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FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 / SHAWWAL 16-17, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17699 16 PAGES 150 FILS Iran resistance details Tehran move on nukes Progress impeded Opinion By Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran Will we stay captive long to a government he Iranian regime has a long Thistory of activity to acquire a nuclear weapon. It has continually concealed and lied about its nuclear activities to the world. that does not move forward or backward? The regime’s original plan to ac- quire five nuclear warheads and build a nuclear weapon was seriously set- By Ahmed Al-Jarallah back by the disclosure of the Lavi- zan-Shian site in May 2003 and the Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times regime was compelled to change its BEING blind is not about losing sight, but methods, organization, and research about losing insight. The correct consid- and development locations to achieve eration of matters represents salvation from UAE sits with Israel its goal after that. This resulted in de- vanity, and determination in opinions, some- lays in its plans and program. thing that is lacking today in both the legis- lative and executive authorities, which have fallen into many transgressions during the — Details Pages 6-10 — past months. This is a clear indication of loss of in- sight. For example, this can be seen in an In effect, tireless efforts by the Na- MP who believes he is an undisputed knight tional Council of Resistance of Iran and sincere reformer while considering oth- (NCRI), based on information re- er knights as corrupt and destructive, and ceived from the Mujahedin-e Khalq thinking that whoever stands against him is (MEK/PMOI), in exposing the Ira- an enemy. nian regime’s nuclear duplicity and On the other hand, the government tends dangerous drive to obtain and black- not to envision the consequences of leaving mail the world with nuclear weapons, the situation on an odd coincidence or the triggered inspections by the IAEA opinions of outdated advisors, who weave and ensuing measures adopted in the their brainchild programs for the executive UN Security Council. authority. They are the fi rst to oppose them, All the evidence cited in this re- especially when their talk is about the use port and all of that which has been of the youth and renewal of blood in institu- learned about the regime’s efforts tions. in these years, suggest that the cleri- Surprisingly, when it comes to imple- cal regime is covertly continuing its menting such brainchild programs, we fi nd nuclear weapons drive, and that even that they are among those that we tried and the JCPOA has been unable to halt failed, or are from the enemies of joy or the regime’s military nuclear weap- those who lack proper understanding of mat- ons projects, and that the regime has ters. maintained, continued and furthered These are the ones that pushed the govern- its military nuclear apparatus and ac- ment towards a series of failed adventures tivities in violation of the JCPOA. that returned negatively to it, the latest of It has become evident that the Ira- which was their proposal to disrupt the Na- nian regime is using its covert mili- tional Assembly sessions. Majority in the tary nuclear program as leverage to parliament are unfortunately struggling with blackmail and secure concessions to windmills in the hope of winning the impos- offset its vulnerability domestically, regionally, and internationally, as re- sible, while abandoning their legislative role Mohammed Elfarawi stands in the severely damaged room that belonged to his son Adam who was killed when an airstrike targeted the and pushing people to the point of distrust gime survival becomes increasingly apartment below prior to a cease-fire that halted an 11-day war between Gaza’s Hamas rulers and Israel, May 27, in Gaza City. (AP) tenuous. in the state. The world owes a debt of gratitude Unfortunately, the country is currently to the many brave Iranians affiliated crowded with protective heads who brandish ‘A departure from the past’ with the Iranian Resistance who pre- rusty swords with the aim of eliminating empted, forestalled, and prevented the last patriotic bond among Kuwaitis after the Iranian regime from obtaining they were turned by factions and camps that DUBAI, May 27, (AP): Israel’s top diplomat to Emirati company. nuclear weapons. share electoral spoils. The Iranian regime cannot be trust- This situation was sought by puritanical the United Arab Emirates attended a ceremony in The receptions on Wednesday were the clearest indication since a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip came into effect last week ed, and the international community enemies of joy over the past decades. Today Dubai on the grounds of the Arabian Peninsula’s must remain vigilant. The solution to it has become a bitter reality that we live in. that the devastating 11-day war between Hamas and Israel and first permanent exhibition to commemorate the the violence that gripped Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque in the preventing the regime from obtaining The government is deaf and mute as if it has a bomb is not to appease or provide resigned from its role. It is neither present- Holocaust. Hours earlier, he’d attended an event days preceding it have had no visible impact on the UAE’s com- establishing a joint venture between an Israeli and mitment to establishing deep ties with the state of Israel. it with concessions or bargain with it ing nor planning, and is rigidly in place. over its illegitimate military nuclear This makes one wonder whether the execu- “What we see here is the ex- project, but to pursue a firm and prin- tive authority is complicit with the factions act opposite of what we see in Gaza... What we see here in the cipled policy vis-à-vis this regime, of seclusion in conspiring against the state. Assembly nod until such time that Iran is represent- After about 18 months since the COV- Day by Day whole normalization process is a departure from the past,” Israeli ed by a democratic, secular, and non- ID-19 pandemic and with the failure to ad- Ambassador Eitan Na’eh said. nuclear government. dress its negative consequences and adopt for frontliners THE Minister of Information, Abdul Rahman Al-Mutairi, deserves At least 254 Palestinians were Years of Negotiation – Years of necessary laws in this regard, many Kuwait- to be commended for the media strategy he announced, and we By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh killed, including 66 children, in Deception is are starting to seriously think about mov- hope he will continue in this position until the strategy is fully Arab Times Staff the Gaza Strip during the war. Iran regime parliament kept in ing their businesses abroad. Some of them implemented, in spite of our knowledge that our ministers do not Another 1,948 people were dark even closed their establishments and moved remain in their positions for long. KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The wounded, according to Gaza’s We say to the minister: A democratic country such as Kuwait The Iranian regime’s nuclear pro- to neighboring countries, at a time when National Assembly, during its health ministry, which does not gram was spawned and developed in where freedom of opinion is respected should not have laws that special session on Thursday, ap- differentiate between fighters other countries borrowed from international send a tweeter or writer to prison for publishing his/her opinion a shroud of secrecy, lack of transpar- fi nancial institutions in order to cushion their proved the proposal of the gov- and civilians. Twelve people even after the person apologizes for the mistake. We have tweet- ernment to add KD 600 million were killed in Israel, including an ency, concealment, and deception, citizens from the economic crisis. ers who were imprisoned for years, and some of them escaped to the amount allocated for the Israeli soldier and two children. even within the regime itself from because it took the courts seventy or a hundred years to issue Among the major defects that the National incentive of workers on the front- The bombardment of the block- the beginning to the present day. Assembly and the government do not see is a verdict. We hope in your era – which we hope will be good – harsh line of the fight against coronavi- aded Gaza Strip destroyed about Why would a peaceful nuclear pro- the insistence to close down the country and laws and rulings will be abolished. It is more than enough that rus in the State budget for fiscal 1,000 homes and badly damaged gram meant only for nuclear energy dry up all investment opportunities that they people already suffer due to wrong and confused government 2020/2021 with 61 votes in favor hundreds more. Hospitals, clinics provision be treated with such top have spoken about in recent years, either decisions and policies. and one against. and main sewage and water lines secrecy? A limited and set number the Northern Economic Zone project and ... Yet, tomorrow is just another day. During the session, Minister of were also damaged or destroyed. of individuals have been involved the establishment of an industrial base close Zahed Matar Finance and Minister of State for The violence, which erupted in this project over the past thirty to Iraq, or the development of islands, and Economic and Investment Affairs in the final days of the Muslim Khalifa Hamada disclosed that holy month of Ramadan, angered years. According to a confidential modernization of the industrial infrastructure the beneficiaries of the incentive citizens across Gulf Arab states, report of the Research Center of and agricultural activities. However, they all are classified into three categories some of whom expressed support the Islamic Consultative Assembly evaporated with the eruption of the struggle Newswatch based on the hazard level as fol- for Palestinians and opposition to (Parliament), titled “Performance over who would sit in the parliament. lows: the first category consists of Israel on social media or in lim- Study of the Atomic Energy Organi- The question to be asked is — How long workers at the ministries of Health ited street protests. zation of Iran” that was first revealed will Kuwait remain in this state of retro- and Interior, the second consists The UAE government and its by the Iranian Resistance in 2005, gression? It seems as if it is being forced KUWAIT CITY: MP Obaid Al-Mutairi swore the consti- of workers specified by the Civil top officials publicly expressed it becomes clear that the regime’s tutional oath in the National Assembly’s private session on Service Commission (CSC), and concern over the violence in east into becoming like the Arab countries Thursday. nuclear program was not reported to where the leaders and elites abandoned the third consists of workers in Jerusalem and condemned the the regime’s Parliament. In part of Al-Obaid came fi rst in last Saturday’s by-elections for the support institutions. storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque their role and surrendered to the knives of fi fth constituency. He said 95 percent of the incen- this report, which was obtained by The Constitutional Court had previously annuled the mem- compound by Israeli security the Brotherhood’s butchers, sectarian aides tive budget is allotted for workers forces, as well as Jewish settler Continued on Page 5 and parties that are working to implement bership of Bader Al-Dahoum on March 24. (KUNA) ❑ ❑ ❑ in the Ministry of Health, Minis- efforts to evict Palestinian fami- foreign agendas. They have sunk in the fur- try of Interior and National Guard. lies from their homes in the city’s nace like Iraq, which is ruled by sectarians, KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait Center for Rapid Vaccination will of- He added the citizens who died Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. or like Tunisia. fer drive-in COVID-19 vaccination service on the South Island due to Covid-19 while they were It signaled a rare rebuke of Kuwait reports 1,176 In the case of Egypt, when the Muslim of Jaber Bridge from Sunday, reports Al-Rai daily quoting in- in service are considered martyrs Israel by the UAE since the two Brotherhood Group’s guidance offi ce took formed sources. and the heirs of their expatriate countries agreed to normalize re- new COVID-19 cases They explained that the center is one of the largest vacci- counterparts will receive 10 times lations last year. Some questioned control of the country, it was lucky to have nation centers and the fi rst drive-in vaccination center in the the salary of the deceased. whether the UAE would pause or KUWAIT CITY, May 27: At least 1,176 a savior like President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi country. It covers an area of approximately 30,000 square me- The Assembly also approved halt the momentum of its strategic people tested positive for COVID-19 who salvaged Egypt from its dark fate. ters, and has the capacity to receive 4,000 to 5,000 people per the following recommendations: relationship with Israel, which over the last 24 hours, raising overall For a long time we have been saying and day. It has 20 booths, each of which can accommodate eight ■ Assign the State Audit Bureau included launching direct flights, infections to 303,039, Spokesman for reiterating that the Muslim Brotherhood cars, thus facilitating the vaccination of 80 people within a pe- (SAB) and Financial Controllers cooperating on intelligence shar- the Ministry of Health Dr. Abdullah Al- riod not exceeding three to four minutes. Sanad said on Wednesday. Group is a group that works to put poison ❑ ❑ ❑ Bureau (FCB) to follow up the ing, welcoming tens of thousands into honey, and portrays itself to the ruler disbursement of the incentive, of Israeli tourists, investing in the Those who recovered from the disease as his guide to Heaven. Once the ruler gets KUWAIT CITY: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the and submit reports to the execu- Israeli gas sector and announcing hit 932 over 24 hours, taking overall re- in line, the group then tightens its grip on way people deal with funerals and ceremonies in cemeteries, tive and legislative authorities a $10 billion investment fund for coveries to 288,289, he told KUNA in a as Kuwait Municipality has taken more measures to implement every three months. a range of Israeli sectors. statement. power, unleashes unrest, and eventually health requirements, especially social distancing, reports Al- ■ Include the volunteers in co- After the violence in Jerusalem Five patients succumbed to the corona- drops the ruler in order to completely seize Qabas daily. operative societies, workers in escalated into a war between Israel virus, he noted, indicating that the death power. According to informed sources, the fi rst step taken by the Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries and Hamas on May 10 with Gaza’s toll has risen so far to 1,751. Email: [email protected] Kuwait Municipality to prevent gatherings during the burial Company, and Bedoun nurses to ruling militant Hamas group firing Up to 12,999 patients are receiving ceremony was the decision to separate the burial sites between the list of beneficiaries. rockets on Israel, the UAE muted treatment at hospitals, in addition to 152 Follow me on: citizens and residents. The forensic cemetery site located in the On the other hand, MP Adnan its direct criticism of Israel and cases at intensive care units, he stated. southern part of the Sulaibikhat cemetery has been designated Abdulsamad thinks this proposal instead issued a statement call- Overall medical swabs rose to 2.55 for residents, while citizens are still buried at the old site. after conducting 10,309 in the same The municipality banned funeral prayers inside the hall, is not necessary as the State bud- ing on “all parties” to cease fight- which has been designated for that purpose. get surplus estimated at KD1 bil- ing. Hamas is an offshoot of the period, Al-Sanad made clear. The ratio [email protected] lion is enough to cover the front- Muslim Brotherhood movement, between recoveries and swabs is 11.41 liners’ incentive. which the UAE views as a threat. percent. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 2

Weather Expected weather for the next of 08-28 km/h and some scat- Jahra 45 28 Prayer Timings 24 hours: tered clouds will appear. Failaka Island - - By Day: Hot with light to mod- Station Max Exp Min Rec Salmiyah 37 32 Fajr ...... 03:17 Asr ...... 15:20 erate north westerly wind with Ahmadi 37 30 Sunrise .. 04:50 Maghrib .. 18:40 speeds of 12-38 km/h. Kuwait City 43 31 Zohr ...... 11:45 Isha ...... 20:10 By Night: Rather hot with light Kuwait Airport 44 25 Nuwaisib 41 25 to moderate north westerly wind Abdaly 44 26 Wafra 43 23 to light variable wind with speeds Bubyan - - Salmy 42 24

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

National Bank of Kuwait dives 12 fi ls, Zain gains Last minute slide pushes Kuwait market into red zone By John Mathews million shares while Boubyan Bank dropped 10 ly in the fi nal minutes to close with moderate Co paused at 183 fi ls. Kuwait Investment Co ▲ UUS$/KDS$/KD Arab Times Staff fi ls to 662 fi ls. Mezzan Holding extended last losses. clipped 1 fi l whereas International Financial 0.30070/800.30070/80 session’s losses with a 28 fi ls dive to 636 fi ls Top gainer of the day, Sokouk Hold- Advisors was unchanged at 118 fi ls. Coast In- KUWAIT CITY, May 27: Kuwait stocks pulled and Humansoft Holding skidded 25 fi ls. Burgan ing soared 23 pct to 28.7 fi ls while Marakez vestment and Development Co trimmed 3.6 fi ls ▼ Euro/KD 0.3666 lower on Thursday to wrap up the week on a Bank gave up 6 fi ls to close at 223 fi ls. climbed 11.6 percent to stand next. NCCI skid- after pushing 13.9 million shares whereas The soggy note. The All Shares Index, after trading Zain climbed 7 fi ls to 594 fi ls on back of ded 15 percent, the steepest decliner of the day Securities House ticked 0.8 fi l into green. ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 range bound for most part of the session, shed 10.5 million shares and Ooredoo tripped 1 fi l. and Gulf Bank topped the volume with 117.4 Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) gave up 33.60 points in a last minute dip to close at stc eased 2 fi ls to 828 fi ls and logistics major million shares. 4 fi ls to end at 131 fi ls while KMEFIC dialed ▲ British £/KD 0.4262 6,207.57 pts weighed mostly by blue chips. Agility slid 26 fi ls to 921 fi ls with a volume down 1 fi l. Noor Financial Investment Co fell The Premier Market slid 58.12 points to of over 9 million. Mabanee Co was up 7 fi ls at Drop 3 fi ls to 231 fi ls and Tamdeen Investment Co ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0041 6,725.84 pts shrinking the month’s gains to 102 730 fi ls recouping last session’s losses whereas Refl ecting the day’s drop, losers outnum- erased 4 fi ls. Aayan Leasing and Investment pts while Main Market gained 22.76 points. BK Boursa Kuwait Securities slipped 6 fi ls. Inte- bered the winners. 70 stocks advanced whereas and Gulf Investment House gained 3 fi ls each ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 Main 50 added 2.06 points to close at 5,420.63 grated Holding erased 7 fi ls after pushing 2.2 54 closed lower. Of the 135 counters active on whereas Bayan Investment eased 1 fi l to 52 fi ls. pts. The volume turnover meanwhile swelled million shares. Thursday, 11 closed fl at. 16.051 deals worth KD KFIC slipped 4 fi ls ri 106 fi ls and KAMCO past the 500 million mark to hit a 2-week high. National Industries Group dipped 9 fi ls to 125 million were transacted during the session. added 1.9 fi ls. Al Deera Holding dropped 8 fi ls. ▼ FTSE -17.19 pts at 19:06 May 27 Over 540 million shares changed hands – a 57 225 fi ls after moving 9.3 million shares where- In the banking sector, Kuwait Finance House Kuwait and Gulf Links Transport Co inched pct surge from the day before. as Gulf Cable shed 27 fi ls. Boubyan Petrochem- added 3 fi ls on back of 27.6 million shares 0.7 fi l higher to 56.7 fi ls and KCPC shed 12 ▼ Nikkei ical Co slipped 7 fi ls to 900 fi ls and Al Qurain while Gulf Bank took in 1 fi l with brisk trading fi ls. Kuwait Cement Co was unchanged at 260 -93.18 pts at closing May 27 Gain Petrochemical Co was down 10 fi ls at 385 fi ls. to close at 223 fi ls. Kuwait International Bank fi ls whereas Kuwait Portland Cement dialed The sectors closed mostly in red territory. In- Jazeera Airways continued to lose altitude for eased 1 fi l to 215 fi ls and the counter saw 5.7 up 2 fi ls. Kuwait Foundry Co slipped 10 fi ls to ▼ Gold $ 1895.05 per oz (London) surance outshone the rest with 1.62 percent gain second day as it dropped 8 fi ls to 637 fi ls with million shares change hands. Warba Bank fell 283 fi ls with thin trading and ACICO Industries whereas Consumer Services skidded 3.63 per- a volume of 1 million and ALAFCO gave up 4 fi ls to 245 fi ls and Ahli United Bank BSC gave tripped 1 fi l. Educational Holding Co jumped 27 cent, the worst performer of the day. Volume 3 fi ls. up 3 fi ls after pushing 16.4 million shares. Al fi ls to 685 fi ls. ▲ NYMEX crude $66.61 per barrel wise, Banking sector topped with 212.7 million The market opened fi rm and slipped into red Ahli Bank erased 5 fi ls whereas Commercial The market was largely downbeat during shares and the sector also dominated in volume in early trade. The main index moved sideways Bank and Ahli United Bank Kuwait stood pat the week. The main index closed lower in three ▲ Brent crude $69 per barrel with 212.7 million. half way into the session and headed north amid at 500 fi ls and 288 fi ls respectively. of the fi ve sessions shedding 82 points week- Among the notable losers, National Bank of a buying spurt in some of the counters. It drifted KIPCO fell 2 fi ls to 148 fi ls after moving on-week. It has rallied 96 points from start of LIBOR rate 0.13500% Kuwait slid 12 fi ls to 820 fi ls after trading 21.6 range bound for almost an hour and fell sharp- 1.5 million shares and National Investment the month and is up 661 points year-to-date. Deliberate neglect, no planning, say citizens ‘Firdous area deteriorating’

