Pages 15 & 16 THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT Page 9 olympics Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com markets

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 / ZUL-HIJJAH 26, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17755 16 PAGES 150 FILS DAESH threat to global peace rising

UN warns Opinion UNITED NATIONS, Aug 4, (AP): U.N. Sec- retary-General An- Governments of ‘there’s nothing in this country but this boy’ tonio Guterres says in a new report that the threat to interna- By Ahmed Al-Jarallah tional peace and secu- Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times rity from the Islamic IS there a Deep State that is working State extremist group on sabotaging Kuwait and creating a is rising, pointing to an rift between the state and the people? Or has the executive authority lost its “alarming” expansion bearings, as it hardly comes out of a of its affiliates in Africa hole until it falls into another deeper and its focus on a come- one? back in its former self- It seems that the enemies of change are stronger than everyone; they win declared “caliphate” in because they are always mobilized Syria and Iraq. to abort any development project. It The report to the U.N. Secu- seems as if Kuwaitis were destined rity Council, which was circu- to get out of this era and dwell in the lated Tuesday, said DAESH and corridors of seclusion forever. Are the other terrorist groups have taken advantage of “the disruption, enemies of Kuwait’s renaissance pow- grievances and development set- erful to such an extent? backs” caused by the COVID-19 Isn’t it time for us to come out to pandemic, both on the ground light, open up, and revitalize the econ- and online. omy like the way it is happening not While lockdowns in non-con- only in all the countries of the region, flict areas suppressed terrorist but also the entire world? activity, in conflict areas where Indeed, the knife has reached the pandemic restrictions have less bone due to the lack of awareness impact the threat from IS, also about the magnitude of the loss in- known by its Arabic acronym curred by everyone, including the Daesh, “has already increased,” society, education sector, and the Guterres said. national economy, which is increas- Elevated ingly shrinking after the expulsion of foreign investment and with the mi- “As pandemic-related restric- gration of the national investment. So tions gradually ease, there is where do you want our country to go? an elevated near-term threat of Daesh-inspired attacks outside Opening the borders to tourism conflict zones by lone actors or means revitalizing the economy as a small groups that have been radi- whole including hotels, restaurants, A photo taken from a helicopter shows burning forest near tourist resort of Marmaris, Mugla, Turkey, Aug. 3. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s calized, incited and possibly di- and even taxis and the retail sector. government is facing increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires that have left eight people rectly remotely online,” he said. However, we do not understand the dead and forced thousands to flee their homes. (AP) The U.N. chief said this exem- wisdom behind preventing the is- plifies a wider and evolving risk suance of tourist visas. It seems as from the accelerated use of digi- if Kuwait is the Garden of Eden that Conference raises $357mn tal technologies during the pan- only the pious can enter, hence the demic, and the potential for “new rigorous vetting. The transit industry Other Voices and emerging technologies to be has become a mainstay in the national used for terrorist purposes.” income of many countries, as visas are In assessing the Islamic State’s granted at airports. Kuwait stands with Lebanon threat, Guterres said its leader, Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal- People are allowed to visit most of Human hopes, aspirations KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4, (Agencies): Ku- the Gulf countries. In Dubai, for ex- Rahman al-Mawla, “remains wait’s Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh reluctant to communicate di- ample, the number of passengers tran- By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said on siting through its airport has reached Former Minister of Oil rectly with supporters,” and “the Wednesday his country stands alongside Newswatch group’s command and control about 60 million annually. In Bahrain, was and I am still interested in the field of human rights. I served as Min- Lebanon a year after a devastating port blast over its global affiliates has loos- 14 million passengers pass through its Iister of Oil from October 1992 to April 1994. left much of its capital city in ruin. ened, even though it continues airport annually, and about 40 million When I left the Ministry of Oil, I returned to the National Assembly “We meet today a year after the Beirut KUWAIT CITY: Expatriates from high- to provide guidance and some transit passengers annually in Qatar. because I was an MP and an elected minister. I went to the office of then port blast to demonstrate our support for risk countries for corona are not allowed financial support.” As for outside the region, there is Speaker of the Assembly Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al-Saadoun who asked me the Lebanese people who have suffered to enter Kuwait; except the doctors, diplo- He said the autonomy of re- Turkey where its government saw a which of the parliamentary committees I would like to work in. I told him: a lot,” the Kuwaiti prime minister said mats or those who obtained an entry per- gional affiliates has strength- decrease in the number of tourists, and The Finance Committee in my capacity as Minister of Oil -- the only source amid the virtually held third Paris inter- mit from the Corona Committee, reports ened especially in West Africa decided to issue an order for visitors of Kuwait’s funds, and the Human Rights Committee. national conference, coinciding with the Al-Anba daily quoting governmental and the Sahel, East and Central to obtain an entry visa at the airport. Al-Saadoun was astonished by my last wish and asked me: What does oil anniversary of the “painful” incident. sources. Africa, Afghanistan and South Subsequently, the tourism sector flour- have to do with human rights? I told him that prior to working at the minis- On the talks, he said it was a “show Sources disclosed the Ministry of Asia. This evolution will be an ished, and eventually the rest of the try and the Public Prosecution, I practiced the legal profession -- a profession of solidarity” to prove the international Health specifi ed the high-risk countries important factor in Daesh’s fu- sectors. Now the Kingdom of Saudi connected to the achievement and promotion of human rights. community’s support for Lebanon, citing as follows: India, Nepal, Pakistan, ture global impact, he quoted The chairman of the committee at the time was distinguished MP Mu- a previous sum of USD 30 million Ku- Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; noting that unidentified U.N. member states Arabia is issuing tourist visas from the hammad Al-Murshed; while the distinguished members included Dr Ahmed the decision to allow travelers from these airport or electronically. wait is donating to push reconstruction as saying. Al-Khatib, Abdullah Al-Nibari and others whose names I no longer remem- efforts in the country. countries to enter directly will be speci- Member states also assess that As for Kuwait, about 40 years ago, ber. fi ed in circulars that the ministry will is- the governments yielded to the tenden- A powerful port blast rocked the Leba- the extremist group “will con- Then, I left the Assembly and joined the Human nese capital Beirut a year ago, causing sue later. tinue to prioritize regrouping and cies of the MPs of the Muslim Broth- On increasing the number of passen- Rights Society, which was working without a li- large-scale destruction in a country al- seeking resurgence” in Iraq and erhood Group or other Islamists, and cense at the time. The late Jassem Al-Qatami used ready in the throes of its worst economic gers arriving at Kuwait International to preside over our meetings at the Kuwaiti Gradu- Airport to more than 5,000 daily; sources Syria as its core area of opera- imposed on visitors restrictions that crisis in decades. tions, he said. only exist in the Taliban state. We thus ates Society. disclosed the airport has not reached the The French presidency said an interna- current maximum as the number of ar- The 16-page report, prepared started seeing an economic decline After we were licensed on the condition that no tional conference on Lebanon has gath- government aid is requested and with the permis- rivals in the last few days did not exceed by Security Council counter- that was later aggravated by the unre- ered over $357 million in aid required to terrorism committee and by ex- alistic precautionary measures to fight sion of the fundamentalist brothers (Salaf Broth- 3,000 per day. ers) to establish another Kuwaiti society for human meet the country’s humanitarian needs, ❑ ❑ ❑ perts monitoring sanctions on the COVID-19 crisis, which struck the rights, we worked hard to achieve human rights one year after the massive explosion at the Islamic State, said the group last hope of a possible rise. and respect its principles in Kuwait. When Jassim Beirut’s port. KUWAIT CITY: The Ministry of Health remains active in wide swaths of The infrastructure in Kuwait can Al-Qatami was transferred to the mercy of God, I Wednesday’s virtual conference, co- plans to vaccinate all those who are regis- Syria, where it is seeking to re- accommodate 20 to 30 million visi- became the president of the society for several years. Al-Baghli hosted by France and the United Nations, tered on the ministry’s e-platform within build its combat capabilities and tors annually. So why not turn it into a We worked hard in this field with determination was meant to show support for the Leba- the next 30 to 45 days, reports Al-Qabas expand its insurgency. nese people, French President Emmanuel daily. tourist destination, like all other coun- and desire emanating from the depths of our hearts until the law on establish- Hideouts tries? Those who violate the country’s ing the Human Rights Diwan in Kuwait was approved in 2015. The Diwan Macron said. The sources added that the ministry has succeeded in making great strides rules can be fined and expelled from was established in accordance with international agreements that Kuwait France will provide 100 millions euros Guterres said IS wages hit- previously acceded to. These agreements provided for the establishment of ($118.6 million) in the coming months, Ma- towards societal immunity and pointed and-run operations against the country, as is the case in Europe out that expanding the scope of vac- and the rest of the Arab and Gulf coun- such an entity, meaning the Kuwaiti government was almost forced interna- cron said. Paris will also send 500,000 dos- checkpoints from hideouts on tionally to establish the entity. es of COVID-19 vaccines for the country. cinations in more than one center and both sides of the Euphrates River tries, which opened its doors to every- region, are showing desired results of in the eastern province of Deir one, and worked on the development The government did not nominate the members of the Diwan until 2018, President Joe Biden, who addressed the according to Decree 269 of 2018. I was fortunate to be appointed as a mem- conference in a video message, pledged the vaccination campaign, which was el-Zour and continues operations of security agencies. launched in late December 2020 in co- against government forces and in ber of the Diwan. I was nominated by the late Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al- to give $100 million in new humanitarian operation and coordination with other Indeed, we do not know whom to ad- Ahmad, may God have mercy on him, and some members of the Assembly. assistance. the Syrian desert. dress our words. The country has been parties. Since the issuance of bylaws regulating the work of the National Diwan ❑ ❑ ❑ In Iraq, IS remains under con- afflicted with governments that are like for Human Rights on May 23, 2019, we have been working hard to recog- stant counter-terrorism pressure those who walk in a dark corridor and nize, fulfill and implement the principles of human rights in our society, FUJAIRAH: The hijackers who captured but continues to carry out hit- strike random bangs. Are we living in whose Amir, HH the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, may God have mercy a vessel off the coast of the United Arab and-run operations “seeking to the shadow of the state’s systematic on him, was named the International Humanitarian Leader, and Kuwait as Emirates in the Gulf of Oman departed undermine critical infrastructure sabotage? This is because, despite our International Humanitarian Center. the targeted ship on Wednesday, the Brit- projects, inflame sectarian divi- constant wait for a glimmer of hope, we We hoped to succeed in amending the laws affecting public freedoms and ish navy reported, as recorded radio traf- sions and communal grievances are not surprised by the increase in the the principles of human rights approved by civilized and advanced coun- fi c appeared to reveal a crew member on- and generate media coverage,” rate of absurdities and flagrant abuse of tries. Foremost of the laws that must be amended are as follows: board saying Iranian gunmen had stormed he said. 1) The prison sentence stipulated in the laws on electronic media — the the asphalt tanker. As for the extremist group’s the national economy. prison sentence for those convicted based on this disgraceful law exceeds All over the world, the government, The incident — described by the Brit- finances, the U.N. chief said esti- 800 years. This led to the imprisonment of our young men and women in United Kingdom i.e. a government, is given a proba- ish military’s Mari- mates of financial reserves avail- Kuwaiti prisons along with murderers, thieves and other criminals; while Police hold flowers to mark the first time Trade Operations the night before able to IS in Iraq and Syria range tionary period to work and achieve. many others are displaced across the globe. anniversary of Beirut’s massive 2020 as a “potential hijack” — revived fears When it is unable to implement any between $25 million and $50 2) Adoption of the civil and human rights of Bedouns, and the Bedoun seaport blast in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug 4. of an escalation in Mideast waters and million, with one unidentified project or when it makes a mistake in issue itself. Here, we are not asking for naturalization of those who are de- Lebanon is marking one year since the ended with as much mystery as it be- U.N. member state saying most a decision, it gets fired or it resigns. serving and not deserving; we are asking for acknowledgment of their civil horrific explosion at Beirut port. (AP) gan. (AP) funds are in Iraq. However, in Kuwait, things seem to and human rights without procrastination or humiliation. The secretary-general said the remain as they have been for decades, 3) Abolition of the sponsorship system as it is a wide field for visa trad- most striking development in the and the regression increases, as if ers — vampires for poor and needy expatriates who came to help us live in first half of 2021 has been the there is nothing in the country except this country and to earn money through their sweat and physical and mental expansion of IS in Africa, where “this boy”. efforts. Day by Day 4) Suspension of administrative deportation of expatriates, except through terrorist groups have inflicted the When will those in control realize a court ruling. largest number of casualties. that we are outside the era and his- 5) Activate the shelters for distressed expatriate workers and make them He said some of the most ef- tory, and that closing the country will DO we have a parallel government force us to ask or rather make us be- fective IS affiliates are spread- fully operational. which seeks to rupture the relation- lieve that there is someone out there increase losses, while there is fear that 6) Putting forensic medicine under the supervision of the Ministry of ship between the state, the leaders ing their influence and activities playing the ‘cat and mouse’ game from Mali into Burkina Faso and the state will not find money in the Justice. and the people? while the citizens remain ‘captive’ of near future to spend on its people? 7) Putting criminal evidence under the supervision of the Public Prosecu- For forty years we have been suf- Niger, from Nigeria into Niger, decisions which are taken in the name Chad and Cameroon, and from tion, instead of the Ministry of Interior. fering and the sufferings increased of protecting them. Email: [email protected] 8) Amending laws that discriminate against women, such as Article 153 with the outbreak of the COVID-19 Mozambique into Tanzania. Your Highness the Amir and Your “It highlights that the interplay Follow me on: of the Penal Code, which imposes a lenient sentence on a man who murders pandemic when the state authorities Highness the Crown Prince, we the his wife if he accuses her of adultery, as well as equating a Kuwaiti woman began taking precautionary measures between terrorism, fragility and citizens who are in distress appeal to conflict has grown stronger, and married to a non-Kuwaiti with a Kuwaiti man married to a foreigner. to combat the virus. you for help. Perhaps what remains We are hoping to achieve the above in order to establish more human The measures taken by the gov- underscores the need for an ur- hidden will soon be revealed to you. gent, global response to support [email protected] rights in our country — the humanitarian country. ernment were disturbing and have ... Yet, tomorrow is just another day. harmed citizens. This has happened African countries and regional Email: [email protected] nowhere in the world. The situation Zahed Matar organizations,” Guterres said. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 2

In this Aug 5, 2020 fi le photo, a drone camera captures the scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of light candles and hold portraits of their loved ones. A year after the deadly blast, families of the victims are Beirut, Lebanon. The Aug 4 blast at Beirut’s port tore through the city at 6:07 pm, destroying entire neigh- consumed with winning justice for their loved ones and punishing Lebanon’s political elite, blamed for caus- bourhoods and killing scores of people. Inset: Relatives of victims of the Aug 4, 2020, Beirut port explosion ing the disaster through their corruption and neglect. (AP) Political leadership has succeeded in stonewalling the investigation Winning justice becomes a life’s mission

fter the massive explosion at Beirut’s port a year ago, only a small Then they organized to fight. visited damaged areas. No state agency offered aid or shelter to those left Apart of Ibrahim Hoteit’s younger brother was identified: his scalp. homeless, and none cleaned up the rubble — all was left to volunteers. Hoteit buried his brother — a large man, a firefighter, a martial arts With his black T-shirt, jeans and hair slicked back, Hoteit has become The state never offered an apology or condolences to families. Even champion — in a container the size of a shoebox. synonymous with calls for justice. The 51-year-old-father of three is un- declaring Aug. 4 a National Day of Mourning took months of pressure. Since then, Hoteit has sold his business, a perfume and accessories forgiving, determined — and a clear-eyed strategist. “The state didn’t care for anything at all. If we didn’t follow up on shop. He sleeps only a few hours a night. Black circles ring his eyes. He coordinates with local groups to document and archive every piece everything big and small, nothing would happen,” Hoteit said, speaking One thing drives him now: winning justice for the victims of the Aug. of information on the blast. He has met with several of the politicians he at his home in the mainly Shiite southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh. 4, 2020, explosion that killed more than 214 people and punishing Leba- has led protests against, as well as repeatedly with investigators. Like many Lebanese, Hoteit had long been resigned to the system. It non’s political elite, blamed for causing the disaster through their cor- At first, the group held vigils outside the port on the 4th of every was dictated by fate and geopolitics, he felt. ruption and mismanagement. month. But as the investigation stalled, the group changed tactics, target- He can abide it no more. “I don’t see a minister or president or parliament speaker. I am seeing ing specific officials with protests. “If the judiciary doesn’t give us our right, I will take vengeance for my the person who killed my brother and others with him,” said Hoteit, who At a protest last month, hundreds carried empty coffins outside the brother with my own hands.” says he gets anonymous threats. “This is what gives me strength. I see acting interior minister’s home. that I have nothing to lose.” At first, Hoteit tried to keep the group orderly, while Hanan and others The families’ lives have been consumed by the fight for accountabil- Hoteit and his wife, Hanan, have built an association of more than shouted angrily at the minister inside. The protest got tense as numbers ity. 100 families of those killed. They are waging a campaign of protests and swelled and the minister never came out to talk to them. Protesters tried Salam Iskander, a mother of four whose younger brother Hamzeh was rallies trying to shame, pressure and force politicians to allow the truth to make their way through the gates. killed, comes from her home in northern Lebanon to Beirut to participate to come out. Police fired tear gas and pushed them back. in every activity organized by the group. Her father was furious, saying A year later, critics say the political leadership has succeeded in stone- she was endangering her family by taking on the politicians. walling the judicial investigation into the explosion. The biggest challenge has been trying to ensure the investigation The memory of her brother drives her. Hamzeh, a soldier, supported President Michel Aoun has said no one will have political cover if moves forward. her and her children, since her husband has a disability that prevents him they are found negligent or guilty, but has not addressed accusations that The first lead investigator was Fadi Sawwan, a former military judge. from working. Her mother died a few months after Hamzeh — killed by officials are obstructing the investigation. When the families felt he was dragging his feet, citing coronavirus re- grief, Iskander believes. Hoteit and other families say they are up against not just a government strictions, they protested outside his home. “Hamzeh is not coming back. Nothing will cool my heart,” she said. but the political system that has ruled Lebanon for more than 30 years. When he did act, they couldn’t protect him. “But I want to be able to say I did something for him. .... Maybe I can do It’s a system that protects itself so intensely it seems invulnerable, even Sawwan named three former government ministers and Diab, the something as simple as punish those who did it.” as many Lebanese say it has led the country into ruin — pointing to both caretaker prime minister, to be charged with negligence leading to death. Tracy and Paul Naggear lost their only child, 3-year-old daughter Al- the explosion and a financial meltdown that is one of the world’s worst Diab has dismissed the allegations as “diabolical.” The political class exandra. Lexou, as they call her, was one of the youngest killed in the in the past 150 years. united and won Sawwan’s removal by court order in February. blast. Even the current caretaker premier, Hassan Diab, has acknowledged That’s when the families staged their first angry rally, burning tires, They can’t bring themselves to return to live in their home near the this, saying weeks after the explosion that corruption in Lebanon “is big- blocking roads and warning they may storm the Justice Ministry. A re- port. Tracy has grown thin with stress. After Lexou’s funeral, they ger than the state.” placement for Sawwan was swiftly named: Tarek Bitar, a younger judge thought about leaving Lebanon — Tracy has Canadian citizenship — with no clear political affiliations. but then they started working with others campaigning for justice. Now Black and white portraits of each of the blast’s victims, commissioned Bitar cast a wider net, pursuing even senior military, intelligence and they regularly participate in Hoteit’s protests. by Hoteit’s group, hang from the walls of a central square near the port. security officers. In February, he asked the government and parliament “This government killed my daughter, and it’s my right and my duty Painted on a wall opposite the still mangled port, a large slogan declares, to lift immunity from the heads of two main security agencies and two to seek justice, and I will,” Tracy said. “They can try and block the truth “My government did this.” lawmakers so he could question them. as much as they want ... They will get exhausted before we do.” The blast was preceded by a fire that broke out at the port, and hun- The families were elated. The Naggears are also part of another network of families asking the dreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar along with other But the political elite again closed ranks. Lawmakers and government U.N. Human Rights Council to establish a fact-finding mission into the highly combustible materials exploded. officials refused to lift immunity. The interior minister said his legal de- blast. Proponents hope that could circumvent politicians’ obstructions. It was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. Along with partment advised against it, reportedly because the security agency in A third group, made up of families of killed firefighters, has focused the dead, thousands were injured. Some 300,000 homes were damaged question was not responsible for the shipment. on lobbying Lebanese security agencies. or destroyed. So the families took aim at parliament members and officials they accuse Families have had to fight over and over for even the smallest help for It soon emerged in documents that the ammonium nitrate had been of burying the truth. In TV ads and social media posts, they branded those the victims. stored improperly at the port since 2014 and that multiple high-level of- who opposed lifting immunity as “the ammonium nitrate lawmakers.” Parliament stalled when they asked that the victims be considered ficials over the years knew of its presence and did nothing. military martyrs, which would secure them and their families a pension But a year after the government launched a judicial investigation, The same group of politicians have run Lebanon since its long civil and assistance. So Hoteit called a strike outside the home of Parliament nearly everything else remains unknown — from who ordered the ship- war ended in 1990. Speaker Nabih Berri. ment to why officials ignored repeated internal warnings of the danger. They head the same sectarian-rooted factions that fought the conflict. Eventually they won the declaration. But Hoteit said the speaker’s al- Multiple government agencies have a role at the port, but all of them They have divvied government offices up among themselves, and their lies in the government social insurance agency, feeling slighted by the have said the ammonium nitrate was not their responsibility. patronage system has fomented widespread corruption. protest against Berri, retaliated by slowing delaying payments to the Hoteit’s brother Tharwat was among the group of firefighters who Dozens of political assassinations have never been properly investi- injured. So Hoteit held a news conference naming and shaming those rushed to battle the initial blaze. All were killed. gated. Corruption has gone unpunished despite widespread documenta- responsible. The payments resumed. Hoteit and his wife spent the next 12 days searching through hospitals tion. for his brother. It was harrowing. They turned over bodies to see their Impunity is entrenched in the system. Though rivals, the factions close On Monday, Hoteit and the families gave officials 30 hours to lift im- faces. Doctors notified them when they identified Tharwat’s remains. ranks to prevent accountability. munity on the officials the lead investigator wants to question — or else Along the way, they met other families on the same grisly search. That impunity translated into stunning callousness by politicians in face a “bone-crushing” response. They didn’t elaborate. Hoteit and Hanan saw one man carrying his dead son’s hand in a plastic the wake of the explosion. Breaking the wall of impunity means more than achieving justice, Ho- sack. The families continued to communicate, first through a WhatsApp No one deployed security around a city thrown into chaos. No author- teit says. A domestic reckoning may be the only way to break the system. group, trading stories of their loved ones. ity took charge of the crime scene or search and rescue. No politician “If this doesn’t bring about change, nothing will.” (AP)

