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An ongoing wave of COVID-19 is forecast to reach a peak around the end of August after the summer vacation season, the South Korean health authorities said Tuesday, vowing to strengthen responses to curb its spread."The uptrend could peak around the end of August, as contacts among people will grow after the summer vacation and such changes could affect the infection trend," Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) official Hong Jeong-il said, reported YONHAP."Not enough ventilation with air conditioning in the summertime is also a major cause of the summer surge," he added.In an effort to curb the spread, the KDCA has decided to expand the virus response team to enhance monitoring of the situation at home and abroad, analysis of infections, and the management of treatment and other medical supplies.The government will also set up a consultative body with experts to regularly discuss trends and anti-virus measures. Their first meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.South Korea also plans to resume its vaccination campaign in October, where high-risk groups will be administered vaccines for free.The country has seen a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, with virus hospitalizations at 220 major medical institutions nationwide rising sixfold in a month to come to 861 as of the first week of August, according to KDCA.The current wave is primarily led by KP.3, an Omicron subvariant that constituted 45.5 percent of cases in South Korea last month and is also driving the summer wave elsewhere around the world.

France bid a reluctant farewell on Monday to an “enchanted” fortnight of Olympic sport as athletes headed home from Paris praising a dazzling edition of the Games that has breathed new life into the biggest show on earth.Hollywood star Tom Cruise delivered stardust at the closing ceremony on Sunday evening - and a link with the next Games in Los Angeles - by abseiling into the national stadium.The Mission Impossible star descended on a wire in front of 71,500 spectators, grabbed the Olympic flag and jumped onto a motorbike, to the delight of thousands of dancing athletes and awe-struck fans. The final act of the Paris Olympics brought relief that an event foreshadowed by worries about terror attacks, strikes or protests had passed off with barely a hitch.But there was also sadness that two weeks of high-spirited celebration had come to an end.“Keep the flame alive,” urged the front-page headline of France’s biggest sports newspaper, L’Equipe, which featured new national swimming hero Leon Marchand and urged French people to maintain the spirit “of this enchanted fortnight”.At the Athletes’ Village in northern Paris, bleary-eyed athletes were packing their bags after a late night, with the French capital’s two main airports braced for a huge influx of travellers and sports equipment.Magda Skarbonkiewicz, a Team USA fencer, said she would return home filled with memories of competing inside the Grand Palais, one of the historic venues used around the French capital.“It’s such an iconic venue and just nothing like I’ve ever seen before,” she told AFP.Many of the widely praised temporary sports stadiums nestled among Paris’s landmarks will be used for the Paralympics, which begin on August 28, with many tickets still available.- ‘Seine-sational’ - During Sunday night’s closing Olympics ceremony, which stressed the event’s core message of peace in a troubled world, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach had praised the Paris Games for being “sport at its best”.“These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish,” Bach said.“Or dare I say: Seine-sational Games,” the IOC chief quipped in a pun about the river flowing through Paris which was a sometimes fickle star of the event.Observers had seen Paris 2024 as essential for the Olympics brand as a whole, coming after a Covid-affected edition in Tokyo and a corruption-tainted version in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.Much of the media commentary on Monday focused on the uplifting impact of the Games on the generally morose national mood in France.Paris 2024 organising chief Tony Estanguet told the cheering closing ceremony crowd that the Games had transformed “a nation of implacable complainers” into “unbridled supporters who don’t want to stop singing”.Just weeks before the Olympics, snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron plunged the country into a political crisis with a hung parliament and a historic number of seats for the far-right National Rally party. Macron, who is yet to appoint a prime minister, said on Monday at a reception at the Elysee Palace that the Olympics had shown the world “the true face of France”.“We don’t want life to get back to normal,” he said. Le Monde newspaper said the Games had “offered the capital and the entire country more than two weeks of fervour and happiness that were so unexpected and appreciated given that they came after a political period dominated by the sad passions of decline and xenophobia.”“For 17 days the stereotype of the indifferent, grumpy Frenchman went missing,” wrote sports writer Owen Slot in The Times newspaper, adding that Paris had “made the Olympic Games look more beautiful than ever before.”The closing spectacle marked the beginning of the four-year countdown to the LA Games, and American gymnastics icon Simone Biles joined Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass as the Olympic flag was formally handed over.The ceremony followed 17 days of drama-filled sporting action lit up by Biles, American sprinter Noah Lyles, Pakistan’s javelin king Arshad Nadeem and casual Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who has become an Internet sensation.They also featured a damaging gender row about two female boxers, Imane Khelif of Algeria and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who both went on to win gold. The last day of sporting action saw the United States pip China for top spot in the battle for medals after the US women’s basketball team squeezed past France 67-66 to clinch the last gold of the Games.The USA finished on top of the overall medal table with a total of 126 medals, with China in second place on 91.

