THULQADA 3, 1442 AH SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021

16 Pages Max 45º Min 32º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18458 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

MoU major step to help Indian Whale of a tale: US fisherman Krejcikova wins French Open, Eriksen ‘awake’ in hospital 3 domestic workers: Jaishankar 12 says swallowed by humpback 14 dedicates victory to Novotna 16 after collapsing on pitch

No salary since February for hundreds working in Kuwait

Contracting company employees deployed to public bodies struggling to survive

By Nawara Fattahova (labor department) as I’m afraid that I may be Another employee from Bangladesh who serves KD 150 to KD 200,” he explained. deported,” a security guard working at a location of tea and coffee at a Jahra municipal office and In April, a social media post by a group of securi- KUWAIT: Hundreds of security guards, porters the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish employed by the same company said he hasn’t ty guards who work at the ministry of education and cleaners working at public institutions haven’t Resources told Kuwait Times. received his salary since March. “Although I haven’t went viral in Kuwait. In the post, the men com- received their salaries since February. All of these The security guard, who preferred to remain received my salary for the past two months, I am plained that they had not received their salaries for employees work in the public sector but are anonymous, said he has been working in Kuwait for surviving as I have a part-time job. But I wasn’t able the past five months. The Public Authority for employed by a private company that has a contract the past 16 years. “I’m working with the same com- to send money to my family back home,” he said. Manpower (PAM) followed up the case and their with these public institutions and is in charge of pany since I came to Kuwait. They were paying According to the employee, who asked to remain employer had to pay their salaries within a few days. paying their salaries. properly, but during the last two years, they began anonymous for fear of reprisal or deportation, around But that outcome is rare. More often, those who “I haven’t received my salary for the past three delaying the payment of our salaries, but were still 100 employees working at the Jahra municipal office publicly complain of unpaid salaries are fired or months and am surviving on charity. Also, my family paying. But since February they stopped paying,” haven’t been paid since March. “These employees are deported or have their visas canceled by their employ- back in Egypt is suffering as I couldn’t send them he explained. Around 300 guards, porters and employed by the same company and work as porters, ers. Failure by employers to pay wages for months at a money all these months and they depend on me. I cleaners working for the company at PAAAFR have office boys and security guards. They are mostly from time is a common problem in Kuwait, especially didn’t file a case against the employer at the shuoon not received their salaries since February. Bangladesh, India and Egypt, with salaries of between among companies contracted with the government.

part in the hajj in July last year, a far cry from the News in brief Haj allowed for 60K 2.5 million who participated in the five-day annual pilgrimage in 2019 before the pandemic. No ‘Delta’ cases in Kuwait vaccinated residents, “In light of what the whole world is witnessing with the coronavirus pandemic... and the emer- KUWAIT: There are no proven cases in Kuwait gence of new variants, the relevant authorities have so far of the Delta coronavirus variant, previ- foreigners barred continued to monitor the global health situation,” ously known as the Indian variant, the health the health ministry said. “Considering the large ministry underlined yesterday. The announce- RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced yesterday it will crowds that perform hajj, spending long periods of ment is based on the health ministry’s findings allow 60,000 residents vaccinated against COVID time in multiple and specific places... requires the after an ongoing in-depth laboratory review, to perform this year’s hajj, but Muslims from highest levels of health precautions.” according to a ministry statement. An announce- abroad will be barred for a second straight year. Saudi Arabia said those wishing to perform the ment will be made in the event of the presence The hajj - a must for able-bodied Muslims at least hajj would have to apply online, without specifying of any new variants, it added. — KUNA once in their lives - typically packs millions of pil- how many foreign residents would be among the grims into congested religious sites and could be a 60,000 pilgrims. In 2020, foreigners were 70 per- major source of contagion amid the coronavirus cent of the pilgrims, while Saudis made up the rest. 1,437 new cases, 4 deaths pandemic. The kingdom said later that it had informed other This year it would be “open for nationals and countries of the decision not to allow pilgrims from KUWAIT: Kuwait said 1,437 people tested residents of the kingdom, limited to 60,000 pil- abroad.“There was great understanding,” its positive for COVID-19 with four related deaths grims”, the hajj ministry said, quoted by the official deputy hajj minister, Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Saudi Press Agency. The pilgrimage, scheduled to Mashat, told a news conference. “Arrangements for yesterday, taking total cases to 326,451 and RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah be held in July, would be limited to those who have this were based on the kingdom’s keenness on the deaths to 1,817. Another 1,317 people recovered Abdulfattah Mashat speaks at a press conference been vaccinated and are aged 18-65 with no chron- pilgrims’ health and the safety of their countries.” from the virus, taking total recoveries to yesterday. —AFP 308,829. The number of people hospitalized ic illnesses, it said. Only up to 10,000 Muslims took Continued on Page 2 with the virus currently stands at 15,805, with 161 of them in intensive care units. Some 10,067 swab tests were conducted over the past day, taking total tests to 2,741,423. Kuwait reported G7 takes on China 1,657 new COVID cases and three deaths on Friday, and 1,709 cases and four deaths on and plan to battle Thursday. — KUNA new pandemics MoH: Glucophage is safe CARBIS BAY, United Kingdom: The G7 yesterday KUWAIT: The health ministry maintains that unveiled US-led plans to counter China in infrastruc- the drug used to treat type two diabetes - under ture funding for poorer nations, and a new accord to the brand name Glucophage - is safe. The min- battle future pandemics, as the elite group advertised istry has not issued any decision to pull the Western unity at its first in-person summit since 2019. medication off the shelves, and it continues to be President Joe Biden is touting a message of revived available at pharmacies, clinics and hospitals, it US leadership on his first foreign tour, declaring added in a statement. — KUNA “America is back” after the tumultuous administration of Donald Trump. “We’re on the same page,” Biden told reporters Gold seal forgers arrested as he met French President Emmanuel Macron on the summit sidelines, pushing to rally the West KUWAIT: The interior ministry said criminal against a resurgent China and recalcitrant Russia. CARBIS BAY: (From left) Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President of the European Council Charles detectives and the financial crimes department, Asked if other G7 leaders agreed with him about a Michel, US President Joe Biden, Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Britain’s Prime Minister Boris inister Mario Draghi, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, President of the Europeanؤ in cooperation with the ministry of commerce US diplomatic renaissance, Biden pointed to Johnson, Italy’s Prime and industry, busted an Asian gang that forged Macron, who replied: “Definitely.” Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel pose for a family photo at the the commerce ministry’s gold seal. Continue on Page 2 start of the G7 summit on Friday. — AFP Investigations revealed the involvement of sev- eral gold shops selling gold pieces with forged seals. (See Page 4) among its 1.3-billion people. detect HIV infections, says that India’s first CoviSelf was launched earlier this widespread access to CoviSelf - month and is the first home testing sold for 250 rupees ($3.40) - kit to be approved in India, which would reduce pressure on over- COVID home is slowly emerging from a brutal burdened laboratories and second wave that overwhelmed its improve infection tracking. test launched hospitals and crematoriums, with The kit uses a nasal swab and almost 30 million infected so far a QR code to connect to a mobile LONAVLA, India: Indian start- and over 350,000 dead. app which reveals results in 15 up Mylab Discovery Solutions But many experts suspect that minutes, and sends the details to hopes that its inexpensive the real numbers are much higher, the Indian Council for Medical COVID-19 home test kit - the blaming insufficient testing and Research, the scientific agency country’s first - will help the mas- inaccurate recording of the cause leading the government’s LONAVLA, India: Dr Shrikant Pawar, Head - Serology sive South Asian nation better of patient deaths. The start-up, response. and Microbiome, displays a pack of CoviSelf on June track the pandemic’s spread which also makes PCR tests to Continued on Page 2 10, 2021. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Sunday, June 13, 2021 Local Speaker hails IPU’s condemnation of Zionist colonization policy

KUWAIT: Kuwait National Assembly Speaker Committee on Middle East Questions to investigate Parliament on May 12, to discuss the Jewish escala- and the UN resolutions, including the two-state Marzouq Al-Ghanem returned home Friday after the incidents and situation in Palestine. He also wel- tion in Palestine. “The number of Palestinians killed solution. He also affirmed refusal to Jewish’s settle- holding talks with President of Inter-Parliamentary comed Pacheco’s decision to visit Palestine and in 51 days, exceeds the number of Jews killed in the ment expansion, adding that it is destroying peace Union (IPU) Duarte Pacheco on Palestine in Geneva. meet officials in Gaza, according to Ad Dustour past 51 years,” Al-Ghanem noted. efforts. Pacheco called on the international commu- Applauding IPU’s condemnation of Jewish’s actions news network. On his part, Pacheco underlined the strong ties nity to condemn Zionist’s attacks on Al-Aqsa and violence in Palestine, Speaker Al-Ghanem The meeting came in response to recommenda- between IPU and Kuwait’s National Assembly. He Mosque and the excessive use of power against thanked Pacheco for instructing the IPU’s tions issued by the urgent meeting of the Arab called on Zionists to abide by the international law Palestinians in Gaza. — KUNA

IWG holds informative virtual meeting on the topic of ‘Well-Being’

KUWAIT: The International Women’s throughout the year. Group- Kuwait held an interesting Acknowledging the importance of and informative virtual meeting on the teamwork, Mrs Mustafa talked about topic of ‘Well-Being’ as their final the awards ceremony held earlier for event of 2020-2021. the friends of the IWG who supported Mrs. Ambreen Mustafa, spouse of the organization throughout the year. the Ambassador of the Islamic Her final thanks were for the IWG Republic of Pakistan, delivered her members whose constant encourage- final address as president of IWG and ment, interest and appreciation gave welcomed Mrs Cristiana Turchetti meaning and purpose to the events. Baldocci, spouse of the Ambassador Mrs Layla Boulos, IWG PR of Italy, as the incoming IWG presi- Coordinator, acting as master of cere- dent for 2021-2022. monies, then proceeded to introduce In her address Mrs Mustafa the virtual program on ‘Well-Being’. thanked Sheikha Hanouf Bader Al Presented live from The Netherlands Muhamad Al-Sabah, spouse to HE by Mrs Xandra Spijker, Life Coach Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorary and Mindful Analyst and former IWG lowed by a short quiz and prizes. To President of the International board member. the further delight of members, Ms Women’s Group- Kuwait (IWG), for Very familiar with life in Kuwait, Noura Fawzi Al Nadji, fitness instruc- her invaluable guidance and support having just recently returned to The tor and personal trainer, also present- throughout the challenging times Netherlands after many years, Mrs ed a segment of daily toning and faced by all during the pandemic. She Spijker covered topics on nutrition, stretching exercises to complete the also thanked Sheikha Hanouf for tak- physical activity, stress, energy and ‘Well-Being’ segment. ing part in her earlier farewell and happiness; highlighting daily simple In keeping with the theme of the handover ceremony wherein Sheikha changes that can be made for a program, the IWG board members Hanouf lauded the exceptional cre- healthier life. Closing her informative had together compiled a short seg- ativity, resilience and hard work of the presentation by reminding members ment on ‘Happiness’ and each includ- IWG. Mrs Mustafa praised the out- to be kind to themselves and to use ed a picture with a caption of what standing teamwork of the IWG board, their day wisely, saying that happiness means to them. The pro- echoing Sheikha Hanouf’s comments ‘Happiness’ is not a goal to be ceedings concluded with well-wishes that the IWG had emerged stronger reached only at the ‘end of the hori- to all for a safe, healthy and happy and was the only organization of its zon’, but rather in ‘the everyday small summer break and the commitment to kind in Kuwait which had produced, things’ that create fulfillment in life. coming back in September to yet without fail, interesting and inspiring An interactive and highly enjoyable another productive, informative and monthly programs for its members question and answer segment was fol- enjoyable IWG membership year.

Firemen fight fire in Jleeb

KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Force said six fire centers participated in storage purposes despite their residential status. Firemen faced fighting a fire in five traditional houses in Jleeb yesterday morning. various difficulties including lack of organization of the area and It added the houses were used for occupational, industrial and wind speed. The fire was put out and no injuries were reported.

In May, only inoculated or immunized citizens tive steps include slashing the time taken to develop and Haj allowed for were allowed to travel abroad, after the kingdom G7 takes on China license vaccines, treatments and diagnostics for any lifted a ban on overseas trips introduced at the future disease to under 100 days, while reinforcing global start of the pandemic. The kingdom has also said surveillance networks. The G7 - Britain, Canada, France, 60K vaccinated... that from Aug 1, vaccinations would be mandatory and plan to battle... Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States - will formally to enter government and private establishments, publish the pact today, alongside its final summit commu- Continued from Page 1 including education institutions and entertainment Continued from Page 1 nique containing further details on the B3W. “The #CarbisBayDeclaration marks a proud and venues, as well as to use public transport. In a relaxation of coronavirus curbs last Promising to “collectively catalyze” hundreds of bil- historic moment for us all,” British Prime Minister Boris Riyadh is accelerating a nationwide vaccination Johnson said on Twitter. “Under this agreement, the drive as it moves to revive tourism and host sports October, Saudi Arabia opened the Grand Mosque lions of infrastructure investment for low- and middle- for prayers for the first time in seven months and income countries, the G7 leaders said they would offer a world’s leading democracies will commit to preventing a and entertainment events, pandemic-hit sectors global pandemic from ever happening again, ensuring partially resumed the all-year-round umrah pil- “values-driven, high-standard and transparent” partner- that are a bedrock of the “Vision 2030” program to ship. Their “Build Back Better World” (B3W) project is the devastation caused by COVID-19 is never repeat- diversify its oil-reliant economy. It has approved grimage. The limit on umrah pilgrims is 20,000 a ed,” he said. day, with a total of 60,000 worshippers allowed to aimed squarely at competing with China’s trillion-dollar the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which has been World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom perform daily prayers at the mosque. — AFP and AstraZeneca vaccines. widely criticized for saddling small countries with unman- Ghebreyesus, criticized in some quarters for being too ageable debt but has included even G7 member Italy accommodating towards China where the coronavirus ers ran detailed quality checks on the kit’s compo- since launching in 2013. originated, welcomed the health pact. And he said the UN India’s first nents before shipping them out to pharmacies “This is not just about confronting or taking on agency would examine a British proposal to create a across the country. “Our current production capaci- China,” a senior US official said. “This is about providing “Global Pandemic Radar” to send early warnings of ty is 10 million tests in a week”, Pawar told AFP, with an affirmative, positive alternative vision for the world.” future outbreaks. However, aid charity Oxfam said the COVID home... the kit also sold on Flipkart, a Walmart-backed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose nation has declaration “does nothing to address the fundamental huge investments in China, called it an “important initia- problems that are preventing vaccines being accessible Continued from Page 1 online behemoth. “If the market demand goes high, we will be able tive” that was much-needed in infrastructure-poor Africa. to the vast majority of humanity”. The G7 leaders are expected to pledge to donate to cater to more tests a week and yes, we are also “We can’t sit back and say that China will do it but it’s the “It has been designed so people can do it at one billion vaccine doses to poor countries this year planning to go overseas, so it will be available in G7’s ambition to have a positive agenda for a number of home. So the contents of the kit are simple, the way countries in the world which are still lagging behind... I and next - although campaigners say the rollout is to dispose of it is simple, the way to perform it is international markets as well.” But with the kit only much too slow to end the crisis sooner. The leaders are accessible to smartphone users, its impact may be welcome it,” she said. simple,” said Shrikant Pawar, Head of Serology & Britain meanwhile hailed G7 agreement on the “Carbis also set to issue new commitments on climate change, limited, especially as the pandemic makes deeper Microbiome at Mylab. Bay Declaration” - a series of commitments to curb including financial aid for the developing world, in the At the firm’s factory in the hillside resort town of forays into rural India, where mobile networks are future pandemics after COVID-19 wrecked economies buildup to the UN’s COP26 environmental summit in Lonavla in western India, masked and gloved work- weak and Internet penetration remains low. — AFP and claimed millions of lives around the world. The collec- Scotland in November. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Sunday, June 13, 2021 MoU major step to help Indian domestic workers: Jaishankar India FM chairs conference of regional Indian ambassadors in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah and S Jaishankar KUWAIT: India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chairs a conference of Indian ambassadors in the Gulf region and Iran in Kuwait jointly launch the year-long joint celebrations of the 60th anniversary of on Thursday. India-Kuwait Diplomatic relations.

