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THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 / SHABAAN 26, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17658 16 PAGES 150 FILS Constitutional Court rejects all poll challenges KUWAIT CITY, April 7, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Constitu- tional Court, chaired by Justice Amir, Libya PM meet Mohammad bin Naji, rejected in Day by Day a ruling on Wednesday all chal- KUWAIT CITY, April 7, (KUNA): lenges against the recently-held parliamentary election, which His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received THERE are many important took place on 5th December. projects which the govern- The court, rescheduled their on Wednesday His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- ment must carry out, including ruling, from March 3rd to today those related to health sector on 10 challenges in the First, Hamad Al-Sabah who was accompanied and health insurance. Add to Second, Third, and Fifth Con- by visiting Libyan Prime Minister Ab- this the education, the resi- stituency. dul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibeh. dential cities, water and elec- In a related development, for- The meeting was attended by the Min- tricity all of which must be sub- mer MP Badr Al-Dahoum filed ister of Amiri Diwan affairs Sheikh Ali jected to careful study so that an appeal at the Court of Cassa- Jarrah Al-Sabah, President of the Amiri people can benefit from these tion regarding the Constitutional Diwan Sheikh Mubarak Faisal Saud Al- projects and not get harmed. Court’s decision to cancel his Sabah, Deputy President of the Amiri The state cannot remain parliamentary membership de- Diwan Mohammad Abdullah Mubarak ‘a care state’ forever to the spite the final verdict of the Court Al-Sabah, Head of the Honorary Mis- extent that it even provides of Cassation which confirmed the bread to citizens, and maca- sion Sheikh Talal Khaled Ahmad Al- roni and ‘Abu Kass’ cheese. legitimacy of his candidacy and Sabah, Amiri Diwan Undersecretary victory in the 2020 National As- …Yet, tomorrow is another KUNA photo and Director of the Amir Office Ahmad day. sembly elections. HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with the visiting Libyan Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Mohammad Al-Dbeibeh. Fahad Al-Fahad. Zahed Matar Opinion Attack on Pasdaran ‘base’ Restore our soul

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times GIVEN that the relationship between the two authorities - executive and legislative - did not start on the right path, the balance between them has been disturbed. Therefore, it has become clear that a healthy relationship between them cannot be expected in the coming days. This will be eminent if the National Assembly witnesses the resignations of MPs and becomes preoccupied with by- elections. This means that all the issues presented to the legis- lative authority will be delayed until the matter of new power is resolved after the election. This would put more pressure on the public in terms of their livelihood and the economic issues. On the Cabinet’s table are a series of laws related to econ- omy and sustenance, some of which are of a social nature, and some others related to freedoms and liberties. This has become an absolute requirement for the restoration of Ku- wait’s democratic spirit, which the country has known since its establishment, not only from the time the constitution came into effect. These issues could have been resolved if there was sincere intention by both the parliament and government to do so, by passing the laws instead of making them tools of mutual pres- sure between the two arch-rivals. It would have prevented a lot of unnecessary escalation, especially since it negatively reflects on the internal situation. It is very shameful for Kuwait, which was the first Gulf state to choose democracy as its way of life, to prosecute people with an arsenal of laws that restricts their freedoms. If someone is spared from the mines of the publications law, he ends up falling on the mines of the national unity law or the audiovisual law and the communications law, and finally the heresy of the cybercrime law. This Oct 1, 2020 satellite photo, from Planet Labs Inc shows the Iranian cargo ship MV Saviz in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen. The Iranian cargo ship, be- lieved to be a base for the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard that has been anchored for years in the Red Sea off Yemen, has been attacked, Iranian state television It is categorically worth mentioning that this matter was acknowledged, April 7, 2021. (AP) finally settled in the Kingdom of Bahrain through its leader- ship, which has a conscious vision and awareness regarding the requirements of the current era, as it unified the laws for all of these issues. ‘powers’ seek to bring US back to N-deal Bahrain abolished the act of imprisoning people for ex- pressing opinion, something that dozens of Kuwaitis are Other Voices being pursued for. Some of them are imprisoned for simply DUBAI, April 7, (AP): An Irani- believed to be close to the Guard, reported posting Twitter messages, in light of the laws approved by that a limpet mine planted on Saviz’s hull previous parliaments, for some of which the government an ship believed to be a base for caused the blast. A limpet mine is a type of went down at the request of MPs seeking to silence their the paramilitary Revolutionary naval mine that is attached to the side of a voices in preparation for imposing their social, political, and Honesty rare currency Guard and anchored for years ship, usually by a diver. It later explodes, and even economic points of view, while today everyone washes can significantly damage a vessel. Iran did not their hands from them. By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli minister) for the fairness he showed in the Red Sea off Yemen has blame anyone for the attack and said Iranian Unfortunately, the government has not yet taken the initia- Former Minister of Oil towards a company that the MP been attacked, Tehran acknowl- officials likely would offer more information tive to settle the matter, especially regarding the economic sought to help because the leaders of edged Wednesday. in the coming days. laws that Kuwait awaits warmly. They may be a solution to NEWS about the dishonesty of many the concerned ministry had repressed Iran’s Foreign Ministry confi rmed the Officials from five world powers began a many challenges, but the citizens know no other authority of our executive and legislative offi- it unjustly for some reason or another. new effort Tuesday to try to bring the United that can implement them apart from the government. cials fill our eyes and ears every day The MP asked his colleague (the attack on the MV Saviz, suspected to States back into the foundering 2015 nuclear Meanwhile, the National Assembly, in people’s view, through social media, newspapers and former minister), “Do you know how have been carried out by Israel - though deal they signed with Iran, a delicate diplo- is a legislative authority that does not bear responsibility gossip. This includes government of- much I got from the company due to Tehran did not immediately blamed its matic dance that needs to balance the con- although its members capitalize on the challenges while ficials from the highest to the lowest your fair decision?” He then men- regional archenemy. The assault came as cerns and interests of both Washington and the people continue to pay a heavy price. This is because level, and MPs and their assistants. tioned a high number that shocked Iran and world powers sat down in Vi- Tehran. the two parties are investing this matter in their interest, Hundreds of millions of the public the former minister, and the latter told enna for the fi rst talks about the US po- The meeting in Vienna of envoys from but in this case, the government bears the full responsi- funds have been stolen by some, and him this amount exceeds all of the Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain and not even a fin- tentially rejoining the tattered deal aimed bility. salaries and privileges that he had ob- at curbing Iran’s nuclear program, show- Iran came as the US was due to start its own Nonetheless, when the government decided to immunize ger was moved tained when he occupied the ministe- indirect talks with Iran. It would be one of the to confront this rial position. ing events outside the negotiations could first signs of tangible progress in efforts to His Highness the Prime Minister from parliamentary ac- with the excep- derail those efforts. countability, it did so with great ease. This affirms the fact During the same meeting, another return both nations to the accord, which re- tion of the late MP told the former minister that he The ship’s long presence in the region, stricted Iran’s nuclear program in return for that if it wants something, no one can stop it from having it. Sheikh Nasser repeatedly criticized by Saudi Arabia, has Therefore, the immunization of Kuwait is much more impor- also benefited from his fair decisions relief from US and international sanctions. Sabah Al- when he went to him to ask for jus- come as the West and United Nations ex- Following the closed meetings of the sig- tant than that of an official. Ahmad who perts say Iran has provided arms and sup- Yes, we are all submissive to the ruler. Kuwait as a whole tice and fairness towards a company natories to the deal, known as the Joint Com- had presented wronged by the employees of his min- port to Yemen’s Houthi rebels in that coun- prehensive Plan of Action, Russia’s delegate, seeks permanent stability because it is the key to the renais- evidence about istry and its institutions, and that the try’s yearslong war. Iran denies arming the sance that everyone demands. Mikhail Ulyanov, tweeted that the initial talks the involve- company gave him an amount with Houthis, though components found in the were “successful.” However, people will not hold the MPs responsible, but ment of a which he managed to pay off his dif- rebels’ weaponry link back to Tehran. rather they will hold the government accountable because it “The restoration of JCPOA will not hap- group of his Al-Baghli ficult debts to a bank. Iran previously described the Saviz as aiding pen immediately. It will take some time. How is the only one responsible to them. They wonder whether it relatives and In another meeting, a friend of the in “anti-piracy” efforts in the Red Sea and the realizes the importance of resolving the issues and working others in disasters related to the loot- long? Nobody knows,” he wrote. “The most former minister mentioned a story that Bab el-Mandeb strait, a crucial chokepoint in important thing after today’s meeting of the forcefully to push the country out of the bottleneck by im- ing of public funds. His actions had the minister told him during his term international shipping. A statement attributed to munizing the whole country? eventually led him to lose his official Joint Commission is that practical work to- of office. He said the former minister Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibza- wards achieving this goal has started.” position. was fair to one of the companies in a deh described the ship as a commercial vessel. Email: [email protected] We also felt sad when none of the In 2018, then-President Donald Trump tender for his ministry, and the com- “Fortunately, no casualties were reported pulled the US unilaterally out of the accord, Follow me on: senior officials who were accused of pany’s manager, who is the owner of ... and technical investigations are under- stealing public funds was punished. opting for what he called a maximum-pres- most of its shares, approached him way,” Khatibzadeh said. “Our country will sure campaign involving restored and addi- Whoever brought them to justice did and offered an amount as gratitude or take all necessary measures through interna- not intentionally send the evidence of tional American sanctions. a reward for the minister’s fairness. tional authorities.” Since then, Iran has been steadily violating [email protected] the indictment in their hands, because The friend said the minister responded In an earlier state TV statement, an anchor if someone who is being tried is con- restrictions in the deal, like the amount of en- by saying, “Thank you. Consider that cited a New York Times story, which quoted riched uranium that it can stockpile and the pu- victed, he may drag along with him I have received the gift. However, if an anonymous US official telling the news- those who have not yet been tried. rity to which it can be enriched. Tehran’s moves you had reduced that value from the paper that Israel informed America it carried have been calculated to pressure the other na- We have been desperately demand- tender amount, the ministry and the ing that the legislative vacuum we are out an attack Tuesday morning on the vessel. tions in the deal to do more to offset crippling public interest would have benefitted, Israeli officials declined to comment about US sanctions reimposed under Trump. Newswatch enduring be filled through the adop- and this is a better option.” tion of a law “from where did you get the assault when reached by The Associated US President Joe Biden, who was vice These are some of the stories of Press, as did the Saviz’s owner. this” so that those on whom millions honor, honesty and conviction from president under Barack Obama when the orig- fell like rain when they were barefoot Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, inal deal was negotiated, has said he wants to our beautiful past times. We miss while refusing to say if his country launched KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait said that 1,403 people tested positive and penniless can justify the source of these now and long for them. bring the US back into the JCPOA but that those millions. However, no one in the the attack, described Iran and its regional al- Iran must reverse its violations. for coronavirus while eight related deaths were reported on The former minister and MP - the lies as a major threat. Tuesday, taking the total up to 239,952 and 1,373, respectively, executive and legislative authorities hero of the above mentioned stories Iran argues that the US violated the deal according to the health ministry. moved even a finger to approve such a “Israel must continue to defend itself,” first with its withdrawal, so Washington has - is me (Praise be to God). I decided Gantz told journalists. “Any place we find an Another 1,432 people were cured of the virus, raising the to- law that is necessary in our dark times. to mention it even though I don’t like to take the first step by lifting sanctions. tal of those to have overcome the disease to 224,701, ministry While recollecting the past days to talk about myself. I had to write operational challenge and necessity, we will Following the meeting in Vienna, Iranian spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad told KUNA. of goodness, giving and honesty, I about it with the hope that the current continue to act.” state television quoted Iran’s negotiator, Ab- The number of people hospitalized with the virus currently remembered a meeting that was held thieves of the public funds, including Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called bas Araghchi, as reiterating that message dur- stands at 13,878, with 216 of them in intensive care units, he outside Kuwait during a parliamentary members of the executive and legisla- the Vienna talks a “success” while speaking ing the opening round of talks. added, revealing that some 10,095 swab tests were conducted trip that brought together members of tive authorities, would feel ashamed to his Cabinet on Wednesday. “Lifting US sanctions is the first and the over the last day out of a total of 2,111,043. the National Assembly at that time of themselves at a time when honesty “Today, one united statement is being most necessary action for reviving the deal,” He went on to urge nationals and expatriates alike that abid- including an MP who was a former heard that all sides of the nuclear deal have Araghchi was quoted as saying. “Iran is fully ing by health precautions, mainly, following social distancing has become a scarce currency. minister. ❑ ❑ ❑ concluded that there is no better solution than ready to reverse its activities and return to rules, is the only way to halt the spread of the virus. (KUNA) During this trip, one of the MPs the deal,” he said. complete implementation of the deal imme- thanked his colleague (the former Email: [email protected] Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency, diately after it is verified sanctions are lifted.” ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 2

In this Feb 3, 2018 fi le photo, a militiaman allied to Yemen’s internationally-recognized government walks through the Awwam Temple, also known as the Mahram Bilqis, in Marib, Yemen. (AP) Ancient oasis becomes war front Battle for Marib key to Iran, US tension

he battle for an ancient desert city in war-torn Yemen has become terrorist organization) list, unfortunately, appears to have been misin- Ta key to understanding wider tensions now infl aming the Middle terpreted by the Houthis,” the Saudi government said in a statement to East and the challenges facing any efforts by President Joe Biden’s The Associated Press. “This misreading of the measure has led them, administration to shift US troops out of the region. with support from the Iranian regime, to increase hostilities.” Fighting has been raging in the mountains outside of Marib as Since the war began, the Houthis have launched over 550 bomb- Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who hold Yemen’s capital of Sanaa, laden drones and more than 350 ballistic missiles toward Saudi Ara- attempt to seize the city, which is crucial to the country’s energy sup- bia, the kingdom said. While that has caused damage, injuries and at plies. least one death, the war in Yemen reportedly has seen over 130,000 Saudi Arabia, which has led a military coalition since 2015 back- people killed. Saudi Arabia repeatedly has been criticized internation- ing Sanaa’s exiled government, has launched airstrike after airstrike ally for airstrikes killing civilians and embargoes exacerbating hunger to blunt the Houthi advance toward Marib. The Houthis have retali- in a nation on the brink of famine. ated with drone and missile attacks deep inside Saudi Arabia, roiling And though Biden has pulled back support, US-made aircraft and global oil markets. munitions sold to Saudi Arabia still target Yemen. Iran’s Supreme The battle for Marib likely will determine the outline of any politi- Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has linked arming the kingdom to cal settlement in Yemen’s second civil war since the 1990s. If seized America allowing the war to take place. by the Houthis, the rebels can press that advantage in negotiations and “I am asking this question to the Americans: Did you know what even continue further south. If Marib is held by Yemen’s internation- would happen to the Saudis on the day that you gave them green light ally recognized government, it will save perhaps its only stronghold to enter the Yemeni war?” Khamenei asked in a March 21 speech. as secessionists challenge its authority elsewhere. “Did you know that you are sending Saudi Arabia into a quagmire?” The fi ght is also squeezing a pressure point on the most powerful of America’s Gulf Arab allies and ensnarling any US return to Iran’s US weighs Mideast deployments nuclear deal. It’s even complicating the Biden administration’s ef- A 17-year-old boy holds his weapon at the dam in Marib, Yemen. (AP) Biden’s efforts to end US involvement in Yemen’s war come as his administration attempts to re-enter Iran’s nuclear deal with world forts to slowly shift the longtime mass US military deployments to For a while, beginning in the fall of 2019, Saudi Arabia reached a de- the Mideast to counter what it sees as the emerging threat of China powers. Indirect talks began Tuesday in Vienna. tente with the Houthis, said Ahmed Nagi, a non-resident Yemen expert “The Iranians are keen to trade in their Yemen card for something and Russia. at the Carnegie Middle East Center. Citing two Houthi offi cials familiar Losing Marib would be “the fi nal bullet in the head of the interna- more durable,” said al-Iryani, the Sanaa Center researcher. with the discussions, Nagi said a back channel agreement saw both the Such a deal might suit American interests. Biden’s Defense De- tionally recognized government,” said Abdulghani al-Iryani, a senior Saudis and the rebels refrain from attacking populated areas. researcher at the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies. “It will set the partment is looking at redeploying troops, particularly those in the stage for the dismemberment of the Yemeni state. You’re looking at But when the Houthis began to push again into Marib, the Saudis Mideast, amid what experts refer to as the “great powers confl ict” a generation of instability and humanitarian crisis. You also will look resumed a heavy bombing campaign. America faces with China and Russia. at a free-for-all theater for regional meddling.” For the Houthis, “they think they gain through war more than peace Pulling troops from the Mideast could bolster forces America may Located 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of Sanaa, Marib sits on the talks,” Nagi said. For the Saudis, “if they lose Marib, they’ll have zero need elsewhere. However, doing so likely will be easier said than done. edge of the Arabian Peninsula’s Empty Quarter Desert at the foot of cards on the negotiating table.” In Yemen alone, every American president since George W. Bush the Sarawat Mountains running along the Red Sea. It’s believed to be Yemen caught in regional vise has launched drone strikes targeting al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsu- the home of the biblical Queen of Sheba, who gave King Solomon la, long considered by Washington to be the most dangerous offshoot The escalating confl ict around Marib coincides with major changes of the militant group. Biden himself has yet to launch any such strike, riches of spices and gold. In the Quran, it was the site of massive in US policy toward the war. President Donald Trump’s administra- fl ooding that accompanied the collapse of its ancient dam. though the group still operates in the country’s east. The disaster gripping the city today is entirely manmade. Over tion had declared the Houthis a “foreign terrorist organization,” fol- US troops remain in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Meanwhile, Gulf 800,000 refugees fl eeing the Houthi takeover of Sanaa in September lowing a campaign by Saudi Arabia supporting the move. Arab nations like Saudi Arabia rely on US forces stationed in their 2014 and the war that followed swelled the city’s population, accord- Biden rescinded the Houthi terrorist designation after entering of- countries as a counterweight to Iran. ing to the U.N. refugee agency. fi ce. He also announced the US would halt support for Saudi Arabia’s The US military sent troops to Saudi Arabia in 2019, deploying Taking Marib, or otherwise cutting it off, would represent a major offensive combat operations in Yemen, saying: “This war has to end.” anti-missile batteries amid tensions with Iran. However, American prize for the Houthis. It is home to oil and gas fi elds that interna- But fi ghting around Marib has only escalated even as the Saudis forces recently downsized that presence. tional fi rms including Exxon Mobil Corp. and Total SA have inter- recently offered a cease-fi re deal. Iran’s frustration over the Biden “The kingdom believes that the US presence in the region can help ests. Marib’s natural gas bottling plant produces cooking gas for the administration’s failure to swiftly lift sanctions has contributed to “an promote the region’s security and stability by supporting allies who nation of 29 million people. Its power plant once provided 40% of intensifi cation of attacks by groups in Iraq, and the same in Yemen,” face transnational threats that are primarily sponsored by the Iranian Yemen’s electricity. Marib’s modern dam is a key freshwater source said Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, an Iran scholar at Britain’s Royal United regime,” the Saudi government said. It did not comment specifi cally for a parched nation, though it was never fully developed even in Services Institute. on the redeployments. peacetime. “Iran is trying to deliver a message to the US,” Tabrizi said. “A Overall, American forces will remain in the Mideast as it remains When Saudi Arabia entered Yemen’s war in 2015 on the side of its message that the status quo is not sustainable.” crucial to global energy markets and includes major choke points at exiled government, the kingdom allied itself with the tribes of Marib, While experts debate how much control Iran exerts over the Hou- sea for trade worldwide, said Aaron Stein, the director of research at who long perceived Sanaa and the Houthis as disenfranchising them. this, the rebels increasingly launch bomb-laden drones previously the Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute. What those Another major political power was Islah, a Sunni Islamist political par- linked to Tehran deep inside the kingdom. Those attacks included a forces look like, however, will change as the US weighs how to coun- ty that is Yemen’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. These disparate drone smashing into a parked commercial airliner and others targeting terbalance Iran through a return to the nuclear deal, he said. forces provided a lifeline for Yemen’s embattled exiled government, major oil facilities, temporarily shaking energy prices. “It doesn’t solve the Iranian issue,” Stein said. “It puts us in a place which already faces pressure from allied secessionists in the south. “The US administration’s removal of the Houthis from the (foreign to manage it, like we’re in hospice care.” (AP)

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next By Night: Fair with light vari- Abdaly 37 17 Prayer Timings 24 hours: able wind with speeds of 06-20 Jahra 38 21 Fajr ...... 04:10 Asr ...... 15:23 By Day: Hot with light to mod- km/h and some scattered clouds Salmiyah 33 24 Sunrise .. 05:32 Maghrib ...18:10 erate north westerly wind to light will appear. Ahmadi 31 23 Zohr ...... 11:50 Isha ...... 19:28 variable wind with speeds of 06- Station Max Exp Min Rec Nuwaisib 37 17 26 km/h and some scattered Kuwait City 36 23 Wafra 38 19 clouds will appear. Kuwait Airport 37 16 Salmy 35 16

