Kuwait - Kuwait Times23-06--25

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The First English Daily in the Arabian Gulf
Established 1961 
5 Suicide bomber kills 20
at Damascus church
Digital hoarders: Temu
has a grip on Gen X men4 Alcaraz crowned king of
Queen’s for second time16Palestinian activist defiant
after release from US jail6
THULHIJJA 27, 1446 AH
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2025
ISSUE NO: 19663
16 PAGES, 150 FILS
Another first for
the United States
On Sunday morning, the United States of 
America marked another historic moment 
with the deployment of the new GBU-57 
Massive Ordnance Penetrator — also known as 
the “bunker buster” — on three targets in Iran. 
This unprovoked act of aggression against a 
sovereign nation took place in the early hours 
and stands in stark contradiction to President 
Donald Trump’s stated mandate during his elec-
tion campaign and inauguration, where he de-
clared himself a “president of peace”.
Whether this act will serve as the pivotal 
event that forces peace in the region or becomes 
the catalyst for a broader global conflict — pos-
sibly even World War III — remains to be seen. 
No doubt the American administration is hop-
ing for the former. One can only speculate that 
Trump views this move as a decisive action akin 
to the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima 
and Nagasaki in 1945. But history has repeatedly 
shown that the total annihilation of one side in a 
conflict rarely results in lasting peace.
War criminal Benjamin Netanyahu, called this 
“peace through strength”. Meanwhile, Iranian 
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that 
Iran reserves the right to retaliate. In a meeting 
I had on Sunday with the Iranian ambassador to 
Kuwait, His Excellency emphasized that two nu-
clear powers had attacked a country that does 
not possess nuclear weapons. He also thanked 
Kuwait Times and the local media for their fair 
coverage of the unfolding crisis and reiterated 
that Iran has been the victim of unprecedented 
attacks by both Israel and the United States.
His Excellency stated it was too early to an-
swer questions regarding the form or timing of 
any retaliation his government might take. For 
now, it appears the strikes did not cause any sig-
nificant radioactive leaks. While President Trump 
announced that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had 
been “completely obliterated”, reports out of 
Tehran suggest that the targeted bunkers had al-
ready been preemptively emptied in anticipation 
of such an attack.
The only certainty for now is that Benjamin 
Netanyahu has achieved a win. For decades, he 
has made unsubstantiated claims about Iran’s 
imminent acquisition of nuclear weapons — first 
in 1996, and again in 2002, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 
beyond. These repeated warnings, often deliv-
ered dramatically at the United Nations, were 
clearly intended to influence the UN, manipulate 
international opinion and instill fear in Western 
governments to provoke military action. 
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
By Dr M Ziad Al-Alyan
Editor-in-Chief
zya@kuwaittimes.com
ACT OF WAR
Iran mulls response after US ‘obliterates’ nuclear sites
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM: The 
world awaited Iran’s response on Sunday after US 
President Donald Trump said the US had “obliter-
ated” Tehran’s key nuclear sites, joining the Zionist 
entity in the biggest Western military action against 
the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution. With 
the damage visible from space after 30,000-pound 
US bunker-buster bombs crashed into the moun-
tain above Iran’s Fordo nuclear site, Tehran vowed 
to defend itself at all costs. It fired another volley of 
missiles at the Zionist entity that wounded scores of 
people and flattened buildings in Tel Aviv.
But perhaps in an effort to avert all-out war with 
the US superpower, it had yet to follow through 
on its main threats of retaliation against the United 
States itself – either by targeting US bases or try-
ing to choke off global oil supplies. Iranian President 
Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the US strikes, say-
ing the attack revealed Washington was the “main 
factor behind” the Zionist entity’s military campaign. 
Pezeshkian later took part in a protest in Tehran on 
Sunday denouncing the US strikes. “Revenge, re-
venge!” protesters shouted with their fists raised, as 
the president was seen making his way through the 
crowd gathered in a square in central Tehran.
Speaking in Istanbul, Iranian Foreign Minister Ab-
bas Araghchi said Tehran would consider all possible 
responses. There would be no return to diplomacy until 
it had retaliated, he said. “The US showed they have no 
respect for international law. They only understand the 
language of threat and force,” he said. The Iranian for-
eign minister said he would travel to Moscow for talks 
with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
80 cm80 cm
6 m6 m
The US-built bomb, also known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), can penetrate deep underground,
smashing through rock or concrete, before exploding 
Weighs 13 tons,
holds over 2 tons of explosives
Weighs 13 tons,
holds over 2 tons of explosives
GBU-57 ‘BUNKER BUSTER’ BOMB
Sources: US Air Force, US Department of Defense, Global Security
The MOP is deployed by
B-2 Stealth Bomber aircra�
Can penetrate 60 m*
underground
Detonation by delayed fuse
*Depth varies based on the material being pierced
Diagram not to scale
This combination of pictures created on June 22, 2025 using handout satellite 
images shows Iran’s Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) on June 19, 2025 (top) 
and after US strikes on the site on June 22, 2025 (bottom). — AFP photos
Continued on Page 6
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump addresses 
the nation, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secre-
tary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete 
Hegseth, from the White House on June 21, 2025. Continued on Page 6
Kuwait on full alert as region boils
By B Izzak
KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal 
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sun-
day received phone calls from United 
Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mo-
hammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and 
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin 
Salman to discuss the latest regional 
developments, especially after the US 
bombed three Iranian nuclear sites. HH 
the Amir discussed with the two lead-
ers the fast-paced developments in the 
Middle East and the ongoing armed 
conflict between the friendly Islamic 
Republic of Iran and the brutal Zionist 
entity, KUNA reported.
The foreign ministry said on Sunday 
“Kuwait is following with deep con-
cern” the developments in Iran, espe-
cially following US strikes on a num-
ber of Iranian nuclear facilities, which 
constitute a serious development that 
threatens the security of the region and 
the world. Kuwait reiterated its posi-
tion expressed on June 13, which con-
demned the aggression on Iran’s sover-
eignty and the breach of international 
laws and charters. Kuwait also called 
for the complete and immediate cessa-
tion of all aspects of armed hostilities.
Radiation ‘normal’ across Kuwait
Kuwait National Guard announced 
on Sunday that radiation levels in 
Kuwait’s atmosphere and territorial 
waters were “normal” following the 
targeting of three Iranian nuclear fa-
cilities early on Sunday.
KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah 
chairs a meeting of the Supreme Defense Council on June 22, 2025. — KUNA
Continued on Page 6
By Faten Omar
KUWAIT: The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the 
State of Kuwait Vladimir Zheltov visited the offices of Kuwait 
Times and Kuwait News on Sunday, where he was warmly re-
ceived by the editorial teams and given a tour of the various 
departments, including the newsroom, the printing press, and 
the archive room.
During the visit, the ambassador met Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait 
Times Dr M Ziad Al-Alyan. The two discussed the situation in the 
Middle East in light of the American strikes on Iran. The Palestinian 
issue and the Ukrainian crisis were also touched upon.
Monday, June 23, 2025
2
Local
Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief meets Russian ambassadorover the years.
Netanyahu was voted out of office in a 1999 elec-
tion and did not return to power until a decade later, 
by which time Barack Obama, a Democrat like Clin-
ton, was in the White House. Relations between the 
two turned openly hostile, initially over settlement 
building in occupied territory that Palestinians claim 
for a future stake - a constant thorn in US-Zionist 
relations. Matters deteriorated further as Obama 
entered negotiations with Iran to curb its nuclear 
drive - a project that Zionist entity said is aimed at 
creating atomic bombs and that Tehran has said is 
for purely civilian purposes. 
Netanyahu spoke to Congress in 2015 at the in-
vitation of Republicans to denounce the prospective 
deal, without informing the White House. “(The ac-
cord) doesn’t block Iran’s path to the bomb; it paves 
Iran’s path to the bomb,” he said. Obama was widely 
reported to have been furious, but still, the following 
year Washington delivered the largest military aid 
package to Zionist entity in US history - $38 billion 
over 10 years. Political analysts say Netanyahu takes 
US support as a given, confident that backing from 
evangelical Christians and the small Jewish-Amer-
ican community will guarantee that Zionist entity 
remains well-armed, however much he antagonizes 
the White House.
When militants launched a surprise attack on 
Zionist entity in October 2023, then-President Joe 
Biden flew to Zionist entity to show his support, au-
thorizing a huge flow of weapons to help with the 
conflict unleashed in Gaza. But relations between 
Netanyahu, a right-winger, and Biden, a Democrat, 
deteriorated rapidly, as Washington grew alarmed 
by the spiraling number of civilian deaths and the 
burgeoning humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian 
enclave. Biden held back on some heavy munitions 
deliveries and imposed sanctions on a number of vi-
olent settlers, so his defeat at the hands of Trump in 
last November’s presidential election was celebrated 
by Netanyahu. Finally, he had a Republican in of-
fice at a crucial moment for Zionist entity. However, 
things did not go smoothly, at least to start with.
Like Biden before him, Trump was unhappy at the 
protracted conflict in Gaza and then he blindsided 
Netanyahu during a meeting on April 7, when he re-
vealed that he was launching direct talks with Tehran 
aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the pro-
tracted nuclear stand-off with Iran. But while Trump 
publicly positioned himself as a peacemaker, Net-
anyahu consistently pushed for military intervention. 
Although it is unclear if Netanyahu ever got him to 
say “yes” to Zionist entity’s war plans, it was at least 
not a “no”, according to two senior US officials and a 
senior Zionist source. — Reuters 
ABIDJAN: Ivory Coast leader Alassane Ouattara’s 
party on Saturday tapped him to run for president 
again, two days after the country’s two main opposi-
tion parties joined forces to fight his possible candi-
dacy. Ouattara himself has not yet confirmed wheth-
er or not he will run for a fourth term as president of 
the west African country. But delegates accepted his 
candidacy after Patrick Achi, head of the congress 
of the ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy 
and Peace (RHDP), proposed him in the president’s 
absence. His nomination comes after weeks of ris-
ing political tensions triggered by the courts’ bar-
ring of several opposition politicians from the Oc-
tober 25 election. Ouattara’s critics, who accuse the 
US-trained economist of creeping authoritarianism, 
fiercely oppose his possible candidacy.
Ivory Coast’s two main opposition parties on 
Thursday announced a “common front” to demand 
that their leaders, banned from October presidential 
polls, be allowed to stand. It brings together the Afri-
can People’s Party - Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) of former 
president Laurent Gbagbo and former international 
banker Tidjane Thiam’s Democratic Party of Ivory 
Coast (PDCI), the country’s largest opposition force. 
Gbagbo, whose contesting of the 2010 vote which 
saw Ouattara elected triggered violence which killed 
3,000 people, is among the politicians the courts 
have struck off the list of candidates for president.
‘Continue the adventure’
Whether Ouattara will run again is the question on 
everyone’s lips in the west African nation. Ouattara, 
who will turn 84 in January, has maintained the sus-
pense for months. A comment made in January that 
he was “eager to continue serving” the country has 
so far been the only clue he is considering a fourth 
term. Ouattara is on Sunday due to address a major 
meeting at the Ebimpe stadium, where Ivory Coast’s 
footballers won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024.
His supporters see the head of state, who made a 
career as an economist for the International Mone-
tary Fund before turning to politics, as a beacon of 
stability. They loudly cheered his nomination on Sat-
urday, chanting his nickname “Ado” after his initials. 
“He has to accept and listen to the cries of his chil-
dren who are calling on him to continue the adven-
ture,” said Honore Adom, who came to the congress 
from the eastern Indenie-Djuablin region. “He has so 
pleased us that he must finish the works that he has 
begun,” Lassana Kone, who travelled from Gbeke in 
central Ivory Coast, told AFP.
Before the thousands gathered at the congress in 
Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s economic capital, the RHDP’s 
leadership hailed Ouattara’s stewardship of the coun-
try. On his watch Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa 
producer, has seen seven-percent economic growth 
nearly every year. “Ivory Coast has made major ad-
vances on the economic, social and cultural fronts, 
with sustained growth that has made us the envy of 
many,” said Vice President Tiemoko Meyliet Kone. 
Equipment minister Amedee Koffi Kouakou said 
Ouattara had made the country “a haven of peace” 
in an often restive region. Yet the president’s critics 
have pointed to the striking-off of his potential oppo-
nents from running in the upcoming vote as evidence 
of Ouattara’s increasing abuses of power. — AFP
Monday, June 23, 2025
7
International
News in Brief
Gunmen kill 2, including bride 
PARIS: Armed men opened fire at a wedding 
party in southeastern France early Sunday, kill-
ing two people, including the bride, and wound-
ing three others, said a source close to the in-
vestigation. The attack in the village of Goult 
occurred around 4:30 am. According to initial 
information, the bride and groom were leav-
ing the party when they were confronted by 
masked assailants who opened fire, the source 
close to the investigation added. The bride died 
and one of the attackers was killed, run over by 
the bride and groom’s car as they tried to es-
cape. A large-scale operation involving around 
100 police has been launched to find those 
responsible for the shooting, according to the 
source. All lines of inquiry are being pursued 
including a possible settling of scores. — AFP 
Nigeria death toll hits 12
JOS: The number of people killed after a 
mob stormed a bus carrying Muslim wedding 
guests in central Nigeria’s volatile Plateau 
state has risen to 12, according to the Nigerian 
presidency. The dead include the groom’s fa-
ther and brother, it said. President Bola Tinubu 
has condemned the killings, the latest attack 
to hit the region where tensions are high af-
ter a series of bloody attacks in recent days, 
with ethnic Fulani nomadic Muslim herders 
suspected of killing dozens of people in Pla-
teau’s Mangu local government area. Police, 
survivors and local organizations said around 
30 people on a bus to a wedding lost their 
way, stopped to ask for directions, and were 
accosted by an irate mob. They were attacked 
with sticks, machetes and stones and their bus 
set ablaze, a survivor told AFP. — AFP 
Winds fuel fears of wildfires
ZAGREB: Firefighters in southern Croatia 
were on high alert Sunday in fear that expected 
strong winds could rekindle blazes in the Balkan 
nation. Crews,with the help of water bombers, 
managed to get control Saturday over wildfires 
on the southern Adriatic coast, after a series 
of blazes started in recent days. The fires, near 
Croatia’s second largest city Split, that started 
Saturday morning close to the coastal village of 
Pisak was put under control but were still smol-
dering. They have burnt 300 hectares and doz-
en of houses, authorities said. According to the 
Split-Dalmatia county firefighting commander, 
Ivan Kovacevic during the night several small 
fires were put down by the firefighters. “The 
damage is huge, but it could have been bigger 
having given the number of structures that were 
threatened,” Kovacevic said. — AFP 
Ivory Coast leader 
Ouattara tapped to 
run for fourth term
ABIDJAN: Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara 
gestures as he arrives at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadi-
um for a meeting on June 22, 2025 in Abidjan. — AFP
Strikes on Iran mark Trump’s biggest, 
and riskiest, foreign policy gamble
Attack could force Iran to negotiate but risks drawing US into ‘regime change’ effort
WASHINGTON: With his unprece-
dented decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear 
sites, directly joining Zionist entity’s 
air attack on its regional arch foe, US 
President Donald Trump has done 
something he had long vowed to avoid 
- intervene militarily in a major foreign 
war. The dramatic US strike, including 
the targeting of Iran’s most heavily 
fortified nuclear installation deep un-
derground, marks the biggest foreign 
policy gamble of Trump’s two presi-
dencies and one fraught with risks and 
unknowns.
Trump, who insisted on Saturday 
that Iran must now make peace or face 
further attacks, could provoke Tehran 
into retaliating by closing the Strait of 
Hormuz, the world’s most important 
oil artery, attacking US military bases 
and allies in the Middle East, stepping 
up its missile barrage on Zionist entity 
and activating proxy groups against 
American and Zionist interests world-
wide, analysts said. Such moves could 
escalate into a broader, more pro-
tracted conflict than Trump had envi-
sioned, evoking echoes of the “forever 
wars” that America fought in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, which he had derided as 
“stupid” and promised never to be 
dragged into.
“The Iranians are seriously weak-
ened and degraded in their military 
capabilities,” said Aaron David Miller, 
a former Middle East negotiator for 
Democratic and Republican admin-
istrations. “But they have all sorts of 
asymmetric ways that they can re-
spond... This is not going to end quick.” 
In the lead-up to the bombing that he 
announced late on Saturday, Trump 
had vacillated between threats of mil-
itary action and appeals for renewed 
negotiation to persuade Iran to reach a 
deal to dismantle its nuclear program.
A senior White House official said 
that once Trump was convinced that 
Tehran had no interest in reaching a 
nuclear agreement, he decided the 
strikes were “the right thing to do.” 
Trump gave the go-ahead once he 
was assured of a “high probability of 
success,” the official said – a deter-
mination reached after more than a 
week of air attacks on Iran’s nuclear 
and military facilities paved the way 
for the US to deliver the potentially 
crowning blow.
Nuclear threat remains
Trump touted the “great success” 
of the strikes, which he said includ-
ed the use of massive “bunker-buster 
bombs” on the main site at Fordow. 
But some experts suggested that while 
Iran’s nuclear program may have been 
set back for many years, the threat may 
be far from over. Iran denies seeking a 
nuclear weapon, saying its program is 
for purely peaceful purposes.
“In the long term, military action is 
likely to push Iran to determine nuclear 
weapons are necessary for deterrence 
and that Washington is not interested 
in diplomacy,” the Arms Control As-
sociation, a non-partisan US-based 
organization that advocates for arms 
control legislation, said in a statement.
“Military strikes alone cannot 
destroy Iran’s extensive nuclear 
knowledge. The strikes will set Iran’s 
program back, but at the cost of 
strengthening Tehran’s resolve to re-
constitute its sensitive nuclear activ-
ities,” the group said.
Eric Lob, assistant professor in 
the Department of Politics and Inter-
national Relations at Florida Inter-
national University, said Iran’s next 
move remains an open question and 
suggested that among its forms of re-
taliation could be to hit “soft targets” 
of the US and Zionist entity inside and 
outside the region. — Reuters
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation 
from the White House on June 21, 2025 in Washington DC. President Trump 
addressed the three Iranian nuclear facilities that were struck by the US military 
early Sunday. — AFP
Despite clashes with
US leaders, Bibi 
usually gets his way
NEW YORK: A US attack on Iranian nuclear sites 
could push oil prices even higher and trigger a 
knee-jerk rush to safety, investors said, as they as-
sessed how the latest escalation of tensions would 
ripple through the global economy. The reaction in 
Middle East stock markets, which trade on Sunday, 
suggested investors were assuming a benign sce-
nario, even as Iran intensified its missile attacks on 
Zionist entity in response to the sudden, deep US 
involvement in the conflict.
Trump called the attack “a spectacular military 
success” in a televised address to the nation and 
said Iran’s “key nuclear enrichment facilities have 
been completely and totally obliterated”. He said 
the US military could go after other targets in Iran 
if the country did not agree to peace. Iran said it 
reserves all options to defend itself, and warned 
of “everlasting consequences”. Investors said they 
expected the US involvement would cause a selloff 
in stock markets and a possible bid for the dollar 
and other safe-haven assets when major markets 
reopen, but also said much uncertainty about the 
course of the conflict remained. 
“I think the markets are going to be initial-
ly alarmed, and I think oil will open higher,” said 
Mark Spindel, chief investment officer at Potomac 
River Capital. “We don’t have any damage assess-
ment and that will take some time. Even though he 
has described this as ‘done’, we’re engaged. What 
comes next?” Spindel said. “I think the uncertainty 
is going to blanket the markets, as now Americans 
everywhere are going to be exposed. It’s going to 
raise uncertainty and volatility, particularly in oil,” 
he added.
One indicator of how markets will react in the 
coming week was the price of ether, the sec-
ond-largest cryptocurrency and the new gauge of 
retail investor sentiment after bitcoin, which is now 
held largely by institutions. Ether was down 5 per-
cent on Sunday, taking losses since the first Zionist 
airstrikes on Iran on June 13 to 13 percent. Most Gulf 
stock markets, however, seemed unconcerned by the 
early morning attacks, with the main indexes in Qa-
tar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait up slightly and Tel Aviv 
main index at an all-time high.
Oil prices, inflation
A key concern for markets would center around 
the potential impact of the developments in the Mid-
dle East on oil prices and thus on inflation. A rise in 
inflation could dampen consumer confidence and 
lessen the chance of near-term interest rate cuts. 