There were many contenders to be crowned stars of the 2024 Olympic Games which wrap up on Sunday.AFP Sports looks at six of the best:Simone Biles: Biles proved as popular a draw as the Eiffel Tower, the 1.42m bundle of brilliance standing tall on her return to the Olympics after the trauma of Tokyo. In Japan she was forced to withdraw from most of the Games with a debilitating mental block known as the “twisties”. Three years on, watched by an enraptured full house at Bercy Arena including her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, Tom Cruise and Lady Gaga, Biles resumed the gold run she had begun at Rio 2016. The 27-year-old pipped Rebeca Andrade for the coveted all-around crown on her last tumble on the floor. That was book-ended by titles with the US team and vault - where she executed her Yurchenko double pike, the Biles II, her sixth eponymous skill. Stumbles on the final day as tiredness - both mentally and physically - set in left her with silver behind Andrade on the floor. In a mark of her class as a person she bowed to the Brazilian on the podium.Leon Marchand: A new star was born in the Paris pool with Leon Marchand enthralling packed houses at La Defense Arena by completing a feat not seen since the days of Michael Phelps. The 22-year-old emphatically won all four of his individual races - the 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke and 200m-400m medley double. It thrust him into elite company as the first male swimmer to do so at a singles Games since the American legend in 2008. In an ominous warning, Marchand said “it’s only the beginning”, with his sights already set on Los Angeles in 2028.Noah Lyles: Lyles arrived in Paris shouting about wanting to cement his legacy as the rightful heir to Usain Bolt. The American did win a 100 metres that will live long in the memory, edging Kishane Thompson of Jamaican by five thousandths of a second. But he looked out of sorts in the 200m as Letsile Tebogo emphatically won to deny him the sprint double, then revealed he had tested positive for Covid. He was therefore sidelined as the Americans flopped and were disqualified in the 4x100m relay. Bolt, in contrast, won sprint doubles and the relay at three successive Games, only losing one relay gold due to a teammate’s doping case.Antoine Dupont: Half-time at a packed Stade de France and two-time Olympic champions Fiji looked in control against the hosts in the rugby sevens final. Enter Antoine Dupont. Dupont, arguably the world’s greatest 15-a-side player, had started on the bench so he could make the maximum impact with fresh legs in this high-octane sport. That impact was immediate. Seizing on a loose ball from the second-half kick-off, he hared down the wing, outpacing Fiji sevens legend Jerry Tuwai and popping an inside ball to Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang for a simple try.Dupont then scored two tries of his own to bring home the gold 28-7, in a fevered atmosphere that even seasoned commentators said they had never experienced at a rugby match.Novak Djokovic: At the age of 37, Novak Djokovic finally won an Olympic gold medal to go along with his 24 Grand Slam titles.The Serb defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 16 years his junior, in a memorable final at Roland Garros where has already been crowned French Open champion three times. Djokovic achieved his dream the hard way - having to defeat career-long rival Rafael Nadal in the second round in the pair’s 60th meeting. He then overcame aggravating a knee injury which had needed surgery in June during his quarter-final win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.Djokovic said he wants to defend his title at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles when he will be 41.“I love the drive, every day, every week of training my body, perfecting my game, improving myself still at this age,” he said.The Crowds: Any doubts about the French crowd’s commitment to the Olympics were dispelled by the huge roar the first-time swim sensation Leon Marchand dived into the La Defense pool. Marchand’s march to four golds sparked a rhythmic roar from spectators every time his head broke the water - even seasoned Olympians said the noise was extraordinary. The French and fans from around the world also turned the spectacular beach volleyball venue next to the Eiffel Tower into a party every night that lit up millions of Instagram accounts.