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

Humansoft Holding rallies 31 fils, Zain flat Kuwait market closes in green turf after choppy session By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ▼ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30175/850.30175/85 KUWAIT CITY, April 7: Kuwait stocks ▲ Euro/KD 0.3587 headed north on Wednesday extending last session’s modest gains. The All Shares ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 Index climbed 16.92 points in a largely choppy session to 5,867.26 pts helped by ▼ British £/KD 0.4175 some of the heavyweights and mid-caps. The Premier Market advanced 21.12 ▼ Indian Rs/KD 0.0040 points to 6,431.31 pts while Main Market rose 7.66 pts. The BK Main 50 was up ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 15.82 points at 4938.44 pts. The volume turnover meanwhile tapered after hitting a multi-month high in the previous session. ▲ FTSE +54.14 pts at 13:00 hr, April 07 Over 301 million shares changed hands – a 17 pct dip from the day before. The sectors closed mixed. Basic ▲ Nikkei +34.16 pts at closing April 07 Materials outperformed the rest with 1.76 percent gain whereas Technology skidded ▲ Gold 1731.05 per oz (London) 2.95 percent, the biggest loser of the day. Volume wise Financial Services topped with 137.4 million shares while Banking ▼ NYMEX crude $58.95 per barrel sector was ahead in value with KD 13.22 million. ▼ Brent crude $62.38 per barrel Among the day’s standouts, Kuwait Finance House extended its winning spree LIBOR rate 0.19975% with 5 fils jump to 718 fils on back of 5.6 million shares and Boubyan Bank scaled 9 fils. Mabanee Co sprinted 10 fils to 710 fils closed flat. 11,367 deals worth KD 37.63 paring the month-to-date losses to 16 fils million were transacted during the session. and Humansoft Holding darted 31 fils to In the banking sector, National Bank of KD 3.83. Kuwait took in 1 fil on back of over 2 mil- Zain was unchanged at 600 fils after lion shares whereas Gulf Bank fell 3 fils pushing over 2 million shares and Ooredoo to 216 fils with brisk trading. Kuwait too did not budge from its earlier close of International Bank added 3 fils after push- 644 fils. stc dialed up 2 fils and Agility fol- ing 7.5 million shares and Burgan Bank lowed suit to end at 738 fils. Mezzan took in 2 fils. Holding clipped 2 fils and Boursa Kuwait Ahli United Bank Kuwait slipped 3 fils Securities gave up 14 fils before settling at to 207 fils after pushing 5.8 million shares KD 1.137. Integrated Holding added 3 fils whereas Warba Bank and Al Ahli Bank whereas Aznour stood pat at 267 fils. dialed up 1 fil to close at 239 fils and 202 YIACO Medical slipped 9 fils to 509 fils fils respectively. National Industries Group rose 3 fils to KIPCO and National Investment Co 193 fils on back of 1.8 million shares eased 1 fil each to end at 163 fils and 178 fils respectively whereas Kuwait Real KUNA photo while Gulf Cable paced 4 fils recouping His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber most of Tuesday’s drop. Boubyan Estate Co took in 2 fils with heavy trad- Al-Sabah. Petrochemical Co soared 29 fils to 900 fils ing. Kuwait Investment Co added 3 fils and Qurain Petrochemical Co dialed down and International Financial Advisors 2 fils. Jazeera Airways scaled 4 fils paused at 111 fils. KMEFIC slipped 9 fils HH the Amir receives top govt officials extending last session’s gains while to 126 fils. ALAFCO inched 1 fil into green. KCPC Kuwait Financial Centre ( Markaz) His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir climbed 8 fils to 570 fils and Burgan Well ticked 0.8 fil higher to 86.8 fils whereas Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received on His Highness the Amir also received also received the Audit Bureau President Drilling gained 7 fils. First Investment tripped 1.1 fils. Aayan Wednesday at Bayan Palace His Highness Parliament Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim Faisal Fahad Alshayaa, where he presented The market opened on a listless note Leasing crept 1 fil into green while Bayan the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad and His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak a copy of Citizens Report of 2020. and drifted lower in early trade. The main Investment held ground at 35.9 fils. Osoul index continued to moved sideways and Investment added 2.5 fils and KFIC dialed plumbed the day’s lowest level of 5,846 up 1.3 fils on back of over 4 million shares. points almost half way into the session. It KAMCO closed 1.4 fils in green and clawed back into green and rose sharply in Noor Financial Investment clipped 2 fils to ‘Random selling’ license mulled the final minutes amid a buying spurt to close at 203 fils. Tamdeen Investment close with modest gains. shed 13 fils and Kuwait Insurance Co was Top gainer of the day, National Shooting down 13 fils at 402 fils. Warba Insurance Range Co soared 12.86 percent to 31.6 fils Co paused at 117 fils and Al Ahleia Street vendors abuse denied while Kuwait Hotels sprinted 9.84 pct to Insurance trimmed 1 fil. Salhia Real Estate stand next. Sanam Real Estate skidded gave up 5 fils whereas National Real 21.98 pct, the steepest decliner of the day Estate Co and Tamdeen Real Estate Co KUWAIT CITY, April 7: The government and The Securities House topped the vol- added 1 fils each. is currently studying a proposal on grant- ume with over 28 million shares. The market has been largely upbeat Reflecting the day’s winners continued during the week gaining 54 points in last ing Bedouns temporary commercial licens- to outnumber the losers. 71 stocks four sessions. It has rallied 91 points from es to regulate random selling on the streets, advanced while 48 closed lower. Of the start of the month and is up 295 points sidewalks and roundabouts; such that they 134 counters active on Wednesday, 15 year-to-date. are under the control of concerned author- ities like Kuwait Municipality, Ministry of 208 schools get connected Commerce, and Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, reports Al-Rai daily quot- ing a source from the government sector. 90pc optical fiber project completed The source told the daily that the Municipality does By Muhammad Ghanem of security to reach the digital transfor- not abuse Bedoun street vendors as it is rather taking Al-Seyassah Staff mation. legal measures against those proven to have violated She said the project is being imple- regulations. The source pointed out that the decision to KUWAIT CITY, April 7: The official mented through a work team headed by prohibit selling in the above-mentioned locations is spokesperson of the Ministry of the Assistant Undersecretary for the not limited to one group as it is applied on anyone who Communications, Abeer Al-Shuraidah, Communication Subscriber Services violates regulations; especially those selling food- announced the near completion of the Sector Muhammad Al-Hais, in coopera- stuffs, fruits and vegetables. Therefore, the higher optical fiber network project for linking tion and coordination between the depart- management at the Municipality decided to present the education schools in early June. ments of the telephone network and the proposal to be tabled for discussion with the Ministry KUNA photo She explained more than 90 percent of systems department of the Ministry of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Commerce and other concerned authorities, the the project has finally been completed as Education, appreciating the cooperation receives the Parliament Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim (left). source added. nearly 208 schools of the Ministry of between the two sides, which contributed According to the source, the proposal is subject to revision Education have been connected with to the implementation of the vital project. including the following stipulations: license is in the name of high speed optical fiber network. HH Crown Prince audiences a Kuwaiti – a form of guarantee, nominal monthly fee, the The project will contribute to support- Al-Shuraidah told Al-Seyassah daily ing the educational process in the coun- Municipality determines the location, vehicles should have this is one of the pioneering projects His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh His Highness the Prime Minister air conditioning and refrigeration systems, the seller must implemented by the Ministry of try. Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad have a health card, and those under the age of 18 are prohib- Communications concerning a fiber- Al- Shuraidah confirmed that those in received on Wednesday at Bayan Al-Sabah. ited from working. charge of the project from the Ministry of Palace Parliament Speaker Marzouq Ali His Highness the Crown Prince then optic network to link education schools On the other hand, an official from the Ministry of with five transportation divisions that Communications are a Kuwaiti engineers Al-Ghanim. received the President of the Audit Commerce confirmed: “We welcome the proposal; that is, if His Highness the Crown Prince also Bureau Faisal Fahad Al-Shayaa, where cover all parts of the country and provide and technicians known for their compe- it is submitted to the ministry.” tence and distinction, who are being received His Highness Sheikh Jaber he presented to His Highness the ❑ ❑ ❑ them with high-speed, fiber-optic inter- Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Citizen Report 2020. (KUNA) net service of 1,000 megabytes. trained by international companies, Laundry shops shut: Chairman of the Board of Directors It also provides integrated and identi- including “Huawei-Siemens-Nokia” and Kuwait-China talks kick off of the Kuwaiti Federation of Laundry Shop Owners Jamal cal solutions for private networks within other international companies working in Al-Ansari revealed that the number of laundry shops in the a system of protection and a high degree the field of communications. country reached 3,000; indicating 50 of these shops shut down permanently while 400 closed temporarily due to their Belt and Road project discussed inability to pay salaries and rent, reports Al-Anba daily. Speaking to the daily, Al-Ansari said the federation sent a KUWAIT CITY, April 7, (KUNA): devoting great economic, political and cul- letter to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Kuwaiti-Chinese digital economy talks tural benefits. Chairman of the Corona Emergency Committee Sheikh kicked off Tuesday, discussing the Belt and Moreover, he affirmed that the initia- Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah requesting permission for Road project, with broad participation of tive includes many sectors that are con- laundry shops with delivery service to operate during the the two countries. sistent with Kuwait Vision 2035, such as partial curfew period and issue exit permits to their employ- The General Secretariat of the Supreme upgrading the infrastructure in the fields ees. He affirmed these laundry shops vowed to strictly Council for Planning and Development, the of transport, energy, information technol- comply with the health regulations including social distanc- Kuwait Chamber of Industry and ogy and utility connection projects, as ing, pointing out this will help the shops fulfill their financial Commerce, the West Asia and North Africa well as consistent with Kuwaiti develop- obligations especially since they have already incurred huge Department of the Chinese Ministry of ment priorities in terms of stimulating losses due to the corona pandemic. Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Public economic growth, industrialization, Diplomacy Association and the Beijing increasing intra-trade and economic inte- Embassy in the country participated in the gration. talks. ❑ ❑ ❑ Transfer after one year For his part, the Secretary-General of the The Fatwa and Legislation Department KUWAIT CITY, April 7: Minister of Commerce and Secretariat General for Planning and Industry Dr Abdullah Al-Salman has issued a ministerial Development Khaled Mahdi said that the has responded to a letter from the Kuwait University regarding the extent to which it decree to permit the transfer and movement of manpower project based on international standards for among small and medium enterprises after one year of the globalization through economic develop- is permissible to start designing and imple- ment and artificial intelligence. menting the land allocated to the university issuance of the work permit instead of three years, reports There is a link between the Digital Belt in the Sabah Al-Ahmad residential city, Al-Qabas daily. and Road Initiative, the so-called green reports Al-Qabas daily. The decision stipulated the approval of the employer, and economy and sustainable development, and The department in its response -- a the same conditions and controls applied in ministerial reso- Kuwait’s development plan (2020-2025), copy of which has been obtained by the lution No. 9/2016 regarding work controls for owners of Mahdi added. daily – said the issue is expected to be small and medium enterprises. Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and discussed by the concerned authority as Dr Al-Salman took such a decision after reviewing the Industry Vice-President, Abdulwahhab per the Government Universities Law 76 state’s precautionary measures to confront the COVID-19 Al-Wazzan, said that Kuwait responded to of 2019. crisis, and its impact on the labor market. The Director the Chinese initiative as the first Gulf coun- This land is among the facilities and General of the Public Authority for Manpower Ahmed try because of its belief that reviving the buildings of Kuwait University whose own- Al-Mousa had made a presentation to Dr Al-Salman regard- historic Silk Road would change the pattern ership has been transferred to the govern- ing this matter in order for the latter to take such a decision, and shape of international relations by ment’s Abdullah Al-Salem University. which was in the public interest. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 LOCAL 4 Panel discusses PAAAFR’s ’20/21 budget, ’18/19 & ’19/20 fi nal A/Cs MP Al-Mutairi suggests delaying health minister’s grilling

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh and KD3 million respectively. Arab Times Staff The authority’s expenditure in the 2021/2022 budget is estimated at KD98 mil- lion, while the revenue is estimated at KD 5.7 million. KUWAIT CITY, April 7: The parliamentary Budgets The committee also noticed the government’s lack of clear vision on putting and Final Accounts Committee on Monday discussed the PAAAFR under one ministry as it is currently affi liated to several ministries, some of which are irrelevant and they have nothing to do with the main task of 2021/2022 budget and fi nal accounts for fi scals 2018/2019 PAAAFR -- ensure food security. and 2019/2020 of the Public Authority for Agricultural The committee recorded comments on violations uncovered at PAAAFR, such Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR). as signing contracts without obtaining approval from the State Audit Bureau (SAB). In a press statement, the committee disclosed that the expenditures of The committee pointed out as well that the national production of fi sh declined PAAAFR for fi scals 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 reached KD83 million by 49 percent in the last decade; adding that PAAAFR achieved self-suffi ciency in and KD93 million respectively; while its revenues reached KD6 million just one food item -- eggs, while the production of the most food products has declined. The committee revealed the area for planting vegetables increased only by four percent over the last 10 years and this does not match the Ambassador Sibi George with Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali. rising number of agricultural plots granted to citizens, which increased by 44 percent during the same period. Indian envoy calls on Interior Minister The committee tackled administra- tive, fi nancial and monitoring viola- Ambassador to Kuwait, HE Sibi lateral ties, ways of further enhanc- tions regarding contracts; and it has George called on the Minister of In- ing cooperation in various fi elds given PAAAFR one month to ad- terior Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al- such as health, security matters, dress these violations and submit a Salem Al-Sabah. and matters related to the Indian report in this regard. During the meeting both sides Diaspora. On Tuesday, the committee de- held wide ranging discussions on bi- liberated on the fi nal account for fi s- cal 2019 /2020 and budget for fi scal 2021/2022 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Muhammad. KUNA photo Chairman of the committee Badr HH the PM receives the Head of the National Unity Government in Libya. Al-Mullah revealed that the actual expenditure of the ministry for fi scal HH Prime Minister receives Libyan counterpart 2019 /2020 reached KD125 million, while the estimated expenditure for the following year is KD235 million. His Highness the Prime Minister was held attended by, Deputy Prime Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Ahmad He said the committee found out Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Minister and Minister of Defense Al-Sabah, chiefs of the Army, Police Al-Sabah, received at Bayan Pal- Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al- and National Guard, senior state of- that the ministry did not specify the ace Wednesday Prime Minister of Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and fi cials, Abdel-Ahad Mbaki Ambassa- amount allocated for diplomatic del- the Government of National Unity Minister of Justice and Minister of dor of the Republic of Senegal and egations -- Kuwaiti embassies and of Libya, Abdul Hamid Mohammed State for enhancing transparency Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ku- consulates in different countries. The Dbeibeh. Abdullah Al-Roumi, Governor of Al- wait as well as ambassadors of the ministry justifi ed this, stating that the An offi cial reception ceremony Asimah and head of honor mission two countries. (KUNA) automated system shows the data re- peatedly. The ministry then affi rmed that it is keen on coordinating with its fi nance counterpart and the Cen- 3 sites in pilgrims’ city to house expat workers tral Bank of Kuwait (CBK) in order to avoid going beyond the specifi ed KUWAIT CITY, April 7: The Kuwait pabilities. complexes to 11 housing in three gov- limits, he added. Indian ambassador and Mamta displaying one of the trophies. Municipality agreed to the request of On the other hand, the Municipal- ernorates. Kuwait Sports Authority request to al- ity said it has been agreed to allocate 3 In this regard, Director-General of the Activate locate a site for the Kuwaiti Shooting sites in the city of pilgrims, in the Al- Kuwait Municipality, Eng Ahmad Al- The committee stressed the need to Indian Embassy launches ISN Sports Club in the southern region of Jahra Governorate, to establish housing Manfouhi sent a letter to the Chairman of activate the automated link between the Ahmadi Governorate on an area of complexes for expatriate workers over the Municipal Council, Osama Al-Otai- the headquarters of the ministry and not less than 500,000 square meters, an area of 150,000 square meters, in bi, describing the three sites are subject overseas delegations to intensify con- in Kuwait; two rolling trophies provided it is close to the sports facili- addition to the previous approvals of to special standards in cities and labor trol and monitoring operations. ties, in order to serve the people of the 8 complexes, 5 of them in the Gover- complexes in terms of heights of fl oors, During the meeting, the ministry KUWAIT CITY, April 7: The In- Vijay Amritraj and Leander Peas con- southern region and to provide oppor- norate Al-Ahmadi and 3 in Farwaniya to consist of four fl oors for residential briefed the committee on the expro- dian Embassy has launched the Indian tinue to be among our heroes; our Chess tunity for young men and women to Governorate, bringing the total num- buildings and two fl oors for buildings for priation of buildings abroad instead Sports Network in Kuwait to benefi t a Master Vishwanathan Anand continues practice archery and develop their ca- ber of sites allocated for labor housing services and commercial uses. of renting; indicating it owns 46 big number of sports enthusiasts who to inspire most Indians, our fl ying Sikh buildings with a total value of KD558 have shown their enthusiasm in this Milkha Singh and his son Jeev Milkha million and the expropriation cost is area as many of them play various out- Singh are names that continue to inspire KD134 million. door games including cricket, golf and all, our cricket World Cup wins con- The committee suggested revision indoor games such as badminton across tinue to trigger Goosebumps to every of the salary scale for employees at the country. Indian whether in India or abroad. To- Kuwaiti embassies; pointing out the The Indian envoy said almost every day we have so many sports heroes to salaries of these employees increase Indian has a story to tell about his ex- be proud of and take inspiration from regularly, such that the total amount perience and experiments with sports. -- Mary Kom, Saniya Mirza, Saina Ne- spent on salaries reached KD16 mil- I had my days as a Pole Vault athlete, hwal, P.V. Sindhu, P. T Usha, Shiney lion last year. travelling across my state from one sta- Wilson, Anju Bobby George and many Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Muham- dium to another running, jumping and more talented sportswomen. For India mad said his ministry is currently winning prizes. My wife has a story of there is no looking back. studying the possibility of increasing being the leader of the school band and As the interest in sports in India has fees for obtaining Kuwaiti visa, espe- a basketball player; Madam Mamta, grown, the sports industry in India has cially since the last time that Kuwait who is present here, has the story of also grown manifold. Today, India’s increased such fees was in 2005. playing cricket against New Zealand sporting goods are popular around the He added the ministry is coordi- and the West Indies. world and have made a mark in the nating with the European Union to “We have many stories of Indian ath- global sports goods market. exempt Kuwaitis from paying Schen- letes and sportswomen and men here in The domestic industry exports nearly gen visa fees, confi rming that Italy Kuwait. I urge them to come forward 60% of its total output. India’s ma- supports Kuwait in this regard. and share their stories with us. Our jor exported items are infl atable balls In another development, MP Saleh children in schools have many sports and accessories, nets, general exercise Zeiab Al-Mutairi suggested postpon- success stories to share. Let’s celebrate equipment, boxing equipment, toys and ing the grilling motion against Min- our stories together. I may not be able to games, protective equipment, cricket ister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah jump pole vault over a four meter high equipment, sportswear, carrom boards until the end of the coronavirus cri- bar today, but I cannot deny the values and so on. Our top ten destinations for sis. However, if the MPs who fi led of self-discipline, sportsman spirit, team sports goods export are the US, UAE, the grilling motion decide to push spirit and the energy that I imbibed dur- UK, Australia, Germany, the Nether- through with the grilling, he will sup- ing my days as a sportsman,” the Indian lands, France, South Africa, Sweden and port them. envoy said. Canada. Indian sports products have also He argued the grilling motion He went on to say, “Your stories are been exported for global events. should have been fi led against His inspiration to the young generation; “As we celebrate India in Kuwait as Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh it can be our contribution to Fit India part of our 75th anniversary of inde- Sabah Al-Khalid, because the com- and Khelo (play) India and to keep pendence, it is important that we cel- mittee tasked to deal with corona- ourselves fi t through regular fi tness ex- ebrate the sports in India and showcase virus consists of several ministers. ercises or our traditional yoga which is to the world the growing sports industry “As a doctor, I think that grilling the very important particularly in this com- in India to promote our sports exports health minister now will lead to the plex world of competition, to address including to Kuwait. collapse of the health system,” he as- the challenges of stress, strain and even “I see the Advisor to Indian Business serted. immunity issues posed by Covid-19. It Network Ashok Kalra who is present Furthermore, MP Musaed Al- also helps us to develop team spirit and here and IBN to organize a major event Ardi forwarded queries to Minis- build mutually benefi cial partnerships.” to promote Indian sports industry in Ku- ter of Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali “India has a story of sports from wait in collaboration with Sports Goods Al-Sabah about the number, names times immemorial,” the ambassador Export Promotion Council of India. and qualifications of employees said adding, “India’s diversity of cul- “Let’s join hands to create a Fit India who will undergo the customs in- ture, like every other fi eld, is refl ected and Fit Indians in Kuwait. Let’s join the spector training course at Kuwait in the wide variety of sport disciplines Khelo India Movement and Fit India General Administration of Customs in the country.” movement. Hum Fit Tho India Fit as (KGAC). He wants to know how He reminded the select audience that part of our 60th anniversary celebra- many passed the written exam and in the past India excelled in hockey, tions of establishment of diplomatic interview, as well as the total num- with India winning the Olympic gold relations between India and Kuwait and ber of applicants. medal eight times; our tennis heroes our 75th anniversary of independence. He asked for the names of the members of the Admission Com- mittee, their experience, if some of Bid to convert ‘vacation’ days to cash the employees who will undergo the training were exempted from the conditions to participate in the Many govt agencies’ employees demand course, reasons behind the exemp- tion, number of employees assigned at the Search and Investigations Of- for approval to amend CSC Law proposal fi ce, their tasks, number of employ- KUWAIT CITY, April 7: Many em- ternatives to the Cabinet Secretariat . ees seconded to this offi ce, copies of their qualifi cation certifi cates, ployees in different government agen- According to the offi cials, the CSC is procedures in rewarding the inspec- cies have demanded for approval of studying possible solutions to deal with tors to encourage them to confi scate the proposal to amend the Civil Service the Ministry of Health employees on banned substances, if any of the cus- Law in order to allow them to convert one hand, and the need to ensure equal- toms inspectors have been rewarded their unused vacation days to cash, re- ity among public sector employees. The or honored in the last fi ve years, and ports Al-Qabas daily. CSC then prepared three proposals as list of these inspectors if the answer This came after the daily published follows: is yes. news regarding the proposal on March 1. Amendment of Article 40 of the MP Khalid Al-Otaibi asked Min- 18, 2021. CSC Law to increase the maximum ister of Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Government offi cials explained to number of leave days that employ- Al-Sabah about the human rights the daily that the corona crisis brought ees can accumulate from fi ve to seven report that the US State Department about changes to the conditions of em- years. This is considered a permanent released on March 30,2021. ployees in State agencies. They point- solution. He said the report mentioned that ed out these changes necessitate the 2. Amendment of the same article in July 2020, Kuwait’s Ministry amendment of the annual leave system to allow accumulation of unused leave of Interior issued 17,000 passports due to the lack of benefi ts for employ- days in 2020 and 2021 – maximum of (Article 17) to Bedouns who paid ees in some institutions, including the 90 days. KD3,000 ($9,770) each as bribe for Ministry of Health. They said this has 3. Allow employees to convert un- obtaining such passport from 2014 to prompted the Civil Service Commis- used leave days – 180 days maximum – 2018. sion (CSC) to present the proposed al- into cash while they are still in service. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

Local Architecture

This archway is coupled with a hanging wooden bridge with water cistern stood. In daytime, there would be plenty of a small window for ventilation. The way under the bridge led sunshine throughout the house. Invariably, a few stairs led to Photograph courtesy to the waterfront. the roof, a much preferred place for sleeping during hot sum- The architecture in old Kuwait is characterized by its suc- mer nights. Close to the house stood the diwaniya, or men’s of The Center for Re- cess in “transforming the local values and way of life into meeting place, with its private entrance and coffee-hearth in search and Studies on architectural terms,” as stated by a contemporary architect the center. It was there that the men of the house would en- of Kuwait. The Kuwaiti master builder, known locally as tertain their guests. Kuwait and the work ustad, drew no plans on papers; he fi gured the proportions In nearby villages, however, houses were less sophisti- of Dr Yacoub Al- and made the plan in his mind. His success, however, in us- cated and blended beautifully with the surrounding environ- ing traditional techniques with locally available materials ment. Some were fi shermen’s homes; others, such as the Hijji in the book Old- such as mud, gypsum, coral and mangrove poles, is all too romantic kubar, were retreats that belonged to city dwellers. Kuwait: Memories evident. They resided there in the spring when the desert bloomed A house or a mosque in old Kuwait was always built after the winter rains. (From the book ‘Old Kuwait: Memo- in Photographs fi rst around a courtyard where a brackish water well or a fresh- ries in Photographs’) published in 1996. Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait

© N.M.M. diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Whoever steals a dinar will not hesitate to steal the whole country’ “THERE has been a lot of talk about combating corruption and referring for- fied in a clear and crystal manner. When anyone is accused, strict judicial their resignations and claim that they adhere to the Green Seat, and the coming mer officials to the concerned authorities. This is good if we practice work in measures must be taken against him so that it becomes a kind of lesson for days and events will reveal many things to us.” the right direction and punish those who have plundered the nation. The ques- others. ❑ ❑ ❑ tion is will we adopt the right course and recover the money that has been “Otherwise, the streets of London will be crowded with the corrupt Kuwaitis, plundered, cut off this evil from our society which almost took the country to and honorable citizens will only be left to cry over the ruins of a homeland that “Laws have been laid down to regulate the lives of people, to inform them the brink of ruin?” columnist Sattam Al-Jarallah wrote for Al-Seyassah has been ravaged by the corrupt, so let accountability be serious and severe about the duties they have to perform and their rights, and to insist that every- daily. because whoever steals a dinar will not hesitate to steal the whole country.” one has to abide by the laws and avoid violating them”, columnist Talal “Past experiences confirm the course has not changed, and therefore those Muneizel Al-Enezi wrote for Al-Rai daily. who currently are held accountable either end up relax- Also: “Therefore, countries that enforce the laws are usually seen as sophisticated, ing in their homes and no one disturbs them and the “If the cooperation between the two authorities, both executive and legisla- civilized, and advanced. Some Third-World countries are backward because money they looted because they are either powerful or tive is lost it is impossible to acquire an iota of cooperation as what is happen- they do not apply the law, or rather the law does not apply to everyone. Here, have fled abroad, as is the case with Fahd Al-Raja’an ing now. Whoever reads and looks at the local political scene sees cooperation the problems and crises are related to talks about racism, class and injustice, all and others, who enjoy the money of Kuwaitis and are will be lost during the next stage. The members of the National Assembly because of the non-application of the law on everyone. not afraid of punishment because the hands of account- announced that they will refuse to cooperate with the head of the government, “The demand for justice, equality and the application of the law is a deserv- ability cannot reach them, despite the court verdicts and the question that raises itself is what will benefit a citizen who wants to ing issue. Any defect in these standards and foundations will result in chaos against them. work, cooperate in the area of achievements? columnist Yusuf Al-Hajji wrote and a sense of injustice that will lead to unfortunate consequences. “Therefore, those who are currently being pursued for Annahar daily. “The demand for the application of the law on everyone should not be based must be prevented from leaving the country, meaning “I see a scenario that will be created by the deputies if they do not want to on moods or should not be temporary, or according to who is who! We are a that judgments must be enforced on them, their accounts cooperate with the government and the Speaker because the government is the state of institutions and law, so everyone should sense this and witness it. must be frozen at home and abroad. What Kuwait has strongest link, evidenced by what we have seen – its ability to pass what it “The recent crisis that the country experienced after the cancellation of for- been suffering for years as a result of this disease is Sattam Al-Jarallah wants whether it is a law, a decision or a procedure, and we also saw that it is mer MP Al-Dahoum and the referral of those who attended his seminar to the much bigger than any crisis it has gone through during able to play the political game professional manner and the evidence is deci- prosecution almost created a major crisis in the country, had it not been for the its history until this day. sions taken by it and procedures that have been adopted. interference of the political leadership after which these reports were with- “Kuwait has enormous wealth but unfortunately the corrupt people have “Although many do not like the government performance and the scenarios drawn. squandered much of this wealth, and if the rumors are true that these people that it paints and implements with political professionalism, I respect the opin- “Advice to the government and the parliament – Do not make people feel have looted 200 billion dinars, then this means that the wealth of future gen- ion that MPs have the majority, and for this they can submit a collective resig- insecure in their country. Do not make them feel like there are first-class citi- erations has evaporated, that the credit rating will not return to its previous era, nation if they really do not cling to the parliamentary seats and do not care zens while others are second-clas ... All must be equal before the rule of law and there will be a decline that will ultimately lead to major economic and about them because their continued escalation and lack of cooperation with the – the merchant and the poor, the commoner and the sheikh. financial crisis and the citizen will not be able to bear it. government have negative consequences on the country and citizens and the “This is due to the fact that one of the most important safety valves in coun- “Therefore, what we want are results and there must be a change in what the achievement will be absent and the pending issues will pile up. tries is the application of the law on everyone without discrimination and Kuwaitis have in their mind that every corrupt person can find a way to escape “I say resort to reason and present a collective resignation, and dissolve the favoritism ... So should we preserve this valve or not?” abroad. National Assembly because people are tired and need accomplishments during “All details must be revealed during trials and the corrupt should be identi- the next stage, and of course there are those who doubt that MPs will submit — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli Insane rise in flat rents ‘Words, deeds defy values, morals’ ‘It hurts to see abnormal, strange behavior’ ‘State control missing’ KUWAIT CITY, April 7: The Kuwait Diwaniya People are bored and tired ... So where are we regard- Association issued a statement to express its disap- ing the issues of demographics, corruption, education, proval and rejection of all the transgressions that happen economics and others? Are the problems of Kuwait KUWAIT CITY, April 7: In the midst of ment rents which is between 600 and 800 through words, deeds, and behavior that do not take into reduced only to the personal differences between certain the health conditions in the country, and dinars and for some apartments it is from account the principles, values and morals of the Kuwaiti entities? the state’s preoccupation in a state of 950 to 1,300 dinars, says Al-Seyassah. society, reports Al-Anba daily. Remember the verse in Quran - We offered the trust Reliable sources told the Al-Seyassah daily the exagger- In its statement, the association said, “It hurts us to to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they political tension citizens and residents say ated increase in the rents is no longer limited to what the see the abnormal and strange behavior that Kuwait is refused to carry it and were afraid of doing so; but man there is an insane increase in the apart- sources called ‘interior’ areas but has extended to other exposed to today in the hands of some of its people carried it. Surely he is wrong-doing, ignorant. areas such as Al-Masayel, that insult the reputation of Kuwait and its people, The Constitution is clear. Following it in the relation- Al-Funaitees, Abu Futaira, spread chaos, establish a false understanding of the ship between the authorities is a duty. The path of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, meaning of freedom and democracy, establish a dicta- reform as well as the path of chaos is clear ... God does Al-Adan, Al-Aqeelah, and torship for the rule of the street, and show reverence to not bless those who call for chaos on the street under the the so-called remote areas. individuals at the expense of the interests of the coun- pretext of reform. As news spread that the try and its people. Freedom, if misused, becomes a means of demolition, Minister of Municipality It seeks to neutralize the pillars of the state and chal- a breach of security, and a path to chaos. Kuwait’s secu- and Minister of State for lenge its legislative institutions and laws, without rity, stability, reputation and future are above all consid- Housing Affairs, Shaya awareness of the conditions and dangers in the region. erations. No development, economy, progress or reform Al-Shaya, will prevent the We accordingly denounce and reject all the transgres- will be achieved if we lose peace, security, stability, and conversion of private hous- sions that occur in words, deeds and behavior that do not good reputation. ing areas into investment, take into account the principles, values and morals of our We affirm that Kuwait, with its loyal children, its the sources asked why the society. We will not accept the chaos and culture of the constitution, and its democracy, will remain great. state does not control this street and the transformation of the nation’s will into empty We ask God to grant everyone wisdom and guide aspect, and why these real voices and false heroism. Kuwait is full of competent, them towards the right path, preserve Kuwait as an oasis estate owners crawl into good, sincere and capable people who are able to take up of safety and security, and help in avoiding temptations, residential areas and build the responsibility, and deal with all the critical and sensi- both visible and invisible. huge residential buildings tive files and issues that await it so that the general shape Matters are handled by wise people ... Without them, in violation of the law. of the country’s present and future can be drawn. matters would be handled by the wicked.” The Municipality has turned a blind eye to its regulations and permits the construction of buildings Firemen fighting the blaze at the Central Market. which leads to an increase in the number of tenants in private housing, which Material damage in fire results in congestion, chaos and pressure on services. The Directorate-General of Fire from the Shuwaikh Industrial Center, The sources regretted Department (DGFD) said in a press Sulaibikhat, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, rushed that a citizen is being statement after the operations room to the spot and put out the fire, reports exploited, especially those received a report on the fire in a num- Al-Rai daily. ber of stores belonging to the Kuwaiti The damage was limited to material, who have a long time ahead army’s Central Market. Fire engines no casualties have been reported. of him to obtain his right in the form of housing care. The sources pointed out Panel formed to serve disabled, elderly that the rent law has not been amended since 1978, KUWAIT CITY, April 7: The Public followed by the formation of a field work with the exception of some Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) team whose task will be to visit this denom- amendments that took has issued a decision to form a committee to ination of in their homes to complete their place last year, in light of facilitate transactions for persons with dis- transactions. the corona pandemic, abilities and the elderly which will be head- He indicated the committee will work to which are minor and not ed by the Minister of State for Municipal overcome all obstacles and arrangements substantial amendments, Affairs and the Minister of State for Housing necessary to enable people with disabilities and that was a stumbling and Urban Development Shaya Al-Shaya, and the elderly without them having to go block to this chaos that is reports Annahar daily. the authority. occurring now. The PAHW spokesman Omar Al-Ruwaih, He emphasized the PAHW spares no The sources pointed to said that the committee will facilitate trans- efforts to meet the needs of citizens and the intermediaries to impose actions for people with disabilities and the visitors, serving them, responding to their service charges worth elderly, in addition to launching other ser- inquiries, and completing their housing almost half the month’s vices for this category of people. transactions in accordance with regulations rental value of the apart- Al-Ruwaih added the committee will be and procedures. ment or entire floor. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 LOCAL/GULF 6

Zain’s entrepreneurs set to meet investors virtually 26 tech startups qualify to pre-fi nal phase of Zain Great Idea 6

KUWAIT CITY, April 7: Zain, the lead- second stage; the ZGI bootcamp, which was Kuwaiti market as part of its comprehensive ing digital service provider in Kuwait, an- held in a virtual format for four weeks. The innovation and entrepreneurship strategy. nounced the qualifi cation of 26 tech startups bootcamp featured workshops, training ses- Throughout 10 successful years, ZGI em- to the pre-fi nal phase of its sixth Zain Great sions, panel discussions, and more, facili- powered, trained, and invested in hundreds of Idea (ZGI) tech startup accelerator program. tated by world-class experts, academics, and creative and driven Kuwaiti youth, of which During this stage, the fi nalists from 8 GCC trainers from top international educational many now own thriving and active Small and and Arab nations will take part in the ZGI institutions such as IE Business School, Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to this Demo Day virtual event, where they are set MIT, Stanford, and more. In addition, one- day in local and regional markets. to present their tech startups to investors and to-one sessions with top experts in various Zain’s program comes in joint collabora- business partners for potential investment fi elds were offered for every fi nalist. tion with Brilliant Lab, a startup Accelerator opportunities. All of Zain Great Idea’s phases came this Service from Kuwait, and Mind the Bridge, From a total of nearly 160 participating year in an all-virtual format to abide by health a global organization based in Silicon Valley startups, 26 fi nalists qualifi ed to the pre- guidelines imposed by the COVID-19 pan- that bridges the world through entrepreneur- fi nal phase: TDALAL, DHANA, Amaakin, demic. The 26 fi nalists will now move for- ship education for startups, enterprises, and Punch, BNCHR+, and SNATCHR from ward to the pre-fi nal phase, ZGI Demo Day, ZGI 6 qualifi ed startups 2021. investors to succeed in global markets. Kuwait, Hayi, Shala, Bazaara, Sweech, Ask- where they will present their tech startups to Zain is well aware of the crucial role played who, SCARLT, and Connected Community representatives from the investment commu- periences in areas that are essential to any startups that have just begun their journey by private sector organizations in supporting from the United Arab Emirates, Tamarran nity and business partners for a chance to get startup, including marketing, advertising, and those in the process of establishing them. social and economic sustainability projects. and Crowed Powered from Lebanon and promising investment opportunities that will customer care, public relations, digital part- Accepted applications particularly centered Springing from its growing commitment to- Bahrain, Paw Arabia from Bahrain, Trenjh, push their startups forward towards growth nerships, business/consultancy/legal servic- around startups working in areas related to wards practicing its social responsibility, the Ketabilik, Rehla, and Breez from Saudi and profi tability. es, and much more. tech, digital transformation, and innovation. company is committed to printing a positive Arabia, Tanfees and Loy Club from Oman, After ZGI Demo Day, the 26 fi nalists will This year, Zain received many submis- ZGI offers a refreshed opportunity for impact through all its activities. This has led OOSTOORA and Branper from Tunisia, and advance to the Zain Co-development and sions from local and regional talents to take local talents and Kuwait’s entrepreneurial Zain to embrace the most infl uential issues Qurba and Fulltact from Egypt. services phase, where they will have the op- part in Zain Great Idea 6. Many submissions community, as it has been one of the most in the community, including the support of Zain recently concluded the program’s portunity to benefi t from Zain’s leading ex- were accepted, from both those who own successful initiatives Zain presented to the youth, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Kuwait’s economic activity slowly recovering from pandemic-hit ’20

Growth prospects improve with lifting of most restrictions

KUWAIT CITY, April 7: Kuwait’s economy is slowly tous drop in oil prices. Pandemic-related policy support, emerging from the economic dislocation caused by the cor- especially for SMEs, was also limited and centered mainly onavirus pandemic in 2020. GDP fell by an estimated 8% on debt repayment. His Excellency Mohammed Yousef Al Fahim last year — the steepest decline in output since the 2009 fi - Growth prospects have improved with the lifting (until recently) of nancial crisis — as businesses were shuttered, staffi ng levels most restrictions. Consumer sentiment is more upbeat, and pent-up de- cut, projects halted and incomes pressured amid a precipi- mand has boosted consumer spending growth, which stood at 20% y/y in February (KNet data). Bank credit to households is increas- ing at the fastest pace since mid-2018. After a lacklus- ter 2020, the projects market should gain a little more trac- tion over the forecast period, helped by greater private-sec- tor buy-in.Though the re-im- position of a partial curfew in March and the uncertain pace of vaccinations will be worth watching, non-oil growth should recover to about 4% A fl yer of the event. this year before normalizing at 2.5% in 2022. Oil GDP (in its broadest defi - ‘More creativity and innovation’ nition) should rise by 1% this year and by 7% in 2022 as crude oil production increases in line Ataya’s 10th charitable initiative to with the easing of OPEC+ cuts and the full commissioning of the Clean Fuels and New Refi n- take place virtually during Ramadan ery Projects, which should dou- ble Kuwait’s refi ning capacity. ABU DHABI, April 7: Wife of His throughout the years, has implemented Gains in both Jurassic light and Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed a variety of projects around the world, Lower Fars heavy crude output Al Nahyan, Ruler’s representative in including the establishment of hospitals will help offset some of the de- Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of and specialized health centers, treatment KUNA photo cline in production capacity due the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), Her for thousands of patients, the establish- HH the Prime Minister while receiving the minister of information and Head of the Voluntary Work Center to the ageing Burgan fi eld. Sheikha Amthal. Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan ment of schools and housing, and sup- Fiscal sustainability in the bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Chairman porting important local projects such as spotlight amid tighter liquid- HH PM receives members of Voluntary Work Center ity Assistant of the ERC for Women’s Af- Faraj Fund, autism centers, and People Last year’s twin Covid-19 fairs and Chairperson of Ataya Higher of Determination in the UAE. Committee, today announced that Ataya, Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- they briefed His Highness on the national strategy and oil price shocks led to a record and sixth consecutive in the “Year of the 50th”, will begin its Hamdan concluded: “This year, Ataya Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah accompanied by Minis- for volunteer work prepared by youth cadres, aims to second decade with more creativity and is collaborating and coordinating with ter of Information, Culture and the Minister of State organize and support voluntary work in the country. fi scal defi cit of KD8.9bn (28% for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi received on His Highness the premier praised efforts and contri- of GDP). Financing the defi cit innovation in the fi eld of humanitarian several international institutions and or- Tuesday Head of the Voluntary Work Center Sheikha butions in the fi eld of volunteer work, stressing his sup- and achieving fi scal sustain- work and adopting further initiatives to ganizations working within the fi eld of Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Rawan Yarub port to strengthen the joint work between the volunteer ability has taken on greater help make a difference in communities healthcare. We are confi dent Ataya will Al-Fawzan and Mohammad Nasser Al-Atwan, where teams and the various authorities of the state. (KUNA) urgency following the near de- across the world. She added that Ataya achieve its goals during its 10th year, as pletion of the General Reserve has become a hallmark in building and it has in the past, thanks to the positive Fund (GRF), the inaccessibility developing the efforts for society ena- response of all sectors of society.” Her Non-oil GDP expected to grow 3.3% in 2021 of the Reserve Fund for Future blement, whilst enhancing the role of Highness expressed her appreciation to Generations (RFFG), Kuwait’s individuals to create positive change via this year’s sponsors of Ataya, which in- sovereign wealth fund (SWF), initiatives and programs in the areas of clude Al Dahra Agricultural Company, Rapid vaccine rollout to underpin economic recovery and the absence of parliamenta- health, education, and infrastructure. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi ry approval for a new debt law. This came in Her Highness’ speech Commercial Bank. KUWAIT CITY, April 7: Economic activity is estimated While the authorities have been during a virtual press conference held Speaking at the press conference, Ai- to have declined by 6.6% in 2020, refl ecting a drop in able to buy themselves some today to announce the launch of Ataya’s sha Al Afi fi from Al Dahra Agricultural both non-oil GDP (roughly 70% of total GDP) by -5.1% time through cuts in capex, as- 10th initiative, which will run through- Company, said: “In light of the current on COVID-19 fallout and the oil sector by -8.5% due to set swaps between the GRF and the RFFG and moves to out the Holy Month of Ramadan, on a global situation and as the world strug- OPEC+ production cuts. Total GDP contracted in 1H20 unique, online platform with the par- gles with the consequences of COV- by 3.9% y/y as non-oil GDP fell by 6.0%, at a time where reschedule more than $20bn in accrued dividends with state oil ticipation of 50 exhibitors from the ID-19, it is Al Dahra Agricultural Com- movement restrictions and health-related closures were UAE and across the world. The speech pany’s pleasure, to again participate and more prevalent, hurting the hospitality, transportation, and company KPC, systemic fi scal wholesale and retail trade sectors (about 30% of GDP). reforms are imperative. was given on her behalf by Mohammed support Ataya’s initiative this year, where The UAE has done extremely well on vaccinations, The government unveiled Yousef Al Fahim, Deputy Secretary- all proceeds of the event will be dedicated standing among the best worldwide performers while an expansionary budget for General of Support Services, Emirates to the education of nurses, and supporting avoiding strict closures and curfews. Vaccination deploy- FY2021-22 that sees spend- Red Crescent. frontline workers throughout the world. ment, with more than half of the population (52%) covered ing rising by 7% y/y (budget- Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint “We would like to extend our warm- by mid-March, boosts re-opening and reduces pressures on-budget), revenues by 45% Hamdan said: “This year, Ataya is be- est thanks and gratitude to His Highness on key sectors. As such, the recovery in 2021 could come and the defi cit widening to ing held during extraordinary circum- Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, from a rebound in the tourism and hospitality sector, al- KD12.1bn. We see the defi cit stances, with many health, economic, Ruler’s representative in Al Dhafra Re- though the extent of this recovery hinges on global recov- narrowing, however, to KD6- and social challenges, as a result of the gion and Chairman of the Emirates Red ery. Non-oil GDP is expected to grow 3.3% in 2021 and 7bn (17% of GDP)this year COVID-19 pandemic, which has affect- Crescent (ERC), Her Highness Sheikha 3.5%over the medium term, on average, benefi ting from ing fees, as well as supporting SMEs. The defi cit, still rea- and further to 10% of GDP by sonable by regional standards, should narrow to 3.3% of ed most countries around the world. The Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammad Expo 2020 and the recovery in global demand.Oil GDP 2023 due to a combination of UAE, as always, was at the forefront Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the could decline 2.9%in 2021 as oil production is expected GDP in 2021 as spending is expected to fall across emir- spending restraint and greater to reach 2.7mb/d due to the OPEC+ agreement. In the ates by at least 5% on lower budgeted outlays by both of countries that responded to the pan- ERC for Women’s Affairs and Chair- oil revenues thanks to higher demic, within the country and in many person of the Higher Committee of the medium term, oil GDP could grow by 5%as output cuts federal and local governments. Based on a recovery in oil oil prices. Tapping new non-oil are eased and refi ning capacity are expanded (Ruwais and prices to $60/bbl, the defi cit could record a small surplus revenue sources, however, ap- countries around the world. As a result Ataya Initiative, for their kind efforts to Jebel Ali refi nery upgrades and BPGIC’s Phase 3), adding of 1% of GDP by 2022. (Chart 5.) pears limited to possible excise of the guidance of the UAE’s leadership, support the rich heritage of humanitarian about 1.2 mb/d to refi ning capacity. Benefi ting from low interest rates globally and a strong duties and the VAT. our nation strengthened the humanitar- projects which are inspired by the late Recovery and loose monetary policy should translate credit standing, UAE issued more debt in 2020 than before ian response to this pandemic, providing Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan, fa- to fi nance the fi scal defi cit. Abu Dhabi had the lion’s share We do believe that the debt into higher credit growth law will pass this year, which medical and preventive assistance. ther of humanitarian work in the UAE.” Monetary policy is expected to remain accommodative at $15.1 billion benefi ting from its extremely strong credit “The message of Ataya continues to She stated that supporting a project profi le, while the Emirates of Dubai and Sharjah also is- should alleviate some of the over 2021-23 in tandem with Fed policy, given the Dir- liquidity pressures. There is be consistent with the directions of the like Ataya is fully in line with Al Dahra ham peg to the US dollar. This should also help a return to sued around $2.0 billion. Yields for these bonds ranged from 0.75% to 4.0% with maturities from 3-50 years. also an economic case for defi - UAE and its wise leadership with achiev- Company’s vision and objectives, which positive growth for private sector credit of 3.5% in 2021, cit fi nancing via debt issuance ing the goals of sustainable development aims to work in partnership with govern- after a decline of 2.2% in 2020. Total domestic credit is Yet, the public debt to GDP (excl. GREs) remains rela- tively low at estimated38%, and is susceptible to decline rather than reserve drawdowns in less fortunate countries, across vari- ment agencies for the benefi t of all seg- expected to grow by around 4.0% over the medium term, in the current low interest rate supported by credit demand from government-related in 2022-23 as the government benefi ts from expected oil ous fi elds. Due to the conditions of the ments of society – not just in the UAE fi rms, the stabilization in the real estate market, and the prices and higher growth with the fi scal position return- environment. Moreover, public pandemic, which created many chal- but throughout the world. broader recovery in the non-oil sector. ing to surplus in 2022-23.These same factors and expected debt, at KD3.8bn (12% of GDP) lenges in the fi eld of healthcare in some Commenting on the sponsorship, With modest increase in demand in 2021 and possible pick up in external demand could lead to a recovery in at end-2020, is the lowest in the countries, this year Ataya will support Ahmed Salem Al Rashdi, from, Abu further decline in expat population and with it a fall in tourism and should return the external current account to region so there is ample scope. nursing teams in seven countries: the Dhabi Islamic Bank, said: “It is an honor rents (34% weight in CPI basket),consumer price infl ation balance in 2021 and surplus in the following two years, The current account looks to UAE, India, the Philippines, Egypt, for us at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank to could remain slightly negative (-0.5%), compared with after registering a defi cit of -2.8% of GDP in 2020. have performed better than ex- Mauritania, Albania, and Bosnia, with be part of the annual Ataya initiative, -2.1% in 2020. The fall in housing rents could start bot- Positive outlook though uncertain pected in 2020, benefi ting from a goal of strengthening healthcare ser- which has become an icon in the fi eld of toming out this year, then gradually pick-up in 2022-23 as The UAE’s status as an international hub for trade, higher investment income and a vices and achieving the highest levels humanitarian, social and development real estate oversupply issues ease. Infl ation is projected to travel and tourism mean that it would stand to benefi t from rebound in oil export revenues to register a surplus of 4% of of safety and public health. According work, with initiatives supporting health, hover around 1% over the medium term. arapid global economic recovery.A successful Expo 2020 to the World Health Organization, this education, social services and empower- Fiscal and external balances seen returning to sur- along with continued policy agility that responds to de- GDP. Foreign reserve assets plus velopments in a timely manner could have a lasting posi- at CBK were stable at $47.5bn comes at a time when the world needs ment. Our support to the Emirates Red Large government stimulus packages with lower oil tive impact on the economy and increase its resilience. On (42% of GDP) at end-2020, pro- around 6 million more nurses. At the lo- Crescent aligns with our commitment prices pushed the fi scal defi cit to an estimated 7.1% of the downside, a possible reversal of US monetary policy viding more than 12 months of cal level, Ataya will support the nursing towards the wise vision of the UAE’s GDP in 2020. The fi scal and monetary support worth a sooner than expected due to infl ation concerns in addition import cover. Financial buffers and physiotherapy programs at the Fa- leadership, contributing to the culture of combined 18% of GDP have helped in alleviating some to slow global growth along with renewed weakness in oil are substantial with more than tima College of Health Sciences.” giving that our leadership has instilled, of the pressures on the economy. Some of these measures pricesand lingering government-related entity contingent $550bn of assets held by the During the virtual press conference while contributing to local projects and aimed at reducing business costs through lowering/waiv- liabilities could hinder growth prospects. aforementioned SWF. Her Highness pointed out that Ataya, the global message of humanity.” ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

Asia

US warns over China move Taiwan says will fi ght to ‘the very last day’

