Page 16

baseball Page 15 THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT basketball Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 / RAMADAN 14, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17673 16 PAGES 150 FILS Recoveries outpace infections in daily COVID count

Concern over illegals Opinion Riyadh backed KUWAIT CITY, April 25, (KUNA): Kuwait Foreign Minis- KUWAIT CITY, April 25, (Agen- try expressed full support to Sau- cies): The Health Ministry an- di Arabia’s decision to ban the nounced on Saturday, 1,206 corona- entry of vegetables and fruits im- virus (COVID-19) infections, 1,497 Nukes unable to destroy nations, ports from Lebanon due to their recoveries and nine deaths. exploitation by drug smugglers. Health Ministry spokesman Dr. In a statement, the ministry stated the Saudi sovereign decision comes Abdullah Al-Sanad indicated that within the framework of the King- this brought the tallies of infec- dom’s keenness to prevent illegal tions and recoveries to 265,404 and but deceit, fraud can wreak havoc drugs from entering its lands and to 248,633 respectively. Deaths stood protect Saudi citizens from it. at 1,511. He indicated that there were 219 patients at ICU due to COVID-19, By Ahmed Al-Jarallah while 15,260 cases are receiving reg- Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times ular treatment for coronavirus. WHEN you study the conditions of Arabs particularly the Gulf Swabs in the last 24 hours reached nations or Kuwait to be precise, you will feel frustrated about Baghdad COVID-care 7,518, putting the total at 2,272,818, the grim picture being witnessed everyday, either in terms of he added. the democratic deviation from its correct course, or the eco- While the Ministry of Health is nomic decline that is racing to the point of suffocation. striving to vaccinate citizens and It appears that the Arabs do not learn from others or at least expatriates, and spares no effort in from the experiences of others. Therefore, they end one crisis encouraging the public to register for to enter into another that is more complex. This is happening at vaccination; the reality is that about a time when the democratic movement in Kuwait is regressing hospital fire claims 82 and the rate of corruption and lawlessness is spiking up. 190,000 expatriates are outside the We see a country, which is much smaller than Kuwait, does ministry’s calculation and platform not possess any natural resources, and gained its independence as they have violated the Residency from Britain in the year 1968, entering the club of rich coun- Law and cannot register for vacci- tries just less than three decades later. Its per capita income nation; thereby, marring efforts of rose from $ 400 in the late 1960s to $19,600 as per the 2019 the ministry which has been racing World Bank figures. against time to achieve community I am talking here about the Mauritius archipelago. The total area of all its islands does not exceed 2,500 square kilometers. immunity, reports Al-Rai daily quot- It has a population of 1.266 million people who adopted agri- ing highly reliable sources from the culture as a means of livelihood. The illiteracy rate was about security sector. 70 percent before independence, and it is below ten percent Decision today, after the state made education its primary mission. In this relatively small country, there is no distinction Sources pointed out the decision among its people based on religion. All Muslims, Hindus and of Interior Minister Sheikh Thamer Christians live in a unified society. Al-Ali to extend the deadline for Given the fact that Muslims constitute 20 percent of the total expatriates who violated the Resi- population, in 2015 they elected Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus dency Law to rectify their status Gurib-Fakim, a Mauritian politician and biodiversity scientist, as the sixth President of Mauritius. for another month — until May However, she officially resigned from the position of Presi- 15 — “comes from a humanitarian, dent of Mauritius in 2018 mainly due to conflicts of interest health and security standpoint due and allegations arising from her involvement as the Director of to the repercussions of the coro- a private organisation Planet Earth Institute (PEI) in funding navirus crisis; such as the closure private expenses using a credit card and holiday trips financed of airports in many countries and by PEI. high ticket prices. This could also Her resignation was based on an accountability process that be a way for these expatriates to did not differentiate between a high ranking official and a com- mon citizen. She was succeeded by President Paramasivum get vaccinated once their status is Pillay “Barlen” Vyapoory (Hindu) as the Acting President of legalized or they could opt to leave Mauritius. the country.” In the year 1992, the state worked on diversifying the sourc- Sources explained “the recent in- es of income, and launched a group of service projects, render- crease in corona cases among expa- ing it the first in Africa, through a commercial infrastructure, In this image made from