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Page 14 THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT horse racing Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com

MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 / SHAWWAL 5, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17689 16 PAGES 150 FILS Fifty-two children in Palestinian toll

Israeli strike fells building housing Kuwait TV

GAZA, May 16, (Agencies): Number of martyrs rose up to 181 since start of Israeli at- addition to other media outlets, is located, its reporter in the coastal enclave said. “The 12-storey Al-Jalaa tower block in Gaza collapsed after repeated missile strikes from the Israeli air force,” Kuwait tacks on Gaza strip six days ago, Palestinian Ministry of Health announced on Sunday. television reporter Suad Al-Imam told KUNA. In a press statement, Ministry spokesman Dr Ashraf Al-Qudra said in a statement that number of Palestinian The compound, which houses offices of news media including Qatar’s Al-Jazeera television network, collapsed in plumes martyrs reached 181, including 52 children and 31 women, besides more than 1,200 wounded people. of smoke that caused damage to nearby buildings and private flats. Al-Qudra added that the death toll rose after the Israeli occupation forces targeted Al-Wehda Street in Gaza City last night, The incident has been widely condemned by journalists as an attack on press freedom. killing 33 people, including 12 women and eight children, also injuring 50 others, most of them children and women. Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah on Sunday Moreover, he pointed out that Israeli offensive is intentionally targeting all ways that lead to Al-Shefa’a Medical Center addressed the UN Security Council session on Palestine, held in New York, renewing the State of Kuwait strong condemna- and several hospitals in order to prevent patients from getting any medical treatment tion of the crimes and attacks carried out by the israeli occupation forces in the occupied Palestinian territories. An Israeli airs trike on Saturday destroyed a high-rise building in the Gaza Strip where the office of Kuwait television, in The State of Kuwait renews its utter denunciation of the crimes and offensives carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Palestinian ter- ritories, including the city of Je- rusalem. Moreover, Kuwait denounces Opinion all Israel’s illegal settlement schemes, its bids to seize Pales- tinians’ houses and properties, particularly citizens’ assets in Iran spectates Gaza massacres, Palestinians insult Gulf Jerusalem, namely in Sheikh Jar- rah district, seeking to evacuate the holy city of its population for sake of Judaizing it. By Ahmed Al-Jarallah daily? Doesn’t Hamas hold secret meet- Such practices are illegal and Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times ings with Israel’s security agency Shin illegitimate breaches and consti- Bet? Why such political ambivalence in tute flagrant violation of the rele- UNDOUBTEDLY, the events transpiring the perception of the Arab countries? vant international resolutions and in Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Gaza and We are not mistaken when we say references that affirm that uni- the occupied Palestinian cities are con- that the Palestinians have failed to be an lateral measures and decisions demned and rejected at all levels. Howev- advocate for such a just cause, and that aimed at altering the legal and er, the question that the Palestinians have they have become professionals in losing historic status in the occupied to answer themselves is – What have you brothers, supporters and friends. territories are invalid and false; done for your country? Those who talk about liberating Pales- they neither create a right nor a What has the so-called “axis of resis- tine with a few rockets that they hurl at Is- commitment. tance” done apart from shouting slogans rael get their salaries in shekels. All their Sheikh Dr Ahmad indicated and hurling threats for 40 years about the food supplies come from the settlement how the occupation forces along liberation of Palestine, and praying at Al- areas they built with their hands. with settlers mercilessly assault- Aqsa Mosque, while committing massa- So how does this equation balance ed children and women to take cres in Iraq, Syria and Yemen? seem to these people – working for the over their properties. Isn’t Iran present today on the Syrian- occupier and living by his money, and Israeli borders? Why did it not hit Tel then claiming resistance and struggle for Policies Aviv, Haifa, Jaffa, Ashdod, and other liberation? Such policies and practices Israeli cities with its missiles instead of It was clear since 1969, when the Aus- affirm once again that israel is targeting the holy sites in Makkah and tralian Jew Michael Rohan burned down seeking to bolster the occupation Madinah? Or is it satisfied with just cel- Al-Aqsa Mosque, and no one on earth and show that it has no desire to ebrating the so-called “Jerusalem Day” moved to defend it, that the Palestinians reach a full and just peace agree- through military parades? do not want to liberate their country. ment, the Kuwaiti foreign minis- One week ago, the commander of the At that time, the then Israeli Prime ter noted. Iranian Revolutionary Guards Hossein Minister Golda Meir said in response to The attacks and crimes perpe- Salami said, “The first strike of the Zion- that incident, “I did not sleep at night. All trated by the occupation israeli ist entity could be the last, as it can be de- that I imagined was that the Arabs will forces are part of a chain of vio- stroyed with a single operation ... ” enter Palestine in waves from all direc- lations by israel, the occupation- Isn’t the current situation an opportuni- tions. However, when morning broke out based power, of the Security ty for his forces to take and strike Israel? and nothing had happened, I realized that Council resolutions 242, 338, So why not take that opportunity? we can do whatever we want, because 476, 478 and 2334, stipulating Since the events of the Al-Aqsa this is a sleeping nation.” that sanctity of Jerusalem cannot Mosque began followed by the bombing For 50 years, the Palestinians did not be desecrated. of Israel by the Palestinian movements – take any positive steps towards their Kuwaiti National Assembly Hamas and Islamic Jihad – with rockets, land. Even the agreement they settled for Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim on many Palestinians have strived to attack which gave them national authority was Wednesday urged the Arab Par- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates under pressure from the Gulf states par- liamentary Union (APU) to co- and other Arabian Gulf states, and hold ticularly Saudi Arabia. ordinate with Arab civil society them responsible for what is currently They accepted crumbs at the time organizations, Red Crescent so- transpiring in Palestine. when they could announce general mo- cieties and charitable institutions Although we do not understand how bilization, attack the Israelis with stones to launch a wide popular dona- the conversation was linked, the Gulf and liberate their country, as the Israeli tion campaign to back Palestin- countries announced their condemnation army will not be able to kill eight million ians’ steadfastness in Jerusalem of Israel’s practices from the first moment Palestinians. and the rest of the occupied Pal- of the crisis. They protested in interna- All that the Palestinian factions want estinian territories. tional forums, called for a unified Arab is to earn money by trading their case This came in Al-Ghanim’s position, and declared their readiness to through insulting the Arabs. For this they speech before the 31st emergen- support the Palestinians. So, we wonder must now remove their thorns with their cy conference of APU that was why Palestine is taking such an ungrate- own hands. Iran, which occupies the is- held virtually. ful position? lands of the United Arab Emirates and He called for exposing the Everyone in the region knows that the exterminates the Arabs in Iraq and Syria, practices of the “Zionist” oc- balance of power tends to favor Israel in- will help them, because it believes the cupation committed against ternationally, and that the United States of road to Jerusalem should be filled with Palestinians, proposing form- America is standing firmly behind it and the blood of the people of these countries. ing a delegation of the APU providing it with all support, and even to meet with head of the Inter- the United Nations ... So do these people Email: [email protected] Parliamentary Union (IPU) and think that insulting the United Arab Emir- Follow me on: other bodies to discuss taking ates, Saudi Arabia and their leaders will measures relating to disclosing lead to the liberation of Palestine? these practices. Doesn’t the Palestinian National Au- Palestinian men carry a dead child pulled out of the rubble of a destroyed residential building following “What the Zionist enemy thority coordinate on security aspects Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, May 16. The Israeli airstrikes flattened three buildings and killed at least 26 has been doing at Al-Aqsa; and with Tel Aviv, and that the Palestinian [email protected] people Sunday, medics said, making it the deadliest single attack since heavy fighting broke out between Israel and the territory’s militant Hamas rulers nearly a week ago. (AP) Sheikh Jarrah and Al-Amoud ministers and officials meet with them neighborhoods for a long time is not new or exceptional,” he said, pointing to Israel’s arrogance Breakthrough seen and violations of all international Iran enriches to highest purity conventions. Violations BERLIN, May 16, (AP): Iran has enriched taining a nuclear bomb, something the coun- Al-Ghanim went to say that uranium to slightly higher purity than previ- try insists it does not want to do. The gov- New COVID cases dip to 795 Israel’s violations and arrogance ously thought due to “fluctuations” in the pro- ernment in Tehran has said it is prepared to have been faced by steadfast- cess, the United Nations’ atomic watchdog reverse all of its violations but that Washing- KUWAIT CITY, May 16, (Agencies): ness and patience of Palestinians, said Wednesday. ton must remove all sanctions imposed under Kuwait’s Ministry of Health on Saturday pointing to wide solidarity and The report underscores the challenges dip- Trump - including measures imposed over is- reported six COVID-19 deaths and 795 support from Arab and Islamic lomats face in ongoing talks, that began in sues not related to its nuclear program. infections in the past 24 hours. Newswatch nations, and all world’s nations April, to bring the United States back into the In addition to exceeding the purity of urani- The new figures took the country’s death in this regard. 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, which is sup- um enrichment past the 3.67% allowed, Iranian toll to 1,687 and the caseload to 290,801, He pointed out that so- ported by US President Joe Biden. violations of the JCPOA have also included in- noted the ministry’s spokesperson Dr cial media across the globe The initial announcement from Iran that it stalling more advanced centrifuges and stock- Abdullah Al-Sanad in statements to KUNA. KUWAIT CITY: The US embassy in Kuwait has expressed its has been filled with a lot of would start enriching to 60% – which is not piling more enriched uranium than permitted. He pointed out that some 1,047 more regret over the circulation of an alleged letter from former Sec- coverage and comments in a yet weapon’s grade but its highest purity yet – The US has insisted that Iran must return have recovered over the past day, raising retary of State Mike Pompeo listing the names of sanctions spontaneous and unorganized came just as the talks were to begin in Vienna. to full compliance, but just how that would be the total to 276,792. violators. The embassy said this alleged letter is incorrect, re- campaign to expose the occu- International Atomic Energy Agency Direc- carried out is still being discussed. For exam- He added that the number of people ports Al-Rai daily. pation’s practices. tor General Rafael Grossi reported to member ple, diplomats involved concede that Iranian hospitalized with the virus currently The US State Department had earlier issued a statement de- This is an important and vi- agencies on Tuesday that the latest inspec- nuclear scientists cannot unlearn the knowl- stands at 12,322, including 194 currently nying the information contained in the list which the names of tal factor as it simply tells the tions confirmed Iran continues to enrich ura- edge they acquired in the last three years, but at in ICUs. prominent Kuwaitis and institutions. They were included in the Palestinians struggling in Jeru- nium at up to 60% purity in its Natanz plant. it is not clear whether Iran’s new centrifuges list for violating sanctions imposed on Iran. salem that they are not alone, Al-Sanad revealed that some 6,991 ❑ ❑ ❑ Additionally, samples taken April 22 would need to be destroyed, mothballed and swabs conducted over the last day, bring- he said, adding that despite the “showed an enrichment level of up to 63% ... locked away, or simply taken offline. ing the total to 2.45 million. KUWAIT CITY: The Foreign Ministry categorically denied occupation’s attempts to impose consistent with fluctuations of the enrichment Despite its violations of all major restric- He renewed calls to abide by health pre- on Friday claims that a letter was sent the former US Secre- its influence and violate inter- levels experienced in the mode of production tions of the JCPOA, the other countries in- cautions to curb the spread of the virus. tary of State to the ministry, which included the inclusion of a national law, the conscience of at that time,” the IAEA said. volved have insisted that it has been worth The coronavirus (COVID-19) situa- number of Kuwaiti citizens and institutions among violators of the people globally rejects, de- The agency added that on Monday inspec- preserving, if nothing else because it has tion in Kuwait is expected to improve in imposed sanctions to Iran. nounces and disapproves what is tors had “verified that Iran had again changed meant IAEA inspectors have been able to the upcoming months as the vaccination The Ministry called on all to show responsibility and report happening. the mode of production” by which it was pro- continue monitoring Iran’s nuclear program. campaign continues, leading to a possible accurate information before publishing, confi rming that it re- Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City ducing uranium enriched to 60% purity. That access may be further restricted soon, breakthrough and decrease in the num- tains its legal right against anyone who publishes or promotes flattened three buildings and Iran has been steadily violating the restric- however. ber of infections, said Minister of Health such matter that would in turn harm the reputation of Kuwait killed at least 42 people Sunday, tions of the landmark 2015 deal after then-Presi- Iran in February began restricting interna- Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah Thursday. or its national security. (KUNA) Palestinian medics said. Despite dent Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out unilater- tional inspections of its nuclear facilities, but In separate visits to Mubarak Al-Kha- ❑ ❑ ❑ the heavy death toll and interna- ally in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions. under a last-minute deal worked out on Feb. beer hospital and vaccination center in KUWAIT CITY: The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) tional efforts to broker a cease- The deal promised Iran economic incentives in 21 during a trip to Tehran by Grossi, some ac- Mishref area, the minister expressed grati- has approved a mechanism for expats who are over 60 years fire, Israeli Prime Minister Ben- exchanges for curbs on its nuclear program. cess was preserved. tude towards medical staff’s selfless efforts old to register their approved academic certifi cates to help jamin Netanyahu signaled the Iran has intended the violations to pres- Under the agreement, Iran said it would in countering the spread of COVID-19. them renew their work permits online in accordance with the fourth war with Gaza’s Hamas sure the other nations involved – Germany, no longer share surveillance footage of its The minister also commended the staff legal procedures and regulations that allow for their renewal, rulers would rage on. France, Britain, China and Russia – into find- nuclear facilities with the IAEA but promised at vaccination centers throughout Kuwait, reports Al-Qabas daily. In a televised address, Ne- ing ways to offset the US sanctions, so far to preserve the tapes for three months. saying that their work will lead to victory If the employee holds a diploma or university degree and has tanyahu said Sunday evening unsuccessfully. It will then hand them over to the IAEA if against coronavirus. not previously registered his/her certifi cates with the labor de- the attacks were continuing The US is not at the table for the talks that it is granted sanctions relief. Otherwise, Iran While congratulating the leadership, partments, he/she can do so through the automatic certifi cation at “full-force” and will “take began in April, but the other members of the has vowed to erase the recordings. citizens and residents on the advent of approval system, the daily quoting informed sources. time.“ Israel “wants to levy a nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehen- May 21 – one week from Friday – repre- Eid Al-Fitr, the health minister urged all The sources added that it is necessary for the certifi cates to heavy price” from the Hamas sive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, have been sents the end of that three-month window, to continue following social distancing be approved by the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs, com- militant group, he said, flanked shuttling between an American delegation though there has been some suggestion Iran measures to prevent the spread of CO- plete with all other required signatures, and with the details by his defense minister and po- also in Vienna and the Iranian delegation. may extend the deadline if it is satisfied with VID-19, stressing that it was another cru- clearly fi lled on the forms of the automated system. litical rival, Benny Gantz, in a The pact is meant to prevent Iran from ob- the progress of the Vienna talks. cial component of the fight. show of unity. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 2

The Kingdoms Institute — AlUla’s global hub for archaeological and conservation research announced recently — is providing the platform

Photos courtesy of Royal for pioneering scientifi c Commission for AlUla Above: Three research and discov- monumental mustatils and a later funerary ‘pendant’ located atop ery in Arabia’s 22,000 a rocky outcrop on the border of Khaybar and square kilometre Living AlUla counties. Center: The design of the Museum. Kingdoms Institute will be inspired by the works Detailed study in AlUla of the Dadan civilisation with the most prominent and beyond uncovers buildings carved into the mountains opposite the archaeological one of the oldest monu- site of Dadan. Left: An Archaïos survey team mental building tradi- at work in the AlUla Cultural Oasis. Right: An tions yet identifi ed: ‘This archaeologist from the Centre National de la will transform how we RechercheScientifi que (CNRS) team training students from King view Neolithic societies.’ Saud University (KSU) during the archaeological Researchers conducted excavations at Dadan site. Bottom: An an unprecedented aerial excavation team director of the Oxford Archaeology survey of AlUla and the landscape survey project excavates a mustatil, a type of rectangular surrounding region structure probably for ritual purposes, that is followed by extensive among the oldest large- scale stone structures in ground survey and tar- Arabia (circa 5300-5000 BCE), east of the AlUla geted excavation. Valley. he Kingdoms Institute, the recently unveiled centre for archae- conservation. Tological research and conservation studies in AlUla, recently HH Prince Badr, the Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of announced a signifi cant archaeological discovery in north-west the RCU, said: “Inspired by His Royal Highness’s Vision to protect Saudi Arabia: the monumental, complex structures called mustatils 200,000 years of history, AlUla’s cultural legacy continues with are more ancient than previously believed. the Kingdoms Institute: a global hub for knowledge, research and The study and conclusions will be detailed and published in the collaboration, exploring the frontiers of archaeology and unlocking peer-reviewed journal Antiquity on April 30th, 2021. new careers for our community. A place for discovery and celebra- The Kingdoms Institute, unveiled earlier this month, was es- tion, as we unfold Arabia’s contribution to humanity.” tablished under the auspices of the Royal Commission for AlUla While the existence of the mustatils was previously known, the (RCU). The RCU has been conducting a programme of extensive more than 1,000 mustatils that the RCU-commissioned team re- research across AlUla County that is expanding knowledge of the corded are roughly twice as many as were previously identifi ed. area’s human history while also becoming the intellectual founda- The unprecedented aerial and ground research by a team from tion of the institute as a global hub for archaeological research and Continued on Page 3 mustatils ALULA DISCOVERY

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 3 Weather Expected weather for the next By Night: Rather hot with light Bubyan - - Prayer Timings 24 hours: to moderate north westerly wind Jahra 45 29 By Day: Hot with light to mod- to light variable wind with speeds Failaka Island - - Fajr ...... 03:26 Asr ...... 15:20 erate freshening at times over of 08-26 km/h . Salmiyah 41 32 Sunrise .. 04:56 Maghrib .. 18:33 northern areas north westerly Ahmadi 37 31 Zohr ...... 11:44 Isha ...... 20:01 Station Max Exp Min Rec wind with speeds of 12-42 km/h Kuwait City 44 32 Nuwaisib 45 26 with a chance for rising dust over Kuwait Airport 44 26 Wafra 44 27 open areas. Abdaly 44 26 Salmy 42 27

VACCINE REGISTRATION WEBSITE: https://cov19vaccine.moh.gov.kw/SPCMS/CVD_19_Vaccine_Registration.aspx mustatils Continued from Page 2 the University of Western Australia surveyed vast stretches of the region by remote sensing and helicopter. After re- cording their presence from the air, the team then explored some 40 at ground level and excavated one — altogether constituting the largest study of mus- tatils to date. These ancient structures in the Arabian desert provide early evi- dence of ritual activity. Radiocarbon dating of a cattle horn and tooth that were found in a chamber at one mustatil in AlUla, and which, along with others, appear to have been used as ritual offerings, revealed a Late Neolithic, sixth-millennium BC date. Mustatil research is a priority for the RCU. The campaign of archaeologi- cal research across AlUla, including the mustatil discoveries, is currently featured in the Discovery Channel documentary series Architects of Ancient Arabia. A centre of discovery The Kingdoms Institute is being es- tablished as a world-class scientifi c cen- tre for archaeological and conservation research, dedicated to the study of the history and prehistory of the Arabian Peninsula and aiming to preserve its legacy as the crossroads connecting three KUNA photo continents, supported by fi eldwork across His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah with defense personnel at the Naval Base. AlUla County that is already fi lling gaps in the region’s natural and human history. HH the PM visits Mohammad Al-Ahmad Naval Base Inspired by the role of AlUla as a cultural crossroads and its historical im- His Highness the Prime Minister Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Al-Sabah and Deputy Chief of the vehicles, in addition to the technical ordination processes and the exist- portance in the global cultural and trade Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah and His Ex- General Staff of the Army Lieuten- base’s workshops and its marine ing cooperation with the Ministry of exchange, the Kingdoms Institute will be Al-Sabah visited the Mohammad cellency the Minister of Interior ant-General Fahad Abdulrahman units. Interior represented by the General an academic centre as well as a cultural Al-Ahmad Naval Base in Al-Julai’a Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Nasser. His Highness also listened to Administration of Coast Guard and platform for knowledge, exploration and area. Upon his arrival, His High- Al-Sabah and Chief of the Gen- During the visit, His Highness a briefi ng about the nature of the the various institutions and bodies inspiration. It will be one of the pillars of ness was received by His Excel- eral Staff of the Army Lieutenant- the Prime Minister was briefed on tasks and duties entrusted to the related to maritime activity in the the cultural infrastructure in AlUla within lency Deputy Prime Minister and General Sheikh Khaled Saleh a number of marine equipment and maritime force, the permanent co- country. The Journey Through Time Masterplan. The Kingdoms Institute will help fulfi ll Vision 2030’s goal of advancing Saudi Arabia as a vibrant society, a thriving Agility reports KD 12.6 mln net economy and an ambitious nation. In ad- dition to developing a global hub on the ‘Community immunity AlUla County’s history, The Kingdoms profi t for the fi rst quarter 2021 Institute will also train the next genera- tion of Saudi archaeologists and future KUWAIT CITY, May 16: Agility, a leading strong cost controls. leaders of the institute, opening new ave- global logistics provider, today reported its GIL Net Revenue reached KD first quarter 2021 earnings of 6.01 fils per 77.2million,up16.2% from Q1 2020. The Net nues for the nation’s young professionals. by end of September’ share on net profit of KD 12.6 million , an Revenue increase was a result ofan increase in The Kingdoms Institute’s permanent increase of 28.7% over the same period in Freight Forwarding and Contract Logistics home, a red-sandstone structure that will 2020. EBIT increased 31% to KD 26.9 mil- Net Revenue. Air Freight Net Revenue echo the monumental works of the Dadan lion, and revenue increased 28.6% to KD increased as a result of higher volumes, yields civilisation, will open its doors to its fi rst 3 mln to get vaccinated 485.5 million. and exceptional charter activity driven by cur- visitors by 2030. The RCU estimates that Tarek Sultan, Agility Vice Chairman and rent market situation. In Q1 2021, tonnage the institute will have 838,000 visitors a CEO, said: “Agility started 2021 on a good surged 14.8% over Q1 2020 levels. year by 2035 in a permanent home cover- KUWAIT CITY, May 16: Kuwait will note. Agility’s Global Integrated Logistics The Ocean Freight Net Revenue increase ing 28,857 square metres at its location in business performed well, with favorable mar- was mainly a result of improved yields. Japan Embassy Greetings achieve community immunity in September ket conditions as well as cost controls playing Worldwide effective ocean capacity shrunk as the Dadan District of AlUla. an important role. Agility’s Infrastructure volumes rebounded, Its permanent physical presence is as three million people are expected to be companies overall are showing strong signs of particularly in Asia still in the planning stages, but as an vaccinated by then and the country continues recovery from the effects of the global pan- Pacific and Europe. active research organisation since the its vaccination campaign to achieve this goal demic. These Infrastructure businesses con- Q1 Contract Logistics inception of the RCU, over 100 archae- tributed an average of 80% of Agility’s EBIT growth came mainly ologists are already digging, survey- with the number of vaccinated people reach- over the past 5 years.” from Asia Pacific ing and conducting associated studies ing two million in the next few weeks, reports Regarding Agility’s recent decision to sell its (China, HongKong, across AlUla during seasonal fi eld- Al-Rai daily quoting reliable sources. core commercial logistics business, Sultan said, Singapore) and MEA work. The institute’s permanent collec- “Going forward, Agility’s agreement with DSV (Saudi Arabia, Dubai Reaching the three million target will ensure com- Panalpina for DSV to acquire Agility’s Global and Kuwait), where tion is growing as well. munity immunity as it will pave way for return to Integrated Logistics business allows us to retain there was continued Although the Kingdoms Institute’s normal life, considering 65 to 70 percent of the popu- the assets generating the bulk of our operating strong performance. mandate covers AlUla’s 200,000 years lation will be vaccinated before the next school year profit, while taking advantage of the scale, expe- Fairs & Events and of human and natural history, the ‘era rience, operational excellence and possibilities Tarek Sultan Projects Logistics, both of the kingdoms’ — the time of the begins in September, sources said. offered by working with DSV, one of the indus- hurt by the pandemic, Dadan, Lihyan and Nabataean king- Highlighted try’s top performers. It also creates the flexibility saw declines in Net Revenue. doms circa 1000 BCE to 106 CE — will and resources to reposition the company for its Agility’s Infrastructure Companies be an area of emphasis for the institute. Sources highlighted the importance of vaccinating next chapter of growth.” Agility’s Infrastructure group EBIT grew The institute will have under its scope workers in central shopping malls in preparation for Reporting 2.2% to KD 24.7million for the first quarter of dozens of archaeological and conserva- gradual return to normal life; while affi rming the com- For Q1, the GIL numbers are fully consoli- 2021.Infrastructure group gross revenuewas flat. tion missions involving experts of mul- pletion of the second phase of the fi eld vaccination cam- dated on a line-by-line basis. However, going Entities within the Infrastructure group are pur- paign during which more than 30,000 people were vac- forward and until the deal closes, the consoli- suing their growth strategies and have begun to tiple allied disciplines working across dation will be done on a limited basis, as per recover from downturns caused by the pandem- AlUla County. Already efforts involve cinated in 13 commercial complexes. So far, the number IFRS 5, that accounts for non-current assets ic.The Infrastructure group remains the main teams from Saudi and international in- of people vaccinated through the mobile units exceeded held for sale. GIL numbers will be summa- contributor to the group’s profitability. stitutions, including King Saud Univer- 60,000 people working in several establishments such as rized in the respective statement of the finan- Agility Logistics Park (ALP) revenue sity — which has performed invaluable cooperatives, mosques, banking sector, food manufac- cial statements, rather than broken down on a declined 10.2% in the first quarter due to the groundwork at AlUla over the past 15 turers and cinemas, sources disclosed. line-by-line basis. loss of revenue from Amghara land in Kuwait. Board Recommendation This decrease was partially offset by an years — as well as UNESCO, ICOMOS, Masato Takaoka Spotlighting the breakthrough in the current coronavi- France’s Centre national de la recherche The Board of Directors also discussed and increase in revenue from Saudi operations. rus curve, sources voiced optimism over the indicators approved a forward looking minimum cash ALP continues to see strength in demand for scientifi que, Germany’s Deutsches of the epidemiological situation; particularly this week’s distribution policy recommendation of 20 fils warehousing space. Agility’s development Archäologisches Institut and the Univer- On behalf of the Government and decline in the number of new corona cases to less than a people of Japan, I would like to ex- per share and it might include treasury share strategy is to increase its land bank across the sity of Western Australia, among others. thousand – the fi rst time since the end of February. buyback for the coming three (3) years. countries where it operates. ALP’sexpansion “We have only begun to tell the hidden press our most profound congratu- lations to His Highness the Amir Sources are hoping for the immediate completion of The Board of Directors may at its sole discre- and development in Africa continues as story of the Ancient Kingdoms of North Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber the vaccination of employees in restaurants and food tion consider recommending additional forms of planned. In the Middle East, Agility’s Arabia,” said José Ignacio Gallego Re- Al-Sabah, the Government and supply companies registered on the COVID-19 vaccina- dividends and/or increasing the above men- Logistics Park in Riyadh is almost fully devel- villa, the RCU’s Archaeology, Heritage people of the State of Kuwait on the tioned guidance. As with all such recommenda- oped; and in Kuwait, ALP is looking to opti- tion website during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays in prepara- tions, the distributions will be subject to the mize existing assets and will kick-off the Research and Conservation Executive occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. tion for the safe and complete opening of these estab- Director. “There is much more to come Wishing Kuwait progress and approval of the General Assembly of the Sabah Al Ahmed project development in July. fl ourishment under the leadership lishments after the holidays. Shareholders as well as the concerned authori- Tristar, a fully integrated liquid logistics as we reveal the depth and breadth of the ties at the time of the distribution. company, posted almost a flat Q1 revenue. area’s archaeological heritage, which for of His Highness the Amir. Restaurant owners are being encouraged to quickly May the world be blessed with register their workers’ details on the vaccination site Agility Global Integrated Logistics (GIL) However, the company was able to record decades has been under-represented, but In Q1, GIL achieved EBIT of KD 16.4 mil- single-digitprofitability growth, mainly due to which will fi nally have the showcase it peace and prosperity on this occa- and they should choose essential workers in restaurants sion. and catering establishments in the job category to en- lion, a 936.1% increase from same period a improved performance in its fuel business. deserves in the Kingdoms Institute.” Eid Mubarak year earlier. The increase was driven by favor- Tristar’s long-standing relationships and Not only will the institute peel back Wa Asaakom min awwada sure all employees in these businesses are vaccinated, able market conditions in Freight Forwarding repeat business with blue-chip clients have the layers of AlUla’s deep history and sources added. and growth in Contract logistics, along with been key enablers of its success. inter-cultural infl uence through the lens of archaeological discovery, but Campaign launched also develop national and international training programmes, academic and ‘PAM suspends some vocational, highlighting state-of-the-art Kuwait ‘continues’ to methods and techniques, deeply invest- ing in the next generation of Saudi spe- send oxygen to India offi cers for 6 months’ cialists to sustain The Kingdoms Insti- KUWAIT CITY, May 16: The Recruitment Organizing and tute for generations to come. NEW DELHI, May 16, (KUNA): Kuwaiti Ambassador to India Jassem Al-Najem an- Domestic Workers Department at the Public Authority for Progress has already been made with Manpower has suspended some offi cers for six months, reports the appointment of Dr Abdulrahman nounced on Saturday that oxygen supply and emergency medical aid from Kuwait contin- Al-Jaridah daily. Alsuhaibani as Acting Director of Mu- According to sources the PAM inspectors were found vio- ues to arrive to Indian ports to fi ll shortage lating terms and conditions in the contracts in contravention seums and Exhibitions, as well as Mu- in hospitals to thousands of COVID-19 pa- nirah Almushawh, as the fi rst female of Paragraph (e) of Article 24 of the Law (68/2015) regarding tients. domestic workers. archaeologist co-directing an archaeo- In a statement to Kuwait News Agency logical project in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the Al-Anba daily quoting an informed source (KUNA), Ambassador Al-Najem said that at the PAM said the authority has collected 12,850 dinars from Dr Rebecca Foote, Director of Archae- an aid ship from Kuwait arrived in Mumbai ology and Cultural Heritage Research the domestic workers recruitment offi ces for the benefi t of Port in western the Indian state of Maharash- 2,634 citizens during April, reports. PAM said in a statement for RCU, said: “With the many research tra; considered the most affected by COV- programmes under way, AlUla County the Recruitment Organizing and Domestic Workers Depart- ID-19. The ship carries 75 metric tons of liq- ment at the authority works to protect the rights of employers is becoming the most active area of ar- uid oxygen and 1,000 oxygen cylinders, the chaeological research in the Middle East. and workers and work to give everyone his/her right. ambassador noted. The PAM source indicated the competent department has We have just completed surveying its This aid is coming as part of the sea bridge referred 162 cases to the judiciary, and received 95 labor com- more than 22,000 sq km of terrain from that Kuwait established to support India in plaints from domestic workers and 19 complaints from em- the air and on the ground and recorded fi ghting the mutated coronavirus, Al-Najem ployers against the domestic labor recruitment agencies. more than 30,000 archaeological sites. said, adding more ships are slated to arrive in Meanwhile, the efforts of the General Traffi c Department Targeted excavations at more than 50 of Indian ports in the coming days. during the second day of Eid resulted in the imprisonment of those sites are providing data to inform In the coming two weeks, the oxygen supply many traffi c law violators and the seizure of their vehicles, in especially later prehistory (circa 6,000- from Kuwait is poised to reach 1,400 metric addition to the arrest of people wanted by law and those who 2,000 BCE) with astonishing results such tons making it one of the top countries in the had been sentenced in absentia, reports Al-Anba daily. as our new insights into the mustatils.” world to supply huge quantities of oxygen to Traffi c patrols are said to have arrested 21 people, 58 vehi- To learn more about the Kingdoms India. He also underlined Kuwait’s keenness cles have been impounded and issued 1,939 citations – 232 for Institute and The Journey Through Time to alleviate the suffering of the friendly Indian speeding, 112 for making disturbing noises and 198 for trucks Masterplan, visit https://ucl.rcu.gov.sa/ people due to this health disaster. for violating traffi c laws. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 LOCAL 4