TAIPEI, Taiwan, April 7, (AP): Taiwan’s foreign minister on Wednesday said the island will defend itself “to the very last day” if attacked by China. Joseph Wu said China’s attempts at conciliation while engaging in military intimidation are sending “mixed sig- nals” to the island’s residents. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be won over peacefully or by force. Wu noted China fl ew 10 warplanes into Taiwan’s air de- fense identifi cation zone on Monday and deployed an air- craft carrier group for exercises near Taiwan. “We are willing to defend ourselves, that’s without any question,” Wu told reporters. “We fi ll fi ght a war if we need to fi ght a war, and if we need to defend ourselves to the very last day, then we will defend ourselves to the very last day.” China does not recognize Taiwan’s democratically elect- ed government, and leader Xi Jinping has said “unifi cation” between the sides cannot be put off indefi nitely. “On the one hand they want to charm the Taiwanese people by sending their condolences, but at the same time they are also sending their military aircraft and military vessels closer to Taiwan aimed at intimidat- ing Taiwan’s people,” Wu said at a ministry briefi ng. “The Chinese are sending very mixed signals to the Taiwanese peo- President Joe Biden delivers remarks about vaccinations, in the State Dining Room of the White House, April 6, in Washington. (AP) ple and I would characterize that as self-defeating,” Wu said. Joseph Wu The vast improvements in China’s military capabilities and its increasing activity around Taiwan America have raised concerns in the US, which is legally bound to en- sure Taiwan is capable of defending itself and to regard all threats to the island’s security as matters of “grave concern.” China’s military said Monday the new naval drills were meant to help it “safeguard national sovereignty, security Biden moves up vaccine eligibility deadline and development interests,” terms often interpreted as be- ing directed at Taiwan’s leadership that has refused to give in to Beijing’s demands that it recognize the island as part of Chinese territory. ‘All adults eligible for jab by April 19’ Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949, and most Taiwanese favor maintaining the current state of de facto WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): Pres- million doses of COVID-19 vaccine surge in virus cases. independence while engaging in robust economic exchang- ident Joe Biden said he’s bumping up have been shot into arms since his in- “We just don’t want to have to go es with the mainland. his deadline by two weeks for states auguration on Jan. 20. That puts the back to really shutting things down. China has also created conditions for greater economic to make all adults in the US eligible president well on track to meet his That would be terrible,” Fauci said. integration, while also targeting some communities such as for coronavirus vaccines. But even as new goal of 200 million shots admin- But Biden’s announcement of the pineapple farmers in hopes of weakening their support for he expressed optimism about the pace istered by his 100th day in office on April 19 deadline was aimed at in- the island’s government. of vaccinations, he warned Ameri- April 30. jecting optimism into a public that’s Chinese diplomatic pressure has been growing also, re- cans that the nation is not yet out of Biden’s original goal had been grown weary of the restrictions, and the woods when it comes to the pan- 100 million shots by the end of his it comes as a flood of vaccine is being ducing the number of Taiwan’s formal diplomatic allies first 100 days, but that number was to just 15 and shutting its representatives out of the World demic. sent to states this week. In this handout photo released by “Let me be deadly earnest with reached in March. Jeff Zients, the White House coro- Health Assembly and other major international forums. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Af- Still, he acknowledged Tuesday Meanwhile, the American military is warning that China you: We aren’t at the finish line. We navirus coordinator, told governors fairs, Russia’s Foreign Minister Ser- still have a lot of work to do. We’re that his administration fell short of its Tuesday during a weekly conference is probably accelerating its timetable for capturing control gey Lavrov (left), bumps elbows goal to deliver at least one shot to ev- of Taiwan, the island democracy that has been the chief with his Pakistani counterpart Shah still in a life and death race against call that more than 28 million doses of this virus,” Biden said Tuesday in re- ery teacher, school staff member and COVID-19 vaccines will be delivered source of tension between Washington and Beijing for dec- Mahmood Qureshi prior their meeting, childcare worker during the month of in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 7. Rus- marks at the White House. to states this week, White House press ades and is widely seen as the most likely trigger for a po- The president warned that “ new March, to try to accelerate school re- secretary Jen Psaki announced at her tentially catastrophic US-China war. sia’s foreign minister is in Pakistan for a two-day visit expected to focus variants of the virus are spreading and openings. Biden announced the target daily briefing. The worry about Taiwan comes as China wields new on efforts to bring peace to neighbor- they’re moving quickly. Cases are go- early last month and directed federal That allocation brings the total strength from years of military buildup. It has become more ing Afghanistan. Lavrov’s visit comes ing back up, hospitalizations are no resources toward achieving it, but said amount of vaccine distributed over aggressive with Taiwan and more assertive in sovereignty as a May 1 deadline for US troops to longer declining.” He added that ”the Tuesday that the Centers for Disease the past three weeks to more than 90 disputes in the South China Sea. Beijing also has become leave Afghanistan in line with a deal pandemic remains dangerous,” and Control and Prevention estimated that million doses, Psaki said. more confrontational with Washington; senior Chinese of- Washington signed a year ago with encouraged Americans to continue about 80% of teachers, school staff At least a dozen states opened fi cials traded sharp and unusually public barbs with Secre- the Taleban seems increasingly un- and childcare workers had received likely. (AP) to wash their hands, socially distance eligibility to anyone 16 and older on tary of State Antony Blinken in talks in Alaska last month. and wear masks. a shot. Monday alone, while New Jersey and A military move against Taiwan, however, would be a Biden added that while his admin- Promoting Oregon announced this week that all test of US support for the island that Beijing views as a istration is on schedule to meet his residents 16 and older will become breakaway province. For the Biden administration, it could new goal of distributing 200 million Vice President Kamala Harris and eligible on April 19. her husband, Doug Emhoff, also spent present the choice of abandoning a friendly, democratic doses of the vaccine during his first The president had announced just entity or risking what could become an all-out war over the day Tuesday focused on promot- 100 days, it will still take time for ing the COVID-19 vaccine, each last week that 90% of adults would a cause that is not on the radar of most Americans. The enough Americans to get vaccinated be eligible for one of three approved United States has long pledged to help Taiwan defend it- touring a vaccination center, Harris to slow the spread of the virus. in Chicago and Emhoff in Yakima, COVID-19 vaccines by April 19, in self, but it has deliberately left unclear how far it would go But he expressed hope that his addition to having a vaccination site in response to a Chinese attack. Washington. Tuesday announcement, that every Harris praised the workers and within 5 miles of their home. This accumulation of concerns meshes with the admin- adult will be eligible by April 19 to But eligibility isn’t the same as istration’s view that China is a frontline challenge for the those receiving their vaccine at a site sign up and get in a virtual line to be set up at a local union hall, and spoke actually being vaccinated. Being eli- United States and that more must be done soon – militar- vaccinated, will help expand access of spring as “a moment where we feel gible means people can sign up to re- ily, diplomatically and by other means – to deter Beijing as Lai Suu Kyi and distribution of the vaccine. Some a sense of renewal.” serve their place in a virtual line until it seeks to supplant the United States as the predominant states already had begun moving up “We can see a light at the end of the they can schedule an appointment. power in Asia. Some American military leaders see Taiwan their deadlines from the original May tunnel,” she said. “That doesn’t mean they will get as potentially the most immediate fl ashpoint. 1 goal. Some states are making plans to it that day,” Psaki said, speaking of a “We have indications that the risks are actually going News in Brief “No more confusing rules. No more ease their health restrictions, even as vaccine shot. “It means they can join up,” Adm Philip Davidson, the most senior US military confusing restrictions,” Biden said. the country is facing a potential new the line that day if they have not al- commander in the Asia-Pacifi c region, told a Senate panel Biden made the announcement af- surge in virus cases. ready done that beforehand.” last month, referring to a Chinese military move on Taiwan. HK activists plead guilty: Three vet- ter visiting a COVID-19 vaccination On Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Seniors still waiting to be vac- “The threat is manifest during this decade – in fact, in the eran Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, site at Immanuel Chapel at Virginia the nation’s top infectious disease ex- cinated should seek appointments next six years,” Davidson said. including well-known publisher Jimmy Theological Seminary in Alexandria. pert, warned that the country is in a quickly “because the lines are going Days later, Davidson’s expected successor, Adm John Lai, have pleaded guilty to taking party During his visit, he thanked everyone “critical time” because “we could just to become longer” after April 19, Psa- Aquilino, declined to back up the six-year timeframe but in an unauthorized rally that resulted in for administering the shots and for as easily swing up into a surge.” ki said. “There are going to be more told senators at his confi rmation hearing: “My opinion is, violence between police and participants, showing up to receive them. “That would be a setback for public people waiting.” this problem is much closer to us than most think.” media reported Wednesday. “That’s the way to beat this,” Biden health, but that would be a psycho- The White House said Monday Biden administration offi cials have spoken less pointedly Lai is already being held in custody said. “Get the vaccination when you logical setback, too,” he said during that nearly 1 in 3 Americans and over on other charges related to his outspoken can.” 40% of adults have received at least but stress the intention to deepen ties with Taiwan, eliciting opposition to China’s crackdown on civil an interview with the National Press warnings from Beijing against outsider interference in what liberties in the former British colony. The president also said no one Club. He noted that Americans are one shot, and nearly 1 in 4 adults is it considers a domestic matter. Last Thursday, seven of Hong Kong’s should fear mutations of the corona- experiencing “COVID-19 fatigue” fully vaccinated. Seventy-five percent Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin calls China the “pacing leading pro-democracy advocates, includ- virus that are showing up in the U.S. after more than a year of lockdowns of people older than 65 have now re- threat” for the United States, and the military services are ing Lai and an 82-year-old veteran of the after being discovered in other coun- and restrictions to public life aimed at ceived at least one shot, and more than adjusting accordingly. The Marine Corps, for example, is movement, were convicted for organizing tries. He acknowledged that the new slowing the spread of the virus. 55% of them are fully vaccinated. reshaping itself with China and Russia in mind after two and participating in a march during mas- strains are more virulent and more Biden and many of his advisers Two of the three vaccines requires decades of ground-focused combat against extremists in sive anti-government protests in 2019 that dangerous, but said “the vaccines have warned against reopening the two doses administered several weeks the Middle East. triggered Beijing’s crackdown. work on all of them.” economy too quickly and easing mask apart. The third vaccine requires just While Lai will be returned to jail, ex- Biden also announced that 150 mandates, at the risk of driving a fresh one shot. Hardly an aspect of China’s military modernization has legislator Lee Cheuk-yan and Yeng Sum, failed to rile the US military. Adm Charles Richard, who as a former chairman of the Democratic head of US Strategic Command is responsible for US nu- Party, are believed to be negotiating bail clear forces, wrote in a recent essay that China is on track to terms. The charges carry prison terms of dhist monk who was trapped by fl oodwa- provincial Offi ce of Disaster Prevention and The incident and its successful resolu- be a “strategic peer” of the United States. He said China’s up to fi ve years. ters inside a cave in northern Thailand for Mitigation. Many caves in Thailand have tion recalled the 2018 ordeal of the mem- nuclear weapons stockpile is expected to double “if not tri- The court was shown footage of the four days has been rescued by divers, a shrines in spots considered holy. bers of the “Wild Boars” soccer team, ple or quadruple” in the next 10 years, although that goes three at the Aug. 31, 2019, event that led provincial offi cial said Wednesday. While the monk was inside, heavy rain who were trapped for more than two to clashes in various parts of the cramped The 46-year-old monk, Phra Manas, en- from a summer thunderstorm raised water weeks inside a cave in Chiang Rai prov- beyond the Pentagon’s offi cial view that the stockpile will tered Tham Phra Sai Ngam cave in Phitsa- levels inside the cave signifi cantly, block- ince, also in the north. (AP) “at least double” in that period. city of more than 7 million that was hov- ering at the edge of chaos at the time. (AP) nulok province on Saturday to meditate, ing the entrance and stranding the monk ❑ ❑ ❑ Taiwan, however, is seen as the most pressing problem. ❑ ❑ ❑ said Therayuth Chandithawong, chief of the on high ground inside, Therayuth said. US offi cials have noted People’s Liberation Army ac- Myanmar forces attack town: Secu- tions that seem designed to rattle Taiwan. For example, Landslide toll hits 126: The death toll rity forces on Wednesday stormed a town Chinese aerial incursions, including fl ying around the is- from mudslides in eastern Indonesia has in northwestern Myanmar where some land, are a near-daily occurrence, serving to advertise the risen to 126 with scores still missing, offi - residents had used homemade hunting cials said Wednesday, as rain continued to rifl es to resist the military’s February sei- threat, wear down Taiwanese pilots and aircraft and learn zure of power, killing at least seven civil- more about Taiwan’s capabilities. pound the region and hamper the search. East Flores district on Adonara island ians and injuring many others, local news Chinese offi cials have scoffed at Davidson’s Taiwan com- suffered the highest losses with 67 bod- reports said. ments. A Ministry of Defense spokesman, Col Ren Guoqiang, ies recovered so far and six missing. Mud The online news site Khonumthung urged Washington to “abandon zero-peace thinking” and do tumbled down from surrounding hills early Burmese said the attack on Kalay began more to build mutual trust and stability. He said that “attempts on Sunday, catching people at sleep. Some before dawn. Videos on the site included by outside forces to use Taiwan to seek to restrain China, or were swept away by fl ash fl oods after over- what appeared to be sounds of rifl e fi re, the use by Taiwan independence forces to use military means night rains caused rivers to burst their banks. high-caliber weapons and grenade explo- to achieve independence, are all dead ends.” On nearby Lembata island, the down- sions. Posts on social media said rocket- pour triggered by Tropical Cyclone Seroja propelled grenades were used in the at- The implications of a Chinese military move against tack, but provided no evidence. Taiwan and its 23 million people are so profound and sent solidifi ed lava from a volcanic eruption in November to crash down on more than a The news site said that in addition to potentially grave that Beijing and Washington have long dozen villages, killing at least 28 and leav- the seven fatalities, many people were managed a fragile middle ground – Taiwanese political au- ing 44 unaccounted for, according to the wounded and arrested in the town, also tonomy that precludes control by Beijing but stops short of National Disaster Mitigation Agency. known as Kalemyo. Over half the town’s formal independence. Hundreds of police, soldiers and resi- population are members of the Chin eth- Predictions of when China might decide to try to compel dents dug through the debris with their nic minority. Taiwan to reunite with the mainland have long varied, and bare hands, shovels and hoes searching Security forces have killed at least 581 there is no uniform view in the United States. Larry Dia- for those buried. On Tuesday, relatives protesters and bystanders in their crack- mond, a senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover In- wailed as they watched rescuers pull out down on protests against the Feb. 1 coup a mud-caked body, place it on a bamboo that ousted the elected government of stitution, said last week he doubts Chinese leaders are ready Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (right), speaks during a briefi ng, April Aung San Suu Kyi, according to the As- to force the issue. stretcher and take it away for burial. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ 7, in Taipei, Taiwan. Wu said that China’s attempts at conciliation and military sistance Association for Political Prison- “I don’t think it’s coming soon,” he said. intimidation are sending ‘mixed signals’ to people on the island China claims as ers, which monitors casualties and arrests. Divers rescue Thai monk: A Bud- its own territory to be won over peacefully or by force. (AP) (AP) Ryanair sees break-even earnings amid slow recovery

Ryanair, Europe’s biggest discount air- “While it is not possible, at this time, be near the lower end of its previously line, says earnings for the current fi scal to provide meaningful (fi scal year 2022) forecast range of 80 million to 120 mil- year are likely to be “close to break- profi t guidance, we do not share the re- lion passengers. In this fi le photo, even” as continued travel restrictions cent optimism of certain analysts as we The airline said Wednesday that it a Ryanair plane delay its recovery from the COVID-19 believe that the outcome for FY22 is expects to report a net loss of between is parked at the pandemic. currently close to breakeven,” the com- 800 million euros ($950 million) and airport in Weeze, The pessimistic outlook came as pany said in a statement. 850 million euros ($1 billion) for the 12 Germany. (AP) the airline said Wednesday that the Ryanair’s passenger traffi c fell 81.5% months through March. That’s an im- airline industry is facing a delayed to 27.5 million passengers in the fi s- provement over its previous forecast recovery going into the peak summer cal year ended March 31 as lockdown for a loss of between 850 million euros season because of the slow rollout of orders and travel restrictions forced and 950 million euros. coronavirus vaccines in the European people to stay home. The airline said Ryanair will report earnings for the Union. it expects traffi c for the current year to 2021 fi scal year on May 17. (AP)

Market Movements 07-04-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +43.53 7,177.44 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -451.12 43,953.58 JAPAN - Nikkei +34.16 29,730.79 CHINA - Shanghai SE -3.34 3,479.63 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +13.67 6,755.37 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +61.60 6,651.71 INDIA - Sensex +460.37 49,661.76 Business

‘Ruling a victory for consumers, interoperability, and computer science’ High court sides with Google in copyright fi ght with Oracle

WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): Tech- nology companies sighed with relief Monday after the Supreme Court sided with Google in a copyright dispute with Oracle. The high court said Goog- le did nothing wrong in copying code IMF upgrades forecast for 2021 to develop the Android operating sys- tem now used on most smartphones. To create Android, which was re- leased in 2007, Google wrote millions of lines of new computer code. It also used about 11,500 lines of code copy- righted as part of Oracle’s Java plat- global growth to a record 6 pct form. Oracle had sued seeking billions. But the Supreme Court sided 6-2 with Google, describing the copying as “fair use.” The outcome is what most tech companies -- both large and small US economy now expected to expand 6.4% in 2021 -- had been rooting for. Both Micro- soft and IBM were among the indus- try heavyweights that had fi led briefs WASHINGTON, April 7, backing Google in the case. They (AP): The rollout of COV- and others warned that ruling against States will get nearly $700mn in grants the Mountain View, California-based ID-19 vaccines and vast company could have profound conse- sums of government aid quences, stifl ing innovation and up- will accelerate global eco- Federal low-income housing ending software development. Oracle had won backing from the nomic growth to a record movie and recording industries as well high this year in a powerful grant doubles in size this yr as publishers, which favor expansive rebound from the pandem- copyright protections to protect their WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): in 2016, and is fueled by a sliver profi ts from books, articles, movies, ic recession, the Interna- Thanks to a coronavirus pandemic of the proceeds from the parallel TV shows and music. The Trump ad- tional Monetary Fund says -fueled mortgage boom, states will federal mortgage programs, Fan- ministration had also backed Oracle. get nearly $700 million in federal nie Mae and Freddie Mac. A HUD In his opinion for the court’s major- in its latest forecast. grants from a special program for senior offi cial said the original idea The 190-country lending agency ity, Justice Stephen Breyer wrote that low-income housing, more than was to link strong performance in Google “took only what was needed” said Tuesday that it expects the double the amount distributed last one part of the housing market with and that “Google’s copying was trans- world economy to expand 6% in year. increased help for those in vulner- formative,” a word the court has used 2021, up from the 5.5% it had It’s a boost that the Department able housing situations. “to describe a copying use that adds forecast in January. It would be of Housing and Urban Develop- Interest rates fell to longtime something new and important.” the fastest expansion for the global ment says should produce a tan- lows last year, prompting a wave of Google had said its actions were In this fi le photo, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina gible leap forward in government mortgage refi nancing in the midst economy in IMF records dating Georgieva attends the Paris Peace Forum at the Elysee Palace in Paris. long-settled, common practice in the (AP) low-income housing plans across of the pandemic. industry, a practice that has been good back to 1980. the country. The grants go directly to state In 2022, the IMF predicts, interna- for technical progress. It said there is The Housing Trust Fund, ad- governments. Each state must use no copyright protection for the purely tional economic growth will decelerate could have been three times worse. and 3.8% in 2022. Japan is expected ministered by the department, 80% of each annual grant for rental to a still strong 4.4%, up from its Janu- The U.S. economy, the world’s big- to register 3.3% growth this year and functional, noncreative computer code will disburse the money to state housing, up to 10% for homeown- it used, something that couldn’t be ary forecast of 4.2%. gest, is now forecast to expand 6.4% 2.5% next year. governments for the construction, ership and the rest for administra- “A way out of this health and eco- in 2021 - its fastest growth since 1984 Gopinath warned that the economic written another way. But Austin, Tex- maintenance and restoration of tive and planning costs. The fund as-based Oracle argued Google “com- nomic crisis is increasingly visible,’’ - and 3.5% in 2022. The U.S. growth recovery is likely to be uneven. The low-income housing. This year’s can be used for acquisition, new IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath is being supported by President Joe rebound is expected to be slower in mitted an egregious act of plagiarism.” allotment is $689,565,492 - more construction, reconstruction or re- The case has been going on for a told reporters. Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief package, poor countries that can’t afford mas- than double the $322,564,267 dis- habilitation of properties. The agency’s economists now esti- while an acceleration in the adminis- sive government stimulus and in those decade. Google won the fi rst round bursed the previous year, HUD said The HUD senior offi cial, who when a judge rejected Oracle’s copy- mate that the global economy shrank tering of vaccines is beginning to let dependent on tourism. Economic dam- in a statement. spoke on condition of anonymity 3.3% in 2020 after the devastating re- Americans return to restaurants, bars, age from the health crisis is “reversing right claim, but that ruling was over- The grant increase is independ- before the program had been offi - turned on appeal. A jury then sided cession that followed the coronavirus’ shops and airports in larger numbers. gains in poverty reduction’’ and last ent of President Joe Biden’s mas- cially announced, said many state eruption across the world early last The world’s second-largest econo- year increased the ranks of extreme with Google, but an appeals court sive COVID-19 relief package and housing agencies had been track- again disagreed. spring. That is the worst annual fi g- my, China, which imposed a draconian poor by 95 million compared with pre- his equally massive infrastructure ing the spike in mortgage activity ure in the IMF’s database, though not COVID-19 clampdown a year ago and pandemic projections. Breyer wrote that in reviewing the proposal. But it falls in line with and were already making plans for lower court’s decision, the justices as- as severe as the 3.5% drop it had esti- got a head start on an economic recov- She also predicted that “many of the the general tone of Biden’s young the funding boost before the actual mated three months ago. Without $16 ery, will record 8.4% growth this year jobs lost are unlikely to return’’ - be- sumed “for argument’s sake, that the presidency, which is responding to numbers were announced. material was copyrightable.” trillion in global government aid that and 5.6% in 2022, the IMF estimates. cause of trends accelerated by the pan- the pandemic by disbursing money The overall impact, the offi cial helped sustain companies and consum- The monetary fund expects the 19 demic, such as stepped-up automation “But we hold that the copying here across the nation in a manner that said, will be to allow state housing at issue nonetheless constituted a fair ers during COVID-19 lockdowns, IMF countries that share the euro currency and a shift toward e-commerce and potentially reshapes the social safe- authorities to expand existing plans use. Hence, Google’s copying did not forecasters say, last year’s downturn to collectively expand 4.4% this year away from brick-and-mortar stores. ty net. or move up projects that had been violate the copyright law,” he wrote. “This past year has reminded on the back burner awaiting fund- At one point in the decision, Breyer us just how important it is to have ing. used a recipe-fi nding robot as part of access to safe and stable housing. Diane Yentel, president of the an analogy to explain how code works. But too many Americans are strug- National Low Income Housing Co- At another point, he invoked a one- gling to keep or fi nd an affordable alition, said the economic upheaval sentence short story to acknowledge home,” HUD Secretary Marcia brought on by the pandemic shined that copying a small amount could still Fudge said in a statement. a spotlight on how many Ameri- be signifi cant. Breyer included both Established in 2008, the Hous- cans were a few missed paychecks the story, originally in Spanish, and its ing Trust Fund started making away from a personal housing cri- translation: “When he awoke, the dino- payments to state governments sis. saur was still there.” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a dissent joined by Justice Samuel Alito that he believed “Oracle’s code at issue here is copyrightable, and Google’s Electric Chevy pickup to get use of that copyrighted code was any- thing but fair.” Only eight justices heard the case estimated 400 miles/charge because it was argued in October, after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Gins- DETROIT, April 7, (AP): An electric while transitioning to an all-electric burg but before Justice Amy Coney version of the Chevrolet Silverado future in the light vehicle space,” he Barrett joined the court. pickup truck will get an estimated 400 said. In a statement, Google’s chief legal miles of range per charge, General The Detroit-Hamtramck plant, offi cer, Kent Walker, called the ruling Motors says. named “Factory Zero” by GM, is a “victory for consumers, interoper- The company announced the range being retooled to build four electric ability, and computer science.” “The in a webcast on Tuesday and said the vehicles with an investment of $2.2 decision gives legal certainty to the truck would be built at a factory strad- billion. Eventually it will employ next generation of developers whose dling the border of Detroit and the 2,200 workers to make the two GMC new products and services will benefi t enclave of Hamtramck. It also Hummers, the electric Silverado and consumers,” Walker wrote. announced that the plant would build the Origin, an autonomous passenger Oracle’s chief legal offi cer, Dorian the new 2024 GMC Hummer SUV. vehicle for GM’s Cruise subsidiary. Daley, condemned the outcome. “The The pickup announcement raises the Reuss said the factory has built 4 Google platform just got bigger and level of competition for future buyers million vehicles since 1985 and “will market power greater. The barriers to in the hot truck market. Ford already help lead us into the future of transpor- entry higher and the ability to compete has announced plans to build an elec- tation.” lower. They stole Java and spent a tric F-150 starting next year in United Auto Workers Vice President decade litigating as only a monopolist Dearborn, Michigan, while Fiat Terry Dittes said that in November of can,” she wrote in a statement. Chrysler (now Stellantis) has said it 2018, GM announced it would close Oracle’s dogged pursuit of a case plans to have an all-electric Ram pick- the factory. But it became part of the had been widely derided by other tech- up. 2019 negotiations with the union that nology companies as a gross misappli- GM would not say when the electric resulted in a 40-day strike, and was cation of copyright law. They argued Silverado would arrive in dealerships, brought back as one of four North it threatened to make it more diffi cult but the company plans to sell 30 elec- American electric vehicle factories. for different computer programs to tric vehicles globally by the end of The others are in Orion Township, work together and could stifl e innova- 2025. It also has set a goal of making Michigan, north of Detroit; Spring tion among startups that might not be all of its passenger vehicles electric by Hill, Tennessee; and in Ingersoll, able to pay royalties for a few strands 2035. Ontario. of coding. Ford’s F-Series pickups are the top- In the next two years, GM will build The founder of Privacy Lab at Yale selling vehicles in the U.S., followed more electric models than any other Law School, Sean O’Brien, said both by the Silverado and Ram pickups. In manufacturer, Dittes said. “It’s always amateur and professional software de- addition to conventional automakers, a good day when GM tells us there is velopers will now “sleep a little easier electric vehicle leader Tesla plans to more product coming into our loca- without worrying that innovation and start selling a futuristic “Cybertruck” tion. Because that is more jobs,” he collaboration would be handcuffed by pickup later this year, and EV startup said. new restrictions.” companies Bollinger Motors, Nikola, But the future for workers is also a The Computer & Communica- Rivian and Lordstown Motors are bit of a mystery. Electric vehicles have tions Industry Association, a major planning to enter the market. 30% to 40% fewer moving parts than trade group, was among the technol- GM President Mark Reuss said the those run on internal combustion ogy voices celebrating the Supreme electric Silverado will be designed engines, so companies will need fewer Court’s decision. The court decision from the ground up as an an electric workers to put them together. Also, will also be welcome news to inde- truck for commercial and individual jobs making complex internal combus- pendent software developers, small users. “This announcement affirms tion engines and transmissions could startups and others who are tinkering Chevrolet’s commitment to build on be in jeopardy when more electric with code, said Tiffany Li, a visiting 100 years of truck expertise leadership vehicles are on the road. law professor at Boston University. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 BUSINESS 9

oil trader admits to role in major Ecuador bribery scheme

A former representative for commodities ily resides in Panama and the Bahamas. Gunvor, which they identified in court only last year paid $16.6 million in fines after He said as part of his job, he approved giant Gunvor pleaded guilty Tuesday to He entered his guilty plea from Long as a “European trading company.” acknowledging that it paid millions in large payments to two unnamed consul- helping channel more than $22 million in Island, New York. But Kohut’s plea follows a number of bribes to officials in Brazil, Ecuador and tants, one of whom was a citizen of bribes to high-level officials in Ecuador in Switzerland-based Gunvor said it was investigations by Brooklyn prosecutors Venezuela for almost a decade. Spain, Ecuador and the US and resided exchange for lucrative contracts with the cooperating with the US Justice targeting corruption in Latin America’s Swiss authorities in 2019 ordered in Miami, with the understanding that state-run oil company. Department and described Kohut as a commodities markets. Gunvor to pay nearly 94 million Swiss some of their fees would be used to bribe As part of his plea deal in Brooklyn “former agent.” Last December, the US unit of francs (dollars) in compensation and fines Petroecuador officials in exchange for federal court, Raymond Kohut agreed to “Gunvor has further taken steps to ban Switzerland-based Vitol Inc, one of the for failing to stop its representatives from contracts to purchase oil products. forfeit $2.2 million in proceeds from the outright the use of agents for business world’s biggest energy traders, agreed to bribing public officials to gain access to oil He said some of the payments were bribery scheme, which he said ran from at development purposes,” a spokesman, pay more than $160 million to resolve an markets in Congo and Ivory Coast. wired from Singapore and passed through least 2012 to August 2020. Seth Pietras, said in a statement. investigation into bribes paid in Mexico, In a statement read in court, Kohut said banks in New York. He also held meet- Kohut faces up to 20 years in prison. It’s unclear if US prosecutors are also Brazil and Ecuador over 15 years. A at the time of the bribery scheme he was ings in Miami with a Petroecuador official. The 68-year-old Canadian citizen primar- looking into any criminal responsibility for smaller asphalt trader, Sargeant Marine, working in the Bahamas. (AP) Asian mixed after tepid day on Wall Street