Saul Kavonic, a senior energy analyst at equity re-
search firm MST Marquee in Sydney, said the more 
likely scenario would see Iran respond by targeting 
American interests in the Middle East, including Gulf 
oil infrastructure in places such as Iraq or harassing 
ship passages through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran 
and is the primary export route for oil producers 
such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq 
and Kuwait. “Much depends on how Iran responds 
in the coming hours and days, but this could set us 
on a path towards $100 oil if Iran respond as they 
have previously threatened to,” Kavonic said. While 
global benchmark Brentcrude futures LCOc1 have 
risen as much as 18 percent since June 10, hitting 
a near five-month high of $79.04 on Thursday, the 
S&P 500 has been little changed, following an initial 
drop when Zionist entity launched its attacks on Iran 
on June 13. — Reuters
The First English Daily in the Arabian Gulf
Established 1961 
BusinessMONDAY, JUNE 23, 2025
US airlines face heightened risks 
as global carriers bypass Mideast
Safe Airspace website warns of increased risks to US airlines
NEW YORK: An organization that 
monitors flight risks warned on Sunday 
that US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites 
could heighten the threat to American 
operators in the region as airlines con-
tinued to avoid large parts of the Middle 
East due to ongoing missile exchanges. 
But following a barrage of early morn-
ing Iranian missiles, Zionist entity has 
reopened its airspace for six hours on 
Sunday to bring back those stranded 
abroad since the conflict with Iran be-
gan on June 13. 
Safe Airspace, a membership-based 
website run by OPSGROUP, said the 
US attacks on Iran may increase risks 
to US operators in the region. “While 
there have been no specific threats made 
against civil aviation, Iran has previously 
warned it would retaliate by attacking 
US military interests in the Middle East 
- either directly or via proxies such as 
Hezbollah,” Safe Airspace said. Mean-
while, flight tracking website FlightRa-
dar24, said airlines maintained flight di-
versions around the region.
“Following US attacks on Iranian 
nuclear facilities, commercial traffic in 
the region is operating as it has since 
new airspace restrictions were put into 
place last week,” it said on social media 
platform X. Its website showed airlines 
were not flying in the airspace over Iran, 
Iraq, Syria and Zionist entity. They have 
chosen other routings such as north 
via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt 
and Saudi Arabia, even if these result in 
higher fuel and crew costs and longer 
flight times. Missile and drone barrag-
es in an expanding number of conflict 
zones globally represent a high risk to 
airline traffic.
Since Zionist entity launched strikes 
on Iran on June 13, carriers have sus-
pended flights to destinations in the af-
fected countries, though there have been 
some evacuation flights from neighbor-
ing nations and some bringing stranded 
people home. In the days before the US 
strikes, American Airlines suspended 
flights to Qatar and United Airlines did 
the same with flights to Dubai. Safe Air-
space said it was possible airspace risks 
could now extend to countries includ-
ing Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi 
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 
“We continue to advise a high degree of 
caution at this time,” it said.
Rescue and evacuation flights
Zionist carriers, El Al Airlines, Arkia, 
Israir and Air Haifa, said earlier on Sunday 
they had suspended rescue flights that al-
lowed people to return to Zionist entity 
until further notice. El Al said it would 
also extend its cancellation of scheduled 
flights through Friday and Israir said it 
had halted the sale of tickets for all flights 
through July 7. A spokesperson for Zi-
onist entity’s airports authority said the 
country’s main airport, Ben Gurion near 
Tel Aviv, was expected to reopen for res-
cue flight landings on Sunday between 
1100 and 1700 GMT. The small Haifa Air-
port serving Zionist entity’s north would 
also be open from 1100 to 1700 GMT.
Flag carrier El Al, along with Arkia, 
Air Haifa and Israir said they would op-
erate at least 10 flights on Sunday start-
ing at 1100 GMT. Tens of thousands of 
people who had booked tickets to Zion-
ist entity are stuck abroad. At the same 
time, nearly 40,000 tourists in Zionist 
entity are looking to leave the country, 
some of whom are going via Jordan’s 
borders to Amman and Aqaba and oth-
ers via Egypt and by boat to Cyprus. “In 
accordance with security directives, we 
are working to bring people home as 
quickly as possible,” Zionist Transport 
Minister Miri Regev said in a statement.
Japan’s foreign ministry said on Sun-
day it had evacuated 21 people, includ-
ing 16 Japanese nationals, from Iran 
overland to Azerbaijan. It said it was the 
second such evacuation since Thursday 
and that it would conduct further evac-
uations if necessary. New Zealand’s 
government said on Sunday it would 
send a Hercules military transport plane 
to the Middle East on standby to evac-
uate New Zealanders from the region. 
It said in a statement that government 
personnel and a C-130J Hercules air-
craft would leave Auckland on Monday. 
The plane would take some days to 
reach the region, it said. The govern-
ment was also in talks with commercial 
airlines to assess how they may be able 
to assist, it added.— Reuters
NEW YORK: Delta Airlines aircraft are seen from a train approaching JFK International Airport in New York in this file photo. An organization that monitors flight risks warned on Sunday that US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites could 
heighten the threat to American operators in the region as airlines continued to avoid large parts of the Middle East due to ongoing missile exchanges. — AFP
Investors brace
for oil price spike,
rush to havens
Tesla launches 
long-discussed 
robotaxi service
NEW YORK: Tesla is expected to begin offering 
robotaxi service in Austin, an initial step that Elon 
Musk’s backers believe could lead to the company’s 
next growth wave. The launch—which comes as 
Musk refocuses on his business ventures following 
a controversial stint in Donald Trump’s administra-
tion—will employ the Model Y sport utility vehicle 
rather than Tesla’s much-touted Cybercab, which is 
still under development. 
The long-awaited launch follows the dramatic 
meltdown earlier this month in relations between 
Musk and Trump, which saw a cascade of bitter 
attacks from both men. Since then, Musk has pub-
licly expressed regret for some of his statements, 
while his company’s Texas operation has readied the 
Austin push—part of a major drive on autonomous 
technology and artificial intelligence that Tesla bulls 
believe will yield huge profits. 
This group includes Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives, 
who said autonomous technology could be a catalyst 
for potentially $1 trillion in additional market value 
or more. “There are countless skeptics of the Tesla 
robotaxi vision with many bears thinking this day 
would never come,” said Ives, who predicted that 
Trump’s administration would clear roadblocks for 
Tesla and pivot from the recent “soap opera.” “The 
golden era of autonomous for Tesla officially kicks 
off on Sunday in Austin,” Ives said in a note Friday.
But the unveiling in the Texas state capital comes 
amid questions about how Tesla will try to over-
come criticism of Musk’s activities for Trump. Tes-
la saw profits plunge 71 percent in the first quarter 
following poor sales in several markets. In picking 
Austin for the debut of the autonomous vehicle (AV) 
service, Musk is opting for a US state known for its 
company-friendly approach to regulation. “Texas 
law allows for AV testing and operations on Texas 
roadways as long as they meet the same safety and 
insurance requirements as every other vehicle on the 
road,” the Texas Department of Transportation told 
AFP. An Austin website listed six autonomous vehi-
cle companies at various stages of operation: ADMT 
(Volkswagen), AVRide, Tesla, Zoox (Amazon), Mo-
tional (Hyundai) and Waymo (Alphabet/Google).
But the Texas legislature this year enacted a new 
bill that requires prior authorization from the state’s 
Department of Motor Vehicles before companies 
can operate on a public street without human driv-
ers, a group of seven Democratic lawmakers said in 
a June 18 letter to Tesla. Citing the enhanced system, 
the lawmakers asked Tesla to delay testing until after 
the law takes effect September 1. — AFP
SAUSALITO: In an aerial view, electric vehicles sit parked at a Tesla charging station in Sausalito, California.—AFP
HOUSTON:In an aerial view, the LyondellBasell 
Houston refinery is seen in Houston, Texas. Oil pric-
es have spiked over concerns that Zionists and Iran 
war could lead into a broader conflict involving the 
United States. — AFP
Monday, June 23, 2025
9
Business
alsafatinvest.com
research@alsafatinvest.com
alsafatinvestment
al-safat-investment-company
(965) 22 675 140
Al-Safat Tower, Hawalli, Beirut St.
VALUE TRADED
Market Summary:
• Premier and Main market volumes 
and values rose by 23% and 4%, and 
37% and 43%, respec�vely.
• Premier and Main indexes fell sharply 
due to the Iran–Zionist conflict, but 
rebounded the following day.
• Technically, the All Share Index closed 
at 7951, with support levels at 7934, 
7869, and 7850, and resistance at 
7954. The Premier Index closed at 
8616, with support levels at 8599, 
8568, and 8509, and resistance at 
8682. The Main Index closed at 6860, 
with support levels at 6823, 6790, and 
6726, and resistance at 6890.
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'(%9&'(")#* 1-50, 2-12,3+8 4.327 4.3/7 4,367 .-5..-021-560 .+/-2,8-,22 65-556 .531 .3. .63.7
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BC9@D$#"&3/9.% >"/9% 5#"=%2 E&3F$ /"2&()/32% )G":H%(6 >3/9.% >"/9% 5#"=%2
H'LN:OHO 063. 4..3687 0.-20.-6/8&&&&&&&& 0-5+2-858&&&&&&&& 8-1/,&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
E&3F$ 1"2& )G":H%(6 >3/9.% >"/9% 5#"=%2 E&3F$ 1"2& )G":H%(6 >3/9.% >"/9% 5#"=%2
RIK .,. 83/07 56/-,/2-.68&&&&&& 56-+80-808&&&&&&&&&&&&& 8-+,1&&&&&& YIK 6+, 4535/7 .55-0/6-6.6&&&&&& 0,-88,-2.6&&&&&& .5-2.0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
:RSOT .01 45.3.57 .60-5/.-+,5&&&&&& 81-/+,-1..&&&&&&&&&&&&& 1-055&&&&&& W:N>:>:PY 5+2 453667 .6.-2..-+10&&&&&& +5-81,-5.,&&&&&& 2-.11&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
W:N>:>:PY 5+2 453667 .6.-2..-+10&&&&&& +5-81,-5.,&&&&&&&&&&&&& 2-.11&&&&&& :RSOT .01 45.3.57 .60-5/.-+,5&&&&&& 81-/+,-1..&&&&&& 1-055&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
YL> 5+03, 4.3.07 ./,-2+1-,50&&&&&& 86-86+-0+.&&&&&&&&&&&&& 8-8.+&&&&&& YL> 5+0 4.3.07 ./,-2+1-,50&&&&&& 86-86+-0+.&&&&&& 8-8.+&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
H'LN:OHY 088 453,,7 85-202-0/8&&&&&&&& 8,-5+/-./2&&&&&& 8-2/0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
53*(132%#2
53*(>"/9%
53*(I";:%#2
53*(>3/9.%
WEEK ENDED ON 19 JUNE 2025
All Share Price Index YTD
7400.0000
7550.0000
7500.0000
7450.0000
7350.0000
7750.0000
7700.0000
7650.0000
7600.0000
7850.0000
7800.0000
7900.0000
8100.0000
8150.0000
8200.0000
8300.0000
8350.0000
8250.0000
8050.0000
8000.0000
Jan05
12 26 09 16 09 1619
Feb02
23 13 20 27
May04 Jun01
11 18 25 10 15 19
Apr06Mar02
7951.1000
All Share Price Index YTD
7850.0000
7800.0000
7900.0000
8100.0000
8150.0000
8200.0000
8300.0000
8350.0000
8250.0000
8050.0000
8000.0000
7951.1000
TELECOM 
3%
BANKING
44%
UTILITIES 
0%
CONSUMER 
DISCRETIONARY 
3%
BASIC 
MATERIALS 
1%
CONSUMER 
STAPLES 0%
ENERGY 0%
REAL
ESTATE 
14%
INSURANCE 
0%
INDUSTRIALS 
11%
FINANCIAL
SERVICES 23%
Global central banks steady rates 
amid Mideast turmoil, oil volatility
NBK Weekly Market Report
KUWAIT: Markets this week were shaped by dovish 
central bank signals, weak US data, and rising Middle 
East tensions. The Fed held rates steady but projected 
two cuts by year-end, while the Swiss National Bank cut 
rates and the Bank of England stayed on hold. US retail 
sales fell 0.9 percent in May, underscoring softer con-
sumer demand. 
Geopolitical risk intensified after strikes on Irani-
an nuclear sites pushed oil up over 4 percent midweek, 
though prices later eased as President Trump signaled 
a two-week pause on US military action before decid-
ing to strike Iran on the early hours of Sunday. Equities 
slipped, Treasury yields fell, and rate cut bets firmed. In 
FX, the dollar gained on safe-haven flows, the yen and 
franc saw brief support before retreating, and commodi-
ty currencies weakened alongside oil volatility.
Oil prices fluctuate 
Oil prices surged this week, with Brent crude climb-
ing roughly 4 percent, peaking near $78.85, and WTI 
reaching around $77.20, driven largely by escalating 
Zionist entity-Iran tensions. On June 13, Zionist strikes 
on Iranian nuclear sites triggered a sharp 7–11 percent 
jump in oil. However, markets eased after President 
Trump announced he would delay decision on US mili-
tary action against Iran by up to two weeks. Trump also 
praised the strikes as “excellent” and warned Iran to 
“make a deal now” or face “more brutal” consequenc-
es. His strong rhetoric earlier in the week, including a 
demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” had previ-
ously driven a midweek spike.
Following the ease in oil prices, President Trump 
ordered the US military to strike targets inside Iran, 
including the Fordow uranium enrichment facility. Its 
effect on the market remains to be seen, however it is 
expected to drive oil prices higher amid heightened 
tensions. Brent crude oil was last seen trading at $77.01.
US retail sales down 
US consumer spending dropped significantly in May, 
driven by falling gasoline sales and growing concerns 
about the economic outlook, according to Commerce 
Department data released Tuesday. Retail sales fell by 
0.9 percent, exceeding expectations of a 0.6 percent 
decline, and followed a slight 0.1 percent dip in April. Ex-
cluding auto sales, retail sales also disappointed, slipping 
0.3 percent instead of the anticipated 0.1 percent rise. 
While spending spiked in March ahead of President 
Trump’s tariff announcement, it has generally remained 
sluggish throughout the year. In May, sales at building 
and garden stores declined by 2.7 percent, gasoline sta-
tion revenue dropped 2 percent due to lower energy 
prices, and motor vehicle and parts sales fell 3.5 percent. 
Bars and restaurants also saw a 0.9 percent decrease. 
However, there were gains in certain sectors, including 
a 2.9 percent rise in miscellaneousretail, 0.9 percent 
growth in online sales, and a 1.2 percent increase at fur-
niture stores. Despite the spending slowdown, consum-
er sentiment slightly improved in May from previously 
low levels, aided by a temporary easing in trade tensions 
during a 90-day negotiation window.
Fed holds rates steady
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady at 4.25 
percent - 4.50 percent for the fourth straight meeting, re-
flecting a cautious approach as policymakers assess the 
economic effects of President Trump’s policies, especial-
ly those concerning tariffs, immigration, and taxes. While 
uncertainty around the economic outlook has lessened, it 
remains elevated. The Fed still expects two rate cuts later 
this year, however updated projections show slower GDP 
growth, with forecasts for 2025 and 2026 revised down 
to 1.4 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. The unem-
ployment rate is projected to hold at 4.5 percent through 
2026. Inflation, measured by the PCE rate, is expected 
to reach 3.0 percent in 2025, then gradually fall to 2.4 
percent in 2026 and 2.1 percent in 2027. The Greenback 
was last seen trading at 98.77.
UK inflation decreased 
UK inflation eased slightly to 3.4 percent in May 
2025, down from 3.5 percent in April. The main down-
ward drivers were transport costs, which dropped sharp-
ly (0.7 percent vs 3.3 percent) due to lower air fares and 
falling fuel prices, influenced by the timing of Easter and 
school holidays. A data correction to Vehicle Excise 
Duty also contributed to the decline. Housing and house-
hold services inflation softened slightly (6.9 percent vs 
7 percent), as did services inflation (4.7 percent vs 5.4 
percent). However, food prices rose (4.4 percent vs 3.4 
percent), especially for chocolate, confectionery, and ice 
cream, and furniture and household goods inflation hit its 
highest level since December 2023 (0.8 percent).
Bank of England maintains policy rate
The Bank of England kept interest rates steady at 4.25 
percent but signaled potential cuts later this year as the 
economy slows and unemployment rises. Governor An-
drew Bailey noted that rates are on a “gradual downward 
path,” citing early signs of labor market weakness. How-
ever, he stressed the global outlook remains uncertain, 
making it hard to predict when cuts will occur. Markets 
anticipate the first rate cut in August to 4 percent, with 
a possible drop to 3.75 percent by year-end. The Bank’s 
report highlighted weak business investment and stag-
nant GDP growth, forecasting just 0.25 percent growth 
per quarter for the rest of the year. Inflation is expected 
to temporarily rise due to energy prices before easing as 
wage growth slows.
UK retail sales
UK retail sales volumes saw their steepest decline 
since December 2023, falling 2.7 percent in May, far 
worse than the 0.5 percent drop expected, according 
to the Office for National Statistics. Compared to last 
year, sales were down 1.3 percent, marking the biggest 
annual fall since April 2024 and sharply missing fore-
casts of 1.7 percent growth. The drop followed strong 
spending in April on food, summer clothing, and home 
improvements. ONS attributed May’s decline to weak 
performance in food and alcohol sales, lower clothing 
store traffic, and reduced demand for DIY goods, as 
many consumers had already completed projects ear-
lier before the dry weather.
SNB lowers rate
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) lowered its policy 
interest rate by 25 basis points to 0 percent on Thurs-
day, marking its sixth consecutive rate cut since March 
2024. The move was in line with market expectations 
and comes in response to declining inflation, pressure 
from an appreciating Swiss franc, and heightened 
global economic uncertainty, particularly tied to the 
US administration’s unpredictable trade policies. The 
SNB noted that inflation has dropped below its 0–2 
percent target range, with annual inflation in May 
turning negative for the first time in four years. It said 
the rate cut was aimed at countering this weakening 
inflationary pressure. 
The central bank acknowledged the challenges of 
negative interest rates, particularly for savers and pen-
sion funds, and pointed to rising property prices as a 
potential side effect. In its forward outlook, the SNB 
projected slowing global economic growth, with US 
inflation expected to rise and European inflation to 
decline further. It emphasized that the global econom-
ic outlook remains highly uncertain, with the potential 
for further trade barriers worsening the slowdown. The 
USD/CHF currency pair was last seen trading at 0.8174.
Japan holds rate steady 
The Bank of Japan held its key interest rate steady at 
0.5 percent in June, matching market expectations. The 
decision reflected a cautious approach due to ongoing 
geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over US tariffs. 
Trade talks between Japan and the US will continue af-
ter no agreement was reached at the G7 Summit. As part 
of its slow policy normalization, the BoJ confirmed it will 
reduce government bond purchases by JPY 400 billion 
per quarter through March 2026, then by JPY 200 billion 
quarterly until March 2027, aiming for a monthly pace 
of around JPY 2 trillion, indicating a gradual exit from 
its ultra-loose monetary stance. The USD/JPY currency 
pair was last seen trading at 146.07.
China kept rates unchanged
China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged 
on Friday, maintaining the 1-year loan prime rate at 3.0 
percent and the 5-year rate at 3.5 percent, in line with 
expectations. This decision follows last month’s mon-
etary easing, which included the first rate cut since 
October and deposit rate reductions by commercial 
banks to protect margins. 
The move comes as trade tensions with the US 
ease, after both sides agreed to uphold a May agree-
ment that temporarily lifts tariffs and allows rare earth 
and tech trade. The trade truce has reduced econom-
ic pressure, giving Beijing room to support the yuan 
and avoiding further stimulus for now. Chinese offi-
cials have expressed confidence in the current poli-
cy stance, with the offshore yuan recovering over 2 
percent this year, rebounding from the April lows trig-
gered by aggressive US tariffs. The USD/CNY cur-
rency pair was last seen trading at 7.1785.
Monday, June 23, 2025
10
Business
SANTAREM: Brazilian soy farmers are pushing 
further into the Amazon rainforest to plant more 
of their crops, putting pressure on a landmark deal 
signed two decades ago aimed at slowing defor-
estation. Many are taking advantage of a loophole 
in the Amazon Soy Moratorium, a voluntary agree-
ment signed by the world’s top grain traders in 2006 
that they would not buy soy grown on land defor-
ested after 2008.
The Moratorium protects old-growth rainforest 
that has never before been cleared, but excludes many 
other kinds of vegetation and forests that have re-
grown on previously cleared land, known as secondary 
forests. While this land is also important for preserv-
ing the fragile Amazon biome, farmers can raze it and 
plant soy without violating the terms of the Moratori-
um and could even market it as deforestation-free. The 
most recent official annual report on the Moratorium, 
which covers the crop year 2022-2023, showed that 
soy planted on virgin forest has almost tripled between 
2018 and 2023 to reach 250,000 hectares, or 3.4 per-
cent of all soy in the Amazon.
Its study area is limited to municipalities that 
grow over 5,000 hectares of soy. However, Xiaop-
eng Song, a professor at the geographical sciences 
department of the University of Maryland who has 
tracked the expansion of soy over the past two de-
cades, found more than four times that forest loss. 