KUWAIT CITY, May 27: hope of undergoing repair. Therefore it was obvious that they would end up in In light of the silence of gov- such a state of deterioration. ernment agencies and lack Many people have become aware that of efforts for restoration, a these facilities are not being monitored number of Kuwaiti citizens or accounted for. They therefore abuse them by tampering with everything big expressed their dissatisfac- and small in them, and leaving nothing, tion with the deterioration starting from the surrounding trees to of the public facilities in Fir- the broken tiles, and even the walls on dous area, reports Al-Sha- which insulting phrases are sometimes hid daily. written. They indicated that the buildings Spared in the area are mostly dilapidated, As for the trees that a poet described old, and have not even come close as “died standing”, they were not spared to being renovated for a long time, by the hands of vandalizers, leaving adding that the conditions of the only scattered parts of them, such that buildings from the inside and out- all that one can say about them is – “Here was a thing called a tree”. side are shabby, tragic, and liable to When we pass the public facilities collapse at any moment. in Firdous, it hurts because we do not The citizens said, “Our country has feel at all that they are public facilities. been endowed by Almighty Allah with This is because of the changes that have Photo by Bassam Abu Shanab goodness. Its bounties reach many Volunteers and staff from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) help out during the COVID-19 vaccination process at the Mishref Fairgrounds. occurred as a result of deliberate neg- countries of the world. However, our ligence. We do not know when the au- public facilities suffer from unbeliev- thorities will move to salvage what can able neglect. be salvaged from these facilities. Responsible As for the square opposite the facili- Private nurseries likely to open in June Who is responsible for everything ties, it is broken. It is hard to imagine that happens regarding these facilities? that it was once a beautiful and clean Why are they not being developed in yard. The least that can be done is to Results available on Net ‘Stick to SOPs’ a manner befi tting the civilized im- repair and clean what can be cleaned. age of Kuwait? The public facilities in As for the preservation of these fa- KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Ministry of Social Af- various parts of the area are witnessing cilities in this way, it is a matter that fairs and Community Development on Tuesday dis- clear deterioration and deliberate ne- is too incomprehensible to even think KU conducts 5,000 aptitude tests cussed the possibility of reopening private nurseries in glect. When one compares them with that these facilities are in the State of KUWAIT CITY, May 27: Kuwait June with its health counterpart, reports Al-Qabas daily. the buildings in the surrounding areas, Kuwait. Such a miserable and shame- University has conducted aptitude tests Check on parties The daily obtained information that the two ministries he would think that those buildings are ful image cannot remain. All we wish for 5,000 grade 12 students in accor- deliberated on the mechanism for the reopening of pri- from earlier centuries. is for those responsible for these facili- dance with the preventive regulations vate nurseries with approval of the Corona Emergency The tiles in the public utilities of the ties to make a move and fi nd solutions and measures to protect the health and Campaigns intensifi ed Committee in the Council of Ministers, which requested area have long expired. They have be- for them not only in Firdous, but in all guarantee the safety of students, reports for a report on the mechanism for implementing health come cracked and broken without any areas and governorates”. KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The women’s regulations to ensure the safety of children. Annahar daily. team of the Health Conditions Com- In a press statement recently, mittee has intensifi ed campaigns on One of the conditions for the reopening of private Assistant Vice-President for salons, women’s health institutes, and nurseries is for the owners to sign an undertaking to Assessment and Measurement Dr Rawa tailoring shops in Al-Reggae, Dasman, strictly comply with the health regulations, while the Al-Jarallah disclosed the students took Sabah Al-Salem, Al-Jahra, Al-Shaab, guardians or parents will sign a commitment to abide by the academic ability tests in Arabic and Jabriya, and other areas, in addition to the health regulations concerning the students. continuing the follow-up on invitations Continuous coordination is being made with the English, as well as Mathematics, in and wedding parties and various events preparation for their admission to the that necessitate gatherings in halls and Ministry of Health to vaccinate employees in nurseries university. hotels, reports Al-Qabas daily. starting next week; hence, the reopening of nurseries de- Al-Jarallah said the university offers The Al-Qabas team accompanied the pends on the vaccination rate among these workers and three exam opportunities -- one each in representative of the Public Authority if their PCR test results show they are not infected with the first and second semesters every for Manpower on its tour in the Jahra coronavirus. Governorate, where Engr Fatima Ab- year; and the third in May or June, dul-Malik ensured health requirements Agreed before admission for the first semester are adhered to especially in women’s of academic year 2021/2022. activities. The two ministries also agreed that nurseries for stu- She added the students were divided Abdul-Malik added since the start of dents with special needs will be under the supervision into several batches, whose tests were the team’s work last August, it has vis- of the Public Authority for Handicapped Affairs; which scheduled throughout a month in com- ited more than 35,000 commercial es- will inspect the facilities of these nurseries and give pliance with health regulations and pre- tablishments including tailoring shops, them an offi cial letter allowing them to operate, that is, women’s salons, sports institutes and if proven they strictly comply with the health regula- ventive measures as per the recommen- hotels, and recorded 5,000 citations. dation of the Health Ministry to curb She indicated the team administra- tions. The authority should emphasize in the letter that the spread of corona. tively closed fi ve facilities on the spot, any nursery proven to have violated the regulations will She revealed the students infected because of non-compliance with health be closed. Initially, a warning will be issued to the err- with coronavirus were instructed to regulations such as congestion and not ing nursery and then penalties will be imposed including KUNA photo abiding by the queue system and non- withdrawal of the license. Oxygen and other medical aid sent by Kuwait to help India battle the spread of coro- communicate with the Evaluation and compliance with prior appointments. navirus reach the Indian port of Mangalore. Measurement Office through its e-mail, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and In- which is written in the access card that dustry Abdullah Al-Afasi submitted his resignation on is also available on the social media Secretariat has demanded that the Sunday to the Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr account of the office to present proof exams in all academic stages in all edu- Abdullah Al-Salman, reports Al-Anba daily. Support pledged for Palestinian cause they have corona. cational institutions in the current peri- According to offi cial sources, the Minister of Com- She said the students can log on to od be carried out remotely given the merce and Industry Abdullah Essa Al-Salman accepted KUWAIT CITY, May 27, (KUNA): Ku- ister of Information and Culture and the registration system to view the health situation in the country and until the resignation, which is supposed to come into effect in wait Radio and Arab stations will stream the Minister of State for Youth Affairs results of the tests once they are the situation stabilizes and the entire June. The minister has assigned the Assistant Undersec- together in a joint Kuwaiti-Arab Media Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, and with population received the vaccination retary for Corporate and Commercial Licensing Affairs Day in solidarity with the Palestinian continuous follow-up by the Undersec- announced. She added the students, cause, said the Acting Assistant Under- retary of the Ministry of Information who intend to register for the next apti- depending on the availability of all of the Ministry of Commerce Dr Saleh Al-Aqili to carry out the duties of the ministry’s undersecretary until a secretary for Broadcasting in the Infor- Munira Al-Huwaidi, in order to harness tude test, must follow the social media types of Covid-19 vaccines. mation Ministry, Saad Al-Fandi. Kuwaiti media efforts to support the account of the university as the regis- She emphasized that due to the new undersecretary is appointed. In a statement to KUNA, Al-Fandi Palestinian cause. tration period will be announced within absence of developments from the The sources said, “Al-Afasi had been seeking for a noted that as a support for the Palestinian Meanwhile , the Interior Ministry said the coming weeks. Ministry of Health indicating the pos- long time to resign from his position but Minister Al- cause Kuwait Radio adopted a proposal on Wednesday it has launched new pages The General Secretariat of the sibility of conducting paper tests on Salman tried throughout that period to persuade him to to specify a joint Kuwaiti-Arab media on three social media platforms to keep Council of Private Universities has campus and until the health conditions reverse his resignation. However, Al-Afasi was adamant day under the supervision of the Arab non-Arabic speakers informed regard- called on the universities and colleges in the country have stabilized, it is nec- this time and this prompted the minister to accept the Broadcasting Union to show solidarity ing new laws, public announcements and to conduct exams online in line with the essary to remind all higher education resignation and assign Al-Aqili to take over the duties of with the Palestinian people. awareness messages. distance education system in accor- institutions, universities and colleges, the ministry’s undersecretary until further notice”. The joint media day will kick off to- The account EN_KUW_MOI, which is dance with special rules and proce- to take the necessary measures towards The sources indicated that Abdullah Al-Afasi in- morrow, Thursday, from 2 pm until 8 available on Twitter, Facebook and Insta- dures, reports Al-Anba daily. conducting the tests in accordance with formed people he is close to that the main reason for his pm (local time), in cooperation with the gram, comes amid the ministry’s ongoing In a letter sent to all private universi- the rules and procedures for the dis- resignation is that he obtained a tempting offer from a Palestinian Radio and the participation of efforts to boost its media outreach nation- ties and colleges, a copy of which has tance learning system (online) for sec- private body, but he did not reveal the nature of the job Arab stations. wide, Director of PR and Media Tawheed been obtained by the daily, the General ond semester 2020/2021. or any details about the offer. He affirmed the support of the Min- Al-Kanderi said. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 LOCAL 3 diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION Kuwait future and the difference between theory and application “ONE of the most important things that warns of a future danger to Kuwait is suggestions and experiences for free, unlike what is happening in the West. should raise public awareness about the dangers of smoking, their efforts to our failure to fi nd real alternatives to oil such and turning the country into a “We hope the state will benefi t from the dialogues and recommendations that combat it, and the measures taken to implement the provisions of the World fi nancial center and take advantage of our unique position, noting the differ- come in that offi ce, and of course any similar professional bureau that searches Health Organization Framework Convention on Smoking Control and the ence between what is said in the form of slogans and what we see in reality,” for Kuwait’s interest and tries to fi nd solutions to its problems.” annexes of the convention,” Columnist Dr Hind Al-Choumar wrote for Al- columnist Sami Al-Nisf wrote for Annahar daily. Also: Anba daily. “We can never transform our country into a fi nancial “With full transparency, every country must publish the results of the steps it center because all indicators place us at the bottom of “People are about to burst, interests are idle, the market is complaining of re- has taken in terms of smoking prevalence rates, control efforts, helping smok- the lists, be it in the area of transparency or anything cession, the owners of companies, small and big, suffer from losses, and small ers undergo treatment and providing assistance to them. This is in addition to else. The international companies will not come to in- enterprises are stabbed in the back, and there is no single transaction that can be publishing indicators related to the dangerous impact of smoking on the heart vest if they fear their money is being stolen, the same accomplished easily and smoothly either because of nepotism or without bribe and circulatory system and its close relationship with cancer and respiratory is the case with the negative indicators that show us at and corruption is rampant in every joint of the state,” columnist Talal Al-Saeed diseases. The civil society and non-profi t organizations (NGOs) play a pivotal the end of the list of quality of education and health ser- wrote for Al-Seyassah daily. role in the anti-smoking system. vice and the worst in government bureaucracy and in the “And as soon as we get rid of one ban until we enter into another type of ban, “This year, World No Tobacco Day should be celebrated in an innovative or a conditional breakthrough that has exhausted the country and the people, length of litigation in the courts, etc. way to circulate awareness messages without organizing gatherings, as there is even those who received the fi rst dose of vaccination, live in anxiety as they “The latest unfortunate indicators came from Germa- a need to shed more light on the relationship of smoking with the novel coro- ny, which showed that we are the worst in the world in do not know the date of the second dose and there is no explanation from the Ministry of Health about the reason for the delay or about the new date, and the navirus, especially since anti-smoking efforts have been greatly affected due to dealing with our expatriate guests, so how can we expect Sami Al-Nisf everyone’s preoccupation with combating corona. Nevertheless, we have clear the arrival and stability of the top managers of interna- citizen remains puzzled in the midst of rumors. “On the other hand, there is complete absence of offi cial opinion or govern- provisions in the Environmental Protection Law and the Environment Public tional companies if we inform them in advance that we will mistreat them? Authority. They have the power to combat smoking, control violations and im- “I think that many expatriates resent things that start with the airport that cre- ment clarifi cation about the reason for the delay in giving the second dose of this type of vaccination, and the other matter is what is the benefi t of vaccinat- pose penalties on violators.” ates the fi rst and last impression of the expatriate. I claim that I have not seen ❑ ❑ ❑ in other Gulf airports and others what we see at the Kuwait airport -- screaming ing all the family members and not vaccinating domestic workers which puts at the expatriates, and the rough dealing with them and even sometimes with the family in a vulnerable situation especially those who have not taken the “Our country, Kuwait, cannot tolerate this persistent and harmful negative citizens when the employee is busy on the phone or if you cannot fi nd him at second dose of the vaccine so far, and this means that the family has not yet atmosphere. Enough destruction of this beautiful country,” columnist Hamed the passport desk or not in compliance with formal dress, etc. been immunized against Corona. Al-Saif wrote for Annahar daily. “What those concerned should know is that people in general feel an unprec- “Another matter that offends the expatriates by words rather than deeds “Kuwait needs an important decision and a wise policy to turn the equation and creates instability for them is the irresponsible government and par- edented disappointment in the history of Kuwait since the liberation of Kuwait until today, and perhaps the important thing that everyone should know is that and to adjust the course from a country that groans about failed policies to a liamentary statements of threat and promises to end services, impose fines successful country with continuous and long-term economic plans that serve and taxes, or accuse the expatriates for budget deficits which in the end the situation has become unbearable, and the evidence is the abundance of quar- rels and brawls that take place 24/7 in all regions of Kuwait, and it makes you the current and future generations and reassure society about its future. are statements that make us lose a lot. It is the genius in itself in hurting “This is the last, indisputable opportunity that the community aspires for and ourselves in the end. feel that the people have lost their patience and are looking for relief, because no one can tolerate anyone anymore. expects to lead to the real path of a decent, stable and sustainable life. “I hope we do not raise a slogan unless we are serious and able to abide by “This is not healthy, rather fear has crept into the souls of everyone about “Our country has all the capabilities to achieve a real sustainable civil State, the merits of that slogan, such as raising the slogan of fi ghting corruption, turn- what is in store for them, and the current government is drifting away from the so what are we waiting for other than a sound political decision to change the ing Kuwait into a fi nancial center and the City of Silk, exploiting the islands, people especially after the recent appointments, which everyone noticed that required path that fulfi lls the aspirations of the citizens of this country? It is a rationalizing spending and subsiding and giving young people the opportunity there is a clear challenge to the popular trend. real invitation for everyone who thinks about the future of this country which to lead, etc. “The important thing is that we need a fi refi ghter who can rescue the country has been oppressed due to the absence of real economic plans to anticipate its “At last, the friend Sheikh Ali Jaber Al-Ali holds a weekly symposium from the deteriorating situation before the worst strikes us.” future and to reassure its continuation in a decent and constructive life on solid through the ‘Clubhouse’ application, choosing important topics and hosting ❑ ❑ ❑ economic foundations.” senior specialists who are active minds in developed countries with the dif- ference that they are in the Bu Salem offi ce to provide their valuable advice, “The World No Tobacco Day is celebrated on May 31 and all countries — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli MoH signs deal with US fi rm Other Voices ‘Do something before it’s late’ By Ahmad alsarraf furnishing, all of these things are in to manufacture 26 products constant rise and constitute a major e have a housing problem reason behind citizens’ complaints Wthat affects tens, or perhaps about their low salaries though they hundreds of thousands of citizens are in the thousands, often because ‘Medicines prices as per global rules’ who are waiting for a decent hous- they built homes that were big-size. ing between now and the next fi ve Al-Anjari’s study says that the years, and most of these people do Kuwaiti government has the larg- KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Minister of not have the ability to buy land and est infl ated consumer budget in the Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah announced the build a lifetime home without rely- world, dominated by fat dispropor- signing of an agreement with Abbott In- ing on the government and borrow- tional salaries and subsidies in a ternational to manufacture 26 innovative ing from various institutions. country that does not have taxes, The problem is social and ethi- almost non-existent customs duties products in Kuwait, reports Al-Qabas daily. cal before it is a logistical, fi nancial In his Twitter account, the minister said, “A new and the prices of fuel, electricity, and political. water and food are relatively cheap. achievement for the Ministry of Health, and creation of Despite the scarcity of state re- jobs in various medical industries is the fruit of the Consequently, we not only com- sources, the diminishing size of the plain about the lack of suffi cient efforts of the Food and Medicine Control Sector, as it prosperity state has strengthened regulations to encourage investment decent housing for thousands of and the dimin- citizens, but also those who have by global pharmaceutical companies. This has resulted ishing area of in the Abbott International Company signing an agree- acquired homes complain about the proper hous- increased cost of building material, ment to manufacture 26 innovative products in the State ing land, citi- of Kuwait”. maintenance and other issues. In this regard, the Assistant Undersecretary for Food and zens are deter- Therefore, the population prob- Medicine Control Affairs Dr Abdullah Al-Bader revealed mined to build lem is exacerbating, and most of that the ministry has recently regulated rules and procedures a house that is those concerned are busy settling for pricing of medicines in line with the latest international no less in its their personal grudges and placing US Ambassador to Kuwait Alina Romanowski in talks with the EPA Director-General standards. splendor and them above all other considerations. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmad. In his Twitter account, Dr Al-Badr said, “This will size than the Mr. Al-Anjari called for a serious encourage the attraction of major international pharmaceuti- homes of their alsarraf pause and objective discussion at Kuwait-US ties historic: Romanowski cal companies to invest in the country with the aim of keep- peers. all levels especially from the tech- ing pace with the rapid development of pharmaceutical A study by former MP and Min- nical and economic point of views, manufacturing and seeking to enter into new areas that serve ister Mishari Al-Anjari showed the as well as from the youth who are The US Ambassador to Kuwait Alina Alina Romanowski. the national economy”. average area for lifetime house in Romanowski affi rmed the depth of US- During her visit, she toured the en- Meanwhile, the American Ambassador to Kuwait Alina waiting for the allocation of hous- Gulf relations, which she described vironmental data management sector America is 224 meters, in Britain it ing for them, to develop appropriate Romanowski said in her Twitter account a few days ago, is 214 meters, and in Canada it is as historic as it dates back nearly 200 and was briefed on the environmental “Congratulations to the American healthcare company, scientifi c and practical solutions to years, reports Al-Anba daily. monitoring information system that is Abbott, for the strategic partnership with the Kuwait-Saudi 181 meters, three countries that are the problem. In her Twitter account, Ambassador concerned with the provision of environ- Pharmaceutical Industries Co (KSPICO). the richest countries in the world. Nevertheless, Mr. Mishari Al- Romanowski said, “Today marks 40 mental information. As for Kuwait, which belongs years since the establishment of the The two sides agreed to enhance I enjoyed an interactive dialogue about the future of the Anjari and many sincere people Gulf Cooperation Council. We will re- cooperation and joint action between healthcare sector in Kuwait with the Ministry of Health, the to the category of underdeveloped like him know more than others that main strong partners and friends for Kuwait and the US in various environ- Kuwait Investment Authority, and the American – Kuwaiti countries, the average size of the what they are demanding either falls years to come”. mental aspects including environmental Business Council. The American companies are world lead- house is more than fi ve times in on deaf ear or people refuse to see She stressed that Kuwait was the legislation, combating desertifi cation, ers in the field of healthcare.” those countries. There is also a near the truth and this does not make any second Gulf country to establish full dip- food security, protection of water re- ❑ ❑ ❑ total rejection of vertical housing different to a government whose pri- lomatic relations with the United States sources, preservation of coral reefs, due to the wrong social and school in 1961. and ecotourism. Probe ordered: Minister of Public Works and Minister of orities are simply unrealistic. Meanwhile, Director General of the Such visits are aimed to build bridges State for Communications and Information Technology, Dr culture. The issue is a matter of culture, Environment Public Authority (EPA) of cooperation and develop friendly re- Rana Al-Faris, has referred two senior officials in the What many do not want to pay bold decisions, and swift action, and Chairman of the Board of Directors lations between the two friendly coun- Ministry of Communications for investigation, reports attention to is that the house is not and all of these matters need some- Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmad recently re- tries. EPA seeks more cooperation for Al-Rai daily. a land and a concrete building. ceived the US Ambassador to Kuwait the preservation of the environment. thing that cannot be mentioned According to the daily, the men are accused of commit- Rather, it resembles a living organ- publicly. ting serious violations following their appointment to the ism because it needs regular main- ❑ ❑ ❑ fact-finding committee by the former Minister of State for tenance and daily cleaning, and the Services Affairs Abdullah Ma’arafi at the end of last cost of electricity and water and e-mail: [email protected] News in Brief February to investigate suspicions violations.

Over 2mln transactions: The Infor- Real estate court: The ministries of Woman’s death sentence mation Systems General Department at Justice, Commerce and Industry are the Ministry of Interior (MoI) recently currently studying the possibility of commuted in maid’s ‘kill’ confi rmed the completion of 2,819,996 establishing a special real estate court KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Court of Appeals has over- transactions related to the issuance of to receive, study and rule on real estate cases quickly, reports Al-Anba daily turned the verdict of the lower court and sentenced a Ku- residency permits through the minis- waiti woman to 15 years imprisonment with hard labor for try’s website -- https://www.moi.gov. quoting reliable sources. kw -- since the launching of this online Sources from the Ministry of Com- torturing her Filipino maid to death, reports Al-Seyassah service, reports Al Rai daily. merce and Industry revealed that the daily. According to the department, the proposed real estate court -- which is The Criminal Court had earlier sentenced the woman to number of appointments booked on currently under study to look into the capital punishment by hanging. the platform for various transactions possibility of implementing it from However, the Appeals Court upheld the verdict of the reached 1,063,854. a legal and legislative perspective in lower court which has sentenced the woman’s husband to Meanwhile, the Public Relations cooperation with the Ministry of Jus- four years imprisonment with hard labor for concealing the and Security Media Department at the tice -- once approved will handle real crime. ministry confi rmed in a press statement estate cases only. Sources said this Meanwhile, personnel from the Criminal Investiga- that the online completion of transac- court will be independent in its rulings tion Department (CID) have arrested an unidentified tions continues in light of the current and decisions, which will become ef- Indonesian nurse working in the Jahra Hospital for steal- circumstances in the country due to the fective and binding, especially since ing Pfizer Covid-19 vaccinations and vaccinating Asian spread of covid-19 and the enforcement the court shall consist of three judges women in exchange for money and helping them get ap- of health regulations to protect citizens with knowledge of various aspects of pointment for the second dose of the vaccine, says Al- real estate cases. and expatriates. It affi rmed that all Sources added the idea was pre- Seyassah . transactions in various security sectors sented when the number of real estate According to a security source, the CID men after receiv- are processed online to save time and cases submitted to the Ministry of Com- ing information that the suspect was giving vaccination to effort; while implementing social dis- merce and Industry annually increased. Asian women inside their homes, got a warrant and arrested tancing rules in service departments to Sources disclosed these cases were then the woman who turned out to be a nurse working for the curb the spread of coronavirus. referred to the judiciary and their accu- Jahra Hospital. For inquiries, please email the Infor- mulation led to delayed deliberations, During interrogation she admitted to stealing the vac- mation Systems General Department -- which negatively affected the interests cines and also said she took money from her ‘clients’. [email protected]. of merchants and citizens and caused The CID men have also arrested two Indonesian women ❑ ❑ ❑ enormous losses for them. who had received the dose illegally. The trio has been re- ferred to the Public Prosecution. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 LOCAL 4

CSC set to organize workshops Bid to promote career excellence in state institutions By Fares Al-Abdan their duties and job tasks effi ciently Development (AOAD) within the the remarkable turnout of govern- in the State of Kuwait, was keen to identify the job excellence skills, and competently, in the CSC en- framework of implementing the ac- ment employees to attend the fi rst coordinate with the award secretar- investing in human resources and Al-Seyassah Staff deavor to develop and improve the tivities plan for the second session workshop which was held under iat, and accordingly, it is in the pro- job loyalty, and a workshop entitled KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Civil level of job performance of employ- of the Arab Government Excellence the title ‘Institutional Excellence cess of implementing two training ‘Performance Management’ on June Service Commission (CSC) said it ees in ministries and government in- Award, which is held in cooperation - Leadership in Government Ser- workshops through Microsoft Teams 9, is aimed at identifying the impor- will organize workshops during the stitutions. between the AOAD and the UAE vices’, which was held on April 6, in coordination with the award sec- tance of developing a future vision coming period that will include ev- The CSC said in a statement this government under the auspices of 2021 through visual communica- retariat for government employees in and how to align plans; the strategy erything new and useful in the form is done on the principle of joint the UAE Vice President and ruler tion technology in coordination with Kuwait, including a workshop which and how to link performance indica- of sciences, knowledge, skills, and cooperation and coordination be- of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin the award secretariat the workshop will be held next Wednesday (May tors with the strategies of govern- scientifi c and practical experiences tween the commission and the Arab Rashid Al Maktoum. achieved positive reactions. 26) under the title ‘Job Excellence’. ment agencies and identify the char- to enable employees to carry out Organization for Administrative The CSC pointed out that due to The CSC as the award coordinator The aim of this workshop is to acteristics of performance indicators. Pfizer jabs-administering 5 health HH the Amir congratulates Azerbaijan on National Day KUWAIT CITY, May 27, (KUNA): His His Highness the Crown Prince centers receive 2,000 people daily Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ah- Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber mad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent on Thursday Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime a congratulatory cable to the President of Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Ha- Azerbaijan llham Aliyev, on the occasion mad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. Centers inform citizens, expats on vaccination schedule of his country’s National Day. See Page 5