HH Sheikh Nawaf receives Eid greetings Implementation of integrated tax HH the Amir congratulates system expected to take 3 to 4 yrs Paraguay on National Day KUWAIT CITY, May 16, (KUNA): from Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Kadhimi. Advisory opinion based on number of considerations Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a ca- Al-Kadhimi congratulated His High- ble of congratulations Saturday to Pres- ness the Amir on the advent of Eid Al- ident of Paraguay Mario Abdo Benitez Fitr. KUWAIT CITY, May 16: There is still an open discussion be diffi cult to achieve this in the short term, as imposing on the occasion of his country’s Nation- His Highness the Amir thanked Al- locally about the possibility of imposing taxes as part of taxes requires time and prior measures, reports Al-Rai al Day, wishing him good health and for Kadhimi for sincere sentiments, wish- implementing fi nancial and economic reform programs, the Paraguayan people and the Republic ing Iraq and its people evermore pro- daily. further progress and prosperity. gress and welfare. rationalizing expenditures and diversifying the sources of The sources explained that an international consultant whom the Min- His Highness the Crown Prince His Highness the Amir also received income. However, informed sources revealed that it will istry of Finance is seeking advice from in this regard expects the im- Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Thursday a phone call from Sheikh plementation of an integrated tax Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Hamad bin Khalifah Al-Thani, who ex- Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- pressed congratulations on the advent Parliament groups, relevant bodies to meet administration system in Kuwait Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. of Eid Al-Fitr. will take between three and four ❑ ❑ ❑ Sheikh Hamad expressed good wish- years, especially if the fractured es to His Highness the Amir, the people relationship between the execu- Eid greetings received: His High- of Kuwait, the Arab and Muslim na- Bid to restore calm in political crisis tive and legislative authorities ness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad tions. continues to impede policy-mak- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received on Thurs- His Highness the Amir expressed By Raed Yusef and Abdul-Rah- presented will not bring any benefi t ing and undermine the state’s day, a phone call from Governor of the gratitude to Sheikh Hamad, wishing man Al-Shammari and will not achieve any gains. Saudi region of Tabuk Prince Fahad bin welfare and prosperity for the Qatari The sources insisted on the need for ability to implement this proce- Sultan bin Abdulaziz, congratulating people and hoping the happy occasion Al-Seyassah Staff tipping the scale of cooperation, rear- dure. him Eid Al-Fitr. will recur with further goodness, bless- KUWAIT CITY, May 16: Regarding ranging priorities, and searching for a Analytically, this advisory opin- In the call, he expressed good wishes ing and development for the Arab and the impact of the Eid Al-Fitr greet- way to fi nd calm without the “media ion was based on a number of con- to His Highness the Amir, praying for Muslim nations. ings sent by the former MP Musallam chaos” that disrupts all fi les and re- siderations, the fi rst of which is that the happy return of the Eid Al-Fitr oc- Also, His Highness the Amir was turns them to square one. there are two tax laws that were casion. congratulated on the advent Eid al-Fitr Al-Barrak to the political leadership, submitted to the National Assembly and the optimism he showed through His Highness the Amir returned the by Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary previously as part of the Gulf Coop- sentiment and wished progress and General Nayef Al-Hajraf in a phone call “a near celebration with the citizens”, Regarding the requests for holding eration Council agreements. They reliable sources revealed a tendency special sessions and their impact on prosperity for the Kingdom of Saudi on Wednesday. are the excise tax imposed on to- Arabia and its people. His Highness expressed gratitude for to hold articulated meetings between easing friction, the sources indicated bacco, soft drinks and energy drinks, parliamentary groups and others in- that the parliament’s offi ce deals with Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir the warm sentiments, wishing the GCC and the Value-Added Tax, which is received on Thursday a phone call chief good health and well-being. cluding MPs and government parties them in accordance with the inter- different from the income tax, which starting from Monday until the next nal regulations in order to ensure the is completely ruled out. Despite this, session on May 25 with the hope of majority required for its convening, a great parliamentary resistance was Call to treat injured Palestinians achieving a calm solution to the politi- including the government side that noticed to the extent of rejecting the cal crisis, and to return the parliament should be coordinated with ... other- two tax bills in spite of the govern- to the correct path of exercising its Musallam Al-Barrak wise its agendas will be presented in ment’s assurances that the ordinary proper oversight and legislative role. the next regular session. citizens will not be affected by these MP submits bill to set up 100 mln he sources explained that these While the sources highlighted the two taxes. meetings will follow the protocol existence of high dissatisfaction with They expressed their hope that the meetings that are expected to touch what they described as “the wickedness National Assembly would be able to Postpone dinars Kuwait Fund for Jerusalem upon the outcome of the amnesty ef- of some opposition MPs in the dispute”, hold its regular session on May 25 to Amid a lack of agreement by the forts, which have reached a very ad- they affi rmed the political leadership’s resolve many of the urgent fi les for parliament to approve the law, the By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh vanced stage. It was supported by a keenness to preserve the constitution which requests were submitted to hold government was forced to postpone Arab Times Staff video recording of the former MP and protect it from those who mishandle special sessions, including the reward the implementation of the Value- KUWAIT CITY, May 16: MPs respond- Musallam Al-Barrak, in which he its provisions, and that it would not take for the front-liners awaiting the report Added Tax until 2021. It is likely that ed to the Israeli attacks on Gaza and the said, “God willing, we are celebrating any future decisions outside the frame- of the Budget Committee, the paper- the law will not be approved, espe- Palestinians in Jerusalem through the with the Kuwaiti people in the near fu- work of the constitution that defi ned the based exams, developments in Pales- cially if the state of political incon- issuance of statements condemning the ture. God knows our longing for dear powers of the head of state and the three tine, amending the audiovisual, print, sistency persists. attacks and submission of a bill. Kuwait and its loyal people, in whom authorities. and publishing laws, and the grilling In Kuwait, there are no direct taxes MP Saleh Zeib Al-Mutairi submitted we only see honor, and this is our con- They also stressed that the collision of the Minister of Health Sheikh Basel on citizens, but only agreements with a bill on establishing Kuwait Fund for solation after God.” and failure to deal wisely with the fi les Al-Sabah. the countries of the Gulf Coopera- Jerusalem with a capital of KD100 mil- tion Council either in selective taxes lion; 50 percent of which will be paid by or value added tax. There are unifi ed public institutions, 25 percent by private tax procedures, which are regulatory and shareholding companies, and 25 KTV’s Eid programs deserve commendation procedures. There are taxes imposed percent by non-governmental organiza- on companies at about 4.5 percent of tions (NGOs) and individuals. KUWAIT CITY, May 16: The ef- ‘Eid and a crescent moon’, which Khalaf, moderator Naif Al Neama, their net profi ts, including zakat and The bill stipulates that the foreign af- forts exerted by the Kuwait Tel- included many contests and sing- and the director Muhammad Buland. fi nancial support, and the percentage fairs minister shall supervise the fund evision throughout the Eid Al-Fitr ing competitions which received a In the program many singers par- determined for the Kuwait Founda- and chair its board of directors. The holidays deserve to be commended positive response by viewers, in- ticipated such as Faisal Al-Saad, tion for the Advancement of Sci- fund will issue securities and grant and appreciated, reports Al-Anba ternally and externally, especially Sultan Al-Muftah and Salah Hamad ences. loans amounting to as much as thrice daily. as it opened the way for viewers to Khalifa. Among the varied songs, Of course, the growing differences the capital to the Palestinians living in The daily said the television sec- participate in the program to win the especially Eid songs included ‘Eid between the two authorities do not Jerusalem for the implementation of de- velopment projects in coordination with Dr Basel Al-Sabah tor brought joy to the people of prizes offered by the Ministry of In- Is Hilala’ and ‘Barko Ya Ahbab’. constitute all the challenges facing the application of local taxes. the concerned Islamic and international living on the good land of Kuwait. formation. Maestro Ahmed Al-Oud delighted organizations. The fund is banned from leave balance as per the policy of the The sources indicated that the tax Civil Service Commission (CSC) in this Among the programs the Kuwait TV The program team consisted of Kuwait TV viewers at home and procedures do not only need tax laws, dealing with the authorities of the oc- broadcast live included a program the distinguished journalist Saad Al abroad. cupying entity (Israel), while its Board regard. but modernizing the tax system in the The other bill states that if the need country would be made possible by of Directors will manage the fund as per the executive decree which will be is- arises, the government can decide to providing the infrastructure for direct suspend the regular vacation of some and indirect taxes. sued within six months of ratifying the law. employees who, in turn, have the right They explained that this technical- to obtain the cash equivalent or add the ly requires the application of a new MP Muhammad Al-Mutair called on His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh suspended vacation days to their regular and integrated tax system to replace leave days for the following year. the current system, and this will take Sabah Al-Khalid and Health Minister Dr Basel Al-Sabah to start the treatment of The last bill allows the employee to into account digitization, integration apply for encashment of unused leave and speed of implementation accord- injured Palestinians in the hospitals of Kuwait. He stressed the need to expedite days in January every year and this right ing to one of the global tax systems. is protected even if the employee does However, it should be able to accom- procedures for the treatment of injured Palestinians in Gaza and Jerusalem as not apply. modate any laws that may emerge in The report on these bills will be re- the future in a way that helps in facili- this is part of religious commitment rather than a humanitarian duty. ferred to the Assembly soon for inclu- tating tax inventory and collection. sion in the agenda of its next session. Relationship Crimes On the other hand, the Education, MP Khalid Al-Otaibi posted on Twit- Culture and Guidance Affairs Commit- Although the Ministry of Finance tee is set to meet on Monday with Minis- is proceeding with the supply, instal- ter: “After the series of crimes against humanity, attacking worship places and ter of Oil and Higher Education Dr Mu- lation and operation of the integrated hammad Al-Fares, Minister of Finance tax management system and elec- victimizing innocent people and chil- dren, it is appalling to see the fl ags of and Minister of State for Economic and tronic services “ITAS” to be put up Investment Affairs Khalifa Hamada and in a public tender, the more the mat- the Zionist entity being raised in some Arab capitals.” the senior offi cials in both ministries to ter arises, the more complex the rela- discuss six bills on amending law num- tionship between the government and MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji said Jerusa- lem and Aqsa Mosque are in the minds ber 15/1995 regarding the allowance or MPs, as well as with citizens oppos- incentive granted to students. ing this approach, becomes. of all Muslims who are not affected by the betrayal of some parties. He pointed Furthermore, MP Soud Bu Sleeb Moreover, the management of the out that the objective of the heroic act unveiled his plan to forward queries to tax system needs suffi cient informa- of Palestinians through the chain of na- Minister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah tion and great specialized exper- tional liberation will be realized once on Monday about the agent supplying tise among those in charge of it. In the Zionists and their mercenaries are AstraZenaca-Oxford vaccine, provi- practice, this type of experience is defeated. sions and value of the contract. He in- not available in a large percentage, He said the commitment of Muslims tends to submit a grilling motion against because tax is locally an uncommon in front of Allah is to defend and protect the minister on this issue and others if culture and thus reduces the chances Al-Aqsa Mosque and whoever aban- the latter does not respond to his queries. of having specialized expertise in dons this commitment betrays Allah the Estimation these systems. Almighty. In return, there will be a tendency MP Ahmed Al-Matar pointed out MP Muhannad Al-Sayer also asked to outsource training and manage- that one of the signs of Israel’s defeat the minister about the inaccurate estima- ment expertise for some time. In all is taking revenge on armless civilians tion of the number of individuals who cases more time is needed. and children when it failed to deal with got the fi rst dose of AstraZenaca-Oxford The sources added that the ex- the heroic resistance. He added: “Such vaccine to prepare for the second dose. panding political dispute locally and a losing strategy will not help the Zion- He wants to know the criteria for deter- the lack of an infrastructure to imple- ist entity hide its ugly face and it will mining the individuals who got the sec- ment the tax system, in addition to never make those behind the resistance ond dose of the vaccine as many of them the limited local expertise specialized movement give up. It is no longer use- got the second dose before those who in taxation, increase the validity of ful to rely on global awareness. The best got the fi rst dose earlier than them. He expectations that the implementation strategy is to infl ict pain on the enemy. “ asked if the ministry conducted investi- of the integrated tax administration MP Soud Bu Sleeb stressed that the gations to determine the reasons behind system in Kuwait will take three to shameful crimes committed by the Zi- the alleged discrimination in administer- four years. onist entity against the innocent chil- ing the second dose of the vaccine. It is worth mentioning that the dren will always remain a vivid memory Studies Minister of Finance Khalifa Hama- for humans. He said this necessitates He inquired if the decisions issued by deh is expected to record a cumula- unmasking the horrible face of Israel the ministry, especially those concern- tive defi cit of KD 55.4 billion in the to expose its cruel attitude toward the ing coronavirus, are based on legal stud- fi ve fi scal years from 2020/2021 to Palestinians. ies to determine if they are in line with 2024/2025. It is likely that the defi cit In a related development, MP Osama the Constitution. If yes, he requested for in the state budget for the 2021/2022 Al-Shaheen participated in the online copies of these studies. fi scal year will reach about KD 12.1 meeting of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds He also asked why those who have billion, through a budget that in- Society; during which they tackled ways not been vaccinated are not allowed to cludes expenditures of KD 23 billion, to deal with the Israeli attacks on Pales- travel even to countries which do not and about KD 10.9 billion worth ex- tinians in Jerusalem and Gaza. MPs from require vaccination for people entering pected revenues. Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Italy, Jordan, their territories. Turkey, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Mo- He wonders why the ministry decided rocco, Yemen, Indonesia, Malaysia and to prohibit unvaccinated people from Palestine attended the meeting. entering cinemas and theaters even if vaccination is not mandatory. He wants Bills to know the number of lawsuits fi led Meanwhile, the Legal and Legisla- against the ministry due to these deci- tive Affairs Committee approved four sions. bills submitted by MPs Muhammad In another development, the law- Al-Hewaila, Khalil Al-Saleh, Marzouq makers congratulated Al-Arab Football Al-Khalifa and Yousef Al-Ghareeb on Team for emerging victorious in the Ku- amending Civil Service Law number waiti Premium League. 15/1979. National Assembly Speaker Mar- One of the bills stipulates adding an zouq Al-Ghanim congratulated the fans, article to allow a public sector employee chairman and members of the Board of to cash his unused leave days and the Directors of the team. calculation will be based on his current He addressed the fans: “You have salary. The bill also grants the employ- been very patient and fi nally you won ee the right to add his unused leave days the prize you deserve.” He pointed out to his indemnity. that the return of the team to the honor Another bill allows the public sector platform is in the interest of Kuwaiti Khalifa Hamadeh employee to cash 30 to 200 days of his football in general. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 LOCAL 5 DIWANIYA A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Time to understand, diagnose crises faced by country ... find treatment’ or decades there is an important question that people in Kuwait have tions,” columnist Tha’ar Al-Rashidi wrote for Al-Anba daily. are preoccupied with classifying the sender. But the matter is not a joke and ‘Fbeen asking: ‘Does anyone stand behind the endless conflicts and cri- “The government victory will be in the interest of political calm if the MPs deserves a warning to absolve the liability. What happened does not please any ses that result in extremely dangerous political stalemates? Are they indi- read the next scene correctly. The parliament has no choice but to cooperate Kuwaiti, regardless of his affi liation. This is not an invitation to be silent about viduals within the so-called polar conflict, or are states with interests stand- with the government to pass laws and feel the pulse of the government if it is expressing opinions, but rather for devising more informed methods of opposi- ing behind them and are always looking for playgrounds in other countries serious about passing reform laws and comprehensive reform laws and d with tion that do not lead to the country’s doom.” where they settle scores so that conflicts do not seep into their lands?” col- it, as I said, the government’s pulse is felt and know whether its artery is beating ❑ ❑ ❑ with reform or not. umnist Sami Al-Nisf wrote for Annahar daily. “Private universities have become part of the educational and development “Such matters are based on concealment and even deception, so it is diffi cult “Acceptance by all MPs the appointment of ministers and dealing with them in the Parliament is inevitable in the next stage, and the government must in systems in the country, in addition to research centers in various specializa- to obtain defi nitive answers to them. It is likely that individuals, regardless tions. They play an important role in training national manpower,” reports Dr of their stature, abilities, and personal wealth are excluded turn stop raising the ceiling of its capabilities in front of the opposition parlia- mentary minority and extend a hand of cooperation with the members, and the Hind Al-Choumar wrote for Al-Anba daily. from being behind confl icts because the pawns in the chess “Apart from profi t calculations, the returns of universities from development used by them are senior politicians and senior media men members in turn must stop playing the role of a fence that disrupts any govern- ment action. plans and programs are not only measured by the number of graduates, but who continuously need huge sums of money sometimes “It is not in anyone’s interest to aggravate, especially since it comes this time also by the developmental impact on society. This prompts us to talk about running into millions of dinars, to continue playing their from all parties, the government, the opposition, the loyalists, and the inactive the social responsibility of private universities and what they offer to societies roles that obstruct and disrupt development. parliamentarians. Everyone in this is guilty not innocent, and everyone must hosting them. “I do not think that anyone is prepared to pay from their stop the unjustifi ed escalation.” “Universities play an important national role as they build human capabili- own pockets such money over the decades, with what is ❑ ❑ ❑ ties, invest local capital, and contribute to the educational development strat- known about not guaranteeing the fi nal results, i.e. ap- egy. Universities can play a pioneering role in many fi elds like research, stud- pointments in senior positions that they want. “The expression ‘I know it when I see it’ is a colloquial one that a speaker ies, training, scientifi c and technical cooperation protocols with ministries and “The ‘logical’ alternative is there are countries that uses when trying to judge an event or practice that lacks clear or predetermined different entities in order to fi nd scientifi c solutions to certain problems. move the pawns and pay the high cost, so the question is: criteria. The term was fi rst used by a US Supreme Court judge Potter Stewart “The concerned authorities in these universities must present initiatives that What is the benefi t to these countries from the continued Sami Al-Nisf in 1965 when commenting on a ruling that had no precedent,” columnist Prof. support society and start to compete in the fi eld of social responsibility in an crises and blockages in our country? Hisham Al-Awadhi wrote for Al-Qabas daily. organized manner to achieve the desired objectives. “The answer is fi rst this approach is used in a serious, sharp and bloody man- “It is usually an expression of the feeling that something wrong or abnormal “For some universities that are isolated from society along with their con- ner on multiple regional arenas, where some countries feel they have to struggle is happening, even if we do not have the evidence to justify this feeling. When cerns and aspirations, this is not in their interest and that of the society. They with others on the territory of Third World countries, so why not our country I see what happened in the parliament recently, I know that something wrong should be proud in taking the initiative to contribute to the development of clear is one of those arenas? or abnormal has happened. I know it when I see it from two aspects – from the plans and programs as part of their social responsibility as partners in develop- “Second: The Kuwaiti political experience benefi ts many from distorted past practices in parliament, and the current practices in modern democracies. ment to build a better future for the country based on Science and knowledge.” practices, and there is no objection to paying small sums to reap large amounts “In previous practices, and since the fi rst parliament in 1963, we have seen ❑ ❑ ❑ and make many other gains. the differences between the parliamentarians and the government. We have “Third: The attempt to make certain personalities to reach decision-making read in the records of how they differed and expressed their differences during “First of all, we raise the highest verse of congratulations and blessings on centers to ensure the policies of the future state. sessions. the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad “Fourth: The problems and legislation of Kuwaiti pawns helped billion of “There was elegance and eccentricity, and quality in the selection of vocabu- and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad, may God bless Kuwaiti dinars and brilliant minds escape the land, therefore what is paid to the lary, manner of speech, tone of voice, and body language. The message of their them with good health, as well as the Kuwaiti people and all others residing on Khalid Al-Arrafa Al-Anba pawns is not comparable in size to the size of the billions of investment returns performance was – I disagree but do not argue, I argue but do not descend, I Earth,” columnist wrote for daily. argue but not shout. “Today’s message is addressed to all those who worked during the partial that these countries benefi ted from. lockdown, which lasted for more than 65 days. They endured the changing “At last, today’s article is a real and serious attempt to understand what has “The current practice of modern democracies has pioneered effective meth- ods for expressing opinion, and conveying the message. weather conditions and temperatures in order to ensure good health and safety happened and is happening in our country, not to blame, but to correct the for everyone. course. Over the past decades, we have reaped enough problems, crises and “The essence of these practices was calm persistence, rational will, balanced resolve, and lack of passiveness and unwarranted utterances of no use. The “Certain parties exerted tremendous efforts during this period and are still blockages, and the time has come to put in place the effective treatment for the doing so. They cannot be disregarded or ignored, including the medical and disease when we understand it and diagnose it correctly.” situation in Kuwait is not the best, but the political practice we are currently witnessing is not the light we are supposed to see at the end of the tunnel, but nursing staff, security and fi refi ghting personnel, and other government agen- Also: rather the tunnel itself. cies that have been working tirelessly since the beginning of the pandemic until “The past events and their results have made it clear for us that the life of “I know it when I see it ... I know that the parliament witnessed two uncon- today. this government is long. What is meant here is that it will exceed two years at stitutional dissolutions in 1976 and 1986. I know that Kuwait was lost on the “We noticed the heavy security presence in all governorates throughout the the very least. It has won constitutionally and politically despite its positive and eve of the National Assembly, and the movement of Monday diwaniyas. I know curfew period. They continue to apply the law on anyone who violates the regu- negative aspects in a session that can be described in the least as a fatal blow, that the region’s atmosphere is fi lled with clouds of instability, which deprives lations despite the hot weather which did not prevent them from playing their during which it was able to defuse the interrogations fi led against the Prime us of the luxury of sterile debate, if the debate has a luxury. national role that we are proud of.” Minister, and this can be described as a political victory despite any observa- “I often avoid overanalyzing local politics, as some ignore the message and — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli KMC launches initiative to offer Other Voices ‘Kuwait will remain forever’ police motorbike riding lessons By Ahmad alsarraf ural for the forces of extremism to warn us of the end of Kuwait, the Kuwait that we know, any Arabs and Palestinians, in par- and not Kuwait the land and the people. If Mticular, hope for the imminent de- we imagine the most pessimistic scenario, PART announces road opening mise of Israel, and they cite what some of that our resources have dried up and the need them write from time to time. for our oil has evaporated, what will happen? In spite of the legitimacy of this mat- I think a majority of expatriates or resi- KUWAIT CITY, May 16: Ku- ter, and as long as Israel will disappear in dents will decide to return to their home- wait Motoring Company (KMC) the end, then why the struggle and the re- lands unless the situation there is worse or sistance why there is no indication of the if there are reasons that make them remain launched its national volunteer imminent demise of in Kuwait. As for Kuwaitis, 5 percent to initiative to offer motorbike rid- Israel now or in the 10 percent of them will migrate to other foreseeable future. countries due to the availability of their ing lessons to 100 police officers The demise of a fi nancial capabilities. from the Ministry of Interior, and state is not an ordi- A similar percentage would choose to place its expertise and services in nary matter. Rather, live in countries of their second nationali- nations change and ty. A much smaller percentage will choose the hands of the ministry to train change demographi- to return to the countries from where their and develop the skills of officers in cally or politically grandfathers had migrated to Kuwait, but and their economies the situation of these countries will not al- riding motorcycles under the high- collapse and all its low to receive them with the great decline est safety and security standards, factions fi ght, but in their economies, and this is the situation they remain and con- alsarraf of all countries in the region for the com- reports Al-Anba daily. tinue to survive and ing decades, in addition to the discontinua- KMC received the trainees after announc- Somalia is a good example. tion of all their relationship, linguistically, ing its volunteer initiative as a community Therefore, any talk about the end of on the family and cultural fronts with the contribution from the company to train of- Kuwait is absurd and useless. Kuwait will countries from which their grandfathers remain forever. I do not personally believe emigrated centuries or even decades ago. fi cers of the law to ride motorcycles. These that Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah, in We repeat with Sheikh Mohammad Al- trainees undergo intensive programs on his conversation with a controversial fi g- Abdullah Al-Mubarak that Kuwait is fl eet- training tracks with experts and trainers in ure, was referring to in the strict sense of ing. What attracted people was not its fi ction- riding motorcycles, to ensure that the offi - the word ‘demise of Kuwait’, but he may al tourist location, its arts or its history and cers graduate from the training courses with be a little too far in describing what he its effects but the economic opportunities that means the end of the ‘prosperity’ state, were available, and the prosperity that came the highest levels of professionalism. and the decline of Kuwait as a producer next, and this is what must be preserved and The company continues to provide this sup- and exporter of a strategic commod- this cannot be done without two basic things port as a national duty to the employees of the ity when the world dispenses with it, and with the need of coincidence – to stop gov- Ministry of Interior, harnessing its volunteer when its savings have dried up, and its ernment waste and extravagance and stop- services team to serve the ministry with all the government has failed to fi nd alternative ping the myth of ‘not touching a citizen’s capabilities available in KMC, in exchange for sources of income all of which are strong pocket’. ‘available’ possibilities. the efforts exerted by the nation’s police to pre- KUNA photo The citizen, the employee, the trader serve the country’s stability and security. The building burns in an inferno as fire-fighters battle the blaze. There is no evidence that oil prices will and the professional must contribute to return to their previous levels nor is there supporting the state’s resources through Director of Public Relations at KMC Asaad any evidence that our resources and sav- the tax which must be imposed in a pro- Al-Enezi said, “The company’s support ex- Two dead in Jahra mall fire ings will not be depleted. On top of that, gressive manner on companies and all tends to infi nity and is an integral part of our the government is unable in front of the those who earn high salaries while at the national duties to serve the nation and the citi- Two workers perished on Sunday in a fire at a engines managed to control a fire that broke parliamentary forces of backwardness to same time stopping the subsidy on many zens”. three-floor commercial complex in the district out at the tires dump and scrap area in Mina fi nd other sources of income. materials to reduce the unjustifi ed extrava- He highlighted that KMC and its subsidiar- of Al-Jahra and firemen safely rescued five Abdullah, reports Al-Qabas daily. The most important thing is the absence of gance that we see everywhere. ies and associates, since the beginning of the others from the scorching blaze. In a press release the Public Relations and any evidence of the intention of the govern- ❑ ❑ ❑ Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) said in a press ment, which dominates all our capabilities to COVID-19 outbreak, have contributed with a Media Department of the DGFD said the op- change its approach, and thus it becomes nat- e-mail: [email protected] package of voluntary initiatives at their own release the workers who were rescued alive erations room received a report stating fire expense, believing in their societal responsibil- were stranded at the burning building. was raging at the tire dump and firefighting The two deaths were result of dense of teams from Mina Abdullah, Umm Al-Haiman, ity in supporting, preserving and stabilizing the smoke inside the 1,000-square-meter com- country during the COVID-19 pandemic. plex. Al-Isnad and Al-Salmiya rushed to the spot to Al-Enezi explained that KMC provides a Blazes engulfed the three floors of the tackle the fire. comprehensive training service for clients by complex, the KFF said. The fire-fighting teams worked their way to the most skilled trainers, seeking to achieve an Firemen have rapidly scrambled into ac- separate the burning tires from the lot spread added value that enhances the customer experi- tion, arriving at the scene in just five minutes over 1,500 sq meters area and prevented it ence and provides them with awareness, safety after being alerted about the accident. from spreading. The DGFD teams are inves- The Directorate-General of Fire Depart- tigating the cause of the fire. No human casu- and comfort. ment (DGFD), Saturday announced 4 fire alties have been reported. KMC urges the public to benefi t from its experience by visiting the company’s website and booking an appointment via www.kmc. Indians top domestic workers list com.kw or through its account @kmckuwait on social media, or by sending an email to [email protected], or visiting the company’s ‘447,000 residency permits canceled in 2020’ branches in Shuwaikh, Farwaniya and Saba- hiya area, or calling the hotline No. 1 878 888. KUWAIT CITY, May 16: A total of 447,000 by Filipinos with 157,602 or 21.5 percent; residency permits were canceled in 2020 – Bangladeshis with 86,830 or 11.9 percent; Sri ❑ ❑ ❑ 276,000 in the private sector; 14,000 in the Lankans with 84,642, or 11.6 percent; Ethio- Ring road opening: Kuwait Public Author- government sector; 94,000 in the domestic pians with 18,306 or 2.5 percent; Nepalese ity for Roads and Transportation (PART) an- labor sector and 63,000 family or depen- with 16,378 or 2.2 percent; Ivory Coast with nounced a partial opening of the 6.5 ring road dent visas, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting 3,244 or 0.4 percent; Indonesians with 2,794 the migration report of the Central Statistics or 0.4 percent; Madagascar with 2,604 or 0.4 intersection with Al-Ghazali road early Sun- Bureau for the year 2020. percent; and Benin with 2,324 or 0.3 percent. day, says KUNA. According to the report, the domestic work- Other nationalities totaled 14,145 or 1.9 per- The intersection is part of the 6.5 Ring ers constitute more than 26 percent of the total cent of the entire domestic workforce. Road, stretching over 800 meters with four workforce – 732,000 out of 2.8 million foreign With more than 500,000 workers; the In- lanes and two safety lanes of 20.2 meters, workers. dian and Filipino communities account for the authority said in a statement on Satur- Indians top the list of domestic workers with 68.5 percent of the domestic labor market in day. 343,335 or 47 percent of the total; followed Kuwait. It intersects with Al-Ghazali road with a lower road of 1,017 meters, which will be opened for cars coming from Shuwaikh Port, Mubarak towards the airport and Kuwait City, The project will improve traffi c jam in the the airport and the air cargo service area, it PART noted. 6th Ring Road and will be key to ease traffi c in added. The authority added that the 6.5 Ring Road Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh as well. It has three exits for cars coming from Al- project was completed by 92 percent last April The project will also create an intersection Ghazali towards Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh, 5th and is expected to be fully launched by end of with the 6th Ring Road to provide an immedi- and 6th towards Al-Jahra and from Abdullah year. ate entry to Sabah Al-Salem University City. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