Satellite data he analyzed exclusively for Reuters 
shows 16% of Brazilian Amazon land under produc-
tion for soy, or about 1.04 million hectares, is plant-
ed where trees have been cleared since 2008, the 
cutoff date agreed in the Moratorium.
“I would like to see secondaryforest and recov-
ered forest included in the Moratorium,” said Song. 
“It creates loopholes if we only limit it to primary 
forest.” Abiove, the soy industry body overseeing 
the Moratorium, said in a statement that the agree-
ment aims to rein in deforestation of old-growth 
forests while other methodologies have broader 
criteria that could lead to “inflated interpretations.” 
Reuters was unable to make a detailed comparison 
because Abiove declined to share granular data.
Data in the Moratorium report comes from Bra-
zil’s National Institute of Space Research, and its 
assessments are recognized internationally and 
monitored independently. Abiove said it was aware 
that some soy was planted in areas where regrown 
forests had been cut. The discrepancy over how to 
define a forest has huge implications for conserva-
tion. Deforestation, drought and heat driven by cli-
mate change bring the rainforest closer to a tipping 
point beyond which it starts an irreversible transfor-
mation into a savannah. 
Most scientists are calling not only for a halt to all 
deforestation but also for increased efforts to refor-
est. Viola Heinrich, a post-doctoral researcher at the 
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, who has ex-
tensively studied secondary forests in the Amazon, 
said these were “crucial” in limiting global warming 
even if initially less biodiverse. “We cannot achieve 
the goals of the Paris Agreement without actively in-
creasing the carbon sink,” she said, referring to re-
generating ecosystems that rapidly absorb and store 
carbon. Secondary forests absorb carbon at a faster 
rate than old-growth forests, but store less of it.
‘Stolen again’
On a scorching afternoon late last year, on the 
outskirts of Santarem, a port city by the Amazon 
River, farmers were in the last stages of clearing 
land. Felled trees were neatly stacked up in rows, 
ready to be burnt. Some of these trees were around 
three decades old, part of a secondary forest on land 
that was once razed to make way for cattle but later 
abandoned, satellite images showed. “What can be 
stolen once, can be stolen again,” said Gilson Rego, 
of the Pastoral Land Commission, a church-affili-
ated group working with locals affected by defor-
estation, as he pointed to surrounding areas where 
soy had been planted. In the last five years, Rego 
saw the area dedicated to the crop soar. More than 
a dozen soy and subsistence farmers who spoke to 
Reuters said the main draw was the nearby Cargill 
terminal from where soy is shipped worldwide be-
cause it reduces costs for logistics. Cargill did not 
respond to requests for comment. 
The boom helped Brazil overtake the United 
States in 2020 as the world’s largest soy exporter. 
About two thirds of it ships to China, whose larg-
est buyer, Cofco, has signed up to the Moratorium 
and said earlier this year that it was committed to 
it. Nearly all of it is used to fatten animals for meat 
production. Still, Song estimated an additional 6 
million hectares of the rainforest would have been 
lost to soy in Brazil without the Moratorium and 
related conservation efforts, considering the pace 
of expansion elsewhere. Neighboring Bolivia, he 
said, had become a deforestation hot spot.
Brazilian farmers have always opposed the 
Moratorium and complained that even a small 
amount of deforestation can lead traders to block 
purchases from entire farms, a policy that Abiove 
is considering changing. Thousands of properties 
that cover some 10 percent of soy’s footprint in 
the region are currently blocked. Adelino Avelino 
Noimann, the vice president of the soy farmers as-
sociation in Para state, where Santarem is located, 
said the soy boom was creating opportunities in a 
poor country. “It’s not fair that other countries in 
Europe could deforest and grow, and now we are 
held back by laws that are not even ours,” said 
Noimann.
Farming groups allied with right-wing poli-
ticians, once a fringe movement, have launched 
lawsuits and legislative attacks on the Moratorium 
in the capital Brasilia, and half a dozen major ag-
ricultural states, seeking to weaken its provisions. 
At the end of April, a justice from Brazil’s Supreme 
Court said it would allow the country’s biggest 
farming state, Mato Grosso, to withdraw tax in-
centives from signatories of the Moratorium. The 
ruling still needs to be confirmed by the full court. 
Andre Nassar, the president of Abiove, the 
soy industry body that oversees the Moratorium, 
has already hinted that it could weaken rules to 
appease farmers. “The solution is not ending the 
Moratorium or keeping it as it is,” Nassar told 
senators in April. “Something needs to be done.” 
Global traders including ADM, Bunge, Cargill, 
Cofco and Louis Dreyfus Company had all signed 
up back in 2006. Abiove and the grain traders it 
represents have declined to publicly discuss de-
tails but environmental group Greenpeace, which 
is part of some discussions, said last year that 
behind closed doors there was a push from trad-
ers to weaken it.
Environmentalists like Andre Guimaraes, an ex-
ecutive director at IPAM, another nonprofit that 
monitors the agreement, said that even with its 
faults it was important. “We still see the expansion 
of soy in the Amazon,” he said. “But it could be 
worse.” Other environmentalists said it should be 
reinforced by closing loopholes. Abundant water 
and nutrient-rich soil are the main reasons farmers 
from other parts of the country, including the soy 
heartland Mato Grosso, have moved to Para. “Here, 
we can have as many as three harvests,” said Edno 
Valmor Cortezia, the president of the local farmers 
union, adding that farmers there can grow soy, corn 
and wheat on the same plot in a single year.
In the municipality Belterra near Santarem, soy 
expansion stopped short only at a local cemetery 
and school. Raimundo Edilberto Sousa Freitas, 
the principal, showed Reuters court records and 
supporting evidence for two instances when 80 
children and teachers had symptoms of pesticide 
intoxication last year. One farmer was later fined, 
the records showed, but the crop continues to 
claim more of the area every year. Occasionally, a 
few imposing trees that are protected by law are 
left in sprawling fields of soy, the last reminder of 
the lush biome that was once there. — Reuters
Brazil’s soy farmers 
raze Amazon despite 
deforestation pact
Fed split on whether 
to hedge on inflation, 
or proceed with cuts
WASHINGTON: The close split at the US Federal Re-
serve over whether to keep hedging against inflation 
risks or move forward faster with rate cuts came through 
on Friday in the first public comments from policymakers 
following a decision this week to hold borrowing costs 
steady for now. Rising tariffs are expected to raise infla-
tion over the rest of the year, with a new Federal Reserve 
monetary policy report on Friday concluding that higher 
import taxes had already raised inflation for goods even 
if headline inflation, including services, remains weaker 
than expected in recent months.
But Fed Governor Christopher Waller on Friday 
said he felt the inflation risk from tariffs was small, and 
the Fed should cut rates as soon as its next meeting in 
July, because recent price increases have been moder-
ate while he sees some worrying signs for the job mar-
ket such as a high unemployment rate among recent 
college graduates. “Any tariff inflation ... I don’t think 
is going to be that big and we should just look through 
it in terms of setting policy,” Waller said on CNBC’s 
Squawk Box. “The data the last few months has been 
showing that trend inflation is looking pretty good ... 
We could do this as early as July.”
“I’m all in favor of saying maybe we should start 
thinking about cutting the policy rate at the next meet-
ing, because we don’t want to wait till the job market 
tanks before we start cutting the policy rate,” Waller 
said. In a Reuters interview, Richmond Fed President 
Tom Barkin took a moretempered view, arguing that 
with inflation still above the Fed’s 2 percent target after 
a multi-year battle to contain it, key tariff debates still 
unresolved, and the unemployment rate at a low 4.2 per-
cent, there was no urgency to cut rates. 
“Nothing is burning on either side such that it sug-
gests there’s a rush to act,” Barkin said. “I’m not in a mood 
to ignore a spike in inflation were it to come ... We’ll have 
to see if it comes. “I’m comfortable with where we are ... 
Core inflation is still over target. Being modestly restric-
tive is a good way to address that.” San Francisco Fed 
President Mary Daly had what may be an in-between 
view, telling CNBC late on Friday a rate cut in the fall 
would be “more appropriate” than a July move unless the 
labor market falters.
While tariffs could give rise to meaningful infla-
tion, she said, there is “a lot to be said” for the view 
that businesses will find ways not to pass higher costs 
on to their customers, tempering any inflation impact. 
The Fed should not be preemptive and needs to watch 
where the data goes, she said, but with data in hand 
showing both inflation and the job market cooling, “we 
cannot wait so long that we forget that the fundamen-
tals of the economy are moving in a direction where an 
interest rate adjustment might be necessary.”
The job market is still solid, she said, but “we’re at a 
point where additional softening could turn into weak-
ening, which I don’t want to see, and we can’t allow for 
that to happen because we’re waiting for inflation to 
pop up just around the corner.” The Fed this week held 
its policy rate steady in the 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent 
range where it has been since December. The Trump 
administration says the tariffs will ultimately help the 
US economy, and the president has demanded the Fed 
slash rates immediately.
New Fed economic projections this week, by contrast, 
anticipate slower growth and higher inflation. Those pro-
jections showed policymakers overall still anticipate rate 
cuts later in the year, a sign they do feel tariffs will raise 
prices but not in a persistent way. Opinion, however, was 
closely divided in what Barkin called a “bimodal” split, 
with seven policymakers seeing zero cuts needed this 
year, and eight anchoring the median at two cuts, which 
aligns with investors’ view of quarter-point reductions at 
the Fed’s September and December meetings. 
Though none of the three identified their specific rate 
views, their comments sketched their ongoing debate 
over how seriously and persistently President Donald 
Trump’s efforts to recast global trade will influence the 
path of prices, jobs and growth in coming months. In a 
Wednesday press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell 
cautioned against putting too much weight on any par-
ticular outlook at this point, given how volatile the debate 
around trade has been and how many key decisions re-
main outstanding.
Powell testifies in Congress on Tuesday and Wednes-
day of next week as part of regular semiannual hearings 
on monetary policy, which in this case follows a week of 
insults from Trump and demands to cut rates, and ner-
vous chatter on Wall Street about the president’s plans 
for the Fed when Powell departs next May. Powell on 
Wednesday seemed content to wait for more data be-
fore resuming rate cuts. “For the time being we are well 
positioned to wait to learn more about the likely course 
of the economy before considering any adjustments to 
our policy stance,” Powell told reporters. — Reuters
AUSTIN: A stroller is displayed for sale at a Target store in Austin, Texas. The cost of various baby accessories 
has risen 24 percent in recent weeks due to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies according to a newly re-
leased report conducted by the Joint Economic Committee. — AFP
KIPCO’s report outlines 
achievements, progress
KIPCO publishes its 2024 sustainability report
KUWAIT: KIPCO – Ku-
wait Projects Company 
(Holding) – published its 
2024 Sustainability Re-
port. This is the company’s 
fourth report and is in line 
with the Global Reporting 
Initiative (GRI), taking into 
account national and in-
ternational sustainability 
frameworks. The report 
outlines KIPCO’s achieve-
ments and progress in the 
environmental, social and 
governance (ESG) areas 
for the year 2024. On this occasion, Eman Al Awadhi, 
Group Senior Vice President – Corporate Communi-
cations and Investor Relations at KIPCO, said: “We 
are delighted to release our fourth Sustainability Re-
port, which highlights KIPCO’s ongoing commitment 
to sustainable institutional practices. 
This report reflects our vision of aligning our 
business operations with corporate sustainabil-
ity goals and embodies our efforts to enhance en-
gagement across our Group to make a tangible and 
meaningful impact. We believe that the increased 
participation of our Group companies in sustainabil-
ity practices is a step that strengthens our ability to 
meet future requirements responsibly and efficiently. 
It also serves to prepare our Group companies for 
the next phase of integrated corporate disclosure, in 
line with modern regulatory trends aimed at enhanc-
ing sustainability reporting for listed companies.”
The report reviews KIPCO’s progress in imple-
menting its sustainability strategy across its subsid-
iaries. This includes the formation of a Sustainability 
Task Force by the Sustainability Committee – a com-
mittee of the Board of Directors – comprising Group 
representatives to enhance coordination towards 
achieving common goals. The report also reflects an 
expansion in the scope of environmental disclosure 
to include both direct and indirect emission sources, 
thereby reinforcing transparency and promoting a 
comprehensive understanding of the environmental 
impact of the Group’s activities.
Additionally, the report highlights the stabili-
ty of resource consumption indicators across the 
company’s operations, with relatively low rates 
of electricity, water and paper consumption. This 
demonstrates operational efficiency and confirms 
the limited direct environmental impact of the 
company’s activities. The report also underscores 
various social initiatives, including the ENBAT pro-
gram, which prepares fresh graduates for the labor 
market, and working with Loyac, which provided 
young women the opportunity to participate in a 
leadership program in the UK.
In the area of empowerment, the report notes a 
female representation rate of 24.2 percent in senior 
management positions, 36.5 percent within the to-
tal workforce, and 20 percent in Board of Direc-
tors membership. KIPCO affirms its commitment to 
continuously promote a sustainability culture at all 
levels, with a focus on achieving long-term value 
that positively reflects on shareholders and stake-
holders, based on corporate responsibility, efficien-
cy and transparency.
Eman Al Awadhi
‘We are preparing our companies for inte-
grated corporate disclosure & sustainable 
institutional practices,’ says Group SVP
LONDON: Britain is poised to publish a 10-year, 
multibillion-pound industrial strategy next week 
aimed at backing priority sectors, creating jobs and 
driving long-term economic growth. Prime Minister 
Keir Starmer’s government has been working on a 
blueprint for the next decade as part of its wider 
“Plan for Change”, under which it seeks to overhaul 
the country’s skills system, support innovation, and 
channel fresh investment into high-growth areas.
Britain has so far pledged more than 1.5 billion 
pounds ($2 billion) to be delivered through a series 
of targeted government funds to support skills de-
velopment, creative industries and sport. Announc-
ing on Sunday 275 million pounds to support the 
training of thousands in roles such as engineer-
ing and defense roles, business minister Jonathan 
Reynolds said the strategy would be “powered by 
investing in British people.” “It will help transform 
our skills system to end the overreliance onforeign 
labor, and ensure British workers can secure good, 
well-paid jobs in the industries of tomorrow.”
Alex Veitch, director of policy at the British 
Chambers of Commerce, welcomed Reynolds’ 
pledge. “The extra cash investment for training in 
key sectors, such as defense and engineering, has 
the potential to be a real springboard for growth,” 
Veitch said. The government has previously said it 
would radically change its approach to defense to 
address threats from Russia, nuclear risks and cy-
ber-attacks. In February, Starmer pledged the larg-
est sustained increase in British defense spending 
since the end of the Cold War, in response to US 
President Donald Trump’s insistence that Europe 
take more responsibility for its own security.
The government has also pledged a 380 mil-
lion-pound boost for creative industries from film to 
video games, and more than 900 million pounds to 
stage major sporting events and upgrade grassroots 
facilities. But business groups say high energy costs 
remain a serious threat to UK industry and have urged 
ministers to act. A June report from manufacturing as-
sociation Make UK warned that without government 
intervention, Britain’s energy-intensive sectors could 
face long-term decline. It called for measures such 
as network cost reform, targeted relief schemes and 
more predictable energy pricing. — Reuters
UK to issue 10-year 
industrial strategy
The First English Daily in the Arabian Gulf
Established 1961 
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2025
Lifestyle
Picasso on a plate: 
Unseen ceramics up for auction
A clutch of one-off and hitherto unseen ceram-
ic plates and dishes by Pablo Picasso are go-
ing under the hammer in Geneva on June 19. 
Emblematic motifs from Picasso’s artistic universe 
- pigeons, fish, a goat, a bull, and a bird adorn the 
colourful plates and dishes. It’s a truly exceptional 
collection. The plates and dishes we have here are 
real Picasso works,” Bernard Piguet, director of the 
Piguet auction house in Geneva, told AFP.
“These unique pieces belonged to Picasso’s estate, 
and in the early 1980s, his heirs gave them to one of 
their friends,” he said. The close friend, a French art 
lover whose name has not been revealed, kept them 
until his death. His heirs have decided to put the ce-
ramics up for sale. Made between 1947 and 1963 in 
the Madoura workshop in Vallauris on the southeast 
French coast, the ceramic artworks are being exhib-
ited to the general public for the first time ahead of 
Thursday’s auction.
 ‘Reasonable’ prices 
The seven pieces are being sold in separate lots. 
Two large platters decorated with pigeons are both 
expected to fetch between 30,000 and 50,000 Swiss 
francs ($37,000-$61,500). A third plate depicting 
three blue, pink, and brick-coloured fish on a white 
background, resembling a child’s drawing, is esti-
mated at 20,000 to 30,000 francs. A thin brick, titled 
“Head of a Bearded Man”, and painted with ceramic 
pastels in yellow, white, garnet, brown, blue orange 
and green, has the same estimate. Glazed on a paint-
ed background in shades of grey, brown, and black, 
a terracotta plate depicting a goat’s head bears the 
prestigious stamp “Original Picasso print” on the 
back. It is valued at 20,000-30,000 francs. The two 
others feature a bull on a hexagonal terracotta tile 
(15,000-20,000 francs), and a stylised bird on a plate 
painted in black and white (15,000-25,000 francs).
“It’s a lot,” Piguet said of the price. “But don’t for-
get that these are works of art in their own right and 
unique pieces” without replicas. If you step back from 
Picasso’s work and his drawings, which are becoming 
practically unaffordable today, you have here origi-
nal works by Picasso that command a reasonable 
estimate.”
 New outlet 
Picasso was one of the most influential artists of 
the 20th century. The prolific Spanish painter died in 
1973, aged 91. He created thousands of plates, plat-
ters, vases, pitchers, and other earthenware utensils 
in the Madoura ceramics studio, run by the pottery 
couple Georges and Suzanne Ramie. After World War 
II, “Picasso was already an internationally-renowned 
artist,” said Adeline Bisch Balerna, head of paintings 
and sculptures at Piguet.
“He had already opened up a huge number of av-
enues for all artists; the great, well-known works had 
been created, and he was seeking new means of ex-
pression for his art.” Picasso would visit the Madoura 
studio, meet Georges Ranie, and be “captivated by all 
the possibilities offered” by this new artistic outlet, 
she explained.
Piguet is also auctioning two Picasso works “never 
before seen on the art market”, from the same family 
friend’s collection: “Serenade” (1919), an Indian ink 
and watercolour painting estimated at 20,000-30,000 
francs, and the pencil drawing “Famille balzacienne” 
(1962), valued at 80,000-120,000 francs.
 Unseen Klein 
Meanwhile, the contemporary art in Thursday’s 
sale includes one of French artist Yves Klein’s first 
blue monochromes, in what is its first appearance on 
the art market, according to Piguet auction house. 
From 1959, “Monochrome bleu sans titre (IKB 328)”, 
estimated at 100,000-150,000 francs, is painted in In-
ternational Klein Blue, the deep blue hue developed 
by the artist himself.
“In daylight, it really has this luminous blue, this 
completely fascinating Klein blue. And when you put 
it indoors, you see it as a dark blue, almost midnight 
blue,” said Bernard Piguet. Klein died in 1962 aged 34, 
following a series of heart attacks. The work comes 
from the collection of the Swiss artist couple Muri-
el and Gerald Minkoff, who liked to exchange their 
works with their contemporaries. It was discovered 
by their successors in their Geneva apartment, ac-
cording to Piguet. — AFP
The founder of the Piguet auction house Bernard Piguet holding the rectangular earth-
enware dish engraved with a knife named “Pigeon” (circa 1949) by Pablo Picasso.
The terracotta plate “Goat” (circa 1950) by Pablo Picasso.
The peinted brick “Head of a Bearded Man” (12.8.1956).
An employee of the Piguet auction house holding the 
hexagonal painted terracotta floor “Bull” (6.2.1957), 
shows its creation date on the back by Pablo Picasso.
An auction house employee sets on a wall the “Un-
titled Blue Monochrome IKB 328” (1959) a pure pig-
ment and synthetic resin on cardstock art work by 
French artist Yves Klein.
An original Picasso print seen on the back of a ceramic plate representing a goat (circa 1950).
The white earthenware plate “Bird” (2.6.1963) by Spanish painter, sculptor, print-
maker, ceramicist, and theatre designer Pablo Picasso.
Seven unique and never-before-seen ceramic works by Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre de-
signer Pablo Picasso, prior to its auction at the Piguet auction house in Geneva, prior to the sales of seven unique and nev-
er-before-seen ceramic works by Picasso. — AFP photos
Monday, June 23, 2025
12
Lifestyle
Sitting in his spacious office with a view of the 
Black Sea, Tayfun Denizer smiles: his rainbow 
trout, raised in submerged cages, have made 
him a wealthy man. “Our exports surged from 
$500,000 in 2017 to $86 million last year, and this is 
just the beginning,” said Denizer, general manager 
of Polifish, one of the Black Sea’s main producers of 
what is marketed as “Turkish salmon”.