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next 24 hrs: and relatively humid over coastal Abdaly 49 31 Prayer Timings By Day: Very hot and relatively areas with light variable wind to Jahra 49 34 humid over coastal areas with light to moderate north westerly Salmiyah 42 36 Fajr ...... 03:42 Asr ...... 15:30 light to moderate north westerly wind with speeds of 08-28 km/h Ahmadi 44 38 Sunrise .. 05:10 Maghrib .. 18:37 and some high clouds will appear. Zohr ...... 11:54 Isha ...... 20:02 wind to light variable wind with Wafra 49 30 speeds of 12-38 km/h and some Station Max Exp Min Rec Salmy 48 30 high clouds will appear. Kuwait City 47 36 Jal Aliyah 48 31 By Night: Hot to rather hot Kuwait Airport 49 30 Managish 49 31

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

Boursa Kuwait Securities soars 112 fi ls, KIPCO fl at Kuwait market slips into shallow trough, volume swells

By John Mathews fi ls after pushing 11.9 million shares and Ku- a broad range and closed with small losses. tre (Markaz) paused at 178 fi ls. Arab Times Staff wait Finance House followed suit to end at 781 Top gainer of the day, Warba Capital KAMCO Investment and Noor Financial ■ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30025/350.30025/35 fi ls. Humansoft Holding climbed 10 fi ls to KD climbed 7.87 pct to 67.2 fi ls while Boursa Investment rose 3 fi ls each whereas Gulf In- KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: Kuwait stocks edged 3.580 and Boursa Kuwait Securities soared Kuwait Securities scaled 6.92 percent to stand vestment House gave up 3 fi ls to close at 287 ▼ Euro/KD 0.3554 lower on Wednesday after treading water in 112 fi ls to KD 1.730. next. Kuwait Hotels skidded 13 pct, the steep- fi ls. Bayan Investment Co paused at 51 fi ls and previous session. The All Shares Index fell Zain inched 1 fi l higher to 588 fi ls on back est decliner of the day and Mazaya Holding KFIC took in 1 fi l. Gulf Insurance Group skid- ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 5.31 points in volatile session to 6,542.51 pts of 2.6 million shares while Ooredoo gave up 6 topped the volume with 67.7 million shares. ded 25 fi ls to 925 fi ls. even as the overall mood remained mixed. fi ls taking the month’s losses to 18 fi ls. stc was Refl ecting the day’s small drop, the losers Kuwait Cement Co fell 3 fi ls to 239 fi ls ■ British £/KD 0.4175 The Premier Market slipped 6.14 points to down 5 fi ls at 855 fi ls and logistics major Agil- slightly outnumbered the winners. 56 stocks whereas Kuwait Portland Cement sprinted 10 7,120.86 pts taking the month’s losses to 44 ity skidded 17 fi ls to 968 fi ls after moving 3.4 advanced whereas 60 closed lower. Of the 137 fi ls to 880 fi ls. Kuwait Foundry Co dropped ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0040 points while Main Market gave up 3.56 points. million shares. KIPCO paused at 162 fi ls with a counters active on Wednesday, 21 closed fl at. 13 fi ls to 386 fi ls and NICBM was up 5 fi ls at The BK Main 50 index ticked 135 points lower volume of 2.8 million and National Investment 12,026 deals worth KD 58.98 million were 195 fi ls. HEISC dialed up 2 fi ls and Shuaiba ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0060 to 5,698.87 pts. The volume turnover, mean- Co added 3 fi ls. Mabanee Co dialed up 1 fi l to transacted during the session. Industrial crept 1 fi l higher to 166 fi ls. ACICO while, rebounded past the 300 million mark close at 738 fi ls. In the banking sector, Burgan Bank dialed Industries was unchanged at 129 fi ls whereas following a three-day drop. Over 330 million National Industries Group took in 1 fi l on back up 2 fi ls whereas Kuwait International Bank Sultan Centre tripped 1 fi l. Kuwait Hotels ▲ FTSE +18.14 pts at 18:50 Aug 04 shares changed hands – a 32 pct surge from the of 3.98 million shares whereas Gulf Cable shed held ground at 224 fi ls after pushing 3.3 mil- erased 9.9 fi ls to close at 66.2 fi ls. day before. 13 fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemical Co climbed 14 lion shares. Ahli United Bank BSC paced 4 fi ls Kuwait and Gulf Links Transport Co ▼ Nikkei The sectors closed mostly in red. Financial fi ls to 840 fi ls while Al Qurain Petrochemical on back of 27.3 million shares whereas Warba trimmed 0.1fi l and Educational Holding Co -57.75 pts at closing Aug 04 Services outshone the rest with 0.91 percent Co gave up 4 fi ls to close at 375 fi ls. Jazeera Bank clipped 2 fi ls. Commercial Bank eased edged 1 fi l higher to 700 fi ls. Automated Sys- gain whereas Insurance sector shed 0.92 pct, Airways dialed up 2 fi ls and ALAFCO inched 1 fi l to 509 fi ls while Al Ahli Bank and Ahli tems Co and Arabi Group stood pat at 103 fi ls ▲ Gold $1,812.45 per oz (London) the worst performer of the day. Volume wise, 1 fi ls down to 217 fi ls. NAPESCO fell 5 fi ls United Bank Kuwait were unchanged at 220 and 156 fi ls respectively whereas KCPC paced Financial Services topped with 137.9 million to 860 fi ls and United Projects Co scaled 4 fi ls. fi ls and 301 fi ls respectively. 11 fi ls before settling at 557 fi ls. Burgan Well shares and Banking sector dominated in value The market opened fi rm and ticked up in Kuwait Investment Co climbed 6 fi ls to 251 Drilling Co climbed 5 fi ls to 183 fi ls and Com- ▼ NYMEX crude $68.07 per barrel with KD 20.6 million. early trade. The main index scaled the day’s fi ls on back of 3.6 million shares while Inter- bined Group Contracting Co tripped 1 fi l. In the individual shares, sector bellwether highest level of 6,550 points and fl ipped as national Financial Advisors added 2 fi ls after The market has been largely downbeat so ▼ Brent crude $70.41 per barrel National Bank of Kuwait took in 1 fi l whereas selling pressure roiled some of the counters. pushing 8.8 million shares. Arzan Financial far during the week shedding 37 points in last Boubyan Bank gave up 4 fi ls before settling It moved sideways briefl y before slipping fur- Group gained 5 fi ls with brisk trading and four sessions. It has rallied 190 points during LIBOR rate 0.12138% at 756 fi ls. Gulf Bank slipped 5 fi ls to 233 ther to bottom at 6,527 points and swayed in KMEFIC scaled 7 fi ls. Kuwait Financial Cen- whole of July is up 972 points year-to-date. Mosafer, Immunity apps leave travelers in limbo

‘Missed fl ights, arrival delay’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The ing to register through it in the airports technical problems that us- outside the country led to delay in the ar- rival of travelers to Kuwait, and the miss- ers of the travel apps “Kuwait ing of fl ights. Mosafer” and “Immunity” Surprise face as well as those trying Citizens revealed through social me- dia their surprise that they did not rely for the approval of vaccina- on PCR tests when leaving any country tion certifi cates from outside before arriving in Kuwait, and vice versa, the country on the Ministry with the presence of vaccination certifi - of Health website are endless. cates approved by the ministries of Health in the countries of expatriates, which can Many of them are unable to be checked at Kuwait airport and through travel due to non-completion trained medical staff to monitor any cases of the required procedures of forgery or tampering with the certifi - when using these sites due cates or even conduct the required tests prior to applying home quarantine. to the increased demand for Facilitating government agencies’ them or the failure to properly travel movement based on the epidemio- activate some of them, reports logical situation has become a collective demand, in light of the faltered travel of Al-Qabas daily. a large number of citizens and residents, In terms of the approval for vacci- and their movement between countries nation certifi cates, the process is still due to the requirements of electronic ongoing very slowly due to the delay Photo by Bassam Abu Shanab apps, which often do not work well. Stray cats resting under the shade of a palm tree near the Souk Sharq. Kuwait has been in the grip of extremely hot and humid weather with tem- from the Ministry of Health in dealing Relying on fi eld tests at the ports may perature hovering around the 50s for the last many days. Man and animal suffer equally from the intense heat as sometimes it becomes really diffi cult with the large number of requests from also save a lot of time, effort and money to run daily chores by the public, especially the elderly. Hot weather is expected to continue for few more days, according to the weather expert. travelers wishing to enter the country. for the state, especially with the inabil- Applicants for approval of vaccination ity of many to travel and the incurring certifi cates told the daily that, despite up- of additional sums for staying in hotels Check on China products loading their certifi cates to the ministry’s and airports, as well as the allocation of PAM, PACI team up, website a few days ago, they had not yet sums from the government for these ap- obtained approval, which resulted in loss plications. New duty on aluminum imports of their tickets, as they had booked tick- The health teams can conduct daily keep tab on workers ets long time ago under the belief that the swab tests at land and air ports to moni- Ministry of Health would approve vac- tor any incoming infection cases, and KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The General Preventive Measures of the Gulf Co- cination certifi cates within a short period then return the infected traveler to his Administration of Customs has issued operation Council, and with reference KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: Deputy Director for the Plan- of time. This left the travelers in a limbo. home country, or even subject him to new instructions No. 69/2021 regard- to the letter of the Southern Ports Cus- ning and Administrative Development at the Public Au- The requirement to enter the civil ID institutional quarantine at his own ex- ing the imposition of anti-dumping du- toms Administration regarding impos- thority for Manpower (PAM) Eman Al-Ansari revealed number to register Gulf nationals in the pense, or at the expense of the sponsor ties on the Gulf Cooperation Council ing fi nal duties to combat dumping on an agreement between PAM and the Public Authority apps prevents many from visiting the or the employer of the infected expatri- countries imports of aluminum alloy the GCC imports of aluminum alloy for Civil Information (PACI) for an automated link be- country. ate. This could be one of the solutions tween workers on government contracts, and their entry sheets, plates and tapes manufactured sheets, plates and tapes with a thick- The matter is not much different from that may facilitate the process of travel- and exit to the housing site, reports Al-Rai daily. the “Kuwait Mosafer” app, as a large lers’ movement and their entry into the or originating from the Republic of ness between 0.2 mm and 8 mm that In a press statement issued on the sidelines of an in- number of travelers complained that try- country. China, reports Al-Anba daily. fall under customs items 76061200- spection campaign on the work site and the workers’ Director General of Customs Jamal 76069200 that are manufactured or accommodation of the project for the construction of Al-Jalawi explained that the decision originated from the Republic of China. T2 terminal at Kuwait International Airport, Al-Ansari to impose custom duties is based on the He explained that the decision ex- said, “We held a meeting last week, commissioned by ‘MoI continues online transactions’ letter sent by the Ministry of Finance cludes aluminum alloy products that the Council of Ministers, regarding cooperation between KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The Public Rela- cessed online for the public to save time dated June 26, 2021, which includes are heat treated, painted and varnished, the Public Authority for Manpower and the Public Au- the letter of the General Secretariat and those used for the manufacture of tions and Security Media General Depart- and effort, as well as speed up completion; thority for Civil Information for linking the worker’s ment at the Ministry of Interior stated that while social distancing is strictly imple- of the Gulf Cooperation Council ad- beverage cans and caps. residence with the work site, which will facilitate for us given the current situation in the country mented in the service departments. dressed to the Minister of Finance and The decision entails imposing fi nal to follow up the workers and secure their housing”. particularly the application of health regu- According to the Information Systems Minister of State for Economic Affairs anti-dumping duties on GCC imports Regarding the number of workers at the site of the T2 lations to curb the spread of coronavirus General Department; the ministry complet- and Investment Khalifa Hamada. The of product of origin or source from the terminal construction project and and their accommoda- and efforts exerted to improve services, the ed 3,127,897 residency-related transactions decision is also based on the decision Republic of China, as a percentage of tion, she revealed that the site has about 10,000 work- ministry continues to process transactions since the launching of the online service No. 8 of the ministerial committee, the CIF value of imports from the Peo- ers, and there are currently approximately 5,000 work- online through its website -- moi.gov.kw, while the online booking system processed the offi cial bulletin of the Offi ce of ple’s Republic of China is 33 percent. ers, justifying this by adding, “The conditions of the reports Al-Jarida daily. 1,247,180 transactions. For inquiries, e- the Technical Secretariat, the indica- The imposition of the fi nal duties COVID-19 pandemic reduced the presence of workers, The department affi rmed that the trans- mail the Information Systems General De- tive report for the above-mentioned will begin 37 days after the date the as many had traveled and were unable to return. Also, actions of security establishments are pro- partment -- [email protected]. product, the Financial and Economic decision is published in the offi cial the recruitment process is currently low, and the site in Cooperation Committee’s resolution gazette of the Offi ce of the Technical general currently has 10,000 workers”. No. 93 and the Standing Committee’s General Secretariat to Combat Harm- Al-Ansari affi rmed that the workers’ accommoda- Resolution No. 37/47/2021. ful Practices in International Trade tion in the airport area is distinguished, adding, “We Al-Jalawi affi rmed that the deci- and for a period of fi ve years from the also witnessed the company’s keenness to vaccinate all sion is in pursuant to the Joint Anti- date of July 22, 2021. The fi nal duties workers through a fi eld visit by the Ministry of Health to Dumping and Countervailing and collected are treated as customs duties. provide the vaccine. This is evidence of the company’s interest in the health of its workers”. She went on to say, “Today we visited the workers’ accommodation, which was divided into housing units Traffi c Dept to deport nine expats for the workers and for the VIP - the families of the workers. There were two teams from the authority - the KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The Traffi c The Public Relations and Traffi c fi rst was specialized in inspecting the housing, and the and Operations Sector continued the Awareness Department offi cer work- second was a technical team to review all the existing traffi c security campaigns to prosecute ing for the General Traffi c Depart- observations submitted to the company. Our goal for negligent persons and perpetrators of ment, Major Abdullah Buhassan, said this visit is to ensure that the health requirements speci- serious violations, reports Al-Jarida the weekly statistics issued by the fi ed in Resolutions No. 198/2010 and 199/2010 are im- daily. traffi c operations sector showed the plemented in securing protection and care for workers in The campaign resulted in the issu- Hawalli Governorate Traffi c Depart- work sites and labor accommodation.” ance of 28,092 citations, impounding ment ranked fi rst followed by the Cap- Referring to the decision to ban work in open areas 141 vehicles and 56 motorcycles, refer- ital Governorate, Farwaniyah came in during the afternoon period, Al-Ansari said, “This year, ring 62 violators to the General Traf- third place, then the Ahmadi Governo- we saw cooperation from the authorities due to increased fi c Department, referring 12 juveniles rate, the Jahra Governorate and fi nally awareness. Also, the heat is more severe this year which to the Juvenile Prosecution, and seiz- Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate. hampers the process of building houses”. ing 12 vehicles wanted by security and Buhassan stated the General Admin- She highlighted that occupational health and safety in- judicial authorities, in addition to the istration of Emergency Police carried spectors make notes and alerts on the fi rst visit, and the arrest of eight people wanted to serve out 640 security operations during the second visit takes place after a while, adding, “At many prison sentences. past week and recorded 1,155 traffi c ci- work sites, the team noticed workers falling from height He pointed out 9 expatriates were ar- tations, dealt with 34 traffi c accidents, and getting injured. It is more due to the worker’s own rested for driving without a license and and arrested 45 people for not carrying neglect or the employer’s failure to secure the site with have been referred to the Deportation ID papers, dealt with eight street fi ghts occupational safety requirements to protect their work- Center.. and arrested three drug addicts. ers”. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 LOCAL 4 Jawhar seeks detailed report about expat workers in MoCI MP requests for copies of audited budgets of TEC

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh holding a secondary certifi cate and lower. Arab Times Staff He also inquired about the legal studies on the impact of the intention of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) to stop the renewal of work permits for ex- KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: MP Hassan Jawhar has asked patriates above 60 years old who are holding a secondary certifi cate or lower unless Minister of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) Abdullah they pay KD2,000. He wants to know if there are alternatives to compensate for the possible departure of a large number of expatriates above 60 years old in the tech- Essa Al-Salman to submit a detailed report about the ex- nical profession; why highly qualifi ed expatriates are exempted from the decision patriate workers in his ministry. even if Kuwaiti graduates need jobs which require highly qualifi ed employees; and KUNA photo He said the report should include the number and qualifi cations of ex- number of expatriate workers who entered Kuwait in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 HH the Amir (right) with HH the Crown Prince. patriate workers hired from fi scal 2015/ 2016 till date, specifying those specifying those who are still working in the same institutions and those working in other institutions. Audiences of HH the Amir He requested for a copy of the statistical report on the complaints fi led by expatri- His Highness the Amir Sheikh His Highness the Amir also re- ate workers against their sponsors because Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ceived National Assembly Speaker of problems related to visa transfer. He received at Bayan Palace Wednes- Marzouq Al-Ghanim and His High- asked about the number of those whose day His Highness the Crown Prince ness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sa- visas were transferred to other companies Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber bah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. and those without valid visas. Al-Sabah. (KUNA) Economic He also demanded for the list of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) estab- lished from 2016 to 2019 with their clas- sifi cation according to their economic activities. He wants to know the mechanism for estimating the number of needed work- ers; measures taken against enterprises that violated the regulations; number of expatriates who were brought to Kuwait to work in SMEs — some of which have been closed but their expatriate workers are still in the country despite the expira- tion of their visas; number of expatriates working in the farming, grazing and fi sh- ing fi elds who arrived in the country from 2016 to 2019; reasons for allowing them KUNA photo to transfer their visas to other businesses; number of those who transferred their vi- Finance Minister Hamada during the talks with the US Ambassador Ro- sas; and steps that PAM has taken to cor- manowski. rect the demographic imbalance. He then demanded for a copy of studies adopted in Finmin holds talks with envoys KUNA photo order to accomplish this goal. Kuwaiti fi nance minister in a group photo with the UAE delegation. Meanwhile, MP Ali Al-Qattan for- warded queries to Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic and Kuwait, US, UK eye closer Kuwait, UAE seek ways to boost joint economic co-op Investment Affairs Khalifa Hamada about Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC). Minister of Finance and Minis- in a press statement that during the company’s experience in the He requested for copies of the audited ‘economic ties’ amid talks ter of State for Economic Affairs the meeting, investment opportu- fi eld of privatization that it carried budgets of TEC in the last fi ve years; in- and Investment Khalifa Hamada nities in the State of Kuwait and out in Abu Dhabi. cluding the profi ts, losses and capital. KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4, (KUNA): waiti foreign ministry statement. discussed on Tuesday with a its participation in investments It stated that meetings were He wants to know the names and qualifi - Kuwait’s Finance Minister and State The British envoy commended delegation from the United Arab abroad were identifi ed. held between the visiting Emirati cations of the members of the Board of Di- Minister for Economic Affairs Khal- Kuwait for the steps the country has Emirates ways to enhance as- The statement said that the rectors and chief executive offi cer (CEO) ifa Hamada held talks on Wednesday taken towards broad reforms and its pects of joint economic and in- Emirati delegation, headed by economic delegation and some offi cials of the agencies affi li- at TEC, their work experiences before oc- with the US and UK’s ambassadors efforts to establish an increasingly vestment cooperation between the CEO of the Abu Dhabi Devel- cupying these positions, and their tenure. as part of efforts to forge closer tri- diverse economy, added the state- the two countries. opmental Holding Company, Mo- ated with the Ministry of Finance. He asked for a copy of the organiza- The Ministry of Finance said hammed Al Suwaidi, reviewed (KUNA) lateral economic relations. ment. tional structure of the company. He in- The minister’s talks with Alina The US diplomat’s talks with the quired about the number of supervisory, Romanowski and Belinda Lewis, Kuwaiti minister centered on similar Ambassador briefs about various undertaken initiatives administrative and technical vacancies at individually, focused on efforts to issues, chief among them economic present; negative consequences of such cushion the economic blow from the and fi nancial reforms and efforts to vacancies; and reasons for not fi lling up these vacancies until now. COVID pandemic, in addition to give impetus to small and medium- Indian embassy holds virtual meet with NORKA He demanded for a list of employ- matters of mutual concern, said a Ku- sized development projects, it said. ees who were appointed from fi scal KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The Em- 2015/2016 till date including their qualifi - Legendre greatly contributes to up ties bassy of India in Kuwait held a vir- cations, nationalities and salaries. tual meeting with the NORKA De- Appointed partment of the Kerala Government He asked if TEC has a plan to develop French ambassador to leave Kuwait as part of the larger initiative of In- touristic facilities. If yes, he requested for dia’s Ministry of External Affairs to a copy of such plan. He also inquired if promote and facilitate engagement TEC laid down the plan or a consulting in September after a year of service of embassies with states of India. company did it. If the consulting company During the interaction, the Am- laid down the plan; he demanded for more KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: French didate for several positions; most bassador Sibi George briefed about details like the name of the company, a Ambassador to Kuwait Anne-Claire notably the post of official spokes- various initiatives undertaken by the copy of the contract, reasons for choosing Legendre will leave the country in person for the French Foreign Af- embassy for the welfare of the Indi- Indian ambassador and offi cial in virtual meeting with NORKA. the company and reasons for rejecting the September after a year of serving fairs Ministry. Sources affirmed ans in Kuwait, including outreach offers of other companies. as envoy of France here, reports Al- the new French ambassador to Ku- activities such as the Open House retary (NORKA & Industries), derly, legal and ethical recruitment He requested for a list of projects that Anba daily. wait will be announced soon. sessions, registration drives, consu- Government of Kerala, took part of manpower including nurses; TEC implemented in the last 10 years including the cost, profi ts and number of Legendre is considered a model in Sources added the next strategic lar service feedback mechanism; the in the meeting with senior repre- and on ways and means to further terms of being active and her perse- dialogue will be at the end of Sep- sentatives of NORKA and briefed benifi ciaries of each project; facilities that recently signed MoU on cooperation enhance trade, commercial, invest- verance as she greatly contributed to tember and the beginning of Octo- in the domain of recruitment of do- about NORKA and its vision for the ments and cultural linkages so as to TEC owns; which of these facilities are welfare of the non-resident Keralite rented out to others; rental fees; rental pe- strengthening bilateral relations and ber for the ministerial level, during mestic service workers; the issues increase direct exports from Kerala riods and activities of the tenants. faced by stranded Indians; business, residents abroad, including Kuwait. and facilitate inward investments exploring new horizons through the which Kuwait will be represented by MP Bader Al-Humaidi forwarded Kuwaiti-French strategic dialogue, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ma- investment, tourism and cultural Positive discussions were held on and inbound tourism from Kuwait. queries to Minister of Foreign Affairs promotion efforts; and also the po- various matters of importance to the They also discussed the issues and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs which is an important platform for the jdi Al-Dhafi ri and from the French tential for enhancing bilateral col- non-resident Diaspora from Kerala faced by students including the pos- Ahmed Nasser Al-Muhammad about the development of bilateral relations. side will be Minister Delegate for laboration. in Kuwait; streamlining institution- sibility of holding various competi- fi re incidents with a special nature in terms Sources said the ambassador will Foreign Trade and Economic Attrac- Dr. K. Ellagovan, Principal Sec- al cooperation to facilitate safe, or- tive examinations in Kuwait. of size and location for fi scal 2020/2021. be promoted soon, as she is a can- tiveness Franck Riester.