6

Virtual event showcases customs and traditions of different countries Int’l Women’s Group celebrates ‘Ramadan around the world’

KUWAIT CITY, May 16: Under the patronage of HE Sheikha Hanouf Bader Al Muhamad Al Sabah, spouse to H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorary President of the International Women’s Group-Kuwait (IWG) celebrated the holy month of Ramadan in a virtual meeting that showcased the customs and traditions of Bangladesh, Jordan, Ku- wait, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Pales- tine and Turkey, with presentations kind- ly organised by the respective embassies. Mrs. Ambreen Mustafa, spouse of the Ambassador of the Islamic Repub- lic of Pakistan and president of IWG, delivered the welcome speech and Mrs. Rima Khalidi, spouse of the Am- bassador of the State of Palestine and Vice president of IWG introduced the honored presenters. Sheikha Hanouf in a special vide- otaped Ramadan speech said: “Dear friends in the International Women’s Group, Ramadan teaches us valuable lessons about the importance of trying our utmost to do good and of seeking to help the less fortunate. We in this group take pride in all our women, who have taken the initiative to serve the community and to improve Kuwait and humanity.” She also extended her best wishes for universal health, pros- perity and peace and stressed the im- portance of adherence to state guide- lines in the fi ght against the pandemic during the holy month of Ramadan and moving forward. IWG’s ‘Ramadan Around the World’ presentations included colour- ful and festive videos of the participat- ing countries’ foods and customs, all beautifully presented and narrated by the IWG Honorary member of each country, and Ramadan greetings from several ambassadors, including: Bangladesh: HE General Moham- med Ashikuzzaman Bangladesh, Am- bassador to the state of Kuwait and A photo from the virtual meeting. Madam Nahid Niaz; Jordan: Madam Manar Kreshan, laysia to the state of Kuwait; fa spouse of the Ambassador of Paki- Turkey: HE Madam Aysa Hilal Al Bakar of KTV 2 who took members The event concluded with special spouse of the Ambassador of Jordan to Madam Kathiya Alkharusi, spouse stan to the state of Kuwait; Koytak, Ambassador of Turkey to the through a wonderful and detailed cul- thanks to the distinguished presenters, the state of Kuwait of the Ambassador of Oman to the HE Ambassador Rami Tahboub state of Kuwait. tural journey covering special Rama- volunteers, online participants and the Malaysia: Madam Sharpiah Ab Ra- state of Kuwait; Ambassador of Palestine to the State The Ramadan traditions of Kuwait dan foods, clothing and customs such IWG board members for making the man, spouse of the Ambassador of Ma- Pakistan: Madam Ambreen Musta- of Kuwait and Madam Rima Khalidi were expertly presented by Miss Sarah as Abu Tubaila, Zaad and Gergean. event a great success.

Opens new opportunities for graduates GUST MBA Programs introduces 2 new concentrations to curriculum KUWAIT CITY, May 16: Gulf Uni- versity for Science and Technology (GUST) announced today the launch of two new concentrations within their MBA program. The new concentra- tions, which are set to launch in Fall 2021, are meant to equip students for work at the cutting edge of the field. The concentrations, which are Corpo- rate Finance and Banking, will allow business majors to extend their learn- ing from the classroom to the field uti- lizing emerging business theories and cutting edge models. Professor Issam El-Moughrabi, Di- rector of the Graduate Studies and Re- search, said, “Our corporate partners tell us that job market is hungry for Issam El-Moughrabi corporate, banking, and finance pro- fessionals, and we’re excited to fill this cal and theoretical background in the talent gap. We are offering new higher field. GUST is proud to have nurtured education program concentrations students who have gone to work as that are only available GUST. Adding successful entrepreneurs, professional these concentrations to our program al- analysts, renowned PhD holders, and lows us to educate the next generation business owners. of business leaders with the requisite The Masters in Business Adminis- skills to provide data-driven insights to tration (MBA) Program at Gulf Uni- guide businesses. It can be transforma- versity for Science and Technology tional for the future of the businesses (GUST) was established in 2008 and in Kuwait.” has been accredited by the Associa- Students that choose to study tion to Advance Collegiate Schools MBA in a concentration of Corpo- of Business (AACSB-International) rate Finance will complete intensive since 2014. It has been designed for coursework focused on Corporate experienced people looking to enrich Finance, Risk Management, Inter- their business and leadership capa- national Finance, Corporate Gover- bilities to meet their professional nance, and Advanced Topics in Fi- goals through a program that has nance. While those choosing to study been prepared using the highest in- A combo picture from the event in the concentration of Banking will ternational standards. complete courses focused on Islamic The admissions period for the Banking, topics in Finance, and Ac- 2021-2022 Fall semester will be Pak Donors organizes Platelets and Plasma Donation Camp counting for Islamic Financial Insti- open from 1st of June until 10th of tutions. September 2021. For more informa- By M. Irfan Shafi q to Huge shortage. Pak Donors Team managed among the Pakistani Community in Kuwait, with Together, these exciting additions tion about GUST’sMBA Program, or to not only organize the camp on short notice, an aim to spread awareness about the seri- to our MBA program position students to enroll in the program, please visit: Pakistani Blood Donors Association Kuwait or- but donated generously and managed to attend ous matter of Blood donation. It has conducted for quality work prospects in their cho- https://gsr.gust.edu.kw/graduate- ganized a Platelets and Plasma Donation Camp by a good number of donors. NCM Investment more than a dozen drives yielding thousands of sen field. Each new offering blends studies/mba/future-students/admis- which is first-of-its kind of donation camp by Co. sponsored the drive generously. pints blood donations since its incubation. PAK with GUST’s strong core of business sion-requirements Pakistani Community in Kuwait. Camp was orga- Pakistani Blood Donors Association estab- Donors aspires to inspire other communities to administration programs and majors, Or contanct: 25307144, 25307147, nized on the request of Central Blood Bank due lished in 2011, is the first organization of its kind spread awareness of blood donation in Kuwait. providing students a broad practi- [email protected]

Nine students participate with a set of 7 problems to solve GUST organises eighth annual Computer Programming Contest

KUWAIT CITY, May 16: The Com- and manuals. Future.” Their studies culminated in a puter Science Department at GUST Assistant Professor of Computer Sci- vision of the “Gulf University for Sci- organized the 8th annual Programming ence, Dr. Fadi Dib, said “It is a great ence & Technology.” Contest. Due to the COVID-19 pandem- opportunity for students to demonstrate A partnership was established with ic, the contest was conducted online on their skills in programming and problem the University of Missouri at St. Louis Microsoft Teams and was held for three solving. This contest is a great way to (UMSL), the international counterpart hours, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and prepare students for real life situations university chosen to help bring the uni- had nine students from the Computer where technology is needed to solve versity to fruition. The development Science Department compete. The main problems.” was facilitated by the Private Universi- objective of the contest was to improve The Programming Contest is a great ties Decree, No. 34, issued by the State students’ programming skills in a chal- opportunity to help prepare Computer of Kuwait in 2000, resulting in the es- lenging and entertaining environment. Science students for future regional tablishment of a temporary campus in For the competition, each contestant and international competitions. Past Hawally. The issuance of Emiri Decree had to solve a set of 7 problems C++ or achievements in the KCPC tournament No. 156 in 2002 completed the legal JAVA programming languages. Con- and the Techathon are due to the great establishment of GUST[3] as the first testants’ answers were submitted on a practice and preparation the local GUST private university in the State of Kuwait serve that included an online judge to competitions brings for students. and permitted the start of the first aca- evaluate and run the accuracy of the The university was to be a supple- demic year in 2002–2003. solution, while Microsoft Teams was ment to Kuwait University, the only in- At its first commencement ceremony used as a proctoring tool. Contestants stitution of higher education in Kuwait in June 2007, GUST conferred diplomas were ranked based on the number of at that time, and to serve the educational on approximately four hundred gradu- problems they managed to solve and the demands of the local society and the ates. penalties they accumulated. The penal- Arabian Gulf region. In January 1997, Admission to GUST is on a com- ties reflected the time taken to solve a Kuwaiti Academic Group, composed of petitive basis. Applicants are reviewed problem and the number of failed at- 41 faculty members from Kuwait Uni- based on high school performance and tempts. Contestants were also allowed versity, was founded to lay the founda- achievement on the GUST English and to use reference materials such as books tion for the proposed “University of the A screen shot from the Programming Contest. Mathematics Placement Tests. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

Britain

‘The end is in sight’ UK for reopening, thanks to vaccine LONDON, May 16, (AP): When London’s Science Museum reopens next week, it will have some new arti- facts: empty vaccine vials, testing kits and other items collected during the pandemic, to be featured in a new COVID-19 display. Britain isn’t quite ready to consign the coronavirus to a museum - the outbreak is far from over. But there is a definite feeling that the U.K. has turned a corner, and the mood in the country is upbeat. “The end is in sight,” one newspa- per front page claimed. “Free at last!” read another. Thanks to an efficient vaccine rollout program, Britain is finally saying goodbye to months of tough lockdown restrictions. Starting Monday, all restaurants and bars in England can reopen with some precautions in place, as can Johnson hotels, theaters and museums. And Britons will be able to hug friends and family again, with the easing of social distancing rules that have been in place since the pandemic began. It’s the biggest step yet to reopen the country following an easing of the crisis blamed for nearly 128,000 deaths, the highest reported COVID-19 toll in Europe. Deaths in Britain have come down to single digits in recent days. It’s a far cry from January, when deaths A large tree stump sits in front of homes, Friday, April 30, 2021, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A rare storm called a derecho plowed through the city of 130,000 last topped 1,800 in a single day amid a brutal second wave August with 140 mph winds and left behind a jumble of branches, downed powerlines and twisted signs. Now, city officials, businesses and nonprofit groups have driven by a more infectious variant first found in south- teamed up with ambitious plans to somehow transform what is now a city of stumps back into the tree-covered Midwestern oasis along the Cedar River. (AP) eastern England. New cases have plummeted to an average of around 2,000 a day, compared with nearly 70,000 a day during the winter peak. America Protection There are still worries. British authorities expressed anxiety this week about a rise in cases of a coronavirus variant first identified in India, which they say appears to ‘Devotion to Trump’ be more transmissible. Officials said Friday they will speed up the date for a second vaccine dose for those 50 and older to increase protection. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said while the new vari- GOP taps Stefanik for top post ant could “pose a serious disruption” in Britain’s progress to recovery, there appeared to be no evidence of increased WASHINGTON, May 16, (AP): lifetime mark of 35. That is well below because the party needs conservative cases “translating to unmanageable pressures” on U.K. House Republicans elevated Rep Elise Cheney’s 65 and Roy’s 100, and even leaders who are “committed to the hospitals. Stefanik to a leadership post Friday, beneath Rep Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Constitution.” And she said in an inter- British health officials have raced to get ahead of the highlighting how the party whose a member of the “squad” of young view to be broadcast Sunday on ABC virus by vaccinating hundreds of thousands of people a lodestar has long been conservative progressive House Democrats, who News’ “This Week” that she regretted policies increasingly views allegiance scored 38. voting for Trump in last year’s elec- day at hospitals, soccer pitches and churches up and down to Donald Trump as its indispensable “I would support Stefanik to be the the country. As of this week, 36 million people - approxi- tion. key to electoral success. most likely Republican to join the Cheney was among 10 House mately 68% of the adult population - have received their Stefanik, a Trump stalwart from Squad but not Republican Conference first dose. About 19 million have had both doses. Republicans who voted in January for Eng-Beng Lim, a professor at upstate New York, was elected to the Chair,” tweeted Rep Ken Buck, Trump’s second impeachment for It’s an impressive feat, and many credit Britain’s uni- Dartmouth College, stands for a pho- No. 3 leadership job that until this R-Colo., who nominated Roy Friday. inciting his supporters’ Capitol attack. versal public health system for much of that success. tograph on the school’s campus, week belonged to Rep Liz Cheney of “Now, to have credibility in the Experts say the National Health Service, one of the Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Hanover, Stefanik has told colleagues she’ll Wyoming. Republicans tossed Cheney Republican Party, you have to align serve in leadership only through next country’s most revered institutions, is able to target the N.H. A wave of anti-Asian attacks that from that post for continually calling yourself with Donald Trump. started more than a year ago with the year, then try taking the top GOP spot whole population and easily identify those most at risk out former President Trump for help- Everything else is secondary,” said on the influential House Education and pandemic, along with the March 2021 ing spur the violent Jan 6 Capitol former Rep Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., a because almost everyone is registered with a general prac- shootings in Atlanta that left six Asian Labor Committee. Her plans were insurrection and relentlessly pushing Trump critic. He called that a short- titioner. women dead, have provoked national described last week by a Republican That infrastructure, combined with the government’s conversations about the visibility of his false claims that voting fraud term “survival strategy,” saying caused his November reelection Trump’s appeal nationally is limited lawmaker and an aide who discussed early start in securing vaccine doses, was key. British Asian Americans. (AP) them only on condition of anonymity. authorities began ordering millions of doses from multiple defeat. and will fade. Local officials and judges from both Besides support from Trump, manufacturers late last spring, striking deals months ahead Elections Stefanik was backed by McCarthy and of the European Union and securing more than enough parties around the country have declared there is no evidence Trump Republicans hope Stefanik will help two of the chamber’s most influential vaccine to inoculate the entire population. was cheated out of a win. shift attention from their acrimonious conservatives: No. 2 leader Steve “I don’t think it’s surprising that the two countries in the Stefanik easily defeated Rep Chip purge of the defiant Cheney, and Scalise of Louisiana and Rep Jim world with probably the strongest primary care systems, Roy of Texas 134-46 in a secret ballot toward their drive to win House con- Jordan of Ohio. which are us and Israel, are doing the best with vaccine that gave GOP lawmakers a distinct trol in the 2022 elections. A Trump In the past four presidential elec- rollout,” said Beccy Baird, a policy researcher at the choice about where to steer the party. loyalist who has stood by some of his tions, Stefanik’s rural district backed King’s Fund, a charity for improving health care. Stefanik has a moderate voting record unfounded claims about widespread Barack Obama twice but then Trump “We have the medical records. We can understand but strong backing from Trump and election cheating, Stefanik’s elevation twice. She was a Trump critic during where our patients are. We’re not trying to negotiate with other party leaders, including some gives the GOP a fresh spokesperson his 2016 campaign, calling his video- loads of different insurance companies. … It’s the same conservatives, while Roy is in the who is one of the party’s relative hand- taped comments on sexually assaulting standard right through the country,” she added. “Whereas Weaver Haub hard-right House Freedom Caucus and ful of women in Congress. women “just wrong” and at times in the States, it’s going to be harder to really think about was actively opposed by the former “We are unified working as one avoiding stating his name. how do you reach underserved communities, how do you president. team,” she said. She sprang to Trump’s attention by get out there and provide the same access to everybody to News in Brief In remarks to reporters after her vic- Yet GOP schisms are unlikely to defending him in 2019 during his first this vaccine?” tory, Stefanik underscored how the vanish quickly. Roy’s candidacy sig- impeachment over his efforts to pres- David Salisbury, a former director of the government’s twice-impeached Trump’s clout within naled that hard-right conservatives sure Ukraine to produce political dirt Kid reporter dies at 23: The student immunization program and a fellow at London’s Chatham the GOP remains potent, a rarity for a will battle for influence, and tensions on Biden, a Democratic presidential reporter who gained national acclaim when defeated former president. Polling remain raw over Cheney’s rancorous House think tank, added that Britain also had an edge contender at the time. he interviewed President Barack Obama at shows strong Trump loyalty among ouster. She’s remained a Trump booster. because of its track record in successfully rolling out other the White House in 2009 has died of natural Republican voters, giving party lead- She has said she’ll stay in Congress vaccines, such as the seasonal flu shot. causes, his family says. Hours after the Capitol attack, she ers little incentive to ostracize him. and use her prominence - as a GOP voted against formally approving Many around the world were skeptical about Britain’s Damon Weaver was 23 when he died “Voters determine the leader of the establishment pillar and daughter of decision to delay the second vaccine dose by up to 12 May 1, his sister, Candace Hardy, told the Pennsylvania’s state-certified electoral Republican Party, and President former Vice President Dick Cheney - votes for Biden. weeks to free up vaccines for more people, but that strat- Palm Beach Post. Further details were not Trump is the leader that they look to,” to try to pry her party from Trump and egy paid huge dividends. The two shots of the Pfizer and released. He had been studying communica- Trump issued a statement Friday tions at Albany State University in Georgia. said Stefanik, 36. She added, “He is an to work against him if he attempts a Moderna vaccines were intended to be given three and important voice in the Republican White House return in 2024. congratulating Stefanik, saying, “The Weaver was 11 when he interviewed House GOP is united and the Make four weeks apart. Obama for 10 minutes in the Diplomatic Party and we look forward to working Cheney, who did not attend Friday’s with him.” GOP meeting, demonstrated anew that America Great Again movement is Plan Room on Aug. 13, 2009, asking questions Strong!” that focused primarily on education. He While the GOP defines itself as she has no qualms confronting her Anthony Harnden, an Oxford academic and a top gov- covered school lunches, bullying, conflict conservative, Stefanik’s win provided adversaries. Roy, a former aide to conservative ernment vaccination adviser, said “there were lots of ques- resolution and how to succeed. one measure of the diminished role Asked on CNN whether House Sen Ted Cruz of Texas, voted in tions asked” and “we were up against many countries” Weaver then asked Obama to be his ideology now plays for Republicans. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of January against Trump’s effort to who disagreed with spacing out the two doses, but offi- “homeboy,” saying then-Vice President Joe Her lifetime voting score from the California would have let Congress overturn his election defeat, infuriat- cials stuck to the plan. Biden had already accepted. (AP) conservative Heritage Action for formally certify Joe Biden’s presiden- ing him. Roy ally Buck, asked if ❑ ❑ ❑ Trump might turn his ire on him as “You have to remember, looking back at that time, there America is 48, one of the most moder- tial election had he been speaker, she ate marks of all House Republicans. said that was “a legitimate concern.” well, conceded as much. were a thousand or more people dying every day in the Air Force Base to be renamed: Cali- “I’ve been looking for an exit strat- U.K. So there was a huge imperative to get our vulnerable fornia’s Vandenberg Air Force Base was That compares to Cheney’s 80 and McCarthy helped engineer Cheney’s renamed Friday as a U.S. Space Force Base. Roy’s 96. ouster. egy for six and a half years, so if that’s people vaccinated,” he said. “It was an innovative strate- The conservative Club for Growth, She told CNN she would have voted the exit strategy, that’s OK,” Buck gy, a bold strategy, but it was based on our experience of The name was changed to Vandenberg Space Force Base during an afternoon cer- which backed Roy, gives Stefanik a for Roy, not Stefanik, to replace her said. previous vaccines.” emony on the parade field at the sprawling The vaccine program’s success has been a much-needed base on the state’s Central Coast, which boost for Britain. tests ballistic missiles and conducts orbital under Switzerland’s famous Matterhorn peak, Swiss resort of Zermatt. as midnight on April 7, 2018. Haub was Many of those who accused the government of poorly launches for defense, science and commer- located on the southern border with Italy. Haub’s family gave up hope of finding him born on March 2, 1960 in Tacoma, managing the outbreak last year say the U.K. is finally cial purposes. He was last seen on the morning of April alive after a week and the search for him was Washington and was a German-U.S. dual doing something right. The Space Force was created as the sixth citizen. (AP) uniformed military branch in 2019 during 7, 2018, as he headed up a mountain lift officially called off in October 2018. “We didn’t hand (the vaccine rollout) over to an out- with skis and a daypack, and was reported The district court in Cologne, where ❑ ❑ ❑ sourcing company. That would have been a major failure. the administration of former President Donald Trump. Personnel assigned to the missing to police the following morning Haub lived, said Friday it has now formally Nepal scales back festival: A drasti- And we also didn’t delay the way we did in the first wave. Air Force Space Command were reassigned after he failed to show up at his hotel in the declared him dead, giving the time of death cally truncated version of a Hindu chariot We moved quickly,” said Martin McKee, professor of to the Space Force, ending its Air Force festival took place Saturday in Nepal’s European public health at the London School of Hygiene lineage. (AP) capital amid strict COVID-19 restrictions, and Tropical Medicine. “So it was almost like the mirror ❑ ❑ ❑ following an agreement by organizers and image of the mistakes we made in the first wave.” authorities that prevented a repeat of violent Portugal opens to UK tourists: Briti- Still, McKee said he is worried that too many people confrontations between police and protest- sh tourists can return to Portugal from next ers last year. may throw caution to the wind too soon. Monday, ending days of uncertainty over Young people, who run a much lower risk of serious whether thousands of U.K. vacation book- Typically, a five-story-high wooden chariot illness but can still spread the virus, are not yet included in ings for Portuguese destinations would be of the deity Rato Machindranath - whose allowed. statue is made from clay and covered in red the vaccination program. Official figures also show sig- paint with wide-open eyes - is pulled by devo- nificant gaps in vaccine uptake among minorities and poor British visitors will be admitted on non- essential travel from May 17, the Portuguese tees around a suburb of the capital, people. Kathmandu. The annual festival lasts about a McKee and many others are also concerned about the foreign ministry said in a statement Friday. British travelers will need to show on arriv- month and draws tens of thousands of people. variants that are turning up. That risk is especially worry- al a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken But this year, only around a hundred ing as the U.K. slowly reopens to foreign tourists this in the previous 72 hours. hand-picked devotees were allowed to pull summer. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic the chariot for just a few meters (yards), as “We’ve seen very discouraging evidence from Chile and British people can currently only go to riot police sealed off the neighborhood to from the Seychelles, both of which have high proportions of Portugal - and into the rest of the European prevent any spectators from entering. (AP) people who have been vaccinated and where many restric- Union - for work, study, family reunions, ❑ ❑ ❑ tions were lifted, and they’ve had upsurges,” McKee said. health or humanitarian reasons. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ Bombing kills 12 worshippers: A Harnden is more optimistic. If the U.K. can roll out a bomb ripped through a mosque in northern booster vaccine program later this year and if people Missing billionaire dead: A German Kabul during Friday prayers, killing 12 remain cautious, he said, “we can get ourselves out of this” court on Friday officially declared billion- worshippers, and wounding 15, Afghan and get close to normal by the summer of 2022. aire Karl-Erivan Haub dead, more than police said. three years after the head of retail group Jose Rodriguez, of Honduras, wipes his eye as he waits in line for food donated No one immediately claimed responsibil- “We’re not completely out of this yet,” he said, “but by a local church at a makeshift camp for migrants near the U.S.-Mexico border we’re in a much, much better place than in the last few Tengelmann went missing in the Swiss ity for the bombing, the latest in a surge in Alps. Thursday, May 13, 2021, in Reynosa, Mexico. Growing numbers of migrant violence as U.S. and NATO troops have months.” Haub, who was 58, was training for a ski families are making the heart-wrenching decision to separate from their children begun their final withdrawal from the coun- mountaineering race when he disappeared and send them into the U.S. alone. (AP) try, after 20 years of war. (AP) Airbnb reports Q1 loss of nearly $1.2bn, revenue rises