Optimism about global rebound from the pandemic growing: expert

TOKYO, April 7, (AP): On Wall Street, stocks finished slightly lower on Tuesdy, pulling the Asian shares were mixed market back from all-time highs Wednesday after Wall reached a day earlier. Technology and Street took a breather, with health care stocks accounted for much of the decline. major indexes edging The S&P 500 snapped a three-day lower. winning streak, slipping 0.1% to Japan’s benchmark Nikkei fell 4,073.94, after wavering between 0.5% to 29,544.93 and the small gains and losses. The Dow Jones Shanghai Composite index sank Industrial Average fell 0.3% to 0.7% to 3,459.25. Australia’s 33,430.24. Both indexes set all-time S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3% to highs Monday. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1% to 13,698.38. 6,903.50. South Korea’s Kospi Small company stocks, which have added 0.3% to 3,136.56. Hong been outgaining the broader market Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.3% to this year, also fell. The Russell 2000 28,845.68. index of smaller companies gave up President Joe Biden said he is 0.3% to 2,259.15. The index is up bumping up his deadline for states by 14.4% so far this year, while the S&P two weeks, to April 19, to make all 500, which tracks large companies, is adults in the U.S. eligible for coronavi- up 8.5%. rus vaccines, reflecting steady prog- Financial stocks fell as bond yields ress in the U.S. eased. That countered broader gains Optimism about a global economic from companies that are depending on rebound from the pandemic is grow- continued economic growth to recov- ing, but Venkateswaran Lavanya at er. Oil prices rose. Mizuho Bank’s Asia & Oceania Recent market gyrations mostly Treasury Department noted some reflect varying assessments of the nations were lagging in a “divergent health and speed of the recovery from recovery.” the pandemic. “To be sure, the aggregated growth Vaccine distribution is speeding up assessment is upbeat. Global GDP the reopening of businesses, while contraction for 2020, at 3.3%, was not government stimulus is helping shore as bad as the 4.4% drop expected ear- them up in the interim. lier,” Lavanya said, referring to gross Even as that shift occurs, technolo- domestic product. gy and other stocks that benefitted The International Monetary Fund from the shutdowns still look funda- said it expects global economic growth Men wearing protective masks walk in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan’s Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm, on April 7, 2021, in Tokyo. Asian shares were mixed Wednesday after Wall Street took a breather, with major indexes edging lower. (AP) mentally strong, said Jeff Buchbinder, to accelerate this year as vaccine dis- equity strategist at LPL Financial. tribution ramps up and the world “We’re seeing this battle play out rebounds. The 190-country lending received a preliminary acquisition pro- acquiring the company for 2 trillion ed brands but in recent years has been France’s CAC 40 edged 0.3% high- here in markets every day,” he said. agency said it expects the world econ- posal. yen ($18 billion). mired in scandals and burdened by its er in early trading to 6,150.27. “That’s going to drive some churn.” omy to expand 6% in 2021, up from Toshiba Corp. said it was seeking CVC is an international private investments in nuclear power. After Germany’s DAX added 0.1% to Retailers, cruise lines and hotel the 5.5% it had forecast in January. more details on the proposal, giving it equity and credit company that has the March 2011 nuclear disaster in 15,227.91. Britain’s FTSE 100 gained operators were among the winners That would be the fastest expansion in “careful consideration” and would committed nearly $162 billion in Fukushima, its costs ballooned 0.9% to 6,885.98. U.S. shares were set Tuesday. Gap rose 2.5%, Norwegian IMF records dating back to 1980. make an announcement “in due funds, managing more than 300 inves- because of growing safety concerns for gains, with the future for the Dow Cruise Line added 4.6%, and Wynn Trading in Toshiba Corp.’s shares course.” The Japanese financial news- tors. It declined to comment. and a souring of sentiment toward industrials up nearly 0.1% at Resorts gained 4%. Alaska Air Group was halted after the Tokyo-based tech- paper Nikkei reported that CVC Toshiba, founded in 1875, was long nuclear power in countries like 33,341.50. S&P 500 futures gained climbed 3.7%, while Delta Air Lines nology conglomerate confirmed it had Capital Partners was looking into revered as one of Japan’s most respect- Germany. 0.1% to 4,067.88. closed 2.8% higher. CVC Capital Partners eyes tech conglomerate Japan’s Toshiba studies acquisition offer TOKYO, April 7, (AP): Japan’s Toshiba Corp says it is considering a preliminary acquisition proposal that would take the technology conglomer- ate private. Toshiba said Wednesday that it asked for more details on the proposal it received on Tuesday, was giving it “careful consideration” and would make an announcement “in due course.” Trading in the company’s shares was suspended. The major Japanese financial news- paper Nikkei reported CVC Capital Partners was looking into acquiring the company for 2 trillion yen ($18 billion). CVC is an international private equity and credit company, which has This file photo shows the company logo of Toshiba Corp displayed in front committed nearly $162 billion in of its headquarters in Tokyo.Trading in Toshiba stock was halted on April funds, managing more than 300 inves- 7, 2021 after the Tokyo-based technology conglomerate confirmed it had tors. It declined to comment. It’s head- received a preliminary acquisition proposal. Toshiba Corp said Tuesday, quartered in Luxembourg, and its main April 6 it had asked for more details on the proposal, was giving it ‘careful office is in London, according to the consideration’ and would make an announcement ‘in due course.’ (AP) company. Toshiba, founded in 1875, was long Last month, Toshiba held a general Japan before taking his post at revered as one of Japan’s most respect- shareholders’ meeting, and approved a Toshiba in 2018. Japanese media ed brands, developing the nation’s first proposal from Effissimo Capital quoted him as saying a board meet- radar and microwaves, electric rice Management, a major shareholder, to ing will be held, but he did not say cookers and laptop computers. It also appoint independent investigators to when. invented flash memory, the ubiquitous look into possible interference last Atul Goyal, analyst with Jefferies, computer chips that store and retain year with shareholders’ voting rights. noted the reported offer is at a premi- data for digital cameras, cell phones Company management had opposed um, but launching a tender offer will and other gadgets. Toshiba no longer the proposal. require regulatory and government makes laptops and it has sold its com- The move by CVC to make approval. puter chips division. Toshiba a private company, if real- “Privatization could be positive as it Toshiba’s sprawling businesses, ized, would help quiet dissenting may provide Toshiba much needed besides nuclear power, include rail- voices from shareholders. Toshiba flexibility and cover from limelight,” ways, elevators and storage for digital President Nobuaki Kurumatani pre- Goyal said, adding, “It is not a done data. viously served as the head of CVC in deal.” Cyble announces $4 million in seed funding MELBOURNE, April 7, (Agencies): Vision, in lock step with our rapidly the Aditya Birla Group is a 150 years Cyble, a global cyber intelligence firm growing client base,” says Manish old multi-business, multi-national con- specializing in providing early warn- Chachada, COO and Co-founder of glomerate. With 45B USD in global ing intelligence on cyber threats, Cyble. revenues, the ABG businesses are announced today that it has raised a Michael Neril of Spider Capital leaders in their respective industry $4M seed financing round led by noted: “We are excited to partner with spaces. “Developing a system of early Blackbird Ventures and Spider Cyble as they scale their revolutionary warning signals for threats to corpo- Capital, with participation from SaaS platform focused on dark web rate assets arising from the dark web is Xoogler Ventures, Picus Capital, and monitoring. The founding team have a new frontier for our cyber security Cathexis Ventures. deep domain expertise in this space, and is an area of high priority for The funding comes as Cyble gradu- and we look forward to seeing their ABG. We are proud to partner with the ates from Y Combinator, which product gain further traction in this Cyble Team to take the lead in testing, accepted Cyble into its Winter 2021 market.” refining, adopting and co-innovating (W21) cohort and provided pre-seed Tom Humphrey of Blackbird new-age cyber security technologies funding in January of this year. These Ventures noted: “The Cyble team are investments demonstrate the continued wild hearts on a mission. We are with them,” said Shrenik M trust that investors and clients have in struck by the progress they have Khasgiwala of ABG Innovation Fund. Cyble. achieved to date and believe they are “We’re really excited about what Cyble has made huge progress over only just getting started. Dark web the next 18 to 24 months hold for the last year. “We started this company monitoring and mitigation capabilities Cyble,” says Beenu Arora, CEO and with an ambitious goal: to equip orga- are front of mind for modern organiza- Co-founder of Cyble. “It’s our mission nizations with real-time visibility into tions and the market is growing rapid- to empower organizations to fortify vulnerabilities in the cyber landscape ly.” against increasingly sophisticated and help safeguard their businesses. Cyble has also signed a partnership cyber threats. We are extremely excit- As we continue to deliver what mod- with Aditya Birla Group Innovation ed to welcome our new partners and ern organizations need, the seed fund- Fund to jointly identify and engage in have the additional resources to accel- ing reaffirms our strategy and vision. It the pilot for application and use of erate our product roadmap and better will enable Cyble to onboard resources Cyble’s offerings at Aditya Birla arm our clients with the tools they and scale our SaaS platform, Cyble Group (ABG). Headquartered in India, require to fight cybercrime.” ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 BUSINESS 10

Topps will offer stock to the public

In addition to its trading cards, fans will soon Its subject matter has expanded to, among ages is truly foundational, and, when com- be able to trade company shares of Topps. other things, comics, professional wrestling, bined with our growing portfolio of strategic The company said Tuesday that it will be- Formula 1, and fi lm (Godzilla NFTs now on licensing partnerships, creates a profi table In this fi le come a publicly traded company this year sale!). business model with meaningful competi- photo, Topps by tying up with a blank-check company, or Topps Co. said Tuesday that it will merge tive advantages,” Eisner said in a prepared baseball cards SPAC, a special purposes acquisition com- with Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corp., statement Tuesday. are seen in pany. which will make a $250 million investment. Michael Brandstaedter, CEO of Topps, Boston. (AP) Topps, for anyone who has not opened Topps was bought in 2007 by former Dis- will lead the company. the shoebox of trading cards in the attic in ney CEO Michael Eisner through his fi rm, Companies have chosen to go public a while, has greatly expanded from its Ba- The Tornante Co. Eisner will hold his posi- through SPACs at a record breaking pace zooka gum days and is pushing into digi- tion at Topps as chairman of the board. in the last year. A SPAC is usually a group tal sales, apps, crypto currency and even “The strong emotional connection be- of investors who band together and look for NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. tween the Topps brand and consumers of all acquisition targets. (AP)

New York to raise corporate tax rate from 6.5% to 7.25% Millionaires in NYC set to face highest tax rate in US ALBANY, New York, April 7, (AP): The highest-earning New Yorkers would face the nation’s steepest income tax rate under a Job openings reached budget lawmakers expected to vote on and pass Tuesday. It would serve as a win for the Democratic party’s left wing, who highest rate on record say that millionaires in Manhattan penthouses have fared far better amid the pandemic then struggling US job market far from healed small businesses and low-income New Yorkers. WASHINGTON, April 7, report provides a net number of jobs States including California, (AP): The pace of job open- gained or lost. Minnesota and Washington are Last Friday, the government said a also considering wealth taxes, rais- ings reached the highest net 916,000 jobs were added, the most ing taxes on capital gains or setting level on record in Febru- since August, and the unemployment rate fell to 6%, from 6.2%. new top income tax rates. President ary, a harbinger of healthy Still, the job market is far from Joe Biden - who said on the cam- hiring and a hopeful sign healed. Including those who have lost paign trail he’d raise income taxes for those looking for work. jobs and stopped looking for work, on high earners - has proposed tax The job openings rate - which is as well as misclassifi cation of some hikes on wealthy individuals and the number of available jobs as a unemployed, the unemployment rate families and a corporate tax rate would be roughly 9%. percentage of the employed and the And there are still 9.7 million people increase to pay for his infrastruc- open jobs, combined - rose to 4.9%, ture plan. counted as unemployed, or about 1.3 the highest since the data was fi rst people out of work for each job open- Democrats in New York hope tracked in December 2000, the La- ing. the tax increase could bring in This photo from Friday, Feb 26, 2021, shows three new residential skyscrapers towering over the skyline of Central bor Department said Tuesday. But the jump in available jobs sug- at least $2.8 billion this upcom- Park South, in New York. New York state lawmakers hope to vote for a tax increase on wealthy individuals, to bring The increase refl ects a solid rise in gests hiring may continue at the robust ing year and prevent the need for in at least $3 billion and prevent the need for spending cuts in years to come. (AP) open jobs to 7.4 million, up from 7.1 levels seen in March. The Labor De- spending cuts in years to come. million in January and signifi cantly partment reported Friday that Amer- above the pre-pandemic level of about ica’s employers unleashed a burst of Rate 7 million. Total hires rose to 5.7 mil- hiring last month, adding 916,000 jobs. New York’s top income tax rate UAE launches fi rst nuclear energy plant lion, though that is below the fi gure in The biggest gain, according to the is currently 8.82% for income over February 2020, just before the corona- JOLTS report Tuesday, was in health roughly $1 million, while New DUBAI, April 7, (KUNA): The UAE unveiled on Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and UAE Deputy virus intensifi ed. care, which posted 230,000 more job York City residents face an addi- Tuesday its fi rst nuclear energy plant as it targets Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh The data come from the Job Open- openings than the previous month. cleaner energy sources through a signifi cant reduc- Mohammad Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan commended the ings and Labor Turnover survey, or The beleaguered leisure and hospital- tional 3.88% top tax rate. tion of its carbon footprint. achievement, describing it as a “signifi cant mile- JOLTS, which reports the number of ity sector, which includes restaurants, New York is now set to raise Unit one of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will stone in the country’s long-term roadmap for sus- job listings, total hiring, and layoffs hotels, bars, amusement parks and ca- the combined top tax rate for New provide 1,400 MW of electricity around-the-clock, tainable, knowledge-based economic prosperity, and quits. The hiring fi gures represent sinos, also posted a healthy increase of York City millionaires above Cali- with another three units in the pipeline, according to benefi ting many generations to come,” according to a gross fi gure, while the monthly jobs 160,000 job openings. fornia’s top income tax rate of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. the state news agency, WAM. 13.3%. New Yorkers who make over $1 million would face a 9.65% was also set to raise the corporate New Yorkers didn’t receive extra the need for a tax hike. income tax rate. That increases to tax rate from 6.5% to 7.25% for COVID-19 aid. But Democratic legislative lead- 10.3% for taxpayers who make be- taxpayers with net incomes over Raising ers who have pushed forward with tween $5 million and $25 million, $5 million. That move - along with a proposed tax hike said there’s and 10.9% for those who make a reinstatement of the capital base He’s also long warned that rais- no conclusive evidence that tax over $25 million. tax - would raise $750 million this ing taxes on the wealthy could hikes drive out the rich. And they “Working and middle-class upcoming year. drive them out of New York at a criticize years of “fi scal austerity” taxpayers will receive the relief Democrats won control of the time when the state’s economy is under Cuomo, as health care costs they desperately need, while the state Senate in 2018, but they still recovering from COVID-19 rise and educational advocacy wealthiest New Yorkers will help gained more leverage last year by economic shutdowns last week. groups call for more spending on their neighbors,” Stewart-Cousins winning a veto-proof supermajor- His budget director, Robert Mu- schools. said in a statement announcing ity. jica, has said the top 1% of earners Medicaid costs have skyrock- that legislative leaders and Cuomo Cuomo expressed newfound pay 40% of New York’s income eted as New York has boosted reached a budget deal Tuesday. openness to raising taxes on top- taxes. enrollment, raised the minimum The exact language of the tax earners this year - his budget pro- And Mujica has said an addi- wage for all workers and taken on hike wasn’t available online until posal included a limited, tempo- tional $12 billion in expected fed- more Medicaid bills once shoul- A roadside banner beckons potential employees outside a Home Depot late Tuesday evening. New York rary tax increase on high-earners if eral COVID-19 aid could prevent dered by counties. store in Hattiesburg, Miss, March 27, 2021. (AP) Jeff Bezos endorses higher corporate taxes for ‘infra’ WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos endorsed President Joe Biden’s focus on building up the country’s infrastructure Tuesday and said the compa- ny even supports a corporate tax rate hike to help pay for it. Bezos’ statement, posted on the company’s website, was notable because it came after Biden singled out the company for criticism about how much it pays in federal taxes when he recently unveiled his $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal. Biden has proposed hiking the US corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% to help pay for his plan, an idea that Repub- lican leaders are panning as harmful to economic growth. Democrats will surely cite support from individual compa- nies to undercut that argument. “We recognize this investment will require concessions from all sides – both on the specifi cs of what’s included as well as how it gets paid for (we’re supportive of a rise in the corporate tax rate),” Bezos wrote. “We look forward to Congress and the Administration coming together to fi nd the right, balanced solution that maintains or enhances US com- petitiveness.” Bezos was careful not to endorse a specifi c plan. Rather, he said “we support the Biden Administration’s focus on making bold investments in American infrastructure.” The company would benefi t from the investments made in roads, bridges, airports and broadband. Business groups have joined in the call for more public works investment by the federal government, but they have generally balked at Biden’s call for raising the corporate income tax, with the US Chamber of Commerce describing Biden’s proposal as “dangerously misguided when it comes to how to pay for infrastructure.” Along with partially undoing the corporate tax cut put in place during President Donald Trump’s administration, Biden also wants to set a minimum US tax on overseas cor- porate income, and to make it harder for companies to shift earnings offshore. Amazon has long been criticized for paying virtually no federal taxes in the US for years even as it built an e- commerce empire that currently has a market value of $1.6 trillion. That has changed slightly in recent years as the Seattle company has become more profi table. Last year, it report- ed paying $1.7 billion in federal taxes on its US income of $20.2 billion, working out to an effective tax rate of about 8%.

In this fi le photo, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos speaks dur- ing his news conference at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