video, first responders work the scene of a hospital fire in Baghdad on April 24, 2021. The fire triates is alarming, taking into con- an advanced investment law, and a transparent legal system broke out in the Baghdad hospital that cares for coronavirus patients after oxygen cylinders reportedly exploded late Saturday, officials said. (AP) sideration that those who violated the that made foreign investment in the country very advanced. Residency Law cannot be vaccinated Its economy became increasingly diversified, and its private sector is active in sugar production, tourism, and various eco- because their residency permits are nomic and financial services aspects, accounting for more than Oxygen cylinder blast suspect in blaze expired; hence, their inability to 72 percent of the GDP. Today, 90 percent of its citizens live in register on the Ministry of Health homes that they own. website. Under such circumstances, In this regard, I would like Kuwait to benefit from the plans BAGHDAD, April 25, (AP): Iraq’s Interior Negligence on the part of hospital authorities has been blamed these expatriates could be a threat to and schemes of this archipelago in resolving its housing crisis, for the Saturday night fire, which initial reports suggest was the security and health of the entire which has existed for nearly 60 years and continues to be a Ministry said Sunday that 82 people died and caused when an oxygen cylinder exploded in the ward of Ibn al- community.” predicament. 110 were injured in a catastrophic fire that Khatib hospital. Iraq’s prime minister fired key hospital officials Sources warned the citizens Kuwait can even learn from Mauritius in the areas of eco- broke out in the intensive care unit of a Bagh- hours after the catastrophic incident. and expatriates against “harbor- nomic openness, investment and health care, and mandatory Among the dead were at least 28 patients on ventilators bat- education. It works based on transparency and seriousness, dad hospital tending to severe coronavirus ing expatriates who violated the tling severe symptoms of the virus, tweeted Ali al-Bayati, a Residency Law, especially the do- and in the absence of “wasta” and fraud. spokesman of the country’s independent Human Rights Com- During a press interview with one of the Mauritian univer- patients. mestic workers, to employ them in sity professors, he asked about the principal wealth of a coun- mission. The commission is a homes as this poses a threat to the try, and he said, “Destruction of any nation does not require semi-official body. health of families and their chil- nuclear bombs or long-range missiles, but rather it is enough Turkey summons US envoy Firefighters rushed to battle dren.” to have poor education, allowing students to cheat, and turning Newswatch the flames that raged across the Sources then urged all expatriates a blind eye on forged certificates. second floor of the hospital. Civil who violated the Residency Law to This means, a patient dies in the hands of a doctor who suc- over genocide recognition defense teams put out flames un- ceeded by cheating ... buildings collapse in the hands of an til the early hours of the morning. take advantage of the extended dead- KUWAIT CITY: His Highness the line to visit the Residency Affairs engineer who succeeded by cheating ... we lose money in the ISTANBUL, April 25, (AP): Turkey’s foreign minis- Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Ambulances transported doz- hands of an accountant who succeeded by cheating ... religion try has summoned the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara to Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday ens of wounded. The Health Department in order to rectify their dies in the hands of a cleric who succeeded by cheating ... jus- protest the U.S. decision to mark the deportation and sent a cable to Iraqi President Ministry said at least 200 people status. tice dies in the hands of a judge who succeeded by cheating killing of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire as Barham Saleh, voicing heartfelt were rescued from the scene. Suspend ... lack of peace and security happens in the hands of a police “genocide.” and sincere condolences over the Doctors at the scene were fraz- officer who succeeded by cheating ... and ignorance spreads in Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal met with David victims of the fi re that erupted in zled by the chaos unfolding around The recent decision to suspend the minds of children in the hands of a teacher who succeeded Satterfield late Saturday to express Ankara’a strong con- Ibn AlKhateeb Hospital in the them. They said numerous burned direct flights to and from India due by cheating. demnation. “The statement does not have legal ground in Capital Baghdad and left a num- bodies were carried out by para- to the remarkable increase in the Therefore, we give great importance to the quality of educa- terms of international law and has hurt the Turkish people, ber of people dead or injured. medics from the hospital floor. tion, and do not allow corruption in our educational institu- His Highness the Crown Prince number of corona cases there might opening a wound that’s hard to fix in our relations,” the By midday Sunday, relatives lead to the cancellation of thousands tions”. ministry said. Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al- were still searching anxiously for This is how the countries are run ... by national wisdom and On Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden followed through Jaber Al-Sabah and His High- unaccounted for loved ones. of visas for domestic workers at a responsibility, and not by favoritism, and tribal, religious, or on a campaign promise to recognize the events that began ness the Prime Minister Sheikh “Please, two of my relatives time many Kuwaitis are complain- partisan affiliations. This is because everyone works for the in 1915 and killed an estimated 1.5 million Ottoman Ar- Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sa- are missing. ... I am going to ing about the delayed arrival of their sake of the nation, and the country thus grows through devel- bah voiced similar sentiments in household workers, reports Al-Qa- menians as genocide. two separate cables also addressed die (without news about them),” opment and prospers. It does not get threatened of a collapse The White House proclamation immediately prompted posted a young woman on social bas daily. any day because of an official who wanted to take possession to the Iraqi president. (KUNA) statements of condemnation from Turkish officials, al- ❑ ❑ ❑ media after a fruitless search for Chairman of Kuwait Union of of everything. though Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is yet to her family members. “I hope Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO) Email: [email protected] address the issue. CAIRO: Egyptian President Ab- someone can help us find Sadi Khaled Al-Dakhnan told the daily Turkey rejects the use of the word, saying both Turks dulfatah Al-Sisi announced Sun- Abdul Kareem and Samir Abdul Follow me on: day extension of state of emer- that there will be discussions with and Armenians were killed, and has called for a joint his- Kareem, they were in the ICU.” officials in charge of the ‘Besalama’ tory commission to investigate. gency for another three months. The fire came as Iraq grapples The systematic killing and deportation of more than a According to offi cial ga- with a severe second wave of platform about the idea of presenting million Armenians by Ottoman Empire forces in the early zette, the decision states that the coronavirus pandemic. Daily a recommendation to hire domestic [email protected] 20th century was “genocide,” the United States formally the armed forces and police will virus cases now average around workers from India in accordance take any measures to fi ght ter- with the regulations on ensuring declared on Saturday, as Biden used that precise word af- rorism, cut its funding sources 8,000, the highest since Iraq ter the White House had avoided it for decades for fear of and protect the lives of civil- began recording infection rates health safety and combating the epi- alienating ally Turkey. ians. (KUNA) early last year. At least 15,200 demic. College gets accreditation While previous presidents have offered somber reflec- ❑ ❑ ❑ people have died of coronavirus Although the union welcomes the tions of the dark moment in history, they have studiously in Iraq among a total of at least decision to stop direct flights to and avoided using the term genocide out of concern that it JEDDAH: The Arab coalition 100,000 confirmed cases. KUWAIT CITY, April 25, (KUNA): The College of Nursing at the supporting legitimate Yemeni from India as part of efforts to com- Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) has would complicate relations with Turkey, a NATO ally and In response to the fire, Prime important power in the Middle East. government has said its forces in- Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi bat the epidemic, it confirmed in a obtained the academic accreditation for the bachelor of nursing pro- tercepted and destroyed a booby- press statement that the decision gram from the American Accreditation Commission for Education in But Biden campaigned on a promise to make human fired the director-general of the rights a central guidepost of his foreign policy. He argued trapped drone fi red by the Houthi Baghdad Health Department in would result in the cancellation of Nursing (ACEN), valid for five years ending in 2025. militias against civilian areas in The Dean of the College, Dr. Ali Al-Hajraf, told KUNA Sunday, the last year that failing to call the atrocities against the Ar- the al-Rusafa area, where the certain steps; thereby, increasing menian people a genocide would pave the way for future southern Saudi Arabia. hospital is located. He also fired College of Nursing is the first college of PAAET to obtain academic The houthis fi red the explo- the burdens of citizens who are accreditation for all of its programs, as this great achievement serves mass atrocities. sive-laden drone against civilians the director of Ibh al-Khatib Hos- waiting