Airbnb reported that its fi rst- boom. predict whether the pace of strength before the pandemic, quarter loss more than tripled, The home-sharing business the travel recovery will con- have not recovered. to $1.17 billion, as travel re- said in a letter to sharehold- tinue in the second half of the Cancellations have eased The Airbnb app icon is mained depressed by the pan- ers that travel is starting to re- year. from 2020 but remain higher seen on an iPad screen, demic and the company was turn, “and we expect a travel Pandemic-related restric- than before the pandemic, al- Saturday, May 8, 2021, in weighed down by costs from rebound unlike anything we tions are cutting into Airbnb though company offi cials gave Washington. (AP) past borrowing. have seen before.” revenue, particularly in Eu- no fi gures. However, revenue topped Still, Airbnb expressed con- rope. The company has seen CEO Brian Chesky pre- the same period in 2019, and cern about travel restrictions growing demand for travel in dicted that even after the pan- Airbnb recorded billions in and lockdowns in Europe, a the US, however, with particu- demic more people will work new bookings as the rollout of key market for summer rent- lar interest in rentals in beach outside central offi ces, provid- vaccines against COVID-19 als. The San Francisco-based and mountain locations. Book- ing a ready supply of future raised hopes for a travel company said it is too early to ings in cities, which were a guests.(AP)

Market Movements 14-05-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +30.35 7,239.37 JAPAN - Nikkei +636.46 28,084.47 GERMANY - DAX +216.96 15,416.64 FRANCE - CAC 40 +96.81 6,385.14 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +64.99 4,017.44 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +70.01 6,593.29 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +32.96 6,269.36 Business CONSUMER PRICES SHOT UP 0.8% IN APRIL US jobless claims sink to 473,000

Figure bloated by billions spent in virus relief packages More GOP governors bar aid WASHINGTON, May The 12 states will also end their par- 16, (AP): The number of ticipation in two federal benefi t pro- US budget defi cit hits record $1.9 trillion grams: One that has made gig workers Americans seeking unem- and the self-employed eligible for as- ployment benefi ts fell last sistance for the fi rst time, and a second WASHINGTON, May 16, (AP): The week to 473,000, a new that provides extra weeks of aid. To- US budget defi cit surged to a record gether, those programs cover 12.5 mil- of $1.9 trillion for the fi rst seven pandemic low and the lat- lion people nationwide. months of this budget year, bloated by est evidence that fewer em- Businesses have cited the extra the billions of dollars being spent in ployers are cutting jobs as $300 as a reason they are struggling to coronavirus relief packages. hire. An analysis by Bank of America The shortfall so far this year is consumers ramp up spend- economists found that people who had 30.3% higher than the $1.48 trillion ing and more businesses earned up to $32,000 in their previ- defi cit run up over the same period ous jobs can receive as much or more reopen. income from jobless aid. Some unem- a year ago, the Treasury Department The decline - the fourth in the said Wednesday in its monthly budget ployed people say the extra benefi t al- past fi ve weeks - coincides with lows them to take more time to look for report. a rash of states led by Republican The oceans of red ink in both years work, which can make hiring harder. governors that have blamed ex- There are other factors that help ex- are largely due to the impact of the plain why many people who are out of coronavirus pandemic, which led the panded jobless benefi ts for a slow- down in hiring and are acting to cut work might be reluctant to take jobs. government to approve trillions of Some worry that working in restau- dollars in relief to cover three rounds off the additional aid. Thursday’s report from the Labor rants, hotels or other services indus- of individual payments, extra unem- tries will expose them to the virus, ployment benefi ts and support for Department showed that applica- tions declined 34,000 from a revised according to government surveys. In small businesses. addition, many women, especially The defi cit for the budget year that 507,000 a week earlier. The number of weekly jobless claims - a rough meas- working mothers, have had to leave the ended Sept. 30 totaled a record $3.1 ure of the pace of layoffs - has fallen workforce to care for children who are trillion and many private economists signifi cantly from a peak of 900,000 in still in online school for at least part of believe this year’s total will surpass January. the week. that amount. Some are forecasting a Last week’s unemployment claims The Century Foundation, a think defi cit of $3.3 trillion. marked the lowest level since March thank, estimates that the move by For April, the defi cit totaled $225.6 of last year, when the viral pandemic the 12 states will cut off benefi ts for billion, down from a defi cit in April erupted across the economy. The de- 895,000 people. In addition to Ten- 2020 of $738 billion. That improve- cline in applications is coinciding with nessee and Missouri, the other states ment refl ected the fact that fewer re- a steadily improving economy. More are: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, lief payments were made this year and Americans are venturing out to shop, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, individuals making quarterly tax pay- In this fi le photo, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a press briefi ng at the White House in Washing- travel, dine out and congregate at en- South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming. ments had to meet the normal April ton. The US budget defi cit surged to a record of $1.9 trillion for the fi rst seven months of this budget year, bloated tertainment venues. The reopening has In some states, the impact will fall deadline. Last year, all tax payments by the billions of dollars being spent in coronavirus relief packages. (AP) proceeded so fast that many businesses the hardest on African-Americans, the Century Foundation calculates. Half were delayed at the onset of the pan- quarterly tax payments in April. The of this budget year totaled $4.07 tril- The $1.93 trillion defi cit for the fi rst aren’t yet able to staff up as quickly as demic. they would like. the unemployment benefi t recipients For the October-April period, rev- April payment was delayed last year lion, up 25.8% from the same period seven months of this budget year was In April, employers added 266,000 in Alabama and South Carolina are enues totaled $2.14 trillion, up 16.1% after 22 million people lost their jobs a year ago, as the government in both $459.4 billion higher than the $1.48 jobs, far fewer than expected. The sur- Black; in Mississippi, two-thirds are. over the same period a year ago, a because of the pandemic shutdowns. periods was passing massive pandem- trillion defi cit run up in the same pe- prisingly tepid gain raised concerns Biden earlier this week disputed gain that was boosted by individuals’ Outlays for the fi rst seven months ic relief bills riod a year ago. that businesses may fi nd it hard to the notion that the $300 payment is quickly add jobs as the economy keeps to blame for the drop-off in hiring last improving and that regaining pre-pan- month. But he also urged the Labor Co’s operating revenue at KD 5.7mn, total assets reach KD 487mn demic employment levels could take Department to work with states on longer than hoped. renewing requirements that recipients In Thursday’s report on jobless of unemployment aid must search for claims, the government said nearly jobs and take a position if offered. 16.9 million people were receiving The job search rule was suspended NREC reports KD 1.4mn net profi t for Q1 unemployment aid during the week of during the pandemic, when many busi- April 24, the latest period for which nesses were closed and employment KUWAIT CITY, May 16: National “The Company remains focused on terfront destination, Souq Sharq, and data is available. That is up from 16.2 opportunities were few. A majority of Real Estate Company (NREC), current- its strategy of debt reduction to be- the El Joan resorts. In Aqaba - Jordan, million in the previous week and sug- states have now reinstated it. ly developing various mega projects low KD 100 million in addition to an NREC’s subsidiary owns and operates Co offering bonuses gests that hiring wasn’t strong enough “Anyone collecting unemployment, in the Middle East and North Africa overall reduction of total company’s the South Aqaba Investment Park, a last month to pull people off unem- who is offered a suitable job must take region, reported its fi nancial and opera- liabilities and expenses, which will 1.5 million square meters property ployment. the job or lose their unemployment tional results for the three-months pe- strengthen NREC’s cash position. We dedicated for warehousing, factories, Amazon seeks The rise in unemployment recipi- benefi ts,” Biden said. riod ended 31 March 2021. The Com- remain focused on enhancing the per- companies and logistics in an attrac- ents occurred mostly in California and Meanwhile, a worrisome bout of pany announced a net profi t attributable formance of our operating properties tive investment climate that provides to ‘hire’ 75,000 Michigan, where more than 600,000 infl ation struck the economy in April, to the owners of the Parent Company and the development of our landmark access to major international markets people were added to the federal job- with US consumer prices for goods of KD 1.4 million and an EPS of 0.96 projects Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi and and Free Trade Agreements. In Libya, NEW YORK, May 16, (AP): less benefi t program that was set up for and services surging 0.8%, the largest fi ls in the fi rst quarter of the year 2021, Grand Heights in Egypt.” Palm City Residences is the fi rst fully Amazon is seeking to hire 75,000 gig workers and contractors. monthly jump in in more than a dec- compared to a net profi t attributable to Located on Reem Island in Abu operational project to be developed by people in a tight job market and is The hiring slowdown has led to ade, and the year-over-year increase the owners of the Parent Company of Dhabi, Reem Mall is a major new retail, the NREC’s joint venture in Libya, offering bonuses to attract work- a political backlash against several reaching its fastest rate since 2008. KD 0.6 million and an EPS of 0.40 fi ls leisure, dining and entertainment des- Mediterranean Investments Holding ers, including $100 for new hires federal expansions to unemployment The acceleration in prices, which in the fi rst quarter of the year 2020. tination that comprises 450 stores and p.l.c. (MIH). This residential project is who are already vaccinated for benefi ts, including an extra $300 in has been building for months, has un- The Company’s operating revenue has a confi rmed tenant-mix of leading offering high-end facilities and secu- COVID-19. weekly benefi ts paid for by the federal settled fi nancial markets and raised stood at KD 5.7 million in Q1 2021, a retailers in the region and world. rity on the Mediterranean coastline in The jobs are for delivery and government, on top of state payments concerns that it could weaken the eco- 52.5% increase from Q1 2020, and its In Egypt, the Company’s mega- Janzour, a suburb of Tripoli. warehouse workers, who pack that average about $320. The supple- nomic recovery from the pandemic total assets reached KD 487 million by residential project, Grand Heights, and ship online orders. Amazon, ment was included in President Joe recession. March 31, 2021. reached an advanced phase of devel- which already pays at least $15 an Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus measure, Wednesday’s report from the Labor NREC Vice Chairman and Chief opment and delivery of residential hour, gave out raises for some of its approved in March, and is set to expire Department showed sharply higher Executive Offi cer, Faisal Jamil Sultan units. Grand Heights is part of a larger workers last month, and the compa- the week of Sept. 6. prices for everything from food and Al-Essa, said: “With the COVID-19 plot owned by NREC’s subsidiary ny said Thursday that new hires will But so far, 12 states - all with GOP clothes to housing. A 10% surge in the vaccination programs well underway KUWADICO, and in which three sub- make an average of $17 an hour. governors - have announced that they prices of used cars and trucks - a record in the countries where NREC operates, developers are developing various por- The hiring spree comes as the will stop paying the extra benefi t as jump - accounted for roughly one-third we are optimistic about the positive tions. The project covers a total of four company gears up for Prime Day soon as June or July. In Tennessee, for of last month’s increases. Prices for impact on the Company’s operations million square meters and caters to the next month, its popular sales event example, Gov. Bill Lee said the state vehicles, both used and new, have in the remaining periods of 2021.” housing needs of a growing population that has become one of the busi- will stop issuing the payment July 3. been soaring as a result of a computer “The Company’s Management will in Cairo and its suburban areas. est shopping days of the year for In Missouri, Gov. Mike Parson said on chip shortage that has slowed auto pro- also continue to take the needed proac- Sultan said: “Reem Mall and Grand Amazon. Twitter that it will end June 12. duction and reduced dealer supplies. tive measures to safeguard the Compa- Heights are signifi cant investments Amazon didn’t say if it is hav- ny’s fi nancial health, and to overcome that will support NREC in growing ing trouble finding workers, but any economic and social challenges and diversifying its sources of operat- other companies have said they that might still result from the current ing cash fl ow in the coming years.” Faisal Jamil Sultan Al-Essa, NREC are as Americans start heading Tunisia to reopen economy COVID-19 crisis.” In Kuwait, NREC manages the wa- Vice-Chairman and CEO. out again. There’s many reasons for the worker shortage: Some TUNIS, Tunisia, May 16, (AP): Tu- to 10 p.m. starting Sunday, government are fearful they’ll get sick with nisian authorities plan to reopen the spokesperson Hasna Ben Slimane said coronavirus; others have child economy next week amid public push- Wednesday. Mosques, restaurants and care issues and need to stay home back against virus restrictions, even as schools will reopen if they observe so- Disney second quarter revenue drops to watch their children; and some the country’s hospitals are struggling cial distancing and other virus protec- businesses don’t pay enough to for enough oxygen to treat a persistent- tion measures. Visitors to Tunisia will NEW YORK, May 16, (AP): Disney fi rst two months of the year due to no ing Disney movies and TV shows plus go beyond the extra $300-a-week ly high number of COVID-19 patients. still have to undergo quarantine upon second-quarter revenue dropped as major product launches and a price in- hit original series like Marvel’s “Wan- federal unemployment benefit. Tunisia shut down shops and restau- arrival. the pandemic continued to weigh on crease in the Africa, Middle East and daVision” and the Star Wars spinoff McDonald’s, Chipotle and oth- rants and banned all sports and cultural In a televised address, Prime Minis- its parks and theme parks. Disney+ Asia region. But she said signups grew “The Mandalorian,” have helped drive er companies have announced pay events last week as the prime minister ter Hichem Mechichi promised inter- subscriptions continued to surge but more quickly in March. signups. People stuck at home during hikes to try and lure workers back. warned that the health system risked est-free loans to small businesses and missed some analyst expectations. Shares dropped 4 percent to $171.10 the pandemic over the past year also Besides the $100 bonus for vac- collapsing. Houses of prayer were also young entrepreneurs, among other aid. Still, net income beat expectations and in aftermarket trading. boosted subscriptions, but that could cinated new hires, Amazon said closed - including for the Eid al-Fitr Scores of people with the virus are CEO Bob Chapek said signs of recov- Net income attributable to Disney begin to ease as things open up again. it will also offer a separate $1,000 holiday marking the end of the holy still dying each day, and more than ery can be seen across the company’s for the three months ended April 3 Revenue per Disney+ customer sign-on bonus to attract new work- month of Ramadan that starts Thurs- 11,600 have died overall, in a nation business as the pandemic begins to totaled $901 million, or 49 cents per dropped 29 percent to $3.99. That’s ers in many parts of the country. day. with a population of 11 million. The wane. share. Excluding one-time items, net because the fi gures include Disney’s Mandy of its job openings are But while Tunisia is currently re- country currently is reporting the high- Disney+ subscribers more than income totaled 79 cents per share. One offering in India, where customers pay in 14 states: Arizona, California, porting the highest number of new est daily per capita death rate in Africa, doubled from a year ago to 103.6 mil- time costs were related to closing an less than in other parts of the world. Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Ken- COVID-19 deaths per capita in Africa, and one of the highest overall death lion subscribers as of April 3. That animation studio and some Disney- Revenue from parks dropped 44 per- tucky, Maryland, Michigan, Min- the public is frustrated, and some small rates in the region, according to Our was lower than the 109.3 million ana- branded retail stores, as well as sever- cent to $3.17 billion. But parks are be- nesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, business owners or market traders have World in Data. lyst expected, according to FactSet. ance at some parks and resorts. That ginning to show signs of life after being Tennessee, Washington and Wis- defi ed the new lockdown. Oxygen has been in short supply at Chapek said the company is still on beat analyst expectations of 26 cents shuttered during most of the pandemic. consin. The government announced Tunisian hospitals, with a sevenfold in- track to reach its goal of 230 to 260 per share, according to FactSet. Disneyland in Anaheim, California, Seattle-based Amazon.com Wednesday night that it will go for- crease in demand since before the pan- million subscribers for Disney+ by Revenue dropped 13 percent to reopened on April 30, after the quarter Inc., which has more than 1.2 mil- ward with reopening plans starting demic, Health Minister Faouzi Mehdi 2024. $15.61 billion, from $18.03 billion last ended. Disney World in Orlando and lion employees worldwide, is the May 16, and promised new aid to busi- said last week. Neighboring Algeria CFO Christine McCarthy said in a year. That was short of analyst expecta- other parks around the world were open second-largest private employer in nesses and the poor. recently delivered a supply of oxygen call with analysts that growth in sub- tions of $15.86 billion. during the quarter, although at reduced the US after retailer Walmart. A nationwide curfew, which current- to neighboring Tunisia, and other ship- scriber signups was slower during the The vast library of Disney+, includ- capacity. ly starts at 7 p.m., will be pushed back ments from Europe. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Alibaba records first quarterly operating loss since IPO

Alibaba had its first quarterly operating halted the $37 billion initial public offer- baba chairman and CEO Daniel Zhang loss since it went public in 2014 after ing of shares from its financial affiliate in an earnings call Thursday. Beijing slapped a record $2.8 billion Ant Group as Beijing grew increasingly “The penalty decision motivated us Workers past by the logo fine on the nation’s largest e-commerce concerned over the growing influence of to reflect on the relationship between a for Alibaba Group during an company for abusing its market posi- technology giants in China. platform economy and society as well as Internet Technology Expo tion. Beijing has fined multiple technology our social responsibilities and commit- in Beijing on April 30, 202. The loss tied to the anti-monopoly fine firms over antitrust violations and has ments,” he said. Alibaba had its first quarterly was 7.66 billion yuan ($1,170 million) for since launched a probe into Alibaba rival The company said Thursday that it ex- operating loss since it went the quarter that ended in March, though Meituan over suspected anti-competitive pects revenue in this fiscal year, which public in 2014. (AP) revenue growth was 64%, reaching behavior. ends in March 2022, to grow by more 187.4 billion yuan ($28.6 million). “We have stated that we accept the than 30%, reaching over 930 billion yuan Authorities launched an investiga- penalty with sincerity and will ensure our ($144 billion). That is better than most tion into Alibaba last year and abruptly compliance with determination,” said Ali- industry analysts are expecting. (AP) Stocks close higher with help from tech

Major US indexes post their worst weekly loss since February

NEW YORK, May 16, the company said its revenues tripled from a year ago, helped by homebound (AP): Stocks marched sol- Americans ordering in. idly higher again Friday, Technology stocks led the gainers though the major indexes after sinking earlier in the week as investors fretted about signs of rising still ended with their worst infl ation. Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, weekly loss since February Amazon.com and Google’s parent after a sharp pullback ear- company all rose 1% or more. Investors have been questioning lier in the week. whether rising infl ation will be some- The S&P 500 rose 1.5%, its sec- thing temporary, as the Federal Reserve ond straight gain. The gains were has said, or something more durable that broad, though technology sector the Fed will have to address. The central stocks powered much of the rally. bank has kept interest rates low to aid the Retailers, banks, communication recovery, but concerns are growing that it will have to shift its position if infl ation companies and industrial stocks starts running too hot. also helped lift the market. Energy “There’s certainly a lot to be happy stocks also rose as the price of U.S. about in the reopening and earnings pic- crude oil climbed 2.4%. Treasury tures, but at the same time there’s a lot yields mostly fell. to be worried about if infl ation, if these Investors’ worries about the pos- price increases remain and it forces the sibility of rising infl ation as the U.S. Fed to act quicker than they want to,” economy recovers from the corona- Gaffney said. “That could put a quick virus pandemic fueled three days of halt to the (stock market) rally.” heavy selling to start the week, and the Data from Commerce Department on major stock indexes were not able to Friday showed Americans kept up their make up all of those losses the last two share of retail purchases in April, helped days. by the stimulus checks that have gone out The S&P 500 lost 1.4% for the in the last few weeks. However, econo- week, its fi rst weekly decline in three mists expected retail sales fi gures to be weeks. The Nasdaq marked its fourth slightly higher for the month. Sales were weekly pullback in a row, giving up up at restaurants and bars in the month, 2.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial according to the data. Average lost 1.1% for the week. In other economic data, industrial The market’s rally the last two days production, which includes output refl ects a mix of traders piling back at factories, mines and utilities, rose into the market, which hit all-time 0.7% last month, down from a sharp highs just last week, to take advantage increase of 2.4% in March, the Federal of lower stock prices, and a boost in Reserve reported Friday. Auto produc- confi dence after the Centers for Dis- In this file photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, traders work around stock monitoring systems on the trading floor in New York. Major US tion fell 4.3% in April, largely because ease Control and Prevention’s deci- indexes on Friday ended with their worst weekly loss since February after a sharp pullback earlier in the week. (AP) car makers can’t fi nd enough semicon- sion Thursday to ease mask-wearing ductors. But the output of computers, guidance for fully vaccinated people. World Markets. “We’re going to con- or 1.1%, to 34,382.13. The Nasdaq, of their losses from earlier in the week. been adding subscribers at a breakneck electrical equipment and appliances, The move is expected to encourage tinue to see this push-pull between where the losses this week have been The Russell 2000 index picked up pace the past year, helped by popular machinery, and metals such as steel all more Americans to go out and spend good growth and reopening and infl a- steepest, added 304.99 points, or 2.3%, 53.68 points, or 2.5%, to 2,224.63. shows like “The Mandalorian” and the increased. money, speeding up the reopening of tion worries, that’s what’s causing this to 13,429.98. Disney fell 2.6% after reporting pandemic, which kept many Ameri- Bond yields have risen sharply this the economy. volatility.” Smaller company stocks, which for lower revenue and missing forecasts cans at home with little to do except week but pulled back slightly on Fri- “It’s just jittery markets,” said Chris The S&P 500 gained 61.35 points to most of this year have outgained the for growth in subscriber additions to watch TV. day. The yield on the 10-year Treasury Gaffney, president of TIAA Bank 4,173.85. The Dow rose 360.68 points, broader market, also recovered some its video streaming service. Disney had DoorDash vaulted 22.1% after after fell to 1.63% from 1.66% a day earlier.