Sifan Hassan’s endurance gamble at the Paris Games finally paid off after she sprinted away for Olympic marathon gold in the French capital yesterday.The Ethiopian-born Dutch athlete came into the marathon on the back of two bronze medals won in the 5,000m and 10,000m in an astonishing bid for podium placings in three events. And Hassan did not disappoint, holding off Ethiopian Tigst Assefa for victory in an Olympic record of 2hr 22min 55sec.It mirrored Hassan’s efforts in the Covid-hit Tokyo Games three years ago when she also won three medals: two golds (5,000m, 10,000m) and a bronze (1,500m). She also became the first athlete since Emil Zatopek in 1952 to take medals in the 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon in a single Games. Assefa took silver in 2:22.58, with Kenya’s Hellen Obiri claiming bronze (2:23.10).“It was not easy,” said Hassan, whose treble bid equated to more than 62 kilometres of running across 10 days in Paris. “Every moment in the race I was regretting that I ran the 5,000m and 10,000m. I was telling myself if I hadn’t done that, I would feel great today. From the beginning to the end, it was so hard. Every step of the way. I was thinking, ‘Why did I do that? What is wrong with me?’ I’ve never pushed myself through to the finish line as I did today.”Hassan, who won the 2023 London Marathon on her debut at the distance and then produced the second-best time ever in winning the Chicago Marathon in October in 2:13.44, said the Olympic gold was a crowning glory. “I was so happy in the London Marathon, but today I’m more happy, I can’t believe I’m Olympic marathon champion!” she said.“The marathon is something else. When you do 42 kilometres in more than two hours and 20 minutes, every single step you feel it so hard and so painful. When I finished, the whole moment was a release. It is unbelievable. I have never experienced anything like that. Even the other marathons I have run were not close to this.”The 42km-long marathon course headed out of central Paris on a loop to Versailles, mimicking a key moment from the French Revolution: the Women’s March on Versailles, on October 5, 1789, which led to French King Louis XVI finally agreeing to ratify the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The route included a 436m climb and 438m descent. The maximum gradient on the route was 13.5 percent.The 31-year-old Hassan suffered on the gruelling ascent at the 1:38 mark and it looked like that might have been it for her bid for a historic treble. But Hassan is nothing if not a doughty competitor and she quickly reeled in the lead group on the perilous descent.Assefa and teammate Amane Beriso Shankule pushed on. The Kenyan trio of Sharon Lokedi, defending champion Peres Jepchirchir and Obiri stuck with the two Ethiopians as they went through 30km in 1:43.59.Hassan was toe-to-toe with the east Africans and at the 33km mark, the pack was down to five, Jepchirchir dropping off the pace. Shankule also faded with 2km to run, leaving a gang of four for three podium places. Like a sprint stage of the Tour de France, the quartet came into the last kilometre sizing each other up, Obiri surging, eyes flicking left and right, all four ready to react to the slightest acceleration.Hassan probed as the winding finale to Invalides continued, Lokedi failing to match the pace. And then there were three: Hassan, Assefa and Obiri. Assefa launched one last attack, dropping Obiri. It came down to Hassan vs Assefa. The Dutch athlete surged around one corner, actually clashing with the Ethiopian.The pair regained their rhythm and Hassan delivered a perfect sprint finish for a memorable gold. “At the end I thought, ‘This is just a 100m sprint. Come on, Sifan. One more. Just feel it, like someone who sprints 200m’.”Hassan’s American coach Tim Rowberry added: “For her to get two medals in track alone was incredible. But to finish with a gold and finish on such a high note is the best. I can’t say I’m surprised because this is what we were hoping for and you have to be crazy to hope for something like this. I thought she came for three medals, not for the gold.”

US President Joe Biden, in his first TV interview since withdrawing from the election, has said he acted under pressure from fellow Democrats and out of a determination to see Donald Trump beaten.Explaining his shock exit in new detail, Biden said party colleagues standing for re-election feared he was damaging their chances as his age and mental abilities came to dominate the campaign.Biden, 81, has kept a low profile since ending his second-term bid on July 21 after his flailing debate performance against Trump triggered a slow-burning Democrat revolt against him.In the short TV interview, recorded in the White House last week and broadcast yesterday, the president appeared frail but cogent, again admitting he failed in the debate but stressing that health-wise he has “no serious problem.”“A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the (election) races,” he explained.“I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic you’d be interviewing me about,” he continued.He singled out former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a party heavyweight whose refusal to explicitly back his campaign was seen by many as pivotal.“You’d be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say (something)... I thought it’d be a real distraction,” Biden said.“A critical issue for me still is — not a joke — maintaining this democracy. “I have an obligation to the country to do what is the most important thing we can do, and that is — we must, we must, we must defeat Trump.”Biden said he was proud of his record on jobs, investment and Covid recovery — and vowed to campaign hard for Vice-President Kamala Harris, who has replaced him on the ballot.“I’m going to do whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most,” he said. Democrats’ hopes of winning have soared since Biden’s withdrawal, as Harris enjoys a surge in support that has left Trump and the Republicans struggling.The outgoing president said he had expected to serve only one term when he won in 2020, but that he had been persuaded to push for a second.“I thought of myself as being a transition president — I can’t even say how old I am. It’s hard for me to get it out of my mouth — but things got moving so quickly, it didn’t happen,” he told CBS’s Robert Costa.As Harris holds huge rallies in swing states, Trump’s light schedule has come under scrutiny, and it was his running mate, J D Vance, who blitzed the Sunday morning political talk shows.Appearing on CNN, ABC and CBS, Vance fielded questions about child care and asylum seekers. He claimed that Harris was the one “calling the shots” in the Biden administration.“If she’s not calling the shots, Dana, who is?” he told CNN’s Dana Bash.Biden in his CBS interview warned that Trump was “a genuine danger to American security.”

Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba finished sixth as American Rai Benjamin outstripped Norwegian arch-rival Karsten Warholm to win the Olympic 400m hurdles gold in Paris on Friday.Samba – who finished fifth in Tokyo three years ago – could not match his rivals as he clocked 47.48 secs in a high-quality final. It was a competitive performance from the 28-year-old, whose progress has been hampered by recurring injuries.Meanwhile, Benjamin timed 46.46 seconds as defending champion Warholm tied up badly towards the end of the race, claiming silver in 47.06sec. Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos took bronze, as he had done at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games, in 47.26sec.“I can’t believe I actually finally did it,” said Benjamin, who won silver in Tokyo as well as two world silvers and a bronze. “It just happened at the right moment. My family is here, my friends are here. To do it in front of them means so much to me. I’m just so excited.”Benjamin added: “I probably knew I had won five metres before the line. I thought I’d get dipped, but no one was there so I thought ‘wait a minute, hold on, I’m actually doing this’. And I did it. It’s just a great feeling.”Warholm acknowledged that he had struggled down the home straight. “It was good the first 300 metres and then I messed up hurdle nine, but it’s also because it was a little bit lactic, and I couldn’t get the flow from eight to nine,” he said.“Up until that point, I think I felt like it was a good race, I felt like I was in control of everything that I planned. But you can’t afford those mistakes at this level, and then it’s a silver medal. But Rai did a great job being composed and taking home the gold, so that’s what it is.”Warholm smashed the world record to claim gold in Tokyo, clocking a stunning 45.94 seconds to win ahead of Benjamin and Dos Santos. But there was no repeat at a packed 69,000-capacity Stade de France. Warholm had come into the Paris Games under pressure, having lost to both Dos Santos and Benjamin this season.

Chinese airlines are gaining market share on international routes, industry data shows, as foreign rivals are deterred by weak China travel demand and rising costs and extended flight times because of the need to avoid Russian airspace.Foreign airlines, led by Western carriers such as British Airways and Australia’s Qantas Airways, are pulling services or opting not to restart flights to China after the pandemic, whereas Chinese airlines are expanding overseas operations.The proportion of international flights to and from China operated by the country’s carriers is higher than before Covid-19 grounded much of global aviation and continues to rise.British Airways said on Thursday it would halt flights from London to Beijing for a year from late October for commercial reasons and last month suspended one of its twice daily London-Hong Kong flights for the same period.Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, Chinese carriers have continued to take shorter northern routes to Europe and North America over Russia’s vast airspace.In contrast, airlines in Europe, the US and other countries have been banned from Russian airspace by Moscow or their own governments or choose not to overfly out of safety concerns.That has expanded the cost advantage held by Chinese airlines and allowed them to take a larger share in the international market at a time when fierce competition on domestic routes has put pressure on ticket prices and profitability.“Typically Chinese carriers have anything up to 30% lower costs than their international rivals,” said John Grant, senior analyst at travel data firm OAG. “Chinese airlines are desperate for hard currencies and have embarked on a wide-ranging expansion.” British Airways’ four days a week Beijing-London flight takes around 2-1/2 hours longer than China Southern’s daily flight on the same route it launched last year, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.British Airways will continue daily London-Shanghai flights and in May relaunched a codeshare with China Southern.Virgin Atlantic said last month it would drop its London-Shanghai service indefinitely from the end of October due to longer flight times.British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be able to use the valuable London Heathrow takeoff and landing slots for other routes that may be more profitable.Qantas cited half-empty planes and low demand for China travel when it suspended Sydney-Shanghai flights in July, while Asian carrier Royal Brunei Airlines pointed to “market conditions” as the reason for suspending twice-weekly Beijing flights from October.Chinese airlines including China Southern, China Eastern and Air China in July operated 90% of the number of international flights they were operating in July 2019, according to Cirium schedule data analysed by Reuters.Foreign carriers operated only 60% of pre-pandemic flights, indicating a retreat.For example, the only non-stop flights between Mexico and China are from Chinese airlines after Aeromexico did not resume links after the pandemic. Aeromexico did not respond to a request for comment.Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said last week the group’s weakness in Asia stemmed not from a lack of economic opportunities, but from “overcapacity provided by Chinese carriers”.But in the Middle East, where China has been building ties, Dubai’s Emirates has fully restored capacity to China, Kuwait Airways has increased frequencies and Bahrain’s Gulf Air in May started flights for the first time to two Chinese cities.China’s international traffic has been growing since pandemic-related restrictions were lifted at the start of 2023, but it has recovered more slowly than in other countries due to a faltering economy and a turn toward domestic travel.In July, there were 23% fewer flights out of China than in the same month in 2019, Cirium data shows.Some flights to and from China have been held up by political issues. Passenger flights between India and China did not resume at all after the pandemic due to a border dispute.Flights between China and the US are at about a fifth of 2019 levels after a bilateral air services agreement was suspended in 2020.Mutual flight authorisations have gradually increased, but US airlines are running only 35 return flights a week of the 50 permitted, Cirium data shows, whereas Chinese carriers have ramped up to 49 a week.United Airlines said last month it had reallocated capacity to other parts of the Asia-Pacific region due to “dramatically” lower travel demand for China.Major US airlines and aviation unions in April asked the US government not to approve any more flights by Chinese carriers in a letter citing Beijing’s “anti-competitive policies” and the Russia overflight disadvantage.“If the growth of the Chinese aviation market is allowed to continue unchecked...flights will continue to be relinquished to Chinese carriers,” the letter said. — Reuters

The separation of religion and the state is at the very heart of France. But with the Olympic Games taking place, is this hindering its very own people?Gulf Times spoke to Diaba Konate, who is a basketball player from Paris who pursued her passion from Paris Basketball at the age of 18 to college basketball in the US, playing at Idaho State and UC Irvine, where she also earned a degree.However, after choosing to wear the hijab in April 2021, Konate returned to France and faced discrimination because of the hijab ban in sports competitions.“I’m unable to play on a team; now I am fighting this ban alongside Basket Pour Toutes, advocating for the right of all women to participate in sports, regardless of their beliefs and identity,” she said.Konate tells us that her journey began in primary school: “I chose basketball and quickly developed a deep passion for it. Since then, I’ve been dedicated to the sport and have never looked back.” Nonetheless, she discusses how a period of deep reflection and solitude during the Covid-19 pandemic increased her faith in her religion. “Choosing to wear the hijab was a personal decision that represents my religious beliefs and commitment. “It signifies modesty and a strong connection to my spirituality, and it has become a central aspect of who I am. “Embracing the hijab has strengthened my resolve and helped me face the challenges associated with it.”The Olympic ban on French athletes wearing a hijab deeply upsets Konate.“It feels like a denial of the right to fully participate in sports while honouring one’s beliefs. “This restriction not only limits opportunities for athletes like me but also contradicts the values of acceptance and respect that sports should promote.” On how this ban stops Konate from playing for the French national team and whether she feels punished.She says: “As a result of this ban, I’m excluded from participating in competitions where I would otherwise be eligible. “It does feel like a punishment, as it forces me to choose between my faith and my passion for basketball. “This exclusion not only affects my career but also feels like a setback in the fight for inclusivity in athletics,” she says.As this ban is only on French athletes, hijab-wearing athletes from around the world are getting the opportunity to represent their countries.For Konate, “seeing athletes in hijabs competing at the Olympics is both motivating and bittersweet.“It’s inspiring to see their achievements and representation, but it also highlights the barriers I face due to the ban in France.” The hijab for Konate is not a threat to sports, nor should it stop anyone from participating and doing something they have a passion for. “The hijab for me is a personal choice that reflects my faith and identity, and it should be respected just like any other aspect of an athlete’s appearance or beliefs. “Excluding athletes based on their religious attire not only limits opportunities but also goes against the principles of inclusivity and respect in sports.”We asked her about secularism in France and whether she feels it could be working against its people. “This approach creates obstacles for people who want to express their faith while engaging in public activities, including sports. “Instead of fostering integration, it can lead to exclusion and hinder full participation, which undermines the principle of equal access for all,” expresses Konate.Clearly, the Olympic games have just highlighted the division in French society. Therefore, being a female in France under such laws presents significant challenges for Konate. “For me, the hijab ban directly affects my ability to play basketball and participate fully in public life while remaining true to my faith.“These restrictions create barriers and contribute to feelings of exclusion, making it hard to pursue my passions and opportunities.”It is clear that Konate’s skills are not the issue but that she wears a hijab. On Konate’s dream and what keeps her motivated to continue this journey, she said: “My dream is to ensure that all athletes, regardless of their faith or identity, have the chance to compete and succeed. “Believing that I’ve been given this platform for a reason motivates me to persevere despite the obstacles.” Konate’s message to Muslim girls is merely “keeping your identity and pursuing your passion with confidence.“Even when facing challenges or obstacles, remember that your faith and values are strengths, not barriers. “You have the right to follow your dreams and participate fully in all aspects of life, including sports.” Finally, Konate’s message to the French government. “I just think it is very crucial to recognise that policies like the hijab ban are unjust and discriminatory. “No one should be excluded or face barriers, especially in sports. “Embracing diversity and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone is essential and should be a fundamental right.”