for the arrival of domestic the health sector at the state level, indicating that. “The American people honor all those Armenians who and civilian facilities in the south pital and its director of engineer- workers. ACEN is considered one of the leading specialized institutions in the perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today,” of the Kingom, state-run SPA ing and maintenance, according Al-Dakhnan revealed: “We pre- world in granting academic accreditation for nursing education pro- Biden said in a statement. “We affirm the history. We do news agency said citing a tweet to a statement from the Health viously contacted the Ministry of grams, and it is one of the two institutions that obtained recognition this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is by the coalition Saturday night. Ministry and his office. never repeated.” After the fire first broke out, Interior to request for extension of from the US Department of Education to grant academic accreditation (KUNA) the validity of visas from three to for nursing education programs, Al-Hajraf said. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a let- ❑ ❑ ❑ Al-Khadhimi held an emergency This accreditation would develop students skills and experiences be- ter to Biden that recognition of the genocide “is important meeting at the headquarters of six months considering the global fore joining the labor market, he said, it will also help create a highly not only in terms of respecting the memory of 1.5 million JERUSALEM: Rocket fi re from the Baghdad Operations Com- conditions brought about by the professionally qualified and creative human capital that enables them innocent victims, but also in preventing the repetition of the Gaza Strip toward Israel re- mand, which coordinates Iraqi pandemic. We called the minis- such crimes.” sumed Saturday evening after a security forces, according to a to provide distinguished nursing care that keeps pace with the continu- day-long pause despite calls for try and the Directorate General of ous developments in the nursing profession. Turkish officials struck back immediately. calm from the United Nations statement on his Twitter account. Civil Aviation (DGCA) to exclude The accreditation includes the Bachelor of Nursing with its three “We reject and denounce in the strongest terms the and threats by Israeli leaders to In the meeting he said the inci- domestic workers from the deci- options, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of School Nursing and General statement of the President of the US regarding the events retaliate fi ercely. dent amounted to negligence. sion.” Nursing Diploma program, Al-Hajraf said. of 1915 made under the pressure of radical Armenian cir- Tensions in Jerusalem as Pal- “Negligence in such matters is Al-Hajraf congratulated all the employees and students of the Col- cles and anti-Turkey groups,” the Turkish Foreign Minis- estinians clashed with Israeli po- not a mistake, but a crime for which lege of Nursing for this long-awaited achievement as he also extended try said in a statement. lice and far-right Jewish groups all negligent parties must bear re- Ramadan Timings his sincere thanks and appreciation to the PAAET Director General and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted prompted the heaviest cross-bor- sponsibility,” he said. He gave Iraqi all concerned departments for the support and facilities they provided that “words cannot change history or rewrite it” and Tur- der violence in months between authorities 24 hours to present the Iftar ...... Monday ...... 18:21 to the college and resulted in this achievement. key “completely rejected” Biden’s statement. Israel and Gaza. (AP) results of an investigation. Imsak ...... Tuesday ...... 03:35 ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 2

Good habits encourage restorative sleep Focus on sleep quantity, quality during Ramadan

s we enter the second Ramadan of the COVID-19 pandemic, a sleep med- as far as possible, leaving you feeling refreshed or rejuvenated and able to hours every day, so that their body clock can adjust more easily. Aicine expert at Cleveland Clinic is encouraging people to explore ways to function appropriately during the day without feeling sleepy,” he says. About Cleveland Clinic improve both the quality and quantity of their sleep during the Holy Month, as To ensure quality sleep, he suggests paying attention to sleep hygiene fac- Cleveland Clinic – now in its centennial year – is a nonprofit multispe- this can support fasting and immune system functioning, he says. tors, which include keeping the room dark, having a comfortable bed and cialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care Vaishal Shah, M.D., of Cleveland Clinic’s Sleep Disorders Center in the ensuring an ambient temperature with no noise. He adds that people should with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded U.S., says, “We all know we function better when we get sufficient good- aim to turn off their televisions and electronic devices at least an hour before in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstand- quality