ROPME holds meeting 1,280 male & female nurseries employees vaccinated on Wed KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The private nurseries and nurseries for people with disabilities in coordination between the nurs- ery owners and the ministries of Social Affairs, Community Development and Health were expected to continue to vac- cinate their workers Wednesday, reports Al-Qabas daily. The sources told the daily 1,280 male and female workers were to be vaccinated in private nurseries, starting from 9 am – working in two shifts. The sources said this was done in coordination with the Ministry of Health. However, the daily said none of those working in nurseries were allowed to receive the vaccination during the campaign if they had not registered on the MoH platform. ❑ ❑ ❑ Extraordinary meet: The Council of the Regional Organi- zation for Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME) held an extraordinary meeting yesterday morning via video con- ference, reports Al-Anba daily. The Kuwaiti delegation to the meeting was headed by Minister of Oil and Minister of Higher Education Dr Mu- hammad Al-Faris. During the meeting the Dr Jassem Bishara was appointed Executive Secretary of the organization, in addition to dis- cussing the fi nancial matters of the organization. 730 days contract period MPW inviting sealed bids to provide ‘hospitality services’ KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The Ministry of Public Works is inviting sealed bids to provide what it called ‘hospitality ser- vices’ to the senior management in accordance with certain conditions and specifi cations, reports Al-Anba daily. The sources said the last date for submitting bids to the Procurement and Stores Department at the Ministry of Pub- lic Works is Aug 23, 2021. The duration of the contract is 730 days. The alternative offers are not accepted. All companies and institutions quali- fi ed for this work and registered with the ministry in the sup- plier registry and in the Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) for 2021 are eligible to take part in the bidding. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 LOCAL 5 diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Need to follow Tunisian example, overcome hurdles in progress’ “YES, I am pleased and optimistic about the future of Tunisia following impossible to see the state following the same pattern and this pushed me.” the action taken by Tunisia which can be termed as daring, strong, fi rm the Tunisian president to take recent decisions in question in a bid to ❑ ❑ ❑ and crucial that resulted in cutting the head of the snake,” columnist surmount the corrupt situation. Hence, I hope that many states includ- and former editor-in-chief of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Iqbal ing us will follow the example of the Tunisian president. “Kuwait is the only country in the region that has started democratic Al-Ahmad wrote for Al-Qabas daily. “Yes, I am happy indeed towards what happened recently in Tunisia, work and at the forefront of its Constitution. We know that it is seek- “As a matter of fact, Tunisia and the world at and I take this opportunity to congratulate the Tunisians for getting rid ing a better future the nation to enjoy more prosperity and international large were taken by surprise by the decision issued of its malady. I hope we in Kuwait and the entire world will get rid of status, while its citizens will be granted more political freedom, equal- Hamed Al-Saif Annahar by the Tunisian President Qais Saeed to freeze the the obstructions which impede our progress and surmount these ob- ity and social justice,” columnist wrote for daily. Tunisian political scene temporarily in the face of structions with the same might, ability, fi rmness and decisiveness. “These are some excerpts of the preamble of the Constitution. Let distortion and deterioration which has lasted for “I thank those who agree with me, but to those who don’t agree, I say us also see what important matters are mentioned in some articles several years. ‘welcome’.” as follows: “In this connection, a random opinion poll was Also: conducted by a Tunisian radio in which 3,680 Tu- “Article Six – ‘Kuwait’s system of government is democratic, sov- nisians of various walks of life took part and 74 “I am convinced that the country doesn’t need so many ministries ereignty is vested in the Nation as the source of all authority, and the percent of them expressed their support to the and institutions and a big army of employees and I have started cast- exercise of that sovereignty shall be as set out in this Constitution.’ President’s decisions. ing doubts on the importance of these ministries and institutions except “Article Seven – ‘Justice, freedom and equality are the pillars of so- for the ministries of Health, Defence and Interior in addition to Direc- ciety, and cooperation and compassion are the fi rm links binding all “Personally speaking, through my follow up of Iqbal Al-Ahmad both the Arab and international Satellite TV chan- torate-General of Fire Department and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation citizens.’ nels in addition to the social medias about the developments unfolding (KPC),” columnist Osama Safar wrote for Al-Rai daily. “Article Eight – ‘The State shall preserve the pillars of society and on Tunisian political scene, I can say there is an overwhelming joy in “But the thing what boosted my conviction is represented by the re- shall guarantee security, tranquility and equal opportunities for all citi- Tunisia and huge crowds of people have taken to the street to express cent holidays during the Eid Al-Adha festival which lasted for nine zens.’ their joy for the decisions taken by their president, vis-à-vis to those days (without work), viz about one third of the month and this was “Article 13 – ‘Education is a cornerstone in social advancement. The who oppose these decisions. evident by the state ministries and public institutions closing their doors State shall guarantee and tend it.’” “However, the Tunisian president ascribed his decisions due to some during which we did not perceive any shortage of requirements of any ❑ ❑ ❑ kind be they citizens or residents, because the things were run by the reasons which in my own opinion are strong and justifi ed because of the “These parliamentary questions deserve attention... Which company imminent danger that threatened the state to such an extent Tunisia be- above mentioned ministries and institutions. “Anyway, thanks to the private sector for curtailing the Eid Al-Adha owns ‘Kuwait Mosafer’ platform, the date of its establishment and its came a hotbed for burglars who are protected by legal texts seemingly capital? Who owns this company?!” columnist Dr Naji Al-Zaid wrote tailored to their size, and as such we found how these burglars treated holidays to one week. But, the thing that may intercede for this sector was represented by its nonstop work by resorting to the shifts system for Al-Jarida daily. the state and its potentials as their own properties. “Another question: Was the contract concluded through a public “In light of the above, we conclude that Tunisia witnessing this and this is something fi nancially costly. “Ironically, if the government was off, then the National Assembly tender? This question itself contains an inquiry that concerned many dangerous reality President Saeed dealt with the same through a observers: What are the legal consequences of breaking the contract?! spirit of responsibility and ability, and I hope this shall refl ect on will be off as well. But if we go beyond the government’s shutdown, the National Assembly is in vacation up to further notifi cation and exactly “Everyone is wondering about the usefulness of ‘Kuwait Mosafer’ our reality. platform, but they have yet to fi nd a satisfactory answer from any re- “It is a pity that some communities and burglars looting the poten- up to the month of October 2021 (we wish the MPs happy recess), let alone the last term of the Assembly was one of adjourning the parlia- sponsible party. tials of their communities. These burglars looted and issued some deci- “These questions are for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of De- sions and nullifi ed some penalties. They closed an eye to the crimes of mentary sessions and both the government and the MPs playing the ‘musical’ chair game. fense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali -- one of the people with good reputa- corruption and imposed unjust decisions. They imposed themselves as tion. It seems he has no interest in the matter and I do not think he is the guardians on the ordinary citizens and this is a painful reality that will “Given the above, we wonder what the National Assembly has not last for good but will be uprooted sooner than later. achieved during the past period. However, anyone who knows anything type of person that can be described as a coward.” “Such being the case, we suggest under the normal situation, it was about what was achieved by the MPs during this period, please inform — Compiled by Zaki Taleb

Other Voices MoI pledges efforts to overcome Our tragedy with psychiatry hurdles in fulfi lling religious rites By Ahmad alsarraf psychiatric patients at the neuro- T seems there is nothing easier logical and psychiatric hospitals ‘Husseiniyas’ asked to observe health rules Iin Kuwait than claiming mental in Kuwait may be the highest in illness and receiving treatment for the world not because we were ex- it. posed to events that disturbed our KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4, (KUNA): tary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mustafa In this regard, he called on the owners of Hus- minds and affected our psyches Reda, the Assistant Undersecretary for Traf- seiniyas to follow the instructions and abide by The claim of depression or lack Undersecretary of the Ministry of the laws and security and health guidelines and of sleep, for example, is diffi - but because there is a good per- fi c and Operations Affairs Major General Ja- centage of such patients in these Interior Lieutenant-General Essam mal Al-Sayegh, the Assistant Undersecretary social distancing inside and outside Husseiniyas cult for many Al-Nahham affi rmed on Tuesday in light of the circumstances the country is going doctors to hospitals who are not really sick, for Public Security Affairs Major General but have other reasons to claim through in the face of the spread of COVID-19, understand. the ministry’s efforts to overcome Farraj Al-Zoubi, and the Assistant Undersec- stressing the need to cooperate with the security Many peo- they are sick. all obstacles to perform religious retary for Public Health Affairs Dr. Buthaina men who will be present permanently during this ple especially There are many examples of rites with confi dence and satisfac- Al-Mudhaf. period to facilitate the Husseiniya visitors. people who have taken advantage those in the tion, praising the ability of Kuwait- Observations He conveyed to them the greetings of Interior government of fi les at the psychiatric hospital Minister Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al- to commit crimes, including mur- is and the concerned authorities The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Inte- Sabah, thanking the owners of Husseiniyas and claim to suf- to carry out the tasks entrusted to rior listened to the observations and sugges- their patrons for their cooperation and constant fer from such ders, and then claimed the act was committed when the person was them effi ciently and competently. tions of representatives of Husseiniyas, and communication with the Ministry of Interior. sicknesses many questions and inquiries were asked and For their part, the Husseiniyat representatives not in his senses and is often re- This came in a press statement issued by and may even alsarraf answered with transparency and clarity, prais- praised the efforts of the security men, express- have a fi le at leased and sent to the Psychiatric the General Administration of Relations and ing their cooperation during the past year and ing their thanks and appreciation to the Ministry the psychiatric hospital and they Hospital for treatment, after serv- Security Media after the Undersecretary Al- the application of health and preventive require- of the Interior and the security leaders for their can take benefi t from this situa- ing a relatively short period of Nahham met with representatives of Hus- ments, wishing everyone more cooperation to efforts that are in the public interest and pre- tion because they will have access time in prison, and some of them seiniyat, in the presence of the Undersecre- serve public health. serve the security and safety of the homeland. to many painkillers and rare and end up giving interviews to news- expensive medicines that cannot papers and complain about soci- be easily obtained from pharma- ety doing injustice to them. cies, and can also get rich by sell- With these words, we are not ing them to addicts as sedatives or trying to abandon our humane- analgesic, or sending them to his ness, as some of these patients country. may be real psychopaths, and are Also, having a fi le in the Neu- not responsible for their actions, rological Hospital allows ‘the pa- but how can we accept their pres- tient’ to work fewer hours and is ence among us, while they are in more often than not excused for this condition? being absent from work, and if Therefore, it is very necessary he is involved in any offense or to form a committee, from outside even murder, his medical fi le and the Ministry of Health, to review the sedatives he takes are ready to psychiatric fi les and eliminate intercede for him, and help reduce corrupt ones. Until that happens, penalties imposed on him as his if it happens, we have to be patient with our affl ictions. medical fi le will come to his aid. ❑ ❑ ❑ Therefore, we fi nd that the percentage of those registered as e-mail: [email protected]

Robbed by relative Prosecution pleads for accused? KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: For the fi rst According to the complainant, the time in the history of Kuwait’s judici- suspect lured him to join him in a ary and the courts the Prosecution has business venture and got 5,200 dinars pleaded on behalf of an accused and from for 50 percent participation. not the other way around, reports Al- After he transferred the money into Qabas daily. the account of the suspect, the lat- Tuesday, the Court of Cassation ter started evading him each time he witnessed an unprecedented histori- asked about the business and fi nally cal event, as the Public Prosecution refused to answer the calls. attended and pleaded in favor of an ❑ ❑ ❑ accused. The Public Prosecution presented Motorist nabbed: The traffi c police a marathon plea with majestic, chill- have arrested a young Kuwaiti, who is ing words, during which it touched believed to be in his 20s, for reckless on the era of the brutal Iraqi invasion driving. He was caught in the suburb of the State of Kuwait, after defend- of Doha, reports Al-Rai daily. ing the accused, Faisal Al Randi, in a According to the daily, when the lawsuit fi led by one of the relatives of Operations Room of the Ministry Musafer Abdul Karim accusing him of Interior received reports that a of insulting him on social media. motorist was driving recklessly and The court then set Aug 21, 2021, to making stunts with his vehicle po- issue a verdict. lice patrols rushed to the spot, sur- ❑ ❑ ❑ rounded the motorist and arrested Robbed by relative: A Kuwaiti has fi led him. a complaint with the police accusing his He has been detained at the General relative of robbing him of 5,200 dinars, Traffi c Department, and his vehicle reports Al-Rai daily. has been impounded. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 LOCAL 6 Kuwait Surgery Complex Hospital in Basra work completed: Al-Najm ‘Future projects’ in cooperation with KFAED

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4, (KUNA): The Iraqi Minister of Plan- Fund for Arab Economic Development, after the completion of ning, Dr. Khaled Al-Najm, said that the work of the Kuwait the current projects. Surgery Complex Hospital in Basra Governorate was complet- Al-Najm added in a statement to Kuwait News Agency on Tuesday, on the sidelines of his visit to the Arab Planning Institute, that part of a loan approved ed last month after a pause for technical reasons, pointing out at the Reconstruction of Iraq Conference in 2018 amounting to one billion US that there are future projects in cooperation with the Kuwait dollars has been worked, noting that it was agreed to complete the procedures for a hospital with a capacity of 600 beds in Nineveh governorate and a Undersecretary of the Arab Planning Institute, Dr. Walid Abdel Moola pres- hospital with a capacity of 200 beds ents a memento to Iraqi Minister of Planning Khaled Al-Najm. in Samawah governorate. He stated that the Iraqi Ministry of Planning has continuous cooperation with the Arab Planning Institute, indi- cating that it is in the process of signing a memorandum of understanding with the Institute to provide employees in the various Iraqi ministries with courses, whether virtual (online) or in person. For his part, the Undersecretary of the Arab Planning Institute, Dr. Walid Ab- del Moola, said in a similar statement to KUNA that during the visit of the Iraqi minister to the institute, the strengthen- ing of aspects of joint cooperation in several activities - the most important of which is related to the planning system, was discussed. Abdul Mawlah explained that the minister and the Iraqi delegation accom- panying him also discussed the shift to balancing programs and performance in Iraq and addressing the fl aws in the KUNA photos Iraqi Minister of Planning Khaled Al-Najm holds talks with the Undersecre- government’s employment policy such tary of the Arab Planning Institute, Dr. Walid Abdel Moola. as low productivity and some other im- balances. He indicated that the institute, through various activities, is building capacity, providing research and institutional sup- Team working on automation port to various Arab countries, pointing out that it was agreed during the talks to set up a number of programs to train some trainers in the Iraqi Ministry of Municipality inaugurates Planning and some other ministries. He stated that it was agreed in prin- ciple to submit a consultative study that program for ‘e-licences’ would set the initial conditions and the appropriate conditions to build an inte- KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4, (KUNA): documentary cycle. grated plan to reform the government Director-General of Kuwait Mu- He added that the Kuwait employment system, explaining that the nicipality Ahmed Al-Manfouhi Municipality is completing its matter required legal, institutional and inaugurated on Wednesday a pro- orientation by providing a bet- other conditions related to training and gram for electronically issuing li- ter service to the authorities the transition from employment based on censes for areas 500 square meters requesting licenses in terms of certifi cate to employment based on skill. or more, after it was completed by amending the period that allows He referred to the interaction of the a team working on automation in for submitting the renewal appli- representatives of the Institute with the the country’s governorates. cation and canceling the previ- axes that the Iraqi minister touched upon Al-Manfouhi said in a press ous two-month period to facili- in a positive way, adding that the Arab statement after the visual presen- tate companies. Institute is an independent Arab insti- tution that seeks to provide support to tation, which was attended by He explained that the electronic Arab countries with regard to economic representatives of government program allows the licenses of the and social development planning. agencies and the private sector, shanties to closely monitor the He expressed his happiness and ap- that the program aims to acceler- sites of the shanties in all lands, preciation for the Iraqi Minister of Plan- ate the development process in the and to monitor cases of infringe- ning’s visit to the institute, noting that country, taking into account the ment first-hand to take the neces- Iraq is one of the founding countries of reduction and simplification of the sary measures towards them. the Arab Planning Institute and has sev- eral partnership agreements with it. French ambassador on ‘The Guest Show’ KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The Guest Show (TGS) is honoured to present HE Anne-Claire Legendre, Ambassador of France this Thursday. An expert in Middle Eastern and North African af- fairs, Ambassador Legendre is a career diplomat. Throughout her career, she has broken glass ceilings while serving the cause of France and strengthening its place in the global context. Ambassador Legendre began her career in Yemen at the height of the Houthi crisis, and be- fore being appointed to Kuwait, was the Consul General of France in New York — the first French woman to do so. On the Guest Show, Ambassador Legendre will speak about her journey , about choosing diplomacy as a career, about gender equality, and the increas- ing number of French women becoming diplomats. She will speak of President Macron, a ‘feminist President’ who has made gender equality a key principle of governance. She will also speak about the changing nature of diplomacy especially after the Paris Accords, the relationship between the Middle East and Kuwait and the unifying role played by Kuwait in the Middle East and the very important bilat- eral relations between Kuwait and France. The Guest Show poster Working hours ‘normal’ at KU KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: Acting Secretary-General of the Kuwait University, Dr. Mardi Al-Enezi, has issued a decision to return to fin- gerprint attendance system starting from Aug 15, 2021, reports Al-Qabas daily. In a circular, a copy of which has been obtained by the daily, Al-Enezi has can- celed the flexible working hours and the rotation sys- tem, and decided to return to work 100 percent, with- out prejudice to the cases of exemption previously stipulated in a previous cir- cular last June. According to the circular the working hours will be seven hours starting from 7:00 or 8:00 am, according to work circumstances. The circular stressed the need to adhere to the health and precautionary require- ments decided by the com- petent health authorities, and to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer installed next to the fingerprint de- vices once the fingerprint- ing process is completed. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