‘Restart jab exports by June’ India ‘sees’ another record rise in cases

NEW DELHI, April 7, (AP): India reported a record daily surge in new coronavirus cases for the second time in four days on Wednesday, while New Delhi, Mumbai and dozens of other cities announced they are imposing curfews to try to slow the soaring infections. The rise of 115,736 coronavirus cases reported in the past 24 hours, tops the 103,844 infections reported Sunday. Fa- talities rose by 630 in the past 24 hours, the highest since No- vember, driving the total death toll in the country to 166,177 since the pandemic began. The federal government has so far refused to impose a na- tionwide lockdown to contain the latest surge but has asked states to decide on imposing local restrictions. “The pandemic isn’t over and there is no scope for com- placency,” Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Twitter. He urged people to get vaccinated. India now has a seven-day rolling average of more than 78,000 cases per day and has reported 12.8 million virus cases since the pandemic began, the highest after the United States and Brazil. While 85 million Indians have re- ceived at least one coronavirus vac- cine shot, only 11 million of them Modi have received both. Due to a surge in infections, India has now delayed exports of large quantities of vaccines. It has shipped 64.5 million doses so far. Experts say the surge, which is worse than last year’s peak in mid-September, is due in part on growing disregard for social distancing and mask-wearing in public spaces. In this March 16, 2021 file photo, a woman receives a dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Vaccine Village in Antwerp, Belgium. The European Com- mission has said its wants to have vaccinated a minimum of 70 percent of the entire adult population by the end of summer. But it is counting on a strong second As health offi cials continue to warn about gatherings in quarter of vaccine production to reach a threshold of immunity already by the end of June. (AP) public places, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party leaders continue to hold mammoth rallies in several states where local elections are underway. While on the campaign trail Tuesday in West Bengal state, Coronavirus Modi was seen waving at maskless supporters from his car. His government has also allowed a huge monthlong Hindu festival that draws tens of thousands of devotees daily to go ahead on the banks of the Ganges River in northern Uttara- khand state. US still evaluating the vaccine Vaccine The world’s largest vaccine maker, based in India, will be able to restart exports of AstraZeneca doses by June if EMA to confi rm AZ blood clot link new coronavirus infections subside in the country, its chief executive said Tuesday. ROME, April 7, (AP): A top official at But a continued surge could result in more delays because the European Medicines Agency says the Serum Institute of India would have to meet domestic there’s a causal link between Astra- Most kids with serious inflammatory needs, Adar Poonawalla warned in an interview with The Zeneca’s coronavirus vaccine and rare Associated Press. blood clots, but that it’s unclear what The company is a key supplier for the UN-backed CO- the connection is and that the benefits illness had mild COVID: US research VAX program that aims to distribute vaccines equitably in of taking the shot still outweigh the the world. On March 25, COVAX announced a major set- risks of getting COVID-19. NEW YORK, April 7, (AP): Most included up to age 20. back in its vaccine rollout because a surge in infections in Marco Cavaleri, head of health children with a serious inflammato- Upticks in cases have occurred People wait to test for COVID-19 in threats and vaccine strategy at the Am- ry illness linked to the coronavirus two to five weeks after COVID-19 India caused the Serum Institute of India to cater to domestic had initial COVID-19 infections with peaks and have followed spread of demand, resulting in a delay in global shipments of up to 90 Prayagraj, India, April 7. India hits sterdam-based agency, told Rome’s Il another new peak with 115,736 coro- Messaggero newspaper on Tuesday that no symptoms or only mild ones, initial infections from urban to rural million doses. navirus cases reported in the past 24 new US research shows. areas, the researchers said. More Since then, daily new infections in India have almost dou- the European Union’s medicines regu- hours with New Delhi, Mumbai and lator is preparing to make a more defini- The unusual post-infection con- recent CDC data indicate there’s bled, with the biggest single-day spike of over 100,000 new cas- dozens of other cities imposing night dition tends to be milder in kids another emerging peak in the pedi- tive statement on the topic this week. who were sicker with COVID-19, atric condition consistent with that es on Monday. Infections are being reported faster in India than curfews to check the soaring infec- Asked about Cavaleri’s comments, anywhere else in the world, prompting tougher virus restrictions tions. (AP) although more than half of affected trend. the EMA press office said its evalua- youngsters received intensive hos- State-reported cases through in New Delhi and the nation’s fi nancial capital, Mumbai. tion “has not yet reached a conclusion India initially immunized the most vulnerable, but broad- pital care, according to an analysis March 29 totaled 3,185 and includ- and the review is currently ongoing.” by the federal Centers for Disease ed 36 deaths, the CDC’s website ened that to anyone over 45 on April 1 because of the surge It said it planned a press conference as Control and Prevention published shows. State reports aren’t always in cases. The resulting increased demand forced the halt in soon as the review is finalized, possi- Tuesday in JAMA Pediatrics. timely so it is uncertain how many exports. Since then, several top state offi cials have urged the bly Wednesday or Thursday. The study represents the larg- U.S. children developed the illness federal government to further expand vaccinations. Based on the evidence so far, est analysis to date on US cases since the study ended. Poonawalla said the company has “chosen to prioritize Cavaleri said there’s a clear associa- of multisystem inflammatory syn- Most kids who had COVID-19 India temporarily for two months” and hopes to then restart tion between the AstraZeneca vaccine drome in children and bolsters evi- don’t develop the post-infection exports. and the dozens of rare blood clots that dence that it is a delayed immune illness. Almost 3.5 million US chil- If India’s surge in infections doesn’t subside, “I am scared have been reported worldwide amid response to COVID-19. The study dren and teens have tested positive of what ... we will have to do, and what will happen,” he the tens of millions of AstraZeneca included almost 1,800 cases re- for COVID-19, according to data said. “We are going to have to keep supplying to India, and shots that have been given out. ported to the CDC from March 2020 compiled by the American Acade- through mid-January. Most were in my of Pediatrics and the Children’s not anywhere else. Because we have to protect our nation.” kids younger than 15 but the study Hospital Association. He acknowledged that has put a “strain on our contractual Ngozi Trump Diffi cult obligations” to provide vaccines to other countries, and that “It is becoming more and more dif- he has been fi elding phone calls from various heads of state. ficult to affirm that there isn’t a cause- and-effect relationship between As- - after the EMA said the benefits of the further.” Cavaleri promised more “I’ve had to politely explain to everybody the situation,” he Discovery vaccine outweighed the risks of not details soon, adding: “In the coming said, adding that most world leaders understood because they traZeneca vaccines and the very rare cases of blood clots associated with a inoculating people against COVID-19. hours, we will say that the link is there, were facing the same issues - the needs of domestic politics At the time, the EMA recommended how this happens we still haven’t fig- and questions raised by opposition parties and the public. low level of platelets,” Cavaleri was Suit seeks to protect sea turtle: quoted as saying. the vaccine’s leaflet be updated with ured out.” “Nationalism is happening ... to a certain extent, every- Conservation groups sued on Tuesday to information about the rare clots. Cavaleri said the biological mecha- where,” Poonawalla said, pointing to vaccine export controls AstraZeneca did not immediately reverse changes made under former presi- respond to a request for comment. Any further doubts about the Astra- nism for how the vaccine might be caus- imposed by Europe, and the use in the United States of the dent Donald Trump to rules protecting Zeneca vaccine would be a setback for ing the rare clots was still unknown and Defense Production Act to prevent exports of critical raw Late in the day, however, the phar- sea turtles, even though federal regulators maceutical company and Oxford Uni- the shot, which is critical to Europe’s if it was linked to how the shot is made, materials needed to scale up vaccine manufacturing. said a week ago that they were reconsider- versity, which developed the vaccine, immunization campaign and a linchpin other vaccines with similar technologies He said the unavailability of these raw materials, such as ing some of those changes. in the global strategy to get vaccines might also need to be evaluated. The groups hope President Joe Biden’s announced they were pausing the trial the specifi c medium needed to grow microorganisms, could of their jabs in children while British to poorer countries. The AstraZeneca He stressed the risk-benefit analysis affect the Serum Institute’s production of another vaccine, administration will change the rules, but vaccine is cheaper and easier to use remained positive for the AstraZeneca the possible revisions outlined recently regulators investigate the potential Novavax, which is still being tested in India. It has signed a blood clot link in adults. than rival vaccines from Pfizer and jab, even for young women who ap- deal to supply Novavax to COVAX, but pivoting to different may not go far enough, said Jaclyn Lopez of the Center for Biological Diversity, one “Whilst there are no safety concerns Moderna and has been endorsed for pear to be more affected by the clots. suppliers of the raw materials would result in a delay of fi ve of the three groups. in the pediatric clinical trial, we await use in over 50 countries, including “Let’s not forget that young women to six months, he said. “We’re hopeful they will do something additional information” from the Brit- by the 27-nation EU and the World also end up in intensive care with CO- “The crunch ... for supplies is today,” he said. and do something soon, but we’re not go- ish regulator, an Oxford spokesperson Health Organization. US authorities VID. So we need to do very meticulous Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser to World Health Or- ing to sit back and wait,” she said. “This said in a statement. are still evaluating the vaccine. work to understand if the risk-benefit ganization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is decades in the making and our patience In Geneva, the World Health Organi- analysis remains for all ages,” he was said vaccine supplies for COVAX remain fl uid. has run out.” zation said its experts were also evalu- Intensive quoted as saying. “Obviously, if we have an interruption with any one of our “We are aware of this fi ling and are ating a possible link between the As- Cavaleri said while EMA was pre- He ruled out a preventive therapy suppliers for a short time, a month or so, we can fi nd ways to reviewing it,” Allison Garrett, a spokes- traZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots pared to declare a link, further study to address the rare blood clots, saying try and manage as best we can with the countries. And if it’s woman for the National Oceanic and - and that it might have a “fresh, conclu- was still needed to understand why and there is still too much unknown about longer than that, obviously it would be a big challenge,” he Atmospheric Administration’s fi sheries sive assessment” before Thursday. how the phenomenon occurs. the phenomenon. said at a WHO briefi ng Tuesday. service, said in an email. In March, more than a dozen coun- He said the rare blood clots, includ- Even after the March 19 restart, the The current rule would hurt fi ve endan- ing some in the brain, coupled with a “Clearly were there a complete interruption from any sup- gered and threatened sea turtle species, tries, including Germany, suspended Dutch and German governments sus- plier, that would be a real problem,” he said. especially Kemp’s ridleys, the small- using AstraZeneca over the blood clot low level of blood platelets that may pended the jabs for people under 60 est and most endangered, the groups’ issue. Most EU nations restarted on make people at risk of serious bleed- and some Europeans have been shying Record news release said. Kemp’s ridleys swim March 19 - some with age restrictions ing, “seem to be the key event to study away from getting a shot. Meanwhile, North Korea has continued to claim a per- throughout the Gulf and along the At- fect record in keeping out the coronavirus in its latest report lantic Coast to New England, nesting in to the World Health Organization. At the beginning of the Mexico and along the Texas coast. atives discussing the twin challenges of fac- ous debt burdens and work on plans and bwe, Kenya and other countries talked about pandemic, North Korea described its efforts to keep out the NOAA Fisheries said last week that it ing the pandemic alongside climate change. tools to tackle climate change,” said the the need for support to accelerate the effort virus as a “matter of national existence.” It shut its borders, was delaying implementation of the rules “Africa remains a continent with im- newly appointed World Trade Organiza- against climate change, which has affected banned tourists and jetted out diplomats. The country still se- from April 1 to Aug. 1 and that it was re- mense opportunities if we act now to tion chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. food security, and health on the continent. verely limits cross-border traffi c and has quarantined tens of considering some of them. contain the pandemic, deal with the seri- Presidents from Congo, Senegal, Zimba- “Africa contributed just 3% of global Lopez said her group, Defenders of emissions, yet we are the continent which thousands of people who have shown symptoms. But it still Wildlife and Turtle Island Restoration says it has found no case of COVID-19, a widely doubted ... is already paying the biggest price,” said Network want NOAA Fisheries to return Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba. claim. In an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday, to rules it proposed in 2016. Those would “Every day, the thunderstorms seem Edwin Salvador, WHO’s representative to North Korea, require escape hatches for sea turtles more violent, fl ooding is more frequent said the North has reported it tested 23,121 people for the in three kinds of inshore shrimp trawls, and droughts more severe ... our crops coronavirus from the beginning of the pandemic to April 1 pulled by boats of all sizes. are failing. People are being forced to and that all results were negative. Salvador said the North The Trump administration required fl ee their homes, becoming climate refu- said 732 people were tested between March 26 and April them only on the most common sort, gees,” he added. “Sea levels are rising, 1. WHO offi cials say the North is no longer providing the called skimmer nets, and only on those potentially drowning cities ... The oceans UN agency with the number of people it quarantines with pulled by boats at least 40 feet (12 me- are turning to acid and salt is penetrating ters) long. croplands, causing further serious chal- suspected symptoms. Earthjustice fi led the suit in federal South Korea has reported 668 new cases of the coronavi- lenges to food security.” court in the District of Columbia. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the rus, its highest daily jump in nearly three months, as concerns “We don’t feel it’ll be too heavy a lift,” grow about another surge and a slow vaccine rollout. The African Development Bank Group, said since the nets were thoroughly evaluated developed nations have a responsibility to before the 2016 proposal, Lopez said. numbers released by the Korea Disease Control and Preven- support those in Africa, as it’s the lowest tion Agency on Wednesday brought the national caseload “They’ve already done the legwork. We’re hopeful it has the political will this emitter of carbon and faces the worst con- to 106,898, including 1,756 deaths. Most of the new cases sequences and impacts of climate change. were in the Seoul area and other major cities. Offi cials previ- time,” she said. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ “Ten of the top 12 countries most at ously insisted a wait-and-see approach was feasible on South risk of drought are in Africa. Eight out Korea’s vaccine rollout because the nation’s outbreak wasn’t Call to up climate fi nancing: Afri- of the top 12 countries affected by agri- as dire as those in America and Europe. Now, they say they can leaders rallied Tuesday in a virtual cultural risks are also in Africa,” he said. are considering all possible measures to prevent a shortage, summit calling for scaled-up actions and “Yet Africa does not get the resources it and it remains to be seen whether they would consider curb- fi nancing to combat the effects of climate needs to adapt to climate change. Global- ing exports of AstraZeneca shots produced by local fi rm SK change that are already being felt in the ly, only 10 percent of climate fi nance goes Massachusetts Gov Charlie Baker, 64, waits in the observation area after re- Bioscience. continent of 1.3 billion. into adaptation, and Africa has received The Leaders’ Dialogue on the Africa ceiving a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Hynes Convention Center, April 6, in only three percent of global climate fi - COVID-Climate Emergency saw represent- Boston. (AP) nance.” (AP) Television THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 FFeatureseatures port ofthebill.Gov. gave emotionaltestimonyinsup- March, aboutamonthafterHilton approval intheLegislatureearly mental healthissuesgainedfi treat teenswithbehavioraland ers fortroubledteensin law thatregulatestreatmentcent- for aceremonialbillsigning returned toSaltLakeCityTuesday without priorauthorization. tion ormechanicalrestraints treatment centersfromusingseda- restraints. 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Iwishhisfamilyandloved We losthimtoday,andfartoo known, muchlessworkedwith. cious andbrilliantpeopleI’veever was “oneofthemostgentle,gra- were —andnotbeingparticularlyrelevanttothe generation —alloffi the McCartneyinvitation. “Shoot OuttheLights”and“WallofDeath.” foundation ofThompson’ssolocareer,including produced thesublimesongsthathaveservedas quent musicalpartnershipwithhisfi ish folktradition,andBritishtorock.Hissubse- Fairport Convention,whichbroughtrocktotheBrit- the era. also thetitleofaThompsonsongthatencapsulates some ofthelegendarymusicfi that now,”hesays.“Peoplearestillreverentialabout music, andyou’restillfeelingthereverberationsof asked aboutthe1960sand‘70s. the earlypartofhiscareerinbecausehe’soften book, whichtookthreeyears.Hechosetofocuson Montclair, NewJersey. some time,”hesaidinaninterviewfromhishome writing somethingotherthanathree-minutesongfor participant inaconsequentialeraofrockmusic. devout following,revisitshisroleasobserverand and singer-songwriter,whohaslonghadasmallbut Finding MyVoice1967-1975.”TheBritishguitarist son’s newmemoir,“Beeswing:LosingMyWayand Buck Owens. shared thestagewithJimiHendrix.Healsopranked Cartney’s birthdayparty. I Thompson revisits golden rock era Thompson turneddownaninvitationtoPaulMc- n 1968,theyear“HeyJude”hitcharts,Richard “I sawtheBeatlesandStonesasbeinganolder Thompson laughswhenaskedwhyhesaidnoto He wasamemberofthegroundbreakinggroup Many ofthosenamespopupin“Beeswing”— “It doesseemtohavebeenaninfl Thompson, 72,saysheenjoyedwritinghisfi “I’d beenwonderingwhetherIwascapableof Those areamongthefunfactsfoundinThomp- On otheroccasionsovertheyears,Thompson rm BetterUpInc.Thecou- ❑ Variety Even an NCAA Even anNCAA By StevenWine ve orsixyearsolderthanwe Chelsea ClintonpodcasttolaunchApril13 My WayandFindingVoice1967-1975’releasedonApril6.(AP) British guitaristfi Music gures fromthattime.” iHeartPodcast Network. — certainlyinthismomentandalways.” spired, andwithabetterunderstandingofwhypublichealthmatters listeners willwalkawayfromeachepisodeinformed,entertained,in- audience. Fromstigmatochoicetheenvironment,myhopeisthat with someofthesmartestandmostinterestingpeopleIknowtoanew and pervasiveissuesthatimpactusall,”Clintonsaidinastatement. an opportunitytoexpandawarenessbeyondCOVID-19otherreal equity advocate in 2019announcedhewasHIV-positive;andHIVphysicianhealth Fonda lations andpublichealthassheinterviewsguestsrangingfrom Clinton willdrawuponherbackgroundinpolitics,internationalre- mer secretaryofstate ton for theClintons. Bill andHillaryClintonalreadyhavepodcastswhichairthroughthe “On thispodcast,I’mlookingforwardtobringingconversations “With moreattentionthaneverbeingpaidtopublichealth,wehave The fi iHeartMedia announcedTuesdaythat“InFactwith Along withwritingbooks,podcastshavebecomeafamilyproject ,” hostedbythedaughterofformerpresident itnRitter Hilton uential decadeof rst wife,Linda, toAtlantaMayor rst podcastwillfeatureQueerEye’s Dr. OniBlackstock rst Hillary Clinton and thewholegang. in town—includingEric(Clapton)andJeff(Beck) novator whoterrifi really greatguitarplayer,thisinterestingin- ‘67, hewaswell-knownaroundLondonasbeingthis about thisperiodinhislife.” tional. Itfeltlikehewassittingdownandtellingme with alltheseamazingdetails. about yourchildhood,’andthenhewouldcomeup ally was,”Poriessays.“Wewouldsay,‘Tellusmore songwriter. the memoir,whileemployingvividdetailofa quin Books,sayshefoundadistinctivevoicewriting band, whichIthoughtwaskindofdelightfulreally.” played withus.Itwaslikehewantedtofi Keisha LanceBottoms “He wasthenicestguy.Hewasn’tfl “A littleintimidating,”Thompsonsays.“Evenin “It feelsveryconversational,butalsoemo- “He justdidn’trealizehowfascinatinghislifere- Kathy Pories,Thompson’sUSeditorforAlgon- onstage. with hiscareergainingmomentum,joinedFairport ens responded,accordingtothebook. fan andaskedforanautograph. his band,soThompsonintroducedhimselfasahuge next boothatacoffeeshopintheDetroitairport. razzed aslong-hairedhippiesbyseveralmeninthe fi “Beeswing,” especiallyinhisaccountofFairport’s defi myself forthat.Ifheinvitesmetohis80th,thenI’ll have gonetoJoniMitchell’sbirthdayparty. more intosinger-songwritersatthetime.Iwould kind ofmusicIwasinto,”Thompsonsays.“I rst U.S.tour.Atonepoint,thebandmemberswere Then therewerethetimesHendrix,inLondon “Well... er...I...well...sure,”theastonishedOw- It turnedouttobecountrymusicstarOwensand Thompson’s drollwitisevidentthroughout “I wasbeingarealmusicalsnob.Ihavetoforgive nitely go.” nds distinctivevoicewritingmemoir . , willpremiereApril13.Chelsea Monday, theNielsen companysaid. ing previouslyunbeaten Gonzagaon national championship titlebyrout- people watchedBaylor winthe television worldafi the countrywasn’tenoughtoset men’s collegebasketballteamsin widely acknowledgedasthebest championship matchupbetweentwo That’s down nearly14%from An estimated16.92million Intimidating ed justabouteveryguitarplayer Jonathan VanNess . Bill Clinton re. Chelsea Clin- rst Netfl rst andfor- , who ashy whenhe Jane t inwiththe advocates forafreepressandhelpstrainfutureleadersinjournalism. standing upfortherightsofjournalists.TheNewsLeadersAssociation culture; and Jenee Osterheldt and theCraigNewmarkGraduateSchoolforJournalismatCUNY; work onobituariesincollaborationwithColumbiaJournalismSchool Martin Shkreli Clifford, The NewYorkTimesforcoverageofpolicemisconduct; The LosAngelesTimesforaninvestigationondelaysinmedicalcare; iduring theCOVID-19pandemic. for theirworkaccountingdeathsamongfrontlinemedicalworkers the companywithgreaterinvestigativecapacity. which creditedNixon’sleadershipinbuildingdiversityandinfusing labor abusesinthepalmoilindustry.Hewasnominatedbyhisteam, the NewsLeadersAssociation. ated Press,haswonthefi NEW YORK: Orleans, onMay2,2008.Thompson’sbook‘Beeswing:Losing Other awardwinnersinclude The associationalsohonoredGuardianandKaiserHealthNews Nixon’s investigativeteamproducedanaward-winningserieson plummet 27% percent,the basket- ball championship sawitsratings Given thatthisyear’s NCAAfoot- show ratingshave beencratering. unusual intoday’s world.Awards rus pandemic. canceled becauseofthecoronavi- NCAA basketballtourneywas ginia andTexasTech.Lastyear’s the 2019titlegamebetweenVir- Viewership declinesarehardly whowroteabouttherelationshipbetweenajournalistand Kelu Chao Ron Nixon after thattoallthepeopleinvolved.” much aboutwhathappenedintheyearortwoyears gether. ButIreallythinktheaccidentexplainsso indeed. Ihadtofrequentlystopandpullmyselfto- trying toreadthroughthatpassage.Itwasveryhard to thatstuff. about it,”Thompsonsays.“It’spainfultogoback the band’sdrummer,MartinLamble. killed Thompson’sgirlfriend,JeannieFranklyn,and of the1969crashFairground’stouringvanthat “Beeswing” alsoprovidesawrenchingaccount as asupremelytalentedbundleofcontradictions. Denny, Fairport’sleadsinger,andremembersher novel. Ordetectivefi I’m writingmoreaboutmusicorsongwriting,a get dullerastimegoeson.SoIstopitinmymid-20s. says. “Ididn’twantminetorambleinthatwayand of hisautobiography. late tochangecareers. to resumehisbusytourschedule,jokingthatit’stoo terial, andasthepandemicwindsdown,he’seager sic aslonghecan. at theendofbook:Heplanstokeepmakingmu- is stillgoingstrong,andgivesfanssomegoodnews needed forgiving,andwegetonfi he says.“Shehasforgivenmevariousthingsthat Thompson, beforeanacrimoniousbreakupin1982. three children,includingmusiciansTeddyandKami his family,bandmatesandLinda.Thecouplehad that ledhimtoSufi , the“pharmabro,”forEllemagazine;TheCity, Happily, morethanfi “The hardestthingwasdoingtheaudiobookand “I hadneverreallygoneintothatmuchdetail Thompson writesatlengthaboutthelateSandy “There mightbesomeotherkindofbook,where “A certainamountofrepetitioncreepsin,”he As forbooks,hedoubtstherewillbeavolumetwo He stillreleasesacclaimedalbumsoforiginalma- “It hasbeengreatformaybethelast15years,” They’re ongoodtermsnow,Thompsonsays. Thompson writescandidlyaboutthespiritualquest ix docuseries ix of TheBostonGlobeforopinionwritingonraceand rst-ever NewsLeaderoftheYearawardfrom andthejournalistsofVoiceAmericafor , globalinvestigationseditoratTheAssoci- Also: Jack Dolan sm, and aboutrelationshipswith ction.” (AP) ve decadeslater,Thompson just under 15millionpeople. (AP) a last-secondshotwas seenliveby Gonzaga beatUCLA inovertimeon ready considereda classic —where are located. of thecountry’stelevisionviewers ern timezone,wherenearlyhalf Four withnoteamsfromtheEast- ball ratingsweren’thalfbad. Saturday’s men’ssemifi This wasthefi and ne.” Brittny Mejia rst men’sFinal Stephanie nal —al- of ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Art