Boost to defense and security investments Setback to European Union Amazon wins court fight Australia unveils big-spending plan for next FY CANBERRA, Australia, May 16, (AP): medical supplies. The spending mea- employment rate was below 5%. The The Australian government released a sures need Parliament’s endorsement. jobless rate was 5.6% in March and is over $300 mln tax ruling big-spending economic plan for the next The pandemic last year derailed the forecast to fall to 5% for 2021-22 and Honda ‘rebounds’ fiscal year on Tuesday that includes hefty political calendar that sets the budget to 4.75% in the following year. BRUSSELS, May 16, (AP): In the next steps,” Vestager said in a investments in defense and national secu- as an annual event in May. The 2020- Australia’s economic growth would in January-March latest setback to European Union statement. Both Luxembourg and rity as relations with China worsen. 21 budget was delayed until October. jump from 1.25% in the current fiscal efforts to tackle corporate tax avoid- Amazon challenged the decision The government plans to spend 270 It forecast a deficit of AU$214 billion year to 4.25% in 2021-22, according to TOKYO, May 16, (AP): Honda ance, a court has annulled a ruling with the EU’s General Court. billion Australian dollars ($212 bil- ($168 billion) in the current fiscal year. Treasury forecasts. swung into the black in January- by the European Commission that a The EU has taken aim at deals lion) over the next decade on upgrad- That deficit is now forecast to be As relations with China have deteri- March, recording a 213 billion yen tax deal between Amazon and Lux- concluded between individual ing defense capabilities to “promote an AU$161 billion ($126 billion). The gov- orated, Beijing has blocked Australian ($2 billion) profit despite the linger- embourg’s government amounted to countries and companies used open and peaceful Indo-Pacific,” Trea- ernment expects the deficit will continue exports including beef, wine, coal, lob- ing impact of the pandemic. illegal state support. to lure foreign multinationals in sury Department documents say. to decline in each of the next four years. sters, wood and barley. But Australia’s The results, released Friday, The EU’s executive branch search of a place to establish their This includes AU$747 million ($585 Net debt is forecast to peak at most lucrative export, iron ore, still marked a reversal from 29.5 bil- ordered the US online retailer in EU headquarters. The practice led million) to upgrade four military training AU$980.6 billion ($768.4 billion), or has eager buyers among Chinese steel lion yen in red ink Honda Motor Co 2017 to pay around 250 million to EU states competing with each areas in the Northern Territory where US 40.9% of GDP, in June 2025. manufacturers. racked up in the same quarter last euros ($300 million) in back taxes other and multinationals playing Marines have a temporary base. With Prime Minister Scott Morri- Iron ore prices surged last week as The government announced in year. Quarterly sales rose nearly 5% to Luxembourg. But judges at the them off one another. son due to call an election within 10 steel mills, fearing further trade restric- to 3.6 trillion yen ($33 billion). EU’s General Court said the Eu- Judges at the General Court March that it would begin building months, his conservative coalition has tions, rushed to lock in supplies after ropean Commission didn’t prove have backed the European Com- its own guided missiles in close col- Tokyo-based Honda’s profit for said paying down debt will not be a China suspended activities related to the the fiscal year that ended in March “to the requisite legal standard that mission in several cases, but the laboration with the United States. The priority in the next fiscal year. China-Australia Strategic Economic Dia- there was an undue reduction of EU’s efforts to crack down on AU$1 billion ($784 million) project totaled 657.4 billion yen ($6 billion), The government has said it would logue. It hit a new record price of $228 a up 44% from the previous fiscal the tax burden of a European sub- favorable tax deals suffered re- would produce the first Australian- not focus on reducing debt until the un- metric ton ($251 a U.S. ton) on Tuesday. sidiary of the Amazon group.” cent setbacks in cases involving manufactured missiles since the 1960s. year. Amazon said it welcomed the Starbucks and Apple. Wednes- The government also plans to spend Annual sales slipped nearly 12% court’s decision, which is “in line day’s ruling can be appealed to the AU$1.3 billion ($1.02 billion) over a to 13.2 trillion yen ($121 billion), with our long-standing position that 27-nation bloc’s highest court, the decade to enhance the ability of the but cost cuts helped support its bot- we followed all applicable laws and European Court of Justice. Australian Security Intelligence Orga- tom line. The results were better than that Amazon received no special The EU remains at odds with nization, the nation’s main spy agency, Honda’s internal forecasts. treatment,” the company said in a Amazon on other issues relating to to address national security threats. The company said its vehicle sales statement. “We’re pleased that the competition. Last year, EU regula- “We ... need to be prepared for rose in Asia in the last quarter but Court has made this clear, and we tors filed antitrust charges against a world that is less stable and more fell in the US and Europe. Motor- can continue to focus on delivering the e-commerce company, accus- contested,” Treasurer Josh Fryden- berg told Parliament as he outlined his cycle sales also recovered in Asia. for our customers across Europe.” ing Amazon of using its access The maker of the CR-V sport util- The European Commission’s to data from companies that sell economic blueprint for the fiscal year decision related to Luxembourg’s products on its platform to gain an starting on July 1. The government has ity vehicle, Gold Wing motorcycle tax treatment of two companies unfair advantage over them. also proposed an additional AU$17.7 and Asimo robot said it’s adjust- in the Amazon group: Amazon In another judgment Wednes- billion ($13.9 billion) spending on el- ing to the semiconductor shortage, EU and Amazon Europe Holding day, the General Court found the der care over five years and a AU$15.2 which is hurting automakers around Technologies. existence of a tax advantage in billion ($11.9 billion) investment in the world. Margrethe Vestager, the EU of- rulings granted by Luxembourg to infrastructure over 10 years. “There is still a lot of uncertain- ficial in charge of antitrust issues, companies in the Engie group, a Australia would loan Indonesia ty ahead because of the COVID-19 argued at the time that Amazon had French multinational electric util- AU$1.5 billion ($1.2 billion) to man- surge,” Honda’s chief operating unfairly profited from special low tax ity company. Three years ago, the age coronavirus-related financial Heavy machinery work on a major road project in Sydney, Australia on May officer, Seiji Kuraishi, told report- conditions since 2003 in tiny Luxem- European Commission had found pressures, loan Papua New Guinea 11, 2021. The Australian government will release its big-spending econom- ers. bourg, where its European headquar- that Luxembourg allowed two En- AU$558 million ($437 million) to sup- ic plan for the next fiscal year on Tuesday designed to create jobs and He acknowledged some Honda ters are based. As a result, almost gie group companies to avoid pay- port its pandemic response and give repair pandemic damage and with an eye toward winning votes at looming general elections. (AP) production is being affected by the three quarters of Amazon’s profits in ing taxes on almost all their profits India AU$37 million ($29 million) in semiconductor shortage. the EU were not taxed, she said. for about a decade and said the As vaccination efforts progress, “We will carefully study the country should recover about 120 global auto markets are expected to judgment and reflect on possible million euros in unpaid tax. recover, Kuraishi said. China welcomes Xiaomi removal In Japan, the pandemic has af- fected workers’ commutes, and some dealers around the world had from US government’s ‘blacklist’ to shut down, shorten hours or re- duce services for as pandemic pre- HONG KONG, May 16, (AP): China’s phones and smart devices, was added A Xiaomi spokesperson said that the cautions. commerce ministry on Thursday wel- to a Defense Department blacklist in company was paying close attention to Honda forecast a profit of 590 bil- comed the removal of Xiaomi Corp January this year in the last few days the issue. lion yen ($5.4 billion) for the fiscal from a US government blacklist, a of the Trump administration, which The company’s Hong Kong-listed year through March 2022, a decline day after the US reversed a ban on US accused it of links to China’s military. shares fell nearly 2.9% Thursday, a of 10% on-year. investments in the smartphone maker U.S. investors were ordered to di- day after gaining 6% on news of it was Among Japanese automakers, that was imposed under former Presi- vest their stakes held in Xiaomi by being removed from the US blacklist. Toyota Motor Corp also reported a dent Donald Trump. November. Under the Trump administration, recovery in January-March, with its “China has always believed that re- In response, Xiaomi sued the US Chinese technology companies such as moving sanctions and restrictions and government over the ban, demanding drone maker DJI and telecommunica- profit more than doubling to 777 bil- stopping suppression of Chinese com- to be removed from the list. It denies tions equipment supplier Huawei were lion yen ($7 billion). panies will benefi t China, the United having any links with China’s People’s put on a trade blacklist out of concerns Nissan Motor Co, whose brand In this file photo, the internet trader Amazon logo is seen behind States, and the world,” Gao Feng, Liberation Army. such companies might be security has suffered over a scandal involv- barbed wire at the company’s logistic center in Rheinberg, Germa- spokesperson for China’s Ministry On Wednesday, a US court fi ling risks. ing its former star executive Car- ny. A European Union court annulled on May 12, 2021 a ruling by of Commerce, said at a news briefi ng said that the US Department of De- US companies and individuals are los Ghosn, is trimming its losses the European Commission that a tax deal between the Luxembourg Thursday. fense will remove Xiaomi from the banned from dealing with companies but expects to remain in the red government and Amazon amounted to illegal state support. (AP) Xiaomi, a Beijing-based company blacklist after the two parties reached on such lists or in some cases must for the fiscal year through March known for its value-for-money smart- an agreement, media reports said. seek special permission in advance. 2022. DoorDash sales surged in Q1 even as dining rooms reopen

DoorDash reported that its polled by FactSet. ence call with investors. customers and expand into sales nearly tripled in the Even in a market like Florida, Based on the results, the other services, like delivery first three months of the year where in-restaurant dining has San Francisco-based compa- from groceries and conveni- The DoorDash app is shown as demand for food delivery nearly returned to pre-COVID ny raised its financial guidance ence stores. Non-restaurant on a smartphone on Feb. 27, remained elevated even as levels, DoorDash said same- for the full year. It now expects deliveries made up 7% of all 2020, in New York. DoorDash U.S. restaurants reopened store delivery sales for its part- total orders in the range of $35 orders during the quarter. Inc. reports quarterly financial their dining rooms. ner restaurants were up 170% billion to $38 billion this year, The company narrowed results after the market close DoorDash said its rev- during the first quarter. up from its previous forecast of its net loss per share to 34 on Thursday, May 13, 2021. enue surged 198% to $1.1 “The impact of reopening $30 billion to $33 billion. cents from $2.92 in the same (AP) billion in the January-March really has been more muted DoorDash reported a net period a year ago. That was period. That was well above than we expected,” DoorDash loss of $110 million in the short of Wall Street’s forecast Wall Street’s forecast of $994 co-founder and CEO Tony Xu first quarter because it is still of an 8-cent loss per share in million, according to analysts said Thursday during a confer- spending heavily to win new the latest period. (AP)

Questions raised about financial vise tech giant holds people in Technology holds much promise Ford is betting solid-state Apple holds edge in app store trial batteries will cut EV costs By Tom Krisher SAN RAMON, California, May 16, (AP): Apple case challenging its prohibition on merchants recom- ord has raised its stake in a manufacturer of solid- seems to be prevailing in an antitrust trial examining mending customers use other credit cards with lower Fstate batteries – a move that its chief product and whether its mobile app store illegally skims profi ts transaction fees - a policy the US Supreme Court up- operations officer, Hau Thai-Tang, says will strengthen from smaller companies. held in a 2018 decision. the company’s effort to increase the range and reduce the But the tech giant’s apparent edge has been carved After Schmalensee likened Apple’s in-app com- costs of its next generation of electric vehicles. out amid nagging questions about the fi nancial vise missions to a credit card terminal that charges a fee Ford, along with BMW, last week announced their invest- it holds people in when they buy digital services on for being part of its store, Gonzalez Rogers ques- ment in a $130 million funding round for Solid Power, a iPhones, iPads and iPods. tioned why an app couldn’t display different payment Denver-area company that is developing sulfi de solid-state If nothing else, the skirmish has sharpened the focus options, similar to the way stores can show a sign at battery technology. Thai-Tang says the technology should give Ford the fl exibility to either shrink battery sizes to make on the exclusive payment system that Apple has built checkout stands displaying the different credit cards it less expensive to manufacture some vehicles or keep the into transactions occurring within apps installed on its and other forms of payment they accept. She suggest- same size battery and achieve a greater range of distance in family of mobile devices. ed some sort of button or link might be inserted into other models. Apple has collected a 15% to 30% commission on apps allowing consumers to choose another payment Solid state batteries, with their solid ion-conducting those in-app purchases for the past 13 years, fueling a method. material instead of the liquid electrolyte found in most moneymaking machine that has helped the company generate less than $1 million in annual sales on its That is something Epic would like, given the main lithium-ion batteries, can store more energy. This ex- increase its market value from about $150 billion in motives underlying its lawsuit. Epic has two goals: pands the vehicles’ range from the same-size battery or products – a concession that applies to the overwhelm- allows for smaller batteries, which are typically lighter 2008 to more than $2 trillion today. ing majority of the roughly 1.8 million apps now in to avoid giving Apple a cut of its sales to Fortnite Those apps avoid a commission when their cus- players making impulse purchases for digital goods with a lower risk of fire. its store. At the same time, it’s harder to draw power from solid- tomers pay for their services through other op- Antitrust expert Herbert Hovenkamp, a law profes- while playing the game; and it wants Apple to allow state batteries than from lithium-ion batteries, said Sam tions, such as a web browser. But Apple forbids sor at the Wharton School of the University of Penn- competition on the iPhone, including Epic’s own Abuelsamid, an analyst at Guidehouse Research. But the apps from posting any links or making any other sylvania, said he doubts Gonzalez Rogers will agree own unprofi table app store that charges a 12% com- technology holds such promise, he said, that whatever suggestions that steer people toward those other with Epic’s narrow market defi nition. And that, he mission. company perfects it first could command a competitive alternatives. said, gives Apple the clear upper hand in the case so But Apple insists that its payment system should edge. The anti-steering provision prompted Epic Games, far. remain the only option for in-app transactions on the The Associated Press spoke recently with Thai-Tang the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, to sue “This is a case about market power, so even if there iPhone and its other devices. It argues this helps pay about the new chemistry and what it could mean to speeding Apple last year and set the stage for the trial now ap- for the $100 billion it says it has invested in mobile the adoption of electric vehicles. The interview was edited is bad behavior going on, it won’t make a difference if for clarity and length. proaching the end of its second week in an Oakland, Apple isn’t (judged) a monopolist,” Hovenkamp told software, as well as protecting its customers’ against Question: Why are solid-state batteries so important California, courtroom. The Associated Press. potential security threats. compared with the lithium-ion batteries now used in electric To prevail, epic will have to persuade US District Epic on Thursday stepped up its efforts to turn the Hovenkamp interpreted Gonzalez Rogers’ ques- vehicles? Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers that Apple’s app store tide and prove Apple holds a monopoly on app distri- tions about Apple’s anti-steering requirements as “an Answer: Because of the promise of much higher levels has become a monopoly that has enabled the Cuper- bution. While grilling Apple economic expert Loren invitation to settlement” of the case before she issues of energy density. For customers, that basically means they tino, California, company to engage in price gouging. Hitt, Epic rolled out evidence that many of the games her decision at some point after the trial ends late this can drive farther with the more range. So as you get bet- That argument will likely require Gonzalez Rogers to that produce the most revenue aren’t available to play month. ter energy and power density, the cells get smaller. That al- embrace Epic’s contention that the iPhone’s software Even if Gonzalez Rogers sides with Apple and up- lows the vehicles to become lighter for the same range, as on consoles. well as more space for people and their things instead of for and the app store are large enough to represent a mar- It remains to be seen whether any of that data will holds the status quo, Epic could still win if the issues batteries. And then, of course, cost. Being able to drive the ket by themselves. sway Gonzalez Rogers. But the judge has clearly been aired out in the trial raise consumers’ awareness about cost-per-kilowatt-hour down will speed up the adoption of That has been a tough case to make, largely be- troubled by Apple’s anti-steering requirements, based the different options available to them, said Daniel battery electric vehicles. cause the same commission rates have long been on her comments and questions during the past few Lyons, a Boston College law professor following the Q. What’s the advantage over lithium-ion batteries charged by similar stores operated by the leading days of the trial. case. now? video game consoles – Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s Her concerns crystallized while one of Apple’s “Even if they lose the case, they have been playing A: The big thing is going from a liquid electrolyte to PlayStation and Nintendo’s Switch – as well as on expert witnesses, Richard Schmalensee, was on the a court-of-public-opinion game,” Lyons said. “You a solid electrolyte; that gives you better conductivity. smartphones and other devices running on Google’s stand. spend a few million dollars on lawyers and you are That’s the enabler for the power and energy. The chal- lenge has always been, can you actually scale it up to Android system. Schmalensee, formerly dean of the Massachusetts a company that winds up being in the headlines for where the format of the cell is large enough for automo- What’s more, Apple has never raised its commis- Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Manage- sticking up for the little guy. Maybe that’s a win in tive use? Then can you actually manufacture it at scale to sions, and last year lowered them for companies that ment, also defended American Express in an antitrust itself.” hit the cost targets? Q: There has been a lot of talk about potential shortages of lithium, copper, nickel, other precious metals. Does solid Many companies struggling to find workers state use fewer of those? A: It depends on the chemistry. For most companies, the cathode is about the same as what’s in lithium-ion. That doesn’t really change. It’s really the anode and the electro- lyte. Because you’re getting higher conductivity and higher energy density, so for the same power and range and energy, US restaurants and stores raise pay you would use less. That in itself will help, even if it was the same chemistry. But depending on which company you partner with, they would have different chemistries, which Worries about higher infl ation have will reduce dependencies on things like copper as well as dominated fi nancial markets after con- cobalt, for example. sumer prices jumped 4.2% in April Q: How far along is Solid Power in this process? compared with a year earlier, the big- A: We think Solid Power is among the leaders because gest gain in 13 years. But the rise was of their ability to scale up to a multi-layer cell, up to 20 driven largely by soaring used car prices amp-hour. This is something that we can actually use in an automobile. Beginning next year, they’re targeting to and more expensive airline tickets, not give us as well as the other investor, BMW, a 100 amp- higher labor costs. hour battery. In a sign that companies in general are That’s at the size we really can use for automotive appli- struggling to add workers, the number cations. The other big thing is, their chemistry can be built of available jobs in the U.S. shot to 8.2 in the same manufacturing process that we would invest in million at the end of March. Yet employ- to build lithium-ion batteries. So this allows us to ease into ers added just 266,000 jobs in April, far that new technology without having to reinvest in all of that fewer than the previous month. capital equipment. Some of the unemployed are reluctant Q: What time frame do you see for switching to solid- to return to work for fear of contracting state? COVID-19, while many women have A: We think it’s realistic to target by the end of this de- cade if we continue to make the progress we’re making. left the workforce to take care of chil- Q: How much farther could the vehicle go if you if you dren who are still in online school. Be- perfect solid state? cause of an extra $300 in unemployment A: You can either maintain the current range and use aid, some of the jobless are receiving fewer batteries, or you can give customers even more range more in benefi ts than they earned at their within the physical package of that battery size. We’re see- old jobs. ing roughly 25% to 30% improvement in energy density. So Gad Levanon, a labor economist at the we can literally give that all to more range. Or we could say Conference Board, a business research 300 miles is optimal, and we would just reduce the number group, said labor shortages will probably of batteries and drive the cost down. And anywhere in be- be temporary, which suggests pay won’t tween those two bookends. Q: So in the current package for a Mustang Mach-E elec- necessarily keep rising at the same pace. tric SUV, say roughly 300 miles, you would be able to go “The fear of COVID is probably going around 400 miles? to decline, schools are probably going to A: Yes, you can get another 25% to 30%. open in September, the extra unemploy- Q: Does this announcement mean there will be a much ment benefi ts will end in September,” he wider array of electric vehicles coming? This file photo shows a McDonald’s restaurant on the Northside of Pittsburgh. US restaurants and stores are rapidly raising pay said. “So we will see some easing in la- A: Ford can lead the electric revolution and accelerate in an urgent effort to attract more applicants and keep up with a flood of customers as the pandemic eases. McDonald’s, Sheetz bor shortages.” the transition from internal combustion engines to drive and Chipotle are just some of the latest companies to follow Amazon, Walmart and Costco in boosting wages, in some cases to Even with the recent wage gains, the cost down and improve the the range for our cus- $15 an hour or higher. (AP) weekly pay averaged just $477.40 in tomers, making it safer. I think charging infrastructure is April in a category includes restaurants, probably the other thing that would be the key for a faster By Christopher Rugaber States and cities are easing business urging its 14,000 franchised restaurants bars, hotels, amusement parks and other rate of adoption. restrictions as COVID-19 deaths and to make the same changes. entertainment venues. Q: Do you need solid state to reach cost parity with inter- S restaurants and stores are rapidly cases plummet, and in places like Flor- Also on Thursday, Amazon said it will nal combustion engines? That partly reflects the many part- A: We see further opportunities to drive the cost down be- Uraising pay in an urgent effort to at- ida, Nevada, and Texas, restaurant traf- pay new hires $17 an hour, as it seeks time workers in the industry, some of tract more applicants and keep up with low $100 per kilowatt with additional advances in lithium- fi c is above or near pre-pandemic levels, to add 75,000 new workers. The online whom prefer shorter schedules. But ion technology. To take the next incremental step in terms of a flood of customers as the pandemic according to OpenTable, a software pro- giant said it is offering a $100 bonus for others would probably work more if cost, we think you have to go to solid state. eases. vider to the industry. new hires who have been vaccinated. they could. Q: How much over the current battery chemistry might McDonald’s, Sheetz and Chipotle Many companies say they are strug- And Sheetz, a mid-Atlantic conve- Fight for $15 and a Union, a labor you save in cost if this comes to fruition? are just some of the latest companies to gling to fi nd workers. nience store chain, said Monday it is group that is trying to unionize fast food A: If you’re getting 25%-to-30% improvement in energy follow Amazon, Walmart and Costco in “Customers are coming back faster giving its 18,000 employees a $2-an- workers, said that the increases aren’t density and you can build it in the same process, you would boosting wages, in some cases to $15 an than restaurants can staff up,” said Josh hour raise and an additional $1 an hour enough and that it will continue to de- expect to see that level of cost improvement versus today’s hour or higher. Bivens, research director at the left-lean- for the summer. mand a starting wage of $15 per hour for state of the art technology. (AP) The pay gains are, of course, a boon to ing Economic Policy Institute. “By rais- Across the restaurant industry, the pay all McDonald’s workers. these employees. Restaurants, bars, ho- ing pay, they are able to get more work- gains have largely returned overall wag- “Clearly, McDonald’s understands tels and stores remain the lowest-paying ers in the door.” es to the same growth trend they were that in order to hire and retain talented industries, and many of their workers In April, even as overall hiring on before the pandemic, Bivens said. He workers, something needs to change,” ran the risk of contracting COVID-19 on slowed, a category that includes restau- expects the increases to climb above that McDonald’s employee and union orga- the job over the past year while white- rants, hotels and entertainment venues trend in the coming months. nizer Doneshia Babbitt said in a state- collar employees were able to work from hired more new workers than it did the Consumer prices rose 0.3% at restau- ment. “Now, they’re raising pay for home. previous month, a sign the extra pay is rants in April, far less than their labor some of us and using fancy math tricks Still, the pay increases could contrib- working. costs that month. That suggests many to gloss over the fact that they’re selling ute to higher infl ation if companies raise McDonald’s on Thursday said it will restaurants are accepting smaller profi ts most of us short.” prices to cover the additional labor costs. raise pay for workers in its 650 compa- rather than passing on the costs to cus- Fight for $15 is planning strikes in 15 Some businesses, however, could absorb ny-owned stores to an average of $15 tomers, Bivens said. Restaurant prices cities next Wednesday ahead of the fast the costs or invest over time in automa- an hour by 2024. Entry-level employees have risen 3.8% in the past year, which food giant’s annual shareholder meeting. Ford Chief Product and Operations Officer Hau Thai- tion to offset higher wages. will make $11 an hour. The company is is above pre-pandemic levels. (AP) Tang being interviewed via Zoom. (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Space