In its infancy just a decade ago, production of 
trout - which in Turkey is almost exclusively farmed 
for export - has exploded in line with the global de-
mand for salmon, despite criticism of the intensive 
aquaculture required to farm it. Last year, the country 
exported more than 78,000 tons of trout raised in its 
cooler northern Black Sea waters, a figure 16 times 
higher than in 2018.
And it brought in almost $498 million for Turkish 
producers, a number set to increase but is still far 
from the $12.8 billion netted by Norwegian salm-
on and trout giants in the same year. Russia, which 
banned Norwegian salmon in 2014 afterthe West 
imposed sanctions over its annexation of Crimea, ac-
counts for 74.1 percent of “Turkish salmon” exports, 
followed by Vietnam with 6.0 percent, and then Be-
larus, Germany and Japan.
 ‘Spectacular success’ 
Stale Knudsen, an anthropologist at Norway’s 
Bergen University and a specialist on Black Sea fish-
ing, said Russia offered “an available market that was 
easy to access, near Turkey”. For him, the “spectacular 
success” of trout is also down to Turkey’s experience 
and the technology used in farming sea bass and sea 
bream, a field in which it leads Europe.
Turkish producers have also benefitted from the 
country’s large number of reservoirs where the fish 
are a raised for several months before being trans-
ferred to the Black Sea. There, the water tempera-
ture - which stays below 18 degrees Celsius (64.4 
Fahrenheit) between October and June - allows the 
fish to reach 2.5 to 3.0 kilograms (5.5-6.6 pounds) by 
the time they are harvested. Last, but not least, is the 
price.
“Our ‘salmon’ is about 15 to 20 percent cheaper 
than Norwegian salmon,” said Ismail Kobya, deputy 
general manager of Akerko, a sector heavyweight 
that mainly exports to Japan and Russia. “The species 
may be different but in terms of taste, color and flesh 
quality, our fish is superior to Norwegian salmon, ac-
cording to our Japanese clients,” Kobya told AFP at 
Akerko’s headquarters near the northeastern town of 
Workers harvest Turkish salmons from their farming cages off the Vakifke-
bir shores in the Black Sea.
This aerial picture taken in Trabzon shows a worker in the water 
during the harvesting Turkish salmons from their farming cages 
off the Vakifkebir shores in the Black Sea.
This aerial picture shows workers harvesting Turkish salmons from their farming 
cages off the Vakifkebir shores in the Black Sea.
This aerial picture shows workers harvesting Turkish 
salmons from their farming cages off the Vakifkebir 
shores in the Black Sea.
Tayfun Denizer, General manager of Polifish poses 
during an interview in Trabzon.
Turkish salmon is displayed at a fish market in Trabzon.
People work in a Turkish salmon processing company 
in Trabzon.
Workers harvest Turkish salmon from their farming 
cages off the Vakifkebir shores in the Black Sea.
People work in a Turkish salmon processing company 
in Trabzon.
Workers look on as they harvest Turkish salmon from 
their farming cages off the Vakifkebir shores in the 
Black Sea.
A fisherman stands with his rod on the shore of Black Sea as Turkish salmon cages are seen in the 
background in Trabzon. — AFP photos
‘Turkish salmon’: The Black Sea’s 
new rose-coloured gold
Trabzon, where a Turkish flag flies alongside those of 
Russia and Japan. 
Inside, a hundred or so employees in long blue 
waterproofs, green head coverings and rubber boots 
behead, gut, clean and debone trout that has an 
Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification 
for responsible farming practices.
Disease risks 
“Over the last two years, many Turkish producers 
have moved to get those certifications,” said Knud-
sen, though he does not believe such labels are 
always a guarantee of sustainability. “I think the ra-
tionale behind that is not only to become more sus-
tainable, but is more importantly a strategy to try to 
enter the European markets... where the Norwegians 
have some kind of control,” he said.
In a 2024 study, researchers from a Turkish public 
institute raised concerns that “the rapid growth of the 
trout farming sector... led to an uncontrolled decline 
in the survival rate” of the fish. Pointing to the “spread 
of diseases” and “improper breeding management”, 
the researchers found that nearly 70 percent of the 
trout were dying prematurely.
Polifish, which also has an ASC certification, ac-
knowledged a mortality rate of around 50 percent 
of their fish stocks, predominantly in the reservoirs. 
“When the fish are small, their immune systems ar-
en’t fully working,” said its deputy general manager 
Talha Altun.
Akerko for its part claims to have “reached a stage 
where we have almost no disease”. “In our Black Sea 
cages, the mortality rate is lower than five percent, 
but these are farming operations and anything can 
happen,” Kobya said.
 ‘Fake fish’ 
Visible from the shore, the fish farms have at-
tracted the wrath of local fishermen worried about 
the cages, which have a 50-metre (165-foot) diame-
ter, being set up where they cast their nets to catch 
anchovy, mackerel and bonito. Mustafa Kuru, head 
of a local fishermen’s union, is a vocal opponent of 
a farming project that has been set up in his fishing 
zone just 70 kilometers (45 miles) from the Georgian 
border.
“The cages block the movement of the fish and 
what happens then? The fish start leaving the area,” 
he said, accusing the trout farmers of pumping 
chemicals into their “fake fish”. He said a lack of fish 
stocks in the area had already forced two boats from 
his port to cast their nets much further afield - off the 
western coast of Africa. “If the fish leave, our boats 
will end up going to rack and ruin in our ports,” he 
warned. — AFP
Monday, June 23, 2025
13
Indian Embassy hosts mega yoga
session to mark Int’l Day of Yoga
The Embassy of India in Kuwait held a mega 
yoga session on Saturday to commemorate 
the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) at 
the Boulevard Cricket Ground in Salmiya. Orga-
nized in collaboration with the Indian Council 
of Cultural Relations (ICCR), India’s Ministry of 
Ayush and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the 
event brought together more than 1,500 partici-
pants from diverse backgrounds, including foreign 
diplomats, students, members of the Indian com-
munity and yoga enthusiasts.
This year’s celebration was held under the glob-
al theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, which 
underscores the interconnectedness of health, 
sustainability and environmental well-being. The 
theme also aligns with India’s G20 vision of “One 
Earth, One Family, One Future”.
Addressing the gathering, Indian Ambassador 
Dr Adarsh Swaika highlighted the importance of 
incorporating yoga into daily life and expressed 
gratitude to attendees for supporting the IDY cel-
ebration. OCA Director General Hussain Al-Mus-
allam also spoke at the event, noting that yoga is 
recognized as a sports discipline under the OCA.
The event was graced by prominent personal-
ities including Padma Shri Acharya H R Nagen-
dra, founder of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anu-
sandhana Samsthana, and Padma Shri Sheikha 
Shaikha A J Sabah, a member of the Kuwaiti royal 
family known for her efforts in promoting yoga in 
the region. Participants performed the common 
yoga protocol as part of the day’s activities.
This marked the first time IDY celebrations 
were held in a public venue in Kuwait. In the run-
up to the main event, the embassy had organized 
three curtain-raiser yoga sessions and a yoga pos-
ture competition for all age groups, drawing en-
thusiastic participation from the local community.
The United Nations officially designated June 
21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, fol-
lowing a proposal by India that was co-sponsored 
by Kuwait and endorsed by a record 175 member 
states. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in-
troduced the initiative during his address at the 
69th session of the UN General Assembly. The 
date was chosen to coincide with the Summer Sol-
stice, the longest day of the year in the Northern 
Hemisphere.
Pak Donors holds
28th, 29th blood
donation drives
Pak Donors successfully organized its 
28th and 29th blood donation drives 
in partnership with CityBus, held 
on May 23 and 30, 2025, at the Al Adan 
Hospital Blood Bank. CityBus staff and 
drivers participated in large numbers, 
demonstrating a strong commitment to 
saving lives and supporting the com-
munity. Their enthusiastic involvement 
reflected the true spirit of “Humanity 
Beyond Nationality”, a message that Pak 
Donors has consistently championed 
through its humanitarianinitiatives.
With the unwavering support of vol-
unteers, donors and community partners 
like CityBus, Pak Donors continues to ad-
vance its mission of encouraging regular 
blood donation and raising awareness 
about its vital importance. These back-
to-back drives stand as a testament to the 
trust, teamwork and shared responsibil-
ity between Pak Donors, its volunteers, 
and socially responsible partners across 
Kuwait. The Pak Donors team extends 
heartfelt thanks to CityBus for its collab-
oration and to every donor who stepped 
forward to give the gift of life.
IES holds awareness
sessions on puberty,
hygiene for students
An informative awareness session on 
menstruation and personal hygiene 
was conducted for the girls of Grades 4 
and 5 on June 10, 2025, from 9:00 am to 10:00 
am at the IES Auditorium. The session was fa-
cilitated by Dr Arthi Mary George, a specialist 
in obstetrics and gynecology at Sabah Mater-
nity Hospital.
Recognizing the increasing trend of early 
onset of menarche, the session was thought-
fully designed to provide age-appropriate 
information and foster a healthy attitude 
toward the natural changes of puberty. Dr. 
Arthi addressed the physiological, emotional, 
and social aspects of menstruation with sen-
sitivity, aiming to empower young girls with 
knowledge, promote body positivity, and en-
courage good personal hygiene practices.
The session featured an engaging visu-
al presentation and short animated videos, 
making the content relatable and accessible 
to the young audience. Dr Arthi discussed 
physical and hormonal changes during pu-
berty, the importance of daily hygiene in-
cluding bathing, clean clothing, hair and nail 
care and the proper use and disposal of sani-
tary pads. She also addressed common myths 
and taboos surrounding menstruation and 
emphasized the benefits of regular physical 
activity, such as swimming and exercise, in 
supporting overall well-being.
The session concluded with an open Q&A, 
during which students asked insightful ques-
tions about period cramps, hormonal chang-
es, growth after menarche and mood swings. 
Dr Arthi responded with empathy and sci-
entific clarity, creating a safe and supportive 
environment that encouraged the girls to ex-
press their concerns.
At the same time, a parallel session for 
the boys of Grades 4 and 5 was conducted 
by Dr Murugaiyan, Head of the Department 
of Physical Education. He discussed the im-
portance of cleanliness, adolescent physical 
development and healthy lifestyle habits. 
Emphasizing outdoor play, regular fitness 
routines and balanced nutrition, Dr Murugai-
yan helped the boys understand the changes 
they will undergo and how to navigate them 
with confidence and self-respect.
Both sessions were well-received by 
students and teachers, offering valuable 
guidance at a crucial stage of development. 
The initiative served as a stepping stone to-
ward promoting health literacy, emotional 
resilience and body awareness among pre-
teens, helping them enter this new phase 
of life with understanding, comfort, and 
confidence.
Kuwait Cricket partners 
with ILT20 to develop sport
The DP World International 
League T20 (ILT20) and the 
Kuwait Cricket Board have en-
tered into a landmark partnership 
aimed at promoting and developing 
cricket in Kuwait. As part of the 
agreement, the DP World ILT20 will 
organize cricket matches in Kuwait 
focused on identifying and nurtur-
ing local talent.
The partnership was formalized 
during a signing ceremony held at 
the Dubai International Stadium. 
Under the agreement, a domestic 
tournament modeled on the ILT20 
UAE Development Program will 
be conducted annually in Kuwait. 
This event will offer local players 
the opportunity to be scouted and 
potentially selected by ILT20 fran-
chises to compete in the main DP 
World ILT20 tournament. Looking 
ahead, the league also aims to host 
DP World ILT20 matches in Kuwait 
in the coming years.
Speaking on the occasion, Kuwait 
Cricket President Haider Farman 
said: “I am honored to formalize this 
agreement between Kuwait Cricket 
and the Emirates Cricket Board to 
further promote the DP World ILT20 
— not only in our two nations but 
across the entire region. It is also a 
matter of great pride that Kuwait be-
comes the first country in the world 
to be officially recognized as a strate-
gic partner of the DP World ILT20.”
Kuwait Cricket Director General 
Sajid Ashraf added: “This momen-
tous collaboration with the Emirates 
Cricket Board — a true leader in re-
gional cricket development and the 
driving force behind the world-class 
DP World ILT20 — marks a histor-
ic milestone for Kuwait Cricket. It 
opens the door to a long-awaited 
dream: Enabling our Kuwait play-
ers to pursue full-time professional 
cricket careers on the international 
franchise stage.”
Share your 
community 
news! W
e love hearing from you! If you have community news, 
events or happenings to share, please send the details 
to whatson@kuwaittimes.com. Your story could be 
featured in our weekly What’s On section on Mondays.
SYDNEY: Australia coach Joe Schmidt is confident 
the Wallabies can be competitive against the British 
and Irish Lions, but he will be wary of a side wound-
ed by defeat to Argentina in a Dublin warm-up. Andy 
Farrell’s squad arrive in Perth on Sunday evening al-
ready feeling pressure after a slick Pumas exploited 
their lack of familiarity and cohesion in a rousing 28-
24 victory on Friday.
While far from the ideal send-off for a nine-game 
tour, which includes Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne 
and Sydney, Farrell has time to fine tune. He was 
without the bulk of his Leinster players against Ar-
gentina, and his options are a lot stronger now they 
are involved.
“We need to be a lot better than that. And we will. 
We’ll dust ourselves off but that will concentrate the 
minds,” he said. The first Test in Brisbane is not un-
til July 19 after five lead-in games, starting against 
a Nic White-led Western Force on Saturday before 
meeting the Queensland Reds four days later. Clash-
es against the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and 
a combined Australia-New Zealand XV will follow. 
Lions skipper Maro Itoje said the loss to Argentina 
only served to highlight where they can improve.
“We showed glimmers of what we can do. But we 
did not consistently pile on the pressure. Argentina 
caught us napping sometimes,” he said. “We weren’t 
accurate enough in some areas but when we looked 
good, we looked good.” Schmidt is intimately famil-
iar with the Lions coaching staff, none more so than 
Farrell who was his right-hand man during a suc-
cessful stretch as Ireland boss.
He will know how much the defeat hurt. “I know a 
lot of those guys very well ... they’ll be well coached, 
well organized and they have strength in depth,” 
Schmidt said of the Lions, speaking before the Ar-
gentina match “They can play in so many different 
ways, they can be really physical, they can be square 
and come at you, they can get you on the edges. 
We’re going to have to be really well prepared.” 
Whether they are sufficiently prepared remains to 
be seen, with Australia’s only warm-up a Test against 
Fiji on July 6. — AFP
PARIS: First impressions can be deceptive but 
Kirsty Coventry showed that behind a sunny 
disposition she will have the mettle to deal with 
the trickiest of people and situations when she 
succeeds Thomas Bach as president of the Inter-
national Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday. 
Looming large on the horizon of the 41-year-
old Zimbabwean—the first woman and African 
to occupy the post of the most powerful single 
figure in sport—is US President Donald Trump.
With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics, 
Trump will feature often on Coventry’s agenda. 
Trump has not been shy in giving public dress-
ing downs to world leaders—notably Ukrainian 
President Volodymyr Zelensky and his South 
African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa. Judging 
by Coventry’s initial response, after a crushing 
first-roundKuwait forms 10 committees to tackle
81,000 backlogged court appeals
Move follows sweeping legal reforms and the first major increase in court fees since 1973
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s 
Ministry of Justice has 
announced the forma-
tion of ten new judicial 
committees tasked with 
reviewing a massive 
backlog of over 81,000 
appeals currently pend-
ing before the Court of 
Cassation. The move 
aims to accelerate judi-
cial processes and up-
hold the efficiency of the 
country’s legal system. 
Minister of Justice 
Nasser Al-Sumait con-
firmed on Sunday that 
the Civil Service Commission has approved the 
ministry’s request to create the special commit-
tees, describing the decision as part of wider 
efforts to support and streamline the judicial 
apparatus. “These committees will empower the 
Court of Cassation to process the high volume 
of appeals in a structured and sustained man-
ner,” Minister Al-Sumait said in a statement to 
Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
He added that the initiative directly responds 
to the vision set out by His Highness the Amir 
Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, 
who has called for judicial reform and faster res-
olution of legal disputes to strengthen justice 
across the country. Al-Sumait affirmed that the 
ministry would continue to coordinate with rel-
evant entities and provide full institutional sup-
port to help the judiciary fulfill its constitution-
al responsibilities, enhance the justice system’s 
performance, and meet the public’s expectations.
A push for reform
The formation of these committees comes on 
the heels of sweeping changes recently intro-
duced to Kuwait’s judicial framework. In a series 
of legislative amendments, the government has 
overhauled aspects of both the Judicial Orga-
nization Law and the Judicial Fees Law, in what 
observers have described as the most compre-
hensive judicial reform in decades.
Among the key changes is a decree which lim-
its senior judicial appointments — including that 
of the Attorney General — to four-year terms, 
renewable only once or until the retirement age 
of 70. The law also restructures the Supreme 
Judicial Council, reducing its membership from 
nine to seven, to improve decision-making ef-
ficiency. The amendments aim to “reinvigorate 
leadership, promote accountability, and open 
opportunities for others to serve,” according 
to the explanatory note accompanying the law 
published in the official gazette in May. 
Court fees overhauled 
Earlier this month, the Cabinet also passed a 
law that significantly increases court fees, in-
troducing a sliding scale based on the value of 
the claim. Under the new structure, a fee of five 
percent applies to claims up to KD 30,000, 3.5 
percent for claims between KD 30,000 and KD 
150,000, 2.5 percent for those ranging from KD 
150,000 to KD 500,000, 1.5 percent for claims 
between KD 500,000 and KD 5 million, and one 
percent for claims exceeding KD 5 million. Addi-
tionally, flat fees for urgent motions, enforcement 
disputes, and appeals have been raised — some 
more than tenfold — in the first major update to 
the judicial fee system in over five decades.
“It has been more than fifty years since the 
issuance of Law No 17 of 1973 concerning ju-
dicial fees, and no amendments had been made 
to it despite significant economic changes and 
social transformations over the years,” the law’s 
explanatory note states, citing rising inflation 
rates, increased individual income levels, and 
higher costs for goods and services. “The pub-
lic’s growing legal awareness and trust in the 
judiciary have also encouraged more people to 
turn to the courts to resolve disputes, resulting 
in a steady rise in case filings and longer wait 
times for litigants seeking justice.” — Agencies
Minister of Justice 
Nasser Al-Sumait
New routes, bigger 
fleet key for Kuwait’s
aviation ambitions
KUWAIT: Kuwait needs to modernize its na-
tional airline fleet and open new flight routes to 
boost efficiency and cement its role as a region-
al aviation hub, officials said Saturday night. At 
the one-day “Future of Aviation in Kuwait” con-
ference, Acting Director General of Civil Avia-
tion Duaij Al-Otaibi emphasized that financial 
resources and qualified national expertise are 
in place to not only keep pace with global avi-
ation developments, but to achieve excellence 
in the sector. “The coming phase requires in-
tensive efforts to develop the aviation sector at 
the levels of infrastructure, fleet, and logistics,” 
Al-Otaibi said, stressing that Kuwait’s location 
between East and West, combined with local 
talent and financial capability, provides a solid 
foundation to transform the country into a re-
gional aviation hub.
Al-Otaibi underscored the urgency of mod-
ernizing Kuwait Airways’ fleet and expanding 
its destinations to match the sector’s rapid 
growth. “We need to upgrade the national car-
rier’s fleet and enhance Kuwait Airways’ net-
work with more aircraft and routes. This will 
raise operational efficiency and expand desti-
nation reach,” he said.
Kuwait has injected nearly $5 billion into 
aviation infrastructure development, including 
Terminal 2 (T2), a new runway, control towers, 
ground services, and advanced meteorolog-
ical and air navigation systems. The T2 termi-
nal—designed to accommodate over 25 million 
passengers annually—is expected to launch 
operations by end of 2026, aiming to attract 
international airlines and relieve current travel 
bottlenecks. “Expanding destinations toward 
East Asia—Japan, Indonesia, Korea, China, and 
Australia—and the West—South America, Los 
Angeles, Florida, and South Africa—is critical,” 
Al-Otaibi said. “We must match global develop-
ments to remain competitive.”
‘Future is bright’ 
The conference comes at a time when trav-
elers are facing increasing challenges due to 
the withdrawal of major European carriers 
from Kuwait, which has led to higher fares, 
long layovers, and fewer direct connections. 
Kuwait Times reported last month that the sit-
uation has disrupted holiday plans for many, 
especially during peak seasons like Eid, and 
contributed to a growing reliance on regional 
transit hubs in Doha and Dubai. A local fre-
quent flyer, Talal Al-Fadhli, described recent 
travel options as exhausting: “Some flights 
have layovers of over six to eight hours. Even 
budget airlines are unusually expensive,” he 
said in an interview. 
