady Bowthorpe under Kieran Shoemark wins The Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) for trainer William Jarvis Hannon-trained and Sean to enjoy his summer holidays ond penalty but Red Bull were was Lady Bowthorpe (Nath- and owner Mrs. A.M. Swinburn, at the Qatar Goodwood Festival in UK on Thursday. Levey-ridden Gubbass and on top of the standings. not satisfied, especially after aniel x Maglietta Fina) who the Hugo Palmer-trained and The seven-time world the Briton made his way to vic- landed top honours in the col- some quick fractions through well close home and took third. Bred by Scuderia Archi James Doyle-ridden Ebro Riv- champion is also shooting for tory. Marko believes “a penalty ours of Emma Banks for train- the early stages, which al- Winning trainer William Romani, Lady Bowthorpe is er stayed on strongly to finish record-extending milestone of that would have prevented a er William Jarvis and jockey lowed Lady Bowthorpe to set- Jarvis, who has not had a a daughter of King George third by only a nose and fourth 100 grand prix victories. victory would be appropriate. Kieran Shoemark. HE Yousef tle well in mid-division. As group one winner since 1994 winner Nathaniel(Galileo), by just a neck respectively. “For us, [Silverstone] So drive through or a ban at bin Ali Al Khater, Ambassa- the pace slowed on the turn said after the race: “It’s fan- who stands at Newsells Park The events of the Qatar was an encouraging weekend the next race, something along dor of the State of Qatar to the for home, the field stacked up tastic! We have dreamt of this Stud. Her dam, Maglietta Goodwood Festival continue with the pace of the car. The those lines.” In the fight for United Kingdom, presented but it was apparent that Lady race with her for a long time Fina(Verglas) is a winner of on Friday, the fourth and pe- small upgrades we introduced third place in the constructors’ the trophies to the winners af- Bowthorpe was travelling well. now. She has always shown five races and has also pro- nultimate day of the Festival worked well and we scored championship, Ferrari closed ter the race. Asked for an effort at the two to be a very special mare and duced Group Two winner/ with a seven-race card day. some big points,” Mercedes the gap to McLaren following Trying 2,000m for the furlong pole, Lady Bowthorpe we think the world of her. I Group One placed Speak In The feature and fourth team principal Toto Wolff said. Charles Leclerc’s heart-break- first time in her career, five- made slick headway down the am delighted for the team at Colours(Excelebration) and race is the Gr2 King George “The Hungaroring is a high- ing podium after he led most of year-old mare Lady Bowthor- outside of the field, follow- home, it means so much to also the listed placed Pretty In Qatar Stakes, a 1,000 sprint downforce [circuit, and] will the British Grand Prix. pe stayed on strongly to win ing the move of the eventual them and to her jockey Kieran. Grey(Brazen Beau) for three-year-olds and older. therefore be a different beast The Scuderia will try to the Group One Qatar Nassau second Zeyaadah(Tamayuz). I was very confident that she It will start at 5:35 pm compared to the last race. It is keep their good momentum, Stakes and claim a first Group Lady Bowthorpe proved much would stay the trip and she did Asymmetric wins Unibet Doha time. 35 minutes earlier, a track that will likely suit our while McLaren hope Daniel One success. the stronger inside the fi- it well. She has a great turn of Richmond Stakes; Al Shaqab Racing’s Qaysar will competitors more, but we’ll Ricciardo has found his form Although there were only nal furlong and went clear of foot and settles very well in her Gubbass, and Ebro River run in the Unibet Golden Mile give it all we’ve got,” he added. after his best result this season six runners, Prix de Diane win- Zeyaadah to score by a length races. She is just a superstar, gallant rivals Handicap, a class 2 mile for The incident between the (fifth) in Silverstone. ner Joan Of Arc (Galileo) set and a half. Joan Of Arc rallied we love her.” Earlier in the day, Al Shaqab three-year-olds and older. Sri Lanka seal series 2-1 with cakewalk win over India Was shocked and upset ANI when I learnt I had lost, Colombo says India’s Mary Kom Wanindu Hasaranga picked four wickets before Sri Lankan ANI batsmen wrapped an easy win in Tokyo the third and final T20I against India to clinch the three-match Mary Kom, the face of In- series 2-1 on Thursday. dia’s boxing contingent, was Sri Lanka needed 82 runs to “shocked and upset” to learn win against the depleted Indian about her Tokyo Olympics exit side in the series decider and on Thursday. Mary Kom faced the hosts chase down the target a shocking defeat -- split deci- comfortably inside 15 overs. sion -- at the hands of Colom- India’s Chungneijang Mery Kom Chasing 82, Sri Lanka got bia’s Ingrit Valencia to bow Hmangte reacts as she fights off to a decent start as