Assisted Home Haemodialysis (AHHD), a national programme in Qatar is a pathbreaker in many ways, according to an article in Qatar Medical Journal and featured on QScience.com recently.“The programme stands as a testament to Hamad Medical Corporation’s unwavering commitment to excellence," says the article ‘Qatar’s assisted home haemodialysis programme: A beacon of hope for the vulnerable patient.”"This innovative care model is tailored to address the distinct challenges of haemodialysis patients, particularly the elderly, who require ambulance transport.”AHHD initiative, sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), is specifically designed to address the quality-of-life needs and pressing concerns of the elderly dialysis population in Qatar, who rely primarily on ambulance transportation. This approach aims to reduce hospitalisations, medical costs, strain on ambulance services and dialysis capacity, and improve overall care.According to the authors of the article, AHHD provides the haemodialysis patients, especially the elderly with the convenience of at-home dialysis with the full support of dedicated nursing care. AHHD included 76 patients from July 2021 to December 2022. It has significantly improved patients’ quality of life, achieving an exceptional 99% satisfaction rate with an extremely low complication rate.Home haemodialysis is usually done as self-care by the patients themselves through a portable haemodialysis machine under training and monitoring by a dialysis team. It offers greater patient autonomy, cost benefits, and treatment-related flexibility, and its outcomes showed improved quality of life and patient survival compared to traditional in-centre haemodialysis.End-stage kidney disease prevalence has increased significantly in the last few decades and its prevalence is increasing in Qatar and is expected to go up by 30% by the end of 2030, say the writers of the article.Dialysis services in Qatar are solely provided by HMC and there are seven haemodialysis centres across Qatar. However, the long-distance travel and the three-weekly dialysis regimen may lead to burnout and missed treatment sessions.The frequent transportation of elderly dialysis patients with restricted mobility with constant movement between beds and stretchers or wheelchairs increase the risk of falls and fractures due to their mineral and bone disease related to age, risk factors.Moreover, strict regulations limit family members’ presence, further isolating them especially during Covid-19 times.The changes from in-centre dialysis to home haemodialysis met with some resistance and fear from patients and family members initially. This resistance was overcome by providing awareness, along with proof from evidence-based practices across the globe, illuminating the safety and efficacy of HHD.AHHD has also delivered tangible improvements in health outcomes, marked by a reduction in hospitalisations, decreased transmission of Covid-19, cost-effectiveness, alleviating strain on ambulance services, and reducing demand for dialysis slots and manpower.The article suggests that initiating an AHHD programme emerges as a potential solution to enhance the overall well-being and care quality of the vulnerable elderly population. Addressing specialised transportation, cost-efficiency, personnel training, reduced wait times, improved patient comfort, and alternative care options can significantly improve the care experience by providing dialysis treatment in the comfort of their homes, vastly enhancing the care experience for elderly dialysis patients.The article concludes that the clinical and financial success of the AHHD programme positions it as a superior alternative to traditional in-centre dialysis, particularly in its capacity to cater to the needs of the most complex and challenging patient populations.

The separation of religion and the state is at the very heart of France. But with the Olympic games taking place, is this hindering its very own people?The Gulf Times spoke to Diaba Konate, who is a basketball player from Paris who pursued her passion from Paris Basketball at the age of 18 to college basketball in the U.S., playing at Idaho State and UC Irvine, where she also earned a degree.However, after choosing to wear the hijab in April 2021, Konate retuned to France and faced discrimination because of the hijab ban in sports competitions.“I’m unable to play on a team; now I am fighting this ban alongside Basket Pour Toutes, advocating for the right of all women to participate in sports, regardless of their beliefs and identity,” she said.Konate tells us that her journey began in primary school: “I chose basketball and quickly developed a deep passion for it. Since then, I've been dedicated to the sport and have never looked back.”Nonetheless, she discusses how a period of deep reflection and solitude during the COVID-19 pandemic increased her faith in her religion.“Choosing to wear the hijab was a personal decision that represents my religious beliefs and commitment.“It signifies modesty and a strong connection to my spirituality, and it has become a central aspect of who I am.“Embracing the hijab has strengthened my resolve and helped me face the challenges associated with it.”The Olympic ban on French athletes wearing a hijab deeply upsets Konate.“It feels like a denial of the right to fully participate in sports while honouring one’s beliefs.“This restriction not only limits opportunities for athletes like me but also contradicts the values of acceptance and respect that sports should promote.”On how this ban stops Konate from playing for the French national team and whether she feels punished.She says, “As a result of this ban, I’m excluded from participating in competitions where I would otherwise be eligible.“It does feel like a punishment, as it forces me to choose between my faith and my passion for basketball.“This exclusion not only affects my career but also feels like a setback in the fight for inclusivity in athletics,” she says.As this ban is only on French athletes, hijab-wearing athletes from around the world are getting the opportunity to represent their countries.For Konate, “seeing athletes in hijabs competing at the Olympics is both motivating and bittersweet.“It’s inspiring to see their achievements and representation, but it also highlights the barriers I face due to the ban in France.”In that said, the hijab for Konate is not a threat to sports, nor should it stop anyone from participating and doing something they have a passion for.“The hijab for me is a personal choice that reflects my faith and identity, and it should be respected just like any other aspect of an athlete’s appearance or beliefs.“Excluding athletes based on their religious attire not only limits opportunities but also goes against the principles of inclusivity and respect in sports.”We asked her about secularism in France and whether she feels it could be working against its people.“This approach creates obstacles for people who want to express their faith while engaging in public activities, including sports.“Instead of fostering integration, it can lead to exclusion and hinder full participation, which undermines the principle of equal access for all,” expresses Konate.Clearly, the Olympic games have just highlighted the division in French society.Therefore, being a female in France under such laws presents significant challenges for Konate.“For me, the hijab ban directly affects my ability to play basketball and participate fully in public life while remaining true to my faith.“These restrictions create barriers and contribute to feelings of exclusion, making it hard to pursue my passions and opportunities.”It is clear that Konate’s skills are not the issue but that she wears a hijab.On Konate’s dream and what keeps her motivated to continue this journey, she said:“My dream is to ensure that all athletes, regardless of their faith or identity, have the chance to compete and succeed.“Believing that I’ve been given this platform for a reason motivates me to persevere despite the obstacles.”Konate’s message to Muslim girls is merely “keeping your identity and pursuing your passion with confidence.“Even when facing challenges or obstacles, remember that your faith and values are strengths, not barriers.“You have the right to follow your dreams and participate fully in all aspects of life, including sports.”Finally, Konate’s message to the French government.“I just think it is very crucial to recognise that policies like the hijab ban are unjust and discriminatory.“No one should be excluded or face barriers, especially in sports.“Embracing diversity and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone is essential and should be a fundamental right.”