Bid to quell intensifying criticism America

Infrastructure package CDC issues new eviction ban for most WASHINGTON, Aug 4, (AP): The Cent- ers for Disease Control and Prevention is- ‘I will not keep my mouth shut’ Senators try to sell sued a new eviction moratorium that would last until Oct. 3, as the Biden administra- tion sought to quell intensifying criticism $1T ‘plan’ to public from progressives that it was allowing vul- For congresswoman Bush, eviction fi ght is personal nerable renters to lose their homes during WASHINGTON, Aug 4, (AP): The senators who a pandemic. WASHINGTON, Aug 4, (AP): Roughly an urgent problem affecting millions of again, pointing to a Supreme Court opin- spent months stitching together a nearly $1 trillion The ban announced Tuesday could help two decades before she was elected to Americans. ion in June that suggested Congress infrastructure package are now trying to sell it to keep millions in their homes as the coro- Congress, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri “I know what it’s like to be evicted and should pass legislation to do so. the American people before a key vote expected navirus’ delta variant has spread and states lived in a Ford Explorer with her then- have to live out of my car with my two A last-minute attempt to pass a bill this week that would push a long recognized na- have been slow to release federal rental aid. husband and two young children after babies,” Bush said in an interview Satur- through the House also came up short tional priority much closer to the fi nish line, after It would temporarily halt evictions in coun- the family had been evicted from their day. “As long as I am a sitting U.S. con- Friday. Then the chamber adjourned years of talk. ties with “substantial and high levels” of rental home. gressperson, I will not keep my mouth and lawmakers left town for an extended Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Tuesday that So for Bush, a freshman Democrat shut about it.” August recess - a response Bush says virus transmissions and would cover areas from St. Louis, the debate over whether Bush was a prominent part of a larger “failed to meet this moment.” the $65 billion for broadband means that some where 90% of the U.S. population lives. to revive the moratorium on evictions push among progressives to stop evic- On Tuesday, before the administra- people in her state would get access to the internet The announcement was a reversal for during the pandemic is deeply personal. tions, and the Biden administration tion’s announcement, Bush said: “Am I for the fi rst time. “The pan- the Biden administration, which allowed To dramatize her point, she started to moved quickly to provide a policy re- supposed to just go home? No, I’m an demic that we have endured an earlier moratorium to lapse over the sleep outside the U.S. Capitol last Friday sponse. It thrust her swiftly into meetings organizer. I am an activist. So I fell back for more than a year laid weekend after saying a Supreme Court to call attention to the issue as part of the with top congressional leaders and ad- into what I know how to do.” bare the disparities in ac- ruling prevented an extension. That ripped effort to pressure President Joe Biden ministration offi cials and she was sought It is activism borne of personal experi- cess to high-speed internet,” open a dramatic split between the White and Congress to act. after for interviews. ence. House and progressive Democrats who On Tuesday, she won. After com- In 2001, Bush became ill while preg- Collins said. Protests Sen. Lisa Murkowski, insisted the administration do more to ing under intense pressure, the Biden nant with her second child and had to R-Alaska, spoke of how prevent some 3.6 million Americans from administration issued a new eviction She met Monday with Senate Majority quit her job at a preschool. The lost in- the bill would lead to more losing their homes during the COVID-19 moratorium that will last until October Leader Chuck Schumer, and had a brief come led to their eviction. rural and Native Alaskans crisis. 3, temporarily halting evictions in coun- chat with Vice President Kamala Har- For about three months the couple Speaking at the White House on Tues- ties with “substantial and high levels” of ris - attention that punctuates a political lived out of their Explorer with two play- having access to a sink to virus transmissions, which covers areas rise that took Bush from leading protests pens in the back. She said that, at the wash their hands in. The bill day, Biden said he pushed the CDC to again consider its options. But he still seemed where 90% of the U.S. population lives. against police brutality in Ferguson, Mis- time, she was working in a low-wage job. Collins dedicates about $55 billion Tuesday evening, after the adminis- souri, to the halls of Congress in little Eventually, her family, already struggling in new funding for water and wastewater systems. hesitant as to whether the new moratorium tration made its announcement, Bush more than fi ve years. themselves, was able to help her fi nd a “We have to do right by our Native people,” she could withstand lawsuits about its constitu- tweeted out a photo of her and others House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on home. said. tionality, saying he has sought the opinions sitting on the Capitol steps with a one- Tuesday gave a salute to Bush “for her “I don’t want anyone else to have to go Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., noted there is about of experts as to whether the Supreme Court word caption: Grateful. powerful action to keep people in their through what I went through, ever,” Bush $16 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would approve the measure. Bush’s experience sets her apart homes.” said while wiping away tears. that would help fund projects designed to curb “The bulk of the constitutional scholar- from the more conventional partisan Before reversing course, the Biden ad- The couple later divorced and Bush coastal erosion. “My state has lost as much land as ship says that it’s not likely to pass consti- sniping and grandstanding in the capi- ministration initially argued it didn’t have went back to school, earning a nursing tutional muster,” Biden said. “But there are tal because of her direct connection to legal authority to extend the moratorium degree. She also became a pastor. is in the entire state of Delaware. But other states several key scholars who think that it may are losing land, too,” he said. and it’s worth the effort.” And Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., talked about how The president added that the moratorium the U.S. Capitol for several days. The fresh- said a Supreme Court ruling stopped them The White House has said state and local $110 billion in new funding for roads and bridges - even if it gets challenged in court - “will man congresswoman once lived in her car from setting up a new moratorium without governments have been slow to push out that would mean access to markets for farms in Mon- probably give some additional time” for as a young mother and pointed to that ex- congressional backing. When the court al- federal money and is pressing them to do so tana such as his own. “It is critically important we states and city to release billions of dollars perience to urge the White House to prevent lowed the eviction ban to remain in place swiftly. keep our aging bridges and roads and airports up in federal relief to renters. widespread evictions. through the end of July by a 5-4 vote, one Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen briefed to snuff,” Tester said. Politically, the extension could help heal As she wiped her eyes before a crowd at justice in the majority, Brett Kavanaugh, House Democrats Tuesday about the work The lawmakers, part of a group that they like to a rift with liberal Democratic lawmakers the Capitol after the CDC’s announcement, wrote that Congress would have to act to ex- underway to ensure the federal housing aid call the G-10, for gang of 10 - fi ve Republican, fi ve who were calling on the president to take ex- Bush said she was shedding “joyful tears.” tend it further. makes it to renters and landlords. She pro- Democratic senators - are appealing to the wishes ecutive action to keep renters in their homes. “My God, I don’t believe we did this,” she But on Tuesday, the CDC cited the slow vided data so that lawmakers could see how of many voters for not only better airports, roads The administration had spent the past sev- said. “We just did the work, just by loving pace of state and local governments disburs- their districts and states are performing with and internet service, but also for some bipartisan- eral days scrambling to reassure Democrats folks to keep millions in their homes.” ing housing aid as justifi cation for the new distributing the relief, according to a person ship in Washington, without being directly asked and the country that it could fi nd a way to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was a moratorium. on the call. to pay for those improvements through higher in- limit the damage from potential evictions day of “extraordinary relief.” Aside from the moratorium, Biden has in- The treasury secretary tried to encourage come taxes or user fees. through the use of federal aid. “The imminent fear of eviction and be- sisted that federal money is available - some Democrats to work together, even as law- But pressure mounted as key lawmakers ing put out on the street has been lifted for $47 billion previously approved during the makers said Biden should act on his own to Bill said it was not enough. countless families across America. Help is pandemic - that needs to get out the door to extend the eviction moratorium, according While it’s looking like the Senate will approve Top Democratic leaders joined Rep. Cori Here!” Pelosi said in a statement. help renters and landlords. to someone on the private call who insisted the bill during the coming week, supporters of the Bush, D-Mo., who has been camped outside Administration offi cials had previously “The money is there,” Biden said. on anonymity to discuss its contents. legislation will face an array of obstacles advanc- ing the package, a major priority in President Joe Biden’s agenda. Interest groups on both sides of the political spectrum are taking aim at provisions News in Brief they don’t like, potentially unraveling the agree- ment. Some conservatives don’t like that the agree- Obama cuts birthday bash: The party for clude Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, ment moves the country further away from rely- the nation’s 44th president will go on, but only former Gov. Eric Greitens, U.S. Rep. Vicky ing on user fees, such as the federal gas tax, to for family and close friends. Hartzler and St. Louis attorney Mark McClo- Former president Barack Obama has scaled skey, who gained fame for pointing a gun at pay for highway and transit improvements. Oth- protesters who marched near his home in June ers are wary that the bill sets a course for much back his 60th birthday bash set for this week- 2020. (AP) more federal spending after the government al- end at his Martha’s ❑ ❑ ❑ ready provided for nearly $5 trillion dedicated to Vineyard home off the COVID relief. This week, the Treasury Depart- Massachusetts coast Pope resumes audiences: Pope Francis ment warned Congress it was hitting the nation’s due to the surge of in- resumed his routine of holding weekly debt limit. fections blamed on the audiences with the general public a “Every single time we add an enormous sum to delta variant of the cor- month after he underwent bowel sur- our national debt, there is bipartisanship behind onavirus, his offi ce said gery, and during the much-awaited ap- it,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said. Wednesday. pearance Wednesday he recalled the an- Environmental groups worry that the bill Attendance is now limited to family and niversary of the devastating Beirut port doesn’t do enough to address climate change. explosion and expressed the desire to “It is clear that the deal does not meet the mo- Obama close friends. Published ment on climate or justice, said Tiernan Sitten- reports had said hun- visit Lebanon. dreds of celebrities, politicos and others were He smiled as he gestured toward the visitors, feld, a senior vice president of the League of Con- expected at Obama’s sprawling house. (AP) before taking his seat in an upholstered chair servation Voters. ❑ ❑ ❑ and addressing several hundred pilgrims and The pressure from the left underpins House tourists, who wore masks as part of the Vati- Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s statement that there won’t Billy announces ’22 bid: U.S. Rep. Billy can’s anti-pandemic measures for crowd situ- be a House vote on the bipartisan infrastructure Long, a conservative from southwestern Mis- ations. (AP) plan until the Senate also passes the $3.5 trillion souri, is entering the crowded race for the Re- ❑ ❑ ❑ Democratic bill that boosts spending on health, publican nomination for U.S. Senate in Mis- environment and social programs. souri. Bans divide loved ones: Quintin Sweat The Senate is plowing through efforts to amend Long, 65, announced his Senate bid Tuesday and Renée Harrison live only 15 minutes apart night on Tucker Carlson’s show on Fox News. by car, with the U.S.-Canada border between the narrower infrastructure bill, which will require He joins a long list of GOP candidates seeking them. 60 votes to advance for passage. Senate Majority the 2022 nomination for the seat being vacated But the couple, who got engaged in 2019, Leader Chuck Schumer is intent on passing the by incumbent Republican Roy Blunt, who an- has only been able to be together three times legislation as soon as possible so that the Senate nounced in March he would not seek a third during the pandemic. Travel restrictions mean can turn its attention to a budget blueprint that will term. Harrison must drive four hours from her Wind- set the stage for crafting and passing the larger Other announced Republican candidates in- sor. (AP) $3.5 trillion package in the fall. Formally called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the proposal has clocked in at some 2,700 pages. The Senate’s Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has sided with those vot- ing to allow debate to proceed, but he has not said how he will ultimately vote. He said Tuesday the bill has a chance to be a “bipartisan success story for the country,” but he is warning Democrats against trying to speed up the amendment process. Interested “Like a lot of us, I’m interested in what it looks like in the end,” McConnell said. He noted that “the past two administrations tried to do it, were unable to. The American people need it. I think it’s one of those areas where there seems to be broad, bipartisan agreement.” By evening, the Senate had overwhelmingly ap- proved three noncontroversial amendments, while rejecting three others. As the amendment process continued, senators were weighing how much to try to change the package and how hard to try, knowing it would be diffi cult to reach the 60-vote threshold to approve any substantial changes. In addition to the $110 billion in new spending for roads and bridges and $55 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure, the bipartisan pack- age is expected to provide, $39 billion for public transit and $66 billion for rail. There’s also to be billions for airports, ports, broadband internet and electric vehicle charging stations. Paying for the package has been a challenge af- ter senators rejected ideas to raise revenue from a new gas tax or other streams. Instead, it is being fi nanced from funding sources that might not pass muster with defi cit hawks, including repurposing some $205 billion in untapped COVID-19 relief aid, as well as unemployment assistance that was turned back by some states, and relying on pro- jected future economic growth. The bipartisan bill still faces a rough road in the House, where progressive lawmakers want a more robust package but may have to settle for this one to keep Biden’s infrastructure plans on track. The outcome with the bipartisan effort will set the stage for the next debate over Biden’s much more ambitious $3.5 trillion package, a strictly partisan pursuit of far-reaching programs and services including child care and health care that touch almost every corner of American life. Re- publicans strongly oppose that bill, which would require a simple majority for passage. Final votes on that measure are not expected until fall. BMW reaps $5.7bn in profi t, warns on parts shortages In this fi le photo the logo of Ger- BMW reported 4.8 billion euros ($5.7 billion) fat operating profi t margins of 15.8% for its had benefi ted from “strong customer de- man car manufac- in net profi t in the second quarter, rounding luxury cars and SUVs. The BMW result fol- mand” but added that “in light of a number turer BMW is fi xed out a strong earnings season for Germany’s lows strong profi ts at competitor Mercedes- of prevailing risks, including raw materials at the headquar- three big automakers as global auto markets Benz, a division of Daimler, and at Volkswa- prices and a shortage of semiconductors, ters in Munich, continue to recover from the pandemic - par- gen’s premium Audi and Porsche divisions, the second six-month period is likely to be Germany. German ticularly when it comes to luxury cars. The all of which also turned in double-digit oper- more volatile for the BMW Group.” automaker BMW company warned, however, that shortages ating profi t margins. The entire auto industry is struggling with reports second- of electronic parts could make production The company more than doubled its sales a shortage of semiconductors used for vehi- quarter earnings and sales for the rest of the year “volatile.” of cars with electric motors and said it had cle electronics. on Tuesday, Aug. The Munich-based automaker said Tues- made over the air software updates for 2.5 Earnings in the quarter rebounded from a 3, 2021. (AP) day it benefi ted from strong pricing during million vehicles this year through improved loss of 212 million euros in the same quarter the quarter and a predominance of more- vehicle connectivity. a year ago, when the initial wave of the pan- profi table vehicles in its sales mix. It reaped BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said the company demic led to factory shutdowns. (AP)

Market Movements 04-08-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts UK - FTSE 100 +18.14 7,123.86 SAUDI - Tadawul -46.38 11,162.38 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +26.95 4,144.90 JAPAN - Nikkei -57.75 27,584.08 UAE - DFM +17.52 2,813.20 EGYPT - EGX 30 -7.44 10,718.89 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +25.15 6,585.21 INDIA - Sensex +546.41 54,369.77 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 +31.56 47,789.88 SINGAPORE - Straits Times STI +33.65 3,182.90 Business

Kuwait strengthening relationships with int’l fi nancial institutions CBK’s BIS membership ... boost to global monetary stability KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4, (KUNA): The Central Bank of Kuwait’s (CBK) membership in the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) add- ed momentum to Kuwait’s weight in global monetary policies and outlin- US services sector ‘growth’ ing frameworks of monetary stability in the wake of economic turmoils caused by the coronavirus pandemic. CBK attended BIS annual gen- eral meeting in June, making Kuwait the 63rd member thus joining other hits record high during July members to formumating interna- tional monetary and banking super- vision policies. Established 91 years ago, BIS CBK Governor Dr. Mohammad Al- Businesses continue to face challenges in hiring workers is the oldest international fi nancial Hashel institution and has been playing a number of key roles in global econ- tive within BIS to coordinate cyber- WASHINGTON, Aug 4, omy, from settling reparation pay- fl exibility. ments imposed on Germany follow- BIS is owned by central banks, (AP): Growth in the U.S. ing World War I, to serving central which develop fi nancial and mon- services sector, where most banks in their pursuit of monetary etary policies as well as supervision Americans work, increased and fi nancial stability. criteria. to a record pace in July even With the escalation of political and BIS members represent 95 percent military tensions in late 1930s, BIS of the global gross product. as businesses continued to played a key role in transporting gold CBK Governor Dr. Mohammad face supply-chain challeng- of central banks from Europe to safe Al-Hashel, in remarks during the es and problems in fi nding warehouses in New York, US. BIS June meeting, said CBK mem- enough available workers. BIS supported central banks in bership was in line with pursuing its goal to strengthen relationships with The Institute for Supply Man- strengthening monetary and fi nan- agement reported Wednesday that cial stability, particularly follow- international fi nancial institutions, and to fortify its role in developing its monthly survey of service in- ing World War II when the world dustries rose to a reading of 64.1 in changed course towards re-engi- monetary and prudential policies. neering global fi nancial order, and The BIS, he said, provides central July, up from 60.1 in June. It was coordinate among central banks over banks a forum for dialogue and broad the fastest pace since this series be- international criteria. international cooperation to pursue gan in 2008 and surpassed the old BIS is affi liated with the Basel global monetary and fi nancial stabil- record of 64.0 set in May. Committee on Banking Supervision, ity. It also provides a platform for re- Any reading above 50 indicates which develops global supervision sponsible innovation and knowledge growth in service industries. On Monday, ISM reported that and practices criteria. sharing, and in-depth analysis and in- growth in manufacturing had slowed CBK, through its membership, sights on core monetary and macro- for a second straight month amid on- contributes to these criteria and is ac- prudential policy issues. going supply-chain problems and labor shortages. Service sector industries, ranging Latest austerity measures by govt from restaurants and bars to trucking companies and hotels, are facing many of the same problems but have been Egypt president vows to up In this fi le photo, an employee wears a mask as she cleans exterior windows at an ice cream & yogurt store in aided by strong demand that has helped Buffalo Grove, Illinois. (AP) them surmount some of those issues. “Even with the supply chain disrup- tions and labor shortages the pent-up price of ‘subsidized’ bread demand has kept things going gang- Move to fi nance govt in series of auctions busters,” said Anthony Nieves, chair CAIRO, Aug 4, (AP): Egypt’s presi- with a plan stipulated by an of the ISM services survey committee. dent has vowed to raise the price of International Monetary Fund loan. But he cautioned that the labor and government-subsidized bread. It Previous Egyptian governments supply-chain problems and rising in- would be the latest in a series of have attempted to reform the coun- Treasury to raise $126bn next week fl ation will likely continue to present austerity measures taken by his gov- try’s subsidy program, but progress challenges for the rest of this year. ernment in recent years to overhaul was slow due to popular opposition, WASHINGTON, Aug 4, (AP): The limit. through Wednesday of next week. The 64.1 reading for the services the country’s economy. particularly when it comes to bread. Treasury Department announced The Treasury announcement, part Those auctions will raise money index was much better than the 60.5 President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi In 1977, tens of thousands of Wednesday it will raise $126 billion of Treasury’s quarterly refunding to meet debt-servicing requirements many economists had been expecting. offered no further details on the Egyptians protested and rioted in the to fi nance the government in a series operations, will see the $126 bil- on $58.6 billion in Treasury notes But Andrew Hunter, senior U.S. econ- amount or timing of the price streets against a decision by then- of auctions next week by employing lion raised by auctioning 3 and 10- and bonds that are coming due plus omist at Capital Economics, said details increase. He said the increase would President Anwar Sadat to raise the emergency measures to keep from year notes and a 30-year bond with raising approximately $67.4 billion of the report showed that “supply short- help his government cover the cost price of the food staple in what broaching the newly imposed debt the auctions occurring on Tuesday in new cash to keep the government ages are still worsening and could push of meals provided to the country’s became known as “The bread upris- operating. price infl ation even higher.” school children. ing.” The government’s debt ceiling Among the ISM survey respondents, El-Sissi says that bread would El-Sissi said his government which had been suspended for two one person in the construction industry remain subsidized, but to a lesser needs 8 billion Egyptian pounds EQUATE records high years, went back into effect on Aug. said, “Costs have risen dramatically in degree. Twenty subsidized pieces of (over $509 million) to cover the 1 at $28.4 trillion, the level the debt the last 45 days. Lodging, fuel, travel had risen to since the limit was sus- and supplies are all rising sharply.” bread cost one Egyptian pound costs of school children meals. The The July gain was led by a big in- ($0.064), while a single piece of expected increase in subsidized demand for its bonds pended. That period has seen the an- nual federal defi cit hit a record $3.4 crease in the index for business activ- bread usually costs between a half bread, along with cuts in the allo- ity and in employment, which returned pound to a pound on the regular cated budged of each ministry, KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4, approach to continue providing trillion last year as the government (KUNA): Chief Executive Offi cer work opportunities for qualifi ed to growth after having been in contrac- market. would help cover the costs of school approved trillions of dollars of sup- tion territory in June. of EQUATE Petrochemical Com- Kuwaitis. port to an economy hit by a global The Egyptian leader spoke during meals, he said. The president also pany Nasser Aldousari declared Turning to the group innova- All 17 of the services industries in- the opening of a food industrial did not offer specifics on the budget pandemic. cluded in the survey reported growth, on Saturday that subscription in tions, Aldousari said the group The emergency measures Treasury complex, Silo Foods, in the Nile cuts. its newly issued bonds were fi ve third invention, a robot for boost- with the strongest gains coming in arts, Delta province of Menoufia, which The current government’s austeri- is employment involve book-keeping entertainment and recreation, whole- times higher than the value of ing safety at the group installa- maneuvers to disinvest various gov- would provide school meals for ty measures have won it praise from fl oated stakes. tions during maintenance, had sale trade and accommodations and around 13 million children across economists and business leaders but ernment employee pensions funds to food services, one of the categories Aldousari, in a statement to won an international patent. free up more borrowing room while the nation of more than 100 million the ensuing inflation has taken a Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Aldousari called for increasing hardest-hit in the pandemic. people, according to the state-run heavy toll on poor and middle-class remaining under the debt limit. Once said the record high demand for investment innovations, in light of the deadlock over approving a higher Al-Ahram daily. Egyptians. Meanwhile, authorities the company bonds was due to mounting international interest in “It’s time for the (price of) a piece have severely restricted any criti- debt limit is resolved the funds are re- its solid competitive status, abil- the petrochemicals’’ domain. turned along with all the interest lost GM posts $2.8b of bread for five piasters ($0.0032) cism of the government, with thou- ity to achieve high proceeds and For his part, the deputy presi- to increase,” said el-Sissi. “It is not sands jailed and all unauthorized to the various accounts. growth. dent for technical services affairs, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reasonable to provide 20 pieces of protests banned. Independent poll- The group continues to operate Nawaf Al-Khaldi, told KUNA net profi t in Q2 bread at the cost of one cigarette.” ing in Egypt is prohibited. has called on Congress to quickly in line with its fi nancial strategy that EQUATE had adopted many DETROIT, Aug 4, (AP): Despite a “The price of subsidized bread El-Sissi has also focused on ambi- that depicts a fl exible fashion of initiatives for creating better work lift or suspend the borrowing limit to avoid the threat of the government de- computer chip shortage that temporari- loaves has been fixed for 20 or 30 tious mega-projects, building high- work and feasibility of invest- environments, namely “Elevate” ly closed some of its factories, General years and this situation cannot con- end housing complexes and a ments over past year, where it initiative for supporting the wom- faulting on its debt, something Yellen has said would be “catastrophic.” Motors made a healthy $2.8 billion net tinue ... I will take responsibility for sprawling $45 billion new adminis- posted positive fi nancial results, an and empowering her to partake profi t in the second quarter. changing this situation,” he said. trative capital in the desert outside robust and good operations, dur- in various activities as well as for Treasury offi cials said Wednesday they still did not have an estimate of The earnings came even though GM El-Sissi’s administration has Cairo. The bigger goal is to revive ing 2020, thus proving its capacity removing all obstacles at work plants cranked out 200,000 fewer vehi- already begun to address other hefty tourism and attract foreign invest- to overcome crises. places. when the government will run out of maneuvering room to use what it calls cles than they did during the same peri- government subsidies, including ment as the country recovers from Capitalizing on favorable cir- EQUATE has mapped out the od in 2019, the last comparable quarter fuel subsidies, overseen the flotation the turmoil of the 2011 Arab Spring cumstances, EQUATE has re- 10th sustainable development “extraordinary measures” to avoid a default, saying the unusual fi nancing before the coronavirus pandemic. of the country’s currency, and uprising that toppled former cently begun to benefi t from pre- strategy, covering the environ- The automaker told the same story imposed a value-added tax in line President Hosni Mubarak. vailing fi nancing conditions in the ment, the economy, public health issues raised by the pandemic have made forecasting diffi cult. as competitors Ford, Stellantis, and markets to refund some of the fi - and safety and the society, set to be others, saying that high prices and nancial bonds at a USD one billion achieved by 2025. It is in harmony “The period of time that extraor- dinary measures may last is subject strong demand for expensive pickup value, due in 2022. with the UN strategy for sustaina- trucks and luxury SUVs overcame in- The group decision to fl oat ble development and objectives of to considerable uncertainty due to a ventory shortages. new bonds came in line with the the Kuwaiti development scheme variety of factors ... exacerbated by GM also boosted its net income management fi nancial liabilities, (Kuwait Vision 2035). the heightened uncertainty in pay- guidance for the full year to $7.7 bil- capitalizing on current low credit Al-Khaldi added that the group ments and receipts related to the lion and $9.2 billion, and pretax earn- costs and fl exibility of the group had succeeded in producing “Vir- economic impact of the pandemic,” ings of $11.5 billion to $13.5 billion. -- buoyed by its stable production idis-25” and “Viridis-30,” new Brian Smith, Treasury deputy assis- It had been $10 billion to $11 billion. capacity, in addition to mount- food-grade polyethylene tereph- tant secretary for federal fi nance, said GM executives said Wednesday that ing international demand for its thalates (PET) by the subsidiary in a statement. they expect tight inventory and high stakes, he added. Equipolymers (EQP) that is made The Congressional Budget Offi ce prices to continue through the year as Masterminds and brokers of with up to 25% chemically recy- estimated in July that Treasury could the chip shortage lingers into 2022. latest EQUATE’s international cled PET as feedstock. exhaust its maneuvering room in ei- CEO Mary Barra cautioned that subscription were NBK Capital, EQUATE maintains its com- ther October or November. The need the fast-spreading coronavirus delta MUFG, J.P. Morgan and Citi- mitment to protect the environ- to deal with the debt limit is likely variant could cause supply chain prob- group. ment and minimize “the carbon to become embroiled in the fi ght be- lems down the road. But she said GM At the national level, EQUATE stamp” through launch of various tween Democrats and Republicans is managing through the shortages by continues to upgrade the nation- projects designed to lower car- over passage of pending infrastruc- allocating scarce chips to higher-de- als’ skills, Aldousari said, noting bon at its operating installations ture bills. mand vehicles such as pickup trucks that 92 percent of EQUATE’s in- throughout the world. Moreover, Senate Minority Leader Mitch and large SUVs. The company also ternational posts are manned by it had executed a project for pro- McConnell, R-Ky., said on July 21 has plans to handle future shortages In this fi le photo, a vendor counts his money at a bread stand in the Sayeda Kuwaiti citizens, affi rming the ducing solar energy. that he doubted that any Republican by collaborating with semiconductor Zeinab neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt. (AP) would vote to increase the debt limit. manufacturers, she said. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 BUSINESS 9 Stocks slip as investors weigh earnings, jobs data Drop in oil prices pushes energy companies lower