Ra- out from the tournament. Va- Colombia’s Ingrit Lorena Valencia hul Chahar removed opening lencia won bout 3-2. Victoria during their women’s fly batsman Avishka Fernando However, Mary Kom (48-51kg) preliminaries round of in the sixth over. It was a slow thought she had won since the 16 boxing match at the Kokugikan start from Sri Lanka but the ace boxer had clinched two Arena in Tokyo on Thursday. (AFP) hosts were far from any trou- rounds after going down in the ble as they only needed 82 first essay. always a champion! You have runs to win. “I thought I have won but achieved what no other female Chahar did pick two more after some time I saw Kiren Ri- boxer in the world has ever wickets as he dismissed Mi- jiju’s tweet, I was shocked and achieved. You are a legend. nod Bhanuka and Sadeera Sa- Sri Lanka’s cricket team players celebrate with the trophy after winning the third Twenty20 international against India at the R Premadasa upset at the same time (to know India is proud of you BOXING marawickrama but wasn’t able Stadium in Colombo on Thursday. (AFP) that I have lost the match),” & OLYMPICS will miss you @ to stop Sri Lanka from chasing Mary Kom told reporters two MangteC,” Rijiju tweeted. the target. up in the middle resulted in India lost three wickets wicket however, Hasaranga deep and Sakariya stitched an hours after the bout. “For all of us @MangteC Earlier, Hasaranga cel- Devdutt Padikkal getting run in the fifth over and Nitish sent back the pacer in the 18-run stand as visitors posted After Mary Kom’s defeat, was the clear winner but ebrated his 24th birthday in out in the fifth over. Rana’s dismissal in the ninth 15th over. 81 in the allotted 20 overs. Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister Judges have their own calcula- style as he picked four wickets Sanju Samson’s wicket over left the visitors reeling at After 15 overs, India score Scores: India 81/8 (Kuldeep of Law and Justice, said the box- tions,” he added. to restrict India to 81/8 in the same over only dented 36/5 with no recognised bats- was 55/6 with Kuldeep and Yadav 23*, Bhuvneshwar Kumar er was a clear winner but judges Valencia advanced to the Opting to bat first,I ndia India’s chances of having a man at the crease. Rahul Chahar at the crease. 16; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-9); had their “own calculations”. quarter-finals of the showpiece got off to bad start as the visi- decent total. Ruturaj Gaikwad Bhuvneshwar Kumar and India kept losing wickets Sri Lanka 82/3 (Dhananjaya de “Dear Mary Kom, you lost event after defeating Mary tors lost skipper Shikhar Dha- (14), who was playing well, too Kuldeep Yadav then stitched at regular intervals and were Silva 23*, Minod Bhanuka 18; in Tokyo Olympics by just Kom in the women’s flyweight wan in the first over.A mix- departed in the fifth over. a 19-run stand for the sixth eight down for 63 before Kul- Rahul Chahar 3-15). one point but for me you are (48-51kg) category event. 12 Friday, July 30, 2021 The Last Word Qatar warns the world of dangers of current situation in occupied Palestinian territories Qatar has urged the UNSC to take up its responsibilities in enforcing international law, putting an end to illegal occupation and promoting peace

QNA relevant Security Council and rather through a purposeful relevant Security Council res- New York General Assembly resolu- political process that leads olutions, particularly Resolu- tions. It also stated that pro- to a political transition in ac- tion 2216, emphasizing that The State of Qatar has vocative practices and other cordance with the Geneva-1 this solution will contribute warned of the dangers of illegal measures, such as Convention and the imple- to overcoming Yemen’s hu- maintaining the current situ- confiscating and demolishing mentation of Security Council manitarian challenges and ation in the Palestinian ter- Palestinian property, such as resolution 2254. preserving its territorial in- ritories and the absence of a in the Sheikh Jarrah and Sil- The statement called for tegrity. long-term solution to the Pal- wan neighbourhoods, reflect the completion of the Consti- In Libya, the State of Qa- estinian cause. a policy to Judaize Jerusalem, tutional Committee’s tasks, as tar expressed satisfaction Qatar has urged the Unit- expand settlements, and dis- well as confidence-building with the Libyans’ efforts and ed Nations Security Council regard international law and measures (CBMs) such as re- the international commu- to take up its responsibilities international legitimacy reso- solving the file of detainees nity’s support, which resulted in enforcing international lutions. and forcibly disappeared peo- in the encouraging develop- law, implementing its resolu- According to the report, ple, and creating conditions ments of the past year, such tions, putting an end to the these measures contribut- for the safe, voluntary, and as the ceasefire agreement, illegal occupation and