By Sajeev K Peter mount importance. “The former Amir, on the recruitment of domestic workers ry and our keenness to work together HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber was also signed. There is excitement, to address contemporary challenges KUWAIT: The memorandum of under- Al-Sabah, was amongst those leaders enthusiasm and more importantly opti- such as the COVID-19 pandemic, cli- Unity and healing standing (MoU) signed between whose personal contributions to the mism on both sides to take our partner- mate change, sustainable development Kuwait and India Thursday is an impor- strengthening of this relationship are ships to newer heights,” Jaishankar and terrorism,” he affirmed. Message of Ambassador of the Republic of the tant step as it would help streamline immense. With his demise, the State of pointed out. He said India greatly val- Significantly, the Indian foreign min- Philippines to Kuwait on Philippine and strengthen the position of Indian Kuwait lost a great statesman, India ues the role being played by Kuwait in ister chaired a meeting of Indian Independence Day 2021 domestic workers in Kuwait and bring lost a great friend and the Indian com- contributing to the stability of the ambassadors in the region in Kuwait on them within the ambit of a legal frame- munity in Kuwait lost a caring leader. It region. Thursday. The Indian ambassadors to wish to express work, India’s External Affairs Minister S is not for no reason that he was Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, my warmest Jaishankar said Friday. bestowed the award of Global Fighting the pandemic Qatar, Bahrain and Iran arrived in Igreetings to the Kuwait and India signed an MoU on Humanitarian Leader by the United During the second wave of peak Kuwait to attend the conference. 220,000-strong recruitment of Indian domestic workers Nations. He took special care of the infections, Kuwait offered an uninter- Filipino community in Kuwait. During his three-day visit, Indian community in Kuwait and we in rupted supply of medical oxygen to Diaspora matters in Kuwait on the the minister called on HH the Prime India are grateful for that warmth and India. There was excellent cooperation “People-to-people relations form 123rd anniversary of Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- affection. The gesture of declaring at the executive level as well, which saw the core of the bilateral relations the Proclamation of Philippine Indep- Hamad Al-Sabah and held talks with national mourning upon his death was smooth operationalization of a sea-air between our two countries. There are endence. It has been Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh just a token of our gratitude towards a bridge between the two countries. “I close to a million Indian nationals 123 years since Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al- great leader,” Jaishankar stated. am truly grateful to Kuwait for this spe- working and living here peacefully,” General Emilio Sabah and Minister of Commerce and cial gesture. Kuwait has provided more Jaishankar said. “Nonetheless, given the Aguinaldo declared Industry Abdullah Issa Al-Salman. First visit than 500 metric tons of medical oxy- size of the community, there are bound independence from Jaishankar also chaired a conference of “This is my first visit to this beautiful gen to India. The country has been very to be some issues or matters concern- Spain, paving the Indian ambassadors in the Gulf region and friendly country of Kuwait. I have prompt and efficient in that. It is actual- ing the Indian diaspora that featured in way for the estab- in Kuwait Thursday and virtually been received with so much warmth ly a proof that international partner- our bilateral talks. I am pleased to say Mohd Noordin lishment of Asia’s addressed the Indian community Friday and affection - I am touched and hon- ships and cooperation are not just that we have made progress on these Pendosina Lomondot first republic. evening before wrapping up his visit to ored. I had excellent official engage- phrases, but they make a difference in issues.” He said the Indian community While we take the country. ments yesterday with the leadership of opening new vistas of cooperation,” in many ways defines India abroad, stock of the freedoms that we now cherish, this In an interview with Kuwait Times, the country. I have had a number of Jaishankar said. In April 2020, India adding he is confident that the Indian day also reminds us of our continuing struggle the visiting Indian minister touched interactions with my counterpart and had sent a 15-member rapid response community will continue to be an effec- to be free from the Coronavirus disease. It is upon various topics, ranging from the dear friend Sheikh Dr Ahmed Nasser medical team to Kuwait to assist the tive bridge between India and Kuwait through bayanihan, the collective will and dynamic Kuwait-India relations to mat- Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, Minister of country in jointly fighting this pandem- as the bilateral relationship expands. action of the Filipino people, that today’s cele- ters related to the Indian diaspora. “The Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait. ic. “India and Kuwait stood true to their Jaishankar said India is already one bration carries the theme: “Kalayaan 2021: connect between India and Kuwait is We have always had open and friendly historical, close partnership. We will of the fastest growing major economies Spirit of Freedom in Unity and National millennia old. A few centuries ago, our conversations. Although his visit to continue to work closely with our part- in the world and one of the most pre- Healing.” forefathers were travelling between our India was a short one, we made signifi- ner Kuwait in this joint fight against the ferred destinations for global capital. I take this opportunity to express my sin- shores and trading with each other. cant progress in strengthening our pandemic,” he added. “We are at an inflection point of eco- cere and profound appreciation to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- They had vibrant exchanges and as a bilateral relations,” the minister said. Jaishankar said the Gulf region is nomic growth. We have set ourselves a Sabah, and the Government of the State of result they got to know each other’s The ministers announced upgrada- India’s extended neighborhood. “The target of a GDP of $5 trillion. In this Kuwait for their continuous hospitality extend- cultures, languages, values, arts and tion of the joint ministerial commission region, and its peace and stability, will context, my message to Kuwaiti ed to almost a quarter of a million overseas much more. They have built this rela- to the level of foreign ministers follow- continue to remain crucial for the investors is simple. Invest for a shared Filipinos who have made Kuwait their second tionship on mutual trust and respect,” ing their talks on Thursday, making a progress and the development of our future in one of the most enterprising home, especially during the pandemic. Jaishankar said. quantum leap in the countries’ bilateral country. We have shared views on societies in the world. Invest in our In April 2020, the Philippines became the He said the role played by the lead- engagement. “We have also agreed to many of the global issues, be it our growth story and our strong funda- first country that benefited from the Kuwaiti ership of the two countries in building set up new joint working groups across commitment to reform the world order mentals and watch your capital grow,” government’s amnesty program for undocu- the strong relationship is also of para- various fields. An MoU for cooperation to reflect the realities of the 21st centu- he concluded. mented residents, bringing home more than 2,200 Filipinos. In December 2020, when the Kuwaiti government rolled out its COVID-19 vaccination program, among the first who received their shots are Filipino frontliners. Since the opening of diplomatic ties in 1979, the relations between the Philippines and Kuwait have been cordial and friendly as the two countries are continuously endeavoring together in taking significant steps to further boost and strengthen their diplomatic relations. The Philippines-Kuwait Agreement on the Employment of Domestic Workers was signed in Kuwait in May 2018 to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipino domestic work- ers. Three years on, we hope to live up to the noble intentions of this agreement, including the full implementation of the new Standard Contract for Domestic Workers. The friendly relations between the Philippines and Kuwait will always remain strong based on trust, confidence and mutual cooperation. I express my faith that the Philippines and Kuwait, linked by historical and people-to- people ties, could overcome any issue and would continue to work together to achieve our necessary preventive actions to ensure everyone’s Director of the Technical Office in Ahmadi mutual goals and interests. safety in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Governorate and the General Supervisor of the cam- BB concludes May the Almighty continue to bless the Manager - Public Relations at Burgan Bank, Ms paign, Ibrahim Al-Fodri stated that the campaign cel- Philippines and Kuwait. Mabuhay! Hessa Hussain Al-Najadah said: “As part of our ebrates ‘World Blood Donor Day’ and that the slogan ‘Second Blood ongoing social responsibility and commitment to the reflects their ongoing mission to saving many lives health sector in Kuwait, Burgan Bank is proud to by increasing storage and creating a sustainable Donation Campaign’ have sponsored and supported the second Ahmadi blood supply at the blood bank. “I would like to Governorate blood donation campaign entitled “A thank all of the officials, the civil society and other MoI warns citizens, Drop of Your Blood... a life for others”. We are KUWAIT: In line with its corporate social responsi- volunteers for their hard work and commitment to bility and under the patronage of Al-Ahmadi thrilled about the success of this campaign, organ- continuing to support our humanitarian goal, espe- residents of Governor Sheikh Fawaz Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, ized for the second year in a row by Al Ahmadi cially after the success of the first campaign that was Burgan Bank recently concluded the “Second Governorate and we are grateful for every effort organized in October 2020.” Ahmadi Governorate Blood Donation Campaign” in made. This year, a large number of donors participat- Burgan Bank’s support of this initiative falls unstable weather collaboration with the Department of Blood ed and contributed to saving the lives of many under its dynamic full-fledged community program patients who are in dire need of blood transfusions, entitled ‘ENGAGE’ - Together to be the change. KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) called Transfusion Services at the Ministry of Health. on citizens and residents to keep a wary eye on the Held with the aim of raising national awareness of reflecting their humanitarian and noble acts. Given This program sheds light on important aspects currently unstable weather. In a press release yester- the importance of donating blood throughout the year the current circumstances and the ongoing COVID- affecting every segment of the society by promot- to support the Blood Bank as well as its life-saving 19 crisis, everyone adhered to the preventive meas- ing social welfare through educational, cultural and day, the ministry urged citizens and residents to impact, the blood donation campaign was held at the ures and we have succeeded in preserving a large health driven initiatives. Burgan Bank’s approach to remain vigilant for their safety and not to hesitate in Headquarters of the Cooperative Blood Transfusion amount of blood supply. Burgan Bank will continue ‘ENGAGE’ begins with a vital principle that as a seeking help via the MoI emergency number 112, or Center at Al-Adan Hospital under the slogan “A drop to cultivate a culture of voluntary blood donation leading Kuwaiti financial institution, its conduct and Civil Defense number 1804000 for any assistance. It of your blood... a life for others”. The organizers were within the community, to become a source of life for policies should be aligned with the needs and inter- also advised sea-goers to call the Coast Guard num- keen to apply precautionary measures and take all all patients and aid those in need of a drop of blood. ests of the community. ber 1880888 in case of emergency. —KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Sunday, June 13, 2021

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News in brief Kuwait’s FM congratulates UAE on UNSC seat

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah on Friday conveyed to his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed the political leader- ship’s utmost congratulations on the UN Security Council 2022-2023 non-permanent seat. During a telephone call, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nasser, who doubles as Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, voiced the State of Kuwait’s full support to the UAE in champi- oning its endeavors to preserving international peace and security. The UAE garnered 179 out of the total 193 votes. —KUNA KUWAIT: Boats docked on the Souq Sharq marina in this file photo. —Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh

Amir congratulates Philippines on nat’l day VO Creative Hub to welcome Kuwaiti talents KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yester- KUWAIT: In the presence of Her Excellency studios and a meeting between VO’s team and day sent a cable of congratulations to the Sheikha Ohoud Salem Al Ali Al-Sabah, Chairman the US Embassy’s Commercial Officer, Deputy of VO, Alina L. Romanowski, US Ambassador to Counselor for Economic Affairs, and staff President of the Philippines Rodrigo Kuwait, and Ms Riham Al Ayyar, CEO of VO, the members. Duterte on his country’s national day. His first Kuwait-based integrated youth platform for “The idea of VO came in light of our strong Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal incubating young talents, has softly launched its belief that Kuwait possesses so many hidden tal- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His all-inclusive, fully equipped, and high-tech ents and gifts that need to be unleashed and giv- Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Creative Hub. The studios will officially be inaugu- en the opportunity to grow. Kuwait is more than Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah also sent similar rated to welcome Kuwaiti talents on 20 June, 2021. capable of positioning itself globally and diversi- cables. —KUNA The US Ambassador’s visit to VO’s Creative fying its economy through its younger genera- Hub included an exclusive tour of the hub’s tions. Our country’s resources are way beyond oil and gas. Kuwaiti youth are capable, they are full of talents, and can support the renaissance of Kuwait,” stated Sheikha Ohoud Al-Sabah. During their meeting, the US Ambassador praised the efforts of VO and the potential of Kuwaiti youth and stated: “We’re excited to hear about VO Studio’s new model of inspiring young people and supporting them through the journey of their own creativity,” said Ambassador KUWAIT: Sheikha Ohoud Salem Al Ali Al-Sabah, Alina L. Romanowski. “It’s important for countries to cre- Romanowski, US Ambassador and Riham Al Ayyar seen ate conditions where entrepreneurship and inno- during the launch of Creative Hub. vation are possible. This is where the creative industries can play a key role,” she added. “As a global leader in innovation and entrepre- Kuwaiti youth through collaborations with local neurship, the United States is working to help and international entities so we can start export- Kuwait harness its greatest resource - its youth - ing our talents to the global market,” stressed Ms to meet Kuwait’s objectives under Vision 2035. Al Ayyar. The US Department of State offers many initia- VO, the integrated youth platform and Kuwait’s tives and exchange programs that can support first talent incubator, was founded in July 2020 as Kuwait’s creative capital. Programs like American a result of a fruitful collaboration between Film Showcase and Arts Envoy bring US and Sheikha Ohoud Al-Sabah and Riham Al Ayyar Kuwaiti artists, filmmakers, and musicians togeth- aiming to empower local talents and position er for collaborations and trainings that help them in the global market. The platform has Kuwait’s youth build their skills and gain interna- already broken the record in supporting multiple tional exposure for their work,” the US Kuwaiti talents, including the production of a Ambassador said. song bringing Kuwait talents and prominent Discussing the potential opportunities of col- celebrities, called ‘BRAVO’, that crossed above 13 laboration between VO and the US Embassy in million views on YouTube in a week. Kuwait, the CEO of VO, Ms Riham Al Ayyar, VO provides an academic program for Kuwaiti explained that VO is unlike any other youth plat- youth to identify and nurture their talents, an all- form. VO is building an upcoming generation that inclusive creative hub to empower and express is equipped to go beyond borders and challenge their ideas, and a ‘smart’ app to promote their all the constraints of Kuwait’s development. “Our creative productions on a seamless, high-tech and goal is to open a gateway of opportunities for efficient digital platform. Ministry of Commerce raids gold shops

KUWAIT: Large quantities of gold confiscated during the raid. —MOI photos

KUWAIT: Interior Ministry Relations and several gold shops selling gold works that carry Security Information Department said criminal forged seals. The Ministry of Commerce detectives and financial crimes department, in inspectors went to the shops and found large cooperation with Ministry of Commerce and quantities of the works carrying forged seals. Industry busted an Asian gang specialized in Those involved in the forgery were arrested forging the Ministry of Commerce gold seal. and sent to the public prosecution for further Investigations revealed the involvement of action. International SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 Armed cattle thieves kill 53 villagers in northern Nigeria Pakistani cleric detained for threatening Malala Page 6 Page 6

CARBIS BAY, UK: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (right) speaks with US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden and leaders of the G7 during a reception at The Eden Project in south west England Friday. —AFP Biden’s charm offensive at G7 President jokes with leaders as he draws line under Trump era CARBIS BAY, UK: “Everybody in the water!” French President Emmanuel Macron, after con- into a tougher line on China and Russia. given the competitive challenges it now faces.” President Joe Biden joked to his fellow G7 leaders at testing a years-long battle of wills with Trump, Looming large among those challenges is con- a family photo on the beach, underlining an assured eagerly grabbed Biden by the arm for a good- Rebuilding Brand America fronting Putin at next Wednesday’s lakeside summit transformation in tone from the antagonistic Donald natured chat after Friday’s G7 photo at Carbis Bay in He is on solid ground at the G7. The leaders of in Geneva, and the G7’s European members are not Trump. Where Trump alienated and exasperated, southwest England. With Britain going ahead with Canada, France and Germany all endured tongue- quite as gung-ho in taking on either Russia or China. undermining the Western alliance at every turn, the elite club’s first in-person summit in nearly two lashings from Trump, and there is palpable relief at But for the time being, Biden can boast of having Biden declared that “America is back!” after starting years, Biden is back in his element having amassed the reversion to traditional diplomatic modes. restored some of America’s popularity abroad after it his first foreign tour as president in Britain. US serv- decades of foreign policy experience: glad-handing It is a stark contrast to Trump’s first presidential plunged to historic lows during the Trump years. ice personnel were standing stiffly to attention in on the world stage. The oldest president yet, he has trip to Europe, in May 2017, for a NATO summit in According to a survey carried out in 16 countries respect for their commander-in-chief as Biden sometimes stumbled over his words in the initial Brussels and a G7 in Sicily. At one point he uncere- by the Pew Research Center, 62 percent of people addressed them on Wednesday at an air force base in stages of a grueling eight-day tour that will climax in moniously shoved aside Montenegro’s leader at a now have a “favorable image” of the world’s leading eastern England. showdown talks with Russian President Vladimir family photo. But while the mood music has turned power, compared with only 34 percent in 2020. “Please, at ease,” he said, urging them to relax. “I Putin in Switzerland. more harmonious, Biden’s tour will be judged on Biden’s rapid moves to take the United States keep forgetting I’m president.” It was hard to imag- But while mocked by Trump as “Sleepy Joe”, results, according to Stephen Pomper, interim chief of back in to the World Health Organization and the ine such an avuncular line ever coming from Trump, Biden has shown no lack of vim in his public appear- policy at the International Crisis Group. Paris climate accord met with strong approval among and G7 leaders have been equally at ease in the com- ances at the G7. “He has been getting ready for 50 “Of course the G7 crowd will prefer ‘America is those surveyed in Canada, Europe and the Asia- pany of the 78-year-old former senator and vice years,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. back’ and ‘democracy delivers’ to Trump’s tirades and Pacific. But the scale of the rebuilding task faced by president. Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, one “He’s known a number of these leaders for decades... shakedowns,” he said. “The big question is whether Biden after Trump is also apparent: a majority of of the few foreign leaders praised by Trump, called and there’s nothing like face-to-face engagement in this meeting can help generate the kind of energy, those polled no longer see America as a model Biden “a big breath of fresh air”. diplomacy,” she said, as Biden corrals Western leaders vision and unity that Washington wants to project democracy. — AFP

protest movement urged a boycott. Algeria elects In Algiers, only a trickle of people were seen entering polling stations yesterday morning, with most people getting on with their daily lives. “I’ve parliament never voted, and this time it’s no different. I don’t Iran’s Larijani believe it would change anything,” said Fatiha, a amid protests shopkeeper in her 50s. Hamid, a 60-year-old office manager, said he had rebuffed over ALGIERS: Algeria voted yesterday in a parliamen- voted for the sake of “stability”. “We are surrounded tary election overshadowed by a crackdown on a by danger. Those who reject this election aren’t put- election bar long-running protest movement that has cam- ting forward any realistic alternative,” he said. paigned for a mass boycott. Pro-government parties In the opposition stronghold of Kabylie, a mainly TEHRAN: Iran’s ex-parliament speaker Ali have urged a big turnout for the “crucial vote” which Berber region east of the capital, most polling sta- Larijani yesterday demanded an explanation of they hope will restore stability after two years of tions in the main cities of Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou why he was barred from running in next week’s turmoil since the forced resignation of veteran presi- remained closed, said Said Salhi, deputy head of the presidential poll but was promptly rebuffed by dent Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights the election watchdog. The protest movement, which had held weekly (LADDH). Boycott calls from the region’s two main ALGIERS: Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune The moderate conservative was disqualified demonstrations for reform until they were effectively parties were almost universally respected in the pre- waves as he departs after voting at a polling station by the powerful Guardian Council in a surprise banned last month, has denounced the election as a vious two votes since Bouteflika’s ouster. in Bouchaoui, on the western outskirts of Algeria’s move that leaves judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, “sham” that betrays the hopes of the hundreds of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who was elect- capital Algiers yesterday during the 2021 parlia- an ultraconservative, the clear favorite in the thousands of Algerians whose protests forced ed on an official turnout of less than 40 in late 2019, mentary elections. — AFP June 18 election. Larijani called on Twitter on Bouteflika from power. put a brave face on the likely low legislative turnout. the Guardian Council to “officially and publicly Seven leading protest movement figures were “For me, it’s not the turnout percentage that’s phere and the restrictions placed on human rights disclose all the reasons” for his disqualification arrested ahead of polling day while police deployed important, it’s whether the lawmakers that the peo- and freedoms mean these elections have no demo- as reports on him and his family had been heavily in the capital Algiers to preempt any attempt ple elect have sufficient legitimacy,” the president cratic value”, Salhi said. The protest movement has “proven to be false”. to rally. Polls close at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) and said after casting his vote at a polling station on the urged boycotts of all national polls since it mobilised The council’s spokesman in response said results are not expected before the coming days. outskirts of Algiers. More than 13,000 candidates hundreds of thousands of people in 2019 to force the law does not mandate the body to explain Authorities are hoping for a solid turnout, but the are standing for the 407 seats in parliament, more Bouteflika and his cronies from power, after the ailing its reasoning in public. The vetting process is two previous national votes since Bouteflika stepped than half listed as “independent”. president launched a bid for a fifth term. It returned carried out using “adequate and trustable doc- down-a presidential election and a constitutional The LADDH vice-president deplored the crack- to the streets in February after an almost-year-long uments”, Abbas Ali Kadkhodaee said in a tweet referendum-both saw record low voting after the down that preceded the vote. The “repressive atmos- break caused by the Covid pandemic. — AFP reported by local agencies. “The presidential election law has not speci- fied anything regarding protesting disqualifica- have been repurposed for coronavirus patients. “We able to the public. A spike in cases has also been tions and public disclosure of their reasons,” he Moscow announces cannot not react to such a situation,” he said. “To reported in Russia’s second city Saint Petersburg, said. The conservative-dominated, unelected stop the growth of infections and to save people’s which is co-hosting the Euro 2020 football champi- council has approved seven candidates, five of lives, today I signed a decree providing for non- onship. Earlier this week, Sobyanin said Moscow them ultraconservatives, to run in the election ‘non-working week’ working days between June 15-19.” The order would be opening several field hospitals to accom- from a field of about 600 hopefuls. In addition affects all employees in the Russian capital, a city of modate the influx of patients. Russia has been to Larijani, who serves as advisor to supreme as virus surges 12 million, except for essential workers. Non-essen- among the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it also barred tial workers are not required to work from home with the sixth-highest number of cases in the world, first vice-president Eshaq Jahangiri and fire- MOSCOW: Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin yes- during the period, but will still retain their salaries. according to an AFP tally. brand former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. terday announced a “non-working” week in the Together with the weekends and a public holiday Kremlin critics have accused authorities of The disqualifications have unleashed a flood Russian capital, with non-essential workers told to on June 14, it means most Moscow workers will not downplaying the severity of the pandemic by only of criticism, including from a member of the 12- stay home, as COVID-19 cases hit a six-month high. return to their offices until June 20. The mayor also counting fatalities where the coronavirus was man council. Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani, a The decision marks a change of tone for Russian announced the closure of food courts and play- found to be the primary cause of death after former judiciary chief and brother to the ex- authorities, with President Vladimir Putin repeatedly grounds while restaurants, bars and clubs will be autopsy. On Saturday, Russia registered 13,510 new speaker, said “security bodies” were influencing insisting that Russia has handled the pandemic bet- banned from serving customers between 23:00 and coronavirus cases and 399 deaths, according to a the council’s decisions through “false reports”. ter than most countries. “During the past week the 06:00. Sobyanin also called on employers to transfer government tally. Russia imposed a strict lockdown President Hassan Rouhani, who is constitution- situation with the spread of the coronavirus infec- at least 30 percent of non-vaccinated employees to when the pandemic first swept across the country ally barred from running for a third consecutive tions has sharply deteriorated,” Sobyanin said on his working from home after the week-long shutdown. last spring. But within months authorities had lifted term, said last month he had sent a letter to website as the city registered 6,701 daily infections, Cases have been on the rise across the country in most measures, opting to protect the struggling Khamenei asking him to intervene and ensure the highest number since December last year. recent weeks as Russia struggles to inoculate its cit- economy and pinning their hopes on curbing the greater “competition” in the election. — AFP Sobyanin added that “thousands” of hospital beds izens despite domestic vaccines being widely avail- outbreak with vaccines. —AFP 6 Established 1961 International Sunday, June 13, 2021 Armed cattle thieves kill 53 villagers in northern Nigeria Police fire tear gas to break up Nigeria protests KANO, Nigeria: Armed cattle thieves have killed 53 The criminals have begun to focus on raiding people in northwest Nigeria’s Zamfara state, police schools and kidnapping students for ransom. More and local residents said yesterday, the latest violence than 850 students have been abducted since to hit the restive region. Scores of motorcycle-riding December but most have been released after ransom gunmen called bandits by locals on Thursday through payments. The gangs are largely motivated by finan- Friday, invaded the villages of Kadawa, Kwata, cial gains and have no ideological leanings but there Maduba, Ganda Samu, Saulawa and Askawa in the is growing concern of their infiltration by jihadists Zurmi district, shooting residents, they said. from the northeast waging a 12-year-old insurgency The gang attacked farmers in their fields and pur- to establish an Islamic state. Military operations and sued others who fled to escape the assaults. Zamfara amnesty offers have failed to end the attacks. In a police spokesman Mohammed Shehu said 14 bodies broadcast on Friday, Zamfara state governor Bello had been taken to the state capital Gusau on Friday, Matawalle urged residents to defend themselves and added that “policemen deployed in the area fol- against “killer bandits.” lowing the attacks.” Local residents said 39 more bodies had been recovered and buried in the neigh- Anti-government protests boring town of Dauran. “We recovered 28 bodies Nigerian police yesterday fired tear gas to dis- yesterday and 11 more this morning from the villages perse anti-government protests in the commercial and buried them here,” said Dauran resident Haruna city of Lagos and the capital Abuja, injuring some ABUJA, Nigeria: Protesters hold a banner during a demonstration in Abuja yesterday, as Nigerian activists called Abdulkarim. people and arresting others, AFP reporters said. for nationwide protests over what they criticize as bad governance and insecurity, as well as the recent ban of “It was dangerous to conduct the funeral there Nigerian activists had called for nationwide protests US social media platform Twitter by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. —AFP because the bandits are harboring in the Zurmi for- over what they criticize as bad governance and inse- est and could return to attack the funeral,” said curity, as well as the recent ban of US social media crowd. The protesters carried banners and placards There were also pockets of protests in Ibadan, another resident, Musa Arzika who reported the platform Twitter by the government of President saying “Buhari Must Go”, calling for reforms. In Osogbo, Abeokuta and Akure, all in southwestern same death toll. Villages in the Zurmi district have Muhammadu Buhari. The protests were the first to Abuja, a similar scenario played out as the protest- Nigeria. Buhari, a former general first elected in been repeatedly raided by bandits, and local resi- take place simultaneously in several cities since the ers gathered as early as 7.00 am. 2015, has been under pressure over growing inse- dents blocked a major highway last week, calling on #EndSARS movement against police brutality in A detachment of police and army broke up the curity in Africa’s most populous nation, home to the authorities to end the attacks. Northwest and October grew into the largest anti-government ral- crowd using tear gas, AFP reporters at the scene more than 200 million people. Security forces are central Nigeria have in recent years fallen prey to lies in Nigeria’s modern history. said. Some journalists were harassed by the security battling a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, a gangs of cattle thieves and kidnappers who raid vil- Hundreds of protesters gathered yesterday in forces, they said. Police had said the protests were surge in mass kidnappings and attacks by criminal lages, killing and kidnapping residents in addition to Lagos, a sprawling megapolis of over 20 million unauthorized and AFP reporters said they saw sev- gangs in the northwest and a rise in separatist ten- stealing livestock after looting and burning homes. people, and police fired tear gas to disperse the eral people being detained. sions in the southeast. —AFP