Japanese planning ISS visit China lands its fi rst spacecraft on Mars BEIJING, May 16, (AP): China landed a spacecraft on Mars for the fi rst time on Saturday, a technically challenging feat more diffi cult than a moon landing, in the latest step forward for its ambitious goals in space. Plans call for a rover to stay in the lander for a few days of diagnostic tests before rolling down a ramp to explore an area of Mars known as Utopia Planitia. It will join an American rover that arrived at the red planet in February. China’s fi rst Mars landing follows its launch last month of the main section of what will be a permanent space station and a mission that brought back rocks from the moon late last year. “China has left a footprint on Mars for the fi rst time, an im- portant step for our country’s space exploration,” the offi cial Xinhua News Agency said in announcing the landing on one of its social media accounts. The US has had nine successful landings on Mars since 1976. The Soviet Union landed on the planet in 1971, but the mission failed after the craft stopped transmitting information soon after touchdown. A rover and a tiny helicopter from the American landing in February are currently exploring Mars. NASA expects the rover to collect its fi rst sample in July for return to Earth in a Xi decade. China has landed on the moon be- In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, members at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center celebrate after China’s Tianwen-1 probe successfully landed on fore but landing on Mars is a much more diffi cult undertak- Mars, at the center in Beijing, Saturday, May 15. China landed a spacecraft on Mars for the fi rst time on Saturday, a technically challenging feat more diffi cult than ing. Spacecraft use shields for protection from the searing a moon landing, in the latest advance for its ambitious goals in space. (AP) heat of entering the Martian atmosphere, and use both retro- rockets and parachutes to slow down enough to prevent a crash landing. The parachutes and rockets must be deployed Coronavirus at precise times to land at the designated spot. Only mini- retro rockets are required for a moon landing, and parachutes alone are suffi cient for returning to Earth. Mission ‘WHO should have more power to stop pandemics’ Xinhua said the entry capsule entered the Mars atmosphere at an altitude of 125 kilometers (80 miles), initiating what it called “the riskiest phase of the whole mission.” A 200 square meter (2,150 square foot) parachute was de- Pandemic to be more deadly this year ployed and later jettisoned, and then a retro-rocket was fi red to slow the speed of the craft to almost zero, Xinhua said. The GENEVA, May 16, (Agencies): World craft hovered about 100 meters (330 feet) above the surface to Health Organisation (WHO) chief identify obstacles before touching down on four buffer legs. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Fully ‘vaccinated’ Americans can the second year of the pandemic was “Each step had only one chance, and the actions were set to be more deadly than the fi rst, closely linked. If there had been any fl aw, the landing would with India a huge concern. take off masks in most cases: CDC have failed,” said Geng Yan, an offi cial at the China National WHO also urged rich countries on WASHINGTON, May 16, (Agen- There is always a chance the Space Administration, according to Xinhua. Friday to reconsider plans to vaccinate cies): Director of the US Centers CDC could change its guidance Touchdown was at 7:18 a.m. Beijing time (23:18 Friday children and instead donate Covid-19 for Disease Control and Preven- again if the pandemic worsens or GMT; 7:18 p.m. EDT), although more than an hour passed shots to the COVAX scheme for poor- tion (CDC) Rochelle Walensky on additional variants emerge. before ground controllers could confi rm the landing was a er countries. Thursday declared that those who There are a handful of instances success, Xinhua said. The rover had to open its solar panels In a virtual meeting in Geneva, have been fully vaccinated could where people will still need to wear and antenna, and then it took more than 17 minutes for its Tedros said, “I understand why some take part in indoor and outdoor ac- masks - in a health-care setting, signals to traverse the distance between Mars and Earth. This photo provided by Clean Up The countries want to vaccinate their chil- tivities without wearing a mask or at a business that requires them - Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a congratulatory letter to Lake shows a scuba divers hauling dren and adolescents, but right now I physical distancing. even if they’ve had their fi nal vac- the mission team, called the landing “an important step in trash to the surface of Lake Tahoe, Anyone who is fully vaccinated cine dose two or more weeks ago, cleaning up trash on Friday, May 14. urge them to reconsider and to instead our country’s interplanetary exploration journey, realizing donate vaccines to COVAX.” can participate in indoor and out- she stressed. the leap from Earth-moon to the planetary system and leav- A team of scuba divers on Friday com- door activities, large or small, with- Fully vaccinated people will still pleted the fi rst dive of a massive, six- Last month, WHO warned that out wearing a mask or physical dis- need to wear masks on airplanes, ing the mark of the Chinese on Mars for the fi rst time. ... The month effort to rid the popular Lake COVID-19 pandemic continues to in- motherland and people will always remember your outstand- tancing, she said in a White House buses, trains and other public Tahoe of fi shing rods, tires, aluminum tensify globally, as numbers of new Coronavirus Task Force press transportation, she pointed out. ing feats!” cans, beer bottles and other trash ac- cases and deaths are steadily growing briefi ng. The announcement from the NASA Associate Administrator Thomas Zurbuchen tweet- cumulating underwater. (AP) despite ongoing massive vaccination “If you are fully vaccinated, you CDC comes just ahead of the Me- ed his congratulations, saying, “Together with the global sci- campaigns. can start doing the things that you morial Day and Fourth of July pa- ence community, I look forward to the important contribu- “Cases have now increased for the had stopped doing because of the rade season. tions this mission will make to humanity’s understanding of ninth straight week, and deaths have pandemic. We have all longed for The relaxation of restrictions in- the Red Planet.” increased for the sixth straight week,” this moment, when we can get centivizes people to get the shots China’s Mars landing was the top trending topic on Weibo, said WHO’s Director-General Ghe- back to some sense of normalcy,” and helps pave the way for a full a leading social media platform, as people expressed both ex- breyesus. she elaborated. reopening of society. citement and pride. Meanwhile, a panel of independ- Unvaccinated people should still Medicare will require nursing The Tianwen-1 spacecraft has been orbiting Mars since ent experts who reviewed the WHO’s continue to wear masks as they homes to report COVID-19 vac- February, when it arrived after a 6 1/2-month journey from response to the coronavirus pandemic remain at risk of mild or severe ill- cination rates for residents and Earth. Xinhua described the mission as China’s fi rst plan- says the UN health agency should be ness, death and risk spreading the staff, the government said Tues- etary exploration. granted “guaranteed rights of access” disease to others, she noted. day. Offi cials hope to nudge fa- The rover, named after the Chinese god of fi re Zhurong, is in countries to investigate emerg- People with compromised im- cilities to keep giving shots as the mune systems should speak with worst ravages of the pandemic expected to be deployed for 90 days to search for evidence of ing outbreaks, a contentious idea that their doctor before giving up their ease, but the danger of a rebound life. About the size of a small car, it has ground-penetrating Sharma Johnson would give it more powers and re- masks, Walensky pointed out. still lurks. radar, a laser, and sensors to gauge the atmosphere and mag- quire member states to give up some netic sphere. of theirs. China’s space program has proceeded in a more cautious “The situation we fi nd ourselves in June found WHO repeatedly lauded manner than the US and the Soviet Union during the height Discovery Response in today could have been prevented,” China in public while offi cials private- of their space race. In a report released Wednesday, the Johnson Sirleaf said. ly complained that Chinese offi cials panel faulted countries worldwide for Beyond the call to boost WHO’s stalled on sharing critical epidemic The launch of the main module for China’s space station ‘Eruption a wonder of nature’: Pan- in April is the fi rst of 11 planned missions to build and provi- their sluggish response to COVID-19, ability to investigate outbreaks, the information with them, including the demic or no pandemic, the world will never saying most waited to see how the vi- panel made an array of recommenda- new virus’ genetic sequence. sion the station and send up a three-person crew by the end of stand still. That’s perhaps no clearer than in next year. While the module was successfully launched, the rus was spreading until it was too late tions, such as urging the health agency Clark said the global diseases sur- Iceland, where a volcano has awoken from a and the World Trade Organization to veillance system needed to be over- uncontrolled return to Earth of the rocket drew international slumber that has lasted 6,000 years, give or to contain it, leading to catastrophic re- criticism including from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. take a year or two. sults. The group also slammed the lack convene a meeting of vaccine-produc- hauled - with WHO’s role strength- China has said it wants to land people on the moon and The glow from the bubbling hot lava of global leadership and restrictive in- ing countries and manufacturers to ened. possibly build a scientifi c base there. No timeline has been spewing out of the Fagradalsfjall volcano ternational health laws that “hindered” quickly reach deals about voluntary li- “WHO should have the powers released for these projects. A space plane is also reportedly can be seen from the outskirts of Iceland’s WHO’s response to the pandemic. censing and technology transfer, in an necessary to investigate outbreaks of under development. capital, Reykjavík, 32 kilometers (20 miles) Some experts criticized the panel effort to boost the world’s global sup- concern, speedily guaranteed rights of away. For others around the world, there’s for failing to hold WHO and others ply of coronavirus shots. access, and with the ability to publish Also: always the live feed. accountable for their actions during The panel also suggested that information without waiting for mem- CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.: The Japanese fashion tycoon who’s But this is the Reykjanes Peninsula’s fi rst COVID-19, describing that as “an ab- WHO’s director-general - currently ber state approval,” she said. booked a SpaceX ride to the moon is going to try out the eruption of any volcano in around 800 years, dication of responsibility.” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Sophie Harman, a professor of in- International Space Station (ISS) fi rst. and nothing quite matches the exhilaration Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown Ethiopia - should be limited to a sin- ternational politics at Queen Mary “Going to the ISS before the Moon,” Yusaku Maezawa of bearing witness to Planet Earth’s raw University said the panel “fails to call gle seven-year term. As it stands, the University of London, said the panel’s announced Thursday via Twitter. power up close and personal. Fagradalsfjall out bad actors like China, perpetuating WHO chief is elected to a fi ve-year recommendations were unlikely to be itself is made up of the Icelandic words for the dysfunctional WHO tradition of di- term that can be renewed once. entirely welcomed by WHO’s member Maezawa has bought two seats on a Russian Soyuz cap- “beautiful valley mountain.” sule. He’ll blast off in December on the 12-day mission with plomacy over frankness, transparency The suggestion to limit the tenure countries, and thus, unlikely to be im- Miguel Angel Morenatti, a Seville-based of WHO’s top leader appeared in part plemented. his production assistant and a professional cosmonaut. freelance photographer for The Associated and accountability.” “I’m so curious, ‘What’s life like in space?’ So, I am Press, loves Iceland and brought forward his The panel was led by former Libe- designed to ease the intense political “Which states would actually allow planning to fi nd out on my own and share with the world,” trip to the North Atlantic island nation when rian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf pressure that WHO director-generals WHO in to investigate an outbreak Maezawa said in a statement. he heard of the eruption on March 19. and former New Zealand Prime Min- can face. Last year, the Trump admin- without their permission?” she asked. He’ll be the fi rst person to pay his own way to the space “As a landscape photographer, Iceland is ister Helen Clark, who were tapped istration repeatedly inveighed against Many doctors fatigued after treating station in more than a decade, according to Virginia-based a paradise,” he said. by WHO last year to examine the UN the agency’s handling of the pandemic COVID-19 patients said any reform of Space Adventures, which brokered the deal. A Space Adven- Getting to the peak is not for everyone. agency’s response to COVID-19 af- - taking aim at WHO’s alleged collu- WHO should include an evaluation of tures spokeswoman declined to divulge the cost. The com- It’s an arduous climb, taking two to three ter bowing to a request from member sion with China. its ability to properly assess the sci- pany has sent seven other tourists to the space station, from hours, but for Morenatti it’s been an experi- countries. An Associated Press investigation ence of an emerging health threat. 2001 to 2009. ence that his fi ve senses have never known. Morenatti hopes the photos he took capture Maezawa’s trip to the moon aboard Elon Musk’s Starship some of this “wonder of nature.” “For me, it is vital that developing coun- loud and clear from governments and com- accord. The treaty seeks to limit global tem- is tentatively scheduled for 2023. He’ll fl y around the moon “When you fi nish the climb, you contem- tries are able to sit at the same table, face- munities around the world.” perature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius com- — not land — with eight contest winners. plate in amazement what happens there,” he to-face with the larger countries, the big Sharma said the world had not done pared with pre-industrial times. (AP) Maezawa, 45, who founded an online retail clothing busi- said. “An impressive image, a Dante-esque emitters,” Sharma said. “The desire for (an “nearly enough” to act on the emission-cut- ❑ ❑ ❑ ness, will be joined by photographer and assistant Yozo Hi- sound, and a smell of gases that reaches in-person summit) is what I’ve been hearing ting commitments of the 2015 Paris climate rano. They will be escorted by Russian cosmonaut Alexan- your throat.” With international travel Belugas arrive at Aquarium: Three der Misurkin, who’s spent nearly a year aboard the space slowly opening up, more and more people Beluga whales arrived Friday night at their station on two separate missions. The launch is scheduled for will be able to make the same journey to new home in a Connecticut aquarium after marvel at the volcanic show. And with sum- a legal battle to import them and two others Dec 8 from Kazakhstan. from Canada. Thursday’s announcement comes amid a fl urry of private mer looming, daylight will stretch into the small hours, so there won’t be such a hurry The whales were fl own from Ontario to space initiatives. Connecticut on Friday, secured in special The Russian Space Agency announced Thursday that a to make that arduous trek up. (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ stretchers inside individual tanks and ac- Russian actress and movie director will launch to the space companied by a veterinarian and other ma- station in October for fi lming. The movie is tentatively titled UK backs ‘plans’: Britain hopes to host rine-life experts. “Challenge.” the UN’s delayed COP26 climate summit in Accompanied by a police escort, they ar- In January, the fi rst private mission to the space station person in November despite the challenges rived in Mystic on three tractor-trailers at from the US will bring three businessmen — from the US, caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the about 7:40 pm, where they were lifted on Canada and Israel — who are paying about $55 million UK offi cial leading the preparations said their stretchers by cranes into their new hab- apiece. They will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule Friday. itat. The transfer from truck to habitat took from Kennedy Space Center and will be accompanied by a Alok Sharma, the UK’s president-desig- about a half hour to complete. nate of COP26, said “every possible” meas- The remaining two Belugas are set to former NASA astronaut who now works for Houston-based ure was being explored to see how the talks arrive at Mystic Aquarium early Saturday Axiom Space, which arranged the deal. The company plans could be held safely, including involving from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. about two private missions to the space station a year. COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Government offi cials from Fisheries and Before the space station visits, SpaceX will launch its fi rst In less than six months’ time, delegates Oceans Canada last month approved the ex- private spacefl ight with four people on board, including tech from across the world are due to arrive in port of the whales, seven months after US entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who purchased the mission. Glasgow for the United Nations’ annual offi cials approved the move. They will spend three days orbiting Earth in September. climate conference. UK’s prime minister is Connecticut-based Friends of Animals “This truly is a renaissance in US human spacefl ight,” Boris Johnson. and other activists sought to block the trans- NASA’s director of commercial spacefl ight, Phil McAlister, The summit was originally set for No- port in a lawsuit last fall against the US vember 2020, but the pandemic forced it to Indian Christians lower the coffi n of Father Rolfi e D’Souza’s who died of COV- Commerce secretary and National Marine told reporters Monday. “I think that’s the perfect word for ID-19 in a grave at a cemetery in Prayagraj, India, Saturday, May 15. India’s what we’re experiencing.” be postponed for a year. A year later, there Fisheries Service, which had approved the are still issues, and limits on international Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warned people to take extra precau- research permit. A federal judge in March travel remain in place. tions as the virus was spreading fast in rural areas. (AP) declined to issue an injunction. (AP) Media MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 FFeatureseatures positive virustest.(AP) caused byacastorcrewmember’s have beenotherproductionholds despite strictsafetyrulesthere pandemic-forced shutdown,but ally resumedafterlastyear’s the pandemic. at hishomeintheearlymonthsof last summer,aftertapingepisodes shows withalimitedaudiencelate gadfl the coronavirus. Prevention guidelinesregarding Centers forDiseaseControland is takeninaccordancewiththe adding that“everyprecaution” protocol forstaff,thechannelsaid, Los Angelesproduction’sweekly podcast host cist Guests weretoincludeastrophysi- will berescheduled,HBOsaid. of “RealTimewithBillMaher” at thistime,”thechannelsaid. crew membershavetestedpositive from HBO.“Nootherstaffor according toastatementThursday is “asymptomaticandfeelsfi tive forCOVID-19. canceled afterthehosttestedposi- Maher “they.” non-binary anduses thepronoun TV personalitywhoidentifi end theirlife.Stoddenisareality included tweetsurgingStoddento when sheharassedStodden.That on Twitter,wasinhermid-20s more than13millionfollowers as hardItrybutwilltry!!” takes andsurelywon’tbemylast truly. Thesewerenotmyonlymis- you downisnearlyunbearable, beloved andthefeelingofletting so hardtogiveyouguysjoyandbe Teigen tweetedinalongthread. insecure, attentionseekingtroll,” sad atwhoIusedtobe.wasan entire world.I’mmortifi for alltheirpastinfrontofthe enough tobeheldaccountable years ago. teenage CourtneyStoddenonline apologized forharassingathen- NEW YORK: LOS ANGELES: back tothedrawingboard.” message, butifpeoplearen’tgoingtounderstandit,youhavego be understandable.Attheendofday,youcanhaveabeautiful health messages,”hesaid.“It’snoteasy,byanymeans,butithasto guidelines,” hesaid. you’re talkingabout,soI’mnotgoingtoabidebyanyofthese fully vaccinated,andthosewhosay“youguysdon’tknowwhat let downtheirguard,ormasks,despite115millionAmericansnow vaccines arechangingtheoutbreak’spicture. have sacrifi which airedthisweekend—saidgovernmentmedicalexperts and narratedadocumentaryabouttheracetodevelopvaccine he believes.) shouldn’t? Isitsafetoeatinsideatarestaurant?(Notifit’sfull, What canavaccinatedpersondothatanunvaccinated keep themselvesandothersprotected. enough messagesaboutwhattheyshouldorshouldn’tbedoingto Dr. SanjayGuptaisconcernedthatAmericansarenotgettingclear NEW YORK,May16,(AP):Atthisstageinthepandemic,CNN’s CNN’s SanjayGuptaworriesaboutamuddledpandemicmessage TV andfi The comedianandpolitical Maher wastestedaspartofthe The tapingofFriday’sepisode Maher, whoisfullyvaccinated, Stodden toldtheDaily Beast The 35-year-oldTeigen,with She continued:“Ihaveworked “Not alotofpeoplearelucky “I’ve beenfor20yearsnowtryingtocommunicatecomplicated Right nowyouhavepeopleonbothextremes:thosewhowon’t The veteranCNNchiefmedicalcorrespondent—whoproduced Should peoplestillbewearingamaskoutside?(Hedoesn’t.) Neil deGrasseTyson y movedbacktoin-studio ’s weeklyHBOshowwas ❑ lmmaking gradu- ced clarityinanattempttobecomprehensiveatatime Dan Carlin

Chrissy Teigen A tapingof ed and . and es as ne,” Bill has appearances on“Celebrity Big Washington state, including TV model andsinger-songwriter from to internationalfamefortheyoung vorced lastyear.Themarriageled Hutchison for marrying51-year-old intense mediacriticismatage16 of manyotherscameastheyfaced that Teigen’sharassmentand ‘A stuck inthemud. cle: Stretcherscarryingillpatientsroutinelyget muddy dirtroadinfrontofherclinicisanobsta- lifestyle andjustwantstodoherjob.Andthat and hardworkingdoctorwholivesaconservative sensitive portrayal),isnoactivist.She’saquiet whom werejailedfortheirefforts). dangerous campaignbyfemaleactivists(someof gained thisrightin2018,afterahard-foughtand her owncartowork.WomeninSaudiArabiaonly duces ourmaincharacter,Maryam,asshedrives dancing atagender-segregatedwedding. veil, whetherit’scookingwithfamilyathomeor women goinsideandremovetheniqab,orfacial er formulaicscript:theviewwegetonceSaudi the fascinatingvisualdetailthatfl does muchthesame.Infact,itsstrengthliesin at thelivesofSaudiwomen. side thekingdom.Italsoprovidedarareglimpse by aSaudiwoman,andthefi to ownabicycle.Itwasthefi with “Wadjda,”aboutayoungSaudigirlaiming paving aroad. tor HaifaaAl-Mansourareaboutalotmorethan ing issuesinthisfi tor (andcandidate)isawoman.Sotheunderly- This isSaudiArabia.Mostimportantly,thedoc- medical clinicpaved. purely togetthemuddydirtroadinfrontofa didate,” inwhichadoctorrunsfortowncouncil A lookintoindoorlivesofSaudiwomen Once shearrivesatworkandwipesthemuck But Maryam(MilaAl-Zahrani,inalovelyand It’s noaccidentthattheveryfi Nearly adecadelater,“ThePerfectCandidate” Al-Mansour gainedworldwideacclaimin2012 But thatsayingcomesfromAmericanpolitics. Variety a guidingprinciplein“ThePerfectCan- ll politicsarelocal,’thesayinggoes.That’s in2011.Thetwodi- ‘Race for the Vaccine’ is a good story withbeautifulmessage ‘Race fortheVaccine’ isagoodstory This imageprovidedbyMusicBoxFilmsshowsMilaAl-Zahraniinascenefrom‘ThePerfectCandidate.’ By JocelynNoveck lm bypioneeringSaudidirec- Doug Film nated, sinceithasahigherlevelofprotection. had it.Hestilladvisespeoplewho’vethevirustogetvacci- who isvaccinatedandthosewithnaturalimmunityfromhaving to athresholdforgettingthevirusundercontrol,countingeveryone the phrase“herdimmunity”butpredictedthatUSwillbeclose fold inIndia,wherehisunclediedofCOVID-19.Hedoesn’tlike US headingintothesummer,evenashe’swatchedtragedyun- rst shotentirelyin- rst featuredirected Gupta saidhefeelsoptimisticaboutthecoronavirusfi Al-Mansour’s Candidate’pavingtheway ‘Perfect egnMaher Teigen advice. people inontheprocessheusestoreachconclusionsandoffer see onTVandviewasarrogant.Sohe’sconcentratingletting Resnicow said. fi for theuncertainty. the societalchangesbroughtonbyvaccination,ismostresponsible Continued discoveriesinhowthevirusistransmitted,alongwith School ofPublicHealth,saidhehasnoticedsomethingsimilar. rmly anti-vaxbecausesimpleeducationwon’tbeenough. eshes outarath- rst sceneintro- Gupta saidhe’sconcernedaboutpeopletuningoutdoctorsthey “I don’tthinkwehaveagoodplannationallyforreachingthem,” He saidtheattentionnowshouldbeplacedonpeoplewhoare Kenneth Resnicow,aprofessorattheUniversityofMichigan’s with warmthbyDhay,asocialmediainfl as asinger.Theolderofthetwo,Selma(played it followedtheirlatemotherinherpubliccareer out ofit—they’reafraidridiculewillfollow,as because “myhusbandwouldkillme.” for her—eitherbecausetheydon’tvoteatall,or ty forwomen,theytellherstillcannotvote when shemakesasuccessfulpitchatlaunchpar- message byvideolinkfromanotherroom.And At aneventwithmalevoters,shemustdeliverher her “issues”includegardeningandplaygrounds. TV station,she’saskedbyhermaleinterviewerif she coversherfaceentirely,eveneyes.Ona eo, toavoidangerfromconservativeelements, male opponentsdon’t.Inherfi agrees. registered candidateforcouncilelections.Soshe retary won’tletherintohisoffi offi Maryam hastotrackdownamalecousin,local Even Maryam’stwosistersatfi Maryam facesinnumerableobstaclesthather Since herfatherhasleftontourwithhisband, ended in2019). ianship policy,treatingadultwomenasminors, ployee asksoffi sign off.“Whoisyourguardian?”theairportem- she cannotfl port, she’sinformedherpermissionhasexpired; to travelDubaiforaconference.Butattheair- obtains herfather’sapproval,asrequiredbylaw, owed musicianfatherandtwosisters,Maryam male nursestakeherplace. istrator sideswiththepatient,orderinghertolet doctor!” hecries.Worse,theclinic’smaleadmin- elderly patientrefuseshercare:“Getmeamale off hershoes,Maryamfacesotherindignities.An cial, todothehonors.Buthe’sbusy;hissec- Tragedy At home,wheresheliveswithherrecentlywid- Night Live” appearance. and TVratingswith his“Saturday moved acryptocurrency’s value LOS ANGELES: with reservations.(AP) apology inapostonInstagram, Brother” andherown“Courtney.” y unlessshegetsamalerelativeto Stodden acceptedTeigen’s ❑ ciously. (Thislongstandingguard- Obstacles Elon Musk rst campaign vid- campaign rst ght in the in ght ce unlessshe’sa rst trytotalk her uencer in cording toNielsenfi Chappelle behind theoneshostedby watched episodefortheseason viewers, makingitthethirdmost- at comedy rangedfromcharitable although reviewsof hisattempts aire’s fi The showaveraged7.3million A goodoutcomefor thebillion- obviously, butIhopepeoplegobackandwatchityearsfromnow.” world,” hesaid.“Butthisisagoodstory.Ihopepeoplewatchit, so, andtherearestillalotoftoughthingsgoingonaroundthe than ayeartaskthatmanyhadpredictedwouldtakemuchlonger. medical progressandinnovationbecausetheycompletedinless vaccine, onlytohaveitabandonedbecauseofalast-minutefl an Australianscientistputunderenormouspressuretodevelopa and Prevention. including GeorgeGaooftheChineseCenterforDiseaseControl entists aroundtheworldwhoweretryingtodevelopvaccine, 9 p.m.EasternonCNN.Thenetworkhadaccesstoteamsofsci- will beasbadwe’veseen,butthatthreatstilllurksoutthere.” more resurgencesgoingintothefallandwinter.Idon’tthinkthey he said.“Ifwedon’thaveenoughimmunity,couldsome winter monthstheviruswillbecomemorecontagiousatthatpoint,” ants emergeandpeopleheadbackindoorsinthefall. will stopthespread,andthatit’sevenamovingtargetasnewvari- But Guptasaidthere’snomagicfi Gupta likenedtheefforttoamoonshot.Thescientistschanged “We hadtotellalotoftoughstoriesthispastyear,undeniably The fi The documentary,“RacefortheVaccine,”debutedSaturdayat “I sayeverythingwithhumility,becausegoingintothefalland rst timehosting“SNL,” you longafter.(AP) images andvisionarysequencesthat’llstickwith the soulofoneherpatients( complished fi than manyofmypeers,butevensoit’sanac- may havebeenalittlelesszealousaboutthefi ( Rose Glass Wednesday, youcancatchupwith“SaintMaud,” LOS ANGELES: and Morfydd Clark lm notonlytellsthestoryofwinningteambutalso Saudi Arabia),eventuallycomesaround. ally catchesfi There’s Maryamandhercampaign,whichgradu- social andculturalstrugglesinthekingdom. lows twonarrativetracks,bothofwhichinvolve to seethelightandappreciateMaryam’scare. elderly malepatientwillcomearoundintheend points. It’shardlyasurprise,forexample,thatthe form amidoppositiontopublicperformances. his fellowmusicians,tryingtopreservetheirart and ahalfstarsoutoffour. tion ofAmerica.Runningtime:104minutes.Two release, isunratedbytheMotionPictureAssocia- been before. ues topointherowncamerainplacesit’srarely her. Shewon’t. that cameraatus!”Nottoworry,Selmaassures photographing theevent:“Don’tyoudarepoint in afemale-onlyroom,approachesSelma,who’s tion, anolderwoman,uncoveredasshecelebrates beit tooslowlyforsome.Atoneweddingcelebra- a lifethatischanging,Al-Mansourpointsout,al- the peekitgivesusintolifeasaSaudiwoman— The fi But mostofthevalueinthisfi As forthescript,itturnsobviousatseveral “The PerfectCandidate,”aMusicBoxFilms It’s fortunate,though,thatAl-Mansourcontin- Chris Rock gures. lm, ataslowlypaced104minutes,fol- ’s hauntingdebutaboutapiousnurse rst fi rst Dave , ac- Amazon PrimeandHulustarting re, andthenthere’sherfather ) whohasdecidedshemustsave lm andtherearesomechilling Also: ing day.(AP) bounced upanddown thefollow- already volatileprice fell23%and after theshowstarted, dogecoin’s a steadfastbooster:Inthehour which Muskactuallyhasbeen the cryptocurrencydogecoin,for be theresponsetojokesmocking The biggestpan,however,may to meh. gure ofprotectedpeoplethat Jennifer Ehle lm comesfrom lm ). I aw. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Tech