settle- ed to the recent escalation, dignified return of refugees the Libyan Political Dialogue ment, and promoting peace. which resulted in hundreds of and displaced people. Forum (LPDF), and the for- This was stated by Per- civilian casualties, including Qatar emphasised the mation of the Interim Gov- manent Representative of dozens of children, as a re- importance of ensuring ac- ernment of National Unity. the State of Qatar to the sult of aerial bombardment of countability for war crimes According to the state- United Nations Ambassador residential neighbourhoods and crimes against humanity, ment, Qatar emphasised the HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin in the Gaza Strip. including the use of chemical importance of ensuring com- Saif Al-Thani during a meet- Qatar has sought to re- weapons, because account- mitment to maintaining this ing of the UN Security Coun- store security and stabil- Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Ambassador HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani ability is a key factor in main- progress on the political, eco- cil on the “Situation in the ity, and has made diplomatic taining peace. nomic, and security tracks, as Middle East, including the moves in coordination with ian and development aid to sibilities in enforcing inter- the refugee problem will be The statement said that well as ensuring that elections Palestinian Question”. the UN and brotherly and meet the urgent needs of the national law, implementing found. millions in Syria depend on are held on the specified date, The statement drew atten- friendly countries to facilitate brotherly Palestinian people, its decisions, putting an end The statement also re- international aid and the in order to consolidate and sus- tion to the occupying power’s reaching a ceasefire agree- referring in this context to to illegal occupation and set- affirmed Qatar’s ongoingmechanism for delivering hu- tain stability in the interests of authorities in the occupied ment, according to the state- the USD 500 million financial tlement, and supporting the commitment to support and manitarian assistance across the brotherly Libyan people. city of Jerusalem and set- ment, emphasising the im- grant directed by HH the Amir achievement of peace, which participate in all genuine in- borders, praising the efforts of Finally, the statement tlers’ repeated provocations portance of a ceasefire at this Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad must be achieved through ternational efforts to achieve the United Nations in this re- emphasised that Qatar firmly and attacks on Islamic and stage and avoiding escalation. Al-Thani for Gaza Strip re- negotiations between the a just, lasting, and compre- gard. The State of Qatar is at believes in the principle of Christian holy sites, particu- Qatar has emphasised the construction. The statement two parties and on the basis hensive peace. the forefront of donors to al- resolving disputes peace- larly the Holy Mosque, which importance of meeting the ur- noted that this is in addition of international law, United Concerning the Syrian cri- leviate the humanitarian suf- fully, continues mediation is considered one of the most gent needs of the two million to the grants made by Qatar Nations resolutions, the Arab sis, the statement noted that fering of the brotherly Syrian efforts and other efforts that important holy places for Palestinians whose suffering to pay Palestinian employees’ Peace Initiative, and the Arab this year marked the tenth people, the statement added. contribute to consolidating Muslims. has worsened this year and salaries, provide financial as- Peace Initiative. According to anniversary of the start of Concerning the situation the foundations of long-term The statement empha- who remain under siege in sistance to needy families, it, the State of Palestine will peaceful demonstrations by in Yemen, Qatar reiterated peace at the regional and in- sised that any attempt to alter the Gaza Strip, according to operate power plants, and de- be established on the 1967 the brotherly Syrian people, that ending the crisis there ternational levels, and works the legal, historical, or cultur- the statement. velop infrastructure. borders, with East Jerusa- and that the Syrian crisis is requires negotiation between with international partners to al status of the occupied city The statement said that The statement reiterated lem as its capital, the occupa- still waiting for a solution, Yemeni parties based on the reduce tensions, end crises, of Jerusalem is a violation of Qatar continues its pioneering Qatar’s call for the Security tion of all Arab lands will be which will not be achieved outcomes of the national dia- and achieve stability, secu- international law, as well as efforts to provide humanitar- Council to assume its respon- ended, and a just solution to through military means, but logue, the Gulf initiative, and rity, and prosperity.