NEW YORK, Aug 4, (AP): July, falling far short of economists’ 15,658.05. The FTSE 100 in Britain sentiments ahead of U.S. jobs data expectations. The report comes picked up 0.3% to 7,128.05. due Friday. Roughly nine out of 10 Stocks fell on Wall Street ahead of the Labor Department’s The European rises followed a companies on the S&P 500 index in morning trading on more comprehensive July jobs report buoyant Asian session, in which in- have posted earnings that beat ana- Wednesday as investors on Friday. dexes shrugged off a coronavirus lysts’ expectations. Over 100 more weighed another batch of The resurgence of COVID-19 with outbreak in China. companies will announce results this the highly contagious delta variant While China’s current outbreak is week. corporate earnings and in spots around the world is also a relatively small, it is the worst it has However, concerns are brewing economic data that could key concern for Wall Street. China’s had since the pandemic’s emergence over a Chinese crackdown on tech- shed more light on how the worst outbreak since the start of the in the central city of Wuhan a year nology companies, Edward Moya of economic recovery is going. pandemic a year and a half ago esca- and a half ago. Oanda said. lated Wednesday with dozens more The Kospi in South Korea rose “US-listed Chinese companies are The S&P 500 index fell 0.2% as cases around the country and the 1.3% to 3,280.38, while the Hang getting battered as some investors of 10:14 a.m. Eastern. The Dow sealing-off of one city. Seng in Hong Kong climbed 0.9% to don’t have the stomach for this regu- Jones Industrial Average fell 135 Investors are also still in the thick 26,426.55. The Shanghai Composite latory shakedown,” he added. points, or 0.4%, to 34,890 and the of corporate earnings season. The re- index gained 0.9% to 3,477.22. Shares of the Nasdaq-listed Aliba- Nasdaq rose less than 0.1%. sults have been solid so far. Roughly Sydney’s S&P/ASX 200 closed ba Group slipped 1.4% on Tuesday. Crude oil prices fell more than 3% 75% of companies in the S&P 500 0.4% higher at 7,503.20. Tokyo’s Internet search giant Baidu Inc. fell and pushed energy companies lower. have turned in their earnings and Nikkei 225 fell 0.2% to 27,584.08, 1.5%. Both companies were set for Retailers, hotels and other companies the majority have been surprisingly Currency traders watch monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room however. gains at Wednesday’s opening bell. that rely on direct consumer spending good. of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Shares rose elsewhere in Asia with In energy markets, benchmark also fell. Strong profi t and revenue results Aug. 4, 2021. Asian stocks were mostly higher Wednesday as traders mir- the exception of Malaysia. “It may U.S. crude added 1 cent to $70.57 The yield on the 10-year rose to weren’t enough to lift stocks for rored overnight gains on Wall Street during another busy earnings week. be that markets are astutely betting per barrel in electronic trading on 1.18% from 1.17% late Wednesday. many companies on Wednesday, (AP) on rising vaccinations dampening the New York Mercantile Exchange. Payroll processor ADP revealed however. General Motors fell 7.5% Ticket seller and concert promoter 31%. COVID risks. But the danger is if it Brent crude, the price basis for in- a disappointing snapshot of the na- despite overcoming an industry-wide is merely a case of solid U.S. earn- ternational oils, gained 17 cents to tion’s employment recovery, adding chip shortage to beat analysts’ profi t Live Nation rose 3.9% after report- European traders were more up- ings papering over COVID risks,” $72.58 per barrel in London. to concerns about the lagging recov- expectations and raise its forecast. ing surprisingly mild second-quarter beat. France’s CAC 40 added 0.5% said Venkateswaran Lavanya of Mi- The U.S. dollar advanced to 109.18 ery in the jobs market. ADP said the CVS Health slipped 1.9% after also loss. in early trading to 6,757.93 while zuho Bank. yen from 109.05 yen on Tuesday. The private sector added 330,000 jobs in reporting solid results. Online broker Robinhood surged Germany’s DAX was 0.7% higher at Corporate earnings have boosted euro fell to $1.1852 from $1.1868. Toyota reports record profi t amid pandemic TOKYO, Aug 4, (AP): Toyota reported Wednesday a re- cord 897.8 billion yen ($8.2 billion) profi t for the fi scal fi rst quarter, underlining the Japanese automaker’s resil- ience even amid the coronavirus pandemic. Toyota Motor Corp.’s April-June profi t zoomed more than fi ve-fold from 158.8 billion yen the same period a year earlier. Quarterly sales soared 73% from the previous year to 7.94 trillion yen ($73 billion), also a record for the maker of the Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models. Worries remained, such as the ongoing shortage of semiconductors and the rising costs of materials, accord- ing to Toyota. Such concerns were the reason why Toyota said it kept its forecasts unchanged for the full fi scal year through March 2022, at a 2.3 trillion yen ($21 billion) profi t, and 9.6 million vehicles in global retail sales. That’s up from nearly 9.1 million vehicles Toyota sold during the fi scal year ended March 2021. When includ- ing sales of Daihatsu and Hino group companies, Toyota expects to sell 10.55 million vehicles, up from 9.9 million vehicles the previous fi scal year. Toyota said, on the plus side, some costs came down during the pandemic because of changes such as de- creased travel and a move to online meetings. Vehicle sales projections were hurt by parts shortages that crimped production, meaning that, once such prob- lems were solved, vehicles sales could beat the forecasts, according to Toyota. The impact from foreign exchange rates added 140 billion yen ($1.3 billion) to Toyota’s operating income, which grew across all regions for the quarter, including the U.S., Europe, Japan and the rest of Asia. While the pandemic has dented sales and demand in some global businesses, Toyota appears to be roaring back. Uncertainties remain such as the global shortage of semiconductors that’s slammed the auto industry, as well as effects of COVID-19. EU investigates Facebook’s proposed purchase of Kustomer

European Union regulators are opening an money from its WhatsApp and Messenger grethe Vestager, the bloc’s top competition in-depth investigation of Facebook’s plan chat services, which have thrived during watchdog, said in a press statement. In this fi le photo, to buy Kustomer over concerns that the the pandemic, by adding ways for busi- Facebook pledged to fully cooperate the Facebook logo deal would stifl e competition for customer nesses to interact with customers. Kustom- with the European Commission, and said is seen on screen relationship management software. er provides software that help companies the transaction is “pro-competitive” and will at the Nasdaq The EU Commission said Monday it’s manage online conversations with custom- result in more innovation. MarketSite, in also investigating the acquisition because ers over various channels by putting them “More people will benefi t from customer New York’s Times of worries that Facebook would get more into a single dashboard. service that is faster, richer and available Square. (AP) data for personalized ads, handing it even “Our investigation aims to ensure that whenever and however they need it,” Fa- more of an advantage in the online adver- the transaction will not harm businesses or cebook said. The U.K. competition watch- tising market. consumers, and that any data that Face- dog began looking into the deal last week The social network announced the deal book gets access to does not distort com- over concerns it would result in a “substan- in November as it seeks to make more petition,” EU Executive Vice President Mar- tial lessening” of competition. (AP)

Flight delays grow Retailer sets Oct 4 deadline Air travel hits another pandemic high Walmart ‘mandates’ vaccines for workers DALLAS, Aug 4, (AP): Air travel in the U.S. is hitting new pandemic-era highs, NEW YORK, Aug 4, (AP): Walmart is requiring that all and airlines are scrambling to keep up workers at its headquarters as well as its managers who trav- el within the US be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. with the summer-vacation crowds. The retailer based in Bentonville, Arkansas, is also re- Despite rising numbers of coronavirus versing its mask policy for its employees working in stores, infections fueled by the delta variant, the clubs, distribution facilities and warehouses. Going forward, U.S. set another recent high mark for air they will be required to wear masks in areas with high infec- travel Sunday, with more than 2.2 mil- tion rates, even if they have been vaccinated. lion people going through airport check- The moves are part of a series of sweeping measures the points, according to the Transportation nation’s largest retailer and private employer announced Fri- Security Administration. day to help curb the spread of the virus and drive more of its That is nearly 11,000 more people workers to get the shot in the arm. The vaccine mandate excludes frontline workers, who the screened than July 18, and the highest company says have a lower vaccination rate than manage- number since Feb. 28, 2020, before the ment. But it’s hoping that managerial employees, who rep- U.S. felt the full brunt of the pandemic. resent just a fraction of its 1.5 million workers, will serve as However, air travel was still down 17% inspiration. Sunday from the same Sunday in 2019. “We’re hoping that will infl uence even more of our front- The resurgence of leisure travel, cou- line associates to become vaccinated,” Walmart spokesman pled with some bad weather, has led to Scott Pope said. delays and fl ight cancellations at air- Pope declined to break out the vaccination rate for front- line workers and the rest of Walmart’s employees. lines struggling to ramp up after being Walmart is also encouraging customers to wear masks in crushed by the pandemic. Airlines have stores located in areas with surging cases and will be adding thousands fewer workers than they did back signs at the entrances. It will also bring back so-called before the pandemic, and at times they health ambassadors who will be stationed at the entrances have been caught short-staffed even and hand out masks. though they received $54 billion in tax- The company is also doubling to $150 the incentive it is payer money to keep employees on the offering to workers in stores, clubs, as well as other facili- payroll. ties like distribution centers, to get the vaccine. Those who By midafternoon Monday, Spirit Air- already received the $75 incentive will receive another $75 in their paycheck dated Aug 19. lines canceled about 290 fl ights - more The steps come three days after the Centers for Disease than one-third of its schedule - citing Control and Prevention changed course on some masking weather and “operational challenges.” guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people re- That was after canceling one-fi fth of its Travelers are lining up at O’Hare airport in Chicago, Friday, July 2, 2021. The US set another pandemic-era record for travel on turn to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the fl ights Sunday. The Florida-based dis- Sunday, Aug. 1, with more than 2.2 million people going through airport checkpoints. (AP) delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges. count carrier was “working around the Walmart’s move to require vaccinations of its workers clock to get back on track,” spokesman 15 minutes behind schedule on Sunday - at its headquarters follows Google’s steps announced ear- Field Sutton said. the government’s defi nition of late - and lier in the week that it’s postponing a return to the offi ce for The disruptions created long lines at American also struggling most workers until mid-October and rolling out a policy that more than 900 were canceled, according will eventually require everyone to be vaccinated once its airport ticket counters in Orlando and to tracking service FlightAware. Nearly sprawling campuses are fully reopened. Google’s announce- Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Some stranded half of Sunday’s cancellations were at ment was shortly followed by Facebook, which also said passengers speculated that the break- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Spirit cancels half its fl ights it will make vaccines mandatory for U.S. employees who down in service was caused by a strike American’s largest hub, which was hit work in offi ces. Exceptions will be made for medical and or work slowdown. The airline and labor with afternoon and evening thunder- NEW YORK, Aug 4, (AP): Spirit Airlines weather, system outages and staffing short- other reasons. unions said the rumor was false. storms. canceled more than half its schedule on ages in some areas of the operation,” spokes- Various government agencies already have announced American Airlines canceled 500 There have been at least 5,000 delayed Tuesday, and American Airlines struggled man Erik Hofmeyer said. “We’re working to demands for all their employees to be vaccinated, but the fl ights, or 16% of Monday’s schedule fl ights on most days since early July, ac- to recover from weekend storms at its Texas provide refunds for cancellations and, when corporate world so far has been taking a more cautious ap- by late afternoon. home, stranding thousands of passengers at possible, to re-accommodate our guests” on proach, even though most lawyers believe the mandates are cording to FlightAware fi gures. South- the height of the summer travel season. other flights. legal. With other planes mostly full this west, American and Spirit are among By early evening, Spirit had canceled A person familiar with the situation said Delta and United Airlines are requiring new employees summer, airlines are struggling to re- airlines with the biggest problems. For more than 400 flights, or nearly 60% of its Spirit experienced an outage Tuesday morn- to show proof of vaccination. Goldman Sachs and Morgan book passengers on canceled fl ights. Sunday and Monday combined, South- schedule, according to the FlightAware ing affecting crew scheduling, preventing Stanley are requiring their workers to disclose their vaccina- David Snell, who runs an air-tour west delayed more than 2,500 fl ights tracking service. Nearly 100 other flights airline officials from rescheduling crews to tion status, but are not requiring staffers to be vaccinated. business in Dallas, was stuck in Detroit and American more than 1,600. were late. The blame appeared to lie at least cover gaps. The person, who was not autho- However, given Walmart’s outsized infl uence on the after American canceled his Monday A key senator is quizzing several partly with a technology outage affecting rized to speak publicly, said crews were economy, more companies could make similar announce- night fl ight home and emailed him a list airlines to explain the high numbers of crew scheduling. stranded in many places around the country ments. of available fl ights - none of which were fl ight delays and cancellations. Sen. Ma- American Airlines had already canceled and unable to get to assigned flights. In fact, following Walmart’s announcement, the Walt Dis- nearly 350 flights. It is much larger than On Monday, Florida-based Spirit ney Co. said Friday it’s requiring all salaried and non-union sooner than Wednesday. When Snell ria Cantwell, D-Wash., chair of the Sen- hourly employees in the U.S. working at any of its sites to looked into Tuesday fl ights, he said, ate Commerce Committee, said airlines Spirit, so those flights amounted to 11% of scrapped more than 330 flights, or 42% of its schedule - still an unusually high rate. its schedule, more than double the rate of be fully vaccinated. It said workers who aren’t already vac- prices started around $1,200 or 30,000 did a poor job of managing their work- About three-fourths of the American can- American Airlines, the next poorest per- cinated and are working on site will have 60 days from Fri- frequent-fl yer points. forces and might have failed to live up cellations appeared to be due at least partly former among major U.S. carriers. Spirit day to complete their protocols. Those who are still working “They are absolutely gouging people to the purpose of the taxpayer funding. to a lack of pilots, according to a company canceled about 20% of its flights on Sunday. from home will need to provide verifi cation of vaccination who are trying to get home after cancel- The travel recovery faces a renewed log. American’s difficulties Tuesday came after before their return. Disney also said that all new hires will be lations,” Snell said. He said he called public-health threat, as the number of The disruptions at Spirit and American the airline canceled about 560 flights, or 18% required to be fully vaccinated before starting employment. American three times and spent four new cases of COVID-19 continues to are just the latest examples of airlines scram- of its schedule, on Monday and nearly 300 on “Vaccines are the best tool we all have to help control this hours on hold before buying a $308 one- rise. The seven-day rolling average of bling to deal with an increase in travel this Sunday, according to FlightAware. Most global pandemic and protect our employees,” Disney said in way ticket on Southwest. “Everyone new U.S. infections is around 80,000 a summer. Airlines have thousands fewer were at Dallas/Fort Worth International a statement. Disney has about 200,000 employees but it is employees than they did before the pan- Airport, where thunderstorms disrupted unclear how many of them are affected. The company based was left to fend for themselves.” day, up nearly 150% from two weeks in Burbank, California, did not respond to questions American Airlines spokeswoman An- ago, although the increase in deaths is demic, but U.S. air travel has recovered to flights for several hours Sunday. about 80% of 2019 levels. The union representing American’s pilots Grocery chain Kroger announced Friday that it will be drea Ahles said a seat opened up on a far smaller. A Spirit spokesman said the low-cost car- accused the airline’s management of poor encouraging all customers, workers and suppliers, including fl ight Tuesday afternoon from Detroit to Airline offi cials say they haven’t rier was proactively canceling some flights planning and not having enough employees. those who received the shot, to wear masks at its stores. But Dallas via Philadelphia, and the airline seen bookings suffer because of the - dropping them before most passengers “It’s pretty simple. They don’t have the company said it will not be issuing a vaccine mandate would ask Snell if he would like to take delta variant, although some have said it drive to the airport - to “reset” the operation. enough pilots, and they don’t have modern for its employees. it. could delay the return of business travel, “We’re working around the clock to miti- scheduling practices to do more with what Ken Perkins, president of the retail research fi rm Retail Monday’s cancellations came one day which airlines were hoping would gain gate the travel disruptions caused by over- they have,” said union spokesman Dennis Metrics, said that Walmart’s move could serve as a “green lapping operational challenges including Tajer. light” to other companies to require vaccines, given its mas- after 7,400 U.S. fl ights arrived at least speed this fall. sive following and its location. “It’s based in the middle of the country,” Perkins said. “They speak to the lower-, middle-income shoppers and workers.” Walmart’s dramatically shifting policy refl ects the grow- ing worry about the rising infection rates. “We continue to watch with deep concern the develop- ments of the pandemic and the spread of variants, especially the delta variant,” wrote Donna Morris, Walmart’s chief people offi cer, in the memo circulated to employees that was shared by the company. “We know vaccinations are our so- lution to drive change. We are urging you to get vaccinated and want to see many more of you vaccinated.” In a separate memo sent to employees who work at the company headquarters, Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc., wrote, “The virus is not over, and the delta variant has led to an increase in infection rates across much of the U.S.” The retailer has seen a “positive response” to the fi rst fi - nancial incentive and is anticipating the sweetened perk will drive a similar response from workers, Pope said. He stopped short of saying that offi ce workers who de- clined to be vaccinated would be terminated but said that Walmart is working through the process. He noted that the exceptions would be those who can’t get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons. When asked why frontline workers won’t be required to get the vaccine, Pope said that its approach with its large number of workers in frontline facilities has been “to inform them, encourage them, make it easy and to reward then fi - nancially for choosing to receive the vaccine.”

In this fi le photo, shoppers wear face masks as they leave a Walmart store in Vernon Hills, Illinois. (AP) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 HEALTH 11

NYC taking hard line against vaccine holdouts Delta variant causing new wave of cases in US: Biden