‘Offensive and immoral’ Japan internment art auction pulled LOS ANGELES, April 7, (AP): The auction of a se- ries of sketches purportedly drawn by an artist at the Japanese internment camp at Manzanar was canceled Tuesday after groups protested it was offensive and immoral to profi t off the misery of incarcerated peo- ple. The auction was halted by eBay hours before it was to conclude after company executives met with Japanese American groups who called the sale “hurt- ful, and a degrading reminder of the mass roundup and incarceration.” “It’s seems unethical and immoral to put this art- work up on eBay to the highest bidder,” said Shirley Higuchi, author of “Setsuko’s Secret: Heart Mountain and the Legacy of the Japanese Ameri- can Incarceration.” “When you sell artwork created during an oppressive time for money ... that’s against what our society feels is moral.” In a letter to eBay, the Japa- nese American National Mu- seum and Japanese American Citizens League and other Higuchi groups cited the current wave of attacks on Asian Americans in the US that has escalated recently. “Sales of our history are never a good thing but are especially hurtful now, when we hear cries to ‘go back to your country,’ exactly what we were told during World War II,” they wrote. This image released by Netflix shows Sacha Baron Cohen, (center left), and Jeremy Strong in a scene from ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7.’ (AP) Japanese American groups also got a New Jersey auction house to halt the sale of a much larger collec- tion of internment art in 2015. In that case, hundreds of pieces were turned over to museums that com- memorate the forced internment of more than 110,000 Film people of Japanese descent for more than three years on the dubious claim they might betray America in the war. Painting ‘It is a tribute to the casting and script’ The artwork for sale on eBay were 20 pencil sketch- es from 1942-1943 with the name Matsumura writ- ten at the bottom, along with the word Manzanar. The drawings depict mostly what appear to be Japanese ‘Chicago 7’ cast on their SAGs win landscapes, including one of Mount Fuji. The groups suggested the artist could be Giichi Mat- By Jake Coyle a tendency to think about themselves Netfl ix. The fear with a movie about a lot. How’s my lighting? Am I go- an obscure historical event is that no- sumura, the subject of a series of stories fi rst reported nstead of congregating on the by The Associated Press about a Manzanar prisoner ing to get my close-in my scene? But body goes to see it and it’s in the spe- Istage of Los Angeles’ Shrine Au- as I said in my speech, Aaron rose cialty box-offi ce section. The beauty who died in a storm while sketching and painting in ditorium for their best-ensemble win the high Sierra in the fi nal days of the war. Several above that and caused all of us to do of some of these streamers is that Matsumura families were held at the camp 180 miles at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, that. millions of people around the world (290 kilometers) north of Los Angeles. the cast of “The Trial of the Chicago John Carroll Lynch: When you saw this movie and they now know Lori Matsumura, the granddaughter of Giichi who 7” called in on Zoom. take a job in a movie called “The this powerful story and saw a great recently reburied her grandfather’s remains after a hik- For a video conference, they make Trial of the Chicago 7,” there’s an bit of art. That is the plus-side of this er unearthed his skeleton in 2019, thought the sketches This photo provided by Metropolis a starry bunch. Logging in from assumption that it’s going to be an not being theatrical. Hopefully it will could be by her late father, Masaru, or another family Collectibles on April 6, shows Vincent around the world were Sacha Baron ensemble picture. It’s a self-select- come out at some point in the theat- member. The name printed in block letters was similar Zurzolo, co-owner of ComicConnect, Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Frank ing group of people who want to ers, but I think we benefi ted from it to the way her father signed high school reports. holding Action Comics first edition Langella, Mark Rylance, John Car- work with others so intimately and being on a streamer. Arts and crafts created in the 10 Japanese intern- 1938 comic book marking Super- roll Lynch, Ben Shankman and other being willing to risk their own pro- Langella: I like it like this because ment camps have often resurfaced later at yard sales man’s first appearance, which has members of Aaron Sorkin’s histori- cess in such quarters. It is a tribute I hate award shows. I go to very few or auctions. Some people abandoned their works when sold for an historic, record-breaking cal courtroom drama. $3,250,000. (AP) to the casting and to Aaron’s script but when I do - the tuxedo, the lines, they left camp because they could carry little and had After winning the guild’s top but also to the actors who said “yes.” people all over. This is much more nowhere to go, while others stored it in attics or ga- honor, the cast spoke briefl y with Michael Keaton: Frankly, it’s an civilized. I’m in my bedroom slip- rages to be discovered later, said Bernadette Johnson, The Associated Press in an interview embarrassment to me. These guys pers. It’s really comfortable. superintendent at the Manzanar National Historic Site. recorded Thursday before Sunday’s If the artwork was by one of her relatives, it could have did all the heavy lifting. I showed up Keaton: I have no pants on. broadcast of the pre-taped awards. for a couple days. I’m getting credit AP: You’d normally about now been in a trunk of her grandmother’s mementos that her Here, slightly edited for clarity, are aunt kept, Lori Matsumura said. The collection, how- for not much — but I’ll take it. be whisked away to some glamorous their remarks. Redmayne: Michael, I always Hollywood party. Instead, you’re ever, was lost to the family after the aunt died in 2019, AP: You’re an especially varied and the house was the subject of a legal dispute with her think that’s more terrifying. It’s one talking to me on a laptop. aunt’s partner that was settled for an undisclosed sum. group of actors with quite different thing to be on a job for a couple Redmayne: Making films is such Lori Matsumura had discovered the auction Mon- styles and approaches. How did you months. You had to come in for two an odd process. You sort of come day, day six of the weeklong bidding, and entered an coalesce as an ensemble? days and knock it out of the park, together with a disparate group of $82 bid to try to win the works. The price had climbed Eddie Redmayne: A lot of credit and you did. people. Sometimes you have re- to over $470 when the sale was yanked by eBay. Weinstein McBride has to be given to Francine Maisler, Keaton: I like actors and when I hearsals but on this we didn’t re- After the groups contacted eBay, the company who was our casting director. All saw this cast I went, “Oh man, this is ally have any. Actors would come removed the auction because it violated an artifacts of the characters represented in the going to be ....” Even though I didn’t in for a day or two. You make the policy prohibiting the sale of items from government Variety fi lm were so unique and so specifi c. I have much interaction with anybody, film and you all go away again. or protected land, spokeswoman Parmita Choudhury think she collected a group of actors I liked it. I want to be part of that The promoting process, some- said in an email. Matsumura had a mixed reaction to who had completely different styles kind of group. times, can be the moment when the sale being halted. NEW YORK: One of the few copies of and completely different outlooks on AP: This is the fi rst Netfl ix fi lm you actually all sit down and get to Response the comic book that introduced Super- the way to approach work. For me, or release from a streaming ser- know each other. The only time we man to the world has sold for a super- what I loved when I got to see a cut vice to win the guild’s top award. have all met up is on Zoom calls “I feel I may never see those sketches again,” she sized, record-setting price. of the movie was that you saw that. It It had once been set for theatrical when someone like yourself is ask- said. “It depends how the seller reacts.” The issue of Action Comics #1 went was like a clash of different types of release from Paramount Pictures. ing the questions. It feels unique. Higuchi said eBay would contact the seller and put for $3.25 million in a private sale, music, whether it was jazz or rock or Now you’ve won this much-sought- And I feel pretty lucky. But at the one of the groups in touch to try to obtain the collection. ComicConnect.com, an online auction classical — but all of that coming to- after award over Zoom, does it feel same time it sort of buries a slight The seller, listed as sunsetderby in Sharon Springs, and consignment company, announced New York, said the works came from the Japanese Tuesday. gether under Aaron. He was the con- strange? sense of it not feeling complete. family of a former girlfriend in the 1980s. The seller It narrowly bested the previous record ductor, almost. So I give Aaron and Lynch: It’s very frustrating be- Lynch: There’s also one other would not name the girlfriend in a follow-up message for the comic, set in the auction of Francine a huge amount of credit. It cause we did theatrical-distribution piece of it that’s a big regret due to and said the full name of the artist was unknown. another copy in 2014 for slightly over was a joy day-and-day-out to watch acting when it turned out to be this circumstance. It’s not being able The seller said they weren’t violating eBay’s poli- $3.2 million. these great and different and varied streaming acting. I don’t know about to go to the other actors who I’ve cies and said other major auction houses had sold The comic, published in 1938, “really actors slugging it out. you but this is not a Zoom suit. This admired or been able to work with similar art. is the beginning of the superhero genre,” Frank Langella: There is some- is not a Zoom tux. over the course of time in each of the said ComicConnect.com COO Vincent thing very powerful about working Sacha Baron Cohen: I must say fi lms nominated, and thank them for “It’s absolutely preposterous to think that I am do- Zurzolo, who brokered the sale. ing anything wrong,” the person wrote in response to It told readers about the origins of toward the greater good. Actors have I think it’s great that it came out on the work they’ve done. (AP) a question sent through eBay. Superman, how he came to Earth from Erin Thompson, a professor of art crime at John Jay another planet and went by Clark Kent. College of Criminal Justice, said anyone who legally The seller of this particular issue Kamins, John Leventhal and Diana and two counts of predatory sexual as- owns a work of art is entitled to sell it. But she said won the Anisfi eld-Wolf fi ction award, bought the comic in 2018 for slightly Fabi-Samson wrote in the brief. sault stemming from actor Annabella given to a book that addresses racism and consideration should be given to the circumstances more than $2 million. “The trial court should have exercised Sciorra’s allegations of a mid-1990s diversity, and a Carnegie Medal for fi c- of a work’s creation and the artist’s intent. When the Zurzolo said that while there were the utmost vigilance in protecting this rape — testimony that his lawyers said tion, presented by the American Library creator can’t be consulted, a community consensus hundreds of thousands of copies initially most important right of the defendant,” Monday was so dated it should never Association. could be sought. published, it’s estimated only about 100 they wrote. “Instead, the trial court was have been allowed. (AP) McBride will receive $50,000 for the She said the fi rst question should be about the au- exist today, and in varying conditions. He cavalier in its obligation to safeguard ❑ ❑ ❑ Gotham prize, for which judges ranged thenticity of the work, which can be “questionable said this copy is among the best-kept ones. this right and the consequences for Mr. from fi lmmaker Ric Burns to former New “There’s no comic book that you could Weinstein were disastrous.” NEW YORK: James McBride’s latest at best” on eBay. Any investor not swayed over the honor for the novel “Deacon King Kong” York City Schools Chancellor Dennis value higher in terms of a comic book Weinstein, 69, was convicted in Walcott. McBride is also known for his provenance might consider the moral issues brewing, than Action Comics #1,” he said. (AP) is a real New York story. Thompson said. February 2020 of a criminal sex act for million-selling memoir “The Color of Wa- ❑ ❑ ❑ forcibly performing oral sex on a TV McBride’s fi ctional snapshot of a Brooklyn neighborhood in late 1969 has ter” and the historical novel “Good Lord Also: and fi lm production assistant in 2006 and Bird,” winner of the National Book Award. NEW YORK: More than a year after rape in the third degree for an attack on won the inaugural Gotham Book Prize, THE HAGUE, Netherlands: Dutch police said Tues- Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction, given for outstanding writing about New “It’s a thrill to be honored in your own an aspiring actress in 2013. hometown. It’s like having your very day they have arrested a suspect in the theft last year his lawyers are demanding a new trial, He was acquitted of fi rst-degree rape York City. This year, McBride has also of two valuable paintings by Vincent van Gogh and arguing in court papers Monday that the own parade,” McBride said in a state- landmark #MeToo prosecution that put ment Tuesday. Frans Hals from two different museums. The paint- “This award landed in my lap nearly the ings, however, remain missing. him behind bars was buoyed by improper rulings from a judge who was “cava- same day as my late mother’s 100th birth- In a statement posted on Twitter, police spokes- day (April 1). She was the subject of my woman Maren Wonder said a 58-year-old man was lier” in protecting the disgraced movie mogul’s right to a fair trial. fi rst book, ‘The Color of Water.’ She loved arrested at his home in the Dutch town of Baarn. His In a 166-page brief fi led with a state New York. Despite the hardship of raising identity was not released, in line with Dutch privacy appellate court, Weinstein’s lawyers took 12 kids here, she always felt that there was guidelines. repeated aim at Manhattan Judge James no better place in the world. She would be “Unfortunately we haven’t yet recovered the paint- Burke, arguing that he swayed the trial’s prouder of this than anything I’ve done, ings and the investigation is continuing,” Wonder outcome with repeated rulings favorable to just because it bears the stamp of our rag- said. She called the arrest “a really important step in prosecutors — including a decision allow- ged, proud metropolis. If it were wrapped the investigation.” ing additional accusers to testify about al- with yesterday’s fi sh, in yesterday’s Daily “The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884” legations that never led to criminal charges. News, she’d still love it.” by Van Gogh was snatched from the Singer Laren mu- Weinstein’s lawyers also challenged N.K. Jemison’s science bestseller Amsterdam Burke’s refusal to remove a juror who “The City We Became” and Raven seum east of in the early hours of March Leilani’s debut novel “Luster” were 30. The museum was closed at the time due to a coro- had written a novel involving predatory older men, as well as his decision to runners-up. navirus lockdown. The Gotham prize was conceived The Hals work, “Two Laughing Boys,” was stolen allow prosecutors to have an expert on victim behavior and rape myths testify This image provided by the Groninger Museum on March 30, shows Dutch mas- last year by businessman-philanthropist some fi ve months later from Museum Hofje van Mev- while rejecting testimony on similar ter Vincent van Gogh’s painting titled ‘The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Bradley Tusk and political strategist rouw van Aerden in Leerdam, 60 kilometers (about subjects from defense experts. Spring’ which was stolen from the Singer Museum in Laren, Netherlands. Dutch Howard Wolfson, who are funding the 35 miles) south of Amsterdam. “Mr. Weinstein had a right to a fair police have arrested a suspect in the theft last year of two valuable paintings by award themselves and have committed to trial by an impartial jury,” lawyers Barry Vincent van Gogh and Frans Hals from two different museums. (AP ) it for at least 10 years. (AP) ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 SPORTS 14

De Bruyne’s vision picked apart the Borussia defense again Foden outshines Haaland to give City 2-1 lead over Dortmund MANCHESTER, England, April 7, (AP): Still defense again. already gone before the 17-year-old English- opponents rather than teammates, Phil Foden “I try to look up before I get the ball so I man put the ball in the net. showed Erling Haaland there’s already a try to get a picture of what is happening,” the While Dortmund protested the decision 20-year-old excelling at Manchester City. Belgian midfi elder said. “I could see Phil and on the pitch, City’s midfi elder Fernandinho Foden netted City’s 90th-minute goal to Gundo (Ilkay Gundogan) running to the post turned from his seat in the stands toward the clinch a 2-1 victory over Haaland’s Borussia and tried to chip it.” media sitting behind him to argue the oppo- Dortmund in the fi rst leg of their Champions It succeeded, as De Bruyne sent a perfectly site. “It’s a foul,” he said in the stadium that League quarterfi nal - and even before that it weighted ball fl oating over the Dortmund de- remains without fans during the pandemic. was the local lad repeatedly fl aunting his skills fense. Gundogan brought down the cross at It contributed to Dortmund heading into on the ball to bamboozle the visitors. the far post and laid the ball off for Foden to the second leg trailing, albeit with a valu- “They are a young team full of energy and sweep into the net. able away goal secured by Reus netting in the they counterattack really quick,” Foden said. Champions League for the fi rst time since Oc- “I was frustrated all night. I had many chances tober 2018. to score and I kept going and in the end one SOCCER “We didn’t trust ourselves to go forward so paid off.” much in the fi rst half,” Reus said. “We set up Haaland, who is being touted as a potential “The second goal right at the end was un- well, but it’s such a shame that we didn’t get replacement for Sergio Aguero at City next necessary, because we lost concentration for the reward for the fi ght and the energy that we season, didn’t have the best of auditions to two seconds,” Reus said. “We need to be stop- showed on the pitch. ” live up to a valuation far exceeding $100 mil- ping the cross there.” Winning the Champions League for the lion. European football’s hottest young talent While Foden was the match-winner, Haal- fi rst time since 1997 might be the only way struggled to make an impact, beyond setting and still took the opportunity to chat with his for Dortmund to return to the competition as up an equalizer on the turn for captain Marco young counterpart with mouths covered on the it sits in fi fth place in the Bundesliga - seven Reus to cancel out Kevin De Bruyne’s fi rst- freezing Etihad pitch. And the Norwegian had points from fourth. half strike. one fi nal duty before heading into the dress- “They are the best side in the world at the And it was Foden who played an integral ing room, improbably being asked by one of moment,” Dortmund coach Edin Terzić said part in that City opener that followed Emre referee Ovidiu Hategan’s assistants, Octavian Manchester City’s Phil Foden challenges for the ball with Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham dur- of City. “But we annoyed them a lot and we Can giving the ball away and De Bruyne lead- Sovre, to sign red and yellow cards. ing the Champions League, fi rst leg, quarterfi nal soccer match between Manchester City are still in the game.” ing the breakaway. Foden squared to Riyad “Maybe he’s a fan of Haaland,” City man- and Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, on April 6. (AP) City by contrast is running away with the Mahrez, who kept the ball in play at the far ager Pep Guardiola quipped. Premier League, building a 14-point lead in post before pulling it back for De Bruyne to Dortmund is insistent that Haaland won’t As for Hategan, the referee rightly over- Ederson was trying to control a back pass on its quest for a third title in four seasons to clip into the net in the 19th minute. be linking up next season with City - or any turned a penalty originally awarded against the edge of the penalty area but gave the ball dethrone struggling Liverpool. While City And with City entering the 90th minute fac- other team. Can for fouling City midfi elder Rodri in the away and Bellingham nipped in to score. But remains on track for a quadruple, Liverpool ing going to Germany next week locked at 1-1, “He’s our player and we are very proud he’s fi rst half before enraging Dortmund by denying Bellingham was penalized for fouling Ederson lost 3-1 at Real Madrid in the night’s other De Bruyne’s vision picked apart the Dortmund part of our team,” Terzić said. Jude Bellingham an equalizer before halftime. despite being kicked fi rst and the whistle had first leg. Other hosts yet to decide Isles edge Caps, move into Italy to allow fans at Euros ROME, April 7, (AP): Italy is ready to let fans back into stadiums in time for Rome hosting European Championship Sky Blue FC rebrand games. Other countries are yet to offer the same assurances. as NJ/NY Gotham FC tie for fi rst in East Division The pandemic-delayed tournament is being staged in 12 cities in as many HARRISON, NJ, April 7, (AP): Sky countries, and UEFA told hosts to let Blue of the National Women’s Soc- them know by this week about its plans cer League has rebranded itself as to let supporters into games. NJ/NY Gotham FC. Italian Health Minister Roberto The New Jersey-based club Speranza informed the country’s foot- wanted to recognize its growing reach across the region. It involved ball federation on Tuesday that fans fans in the process. can attend the four matches in Rome’s In addition to the new name, the Stadio Olimpico based on protocols team has a new crest with a crown from scientifi c advisors. that echoes the Statue of Liberty “The willingness obtained from the and an ‘N’ with a combined ‘Y/J.’ Italian government is an excellent re- The team’s primary color will re- sult that is good for the country, not main sky blue, along with black and just football,” FIGC President Gabriele white – an homage to the team’s Gravina said. supporters’ group Cloud 9. “The club has a tremendous his- tory and close relationship with its SOCCER fans, so it was important we lis- tened and remained completely There is a risk that cities could be openminded throughout the pro- cut from the hosting if they can’t say if cess. What emerged is a new crowds will be allowed by June. Those brand that is overwhelmingly fan guarantees are yet to come from coun- driven, respectful of the club’s past, tries including Scotland, which is due and representative of a promis- to stage four games in Glasgow, and ing future,” team general manager Ireland, which also has four fi xtures in Alyse LaHue said in a statement Dublin. Tuesday. While parts of Europe are in the midst of a third wave of coronavirus in- at the League Cup fi nal. The FA Cup fections, the city of Munich says it has fi nal will then have a crowd of 21,000 now submitted updated plans to UEFA. in May thanks to England’s success in Italy will play Turkey in Rome on rolling out a vaccination program and June 11 in the fi rst match of the com- bringing down coronavirus cases. petition, which was postponed by one In Scotland, no date has been set year because of the coronavirus pan- for the return of fans but provisional demic. Italy will also play its other two proposals will be submitted to UEFA matches at the Olimpico, which will this week. Scotland will host the Czech also host a quarterfi nal. Republic and Croatia at Hampden Park Fans have been banned from match- after its men qualifi ed for a fi rst major es in Italy for the majority of the past tournament since the 1998 World Cup. year, apart from a brief period shortly Russia has already confi rmed that after the start of the season when up St. Petersburg’s 65,000-seat stadium to 1,000 spectators were allowed into will be fi lled to at least 50% capac- New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) collides with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Michael Houser (35) during the fi rst period of an NHL hockey game, stadiums. ity for its four games. Denmark is The city with the most games is on April 6, in Newark, N.J. (AP) planning on up to 12,000 fans being London, which will stage seven fi x- allowed into the four matches at the tures at Wembley including the semi- 38,000-capacity Parken Stadium. A fi nals and fi nal. Wembley will see the similar number could be attending Sabres top Devils 5-3, break 10-game winless streak on road return of fans this month for the fi rst games in Romania under government time in more than a year when 4,000 plans for the 55,000-capacity national UNIONDALE, N.Y., April Ryan Strome, Alexis Lafreniere, play goal for San Jose, and Martin Schenn scored for the Lightning, and spectators are allowed into an FA Cup stadium in Bucharest to be at least a 7, (AP): Brock Nelson Kaapo Kakko and Pavel Buchnevich Jones made 29 stops. Andrei Vasilevskiy had 26 saves. semifi nal and 8,000 will be permitted quarter fi lled. also scored for New York, which Hurricanes 5, Panthers 2 Bruins 4, Flyers 2 scored with just under sev- extended its point streak to four In Raleigh, N.C., Vincent Trocheck In Philadelphia, Patrice Bergeron en minutes left and Semyon games (3-0-1). It was the first time in scored a pair of power-play goals recorded a hat trick and reached 900 Varlamov made 29 saves 11 years that eight Rangers scored in against his former team, Jordan Staal career points, and Brad Marchand’s as the New York Islanders a game. also scored twice and Carolina rallied short-handed goal led Boston past Igor Shesterkin made 42 saves in past Florida. Philadelphia. edged Washington 1-0 to his fourth consecutive start. Jesper Fast had a late goal for Marchand’s goal midway through pull even with the Capitals Carolina, and Sebastian Aho had the third period helped put more dis- for fi rst place in the East ICE HOCKEY three assists. tance between the Bruins and Flyers Aleksander Barkov scored both for the final playoff spot in the East Division. goals for the Panthers, whose six- Division. The Bruins now hold a five- Varlamov and Vitek Vanecek Jared McCann, Mike Matheson, Jake Guentzel and Brian Dumoulin game winning streak — the longest point lead over the Flyers for fourth. matched each other save for save Bergeron added an empty-netter in scored for Pittsburgh, which lost for active run in the league — was for more than 50 minutes before snapped. The Panthers had been 18-0- the final minute. Nelson scored his team-leading the second time in seven games. Jake Voracek and Shayne Casey DeSmith allowed four goals on 1 when leading after two periods. 14th goal assisted by defenseman Blue Jackets 4, Lightning 2 Gostisbehere scored for the Flyers. Ryan Pulock at 13:05 of the third eleven shots before being replaced by In Colombus, Ohio, Zac Dalpe Philadelphia’s Carter Hart was out- period. Tristan Jarry. Defenseman Kris scored for the first time in 4 1/2 years, played by fellow 22-year-old goalie Varlamov earned his fourth shutout Letang chipped in with two assists. Joonas Korpisalo made 36 saves and Jeremy Swayman. Hart finished with this season and the 31st of his career. Ducks 5, Sharks 1 Columbus beat Tampa Bay. 22saves. Swayman stopped 40 of 42 It was the first time he blanked his In San Jose, California, David Max Domi and Jack Roslovic each shots. former Capitals team in a regular- Backes and Nicolas Deslauriers each had a goal and an assist for the Blue Predators 3, Red Wings 2, SO Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini competes for the ball with FC Internazionale season game. had a goal and an assist, and Anaheim Jackets, who rebounded after losing In Detroit, Ryan Johansen and Milano’s Nicolo Barella during the Italian Serie A soccer match between New York improved to 16-1-2 at stopped San Jose’s four-game win three in a row. Nick Foligno also Roman Josi scored in the shootout to Bologna and Inter Milan at the Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Nassau Coliseum, remaining the only streak. scored. lift the Nashville over Detroit. on April 3. (AP) team in the NHL with just one regula- Adam Henrique, Isac Lundestrom Tampa Bay has dropped two The Predators improved to 4-0 in tion loss at home. and Max Comtois also scored for straight and five of seven overall shootouts. The Islanders are 11-4-4 in games Anaheim, which had lost three in a while relinquishing first place in the Dylan Larkin and Filip Zadina NHL Results/Standings decided by a single goal, including a row. John Gibson made 34 saves. Central Division to the Florida failed to score in the first shootout of 6-4 record in regulation. Patrick Marleau scored a power- Panthers. Ross Colton and Luke the season for the Red Wings. Sabres 5, Devils 3 Adam Erne and Danny DeKeyser WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on In Newark, N.J., Defenseman scored in regulation for Detroit. Tuesday. Rasmus Dahlin scored and set up the Thomas Greiss had 29 saves. Buffalo 5 New Jersey 3 Boston 4 Philadelphia 2 NY Islanders 1 Washington 0 Nashville 3 Detroit SO 2 winning goal by Casey Mittelstadt as Mikael Granlund and Luke Kunin Columbus 4 Tampa Bay 2 Chicago 4 Dallas 2 Buffalo snapped a 10-game road win- scored for Nashville. Juuse Saros Carolina 5 Florida 2 Anaheim 5 San Jose 1 less streak with a win over New made 25 saves. NY Rangers 8 Pittsburgh 4 Jersey. Blackhawks 4, Stars 2 East Division West Division In Chicago, Kirby Dach, Dominik GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Ramus Asplund, Brandon Montour Washington 39 25 10 4 54 132 118 Colorado 38 26 8 4 56 137 87 and Rasmus Ristolainen also scored Kubilik and Alex DeBrincat scored, NY Islanders 39 25 10 4 54 118 90 Vegas 37 25 10 2 52 119 85 for the Sabres, who recently snapped Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, Pittsburgh 39 24 13 2 50 130 110 Minnesota 37 23 12 2 48 108 94 an 18-game winless streak. Linus and Chicago beat Dallas. Boston 36 20 10 6 46 102 91 Arizona 39 19 15 5 43 107 118 NY Rangers 38 18 15 5 41 125 103 St Louis 38 16 16 6 38 104 124 Ullmark made 27 saves to beat the The Stars rallied from a three-goal Philadelphia 38 18 15 5 41 114 138 San Jose 38 17 17 4 38 106 127 Devils for the fourth time this season. deficit in the third period, but goalten- New Jersey 37 13 18 6 32 91 118 Los Angeles 37 14 17 6 34 100 107 Buffalo 38 9 23 6 24 87 131 Anaheim 40 12 21 7 31 92 131 Damon Severson, Jesper Bratt and der Kevin Lankinen stopped Dallas’ Central Division Pavel Zacha scored for New Jersey, Roope Hintz in the slot with 93 sec- GP W L OT Pts GF GA North Division which is 1-4-2 in its last seven games. onds to play after goals by Andrew Florida 40 26 10 4 56 132 108 GP W L OT Pts GF GA Carolina 38 26 9 3 55 125 94 Toronto 39 26 10 3 55 130 98 Scott Wedgewood made 13 saves in Cogliano and Radek Faksa closed the Tampa Bay 39 26 11 2 54 132 97 Winnipeg 39 23 13 3 49 125 107 his first start in five games. gap. Nashville 40 21 18 1 43 102 115 Edmonton 39 23 14 2 48 127 112 Rangers 8, Penguins 4 The victory stopped Chicago’s Chicago 40 18 17 5 41 113 124 Montreal 35 17 9 9 43 114 96 Columbus 41 15 18 8 38 102 131 Vancouver 37 16 18 3 35 100 120 In New York, Artemi Panarin had a two-game losing streak, and extended Dallas 37 13 14 10 36 100 99 Calgary 40 16 21 3 35 103 124 goal and three assists, Adam Fox had Dallas’ losing skid to two games, Detroit 41 13 22 6 32 90 128 Ottawa 39 13 22 4 30 104 146 a goal and two assists and the Rangers Washington Capitals’ John Carlson (74) fi ghts for position with New York dropping them to sixth-place in the Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each beat Pittsburgh. Islanders’ Leo Komarov (47) during the second period of an NHL hockey Central Division. The Blackhawks division will qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. Colin Blackwell, Mika Zibanejad, game, on April 6, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP) remain in fourth place. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 SPORTS 15 Nationals fi nally play, rally to beat Braves Kershaw bounces back, Dodgers beat winless A’s again

WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the coronavirus-de- pleted Washington Nation- als to a 6-5 comeback victo- ry over the Atlanta Braves after waiting fi ve days to start their season. Lefty reliever Will Smith (0-1) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hit- ter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center fi eld. Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson homered against Washington ace Max Scherzer. Acuña drove Scherzer’s fi rst pitch of the game deep to left-center, and led off the third with his second homer. Turner hit a two-run shot for the Na- tionals. Daniel Hudson (1-0) got the win. Dodgers 5, Athletics 1 In Oakland, California, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw struck out eight in seven smooth innings to send the Ath- letics to their worst start in more than a century. Mookie Betts homered for the fi rst time this season, a towering solo shot to left-center in the ninth. Max Muncy