News in brief Pakistani cleric detained Oil spill nears Corsica coast for threatening Malala BASTIA, France: French officials were racing PESHAWAR: A firebrand Pakistani dents of a local seminary in the yesterday to minimize the environmental scholar has been detained for making northwestern city of Lakki Marwat impact of an oil spill approaching eastern death threats against Nobel prize lau- last week. He added that he would Corsica, with two navy boats armed with reate Malala Yousafzai over her com- blow her up in a suicide attack if she clean-up equipment heading to the ments on marriage, officials said returned. Police official Wasim Sajjad Mediterranean island. “We fear that part of this Friday. Since surviving an assassina- told AFP Sardar Ali had been pollution will reach the Corsican coast today,” tion attempt by the Taleban at age 15 charged with making threats, hate maritime official Christine Ribbe told AFP. Two in rural northwest Pakistan, the speech, and inciting terrorism. ship from the national navy, equipped with Oxford graduate has become a global The arrest was confirmed by a “anti-pollution material and specialized staff”, figure promoting education for girls. second senior police official, were heading to the Corsican coast from their But a recent interview with the fash- Muhammad Imran. Last year base in Toulon, southern France. —AFP ion magazine Vogue stirred debate in Yousafzai called out Prime Minister her home country-where she is Imran Khan on Twitter, after a already a divisive figure-when she Taleban militant who claimed to have In this file photo, Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai questioned whether a legal union been behind her attack escaped from Turkmenistan pays off China debts poses for a photograph at all-boys Swat Cadet College Guli Bagh, near Mingora. —AFP between a couple was necessary. detention. She appeared on the front ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan: Turkmenistan’s The issue was debated by MPs in cover of the British edition of Vogue autocrat leader said that his country’s debts to her home province of Khyber magazine last week dressed in a full- where she said she was still deciding her life has given the country a bad China for a multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline and Pakhtunkhwa, who said her com- length designer gown and head scarf. what to do after finishing her degree. reputation. She is also criticized for another gas project had been paid off “in full”, ments were against Islam. “Malala is “If you want to have a person in your Though celebrated in many quar- her perceived championing of Western state media reported yesterday. China has dreaming to become the country’s life, why do you have to sign marriage ters, Yousafzai has received backlash liberal values, and has faced constant invested billions in the development of prime minister but promoting papers, why can’t it just be a partner- in Pakistan over the years, where some scrutiny over her clothing and views Turkmenistan’s gas industry, establishing itself obscenity,” cleric Sardar Ali told stu- ship?” she asked, in an interview say global attention on the attempt on on world affairs. —AFP as the isolated country’s number one destina- tion for exports. Beijing’s most important proj- ects in the country are the pipeline that begins in eastern Turkmenistan and reaches China via Interfaith march Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and a multi-stage development project at Galkynysh, the world’s honors family killed in second-largest gas field. —AFP Canada truck attack Putin denies Iran satellite deal CANADA: Several thousand people joined an interfaith marched on Friday evening honoring the WASHINGTON: President Vladimir Putin on four members of a Muslim family who were killed in Friday denied a US media report that Russia is an attack that has shocked Canada. The procession set to deliver an advanced satellite system to started at the site where three generations of a fam- Iran that will vastly improve its spying capabil- ily out for a Sunday evening stroll — 46-year-old ities. The Washington Post reported Thursday Salman Afzaal, his 44-year-old wife Madiha Salman, that Moscow is preparing to give Iran a their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Salman and her Kanopus-V satellite with a high-resolution 74-year-old grandmother, Talat Afzaal-were killed camera, allowing Islamic republic to monitor in London, southern Ontario, as they were waiting facilities of its adversaries across the Middle to cross the street. The couple’s nine-year-old son East. Putin, who is expected to hear a range of Fayez suffered serious but non-life-threatening complaints from US President Joe Biden when injuries. The march against racism and they meet Wednesday in Geneva, dismissed the Islamophobia culminated at London’s mosque, report as “garbage.” —AFP about 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) away. The demonstrators, who included families with children, banged on drums while others sang John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance.” They held posters Body of girl found off Spanish isle with messages like “Hate kills” and “We’re all human.” After a moment of silence marking the time MADRID: The body of a six-year-old girl has of the tragedy, representatives from several reli- CANADA: Members of the Muslim community and supporters gather for a multi-faith “March to End Hatred” on been found off Tenerife island six weeks after gions gave speeches denouncing hatred and salut- Friday in London, Ontario, Canada. —AFP she and her sister were snatched by their ing the outpouring of support for London’s father in a discovery that has shocked Spain. 30,000-strong Muslim community. Other rallies or terday. Nathaniel Veltman, 20, has been charged with mounted a curb and struck the Afzaal family-a “ter- Olivia and her one-year-old sister Anna were vigils in Canada on Friday took place in Toronto, four counts of first degree murder and one count of rorist attack.” Detective Superintendent Paul Waight, reported missing in the Canary Islands on April Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec, where a shooting in attempted murder in the truck attack. If found guilty who is leading the investigation, has said there was 27 after their father made a phone call “with a a mosque left six dead in 2017. he faces life in prison. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau evidence “that this was a planned, premeditated act, farewell tone” to his estranged wife, a The Afzaal family’s funeral was scheduled for yes- has called the assault-in which Veltman’s truck motivated by hate.” —AFP spokesman for the Guardia Civil police told AFP. The following day, a boat belonging to the father and a baby car seat were found floating of the sitting US president,” he said, according yes or no answer. “Over my tenure, I’ve gotten in the waters off Tenerife. —AFP Putin hopes Biden to a translation by NBC News. “I believe that used to attacks from all kinds of angles and from former US president Trump is an extraordinary all kinds of areas under all kinds of pretext and individual, talented individual... He is a colorful reasons and of different caliber and fierceness, Tunisian navy rescues 54 migrants less impulsive individual. You may like him or not. But he didn’t and none of it surprises me,” he said, adding that come from the US establishment,” Putin was the term “killer” was a “macho” term common in TUNISIA: The Tunisian navy and coast- than Trump quoted as saying. Hollywood. guards rescued 54 migrants Friday on a boat Biden plans to raise a range of US complaints, Such discourse “is part of US political culture heading to Europe that was about to sink in WASHINGTON: Russian President Vladimir including over purported Russian election inter- where it’s considered normal. By the way, not Mediterranean waters, the defense ministry Putin voiced hope Friday that US President Joe ference and hacking, in the summit with Putin on here, it is not considered normal here,” he said. said. The migrants, aged between 15 and 40 Biden will be less impulsive than his predecessor Wednesday in Geneva at the end of the new pres- Putin also dismissed as “fake news” a report in the and almost all men, left from neighboring Donald Trump, ahead of his first summit with the ident’s first foreign trip. Putin has openly admitted Washington Post that Russia is planning to supply Libya late Thursday. But their boat began to new US leader. In an interview with NBC News, that in the 2016 vote he supported Trump, who Iran with an advanced satellite system that would founder in waters off the southern Tunisian Putin described Biden as a “career man” who has had voiced admiration for the Russian leader. At allow it to track potential military targets. “At the port of Ben Guerdane, the defense ministry spent his life in politics. Though he described their first summit, Trump infamously appeared to very least, I don’t know anything about this kind said in a statement. The migrants-who relations with the United States as having “deteri- accept Putin’s denials of election interference. of thing,” the Russian leader said, speaking from include citizens of multiple nationalities, orated to its lowest point in recent years,” Putin Biden has said he is under no illusions about the Kremlin. “It’s just nonsense garbage.” many from sub-Saharan African countries- said he expects he can work with Biden. Putin and has described him as “a killer” in light According to interviewer Keir Simmons, Putin were taken to Ben Guerdane, before heading “It is my great hope that, yes, there are some of a series of high-profile deaths including of also denied any knowledge of cyberattacks on the to a detention center. —AFP advantages, some disadvantages, but there will Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov. Asked directly if United States, and called on Biden to strike a deal not be any impulse-based movements on behalf he is “a killer,” Putin chuckled but did not give a with Russia on cyberspace. —AFP Established 1961 7 International Sunday, June 13, 2021 Security of airports, embassies to be ‘Afghan responsibility’: Taleban Four Afghans get 10-year jail terms for Greek migrant camp fire KABUL: Foreign forces should hold ‘no hope’ of Taleban has attempted to calm foreign missions by keeping a military presence in Afghanistan after the saying they could “continue their operations as usu- US and NATO withdraw troops, the Taleban said al”, after Australia closed its embassy citing an yesterday, warning the security of embassies and “increasingly uncertain security environment”. The airports would be the responsibility of Afghans. It militants have in recent weeks made territorial gains comes as western diplomats and military officials in and around the country, including in provinces scramble to work out how to provide security for close to the capital. any future civilian presence they keep in the country. On Saturday, at least seven civilians were killed in Turkey has reportedly said it is prepared to keep two separate explosions in the city, the Interior troops in Afghanistan to protect Kabul airport, the Ministry said, the latest in a series of bombings tar- main exit route for western diplomats and humani- geting buses. There was no immediate claim of tarian workers. “Every inch of Afghan soil, its air- responsibility. ports and security of foreign embassies and diplo- Meanwhile, a Greek court yesterday sentenced matic offices is the responsibility of the Afghans, four young Afghan asylum seekers accused of start- consequently no one should hold out hope of keep- ing fires that burnt down Europe’s largest migrant ing military or security presence in our country,” a camp last year to 10 years in prison each. Defense statement issued by the Taleban yesterday said. “If lawyers said the court in Chios found them guilty of anyone does make such a mistake, the Afghan peo- intentional arson. ple and the Islamic Emirate shall view them as occu- The Moria camp on the Aegean island of Lesbos piers and shall take a stance against them,” it added. was home to more than 10,000 people before it was The United States is in the final stages of com- destroyed by two fires in September 2020. No pleting a military drawdown, alongside NATO media were allowed inside the courtroom on Friday forces, by September 11 — twenty years after they and Saturday owing to coronavirus precautions. KABUL: Afghan security forces inspect the remains of a vehicle at the site of a bomb blast in Kabul yesterday.—AFP invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban. Two other Afghan youths were jailed in a correc- The decision to end America’s longest war has tional facility near Athens for five years over the an ethnic Pashtun, as all six are Hazara, a long-per- a byword for squalor and violence. raised fears that an emboldened Taliban could top- same case in March. Defense lawyers for the secuted minority in Afghanistan. The two fires broke out on September 8 and 9 ple the Western-backed government in Kabul. The Afghans have said they did not get a fair trial. Other witnesses for the prosecution were police last year as tensions soared in the camp over the possibility of keeping troops in Afghanistan is They say three of them had documents showing officers, firefighters called to the scene in September coronavirus pandemic. expected to be discussed during a meeting of NATO they were under 18 at the time of arrest but were not 2020 and staff from the European Asylum Service Witnesses told AFP a dispute had broken out as leaders in Brussels tomorrow. recognized as minors by the Greek state. The trial is and non-governmental groups who were working at some 200 migrants refused to quarantine after either NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said based in large part on the testimony of another the camp. Built in 2013 to house a maximum of testing positive for COVID-19 or coming into con- last month the alliance would provide funding to Afghan asylum-seeker who identified the six as the 3,000 people, the Moria camp became badly over- tact with someone infected. Around 13,000 asylum- help run Kabul airport and train Afghanistan’s spe- perpetrators. crowded in 2015 as a huge wave of people began seekers, among them families with children, pregnant cial forces after it had left. Turkish media later According to the defense lawyers, the witness arriving on the Greek islands on small boats from women and people with disabilities, had to sleep in reported that Ankara was willing to maintain a pres- was not in court Friday and did not appear for the nearby Turkey. The camp-home to asylum-seekers the open for a week after the camp was destroyed. ence in the country, including at the country’s main trial last March as he could not be located. The from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia seeking Authorities have since built a temporary camp on gateway, if NATO provided financial support. The defendants claim they were targeted by the witness, a better life in the European Union-quickly became Lesbos that is hosting around 6,000 people. — AFP Afghan COVID-19 patients struggle to accept diagnosis Agnes Chow: From KABUL: On his emergency room bed “The next four weeks will be diffi- in Afghanistan’s capital, you can bare- cult,” said Majrooh. “We must pre- teen activist to ly hear Said Ali Shah speak through pare for the worst.” In a country the oxygen mask plastered to his face. wracked by decades of war, with for- He was taken to the Muhammed Ali eign forces hastening their withdraw- jailed HK leader Jinnah hospital “out of breath” by his al, and having to live daily with the HONG KONG: Agnes Chow hails from a gen- wife, he says, and is only just able to threat of bomb blasts or targeted eration of Hong Kong democracy activists who sit up after four days in intensive care. assassinations, many Afghans feel cut their teeth in politics as teenagers and are “No, no, no,” he gasped, “I don’t they have bigger things to worry now being steadily silenced by China. The 24- have the coronavirus.” The 50-year- about than a virus. year-old, one of the democracy movement’s old, like some other Afghan patients, “You see people without masks in most recognizable faces, served just under sev- refuses to accept the reality of his front of hospitals, accompanying their en months behind bars for her role in an condition. “Of course it is (COVID- loved ones in critical condition,” said “unlawful assembly” outside the city’s police 19),” Dr Sayed Amiri, director of the Doctor Amiri. At the hospital headquarters during 2019’s huge and often 200-bed hospital, told AFP. “He has entrance, a nurse offers Covid-19 violent democracy protests. KABUL: A family member comforts a COVID-19 patient at the intensive care unit (ICU) of tested positive, but we avoid telling tests and masks to those bringing She was jailed alongside two other well- the Muhammed Ali Jinnah hospital in Kabul. — AFP patients who arrive in this unit... sick relatives for treatment. known youth activists, Joshua Wong and Ivan Otherwise, they think they are going “Most refuse,” Amiri said. “It’s Lam. She entered the fraught world of Hong to die and lose all hope.” hard to change habits.” At the coun- Virus spread during holiday India is one of the few countries that Kong’s politics early. Chow has described Officially Afghanistan has recorded try’s main COVID-19 treatment cen- A national vaccination campaign still has regular flights to Afghanistan, growing up in an apolitical Catholic household. fewer than 90,000 infections, with ter, a Japanese-built infectious dis- has moved slowly, with less than a bringing the fast-spreading Delta But at the age of 15, she joined the youth- around 3,400 deaths, but health eases hospital, doctor Tareq Akbari million doses administered in the variant that emerged there. led movement protesting against plans to experts say a lack of testing and the makes a similar observation. country of nearly 34 million people. “There are a lot of exchanges implement “moral and national education” in refusal of patients to seek treatment “People prefer to stay at home and Part of the fault lay in starting it dur- between the two countries,” said public schools. Students feared the plan would hides the true figures. And the situa- self-medicate without being tested,” ing Ramadan, as many people Akbari, adding that the new variant herald the kind of heavily censored education tion is only getting worse. “In one he said, adding that there was a stig- believed that having a vaccine jab appeared to be hitting younger peo- seen on China’s mainland. week, we recorded an increase of ma attached to having contracted would break their fast. ple more. Akbari and the health min- They staged huge sit-ins and the plan was nearly 200 percent in cases,” said COVID-19. “They arrive here much The recent Eid Al-Fitr holiday that ister both agree that the official fig- eventually shelved in a rare example of protest Minister of Health Wahid Majrooh. too late, when they are already ended the holy month also saw large ure of around 55-60 deaths a week forcing a Hong Kong government climbdown. It breathing badly,” said Akbari, adding numbers of people travelling across is wrong. “You can easily multiply it was during those demonstrations she met fel- ‘Hard to change habits’ that sometimes three or four mem- the country to reunite with families, by two or three-even more,” said low teen activist Wong. Two years later, Wong, Now, the main concern for officials bers of one family test positive at the spreading the virus on crowded pub- Akbari. “And who keeps count in Chow and other students were key figures in is ensuring they have enough oxygen. same time. lic transport. Add to that the fact that rural districts?” —AFP the “Umbrella Movement” — 79 days of sit-ins and rallies sparked by Beijing’s refusal to make good on its promise to one day grant Hong rent crises, extreme poverty, and inadequate social girls at every age. When household chores per- Kongers universal suffrage. Child labor rises to protection measures have led to an additional 16.6 formed for at least 21 hours per week are taken into The protests were peaceful, but not suc- million children in child labor over the past four account, the gender gap in child labour narrows. cessful. Yet, a whole new generation of opposi- 160m: First increase years. Even in regions where there has been some • The prevalence of child labor in rural areas (14 tion politicians was forged in those rallies. They headway since 2016, such as Asia and the Pacific, per cent) is close to three times higher than in urban would go on to become a major thorn in the side of Beijing as it tried to tighten its grip on and Latin America and the Caribbean, COVID-19 is areas (5 per cent). the semi-autonomous financial hub, which was in two decades endangering that progress. The report warns that Children in child labor are at risk of physical and increasingly chafing under Chinese Communist globally, 9 million additional children are at risk of mental harm. Child labour compromises children’s Party rule. NEW YORK/GENEVA: The number of children being pushed into child labour by the end of 2022 as education, restricting their rights and limiting their Chow helped found the now disbanded pro- in child labor has risen to 160 million worldwide - an a result of the pandemic. A simulation model shows future opportunities, and leads to vicious inter-gen- democracy party Demosisto alongside Wong, increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years this number could rise to 46 million if they don’t erational cycles of poverty and child labor. Nathan Law and other young political leaders. - with millions more at risk due to the impacts of have access to critical social protection coverage. To reverse the upward trend in child labor, the She gave up a British passport to stand for COVID-19, according to a new report by the Additional economic shocks and school closures ILO and UNICEF are calling for: Hong Kong’s partially elected legislature, only International Labor Organization (ILO) and caused by COVID-19 mean that children already in • Adequate social protection for all, including to be barred from standing because her party UNICEF. Child Labor: Global estimates 2020, child labor may be working longer hours or under universal child benefits. advocated “self-determination”. trends and the road forward - released ahead of worsening conditions, while many more may be • Increased spending on quality education and Since then it has become common for World Day Against Child Labor on 12th June - forced into the worst forms of child labor due to job getting all children back into school - including chil- authorities to disqualify politicians for the warns that progress to end child labor has stalled and income losses among vulnerable families. dren who were out of school before COVID-19. views they hold. —AFP for the first time in 20 years, reversing the previous “We are losing ground in the fight against child • Promotion of decent work for adults, so families downward trend that saw child labor fall by 94 mil- labor, and the last year has not made that fight any don’t have to resort to children helping to generate lion between 2000 and 2016. easier,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta family income. The report points to a significant rise in the num- Fore. “Now, well into a second year of global lock- • An end to harmful gender norms and discrimi- ber of children aged 5 to 11 years in child labor, who downs, school closures, economic disruptions, and nation that influence child labor. now account for just over half of the total global fig- shrinking national budgets, families are forced to • Investment in child protection systems, agricul- ure. The number of children aged 5 to 17 years in make heart-breaking choices. We urge governments tural development, rural public services, infrastruc- hazardous work - defined as work that is likely to and international development banks to prioritize ture and livelihoods. harm their health, safety or morals - has risen by 6.5 investments in programs that can get children out of As part of the International Year for the million to 79 million since 2016. “The new estimates the workforce and back into school, and in social Elimination of Child Labor, the global partnership are a wake-up call. We cannot stand by while a new protection programs that can help families avoid Alliance 8.7, of which UNICEF and ILO are part- generation of children is put at risk,” said ILO making this choice in the first place.” ners, is encouraging member States, business, trade Director-General Guy Ryder. “Inclusive social pro- unions, civil society, and regional and international tection allows families to keep their children in Other key findings in the report include: organizations to redouble their efforts in the global school even in the face of economic hardship. • The agriculture sector accounts for 70 per cent fight against child labor by making concrete action Increased investment in rural development and of children in child labor (112 million) followed by 20 pledges. During a week of action from 10 - 17 June, decent work in agriculture is essential. We are at a per cent in services (31.4 million) and 10 per cent in ILO Director-General Guy Ryder and UNICEF HONG KONG: Police clear a path through the media pack for a vehicle carrying pro-democracy activist pivotal moment and much depends on how we industry (16.5 million). Executive Director Henrietta Fore will join other Agnes Chow after she was released from prison in respond. This is a time for renewed commitment and • Nearly 28 per cent of children aged 5 to 11 high-level speakers and youth advocates at a high- Hong Kong yesterday after spending seven energy, to turn the corner and break the cycle of years and 35 per cent of children aged 12 to 14 level event during the International Labor months behind bars for her role in a protest out- poverty and child labor.” years in child labor are out of school. Conference to discuss the release of the new global side the police headquarters in 2019. — AFP In sub-Saharan Africa, population growth, recur- • Child labor is more prevalent among boys than estimates and the roadmap ahead. Established 1961

SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 US lawmakers, wary of Big Tech, mull antitrust overhaul Most ambitious effort in decades to break corporate monopolies

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers unveiled sweeping President Joe Biden and other G7 countries are antitrust measures Friday aimed at tempering the keen to set a global tax rate of at least 15 percent dominance of Big Tech firms including Apple and on multinational firms, in a bid to optimize tax rev- Facebook, in what may be the most ambitious effort enue from tech behemoths. in decades to break corporate monopolies. A bipar- tisan group of House members introduced five sep- ‘Power over innovation’ arate bills that propose changes so comprehensive The antitrust bills need to be debated and voted they could reshape the largest US technology and favorably out of the Judiciary Committee before entertainment companies and force an overhaul of receiving a vote by the full House of their business practices. Representatives. They would also need approval In a bid to ward off corporate consolidation, the from the Senate before they could be signed into measures would make it harder for mega-compa- law by Biden. nies like Amazon and Google to buy out smaller One of the bills increases the fees for mergers competitors, and facilitate the breakup of firms that so that regulators have more funds to police cor- use their dominant position in their core business to porations and enforce antitrust laws. “Big Tech has make deep inroads into another. abused its dominance in the marketplace to crush “Right now, unregulated tech monopolies have competitors, censor speech, and control how we too much power over our economy,” the House see and understand the world,” said House Judiciary’s Antitrust Subcommittee chairman David Republican Ken Buck, who took direct aim at some Cicilline, a Democrat, said in introducing the meas- of the largest players. ures. “They are in a unique position to pick winners “Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google have and losers, destroy small businesses, raise prices on prioritized power over innovation and harmed consumers, and put folks out of work.” American businesses and consumers in the An illustration picture taken in London shows the logos of Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft dis- The goal, he said, is to “level the playing field” process.” The reform effort comes amid height- and ensure that powerful tech companies follow ened scrutiny of large tech platforms which have played on a mobile phone and a laptop screen. US lawmakers unveiled sweeping antitrust measures Friday aimed the same rules as other businesses. The bills follow increased their dominance during the coronavirus at tempering the dominance of Big Tech firms. — AFP a 16-month investigation by the Antitrust pandemic. Subcommittee into the state of competition in the US state and federal antitrust enforcers last year The Computer & Communications Industry ments of the economy, it’s perplexing that the digital marketplace, and particularly the unregulat- filed suits targeting Facebook and Google alleging Association, of which Google, Amazon and Committee would not prioritize broad reform” ed power wielded by Amazon, Apple, Facebook, illegal dominance of their respective markets. Facebook are members, warned that the latest leg- rather than narrow action against a few compa- and Google. And last month Amazon was hit with an islation is too “interventionist” and could mark the nies, CCIA President Matthew Schruers said in a Silicon Valley giants have come under increas- antitrust suit from the capital Washington, which biggest departure from US antitrust policy in a statement. “Writing regulations for a handful of ing fire in Europe and the United States due to claimed the tech giant abuses its dominant posi- century. “At a time when consumers are frustrated businesses will skew competition and leave con- concerns about monopoly-like power. And US tion in online retail sales, harming consumers. with higher prices and fewer options in other seg- sumers worse off.” — AFP

deposits, investment portfolios and New ‘Diraya’ funds, and savings accounts as well as fully explain each option and its level of video addresses risk, if any. This aims to help customers make an informed decision and stress China arrests the importance of planning and prepar- safe investment ing for the future and any changes or 1,100 over responsibilities it may bring such as KUWAIT: In an effort to enhance financial awareness across all segments tuition fees, retirement, etc. crypto laundering of society and encourage the Kuwaiti Along these lines, the CBK pointed banking sector’s social responsibility out that investments may be classified BEIJING: China has arrested more activities, the Central Bank of Kuwait is according to risk involved, and that than a thousand people for using presenting new informative video con- “high-risk” investments are sometimes the profits from crime to buy cryp- tent addressing safe investment and being promoted through promises of tocurrencies, security officials said, means of protecting customers’ person- quick and high profit. This includes as part of a growing crackdown on al and bank information. This comes as investments that are not regulated by the industry. part of the CBK-supervised “Diraya” any authority or legislation that protects The country’s bitcoin mines campaign (Be Aware in Arabic) which is investors’ rights such as crypto-assets power nearly 80 percent of the managed by Kuwait Banking the likes of “Bitcoin” which does not fall often exchanged for purposes such as of the field of investment, and to avoid global trade in cryptocurrencies, Association (KBA) with the participa- under the authority or regulation of any travel, import and export of goods, and investment with any unreliable parties although trading in China is banned. tion of all Kuwaiti banks. institution, neither locally nor interna- so on, many parties engage in specula- to avoid financial fraud. Officials have started to turn a Announcing the new content, the tionally, making it a possible means and tive trading seeking quick profit from All “Be Aware” informative media is sharp eye towards cryptocurrency CBK stressed its keenness to direct instrument for illegal activity. fluctuation of currency exchange prices. published through multiple communica- miners to prevent speculation and “Forex” trading and speculation activ- banks to promote saving among their Speculators often fall victim to fraud tion and information channels including stamp out money laundering. ity, an abbreviated coinage for “Foreign through fake websites, which adds the customers. It also urges them to present CBK and Kuwaiti banks’ social net- Chinese police busted a network of Exchange”, is another form of high-risk additional risk factor of “reliability”. sufficient information and explanation works accounts. More information on 1,100 people involved in laundering regarding different investment and sav- investment where foreign currency is The CBK thus strongly urges those the campaign and its goals, and more money by buying cryptocurrencies, ing products and services that help cus- exchanged through apps and platforms seeking to invest to realize in full the literature on this topic is also accessible tomers manage their investments and working within a global currency trading risks associated with their chosen through the official website: the ministry of public security said increase yield, such as the array of market. In addition, while currency is investment, to have sufficient knowledge www.dirayakw.com in a statement dated Wednesday. The launderers charged clients commission to convert illegal pro- ceeds into virtual currencies via US billionaires dodge taxes crypto exchanges, the ministry said, without outlining the amount of and play into Biden’s hands money involved. China banned trading in cryp- WASHINGTON: US President Joe “Again, there’s nothing illegal in doing it.” tocurrencies in 2019 and is increas- Biden’s push to get Congress to reform ingly tightening restrictions on bit- the tax code and ensure the richest ‘Pay their fair share’ coin mining. In April, the northern Americans pay their “fair share” has These revelations could sway public region of Inner Mongolia closed received an unexpected boost from bil- opinion towards Biden, who has long down all its cryptocurrency mines, lionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk- argued that the richest households and claiming they failed to meet annual who, it turns out, don’t have much of a individuals do not pay enough in tax. energy consumption targets. tax bill at all. Since taking office in January, he has The region accounted for eight New York-based journalism non- proposed several measures that would percent of the computing power profit ProPublica on Tuesday revealed raise taxes on the wealthy and largest needed to run the global that Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and Tesla American businesses, while also pursu- blockchain-a set of online ledgers head Elon Musk, two of the three rich- ing a multilateral deal on a global mini- to record bitcoin transactions. est men in the world, paid little or no mum tax to ensure companies pay their That is higher than the amount tax on their total wealth, not just their share no matter where they’re based. of computing power dedicated to income. They managed the feat thanks Biden’s allies in the US Senate seized on blockchain in the entire United to a tax code that Maya MacGuineas, the ProPublica report to make the case States. The northwestern province president of the nonpartisan that the country’s most prominent busi- US President Joe Biden (right) campaigned on increasing taxes on the rich — AFP of Qinghai announced a similar Committee for a Responsible Federal ness leaders are skipping out on their ban on cryptocurrency mining on Budget, described as being “like Swiss obligations to their fellow Americans. use the chamber’s filibuster rule to stop households, would see the capital gains Wednesday, but no data is avail- cheese, full of holes.” “Billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon most legislation that doesn’t attract at tax rate they pay on stock market trans- able about the size of the opera- Musk, and Warren Buffett pay a tiny “Anybody with a savvy set of least some of their votes, have generally actions also rise to 39.6 percent from 20 tions in the region. accountants is able to minimize, and fraction of their wealth in taxes com- opposed tax increases. percent currently, according to the pared to working families. That’s just Bitcoin values tumbled in May sometimes to bring to zero, their tax lia- Biden administration. on the back of a warning by bility,” she told AFP. Billionaires are able not right,” Elizabeth Warren, a propo- Tax overhaul “We know that there is more to be nent of higher taxes on the wealthy, Beijing to investors against specu- to benefit from provisions like a tax Biden’s proposals would unravel done to ensure that corporations, indi- lative trading in cryptocurrencies. credit for dependent children or reduc- said on Twitter. some of the changes to the tax code viduals who are at the highest income, hina is in the midst of a wide- tions linked to loans or investments Bernie Sanders, who chairs the made by his Republican predecessor are paying more of their fair share,” ranging regulatory crackdown on greater than income, breaks that amount Senate Budget Committee, tweeted, Donald Trump. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki its fintech sector, whose biggest to nearly $2 trillion each year. “Tax the billionaires. Make them pay For the one percent of households said this week. The Internal Revenue “The more money you make in... dif- their fair share. Rebuild our nation’s with the highest incomes, the tax rate Service, the US tax authority, would players have been hit with large ferent ways, the more components of the crumbling infrastructure.” would rise to 39.6 percent from 37 per- also see its funding increased and pow- fines after being found guilty of tax code that you can also often find to However Republicans, who make up cent. Those who earn more than $1 mil- ers expanded as a means of cracking monopolistic practices. —AFP take advantage of,” MacGuineas said. a sizable minority in the Senate and can lion per-year, or about 0.3 percent of down on tax dodgers. — AFP Established 1961 9 Business Sunday, June 13, 2021 Ooredoo Kuwait selects Ericsson Charging to improve customer digital experience Platform will support 5G architecture and interfaces

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Telecom, the first to introduce interfaces to provide its customers with a comprehen- structure. Our aim is to continuously support innovative digital services in Kuwait, has selected sive digital experience. Ooredoo Kuwait as we share their ambitions to realize Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) as its strategic partner to Essa Haider, Director Network Planning & Design, Kuwait Vision 2035 “New Kuwait”.” migrate and consolidate its online charging system to Ooredoo Kuwait, says: “Ooredoo Kuwait is committed Ericsson Charging provides a low risk but effective Ericsson Charging as its single platform enabling digi- to providing a world-class experience for its cus- route to capture and secure revenue streams and take tal offerings replacing other charging solutions across tomers across the country and our agreement with advantage of business opportunities from both tradi- the company. In addition, Ericsson agreement will Ericsson to consolidate to Ericsson Charging allows tional telecom services as well as digital services, 5G enhance and provide new digital offerings to Ooredoo us to continue enhancing our service. This in turn will and IoT. Kuwait’s subscribers as well as an architecture and ensure we can comprehensively capture and secure Ericsson Charging is a fundamental part of interface platform ready for 5G. revenue streams and continue our cycle of improve- telecommunications business support systems (BSS), Ooredoo Kuwait and Ericsson successfully com- ment for customers in the country.” which underpin commercial activities and handle cus- pleted the migration and consolidation to Ericsson Kevin Murphy, Vice President and Head of Global tomer-facing interactions. Ericsson Charging is a scal- Charging ensuring seamless customer experience. Essa Haider and Kevin Murphy Customer Unit Ooredoo at Ericsson Middle East and able, flexible solution with a strong user-experience Ericsson Charging allows Ooredoo Kuwait to deliver Africa, says: “We are proud to partner with Ooredoo focus and future-proof product roadmap, enabling superior digital 5G services and quality to its cus- Kuwait and we are pleased they share our confidence real-time convergent charging, policy control, decou- tomers in line with the digitalization ambitions of The solution for Ooredoo Kuwait provides a best- in Ericsson Charging solutions. Our agreement will pling and supporting rapid time to revenue in the mar- Kuwait Vision 2035 “New Kuwait”. Ericsson Charging in-class charging system with a reliable and scalable enable Ooredoo Kuwait to optimize their charging ket. The solution for Ooredoo Kuwait will ultimately is a modular, scalable, open, convergent Online platform that supports their large and demanding landscape, realize and create new opportunities with let them control credit while letting users control their Charging System (OCS) using industry standards and subscriber base. The agreement ensures Ericsson can its large customer base as well as ensure these digital costs through flexible packaging, bonuses, and dis- protocols. seamlessly bring together Ooredoo Kuwait’s various charging services can be implemented on 5G infra- counts.

UK government’s provisional June 21 deadline for fur- UK economy ther lifting virus restrictions. The Delta variant, which first emerged in India, is now the dominant strain in the UK, according to Public strengthens Health England figures. And the UK government on Friday said it is 60 percent more transmissible in recovery households than the variant that forced the country to lock down in January. Britain on Thursday said G7 leaders will agree to LONDON: Britain’s economy gathered pace in April expand global COVID vaccine manufacturing to pro- as the government eased its coronavirus lockdown, vide at least one billion doses to the world through official data showed Friday, with finance minister Rishi sharing and financing schemes. The UK, which is host- Sunak cautiously welcoming the 2.3-percent growth ing the big powers’ gathering in southwest England, figure as the Delta variant spreads. It was the fastest added it would donate at least 100 million surplus dos- monthly output for UK gross domestic product since es within the next year, including five million beginning July last year “as government restrictions affecting in the coming weeks. The announcement came after economic activity continued to ease”, the Office for the United States said it would donate 500 million jabs National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. Britain’s to 92 poor and lower-middle-income nations. economy had contracted 1.5 percent overall in the first quarter, although had already begun to bounce back Exports drop strongly in March with GDP of 2.1 percent. Separate data Friday showed UK exports fell 0.6 The UK’s overall output for April remains 3.7 per- percent in April after two months of growth, with cent below pre-pandemic levels seen in February last drops in exports to non-EU countries offsetting LONDON: European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic (left) leaves Europe House, the headquarters of the EU del- year. “Overall, the economic recovery stepped up increases to nations within the bloc, the ONS said. egation in the UK in London yesterday. — AFP another gear in April and GDP is on track to return to While exports to the EU rose 2.3 percent month-on- its February level before the end of the year,” noted month, they remained 9.0-percent below 2019’s aver- its stance, which it said threatened the peace in the UK Thomas Pugh, UK economist at Capital Economics age level, or ahead of Britain’s formal exit from the EU urges UK to province. Bill Clinton’s administration was a key player research group. “If anything, the economy could regain European Union at the start of this year, according to in securing a landmark 1998 Good Friday Agreement its pre-crisis level even sooner.” Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon that ended three decades of violence over British rule April’s growth was driven by the service sector, Macroeconomics. uphold Brexit deal in Northern Ireland. Biden-a proud Irish-American which jumped 3.4 percent as consumers once again “That is a disappointing performance, given the with distant relatives still in Ireland-has taken a keen started to visit non-essential physical stores, restau- boom in global trade flows. UK exporters have lost but Johnson defiant interest, with warnings it could threaten a hoped-for rants and bars and as more children returned to onsite market share,” he added. Goods imported to the UK UK-US trade deal. lessons, the ONS said. Output in the production sector meanwhile grew 3.9 percent in April. Macron has also blasted the UK and said it was however dropped 1.3 percent during the same month, The trade data was published as Britain hit back at CARBIS BAY, United Kingdom: European leaders “not serious” in wanting to backtrack on its commit- recording the first fall since January. And construction French President Emmanuel Macron’s uncompromising yesterday delivered an ultimatum to UK Prime ments. Nothing is renegotiable. Everything is applica- contracted 2.0 percent following a strong March. stance on Brexit, in a simmering row over new trading Minister Boris Johnson to keep his word on Brexit to ble,” he said. Johnson played down any rift after talks Since May, the government has further eased arrangements for Northern Ireland. Macron on resolve a row over new trade arrangements in with Biden on Thursday, insisting the US president did restrictions, with people now allowed to eat and drink Thursday warned London that it was “not serious” to Northern Ireland. But Johnson defiantly restated his not sound the alarm over the issue. He said there was inside restaurants and bars, having initially been able review agreements signed last December, just weeks calls for Brussels to compromise, urging a more prag- “absolutely common ground” on all sides in upholding to sit only outside. before the UK left the European single market and matic approach after talks between the two sides the Good Friday Agreement. — AFP customs union. But Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab broke down earlier this week. ‘Promising sign’ insisted that Brussels should be more flexible in its The UK and the European Union signed a last-gasp “Today’s figures are a promising sign that our approach to Northern Ireland, which shares the UK’s trade deal in December last year, just weeks before the economy is beginning to recover,” said Chancellor of only land border with the EU. Under the so-called former’s departure from the European single market the Exchequer Sunak. His cautious response comes Northern Ireland protocol, checks are required on and customs union. amid mounting concerns over whether the emergence some goods heading to the British province from A separate agreement-the Northern Ireland proto- Italy CB sharply of the Delta variant of the coronavirus threatens the mainland Britain-England, Scotland and Wales. — AFP col-was also signed to govern trade in the UK province, which shares the country’s only land border with the bloc. But London has so far failed to imple- raises 2021 ment full checks on goods heading into Northern Ireland from mainland Britain-England, Scotland and growth forecast Wales. And it has indicated that it will extend a grace period on the delivery of British chilled meat products at the end of this month, prompting EU threats of ROME: Italy’s economy will grow more than retaliatory measures. previously expected this year, buoyed by EU- The row-and the spectre of what the UK press has supported investment, the central bank said dubbed a “sausage war”-has dogged the showpiece Friday. The Bank of Italy said it expected gross G7 summit in southwest England. domestic product (GDP) to rise by 4.4 percent, Johnson yesterday morning held talks with French but warned its forecast did not take into account President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor favorable economic data from last week. Angela Merkel and the heads of the European Factoring in projections released by national Commission and the European Council. statistics agency Istat on June 4, the estimate WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Susan Collins arrives to a luncheon with Senate Republicans in the Russell Senate Office Building All told him directly to abide by the terms of the should be revised upwards by “more than half a Friday in Washington, DC. — AFP divorce deal he signed to take the UK out of the percentage point”, a statement said. For 2022 European Union after nearly 50 years of membership. and 2023, the bank predicted growth of 4.5 per- moderates announced an agreement. “No climate, no “Both sides must implement what we agreed on,” said cent and 2.3 percent, respectively. Biden, Congress deal.” Biden’s initial $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen Friday’s data was markedly more optimistic was a mammoth proposal aimed at rebuilding the and European Council chief Charles Michel. compared to January, when GDP was expected nation’s crumbling infrastructure. But it also sought to “There is complete EU unity on this.” to expand by 3.5 percent in 2021, 3.8 percent in face infrastructure raise wages for home care workers, improve child care A source in Macron’s office said he explained to 2022 and 2.3 percent in 2023. The recovery “is facilities, expand affordable housing and access to Johnson in no uncertain terms that the UK should driven above all by investment” helped by grow- uncertainty social welfare Medicaid services and, most notably, “keep its word”, effectively dismissing UK calls for ing confidence in the economy, low interest rates, reduce the impacts of climate change. flexibility. But Downing Street said Johnson had told and the expected windfall of billions of euros Republicans balked at the plan’s price tag, and the leaders he would not change tack. from the European Union, the central bank said. WASHINGTON: A months-long negotiation on stressed that elements unrelated to traditional infra- Italy was the first European nation to be hit infrastructure between the White House and US law- structure be kept out. Earlier talks between Biden and Double down by the Covid-19 pandemic and its economy con- makers is coming to a head, with President Joe Biden Republican senators collapsed this week. “The prime minister expressed confidence in the tracted by a staggering 8.9 percent last year. desperate to woo Republicans while also keeping cen- And while the latest bipartisan plan-reported at UK’s position in the Northern Ireland protocol,” a However, the economic outlook has recently trists and climate-concerned progressives in his party $1.2 trillion over eight years, with $579 billion of it statement said after his meeting with Macron. “He turned sunnier, and the country is set to receive on board. Ten moderate senators-five Democrats and being new spending-raised hopes, it quickly became made clear his desire for pragmatism and compromise nearly 200 billion euros ($242 billion) from the five Republicans-announced a tentative agreement clear how big the hurdles are. on all sides.” With Merkel, he said there was a need “to EU’s massive post-pandemic recovery fund. The Thursday aimed at improving and expanding the maintain both the sovereignty and territorial integrity money, covering the 2021-2026 period, is nation’s crumbling roads, bridges, ports, pipes, tracks ‘It’s a hustle’ of the UK”. expected to be disbursed in instalments starting and broadband internet. In a joint statement they said “Dems are burning precious time & impact negoti- And with von der Leyen and Michel, he told them in the second half of the year. they were “optimistic” that the plan-which they ating w/GOP,” House Democrat Alexandria Ocasio- the UK was “committed to finding practical solutions” The Bank of Italy said its forecast depended stressed would not raise tax rates-could garner broad Cortez tweeted on Wednesday. But top Republican to the solve the dispute.The protocol is designed to on continued progress with vaccinations, allow- support from both parties and make it to the presi- Mitch McConnell’s plan “is to run out the clock,” she prevent unchecked goods going into the European ing the lifting of “most” coronavirus restrictions dent’s desk. There is growing urgency to reach a final added. “It’s a hustle. We need to move now.” single market and customs union via Northern by the end of the year. deal in the coming weeks, as a crowded congressional The popular lawmaker’s message to the White Ireland’s neighbor, EU member state Ireland. It also said its calculations banked on contin- calendar is on the horizon. But with all sides acutely House was clear: stop waiting for a unicorn deal to But pro-British unionist communities in Northern ued fiscal and monetary stimulus for the econo- aware of the time crunch, liberal Democrats voiced emerge with Republicans, and craft a bill that incor- Ireland are opposed, arguing that checks drive a my, and on “no significant delays” in recovery their displeasure Friday at what has been left out of porates Democrats’ priorities including addressing wedge between the province and the rest of the UK. projects backed by national and EU funds. the bipartisan framework-and signalled it might climate change. There is quicksand in both chambers The checks were suspended after threats to port Last week, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said already be dead in the water. “NO way that I’m sup- of Congress, however. “We’re trying to get an out- staff and blamed for some of the worst violence in Italy was “yearning to restart” and “facing a new porting an infrastructure package that doesn’t invest in come on infrastructure. Something that is popular on years in Northern Ireland. The protocol has also cost phase” after “very tough” pandemic months. In fighting the climate crisis,” tweeted congresswoman both sides of the aisle,” McConnell told Fox News on Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster her job, one of several signs of growing optimism for the Pramila Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Thursday. “All we’re insisting on is that the infrastruc- and seen her successor pledged a tougher line on eurozone’s third-largest economy, industrial pro- Progressive Caucus. “Who’s with me?” ture bill be about infrastructure and not a whole lot of opposing it. duction returned to pre-COVID levels in April, “We cannot allow climate denial to masquerade as other things and that it be credibly paid for,” he The Times this week reported that President Joe Istat data showed Thursday. — AFP bipartisanship,” added Senator Ed Markey after the added. —AFP Biden had ordered US diplomats to rebuke London for 10 Established 1961