KUWAIT CITY, May ‘This year we mark 60th ’versary of ties’ 27: Citizens and ex- Decision for holding general assembly patriates residing in areas where the five Jordanian envoy praises meetings in co-ops is awaited: official health centers allot- ted for administering By Fares Al-Abdan Pfizer vaccine against Kuwait-Amman relations Al-Seyassah Staff coronavirus are now KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Jordanian KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Un- receiving text messages Ambassador to Kuwait Saqer Abu Shattal dersecretary of the Ministry of Social about their vaccina- affi rmed the depth of the relation between Affairs and Community Development, tion schedule, reports Kuwait and Jordan, insisting that the bi- Abdulaziz Shuaib, said holding gen- lateral relation should serve as a model eral assembly meetings in cooperative Al-Qabas daily quoting to be followed in Arab relations, reports societies, with the approval of the min- sources from the Min- Al-Qabas daily. istry, has been referred to the Supreme istry of Health. He highlighted the common aspirations Committee for Corona Emergencies in for the future of the region, and harmony in the Council of Ministers, and that the Sources disclosed these political and economic positions as well as ministry is awaiting the issuance of an health centers are as follows: in regional and international issues. appropriate decision in this regard, and Al-Siddiq and Musaed Al- On the sidelines of a recent meeting after that a timetable will be issued in Saleh in Shaab, Mutab Al- with journalists and media professionals coordination with the boards of direc- Shalahi in Ishbilia, Masayel at his residence on the occasion of the 75th tors of the cooperative societies. and Naseem. Sources said anniversary of Jordan’s independence, Shuaib said in a press statement these health centers adminis- Ambassador Abu Shattal said, “This year Ambassador Abu Shattal we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the after the opening ceremony of the ter Pfizer vaccine in the morn- Regarding the conditions of Kuwaiti central market of the Al-Siddiq Coop- Photo by Rizk Taufiq ing and evening; in addition establishment of Jordanian-Kuwaiti rela- tions. The diplomatic relations between students in his country, he said, “There erative Society in the presence of MP Shuaib and MP Al-Arro at the opening of the Central Market in Al-Siddiq to the Pfizer vaccine allocated are 4,200 Kuwaiti students currently in Co-op. the two countries began in the year 1961, Mubarak Al-Arro, the President of the Jordanian universities including 800 stu- Al-Siddiq Cooperative Society, Bader for every governorate which and was based on the principle of respect dents specializing in general medicine Al-Wa’alan, members of the Society’s continue to provide vaccina- for states, their sovereignty and stability, about the generalities of public benefi t violations, a warning is given to the vi- and dentistry. Most Kuwaiti parents visit Board of Directors, and a number of societies, whether charitable or civil, olating association for non-compliance tion services regularly. and the pursuit of world peace.” the region’s residents and guests. Sources affi rmed that 2,000 Regarding investments in Jordan, he their children who are studying in Jor- as well as cooperative work.” with ministerial controls. dan”. The ministry is keen to ensure that Regarding the decision of the Minis- Commenting on the opening of citizens and expatriates receive stressed that Kuwait is fi rst within the In response to a question about an the holding of general assemblies and try of Social Affairs to support the pro- the central market of the Al-Siddiq Pfi zer vaccine in these centers Arab world and second globally after elections smoothly and comfortably motion of the local agricultural prod- Cooperative Society, Shuaib ex- daily – 400 in each center; there- France, revealing that, “The volume of agreement with the Kuwaiti authori- with the application of all health re- uct in cooperative societies, and in the pressed his happiness. The opening by, easing pressure on Kuwait Kuwait’s investments in Jordan is ap- ties for the recruitment of teachers from quirements. event that no association is committed was scheduled for 2020 but due to Vaccination Center at the exhibi- proximately $18 billion”. Jordan in the coming period, especially With regard to civil and charitable to implementing this decision, Shuaib the Corona pandemic, its opening tion grounds in Mishref. Sources The ambassador explained that, “These in some disciplines such as mathematics societies, he explained that the health said, “The ministry will not tolerate was delayed, while at the same time added the Sheikh Jaber Bridge investments are in real estate, tourism, in- and physics, the ambassador responded requirements are the same, and “when any association that violates the minis- praising the efforts of the society’s Vaccination Center will open dustries, communications, food and other by saying, “There is no offi cial announce- we talk about the requirements for terial decision, and that the ministry is board of directors in establishing soon and this will greatly con- such fi elds. The top foreign owners of ment in this regard. Since February, we holding public assemblies, we talk monitoring violations, and if there are and opening the market. tribute to ongoing efforts to ac- real estate in Jordan are Kuwaitis. This is have been working on returning the celerate the vaccination process. because of the security and stability in the stranded people, but we respect Kuwait’s Sources went on to say that the country”. sovereign decision in this matter. ” ministry started the third phase of the fi eld vaccination units cam- paign recently when workers in Essay writing, drawing contests on IDY salons for men and women were vaccinated. Sources disclosed the fi eld units vaccinated about Embassy launches WhatsApp 75,000 people during the fi rst and second phases of the cam- paign, indicating these units will helpline for Indians in Kuwait go to Kuwait International Air- port soon to vaccinate workers KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Embassy at the airport, airline companies of India Kuwait announces the launch of and Directorate General of Civil new WhatsApp helpline numbers for Indi- CAN announces Aviation, as well as workers in ans living in Kuwait as part of Embassy’s the vegetables, Mubarakiya other continuous efforts to strengthen, upgrade markets. and further augment existing institutional contest winners Sources added the ministry has outreach platforms for community service, intensifi ed its efforts in order to says a press release issued by the embassy. By Marwa Al-Bahrawi reach herd immunity within the The twelve (12) new WhatsApp Al-Seyassah Staff next few months, while stress- Helpline Numbers corresponding to vari- KUWAIT CITY, May 27: Chair- ing the need for more segments ous services offered by the Embassy to of the society to register on the man of the Board of Directors of the the community are made available with Cancer Awareness National (CAN) vaccination platform to ensure immediate effect. the required doses are procured campaign Dr Khaled Al-Saleh an- This facility is in addition to the exist- nounced the winners of the “Bring for them based on the priorities ing mechanism available to the communi- specifi ed earlier. Health for Your Parents” competi- ty to reach out to the Embassy, including tion, which was held recently in co- the landline and mobile numbers, e-mails operation with the Writers Associa- Distribution of and physical visits. tion for school students. The Indians who desire to utilize this He added Al-Batoul Sayed facility may send WhatsApp messages to Musa won the fi rst place, while houses begins the appropriate number as per the details Amna Al-Rashed won the second provided below. Please note that these place, and the third place was won in ‘East Taima’ numbers are for WhatsApp text queries by the Ayat Al-Roumi. only and not for calls. For telephone calls, Al-Saleh said in a statement the By Abdul Nasser Al-Aslami the existing landline and mobile numbers competition shed light on the im- Al-Seyassah Staff may continue to be used. portance of embodying the concept Also, please note that only those messag- of honoring parents by checking KUWAIT CITY, May 27: Minis- es that are received with full name, address on their health conditions, follow- ter of State for Municipal Affairs and contact number will be replied to. and Minister of State for Hous- ing them up, and encouraging them Except for the emergency helpline num- to opt for early check-ups. ing and Urban Development, ber, replies from other helpline numbers will Shaya Al-Shaya, announced the He added the competition also be sent during offi cial working hours (0800 aimed to raise awareness about start of distributing 104 homes in to 1630 hrs, Sunday to Thursday). the first lottery in the East Taima this important topic through lit- The details of helpline numbers are as erature and with the help of a dis- Housing Project designated for follows: Passport (not for routine queries), the category covered by Law No. tinguished and talented group of Consular Wing +965-65501767; Visa, young men and women who gave 2/2015. OCI, Attestation, Miscellaneous Services, Minister Al-Shaya indicated – brief and/or detailed accounts of Consular Wing +965-65501013; Hospital how this can be done. in a statement on the occasion of & Emergency Medical Assistance, Com- the first lottery – that the number Dr Al-Saleh stressed on the impor- munity Welfare +965-65501587; Death tance of successful cooperation and of homes that will be distributed Registration, Community Affairs +965- in this project is 425, expressing partnership with the Writers Associa- 65505246; Indian Associations in Kuwait, tion, pointing out that the campaign and congratulated the beneficia- Community Affairs +965-65501078; Fe- ries of these homes. has taken many initiatives since its male Domestic Workers (VISA 20), La- inception to bring awareness to all He stressed next week will see bour Wing +965-65501754; Labour (VISA the distribution of approximately segments of society. 14,18) & Male Domestic Workers (VISA Al-Saleh, who was a member of 7 thousand plots of land for the 20), Labour Wing +965-65501769; Com- “Sabah Al-Ahmad” residential the jury, added that the participat- mercial Attestation, Commerce Wing +965- ing write-ups were received and project, indicating that the dis- 65505097; Emergency Helpline (outside tribution of these vouchers will presented to the jury from the Writ- the offi cial working hours), Administration ers Association, comprising writers be divided into several parts, in Wing +965-65501946. compliance with the health con- Badria Mubarak, Jamila Jumaa, and This is in addition to Passport (rou- Hamoud Al-Mutairi, the secretary of ditions and precautionary mea- tine queries), Outsourced Center +965- sures to protect everyone. the association and a member of the 65506360. Issues faced by Domestic competition arbitration. Workers (VISA 20) (for direct call and The evaluation was done ac- WhatsApp) Outsourced Agency +965- cording to the program that was 51759394 and +965-55157738. put in place by the committee. Meanwhile, on the occasion of Interna- tional Day of Yoga (IDY) – 2021” which falls on June 18, 2021, the embassy invites Word Limit (for Essay) 1,000 words. entries from school students for an ‘Essay The embassy may publish these entries Writing Competition’ and ‘Pencil Drawing on its social media handles. The copy- Competition’ for students on the following right of the entries should be assigned to topics Essay Writing – Benefi ts of Yoga & the Embassy of India in Kuwait by the Meditation in everyday life for Class VII – IX respective participants. and ‘India: Home of Yoga’ for Class X – XII. An undertaking to this effect may be Pencil Drawing ‘A Yoga Posture that I like attached with the entries along with de- Most’. The contest is open for all students. tails such as name, nationality, passport The details associated with the competi- number, date of birth, contact phone tion are as follows: Essays and Pencil Draw- numbers and email IDs. The last date for Shaya Al-Shaya ings to be sent at [email protected] receiving entries is June 10, 2021. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 LOCAL 5

Diplomacy based on friendly relations with the neighbouring countries regardless of nationalities, religious beliefs Republic of Azerbaijan marks 103rd anniversary of its Republic Day By Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan one of missions in Baku zation, the European Bank for Re- the fi rst countries (United Kingdom, construction and Development; the Azerbaijan to the State of Kuwait in the world, and Armenia, Belgium, Council of Europe, the International n May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijani the very fi rst Mus- Greece, Georgia, Monetary Fund; and the World Bank. ONational Council declared the in- lim nation, to grant Denmark, Italy, As of 2019, Azerbaijan maintains dependent Azerbaijan Democratic Re- women equal politi- Lithuania, Persia, diplomatic relations with 182 United public in Tbilisi, Georgia. cal rights with men. Poland, United Nations member states, the State of Another important States, Ukraine, Palestine and the Holy See. As Baku was under control of Baku Azerbaijan flag Commune, Genje city was announced accomplishment of Finland, France, Azerbaijan also maintains good re- the capital of ADR. The Azerbaijani the ADR was the Switzerland, Swe- lations with the European Union, in government moved from Tbilisi to establishment of Baku State University, den). the framework of its Eastern European Ganja on 16 June, 1918. After libera- which was the fi rst modern-type univer- Territory of ADR Neighbourhood Policy. tion of Baku from Bolsheviks the capi- sity founded in Azerbaijan. While being even a part of the It is gratifying that the trilateral tal city was transferred to Baku on 15 But dark clouds were gathering USSR, Azerbaijan faced the threat statement signed between Azerbaijan, September, 1918. more and more over young Republic to its territorial integrity and secu- Russia and Armenia on November 10, On 11 January, 1920 the Supreme of Azerbaijan. Strategically important rity. During the Soviet times the ter- 2020 provides for the restoration of Council of the Allied Powers – the geographical location and oil resources ritories of Zangezur, Goyche, a part Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over Kara- winners in the World War I, unani- of Baku became the main target of So- of Nakhchivan and other regions were bakh and other liberated territories, as mously decided to recognize de facto viet Russia in the Transcaucasus direc- taken from Azerbaijan in favor of the well as the restoration of communica- independence of Azerbaijan. tion. In mid-April 1920, the Red Army neighboring Armenia. As a result, the tion between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Regarded as the fi rst democratic repub- defeated the remnants of Denikin’s territory of Azerbaijan that during the Old city - Baku The implementation of the provisions lic of the Muslim East, Azerbaijan made army and reaching the northern border times of the Azerbaijan Democratic of the statement serves not only the reforms in many fi elds including freedom of Azerbaijan, fi nished the occupation Republic (1918-1920) constituted 114 Azerbaijan state is now a modern, veloped industries such industries as economic interests of two countries, of education, religion and conscience. of Azerbaijan on 28 April.The Azer- thousand sq. km. reduced to 86.6 thou- democratic, legal, secular, unitary re- oil and gas, petrochemical, machine but all the countries of the region (Iran, In the Declaration of Independence, baijan Soviet Republic was established sand sq. km. On July 7, 1923 at the ini- public. State power in the Azerbaijan building, metallurgy, construction ma- Turkey, Russia, Georgia). The agree- the country granted equal rights to all in the place of the Azerbaijan Demo- tiative of the Moscow leadership of the Republic is based on the principle terials, light industry. Agriculture is ment envisages the establishment of citizens, regardless of race, religion, cratic Republic. Bolshevik party, the Nagorno-Kara- of separation of powers: legislative mainly specialized in silk production, direct communication between Azer- sect or gender. Foreign relations bakh Autonomous region (NKAR) power is exercised by the Milli Mejlis viticulture, livestock, vegetable grow- baijan and Nakhchivan through the Under the ADR, a government sys- The main direction of Azerbaijan di- with dominating Armenian population (Parliament) of the Azerbaijan Repub- ing and gardening. territory of Armenia. At the same time, tem was developed in which a Parlia- plomacy was based on friendly relations was artifi cially set up at the territory of lic, the executive power is vested in the In recent years, a modern tourism in- this means the establishment of direct ment elected on the basis of universal, with the neighbouring countries regard- Azerbaijan. This decision became the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, frastructure has been created in Azerbai- relations between Armenia and Rus- free, and proportionate representation less of their nationalities and religious fi rst step on the way of goal-oriented the judicial power is exercised by the jan and the tourism sector has developed sia, Turkey and Azerbaijan. From a was the supreme organ of state au- beliefs. The fi rst peace and friendship policy of separation of Nagorno-Kara- courts of the Azerbaijan Republic. rapidly.Azerbaijan’s beautiful nature, cli- geopolitical point of view, it means a thority; the Council of Ministers was treaty of the Republic – “Treaty of Ba- bakh from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijanian language is offi cial mate diversity, rich and delicious cuisine new geographical connection between held responsible before it. Besides tum” was signed with the Ottoman Em- Independent Azerbaijan language of the Azerbaijan Republic. create ample opportunities for the devel- East and West. the “Musavat” majority, “Ahrar”, “It- pire. Among the representation of the Despite a short life of 23 months, Azerbaijan Republic ensures free use opment of this fi eld. As a result of the successful and far- tihad”, “Social Democrats” parties as ADR abroad were the Azerbaijani Peace ADR became a great school for demo- and development of other languages The Republic of Azerbaijan is a sighted policy pursued by the Presi- well as representatives of Armenian, Delegation in Paris; Diplomatic Repre- cratic Azerbaijani intellectuals around spoken by the people. The monetary member of the United Nations, Orga- dent of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Russian, Polish, Jewish and German sentatives to Georgia, Armenia; Persia; the world. After the collapse of the unit of the Azerbaijan Republic is nization of Islamic Cooperation, the H.H. Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan will minorities gained seats in the parlia- Constantinople; General Consul in Ba- Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained its “manat” (1 USD=1.70 manat). Non-Aligned Movement, the Organi- become not only a country that ensures ment. tumi; Consul to Ukraine and Consul in independence, declaring himself the Azerbaijan Republic has a diversi- zation for Security and Cooperation Europe’s energy security, but also a Among the important accomplish- Crimea. Agreements on the principles of heir of ADR in 1991 and restored the fi ed industry and agriculture, extensive in Europe, NATO’s Partnership for transport hub between East and West ments of the Parliament was the ex- mutual relations were signed with some attributes of it – the fl ag, emblem and transport infrastructure, development Peace, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership (Europe and Asia), North and South tension of suffrage to women, making of them; sixteen states established their anthem. of science, a rich ancient culture: De- Council, the World Health Organi- (Russia, Iran and India). ‘Employer hiring domestic worker from Philippines must have KD2,500 salary’

Philippine Embassy lays down conditions for contracts nod

KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait has laid down con- ditions for endorsing con- tracts for the recruitment of Filipino domestic work- ers; including the condition that a foreign employer’s salary should not be less than KD2,500 in order to KUNA photos Kuwait Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr protect the financial rights Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah discussed over a phone call late of the workers, reports Al- Tuesday with Libyan Foreign Minister Dr Najla Al-Mangoush the bilateral ties between the countries. The two sides also touched on Libyan happen- Jarida daily. ings and continuous efforts to strengthen the desired political process. The daily quoted owners of some recruitment offices as saying that after suspending the procedure for a long time, the embassy resumed the endorsement of contracts be- tween the recruitment offices and prospective foreign employers re- Part of the road maintenance work siding in Kuwait. Aside from the abovementioned sal- ary ceiling, other conditions include Move includes raising level traffic safety the need for the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) to issue a work permit in English and the owners of PART plans to develop roads, highways network recruitment offi ces must sign a pledge By Muhammad Ghanem the National Assembly, the author- vision of Construction and Main- to pay the worker’s salary in case the ity stated that the aforementioned tenance of Kabd-Sulaibiya Road employer violates stipulations of the Al-Seyassah Staff contract. agreement includes the construction Development Works.” in addition to Reliable sources said the embas- KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The Pub- of main roads 24 km long and 100m a part of the Kabd Al-Sulaibiya In- sy wants to set clear-cut rules for lic Authority for Roads and Trans- wide (3 lanes in each direction that dustrial Road link along part of the Kuwaitis and expatriates who hire portation (PART) announced it has can be increased to 4 lanes in each Sixth Ring Road and also the devel- Filipino domestic workers to pre- set in its plan to develop and main- direction and secondary roads 110 opment of the Kabd-Al-Sulaibiya In- vent the repetition of problems that tain the Kabad Road to upgrade the km long and 50 m wide (as listed in dustrial link, which includes parts of The Indian Ambassador to Kuwait HE Sibi George called on Sheikh Faisal domestic workers faced in previous existing main and highway network the documents). Abd Al-Sulaibiya Road (604) along Al-Humoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah, Advisor, Amiri Diwan, and discussed in- years; mainly those related to finan- system in various regions of Kuwait The contract also includes the the Sixth Ring Road and the Seventh ter-alia bilateral ties and ways to further enhance them. Both sides also cial entitlements like salaries. The and to connect the new housing cit- construction of 3 lanes in each di- Ring Road. discussed the issue of joint celebrations of India-Kuwait@60, COVID-19 embassy has yet to comment on this. ies to the public roads network of rection and local roads with a length The authority indicated that the developments, Diaspora related matters and issues of mutual interest. In January 2020, the Philippines highways and bridges. of 50 km and a width of 25 meters possibility of developing the Kabd imposed a ban on sending new domes- PART indicated the plan includes (2 lanes in both directions) as well road, in principle, with a length of the first edition of which was pub- tic workers to Kuwait after a Filipino raising the level traffi c safety on the as the development of services for (21 km), extending from the Seventh Iran resistance lished in September 2011, and the domestic worker was sexually abused current road network in accordance the aforementioned roads to include Ring Road to the southern part of second edition in April 2012, re- and killed by her employer. with specifi cations and standards rainwater drainage, sewage, wa- the regional road next to the Ahmad Continued from Page 1 vealed the regime’s secret activities Recruitment and said that this is done through ter networks, telephone networks, al-Jaber base, which was studied in the construction of Natanz and “studying, designing and supervis- street lighting and traffi c signs in previously due to the multiple dan- the MEK from sources within the Meanwhile, Head of the Union of Arak sites as secretary of the Su- Domestic Labor Recruitment Agen- ing the implementation and mainte- addition to other works. gers and frequent accidents on this regime, with the headline “Atomic preme Council of National Security cies Khaled Al-Dakhnan revealed nance of the road network in Kabd The authority added there is also vital road, which is frequently used Energy Organization Performance of the regime. The book outlined the that the date for signing the Kuwaiti- area” to build the roads of interna- another agreement that has been de- by trucks, which connects southern (Excluded from public appropria- plan for nuclear negotiations with Ethiopian Memorandum of Under- tional specifi cations and standards. signed by an international consulting Kuwait with the Sulaibiya Industrial tions)”, it is stated, “At this time, Western countries after 2003 and standing for the recruitment of do- In a memorandum addressed to offi ce for “Study, Design and Super- Area. it was found that in two sites, in noted numerous instances of the re- mestic workers is imminent, reports Al-Anba daily. Natanz, with its centrifuge system, gime’s deception and lies designed and in Arak, with the construction In an exclusive statement issued Bid to save time, effort and money of citizens to fool the IAEA and thwart its in- on the sidelines of his meeting with of a 40 MW reactor, some mea- vestigation into the regime’s nuclear sures have been taken in this area. the Ethiopian ambassador to Kuwait file, while continuing the regime’s earlier this week, Al-Dakhnan ex- Unfortunately, the Islamic Consul- nuclear activities. Some of Hassan plained that the Ethiopian govern- Municipality launches electronic services tative Assembly was not aware of Rouhani’s confessions in this book ment will either assign a delegation these two major plans and related to visit Kuwait and sign the memo- KUWAIT CITY, May 27: Facilitating the previous period and it has fi nally fl ected in the speed of procedures are as follows: services and simplifying procedures is yielded results in terms of the satis- and issuance of the licenses. We also projects, and it is not clear to the ■ In a letter to the heads of the re- randum or assign the ambassador legislature where the funding relat- himself to sign the memorandum. a major goal for Kuwait Municipality faction of citizens, particularly the developed more than a sector related gime, Rouhani suggests the objec- The two sides agree on all the terms to meet the citizens’ needs effortlessly. people of Mutla city, about the elec- to licenses (cadastral and organiza- ed to this plan has been provided tives of negotiations and discussions from, and how the plan was initi- in the memorandum without any sig- With the service of electronic licenses, tronic system. tional plan) as this made easy steps. with the Foreign Ministers of France, ated and implemented, just as there nificant modifications related to the there is no need for visits, waiting in “A large segment of citizens ben- It also led us to link the municipality England and Germany to be, “If long queues, long documentary cycles, efi ted from the electronic services with several other entities, such as is no mention of these plans in the unified contract in force in Kuwait. the case is referred to the Security He stressed the keenness of the union and a medium. One can request for is- that were recently launched by the the Ministry of Public Works. government’s three-year report.” Council, the issue will not merely be and its board of directors over the past suance and extract licenses anytime municipality, as they saw the devel- “All the procedures carried out At the end of the report, it is stat- sanctions or a weak possibility of a years to complete the memorandum, they want electronically while sitting opment in several areas that allowed by the municipality have achieved ed that “the Islamic Consultative military attack, but the more impor- highlighting the many visits made in their homes or offi ces, reports Al- them to complete their transactions the desired plan to obtain a private Assembly’s ignorance of the con- by the union prior to the COVID-19 Rai daily. electronically without any trouble. residence permit within a period not struction of the Natanz and Arak tant issue is that our nuclear achieve- pandemic to ensure the readiness of ments may be at risk… A new electronic qualitative leap The latest of these was the issuance exceeding two working days, if it processes and the decision-making ■ domestic workers and their training to has been added to the record of the of building permits for the people of is in accordance with the rules and process on their construction and “Our strategy must be multifac- adapt to the Kuwaiti society. Director of Kuwait Municipality the city of Mutla”. regulations in force in the building the allocation of their funding are eted: preserving and completing Al-Dakhnan indicated that the re- Engr. Ahmad Al-Manfouhi and his Engr. Al-Manfouhi highlighted regulation”. among the vague and exploratory the country’s nuclear achieve- cruitment of Ethiopian workers will team, after enabling the people of the existence of coordination with the Regarding Mutla City, Engr., Al- ments, preventing the referral of contribute greatly to diversifying the Mutla City to issue building permits Public Authority for Housing Affairs Mutairi said, “The municipality has points of the organization’s man- sources of recruitment and reviving the agement report. The country has the case to the Security Council, for their plots between 60 minutes (PAHW) to allocate land for construc- formed teams to accommodate the turning the threat into an opportu- domestic labor sector, which has been paid and will pay the costs arising suffering for years due to successive to 48 hours at most through an inte- tion waste, clarifying that the term licenses, especially as it represents out of such operations, which ul- nity” …If one day we are forced to crises, and that it will also reduce the grated electronic system that reduces “municipality express”, as he previ- 12 suburbs, each of which includes timately resulted in the signing of go to the Security Council, at least cost for the recruitment of domestic time, cost and effort simultaneously. ously referred to, was intended only fi ve plots with 28,000 housing units. Engr. Al-Manfouhi expressed his to indicate the municipality’s speed in The teams have been formed to work the Additional Protocol with many we must have laid the ground for workers. it in advance. So, in the short term He affi rmed that the Ethiopian do- happiness about the reactions of citi- completing transactions, and “it means overtime to complete all licenses, es- problems.” zens who obtained building permits the municipality is quick” pecially as it is expected to issue a Nuclear diplomacy or nuclear we should not allow the case to be mestic workers undergo training at referred to the Security Council,” good training centers provided by the through the electronic service, which Meanwhile, Director of Jahra Mu- large number of licenses at the same duplicity, Hassan Rouhani’s ■ government there to teach them the the municipality worked to present nicipality Engr. Thamer Al-Mutairi time. To realize this, special teams confessions In another section, he wrote, “I always believed that whenever basics of Arabic language, and how to in a distinctive way. said, “The municipality developed were formed by the director general, Hassan Rouhani’s book, “National deal with Arab societies, customs and He stressed that, “Tremendous ef- regulations for licenses before the and the Jahra and Capital sectors to Security and Nuclear Diplomacy”, Continued on Page 6 traditions. fort was exerted in this regard during COVID-19 pandemic. This was re- approve the fi nal licenses”. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 6