sleep, but research has shown that sleep also affects our hunger and going to bed. ing patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and satiety levels. In particular, studies have shown that partial sleep deprivation In addition, he stresses that a consistent sleep schedule is key to quality innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, is associated with changes in the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and sleep, particularly in Ramadan when people tend to change their sleeping hab- including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the ghrelin, which could make fasting more challenging.” its. United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Dr. Shah adds that research shows adequate sleep is also essential for the “Whether you stick to your regular schedule, or adapt it in accordance with Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best optimal functioning of our immune systems, which remains a top priority suhoor and iftar timings, or you decide to sleep during the day instead of at Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 70,800 employees world- amid the pandemic. “Studies have determined that without sufficient and con- night, aim to go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every wide are more than 4,660 salaried physicians and researchers, and 18,500 sistent quality sleep, the immune response is suppressed, making people more day and try to get recommended amount of sleep. This will help regulate your registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medi- susceptible to infections in general, and taking longer to recover from them,” circadian rhythms, or internal body clock, and encourage restorative sleep,” cal specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health he says. he says. system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, He explains that proteins called cytokines and similar molecules are re- If people choose to divide their sleep into a number of sessions throughout 19 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, and locations in south- leased by the immune system during sleep, and some of these play an impor- the day, he advises that they should make sure this includes one consistent east Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and tant role in protecting against infection and inflammation. Sleep deprivation longer block of continuous sleep that is at least five or six hours long, and a London, England. In 2020, there were 8.7 million total outpatient visits, can lead to decreased production of both cytokines and infection-fighting an- total of seven to nine hours of sleep in a day. 273,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 217,000 surgical cases tibodies, he adds. He also advises that anyone who has significantly changed their sleeping throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment Dr. Shah says adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep daily, but pattern during Ramadan, should ease back into routine afterwards. For, ex- from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow emphasizes that it is not only the number of hours that is important, but the ample, if someone has swapped night and day, they should adjust back to their us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at news- quality too. “Sleep needs to follow a consistent pattern, and be uninterrupted normal routine slowly, moving their bedtime and waking-up time by a few room.clevelandclinic.org.

A baby Arabian carpet shark is released into Arabian Gulf waters during a conservation project by the Atlantis hotel, at the The Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP)

baby sharks bred in Dubai

released DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 25, (AP): The drive from the hotel. For the past few years, the baby sharks, bred at a gargantuan luxury resort on hotel’s aquarium has sought to contribute to the Dubai’s artifi cial palm-shaped island, had never conservation of native marine species by breed- before encountered the open sea. ing honeycomb stingray and brown Arabian carpet But last Thursday, the tiny carpet sharks were sharks before releasing them into the wild, rich with jolted out of their warm pools at the fl ashy Atlantis coral reefs and mangroves. Hotel aquarium to travel farther than they ever have The team stood shin-deep in the warm waters in their two years of existence. A team of Dubai conservationists gingerly caught the sharks with of the Arabian Gulf, surrounded by the small and nets and moved them into oxidized tanks in a Ford slowly circling sharks. The creatures are harmless pick-up truck. to humans, preferring a diet of snake eels, shrimps, Soon, the baby sharks were on the move. The crabs and squid. specialists plopped them into big plastic bags and For a few minutes, many of the sharks appeared carried their squirming bodies over the white sandy spooked, staying close to the shore, before venturing beach of the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, a short into their vast new home.