Letsile Tebogo claimed a historic Olympic 200m title for Botswana on Thursday as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone produced a stunning performance to smash the world record in the women’s 400m hurdles as she took gold.Tebogo’s superb run left Noah Lyles’ hopes for three gold medals in tatters as he was forced to settle for bronze and then revealed he has Covid. McLaughlin-Levrone left Dutch rival Femke Bol in her wake and in bronze medal position as the American improved her own world record to 50.37sec and retained her title from Tokyo.Three of the five finals on a mesmerising night at the Stade de France were claimed by Americans, but the fancied Lyles was not among them.Grant Holloway won the 110m hurdles gold that had eluded him at the Tokyo Games three years ago, while Tara Davis-Woodhall won the women’s long jump. There was another exceptional performance in the men’s javelin as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem threw an Olympic record of 92.97m for his country’s first individual gold at a Summer Games.All the pre-race talk about the men’s 200m was about 100m champion Lyles emulating Usain Bolt’s sprint doubles. But there was to be an upset as the 21-year-old Tebogo raced to victory in an African record of 19.47sec, taking him to fifth on the all-time list. He also became the first African to win the Olympic 200m metres. American Kenny Bednarek collected silver in 19.62sec and Lyles faded but took bronze in 19.70sec.“It means a lot to the African continent because now they see Africa as a sprinting home, so we just had to make sure that the message is loud and clear,” said Tebogo. “It was really a beautiful race for me,” he added. He had stopped training for a month after the death of his mother Seratiwa in May and the spikes he wore to win gold bear his late mother’s date of birth. “It’s basically me carrying her through every stride that I take inside the field.”Lyles, who was pictured in the warm-up area wearing a mask, admitted after the race he had tested positive for Covid, which he said had “definitely affected my performance”. “But to be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything,” he added. “Coming out and getting the bronze medal with Covid.”Lyles said he was going to be “very honest and transparent with the coaches” over his potential participation in today’s 4x100m relay final. “I’ll let them make the decision. No matter what happens, this 4x100m team can handle everything... I know they can come out with a win, break as many records as they put their mind to.”There was much pre-Games hype over the head-to-head between McLaughlin-Levrone and Bol, but there was only one winner on the night. The American tracked Bol and hit the home straight well ahead before streaking home for an outstanding victory that left the Dutchwoman in tears. McLaughlin-Levrone said Bol and silver medallist Anna Cockrell had “so much depth... and so you get nervous”.“But you channel those nerves into excitement and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to run in an Olympics.” She added: “There are always things you can improve. There’s no such thing as a perfect race but the closer and closer we can get to 49 (seconds) I feel like we’re inching there... It’s just building up the capacity in your legs to get you there.”Bol said she had blown her chance. “All you want to do in an Olympic final is to put up your best race. I screwed it up,” she said.Nadeem produced his best performance when it mattered as the Pakistani dominated India’s defending champion Neeraj Chopra for gold to win South Asian boasting rights. Nadeem unleashed his monster throw on his second attempt, Chopra only managing 89.45m, more than three metres behind.Reigning world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson led after the first day of the heptathlon. The Briton had amassed 4,055 points after clocking 13.40sec in the 100 hurdles, and bests of 1.92m in the high jump, 14.44m in the shot put and timing 23.44sec in the 200m.Belgium’s two-time defending Olympic champion Nafi Thiam was in second on 4,007pts and American Anna Hall in third. The seven-discipline event wraps up today.