Travel agent Mohamed Moustafa told Kuwait 
Times that the completion of T2 is set to improve 
the situation. “Once T2 is operational, we’ll see 
lower ticket prices and more passenger traffic. 
That will uplift the entire tourism and aviation 
sector,” he previously told Kuwait Times. 
Speaking at the conference, Captain Mu-
hannad Al-Ayyar, Chairman of the Kuwait So-
ciety of Pilots and Aviation Engineers, echoed 
calls to expand operations: “The future of avi-
ation in Kuwait is bright—if invested in with a 
strategic vision that strengthens Kuwait’s re-
gional standing in both passenger and cargo 
transport.”
Al-Ayyar emphasized the need to grow the 
fleet and add routes, recognizing its impor-
tance in reducing reliance on foreign airlines. 
“Expanding our route network is essential, es-
pecially with more Kuwaitis and residents de-
pending on non-Kuwaiti carriers,” he said.
The conference also spotlighted progress on 
major projects such as the Air Cargo City, which 
is expected to significantly boost Kuwait’s role 
in global logistics, especially with the rise of 
e-commerce. This aligns with the government’s 
“New Kuwait Vision” to diversify the economy. 
“If fully optimized, the aviation and port sectors 
could contribute over 30 percent to Kuwait’s 
GDP and create up to 80,000 jobs over the next 
five years,” Al-Otaibi projected. — Agencies
Muhannad Al-Ayyar
KUWAIT: Officials and reporters attend the “Future of Aviation in Kuwait” conference. — KUNA photos
Duaij Al-Otaibi
Kuwait introduces new 
rules for licensing and
dissolving charities
KUWAIT: The Ministryvictory in the presidential election in 
March, she may have Trump’s measure.
“I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult 
men in high positions since I was 20 years old,” 
she said, adding “communication will be key.” 
Unlike Trump, though, Coventry embraces the 
word failure, for it helped forge her stellar career.
“Everything’s scary. Embrace that. You have 
to fail,” Coventry told the swimming team at her 
American alma mater Auburn University last 
year. “I’ve learned the best lessons by failing, 
and I have failed at many things. Life has a really 
good way of humbling you.”
At the same time that steely resolve comes 
to the surface when winning is at stake. “I was 
banned from playing card games with the family, 
because they didn’t like to deal with me when I 
lost,” she said. A glance at Coventry’s CV sug-
gests failure in her life has been relative.
Coventry, who had the Olympic rings tat-
tooed on a leg after her first Games in 2000, is 
a two-time Olympic gold medalist and she has 
contributed seven of Zimbabwe’s overall Games 
medals tally of eight.
She has accrued domestic political experi-
ence, as she was Zimbabwe’s Minister for Youth, 
Sport, Arts and Recreation from 2019 to this 
year. That attracted some flak as she was serving 
in a government whose election in 2023 was de-
clared to be “neither free nor fair” by the Inter-
national Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
“I don’t think you can stand on the sidelines 
and scream and shout for change,” she said in 
her defence. “I believe you have to be seated at 
the table to try and create it.” Her record as a 
minister has been heavily criticized by the Zim-
babwean arts community in particular.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnan-
gagwa, whose predecessor Robert Mugabe 
labelled Coventry “a golden girl” and awarded 
her $100,000 after she came back with a gold 
medal from Beijing in 2008, hit back. “Whoever 
was not impressed by her can appoint some-
one else when they become president,” said the 
82-year-old. — AFP
LEEDS: Local hero Harry Brook defied India’s at-
tack with a quickfire fifty but wickets at the other 
end kept the tourists on top in the first Test at Head-
ingley on Sunday. England were 327-5 at lunch on 
the third day, still 144 runs behind India’s first-innings 
471, which featured hundreds from captain Shubman 
Gil, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
But Brook, caught off a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball 
when on nought in Saturday’s last over and dropped 
Sunday by wicketkeeper Pant on 46, was still there 
on 57 not out. Jamie Smith (29 not out) had so far 
helped Brook add 51 in 12 overs for the sixth wicket.
Brook’s innings was the more important follow-
ing the loss early Sunday of England century-mak-
er Ollie Pope. England resumed on 209-3, 262 
runs behind, after Pope had rescued them from the 
depths of 4-1 with a superb 100 not out after being 
dropped on 60.
Brook got off the mark on his Yorkshire home 
ground by thrashing the fifth delivery of Sunday’s 
play, from Prasidh Krishna, for four and next ball 
pulled the paceman for a soaring six. But Krishna 
then became the first member of India’s attack other 
than outstanding fast bowler Bumrah to take a wick-
et this match, albeit with a loose delivery.
England vice-captain Pope had added just six 
runs to his score when he tried to cut a short and 
wide ball from outside off stump only to get a thin 
edge to Pant. Pope’s exit brought in England captain 
Ben Stokes, whose decision to field first after win-
ning the toss in good batting conditions was criti-
cized by ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan.
Brook, meanwhile, treated Bumrah, one of the best 
bowlers in the world, with disdain when he advanced 
down the pitch and him through the covers for four. 
He then dished out similar treatment to Mohammed 
Siraj. But from around the wicket, fast bowler Sir-
aj induced left-handed batsman Stokes, on 20, into 
pushing outside off stump at a ball that moved away 
slightly, with Pant holding a simple catch. — AFP
Monday, June 23, 2025
14
Sports
Vondrousova beats qualifier 
Wang to win Berlin Open
Medvedev outlasts Zverev to reach Halle final
BERLIN: Former Wimbledon champion Marketa 
Vondrousova needed three sets to subdue Chinese 
qualifier Wang Xinyu on Sunday and win the Berlin 
Open title, completing an improbable run to her first 
trophy since her London triumph two years ago.
The 25-year-old Czech, who had dropped to 
164th in the world after an injury-plagued 12 months, 
was playing her first final since winning Wimbledon 
in 2023. She was made to work hard for a 7-6(10) 
4-6 6-2 victory and even had to save six set points in 
the tight first-set tiebreak.
Her win comes a week before the start of Wim-
bledon where Vondrousova will now be a force to 
be reckoned with. “Nice to see a full crowd. I really 
enjoyed the tennis week and the support,” the Czech 
said after winning her third career title.
“Congrats on a great week, you played an amaz-
ing match,” she said, addressing Wang. “It was an 
amazing week we had everything we needed. “I feel 
like it could not have been better for us here. We 
were all working really hard. We came here to try 
and win the first match. So very happy,” Vondrouso-
va added.
Wang, who had to battle through the qualifying 
process and then beat four top-20 players to reach 
her first-ever tour final, kept causing problems with 
her pinpoint accuracy as she fired repeated baseline 
winners. Vondrousova’s serve looked unbreakable 
until Wang earned her first break point in the seventh 
game, breaking Vondrousova who slipped and hurt 
her ankle on that point.
But the Czech came back to snatch the tie-break 
after the 23-year-old Wang had wasted six set 
points. The 23-year-old showed few nerves in her 
maiden singles tour final and levelled after breaking 
her opponent once in the second set.
But Vondrousova, who beat Australian Open 
champion Madison Keys in the first round and world 
number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals in 
Berlin, raced back with two breaks of her own to go 
4-1 up in the decider. She then played a perfect ser-
vice game at 5-2, with a superb dropshot, a cross-
court backhand winner and a powerful forehand that 
forced an error by Wang on matchpoint number one. 
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev reached his first 
ATP Tour final for 15 months as he outlasted Ger-
many’s world number three Alexander Zverev 7-6(3) 
6-7(1) 6-4 at the Halle Open on Saturday. The Rus-
sian former world number one could have spared 
himself some overtime had he not let three match 
points slip in the second set, but he eventually got 
the job done in just under three hours.
“I am happy with my level, I played great,” Med-
vedev said. “I would have loved to finish on the 
match points (in the second set). The first one I went 
for it and missed it. The second one I went a bit slow-
er to wait for a mistake and he made a great point. I 
am happy to win in the end.”
Medvedev, who now has a 13-7 career record 
against Zverev, will play either Alexander Bublik or 
Karen Khachanov in Sunday’s final where he will 
seek his 21st Tour-level title. He needed treatment 
for a nosebleed at 4-4 in an intense first set but was 
gifted the first-set tiebreaker as Zverev offered up a 
clutch of unforced errors.
Zverev was broken at the start of the second set 
but clawed his way back and then saved three match 
points when serving at 5-6 before holding serve in 
an extended 12th game to set up a tiebreak in which 
he played some precise tennis.
Medvedev quickly regrouped though and was the 
dominant player in the decider. Whatever the out-
come of the final, he will return to the world’s top 10 
on Monday. — Reuters
BERLIN: Winner Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova celebrates with the trophy after the women’s single 
final match of the WTA tennis tournament in Berlin on June 22, 2025. — AFP
India on top in 
first Test despite 
Brook’s fifty
LEEDS: India’s Rishabh Pant is unable to make a 
catch to dismiss England’sHarry Brook on day three 
of the first cricket test match between England and 
India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, north-
ern England on June 22, 2025. — AFP
Outgoing IOC president 
Thomas Bach faced 
mammoth challenges
PARIS: Thomas Bach’s eventful 12-year tenure as 
president of the International Olympic Committee 
comes to an end on Monday when he hands over the 
reins to Kirsty Coventry, the first woman and African 
to hold sport’s most powerful political office.
The 71-year-old German lawyer, a 1976 Olympic 
team fencing champion, faced many challenges during 
his time in power. AFP Sport picks out three:
Russia ‘the elephant in the room’ 
President Vladimir Putin was the first person to ring 
Bach to congratulate him on his election in 2013 -- little 
did Bach realise how Russia was to dog his presidency. 
The state-sponsored doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi 
Winter Games and Russia breaking the Olympic Truce 
twice, in 2014 and 2022, taxed his patience and that of 
the IOC movement.
Bach faced pressure from both sides before the 
2024 Paris Games and in the end permitted Russian 
athletes to compete despite the invasion of Ukraine, 
but only after being strictly vetted and under a neutral 
flag. For Michael Payne, a former head of IOC market-
ing, Russia was the “large elephant in the room” and 
Bach was in a “no-win situation.” His fellow former 
IOC marketing executive Terrence Burns, who lived 
and worked in Russia in the 1990s, said Bach was one 
of many leaders fooled by Putin.
“On doping he should have been harsher,” Burns 
told AFP. “But let’s be honest, the whole thing was 
almost unbelievable. “On Ukraine, you were damned 
if you do and damned if you don’t. “I don’t think any 
western government or politician has ever figured out 
Russia... nor did he.”
Hugh Robertson, now an IOC member and the British 
sports minister responsible for overseeing the delivery 
of the highly successful 2012 London Games, believes 
Bach played his hand well over the Paris Games. “The 
balance he struck over Russian participation in Paris 
was in line with the Olympic Charter,” Robertson told 
AFP. “He took very strong action against the govern-
ment, banned any events in Russia, any national repre-
sentation and any national symbols.”
Calling Japan’s bluff over COVID
Bach had “a very tough presidency and never 
caught a break” said Payne, but he always held his 
nerve. No more so than when Bach resisted calls from 
within Japan for the Tokyo Games to be cancelled, not 
just postponed to 2021, because of the Covid pandem-
ic. Payne says Bach’s painful memories of missing the 
Moscow Games in 1980 due to a boycott linked to the 
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, had left their mark. The 
German said the IOC would not pull the plug. In addi-
tion, the ramifications of cancelling Tokyo would have 
been enormous for the IOC.
“Think about if Tokyo had not taken place,” said 
Payne. “Would Beijing (the 2022 Winter Games) have 
taken place as well? “The Olympic movement losing 
four years is maybe not existential, but boy it would 
have been tough.” In the end the Games did go ahead 
but the majority of athletes performed in empty stadia 
as local organizers banned spectators.
Burns says it was a tour de force from Bach. “Hon-
estly, I think it was his sheer willpower that made those 
Games happen when everyone, and I mean everyone, 
in the world doubted him,” said the American. “Japan 
tried to pull out. He called their bluff. Smart.” 
Robertson saw it from “inside the bubble” as he 
was then chairman of the British Olympic Association 
(BOA). “Of course it was a huge disappointment that 
there were no spectators but a generation of athletes 
got the chance to compete in an Olympic Games,” 
said the 62-year-old. “It probably would not have 
been the case had Bach not been in charge. “I think 
athletes around the world owe Thomas Bach a huge 
vote of thanks.” Bach departs with the IOC’s finances 
in rude health. 
He has boasted of a “60 percent growth in reve-
nues” during his dozen years at the helm. Payne says 
he has indeed increased revenues but the 67-year-old 
Irishman cautioned that “with increasing revenues 
partners become more demanding,” adding “just be-
cause you have contracts locked up does not mean 
you do not change and evolve.” — AFP
Olympic chief Kirsty’s 
steeliness honed 
by hard knocks
COSTA NAVARINO: (FILES) Zimbabwean can-
didate for the presidency of the International 
Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry de-
livers a speech after being elected during the 
144th IOC Session. — AFP
Wallabies confident 
but wary of wounded 
British and Irish Lions
DUBLIN: British and Irish Lions’ Welsh flanker Jac Morgan runs by Argentina’s lock Pedro Rubiolo during 
the warm-up International rugby union match between The British and Irish Lions and Argentina at Aviva 
Stadium in Dublin. — AFP
Monday, June 23, 2025
15
Sports
LOS ANGELES: River Plate’s Argentine defender #28 Lucas Martinez 
Quarta and Monterrey’s Mexican forward #31 Roberto De La Rosa fight 
for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group E football match 
between Argentina’s River Plate and Mexico’s Monterrey at the Rose 
Bowl stadium in Los Angeles. — AFP
ATLANTA: Manchester City coach Pep Guar-
diola said Saturday his club will have to sell 
players this summer for the stars’ own good. The 
Premier League side brought in several players 
ahead of the Club World Cup, leaving Guardio-
la with a large squad. Midfielder Ilkay Gundog-
an has been linked with a move to Turkish side 
Galatasaray in recent days.
Guardiola said he did not know anything 
about it, but said several players would have to be 
sold following the purchases of Tijjani Reijnders, 
Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. “I will love to 
have the players we have right now all season,” 
Guardiola told reporters in Atlanta. “The prob-
lem is they will be unhappy during the season, 
they will be sad, they will be disappointed.
“I don’t want that. I do it for them, not for 
me. For them. We have to see what happens, 
it’s a long time until the transfer window will be 
closed, we have to see step by step.” Guardio-
la has said in the past he prefers a squad size 
of around 20 senior players, whereas City have 
more than 30 at present.
Before trimming the squad City are hoping to 
win the Club World Cup in the United States with 
their new arrivals providing fresh energy. They 
beat Wydad AC in their first match and face Al 
Ain on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium 
where they can seal qualification to the last 16.
Guardiola said Spanish defensive midfielder 
Rodri was not able to start the game as he con-
tinues his comeback from injury. “He’s getting 
better. He can play 20 minutes, 30 minutes at a 
time. He wants to play to help but we want to 
protect his knee,” said the coach. 
‘Privilege’ 
Guardiola said he was keen to take City far in the 
Club World Cup and it was a “privilege to be here”. 
The coach dismissed some of the complaints about 
the competition and pointed towards the attitude of 
the South American clubs as an example of follow. 
“I love when I see Botafogo, all the Brazilian teams, 
Argentinian teams, how they celebrate, how they 
are together, I love them,” said Guardiola.
“I’m pretty sure for the South American teams, 
for the Brazilian teams, for Argentinean teams, this 
competition is maybe the maximum... “I like how all 
the games are tight, except one or two, and peo-
ple are surprised, European teams lose. Welcome 
to the real world. Welcome to the real world my 
friends.” Guardiola said Brazilian sides would have 
a “carnival for one week” if they won the tourna-
ment. After Manchester City failed to win a trophy 
apart from the Community Shield, it would provide 
a boost heading into the new season. Guardiola 
said his team and staff, both featuring new arrivals, 
were enjoying spending time with each other and 
their facilities in Florida.
“It’s a privilege to be here... to be back in four 
yearstime you have to win big, big, prizes,” said 
Guardiola. “Once we are here why should not we 
fight to stay longer and longer and longer... “We can 
say it’s annoying to come here (but) I want to arrive 
to the last stages, and that’s the truth.” — AFP
Thunder host 
Pacers in NBA 
Finals game 7
LOS ANGELES: The Oklahoma City Thunder and In-
diana Pacers are poised for an epic championship show-
down on Sunday, the Thunder seeking to crown an his-
toric season with a victory over a tenacious Pacers team 
that has stunningly forced a rare NBA Finals game seven.
“We’ve got one game,” Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton 
said. “One game. Nothing that has happened before mat-
ters and nothing that’s going to happen after matters. It’s 
all about that one game.”
The Thunder certainly know it too. “One game for ev-
erything you ever dreamed of,” Oklahoma City’s newly 
minted NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alex-
ander said after the Thunder slumped to a blowout loss 
in game six. “If you win it, you get everything. If you lose 
it, you get nothing.”
The Thunder remain heavy favorites. A victory on 
their home floor on Sunday would crown a dazzling cam-
paign in which they led the league with 68 regular-sea-
son wins and set a league record for average scoring 
margin. Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in scoring with 
32.7 points per game and could become the first player 
since Golden State’s Stephen Curry in 2015 to win the 
MVP award and the title in the same season.
In addition, home teams are 15-4 in Finals game 
sevens. But the last time the championship series went 
the distance, in 2016, LeBron James and the Cleveland 
Cavaliers completed a stunning triumph over the Golden 
State Warriors in Oakland. And the Pacers have proven 
repeatedly this season, and in this series, that they can’t 
be counted out.
The Pacers opened their season with four straight de-
feats and at 10-15 were languishing in 10th place in the 
East with almost a third of the campaign gone. But with 
a raft of injuries behind them, the Pacers had the best 
record in the East from New Year’s Day to the end of 
the regular season. Seeded fourth in the East, the Pacers 
beat the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks, 
the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and the third-seed-
ed New York Knicks to reach the Finals.
Haliburton, inexplicably voted the “most overrated” 
player in the league in an anonymous player poll this sea-
son, has had the last laugh with a string of clutch perfor-
mances — including the last-gasp game-winner in the 
Pacers’ 111-110 game-one triumph.
The Pacers won two of the first three games of the 
series before the Thunder won two straight to give them-
selves a first chance to clinch in game six — when Hal-
iburton shook off a right calf strain to inspire his team-
mates to a lopsided victory that knotted the series at 
three games apiece. Now Indiana have a chance to claim 
a first NBA championship for a franchise that won three 
American Basketball Association titles but struggled so 
much financially after joining the NBA in 1976 that their 
future was in doubt.
“I think the expectations for this group from an ex-
ternal viewpoint coming into the year weren’t very high,” 
Haliburton said. “They weren’t very high coming into the 
playoffs. They weren’t very high going into the second 
round of the playoffs. They weren’t very high going into 
the third round. They weren’t very high now. “I think 
we just have done a great job of just staying together. 
There’s not a group of guys I’d rather go to war with.” 
Use the muscles 
The top-seeded Thunder swept the Memphis Griz-
zlies, then beat Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets 
in seven games before ousting the Minnesota Timber-
wolves to become the youngest team to reach the Finals 
since 1977. They can claim the franchise’s first title since 
a controversial move to Oklahoma City in 2008, having 
won it all in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Gilgeous-Alexander says the Thunder have what it 
takes to win if they play to their potential. “I don’t think I 
have to do anything special because of the stage,” he said. 
“We just have to be who we’ve been all year and then 
use the muscles that we’ve trained all year.” Both teams 
stressed the importance of setting aside the emotion of 
the moment, but Gilgeous-Alexander said the Thunder 
must play with a sense of urgency against the relentless 
Pacers. “It has to be an emphasis,” he said. “It has to be 
the top of our mind. It has to be all we care about, and 
above all, we just have to want to do it.” — AFP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Marc Marquez wins
Italian MotoGP
MUGELLO: Marc Marquez won the Italian Mo-
toGP on Sunday to complete a perfect weekend 
at Mugello and continue his bid for a seventh elite 
world title. The Ducati rider came through a brilliant 
early battle with his brother Alex, in second, and 
teammate Francesco Bagnaia to extend his champi-
onship lead over his sibling to 40 points after also 
winning Saturday’s sprint race.
The 32-year-old started on pole but didn’t have it 
all his own way, not securing first place until lap nine 
as he, Alex Marquez and Bagnaia exchanged the lead 
with some thrilling riding.
But he claimed his fifth win from nine Grands Prix 
in what has been a dream first campaign with Duca-
ti’s factory team, and his first victory at Mugello since 
2014. “I already understand this morning that it was a 
super special for them (Ducati), even for me because I 
feel part of them, and yes super happy,” he said.
“We managed the race in the beginning, Pecco 
and Alex, they know that a few times I’m struggling 
a bit then they attack me. “I was calm and then when 
the tyres dropped a bit I started to give everything, 
and yeah happy to take the 37 points in this amazing 
weekend.”