Business Sunday, June 13, 2021 Gulf Bank successfully completes issuance of KD 50 million bonds Jointly managing the issuance with Kamco Invest and Markaz

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced it has on September 10, 2021. who have spared no efforts in delivering successfully completed its issuance of KD On this occasion, Gulf Bank’s CEO, Tony the best possible outcome for all our val- 50 million subordinated Tier 2 bonds. The Daher, said: “We are proud of our success- ued clients.” bond issue was oversubscribed 1.57 times, ful issuance of KD 50 million bonds. These Commenting on the latest bond with the total value of subscriptions instruments have received great interest, as issuance, Ali H Khalil, CEO of Kuwait amounting to KD 78.5 million. reflected by their demand volume reaching Financial Centre Company said: “Our par- Gulf Bank issued the subordinated Tier 157 percent, and indicate overall market ticipation in the Bonds transaction has 2 bonds in Kuwaiti dinars, with a tenure confidence in the performance, position been met with great attention by investors period of 10 years, callable after 5 years, and strategic plans of Gulf Bank. We are in view of the excellent reputation of Gulf and of KD 50 million. The bonds were rat- confident that this issuance will contribute Bank and the professional expertise of ed BBB+ by Capital Intelligence. to enhancing Gulf Bank’s capital adequacy, Markaz and the other lead managers in These bonds offer rewarding returns for in compliance with Basel III frameworks, Tony Daher Faisal Sarkhou Ali H Khalil providing a variety of investment opportu- holders of both fixed-interest bonds and and will serve our upcoming investment nities to the clients. Markaz assisted a variable-interest bonds. The KD 25 million plans towards making Gulf Bank the bank number of local companies from various Fixed Rate bonds offer a 4 percent inter- of the future.” cooperation portrayed by all involved par- regional debt markets. Gulf Bank’s financial sectors in issuing bonds and sukuk to est, and the KD 25 million Floating Rate The bond issuance process was jointly ties who played a pivotal role in success- position and clear vision have helped in obtain financing required to support its bonds offer a rate of 2.25 percent above managed by both Kamco Invest and fully completing this bond issuance. This closing the issuance in a short period with businesses. We value our solid relationship the Central Bank of Kuwait’s discount rate. Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz). transaction marks yet another milestone oversubscription. We look forward to man- with Gulf Bank and we seek to maintain The interest will be paid in quarterly Faisal Sarkhou, Kamco Invest’s CEO that will pave the path for additional aging more bond and sukuk issuances and reinforce this relationship through the installments, with payments commencing said: “We are proud of the efforts and issuances that will strengthen the local and through our Debt Capital Markets team, continuous cooperation between us.” NBK launches new AUB named ‘Best MX.3 solution for Supplementary Private Bank, treasury, investments disclosure on AUB Kuwait 2021’ KUWAIT: Treasury Group of National Bank of KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank (AUB) was awarded Kuwait (NBK) has announced the successful launch of Capital Sukuk “Best Private Bank, Kuwait 2021” by the phase one of the transformation of its Treasury and International Business Magazine. This prestigious Investment systems to the advanced MX.3 platform in Award is given annually by the International collaboration with Murex, the global leader in trading, KUWAIT: Reference is made to the above Business Magazine. AUB was conferred this Award risk management and processing solutions for capital mentioned subject and our earlier disclosure in recognition of its successful clients services markets. NBK’s Treasury Group earlier signed a con- dated 29 April 2021 and 26 May 2021 and in model that has been achieved by offering distin- tract with Murex to provide the bank with its integrat- compliance with chapter 10 of decree 72 of guished services and successful workshops to raise ed platform solution, MX.3. The new solution supports year 2015 regarding the issuance of the the customer awareness, and more importantly, all day-to-day trading and risk management opera- revised executive bylaws of the CMA law managed clients’ crises cast their shadow over the economic scene due to tions. It was first tested in Kuwait and Bahrain before number 7 of year 2010 regarding the disclo- and cooperation within the repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic is a going live recently. MX.3 provides innovative solutions sure of material information, we attach hereto the digital transformation strong indication of the Bank’s success in adapting across all activities related to front-to-back-to-risk the material information disclosure form process. to various condition and succeeding in offering and management and processing. The solutions provided announcing that Ahli United Bank K.S.C.P In granting this Award, providing more banking solutions, and continuing to by the new platform cover the Dealing Room, Treasury International Business develop services and products that gain customer and Investment Operations and Risk Management in (“the Bank”) has successfully issued the sub- Magazine conducted confidence and recognition. Kuwait as well as all of NBK’s overseas branches and ject Sukuk on 09 June 2021 at the value of through precise supervi- Al-Humaidhi expressed the Bank’s sincere thanks subsidiaries. $600 million. The total orders for Sukuk sion and scrutiny by a and appreciation to the Wealth Management team On this occasion, Jad J Zakhour, General Manager - reached $1.8 billion representing three times team of key experts in for their outstanding performance and dedication. Head of Treasury Group at National Bank of Kuwait, the targeted size. The oversubscription this field in addition to a Meshari Shehab, Deputy General Manager of the said: “The launch of the phase one of the new MX.3 reflects the investors’ confidence in the Bank’s judging panel composed Private Banking and Wealth Management, com- platform is in line with the steps we have taken over Management and its solid performance. of research experts and mented that client satisfaction is placed at the core the past years to develop our front-to-back infra- Jehad Al-Humaidhi editors to make the final point of the Private Banking approach to its Wealth structure and implement a full-fledged digital transfor- selection of the winners, Management services. High level of client satisfac- mation across the Group, in an effort to provide the where AUB received the highest votes tion was achieved by availing the enormous banking most competitive Treasury solutions, regionally and On this occasion, Jehad Al-Humaidhi, Acting services of AUB to the clients’ particular needs. internationally.” The three-stage rollout of the new European stocks CEO of Ahli United Bank, said: “We are delighted to Therefore offering tailor made services on an platform will support Treasury Group’s strategy to have received this prestigious Award, which is exclusive level. comply with existing and future regulations across all advance as S&P 500 added to the Bank’s record of awards, stating that Finally, Shehab emphasized the Digitalization the markets in which the Group operates, as well as this Award is an apparent evidence of the continued efforts critical role in addressing the ever increasing expand its product offering and price products more growth, leadership and excellence achieved by challenges presented by the clients’ growing busi- efficiently, he added. edges to record AUB’s Private Banking and Wealth Management”. ness requirements. These efforts synchronized per- In phase one of the roll- Al-Humaidhi added that winning this Award by fectly with evolving business landscape of Digital out of the MX.3 platform, AUB in these exceptional circumstances that still Banking. the trading, operations and NEW YORK, United States: European stock risk management solution markets closed the week in a bullish mood Friday, went live for multiple asset while the S&P 500 edged to a second straight classes in Kuwait and record as investors weighed US consumer confi- Ooredoo launches NBK and Bahrain, Zakhour noted. dence and inflation data. Zakhour explained that the Equity markets in Paris and Frankfurt cheered a ‘Best Cash Price LOYAC support MX.3 platform will allow day after the European Central Bank adopted a NBK to build on its dovish policy posture even as it raised its growth in Market’ deal cybercrime strengths as a key global forecast. player in providing Jad Zakhour ECB chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday said it Treasury solutions and awareness programs supporting its regional would be “too early and premature” to discuss KUWAIT: With Ooredoo Telecom, the first to customers, indicating that Treasury Group is working tightening monetary policy, even as officials lifted introduce innovative digital services in Kuwait, to develop its IT systems and infrastructure with the their annual inflation outlook. smartphones exclusive offers, there’s never been a KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) contin- aim to improve customer service and thus increase “European markets have ripped higher to close better time to purchase the most advanced smart- ues its support to LOYAC and sponsors its customer satisfaction. the week in a bullish mood,” Fawad Razaqzada, ana- phones, and enjoy the best offers and postpaid Cybercrime Committee Program as part of its com- “As one of the leading banks in the region, we will lyst at ThinkMarkets, told AFP. “With the central plans in the country! If you’ve got your eye on the mitment toward corporate social responsibility. latest smartphone, Ooredoo Kuwait is your ultimate continue to capitalize on our global experience and bank covering their backs, investors bought every NBK’s Sponsorship to the program aims to raise profound market insight to provide top-notch prod- destination with the company’s unique cash offers awareness on the cybercrime protection laws in single short-term dip in stocks, causing the Euro happening for the first time ucts and services to our customers,” he added. For his Stoxx 50 and the CAC 40 to hit new highs for the Kuwait, and the most common mistakes that youth in the country. During this make on social media. The Cyber Crime Committee part, Philippe Helou, Managing Partner and Co- year on Friday, with the German DAX also nearing founder at Murex, commented: “We are pleased with thrilling promotional peri- Program runs for 3 weeks, where participants will its record high hit last week.” accomplishing the transformation of NBK’s Treasury od, both existing and new explore and research with specialists from the and Investments system by finishing phase one of the Britain’s economic recovery, meanwhile, is gath- customers can choose from Ministry of Interior about topics that encourage MX.3 platform implementation. This milestone will ering pace, with GDP growing by 2.3 percent in invincible cash offers in their role as active members in our society. strengthen our long-standing partnership with NBK April alone as the UK government eased its lock- which they have the privi- The Program addresses cybercrime in Kuwait, and our continued efforts to accelerate its digital down, according to official data released Friday. lege of purchasing their the legality and how to transformation roadmap, working closely to provide Back in the US markets, major indices finished a preferred smartphone in correctly use online plat- cutting-edge IT solutions.” choppy session with modest gains. cash with special price, and forms. The participants “Murex is an experienced partner with a well- A report released Friday from the University of yet enjoy the amazing are to create and show- established track record of supporting financial insti- features of postpaid case an awareness cam- Michigan showed a rise in consumer confidence as Yousef Al-Shallal tutions’ efforts toward excellence and innovation for Shamel plan including; paign based on their the widespread availability of Covid-19 vaccines non-stop 5G internet, the future by providing them with its most advanced brought shoppers back to stores. research and information non-stop roaming inter- they received. “NBK’s IT platforms,” he added. Zakhour and Helou praised “Looking ahead, we expect consumers will be the collaboration between NBK’s business and sup- net, non-stop local calls, and complementary digital sponsorship is part of its more upbeat as the economy continues reopening port teams and Murex teams, which worked tirelessly vouchers. ongoing drive to fulfill its over the past year to ensure a smooth and efficient and employment conditions heal further,” Oxford Yousef Al-Shallal, Director of Marketing, corporate social responsi- transition to the new platform, despite the challenging Economics said in a note. Ooredoo Kuwait, said: “This is Ooredoo’s biggest bilities”, said NBK Public context of COVID-19, including business closures and “Current pandemic-related supply constraints and most exciting cash offers for smartphones for relations Officer, Joanne Joanne Al-Abduljaleel remote working. For more than 30 years, multi-award- will steadily ease, supporting a healthier labor mar- this year! We are confident that these offers will Al Abdul Jaleel. “As part of ed Murex has provided enterprise-wide, cross-asset ket and easing price pressures as economic dynam- witness a great turnout from our customers who are the program, NBK and LOY- financial technology solutions to capital markets play- ics normalize.” keen on acquiring the latest smartphone devices at AC will produce a video campaign for social media best prices and special Shamel postpaid plans. ers. Its cross-function platform, MX.3, supports trad- Government data released Thursday showed to help raise awareness on cybercrime.” Therefore, we have launched these offerings in ing, treasury, risk and post-trade operations, enabling consumer prices at the highest level in 13 years, but Al-Abdul Jaleel added “NBK’s sponsorship and order to satisfy their desires. This is undoubtedly clients to better meet regulatory requirements, man- the S&P 500 still finished the week at a record as support comes in line with the bank’s customary the best time to purchase the smartphone of your and ongoing spirit of corporate citizenship as well age enterprise-wide risk, and control IT costs. With the market seemed to conclude the May data repre- choice, with the best deal to accompany it.” as the vital role it plays in supporting youth.” NBK more than 57,000 daily users in more than 60 coun- sented a peak for inflation. tries, Murex has clients across the financial services Offers during Ooredoo Kuwait’s special cash continues to promote a range of philanthropic mis- Oil prices also rose as the International Energy industry, from banking and asset management to ener- smartphone offers are available to postpaid cus- sions and social welfare programs as part of the gy and commodities. Murex has a presence in 18 loca- Agency said crude demand was set to rise above tomers, on the latest smartphones including iPhone, humanitarian dimension of its corporate social tions around the world, including New York, pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year. Samsung, and Xiaomi. responsibility to assert its leadership in supporting Singapore, Paris and Beirut. Elsewhere, traders are keeping an eye on Friday’s One of the exceptional offers offered by Kuwait’s social development, standing as a model in NBK was named “Best Foreign Exchange Provider start to the G7 summit in Cornwall, in southwest Ooredoo Kuwait is for customers who are aiming to serving all aspects of the community. in Kuwait and the Middle East for 2021” for the ninth England. purchase iPhone 12 PRO Max 128GB, they can have LOYAC is a nonprofit organization that runs sev- consecutive time in the annual survey of the reputable The United States and China clashed in rare talks for only KD 235 in cash with a subscription to eral programs for the youth to develop their profes- Shamel 25 plan for KD 25 per month for 12 months international magazine Global Finance. The ranking is as President Joe Biden made his international debut, sional skills, enhance their personal growth and help and enjoy unlimited features including; non-stop 5G based on input from industry analysts, corporate with his administration pressing Beijing on Covid- them find their sense of purpose by extending executives and technology experts around the world. internet, non-stop roaming internet, non-stop local themselves to others. 19, Taiwan and human rights. —AFP calls, and complementary digital vouchers. Established 1961 11 Lifestyle Features Sunday, June 13, 2021