 A picture shows Gaza City and its Mediterranean Sea coastline, on July 27, 2021. (AFP)

Palestinian demonstrators clash with Israeli soldiers as they demand that the army hand over the body of man who was shot dead by Israeli forces the previous night, in the village of Beita, in the occupied West Bank, on July 28, 2021. (AFP)  Al Malki establishes first Qatari-owned olive oil farm in Tunisia and launches Quality Tree brand IKOLI VICTOR Doha

A Qatari, Ali Ahmed Al Malki, has established a massive olive farm and cold press factory in Tunisia, another first for Qatar and in line with Qatar’s strategic policy on food security and sus- tainability, which is a core com- ponent of the Qatar National Qatar participates in Vision 2030. The olive tree farm, which will supply the Qatari market Russia-Islamic World and other parts of the region, is located in Tunisia’s El Kef re- gion, which is world-renowned int’l economic summit for its superior quality olives, and has a monthly production QNA ic countries. capacity of over 10,000 litres. Moscow HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser Al The farm produces some of the Thani, speaking on behalf of the State world’s best olives and olive oil, The State of Qatar took part in the of Qatar, said the Summit is an im- and the products are so high- Ali Ahmed Al Malki 12th edition of the Russia-Islamic portant economic event that brings quality that major suppliers all world: Kazan Summit, which was held together representatives of institu- over the world, including Greece, Spain, and oth- administrator, added that he studied extensively ing. Our product’s quality stands out from the in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, tions and business people from Rus- er parts of Europe, are in high demand for them. about production techniques and other critical competition, and we’ve received positive feed- under the patronage of Rustam Min- sia and Arab and Islamic countries The olive oil, sold under the brand name aspects of the trade before venturing into it, and back from customers. All of this encourages us, nikhanov, president of the Republic of with the goal of strengthening coop- “Quality Tree,” is entirely produced using cold- that this has adequately prepared him for the but more importantly, we are pleased to be a Tatarstan of the Russian Federation. eration by identifying investment and press technology, with no heat or chemicals business’s success. part of the country’s development and progress, Qatar was represented at the sum- trade opportunities between these used, and it is available in 500ml and 750ml Malki described his production method as as well as a significant contributor to its food mit by its Ambassador to the Russian countries. bottles, as well as three-litre cans. follows: “At temperatures of 81°F (27°C), we sustainability policy,” he said. Federation HE Sheikh Ahmed bin The ambassador emphasised Al Malki, when asked about his motivation crush olives into a paste and then use a me- In terms of his future plans, Malki said that Nasser Al Thani. the extensive cooperation relations for starting the business, said, “Olive oil is an es- chanical press to separate the oil from the pulp he intends to open a production factory in the During the summit, discussions between the State of Qatar and the sential part of the Arabian and Mediterranean in accordance with European food standards. near future to produce locally. on Islamic banking were held, as well friendly Russian Federation, which diet and culture, and I’ve always been fasci- Our cold-press method preserves the nutritional “Our plan is to produce not only for Qatar, as dialogues with the participation of were reflected in the St. Petersburg nated by stories about olives since I was a child. value of olive oil. We offer and supply the high- but for the entire region. With the establishment young diplomats from the countries International Economic Forum, Aside from that, as a proud citizen of this great est grades of olive oil, including extra virgin and of the factory in Qatar, we will not only reduce of the Organization of Islamic Co- which was held in June 2021. country, I saw a need to contribute my quota virgin olive oil.” production costs but also ensure higher quality operation (OIC). The event included The event, with a keynote of “con- to government policy and the impressive Qatar Malki went on to say that the response to his because oversight will be much better, in addi- Russian Halal Expo Exhibition for scious consumption,” focuses on dis- National Vision 2030, particularly in the area products has been very positive since they were tion to providing more job opportunities for the halal products in the Russian Feder- cussing partnership finance, halal of food security. I then decided to invest in the introduced into the local market. population,” he said. ation, in addition to other activities industry, youth diplomacy, medicine, farm after learning that Tunisia produces some “Since the first consignment of over 20,000 The products are currently available in all Al that aim to introduce opportunities sports, creative industries, develop- of the world’s best olives.” litres of “Quality Tree” olive oil brand entered Meera branches, with plans to expand into other for trade and economic cooperation ment of the export, business, and in- Malki, a professional engineer and sports the market, the response has been overwhelm- malls in the near future. between Russian regions and Islam- vestments.