Marc Marquez has now won the sprint and main 
race at the Thailand, Argentina, Qatar, Aragon and 
Italian MotoGPs so far in 2025. He is already red-hot 
favourite to draw level with great rival Valentino Rossi 
on seven world crowns, and move one behind all-time 
record winner Giacomo Agostini.
That would be a bitter pill to swallow for retired 
Rossi who has openly called Marquez a “dirty” rider 
who actively worked to stop him from winning what 
would have been his eighth world title a decade ago.
Italian motorcycling fans still blame Marquez for 
crashing into Rossi in that year’s penultimate Malaysian 
MotoGP, even though their hero was the one punished 
by having to start the final race of 2015 at the back of 
the grid, virtually guaranteeing Lorenzo the title.
Marc Marquez was loudly booed by a significant 
portion of the Mugello crowd after Saturday’s sprint 
race to the point that team manager Davide Tardozzi 
stormed over to the stands to tell fans to “shut up”.
But on Sunday the local supporters cheered him 
on the podium after he pulled even further away from 
local hero Bagnaia, a two-time world champion who 
is now 110 points off the pace in the standings after 
finishing fourth. Bagnaia had won the previous three 
races at his home track of Mugello but ended up los-
ing a podium place to Fabio Di Giannantonio, who 
rides for Ducati satellite team VR46 Racing, with two 
laps remaining.
It was a frustrating day on home soil for Bagnaia, 
and the latest disappointing result in a season in which 
he has been eclipsed by Marc Marquez. — AFP
MUGELLO: First-placed Ducati Lenovoi Team’s Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez (C), Second-placed BK8 
Gresini Racing MotoGP team’s Spanish MotoGP rider Alex Marquez (L) and Third-placed Pertamina Enduro VR46 
Raging Team’s Italian MotoGP rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (R) celebrate on the podium after the Italian Moto GP 
Grand Prix at Mugello circuit, in Mugello. — AFP
Minjee Lee grabs 
four-shot lead at 
PGA Championship
LOS ANGELES: Australia’s Minjee Lee defied difficult, 
windy conditions with a remarkable bogey-free three-un-
der par 69 on Saturday to seize a four-stroke lead over 
Jeeno Thitikul at the Women’s PGA Championshipin Texas. 
Lee, chasing her third major title, fired three birdies in one 
of just three sub-par rounds at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, 
north of Dallas, where soaring temperatures and wind tested 
golfers for a third straight day. “I just try to stay patient out 
there,” the 29-year-old said after building a six-under total 
of 210. “You can’t get ahead of yourself, especially in these 
conditions.”
Trailing Jeeno by three to start the day, Lee grabbed her 
first birdie at the ninth, where she blasted out of a greenside 
bunker to four feet and made the putt. She finally took con-
trol at the par-five 14th, drilling a 19-foot birdie putt as Jee-
no three-putted for a bogey that dropped her three strokes 
back.
Lee added a birdie at the 15th, and remained bogey 
free with a par save at 18 — where her second shot raced 
through the green but she chipped to three feet. “I try to stay 
within myself and play the shot as best as I could,” she said. 
“Just stayed patient, just take it as it comes.”
Lee, whose 10 LPGA victories include major titles at the 
2021 Evian Championship and 2022 US Women’s Open, said 
there would be plenty of work to do on Sunday despite her 
four-shot cushion. “It’s just only getting harder and harder 
just with I think pressure of a major championship, and also 
just the course just demands so much from you,” she said.
World number two Jeeno’s hopes of a first major title 
took an early hit with bogeys at the third and sixth. She 
rolled in a 12-foot birdie at the eighth, but dropped into a tie 
for the lead after back-to-back bogeys at 11 and 12.
She bounced back from her bogey at 14 with a birdie at 
15, but gave back a shot at the 16th, finishing with a four-
over 76 for 214. Lee and Jeeno, both based in the Dallas area, 
were the only players under par heading into the final round.
US veteran Lexi Thompson, playing a limited schedule 
this season, shook off a horrendous start to post a three-
over par 75 to headline a trio sharing third place on one-
over 217. Thompson opened with a triple-bogey and a bo-
gey and added another bogey at the eighth before she made 
two birdies coming in. She was joined on one-over by South 
Korean Choi Hye-jin, who carded a 72, and Japan’s Miyu 
Yamashita, who shot 73.
World number one Nelly Korda had five birdies and five 
bogeys in her even par 72 to headline a group of four on 218. 
“It’s brutal out there when it comes to the setup of the golf 
course, wind conditions, everything,” Korda said. “I’m very 
happy with even par.
“You’re just happy to get 18 under your belt on a day like 
this,” added the American, who said having substantial waits 
on several tees only added to the difficulty of the day. “You 
don’t want to be spending 20 minutes and getting up to the 
next tee and then you’re 15 minutes and getting up to the 
next tee and it’s another 15 minutes,” she said. “There is just, 
like, no momentum in it.” — AFP
Man City squad 
must be trimmed: 
Pep Guardiola
South American teams lay down the 
gauntlet to Europe at Club WCup
Botafogo edge out European champions Paris Saint-Germain
PHILADELPHIA: It took until Friday night for 
South America’s unbeaten run at the Club World 
Cup to come to an end as Boca Juniors succumbed 
to a late defeat against Bayern Munich in Miami. 
The Argentine giants’ phenomenal support at the 
Hard Rock Stadium could not quite get them over 
the line, as Michael Olise’s late goal inflicted a first 
loss in 10 games on a side from CONMEBOL.
But the evidence so far in the United States 
suggests that if anyone is going to stop a Europe-
an side winning FIFA’s new 32-team competition, 
it will be a club from South America. Copa Lib-
ertadores winners Botafogo edged out European 
champions Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in Pasadena 
while Flamengo, Brazil’s biggest club, came from 
behind to stun Chelsea. Palmeiras, Boca and Flumi-
nense have all held European opposition too, and 
South American clubs are set to feature heavily in 
the knockout stages.
One factor helping teams from Brazil and 
Argentina make such an impact is the remark-
able backing from their supporters, who have 
turned out in impressive numbers across the 
United States.
‘Amazing’ support
“Amazing, amazing,” said Bayern coach Vin-
cent Kompany when asked about the atmosphere 
for his team’s game against Boca, as it seemed 
that La Bombonera had been transported to Mi-
ami. “Anyone here who has knowledge of this 
game knows how tough it is to play against these 
teams and nearly every game for a European 
team is like an away game.”
The support for Flamengo against Chelsea in 
Philadelphia was impressive too, with a large per-
centage of the crowd of over 54,000 clad in the 
black and red of the Rio de Janeiro side. In com-
parison, few supporters have travelled from Eu-
rope, even if large numbers of American soccer 
fans have turned out wearing the colours of the 
likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. The last 11 
editions of the old, seven-team Club World Cup 
were won by European sides. CONMEBOL last 
produced a winner in 2012, when Corinthians of 
Sao Paulo defeated Chelsea.
There is a huge financial gulf — the top 29 
teams in analysts Deloitte’s Football Money 
League for 2025 come from Europe. Real Madrid 
topped the list with revenues last year exceeding 
one billion euros ($1.15 billion), while Flamengo 
sneaked in at 30th with 198 million euros. However, 
they have shown the strength of their squad which 
is filled with experienced international players in-
cluding Italy midfielder Jorginho.
“These players have played a lot of big, big 
games in their careers,” said Borussia Dortmund 
coach Niko Kovac when asked about the quality 
of Brazilian teams. Rio club Fluminense held Dort-
mund to a 0-0 draw in their first match. “I am con-
vinced that most of these South American teams 
will pass into the next round,” Kovac said.
Heat and fatigue 
It may also be the case that the often stifling 
conditions make it harder for Europe’s clubs, 
something Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca hinted at 
before facing Flamengo.
Then there is the fact that Europe’s elite sides 
have all crossed the Atlantic Ocean at the very end 
of a long and exhausting season, whereas clubs in 
Brazil and Argentina started their campaigns earli-
er this calendar year.
PSG had played almost 60 matches up to their 
Champions League final win against Inter Milan in 
late May. Yet Flamengo coach Filipe Luis, a former 
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea player, said he did not 
expect to see such results at the Club World Cup.
“I am surprised because I know the quality of 
these European clubs, especially the elite of foot-
ball, the absolute elite — it’s about 10 or 12 clubs 
in the world who make up this elite and I am sur-
prised they are having these results.”
He added: “It is true sometimes that the weath-
er they are not used to, but what I can say is that 
South American clubs are very competitive.”
Kompany insisted German champions Bay-
ern just needed to make sure they matched the 
hunger and determination of opponents like 
Boca in order to go far. “The conditions are 
more like South America and they have good 
players, so I am not surprised, but for us most 
importantly we have to match the hunger to win 
these games,” he said. — AFP
LONDON: Carlos Alcaraz clinched 
his second Queen’s Club title as the 
world number two warmed up for 
Wimbledon with a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 
6-2 win against Jiri Lehecka in Sun-
day’s final. Alcaraz blasted 33 win-
ners and 18 aces to subdue the gritty 
Czech world number 30 in two hours 
and 10 minutes in west London.
Having won titles on clay at the 
French Open, Rome and Monte Car-
lo, as well as the hard courts of Rot-
terdam, Alcaraz has now collected 
five trophies in 2025. The 22-year-
old has not lost since the Barcelona 
final against Holger Rune on April 
20 and is enjoying the longest win-
ning streak of his career with 18 
successive victories.
Top seeded Alcaraz is just the 
second Spanish man to winQueen’s 
twice after Feliciano Lopez, who lift-
ed the trophy in 2017 and 2019. For 
a player raised on the clay courts of 
Spain, Alcaraz has developed into a 
formidable force on grass.
The former world number one 
signaled his emergence on the sur-
face by winning Queen’s in 2023. He 
clinched the Wimbledon title for the 
first time just weeks later and de-
fended his All England Club crown 
last year. Alcaraz, who has an 11-1 
career record at Queen’s, will start 
his bid for a third successive Wim-
bledon title on June 30.
After his semi-final win over Ro-
berto Bautista Agut on Saturday, 
Alcaraz fired an ominous message 
to his Wimbledon rivals, warn-
ing that his “grass-court mode” 
had been activated. And on the 
evidence of his relentless display 
against the obdurate Lehecka, he is 
in no mood to surrender his All En-
gland Club crown. Playing his first 
tournament since his epic French 
Open victory against Jannik Sinner 
two weeks ago, Alcaraz’s march to 
the Queen’s showpiece made it five 
consecutive finals for the Spaniard. 
In contrast, Lehecka was playing 
in his first grass-court final after a 
shock win against British star Jack 
Draper in the last four.
The 23-year-old was the first 
Czech in the Queen’s final since Ivan 
Lendl in 1990. Lehecka had come 
from a set down to stun Alcaraz in 
the Qatar Open quarter-finals in 
February. But there would be no 
repeat of that upset on the lawns of 
Barons Court. — AFP
Sport
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2025
The First English Daily in the Arabian Gulf
Established 1961 
Founder and Publisher 
YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN
Editor-in-Chief
DR. M. ZIAD AL-ALYAN
EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432
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P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait.
Email: info@kuwaittimes.com
Website: www.kuwaittimes.com
Printed at Dar Kuwait Times printing press
Inter Milan, Dortmund claim 
first wins at Club World Cup
PHILADELPHIA: Inter Milan came from 
behind to beat Urawa Red Diamonds and 
knock the Japanese side out of the Club 
World Cup on Saturday, while Borussia 
Dortmund held off Mamelodi Sundowns to 
win a seven-goal thriller.
Fluminense rallied in the second half to 
beat Ulsan 4-2 and knock out the South Ko-
rean side while Monterrey and River Plate 
ended goalless. At Lumen Field in Seattle, 
Ryoma Watanabe got an early opening goal 
for Urawa Reds, who were backed by a noisy 
contingent of their supporters. But captain 
Lautaro Martinez—who got Inter’s equalizer 
in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey of Mexico 
in their opening game—repeated the trick to 
level matters with a clever overhead kick 12 
minutes from time. Valentin Carboni was then 
the unlikely hero as he grabbed the winner 
two minutes into injury time.
The 20-year-old Argentine had not 
played a competitive game since early Oc-
tober after suffering a serious knee injury 
while on loan at Marseille. Carboni had not 
made an appearance for Inter in over two 
years, but he was on to hand to sidefoot 
home when the ball fell to him in the area. 
“Our opponents play with their hearts and 
to counter that as a team we need to play 
with more pride, be humble and know how 
to suffer,” Martinez told broadcaster DAZN.
The result left some Urawa fans in tears 
and Inter level on four points with River 
Plate with the two teams meeting next. River 
Plate were let down by their finishing in a 
scrappy, foul-ridden encounter with Mexi-
co’s Monterrey, who sit on two points. Este-
ban Andrada, Monterrey’s Argentine keeper, 
made a series of saves while River’s forwards 
were unable to put away the few chances 
that came their way. Monterrey could still 
make it into the last 16 if they beat Urawa 
and River or Inter win their game.
Earlier Jobe Bellingham got his first goal 
for Dortmund as his new club overcame sti-
fling heat in Cincinnati to beat Sundowns 4-3 
and move to four points from two matches in 
Group F. The South African champions had 
taken a surprise early lead through a fine 
solo goal from Lucas Ribeiro. However, Sun-
downs goalkeeper Ronwen Williams handed 
Dortmund their equalizer on a plate, pass-
ing the ball straight to Felix Nmecha, who 
stroked home.
Serhou Guirassy gave Dortmund the lead 
with his 35th goal since the beginning of 
the season. English midfielder Bellingham, 
who this month followed older brother Ju-
de’s footsteps in joining the German side 
from Sunderland, started for the first time 
for Dortmund and made it 3-1 just before 
the break. Khuliso Mudau’s own goal made 
it 4-1 before the hour mark, but Sundowns 
salvaged some pride by reducing the deficit 
through Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothi-
ba. “I’m sweating like I’ve just come out of 
a sauna,” said Dortmund coach Niko Kovac 
when asked about the conditions in a game 
which started at midday local time. — AFP
Alcaraz crowned king of 
Queen’s for second time
Carlos Alcaraz
SEATTLE: Henrikh Mkhitaryan #22 of FC Internazionale Milano battles for possession with Taka-
hiro Sekine #14 of Urawa Red Diamonds during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match 
between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field in Seattle. — AFP
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	p16of Social Affairs has intro-
duced new rules to better 
regulate charitable orga-
nizations, known locally as 
mabarat. The regulation, 
published Sunday in the 
official gazette Kuwait Al-
Youm, was enacted under 
Ministerial Decision No. 
122 of 2025 by Minister of 
Social Affairs and Minister 
for Family and Childhood 
Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Hu-
wailah. It aims to strengthen 
oversight of charitable foundations in Kuwait to ensure 
transparency, accountability, and lawful operation. 
The regulations set out to establish clear rules and 
procedures for the creation, management, and super-
vision of charitable foundations, including registration 
requirements, governance standards, fundraising con-
trols, financial reporting, and enforcement measures to 
prevent misuse and ensure transparency. The law also 
outlines conditions under which a charitable foundation 
can be dissolved. 
These changes come at a time when all charitable 
fundraising in Kuwait has been put on hold since mid-
April. The suspension followed the discovery of unau-
thorized donation campaigns running through unofficial 
websites and accounts. The ministry explained that this 
pause is necessary to protect donors’ money and en-
sure full transparency. Fundraising will remain suspend-
ed until the new regulations are fully in place. Under 
the new rules, charitable foundations must follow strict 
legal steps to register and operate legally. This includes 
mandatory registration with the Ministry of Social Af-
fairs, clear governance structures, financial reporting, 
and strict controls over fundraising and public activities.
One key requirement is that no person or group 
may carry out charitable work or make agreements 
on behalf of a mabara without official registration and 
approval from the ministry. Foundations must also 
get permission before moving locations, opening new 
branches, or asking the public for donations. The rules 
clearly state: “It is prohibited for any applicant to car-
ry out any charitable or social activity except after 
the foundation is officially registered.” Anyone who 
breaks this rule risks suspension.
Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah
Monday, June 23, 2025
3
Local
Iranian ambassador slams US, Zionist 
strikes as violation of international law
Envoy meets Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief on visit to newspaper
By Faten Omar
KUWAIT: Iranian Ambassador to Ku-
wait Mohammad Toutounchi strongly 
condemned on Sunday what he de-
scribed as a “coordinated and armed 
aggression” carried out by the Zionist 
entity and the United States, calling 
the attacks a flagrant violation of inter-
national law and the principles of the 
United Nations Charter.
During a meeting with Kuwait Times 
Editor-in-Chief Dr M Ziad Al-Alyan, the 
ambassador insisted that Iran’s recent 
actions were legitimate acts of self-de-
fense. He noted that the initial Zionist 
strikes on Iranian facilities had failed to 
meet their objectives, prompting direct 
US intervention. “We were certain from 
the beginning that Israel would not act 
without coordination with the United 
States,” he stated. “What happened last 
night confirmed our expectations.”
Toutounchi also criticized the fail-
ure of international organizations to 
condemn or respond to the escala-
tion. “These international institutions 
took no initiative or action to halt this 
assault. This exposes the fragility of 
the international system in the face 
of political pressure, particularly that 
exerted by the Zionist lobby in the 
United States,” he said.
The ambassador went on to accuse 
both the United States and the Zion-
ist entity - nuclear-armed states - of 
launching an attack on a country that 
does not possess such weapons, calling 
it a blatant violation of the Treaty on the 
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. 
“This aggression clearly shows that 
the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 
has lost its true meaning in the face of 
American political interests,” he said.
Praising the response of some Gulf 
states, including Kuwait, Toutounchi 
noted that there had been coordina-
tion and high-level communication 
between foreign ministries, which en-
sured the safe evacuation of Kuwaiti 
nationals from Iranian cities affected 
by the strikes. He expressed particular 
concern over the targeting of nuclear 
facilities, calling it “a reckless gamble 
that disregards international treaties 
and conventions”. “What happened in-
dicates that these two regimes (the US 
and the Zionist entity) place no value on 
human life. Their only concern is impos-
ing dominance, even if the price is a nu-
clear disaster in the region,” he added.
In response to recent statements by 
US President Donald Trump claiming 
success in dismantling Iran’s nuclear 
program, the ambassador dismissed 
the remarks as “full of contradictions 
and typical media propaganda”. “They 
were aiming to overthrow the Islamic 
system, but they have returned emp-
ty-handed and are now trying to cov-
er up their failures with such falsified 
statements, which in reality reflect 
their defeat,” he said.
Toutounchi reaffirmed that Iran’s 
nuclear program is “entirely national 
in origin” and remains unaffected by 
attacks. He stressed that all of Iran’s 
peaceful nuclear activities are under 
the supervision and monitoring of the 
International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA). “All of Iran’s actions are de-
clared and under international over-
sight. No political or military pres-
sure will deter us from continuing to 
develop our defensive capabilities,” 
he added.
In a press statement, the ambassador 
reiterated that the attack represents an 
unprecedented and egregious violation 
of the UN Charter and international 
law. He held the US government “fully 
responsible for the extremely serious 
consequences of this major crime”. He 
urged the United Nations, the Security 
Council, the UN Secretary-General, the 
IAEA and other relevant international 
bodies to take urgent action against 
what he described as a criminal breach 
of international law.
“Iran reminds the world that silence 
in the face of such blatant aggression 
puts global peace and security at un-
precedented risk. As a founding mem-
ber of the United Nations, the Islamic 
Republic of Iran expects the organi-
zation and its responsible members 
to fulfill their duties at a time when 
the world is witnessing a clear viola-
tion of the law by the United States,” 
Toutounchi concluded.
KUWAIT: Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Toutounchi meets with Ku-
wait Times Editor-in-Chief Dr M Ziad Al-Alyan. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat
Kuwait Times’ Yousef Abu-Ghazaleh showcases the Kuwait Times archive room.Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Toutounchi poses for a photo with the Kuwait Times team.
KUWAIT: Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Toutounchi examines a copy of the first edition of Kuwait Times during his visit on Sunday. 
Second flight brings 
more Kuwaitis home
from Iran
KUWAIT: A new group of citizens evacuated from Iran 
arrived at Kuwait International Airport (T4) on Sunday, 
as part of an ongoing emergency operation to return na-
tionals stranded due to the Zionist entity’s attack on Iran 
and Tehran’s retaliation.
“In line with the State of Kuwait’s keenness to ensure 
the safety of its citizens abroad and guarantee their safe 
return to the homeland, the second batch of evacua-
tion flights carrying Kuwaiti citizens arriving from the 
Islamic Republic of Iran has landed today, Sunday, via 
the Republic of Turkmenistan,” Kuwait News Agency 
(KUNA) said Sunday.