For more than two years, the US Federal Reserve has been pushing interest rates up to slow inflation while hoping they don’t tip the economy into a recession. It’s a high-wire act that would be easier if there were a reliable gauge of where the recession risk stands at any particular moment. Anxieties prompted by a weak July jobs report were heightened by the fact that the data triggered what’s known as the Sahm rule, devised by and named after economist Claudia Sahm. But Sahm is one of a number of economists who argue that this time might be different — that the uptick in unemployment may have more to do with the aftermath of the pandemic.1. What is the Sahm rule?The Sahm rule states that when the three-month moving average of the unemployment rate (that is, an average that combines the rate of the three most recent months) rises by half a percentage point or more from its lowest level over the past 12 months, the US economy is in the beginning of a recession.That wire was tripped when the unemployment rate in the July jobs report rose to 4.3%. That put the average of the May, June and July jobless rates at 4.1% — 0.6 percentage points higher than the low of 3.5% in the July 2023 labour market report.2. Does it work?Generally, it seems to. Sahm, chief economist at New Century Advisors and a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, developed her eponymous indicator in 2019, when she was a staffer at the Federal Reserve. It hinges on a critical fixture of how unemployment behaves. It goes up slowly before the start of a recession, but ratchets up very quickly once a downturn is imminent or underway.A look back over the past 50 years of economic data shows the rule has played out accurately, with unemployment zooming up at the start of each downturn.3. Why are rules like this important?Monetary policy works slowly. Central banks often fall behind in fighting inflation, as happened with the Fed in 2021, or keep rates high for too long as the economy weakens, thereby causing recessions or making them worse. So a timely warning light can be a huge help.Economic “rules,” of course, are not like the laws of physics. They are observations about the effects of human behaviour, so their accuracy can change over time as trends shift or when something external or unexpected — bad or good — disrupts an economy significantly. Economists and policymakers largely use them as guideposts but don’t always heed their suggestions closely.Economists have been closely watching the Sahm rule over the past year as the unemployment rate has gradually risen. While it hasn’t surged to concerning levels yet, experts are worried the labour market could be on the precipice of more accelerated job losses. Economists often say the unemployment rate goes up like a rocket and down like a feather.4. What happened in the labour market?The unemployment rate in July came in at 4.3%, the highest level in almost three years and up from a post-pandemic low of 3.4% reached at the start of 2023. But even with that increase, it’s still at a very low level historically. The average jobless rate over the past 50 years is above 6%; rates below 4% hadn’t been seen since the late 1960s.Digging beneath the hood of the topline unemployment number, many components of the labour market remain healthy. Layoffs are still low and job vacancies, while down, remain elevated. Moreover, the July jump in unemployment was partly driven by a tick up in the participation rate, or the number of Americans who are either employed or actively looking for a job. That’s generally regarded as a positive. It means many of the newly unemployed are coming off the economy’s sidelines, not losing their jobs.But the latest unemployment figure exceeded estimates from both economists and Fed policymakers. Job creation has also slowed, to an average pace of 170,000 over the last three months, down from nearly 300,000 per month last year.5. What about the rest of the economy?The economy as a whole was chugging along at a decent clip, though pockets of weakness were starting to emerge. Growth clocked in at 2.8% in the second quarter, a level that’s consistent with the historical norm. But lower-income Americans weren’t faring as well. Consumer spending was down, and, as pandemic savings became depleted, defaults on credit cards and auto loans started to rise.One thing that worries some is the Fed’s interest rate, which they’ve held at a 23-year high for a year now. With unemployment rising, concern is mounting that when policymakers do begin easing policy, it’ll be too late.6. What does Sahm say?That the recovery from Covid has been as unusual as the pandemic itself. The massive layoff of workers in very specific sectors (anything involving in-person interaction) in 2020 and then the scramble to rehire them as restrictions were lifted has some managers more apprehensive about letting people go. That could keep the unemployment rate lower. In addition, the US has seen a huge increase of migrants entering the country over the past few years, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc estimating that 2.5mn arrived in 2023 alone. That influx has likely driven higher growth in the US, economists say, and could help lower the unemployment rate in coming months as the labour force continues to absorb those new entrants.Sahm has said these factors may mean that her rule is overstating labour market weakness. She also points to the still-low level of layoffs and robust participation levels as indicators that the labour market may not be pushing the economy to the verge of a recession.“The US is not in a recession, despite the indicator bearing my name saying that it is,” Sahm wrote in an August 7 Bloomberg Opinion column. Still, Sahm argues, it’s a relevant indicator and shows the Fed should start cutting interest rates.7. How has the Fed reacted?Fed officials, who until recently were laser focused on cooling inflation, are now paying more attention to the labour market.“What we think we’re seeing is a normalising labour market and we’re watching carefully to see if it turns out to be more,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in a July 31 press conference, before the latest jobs report was published. If “it starts to show signs that it’s more than that, then we’re well-positioned to respond.” Powell and others have indicated the first rate cut could come as soon as September. After the July jobs report was released in early August, futures markets began betting Fed policymakers will deliver larger-than-normal cuts at each of their three remaining meetings this year.