The most important military nuclear sites of the Iranian necessary to note that based on existing information, regime are listed here to highlight its deception. It is even more actual military nuclear sites exist in Iran. ❑ ❑ ❑ 1. Lavizan-Shian Site 2. Mojdeh Site (Lavizan 2) This site was the command center of the nuclear weap- ons organization responsible for the AMAD Project to build five nuclear warheads. After the Iranian Resistance disclosed this site on May 15, 2003, the regime completely dismantled the site and relo- cated all equipment, removed the upper layers of earth to a depth of 4 meters, and only allowed IAEA inspectors to visit in June 2004. In an interview with the French daily Figaro on February 23, 2008, an inspector at the In- ternational Atomic Energy Agency, Chris Charlier, ex- Lavizan-Shian site, Iran — August 11, 2003 plained that the earth at the Lavizan-Shian site was prov- en to be contaminated with uranium enriched up to 20%. The same site was mentioned again in the IAEA’s 2020 report as one of the military nuclear sites. The diagram of the AMAD project’s organi- zational chart indicates that After the disclosures about Lavizan-Shian, the regime was forced to replace it with a new site where the set of requirements for the command of the nuclear weapons project would be based. The new site was known as Mojdeh or building a nuclear weapon Lavizan. and placing it on a missile 2. The Iranian Resistance disclosed the location of the site in April and November 2004. In these dis- had been anticipated. Ac- closures, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi was publicly identified by the Iranian Resistance as the head cording to the diagram, the of the organization in charge of building nuclear weapons. In the following years, the IAEA demanded whole project was divided an interview with Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi as the head of this organization, but the Iranian regime into four main projects. never allowed the IAEA to interview Fakhrizadeh. In the following years Mojdeh site activities changed Aerial photographs of the and the main headquarters of SPND Organization was transferred to the Noor building near the same Lavizan-Shian site before and site. Mojdeh site became a part of activities related to SPND Organization with the aim of justifying after the complete clean-up. Lavizan-Shian site, Iran — March 24, 2004 such activities as academic and scientific research, including in the field of applied physics. ❑ ❑ ❑ 3. Gachin Mine Site In order to create a complete cycle for the construction of a nu- project was also named the Port Project as Gachin mine was situ- clear weapon in the AMAD Project, the operators of the nuclear ated close to Bandar Abbas, a major port on the coast of the Per- weapons manufacturing organization had taken over an uranium sian Gulf. extraction mine known as the Gachin mine in southern Iran near In His Exalted (Allah’s) Name Bandar Abbas. They established a company called Kimia Maadan The minutes of the delivery and handoff of the Port Project Company to conduct the extraction and production of yellow cake Following the approval of the Supreme Council of National at the mine. This plan was part of the AMAD Project for ura- Security and the approval of Mr. Aghazadeh, the following sig- nium extraction and yellow cake production, but after revelations natories reviewed the process of delivery and handoff of the Port about the secret activities of the regime related to nuclear weap- Project and agreed as follows. ons and the entry of IAEA inspectors into Iran, responsibility for 1. From 03/18/2004, the process of delivering the above project the company at Gachin mine was transferred from the Ministry of to the Atomic Energy Organization began. Defense to the Atomic Energy Organization. It was then claimed 2. It was decreed that the Atomic Energy Organization to the that the company had been established in 2000 and dissolved in maximum of 12 Ordibehesht 1383 (May 10, 2004) in accordance 2003. But the plan was part of the AMAD Project and according with paragraph 1 of Article 8 of the Additional Protocol identify the to the following document, it was in the hands of the Educational aforementioned project as uranium mine and uranium concentrate and Research Institute of the Defense Industries. factory under the supervision of the Atomic Energy Organization On February 30, 2008, the National Council of Resistance’s to the International Atomic Energy Agency. In this regard, at most Defense and Strategic Research Commission disclosed that “the until the above date, all documents and evidence... presentable to [Kimia Maadan] company was founded in conjunction with the the Agency [IAEA] and the information that the Agency requires IRGC and specifically for the same leaked nuclear activities, and from the Islamic Republic of Iran... should be specified or requested later, for fear of IAEA inspections and inquiries, it was obliged after inspection, prepared by both organizations. to clean up and destroy all its records and documents so that it 3. Be it decreed to the Atomic Energy Organization to provide could claim that it had been suspended and closed in the same all the different scenarios for this delivery and handoff in a way year 2003.” that is more consistent with the Agency’s inspections, and from In a cover-up of its nuclear weapons related activities, the re- among the options proposed by the two organizations (the option gime transferred the company responsible for the Gachin mine of companies affiliated to the organization or the option of Kimia from the Ministry of Defense to the Atomic Energy Organization Maadan Industrial Group) be reviewed and to announce its final in accordance with the following document. The text of this docu- opinion to the delivery provider at most until 04/10/2005. ment clearly shows the regime’s intentional lying and its cover 5. One of the options approved in the preliminary review of the up of the Ministry of Defense’s involvement with this mine. This parties and was… ❑ ❑ ❑ 4. Malek Ashtar University

Malek Ashtar University is a re- search complex of the Ministry of Defense and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). Mojdeh site is in the vicinity of this university. Vari- ous parts of the nuclear weapons manufacturing program, especially in the field of chemicals and metal materials, including the production of polonium 210 for the manufacture of neutron triggers have been carried out at Malek Ashtar University. In a cover up of the secret activities of the nuclear weapons manufacturer, the regime named Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi to the head of the univer- sity and defined the weapons manu- facturer and Mojdeh site as its subset. This organization was again changed a while later. ❑ ❑ ❑ 5. Imam Hussein University Continued from Page 5 ❑ ❑ ❑ we were confident about the ability to enrich, with preliminary arrange- This university, which is considered report. The university being related to the ments, it should be suspended. That the training center of the Revolution- IRGC, is listed as a technical university. is why we accepted the suspension ary Guards, has a nuclear physics field in The Imam Hussein University’s curricu- voluntarily and for a short period of which Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi and lum purportedly include activities related time. In a few letters to the heads Fereydoon Abbasi and a few other key to laser enrichment of uranium as well as of the state, I emphasized that we personnel of the construction of nuclear the construction of neutron generators and need several tons of UF6 to enter weapons are lecturers. The regime trans- other nuclear weapons tests. In SPND Or- the enriching process, and in ad- ferred some of its equipment to Imam Hus- ganization documents, there is also refer- dition, our technology must be sein University after the destruction of the ence to a nuclear weapons research project completed and materials and fa- Lavizan-Shian site. IAEA inspectors found at the university whose research fellow cilities transferred to a safe place traces of enriched uranium in an inspection is Fereydoon Abbasi. All these activities (tunnel). The main goal of our of these equipment, as stated in the IAEA’s were kept secret. Continued on Page 7

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 7

be put in it and we’ve taken out that tank 6. Sanjarian Site (Calandria) because the design changes, the tank form has to be changed and we’re building another tank that’s in the reactor pit… Calandria, there are tubes where the fuel goes [in the calandria]. We had bought similar tubes, but I could not declare this at the time. Only one per- son in Iran knew this. We told no one but highest senior official of the state (Ali Khamenei), no one else knew that… His Excellency (Ali Khamenei) had said to be careful that these people are bad on promises, so we had to do our job intel- ligently and with wisdom, that is, in addi- tion to not destroying the bridges behind us, we would build bridges that would al- low to go back faster if we were to return. These are tubes with a diameter of two to three centimeters and a length of three or four meters that had a head and a tail, and we had bought the same quantity of similar tubes. When they told us to pour cement into the tubes… we said: ‘Fine. We will pour.’ But we did not tell them that we had other tubes. Otherwise, they would have told us to pour cement into those tubes as well. Now we have the same tubes.” Hiding Mohsen Fakhrizadeh The history of the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons manufacturing appara- tus is tied to a key figure named Brigadier General Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi, whose significance became more appar- ent after his death in October 2020. A summary of his background follows: “Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has been a member of the Revolutionary Guards since the beginning of the revolution. He studied nuclear engineering and worked at the IRGC Research Center since 1991 and has been a member of the faculty of physics at Imam Hussein University of the Revolutionary Guards since 1991, and after Sayyid Abbas Shahmoradi, he This site, which consists of a series of tunnels under the mountains and facilities along contains a list of experiments conducted in the upper and lower test rooms of Nurabad has been the head of the Center for Physi- the Jajrood River near the village of Sanjarian, is the location for tests related to the con- from October 23, 2002, to December 10, 2002. Tests show that during this period of ap- cal Research or Applied Physics (former struction of nuclear weapons detonators. It is one of the divisions of the nuclear weapons proximately two months, the wave impact generator is being developed. name of the nuclear weapons manufac- manufacturer known as the METFAZ. The site was first disclosed by the Iranian Resis- Several tests are being conducted and reviewed to experiment with a smaller version turer). Within the regime, the initial team tance in September 2009. SPND organization documents show the components inside the warhead than what is used in a missile warhead.” SPND documents, such as photographs of nuclear weapons manufacturers, was buildings of Sanjarian site and the details of the devices. These documents refer to this site of the places inside this site, confirm the disclosure of the Iranian Resistance about Sanjar- known as the Fakhrizadeh team. He used as Nurabad, the report of the test review conducted at Sanjarian site states, “This archive ian site. the pseudonym of Dr. Hassan Mohseni within the regime. (Hassan was his fa- ❑ ❑ ❑ ther’s name and Mohsen is his first name, which was transformed into his fam- ily name in the pseudonym). The Ira- 7. Boroujerdi Site at Parchin Site nian Resistance first identified Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi in 2004 as the chief person responsible for the regime’s nuclear weapons manufacturer. His name is on the UN Security Council’s list of sanctioned entities and persons in Reso- lution 1747. The International Atomic Energy Agency had asked to interview him for over 15 years until he was killed, a request that the regime had refused.” The confessions made by various re- gime officials after his killing in No- vember 2020 further proved the extent of the Iranian regime’s military nuclear activities on the one hand, and on the other, its extensive lies and deception in the nuclear field. In an interview on De- cember 7, 2020, Fereydoon Abbasi, one of the regime’s key nuclear figures, ex- plained that the regime wanted to cover up Fakhrizadeh’s role in the nuclear field after Fakhrizadeh was killed, but that he (Abbasi) had disagreed with this. He con- In the AMAD Plan for final assembly of nuclear warheads, a relatively separate tunnel, Atomic Energy Agency on the Parchin site in 2004, according to the information received tinued to explain Fakhrizadeh’s record as and facilities (2,000 square meters of infrastructure in total) were established inside the by the Iranian Resistance, the regime changed the application of this site and allocating follows: Parchin Site, which according to the AMAD Plan was named the Boroujerdi site. Accord- it as the research center of Project 4, which is related to the regime’s missile industries. “Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was born in ing to SPND documents, this complex includes various sections needed for the construc- According to the documents of SPND Organization, in this complex, various necessary Qom and received a diploma in math- tion of nuclear weapons and there are also details of various plans for the construction laboratories for the manufacture of nuclear weapons, including metal smelting workshop ematics. When he arrived at the univer- of this site. However, due to the leaking of this project and scrutiny by the International to produce uranium metal. sity, the war broke out and he went to the frontlines and was active as a fighter ❑ ❑ ❑ on the western and southern fronts of the country. When the university reopened, he entered Shahid Beheshti University 8. Fordow Site and earned a bachelor’s degree in nuclear physics. Since he was a revolutionary guard, he worked at Imam Hussein Uni- versity and in the Department of Phys- ics... He entered the IRGC Ministry, where he was introduced to my unit, the Nuclear Defense Unit... We had bought equipment for nuclear defense, and he prepared to take over the equipment and in less than two years became the coun- try’s first-class specialist in working with nuclear detectors and electronic systems. “... In the early 1990’s, he was the di- rector of a division that was supposed to prepare the roadmap for the nuclear industry... In three years, he was able to design the roadmap for transforming Iran’s nuclear industry. “The country’s decision was that Mar- tyr Fakhrizadeh mobilize the country’s defense capability in the service of the nuclear industry and photonics and audi- This site, referred to as al-Ghadir in the AMAD Plan, was intended for enriching uranium disclosing the site earlier. After the site was exposed, the regime quickly reoriented the use ology... I had the honor of working with for nuclear weapons with 3,000 P2 centrifuges. The existence of this site was revealed for of this site and specifically its halls and quickly provided the system for the installation of him for 33 years.” the first time in 2005 by the Iranian Resistance. In September 2009, three Western heads of P1 centrifuges and only then allowed the visit of IAEA inspectors. In documents of SPND state announced the regime’s nuclear work at this site while strongly condemning it for not Organization, the drilling plans of the Fordow site tunnel as well as the draft contract seen. Resistance exposes and impedes Over the past 30 years, the Iranian Re- ❑ ❑ ❑ sistance has made dozens of disclosures about the mullahs’ regime’s nuclear Continued from Page 6 we will immediately abandon the suspension.” hoax program. It has published a number diplomatic activities was firstly to give the opportunity to ■ The Daily Telegraph reported on March 5, 2006, that During the JCPOA negotiations, the clerical regime of books on the regime’s nuclear de- ceptions, including How Iran Regime complete the country’s technology and reliable possibility Hassan Rouhani had in a closed meeting, the content of continued its strategic deception. For example, Ali Akbar which was provided by MEK sources in Iran, “revealed Salehi, in an interview with Iran’s state-run TV Channel Cheated the World in June 2014, A to enrich and secondly build trust and resolve accusations how Teheran played for time to dupe the West after its 4 on January 22, 2019,4 commented on published reports Writ of Deception and Cover-up: Irani- and doubts. I’ve repeatedly told the head of the Atomic En- secret nuclear programme was uncovered by the Iranian about pouring concrete into the heart of the Arak reactor: an Regime’s Secret Committed Hid Mil- ergy Organization that every day that he can launch a 164 opposition in 2002.” “The Arak reactor has a cavity that is called Calandria. itary Dimensions of its Nuclear Program pilot within two months and reach 3.5 percent production, Admissions of Iran’s aeo chief on the Arak reactor (The heart of the reactor) is placed in it and the fuel has to Continued on Page 8

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 8

9. SPND Command Center, Noor Building Continued from Page 7 12. Explosion Chamber (Parchin Site) in February 2016 which is about the re- gime’s lies to the IAEA about possible military dimensions (PMD) of its nuclear program, Iranian Regime’s Nuclear Du- plicity: An Analysis of Tehran’s Trickery in Talks with the P 5+1 in February 17, 2016, which is about Hassan Rouhani’s lies in the nuclear negotiations. Extent of Concealment The biggest deception and conceal- ment by the Iranian regime surround its military nuclear activities. The regime had initially prepared the AMAD plan to build five nuclear warheads to be in- stalled on the Shahab 3 missile. Although the plan was publicly discontinued years later as the regime came under interna- tional scrutiny, it was however covertly restarted. A review of the number of sites that the regime has built throughout Iran for military nuclear activities highlights This center is the command center of the The address was first disclosed by the its strategy of concealment and decep- nuclear weapons manufacturer, SPND, and Iranian Resistance in 2013. Some of the tion. is in the north of Tehran near Mojdeh site. front companies affiliated to SPND Orga- In preparation for its 2020 quarterly Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi’s main of- nization are also based in the same loca- reports, the International Atomic Energy fice was in this building. tion. Agency (IAEA) inquired about four sites related to the regime’s nuclear activities and three sites were inspected. Apart ❑ ❑ ❑ from these 4 sites, information on at least 15 other sites in connection with the re- gime’s military nuclear activities have 10. Noori Industry, Hemmat Missile Industries been detailed in this report. We exam- ine a collection of these 19 sites in this report. None of the below reported 15 sites were voluntarily announced by the Ira- nian regime and all have been revealed and exposed despite the regime’s ex- tensive concealment. This goes to show the dimensions of the regime’s secret military nuclear activities and that its statements to the International Atomic Energy Agency are essentially unreliable and designed to deceive and divert from the truth of the military dimensions of its nuclear activities. Amad plan setback The Iranian regime had initially em- barked on a major nuclear weapons Part of hydrodynamic tests for the to SPND documents, the place is called project known as the AMAD Plan that manufacture of nuclear weapons were Taleghan 1 and Taleghan 2. According to was severely curtailed due to disclo- carried out in the explosion chamber of the disclosure of the Iranian Resistance sures surrounding its key site at Lavi- the Parchin Site. Saeed Borji, one of the in March 2021, Saeed Borji established zan-Shian. This consequential setback managers of the AMAD Plan, conducted a new company in Isfahan to build large delayed the regime’s drive to acquire this project with Ukrainian scientists and spherical tanks. The company name is nuclear weapons. The Iranian Resis- the chamber was built with their help. “Azar Afrooz Saeed Limited Liability tance detailed this setback and delay in The IAEA asked to visit the site in 2012. Company” and was established in June the regime’s drive for a nuclear weapon The regime completely dismantled and 2015 in the field of “forming metals us- in December 2007 in response to the US washed over the site for about two years, ing gas force” in Isfahan. The company is National Intelligence Estimate that was and only then allowed the inspection. In building spherical tanks, and to form these published on December 3, 2007. The 2014, the Iranian Resistance disclosed the tanks, an explosion is needed following disclosures had forced the regime to not details of the construction of these explo- similar physics for nuclear weapons deto- only delay its program but to change the sive chambers by Azarab Company in Is- nators. whole structure of its nuclear weapons fahan. Photographs obtained from SPND Saeed Borji has thus created a front organization after 2003, as well as to documents show images of the explosion company to continue nuclear-related ac- destroy some sites associated with the chambers inside the complex. According tivities. project over the following years, in- cluding the Lavizan-Shian site and the Mobarakiyeh site, which were razed and ❑ ❑ ❑ destroyed. The regime, however, con- tinued its secret military nuclear activi- ties in other forms. 13. Semnan Site In the AMAD Plan, which started in 1999 and continued into 2003, all aspects Hemmat Missile Industries, which is Resistance, Dr. Kamran Daneshjoo (a of the production of a nuclear weapon dedicated to the construction of ballistic minister in Ahmadinejad’s government) were anticipated and a specific site was missiles such as Shahab 3 missiles, has a was responsible for the design of a missile allocated for each part of the plan. But close relationship with the nuclear weap- warhead according to the AMAD Plan. after the regime was forced to stop the ons manufacturer, SPND Organization. Among SPND documents are designs for project due to international scrutiny com- For instance, the Noori Industry, as part fitting a nuclear bomb on missile warhead. ing after disclosures by the Iranian Re- of the Hemmat Missile Industries, worked There is also a document that showing sistance, activity at some of these sites on the construction of a nuclear warhead the regime planned to build five warheads. stopped or was reoriented to a more for the Shahab 3 missile, which the Irani- (Of course, the implementation of this plan concealed nuclear weapons program. an Resistance disclosed in February 2008. was halted and postponed by the disclosure The nuclear weapons production phases According to disclosures by the Iranian of Lavizan-Shian) include: ■ Command of nuclear weapons manu- ❑ ❑ ❑ facturing (Lavizan-Shian site) ■ Uranium extraction and production of yellow cake (Gachin site) 11. Haft-e-Tir Site ■ Production of uranium hexafluoride (Mobarakiyeh site known as Tehran site) ■ Uranium Enrichment (Fordow site known as Al-Ghadir) ■ Construction of nuclear weapons deto- nators (Sanjarian site known as Nurabad 1and 2) ■ Underground nuclear explosion testing (Semnan site known as Project Midan) ■ Hydrodynamic testing (explosion chamber inside the Parchin site known as Taleghan) ■ Nuclear weapons related high explo- sive tests (Abadeh site, also known as Marivan site) ■ Uranium metal production (Daroodi site in Mahallati Industries ■ Final construction of a nuclear bomb (Boroujerdi site in the Parchin site) Reorientation of nuclear program Within the scope of Semnan’s missile explosion tests related to the construction of Since 2003, the organization tasked site, there is a site related to the SPND Or- a nuclear weapon, as the Midan Project. In with nuclear weapons development in ganization, in which underground explo- the following document dated 11/12/2000, the Iranian regime has been continuously sion tests related to nuclear weapons has the names of eight managers of the AMAD renamed, reorganized, and relocated to been conducted. This site is located near the Plan, known as the Fakhrizadeh team, have avoid detection. This has been the sub- Semnan missile site. The existence of this been mentioned. They include (Mohsen) Haft-e-Tir Site is one of the major cen- er disclosure, an expert at Imam Hussein ject of several disclosures by the Nation- explosives test site related to SPND Organi- Fakhrizadeh (Mahabadi) and (Fereydoon) ters of the regime’s defense industries lo- University is quoted by the Iranian Resis- al Council of Resistance from 2003 to zation at the Semnan site was disclosed by Abbasi (Davani), Ali-Mohammadi, Naderi, cated in Isfahan, which has participated tance as saying, “Haft-e-Tir Site plays the 2011 to expose these new organizations the Iranian Resistance in April 2017. In part Meghdadi, (Ali) Karimi, (Mansour) Asgari, in various segments of the construction same role as the METFAZ site in the man- and the regime’s reorientations. These of this disclosure, it is stated that “MET- (Mohammad Javad) Hadian(fard). Also, in of nuclear weapons. The regime created a ufacture of nuclear weapons detonators, in changes are also reflected in the chro- FAZ specialists go to Semnan firing range the other document, the coordinates of the tunnel complex for nuclear activities in the connection with the Mojdeh site (Nuclear nology annex to the IAEA’s November (air and space test area) weekly for some pits in which the explosion took place, and mountains inside this site, which the Ira- Weapons Manufacturing Command Cen- 2011 report. tests, and Brig. Gen. Mostafa Siri also trav- in the other image, a picture of an explo- nian Resistance disclosed in 2013, and was ter) and Imam Hussein University of the In a September 2005 estimate of the els along with the same teams.” Documents sives package to be sent into these wells is named the “012” tunnel complex. In anoth- Revolutionary Guards.” regime’s nuclear weapons project status, of the AMAD Plan, refer to underground shown. the Iranian Resistance had announced that ❑ ❑ ❑ the Lavizan-Shian site’s disclosure had ❑ ❑ ❑ Continued on Page 9