A Cypriot man rides his moped past a mural by Greek artist Fikos, who Greek artist Fikos, who describes himself as a “neo-muralist”, works on one A cat sits next to a mural by Greek artist Fikos, who describes himself as a describes himself as a “neo-muralist”, in the Cypriot capital Nicosia. of his murals in the Cypriot capital Nicosia. “neo-muralist”. — AFP photos

n Athenian “neo-muralist” is blend- Standing on a wobbly platform, he Mythology endures ing Greek mythology and gets to work with a brushstroke along the Fikos says in the past he was unable AByzantine iconography with graffiti brow of Amaracus, the perfume-maker of to convince Athenians to let him paint and street art to depict how the coron- the mythical goddess Aphrodite, whose over the garish graffiti that blankets the avirus has forced people the world over fate he says befits life in the time of the city, even for free. But now his appeal is to put down roots. From Bangkok to coronavirus. Bit by bit, a sketch evolves growing both at home and abroad, and Rabat and Zurich, Fikos has painted the into a jade-green male figure with leaves he gets paid for his work. Fikos says he walls of many cities, but he’s now adding sprouting from his head, branches pro- has been commissioned to paint murals a splash of color to the sun-beaten truding from his chest and roots extend- in many countries, including France, facades of the Cypriot capital Nicosia. ing from his legs. “He got punished by Ireland, Mexico, Russia, Serbia and “Here in Cyprus there are not many the gods and got turned into a plant or Ukraine. They can cover entire facades murals yet,” he says. “It’s the beginning flower,” says Fikos, who explains that he of buildings as high as 17 storeys, like phase of the street art scene in Cyprus, used the story from Cypriot mythology as one in Kiev, yet they aren’t overbearing so... they are impressed and kind of an analogy for the pandemic, during and don’t look out of place. awed when they see this happening.” which people “have grown roots” by stay- “Most of the time they have something The 33-year-old spends time wander- ing in one place for so long. in mind, they give me a theme,” Fikos ing the narrow back alleys of Nicosia’s says of his commissions. “But... I do my Old City in search of walls to use as a Stigma research on history, mythology or what- canvas. The one he chose for his latest Fikos says Cypriots have taken to his ever I find appropriate, then I sketch and project is the cracked veneer of a crum- artwork, unlike others who tend to attach A mural by Greek artist Fikos, is pictured on a building on Stasikratous Street, a major shop- I start to paint.” Once the research is bling mud-brick house in an abandoned, to it the stigma of graffiti. His works now ping area in the center of Cypriot capital Nicosia . done, the process of painting the murals dusty lot near the UN-patrolled buffer adorn five facades on the Greek-Cypriot It shows King Onassagoras, who evolved from graffiti and it has different can take just two or three more days, he zone that divides the city’s Greek and side of Nicosia, which has been divided ruled the kingdom of Ledra around 672 rules. You must leave your stamp,” he says. “I’m mostly inspired by Greek Turkish-speaking halves. The Greek on ethnic lines since communal unrest BC, next to three female figures — one says. “But my point of view is totally dif- mythology, because I trust that if these artist, who describes himself as a “neo- erupted in 1963-4. Fikos says he draws of them Nicosia, depicted as a woman ferent. I’m always trying to adapt my myths have survived, they must have muralist”, says he has been living on the from a varied palette of influences, from split in half. “I studied Byzantine painting sketch to the environment and get something to say.”— AFP Mediterranean island for the past year art in ancient Greece to Egypt and since I was 13 years old in Athens, and I inspired from the colors of the neighbor- amid the Covid-19 pandemic, a theme Japan. One such artwork is located near studied the art of the street in the hood. My approach is more like fine art, reflected in his latest piece. the Green Line that divides Nicosia. streets,” says Fikos. “Street art has I’d say.” Elton John says Brexit a ‘catastrophe’ for

new UK singers urns out the comic books were wrong. Japanese researchers visa-free travel on the continent for UK found mouse sperm exposed to musicians. T high levels of cosmic radiation for nearly lton John on Thursday warned of a John, 74, revealed that he met last lost generation in the UK’s music six years produced a large brood of month with Brexit minister David Frost to healthy, unremarkable “space pups.” Eindustry because of post-Brexit discuss the issue. “New and emerging curbs on touring in the European Union. Their study was published Friday in artists will be unable to tour Europe Science Advances-which noted no signs John was among musicians including Ed freely — an essential part of their educa- Sheeran and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters so far of Mousezillas or rodent Hulks. tion and development-due to the prohibi- The sperm was stored in the who signed a letter in January criticizing tive costs of visas, carnets and permits,” the Brexit deal. “Put bluntly, we are cur- International Space Station in freeze- he wrote. “However, despite this looming dried form. Once brought back to Earth rently in grave danger of losing a gener- catastrophe, the government seems ation of talent due to the gaping holes in and rehydrated, it resulted in the birth of unable or unwilling to fix this gaping hole 168 young, free of genetic defects. the government’s trade deal,” the in their trade deal and defaults to blam- “Rocket Man” singer wrote on his Developmental biologist and lead ing the EU rather than finding ways out author Teruhiko Wakayama told AFP on Instagram page. The trade deal between of this mess. —AFP Britain and the EU, which kicked in at the Thursday that there was little difference start of the year, no longer guarantees between mice fertilized by space sperm and sperm that had remained confined to our planet. “All pups had normal appear- This image courtesy of Teruhiko Wakayama, University of Yamanashi, shows healthy offspring ance,” he said, and when researchers and next generation of mice derived from space preserved spermatozoa. — AFP photos examined their genes “no abnormalities were found.” In 2013, Wakayama and rather than needing a freezer. The “In the future, when the time comes to colleagues at the University of ampoules were also small and very light, migrate to other planets, we will need to Yamanashi in Japan launched three box- about the size of a small pencil, further mantain the diversity of genetic es, each containing 48 ampoules of cutting launch costs. When the space resources, not only for humans but also freeze-dried sperm, to the ISS for the Emma, a southern white mice reached adulthood, they were ran- for pets and domestic animals,” long-term study. They wanted to deter- five-year-old female domly mated and the next generation Wakayama and colleagues wrote in their mine whether long term exposure to radi- rhino, stands at Tobu appeared normal as well. paper. “For cost and safety reasons, it is ation in space would damage DNA in Zoo in Miyashiro, likely that stored germ cells will be trans- reproductive cells or pass mutations Saitama prefecture, Space colonies ported by spaceships rather than by liv- along to offspring. suburb of Tokyo. — AFP Wakayama, now director for ing animals.” Getting to other planets That could be a problem for our own Advanced Biotechnology Center at the means leaving the safety of Earth’s pro- species in future space exploration and University of Yamanashi, told AFP he tective atmosphere and magnetic field- colonization missions. Batches were had been inspired by the science fiction which also extends to the ISS, 400 kilo- returned to Earth for fertilization after the of Heinlein and Asimov and once wanted meters (250 miles) above the surface. but a love match is far from guaranteed. first nine months, then after two years, to be an astronaut. Though he settled on Deep space is filled with strong radia- “The male is 10 years old, and is big. and finally after six years, leading to hun- becoming a scientist, the sense of won- tion from both solar particles and galactic Japan zoo prays We will put them together and let them dreds of births. Freeze-dried sperm was der and whimsy about space exploration cosmic rays from outside our system. get acquainted. We think breeding will selected for the experiment because it never left him. Solar flares from the surface of the Sun take a year,” he told AFP. “Of course, if can be preserved at room temperature, for rhino love they are not compatible, they won’t generate particles that can have particu- breed. All we can do is pray.” On Friday, larly devastating impacts on human Emma could be seen relaxing after her health and penetrate current generation as new resident travels, eating, napping and wandering spaceships. around her paddock. She was picked According to Wakayama, the process from a herd of 23 rhinos because of her of freeze drying sperm increases its tol- settles in even temper and small size, which made erance compared to fresh sperm, since her easier to ship overseas. the former does not contain water inside its cell nuclei and cytoplasms. According apanese zookeepers are praying When her departure was delayed from March by the virus, keepers started to the team’s calculations, freeze-dried that a newly arrived white rhino will sperm could be stored for up to 200 hit it off with her blind date when teaching her Japanese words such as J “come” and “no” to get her ready for the years on board the orbital outpost. they meet later this year as “Emma” set- trip. “Emma is very used to people. In Humanity might also want to spread its tles in to her new home near Tokyo. The genetic resources off planet in case of a horned herbivore, hand-picked by Taiwan, the keepers put mud on her body and cared for her in other ways like disaster on Earth, the paper added. The Taiwan’s Leofoo Safari Park to start a study noted it is still necessary to investi- family abroad, arrived in Japan this week, that, so she’s familiar with humans. In general, she’s quite calm,” Shimo said. gate the effects of space radiation on months later than planned due to pan- frozen female eggs and fertilized demic complications. Yasushiro Shimo, She is likely to double in size from her current slender 800 kilograms, he added. embryos before humans take this next zoo division manager at Tobu Zoo in step into the space age.— AFP Saitama outside Tokyo, said the mild- “She’s still young. I think she will grow to mannered five-year-old would be intro- two tons.”—AFP This image courtesy of Teruhiko Wakayama, University of Yamanashi, shows quality 8-cell duced to her first suitor in September — stage embryos derived from space sperm. 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Sunday, June 13, 2021

Various translations of the iconic tale “Bambi: A Life In The Woods” by Felix A Japanese translation of the iconic tale “Bambi: A Life In The Woods” by A man passes by a poster of Felix Salten (left) as he enters the exhibition Salten are seen on display at the City Hall Library in Vienna. — AFP photos Felix Salten is on display at the City Hall Library in Vienna ‘Beyond Bambi - Felix Salten and the Discovery of Viennese Modernism’.

hile the 1942 Disney film “Bambi” itself, “Felix Salten changed publishers and the loss of one’s mother,” said philosopher that his social life was no less notable, with red in Salten’s diary instead of the usual is world famous as a classic of from then on it became much more suc- Maxime Rovere, author of the preface to a Freud and composer Richard Strauss blue or black and that the attendant possi- Wanimated cinema, the man behind cessful,” said Ursula Storch, curator of the new French edition. among his acquaintances. But the bility of being deported from Switzerland as the story — an eminent writer in pre-war exhibition at the Wien Museum dedicated Given “the impression of fear, the way Anschluss shattered that world, with Salten a stateless individual must have left him Vienna who had to flee the Nazis — is little to the city’s history. “Of course it was made the animals must constantly escape,” later writing of his “contempt for the “trembling” until his death in 1945. known. Felix Salten was a product of the even more famous by the film adaptation Rovere says it is “impossible not to make Viennese and for Austrians in general” His Swiss granddaughter Lea Wyler cultural blossoming in the capital of the in 1942,” Storch told AFP. But by then, the link with (Salten’s) personal experi- after many of them joyfully welcomed never knew him personally but says that then Austro-Hungarian empire around the “Bambi”, along with the rest of Salten’s ence”, living as he did through an era of Hitler’s takeover of their country. His diaries accounts handed down through the family turn of the 20th Century. As a Vienna exhi- work, had been banned because he was rising anti-Semitism. But as the exhibition record an ever-growing anxiety. “His writ- tell of a “broken man” marked by succes- bition which shines a spotlight on the neg- Jewish, first in Germany and then in makes clear, there is much more to the ings are very moving,” Atze, who spent sive tragedies. “He had lost his only son in lected creator shows, he was a prolific Austria after Hitler’s annexation of the work of Salten than “Bambi”. Born in 1869 several weeks poring over the journals with a car accident, he lost his home, Vienna, writer who moved in the same circles as country in 1938. in Budapest, he and his family moved to colleagues, said. “When you read them friends,” she told AFP by phone. She the likes of Sigmund Freud, the father of the imperial capital the following year. At you can absolutely imagine what was hap- laments the fact that out of work left by her psychoanalysis. Literary ‘chameleon’ around the age of 20, he began a career pening,” he added. “loving, humorous, cheeky” grandfather, Salten wrote the iconic and poignant The film’s success, however, was as a journalist, which remained his staple only “Bambi” is remembered — and that tale of the fawn bereaved of his mother by enough to give rise to numerous retellings source of income for around 50 years, ‘Feeling of redemption’ the Disney adaptation has eclipsed the hunters in 1922 under the title “Bambi: A of the story. Storch says that while Salten according to Marcel Atze, head of the man- Atze says that only a few such docu- original. “The crazy thing is that everybody Life In The Woods”. On its publication the himself never offered a commentary on the uscripts department at Vienna City Library. ments survive from this tumultuous period, thinks that Disney wrote it. He did not even following year, it did not enjoy immediate meaning of the book, it is a powerful evo- However, Salten’s oeuvre of some 50 making Salten “an unbelievably valuable get that credit, that is really annoying,” she success among the reading public. cation of the dark side of human nature books spans opera librettos, poetry, art crit- witness”. In March 1939, Salten fled to said. Nevertheless, Wyler adds the fact However, in the 1930s, Salten-himself a and the relationship between humans and icism, film scripts and even a pornographic Switzerland, taking with him a library com- that Vienna is now celebrating Salten has hunter-sold the film rights for the text for the environment. “It’s a book which is novel under the title of “Josefine prising thousands of volumes. Two years brought “a feeling of redemption”. — AFP $1,000 to an American producer, who in deeply anchored in its time and is much Mutzenbacher”. He won a reputation as a later, the Nazis stripped him of his national- turn sold them to Disney. As for the book more than a simple children’s story about versatile literary “chameleon”. Storch says ity. Atze notes that this news is written in

Various translations of the iconic tale “Bambi: A Life In A picture of Felix Salten, author of the iconic tale “Bambi: A historical poster (right) for the animated film “Bambi” The first English edition of the book “BAMBI” by Felix The Woods” by Felix Salten are seen on display at the A Life In The Woods” is seen with various translations of produced by Walt Disney is on view at the Wien Museum Salten is seen at the City Hall Library. City Hall Library. his book at the City Hall Library. in Vienna.

dren’s tale “Pinocchio” there was no need to build a fire to secure his escape. Whale of a tale: “I saw light, and he started throwing his head side-to-side and the next thing I knew I was outside (in the water),” US fisherman Packard told the paper. The story says Packard’s fishing mate Josiah Mayo “saw the explosion of water as the whale rench artist Fred Forest hopes to says swallowed surfaced and Packard was ejected,” but break the record for an NFT sale, the doesn’t include any quotes attributed to FCartier Foundation said Thursday, him. Jooke Robbins, director of hump- putting up a digital artwork for $1 more by humpback back whale studies at the Center for than the $69.3 million set by rival Beeple. ancer Sae Eun Park became the Park won the Grand Prix de Lausanne at Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Forest, the 88-year-old pioneer of multime- first South Korean to earn the high- 17 and the Gold Medal at Varna, two of Massachusetts, said she had no reason dia art, is putting “NFT-Archeology” up for Dest “etoile” title at the Paris Opera the leading prizes in the world for aspir- t sounds like a real-life take on to doubt the account. sale through the OpenSea platform next ballet, a top honor reserved for just a ing dancers. “Pinocchio” — a US lobster fisherman “I didn’t think it was a hoax because I week. It is a slightly modified version of his handful of dancers in the company. The daughter of a pianist and Isays he was scooped into the mouth of knew the people involved... So I have own “Parcelle/Reseau” (“Network-Parcel”), Opera director Alexander Neef made the Samsung employee, she initially trained a humpback whale Friday and yet lived every reason to believe that what they which was the first web-only artwork to be announcement, to a standing ovation, in the Russian “Vaganova” style of ballet to tell the story. “I was in his closed say is true,” she told AFP. Robbins said sold at auction in 1996. following Park’s performance as the lead in Seoul. She discovered the French mouth for about 30 to 40 seconds before she had never heard of an “accident” of That work was lost when the buyer in “Romeo and Juliet” at the Opera style when she took a class from a he rose to the surface and spit me out,” this type, but “it may be that he (Packard) went bankrupt and his computer was Bastille on Thursday night. “We have all Korean ex-member of the Paris Opera. Michael Packard wrote on Facebook was just in the wrong place at the wrong seized and destroyed, but Forest had kept had the pleasure tonight of seeing a “It was a revelation,” she recalled. hours after his brush with the depths. “A time.” “When they (whales) fish... they a copy on his hard drive. Forest won’t magnificent dancer who has shown us “Vaganova is more about the upper humpback whale tried to eat me,” he rush forward, open their mouth and accept any bids below the asking price as the extent of her talent,” he said. “It body. The French style relies more on added. “I am very bruised up but have no engulf the fish and the water very quick- he seeks to unseat US artist Beeple, real gives me immense pleasure to name the feet. The technique came more natu- broken bones.” ly,” she said, adding they have large name Mike Winkelmann, who scored the Mademoiselle Sae Eun Park an etoile rally to me.” But she also had wise Packard’s beyond-belief big fish yarn mouths, but throats so narrow they market-shattering price of $69.3 million for dancer.” words from her former Russian teacher: began, he told local paper Cape Cod wouldn’t be able to swallow a human. his digital collage “Everydays: The First Elevated to “first dancer” in 2017 — “She told me, ‘Don’t forget that despite Times, when he was diving for lobster off The whale, which according to Mayo’s 5,000 Days” through a Christie’s auction in the second-highest status — Park has the differences in style, the important the coast of the northeastern state of description was on the young side, “may March. That sum was the third-highest by been lauded for her elegant and fluid thing is to express what is within you.’” Massachusetts. “All of a sudden, I felt not be able to detect quickly enough that a living artist in history, and marked the technique. Born in Seoul in December Park is now part of a small handful of this huge shove and the next thing I something is in the way.” Even if all the definitive arrival of digital art, to the con- 1989, she joined the company a decade foreign etoile dancers at the Paris knew it was completely black,” he said details weren’t yet known, one thing was sternation of many in the traditional art ago, having already been a soloist in her Opera, which includes Ludmila Pagliero, after being released from the hospital. clear for Robbins: “It is important for peo- world who have struggled to see the value home country. “With the Korean National who became the first from Latin America He was about 35 feet down (10 meters) ple to be quite aware... And when they in the new form. “The challenge for me is Ballet, I was already a soloist and danc- in 2012. — AFP and his first thought was that he had see a whale, keep a good distance. It’s to dethrone Beeple,” Forest told AFP. ing lead roles. When I joined the Paris been attacked by a shark, but the lack of really important to give whales their But he said there was a wider point to Opera, I was always in the background, teeth and obvious wounds made him space.”— AFP be made. “In the art market, artists are but I learned a lot,” she told AFP in 2019. reconsider. Packard said he began to not the ones that see the biggest divi- struggle-but unlike in the classic chil- dends, it’s the intermediaries. The Covid crisis and the development of digital will up-end the art world. Artists must become stakeholders and stop being manipulat- ed.” “NFTs”, or “non-fungible tokens”, allow artists to monetize digital art by giv- ing buyers bragging rights to ultimate own- ership, even if the work can be endlessly reproduced online. “NFT-Archaeology” will be shown on the Paris-based Cartier Foundation of Contemporary Art’s Instagram on Tuesday. The winning bidder will receive a paint- ing that preceded the digital artwork, as well as a letter of authentication. Forest, a cofounder of two key movements in art, the “Sociological Art Collective” of the 1970s and “Aesthetics of Communication” in the 1980s, said part of the profits will go towards a project that provides legal and In this file photo a Humpback whale jumps in the surface of the Pacific Ocean at the Uramba technical services to artists. — AFP Bahia Malaga National Natural Park in Colombia. — AFP Established 1961 13 Sports Sunday, June 13, 2021 Embiid scores 27 as Sixers roll over Hawks, Suns rout Nuggets

LOS ANGELES: Joel Embiid finished with 27 points and Clint Capela had eight points and 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the rebounds in the loss. Philadelphia led 28-20 at the Philadelphia 76ers snapped the Atlanta Hawks’ run end of the first quarter and by five, 61-56, at half- of good fortune at home with a 127-111 win in game time as Young had 16 points. three of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff The Sixers seized command in the third, outscor- series. The teams split the first two games in ing Atlanta 34-19 and extending their lead to 20 Philadelphia, but the Sixers dominated Friday to points heading into the fourth. Philadelphia roared grab a 2-1 series lead and halt the Hawks’ 13-game out of the halftime break, making their first eight winning streak at home. shots of the third quarter to build an 80-62 lead. Tobias Harris scored 22 points, Ben Simmons tal- Seth Curry highlighted their 19-6 scoring surge by lied 18 points and seven assists, and Furkan nailing a three and a pair of short-range jump shots. Korkmaz drained three of six from beyond the arc Elsewhere, Devin Booker scored 28 points and for the 76ers in front of a crowd of 16,400 at State Chris Paul added 27 and eight assists as the Phoenix Farm Arena in Atlanta. Embiid had a couple of hard Suns seized a commanding 3-0 lead over the Denver falls during the contest but nothing serious. “I’m Nuggets with a 116-102 victory. “We are peaking at OK,” said Embiid, who is playing with a cartilage the right time. The regular season prepared us for tear in his right knee. “I’m standing up. I’m walking. these games,” Booker said. Deandre Ayton had 10 I finished the game. So I’m gonna keep getting back points and 15 rebounds, Jae Crowder scored 14 and up. I’m going to keep fighting. That’s been me since Mikal Bridges added 11 for Phoenix, who can sweep I’ve been playing basketball.” Game four is Monday the best-of-seven series on Sunday in Denver. night in Atlanta. Philadelphia shot 52 percent overall and an ‘Give our best’ impressive 47 percent from beyond the arc, making “It is not going to be easy,” said Crowder of the 10 of 21 compared to Atlanta who made just six of possible close out game. “We expect their best, and 23. Philadelphia’s three point shooting has improved we are going to give our best too.” Phoenix now has as the series progressed, going from 34 percent in a stranglehold lead in the best of seven series and game one to 46 percent in game two. “I was just are just one win from reaching the NBA semi-finals DENVER: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks for a shot against the Phoenix Suns in Game Three of trying to push the pace and get in the lane, stay for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Nikola the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on Friday. —AFP aggressive and get to the rim, get into a rhythm,” Jokic, who received his MVP award before the Simmons said. “I think I did a good job of that in the game, had 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists for second half.” the Nuggets but didn’t get a lot of help from his Phoenix charged out to a 21-8 lead early and was the first six points to lead by 20 with 10:17 left. “It The Sixers also once again contained the Hawks’ supporting cast. Monte Morris scored 21, Michael up 37-27 after the first quarter. Denver scored the was a great crowd. These playoff games have a rising star Trae Young, who finished with 28 points Porter had 15 and Will Barton added 14 in the loss. final six points of the half to trail just 59-55 at inter- higher intensity, and they are more physical,” said in 37 minutes of playing time. John Collins scored 23 The Suns never trailed after being down 3-2. mission. Phoenix began the final quarter by scoring Booker. —AFP