The operation is part of a large-scale evacuation plan 
being implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 
coordination with relevant authorities. The first evacua-
tion flight arrived in Kuwait early Saturday, carrying 334 
citizens who had been transported overland from cities 
across Iran to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, be-
fore flying home aboard a Kuwait Airways plane.
“The concerned authorities continue around the clock 
to complete all stages of theevacuation and provide all 
necessary facilities, in translation of the political leader-
ship’s directives and its constant concern for the safety 
of citizens abroad and their safe return to the homeland,” 
said KUNA. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh 
Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah personally received the 
evacuees at Kuwait International Airport and praised the 
efforts of all agencies involved.
The evacuations were prompted by intensifying con-
flict between the Zionist entity and Iran, now entering 
its second week. While no injuries have been reported 
among Kuwaiti nationals, the government activated a 
comprehensive evacuation strategy to safeguard citi-
zens in Iran. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pre-
pared a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan for 
Kuwaiti citizens in Iran in light of the accelerating de-
velopments in the region,” Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya 
told Kuwait News Agency last week. Assistant Foreign 
Minister for Asian Affairs Sameeh Hayat confirmed that 
over 1,000 Kuwaitis are expected to be evacuated “as 
quickly as possible.” — Agencies
KUWAIT: Relatives welcome their loved ones who were evacuated from Iran after they arrived at Kuwait International 
Airport (T4) on Sunday, as part of an ongoing emergency operation to return stranded nationals. — KUNA photos
KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dermatology Association has 
launched a public awareness campaign under the title 
“Wasel” to highlight hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)—a 
chronic, painful, and often misunderstood skin condi-
tion that affects both men and women and may go undi-
agnosed for years. As part of Hidradenitis Suppurativa 
Awareness Month, observed globally in June, the cam-
paign includes outreach activities at hospitals, govern-
ment ministries, and public spaces across the country.
“We want to raise awareness about HS—what it is, 
what causes it, what symptoms to look out for, and the 
treatment options available,” said Dr Abeer Al-Bathali, 
Secretary of the Kuwait Dermatology Association and 
Head of Dermatology at Farwaniya Hospital.
What is hidradenitis suppurativa?
In interviews with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) 
and Kuwait TV, Dr Al-Bathali described HS as a chron-
ic inflammatory disease that targets the hair follicles in 
areas where skin rubs together—such as the armpits, 
under the breasts, and be-
tween the thighs. It typi-
cally presents as recurrent, 
painful lumps or boils, 
which may develop into in-
flamed abscesses that rup-
ture and drain. Over time, 
these lesions can lead to 
chronic wounds and sinus 
tracts, making the condi-
tion not only painful but 
physically and emotionally 
exhausting.
“The boils come back 
again and again, making 
the disease chronic and 
progressive,” she said. “Unfortunately, it can take be-
tween seven to 10 years for a proper diagnosis, even 
internationally. Patients are often referred to surgeons 
who remove the boils, but the disease itself remains un-
treated.” Risk factors and early signs HS is frequently 
misunderstood and misdiagnosed, especially in its early 
stages. According to Dr Al-Bathali, key risk factors in-
clude obesity and smoking
Treatment options
Thanks to efforts by the Ministry of Health, Kuwait 
offers modern, advanced treatments for HS. These in-
clude biological therapies, along with antibiotic regi-
mens to manage infection and inflammation. In addition 
to medication, lifestyle guidance plays an important 
role in symptom control and long-term management, 
Dr Al-Bathali said in an interview with Kuwait TV. 
Patients living with HS are encouraged to take sever-
al practical steps to manage their symptoms. Dr Al-Ba-
thali stressed the importance of weight loss, noting a 
strong connection between excess weight and disease 
activity. She also advised patients to quit smoking, as 
tobacco use is a known trigger for flare-ups. Wearing 
loose-fitting cotton clothing can help reduce skin fric-
tion and irritation. Most importantly, she said, patients 
should maintain ongoing care with a dermatologist and 
stick closely to their prescribed treatment plans.
The Wasel campaign doesn’t stop at public educa-
tion—it also aims to improve awareness and diagnostic 
skills among primary care doctors and surgeons, who 
are often the first medical professionals patients con-
sult. Since HS symptoms can mimic other skin infections 
or abscesses, misdiagnosis is common, and unnecessary 
surgeries can delay proper treatment. “We’re working 
to increase awareness across all levels—from patients 
to family doctors to surgeons,” she added. The cam-
paign also seeks to break the social and psychological 
barriers many patients face by offering both medical 
and emotional support to individuals and their families 
through education and counseling. — Agencies
By Abdellatif Sharaa 
KUWAIT: As part of the joint sports program between 
the National Cancer Awareness Campaign (CAN) and 
Haidu Academy, the Kuwait Amateur Cup for Acade-
mies concluded with strong participation and vibrant 
energy. The tournament was held under the golden 
sponsorship of CAN and organized with the support 
of the Public Authority for Sport (PAS) and the Kuwait 
Football Association (KFA). 
Dr Khalid Ahmed Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of 
Directors of CAN emphasized the powerful role of sports 
in promoting awareness and building immunity against 
chronic diseases, including cancer. He noted that the 
rise in cancer cases—estimated at 1 to 5 percent annu-
ally—can be mitigated through regular physical activity. 
“Health development is closely tied to sports,” he said, 
stressing that simple routines like walking for an hour a 
day can burn between 200 to 300 calories depending 
on one’s weight and speed, while also improving heart 
health, regulating blood pressure, and boosting immuni-
ty. He highlighted studies showing that consistent phys-
ical activity can reduce the risk of certain cancers by up 
to 30 percent.
The month-long tournament featured 16 teams and 
over 100 amateur players, creating a lively and com-
petitive atmosphere. The “Haidu CAN” team clinched 
first place after an impressive final performance, while 
player Saud Matar received the “Best Player of the 
Tournament” award for his exceptional skills. 
At the closing ceremony, Abdullah Al-Saleh, Chair-
man of the Organizing Committee, praised the ini-
tiative, stating that such tournaments are essential in 
raising awareness among youth about the importance 
of sports and fostering a healthy lifestyle in the com-
munity. He added that the Haidu CAN sports pro-
gram will continue organizing year-round activities 
and tournaments for all age groups and both sexes, 
in alignment with CAN’s mission to combat cancer 
through a healthy and active lifestyle. He encouraged 
young people to participate in upcoming events, es-
pecially during the summer, when swimming races are 
in full swing.
4
Local Monday, June 23, 2025
The digital hoarders: Why Temu
has a grip on Kuwait’s Gen X men
Gen X and Boomers are Temu’s most frequent users, placing twice as many orders as Gen Z
By Dena Alfadhli
KUWAIT: As Hamad scrolls through Facebook, his 
feed is flooded with ads from online marketplaces 
offering steep discounts on everything from phone 
chargers to quirky household gadgets. Intending to 
buy something specific for his desk, Hamad clicks 
on one of the ads. But minutes later, his cart is filled 
with an odd mix: knick-knacks, car accessories, sta-
tionery, and home tools. “Basically,” he shrugs, “any-
thing cheap and interesting.”
Hamad, who asked to be identified by a pseud-
onym, isn’t alone. In an era of hyper-stylized influencer 
culture—dominated by TikTok Shop and Instagram’s 
sleek storefronts—online marketplaces are capturing 
a different demographic: older shoppers. Specifically, 
Gen X and Baby Boomers, many of whom are discov-
ering a renewed joy in bargain hunting.
Temu is just one example of this. According 
to US-based research firm Attain, as reported by 
Bloomberg, Gen X andBoomers are Temu’s most 
frequent users, placing an average of six orders a 
year—twice as many as Gen Z shoppers. “For me, it’s 
like falling into a rabbit hole,” Hamad says. “You find 
things you didn’t even know existed—and suddenly 
feel like you need them.”
What appears to be harmless impulse shopping 
reflects something deeper: a fascination—espe-
cially among older men—with novelties that prom-
ise utility at a low cost. Arjun, a 56-year-old user 
in Kuwait, recounts buying oddly specific gifts: a 
mouthpiece that mimics birdsong and a spinning 
phone attachment for video effects. “Anything you 
want, it’s on there,” he says. “Tell me what you’re 
looking for, and I’ll find it.”
Young people unfazed 
While Gen Xers fall into the thrill of discovery, 
younger generations remain more skeptical. “It just 
feels like a knockoff version of Amazon,” says Noor, 
a Kuwaiti college student. “It’s convenient, sure, but 
not that exciting. It reminds me of SHEIN.”
Sara, a millennial user in Kuwait, says she feels 
misled by Temu, noting suspicious price fluctuations. 
“I’ve noticed that when I leave items in my cart, the 
prices creep up slightly the next day,” she says, sus-
pecting the app is nudging her to meet the platform’s 
KD 14 minimum for checkout. 
According to NYU psychology professor Emily 
Balcetis, older shoppers are less aware of how plat-
forms use gamification to drive spending. She told 
Bloomberg that features like flash deals, daily check-
ins, and spin-to-win promotions are more effective 
on them than on younger digital natives, who tend to 
see through the tactics—or ignore them altogether.
Other young buyers use the app occasionally, but 
their purchases tend to be less random and more in-
tentional. Reina, a Gen Z user, said she used the app 
to buy decorations for a New Year’s event, but hasn’t 
returned since—explaining that she simply doesn’t 
find much she needs on the platform. 
So, what’s driving this generational divide in on-
line shopping behavior? For many men in Gen X, 
bargain hunting is more than just saving money—it 
taps into an ingrained role as household provider. 
Omar, a father of three, jokes that he’s constantly 
scanning for discounts. “My daughters go through 
shampoo like they are drinking it,” he says. “If there’s 
a 2-for-1 deal, I’m buying it.”
A 2022 study titled Sex Differences in Money Pa-
thology in the General Population supports this. It 
suggests that men are more likely to associate shop-
ping habits with providing for others, even when 
that leads to over-purchasing. Hamad also admits he 
checks ClickFlyer, a website aggregating local pro-
motions, multiple times a day. “If I skip a day, I feel 
like FOMO,” he says. “Last week, I bought olive oil 
even though we had several bottles at home—just 
because it was on sale.” His wife, he says, doesn’t 
share the enthusiasm. “She gets frustrated when 
things pile up at home. 
Nostalgia’s role 
Having grown up in an era shaped by coupon clip-
ping, mail-order catalogs, and the thrill of a “smart 
buy,” Gen X men may find Temu appealing not just 
for its prices, but for the nostalgia it evokes. Beyond 
flashy bargains and gamified discounts that echo the 
past, Temu also offers antique and vintage items that 
tap into those memories. Arjun, for example, says he’s 
purchased vintage timepieces on the app—items he 
describes as “not available in the normal market.”
A 2023 Polish research paper titled Nostalgic 
Consumer Trends and Nostalgia Marketing found 
that 55 percent of Gen X respondents reported 
feeling emotionally connected to the 1990s—high-
lighting how nostalgia can drive consumer choices. 
Fred Davis, a professor at the University in California 
who helped establish nostalgia as a serious academic 
subject in sociology and cultural studies, expanded 
on this idea in his book Yearning for Yesterday. In it, 
he argues that nostalgia becomes especially potent 
in midlife, when people seek continuity and meaning 
through physical tokens. 
That behavior isn’t exclusive to shopping apps. 
Many of these men describe long-running collecting 
habits. Hamad proudly displays a fridge magnet col-
lection from places he’s travelled “worth thousands.” 
But it doesn’t stop there. He also admits to collecting 
interesting looking water bottles, newspaper clip-
pings, boarding passes, and even napkins he gets 
from restaurants that have sentimental value to him. 
Omar also admits to stockpiling gemstones for years. 
Straddling both analog and digital eras, Gen X 
consumers often display shopping and collect-
ing habits rooted in a desire to stay connected to 
their pre-digital identities. Temu—with its endless 
assortment of quirky and nostalgic items, digital 
coupons and redeemable gifts —offers a kind of 
comfort, grounding them in a familiar sense of util-
ity and discovery.
This photo shows a collection of fridge magnets, 
similar to those collected by Hamad and some 
Gen X men.
A man browses Temu on his phone in this photo il-
lustration.
This screenshot from Temu shows a variety of bird whistle mouthpieces, one of many knick-knacks found on 
the popular online marketplace.
In my view
By Monica Jhildiyal
Gratitude to a nation
that led with strength
and compassion
As I prepare to leave this wonderful 
country after spending 24 years in 
Gulf Bank and 30 incredible years 
in Kuwait. I do so with deep gratitude and 
admiration. This nation has not only given 
me a fulfilling career and cherished friend-
ships, but has also exemplified exceptional 
leadership, resilience, and care — especial-
ly in the face of global challenges like the 
COVID-19 pandemic.
A nation that led with excellence
During the unprecedented times of the 
COVID-19 crisis, Kuwait stood as a beacon 
of hope and efficiency. While the world strug-
gled to contain the virus, I witnessed first-
hand how the leadership acted swiftly and 
decisively, ensuring the safety and well-being 
of its people. From well-organized vaccina-
tion campaigns to economic support mea-
sures and thoughtful public health policies, 
every step taken reflected the nation’s deep 
commitment to both its citizens and residents.
The healthcare system, emergency re-
sponders and frontline workers demon-
strated extraordinary dedication, working 
tirelessly to protect lives. Their efforts did 
not go unnoticed. For those of us who lived 
through this challenging period here, we 
will always remember the sense of security 
and support we felt.
Acts of solidarity were seen across com-
munities. Many landlords showed compassion 
by either reducing rent or waiving it entirely 
for two to three months, easing the financial 
burden on tenants. In addition, numerous 
individuals and organizations stepped up to 
distribute free food to those in need. These 
selfless gestures were a testament to the 
strength of human empathy.
A place of warmth and opportunity
Beyond its pandemic response, Kuwait 
has been a land of opportunity, growth 
and inclusivity. The generosity of the Ku-
waiti people is truly remarkable and con-
tinues to shine on the global stage. Time 
and again, Kuwait has extended a helping 
hand to countries facing hardship — be it 
through humanitarian aid, medical assis-
tance or emergency relief efforts. This un-
wavering support reflects not only the val-
ues embedded in Kuwaiti culture, but also a 
deep sense of global responsibility. In times 
of crisis, Kuwait has stood as a beacon of 
hope and compassion, reminding us all the 
profound impact a caring nation can have 
on the world.
It is a place where dreams are built, careers 
flourish and friendships transcend borders. 
For three decades, I have had the privilege of 
calling this country home. I have seen it grow, 
evolve and continue to lead with wisdom and 
vision. My experiences here have shaped me 
in countless ways, and as I take my leave, I do 
so with nothing but admiration and gratitude.
Wishing continued prosperity and success
As I embark on a new chapter, Ileave be-
hind my heartfelt wishes for this beautiful na-
tion to continue its path of success, strength 
and innovation. May it always remain a shin-
ing example of resilience, compassion and 
progress. I am confident that Kuwait will con-
tinue to inspire and lead in the years to come.
Though I may be leaving physically, a part 
of me will always remain here — in the friend-
ships I’ve built, the experiences I’ve gathered, 
and the lessons I’ve learned. I will always car-
ry the fondest memories of this place and its 
people. Thank you for 30 remarkable years. 
I bid farewell with deep respect and sincere 
blessings for a future filled with prosperity 
and peace. With gratitude and best wishes.
CAN champions 
sports as tool for 
cancer prevention
Kuwaiti dermatologist 
raises awareness of 
HS skin condition
Dr Abeer Al-Bathali
Ivory Coast president 
Ouattara tapped to 
run for fourth term
InternationalEstablished 1961 
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2025
US strikes on Iran nuclear sites are real-life test of hard power’s limits
Page 6 Page 7
Bombing Iran, US 
gambles on force 
over diplomacy
WASHINGTON: For nearly a half-century the United 
States has squabbled with Iran’s Islamic Republic but 
the conflict has largely been left in the shadows, with US 
policymakers believing, often reluctantly, that diploma-
cy was preferable. With President Donald Trump’s or-
der of strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, the United States - 
like Zionist entity, which encouraged him - has brought 
the conflict into the open, and the consequences may 
not be clear for some time to come. 
“We will only know if it succeeded if we can get 
through the next three to five years without the Irani-
an regime acquiring nuclear weapons, which they now 
have compelling reasons to want,” said Kenneth Pollack, 
a former CIA analyst and supporter of the 2003 Iraq 
war who is now vice president for policy at the Middle 
Iran’s nuclear program
VIENNA: A week after Zionist entity launched 
an unprecedented attack against Iran over fears 
about its nuclear ambitions, US strikes overnight 
on Sunday on three Iranian nuclear sites have fur-
ther ramped up the dispute. Western powers have 
repeatedly expressed concerns about the rapid 
expansion of Iran’s nuclear program, questioning 
in particular the country’s accelerated uranium en-
richment. Zionist entity has accused Iran of being 
on the verge of developing nuclear arms, which 
Tehran denies. The following is a recap of the main 
developments regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
‘Structured program’ 
Iran laid the foundation for its nuclear program 
in the late 1950s with technical assistance from the 
United States, when Iran’s ruling shah, Mohammad 
Reza Pahlavi, signed a civilian nuclear cooperation 
agreement with Washington. In 1970, Iran ratified 
the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear 
Weapons (NPT), committing it to declare its nu-
clear material to the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA). But revelations in the early 2000s 
about undeclared nuclear sites raised concerns. A 
2011 IAEA report, collating “broadly credible” in-
telligence, said that at least until 2003 Iran “carried 
out activities relevant to the development of a nu-
clear explosive device”.
Historic accord left in tatters
After suspending enrichment activities, Iran 
began talks with European and then international 
powers that would later culminate in a historic deal. 
On July 14, 2015, Iran and the five permanent mem-
bers of the UN Security Council—Britain, China, 
France, Russia and the United States—plus Ger-
many reached an accord in Vienna. The deal, called 
the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), 
placed significant restrictions on Iran’s nuclear pro-
gram in exchange for sanctions relief after 12 years 
of crisis and 21 months of protracted negotiations. 
But the hard-won deal began to unravel when the 
US, during Donald Trump’s first presidency, walked 
away from it on May 8, 2018, and reimposed sanc-
tions on Iran.
‘Nuclear escalation’ 
Following the US withdrawal, Iran retaliated by 
stepping up its nuclear activities as if “a red cape 
had been waved in front of a bull”, said Clement 
Therme, associate researcher at the Rasanah In-
ternational Institute for Iranian Studies. According 
to Therme, Iran “embarked on a strategy of escala-
tion” in a bid to up pressure and obtain help to cir-
cumvent sanctions. But Tehran’s moves were unsuc-
cessful and came at an “exorbitant economic cost”.
Iran first began enriching uranium to five per-
cent—breaching the limit of 3.67 percent imposed by 
the deal—before it raised the enrichment levels to 20 
and then to 60 percent in 2021, which is a short step 
from the 90 percent required for use in a weapon. Iran 
has also increased its stockpiles of enriched uranium, 
which was set at 202.8 kilograms under the deal. Iran’s 
total enriched uranium stockpile is currently believed 
to be more than 45 times that limit. And Tehran has 
since exceeded the number of centrifuges—the ma-
chines used to enrich uranium—it is allowed to have 
while beginning to produce more material faster by 
using advanced models at its plants.- AFP 
East Institute.
US intelligence had not concluded that Iran was 
building a nuclear bomb, with Tehran’s sensitive atomic 
work largely seen as a means of leverage, and Iran can 
be presumed to have taken precautions in anticipation 
of strikes. Trita Parsi, an outspoken critic of military ac-
tion, said Trump “has now made it more likely that Iran 
will be a nuclear weapons state in the next five to 10 
years.” “We should be careful not to confuse tactical 
success with strategic success,” said Parsi, executive 
vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible 
Statecraft. “The Iraq war was also successful in the first 
few weeks but President Bush’s declaration of ‘Mission 
Accomplished’ did not age well,” he said.
Weak point for Iran
Yet Trump’s attack - a week after Zionist entity be-
gan a major military campaign - came as the cleric-run 
state is at one of its weakest points since the 1979 Is-
lamic revolution toppled the pro-Western shah. Since 
the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which enjoys 
Iran’s support, Zionist entity - besides obliterating much 
of Gaza - has decimated Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a mili-
tant group that would once reliably strike Zionist entity 
as Tehran’s proxy. Iran’s main ally among Arab leaders, 
Syria’s Bashar Al-Assad, was also toppled in December.
Supporters of Trump’s strike argued that diploma-
cy was not working, with Iran standing firm on its right 
to enrich uranium. “Contrary to what some will say in 
the days to come, the US administration did not rush 
to war. In fact, it gave diplomacy a real chance,” said 
Ted Deutch, a former Democratic congressman who 
now heads the American Jewish Committee. “The mur-
derous Iranian regime refused to make a deal,” he said. 
Top Senate Republican John Thune pointed to Tehran’s 
threats to Zionist entity and language against the Unit-
ed States and said that the state had “rejected all diplo-
matic pathways to peace.”