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from there to some other secret sites. It is 14. Abadeh Site (Marivan Site) 16. Torghuzabad Site very clear that military nuclear activities continued in 2004.” In this way, a major blow was dealt to the regime’s secret military nuclear ac- tivities and the regime was forced to im- plement serious changes and deep cam- ouflage in the continuation of its military nuclear activities. On December 11, 2007, Mr. Moham- mad Mohaddessin, at a press conference in Brussels on the National Intelligence Estimate by U.S. intelligence agencies published on December 3, 2007, de- tailed how the regime had been forced to suspend its initial plan to build a nuclear weapon in 2003 and reoriented and con- tinued its nuclear weapons activities in new more concealed forms. “Mohammad Mohaddesin then, refer- ring to Khomeini’s letter emphasizing the necessity of acquiring “laser and nuclear weapons”, said that the regime’s halt of military nuclear activities in 2003 is related to the disclosure of the nuclear site of Lavizan-Shian, which was dis- closed on March 5, 2003. The regime had 11 secret nuclear activities ongoing in this site, which has been established since 1989… For this same reason, the regime completely destroyed the site in late 2003, so that even the soil in the area was dug up and moved to an unknown location, to prevent the IAEA from ac- cessing the activities of this center. The IAEA visited this site in June 2004, 15 months after the site was destroyed. Unfortunately, the agency’s delay in visiting the center caused it to visit the center after its destruction. In internal documents of SPND Organi- According to reports by the IAEA on was private property. But after traces of en- zation, the necessity of reorganizing and March 3, 2020, an inspection of this site riched uranium were found, it became clear hiding the apparent activities of the nu- in 2020 found traces of enriched uranium. that the regime had lied. Comparing aerial clear weapons manufacture is emphasized The spokesman for the regime’s Atomic photographs in 2017 (first aerial photo) and again around September 2003 – after the Energy Organization, Kamalvandi, had an- 2020 (second aerial photo) indicates the This site is located 30 kilometers north gust 26, 2020. According to IAEA reports, nounced earlier that the Torghuzabad site clean-up of the site. Lavizan-Shian disclosure. According to of Abadeh. The site is referred to as the traces of enriched uranium have been dis- the text of the top secret document, the de- Marivan Site in the AMAD Plan. After the covered at this site. In two disclosures in ❑ ❑ ❑ cision to divide the AMAD Plan (Project IRGC learned that the site’s location had 202048 and 2021, the Iranian Resistance 110) into two covert and overt segments been leaked, in July 2019, it abruptly de- disclosed the IRGC’s construction of this was at the orders of the Iranian regime’s molished the facilities inside the site, and site and disclosed the site’s relation to the 17. Mobarakiyeh Site Ministry of Defense which confirms the only after more than a year had passed, it METFAZ organization that was linked to military nature of the nuclear project. provided access to IAEA inspectors on Au- the SPND Organization’s divisions. In His Exalted (Allah’s) Name Plan- ning of 110 based on new measures According to new measures introduced ❑ ❑ ❑ by the respected ministry official, the Technical Committee of Project 110 met 15. Daroodi Industry in Mahallati Industries intensively to plan for the adaptation of activities with the measures. In the new approach, the work is divid- ed into two general parts: covert (secret structure and objectives) and overt (con- ventional structure). In the covert work, the direct objective for completion of the whole plan ... has been contemplated, and in deference to the new measures, the work has been divided into two parts of uncontaminated and contaminated work. In the contaminated work part, which has been camouflaged to appear as part of the uncontaminated work, the focus of colleagues has been to make these parts mobile, so that we can both be safe from espionage activities and also to not leave any observable contamination. In the overt part of the work, the objective is the preparation and development of in- frastructure, and the establishment of two university centers called “ Institute of Applied Physics” and “Research Center for Explosion and Impact Technologies” are anticipated and proposed. It is also necessary to facilitate the use materials and engineering complexes of Malek Ashtar University. It should be noted that the two aforementioned centers will not have a direct relationship with [Project] 110 and will be associated with the in- stitute or university organizationally, but due to the depth of coordination, it is nec- This site was part of the AMAD Plan of enriched uranium after visiting it in essary to appoint the person responsible known as the Tehran Site, which according 2020. Comparing air photography in 2004 for them on recommendation of the di- to SPND documents, was supposed to con- and 2020 shows changes inside this site rector of [Project] . vert uranium into uranium hexafluoride. In and the destruction of part of its facilities. 1. Key Plans the following years, the site was complete- The following Persian language document 1.1 Saqib 1: The system for static test- ly destroyed and turned into a cattle farm, relates to the design of this site known as ing. The product which has been des- but IAEA inspectors have recovered traces the Tehran Site. ignated as a key plan and its technical specifications has been prepared. These ❑ ❑ ❑ technical specifications will be reviewed and approved by the technical committee of the project. 18. Research Institute (in Plan 6 of Parchin) 1.2 Saqib 2: The system for installation This site is located within Mahallati in- of uranium metal was first disclosed by in the warhead. The technical specifica- dustries (Mechanical Industries of Hemmat the Iranian Resistance in 2011. SPND’s tions of this system will also be devel- Missile Industrial Group). Tests related to manufacturer has taken over one of the oped in such a way that it is in accordance work on uranium metal and construction warehouses of the Mahallati Industries with the 111 [Plan] flight parameters. of semi-spheres of uranium metal by the (Mechanical Industries), a subsidiary of 1.3 Saqib 3: Shahab 3 warhead Advanced Metal Materials Group (a sub- Hemmat Missile Industrial Group, and sep- equipped with Saqib 2 division of the regime’s nuclear weapons arated it from other parts of the complex, According to another Farsi language manufacturer) were conducted at this site. referring to it as Daroodi. The site was later document16 of the SPND Organiza- The Metal Materials Group (a subdivision shut down and has not been inspected by tion related to the above document, in a of SPND) and work on the manufacture IAEA investigators. meeting on October 25, 2003, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh states, “The goal and overall ❑ ❑ ❑ appearance is the announcement of the closure of Plan 110 and AMAD Project.” Continued from Page 8 Lavizan-Shian site, played a coordinating According to this document, some of caused a one-year moratorium in the re- role in advancing the building of nuclear those present at that meeting included Dr. gime’s nuclear bomb construction at a weapons, the disclosure has delayed the Seyed Mohammad Mehdi (Tehranchi), minimum. The Chairperson of the Foreign regime’s nuclear projects at least a year... Engineer Mohsen (Fakhrizadeh Mahaba- Affairs Committee Part of the National Mohaddesin said that after the disclosure di), Dr. Fereydoon (Abbasi Davani), and Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Mo- of Lavizan-Shian, the regime decided to Dr. Masood (Ali-Mohammadi). hammad Mohaddessin, remarked on this disperse its nuclear weaponization appara- This document confirms without doubt report: tus and to not centralize it as in the past be- The research institute located on the prevent the leaking of the activities of the the validity of the Iranian Resistance’s “According to internal reports of the re- cause they assessed a justification could be large site of Parchin is part of the activi- METFAZ site, the regime has transferred detailed disclosure in December 2007 on gime, the Lavizan-Shian site’s disclosure presented for the components of this dis- ties of the METFAZ organization for the much of that site’s activities in Sanjarian the reason for the apparent closure of part in March 2003 has inflicted the biggest persed program. Following this plan, the manufacture of nuclear weapons. This site and the personnel who worked on the site of the regime’s military nuclear activity setback to the regime’s nuclear weapons regime moved its secret activities to anoth- was disclosed by the Iranian Resistance in there to the research institute within the and its reorientation, restructuring, and project. Given that the New Defense Tech- er location called “New Defense Readiness April 2017. In part of this disclosure it is Parchin site, and the activities at Sanjarian new camouflaged continuation. nology Center, formerly situated at the and Technology Center (Lavizan 2)” and stated, “After the signing of the JCPOA, to site has decreased.” Continued on Page 10

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Commander faces terrorism charges Tensions rise in Baghdad with militiaman’s arrest BAGHDAD, May 27, (AP): Tensions mounted ered around the Green Zone’s entrance gates. nymity due to the sensitive nature of the sub- in Iraq’s capital on Wednesday after the arrest The presence of the PMF inside the seat of ject. 19. Sorkheh Hesar Site of a militia commander on terrorism charges, Iraq’s government was considered by some The incident highlights the government’s prompting a dangerous showdown by the senior Iraqi government officials as a way to struggles to assert the rule of law and reign in detainee’s paramilitary supporters and the Iraqi pressure al-Kadhimi to release Musleh. powerful militia groups. Attempts to arrest government. The prime minister described the show of militia-affiliated individuals in the past have The confrontation began after Iraqi security force as “a serious violation of the Iraqi consti- unfolded along a similar pattern: Pressure from forces arrested at dawn militia leader Qassim tution and the laws in force,” adding in a state- militia groups and concessions on the part of Mahmoud Musleh based on a judicial investi- ment “we have directed an immediate investi- the government. gation and arrest warrant on terrorism charges, gation into these movements.” A raid carried out by the CTS last summer Iraq’s military said in a statement. The state- Al-Kadhimi later held a meeting with senior against the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah led ment said he was being questioned by a joint Shiite political leaders who hold sway over the to over a dozen arrests. All were eventually investigative committee. PMF. The premier also ordered the formation released after pressure and threats of escalatory Musleh is the head of the Popular of an investigative committee comprised of violence against the government. Mobilization Forces in Anbar province. The intelligence from both defense and interior The rising number of assassination of out- PMF is a state-sanctioned group comprised of ministries and the PMF security and National spoken activists sparked outrage and protests an array of militias formed to defeat the Islamic Security. this week particularly after prominent protest State group in 2014. Among the most powerful Three PMF officials said after the meeting organizer Ehab al-Wazni was gunned down in members of the group are Iran-backed Shiite Musleh was transferred from the custody of Karbala this month. militia groups. the Joint Operations Command, which over- International condemnation flooded in from Shortly after the arrest, forces affiliated with sees an array of Iraqi security forces, to PMF the United Nations and other diplomatic mis- the PMF, which maintains offices inside the security. sions in Baghdad. heavily fortified Green Zone, were deployed An Iraqi intelligence official said Musleh’s “Any arrest case should run its course, as surrounding Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhi- arrest was recommended by the Anti- goes for any Iraqi,” tweeted U.N. Special mi’s headquarters. Corruption Committee headed by Lt. Gen. Representative to Iraq Jeanine Hennis- Tensions reached fever pitch when Iraqi Ahmed Abu Ragheef, and was done based on a Plasschaert. “Nobody should resort to a show security forces and the elite Counter-Terrorism judicial order. The charges accuse Musleh of of force to get their way. Such behavior weak- Service were deployed to protect the govern- corruption and complicity in the assassinations ens the Iraqi state and further erodes public ment and diplomatic missions, sparking fears of Iraqi activists in the southern city of Karbala. trust. State institutions must be respected at all of violence. Some armed PMF factions gath- All four officials spoke on condition of ano- times. Nobody is above the law.” UN rights chief: Israeli strikes in Gaza may constitute war crimes Egypt invites Hamas, Palestinians, Israel for talks

GENEVA, May 27, This site, located in the east of Tehran, (NCRI) Iranian Regime’s Work in All (Agencies): The U.N. has started its activity since 2017 and some Three Segments of Nuclear Weapons rights chief said divisions of SPND organization’s activi- Development Thursday that Israeli ties, including its geophysical group, have The regime has worked on all three seg- forces may have com- relocated to this site. The Office of the ments of a nuclear weapons program that National Council of Resistance of Iran in includes uranium enrichment, building mitted war crimes in Washington disclosed the construction of nuclear weapons warheads, and delivery the 11-day war with the the site in October 2020, indicating the systems. The Iranian Resistance has militant group Hamas continuation and expansion of the SPND exposed the regime’s plans in all three seg- that rules the Gaza Organization’s activities after the JCPOA. ments in scores of revelations as shown in Strip. Michelle Bachelet National Council of Resistance of Iran the diagram below: also called on Israel to allow an independent probe of military actions in the latest spasm of deadly violence. The remarks came as the U.N.’s top human rights body opened a one-day special ses- sion to discuss the “the grave human rights situation” in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Bachelet said Hamas’ indiscriminate rocket Heavy construction equipment is used to sift through rubble to uncover valuables before it is trans- fire during the conflict was ported away from the scene of a building destroyed in an airstrike prior to a cease-fire that halted an also a clear violation of the 11-day war between Gaza’s Hamas rulers and Israel on May 27, 2021, in Gaza City. (AP) rules of war. The U.N. high commissioner for human rights detailed to the US pledges $360m in aid Human Rights Council the “most significant escalation of hostilities since 2014” that left devastation and death in the Gaza Strip before Qatar pledges $500 million for a cease-fire last week. The 11-day war killed at least 248 in Gaza, including 66 chil- dren and 39 women. In Israel, 12 postwar ‘construction’ in Gaza people also died, including two CAIRO, May 27, (Agencies): tensions in contested Jerusalem Biden’s phone talks with el-Sissi, children. U.S. Secretary of State Antony that helped fuel the war. signal a closer relationship “Air strikes in such densely Blinken jetted to Egypt and Jordan But he has made it made clear the between the countries after a cool- populated areas resulted in a high on Wednesday as he pressed U.S. has no immediate plans to pur- er beginning, when the U.S. level of civilian fatalities and inju- ahead with a diplomatic mission sue peace talks between the sides expressed concern over el-Sissi’s ries, as well as the widespread aimed at shoring up a cease-fire and done little to address the under- human rights record. destruction of civilian infrastruc- that ended an 11-day war between lying causes of the decades-long The Gaza reconstruction effort ture,” Bachelet said. Israel and the Gaza Strip’s ruling conflict, though he expressed hope will be an important test. The “Such attacks may constitute Hamas militant group. for creating a “better environment” 11-day war killed more than 250 war crimes,” she added, if deemed Blinken landed in Cairo a day that might lead to negotiations. people, mostly Palestinians, and to be indiscriminate and dispro- after holding intensive talks with In Cairo, Blinken on caused heavy destruction in the portionate in their impact on civil- Israeli and Palestinian leaders. In Wednesday met with el-Sissi for impoverished coastal territory. Conclusion ians. Bachelet urged Israel to Egypt, he met with President nearly two hours. Meeting with Preliminary estimates have put ensure accountability, as required Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and other American diplomatic staff after- the damage in the hundreds of under international law in such Continued from Page 9 proud to have assisted in vigilance vis-à-vis top officials. Later he traveled to wards, he described Egypt as a millions of dollars. cases, including through “impar- Jordan to meet with King “real and effective partner” that One of the U.S. goals is to The facts and evidence of the Iranian this destructive regime. tial, independent investigations” regime’s long history of pursuing nuclear It is now time for the international com- Abdullah II. helped end the Gaza war and is ensure that any assistance be kept of actions in the escalation. Blinken has vowed to “rally helping “build something posi- out of the hands of Hamas, which weapons show: munity, the United Nations, and in particular She also derided tactics of ■ Western governments to rise to this occasion international support” to rebuild tive.” El-Sissi spoke to President opposes Israel’s right to exist and The regime’s AMAD Plan was the culmi- Hamas that included locating mil- hard-hit Gaza while promising to Joe Biden last week before and which Israel and the U.S. consider nation of an officially sanctioned program to and assume their responsibility to their own itary assets in densely populated peoples and the world, and realize that the make sure that none of the aid after the ceasefire was announced. a terrorist group. develop nuclear weapons that started in the civilian areas, and firing rockets reaches Hamas. He is instead try- “I think we both believe strong- In Gaza, Hamas leader Yehiyeh 1980s and developed into a full cycle weap- only way to deal seriously and decisively from them. ing to bolster Hamas’ rival, the ly that Palestinians and Israelis Sinwar told journalists Wednesday ons development program by 1999 with the with such a regime, is to: She cautioned that unless the ■ internationally recognized deserve equally to, to live in safe- that the group welcomed interna- approval and budget allocations for the con- Refer the Iranian regime’s nuclear file back “root causes” of the violence are Palestinian Authority. ty and security to enjoy equal tional reconstruction aid, as long struction of five nuclear warheads by the to the UN Security Council and support addressed, “it will certainly be a In a boost to those efforts, the measures of freedom, opportunity as it did not come from Israel, and matter of time until the next round regime’s Supreme National Security Council. imposing of all relevant UNSC resolutions energy-rich Gulf country of Qatar and dignity. And we’re working had no objections to international ■ The Iranian Resistance’s revelations in ■ Affirm that the Iranian regime has forfeited of violence commences with fur- ther pain and suffering for civil- pledged $500 million to postwar on that together,” Blinken said oversight. August 2002, and particularly in May 2003 any right to any uranium enrichment under reconstruction in Gaza. Qatar before departing to Jordan. In another development, the US about the Lavizan-Shian site, blew the whistle the NPT based on its history of deliberate lies ians on all sides.” The day-long debate involved often serves as a mediator between El-Sissi issued a statement later is in the process of providing on the regime’s illicit and covert nuclear and evasions – zero uranium enrichment Israel and Hamas and it has con- saying the latest round of violence more than USD 360 million in ■ Require IAEA inspections of all military personal accounts from weapons program and forced it to temporarily Palestinians - such as that of a tributed hundreds of millions of showed the urgency of resuming assistance to the Palestinian peo- stop its AMAD plan, reorganize, reorient, nuclear related sites in Iran at anywhere and young woman journalist from the dollars in humanitarian and devel- direct negotiations. He called for ple, the State Department said on relocate, and then continue its weapons pro- anytime under force of Chapter VII of the UN Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in opment aid to support past cease- “active American engagement” to Wednesday. gram in a more concealed, camouflaged and Charter fires. bring Israel and the Palestinians This includes USD 38 million ■ east Jerusalem, an early flashpoint dispersed way, leveraging dual-use technolo- Link the regime’s nuclear weapons ambi- that triggered the violence - as “We will continue to support back to the negotiating table. in new assistance to support gies and programs to avoid detection. tions and ballistic missile development, its well as statements from the coun- our brothers in Palestine in order Both Egypt and Jordan are key humanitarian efforts in the West ■ As the regime evaded IAEA inspections domestic human rights violations and repres- cil’s 47 member states and also to reach a just and lasting solution U.S. allies that have peace agree- Bank and Gaza, according to a and UN Security Council resolutions in its sion, its terrorism against dissidents abroad, observer states. by establishing their independent ments with Israel and frequently statement. new and evolving plan, the NCRI, based on and its destabilizing export of terrorism and The Organization of Islamic state,” Qatar’s foreign minister, serve as mediators between Israel This new assistance includes information provided by the MEK from conflict, and recognize that these are all inter- Conference has presented a reso- Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al and the Palestinians. Egypt main- nearly USD 33 million for the UN inside Iran, closely followed the regime’s dependent parts of a comprehensive regime lution that, if passed by the coun- Thani, wrote on Twitter. tains ties with Hamas, but also Relief and Works Agency for steps and disclosed them as best possible in strategy and behavior aimed at imposing its cil, would mark an unprecedented Blinken has set modest goals enforces a tight blockade on Gaza, Palestine Refugees in the Near over 100 revelations, spotlighting the Iranian intolerant and totalitarian ideology and rule level of scrutiny authorized by the for the trip, his first official visit along with Israel, with a shared East (UNRWA) in support of its regime’s lies, deceptions, and continuous anywhere it can. council by setting up a permanent to the Middle East as secretary of goal of preventing the Islamic West Bank and Gaza operations, It must be reiterated that the Iranian regime commission to report on human state. His main goals have been to group from arming. and an additional USD 5.5 million evasions, and drawing international attention help rebuild Gaza and lower the The stop in Cairo, along with to humanitarian partners. to the dangers of the Iranian regime’s nuclear cannot be trusted, and the international com- rights violations in Israel, Gaza weapons program, its untrustworthiness, munity must remain vigilant. The solution to and the West Bank. deviousness, and treachery. preventing the regime from obtaining a bomb A vote on the draft resolution Riad al-Maliki, the Palestinian or being used for military purpos- separate talks that aim at consoli- After over three decades of sparring with is not to appease or provide it with conces- was likely at the end of the ses- foreign minister, sought to high- es, we have not seen evidence in dating the cease-fire that ended an sions or bargain with it over its illegitimate sion, which is largely virtual. light years of suffering by this regard. 11-day war between Israel and the the Iranian regime to hold it accountable for Israel - backed at times by the its destructive quest to threaten the world military nuclear project, but to pursue a firm Palestinians in the lands con- This came in a statement Gaza Strip’s militant Hamas rul- United States - accuses the coun- trolled or occupied by Israel. addressing a special session of the ers, Israeli media and an Egyptian with nuclear blackmail, and bankrupt the and principled policy vis-à-vis this regime, cil of anti-Israel bias and has gen- Iranian nation by plundering their wealth to until such time that Iran is represented by a The Israeli war machinery and UN Human Rights Council, held intelligence official said Thursday. erally refused to cooperate with its terrorism of its settlers continue to to discuss the dangerous situation The talks would also focus on waste on this reckless pursuit of weapons of democratic, secular, and non-nuclear govern- investigators. mass destruction, the Iranian Resistance is ment. Israeli Ambassador Meirav Eilon target our children who face mur- in the occupied Palestinian lands, accelerating the reconstruction Shahar said Hamas - designated a der, arrest and displacement, including East Jerusalem. process in Gaza. terrorist organization by the U.S. deprived of a future in which they “Israel launched intense air “We are seeking a long-term editor’s choice and its allies - had fired 4,400 rock- can live in peace and security,” he strikes in Gaza, including shell- truce, that would enable further ets at Israeli civilians from “from said by video message. ing, missiles and attacks from the discussions and possibly direct Palestinian homes, hospitals, and United Nations High sea, causing widespread destruc- talks,” said the Egyptian official, schools. Each one of these rockets Commissioner for Human Rights tion of civilian infrastructure and who had close knowledge of the constitutes a war crime.” Michelle Bachelet said on death,” Bachelet told the 47-mem- proceedings that had led to the “What would you do if rockets Thursday that despite Israel’s ber forum. ceasefire and who spoke on condi- were fired at Dublin, Paris, or claims that many of buildings in Egypt has invited Israel, Hamas tion of anonymity because he Madrid,” she asked. Gaza were hosting armed groups and the Palestinian Authority for wasn’t allowed to brief reporters. at least 2 board members lose seats in climate fi ght: Exxon