Swimming Australia has set the bar high at the six- Olympic 400m day trials - to qualify, athletes must match or better the time needed to make the final at the 2019 world championships. A maximum of 56 swimmers - 28 champ Horton men and 28 women - can be selected in a sport that Mahrez strikes as has traditionally been the medal-winning backbone misses qualifying for Australia at the Olympics. African champions Emma McKeon, part of Australia’s gold-medal- ADELAIDE: Olympic 400 m champion Mack Horton winning 4x100m relay team at the 2016 Rio Algeria create record will not be defending his title in Tokyo after failing to Olympics, was also on fire, clocking the world’s sec- qualify at the Australian trials yesterday, stunned by ond fastest time of the year in the 100m butterfly to JOHANNESBURG: Captain Riyad Mahrez scored Elijah Winnington who swam the world’s fastest time easily qualify. The 27-year-old made the turn under as Algeria defeated Tunisia 2-0 in an international this year. Horton, who beat drug-tainted Chinese star world record pace before touching in 55.93, behind friendly this weekend to create a record 27-match Sun Yang for the title in Rio then refused to stand on only China’s Zhang Yufei (55.73) this season as she unbeaten run by an African national team. An zeroes in on Swedish great’s Sarah Sjostrom’s 2016 ADELAIDE: Elijah Winnington celebrates after winning Ivory Coast side that included Yaya and Kolo the podium with him at the 2019 world champi- the men’s 400m freestyle final during day one of the world best of 53.48. Toure and Didier Drogba set a 26-match bench- onships, has been struggling for form this season. Australian Olympic swimming trials yesterday. —AFP The 25-year-old needed to come good on day “I haven’t done a PB in that event since 2017 so mark in 2013, and Algeria began their remarkable one of the trials in Adelaide and he gave it his all, but it’s been a while and I felt like it was time,” she said run by winning 4-1 away to Togo five years later. his 3mins 43.92secs wasn’t enough despite being one after setting a new Commonwealth and Australian Lee See-Bom swam a new personal best to finish Popularly known as the Desert Foxes, the north of the quickest globally in the last 12 months. He was record. “It’s not relief, just joy, It’s been a long time second and also make the Tokyo team. “I’ve been Africans set the record by winning 20 matches, drawing seven, scoring 58 goals and conceding narrowly in front at 300m but Winnington came coming for everyone,” she added of a difficult putting in a pretty good block of training recently. I COVID-hit year. Brianna Throssell was second in knew it (the record) was on the cards but I needed 17. They faced 24 opponents from Africa plus storming back to win in a sizzling 3:42.65 with Jack Mexico, Colombia and Qatar, played nine matches 57.11, fractionally outside the qualifying time. a very good race to do it,” said Smith. In an upset, McLoughlin (3:43.27) pipping Horton for second at home, six away and 12 at neutral venues. Facing with only the top two making the grade. “It’s really McKeon, who won four medals at Rio, is shaping neither the fancied Zac Stubblety-Cook nor Matt Wilson posted fastest enough times in the 100m Tunisia away was a huge challenge as reigning incredible,” said 21-year-old Winnington. “I’ve up as one of Australia’s best hopes in Tokyo. She African champions Algeria sought to overtake the changed coaches in the past year and it’s been will also race the 50m, 100m and 200m free in breaststroke. Stubblety-Cook touched first in 59.69, but outside the 59.21 needed, with former 200m mark set by the Ivorian ‘golden generation’. incredible for me. We’ve done so much work and Adelaide. Brendon Smith was another to smash an The Tunisians are ranked second in Africa, two breaststroke world record holder Wilson in fourth. that’s why I had full confidence in my last 100.” Australian record in the 400m individual medley, places above Algeria, had home advantage and Despite missing out on the 400m, Horton could hitting the wall in 4:10.04 to comfortably qualify in Wilson will attempt to make the grade in the 200m took a 12-match unbeaten run into the north still make the plane to Tokyo in the 200m today. the world’s fourth fastest time this season. on Tuesday. —AFP African showdown. But Algerian fears that they might trip at the final hurdle were soon allayed as come prepared. to Ota City a couple of times and it’s always great to Qatar-based Baghdad Bounedjah and Manchester “It is challenging,” Harrow said in an online inter- interact with the locals,” he said. “But we can’t do City winger Mahrez scored within 28 minutes of Australia softball the kickoff. Rattled after conceding twice, there view from the team’s base in Ota City, around 100 km anything about it. We just have to maintain this bubble was no way back for the hosts against an Algerian team finds Olympic north of Tokyo. “If it’s cards or games that you can and we can’t put anyone in jeopardy.” defense marshalled by Aissa Mandi and Djamel play on phones or whatever, you do need to break the The ‘Aussie Spirit’ team are restricted to three Benlamri. boredom up a little, because there is a fair bit of floors of their hotel, and have their own gym, dining The center-backs were among eight starters in bubble ‘challenging’ downtime.” Harrow said his players and staff - who room and meeting room. They must enter and exit the Rades who also began the 2019 Africa Cup of were all vaccinated before leaving Australia - are glad hotel through a special door, and have a lift reserved Nations final against Senegal in Cairo, which TOKYO: No meeting fans, no eating out and no to be training again after spending their first three for their use. “I wouldn’t have any idea how many Algeria won 1-0 through a Bounedjah goal. AC sightseeing - life in the Tokyo Olympic bubble could days cooped up in the hotel. guests are here,” said Harrow. “We don’t see any Milan midfielder Ismail Bennacer missed the wins be “challenging” for athletes, the first team to arrive in They have played a series of practice games guests at all.” But he said there were no complaints over Mauritania, Mali and Tunisia this month due Japan has warned. Australian softball head coach against Japanese teams, at a venue around a 10- about the restrictions, insisting the team “just follow to a foot injury that required surgery. Laing Harrow told AFP his players have been binge- minute bus ride from their hotel. “We’re quite lucky those instructions and try to abide by the rules”. Right-back Mehdi Zeffane and midfielder ing on Netflix and hitting the gym in a bid to “break because we do play games, and we’re at the grounds The team arrived early in Japan because they Adlene Guedioura were the other absentees and the boredom” after landing in Japan on June 1. for a good five, six hours. That takes up a fair chunk of needed game practice and couldn’t go to the US as Youcef Atal, Ramiz Zerrouki and Haris Belkebla He said the players “seem to be in a very good the day,” he said. originally planned, he said. And despite the lack of took their places. Guedioura did come off the headspace”, despite the severe restrictions, which But he said it was disappointing that the team are interaction, Harrow said the team “have felt very wel- bench during the second half only to be red-card- organizers insist are necessary to hold the Games barred from meeting Japanese fans. The only interac- come” in Japan, which he sees “as a positive that peo- ed two minutes from the end of regular time. The safely. But he warned other teams could find life tion they have with locals, he said, is when govern- ple are looking forward to the Olympics”. “I guess line-up was composed exclusively of Algerians difficult at the coronavirus-postponed Games, with ment officials come to their hotel every morning to people want to catch a glimpse of us at the grounds,” based in Europe and the Middle East, including three playing in France and two in Qatar while cabin fever a potential risk for athletes who don’t test for the virus. “It is a shame, because we’ve been he said. —AFP Mahrez the sole English Premier League repre- sentative. —AFP processes, but it is hoped that the game can emerge English cricket to from this difficult period stronger and determined to be more inclusive and welcoming to all.” The ECB said the review would be “collaborative”, with admin- Sterling honored launch review after istrators, players, coaches and the Professional Cricketers’ Association, the players’ union, all by Queen for Twitter storm involved. LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board is ‘Sanction’ racial equality fight to launch a “social media review” that could lead to Revelations about Robinson’s Twitter posts came widespread disciplinary action following the fall-out just hours after both the England and New Zealand LONDON: Manchester City and England forward from Ollie Robinson’s Twitter posts. The Sussex teams had lined up before play on the morning of the Raheem Sterling was on Friday named in Queen seamer was suspended from England duty pending opening day of the first Test for a ‘moment of unity’ Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honors list in recognition of an investigation after historic racist and sexist posts designed to show their determination to removed dis- his work to promote racial equality in sport. The made in 2012 and 2013 re-emerged during his Test crimination from cricket. The England side also wore BIRMINGHAM: England’s Olly Stone celebrates with 26-year-old, who has been heavily involved in England’s captain Joe Root after taking the wicket of debut against New Zealand at Lord’s last week. T-shirts carrying the message “Cricket is a game for anti-racism and anti-discrimination campaigns, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell during play on the third everyone”. has been made an MBE (Member of the Most Since Robinson’s posts re-emerged, the social day of the second Test cricket match between Excellent Order of the British Empire). media feeds of a number of internationals have been ECB chairman Ian Watmore insisted Saturday the England and New Zealand at Edgbaston Cricket scrutinised, with an unnamed player found to have board remained committed to diversity and inclusion. Ground yesterday. —AFP Sterling, a Premier League and League Cup sent offensive tweets while under the age of 16. “As the national governing body, we must steer a path winner with City this season, has been subjected Meanwhile, the experienced England trio of James between helping individuals project an inclusive to racial slurs in stadiums and online during his Anderson, Jos Buttler and limited overs captain Eoin image, educating them on what is expected of them internationals, with county side Lancashire announc- career. In 2019, he took part in an anti-racism Morgan have all faced accusations of publishing and allowing them the space to express themselves to ing Friday they had launched an “immediate review campaign, “No Room For Racism” and spoke out potentially offensive messages. the public. We must also investigate their actions and and investigation” into allegations of offensive tweets last year as the Black Lives Matter movement The ECB board met Wednesday, when they decided sanction them when they fall short,” he said. by five of their players. PCA chief executive Rob gained traction following the murder of George to look into the issue in more detail, with a statement British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed com- Lynch said the last week had been “an important peri- Floyd in the United States. issued Saturday saying: “The board agreed to the exec- ments from his culture and sports secretary that the od for all professional cricketers across our sport”. The award comes just days after England play- utive’s recommendation for a social media review to suspension of Robinson was “over the top”. But yester- He added: “We are committed to working with our ers were booed by fans for taking the knee to address any historical issues, remind individuals of their day’s statement from the ECB insisted it retained faith members and the ECB on further education, and there protest against racial injustice before friendly personal responsibilities going forward, and help them in its disciplinary procedure. “The board is assured that is always more that we can do. “We will consult with matches ahead of Euro 2020. Almost a quarter, or learn lessons along the way. the right processes are in place to make judgements on our members and work with the ECB to develop 262 people, on the main honors list, which rewards “The board was clear that this process would not suspensions and disciplinary actions under player terms of reference for a social media review, which in individuals’ bravery, service or achievement in prevent further disciplinary action in the future, employment contracts,” it said. turn, will lead to better insight and an opportunity to their fields, have been recommended for coron- should that be required, under the applicable The issue has not just been confined to England improve.” —AFP avirus-related activities. —AFP 14 Sports Sunday, June 13, 2021 Krejcikova wins French Open, dedicates victory to Novotna PARIS: Barbora Krejcikova won her maiden Grand ken in the first game, serving up two double faults. Slam singles title at the French Open yesterday, However, the 29-year-old Russian was unable to beating Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to capitalise and dropped the next six games as her become the first Czech woman in 40 years to con- Czech opponent grabbed three breaks and raced quer Roland Garros. Krejcikova, ranked 33 in the way with the opener inside half an hour. Krejcikova world and playing just her fifth main draw in a Slams was rewarded for her bold attacking, hitting 13 win- singles event, triumphed 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 for a second ners to the Russian’s seven. career title. Pavlyuchenkova, who made her Slam debut back in The 25-year-old emulates compatriot Hana 2007, was the more composed player in the second Mandlikova who claimed the trophy in Paris in 1981. set, stretching out to 5-1. A medical timeout at 5-2, The 25-year-old Krejcikova dedicated her victory to during which she was seen munching Haribo gummy her mentor, the former Wimbledon champion Jana bears, merely delayed the Russian levelling the final. Novotna who died of cancer at the age of 49 in In the decider, the players exchanged breaks in the 2017. “It’s hard to put into words. I cannot believe I third and fourth games, before the Czech broke to have just won a Grand Slam,” said Krejcikova who love for 4-3 on the back of a 10-shot rally. was still outside the top 100 when the 2020 French Pavlyuchenkova saved two championship points in Open took place last October. the ninth game and a third in the 10th but Krejcikova “I spent a lot of time with Jana before she died. became champion on the fourth when the Russian hit Her last words to me were ‘enjoy tennis and try and long. Both women capitalized on a draw in which the win a Grand Slam’. I know she’s looking after me. All top seeds fell and just kept falling. World number this is pretty much because she is looking after me. one and 2019 champion Ashleigh Barty hobbled out It was amazing that I got the chance to meet her. She in the second round. Serena Williams was knocked PARIS: Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova kisses and celebrates with the Suzanne Lenglen Cup was such an inspiration. I miss her and I hope she’s out in the fourth round, world number two Naomi after winning the women’s singles final match against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during really happy.” Osaka withdrew after one match, while 2018 champi- the trophy ceremony of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament yesterday. — AFP In a nervy start to the final, Krejcikova was bro- on Simona Halep never even made it to Paris. — AFP Djokovic conquers ‘Everest’ Mickelson chases and eyes 52-year landmark PARIS: Novak Djokovic can become matches” at the Slams. US Open win, the first man in 52 years to win all four Grand Slam titles twice in the French ‘Never believed’ Bryson seeks repeat Open final today after conquering It featured a lung-busting 92-minute Rafael Nadal, the ‘Mount Everest’ of third set and required government LA JOLLA: Phil Mickelson will try to com- Roland Garros. World number one intervention to allow the 5,000 fans plete a career Grand Slam on his hometown Djokovic takes on Greece’s Stefanos inside Court Philippe Chatrier to watch course while long-driving Bryson Tsitsipas for the title with tennis history the match’s conclusion despite it DeChambeau defends his first major title in on the line. Victory for the Serb will extending beyond the 11pm Covid-19 next week’s US Open. The 121st US Open take him alongside Roy Emerson and curfew. The 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 tri- begins Thursday at Torrey Pines on the coastal Rod Laver as the only men to capture umph gave Djokovic the honor of being cliffs of the Pacific Ocean, the same golf the four majors more than once. the only man to have beaten Nadal in course where Tiger Woods outlasted Rocco It’s an achievement that has proved Paris more than once, having first even beyond the capabilities of Nadal achieved it in the 2015 quarter-finals. Mediate in an epic playoff to win the 2008 US PARIS: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning against Spain’s Rafael and Roger Federer. It is so rare an Nadal has only lost three times in Open on a broken leg. Nadal at the end of their men’s singles semi-final tennis match on Friday. — AFP “How much pain he went through, how accomplishment that it hasn’t happened 108 matches since his title-winning much struggle and strife and agony he went since 1969 when Laver completed his debut in 2005. Djokovic, the 2016 through, all that pain, and to come out on top second calendar Grand Slam. Djokovic champion, said it was his best win in chasing a record-setting 21st Grand tough one,” added Djokovic who also is something that is unfathomable,” can pocket a 19th Slam with victory Paris and ranked it among his “three Slam title, refused to dwell on the con- defeated Tsitsipas in Rome on the eve DeChambeau said. “It has inspired me to work and move just one behind the record of greatest” ever performances. He broke sequences. “I’m sad to have lost in the of the French Open. “I’m hoping I can even harder.” Woods, an eight-time winner at 20 jointly held by Nadal and Federer. the Spaniard eight times from 22 break most important tournament of the year recharge my batteries as much as I can Torrey Pines, won’t be competing after suffer- Djokovic insists there will be no let- points and fired 50 winners. A weary for me, but life goes on, it’s nothing because I’m going to need some power ing severe leg injuries in a February car crash, down physically or emotionally after Nadal committed 55 unforced errors. more than a defeat on a tennis court,” and energy for that one.” but there will still be drama on the layout reaching the final in Paris for a sixth “It’s hard to find words bigger than said the 35-year-old who conducted a Tsitsipas, 22, and 12 years younger where the US PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance time with an epic triumph over 13-time all the superlatives you can think of for hasty press conference while Djokovic than the Serb, is in his first Slam final Open is staged annually. champion Nadal. “It’s not the first time Rafa’s achievements at Roland was still giving his on-court interview. having ended a run of three semi-final Mickelson, a left-hander from nearby San that I play an epic semi-final in a Grand Garros,” said Djokovic who now leads Djokovic will be playing in his 29th losses by defeating Alexander Zverev Diego, shocked the golf world last month by Slam and then I have to come back in their series 30-28 and had lost three Slam final today. He holds a 5-2 record over five sets on Friday. Victory on winning his sixth major title at the PGA less than 48 hours and play finals,” said finals in the French capital to Nadal. over Tsitsipas, a run which includes all Sunday would allow him to become the Championship on Kiawah Island, becoming the the 34-year-old. “My recovery abilities “Each time you step on the court with three meetings on clay. At last year’s first Greek player to win a Slam title. He oldest major champion in history at age 50. have been pretty good throughout my him, you know that you have to kind of Roland Garros, Djokovic won their would also become the youngest cham- Ageless wonder Mickelson, three times a PGA career.” His four-hour, four-set battle climb Mount Everest to win against semi-final over five sets. “We played an pion in Paris since Nadal in 2008 and event winner at Torrey Pines, turns 51 on with Nadal is already jostling for a this guy here.” epic five-setter last year in the semis overall at the Slams since Juan Martin Wednesday and has people wondering if fate prime spot in the list of “greatest ever Nadal, the defending champion and here. I know it’s going to be another del Potro at the 2009 US Open. — AFP has handed him one last chance at winning a US Open after a record six runner-up efforts. “I do believe that if I stay sharp mentally I can play well at Torrey Pines,” Mickelson said. “I’m ‘Life goes on, it’s Ledecky, Dressel going to put everything I have into it.” That has meant two weeks of work preparing just tennis,’ says poised to dominate his game, mentally and physically, at Torrey Pines. “I’ll spend time on the greens and really try to be sharp,” Mickelson said. “Because I know that I’m Nadal as reign ends at US Olympic trials playing well and this could very well be my last really good opportunity to win a US Open.” PARIS: Rafael Nadal shrugged off his epic loss to OMAHA: Superstars Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Mickelson could become the sixth golfer to cap- Novak Djokovic at the French Open insisting “life Dressel aim to cement their Tokyo Games berths as ture the four major titles, joining a career Grand goes on” as the 13-time champion suffered just his the pressure-packed US Olympic swimming trials Slam group that includes Woods, Jack Nicklaus, third ever defeat in 108 matches in Paris over 16 get underway today. Both freestyle phenomenon Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen. years. In their 58th career clash, world number one Ledecky and multi-event star Dressel bring formida- Fifth-ranked DeChambeau captured last Djokovic triumphed 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in the ble credentials to the eight-day meeting in Omaha, September’s US Open at Winged Foot with a semi-final and stays on course to capture a 19th Nebraska, where only a top-two finish can secure an ball-blasting style that cared little about land- major and become the first man in over 50 years to individual race berth in Tokyo and one poor race can ing areas, counting on shorter distance to make win all four Slams twice. consequently spell heartbreak. approaches easier and putts shorter. Nadal, the defending champion and chasing a The tension has only been ramped up by the The strategy paid off in a major win but record-setting 21st Grand Slam title, refused to one-year delay to the Games because of the coron- fears DeChambeau might overwhelm golf dwell on the consequences of his 4-hour 11-minute avirus pandemic. “I think the kids are dying to race,” courses have proven unfounded. While he won loss. “I am sad to have lost in the most important said Ray Looze, who coaches breaststroker Lilly again at Bay Hill in March and has drawn wild tournament of the year for me, but life goes on, it is King. He thought times overall might be a little slow- cheers with some spectacular drives, nothing more than a defeat on a tennis court,” said er than a typical trials. “If anybody sets a world 35-year-old Nadal. “If everything goes well, tomor- record, that’s a phenomenal accomplishment,” DeChambeau only shared 34th and 46th at the PARIS: Spain’s Rafael Nadal leaves the court after past two Masters and 38th at May’s PGA. row I will be at home with my family and friends, Looze said. “But I think there’s going to be some and then we will see what is next.” the men’s singles semi-final tennis match against world records that go down because there’s been The US Open is known for formidable rough, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on Friday. — AFP the sort that could force the American to change Nadal said he plans to be back in 2022 although some people that have had to go through a great his maximum distance tactics. “We go and prac- admitting that time is not on his side if he wants to deal and they really, really want it bad.” tice that week to see if it’s feasible to hit 7-irons re-establish his Paris dominance. Had he made Garros final and 29th at the Slams. “In the end, of While meets and even training were shut down for out, pitching wedge out of it, hit 4-iron out of it today’s championship match, he would have been course, if you win the third set you can say that was a time, Dressel has demonstrated flashes of brilliance even,” DeChambeau said. “If it’s not, then we lit- the oldest Roland Garros finalist in the modern era. the key, because it changes the dynamic,” said with two short-course world records in International erally have to change our dynamics and our “Although it is a very important tournament for me, Nadal. “At times, my ball did not hurt him. You have Swimming League action in November. In May, he course thought, depending on where long rough I am aware that you cannot win it 15 or 16 times,” he to give him credit, congratulate him, but I know I clocked an impressive 51.15sec in the 100m butterfly is, where I can essentially hit it.” added. “Next year I will come again, God willing, can play better on this court.” at a meeting in Atlanta. It was nowhere near his Spain’s third-ranked Jon Rahm, the 2017 with the belief and with the necessary work to be When asked if he had faced the best Djokovic world record of 49.50 set in 2019, but Dressel said Farmers winner, tested positive for Covid-19 able to give myself another chance.” performance of their 15-year rivalry, he was his long course times were trending in the right last weekend at the Memorial and was forced In their 58th career meeting, and ninth at the adamant. “No, that’s what I feel. He has not faced direction heading into trials. into isolation until the eve of the US Open, dim- French Open, Nadal had looked comfortably on my best self either. There were games on the limit, The 24-year-old is a contender in the 50m and ming his hopes even if able to play. Ninth- course for victory when he raced to a 5-0 lead in games that anyone could win, and today it was for 100m freestyles as well as the 100m fly and will be a ranked American Patrick Reed, the 2018 the first set. But 2016 champion Djokovic, the man him.” Despite that, there is a degree of evidence key contributor to the US relays. Since Rio in 2016 - Masters champion, won the most recent PGA now responsible for two of Nadal’s losses in Paris that Nadal is beginning to lose more epics than he where he teamed with Michael Phelps and Nathan Tour title at Torrey Pines in January and takes having also triumphed in the 2015 quarter-finals, wins at the Slams. Adrian as part of a gold medal-winning 4x200m free confidence from that. hit back. At the Australian Open in February, he lost to relay - Dressel has emerged as a star adding 13 world “I definitely take good vibes from it,” Reed said. Stefanos Tsitsipas from two sets up in a five-set titles to his resume. He’s entered in six events in “It’s Torrey Pines. You have to hit the fairway, you ‘Did not hurt him’ quarter-final defeat. Tsitsipas, who faces Djokovic in Omaha and will likely spearhead the US challenge in have to hit greens, you got to make putts. “Any As the match progressed into the later heavier, today’s final, is 13 years younger than Nadal. In the the Tokyo pool now that Phelps - whose 28 Olympic time you’re playing a US Open you know how humid and slower conditions, the world number one Wimbledon semi-finals in 2018, Nadal lost a final medals include 23 gold - has departed the scene. penalizing the rough’s going to be, so you got to flourished. He claimed a titanic 92-minute third set set 10-8 to Djokovic after quitting injured in the This year’s trials mark the first time since 1996 have full control over your golf ball. You have to go which had seen him serve for it at 5-4 and then have fifth set of his Australian Open semi against Marin that Phelps hasn’t competed at a US Olympic swim- and hit fairways and attack the golf course.” World to save a set point in the 12th game. In the fourth Cilic earlier that same year. Even Gilles Muller of ming trials. Dressel says he doesn’t see himself as number 10 Rory McIlroy, whose first major title set, he was 0-2 down before racing away with the Luxembourg beat him at Wimbledon in 2017, cour- picking up the Phelps mantle. “I don’t think that falls came a decade ago, snapped an 18-month win next six games for his second win in Paris over tesy of a 15-13 final set. “It doesn’t matter,” added a on my shoulders alone,” he said. For a start, there’s drought last month at Quail Hollow but hasn’t won Nadal in nine meetings. That sequence also includ- rueful Nadal. “That’s tennis. The player who gets Ledecky. A prohibitive favorite in the 200m, 400m, a major since the 2014 PGA. — AFP ed defeats in the 2012, 2014 and 2020 finals. used to the conditions better is the player who 800m and 1500m freestyles, she is the world record Djokovic will now be playing in his sixth Roland deserves to win.” — AFP holder in the 400m, 800m and 1500m free. — AFP Established 1961 15 Sports Sunday, June 13, 2021