WASHINGTON, Aug 4, (Agencies): moving like wildfi re through the un- continues to rage outside the United as well.” joining the growing list of state and increased sixfold over the past month US President Joe Biden said Tuesday vaccinated community, and it’s heart- States potentially more dangerous var- “The democracies of the world are local governments and large employ- to an average of more than 85,000 per that the Delta variant is “highly trans- breaking, particularly because it’s iants could arrive at our shores again.” looking to America to lead again in ers taking a hard line against both the day, a level not seen since mid-Febru- missible and it’s causing a new wave preventable.” Biden affi rmed “in the fi ght against two ways. First, to demonstrate we can surging delta variant and vaccine hold- ary. Deaths have climbed over the past of cases,” accounting for over 80 per- He affi rmed “we have to continue COVID-19, the United States is com- control this virus at home. And second, outs. two weeks from an average of 254 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in the US our aggressive efforts to vaccinate the mitted to be the arsenal of vaccines just to show we can help address it around Meat and poultry giant Tyson Foods day to 386. today. unvaccinated,” and that the pandemic as we were the arsenal of democracy the world,” he remarked. “Vaccinate said it will require all of its approxi- Florida has more people now in the In remarks at the White House on is “a national challenge ... We have to during World War II. And we’re back- America and help vaccinate the world. mately 120,000 US employees to get hospital with COVID-19 than at any the Administration’s progress toward come together, all of us together as a ing up that commitment.” That’s how we’re about to beat this the shot over the next three months, other time during the outbreak — over fi ghting the pandemic by increasing country to solve it.” He announced that “as of today, the thing.” becoming one of the fi rst major em- 11,500. Louisiana reported an all-time vaccinations at home and around the He reiterated that he has made it a United States has shipped over 110 ployers of front-line workers to do so. high of more than 2,100 hospital pa- world, Biden noted “while cases are on “top priority to have a vaccine availa- million doses of US vaccines to 65 Tool And an estimated 150,000 unionized tients with the virus, most of them the rise, it’s important to know we’ve ble for every single American the day I countries that are among the hardest Biden noted “we’re the United workers at the big three US automak- unvaccinated. Both states’ vaccination not seen a comparable rise in hospitali- got elected. That was my priority. And hit in the world.” States of America. We’re prepared like ers will have to go back to wearing rates are below the national average. zations or deaths in most areas of the let me be clear. We have a supply for “These vaccine donations from never before. We have the tools and masks starting Wednesday. “They’re just coming in faster than country”. every single American. And that will America are free. We’re not selling the resources to save lives at home and “The goal here is to convince eve- we discharge them. It’s defi nitely peo- He indicated that the reason for this never change.” them. There are no demands, no con- around the world.” ryone that this is the time. If we’re go- ple in their 40s and 50s right now,” is because 165 million Americans are “At the same time, it’s also in our ditions, no coercion attached. And According to a White House fact ing to stop the delta variant, the time said Justin Senior, CEO of Florida fully vaccinated, including 80 percent national interest to share some of our there’s no favoritism and no strings at- sheet, starting at the end of this month, is now. And that means getting vac- Safety Net Hospital Alliance, which of the most vulnerable Americans, vaccines with the world,” he contin- tached. We’re doing this to save lives the Administration will begin shipping cinated right now,” New York Mayor represents some of the largest hospitals stressing “the best line defense against ued. “From the beginning of my presi- and to end this pandemic. That’s it,” he a half a billion Pfi zer doses that the US Bill de Blasio said in announcing the in the state caring for poor people. the ...virus is the vaccine. It’s as simple dency I’ve been very clear-eyed that stressed. has pledged to purchase and donate to aggressive new measures that will go The crisis has become a race be- as that, period, the vaccine.” we need to attack this virus globally, He added “we’ll continue to give 100 low- income countries in need. into effect in mid-August. tween the delta variant and the vac- “I want to be crystal clear about not just at home. Because it’s in Amer- tens of millions of the doses away New York on Tuesday became the Vaccination cards will be accepted cine. Experts say the vaccine is still what’s happening in the country ica’s self-interest to do so. The virus across this summer and work to in- nation’s fi rst big city to announce it as proof of inoculation, along with highly effective at preventing serious today. We have a pandemic of the knows no boundaries.” crease US manufacturing and manu- will require proof of COVID-19 vacci- state and city apps. illness and death from the more conta- unvaccinated,” he remarked. “It’s He stressed “as long as the virus facturing of vaccines around the world nation at restaurants, shows and gyms, COVID-19 cases across the US have gious mutant version. Gaming THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 FFeatureseatures de Janeiro audience thattheGameshadin coverage isdrawingabouthalfthe Tokyo Olympics,NBC’sprimetime NBC Universalchiefexecutive from Rio,Nielsensaid. Thursday, wasstilldown43% when itreached16.2millionon 58%, theNielsencompanysaid. down 53%andTuesday was down57%,lastWednesday ing nightinRio.Saturday lion whowatchedthecorrespond- was down51%fromthe26.7mil- day’s NBCaudienceof13million TLC had 882,000. TLC had882,000. million, HGTVhad979,000and had 1.68million,MSNBC1.1 million viewersinprimetime. networks withanaverageof1.95 Angeles additional majoroffi ler PlazainNewYorkCity,with is headquarteredat30Rockefel- owned byComcast.Thenetwork television andradionetwork language commercialbroadcast Company isanAmericanEnglish- tied with980,000. million, andFoxTelemundo million, IonTelevisionhad1.1 2.17 million,Univisionhad1.9 CBS had2.22million,ABC viewers inprimetimelastweek. top fourbroadcastnetworks. that’s everhappenedforoneofthe time, believedtobethefi below 1millionviewersinprime fact, Foxlastweekaveraged dominance againstitsrivals.In Nielsen said. this seasonthanithadin2015-16, had, onaverage,35%lessviewers ratings decline.NBC’sprimetime past fi people experiencetelevisioninthe improves, butnotbymuch. and NBCUniversal’sposition in cablenetworksandstreaming, star powerhasplayedapart.Add ference with largely emptyarenas,thetimedif- probably lessthanweexpected.” has resultedinlinearratingsbeing drumbeat ofnegativity...andthat Shell NEW YORK: This imagereleasedbyLincolnCenterTheatershowsNamirSmallwood,(foreground),andJonMichaelHillinascenefrom‘Pass company didnotimmediatelycomment. playing games. nors anddiscussthepossibilityofbanningthoseyoungerthan12from days. maximum ofoneandahalfhoursday,threeduringholi- within thegame,companysaid. Children underage12willalsobeprohibitedfrommakingpurchases for minorstoonehouraday,andtwohoursdayduringholidays. to developinamannerthatwill“destroygeneration.” lions,” thenewspapersaid,addingthatnoindustryshouldbeallowed article wasremovedhourslater. as sayingthatsomeplayedthegameforeighthoursaday.Theonline Kings gameasonethatminorswereaddictedto,andcitedastudent China’s offi lished bytheEconomicInformationDaily,anewspaperaffi company’s stockplungedasmuch11%followingacritiquepub- media articlecalledgames“spiritualopium.” ban childrenunderage12frommakingin-gamepurchasesafterastate cent Holdings,saidTuesdayitwilllimitgamingtimeforminorsand HONG KONG,Aug4,(AP):China’sbiggestgamingcompany,Ten- China’s Tencent limitsgamingforminorsaftermediaoutcry “We’ve had some bad luck,” “We’ve hadsomebadluck,” NBC’s bestnightlastweek, The numbersaresobering:Sun- ABC’s “WorldNews Tonight” Fox NewsChannelledthecable The NationalBroadcasting NBC averaged13.4million One savinggraceisNBC’s The markedchangeinhow COVID restrictionsthatleft It wasnotclearifTencentissuedthecurbsinlightofarticle.The Tencent alsocalledfortheindustrytocontrolgamingtimemi- Under Chineselaw,usersunderage18canplayonlinegamesfora On Tuesday,Tencentsaidinastatementitwilllimitgamingtime “‘Spiritual opium’hasgrownintoanindustryworthhundredsofbil- The newspaperarticlenamedTencent’swildlypopularHonorof Tencent’s pledgetocurbgamingforminorscamehoursafterthe ve yearsplaysapartinthe said last week. “There was a said lastweek.“Therewasa , and fi ve yearsago. cial XinhuaNewsAgency. For most nights at the Formostnightsatthe Japan Chicago andalackof ces near . rst time Los USA Rio Rio Jeff Jeff berg wall attheTitanicMuseum PIGEON FORGE, Tenn: News” had4.8million.(AP) million andthe“CBSEvening NBC’s “NightlyNews”had7.2 average of7.5millionviewers. evening newsratingsracewithan with itshost being informedbythedeathofTrayvonMartin, dot” andtheExodusstoryinBibleaswell boy, youknowthedrill,”hetellsthem. they puttheirhandsbehindbacks:“Comeon, who hasgottenlost,andabrutalcopdemands white characters—amanwithmurkymotives Air Jordans. they imaginefullofcaviar,cleansocksandnew the corner—passingoverintoparadise,aworld childhood andmanhood.Theydreamofleaving Kitch, stuckonanurbanstreetcornerandbetween tells thestoryoftwoBlackfriends,Mosesand pable,” saidstagemanagerCodyRenardRichard. ping intothisshow.Thatenergyisdefi full selvesafterayearoftransformationandstep- hearsal. and-greet tothefi takes onthehistoricmoment,fromfi view onWednesday,castandcrewofferedtheir it.” feeling as‘PassOver,’Icouldnothavedreamed with somethingasrichanddeepultimately said. “Toconsecratethespaceafterthisplague It willhelpleadthewayinsomanyways,”she demic shutdown—“PassOver.” the fi tweaking herplans.Taymoristaskedwithleading of stillnessandsilence. August WilsonTheatreonBroadwayaftermonths D ‘Pass Over’leadsBroadway’s return Riffi Days meltintodaysandtheyarevisitedbytwo Playwright AntoinetteChinonyeNwandu’splay “I think,collectively,everybodyisbringingtheir As theplaymakestransitiontoitsfi “This playistherighttoreopenBroadway. She soakeditallin,checkingoutthestageand ❑ Variety the theaterdirectorhadjustcrackedopen anya Taymorwasjazzed.ItlateJulyand rst playtoopenonBroadwaysincethepan- ng offSamuelBeckett’s“WaitingforGo- David Muir Hit with#MeToo revolt,BlizzardEntertainmentchiefisout By MarkKennedy rst costume fi costume rst The ice- liated with , ledthe over theirworkenvironment. harassment lawsuitin Warcraft” and“CallofDuty,”washitwithadiscriminationsexual stepping downweeksafterthemakerofvideogameslike“World Stage NEW YORK: ttings and fi and ttings on Tuesday. will happennext.” proach andberelativelyprudentinthissectoraswedon’tknowwhat valuation onthesestocksandinvestorswilltakeawait-and-seeap- agement strategistatEverbrightSunHungKai. security andnow,aboutmobilegames,”saidKennyWen,wealthman- this isnotjustaboutonlineeducation,therewasalsotalkdata Gaotu Techedu. value fromonlineeducationcompaniessuchasTALEducationand core schoolsubjectsfromturningaprofi tive behaviorafteryearsofrapidgrowthinthetechnologysector. online education,implementingnewregulationstocurbanti-competi- ing industrycouldbethenexttoexperienceaclampdown. Chinese gamingcompaniesincludingNetEaseamidfearsthatthegam- hl Muir Shell Tencent’s stockpricecloseddown6.11%at446HongKongdollars “So thefuturewillbehighlyuncertain,itisdiffi “Obviously there’sgreatconcernoverpolicyuncertaintybecause Last month,authoritiesbannedcompaniesthatprovidetutoringin Chinese authoritiesinrecentmonthshavetargetede-commerceand The critiqueofthegamingindustrysparkedaselloffstocksin nitely pal- nitely rst meet- rst The presidentofActivision’sBlizzardEntertainmentis rst pre- rst rst re- rst California way forward,whichIthinkisreallywhatweneed but couldexist,”saidTaymor.“She’senvisioninga looking tothefuture. Floyd’s deathdidthesame.Nowplaywrightis tality, Broadway’s“PassOver”acknowledgesthat to Americansseeasystemofinjusticeandbru- makes herBroadwaydebutthistime. has directedthreeoftheplay’sfi refi sion onBroadway,hewillnot. past productions,thecopkillsMoses.Inver- revisions throughout,especiallywiththeend.In performed —andsowilltheplay.Nwanduplans Sept. 4.(AP) “She’s envisioningsomethingthatdoesn’texist If thepreviousversionsservedasawake-upcall “The textadjustsandchangesdeepens The worldhaschangedsincetheplaywaslast work.” Ebert. “Wecangotoanotherlevelwithallofour build andmakesomethingevenmorespecial,”said cial, andIthinkwehavearealfeelingthatcan offi of GeorgeFloydatthehandsawhitepolice the interveningyears,especiallysincedeath characters. Allthreesaytheworkhasdeepenedin wood asKitchandGabrielEbertbothwhite ago: JonMichaelHillasMoses,NamirSmall- starred inaLincolnCenterproductionfewyears — requiredvaccinesandmasksfortheaudience. an earlytestofBroadway’sCOVID-19precautions Over” isthefi on Broadwaysincetheshutdownbeganbut“Pass tells hisfriend,heartbreakingly. economic determinism.“Weain’tchosen,”Moses play exploresstructuralracism,policebrutalityand nes tomeetthatmoment,”saidTaymor,who Searing andtimelyplay “We knowthatwhatwedidlasttimewasspe- The casttakingittoBroadwayisthesamethat Bruce Springsteen’sshowwasthefi Also: cer. aswellbacklashfromemployees have expected an incident like this have expected anincidentlike this Facebook page. Joslyn Mary KelloggJoslyn hospital withunspecifi seum’s ownerssaid. and injuredthreeguests,themu- Attraction in “Needless to say, we never would “Needless tosay,we neverwould Those harmedweretakentothe rst play.AswithTheBoss,itwillbe t, wipingoutbillionsinmarket wroteontheattraction’s Revisions Tennessee cult togiveafair ed injuries, and collapsed ve iterationsand John Over’ inNewYork.PreviewsstartedAug.4,withanopeningsetfor rst toopen that employeeswereleavingthe 2018, accordingtothecompany’swebsite. held multipleleadershiprolesbeforebeingnamedpresidentinOctober iel Alegre company inaletterfromActivisionBlizzardPresidentandCOO assment, orunequaltreatmentofanykind,”hewrote. and toensureasafeenvironment.” action tobethecompassionate,caringcompanyyoucameworkfor after thelawsuitwasfi male peers. are, theyearnlesssalary,incentivepayandtotalcompensationthan assment, thatfewwomenarenamedtoleadershiprolesandwhenthey crimination againstwomen.” culture thathasbecome“abreedinggroundforharassmentanddis- dial measuresweretaken. resources personnelandexecutivesincludingBrack,noeffectivereme- with complaintsofunfairpayandassignments. ployees hadapproachedthecompany’shumanresourcesdepartment because oframpantsexualharassmentandsexism.Italsoallegedem- at leastfour weeksfortheiceberg off, andtheyestimate itwilltake the affectedareahas beenblocked cording toapost. The ownerssaid those withtickets on Tuesday,ac- after thecollapsebutreopenedfor mind,” theownerssaid. and crewmembersarealwaystopof to occurasthesafetyofourguests The complaintallegesthatasfarback2019,Brackhadbeentold On Tuesdayitwasannouncedthat “There isnoplaceanywhereatourCompanyfordiscrimination,har- Activision BlizzardCEO The lawsuitallegesthatfemaleemployeesfaceconstantsexualhar- The statesuedActivisionBlizzardInc.lastmonthcitinga“fratboy” The complaintsaysthatdespitethenumerouscomplaintstohuman The ship-shapedmuseumclosed right now.” dance withthosespirits,”saidEbert.(AP) holds. Weareexcitedtostepintothatspaceand theater withusandforthelegacythat in 2021. stage. NowaBlackplaywrightisdoingthesame esteemed chronicleroftheBlackexperienceon ing totheAugustWilsonTheatre,namedafter follow,” saidEbert. making surethatwecanbeabeaconforpeopleto we’re alltakingourprecautionsveryseriously, pandemic, showingthatwecanrehearsesafely, common areasbutcanberemovedwhileonstage. and masksarenecessarywhileonbreaksin to pandemicrequirements.Allareregularlytested said. ferent fromwhateveryonehadseenbefore,”she joy. Sotonallyandcolorpalette-wise,it’sverydif- she wantstheaudiencetoseeasmen,notthugs. for MosesandKitch,goingbrightercharacters Broadway, hascreatednewcostumesandcolors er Sarafi electric.” said afterleavingthatfi ing tokeeptheireyesopenfornewthings,”Hill a bike. described itaslikethefi dio intheBaryshnikovArtsCenter.Participants The fi at BellaAbzugParkonManhattan’sWestSide. outdoors —tobesociallydistancedonJuly7 toemployees.BrackjoinedBlizzardinJanuary2006and The castandcrew’sfi “There’s areverencefortheghoststhatarein It hasescapednoonethat“PassOver”isgo- “Not onlyareweleadingthechargeoutof The castandcrewhavescrupulouslyadhered “We wantedthecostumestoexudetheirinner Even thecostumeshavebeenrethought.Design- “I thinkeveryonehadcomebacktotheplayhop- rst rehearsalwasheld the nextdayinastu- na Bush,whodressedthecharactersoff- led,statingthatthecompanywas“takingswift Bobby Kotick Santa Monica, rstpandemicmeetingwas rst rehearsal.“Ithasbeen rst dayofschoolorriding J. AllenBrack Branson, Missouri. has anotherTitanic museumin the attractionin2010. Thecompany Sentinel reported. accidental, theKnoxvilleNews that thecollapseappearstobe Department saidinastatement wall toberebuilt. Cedar Bay Entertainment opened Cedar BayEntertainment opened The PigeonForgePolice sentalettertoemployees California,company wasleavingthe (AP) Dan- ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

People

‘Great role models’ Harry, Meghan mulled New Zealand – Reddy

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Aug 4, (AP): The queen’s representative in New Zealand said Prince Harry and Meghan discussed moving to the South Pacifi c country during their 2018 visit, more than a year before the couple stepped back from royal duties and moved to the United States. Governor-General Patsy Reddy also told The As- sociated Press in an interview she believes the Brit- ish monarch should remain New Zealand’s head of state and described the hand-typed letters she sends to Queen Elizabeth II. Reddy, 67, will leave her largely ceremonial role representing the queen in New Zealand in October af- ter a 5-year term. A lawyer who was given the honor- ifi c Dame for her services to arts and business, Reddy offi cially signs bills into law, presides over many public cer- emonies and tours the country, meeting with various groups including Indigenous Maori. Harry and Meghan visited New Zealand at the end of a hectic 16-day royal tour of the South Pacifi c, and Reddy re- called the couple as being tired. “I remember they’d just been down to the Abel Tasman Harry National Park when we sat down and had a drink, and they said that they could imagine living in a place like this and wondered whether we thought it would be theo- retically possible. Even possible for them to have a In this March 4, 2020, fi le photo, country star Garth Brooks performs on stage during the 2020 Gershwin Prize Honoree’s Tribute Concert at the DAR Constitution place in New Zealand. Hall in Washington. Brooks said he will be reassessing whether to continue his stadium tour because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases. In a statement issued “Of course, we said ‘Sure. It would be fi ne. There on Tuesday, Aug 3, Brooks said he is still scheduled to play the next two shows scheduled in Kansas City and Lincoln, Nebraska, but will not put tickets on sale for are lots of opportunities to live in New Zealand, but the next planned stop, Seattle in September. (AP) that would be something that they’d have to explore,’” Reddy said. “They were looking at how they might raise their family. And, obviously, they’ve made some decisions since.” Reddy said she didn’t view it as a formal request for Music assistance but more of an informal discussion about the couple’s hopes for the future. She said the pair seemed impressed with the access to the outdoors and their interactions with New Zealanders. Brooks reassessing stadium tour as COVID surges Still, the discussion shows that the couple were considering options outside of Britain less than six months after they married and well before their even- tual move to the US. Jackson’s legacy on the upswing again Communication During a widely watched interview with Oprah BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug 4, sical,” will follow quickly on its heels, important piece of documentary jour- Winfrey near the couple’s California home earlier this (AP): Michael Jackson’s musical leg- the fi rst of several planned projects. nalism. year, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sus- acy never left, but a kind of comeback Branca said the delay of well over a Ironically, the victory handed to the sex, mentioned they’d offered to the royal family to is coming. year, as happened for all of Broadway, estate in its tax case came in part be- take a step back from royal life in a Commonwealth With a series of court victories that was “frustrating” but he has renewed cause the judge believed the value of country such as South Africa or New Zealand. bring the end to serious legal crises, excitement about “MJ: The Musical” Jackson’s image and likeness had been Reddy said she watched the interview but didn’t with a Broadway show beginning and and shared new details. severely diminished by such allega- want to comment on internal royal family business. a Cirque du Soleil show returning af- “It’s not a chronological depiction tions at the time of his death, despite “I thought they were a lovely couple and I hope ter a long pandemic pause, the Jackson of Michael’s life,” he said. “It’s more his acquittal at his 2005 trial for child they’ve got a great future where they are,” Reddy said. business is on the upswing 12 years impressionistic, inspired by Michael’s molestation. It was one aspect of an She said she regularly expresses her confi dential after the pop superstar’s death. life and his music. It takes place as Mi- all-around victory for the estate that’s views of what’s happening in New Zealand to the Ashley Greene, a cast member in Very recently, things looked grim. chael is preparing for a tour and MTV bringing a far smaller bill that’s being queen, such as the nation’s response to the pandemic. ‘Aftermath,’ poses at the premiere of The 2019 HBO documentary “Leaving wants to get an interview. Michael’s calculated now. She said the communication “is quite touchingly old- the horror fi lm, Tuesday, Aug 3, at the Neverland ” raised child molestation very press shy, and slowly but surely But Branca says the way Jackson’s fashioned, by letter.” Landmark Westwood in Los Angeles. allegations anew. The once-dead law- as they develop a relationship begins musical legacy echoes through mod- “She has told me on the times that I’ve seen her that (AP) suits brought by the two men featured to talk about different parts of his life ern artists may be his most impressive she fi nds it interesting to have a personal perspective in it had been revived by changes in that then get enacted in the show.” legacy. on what’s happening,” Reddy said. “As she says, ‘I the law. And a decision in the estate’s “Kanye West, Drake, Beyoncé, like to know what’s happening between the lines.’” appeal of a $700 million tax bill was Diversity Usher, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bie- Many people in New Zealand believe the country taking years to arrive. Two-time Pulitzer Prize win- ber, Ariana Grande — they all point should become an independent republic but Reddy “I was always optimistic,” John ner Lynn Nottage wrote the show’s back to Michael,” Branca said. “His said she believed the queen should remain the head Branca, the entertainment attorney book. Tony Award-winner Christo- infl uence is really enormous.” of state because the arrangement works and has strong who worked with Jackson through pher Wheeldon is directing and cho- historical links. many of his biggest triumphs and now reographing. Broadway newcomer Also: She said New Zealand has a special connection serves as co-executor of his estate, told Myles Frost will star as Jackson, after NASHVILLE, Tenn.: Country star to the monarchy because its founding document, the The Associated Press in an interview Ephraim Sykes dropped out to shoot a Garth Brooks said he will be reas- Treaty of Waitangi, was signed by Maori and the rep- at his Beverly Hills home. “Michael movie. Rehearsals resume in Septem- sessing whether to continue his stadi- resentative of Queen Victoria. inspired the planet and his music still ber, and previews begin in December. um tour because of the rising number Asked about a future scenario in which a monarch does. There was never any doubt about Branca said he’s proud of the diver- of COVID-19 cases. might turn out to be dictatorial or autocratic, Reddy Kelly Ing that.” sity the show will bring to the stage. In a statement issued on Tuesday, said the same scenario with an elected president would The optimism was warranted. A “The cast is obviously largely Brooks said he is still scheduled to likely be worse. succession of court decisions came. Black,” Branca said, “In an era where play the next two shows scheduled in “We’ve seen how that doesn’t work in other coun- One accusers’ lawsuit was dismissed that’s sorely wanted on Broadway.” Kansas City and Lincoln, Nebraska, tries in the world,” she said. “But actually, because Variety in October. The other was tossed out Successes aside, Branca feels lin- but will not put tickets on sale for the the monarch is much more of a theoretical construct, in April. In May, a ruling in the tax gering bitterness about director Dan next planned stop, Seattle in Septem- a fi gurehead rather than an actual ruler, I think it gives case slashed the bill dramatically. The Reed’s “Leaving Neverland” and what ber. us a measure of safety, constitutional safety.” NEW YORK: Actor and singer Alvin Ing, estate suddenly stands nearly clear of he felt were American media outlets Brooks was already scheduled to Reddy said she agreed with Prime Minister Jacinda known for roles on Broadway and on tour a dozen years of disputes. That means that “don’t have the time or the where- take a three-week break after the Aug. Ardern’s assessment that there was currently little appe- in “Pacifi c Overtures” and “Flower Drum Branca expects that in the next 18 withal to do the research to fi gure out 14 show in Nebraska and will take that tite among New Zealanders for a constitutional change, Song” as well as in fi lms such as “The months it can fi nally be taken out of what’s true and what’s not true.” time to assess what to do about the re- and that people were concerned about more pressing is- Gambler,” has died. He was 89. probate court and turned into a trust Hence, the estate’s last lingering mainder of the dates in 2021. He is also sues like climate change, inequality and the pandemic. Ing died Saturday at Providence St. Jo- for Jackson’s three children, who are lawsuit, now in private arbitration, is scheduled to play Cincinnati; Char- seph Medical Center, in Burbank, Califor- She said she thought the royal family had been great all now adults. one that it brought itself, and one Bran- lotte, North Carolina; Baltimore and role models during the pandemic, using the internet nia, of COVID-19 complications, according to his representatives at Mosaic PR. And the focus of the estate can now ca very much wanted fi led, against Boston. and social media to great effect and abiding fastidi- shift back to presenting Jackson to the HBO over the documentary. “It breaks my heart to see city after ously to the rules imposed by the British government. “His voice was glorious and fi lled the room with its fl awless sound, but beyond world. “I was very angry at HBO and Dan city go on sale and then have to ask Historical that, his sound was steeped in joy. Alvin The fi rst priority is the revival of the Reed and I still am because here’s the those sweet people and the venues to was a joyful presence to be around at every Cirque du Soleil show, “Michael Jack- thing: You can say anything you want reschedule,” Brooks said in a state- “So we saw tragically the funeral of Prince Philip, rehearsal and performance,” said Lea Sa- son: One” at the Mandalay Bay Resort about somebody who’s dead. They’re ment. “We have a three week window where they could only have 30 mourners,” Reddy longa who starred in “Flower Drum Song.” and Casino in Las Vegas. It is slated to not here to protect themselves,” Bran- coming up where we, as a group, will said. “But there was no question that there’d be any Ing is believed to have performed in reopen Aug. 19 after a coronavirus clo- ca said. assess the remainder of the stadium kind of dispensation, even from the requirements for more productions of “Flower Drum Song” sure of nearly a year and a half, in time The two men featured in the docu- tour this year. It’s humbling to see isolation, when, for example, Prince Harry came back in the role of Wang Ta than any other actor. for a major celebration there planned mentary are appealing the dismissals people put this much faith in you as an to that funeral.” He also portrayed the Shogun’s mother for Jackson’s Aug. 29 birthday. of their lawsuits. HBO has defended artist, and it kills me to think I am let- Reddy said she’d watched the Netfl ix series “The in the original Broadway production of The Broadway show, “MJ: The Mu- “Leaving Neverland” as a valid and ting them down.” Crown.” “Pacifi c Overtures” in 1976, and reprised “I’ve enjoyed it as a historical drama,” she said. “Its the role 28 years later in the 2004 revival. production values and some great characterizations, I “Pacifi c Overtures” playwright John Wei- next week, his lawyers said Tuesday at a made a series of rulings to narrow down similar to other parts of the case aimed at think. But, you know, it’s not real life is it?” dman hailed Ing’s “wit, his kindness, his showing Kelly engaged in racketeering in She pushed back at the negative portrayal of Prince gentleness, and most of all his extraordi- court hearing. what evidence can be shown to jurors. She The revelations came as US District mostly ruled for prosecutors but said some pursuit of women and girls he could abuse. Charles, saying she thought he would be a good mon- nary generosity of spirit.” The Grammy-winning, multiplatinum- His fi lm credits included “The Final Cut- Judge Ann M. Donnelly in New York evidence will be excluded because it is too arch. selling R&B singer is accused of leading down,” “Stir Crazy,” “Troop Beverly Hills” “I’ve been enormously impressed with the breadth an enterprise of managers, bodyguards and and “Smilla’s Sens of Snow.” On TV, he of his knowledge, the depth of his well-considered other employees who helped him recruit perceptions on a range of subjects,” she said. “From had recurring roles on the soap operas “The Doctors” and “Falcon Crest” and guest women and girls sometimes at concerts and urban planning to the environment, to the impact of other venues. He has pleaded not guilty to religions on the world.” spots on “Benson,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Quincy, M.E.,” “Fantasy Island,” “Law & racketeering, bribery, coercion, enticement Children’s advocate Cindy Kiro has been named by and sex traffi cking. Ardern to succeed Reddy. Kiro, who is also a Dame, Order: Criminal Intent,” “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and “Hawaii Five-0.” Devereaux Cannick, one of his lawyers, is the fi rst Indigenous woman appointed to the role. Ing was a Honolulu native and a US told the judge that Kelly, born Robert Meanwhile, last last month Prince Harry revealed Army veteran who was an advocate for the Sylvester Kelly, needs to be measured for that he is writing what his publisher is calling an “inti- Asian American Pacifi c Islander community new clothing because he’s gained so much mate and heartfelt memoir.” in the entertainment industry, including be- weight in jail. Random House expects to release the book, cur- ing an active member of the American Asian And he asked that court transcripts be rently untitled, late in 2022. Performing Arts Theatre. He had a master’s provided at no cost because Kelly has been “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as degree in music education from Columbia. unable to work for two years. the man I have become,” the Duke of Sussex, 36, said Broadway star Telly Leung, who per- “His funds are depleted,” Cannick said in a statement Monday. “I’ve worn many hats over formed alongside Ing, said in a tweet that of a client who left the courtroom after the the years, both literally and fi guratively, and my hope “a generation of Asian performers would hearing with his hands cuffed. is that in telling my story — the highs and lows, the not be where are today without his leader- “It’s going to be a long trial,” Donnelly mistakes, the lessons learned — I can help show that ship and courage.” said after prosecutors outlined their plans to no matter where we come from, we have more in com- Actor’s Equity Association tweeted call numerous witnesses, including women mon than we think. I’m deeply grateful for the oppor- in his honor: “Not only was Alvin Ing a who say they were sexually abused, physi- tunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my trailblazer, but he was also an inspiration cally abused and coerced to do things for to a generation of performers. He will be Kelly’s pleasure. life so far and excited for people to read a fi rsthand ac- The judge said the witnesses who allege count of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.” missed.” (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ Michael Jackson performs ‘Dangerous’ during the taping of the American Band- abuse can testify with only their fi rst name Financial terms were not disclosed. Prince Harry stand’s 50th anniversary show on April 20, 2002, in Pasadena, Calif. With a series given to jurors, who will sit in the gallery will donate proceeds to charity, according to Random NEW YORK: R&B star R. Kelly gained of court victories and shows beginning or returning after a long pandemic pause, rather than the jury box because of a House. weight and lost money while he awaits a Jackson’s estate eyes revival. Estate co-executor John Branca said in an inter- reconfi gured courtroom tied to coronavirus sex-traffi cking trial that starts in earnest view with The Associated Press that his optimism never fl agged as crises hit. (AP) restrictions. (AP) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 SPORTS 14