BASEBALL and Edwin Rios also went deep for the World Series champion Dodgers (5-1). At 0-6, the A’s have matched the Baltimore Orioles catcher Pedro Severino (28) tags New York Yankees Gio Urshela, left, out at the plate after the Yankees DJ LeMahieu hit into a fi elder’s choice during the eighth inning of a poorest start in franchise history. The baseball game, on April 6, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP) 1916 Philadelphia Athletics also began the season with six consecutive losses. Yankees 7, Orioles 2 US weighs joint approach to Beijing Olympics with allies In New York, Gerrit Cole struck out 13 and walked none over seven score- less innings in his most dominant start since joining the Yankees. Cole (1-0) allowed four hits, three Tokyo Olympic torch relay taken off streets of Osaka of them singles, in the type of the per- formance that showed why the Yan- TOKYO, April 7, (AP): The To- kees made him baseball’s highest-paid kyo Olympic torch relay will not run pitcher in December 2019 with a $324 through the streets of Osaka prefecture million, nine-year contract. next week because of rising COV- Australian rugby league Jay Bruce backed him with his fi rst ID-19 cases. Yankees home run, a solo shot in the The move is a setback for Tokyo second off Dean Kremer (0-1), and organizers, who began the relay two ‘legend’ Raudonikis dies Aaron Judge added a three-run homer in weeks ago from northeastern Fuku- the eighth. shima prefecture with 10,000 runners GOLD COAST, Australia, April tion or chemotherapy.” Red Sox 6, Rays 5, 12 Innings planning to crisscross Japan over the 7, (AP): Tommy Raudonikis, Born in Bathurst in central course of four months. one of the toughest players to New South Wales state in 1950, In Boston, Randy Arozarena got The Olympics open in just over 100 have pulled on a rugby league Raudonikis was the son of an twisted around in deep right fi eld on days on July 23. jumper in Australia and one of immigrant Lithuanian father J.D. Martinez’s two-run double with In a last-minute change of plans, or- the game’s great characters, and a Swiss mother. In 1969 he two outs in the 12th inning that lifted ganizers said in a statement Wednes- has died. He was 70. moved to Sydney and played Boston over Tampa Bay. day that runners and the torch will be The Australian Rugby League the fi rst of 201 games with The Rays were in line for the win involved in some event in an Osaka Commission said that Raudoni- Western Suburbs in the Sydney before Christian Vázquez belted Die- kis died Wednesday of cancer fi rst division. go Castillo’s 0-2 pitch over the Green city park on the days the relay was to just six days before his 71st After 11 seasons at Wests, Monster for a tying homer leading off cross the entire prefecture. That was to birthday. nine of them as club captain, the ninth. be April 13-14. A halfback Raudonikis joined Newtown in Martinez had an RBI double in the for Syd- 1980, playing 37 games over eighth for the Red Sox, who won their Chinese attendants dressed in winter costumes rehearse the award cere- ney sides three seasons, including the second straight after an 0-3 start. OLYMPICS mony of the men’s 500-meters race during a test event for the 2022 Beijing Wests and 1981 grand fi nal as captain. Tampa Bay has dropped three in a Winter Olympics at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, on April 7, Newtown, row. 2021. (AP) Raudonikis Details are expected later this week played 29 Mets 8, Phillies 4 RUGBY or next week. spike will be seen soon in Tokyo. Human rights groups are protesting times for In Philadelphia, Marcus Stroman The ordeal of keeping the relay on Meanwhile, the State Department China’s hosting of the Games, which Australia in tossed six sharp innings in his fi rst start track reminds of the giant problems said Tuesday the Biden administration are set to start in February 2022. They tests and Raudonikis was most defi nite- since 2019, sending New York to the that are likely when the Olympics and is consulting with allies about a joint have urged a diplomatic or straight-up World Cup ly “old school” - he disliked the win. Paralympics take place with a total of matches. practice of opposition players Dominic Smith and Pete Alonso each approach to China and its human rights boycott of the event to call attention Raudoni- Raudonikis chatting and joking with each 15,400 athletes from more than 200 record, including how to handle the to alleged Chinese abuses against Uy- hit a two-run homer for the Mets. countries entering Japan. They will be kis, who was other at the end of a match. Didi Gregorius hit a solo homer for upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. ghurs, Tibetans, and residents of Hong inducted into the National Rugby “I hated the opposition like joined by tens of thousands of other of- The department initially suggested Kong. Philadelphia, which sought its fi rst 5-0 fi cials, judges, media and broadcasters. League Hall of Fame in 2008, they’d done something wrong to start since 1915. After sitting out last that an Olympic boycott to protest Price declined to say when a deci- had battled a series of cancers in the family,” he was once quoted Osaka prefecture Governor Hi- China’s rights abuses was among the sion pm the Olympics might be made, the past several decades. as saying. “I couldn’t wait to get year due to COVID-19 concerns, Stro- rofumi Yoshimura asked people on man (1-0) didn’t miss a step. He allowed possibilities but a senior offi cial said but noted there is still almost a year un- “Six months, a year ago, I off the fi eld, especially if we got Wednesday not to make unnecessary was gone,” Raudonikis told Fox beaten. I couldn’t wait till next one run and three hits. trips in the area. later that a boycott has not yet been til the Games are set to begin. discussed. “These Games remain some time Sports in 2019. “The cancer had week to redeem myself.” Padres 3, Giants 1 “Medical systems (in Osaka) are spread and got around my carot- After he retired from playing, on the verge of collapse,” Yoshimura The offi cial said the U.S. position on away. I wouldn’t want to put a time- In San Diego, Victor Caratini hit a the 2022 Games had not changed but frame on it, but these discussions are id artery, I’ve had cancer of the Raudonikis coached and took tiebreaking two-run homer for San Die- said at a news conference, attributing testicles, four bypasses, cancer up commentating roles on radio go, and Yu Darvish pitched six strong the rapid spike in infections to new that the administration is in frequent underway,” he said. “It is something of the vocal cords, cancer of the and television. ARL Commission innings. variants of the virus. “Obviously it contact with allies and partners about that we certainly wish to discuss and throat. But this last one . . . they chairman Peter V’landys said The Padres won a few hours after spreads more rapidly and it is more their common concerns about China. it is certainly something that we under- couldn’t have any more radia- Raudonikis was “one of a kind.” getting the news that star shortstop Fer- contagious.” Department spokesman Ned Price said stand that a coordinated approach will nando Tatis Jr. is expected to avoid sur- About 70% of hospital beds avail- earlier the consultations were being be not only in our interest, but also in gery for now for a partially dislocated able in Osaka have already been occu- held in order to present a united front. the interest of our allies and partners. says “political motives” underlie the been told by the IOC that China has left shoulder. Tatis was placed on the pied, offi cials said. “Part of our review of those Olym- So this is one of the issues that is on the boycott effort. given “assurances” about human rights 10-day injured list and the Padres didn’t Osaka reported 719 new cases Tues- pics and our thinking will involve agenda, both now and going forward.” Rights groups have met with the conditions. set a timeline for his return. day and more than 800 were expected close consultations with partners and The Beijing Winter Olympics open International Olympic Committee and Both the IOC and the U.S. Olympic Astros 4, Aangels 2 Wednesday, both exceeding totals for allies around the world,” Price told on Feb. 4, 2022 and China has denied have been told the Olympic body must and Paralympic Committee have said stay politically “neutral.” They have in the past they oppose boycotts. In Anaheim, California, Carlos Cor- Tokyo. But there are also fears the reporters. all charges of human rights abuses. It rea hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the ninth inning, lifting Houston to the scandal in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. fensive outburst. Tucker Barnhart and Cardinals 4, Marlins 2 a package to Miami for Marcell Ozuna other big hit in this charmed start to his victory. Reds 14, Pirates 1 Nick Senzel also had three hits apiece. In Miami, Yadier Molina hit a tiebreak- in December 2017, three months after big league career, lining an RBI single Kyle Tucker and Aledmys Díaz hit The Reds set a franchise record with making his major league debut with in the 10th inning for Detroit. ing sacrifi ce fl y off former batterymate back-to-back homers in the second in- In Cincinnati, Tyler Naquin homered 46 runs in their fi rst fi ve games. The Molina behind the plate. Baddoo made his debut Sunday and ning for the Astros, who went an im- twice and drove in a career-high seven 1895 and 1976 teams scored 44 runs Sandy Alcantara, capping St. Louis’ The 25-year-old Alcantara (0-1) homered on the fi rst pitch thrown to pressive 5-1 on their six-game road trip runs, leading Cincinnati to its fourth through fi ve games. three-run rally in the sixth inning. Dylan struck out 10 in six innings. He permit- him. Then he hit a grand slam in a 15-6 to start the season amid the incessant straight victory. Cincinnati left-hander Wade Miley Carlson hit his second homer of the season ted two earned runs and four hits. loss to the Twins on Monday. The rook- Rookie Jonathan India had three hits booing and jeering they’ll hear indefi - (1-0) pitched six scoreless innings in his for an insurance run in the ninth. Brewers 4, Cubs 0 ie entered Tuesday’s game as a pinch nitely as fans react to their sign-stealing and four RBIs in Cincinnati’s latest of- fi rst start of the year. Alcantara was traded by St. Louis in runner, stayed in to the play the outfi eld In Chicago, Freddy Peralta pitched and ended it with a hit to right off Han- fi ve sharp innings, Travis Shaw hit sel Robles (0-1). MLB Results/Standings a three-run homer and Milwaukee Nelson Cruz and Byron Buxton stopped a three-game slide. homered for the Twins, who rallied Peralta (1-0) struck out eight and from a 3-1 defi cit. walked four. Kris Bryant doubled in White Sox 10, Mariners 4 WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): Results and standings from the MLB games on the fourth for Chicago’s only hit of the Tuesday. game. In Settle, Jose Abreu hammered a Detroit 4 Twins (10 innings) 3 Washington 6 Atlanta 5 Shaw connected in the fi rst against grand slam into the second deck for his Astros 4 LA Angels 2 Cincinnati 14 Pittsburgh 1 200th career home run, Luis Robert and NY Yankees 7 Baltimore 2 St Louis 4 Miami 2 Adbert Alzolay (0-1), sending an oppo- Texas 7 Toronto 4 NY Mets 8 Philadelphia 4 site-fi eld drive deep to left-center. Omar Zack Collins both went deep for the fi rst Boston 6 Tampa Bay (12 innings) 5 Brewers 4 Chic Cubs 0 Narvaez added a solo drive in the fourth. time this season and Chicago beat Seat- LA Dodgers 5 Oakland 1 SD Padres 3 SF Giants 1 tle. Chic W. Sox 10 Seattle 4 Arizona 10 Colorado (13 innings) 8 Rangers 7, Blue Jays 4 A miserable night for the Mariners East Division East Division In Arlington, Texas, Nate Lowe began when starting pitcher James Pax- W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Baltimore 3 2 .600 _ Philadelphia 4 1 .800 _ homered twice for Texas and padded ton exited early due to a left elbow in- New York 3 2 .600 _ Washington 1 0 1.000 1 his franchise record for RBIs to start the jury. Lucas Giolito (1-0) struck out 10 Toronto 3 2 .600 _ New York 1 1 .500 1-1/2 season with four more. in 5 1/3 innings. Boston 2 3 .400 1 Miami 1 4 .200 3 Lowe was the fi rst Texas player to go Diamondbacks 10, Rockies 8, 13 TB Rays 2 3 .400 1 Atlanta 0 4 .000 3-1/2 deep in front of the home fans at Globe Central Division Central Division Innings W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Life Field, lining a two-run shot into the Kansas City 3 1 .750 _ Cincinnati 4 1 .800 _ Toronto bullpen in left-center fi eld for a In Denver, Stephen Vogt homered Detroit 3 2 .600 -1/2 Chicago 3 2 .600 1 2-1 lead in the fi rst inning. and hit a go-ahead single in the 13th in- Twins 3 2 .600 -1/2 St Louis 3 2 .600 1 ning as Arizona overcame Ryan McMa- Chicago 3 3 .500 1 Milwaukee 2 3 .400 2 Ronald Guzman and Jonah Heim Cleveland 1 3 .250 2 Pittsburgh 1 4 .200 3 also went deep for the Rangers in their hon’s three home runs, beating Colora- West Division West Division fi rst four-homer game in their year-old do in a game delayed about 50 minutes W L Pct GB W L Pct GB ballpark. It was also the fi rst six-homer at the start by snow fl urries. Houston 5 1 .833 _ Los Angeles 5 1 .833 _ McMahon hit three solo homers in Los Angeles 4 2 .667 1 San Diego 4 2 .667 1 game in the regular season, with Toron- Seattle 2 3 .400 2-1/2 Arizona 2 3 .400 2-1/2 to’s Bo Bichette connecting twice. his fi rst three at-bats to become the 18th Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto singles in the ninth inning of an opening Texas 2 3 .400 2-1/2 SF Giants 2 3 .400 2-1/2 player in Rockies history with three in day baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, on April Oakland 0 6 .000 5 Colorado 1 3 .250 3 Tigers 4, Twins 3, 10 Innings one game. He added an RBI double in 6, in Washington. (AP) In Detroit, Akil Baddoo added an- the 13th. ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 16

Nashville Predators goal- tender Juuse Saros (74) stops a Detroit Red Wings de- fenseman Troy Stecher (70) shot in overtime during an NHL hockey game in Detroit. Predators won 3-2 in SO.(AP) – See Page 14 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Warriors hold off Bucks in thriller Embiid scores 35, 76ers sweep season series with Celtics BOSTON, April 7, (AP): Joel Embiid scored 35 points and the Philadelphia 76ers rolled to a 106-96 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. Danny Green added 17 points as the Sixers posted their third straight victory over the Celtics to sweep the Real take commanding lead season series. The 76ers have won both games since Embiid returned from a 10- game absence while he recovered Liverpool beaten from a bruised bone in his left knee. They have won three of four overall. MADRID, April 7, (AP): Philadelphia led by 21 in the sec- ond half of the opener of a four-game Vinícius Júnior fi nally trip. came up with the type of Boston was trying for its fi rst three- performance Real Madrid game win streak since early March. fans have been expecting Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 20 points, and Jaylen Brown fi nished from him. with 17. The Brazilian forward netted his Warriors 122, Bucks 121 fi rst double for the club , leading In San Francisco, Kelly Oubre Jr. them to a 3-1 over Liverpool in the converted a pair of free throws with fi rst leg of the Champions League 7.7 seconds left to give Golden State quarterfi nals. the lead, and Milwaukee missed at The youngster tormented the Liver- the end. pool defense all night and was precise Stephen Curry made a 3-pointer with his fi nishes, moving the Spanish with 1:06 to play on the way to 41 powerhouse closer to the semifi nals points with fi ve 3-pointers as his team after a two-year absence. worked until the fi nal buzzer to snap a Marco Asensio also scored for three-game losing streak. Madrid, which took full advantage Oubre wound up with 19 points of Liverpool’s and Kent Bazemore scored 18 in defensive blun- just the Warriors’ second win in nine ders in the fi rst games. half to take a Khris Middleton scored 28 points commanding as Milwaukee again missed injured lead ahead of big man Giannis Antetokounmpo. the second leg Holiday fi nished with 29 points and in England. knocked down back-to-back 3-point- Mohamed ers that weren’t quite enough. Salah netted Antetokounmpo sat out his second the lone goal for Liverpool straight game with a sore left knee. early in the sec- Vinicius Junior ond half before BASKETBALL Vinícius Júnior sealed the victory for the hosts. The game was a rematch of the Clippers 113, Trail Blazers 116 2018 Champions League fi nal won by In Los Angeles, Paul George Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, (right), duels for the ball with Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez during the Champions League quarter-fi nal fi rst leg, soccer match the same score by Madrid, which since scored 36 points and Los Angeles then were eliminated in the tourna- rode a franchise-best 47-point fi rst between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain. (AP) ment’s round of 16 two years in a row. quarter to a 133-116 victory over Liverpool won the title following the Portland. NBA Results/Standings loss to Madrid but were also eliminat- Kawhi Leonard added 29 points, FIFA suspends Pakistan & Chad ed in the round of 16 last season. 12 rebounds and seven assists as the Manchester City defeated Borussia Clippers followed an 18-point rout of Dortmund 2-1 at home in the other the defending champion Lakers two WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): NBA re- because of governance disputes quarterfi nal . sults and standings on Tuesday. days ago with another impressive Chicago 113 Indiana 97 Liverpool recently endured a run of performance. Atlanta 123 New Orleans 107 ZURICH, April 7, (AP): FIFA PFF after another dispute over a poor results and sit only seventh in the George shot 11 of 18 and made six Philadelphia 106 Boston 96 suspended the national soccer fed- contested election. FIFA opposes Premier League, so they may have to LA Lakers 110 Toronto 101 erations of Pakistan and Chad on governments or courts getting in- 3-pointers. Reggie Jackson added 23 Memphis 124 Miami 112 win the Champions League to return to points off the bench. Wednesday amid disputes about volved in soccer disputes. Denver 134 Detroit 119 The suspension for Chad comes Norman Powell scored 32 points and LA Clippers 133 Portland 116 how they should be run. after the African country’s gov- SOCCER CJ McCollum added 24 points for the Golden State 122 Milwaukee 121 The Pakistan soccer federation, Eastern Conference ernment tried to dissolve the Blazers, who had their four-game road known as the PFF, was suspended Atlantic Division for “third-party interference” for national soccer federation and winning streak snapped. The Clippers W L Pct GB the European competition next season. Philadelphia 35 16 .686 - the second time in four years after appoint new officials to run the It looked lost at the start of the harassed Damian Lillard into 2-of-14 Brooklyn 35 16 .686 - sport. FIFA said it will lift the shooting for 11 points. a group of officials and protesters match at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Sta- New York 25 26 .490 10 occupied the body’s headquarters suspension if the government re- Boston 25 26 .490 10 dium in Madrid, unable to get a shot on The Clippers scored 47 points in last month. peals those decisions and hands the fi rst quarter, the most in that quar- Toronto 20 31 .392 15 goal in the fi rst half. Southeast Division The protesters oppose a “nor- back power to the president of the ter in franchise history. Vinícius Júnior opened the scor- W L Pct GB malization committee” appointed soccer federation. ing on a breakaway in the 27th after a Hawks 123, Pelicans 107 Atlanta 27 24 .529 - Chad was disqualified from Af- Charlotte 25 24 .510 1 by FIFA to run the sport in Paki- perfectly timed long pass over the top In Atlanta, Trae Young scored 30 stan after years of infighting by rican Cup of Nations qualifying points and helped lead a third-quar- Miami 26 25 .510 1 by Toni Kroos. The Brazilian forward Washington 17 32 .347 9 groups of officials. The takeover of last month when the Confederation made a nice run between Liverpool de- ter 3-point barrage as surging At- Orlando 17 33 .340 9-1/2 the PFF headquarters has already of African Football ordered it to fenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and lanta beat Zion Williamson and New Central Division Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) forfeit two games as a result of the W L Pct GB disrupted the national women’s Nathaniel Phillips then chested the ball Orleans. Milwaukee 32 18 .640 - goes to the basket as New Orleans championship. dispute. ❑ ❑ ❑ down before fi ring a low right-footed The Hawks sank each of their 11 Indiana 22 27 .449 9-1/2 Pelicans center Steven Adams (12) shot from inside the area past goal- 3-point attempts in the third, includ- Chicago 21 28 .429 10-1/2 defends in the first half of an NBA Cleveland 18 32 .360 14 Manchester City now have keeper Alisson Becker. ing four from Bogdan Bogdanovic, basketball game in Atlanta. (AP) SOCCER Detroit 15 36 .294 17-1/2 the Premier League’s largest-ever Vinícius Júnior, who had scored who had 21 points. Atlanta made 20 Western Conference ers for the No. 9 spot in the Eastern wage bill, and it is set to keep on only one goal since October and four of 31 3s overall. Southwest Division “This suspension will only be W L Pct GB Conference. Vucevic also had fi ve growing. in total this season, arrived to Madrid Young also had 12 assists. He Dallas 28 21 .571 - lifted once FIFA has received Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne se- amid high expectations as a teenager made three 3s in the third as the assists while going 14 of 29 from the Memphis 25 23 .521 2-1/2 fi eld. All-Star Zach LaVine added 19 confirmation from the normaliza- cured improved terms on Wednes- but had been criticized for his poor Hawks surged to a 107-90 lead. San Antonio 24 24 .500 3-1/2 tion committee of the PFF that the day with a two-year extension that fi nishes and bad decisions in front of Kevin Huerter had 17 points for New Orleans 22 28 .440 6-1/2 points, eight rebounds and six assists. PFF’s premises, accounts, admin- Houston 13 37 .260 15-1/2 Indiana began the game without contracts him to City until 2025. goal. He pointed to the team’s shield Atlanta, which has won four consecu- Northwest Division istration and communication chan- The deal was announced as the both times after scoring. tive games to improve to 13-4 under W L Pct GB two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis nels are again under its full control Another long pass by Kroos - and a Utah 38 12 .760 - club’s annual report showed em- interim coach Nate McMillan. (sprained left ankle) and guard Mal- and it can continue to carry out ployee costs rose 11% in the last fi- defensive blunder by Liverpool - led to Denver 32 18 .640 6 colm Brogdon (sore right hip) before Williamson led the Pelicans with Portland 30 20 .600 8 its mandate without further hin- nancial year to 351 million pounds Asensio’s second goal in the 36th. Al- 34 points. Lonzo Ball had 12 points, Oklahoma City 20 30 .400 18 losing Myles Turner in the third quar- drance,” FIFA said. ($485 million). City’s payroll costs exander-Arnold tried to clear the ball Minnesota 13 38 .255 25-1/2 ter with a sprained left ankle. Pakistan was previously sus- 11 assists and eight rebounds. Pacifi c Division now eclipse those across Manches- from Kroos but headed it across the Nuggets 134, Pistons 119 W L Pct GB Caris LeVert led the Pacers with pended from October 2017 to ter at United, which dropped from area directly to Asensio, who fl ipped In Denver, Nikola Jokic scored Phoenix 35 14 .714 - 20 points and six rebounds. Edmond March 2018 after FIFA objected to 284 million pounds in the same the ball over the charging Becker and LA Clippers 34 18 .654 2-1/2 Sumner and Jeremy Lamb each to a court decision to appoint an period covering the pandemic-dis- fi nished the move on the other side to 27 points in 27 minutes and Denver LA Lakers 32 19 .627 4 spoiled the return of Jerami Grant Golden State 24 27 .471 12 scored 15 points as Indiana lost for outside administrator to run the rupted 2019-20 season. push it into the open net. and Mason Plumlee by shellacking Sacramento 22 29 .431 14 the ninth time in 10 home games. Liverpool complained of a foul by Detroit. Lucas Vázquez on Sadio Mané just moments before Madrid’s second goal. Jokic also dished out 11 assists, his layup attempt. Several players, in- 83rd career double-digit assist game, The English side improved after the cluding Harrell, were involved in an break and were able to pull one back two more than Wilt Chamberlain had altercation after Schroder and Anu- in his Hall of Fame career. early in the second half with Salah fi nd- noby squared off. ing the net from close range after a shot The Nuggets got 25 points from Grizzlies 124, Heat 112 Michael Porter Jr. and 24 from Will by Diogo Jota was partially blocked In Miami, Dillon Brooks scored by Luka Modric in the 51st. The goal Barton. Denver led by as many as 28 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting and before sitting most of its starters early had to be confi rmed by video review in the second half. Memphis ended another Miami los- because of a possible offside by Salah. Grant has had a breakout season in ing streak. With the goal, Salah became the Detroit, where he brought a 22.4-point Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points fi fth Liverpool player to score in four and 10 rebounds, Kyle Anderson fi n- consecutive European appearances. scoring average into Denver. He scored Asensio, who scored in each of Ma- 29 points over 30 minutes to go with ished with 19 points and Desmond Bane added 15 points for the Griz- drid’s last four games in all competi- Saddiq Bey’s 25 points. tions, squandered the chance to increase Lakers 110, Raptors 101 zlies, who won their third straight. Jimmy Butler scored 28 points and Madrid’s lead on a breakaway in the In Tampa, Fla., Los Angeles built 64th. But a minute later, Vinícius Júnior a 34-point lead in the fi rst 20 minutes Bam Adebayo had 18 for the Heat, who had won their past four. Three didn’t miss his opportunity after a pass and cruised past Toronto. by Modric amid more soft defending by Talen Horton-Tucker led seven weeks ago, Memphis stalled another Miami win streak at fi ve. the English team, fi nding the net with a Lakers in double fi gures with 17 shot from near the penalty spot. points. Markieff Morris scored 15 be- Victor Oladipo, in his third game Liverpool had kept four consecutive fore leaving the game with fi ve fouls since joining the Heat in a trade with clean sheets away from home going in the third quarter. Houston, scored 16 points. into the game in Madrid. They have Pascal Siakam scored 17 of his 27 Bulls 113, Pacers 97 not had fi ve in a row in away games points in the fourth quarter for To- In Indianapolis, Nikola Vucevic this century. ronto after hitting just 2 of 11 shots took advantage of Indiana’s missing Madrid got the win even though in the fi rst half. big men by posting 32 points and 17 their defensive problems compounded The Lakers’ Montrezl Harrell and rebounds in Chicago’s win. just before the game as Raphael Var- Toronto’s OG Anunoby were ejected Chicago has won two straight since ane tested positive for the coronavirus. with 2:24 left in the fi rst quarter after snapping a six-game losing streak and Philadelphia 76ers center Dwight Howard (39) and Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) battle for a re- Captain Sergio Ramos had already Dennis Schroder fouled Anunoby’s moved within one game of the Pac- bound during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Boston. (AP) been ruled out because of an injury.

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