Delayed Euro 2020 tourney begins under COVID cloud

PARIS: The delayed Euro 2020 tournament finally build-up has been overshadowed by several posi- kicked off with victory for an impressive Italy side tive COVID-19 cases among players. On Friday on an emotional night in Rome. After a year of foot- Russia announced winger Andrei Mostovoy had ball played largely in empty stadiums due to the contracted the virus and was ruled out of the tour- Covid-19 pandemic, the Stadio Olimpico was filled nament. Spain’s squad were vaccinated on Friday to a quarter of its capacity for the opening game following positive tests to two players - Sergio and the home fans in the crowd of 16,000 were Busquets and Diego Llorente. Busquets will miss treated to a 3-0 win for Italy against Turkey. Monday’s match against Sweden in Seville but Roberto Mancini’s side came into the tournament Llorente has rejoined the squad after four subse- on a 27-game unbeaten run and laid down a marker quent negative tests. “All these things have made us with a comprehensive victory, Ciro Immobile and stronger as a group,” said Llorente. Lorenzo Insigne scoring after Merih Demiral’s own goal had put them in front. The result capped what ‘Massive honor’ for Bale Mancini described as “a beautiful evening” in the In Baku, up to 31,000 fans were able to attend Italian capital as a spectacular sound and light show yesterday’s first game, when Wales - semi-finalists preceded kick-off and tenor Andrea Bocelli per- at Euro 2016 in France - took on the Swiss in Group formed ‘Nessun Dorma’, popularised during the A with Gareth Bale wearing the captain’s armband. 1990 World Cup held in Italy. “It’s going to be a massive honor to lead your coun- “To win 3-0, and with the supporters in the sta- try out in a major tournament. It’s going to be one dium again at last, makes it all the more special,” of the highlights of my career,” Bale said. That said the Italian coach after the Group A curtain- match was followed by Denmark’s clash with raiser. Amid all the euphoria veteran defender Finland in Copenhagen in Group B. Leonardo Bonucci called for “cool heads, humility Denmark, European champions in 1992, were and a down to earth” approach while maintaining spurred on by 16,000 of their own fans against “hearts of fire”. Rome is one of 11 cities across the Finland. Kasper Hjulmand, the Denmark coach, said continent hosting matches, the unprecedented pan- his side “dared to dream big” as they prepare to ROME: A fireworks display is triggered over the Olympic stadium on Friday as part of the UEFA Euro 2020 European format creating major headaches for face a Finland team making their major tournament 2021 European Football Championship’s opening ceremony, prior to the competition’s kick off Turkey vs UEFA during a pandemic. debut. Belgium faced Russia in Saint-Petersburg in Italy. —AFP yesterday’s late match but Roberto Martinez’s team ‘Special situation’ will be without playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who is The majority of the venues will only be partially- still recovering from the facial fractures he suffered recent friendlies. Wembley is hosting eight games in said Friday it had managed to agree on a compro- filled for matches, although Budapest is planning to playing for Manchester City in the Champions total in the 24-team tournament, including both mise with UEFA over Euro 2020 kits that feature fill its Puskas Arena to 100 percent of capacity. League final. semi-finals as well as the final on July 11. patriotic slogans and sparked Russia’s ire. Matches are being played from as far apart as Among the other leading contenders, England Kiev angered Moscow after its football associa- Seville to Baku in Azerbaijan, where Wales and enter the fray today and hope to make the most of Ukraine shirt row tion unveiled kits showing the outline of Ukraine Switzerland met in the first of three games yester- home advantage when they take on 2018 World Cup World Cup holders France - with Karim Benzema including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in day. Ongoing travel restrictions mean there is little of runners-up Croatia in London. The match risks recalled from a five-and-a-half-year international 2014. Russia criticized a slogan written on the the carnival atmosphere usually associated with a being overshadowed by a row over players taking exile - are the firm favorites to add the continental inside of the shirts - “Glory to the Heroes”. A major tournament when fans converge on host cities. the knee to highlight racial injustice. England man- crown. Holders Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo UEFA spokesperson told AFP that Ukraine had “We all have to adapt to a special situation,” ager Gareth Southgate says his players will contin- backed up by a star-studded squad, are also a agreed to cover up the slogan with a smaller map UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin told AFP. The ue the gesture, despite boos by some fans before threat. Meanwhile Ukraine’s football association of the country. —AFP

games at home are “pure adrenaline” as the 31-year- Perfect start for old scored his first international goal in his club sta- dium. Merih Demiral’s own goal got the ball rolling in the second half before Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne Mancini’s Italy in completed the victory. “We did what we had to do, it Row threatens was our duty to win the first game on front of our Euro 2020 quest fans,” said Immobile, who has scored four goals in the last five matches. to dent England ROME: Italy capped a perfect night in the Stadio Olimpico with a Euro 2020 opening win over Turkey ‘Spine-chilling’ feel-good factor but coach Roberto Mancini warned that the road was Mancini’s front-line trio of Immobile, Lorenzo long between Rome and Wembley. A 28-match unbeat- Insigne and Domenico Berardi proved efficient for an LONDON: England is preparing to host its biggest en run has put Mancini two games short of Italy’s two- Italy who are without a stand-out star striker. Italy football party for a generation but home matches at time world Cup winning coach Vittorio Pozzo’s record missed out on the 2018 World Cup, and the ‘Azzurri’ Euro 2020 risk being overshadowed by a row over ROME: Italy’s forward Ciro Immobile (left) kicks the ball of 30 unbeaten games between 1935 and 1939. had not hosted an international match since the 1990 players taking the knee to highlight racial injustice. World Cup. Tenor Andrea Bocelli’s rousing perform- next to Turkey’s midfielder Okay Yokuslu during the Manager Gareth Southgate says his England play- “We still have six games ahead of us. It’s a long UEFA EURO 2020 Group A football match between Turkey ance to ‘Nessun Dorma’, popularized during that ers will continue the kneeling gesture adopted in way,” said the 56-year-old former Manchester City and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on Friday. —AFP manager who took over in 2018 after Italy failed to world tournament, set the tone for the night. the Premier League, despite boos by some fans qualify for the World Cup that year. Amid the eupho- “There was an incredible emotion before the before recent friendlies against Austria and ria veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci called for match, it was spine-chilling,” said Roma midfielder other.” Veteran coach Claudio Ranieri praised Romania. The jeers were drowned out by applause at “cool heads, humility and a down to earth” approach Leonardo Spinazzola, UEFA’s man-of-the-match Mancini’s style which has proved so successful in after his performance in his club stadium. “Then it reviving the four-time world champions. Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, but there are while maintaining “hearts of fire”. fears England’s European Championship opener In front of 16,000 fans, and preceded by a glitter- was a perfect match, zero goals conceded and we “What lucidity Mancio has, he knows how to manage emotions,” Ranieri wrote in La Gazzetta del- against Croatia today could be blighted by an ing opening ceremony, the spark was lit for a run played great football. “We have a strong team, an embarrassing repeat. Players in England’s top flight which Mancini hopes will end with a second incredible mix of strength and technique.” lo Sport yesterday. “The first game is lwaysa the most dangerous, there is the pressure of the debut, the have been going down on one knee before kick-off European title after 1968 in London on July 11. Italy Berardi had a role in all three goals against Turkey, since George Floyd, who was black, was killed by a desire to overdo it can sometimes lead you to make have the advantage of playing their Group A matches and has scored five goals in his last seven games for white police officer in the United States last year. at home and next meet Switzerland in Rome on Italy. “Our secret is the group,” said Napoli’s Insigne. mistakes, but Roberto Mancini was really good. He Matches had largely taken place in empty stadi- Wednesday followed by Wales four days later. “No one’s place is guaranteed, those who play know managed emotions, the tactical plan, the most deli- ums as a result of coronavirus restrictions, but now For Lazio forward Ciro Immobile, the group what to do and we put ourselves at the service of each cate moments of the match with clarity.” —AFP fans are back the issue has been thrust front and center. All three of England’s group matches are at Wembley, as are the semifinals and final of the pan- came to prominence in the Ajax side that reached European tournament, turning it into a virtual home Dutch hope De Jong the Champions League semifinals in 2019 before event for Southgate’s men. They will also play at earning big-money moves away. Wembley in the last 16 should they top Group D. De Jong needed a season to adapt to life in La Brendan Clarke-Smith, a lawmaker for Britain’s has enough left in Liga after his €75 million ($85 million) transfer to ruling Conservative Party, wrote on Facebook that the Camp Nou, but he comes into Euro 2020 off the taking the knee “now comes across as little more tank for Euro bid back of an outstanding second campaign. The only than habitual tokenism and has lost its effect”. In concern is how fresh he is now after playing 4,492 contrast, the opposition Labour party’s John AMSTERDAM: He is one of the leaders of a new- minutes for Barcelona in the 2020/21 season, across McDonnell said the booing of the gesture was look Netherlands, but as they make their hotly- 49 appearances in total. That was at least 300 min- “racism”. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was initially anticipated return to a major tournament the hope is utes more than anyone else in the squad - Jordi Alba equivocal over the booing but his spokesman has that Frenkie de Jong has enough left in the tank to and Lionel Messi were next - and the second-most made it clear that he “would like everyone to get play a key role at Euro 2020. The Dutch, last seen at of any outfield player in La Liga. behind the team to cheer them on, not boo”. a major tournament at the 2014 World Cup when A brilliantly gifted midfielder who has also often Ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick started kneeling to protest against racial injustice in 2016 they came third, kick off their European played in central defence, De Jong’s importance at the Camp Nou grew after Ronald Koeman-the man and the gesture has become a familiar sight across a Championship campaign today when they host range of sports since the Floyd murder. Piara Powar, who gave him his full international debut-became Ukraine in Amsterdam. executive director of anti-discrimination organiza- After failing to qualify for Euro 2016 or the 2018 coach last August. He has even added runs into the Frenkie de Jong tion the Fare Network, told AFP that taking the World Cup, the likes of Robin van Persie, Arjen box and goals to his game, including one in Barca’s knee was still a meaningful act, which had sparked a Robben and Wesley Sneijder have all gone and a 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey “culture war-type debate”. “It is something that is new Dutch generation has emerged. It is embodied final. “He has played in every position except goal- sports daily Marca. “At the Euro he will be one of impactful,” he said. “If it wasn’t impactful, people by De Jong, the 24-year-old Barcelona playmaker, keeper. He is incredible,” Netherlands coach Frank our key players. If Frenkie plays well, the wouldn’t be booing it.” —AFP along with Matthijs de Ligt, at Juventus. The duo de Boer said in a recent interview with Spanish Netherlands will play well.” —AFP

who beat Southgate’s men in the World Cup semi-finals ished as the Premier League’s top scorer for the third Ambitious Kane in Russia three years ago. time after scoring 23 goals this season. But England have been revitalized under the former The 27-year-old is at the peak of his powers and international defender and they go into this weekend’s burning with ambition. No wonder he has told key to England Group D opener at Wembley with mounting belief they Tottenham - without a trophy since 2008 - that he can emulate the success of Bobby Moore and company wants to join a club capable of giving him the medals his Euro challenge on home turf more than half a century ago. Southgate talent deserves. Kane’s transfer saga will be one of the has selected one of the youngest and most intriguing stories of the Premier League close-season, with cham- LONDON: Harry Kane holds the key to England’s bid to squads in the tournament, with the emergence of Phil pions Manchester City leading the chase for the £150 end 55 years of hurt as Gareth Southgate’s side start Foden, Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham heralding a million-rated ($212 million) striker. their Euro 2020 campaign with a revenge mission bold new era for the Three Lions. Southgate insists Kane will be able to put aside per- against Croatia today. England have not won a major With England playing all their group games at sonal ambitions for the duration of England’s assault on trophy since the 1966 World Cup and their under- Wembley, which is also hosting matches in the last-16, the European Championship. “I think his focus is on the achieving history is littered with heartache and embar- semi-finals and final, the stage is set for Southgate’s men team. I think he is very clear on that. The individual rassment on the big stage. One of their more painful to make the most of home advantage. To do that, captain awards and achievements are of course a very special defeats in recent years came at the hands of Croatia, Kane must stay fit and firing on all cylinders. Kane fin- thing and have been very richly deserved,” —AFP Harry Kane Established 1961 Sport

SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 Eriksen ‘awake’ after collapsing on pitch ‘Excellent’ Moore grabs point for Wales in Euro 2020 opener

COPENHAGEN: Denmark star Christian Eriksen was nament curtain-raiser. awake in hospital, the Danish Football Union said yes- “I thought his link-up play was excellent, he’s not terday, after he collapsed on the pitch during the Euro just a presence up top,” Page said. “He’s got a good 2020 game against Finland in Copenhagen. “Christian touch for a big lad and he’s a willing runner. When you Eriksen is awake and is undergoing further tests” at have all those attributes it can be a recipe for success. the hospital, the Danish federation said on Twitter, “The group does look wide open apart from Italy as I after the player was carried off the field having sit here. We thought Italy would be good, they didn’t received CPR by medical personnel. let us down last night.” UEFA said Eriksen had been “stabilized” after the Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic said his out- match was suspended in the first half. European foot- fit dropped their quality after Embolo’s effort. “Our ball’s governing body added that a “crisis meeting” opponents risked more after it. We dropped 10 had taken place with both teams and match officials, percent in standard,” Petkovic said. “We wanted to with the game set to resume at 1830 GMT. Group B’s control the match too much. They were dangerous.” opening match was stopped after Eriksen fell to the Page named Gareth Bale on the left wing as the earth near the touchline at the end of the first half, with Real Madrid attacker was one of three Wales sur- Danish players in tears as medical staff tried to revive vivors in the starting line-up from the 2016 semi- the Inter Milan player. final loss to Portugal. The previously raucous crowd at the Parken Petkovic kept Benfica’s Haris Seferovic and Stadium in the Danish capital fell silent, with the 29- Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Embolo up front year-old’s teammates gathering around him to stop despite Mario Gavranovic scoring four times in two anyone from seeing his on-pitch treatment. Denmark pre-tournament friendlies. With Petkovic naming a goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and captain Simon narrow back three, Bale and fellow winger Dan Kjaer had to comfort Eriksen’s stricken partner James found space out wide early on in front of an Sabrina Kvist Jensen by the side of the pitch. estimated 10,000 crowd as local authorities allowed COPENHAGEN: Denmark’s players gather as paramedics attend to midfielder Christian Eriksen (not seen) After around 15 minutes Eriksen was stretchered up to 50-percent capacity in the 69,000-seater during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group B football match between Denmark and Finland at the Parken off the field followed by the rest of the Denmark team, Olympic Stadium. Stadium yesterday. — AFP while Finland’s players also walked off. The fans in the After a quarter of an hour played, James broke free stadium, who were celebrating the chance to see their down the left before finding 1.95-meter-tall Moore second half as Embolo sparked into life after a quiet behind the opposite goal. national team again live at the stadium, sat silently in who forced opposition goalkeeper Yann Sommer to tip opening 45 minutes. Shaqiri delivered a corner to Seferovic was substituted for 31-year-old their seats waiting for news of Eriksen’s condition. the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner, Moore Embolo who headed home after beating Wales right- Gavranovic on 84 minutes and the Dinamo Zagreb However soon after stadium-wide chants of rose highest again and clashed in the air with Manuel back Connor Roberts with ease for just his sixth goal forward thought he had claimed all three points for “Christian” and “Eriksen” from both sets of supporters Akanji, which left the Cardiff forward playing the in 44 international appearances. Shaqiri, who played his side with his first touch. After edging past the began to ring out as his status began to filter through remainder of the game with red tape around his head. just 14 Premier League games for Liverpool last sea- Wales backline he beat Ward but his effort was to supporters. They were brought to their feet when With Moore bandaged, the momentum swung son, was substituted on 66 minutes for the more chalked off for offside by VAR. Switzerland pressed stadium announcers said that Eriksen was “stable”. towards Petkovic’s side and they dominated the defensive Denis Zakaria. on in five minutes of injury time and Gavranovic was Earlier, Wales coach Robert Page praised Kieffer remainder of the half but Seferovic wasted three Despite Petkovic’s pragmatic change in personnel, denied another potential winner, this time Ward sav- Moore after the towering striker claimed a point for chances. Petkovic’s Switzerland remained in control Wales equalised with 16 minutes remaining. ing with his fingertips. Wales in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in Baku yester- with captain Granit Xhaka, Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri Manchester United’s James played a corner short Ramsey left the field for Ethan Ampadu during day to start both teams’ Euro 2020 campaigns. Moore and Atalanta’s Remo Freuler dominating midfield. which ended up at Joe Morrell’s feet and he crossed added time and Page’s men held on for a point. Wales responded to Breel Embolo’s second-half opener with into the box. Moore lost his marker and headed a well- stay in Baku for their next game when they face Turkey a quarter of an hour remaining. Both sides trail Group Embolo sparks to life placed effort past the out-stretched Sommer to send on Wednesday, with Switzerland taking on Italy in A leaders Italy, who beat Turkey 3-0 in Friday’s tour- They broke the deadlock four minutes into the the roughly 300 travelling Wales fans into a frenzy Rome later that day. — AFP