Exxon Mobil’s shareholders have voted to re- shareholder vote. Gregory Goff, a former CEO of Andeavor, a pe- place at least two of the company’s 12 board Regardless of the fi nal tally, the outcome rep- troleum refi ning and marketing company former- In this fi le members with directors who are seen as better resents a setback for Exxon’s leadership. It co- ly known as Tesoro; and Kaisa Hietala, a former photo, the logo suited to fi ght climate change, bolster Exxon’s incides with growing pressure on publicly traded executive vice president of renewable products for ExxonMobil fi nances and guide it through a transition to companies to more urgently revamp their busi- at Neste. In that position, Hietala was credited appears above cleaner energy. nesses to address what critics see as a intensify- with boosting the company’s renewable diesel a trading post The results, which Exxon called preliminary, ing global crisis. and jet fuel offerings. on the fl oor were announced by the company after its an- The dissident slate of directors was proposed Exxon said it had not yet determined whether of the New nual shareholder meeting Wednesday. Exxon by a hedge fund called Engine No. 1, which a third dissident board candidate put forward by York Stock Ex- said that because the complexities of the vot- asserted that Exxon’s current board was ill- Engine No. 1, Alexander Karsner, had also been change. (AP) ing process, inspectors might not be able to equipped to handle the transformations that are elected. Karsner, a senior strategist at X, Alpha- certify fi nal voting results for “some period of reshaping the energy sector. bet Inc.’s innovation lab, has been an investor time.” It was unclear whether one addition- The two candidates whom Exxon said share- in energy infrastructure and clean-technology al board member was also unseated in the holders elected from the Engine No. 1 slate were startups. (AP)

Market Movements 27-05-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +12.41 7,343.98 GERMANY - DAX -43.99 15,406.73 FRANCE - CAC 40 +44.11 6,435.71 JAPAN - Nikkei -93.18 28,549.01 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +7.54 4,039.21 S. KOREA - KRX 100 -9.37 6,631.32 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +323.90 6,665.14 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -21.56 46,790.75 INDIA - Sensex +97.70 51,115.22 CHINA - Shanghai SE +15.49 3,608.85 Business U.S. JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL TO 406K US fi rst quarter GDP unchanged

A pumpjack is seen extracting crude oil from a well near at robust annual rate of 6.4 pct New Town, N.D. on the Fort Berthold Indian Reserva- tion on Tuesday May 18, 2021. (AP) Fuel demand on the rise Durable goods orders drop 1.3% in April

Easing lockdowns ‘lift’ WASHINGTON, May 27, Thursday’s report from the Labor De- partment showed that applications declined (AP): The U.S. economy grew 38,000 from 444,000 a week earlier. The oil prices, say analysts at a robust annual rate of 6.4% number of weekly applications for jobless KUWAIT CITY, May 27, (KUNA): The recent rise in oil in the fi rst three months of this aid - a rough measure of the pace of layoffs prices around the world is due to an increase in fuel demand year, unchanged from the gov- - has fallen by more than half since January. after the coronavirus lockdowns ended as many people took The decline in applications refl ects a swift the COVID-19 vaccination, said two Kuwaiti oil analysts. ernment’s initial estimate. The rebound in economic growth. The govern- In separate statements to KUNA on Thursday, the analysts recovery from last year’s deep ment separately estimated Thursday that the noted that OPEC Plus succeeded in maintaining a balance recession gained steam at the economy expanded at a strong annual pace between oil offer and demand, leading to a rise in prices. of 6.4% in the fi rst three months of this year, The international rise in oil prices earlier this year was beginning of this year, helped unchanged from its initial estimate. More thought to be temporary, however, OPEC, led by Saudi Ara- by vaccines to combat the virus Americans are venturing out to shop, travel, bia, the UAE, and Kuwait was able to maintain these prices and trillions of dollars in gov- dine out and congregate at entertainment with the OPEC Plus group, professor of oil engineering at venues. All that renewed spending has led Kuwait University Dr. Ahmad Al-Kouh noted. ernment assistance. companies to seek new workers, which helps OPEC Plus maintained prices by decreasing the amount The rise in the gross domestic prod- explain why a record number of jobs is now of offered oil in the markets, he added. Maintaining prices uct, the economy’s total output of goods being advertised. around USD 65 per barrel until the end of 2021 would be a and services, was the same as the gov- Yet many businesses complain that they big achievement for OPEC Plus, Al-Kouh also said. ernment’s fi rst look one month ago, the In this aerial photo, a General Motors assembly plant is seen at (top right) while mid- can’t fi nd enough applicants for all those sized pickup trucks and full-size vans currently produced at the plant are seen in a On his part, analyst Jamal Al-Gharaballi said there are Commerce Department reported Thurs- open jobs, even though the unemployment positive signs of recovery in the world economy, with the parking lot outside Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Wentzville, Missouri. (AP) rate remains 6.1%, well above the 3.5% rate day. Upward revisions in spending by that prevailed before the pandemic struck decrease in COVID-19 cases and the OPEC Plus’ agreement consumers, who account for two-thirds on limiting oil production to specifi c rates. a sizzling annual rate of 11.3%, even better from the COVID-19 pandemic and demand in March of last year. Job growth slowed He noted that there are positive improvements in the US- of economic activity, was offset by than the 10.7% estimate made a month ago. for goods and services rebounds rapidly. Or- sharply last month compared with March, a Iranian fi le and expectations that Iran would export extra weaker growth in exports. Business investment spending was also up ders for auto parts, disrupted by a shortage surprise pullback that was largely ascribed to amounts of oil. In order to face this increase in Iranian ex- Economist believe GDP growth could top and residential construction, which has been of computer chips, dropped 6.2% in April. a labor shortage in some industries. ports, OPEC Plus might decrease the number of other coun- 10% in the current April-June quarter. For a standout performer over the past two years, Orders for military capital goods dropped Economists blame a range of factors for the tries, mainly Saudi Arabia, Al-Gharaballi said. the year, economists expect growth to top grew at 12.7% annual rate, better than the 25.8% after falling 11.7% in March. shortfall of workers, including an extra $300-a- Meanwhile, the analyst said there are expectations of an 6%, giving the country the strongest eco- 10.8% gain fi rst estimated Economists had expected durable goods week payment that people receiving jobless aid increase in demand for oil by six billion barrels per day in nomic performance since a 7.2% gain in However, those areas of stronger growth orders to rise about 0.7% last month. De- have been able to get, on top of their state un- the second half of 2021. However, concerns over the ris- 1984, when the country was also recovering were offset by weakness in U.S. export sales, spite the unexpected decline, the April report employment check, since March. The federal ing coronavirus cases in India and Brazil could affect the from a deep recession. which fell at an annual rate of 2.9%, larg- also contained hopeful signs: A category benefi t was included in President Joe Biden’s increase, he added. The 6.4% fi rst quarter performance rep- er than the 1.1% rate of decline reported a that tracks business investment - orders for $1.9 trillion rescue package. With many people Moreover, Al-Gharaballi expected oil prices to reach resented an improvement after GDP growth month ago. nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft able to earn more from their combined federal USD 80 to USD 85 by end of the year. slowed to a 4.3% rate in the fi nal three Meanwhile, US orders for big-ticket - increased 2.3% last month on top of a 1.6% and state jobless aid than from their former months of last year, a time when rising coro- manufactured goods dropped unexpectedly gain in March. jobs, the extra income has likely discouraged navirus cases and waning government sup- in April for the fi rst time in 11 months as a “The signal for the manufacturing sector some of the unemployed from seeking work, port raised fears that the country could tip shortage of computer chips disrupted auto is still positive, although supply chain con- some analysts say. Senators split on issues back into recession. production. straints continue to be a headwind, prevent- Other people remain reluctant to take jobs But passage of nearly $3 trillion in ex- The Commerce Department reported ing a complete recovery to pre-pandemic in restaurants, hotels and other service indus- tra government support in December and Thursday that orders for factory goods meant levels,” Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. econo- tries for fear of contracting COVID-19. And CEOs of biggest US banks March, as well as wide-spread introduction to last at least three years fell 1.3% in April mist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in some women can’t return to work without of vaccines, has allowed thousands of busi- after rising 1.3% in March. Transportation a research note. adequate child care, though recent research outline pandemic support nesses to reopen and millions of people to go orders skidded 6.7%. Excluding transporta- In a separate report, the number of by two economists found the impact of this back to work. tion, which can swing sharply from month Americans seeking unemployment benefi ts factor to be relatively small. WASHINGTON, May 27, (AP): The CEOs of Thursday’s report was the government to month, durable goods orders were up 1% dropped last week to 406,000, a new pan- Complaints from businesses that they the six biggest U.S. banks went before Congress second of three looks at GDP performance in April. demic low and more evidence that the job can’t fi nd enough workers have led most Wednesday, eager to lay out their support for strug- in the fi rst quarter. Factories have been hamstrung by a short- market is strengthening as the virus wanes Republican governors to curtail unemploy- gling consumers and small businesses hard hit by It showed that consumer spending grew at age of supplies as the U.S. economy reopens and economy further reopens. ment aid. the pandemic. But lawmakers focused more keenly in a Senate hearing on the contentious social and political is- sues dividing the country. Climate change, voting rights and racial inequity animated the debate and questioning of the execu- tives in a hearing by the Senate Banking Committee. Democrats demanded the Wall Street powerhouses do more to help struggling minority communities. Republicans warned against promoting social activ- ism through banking practices. “Profi ts have gone up, stock prices have soared, your own compensation is stratospheric - but work- ers get a smaller and smaller share of the wealth they create and they’re working harder than ever,” Democratic Sen Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the com- mittee chairman, told the CEOs. “We have a racial wealth and income gap that has barely budged since we passed the Civil Rights Act. Prove to us that you are going to use your positions to ... make our economy work for everyone - not just CEOs and the wealthy.” Robust Sen Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, the panel’s sen- ior Republican, said the banking industry showed remarkable resilience during the pandemic reces- sion as he mounted a robust defense of capitalism. Toomey echoed an idea with growing cultural cur- rency among conservatives, voicing concern about increased pressure on banks “to embrace wokeism” and promote social activism through their policies. The chief executives of JPMorgan Chase, Citi- group, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs appeared via video for the hearing by the Senate panel, which will be fol- lowed by a House committee session on Thursday. The CEOs appeared as the U.S. economy is re- covering from the recession. Big banks’ profi ts surged in the fi rst three months of the year as the re- covery took hold. They were able to release billions of dollars from their loan-loss reserves originally set aside in the early days of the pandemic last year. The industry, which was blamed for the Great Re- cession more than a decade ago, has spent most of 2020 and this year trying to appear helpful and will- ing to work with borrowers and businesses. Banks across the country waived fees and put millions of mortgages into forbearance to shore up Americans’ distressed fi nances in the pandemic. “Citi quickly took action through a comprehen- sive approach to provide immediate, on-the-ground relief,” Jane Fraser, the new Citigroup CEO, testi- fi ed. Most of the banks’ relief measures were meant to be temporary and are now going away. Senators pushed the CEOs to promise they would not force anyone into foreclosure or bankruptcy resulting from pandemic hardship after the measures expired. Democratic senators also pushed hard on what banks are doing to increase diversity in their ranks, and to address wealth inequality between Black and Latino households and white households. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 BUSINESS 12

Alden puts its stamp on Tribune with new debt and leadership

In this file Hedge fund Alden Global Capital tion, has a reputation as a ruth- The union that represents right to finance up to $375 mil- photo, closed its deal for Tribune on less cost-cutter in pursuit of prof- Tribune journalists had lion with debt. Chicago Monday. its. Shifting debt to Tribune’s warned that Alden would use Tribune shareholders on Tribune and It wasted little time installing books raises concerns that the borrowed money to pay for Friday approved the sale to other newspa- new leadership and saddling the publisher would make cost cuts Tribune, a tactic that would Alden, which valued Tribune at pers are dis- newspaper chain with $278 mil- that hurt coverage in the com- limit its ability to invest in its about $637 million. played at lion in debt it took on for the pany’s communities. Tribune’s papers, it said. That ended a hard-fought Chicago’s acquisition, according to regula- papers include the Chicago While Alden had said in struggle by Tribune’s journalists O’Hare tory filings. Tribune, Baltimore Sun and December that it could “fully to find alternative local buyers International Alden, which owns the Hartford Courant. Tribune finance the transaction with cash out of fear that Alden ownership Airport. (AP) MediaNews Group newspaper reporters tweeted Wednesday on hand” and “will not require would hollow out their papers chain and is the second-largest that the company was offering third party debt or equity,” a filing and prompt more newsroom lay- newspaper company by circula- voluntary buyouts. in April noted that Alden had a offs. (AP)

‘You can’t pay down debt with money you don’t have’ Tips for small-business owners paying down pandemic debt By Kelsey Sheehy front-load your cash flow. Renegotiate contracts to request NerdWallet payment upfront or offer incentives fter more than a year of navigat- to customers who can pay six or 12 Aing lockdowns, mandates and months in advance. Fewer Americans sign contracts COVID-19 protocols, small-busi- To cut expenses, scrutinize your ness owners are starting to see a light budget. Look at things like advertis- at the end of the tunnel. But the debt ing, subscriptions, professional many needed to take on to weather memberships and even office space. the pandemic still casts an ominous What can you cancel, pause or to buy homes during April: data shadow. downsize? In 2020, 79% of small employer “Operating leaner will help you firms (up to 499 employees) report- buffer downturns and create more ed having outstanding debt, up from cash flow so you have space to pay Lack of supply continues to foil would-be buyers 71% in 2019, according to a down that debt,” says Ken Alozie, February 2021 report by the Federal managing director of Greenwood Reserve Banks. Of the firms that Capital Advisors in Washington, SILVER SPRING, Maryl- applied for financing, 58% said they D.C. Co to take steps to fix production problems on its 737 jets and, May 27, (AP): Fewer did so to cover operating expenses 3. Consider refinancing, consoli- Americans signed con- like rent and payroll, compared with dating 43% in 2019. Make your debt less expensive by tracts to buy homes in Paying down this pandemic debt refinancing. Depending on your loan Boeing to pay $17mn penalty: FAA April as a lack of supply can help business owners rebuild and business history, you may be continues to foil would-be their companies. The following tips able to access a better rate, a lower WASHINGTON, May 27, (AP): can help you eliminate your business monthly payment or more favorable Federal officials say Boeing will pay buyers. debt faster, while saving money on repayment terms. The same applies at least $17 million and take steps to The National Association of costly interest in the process. for any business credit card debt you fix production problems on its 737 Realtors’ index of pending home 1. Create a debt repayment accrued, Woods says. jets including the Max. sales fell 4.4% to 106.2 in April, a timeline “Look at opportunities to move The Federal Aviation third straight sluggish month after Being strategic about your debt that debt to another card or lender to Administration said Thursday that the nearly a year-long rebound from will help you pay it off more quick- have less interest accruing,” Woods settlement covers the installation of the depths of the pandemic. The ly, says Chris Woods, founder of says. “This is something everyone unapproved sensors and other parts decline this month was much more LifePoint Financial Group, a finan- should look into, especially if you’ve on some Boeing 737 NG and 737 than economists were expecting cial planning firm in Alexandria, been on time with your payments.” Max planes built between 2015 and heading into the summer. Virginia. Juggling multiple loans? 2019. Contract signings, considered a “People tend to just throw money Consolidate them into a single The settlement, while not a large barometer of purchases that will small-business loan, preferably with sum for Boeing - the company had at (debt). Maybe they’ll pay a little $15 billion in revenue in 2020, a take place in the next two months, bit extra this month or that month,” a lower interest rate and monthly are more than 50% ahead of where payment. An added bonus: You’ll down year -- is the latest black eye for Woods says. The better approach? the iconic American manufacturer. they were last April, however, that Create a detailed repayment plan. have just one payment to one lender. Boeing is still struggling to recover was in the early stages of the coro- Take a full accounting of what 4. Tap into free business from two deadly crashes that led to a navirus pandemic and virtually you owe, including interest rates and resources long grounding of Max jets world- everything had been shut down. repayment terms for any business Running a business can be all- wide and other problems that have Boeing 737 Max airplanes sit parked in a storage lot, Monday, April 26, April’s decline could portend a loans or credit card debt you’ve consuming. Managing business debt plagued the Max and other aircraft can be, too. Doing both simultane- 2021, near Boeing Field in Seattle. (AP) weak summer in the housing mar- accumulated. Note grace periods, models. ket despite soaring prices and his- deadlines and action items, such as ously? Something will likely give. The FAA said Boeing will pay the applying for forgiveness if you “A lot of (smaller businesses) are $17 million civil penalty within 30 torically low interest rates entice received a Paycheck Protection in survival mode and can forget that days and could be hit with up to $10.1 Bezos says will pass baton to buyers. Program loan. they’re managing a business and million in additional fines if it fails to While many people are looking Then, set a reasonable (read: need to interact with clients and look take steps including preventing the to upgrade, not as many people are achievable) timeline to pay off your for growth opportunities,” Alozie use of unapproved parts. The FAA new CEO of Amazon on July 5 willing to pack up and leave their says. said Boeing also must analyze wheth- current homes, resulting in a debts and start picking them off one NEW YORK, May 27, (AP): Amazon by one. If you’re juggling multiple Connect with your local Small er the company and its suppliers are record-low number of houses on Business Development Center or ready to safely raise production rates founder Jeff Bezos has picked a date to step loans or credit cards, funnel any down as CEO. Bezos, who grew Amazon the market. That lack of inventory extra payments to the debt with the Community Development for the 737. - along with sky-high costs for Boeing said it “fully resolved” the from an internet bookstore to an online highest interest rate, says Zach Corporation. You can also link up shopping behemoth, said Wednesday that building materials like lumber - Reece, owner and chief operating with a mentor through SCORE, a problems in its production system and has pushed prices of new and supply chain. “We continue to devote Amazon executive Andy Jassy will take officer of Colony Roofers in Atlanta. volunteer organization that offers over the CEO role on July 5. existing homes to record highs. “This is your most expensive debt free business mentorship. time and resources to improving safe- ty and quality performance across our “We chose that date because it’s Within the last week, separate and you’ll get the highest cost savings These organizations keep tabs on sentimental for me,” Bezos said during reports showed that sales of both from paying this debt down most developments - such as the many operations,” including ensuring that employees comply with regulatory an Amazon shareholder meeting previously occupied homes and aggressively,” notes Reece, who is changes to PPP loans and rules - and Wednesday. He explained that it was new homes both fell in April. send emails with tips, important requirements, the company said in a In this file photo, Amazon CEO Jeff also a certified public accountant. statement. exactly 27 years ago on that date in Bezos speaks at the the Amazon Another report indicated that pric- 2. Find opportunities to cut deadlines and updates, freeing you Shares of Chicago-based Boeing 1994 that Amazon was incorporated. re:MARS convention, in Las Vegas. es rose in March rose at the fastest expenses, increase revenue up to focus on your business. Co. rose 3% in morning trading after Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc. (AP) “You can’t pay down debt with “Don’t feel like you need to do it pace in more than seven years. the CEO of its largest customer, announced that Bezos was stepping The hyper-competitive market is money you don’t have,” Reece says. by yourself. Plug into organizations Southwest Airlines, said the airline down as CEO in February, but didn’t on his other ventures, such as his rock- There are two ways to find more that will help you stay on top of it,” et ship company, Blue Origin, and his especially hard on first-time home- has room to add nearly 500 new provide a specific date. Jassy, his buyers, who are accounting for money: Trim your budget or boost says Alozie, who is also a certified planes in the coming years. Southwest replacement, currently runs the com- newspaper, The Washington Post. your income. business mentor with SCORE. CEO Gary Kelly told The Dallas pany’s cloud-computing business. On Wednesday, Amazon also anno- fewer and fewer purchases. To jumpstart your revenue, reex- “You’ll have more leverage, so Morning News that the airline will Bezos, 57 and with a personal for- unced it would buy storied Hollywood Of the four major U.S. regions, amine your business model and look you’re not out there on your own need more planes after adding new tune of $167 billion, won’t be going studio MGM for $8.45 billion with the only the Midwest - which has the for opportunities to reach more cus- trying to keep up to date, while also destinations and restoring its network far. He will become executive chair at hopes of filling its video streaming most affordable houses - showed a tomers or expand your sales foot- trying to run a business out of the after the coronavirus pandemic slow- Amazon and focus on new products service with more shows and movies gain in contract signings from the print. You can also take steps to pandemic.” (AP) down that hit travel last year. and initiatives. He also plans to focus to watch. previous month. Retailers face challenges American shoppers go back to stores NEW YORK, May 27, (AP): post-pandemic shoppers will be even same period but down 4.9% on a two- Americans are going back to one of more demanding: After being forced year basis. their favorite pastimes: store shopping. to stay close to home, they’re looking Analysts are carefully watching the With more people getting vaccinated for better and convenient services and battered department store sector’s and dropping their face masks, retailers experiences. market share, which shrunk from 3% from Walmart to Macy’s are seeing an Many retailers like Macy’s are still in 2019 to 2% last year and has eager return to their stores after more recovering from the pandemic, which remained at that figure for the first than a year of their customers migrating forced them to temporarily close early four months of the year, according to online during the pandemic. last year, driving more traffic to big NPD. In comparison, discounters’ Marcia Williams, who lives in a box stores that were allowed to stay market share held steady at 21% last Philadelphia suburb and who stuck to open. And overall store traffic, while year from 2019 but ticked up to 22% online shopping only during the height rebounding, is still not back to where it for the early part of this year. Overall, of COVID-19, went back to her local was two years ago. market share for online retail rose to mall right after she was fully vacci- Customer counts at overall stores 26% last year from 23% in 2019. nated last month. That was her first surged 43.2% for the week starting The pandemic pulled forward the time in more than a year. May 10 compared to the year-ago peri- pace of online spending by about two “I am definitely getting out,” said od, but that number was still down years. Online shopping is expected to Williams, a hair and makeup artist 5.6% for that same period in 2019, account for 21% of overall sales, or who spent nearly $1,000 on clothing says mobile-device location data from $794 billion, in 2020 compared to the for herself and her three children dur- foot-traffic analytics firm Placer.ai. In prior year and should increase to 27%, ing several buying trips. “I do feel clothing, customer counts soared more or $1.1 trillion in 2023, Forrester says. more comfortable. I like the experi- than two-fold for the same timeframe, However, online sales growth is slow- ence of trying on clothes. I love gro- but it was down 11.2% on a two-year ing down, from 29.5% last year to a cery shopping. It’s my outlet.” basis. For big-box stores like Target, projected 15.6% this year and 10% The return to store shopping, high- customer counts were up 5.3% for the next year. lighted in many retailers’ earnings reports in recent days, offers a big relief in part because shoppers return less when they make their purchases at the store - 8% compared with 25% for online, according to Forrester Research. And store customers tend to do more impulse buying. For clothing, for instance, 25% of purchases are done on a whim versus 16% online, says market research firm NPD Group Inc. “Retailers want you in the store,” said Marshal Cohen, NPD’s chief industry advisor. “They need you to be in the store so you generate more traf- fic. Crowds bring more crowds. (Shoppers) buy more product.” Still, retailers - particularly mall- based stores and other specialty stores that were struggling even before the pandemic - face plenty of challenges to keep customers coming back. They face stepped up competition online Troy Hemlin visiting Chicago from Springfield, Illinois, crosses the street and from discounters that thrived in carrying shopping bags on May 26, in downtown Chicago. Americans are the last year. Experts also say that going back to one of their favorite past times: store shopping. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 BUSINESS 13