Antidote to bland life TikTok videos spice up ‘home cooking’

NEW YORK, May 16, (AP): From sourdough to feta pasta, much of the last year at home has been food- focused. And one driver of these delectable fads is the social media platform TikTok. Many people have embraced cooking during the pandemic, when they’ve been home, bored, looking to try something new. TikTok was ready to fi ll the gap as a foodie paradise, and has seen more than 15 billion food posts. “It’s my bedtime routine,” Lori Jackson, 54, of Lynn, Massachusetts, said of watching TikTok cook- ing videos. “I’ve taken ideas I’ve seen on there and made them.” One of the burgeoning Tik- Tok celebrity chefs is Harry Heal, a 26-year-old who lives in Dubai. Heal has a distinct baritone, an English accent, and has garnered about a million fol- lowers in the six months he’s been posting cooking videos. He isn’t a chef by trade, though he learned some cooking skills when working in the French Heal Alps as a teen. “From then on, I have been a huge cooking enthusiast and loved being in the kitch- en,” Heal said. His most viral video — 13.3 million views — is a Valentine’s Day dish with seared chicken breast, roasted garlic, sliced mushrooms and cream. Like This image released by Netflix shows Ewan McGregor in a scene from ‘Halston,’ which premiered Friday. (AP) most TikTok videos, it’s set to music and has the feel of something professionally crafted. Tri Phan of Arlington, Virginia, has amassed 1.5 million followers since he began posting workout and healthy cooking videos in November. The 23-year- Fashion old, who is working on his master’s degree in data and business analytics at American University, often does two versions of his content, one in English and one in Vietnamese; about 60 percent of his followers are Docu focuses on fashion designer’s reinvention Vietnamese, he says. Learn “When I fi rst started, it was me wanting to share with the world Vietnamese cuisine, Vietnamese food,” McGregor back with force as Halston he said. “Now I want to take this TikTok further to re- ally help people learn to cook healthy meals that they NEW YORK, May 16, (AP): Imag- could eat and they could eat for the rest of their lives.” ine, if you will, a galaxy far, far away Phan’s love of cooking came despite being told by where the one-name fashion wonder Gucci celebrates its 100 years with his traditional mother to stay out of the kitchen. “My Halston dresses Obi-Wan Kenobi in mom never wanted the only boy in the family to be in something fabulous from the swinging the kitchen,” he said. ’70s. exhibit on Michele code-breaking “And because of that, I always wanted to cook.” Ewan McGregor can. Sort of. Now that he’s TikTok famous, he says his mother McGregor is in the unique position FLORENCE, Italy, May 16, (AP): of beauty,” Michele told reporters doesn’t quite grasp what that means. “She’s like, ‘Oh, This image released by ABC shows of being the sole person — on this Alessandro Michele has radically Thursday in Florence. good job, son. Very good. But your fi nance major, Caleb Kennedy performing on the planet anyway — who might care, shifted Gucci codes and chal- He said the campaign, featuring how’s that going?’” singing competition series ‘Ameri- considering his dual roles as the Jedi lenged fashion norms in his 6½ Hari Nef, Petra Collins and Dakota About one year ago — somewhere near the “Ti- can Idol,’ in Los Angeles that aired master and the fl amboyant designer, years as creative director of the Johnson walking through a field of ger King” phase of the pandemic - a whipped coffee May 9. Kennedy has dropped out of the latter the subject of a new Netfl ix brand founded by Guccio Gucci as wildflowers, proved conventional drink made the rounds on the internet, starting its viral the singing competition after a video miniseries and the former a Disney+ a travel bag company in Florence fashion world wisdom wrong by journey on TikTok. The drink originated in South Ko- circulated showing him sitting next to “Star Wars” installment that has the 100 years ago. creating “an absolutely up-to-date rea, where it’s called a dalgona coffee. All it required someone wearing what appears to be Scottish actor on set in Los Angeles. To mark the centenary, Michele female imagery.” was instant coffee, sugar and hot water to construct a a Ku Klux Klan hood. Kennedy, ad- “It would be much more comfort- has curated an exhibition in the Gu- “If fashion and the fashion mar- luscious-looking beverage resembling a soft-serve ice vanced into the Top 5, apologized for able,” he told The Associated Press cci Garden gallery, on Florence’s ket want to continue to have a cream cone. The hashtag #whippedcoffee has amassed the video on Twitter and Instagram on during a recent interview on Zoom. “It Piazza della Signoria, that under- stage, there needs to be some sort more than 2.3 billion views. Wednesday, saying ‘it displayed ac- would all be in cashmere, you know, lines some watershed moments in of movement. That campaign, in a There’s a lot of variety on “food TikTok.” You tions that were not meant to be taken none of that heavy blanket material his era. Those include an advertis- very gentle and very poetic way, can learn to perfect a hamburger or ferment kimchee, in that way.’ (AP) ing campaign for perfume featuring gave space and voice to a world of stuff.” a transgender model, an all-Black very different femininity,” Michele make old-fashioned Japanese candy or fry frog legs. “Halston” has generated some heat cast for the pre-Fall 2017 campaign said. The video-only platform lends itself to cooking for McGregor and director Daniel Mi- and a lipstick campaign featuring Likewise, Michele said the cast- demonstrations, said Crystal King, a social media pro- nahan, both among the series’ execu- everyday faces in all their imperfec- ing of only Black models in the fessor at Boston-based marketing software fi rm Hub- Variety tive producers with Ryan Murphy. tions. 2017 campaign was at the time a spot. Other social media platforms have multiple fea- Halston’s niece, Lesley Frowick, The exhibition will be reproduced breakthrough, noting that “things tures — lots of text or static photos — that can divide along with other relatives, bashed in seven cities, including Shanghai, have changed in a dizzying and a user’s attention. TikTok, however, “sucks people in LOS ANGELES: Prince Harry compared Minahan’s passion project Monday Tokyo, Sydney and Seoul. very fast way in the last year.” really easily,” she said. “The format is simple, easily his royal experience to being on “The Tru- as “frankly, garbage” and “inaccu- The 48-year-old designer cred- The pandemic year has been a understood and it connects people into a global under- man Show” and “living in a zoo.” rate,” having seen nothing more than ited CEO Marco Bizzarri, who year of collaborations, including standing of food really quickly.” The Duke of Sussex said during a a trailer. Frowick, by phone from Cali- tapped an unknown Michele from with North Face, and Ken Scott and The vast array of content is a leading attraction of Thursday episode of the “Armchair fornia, said the family and the Halston the Gucci design team to take over Doraemon. A tie-up with Balencia- food TikTok, fans say. Many people, like Julie Vick, Expert” podcast that he contemplated Archives were not consulted. as creative director in January ga will reach stores later this year. a 44-year-old writer and college instructor in the Den- quitting royal life on several occasions 2015, with allowing him leeway to Gucci revenues rose 20% to 2.16 ver area, look there for new ideas. while in his 20s. He spoke candidly with Project go beyond the usual schemes driv- million euros in the first quarter of “The videos are a little mesmerizing at times,” Vick host Dax Shepard about keeping his ing the luxury business model. 2021 compared with the same pe- relationship with Meghan a secret and Minahan told AP he spoke to “No one would have wanted, we riod last year, Women’s Wear Daily said. “I’ve liked watching the tortilla ones, where peo- Halston’s brother, Robert Frowick, in ple put four different ingredients in different sections dealing with the UK media scrutiny. can say it, a transexual in the world reported. Harry thought his life was like the the late ’90s while developing the pro- of a tortilla and then fold it up and cook it in a skillet.” 1998 Jim Carrey fi lm “The Truman ject. Robert Frowick died in 2007 and Although they’re generally not hands-on, TikTok’s Show.” The fi lm tells a story about his widow disputes her husband was had a stable of beautiful muses and A- and was one of his bevy of models short videos do create interest in cooking skills, says Truman Burbank’s life being televised consulted. list friends, including Elizabeth Tay- dubbed the Halstonettes. Geeti Gangle, co-owner of Create a Cook culinary through hidden cameras while encounter- “I think everyone’s entitled to their lor, Liza Minnelli (played by Krysta The series is full of Halston snorting school in Newton, Massachusetts. ing people who were hired actors. opinion. This is not a documentary. Rodriguez), Babe Paley, Bianca Jagger cocaine and Halston spending lavishly. “If we engage younger people in learning to cook, Harry said it was a heavy burden and It’s a dramatic series,” Minahan said. and Andy Warhol. He had a penchant for decking out his they will start making food for themselves one day,” he struggled to deal with being a member “And the people who knew Halston By the disco era, Halston was a mirrored Olympic Tower atelier in fresh Gangle said. “And they might become interested in of the royal family. He feared that his and were around him who have seen it regular at Studio 54, later designing orchids and fl ying in dinners from top learning the skills later on.” pregnant wife and son, Archie, would have responded really well to it.” costumes for the famed choreogra- New York restaurants to the retreat he The link between good nutrition and knowing how have to deal with the spotlight the same In addition, award-winning “Pose” pher Martha Graham. His bright, sen- rented from Warhol in Montauk. to cook has been well established. But until the pan- way his late mother, Princess Diana, had star Billy Porter, a fashion lover su- sual clothes, Minnelli has said, were The biopic, based on the 1991 book demic, cooking skills were on the decline for young to deal with the enormous attention. preme, has questioned casting straight In 1997, Diana died in a car crash at clothes that danced with you. “Simply Halston” by Steven Gaines, people and not frequently taught in school. actors like McGregor in gay roles, not- also delves into his own reinvention, Camden Allard, a 21-year-old student in Seattle, the age of 36 in Paris while being pur- Aesthetic sued by paparazzi. ing gay actors rarely have equal access from poor boy in Indiana (his large has made several recipes from TikTok: bread recipes, to straight parts. Halston lost the use of his trade- family moved a lot) to elegant, black the feta tomato pasta that recently broke the internet, “I don’t want this job, I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to be doing “I felt that Ewan was the best person marked name in a business deal that turtleneck-clad workaholic with a trifl es, cinnamon rolls and the quarter quesadilla. for the job,” said Minahan, who is gay. made him rich but left him at the short fuse. “TikTok videos are great to watch because I am this. Look what it did to my mum,” the 36-year-old Harry said. “I just can’t imagine anyone else doing mercy of a series of corporate over- McGregor, as part of his prepara- able to get the overall information about a recipe — In a previous interview, Harry said the it. He was my No. 1 choice.” seers. Born Roy Halston Frowick in tion, learned to sew, whipping up like what it makes, the ingredients, how you cook it — royal family cut him off fi nancially at the For his part, McGregor — rushing Des Moines, Iowa, he died in 1990 botched baggy trousers with one pock- in about a minute,” he said. “I can quickly determine start of 2020 after he announced plans to from interview to interview to promote of AIDS-related complications at age et on the inside and one on the outside. if it’s something that I would be interested in doing.” step back from his roles. But he was able the series while slinging his lightsaber 57, having left behind his New York He also had tea with Minnelli, though Allard, who has been cooking for about eight years, to afford security for his family because once again — said word that Frowick world after his ouster from the com- he promised to keep the details private. said he enjoys making meals with his girlfriend and of the money his mother left behind. and another of Halston’s six nieces pany that bore his name. He fell into “I just wanted her to know that he family, and TikTok has made it easy for them to ex- Harry and Meghan’s departure from were unhappy “makes me sad.” the embrace of family in Northern was in safe hands with me,” McGregor pand their repertoire. royal duties began last year over what “We were so meticulous,” he said. California, where he died in a San said. “You know, there’s lots been “Quarantine has made life bland and repetitive with they described as the British media’s “Dan Minahan has been researching Francisco hospital. said about Halston over the years and us staying at home, and having new meals to try out has intrusions and racist attitudes toward the this, wanting to make this for more duchess. He criticized some American His decision to bring his aesthetic I wanted her to know that I respected added some excitement,” he said. “That has made mak- than 20 years, so it’s a shame.” to the masses included making clothes her love for him and I respected their ing dinners less of a chore and more an exciting thing.” media outlets but said they are an im- provement over the ones in the UK. Halston was a Midwesterner who for J.C. Penney and cranking out an friendship. I couldn’t imagine how Also: He feels more liberated after he and revolutionized his industry with com- onslaught of goods: luggage, carpet, deeply I felt her love for him until we his family moved to California. fortable deconstructed gowns, wash- uniforms for the Girl Scouts and Bran- had tea.” MIAMI: A 28-year-old woman who wanted to pro- able Ultraseude shirt dresses and a mote her Instagram page attempted to blend in with “Living here now I can actually lift iff Airways — and an unforgettable Rodriguez, known for her work on my head and actually feel different,” minimalist, clean approach that re- fi rst scent that came in a tear drop bot- stage and TV (she was Ana Vargas on students at a Miami-area high school, police said. defi ned American fashion starting in Last Monday’s stunt at American Senior High said Harry, who added he’s able to take tle designed by another member of his NBC’s “Smash”), did her own singing Audrey Francisquini Archie for bicycle rides. “You can walk the 1960s. He was known for making inner circle, Elsa Peretti. She became in “Halston.” She didn’t meet Minnelli School landed in jail, where around feeling a little bit more free.” she’s facing charges of burglary, interfering with a Jackie Kennedy’s blue inaugural pill- a jewelry designer for Tiffany & Co. and admits to nerves taking on the liv- (AP) box hat (he started as a milliner) and (thanks to an introduction by Halston) ing legend for Netfl ix. school function and resisting arrest without violence, ❑ ❑ ❑ records show. Francisquini started handing out pamphlets printed CHICAGO: Pervis Staples, whose tenor with her Instagram account after sneaking onto the voice complimented his father’s and sis- campus around 8:30 am Monday, police said. She ters’ in the legendary gospel group The had a black backpack and carried a skateboard as she Staple Singers, has died, a spokesman lowing when they began recording songs You Happy,” and “If You’re Ready walked through the hallways, recording herself. announced. He was 85. such as “So Soon,” “If I Could Hear My (Come Go With Me).” School security tracked her down as she was wan- Pervis Staples died May 6 at his home Mother Pray Again,” “Will the Circle Be However, Pervis’ last album with The dering the hallways while students were in classrooms, in Dolton, Illinois, according to Adam Unbroken,” and “Uncloudy Day” for Vee Staple Singers was their fi rst for Stax Ayers, a spokesman for Staples’ sister, Jay records in the 1950s. Records, “Soul Folks in Action” in 1968. an arrest report said. Francisquini told investigators The group gained fame in the 1960s The album featured new songs such as she was looking for the registration offi ce. Mavis Staples. The cause of death wasn’t given. by singing music that urged change on a “The Ghetto” and their interpretations of Investigators said she headed toward the registra- Pervis Staples sang gospel songs variety of social and religious issues. The tunes like Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) tion offi ce, but did not enter. Instead she continued with his father, the guitar-playing Staple Singers gained a huge audience The Dock of the Bay” and The Band’s walking through the hallways, talking to students, Roebuck “Pops” Staples, and sisters with their fi rst No. 1 hit, “I’ll Take You “The Weight.” He went on to manage the news outlets reported. Mavis, Yvonne and Cleotha in Chicago There” in 1972 and followed with top 40 girl group The Emotions and operated a churches before gaining a national fol- hits “Respect Yourself,” “Heavy Makes Prince Harry Staples popular nightclub, Perv’s House. (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 SPORTS 14

Flavien Prat atop Rombauer (second from right), leads the pack before winning the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, on May 15, in Baltimore. (AP) Rombauer ‘pulls’ Strategic efforts to support young Kuwaiti talents KIB sponsors Jet Ski World Champion Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq KUWAIT CITY, My 16: As part of its ongoing everywhere else around the world. For that reason, Preakness upset strategic efforts to support young Kuwaiti talents in KIB’s sponsorship of world champion Yousef Al various global and international forums, and in line Abdulrazzaq with his track record of prominent titles with its policy to empower Kuwaiti youth in the area comes as a tribute to Al Abdulrazzaq and all that he Baffert’s Medina Spirit 3rd of sports, KIB announced its sponsorship of Jet Ski has achieved throughout his impressive journey.” World Champion Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq. Najia added: “As a bank for life, KIB believes that Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq is a famous Kuwaiti ath- supporting athletes is key to building a brighter future BALTIMORE, May 16, ninth in a 10-horse fi eld. lete and one of the world’s brightest Jet Ski stars with for generations to come, in addition to driving moti- (AP): Rombauer left Medi- “I am at a loss for words,” said Con- a career that spans more than 18 years in the fi eld of vation and inspiration by providing them with inspi- cert Tour jockey Mike Smith, who left rational examples of conquering obstacles in order to na Spirit behind – and put Midnight Bourbon after the Derby to achieve goals.” horse racing’s latest con- ride Baffert’s other Preakness horse. JET SKIING For his part, Jet Ski Champion Yousef Al Abdul- troversy on the back burn- “He just wasn’t going anywhere.” razzaq, said: “I would like to thank KIB for this spon- Maryland racing offi cials required sorship and for their support of my career in global er. Concert Tour and Medina Spirit to un- sports. He is ranked number one worldwide and won Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq with Bukhamseen. and international forums, this sponsorship encour- Little-known Rombauer sprung dergo additional testing and monitor- the world championship 6 times and several Olympic ing as conditions to run in the Preak- ages me and gives me more reasons to achieve more an 11-1 upset to win the Preakness, gold titles, thus becoming enlisted in the Guinness at KIB, said: “KIB prides itself on supporting Ku- and raise the Kuwaiti fl ag high.” passing Bob Baffert’s Kentucky ness. Those three rounds of tests came back Friday, clearing them to race. World Records after collecting 6 international titles waiti champions and local athletes capable of raising It serves to note that KIB is sponsoring a select Derby winner to end a potential None of the other horses were subject under his belt. the Kuwaiti fl ag high by achieving many internation- number of Kuwaiti champions across various sports Triple Crown bid that would have to that level of scrutiny, which came Commenting on the sponsorship, Nawaf Najia, ally renowned titles, these young athletes have be- fi elds by providing the support needed for them to carried a giant asterisk. out of the situation at Churchill Downs Executive Manager Corporate Communications Unit come role models for young people in Kuwait and represent Kuwait in global and international forums. Medina Spirit fi nished third and will and Baffert’s four other medication vi- not go on to the Belmont with a Tri- olations over the past 13 months with ple Crown on the line and a potential other horses. Derby disqualifi cation hanging over That was set aside for at least the VeeKay becomes IndyCar’s latest fi rst-time winner the sport. 1:53.62 it took for Rombauer to com- “A little disappointed, but we’ll go plete the 1-3/16-mile race, paying INDIANAPOLIS, May 16, (AP): “I have never cried before when I moved to Team Penske and won two on from here,” said assistant trainer $26.50 to win, $10 to place and $5.20 Rinus VeeKay continued IndyCar’s won a race, but I did today,” said Vee- IndyCar championships. Jimmy Barnes, who saddled the horses to show. youth movement by scoring his fi rst Kay, who vowed to eat a cheesecake VeeKay, meanwhile, has climbed in Baffert’s absence. “He broke as expected and I career victory with a win on the road — perhaps the whole thing — in cel- through the IndyCar development sys- thought he put enough pressure on course at Indianapolis Motor Speed- ebration. The 20-year-old is the fourth tem and is the fi rst driver to win at all Medina Spirit to make it a horse race way. winner 24 or younger to reach victory four levels of the Road to Indy pro- HORSE RACING and then he ended up second,” Mid- The Dutchman became the third lane this season, joining Alex Palou, gram. He won six races in Indy Lights night Bourbon trainer Steve Asmus- fi rst-time winner through fi ve races Colton Herta, and Pato O’Ward in in 2019, seven races and the Indy Pro sen said. “He showed up. He’s im- this season, the most at this point in the what is quickly becoming a changing 2000 championship in 2018 and three Baffert was not present at Pimlico proving. And he’s not there yet, all at season since 2013. of the guard in IndyCar. races in USF2000 in 2017. Race Course, opting to stay away be- the same time.” Only six-time IndyCar champion Mentored by two-time Indy 500 cause of the controversy surrounding Scott Dixon has been to victory lane so winner and fellow Dutchman Arie Medina Spirit, who tested positive far this year for the veterans as the se- Luyendyk, VeeKay is the fi rst Dutch for the steroid betamethasone in post- ries heads next week into preparations winner in IndyCar since Robert Doorn- Derby testing. He said in a spotlight- for the Indianapolis 500 bos won a pair of CART races in 2007. stealing statement hours before the But it is VeeKay who now believes He lives on Main Street in Speedway race: “Today is not about Bob Baffert. he can win the 500. He drives for local across the street from the track and Instead it is about Medina Spirit and team Ed Carpenter Racing, a Chevy- rides his bike to work each day. all of the other equine athletes in our “I live like right next door, so every tremendous sport.” Rinus VeeKay, of the Netherlands, day I wake up, open the curtains and I All the focus nonetheless was on CAR RACING holds the trophy after winning the see the grandstands of the racetrack,” 2-1 favorite Medina Spirit, Baffert IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis he said. “It’s just the perfect day at the and his other Preakness runner, Con- Motor Speedway, on May 15, in In- most perfect place on earth.” cert Tour, who went off at 4-1. Medi- powered organization that has put dianapolis. (AP) VeeKay sliced through the center na Spirit was passed for the first time team owner Carpenter on the pole for of Palou and Jimmie Johnson on a in his career by Rombauer, who won the 500 three times. because it is his fi rst choice — that gutsy three-wide pass to show early by 3-1/2 lengths over second-place “They were already like super mo- would be buttermilk — but because he how aggressive he was at Indy and Midnight Bourbon. tivated, but I’m pretty sure now for liked the way it looked in 2019 winner then chased down pole-sitter Romain “I had to come out running to get my the 500 everyone is just going to be Simon Pagenaud’s photos. Grosjean to take his fi rst lead of the position,” said Medina Spirit jockey next-level motivated,” VeeKay said. “I “I saw the photo of Simon pouring race on Lap 45. Grosjean reclaimed John Velazquez, who fell to 0 for 11 know we have a good 500 car, good milk on his face, and I think the whole the lead when VeeKay pitted, setting in the Preakness. “I knew that he was oval car, I think we can really, really milk gives the nice thick layer of milk, up a potential second showdown. But going to be pressed today. I was hop- Rombauer trainer Michael McCarthy, (left), jockey Flavien Prat, (second do well. I feel super confi dent.” which I like,” he said. this time Grosjean was not able to beat ing that he wouldn’t overdo it, and we from left), and horse owners John Fradkin and Diane Fradkin hold the tro- VeeKay is so confi dent that he al- His win Saturday was the fi rst for VeeKay off pit road and VeeKay was did.” phy after winning the 145th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race ready knows should he win the 500 ECR since Josef Newgarden won for easily past Grosjean before Grosjean Concert Tour was a disappointing Course, on May 15, in Baltimore. (AP) he’d like a bottle of whole milk. Not the team in 2016. Newgarden has since got back onto track. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 SPORTS 15