Trump’s attack comes almost exactly a decade af-
ter former president Barack Obama sealed a deal in 
which Iran drastically scaled back its nuclear work - 
which Trump pulled out of in 2018 after coming into 
office for his first term. Most of Trump’s Republican 
Party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who 
has long seen Iran as an existential threat, attacked 
Obama’s deal because it allowed Tehran to enrich 
uranium at levels well beneath weapons grade and 
the key clauses had an end date. — AFP
20 killed in Damascus church attack
Interior ministry says suicide bomber member of Islamic State
DAMASCUS: At least 20 people were killed and 
dozens injured when a suicide bomber blew himself 
up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbor-
hood of Syria’s capital Damascus on Sunday, health 
authorities and security sources said. It was the first 
suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar Al-Assad 
was toppledby an Islamist-led rebel insurgency in 
December.
Syria’s interior ministry said the suicide bomb-
er was a member of Islamic State. He entered the 
church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive 
vest, a ministry statement added. A security source, 
speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men 
were involved in the attack, including the one who 
blew himself up. 
Islamic State has been behind several attempted 
attacks on churches in Syria since Assad’s fall, but 
this was the first to succeed, another security source 
told Reuters. Syria’s state news agency cited the 
health ministry as saying that 52 people were also 
injured in the blast. A livestream from the site by Syr-
ia’s civil defense, the White Helmets, showed scenes 
of destruction from inside the church, including a 
bloodied floor and shattered pews and masonry. AFP 
correspondents at the scene saw first responders 
transporting people from the site.
Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who led the 
offensive against Assad before taking over in Janu-
ary for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he 
will protect minorities. “We unequivocally condemn 
the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar 
Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria,” 
the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement. “We 
demand that the Syrian transitional authorities take 
immediate action to hold those involved accountable 
and implement measures to guarantee the safety of 
Christian communities and all religious groups, al-
lowing them to live without fear.” 
France’s foreign ministry condemned the “abject, 
terrorist” attack. France reiterated its commitment to “a 
transition in Syria that allows Syrians, whatever their 
religion, to live in peace and security in a free, united, 
pluralistic, prosperous, stable and sovereign Syria”, 
said foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine.
One man told AFP outside the church that “some-
one entered from outside carrying a weapon” and 
began shooting, adding that people “tried to stop 
him before he blew himself up”. Ziad, 40, said from 
DAMASCUS: People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias Church in the Syrian capital’s Dweila area on June 22, 2025. - AFP
a shop across from the church that he heard gunfire 
then an explosion, adding that “we saw fire in the 
church and the remains of wooden benches thrown 
all the way to the entrance”.
Islamic State had previously targeted religious 
minorities, including a major attack on Shiite 
pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab in 2016 — one of the 
most notorious bombings during Assad’s rule. 
The latest assault underscores the group’s con-
tinued ability to exploit security gaps despite 
the collapse of its territorial control and years of 
counterterrorism efforts. — Agencies
Monday, June 23, 2025
6
International
US strikes on Iran nuclear sites are 
real-life test of hard power’s limits
North Korea-style race for bomb is one possible scenario
VIENNA: US military strikes overnight in which 
President Donald Trump said Iran’s main nuclear 
sites were “obliterated” will put to the test the widely 
held view that such attacks can delay a nuclear pro-
gram but not kill a determined push for atom bombs. 
As Iran’s nuclear program has expanded and become 
more sophisticated over the past two decades, many 
officials and nuclear experts have warned: You can 
destroy or disable a nuclear program’s physical in-
frastructure but it is very hard or impossible to elimi-
nate the knowledge a country has acquired. Western 
powers including the United States have publicly 
suggested as much, complaining of the “irreversible 
knowledge gain” Iran has made by carrying out ac-
tivities they object to.
“Military strikes alone cannot destroy Iran’s ex-
tensive nuclear knowledge,” the Washington-based 
Arms Control Association said in a statement after 
the US strikes with massive bunker-busting bombs 
on sites including Iran’s two main underground en-
richment plants at Natanz and Fordow. “The strikes 
will set Iran’s program back, but at the cost of 
strengthening Tehran’s resolve to reconstitute its 
sensitive nuclear activities, possibly prompting it to 
consider withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Prolif-
eration Treaty, and possibly proceeding to weapon-
ization.”
Zionist entity has also said it has killed Iranian nu-
clear scientists but, while little is known about the 
personnel side of Iran’s nuclear program, officials 
have said they are sceptical about that having a se-
rious impact on Iran’s nuclear knowledge, even if it 
might slow progress in the near term. The West says 
there is no civilian justification for Iran’s enrichment 
of uranium to near weapons-grade fissile purity. Iran 
says its nuclear objectives are solely peaceful and it 
has the right to enrich as much as it wants.
Iran’s nuclear program has made rapid advances 
since Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 
nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers that 
placed strict limits on its atomic activities in ex-
change for sanctions relief. After the US withdrawal 
in 2018 and the re-imposition of US sanctions, Iran 
pushed past and then far beyond the limits imposed 
by the deal on items like the purity to which it can 
enrich uranium and how much it can stockpile. 
At least until Zionist entity’s first strikes against its 
enrichment installations on June 13, Iran was refin-
ing uranium to up to 60 percent purity, a short step 
from the roughly 90 percent that is bomb-grade, 
and far higher than the 3.67 percent cap imposed 
by the 2015 deal, which Iran respected until the year 
after Trump pulled out. The last report on May 31 
by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN 
nuclear watchdog that inspects Iran’s nuclear facil-
ities, showed Iran had enough uranium enriched to 
up to 60 percent, if enriched further, for nine nuclear 
weapons, according to an IAEA yardstick. 
It has more at lower levels like 20 percent and 5 
percent. The exact impact of Zionist and US strikes 
on Iran’s nuclear facilities and materials has yet to 
be determined. In addition to the enrichment sites, 
the US struck Isfahan, where officials have said much 
of Iran’s most highly enriched uranium stock was 
stored underground. One important open question 
is how much highly enriched uranium Iran still has 
and whether it is all accounted for. A senior Iranian 
source told Reuters on Sunday most of the highly 
enriched uranium at Fordow, the site producing the 
bulk of Iran’s uranium refined to up to 60 percent, 
had been moved to an undisclosed location before 
the US attack there. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem 
Gharibabadi told state TV last weekend Iran would 
take measures to protect nuclear materials and 
equipment that would not be reported to the IAEA, 
and it would no longer cooperate with the IAEA as 
before.
The IAEA has not been able to carry out inspec-
tions in Iran since the first Zionist airstrikes nine days 
ago, but has said it is in contact with the Iranian au-
thorities. What Iran will do next in terms of its nucle-
ar program is also unclear. Its threat to pull out of the 
nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty hints at a race for 
nuclear weapons, but Iran has maintained it has no 
intention of doing so. The only other country to an-
nounce its withdrawal from the NPT is North Korea 
in 2003. It expelled IAEA inspectors and went on to 
test nuclear weapons.
“Our biggest concern is that we end up with a 
North Korea scenario whereby these strikes con-
ARLINGTON: An operational timeline of a strike on Iran is displayed following a news conference with Chairman 
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen Dan Caine and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on 
June 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. — AFP
vince the Iranians that the only way to save the 
regime is to go for the bomb. Nobody is bombing 
North Korea now, are they?” a European official 
said. Even if inspections continue, because of Trump’s 
withdrawalin 2018 Iran had already scrapped extra 
IAEA oversight provided for by the 2015 deal. That 
means the agency no longer knows how many cen-
trifuges Iran has at undeclared locations. The IAEA 
says that while it cannot guarantee Iran’s aims are 
entirely peaceful, it also has no credible indication of 
a coordinated nuclear weapons program.
The Zionist and now US strikes have already 
raised fears among diplomats and other officials, 
however, that Iran will use those centrifuges to set 
up a secret enrichment site, since one could be built 
inside a relatively small and inconspicuous building 
like a warehouse. 
“It is quite possible that there are enrichment 
sites that we don’t know about. Iran is a big coun-
try,” a Western official said, while adding that Iran 
could also choose to bide its time. “In two years, if 
Iran were to start from scratch, they would only need 
a few months to reconstitute a new program and to 
get back to where they were yesterday.” — Reuters
Khalil vows to resume 
activism after release 
from US jail
NEWARK: Mahmoud Khalil vowed to resume his 
pro-Palestinian activism as he returned to New York 
a day after he was released on bail from a jail for im-
migrants, even as US President Donald Trump’s ad-
ministration said it will continue its efforts to deport 
the recent Columbia University graduate. He arrived 
at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jer-
sey on Saturday afternoon to cheers and ululations 
from friends and supporters. Khalil, 30, was reunited 
with his wife, a US citizen, and greeted at the airport 
by US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 
Democrat from New York.
“Not only if they threaten me with detention, even 
if they would kill me, I would still speak up for Pales-
tine again,” Khalil said, holding a bouquet of flowers. 
“I just want to go back and just continue the work 
that I was already doing, advocating for Palestinian 
rights, speech that should actually be celebrated 
rather than punished.” Khalil, who recently gradu-
ated from Columbia University in Manhattan, was a 
prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian and anti-Zi-
onist student protest movement that swept campus-
es last year. Federal immigration agents arrested him 
in the lobby of his Columbia apartment building on 
March 8, making him the first target of Trump’s effort 
to deport international students with pro-Palestinian 
or anti-Zionist views. 
Ocasio-Cortez, speaking alongside Khalil at 
the airport, condemned the Trump administration 
for what she called “persecution based on political 
speech.” “Being taken is wrong. It is illegal,” she said. 
“It is an affront to every American.” “Free Palestine!” 
Khalil said with a raised fist as he left the airport. 
Khalil was born and raised in a Palestinian refugee 
camp in Syria and became a US lawful permanent 
resident last year. Nonetheless, citing an obscure 
part of federal immigration law that has not been in-
voked in more than 20 years, US Secretary of State 
Marco Rubio said he had determined that Khalil and 
several other foreign pro-Palestinian students at US 
schools must be deported because their presence 
here could harm the government’s foreign policy in-
terests.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the 
government wrongly conflates their criticism of the 
Zionist government, one of the United States’ closest 
allies, with antisemitism. Earlier this month, US Dis-
trict Judge Michael Farbiarz in New Jersey ruled that 
the government could not detain or deport Khalil 
based on Rubio’s determination, finding the Trump 
administration was violating Khalil’s constitutional 
right to free speech. On Friday, he ordered the Trump 
administration to release Khalil on bail while he con-
tinues to fight the government’s deportation efforts 
and his lawsuit accusing the government of wrongful 
detention.
A spokesperson for Trump said in a statement 
after the ruling that Khalil should be deported for 
“conduct detrimental to American foreign policy in-
terests” and for omitting or incorrectly describing 
his employment history on his application for form 
to become a permanent resident. Khalil has said his 
application form was correct and the allegations 
of omission are spurious. Also on Friday, an immi-
gration court in Louisiana ruled that Khalil must be 
deported. He will now challenge the decision in the 
immigration court, which is run by the Department of 
Justice rather than the government’s judicial branch, 
through the Board of Immigration Appeals. The 
Trump administration appealed Farbiarz’s rulings on 
Friday evening to the U.S Court of Appeals for the 
Third Circuit. — Reuters
Another first for
the United States...
Continued from Page 1
Until now, these efforts had not succeeded. Today, 
however, American taxpayers find themselves fund-
ing a war that has little to do with them — and one 
they never wanted.
In response to the attack, Iran has called for an 
emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. One 
must wonder why this request was even made. By 
now, it is abundantly clear that the United Nations, 
NATO and every other global organization with an 
impressive acronym are powerless — or unwilling to 
act — when the issue involves Israel or its allies. The 
rules and charters of these institutions seem to apply 
selectively. It will be almost comical to watch world 
leaders scramble to appear relevant in the coming 
days. Many will avoid directly condemning the US 
strikes — which by definition of the UN charter are 
unlawful — choosing instead to issue vague calls for 
“de-escalation from both sides” or to “urge Iran to 
return to the negotiating table”.
I leave you with a rhetorical question: Why is the 
world so quick to condemn when something hap-
pens to Israel, yet when Israel commits atrocities, the 
response is merely, “We are concerned”?
Kuwait on full alert 
as region boils...
Continued from Page 1
 A spokesman of the National Guard said Sheikh 
Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Center for Chemical Defense 
and Monitoring Radiation has been regularly moni-
toring radiation and pollution levels in the country, 
which have been normal.
PM chairs Supreme Defense Council
HH the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Su-
preme Defense Council Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah 
Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chaired on Sunday a meeting of 
the Supreme Defense Council at Seif Palace to dis-
cuss the recent regional developments. The council 
members followed up on coordination by authorities 
to ensure swift action and enhance their level of pre-
paredness. The council decided to remain in session 
to follow up on regional developments. 
Army Vice Chief visits Amiri Guard
Vice Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti Army Air Vice 
Marshal Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah went 
on a field visit on Sunday to the Amiri Guard to 
follow up with army readiness, ensure combative 
ability and bolster state security. He was briefed 
on readiness levels and duties allocated to Amiri 
Guard units, and was taken to a number of sites to 
observe the latest security and preventative mea-
sures. Air Vice Marshal Sabah commended the 
discipline and efforts of the Amiri Guard personnel 
in committing to their duties.
Shelters set up in ministries’ complex
The ministry of finance also activated its emer-
gency plan on Sunday to ensure the running of its 
financial works and services at high efficiency, which 
will guarantee government performance under all 
conditions. The ministry said in a statement that it 
has taken comprehensive precautionary measures, 
including preparing public shelters at the ministries’ 
complex to accommodate 900 people. The ministry 
has also activated alternative financial systems to 
operate in emergency conditions and to be remotely 
operated when necessary.
More Kuwaitis evacuated from Iran
The second batch of Kuwaiti citizens arrived on 
Sunday from Iran via Turkmenistan as part of the 
foreign ministry’s plan to ensure their safe return 
amid escalation in the region. Upon directives ofthe 
Kuwaiti leadership, the plan is executed via the for-
eign ministry in cooperation with concerned author-
ities in Kuwait and Iran.
Bahrain orders work from home
“In light of recent developments in the regional 
security situation, we urge citizens and residents 
to use main roads only when necessary to maintain 
public safety and to allow the relevant authorities 
to use the roads efficiently,” Bahrain’s interior min-
istry said on X. Bahrain also told 70 percent of 
its government employees to work from home on 
Sunday until further notice, citing escalating ten-
sions, according to the Civil Service Bureau. The 
country’s authorities earlier this week said they 
had activated a national plan to prepare for emer-
gencies, set up an emergency center and tested 
warning sirens. Local media also reported that 
Bahrain had set up 33 shelters. — Agencies
ACT OF WAR... started the war with a surprise attack on Iran on June 
13, has long said its aim was to destroy Iran’s nu-
clear program. But only the United States possesses 
the massive 30,000-pound bombs – and the huge 
batwing B2 bombers that drop them – designed to 
destroy subterranean targets like Iran’s uranium en-
richment plan at Fordow, built beneath a mountain.
Satellite images obtained by Reuters following 
the attack appeared to show damage both to the 
mountain above the site and to entrances nearby. 
The UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, said no in-
creases in off-site radiation levels had been re-
ported after the US strikes. A senior Iranian source 
told Reuters that most of the highly enriched ura-
nium at Fordo had been moved elsewhere before 
the attack. While it is clear that US airstrikes had 
hit the Fordo site, it was not yet possible to assess 
the damage done underground there, IAEA Direc-
tor General Rafael Grossi told CNN.
Much of Tehran, a capital city of 10 million 
people, has emptied out, with residents fleeing to 
the countryside to escape Zionist bombardment. 
Iran’s Shargh newspaper reported that a “massive 
explosion was heard” Sunday in Bushehr province, 
home to Iran’s only nuclear power plant.
Iran has been launching missiles back at the Zi-
onist entity, the first time its projectiles have pene-
trated Zionist defenses in large numbers. The elite 
Revolutionary Guards said they had fired 40 mis-
siles at the Zionist entity in the latest volley over-
night. Air raid sirens sounded across most of the 
Zionist entity on Sunday, sending millions of peo-
ple to safe rooms. In Tel Aviv, Aviad Chernovsky, 
40, emerged from a bomb shelter to find his house 
had been destroyed in a direct hit. 
During the past nine days of war, the Zionist 
entity killed much of Iran’s military leadership 
with strikes that targeted bases and residential 
buildings where senior figures slept. Prime Minis-
ter Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken openly of the 
possibility of pressing on until the Islamic Repub-
lic’s clerical rulers are toppled, while denying that 
was his primary objective.
Trump had veered between offering to end the 
war with diplomacy or to join it, at one point musing 
publicly about killing Iran’s supreme leader. His deci-
sion ultimately to join the fight is the biggest foreign 
policy gamble of his career. Netanyahu congratulat-
ed Trump on a “bold decision”. Zionist opposition 
leader Yair Lapid also praised Trump, saying the 
world was now a safer place. — Agencies
Continued from Page 1
Trump, announcing the strikes in a televised ad-
dress, called them “a spectacular military success”. 
“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been 
completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully 
of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they 
do not, future attacks would be far greater and a 
lot easier,” he said. Still, his administration stressed 
that no order had been given for any wider war to 
overthrow the hardline clerical establishment that 
has ruled Iran since 1979. 
“This mission was not and has not been about 
regime change,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth 
told reporters at the Pentagon. “The president 
authorized a precision operation to neutralize the 
threats to our national interests posed by the Ira-
nian nuclear program.” US Vice President JD Vance 
said Washington was not at war with Iran but with 
its nuclear program, adding this had been pushed 
back by a very long time due to the US intervention.
In a step towards what is widely seen as Iran’s 
most effective threat to hurt the West, its par-
liament approved a move to close the Strait of 
Hormuz, the entrance to the Gulf where nearly a 
quarter of the oil shipped around the world passes 
through narrow waters that Iran shares with Oman 
and the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s Press TV said 
closing the strait would require approval from the 
Supreme National Security Council, a body led 
by an appointee of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali 
Khamenei.
Attempting to choke off Gulf oil by closing the 
strait could send global oil prices skyrocketing, 
derail the world economy and invite almost certain 
conflict with the US Navy’s massive Fifth Fleet, 
based in the Gulf and tasked with keeping it open. 
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a Fox News 
Sunday interview, warned Iran on Sunday against 
retaliation for the US strikes, saying such action 
would be “the worst mistake they’ve ever made”.
Rubio separately told CBS’ “Face the Nation” talk 
show that the US has “other targets we can hit, but 
we achieved our objective.” He later added: “There 
are no planned military operations right now against 
Iran unless – unless they mess around.” The UN 
Security Council was due to meet later on Sunday, 
diplomats said, at the request of Iran, which urged 
the 15-member body “to address this blatant and un-
lawful act of (US) aggression, to condemn it in the 
strongest possible terms.” The Zionist entity, which 
JERUSALEM: A little over a month ago, Prime 
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to have 
been shunted to the shadows by US President Don-
ald Trump, who hopscotched the Middle East with-
out visiting Zionist entity, traditionally Washington’s 
closest regional ally. Worse still, from Netanyahu’s 
perspective, Trump lifted sanctions on neighbor-
ing Syria - something Zionist entity opposed - and 
talked up the prospects of securing a nuclear deal 
with Iran, something the prime minister has always 
cautioned against. 
Fast forward five weeks and the United States 
has bombed Iran’s main nuclear installations, fulfill-
ing a decades-old dream of Netanyahu to convince 
Washington to bring its full military might to thwart 
Tehran’s atomic ambitions. The US attack under-
scores a broader truth that has defined Netanyahu’s 
career: no matter how fraught his relationships with 
successive presidents, he normally ends up getting 
what he wants.
For over three decades, Netanyahu has clashed 
- often spectacularly - with American leaders. He 
has lectured them, defied them, embarrassed them 
publicly and privately. And yet, across Democratic 
and Republican administrations, US military aid has 
flowed largely uninterrupted to Zionist entity. Wash-
ington remains Zionist entity’s chief arms supplier 
and diplomatic shield. “He probably has conclud-
ed that he always gets away with it,” said a senior 
United Nations official in Jerusalem who declined to 
be named. “It’s hard to argue otherwise.” Just one 
month ago, opposition leader Yair Lapid accused 
Netanyahu of destroying Zionist entity’s relations 
with the United States. This weekend’s action rep-
resents the closest US-Zionist military alignment yet 
against a common adversary.
Withstanding pressure
Netanyahu’s belief in his ability to advance his 
agenda, and withstand American pressure when 
needed, has deep roots. Barely a month after becom-
ing prime minister for the first time in 1996, he met 
President Bill Clinton in Washington and immediately 
rubbed him up the wrong way. But vital US aid to Zi-
onist entity continued to flow - something that would 
remain a constant