Deal valued at $8.45 billion Amazon to acquire MGM Wall Street ‘buoyed’ by NEW YORK, May 27, (AP): On- James Bond – isn’t owned outright. line shopping giant Amazon is MGM splits ownership of it with buying MGM, the movie and TV Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. studio behind James Bond, “Le- Wilson, who have ultimate control gally Blonde” and “Shark Tank,” over the franchise. The release of with the hopes of fi lling its video the latest James Bond entry, “No streaming service with more stuff Time to Die,” has been on hold positive economic data to watch. through the pandemic, with a fall Amazon is paying $8.45 billion release now planned. for MGM, making it the compa- Its other upcoming movies in- ny’s second-largest acquisition af- clude Paul Thomas Anderson’s Industrial stocks lead gains, utilities and health care lag ter it bought grocer Whole Foods next fi lm, “Soggy Bottom,” star- for nearly $14 billion in 2017. ring Bradley Cooper; Ridley The deal is the latest in the me- Scott’s “House of Gucci,” with NEW YORK, May 27, dia industry that’s aimed at boost- Lady Gaga and Adam Driver; and ing streaming services to com- the upcoming Aretha Franklin (AP): Stocks were most- pete against Netfl ix and Disney+. biopic “Respect,” with Jennifer ly higher on Wall Street AT&T and Discovery announced Hudson. Its library still includes Thursday as investors re- last week that they would com- more than 4,000 movies, includ- ceived more signals that bine media companies, creating a ing “Silence of the Lambs” and powerhouse that includes HGTV, “Thelma & Louise,” and 17,000 the economy is continuing CNN, Food Network and HBO. TV shows, such as reality TV sta- to heal from the pandemic. Amazon doesn’t say how many ples “Shark Tank” and “The Real people watch its Prime Video Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Economic reports showed that streaming service, but more than Amazon will also get cable chan- unemployment is falling and the 200 million people have access nel Epix out of the deal. U.S. economy grew at a solid rate to it because they pay for Prime Amazon already has its own during the first quarter. membership, which gives them studio, but has had mixed results. The S&P 500 index rose 0.2% as of faster shipping and other perks. Two of its shows, “The Marvel- 11:35 a.m. Eastern. The Dow Jones In- Amazon said Wednesday that ous Mrs. Maisel” and “Fleabag,” dustrial Average rose 98 points, or 0.3% it would use MGM’s vast library, won best comedy series Emmys. to 34,425 and the technology-heavy Nas- which includes famous characters Although it has won several Os- daq rose 0.1%. The Russell 2000 index such as Rocky, RoboCop and Pink cars, including most recently for of smaller stocks rose 0.8% in yet another Panther, to create new movies and “Sound of Metal,” many of its signal that investors were confident about shows. fi lms have failed to click with au- the economy going forward. “It’s going to be a lot of fun diences at the box offi ce. Recent- Industrial stocks led the gains. Gen- work,” said Amazon founder Jeff ly, Amazon has been spending on eral Electric rose 5.8% and Boeing Bezos, during the company’s sports and splashy shows. It will gained 3%. Utilities and health care shareholder meeting on Wednes- stream “Thursday Night Football” companies lagged the broader market. day. “People who love stories are next year and is producing a “Lord Investors were given a mostly posi- going to be the big benefi ciaries.” of the Rings” show, which report- tive set of economic reports on Thursday. Sucharita Kodali, an e-com- edly cost $450 million for its fi rst The number of Americans who filed for merce analyst at Forrester Re- season alone. unemployment benefits fell yet again to a pandemic low of 406,000. A growing search Inc., said streaming com- Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc. In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, traders gather at a post on the floor, Wednesday, May 26, panies need shows people can’t declined to say when it expects number of states, all of them controlled by Republicans, have started cutting off 2021, in New York. Stocks were mostly higher on Wall Street Thursday as investors received more signals that the watch elsewhere in order to stand the deal to be fi nalized. But when economy is continuing to heal from the pandemic. (AP) out and be competitive. it does, it will make Amazon, al- unemployed workers from the $300-a- “There is an arms race to get what ready one of the most powerful week jobless benefit that was part of the Lastly the Commerce Department re- Department’s personal consumption a yield of 1.61%, up from 1.57% the day you can while the window is open,” and valuable companies in the latest economic recovery package. That’s ported that the U.S. economy grew at a expenditures index, more commonly re- before. It has remained in this range for she said. Plus, the price tag is just a world, even bigger. Regulators likely pushing additional Americans into 6.4% annual rate in the first quarter as the ferred to as PCE. The Federal Reserve, the last two weeks. tiny fraction of Amazon’s valuation, around the world are scrutiniz- the active labor force. economy recovers from the pandemic. whose job is to monitor and control in- France’s CAC 40 rose 0.3% in early which is nearing $2 trillion. ing Amazon’s business practices, Meanwhile, there was disappointing Investors will turn their attention to flation as best as they can, tends to rely trading to 6,412.44, while Germany’s Known for its roaring lion logo, specifi cally the way it looks at data on sales of durable goods, that is Friday’s inflation data. The growing on PCE data more than the more widely DAX fell 0.3% to 15,400.35. Brit- MGM is one of the oldest studios information from businesses that expensive items that are expected to economy has raised inflation concerns, known consumer price index, or CPI, ain’s FTSE 100 fell less than 0.1% to in Hollywood, founded in 1924 sell goods on its site and uses it to last three years or more, fell 1.3% ac- though analysts expect that much of when making policy decisions. 7,022.75. U.S. shares were set to drift when fi lms were still silent. But its create its own Amazon-branded cording to the Commerce Department. the increase will be tied to economic Bond yields have been relatively stable lower with S&P 500 futures down shine has faded considerably over products. That figure was expected to rise, ac- growth and will be digestible. this week, and remained so on Thursday. 0.3% at 4,182.38. Dow futures fell the years. In the mid-1980s, it sold A report by the House Judiciary cording to economists. The data out Friday is the Commerce The 10-year U.S. Treasury note traded at nearly 0.1% to 34,248.0. much of its pre-1948 catalog, in- Committee in October called for cluding “The Wizard of Oz” and a possible breakup of Amazon “Gone with the Wind,” which is and others, making it harder for now owned by Warner Bros. And them to buy other businesses and Gap expands under new partnership with Walmart its sprawling California lot was imposing new rules to safeguard bought by Sony. competition. And the deal came a NEW YORK, May 27, (AP): Gap will on Walmart’s site on June 24. They spent most of the last year. letic-inspired Athleta businesses have For much of the past decade, day after the company was hit with begin selling a new home goods line will eventually make it into Walmart Anthony Soohoo, executive vice been the bright spots. MGM juggled bankruptcy and a an antitrust lawsuit by the District exclusively through Walmart’s web- stores, the companies said, though no president of Walmart’s home division, Mark Breitbard, CEO of the Gap revolving door of owners while of Columbia, accusing Amazon site next month under a multiyear part- financial terms were disclosed Thurs- told The Associated Press that adding brand, said the home is a natural exten- its new releases dwindled. Long of creating policies that makes its nership. day. a brand like Gap will attract new cus- sion of the Gap brand. up for sale, MGM’s desirability sellers unable to offer lower prices The collection of more than 400 Walmart has aggressively expand- tomers. The deal is also part of Gap’s was lessened, not just because of for their products outside of Ama- items is Gap’s first venture into the ed home goods sales, a category that Gap, at the same time, is looking overall strategy of expanding licens- its partially auctioned-off library, zon.com, pushing up prices for home category and it’s selling every- grew even hotter during the pandemic for other avenues for growth with its ing deals to broaden its distribution but because its prized property – consumers. thing from bedding and bath goods to as spending shifted from dining out Gap and Banana Republic stores strug- while the company focuses on its home decor. The collection will appear and travel, to the place where families gling. Its low-price Old Navy and ath- core business. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 SPORTS 14 Cardinals blank White Sox to avoid sweep

Soccer Roundup

Zidane quits again as Madrid coach SKorea gain, NKorea WC qualifying results voided

SEOUL, May 27, (AP): South Korea moved atop its World Cup qualifying group without kicking a ball after FIFA voided all results involving North Korea. North Korea had collected eight points in Group H before with- drawing from the remaining quali- fiers, scheduled in June, citing concerns over COVID-19. FIFA’s ruling drops Turkmeni- stan, which beat North Korea 3-1 in November 2019, from first to third with six points, one behind South Korea and Lebanon. Sri Lanka remains pointless. In this file photo dated May Only the eight group winners 13, 2021, Real Madrid’s head St. Louis Cardinals catcher Andrew Knizner tags Chicago White Sox’s Adam Eaton out at home off a throw from left fielder Justin Williams during the first and four best second-place teams coach Zinedine Zidane ges- inning of an interleague baseball game, on May 26, in Chicago. (AP) will progress to the third round, tures during the Spanish La scheduled to start in September. Liga soccer match against North Korea’s mid-May with- Granada at Los Carmenes sta- Sanó homers to lead Twins past Orioles 3-2 drawal will alter how those dium in Granada, Spain. (AP) runners-up spots are ranked, ac- cording to the Asian Football Con- the first time in more than a de- federation. cade. CHICAGO, May 27, (AP): made a brief visit to the mound. Jose Ross Detwiler (1-0) picked up the “After the conclusion of all the “(Zidane) decided to bring an Cisnero, Michael Fulmer (4-3) and win and Yimi García earned his ninth matches in the Asian qualifiers, the end to his current spell,” the club Tommy Edman homered Gregory Soto completed the four-hit- save in 10 chances. said in a statement. “We must now twice, and the St. Louis results of the matches between the ter, with Soto earning his fifth save. Padres 2, Brewers 1, 10 Innings second-placed and the fifth-placed respect his decision and express Cardinals beat the Chicago The Tigers had just three hits. Cal teams in Groups A to G would not our gratitude for his professional- White Sox 4-0 to avoid a Quantrill (0-1) allowed two over three In Milwaukee, Victor Caratini sin- be counted to ensure a balanced fi- ism, dedication and passion over innings, along with the game’s only gled home the go-ahead run in the top nal comparison between all group the years and what he means to three-game sweep. run. of the 10th inning, and San Diego de- Real Madrid.” feated Milwaukee for its 11th victory runners-up,” the AFC said on Edman connected against Carlos Thursday. Zidane had a contract through Rodón (5-2) in the third and Aaron Rays 1, Royals 0, 10 Innings in 12 games. June 2022. Caratini’s leadoff single to right off Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon and Bummer in the eighth for a 2-0 In St. Petersburg, Florida, Manuel Uzbekistan now occupy the top “Zidane is one of Real Madrid’s lead. Edmundo Sosa added a two- Margot hit a run-scoring single in the Brent Suter (3-3) scored automatic great icons and his legacy extends runner Wil Myers from second base. four places in the revised runner- run single in the ninth, and the NL 10th inning and Tampa Bay beat Kan- up rankings above Bahrain, China, beyond what he has achieved as sas City. Austin Adams (1-0) earned the win. a coach and player at our club,” Central-leading Cardinals came Mark Melancon earned his 17th save. Tajikistan and Malaysia. away with the win after losing four Kevin Kiermaier advanced from sec- Qualification for the World Cup Madrid said. “He is aware that ond to third when Taylor Walls flied out Astros 5, Dodgers 2 resumes on Friday when Japan he has a place in the hearts of the of five. to deep center field against Tyler Zuber John Gant (3-2) dodged bases-load- Oakland Athletics’ Ramon Laure- In Houston, Jose Altuve, Carlos hosts Myanmar in the first of 57 Real Madrid fans and that he will ano hits an RBI-single against the (0-2). After Austin Meadows was inten- games remaining before the sec- always have a home at Real Ma- ed jams in the first and third innings tionally walked, Margot won it on just Correa and Aledmys Díaz homered, while pitching into the sixth. Seattle Mariners during the fourth and Houston stopped a four-game ond round ends on June 15. drid.” inning of a baseball game in Oak- the Rays’ third hit of the game. ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Manager Mike Shildt was ejected Andrew Benintendi homered lead- slide by topping Trevor Bauer and Los by third-base umpire Joe West in the land, Calif, on May 26. (AP) ing off the ninth against J.P. Feyerei- Angeles. Zinedine Zidane is stepping Defensive midfielder Michal seventh. Texas scored five times in the eighth sen (1-2) as the Royals tied it at 1. Altuve hit a leadoff drive in the first Real Madrid Sadílek was named to the Czech The Cardinals committed two er- down as coach, on Joey Gallo’s two-run homer, Brock Tyler Glasnow pitched eight stel- inning, and Correa put Houston ahead Republic squad for the European rors, raising their series total to seven, again. Holt’s RBI double and Willie Cal- lar innings for the Rays. He scattered to stay with a tiebreaking solo shot off The club said Thursday the Championship on Thursday after yet managed to stop a five-game road houn’s two-run double. Bauer with two outs in the sixth. Díaz losing streak. three hits, struck out 11 and walked Frenchman is leaving his job, a UEFA upheld a 10-game ban for With a runner on, Raisel Iglesias two. tacked on a two-run shot during the few days after a season in which defender Ondej Kúdela for ra- St. Louis also denied White Sox Astros’ three-run seventh. struck out Adolis García, Joey Gallo Madrid failed to win a title for cially abusing an opponent. skipper Tony La Russa a sweep in his and Khris Davis for his eighth save. Los Angeles had won eight in a row. first series managing against St. Louis, BASEBALL Griffin Canning (4-3) allowed three Red Sox 9, Braves 5 the franchise the Hall of Famer guided runs and four hits in six innings. two World Series championships from In Boston, Rafael Devers homered 1996 to 2011. Cubs 4, Pirates 1 Royals starter Mike Minor gave up and drove in three runs, helping Bos- one run, two hits and four walks with ton beat Atlanta in a game that was de- MLB Results/Standings Twins 3, Orioles 2 In Pittsburgh, Trevor Williams nine strikeouts over five innings. pitched six innings and singled twice layed nearly three hours by rain after In Minneapolis, Miguel Sanó hit a against his former team, helping Marlins 4, Phillies 2 the sixth inning. three-run homer off Jorge López (1- Hunter Renfroe also connected for streaking Chicago top stumbling Pitts- In Miami, Jon Berti hit a go-ahead. WASHINGTON, May 27, (AP): Results and standings from the MLB games on Wednes- 6), and Minnesota completed a three- burgh. Boston, and Christian Vázquez had game sweep of the major league-worst two-run single in a three-run eighth in- three RBIs. Xander Bogaerts walked day. Orioles, who have lost nine straight. Chicago won for the fifth time in ning, and Miami beat Philadelphia. Minnesota 3 Baltimore 2 Boston 9 Atlanta 5 six games. David Bote hit a two-run twice and scored three times. Michael Pineda (3-2) allowed one Philadelphia built a 2-1 lead on Brad Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta St Louis 4 Chic. White Sox 0 Houston 5 LA Dodgers 2 run and three hits over six innings in homer for the Cubs, and Kris Bryant Miller’s bases-loaded walk in the third (6-0) struck out a season-high nine in Oakland 6 Seattle 3 Chicago Cubs 4 Pittsburgh 1 his first start since May 13 following a had three hits and two RBIs. off Nick Neidert and Rhy Hoskins’ six innings. He was charged with four LA Angels 9 Texas 8 Miami 4 Philadelphia 2 trip to the injured list caused by a thigh Williams (3-2) permitted one run fifth-inning sacrifice fly against An- runs and seven hits. Detroit 1 Cleveland 0 San Diego 2 Milwaukee (10 Inn) 1 abscess. He fell behind in the first on and three hits in his first win since thony Bender. Boston had dropped two in a row on Tampa Bay 2 Kansas City (10 Inn) 1 San Francisco 5 Arizona 4 Trey Mancini’s 11th home run. April 17. He struck out seven and Aaron Nola allowed one run and the heels of a four-game win streak. Minnesota has won six of seven walked none. He also went 2 for 3 at two hits in six innings. Sam Coonrod Austin Riley homered for Atlanta American League National League overall and 15 in a row over Baltimore. the plate. (0-1) gave up the lead in the eighth. for the fifth time in his last five games. East Division East Division Hansel Robles earned his third save. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for William Contreras had two hits and W L Pct GB W L Pct GB his 11th save of the season and No. 359 two RBIs, including a solo shot in the Tampa Bay 31 20 .608 _ New York 22 20 .524 _ Athletics 6, Mariners 3 for his career, moving into 11th place ninth. Braves left-hander Drew Smyly Boston 30 20 .600 -1/2 Atlanta 24 25 .490 1-1/2 In Oakland, California, James on baseball’s list. (2-3) allowed seven runs and five hits New York 28 20 .583 1-1/2 Miami 24 25 .490 1-1/2 Kaprielian (2-0) allowed two hits in Pittsburgh dropped its fifth straight in 5 1/3 innings. Toronto 24 23 .511 5 Philadelphia 24 26 .480 2 seven scoreless innings, and Oakland game. Rookie Wil Crowe (0-3) re- Baltimore 17 32 .347 13 Washington 20 24 .455 3 corded just four outs. Ben Gamel and Giants 5, Diamondbacks 4 avoided a three-game sweep. Central Division Central Division Matt Olson hit his 13th homer, Seth Kevin Newman each had two of Pitts- In Phoenix, Jason Vosler snapped burgh’s five hits. W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Brown had two hits and two RBIs, and an eighth-inning tie with his first ma- Chicago 28 20 .583 _ St Louis 27 22 .551 _ Jake Diekman got four outs for his Tigers 1, Indians 0 jor league home run and San Francisco Cleveland 26 21 .553 1-1/2 Chicago 26 22 .542 -1/2 sixth save. rallied past Arizona, handing the Dia- In Detroit, Niko Goodrum doubled, Kansas City 23 24 .489 4-1/2 Milwaukee 24 25 .490 3 Robert Dugger (0-1) gave up five mondbacks their 10th straight defeat. Minnesota 20 29 .408 8-1/2 Cincinnati 21 25 .457 4-1/2 runs, five hits and three walks in 3 1/3 advanced on Jake Rogers’ bunt and Pinch-hitter Austin Slater connected scored on Robbie Grossman’s sacrifice Detroit 19 30 .388 9-1/2 Pittsburgh 18 30 .375 8-1/2 innings. for a two-run shot that tied it 4-all ear- West Division fly in the eighth inning, and Detroit lier in the eighth. Tyler Rogers pitched West Division Angels 9, Rangers 8 beat Cleveland to snap a four-game W L Pct GB W L Pct GB out of a huge jam in the ninth, sending Oakland 29 22 .569 _ In Anaheim, California, Taylor losing streak overall and a six-game Arizona to another agonizing loss and San Diego 32 18 .640 _ Houston 27 22 .551 1 Los Angeles 30 19 .612 1-1/2 Ward hit a three-run homer off Dane skid against the Indians. Minnesota Twins pitcher Michael its longest skid since 2010. Seattle 23 27 .460 5-1/2 Dunning (2-4) in the first and had a Detroit’s Jose Urena gave up three Pineda throws against the Balti- Both homers came off Alex San Francisco 30 19 .612 1-1/2 Los Angeles 22 27 .449 6 Colorado 19 30 .388 12-1/2 career-high five RBIs. hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings more Orioles in the first inning of a Young (1-4), who had been one of Texas 22 29 .431 7 Los Angeles led 9-1 but Nate Lowe before exiting with a forearm injury in baseball game, on May 26, in Min- the Diamondbacks’ most effective Arizona 18 32 .360 14 had a two-run homer in sixth, and the middle of an at-bat after a trainer neapolis. (AP) relievers. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 SPORTS 15