Van Gaal named Netherlands coach again McCullers, Astros ‘silence’ raucous Spanish league seeks clubs’ OK for $4 billion private equity funds Los Angeles fans to blank Dodgers MADRID, Aug. 4 (AP): Spain’s soc- team, leading it to a third-place fi nish cer league has secured 2.7 billion eu- at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. ros ($4 billion) funding from a private Van Gaal coached Ajax to the Gil throws 6 scoreless in MLB debut as Yankees rout Orioles equity fi rm known for buying into Champions League title in 1995 and sports bodies. also coached Barcelona, Manchester The competition known as La Liga United and Bayern Munich. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, is hoping to gain the agreement of its ❑ ❑ ❑ (AP): Lance McCullers clubs for the investment from CVC Capital Partners, which used to own Aston Villa signed forward Leon Jr. threw 6 2/3 shutout in- Formula One and has bought a stake Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen to a nings and the Houston As- in rugby’s Six Nations tournament four-year contract on Wednesday. tros withstood the raucous, recently. The 23-year-old Jamaica interna- heckling fans at Dodger In a statement, La Liga said CVC tional scored 15 goals and had 11 as- will have a stake of around 10% in a sists across all competitions last sea- Stadium to blank Los An- new commercial entity being formed son for the German club. geles 3-0. in the deal that values the league at “Leon is a hugely exciting young The crowd of 52,692 - the largest 24.2 billion euros and have a cut of striker with great pace and creativ- in the majors this season - had wait- revenue. ity,” Villa manager Dean Smith said. ed a long time to let José Altuve, The league maintains it is not a res- “He has enjoyed a successful career Carlos Correa and the Astros know cue package to help clubs struggling at Leverkusen and we are now look- just how they felt about possibly due to the pan- ing forward to watching him show his being cheated out of a 2017 World demic but it will skills and talents for Aston Villa in provide funding the Premier League.” Series title. that has been Michael Brantley’s RBI double in the fourth inning gave Houston a 1-0 denied to them lead before Yordan Alvarez’s two-run due to stadiums SOCCER homer over the wall in right center off being empty for games. Victor González provided some much- Villa had earlier announced it had needed insurance. The invest- ment is part of a transfer deal in place with the Bun- the league’s at- desliga club. Financial terms were not BASEBALL disclosed but media in both countries tempt to usurp Van Gaal the global dom- reported the fee was at least 32 mil- McCullers (9-2) - who started that inance of the English Premier League, lion euros ($38 million) before bonus- Game 7 in 2017 - struck out nine and which is the world’s richest soccer es. He’s signed through the 2024-25 allowed four hits and with three walks. competition. season. Ryne Stanek retired the side in order in La Liga envisages the deal acceler- Bailey had joined Leverkusen in the ninth. for his second save. ating the competition’s development January 2017 from Genk in Belgium. Walker Buehler (11-2) threw a ca- into a digital entertainment company, He made his debut for Jamaica in reer-high 115 pitches in six innings. He while not handing CVC control of the June 2019. was charged with one run on fi ve hits management of the competition. with fi ve strikeouts and three walks. Since 2005, the league has been Mariners 4, Rays 2 won by Real Madrid or Barcelona In St. Petersburg, Fla., Yusei Kikuchi apart from Atletico Madrid’s two suc- went six effective innings, Abraham cesses - the latest in May. Toro and Jarred Kelenic homered, and The CVC investment has to be Seattle beat Tampa Bay. approved later Wednesday by the Kikuchi (7-6) allowed two runs and league’s executive committee before six hits. The lefty had gone 0-3 in his it can be put to a general assembly vote of the clubs. previous four starts. Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the second Diego Castillo, the third Mariners re- ❑ ❑ ❑ liever, worked the ninth to get his fi rst inning of a baseball game, on Aug. 3, in Los Angeles. (AP) Louis van Gaal has been appoint- Seattle save and 15th overall. The right- four-year contract in December 2019. ton its fi fth straight loss, a season high. ered a go-ahead, three-run homer in hander was acquired from Tampa Bay The Korean left-hander retired the fi rst Cabrera added a single, giving him the ninth inning, lifting Minnesota over ed to his third stint as coach of the on Thursday. six batters and struck out eight to help 2,944 career hits and moving him one Cincinnati. Netherlands following the national Seattle has won the fi rst two games the Blue Jays win for the fi fth time in ahead of Frank Robinson for 36th place Heath Hembree (2-6) walked the fi rst team’s disappointing showing at the of the three-game series and is 6-0 over- six games since moving back north of all-time. two Minnesota batters before striking European Championship, the coun- all against the defending AL champion try’s soccer federation announced the border on Friday. Phillies 5, Nationals 4 out Brent Rooker. Polanco fouled off Rays this season. Ryu (11-5) allowed two runs and four two-strike pitches before connect- Wednesday. Randy Arozarena homered for the seven hits, and walked none. Right- In Washington, Bryce Harper’s solo ing on a liner just inside the foul pole in Van Gaal succeeds Frank de Boer, Rays. Luis Patiño (2-3) took the loss. hander Rafael Dolis worked a perfect home run in the eighth inning against right fi eld. who quit after the Netherlands was Yankees 13, Orioles 1 his former team was the difference in beaten 2-0 by the Czech Republic to eighth and left-hander Ryan Borucki White Sox 7, Royals 1 In New York, Luis Gil pitched six fi nished with a 1-2-3 ninth. Philadelphia’s victory over Washing- exit Euro 2020 in the round of 16. In this fi le photo dated, July 12, scoreless innings in his major league In Chicago, Dylan Cease allowed Angels 11, Rangers 3 ton, the Phillies’ third straight win. The 69-year-old fi rst coached “Or- 2021, Jamaica forward Leon Bailey debut, Giancarlo Stanton homered and Harper hit a 430-foot home run to one hit in six scoreless innings, match- anje” from 2000-2002, when the team In Arlington, Texas, Top prospect Jo moves the ball against Suriname drove in four runs, and New York rout- left-center off Javy Guerra, his 17th, for ing a season high with 11 strikeouts, failed to qualify for the World Cup. during the fi rst half of a CON- ed Baltimore. Adell drove in three runs while reach- a 5-2 lead. and Chicago beat Kansas City. But he had more success in his sec- ing base four times in his season debut, CACAF Gold Cup Group C soccer Gil (1-0) started in place of All-Star Braves 6, Cardinals 1 Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn ond period at the helm of the national match, in Orlando, USA. (AP) ace Gerrit Cole, who was put on the Phil Gosselin had three RBI singles and homered for AL Central-leading Chi- COVID-19 injured list before the game Los Angeles ended Texas’ three-game In St. Louis, Freddie Freeman and cago. after testing positive for the virus Mon- winning streak. Atlanta hammered Jon Lester in his fi rst Cease (8-6) walked two and threw day. The 23-year-old right-hander al- Jack Mayfi eld homered for the An- start for St. Louis, scoring fi ve runs in 103 pitches, allowing only Edward MLB Results/Standings lowed just four singles. He struck out gels, who won for only the second time the fi rst inning and cruising to a victory. Olivares’ leadoff single in the third in- six and walked only one. in six games. The 37-year-old Lester (3-6) allowed ning, to nab his fi rst win since June 30. Gleyber Torres hit an RBI double in Diamondbacks 3, Giants 1 the fi rst seven hitters to reach and did Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet and not record an out until his 27th pitch. WASHINGTON, Aug 4, (AP): Results and standings from the MLB games on the second off Alexander Wells (1-2). In Phoenix, Madison Bumgarner Ryan Tepera completed the three-hitter. Tuesday. Aaron Judge added his 22nd homer in threw seven stellar innings to beat his Twins 7, Reds 5 Rockies 13, Cubs 6 Toronto 7 Cleveland 2 Houston 3 LA Dodgers 0 the eighth. former team for the fi rst time and Ari- In Cincinnati, Jorge Polanco deliv- NY Yankees 13 Baltimore 1 Philadelphia 5 Washington 4 Marlins 5, Mets 4 In Denver, Elías Díaz hit a grand Seattle 4 Tampa Bay 2 Miami 5 NY Mets 4 zona knocked off fi rst-place San Fran- slam, Kyle Freeland got his fi rst win in Detroit 4 Boston 2 Atlanta 6 St Louis 1 In Miami, newly-acquired Alex Jack- cisco. son hit his fi rst career home run, Nick more than a month and Colorado de- Minnesota 7 Cincinnati 5 Colorado 13 Chicago Cubs 6 Bumgarner (6-6) was pitching Chicago W.Sox 7 Kansas City 1 Pittsburgh 8 Mil’kee (10 inns) 5 Neidert earned his fi rst big league win feated Chicago. against the Giants for the second time Freeland (2-6) pitched fi ve innings LA Angels 11 Texas 3 Arizona 3 San Francisco 1 and Miami beat NL East-leading New since joining the Diamondbacks. He San Diego 8 Oakland 1 York. and earned his fi rst win since June 28 American League National League gave up just six hits and a walk while before being removed with a left foot East Division East Division Isan Díaz also homered, Bryan De La striking out four. Cruz had three hits and Lewis Brinson contusion. He was hit by a line drive W L Pct GB W L Pct GB had two hits and scored twice for the Padres 8, Athletics 1 with one out in the fi fth, fi nished the Tampa Bay 64 44 .593 _ New York 55 51 .519 _ Boston 63 45 .583 1 Philadelphia 54 53 .505 1-1/2 last-place Marlins, who have won the In Oakland, Calif., Tommy Pham inning and was replaced after throwing New York 57 49 .538 6 Atlanta 53 54 .495 2-1/2 fi rst two of the four-game series. hit a leadoff homer, Austin Nola had warmup pitches in the sixth. He allowed Toronto 55 49 .529 7 Washington 49 58 .458 6-1/2 The Mets were limited to fi ve hits by four hits and two RBIs, and San Diego two runs on four hits and struck out fi ve. Baltimore 38 68 .358 25 Miami 46 61 .430 9-1/2 Central Division Central Division Neidert (1-1) and four relievers. New thumped Oakland. Pirates 8, Brewers 5, 10 Innings W L Pct GB W L Pct GB York has lost fi ve of six. Manny Machado added two hits and In Milwaukee, Brewers starter Adrian Chicago 63 44 .589 _ Milwaukee 64 44 .593 _ scored twice for San Diego. Blake Snell Cleveland 52 52 .500 9-1/2 Cincinnati 56 51 .523 7-1/2 Blue Jays 7, Indians 2 Houser was pulled with a no-hitter intact Detroit 52 57 .477 12 St Louis 53 53 .500 10 pitched around traffi c for fi ve innings Kansas City 45 60 .429 17 Chicago 51 57 .472 13 In Toronto, Hyun Jin Ryu pitched and allowed one run as the Padres won in the seventh inning, and Gregory Po- lanco and Pittsburgh rallied to eventually Minnesota 45 62 .421 18 Pittsburgh 41 66 .383 22-1/2 seven solid innings in his fi rst start for the second time in three games since West Division West Division for Toronto on Canadian soil, George star shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr. went beat Milwaukee in 10 innings. W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Springer and Teoscar Hernandez out with a shoulder injury. New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge Houser left after 6 1/3 innings and Houston 65 42 .607 _ San Francisco 67 40 .626 _ homered in a win over Cleveland. hits a solo home run during the 104 pitches with Milwaukee ahead 4-0. Oakland 60 48 .556 5-1/2 Los Angeles 64 44 .593 3-1/2 Tigers 4, Red Sox 2 Seattle 58 50 .537 7-1/2 San Diego 62 47 .569 6 Ryu waited more than a year and a eighth inning of the team’s baseball Polanco greeted reliever Daniel Norris Los Angeles 53 54 .495 12 Colorado 47 60 .439 20 half to take the mound as a home player In Detroit, Miguel Cabrera hit his game against the Baltimore Orioles, with a single for the Pirates’ fi rst hit, Texas 39 68 .364 26 Arizona 34 74 .315 33-1/2 in Toronto after signing an $80 million, 498th home run and Detroit dealt Bos- on Aug. 3, in New York. (AP) keying a fi ve-run rally. Gasol elected to be an IOC member

Two-time NBA champion and He got 1,888 of more than international sports bodies, three-time Olympic medalist 6,800 votes cast by ath- business leaders and 12 ath- Spain’s Pau Gasol Pau Gasol won an election letes for the four vacant IOC letes elected by their peers. watches from the bench Wednesday at the Tokyo seats. Polls closed Tues- His new colleagues in- during a men’s basketball Games that means he’ll be day, the day Gasol played clude the Emir of Qatar, preliminary round game mixing with royals and repre- six minutes in Spain’s 95-81 Queen Elizabeth’s daughter against Slovenia at the senting athletes for the next loss to the United States in Princess Anne, the former 2020 Summer Olympics seven years at the Interna- the quarterfi nals. presidents of Costa Rica on Aug. 1, in Saitama, tional Olympic Committee. The 41-year-old Span- and Croatia, Laura Chin- Japan. (AP) Gasol was one of 30 can- ish basketball star joins an chilla and Kolinda Grabar- didates who were competing IOC membership list drawn Kitarovic, and two-time at the ballot box and in their variously from European and Olympic champion runner Olympic sports in Tokyo. Middle East royal families, Sebastian Coe. (AP)

ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

Page 15

Stewart leads US to semis with 79-55 win over Australia Serbia rally to reach semifi nals by ousting China SAITAMA, Japan, Aug. 4, (AP): Ana throws with 1:53 to go, giving her quarter in each contest. Stewart made times down the stretch to set up the Dabovic scored nine of her 13 points nine straight points and putting Serbia sure that wouldn’t happen against Aus- thrilling fi nish. in the fourth quarter as Serbia to beat ahead to stay. tralia. Trailing 5-2, she scored seven Hayashi put Japan ahead to stay with China 77-70 Wednesday to reach a Jelena Brooks led Serbia with 18 consecutive points to start a 19-1 run. her 3 from near the top of the key with second straight semifi nals. points. Vasic fi nished with 16 points, The Americans led 26-12 after the 15.2 seconds left. Kim Mestdagh had a The Serbians (3-1) now will play nine in the fourth quarter, and also opening quarter as Australia had 10 shot to give Belgium the win, but her either the United States or Australia grabbed 10 rebounds. turnovers in the period. pull-up jumper from near the free throw in the semifi nals on Friday trying to Shao Ting scored 17 points to lead Australia was able to get within nine line as time expired bounced off the rim. improve on the bronze they won at the China. Han added 15, and Li Yueru in the second quarter before the U.S. Then the celebration began for the 2016 Rio Games. had 12. closed the half with a 20-8 run to go host nation. Players rushed the court, At the fi nal buzzer, they gathered in US 79, Australia 55 up 48-27. hugging teammates and yelling out ex- a circle on the court and danced before Breanna Stewart scored 20 of her The Opals never threatened in the hilarating screams of joy after advanc- hugging in celebration after rallying 23 points in the fi rst half to help the second half as the lead ballooned be- ing to the medal round. from a nine-point defi cit for the win. U.S. beat Australia 79-55 in the quar- hind Brittney Griner, who scored 10 of Miyazawa fi nished with 21 points Dabovic helped fuel the comeback terfi nals. her 15 points in the third quarter. for Japan. Takada had 19, Hima- with a deep 3-pointer that was closer Japan 86, Belgium 85 wari Akaho added 12 points and Rui to the Olympic logo at halfcourt than Saki Hayashi hit a 3-pointer with Machida fi nished with 10 points and the 3-point line as Serbia grabbed the BASKETBALL 15.2 seconds left, and Japan advanced 14 rebounds. Nako Motohashi had 10. momentum with a 12-0 spurt to open to the semifi nals by edging Olympic France 67, Spain 64 the fourth. The Americans will face Serbia on newcomer Belgium 86-85. Marine Johannes scored 18 points China (3-1) went undefeated in pool Friday in the semifi nals looking to Japan joined the U.S. and Serbia in and France edged Spain 67-64 in the play and led 58-49 at the end of the advance to their seventh consecutive United States’s Breanna Stewart drives to the basket over Australia’s Ezi the semifi nals of the women’s basket- quarterfi nals of the women’s basket- third quarter. With Yao Ming watching gold medal game. The Serbians, who Magbegor (13) during a women’s basketball quarterfi nal round game at the ball tournament Friday and will face ball tournament. from the bench, the Chinese missed won the bronze medal in the 2016 Rio 2020 Summer Olympics, on Aug. 4, in Saitama, Japan. (AP) either Spain or France. The French team will face host Ja- reaching the semifi nals for the fi rst Games, rallied to beat China 77-70 in Yuki Miyazawa made three of her pan in the semifi nals on Friday in a re- time since the 2008 Beijing Games. the quarterfi nals. looked like the dominant team that’s ing back to the 1992 Barcelona Games. seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, match of a group play game. The U.S. Han Xu’s layup tied it up at 70 with For the fi rst time since getting to- won the last six gold medals and 53 During the pool games the U.S. got helping Japan erase Belgium’s nine- plays Serbia in the other medal round 2:13 left. Sonja Vasic hit two free gether about three weeks ago the U.S. consecutive games in the Olympics dat- of to slow starts, trailing after the fi rst point lead. Japan tied it the game four matchup. India women’s fi eld hockey drop semifi nal to Argentina Casas’ 3rd homer, Kazmir TOKYO, Aug. 4, (AP): India’s wom- Gurjit Kaur scored for India in the en’s fi eld hockey team lost to Argen- second minute to provide hope, but tina 2-1 in an Olympic semifi nal on Argentina’s Maria Noel Barrionuevo Wednesday night. responded with two goals to push In- India has a spectacular history in dia into the bronze medal match Friday the sport, but it mostly has been on against Britain. help US beat Dominicans the men’s side. The men won Olympic India will be motivated to win the gold seven times between 1928 and fi rst medal ever for its women’s team. 1964 and again in 1980. India’s 1-0 win over Australia in the India’s women had only qualifi ed quarterfi nals on Monday was a stunner. Japan defeat South Korea to earn spot in title game for the Olympics twice before. They Australia had been dominant up to that fi nished fourth in 1980 and 12th in point, fi nishing pool play with a 5-0 re- YOKOHAMA, Japan, Aug 2016. cord and outscoring its opponents 13-1. 4, (AP): For Triston Casas, the Olympics feel as com- Olympic Medalists fortable as spring training. That’s because when he stepped to the plate in the United States’ elimination game against the Do- ARTISTIC SWIMMING SILVER: Peder Fredricson, Sweden Duet BRONZE: Maikel van der Vleuten, minican Republic on Wedesday, GOLD: ROC (Svetlana Romashina, Netherlands he was facing Boston Red Sox Svetlana Kolesnichenko) MARATHON SWIMMING SILVER: China (Wenyan Sun, Xuech- Women’s 10km Double-A teammate Denyi Reyes. en Huang) GOLD: Ana Marcela Cunha, Brazil “I have one career at-bat off of him BRONZE: Ukraine (Marta Fiedina, SILVER: Sharon van Rouwendaal, in spring training, and I hit a home run Anastasiya Savchuk) Netherlands over the batter’s eye, as well,” Casas ATHLETICS BRONZE: Kareena Lee, Australia said after he crushed a two-run, fi rst- Men’s 200m SAILING GOLD: Andre de Grasse, Canada Men’s Two Person Dinghy - 470 inning drive that started the Americans SILVER: Kenneth Bednarek, United GOLD: Australia (Mathew Belcher, to a 3-1 win. “So 2 for 2 with a walk.” States Will Ryan) Tyler Austin, a former major leagu- BRONZE: Noah Lyles, United States SILVER: Sweden (Anton Dahlberg, er in his home ballpark of the Central Men’s 800m Fredrik Bergstrom) GOLD: Emmanuel Kipkurui Korir, BRONZE: Spain (Jordi Xammar, Nico- League’s Yokohama Bay Stars, added Kenya a solo home run in the fi fth against Ga- SILVER: Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich, las Rodriguez Garcia-Paz) Kenya Women’s Two Person Dinghy - 470 briel Arias, his second long ball of the BRONZE: Patryk Dobek, Poland GOLD: Britain (Hannah Mills, Eilidh tournament to go with a .412 average Men’s Hammer Throw McIntyre) and fi ve RBIs. GOLD: Wojciech Nowicki, Poland SILVER: Poland (Agnieszka Skrzy- SILVER: Eivind Henriksen, Norway pulec, Jolanta Ogar) BRONZE: Pawel Fajdek, Poland BRONZE: France (Camille Lecointre, BASEBALL Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Aloise Retornaz) GOLD: Peruth Chemutai, Uganda SKATEBOARDING The U.S. (3-1) plays defending SILVER: Courtney Frerichs, United Women’s Park States GOLD: Sakura Yosozumi, Japan champion South Korea (3-2) on Thurs- BRONZE: Hyvin Kiyeng, Kenya SILVER: Kokona Hiraki, Japan day night for a spot in Saturday’s gold Women’s 400m Hurdles BRONZE: Sky Brown, Britain GOLD: Sydney McLaughlin, United medal game, with the loser facing the States WEIGHTLIFTING Dominicans for the bronze. Japan (4-0) Japan’s Tetsuto Yamada hits a three run double in the eight inning of a semi-fi nal baseball game against South SILVER: Dalilah Muhammad, United Men’s +109kg defeated South Korea 5-2 to earn a spot Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on Aug. 4, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP) States GOLD: Lasha Talakhadze, Georgia in the title game. BRONZE: Femke Bol, Netherlands SILVER: Ali Davoudi, Iran ter,” he said of the Olympics. “I feel BRONZE: Man Asaad, Syria Scott Kazmir (1-0) escaped a bases- Hungary, Greece, Spain advance BOXING loaded, one-out jam in the fi rst. The like it puts pressure on both sides of Men’s Light Heavy (75-81kg) WRESTLING the ball, on defense and on offense, re- GOLD: Arlen Lopez, Cuba Men’s Greco-Roman 67kg 37-year-old left-hander pitched two-hit SILVER: Benjamin Whittaker, Britain GOLD: Mohammadreza Geraei, Iran ball over fi ve scoreless innings, retiring ally stay engaged in every pitch, really BRONZE: Loren Berto Alfonso SILVER: Parviz Nasibov, Ukraine just trying to focus on winning. In af- Dominguez, Azerbaijan 14 of his fi nal 15 batters around José Filipovic, Serbia overpower BRONZE: Frank Staebler, Germany Bautista’s leadoff double in the third. fi liated ball, sometimes you can get out BRONZE: Imam Khataev, ROC BRONZE: Mohamed Ibrahim Elsayed of that mindset. CYCLING TRACK Elsayed, Egypt “I felt like I still had a lot in me,” Men’s Team Pursuit Men’s Greco-Roman 87kg Kazmir said. Reyes (0-1), a 24-year-old right- Italy in water polo quarters GOLD: Italy (Simone Consonni, Filip- GOLD: Zhan Beleniuk, Ukraine A 21-year-old fi rst baseman at Port- hander, allowed two runs and two hits po Ganna, Francesco Lamon, Jona- SILVER: Viktor Lorincz, Hungary in four innings. He is 3-1 with a 2.90 than Milan) BRONZE: Denis Maksymilian Kudla, land, Maine, Cassas homered follow- TOKYO, Aug. 4, (AP): Filip Filipo- Italy went 3-0-2 in group play, but it SILVER: Denmark (Lasse Norman Germany ing a one-out walk to Austin. Cassas, ERA in two starts and 11 relief appear- vic pumped in a shot from the side, got off to a slow start and never recov- Hansen, Niklas Larsen, Frederik Mad- BRONZE: Zurabi Datunashvili, Serbia batting .313 with eight RBIs, was the ances at Portland. and then held his arm out and yelled. ered. Prlainovic scored twice in the last sen, Rasmus Pedersen) Women’s Freestyle 62kg 26th overall pick in the 2018 amateur Before he made two starts and a re- Dusan Mandic and Andrija Prlainovic minute of the fi rst half, lifting Serbia to BRONZE: Australia (Leigh Howard, GOLD: Yukako Kawai, Japan lief appearance for San Franciso in late Kelland O’Brien, Lucas Plapp, Sam SILVER: Aisuluu Tynybekova, Kyr- draft and is hitting .271 with six hom- each made a couple of big plays. a 9-3 lead at the break. Welsford, Alexander Porter) gyzstan ers and 30 RBIs for the Sea Dogs this May and June, Kazmir had not pitched It’s beginning to look a lot like 2016. Each of the semifi nals is a rematch EQUESTRIAN BRONZE: Iryna Koliadenko, Ukraine season. in the major leagues since 2016. He Filipovic and Serbia overpowered Ita- from the fi rst day of group play in To- Jumping Individual BRONZE: Taybe Mustafa Yusein, Bul- hopes agent Brian Peters can get him GOLD: Ben Maher, Britain garia (AP) “I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s bet- ly 10-6 on Wednesday, joining Hungary, kyo. Spain beat Serbia 13-12 in their ter, but the atmosphere makes it bet- signed for later this season or 2022. Greece and Spain in the men’s water fi rst matchup, and Greece held off Kazmir was available for the Olym- polo semifi nals at the Tokyo Olympics. Hungary for a 10-9 win. pics because he was assigned outright Krisztian Manhercz scored seven times Greece is one win away from its fi rst South Korea outlast Turkey in 5 sets to Triple-A Sacramento on June 11. to lead Hungary to a 15-11 win against men’s water polo medal at the Olym- Kazmir startied on 16 days’ rest on Croatia. Greece advanced with a 10-4 pics. It is making its fi rst appearance in a broiling day with a 90-degree Fahr- victory over Montenegro, and Spain the semis since it fi nished fourth at the enheit (32.2 Celsius) temperature at held off the United States for a 12-8 win. 2004 Athens Games. US advance to women’s volleyball semifi nals game time and high humidity. With a Filipovic, 34, was the MVP when fastball in the 91 mph range and a cut- Serbia won gold at the Rio de Janeiro TOKYO, Aug. 4, (AP): Five years af- nals short-handed with starters Jordyn ter he’s developed, he threw 77 pitch- WATER POLO ter their quest for a fi rst Olympic gold Poulter and Jordan Thompson both Games, and he remains in fi ne form in es, struck out fi ve and walked one. his fourth Olympics. He scored three medal was denied in the semifi nals, the sidelined by right ankle injuries. But Playing 14 hours after their ninth- United States women’s volleyball team both players have surprised Kiraly with times against the reigning world cham- Konstantinos Genidounias, who inning comeback win over Israel, the pions. scored five goals in the victory over has returned to that stage after a rela- how quickly they are recovering and Dominicans (2-3) loaded the bases tively easy quarterfi nal win. could have played in an emergency. Montenegro, said winning a medal with one out in the fi rst. Johan Mieses for Greece “means absolutely every- The short-handed Americans over- They weren’t missed against the Do- grounded into a forceout at the plate, came the absence of two starters to beat minicans with fi ll-ins Micha Hancock thing.” the Dominican Republic 25-11, 25-20, and Annie Drews setting the tone early. bringing up Melky Cabrera, who was 3 Backed by a noticeable cheering 25-19 on Wednesday and advance to the Hancock’s set led to a spike by Drews on for 10 against Kazmir in his big league section comprised of people from the semifi nals. the fi rst point of the match and Hancock career. Cabrera bounced to Todd Fra- country’s Olympic party, Greece lim- ended a lopsided fi rst set with an ace. zier, who stepped on third for the in- ited Montenegro to one goal in the fi rst VOLLEYBALL Serbia swept Italy and is seeking to ning-ending forceout. half. Genidounias then scored three get back into the gold medal game after David Robertson allowed Charlie times in the third quarter to help his losing it to China fi ve years ago follow- Valerio’s two-out homer and a walk, team open a 6-1 lead. The U.S. will play Serbia on Friday then struck out Yefri Pérez with a man Spain improved to 6-0 in Tokyo, Brazil’s Fernanda Garay Rodrigues ing the big semifi nal win over the U.S. for a spot in the gold medal game in a re- on for his second save. The U.S. was outscoring its opponents 73-39, but it celebrates a point during a women’s Tijana Boskovic, the leading scorer in match of a semifi nal the Americans lost outhit 5-3 and overcame three errors was pushed into the second half in the volleyball quarterfinal match against the tournament, ended Italy’s run with fi ve years ago in Rio de Janeiro. and a 0-for-12 afternoon from its Nos. United States’ best performance of the the Russian Olympic Committee, at a spike that gave her a game-high 24 This marks the sixth time in the past 6-9 batters. tournament. the 2020 Summer Olympics, on Aug. points in the match. eight Olympics that the U.S. has made it South Korea outlasted Turkey in fi ve Bautista came up with two on Spain was clinging to a 7-6 lead in 4, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) this far in the tournament but the coun- sets earlier Wednesday to make it into and two outs in the seventh against Spain’s Alberto Munarriz Egana the fourth quarter when a video review try is still seeking their fi rst gold in the radewo Gunderson left following the the other semifi nal against Brazil. The McGough, a 31-year-old former Mi- (2) shoots as he is defended by showed U.S. attacker Luca Cupido sport. The U.S. won a medal at the past fi rst set with a knee injury has served Brazilians beat the team representing ami reliever who blew a save against United States’ Marko Vavic (3) entered too early after an exclusion. three Olympics, getting silver in 2008 the Russian Olympic Committee in four Japan two nights earlier. The six-time during a quarterfi nal round men’s Alberto Munarriz Egana buried the en- and ’12 and bronze in 2016. as fuel ever since and Kiraly’s crew is sets to get back to the semifi nals after All-Star, now 40, took consecutive water polo match at the 2020 suing penalty shot, and Blai Mallarach That fi ve-set loss to Serbia in 2016 ready to try to avenge it. losing in the quarterfi nals at home fi ve sliders and was called out by plate um- Summer Olympics, on Aug. 4, in Guell and Roger Tahull Compte added after star middle blocker Foluke Akin- The U.S. came into the quarterfi - years ago. pire Jair Fernández of Mexico. Tokyo, Japan. (AP) big goals down the stretch. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 16

Emmanuel Korir, of Kenya, races to win the gold medal ahead of Ferguson Rotich, of Kenya, silver, and Patryk Do- bek, of Poland, bronze, in the fi nal of the men’s 800-meter at the 2020 Summer Olym- pics in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com DE GRASSE FINALLY GETS HIS GOLD, KORIR LEADS KENYAN ONE-TWO FINISH Syrian weightlifter wins bronze

Talakhadze breaks records; Yosozumi solidifies Japan dominance as Romashina claims record title

TOKYO, Aug 4, (AP): Man Asaad of Syria took the bronze with a total 424kg for his country’s first med- al since its civil war began a decade ago. Syria’s last Olympic medal in any sport was a boxing bronze in 2004. “The medal means a lot to me and a lot to my country, Syria,” Asaad said through an interpreter. Lasha Talakhadze pumped every- one up with three world records on the final day of Olympic competition in weightlifting. The defending champion from Georgia lifted 223 kilograms in the snatch and 265kg in the clean and jerk for a total 488kg on Wednesday. All three figures broke his own world re- cords in the over-109kg men’s super- heavyweight category. Ali Davoudi of Iran was left in sec- ond place by the vast margin of 47kg. Even Talakhadze’s starting lifts were more than anyone else attempt- ed, which meant he had to lift three times back-to-back in each half of the competition. Talakhadze immediately pledged to return for a third Olympic gold in 2024, and his feat in Tokyo raised the question of whether he could be- come the first man to lift the once undreamed-of total of 500kg.

OLYMPICS

Perhaps the world’s next sprint star wasn’t so hard to find after all. He’s Andre De Grasse, the Cana- dian who ran his first sprint in baggy basketball shorts and borrowed spikes, Man Asaad of Syria competes in the men’s +109kg weightlifting event, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug 4, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Inset: From (left), silver medalist Alii Davoudi of Iran, gold and now has an Olympic gold medal medalist Lasha Talakhadze of Georgia and bronze medalist Man Asaad of Syria celebrate on the podium. (AP) in the 200 meters. De Grasse powered past a pair of Italy broke their own world record to all in the event. the gold medal. Americans - Kenny Bednarek and the Medals Table win the gold medal in men’s team pur- Just six of the 30 finalists completed Anton Dahlberg and Fredrik Berg- favorite, Noah Lyles - to finish in in suit cycling at the Tokyo Olympics. their runs without penalty, and Ma- strom of Sweden won the silver a national record time of 19.62 sec- The team of Simone Consonni, her, riding Explosion, had the fastest medal and Spain’s Nicolas Rodriguez onds and take one of the titles that Us- TOKYO, Aug 4: Olympic Games medals table on Filippo Ganna, Francesco Lamon and time out of all of them in the jump-off Garcia-Paz and Jordi Xammar took ain Bolt had owned for the last three Wednesday. Jonathan Milan stopped the clock in round at 37.85. bronze. Olympics. G S B T 3:42.032 to edge world champion Peder Fredricson of Sweden earned Britain won gold in the two-person It ends a string of close calls for the China 32 22 16 70 United States 25 31 23 79 Denmark in a dramatic final at the silver for the second straight games dinghy sailing event. 26-year-old and fills out a medal col- Japan 21 7 12 40 Izu Velodrome. Denmark finished in with a jump-off time of 38.02 seconds. Hannah Mills became the first Brit- lection that was only missing a gold. Great Britain 15 18 15 48 Australia 15 4 17 36 3:42.203. Maikel van der Vleuten of the Nether- ish woman to win at least three Olym- De Grasse won bronze four nights ROC 14 21 18 53 The Italians led through the first half lands won bronze at 38.90. pic medals in sailing. She and Eilidh earlier in the 100 to go with the third- Germany 8 8 16 32 of the 4,000-meter race, then watched Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil won McIntyre won at Enoshima Yacht place medal he took in Rio de Janeiro, France 6 10 9 25 Italy 6 9 15 30 as the Danish team of Lasse Nor- the women’s 10-kilometer marathon Harbor. Britain also won in Rio in as well. Netherlands 6 8 9 23 man Hansen, Niklas Larsen, Frederik swimming 2016. Bednarek ran a personal best 19.68 South Korea 6 4 9 19 New Zealand 6 4 5 15 Madsen and Rasmus Pedersen pulled event. Agnieszka Skrzypulec and Jolanta seconds and 2019 world champion Cuba 5 3 4 12 ahead. Cunha Ogar of Poland won silver. Ogar, 39, Noah Lyles took bronze in 19.74. Hungary 4 5 3 12 Canada 4 4 7 15 Over the last five laps, the Italians touched first becomes the oldest woman to win an American Sydney McLaughlin Brazil 4 3 8 15 wiped out a deficit of nearly a half- in 1 hour, 59 Olympic medal in sailing. broke her own world record to win the Andre De Grasse, of Canada, cel- ebrates after winning the final of the Czech Republic 4 3 1 8 second to win the gold medal. minutes, 30.8 Camille Lecointre and Aloise Re- women’s 400-meter hurdles in 51.46 Switzerland 3 4 5 12 men’s 200-meters at the 2020 Sum- Poland 3 3 4 10 Australia, the silver medalist in Rio, seconds on tornaz of France won bronze. seconds. She edged out Dalilah Mu- mer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) Croatia 3 3 2 8 took the bronze. Wednesday Japan’s Yukako Kawai held on to hammad, who won silver to make it a Sweden 2 5 0 7 Chinese Taipei 2 4 5 11 Arlen López won his second morning, finish- defeat Kyrgyzstan’s Aisuluu Tyny- U.S. 1-2 finish. ning mark. Georgia 2 4 1 7 Olympic boxing gold medal for Cuba, ing nine-tenths bekova 4-3 in the women’s freestyle McLaughlin set the previous world He was a bronze medalist at the Denmark 2 2 3 7 62-kilogram final. Norway 2 2 1 5 beating Britain’s Benjamin Whittaker of a second record of 51.90 seconds in June. Mu- 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and in the light heavyweight final at the ahead of de- Tynybekova, the No. 1 seed, had hammad, who set the world record Jamaica 2 1 2 5 won bronze medals at three world Iran 2 1 1 4 Kokugikan Arena. Romashina fending cham- won her first three matches by a com- twice in 2019 and won the world Slovenia 2 1 1 4 championships. Ecuador 2 1 0 3 López outclassed the defense-mind- pion Sharon van bined score of 24-0. championship gold medal that year, Eivind Henriksen of Norway set a Greece 2 0 1 3 ed Whittaker to win the fight on four of Rouwendaal of the Netherlands. It was Japan’s first wrestling gold finished in 51.58. national record with a 81.58 throw in Uzbekistan 2 0 1 3 Kosovo 2 0 0 2 the five judges’ scorecards. Cuba had Van Rouwendaal took silver in medal at these Olympics. Femke Bol of the Netherlands took the fifth round and finished with the Qatar 2 0 0 2 never won gold at light heavyweight 1:59.31.7. Kawai’s sister, Risako Kawai, will bronze in 52.03. silver medal. Spain 1 4 5 10 in its decorated Olympic boxing his- Kareena Lee of Australia earned wrestle for the second Olympic gold Emmanuel Korir led a Kenyan one- Romania 1 3 0 4 Four-time world champion Pawel Venezuela 1 3 0 4 tory until Julio Cesar La Cruz claimed bronze in 1:59.32.5. of her career on Thursday in the 57- two finish in the 800 meters. Fajdek of Poland took bronze with a Ukraine 1 2 8 11 the title in Rio de Janeiro. Cunha won her first medal in her kg class. Korir pushed his way past Aus- mark of 81.53. Kenya 1 2 2 5 Hong Kong 1 2 0 3 Russian athlete Imam Khataev and third Olympics. She was 10th five In the bronze medal matches, tralia’s Peter Bol on the last turn Sakura Yosozumi of Japan won South Africa 1 2 0 3 Cuban-born Loren Alfonso of Azer- years ago in Rio de Janeiro and fifth in Ukraine’s Iryna Koliadenko defeated and surged home to win in 1 min- the inaugural Olympic women’s park Slovakia 1 2 0 3 baijan won light heavyweight bronze the 2008 Beijing Games. Latvia’s Anastasija Grigorjeva 3-1 ute, 45.06 seconds. It was Kenya’s Serbia 1 1 4 6 event in skateboarding, solidifying Ja- Austria 1 1 3 5 medals. Mat Belcher and Will Ryan of Aus- and Bulgaria’s Taybe Mustafa Yu- fourth straight victory in the 800 at pan’s dominance of the sport making Indonesia 1 1 3 5 Ben Maher earned Britain their sec- tralia have won the two-person dinghy sein beat the Russian Olympic Com- the Olympics. its Olympic debut. Belgium 1 1 1 3 Ethiopia 1 1 1 3 ond straight gold in equestrian indi- event at the Tokyo Olympics. mittee’s Liubov Ovcharova 10-0 in a Teammate Ferguson Rotich took The silver went to Kokona Hiraki, Uganda 1 1 1 3 vidual jumping by besting five riders Belcher won gold at the London match that lasted 56 seconds silver with a late kick to overtake Po- who at 12 became Japan’s youngest Philippines 1 1 0 2 in a jump off. Olympics in 2012 in the 470 class and Iran’s Mohammadreza Geraei land’s Patryk Dobek, who held on for Tunisia 1 1 0 2 Olympic medalist. Turkey 1 0 5 6 Maher follows Nick Skelton, who combined with Ryan to win the sil- beat Ukraine’s Parviz Nasibov 9-1 to bronze ahead of Bol. Britain’s Sky Brown prevented a Ireland 1 0 2 3 retired shortly after winning gold at ver medal at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. win gold in the men’s Greco-Roman Kenya has claimed this title at every Israel 1 0 2 3 Japanese medal sweep, taking the Belarus 1 0 1 2 the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, to Belcher and Ryan only had to finish 67-kilogram class. Olympics since Beijing 2008. bronze. Estonia 1 0 1 2 give the country its second gold over- the last race without penalty to clinch Germany’s Frank Staebler defeated Peruth Chemutai of Uganda made Yosozumi won with a trick-filled Fiji 1 0 1 2 Latvia 1 0 1 2 Georgia’s Ramaz Zoidze 5-4 in one of her move on the last lap and pulled first run that scored 60.09, the only Bermuda 1 0 0 1 the bronze medal matches. Staebler away for the win in the women’s score to break 60 points in the event at Morocco 1 0 0 1 had previously announced he would 3,000-meter steeplechase final. Puerto Rico 1 0 0 1 the Ariake Urban Sports Park. Thailand 1 0 0 1 retire after the Olympics. The 32-year- Chemutai set a new national record Russia’s Svetlana Romashina Armenia 0 2 1 3 old is a three-time world champion with her time of 9 minutes, 1.45 sec- claimed her record sixth Olympic gold Colombia 0 2 1 3 Dominican Rep 0 2 1 3 who ended his career by winning his onds. American Courtney Frerichs medal in artistic swimming, teaming Kyrgyzstan 0 2 1 3 first Olympic medal. took off from the pack with around 2 with Svetlana Kolesnichenko to win India 0 1 2 3 Egypt’s Mohamed Ibrahim Elsayed Mongolia 0 1 2 3 1/2 laps to go. She was chased down the duet. Portugal 0 1 2 3 defeated Russian Olympic Commit- by Chemutai but held on down the The Russians were heavy favor- Bulgaria 0 1 1 2 tee’s Artem Surkov in the other bronze stretch for silver. Hyvin Kiyeng of ites in a sport they have dominated Nigeria 0 1 1 2 San Marino 0 1 1 2 medal match. Kenya was third. for more than two decades. Their last Jordan 0 1 0 1 Ukraine’s Zhan Beleniuk beat Hun- Emma Coburn of the United States Olympic loss in the sport formerly North Macedonia 0 1 0 1 Namibia 0 1 0 1 gary’s Viktor Lorincz 5-1 in the men’s was disqualified for what was listed as known as synchronized swimming Turkmenistan 0 1 0 1 Greco-Roman 87 kilogram final. a lane infringement after finishing be- came at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Kazakhstan 0 0 4 4 Beleniuk, the No. 2 seed, was an hind the field. She earned bronze at the Azerbaijan 0 0 3 3 The Russian pair received marks Egypt 0 0 3 3 Olympic silver medalist in 2016. 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. of 98.8000 for their free routine for a Mexico 0 0 3 3 Lorincz was the No. 1 seed. Wojciech Nowicki of Poland finally combined score of 195.9079. Argentina 0 0 1 1 Côte d’Ivoire 0 0 1 1 In bronze medal matches, Germany’s has a gold medal after winning the The silver went to China’s Finland 0 0 1 1 Denis Kudla defeated Egypt’s Mo- men’s hammer throw. Huang Xuechen and Sun Wenyan Ghana 0 0 1 1 hamed Metwally and Serbia’s Zurabi Kuwait 0 0 1 1 The 32-year-old Nowicki led from at 192.4499, while Ukraine’s Marta Malaysia 0 0 1 1 Datunashvili beat Croatia’s Ivan Huk- the first round and improved with each Fiedina and Anastasiya Savchuk Syria 0 0 1 1 Ahmed Tijan, of Qatar, dives for the ball during a men’s beach volleyball lek. of his first three attempts to reach a beat out Japan for the bronze with Note: Table reads as gold, silver, bronze and total quarterfinal match against Italy at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, personal best 82.52 meters, the win- 189.4620. Japan. Qatar beat Italy 21-17, 23-21. (AP) Medalists — See Page 15

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