Bauer K’s 10, Muncy has 3 hits as Dodgers blank Marlins 7-0 Judge homers again, Yankees beat Orioles BALTIMORE, May 16, (AP): Aaron 4-3, 7-6 and 8-7 to win a back-and- Judge homered for the third time in forth game in which neither starting two games, Domingo Germán had pitcher made it past the third. The final another stellar outing at Camden Yards comeback by the Tigers came when and the New York Yankees beat the they scored twice off Kimbrel (0-2). Baltimore Orioles 8-2. Nomar Mazara tied it with an RBI Dowd scores in overtime as After hitting two home runs Friday, single that scored the automatic run- Judge provided New York a 5-0 lead ner, and JaCoby Jones ran for Mazara with a two-run shot in the second. Six and stole second. Then Castro — hit- of Judge’s 11 homers this season have less in five previous at-bats Saturday come against Baltimore. with three strikeouts — slapped a two- Germán (3-2) allowed one run and out single to left. The throw home by four hits with six strikeouts and two Kris Bryant was a bit off line and Caps edge Bruins in Game 1 walks over six innings. He has won all Jones was easily safe. four of his career starts in Baltimore. Matt Duffy homered and drove in Tyler Wade had three hits while bat- five runs for the Cubs. His RBI single ting ninth for New York, which off Michael Fulmer (3-2) gave the improved to 4-1 on its 10-game road Cubs the lead in the top of the 10th. trip and has won 11 of its last 14 Braves 6, Brewers 1 games overall. In Milwaukee, Ian Anderson took a The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the no-hit try into the seventh inning, first on a passed ball by catcher Chance Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer Sisco and a two-run single by Gary and Atlanta beat Milwaukee. Sánchez off Jorge López (1-4). Anderson (3-1) cruised through the Judge increased the margin with the first six innings, mixing a 96 mph fast- two-run homer in the second. He has ball, an effective changeup and an hit 23 home runs in 59 career games even slower curveball that kept the against Baltimore. Brewers guessing. Blue Jays 4, Phillies 0 The 23-year-old right-hander In Dunedin, Fla., Vladimir Guerrero walked four and struck out four before Jr. homered and five Toronto pitchers the Brewers ended Anderson’s bid in combined on a six-hitter to beat the seventh. Daniel Vogelbach blooped Philadelphia in a game where Phillies a leadoff single to center and Pablo star Bryce Harper exited early with Reyes followed with a double that right shoulder soreness. chased Anderson. Harper was replaced defensively in right field by Scott Kingery to start the bottom of the fourth. Harper struck out BASEBALL in both of his at-bats. The Phillies said Harper is day to day. Guerrero hit his 10th homer, a first- Reliever A.J. Minter gave up a sac- inning solo shot off Aaron Nola (3-3). rifice fly to Luis Urías. The drive to right was Guerrero’s sixth Royals 5, White Sox 1 to the opposite field. In Chicago, Salvador Perez hit a Anthony Kay went four innings for three-run homer for the second straight the Blue Jays, giving up one hit, two day and Kansas City handed Carlos walks and striking out six during a Rodón his first loss of the season with 79-pitch outing. Relievers Travis a victory over Chicago. Bergen (2-0), A.J. Cole, Tyler Whit Merrifield had two hits and Chatwood and Jordan Romano helped scored twice as the Royals got to Toronto pitchers finish with 14 strike- Rodón (5-1) for four runs in the first outs. three innings. The left-hander allowed Dodgers 7, Marlins 0 two earned runs in 31 innings while In Los Angeles, Trevor Bauer threw winning his first five starts of the year, seven shutout innings and struck out including a 3-0 victory at Kansas City 10, Max Muncy had three hits and Los in his previous start on May 7. Angeles beat Miami for its fourth The big blow was Perez’s ninth straight victory. homer, an opposite-field drive on a Boston Bruins right wing Craig Smith (12) and Washington Capitals goaltender Craig Anderson (31) and defenseman John Carlson (74) scramble for the The reigning NL Cy Young Award 96-mph fastball up and out of the zone puck during the second period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, on May 15, in Washington. (AP) winner improved to 4-2, allowing only in the third. two hits and three baserunners. He Red Sox 9, Angels 0 retired the last 11 hitters he faced. In Boston, Alex Verdugo hit a solo Canucks top Oilers Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager is homer in his first at-bat on his 25th NHL Results/Standings headed to the injured list after he broke birthday, Xander Bogaerts had a three- his right hand in the fifth inning when run shot and Boston beat Los Angeles. WASHINGTON, May 16, he was hit in the right hand by a pitch Rafael Devers added a solo shot, (AP): T.J. Oshie’s goal from Ross Detwiler. Miami’s Jordan Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run double WASHINGTON, May 16, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on Saturday. Holloway (1-2) didn’t allow a hit the and Franchy Cordero drove in two song, John Denver’s “Take Vancouver 4 Edmonton 1 Washington 3 Boston 2 first three innings, but ran into trouble runs with two doubles for the Red Sox. Me Home, Country East Division West Division They won their third straight and GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA in the fourth. Roads,” echoed through y-Pittsburgh 56 37 16 3 77 196 156 z-Colorado 56 39 13 4 82 197 133 Tigers 9, Cubs 8, 10 Innings matched their season high by climbing x-Washington 56 36 15 5 77 191 163 x-Vegas 56 40 14 2 82 191 124 In Detroit, Harold Castro hit an RBI nine games over .500. Capital One Arena and its x-Boston 56 33 16 7 73 168 136 x-Minnesota 56 35 16 5 75 181 160 single in the 10th inning off Craig Angels star Shohei Ohtani had a 25% capacity crowd. It x-NY Islanders 56 32 17 7 71 156 128 x-St Louis 56 27 20 9 63 169 170 rough day, getting cut down on a bas- NY Rangers 56 27 23 6 60 177 157 Arizona 56 24 26 6 54 153 176 Kimbrel to lift Detroit past Chicago. turned out the credit tech- Philadelphia 56 25 23 8 58 163 201 Los Angeles 56 21 28 7 49 143 170 Detroit rallied from deficits of 2-0, erunning blunder after a single in his New Jersey 56 19 30 7 45 145 194 San Jose 56 21 28 7 49 151 199 first at-bat, and striking out his next nically belonged elsewhere, Buffalo 56 15 34 7 37 138 199 Anaheim 56 17 30 9 43 126 179 Central Division three. but Capitals fans were in North Division Padres 13, Cardinals 3 GP W L OT Pts GF GA y-Carolina 56 36 12 8 80 179 136 GP W L OT Pts GF GA In San Diego, Austin Nola homered, no mood to nitpick. x-Florida 56 37 14 5 79 189 153 y-Toronto 56 35 14 7 77 187 148 doubled and drove in a career-high six Nic Dowd’s deflection of Oshie’ x-Tampa Bay 56 36 17 3 75 181 147 x-Edmonton 56 35 19 2 72 183 154 runs, and Tommy Pham and rookie shot from the blue line found the x-Nashville 56 31 23 2 64 156 154 x-Winnipeg 56 30 23 3 63 170 154 Dallas 56 23 19 14 60 158 154 x-Montreal 56 24 21 11 59 159 168 Kim Ha-seong also connected off back of the net 4:41 into overtime, Chicago 56 24 25 7 55 161 186 Calgary 53 24 26 3 51 142 150 Adam Wainwright to lead San Diego giving the Capitals a 3-2 victory Detroit 56 19 27 10 48 127 171 Ottawa 56 23 28 5 51 157 190 over St. Louis. over the Boston Bruins in Game 1 Columbus 56 18 26 12 48 137 187 Vancouver 53 22 28 3 47 140 174 The Padres beat the Cardinals for Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each division will qualify for playoffs under this the second straight night in their first of the first-round playoff series. season’s temporary realignment. matchup since San Diego eliminated x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division St. Louis from the playoffs last season. ICE HOCKEY Nola hit a three-run homer off broke his stick on a shot attempt, lead- The Bruins answered with 6:50 left the right. Wainwright (2-4) in the third, an RBI ing to a 3-on-2 Washington breakaway in the period when Curtis Lazar won Vanecek hurt himself on the play double off Tyler Webb in the sixth and with Oshie at the center of it. After a an offensive-zone faceoff and chopped and Anderson, who turns 40 on Friday, a two-run single off infielder Matt The Capitals weathered the loss of starting goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a few quick passes, Wilson roofed it the puck behind him to DeBrusk for a replaced him. He had not played a Carpenter, who was summoned to over Rask’s far shoulder. wrister that evaded Vanecek’s lunge to postseason game since 2017 and saw pitch with the bases loaded and two lower-body injury early on, with back- up Craig Anderson making 21 saves action in just four regular-season outs in the seventh. games for Washington. Los Angeles Dodgers starting Astros 6, Rangers 5 and allowing only a power-play goal. pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) throws As four Capitals players entered the Anderson joked that he was well- during the first inning of a baseball In Houston, Carlos Correa and Kyle rested from having played so little Tucker each homered to help Luis offensive zone, Tom Wilson shuttled a game against the Miami Marlins, pass back to Oshie, who blasted a one- during the season. Garcia earn his first career win as The crowd at Capital One Arena on May 15, in Los Angeles. (AP) timer on net. Dowd extended his stick Houston held on to beat Texas for its thought Alex Ovechkin put the fifth straight victory. for the deflection, and soon the puck Capitals ahead in the second period MLB Results/Standings Correa capped a four-run first with a trickled through Tuukka Rask’s leg with a deflection goal off Dillon’s two-run homer to right as the Astros pads and over the line. point shot. Instead the goal was cred- got to Texas starter Dane Dunning A challenge initiated by the NHL ited to Dillon after replay showed the (2-3). Alex Bregman also had a two- Situation Room investigated whether puck bounced through traffic and off a WASHINGTON, May 16, (AP): run single in the inning. the Capitals entered the zone on-side, Boston stick, but not off Ovechkin’s. Results and standings from the Tucker upped the lead to 6-1 with a but the video supported the call on the Canucks beat Oilers 4-1 MLB games on Saturday. two-run shot to right in the seventh. ice. Tampa Bay 12 NY Mets 5 In Edmonton, Alberta, Matthew Minnesota 5 Oakland 4 Mariners 7, Indians 3 Tom Wilson and Brenden Dillon Highmore scored twice in the third Boston 9 LA Angels 0 In Seattle, Mitch Haniger hit his also scored for the Capitals. Daniel period to help the Vancouver Canucks Detroit 9 Chicago W Cubs (10 innings) 8 12th home run, Justus Sheffield picked Sprong and Anthony Mantha, making beat the Edmonton Oilers. NY Yankees 8 Baltimore 2 up a win against the team that drafted their playoff debuts, each had an assist. Kansas City 5 Chic. W Sox 1 Travis Boyd and Bo Horvat also Houston 6 Texas 5 him and Seattle beat Cleveland. Jake DeBrusk and Nick Ritchie scored and Thatcher Demko made 31 Toronto 4 Philadelphia 0 Dylan Moore added a three-run scored for Boston, and Tuukka Rask saves. J.T. Miller added two assists. Seattle 7 Cleveland 3 homer in the fourth inning off Triston made 29 saves. Atlanta 5 Milwaukee 1 Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) and Vancouver Canucks’ Adam Larsson scored for the Oilers Pittsburgh 8 San Francisco 6 McKenzie to break open a close game Wilson opened the scoring 6:22 into Jimmy Vesey (24) battle for the puck during third-period NHL hockey game in their regular-season finale. Mikko Arizona 11 Washington 4 and give Sheffield (3-3) the win in a the game. Boston’s Charlie McAvoy action in Edmonton, Alberta, on May 15. (AP) Koskinen made 37 saves. San Diego 13 St Louis 3 showdown of former Indians first- Cincinnati 6 Colorado (12 innings) 5 round draft picks. LA Dodgers 7 Miami 0 Jr. for the major league lead with 12. Twins 5, Athletics 4 inning and Minnesota came back to the win. American League Haniger, a former All-Star who East Division missed most of the last two years with He singled and scored in the fifth to In Minneapolis, Miguel Sanó beat Oakland. Jesse Winkler was at second base to W L Pct GB injuries, hit a solo shot in the first make it 5-0, helping chase McKenzie snapped a 19-game homerless drought Sanó pounded his chest and ges- start the 12th and Castellanos hit a Boston 25 16 .610 _ tured to his teammates as he rounded pitch from Antonio Santos (0-1) to the New York 22 17 .564 2 inning to tie Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña (1-2). with a three-run homer in the eighth Toronto 21 17 .553 2-1/2 the bases after his homer off left- wall to make it 5-4. Pinch-hitter Nick Tampa Bay 22 19 .537 3 hander Jake Diekman just reached the Senzel singled and Eugenio Suarez Baltimore 16 23 .410 8 overhang in right field. Sanó was hit- had an RBI groundout. Central Division W L Pct GB ting just .114 this season before the Pirates 8, Giants 6 Chicago 23 15 .605 _ homer, which was just his second of In Pittsburgh, Jacob Stallings hit a Cleveland 21 16 .568 1-1/2 the year and first since the third game two-out, two-run homer in the ninth Kansas City 18 21 .462 5-1/2 Detroit 14 25 .359 9-1/2 of the season. inning and Pittsburgh rallied past San Minnesota 13 24 .351 9-1/2 It was the big hit Minnesota needed Francisco. West Division to snap its five-game losing streak and Stallings had a two-out, two-run W L Pct GB finally offer some relief for its strug- double that capped four-run comeback Oakland 24 17 .585 _ Houston 23 17 .575 -1/2 gling offense. in the seventh that made it 6-all. Seattle 20 20 .500 3-1/2 Rays 12, Mets 5 Adam Frazier singled to lead off the Texas 18 23 .439 6 In St. Petersburg, Fla., Joey Wendle Pittsburgh ninth and was thrown out at Los Angeles 16 22 .421 6-1/2 National League had three doubles and a single, keying the plate when he tried to score on East Division two big innings that sent Tampa Bay Bryan Reynolds’ one-out double. W L Pct GB past New York. Reynolds took third on the play, and New York 18 15 .545 _ Philadelphia 21 19 .525 -1/2 Yandy Diaz, who had two of Tampa scored when Stallings homered off Atlanta 19 20 .487 2 Bay’s eight doubles, and Randy Jake McGee (1-1). Miami 17 22 .436 4 Arozarena each had three hits. Diamondbacks 11, Nationals 4 Washington 15 20 .429 4 Central Division Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and In Phoenix, Eduardo Escobar hit a W L Pct GB Jose Peraza each homered for the three-run homer, a two-run homer and St Louis 23 17 .575 _ Mets. tied a career high with seven RBIs to Milwaukee 20 20 .500 3 Cincinnati 18 19 .486 3-1/2 Reds 6, Rockies 5, 12 Innings lead Arizona past Washington. Chicago 18 20 .474 4 In Denver, Nick Castellanos hit a Escobar broke the game open in the Pittsburgh 17 22 .436 5-1/2 tiebreaking double in the 12th and fourth when he launched a full-count, West Division Cincinnati kept up its success in extra two-out pitch from Joe Ross (2-3) W L Pct GB San Francisco 23 16 .590 _ innings, beating Colorado. deep into the right field seats that San Diego 23 17 .575 -1/2 Castellanos also homered and sin- made it 6-2. He added a two-run shot Los Angeles 22 17 .564 1 gled to help Cincinnati improve to off Austin Voth in the eighth and Arizona 18 22 .450 5-1/2 New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge lines out to Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins during the fourth Colorado 15 25 .375 8-1/2 7-2 in extra-inning games. Lucas started the D-backs’ scoring with a inning of a baseball game, on May 15, in Baltimore. (AP) Sims (3-1) pitched two innings for two-run single in the first. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 16

Rangers’ James Tavernier lifts the trophy to celebrate winning the Scottish Premier- ship after the match against Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Lewandowski ties Bundesliga goal record; Hertha fi nally safe Rangers complete Scottish Premiership undefeated GLASGOW, Scotland, May 16, (AP): goalkeeper Joe Lewis. Kemar Roofe of 40 goals in a season and Augsburg, scoreless draw at Hertha. premier club competition. helped Bayern win the title in 1972. Rangers completed an unbeaten Scot- scored on both sides of halftime, and Mainz and Hertha Berlin all clinched That was enough for Hertha to move Bayer Leverkusen qualifi ed for the Freiburg declined to take part in the tish Premiership campaign after the substitute Jermain Defoe added the last survival in the penultimate round. to four points clear of the relegation Europa League after drawing with Un- celebrations. Vincenzo Grifo sent in a champion defeated Aberdeen 4-0 at an with two minutes left of regular time. Lewandowski converted an early zone, ensuring their survival after a sea- ion Berlin 1-1. Union capitalized on corner for Manuel Gulde to equalize empty Ibrox . In going 38 games undefeated, penalty in Bayern’s 2-2 draw at Frei- son that didn’t go to plan. Hertha had Borussia Mönchengladbach losing at three minutes later. The players and manager Steven Rangers reached 102 points, breaking a burg and the Poland forward matched been targeting European qualifi cation. home to Stuttgart 2-1 to move to sev- Leroy Sané beat a host of defenders Gerrard also fi nally got their hands on century for the fi rst time. Gerd Müller’s record from 1972. Bay- Mainz are also safe despite not play- enth, which would secure qualifi cation to set up Serge Gnabry after the break, the Premiership trophy to mark their Rangers ended up 25 points clear ern secured the title last weekend. ing. for the Conference League, UEFA’s but the goal was ruled out through 55th title, and fi rst in a decade. They of second-placed Celtic, winner of the Augsburg secured top-tier status new third-tier European competition. VAR for offside. Sané shrugged off the clinched in March. previous nine Premierships. with a 2-0 win over relegation rival Union had been targeting survival in decision to score a minute later. Gerrard, who became manager in The new champion won all 18 games Werder Bremen, which dropped into SOCCER its second ever Bundesliga season. Christian Günter equalized with a fi ne 2018, said, “In the three years it’s been at home, conceding only four goals. the playoff place ahead of the last Bayern’s players, substitutes and individual goal for Freiburg in the 81st. enjoyable. But we’ve had to suffer at Rangers allowed only 13 goals round. Augsburg moved fi ve points Eintracht Frankfurt’s hopes of team staff formed a guard of honor for Lewandowski will have a chance to times and had some setbacks. But we all season, a new British record that clear of Bremen in the relegation zone. Champions League qualifi cation were Lewandowski to run through after he break the record in Bayern’s fi nal game never lost belief that we’d one day get eclipsed the 15 by Jose Mourinho’s Arminia Bielefeld moved a point dealt a blow after losing at last-placed tied Müller’s 49-year-old record with a against Augsburg next Saturday. to this moment. Chelsea in 2004-05. above Bremen after drawing against Schalke 4-3. It was just Schalke’s third penalty in the 26th minute in Freiburg. Frankfurt looked set for Champions While thousands of fans gathered The Aberdeen result was also Rang- Hoffenheim 1-1. win all season and it left Frankfurt fi fth, Lewandowski lifted his jersey to re- League qualifi cation when it was seven outside the stadium against police ad- ers’ 26th clean sheet, a Scottish record. Both Bielefeld and Bremen can still a point behind German Cup winners veal a T-shirt underneath with an im- points clear of Dortmund after succes- vice, Rangers took the lead in the fi fth Bayern Munich star Robert Lewan- be overtaken by Cologne, which is a Dortmund, which still has two games to age of Müller and the words “4EVER sive wins over Union, Dortmund and minute via an own goal by Aberdeen dowski equaled the Bundesliga record point behind Bremen after battling to a play. The top four qualify for Europe’s GERD.” Müller set his record when he Wolfsburg. Leicester win FA Cup for fi rst time

Leicester’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, (right), and Leicester’s Wes Morgan lift the trophy after winning the FA Cup fi nal soccer match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium in London, England, Saturday, May 15, 2021. Leicester won 1-0. (AP) Tottenham move into sixth place LeBron James returns to help Lakers beat Pacers LONDON, May 16, (AP): Youri Tielemans was pre- paring for the FA Cup fi nal Suns rout Spurs, keep hope for top seed on Saturday when he re- INDIANAPOLIS, May 16, (AP): LeB- Durant shot just 4 for 17, but fi n- neither team is locked into that posi- ceived a text message with ron James returned from a six-game ished with 12 points, nine rebounds tion heading into the fi nal day of the NBA Results/Standings a clear instruction: Aim for absence to score 24 points, Anthony and six assists. Harden had seven regular season. Davis had 28 and the Los Angeles assists, fi ve points and fi ve rebounds Milwaukee still could earn the No. the top corner. Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers 122- while playing 25 minutes in his sec- 2 seed if it wins at Chicago and the When the ball landed at the 115 on Saturday. ond game back from a hamstring in- Brooklyn Nets lose at home to Cleve- WASHINGTON, May 16, (AP): NBA Leicester midfi elder’s feet, 63 min- results and standings on Saturday. The Lakers can take the No. 6 seed jury. land on Sunday. Miami could move Brooklyn 105 Chicago 91 utes into the 140th fi nal, a powerful if they win at New Orleans on Sunday Patrick Williams scored 24 points into the No. 5 spot if it beats Houston New York 118 Charlotte OT 109 shot from 30 meters was aimed just and Portland loses to Denver that day. for the Bulls. and the New York Knicks lose at home LA Lakers 122 Indiana 115 Bucks 122, Heat 108 to Boston. Phoenix 140 San Antonio 103 where he had been advised. If the Lakers fi nish No. 7, they will be Boston 124 Minnesota 108 It was a sensational way to win the in the play-in tournament against the In Milwaukee, Khris Middleton and Milwaukee 122 Miami 108 FA Cup for the first time in Leicester’s No. 8 seed. Bryn Forbes each scored 21 points to Eastern Conference James played 28 minutes, hitting 11 help the Milwaukee Bucks beat the BASKETBALL Atlantic Division 137-year history, 1-0 against W L Pct GB Champions League finalist Chelsea. of 22 shots, after sitting out trying to Miami Heat 122-108 on Saturday z-Philadelphia 48 23 .676 — Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou Kouy- night in a potential fi rst-round playoff The Heat beat the top-seeded Bucks Even sweeter than the strike was ate, (left), and Aston Villa’s Anwar recover from high ankle sprain. . He x-Brooklyn 47 24 .662 1 Leicester being able to celebrate in had eight assists and seven rebounds. series preview. 4-1 in a second-round playoff series x-New York 40 31 .563 8 El Ghazi battle for the ball during Jrue Holiday added 20 points and 10 last year and went on to win the East Boston 36 35 .507 12 front of its own fans as Wembley the English Premier League soc- Davis, who missed the previous Toronto 27 44 .380 21 Stadium hosted England’s biggest game because of a tight left thigh, also assists for the Bucks, who have won title before losing to the Los Angeles Southeast Division cer match between Crystal Palace three straight and eight of their last Lakers in the NBA Finals. crowd - more than 20,000 who tested and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park in had 10 rebounds. W L Pct GB negative for the coronavirus - in 14 Caris LeVert led Indiana with 28 nine. Knicks 118, Hornets 109, OT y-Atlanta 40 31 .563 — London . (AP ) Kendrick Nunn had a season-high In New York, Julius Randle had 33 x-Miami 39 32 .549 1 months. points. Charlotte 33 38 .465 7 “Wow, what a finish,” Leicester tinged with sadness. Suns 140, Spurs 103 31 points for the Heat. They lost de- points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds and Washington 33 38 .465 7 goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said. “I Harry Kane endured a frustrating In San Antonio, Devin Booker had spite shooting 22 of 49 from 3-point led an overtime surge that sent New Orlando 21 50 .296 19 range and tying a franchise record for York past Charlotte. Central Division didn’t dare to celebrate because there’s match in his bid to win the Premier 27 points and Phoenix beat San An- W L Pct GB always VAR.” Not that time. Instead, League’s Golden Boot for the third tonio to maintain its hope of earning 3-point baskets in a game. The Knicks improved to 40-31 and y-Milwaukee 46 25 .648 — the video assistant review came to time despite scoring in Tottenham’s the top spot in the NBA and Western Miami didn’t have leading scorer moved into a tie with the idle Atlanta Indiana 33 38 .465 13 Leicester’s rescue in the 89th minute to 2-0 win over Wolverhampton on Conference. Jimmy Butler due to lower back tight- Hawks for the fourth spot in the East- Chicago 30 41 .423 16 ness. ern Conference playoff race. Cleveland 22 49 .310 24 prevent Wes Morgan from a moment Sunday. Phoenix moved within a game of Detroit 20 51 .282 26 of heartache. Kane’s 45th-minute goal moved him Utah for fi rst in the West. The Jazz The Bucks are third and the Heat Miles Bridges had 30 points for the Western Conference to a league-leading 22 for the season conclude their season Sunday in Sac- sixth in the Eastern Conference stand- Hornets. Southwest Division SOCCER — one clear of Liverpool’s Mohamed ramento while the Suns close a two- ings, which would have them meeting Celtics 124, Timberwolves 108 W L Pct GB in the fi rst round of the playoffs. But In Minnesota, Jayson Tatum had 26 y-Dallas 42 29 .592 — Salah — but the England captain also game series in San Antonio. Phoenix Memphis 38 33 .535 4 The 37-year-old club captain had struck the post twice and had an effort swept the season series against Utah. San Antonio 33 38 .465 9 cleared off the line. New Orleans 31 40 .437 11 been on the pitch for only seven min- Keldon Johnson had 18 points to Houston 17 54 .239 25 utes when he accidentally deflected in Kane has two games left while Salah lead San Antonio. The Spurs previous- Northwest Division former teammate Ben Chilwell’s cross. has three, starting with West Bromwich ly clinched 10th in the West and will W L Pct GB But one of those marginal offsides that Albion later Sunday. Kane was the face either Memphis or Golden State y-Utah 51 20 .718 — x-Denver 47 24 .662 4 so irritate players and fans was detect- league’s top scorer in the 2015-16 and on the road Wednesday. Portland 41 30 .577 10 ed and the roars of Leicester fans were 2016-17 seasons. San Antonio coach Gregg Popo- Minnesota 22 49 .310 29 even louder than the moment Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who set up vich missed the game to attend Tim Oklahoma City 21 50 .296 30 Pacifi c Division Tielemans scored. Kane for the opening goal with a pierc- Duncan’s Hall of Fame induction cer- W L Pct GB After losing four finals - the first in ing through-ball, added the second in emony. y-Phoenix 50 21 .704 — 1949 at the old Wembley - Leicester’s the 64th minute by tapping in a rebound Nets 105, Bulls 91 x-LA Clippers 47 24 .662 3 name is finally etched onto the cup of from close range after Gareth Bale’s In New York, Kyrie Irving scored LA Lakers 41 30 .577 9 Golden State 38 33 .535 12 world football’s oldest competition. shot was saved. 22 points while playing with Kevin Sacramento 31 40 .437 19 The team from central England is a Tottenham moved into sixth place, Durant and James Harden for the fi rst x-clinched playoff spot champion again, five years after above West Ham on goal difference, time in three months, leading Brooklyn y-clinched division Morgan collected the Premier League and still has a mathematical — if high- past Chicago. z-clinched conference trophy. ly unlikely — chance of finishing in The eighth appearance of the sea- Players - such as Chilwell and the top four in the race for Champions son for Brooklyn’s Big Three wasn’t points and 11 rebounds to help Boston N’Golo Kante to Chelsea - have left League qualification after winning particularly pretty, with the Nets fall- rout Minnesota. since that improbable 5,000-1 title tri- three of its last four league games ing quickly into a 12-0 hole. But they Evan Fournier added 18 points and umph but Morgan and matchday cap- under interim manager Ryan Mason. had some sharp stretches and won their was 5 of 8 from 3-point range. tain Schmeichel are still there to cele- The team is five points behind fourth- fourth straight, improving to 6-2 with Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots during the fi rst half of an Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota brate again, this time in a moment place Chelsea. their three All-Stars in the same game. NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat Saturday in Milwaukee. (AP) with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

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