Physician warns Games could spread variants of coronavirus EU leaders express support for holding Tokyo Olympics BRUSSELS, May 27, (AP): The Eu- Ueyama continually likened the vi- ropean Union’s two top offi cials ex- rus to a “conventional war” situation, pressed support Thursday for holding and said he was speaking from his own the Tokyo Olympics despite growing experience as a hospital physician who opposition to the event in Japan be- works just outside Tokyo. He has not Defending champions Lightning, cause of the coronavirus pandemic. been involved in any of the Olympic European Commission President planning. Ursula von der Leyen and European “I think the key here is if a new mu- Council President Charles Michel dis- tant strain of the virus were to arise as cussed the games with Prime Minister a result of this, the Olympics,” he said. Yoshihide Suga during a virtual EU- The IOC and local organizers say Islanders ‘advance’ to 2nd round Japan summit. they have been relying on the World “He told us that he is engaged with Health Organization for public-health his country’s authorities to take all guidance. They say the Olympics and necessary precautionary measures,” Paralympics will be “safe and secure,” Michel said after the talks. focused on extensive testing, strict pro- Initially planned last year, the To- tocols, social distancing, and keeping kyo Olympics have been delayed by a athletes largely isolated in the Olympic year because of the pandemic. The are Village alongside Tokyo Bay. scheduled to open on July 23. The IOC has said it expects more In the meeting’s joint statement, than 80% of the people living in the leaders said they support the hold- village to be vaccinated. This contrasts ing of the rescheduled Olympics “in a with a very slow rollout in Japan where safe and secure manner this summer as less than 5% of the public has been a symbol of global unity in defeating vaccinated. COVID-19.” Ueyama, who is the chairman of a With only a tiny percentage of Japa- body that represents 130 physicians, nese people now vaccinated, public joins other medical experts in Japan opinion polls in the country show in voicing opposition to holding the between 60-80% want the Olympics Olympics. On Wednesday, Japan’s canceled, and mass-circulation Asahi Shimbun news- an online peti- paper called for the Olympics to be tion asking for canceled. the games be Earlier this week, the New England canceled has Journal of Medicine said in a commen- gained 400,000 signatures in a few weeks. To- OLYMPICS kyo, Osaka and other regions of tary: “We believe the IOC’s determi- the country are nation to proceed with the Olympic under a state of Games is not informed by the best sci- emergency that Von der Leyen entifi c evidence.” is likely to be It questioned the IOC’s so-called extended past its May 31 expiration. Playbooks, which spell out rules at the Organizers and the IOC, often cit- games for athletes, staff, media and ing the authority of the World Health others. The fi nal edition will be pub- Organization, say the games can be lished next month. held safely with 15,000 Olympic and “The IOC’s Playbooks are not built Paralympic athletes entering Japan, on scientifi cally rigorous risk assess- joined by tens of thousands of judges, ment, and they fail to consider the ways offi cials, sponsors, broadcasters and in which exposure occurs, the factors media. Fans from abroad have already that contribute to exposure, and which been banned, and organizers are to an- participants may be at highest risk,” the nounce next month if any fans at all publication wrote. will be allowed into Olympic venues. The British Medical Journal last Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save on a shot by Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) during the third period in “We have of course said we are look- month in an editorial also asked or- Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup fi rst-round playoff series on May 26, in Tampa, Fla. (AP) ing forward to the Olympic Games,” ganizers to “reconsider” holding the von der Leyen said. “The signal that, Olympics in the middle of a pandemic. from the European Union, more than Ueyama said strains of the virus Fiala, Wild force Game 7 with 3-0 victory over Vegas 100 million doses of vaccines have found in Britain, Brazil, India and been authorized to be exported to Japan South Africa could fi nd there way to also is a strong sign that we support any Tokyo. He repeated that PCR testing TAMPA, Florida, May 27, preparation for the Olympic Games, and vaccines are not foolproof. (AP): Andrei Vasilevskiy Britain pip Belarus and the safety of these games.” “Such a decision (to hold the Olym- wrapped up a series with Meanwhile, a physician represent- pics) is not something to be made only ing a Japanese medical body warned by the IOC or only by the one host a Game 6 shutout for the Henrique nets twice, Thursday that holding the postponed country,” he said. “I am an Olympic second straight time, stop- Tokyo Olympics in two months could fan. However, I don’t think they should ping 29 shots in the Tampa Canada top Norway lead to the spread of variants of the go ahead while pushing many people coronavirus. into danger or calling on many people Bay Lightning’s 4-0 victory RIGA, Latvia, May 27, (AP): Adam Dr. Naoto Ueyama, chairman of the to make sacrifi ces in regard to their over the Florida Panthers. Henrique had two goals and an as- Japan Doctors Union, said the Interna- lives in order for them to take place. Vasilevskiy also shut out the sist and Canada beat Norway 4-2 tional Olympic Committee and the Japa- “It is dangerous to hold the Olympic Dallas Stars last year to win the in the world hockey championship nese government had underestimated the Games here in Tokyo,” Ueyama added. Stanley Cup. for its fi rst victory in four games. risks of bringing 15,000 Olympic and He stressed what others have said The Lightning advanced to face the Connor Brown added a goal and Paralympic athletes into the country, - holding the Olympics will place Ja- Carolina-Nashville winner in the sec- two assists, Andrew Mangiapane joined by tens of thousands of offi cials, pan’s medical system under more ond round. Tampa Bay advanced to also scored and Darcy Kuemper judges, media and broadcasters from strain. Tokyo, Osaka and other parts of the second round for the fifth time in made 13 saves. more than 200 countries and territories. Japan are under emergency orders that the past seven years. Canada moved into a tie with “Since the emergence of COVID-19 are likely to be extended past the May The Panthers have not won a play- Norway for sixth place in Group there has not been such a dangerous 31 expiration. B. Canada has never failed to ad- gathering of people coming together in “It will not be possible for hospitals off series since the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals. Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) fi ghts for control of the puck vance from group play in the event. one place from so many different plac- to provide any special treatment for with New York Islanders’ Anthony Beauvillier (18) during the fi rst period of It will face Kazakhstan on Thurs- es around the world,” he said, speaking those involved in the Olympics,” he Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup fi rst-round playoff series, on May day. in Tokyo at the Foreign Correspond- said. “They will be having the same ICE HOCKEY 26, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP) ents’ Club of Japan. “It’s very diffi cult treatment under the same rules that are to predict what this could lead to.” available to the Japanese people.” ICE HOCKEY Steven Stamkos scored his third goal of the series and Pat Maroon Thomas Valkae Olsen and Mats added his first. Brayden Point added Rosseli Olsen scored for Norway. his fourth of the series in the third In the other Group B game period and Alex Killorn had an emp- Wednesday, Kazakhstan ended ty-net goal with 1:42 left. fi rst-place Germany’s three-game Rookie Spencer Knight, back in net winning streak with a 3-2 victory. for Florida after his strong playoff Pavel Akolzin broke a tie on a debut in Game 5, finished with 20 breakaway with 4:18 left. saves. Nikita Boyarkin made 28 saves Islanders 5, Penguins 3 and Alexander Shin and Roman In Uniondale, New York, Brock Starchenko also scored. Tom Kuh- Nelson scored twice in New York’s nhackl and Markus Eisenschmid three-goal second period and the scored for Germany. Islanders beat Pittsburgh in Game 6 to The United States (2-1-0) will advance to the second round. resume Group B play Thursday The Islanders will face Boston in against Latvia. the next round, and fans chanted “We In Group A, Britain beat Belarus want Bos-ton! We want Bos-ton!” in 4-3 for its fi rst regulation victory in the closing minutes. the event since 1962, and Russia Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24) and Vegas Golden Knights Anthony Beauvillier had a goal and topped Denmark 3-0. defenseman Alec Martinez (23) fi ght during the second period in Game 6 two assists, and Kyle Palmieri and Liam Kirk scored twice for Brit- Ryan Pulock also scored to help the of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup fi rst-round playoff series, on May 26, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP) ain. Ben Davies and Mark Ham- Kiko Francisco Coelho, (left), and Leopoldo Herrera III hold the trophy after Islanders beat the top-seeded mond also scored and Ben Bowns Penguins in the first round for the they won the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball golf championship, on May 26, in 19 assist, and Jeff Carter and Jake tion. stopped 33 shots. second time in three years. Josh Alexander Samonov made 18 holes at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. (AP) Bailey and Jean-Gabriel Pageau each Guentzel also scored for Pittsburgh. The first-round series moves back Tristan Jarry made 19 saves. to Las Vegas for the decisive Game 7 saves for Russia, and Ivan Mo- had two assists. rozov, Alexander Barabanov and Ilya Sorokin stopped 34 shots to Wild 3, Vegas 0 on Friday night. The Colorado Youngsters Coelho & Herrera win Dmitri Voronkov scored. move to 4-0 with a 1.95 goals-against In St. Paul, Minnesota, Kevin Fiala Avalanche, who tied the Golden average in the series. He had seven had a goal and an assist in the third Knights for the best regular-season US Amateur Four-Ball champ’ship saves in the first period, 15 in the period to break open a scoreless record in the NHL, await after sweep- in support of Talbot, who made 23 game, Cam Talbot had his second ing the St. Louis Blues. stops. He had 38 saves Monday night UNIVERSITY PLACE, Washington, It was the fi rst time the Amateur second and 12 in the third to finish with 150 in his four starts. shutout of the series and Minnesota Ryan Hartman scored first and to help the Wild steal Game 5 while May 27, (AP): Kiko Francisco Coelho Four-Ball had been played since 2019 being outshot 40-14. and Leopoldo Herrera III won the U.S. at Bandon Dunes after the 2020 ver- Jason Zucker had a goal and an beat Vegas to again stave off elimina- Nick Bjugstad tacked on the last goal Amateur Four-Ball championship, sion was canceled due to the COV- birdieing the fi rst extra hole to beat ID-19 pandemic. It also served as the Brendan MacDougall and Sam Meek. USGA’s return to Chambers Bay, the The 18-year-old Coelho and 19-year- polarizing host of the 2015 U.S. Open Ole Miss overwhelms Oklahoma State to claim NCAA title old Herrera, both from Florida, earned won by Jordan Speith. The golf course entry into the U.S. Amateur with the was awarded the 2022 Women’s Ama- SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, May 27, the largest margin for the fi nal round 4 to pin-high just left of the green. pausing to let her bump fi sts with Fi- victory at Chambers Bay in the sixth teur this week and there continue to be (AP): Julia Johnson wrote out a list of since the NCAA switched to match Swann laid up with an iron that didn’t erro. And then the tears began to fl ow. edition of the event. Herrera just com- rumblings of a future U.S. Women’s goals when she arrived at Ole Miss to play in 2015. quite clear the rough. No matter. She “We were nowhere close. We pleted his fi rst season at UCF. Coelho Open coming to the course situated play golf for a program that had not Right behind her was Johnson, hit wedge the perfect distance and it worked our tails off to get here,” said grew up in Portugal before moving to alongside Puget Sound. won so much as an SEC title. never giving any hope in a 4-and-3 rolled out to tap-in range for a con- Swann, with face stickers that had Florida a few years ago and is bound The title capped a strong run through The fi fth and fi nal goal: National victory over Rita Tatematsu. ceded birdie. “Flim Flam” on one cheek and “Bim for Arizona State in the fall. match play for Coelho and Herrera. The champion. The key, however, came at the front Stark pitched it 6 feet by the hole Bam” on the other. We’ve fi nally Coelho and Herrera held a 2 up lead duo were the No. 8 seed after stroke “Part of me thought we could do of the lineup. and missed the birdie putt that gave proven we belong. Ole Miss is a good through 14 holes before MacDougall play, and needed 21 holes to advance it. Part of me thought, ‘This is a big Swann faced Swann a 2-and-1 win. team and we’ll be around for a long and Meek - Canadians who just com- from the round of 32, but posted con- dream,’” Johnson said after the Re- Maja Stark, the Behind her, Lignell rallied from an time.” pleted their fi nal seasons at the Univer- bels overwhelmed Oklahoma State, Cowgirls’ best early defi cit to take her fi rst lead on Swann and Lignell won all three sity of Nevada - rallied. 4-1, to win the NCAA Women’s player and No. 7 the 13th hole over Isabella Fierro, who of their matches against Texas in the MacDougall rolled in a birdie putt GOLF Championship. “I don’t think it’s hit in the women’s quarterfi nals, Arizona in the semifi - on the signature par-3 15th and made me yet. We’re going to cherish this world amateur GOLF nals and the Cowgirls in the champi- another on the 17th to pull even in the vincing victories to reach the semifi nals. forever.” ranking. Swann onship round. match. MacDougall nearly won the In the semifi nals early Wednes- It was the fi rst national title for Ole fell behind after Oklahoma State also was trying title when his eagle pitch from off the day, Coelho and Herrera beat the No- Miss women in any sport. three holes, tied had not trailed all week. Lignell then to win its fi rst national title in wom- green on No. 18 hit the fl agstick but tre Dame duo of Davis Chatfi eld and Kennedy Swann and Andrea Leg- the match and had Fierro putt from 2 feet on the next en’s golf. The men’s program has didn’t fall. The birdie was matched Palmer Jackson 3 and 2. nell led the way for the Rebels by then won three Johnson hole, and Fierro missed to fall 2 down. 11 NCAA titles. Maddison Hinson- when Herrera made a 14-footer and MacDougall and Meek advanced completing perfect weeks at Gray- straight holes to Lignell holed the winning putt Tolchard delivered the only point forced extra holes. to the fi nal after a lengthy morning of hawk Golf Club, winning all three of take a 3-up lead to the back nine. from 6 feet for par on the 17th hole for the Cowgirls, 4 and 3 over Smilla Playing the fi rst hole for a second golf. Their quarterfi nal match against their matches. Stark holed a long birdie putt on the for a 2-and-1 victory, and the celebra- Sonderby. By then it was too late. time in the match, both Herrera and Blake Hathcoat and Michael Slesinski Chiarra Tamburlini set the tone for 11th and birdied the par-3 13th to get tion was on. Sonderby did her work in the quar- Cuelho made birdie. Meek’s birdie at- on Tuesday night was suspended due Ole Miss in the third of fi ve matches. within 1 down. But she couldn’t catch Ole Miss was gracious in victory, terfi nals by winning in 21 holes in the tempt to extend the match missed left to darkness with the teams on the 16th She was 6 up at the turn over Lianna up to Swann, and it ended on the 17th. its players waiting on the edge of the anchor match that enabled Ole Miss of the cup. hole. Bailey, and her 6-and-5 victory was Stark hit driver on the 272-yard par 17th green to rush over to Lignell, then to get by Texas. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 28-29, 2021 16

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gob- ert, rear, and Memphis Griz- zlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) battle for a rebound during the fi rst half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball fi rst- round playoff series in Salt Lake City. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com 76ers take 2-0 lead as Knicks rally past Hawks in Game 2 Mitchell nets 25, Jazz overcome Grizzlies to even series

SALT LAKE CITY, May 27, start the third quarter, trimming the lead (AP):Donovan Mitchell wanted to to 93-91 on Melton’s 3-pointer. Bernal keeps Giro lead make up for lost time. Early on, the Jazz extended their de- Mitchell scored 25 points in his fense beyond the 3-point line and often much-anticipated return from a sprained had an extra defender trap or run at ankle and the Utah Jazz overcame Ja Morant before he could get going. But Morant’s franchise-record 47 points in Morant found a way to score 20 points Bettiol gets fi rst Grand Tour stage win a 141-129 victory over the Memphis in the fi rst half, but didn’t get much help Grizzlies on Wednesday night, tying from the rest of the Grizzlies until their STRADELLA, Italy, May 27, (AP): Italian cyclist Alberto Simone Consonni led the rest of the breakaway the fi rst-round playoff series at a game third-quarter outburst. Bettiol timed his attack perfectly to win the 18th stage across, 17 seconds behind Bettiol. Nicolas Roche was 76ers 120, Wizards 95 of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday for his fi rst victory in third to complete an all-Italian podium. apiece. a Grand Tour, and Egan Bernal kept the leader’s pink Bernal crossed the line in the peloton, more than 23 Mitchell, who was limited to 26 min- In Philadelphia, Ben Simmons put a jersey at the end of the race’s longest leg. minutes behind. The 2019 Tour de France champion utes, made fi ve 3-pointers. Rudy Gob- spin move on Russell Westbrook that Bettiol, who rides for EF Education-Nippo, had plenty maintained his lead of 2 minutes, 21 seconds over Dami- ert had 21 points, 13 rebounds and four sent him sprawling to the fl oor several of time to sit up on his bicycle and repeatedly lift up his ano Caruso and 3:23 ahead of third-place Simon Yates. blocks for the Jazz. minutes before a leg injury sent the hands to encourage the home fans that lined the route Friday’s 19th stage has been modifi ed to bypass the NBA’s triple-double king to the locker to cheer louder as he approached the fi nish line. room. The 231-kilometer (144-mile) route from Rovereto CYCLING BASKETBALL With Simmons soaring and West- to Stradella was mainly fl at but ended with a series of brook ailing, Philadelphia beat Wash- short climbs through the rolling Pavia winelands. Mike Conley had 20 points and ington night to take a 2-0 series lead. Rémi Cavagna appeared to be heading for the win top-category climb of the Mottarone after a cable car a career-best 15 assists, and Bojan Game 3 is Saturday night at Washing- after attacking on the approach to the fourth-category disaster there killed 14 people on Sunday. The new, Bogdanovic added 18 points to help the ton. Castana climb and crossing with a 28-second advan- slightly-shorter route nevertheless includes three cat- Italy’s Alberto Bettiol celebrates as Jazz knot the series. Westbrook went down after collid- tage, but Bettiol had set off in pursuit and caught and egorized climbs – including a top-classed one to the he wins the 18th stage of the Giro Buoyed by Mitchell, the Jazz led by ing with Furkan Korkmaz early in the passed the French time-trial champion with about sev- fi nish – on the 166-kilometer (103-mile) leg from Ab- d’Italia cycling race, from Rovereto to as many as 22 points in the fi rst half, but fourth quarter. He limped off the fl oor en kilometers remaining. biategrasso to Alpe di Mera. Stradella, Italy. (AP) Morant and the Grizzlies roared back in and was restrained by security after the third quarter. Utah didn’t ask Mitch- a fan threw popcorn at him as he was ell to win the game himself, but the Jazz headed under the tunnel. game in a 125-118 win in Game 1 Brad- quarter turnaround and the New York were staring at a 13-point defi cit. But poor shooting night. He was 5 for 16 af- needed his presence to withstand the Simmons and Joel Embiid each ley Beal had 33 points for Washington. Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 101-92 with Rose moving into the starting ter going 6 for 23 in the opener. Memphis runs. scored 22 points and Tobias Harris add- Westbrook fi nished with 10 points and in Game 2 to tie the series. lineup to open the third quarter, Randle But he came through with it counted As he did in the fi rst game, Brooks ed 19 for the top-seeded Sixers. Sim- 11 assists for sub-.500 Washington. Game 3 is Friday night in Atlanta, scored 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting in along with Reggie Bullock, who made gave the Grizzlies a big lift once he got mons added nine rebounds and eight Knicks 101, Hawks 92 where the Hawks will be allowed to the period as the Knicks took the lead. four 3-pointers in the second half and some relief from foul trouble. He and assists after becoming just the sixth In New York, Derrick Rose scored welcome a full capacity crowd for the The winner of the NBA’s Most Im- also had 15 points as the Knicks guar- Morant got in the lane time and again as player in NBA history to have at least 26 points, Julius Randle shook off fi rst time Randle was 0 for 6 with just proved Player award fi nished with 15 anteed there will be at least one more Memphis made 17 of 20 fi eld goals to 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a playoff a miserable fi rst half to lead a third- two points at halftime and the Knicks points and 12 rebounds despite another home game in this surprising season. No Aguero Manchester City Villarreal edge Man United in remodel ‘attack’

LONDON, May 27, (AP): They’ve been Pep Guardiola’s go- to players for goals at Manchester City. Sergio Aguero, the penalty-box predator described by his manager marathon shootout for EL title as a “lion in the jungle.” Raheem Sterling, the once-streaky winger who has grown into a composed and prolifi c fi nisher. Consider this: Aguero and Sterling were City’s top two scor- ers in the Premier League in each of Guardiola’s fi rst four seasons at the club, combining for a total of 27 goals (2016-17), 39 (2017- 18), 38 (2018-19) and 36 (2019- 20). Now consider this: for the big- gest match in Guardiola’s City ca- reer - the Champions League fi nal against Chelsea in Porto on Satur- day - Aguero and Sterling almost certainly won’t be in the team. “I have to take the decision which is the best to win the game,” Guardiola said. And that means not selecting the two players who have served Guardiola best in scoring goals since 2016. Yet his choice is understandable - and it all boils down to trust. With Aguero, Guardiola does not trust the Argentina striker to be healthy enough to contribute in a game of such magni- tude. Aguero, City’s record scorer with 260 goals and quite possibly their greatest-ever Aguero player, has had fi tness issues throughout what will prove to be the last of his 10 sea- sons at the club and was even only afforded 25 minutes off the bench on Sunday in what was likely his fi nal Premier League game. SOCCER

Aguero, naturally, still scored two well-taken goals against Ever- Villarreal players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Europa League fi nal soccer match between Manchester United and Villarreal in Gdansk, Poland. (AP) ton but that won’t be enough to persuade Guardiola to start him on tion after he was fired by Arsenal last Saturday. He’ll have to make do with being a potential super-sub in Goalkeeper Rulli stars season. Emery was hoisted aloft by his his fi nal City appearance before an players before they received their med- expected move to Barcelona. als. He won three Europa League titles “I hope, I hope, I hope,” the GDANSK, Poland, May 27, As Rulli lay on the grass after his in a row with Sevilla from 2014 through save, the entire team ran over and piled 32-year-old Aguero said, “but I (AP): Villarreal goalkeeper 2016 and lost the 2019 final with don’t know. If I will play a few on top of the Argentine goalkeeper. It Arsenal against Chelsea. Gerónimo Rulli decided a was an upset to savor as Villarreal - a minutes, I will give my best.” “We worked hard this season and I With Sterling, Guardiola appears marathon shootout by con- team from a city of about 50,000 peo- think we deserved to win and to do ple - secured the first major trophy in to have lost faith in the England verting his own spot kick something important,” Emery said. international’s ability to infl u- the 98-year history of the club by beat- “We are going to enjoy each moment ence the biggest matches. Sterling and then saving one from ing one of European soccer’s giants. but above all we are going to prepare didn’t start in either leg of City’s counterpart David de Gea It also secured a lucrative Champions for the next season to prepare in the meetings against Borussia Dort- as the Spanish team beat League spot for next season rather than Champions League and have this mund or Paris Saint-Germain in playing in the new third-tier Europa opportunity with very big teams.” the quarterfi nals and semifi nals, Manchester United 11-10 Villarreal’s win also ensured that respectively, in the Champions on penalties Wednesday to SOCCER United went a fourth consecutive sea- League, with Riyad Mahrez and son without a trophy for the first time Phil Foden preferred in the wide win the Europa League fi - since the 1980s and left their manager positions. nal. Conference League after Villarreal Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still looking for Sterling’s output has dropped After a 1-1 draw following extra only finished seventh in the Spanish his first title. United’s last silverware markedly, from 35 goals in 57 time, all 10 outfi eld players from league. And they stopped an English Villarreal’s goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saves a penalty taken by Manches- was the Europa League in 2017. matches in all competitions for sweep of the two big European compe- ter United’s goalkeeper David de Gea giving victory to Villarreal during the United dominated the early posses- club and country in 2019-20 to 16 both teams made their penalties in titions before Chelsea and Manchester Europa League fi nal soccer match between Manchester United and Villar- sion but it was Villarreal who made the goals in 53 matches in 2020-21. the shootout - leaving it up to the City play the Champions League final real in Gdansk, Poland. (AP) breakthrough. Gerard Moreno pushed He has just one goal in his last 15 two goalkeepers to take the 11th. on Saturday. past Victor Lindelöf at a free kick in the taking it all. It was tough, we had a half.” For Villarreal coach Unai Emery appearances for City, and his drib- Rulli sent his penalty into the top “It feels really good,” Villarreal mid- 29th minute and strained to prod Daniel bling and fi nal ball just haven’t corner but De Gea’s lacked power and fielder Francis Coquelin said. “When tough game. Manchester put a lot of it was a record fourth Europa League Perejo’s cross past De Gea in the been incisive. was stopped by the Villarreal keeper. you go down to the end it’s the winner pressure on us, especially in the first title and offered a measure of redemp- United goal.

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