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next wind to light variable wind with Bubyan - - Prayer Timings 24 hours: speeds of 06-26 km/h and some Jahra 43 25 By Day: Hot and partly cloudy scattered clouds will appear. Failaka Island - - Fajr ...... 03:47 Asr ...... 15:22 with light variable wind to light Salmiyah 37 31 Sunrise .. 05:10 Maghrib .. 18:21 to moderate south easterly wind Station Max Exp Min Rec Ahmadi 36 29 Zohr ...... 11:46 Isha ...... 19:42 with speeds of 06-26 km/h. Kuwait City 42 31 Nuwaisib 44 21 By Night: Rather hot to fairwith Kuwait Airport 43 22 Wafra 43 23 light to moderate south easterly Abdaly 43 24 Salmy 41 23

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

Humansoft Holding tumbles 462 fi ls, Burgan Bank gains Kuwait index ends in small trough after volatile session By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ▼ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30095/050.30095/05 KUWAIT CITY, April 25: Kuwait stocks ▲ Euro/KD 0.3652 slipped into a small trough on Sunday after chalking robust gains in the previous week. ■ Yen/KD 0.0028 The All Shares Index dropped 14.66 points in choppy session to 6,014.31 pts weighed ▲ British £/KD 0.4190 by Humansoft Holding and some of the other blue chips even the overall mood re- ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0040 mained fi rm. The Premier Market dipped 35.76 points ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 to 6,554.50 pts paring the month’s gains to 230 points while Main Market jumped 34.29 pts. The BK Main 50 rallied 43.83 ▲ FTSE +0.32 pts at closing April 23 points to 5,147.21 pts. The volume turno- ver meanwhile tapered for the third straight session – down 4.5 pct from Thursday. ▼ Nikkei -167.54 pts at closing April 23 The sectors closed mixed. Technology outshone the rest with a solid 7.37 pct gain ▲ Gold whereas Insurance dived 1.93 percent, the 1785.30 per oz (London) worst performer of the day. Volume wise, Financial Services continued to top with ▲ NYMEX crude $62.02 per barrel 147 million shares and it was also ahead in value with KD 16.26 million. ▲ Brent crude $66.12 per barrel In the individual shares, Humansoft Holding plunged 462 fi ls to KD 3.358 ex- LIBOR rate 0.18138% tending last session’s moderate losses and Mabanee Co dialed down 2 fi ls. Kuwait Finance House slid 6 fi ls to 723 fi ls after 3 fi ls on back of 4.9 million shares. Gulf pushing 4.3 million shares and Boubyan Bank and Kuwait International Bank held Bank followed suit to end at 646 fi ls. Bur- ground at 208 fi ls and 210 fi ls respectively. gan Bank was up 5 fi ls at 229 fi ls taking the Ahli United Bank BSC tripped 1 fi l after month’s gains to 9 fi ls. pushing over 5 million shares whereas Com- Zain fell 2 fi ls to 606 fi ls and Ooredoo mercial Bank and Al Ahli Bank were un- tripped 1 fi l. stc too eased 1 fi l to close at KD changed at 500 fi ls and 201 fi ls respectively. 2.235 and logistics major Agility slipped 6 Ahli United Bank Kuwait dialed up 2 fi ls. fi ls to 761 fi ls with a volume of 1.2 million. Kuwait Investment Co sprinted 9 fi ls KIPCO inched 1 fi l down 162 fi ls whereas to 181 fi ls on back of 3.4 million shares National Investment Co stood pat at 192 fi ls. whereas National Investment Co and Imtiaz YIACO Medical shed 20 fi ls. Investment were fl at at 192 fi ls and 114 fi ls National Industries Group rallied 11 fi ls respectively. International Financial Advi- to 224 fi ls pushing the month’s gains to sors scaled 6 fi ls and Arzan Financial rose 3 37 fi ls whereas Gulf Cable tripped 1 fi l. fi ls to 112 fi ls with brisk trading. Photo by Iehab Qurtal Boubyan Petrochemical was down 10 fi ls at Kuwait Financial Centre ( Markaz) di- Kuwaitis and expats at the vaccination center in Mishref. 940 fi ls and Al Qurain Petrochemical was aled up 2 fi ls and Noor Financial Investment unchanged at 443 fi ls. Jazeera Airways and took in 1 fi l. Tamdeen Investment pulled ALAFCO dialed down 1 fi l each to close at 4 fi ls up tp 224 fi lsand First Investment 618 fi ls and 216 fi ls respectively. inched 0.8 fi ls into green. KMEFIC clipped The market opened steady and fell 1 fi l and Kuwait Syrian Holding gave up 2.9 sharply in early trade. The main index vac- fi ls. The Securities House added 1.3 fi ls and Kuwait breaks 1m jabs mark illated between small gains and losses and Kuwait Insurance Co shed 13 fi ls. plumbed the day’s lowest level of 6011 pts United Real Estate rose 1.5 fi ls to 57.5 before closing with small losses. fi ls while Ajial Real Estateand Tamdeen ‘Back to normal’ nears Top gainer of the day, Aayan Leasing Real Estate dialed up 1 fi l each. Salhia Real Front-liners list ready: minister soared 11.69 pct to 172 fi ls and Warbacap Estate dialed up 2 fi ls and NREC closed 1 climbed 9.47 percent to stand next. Human- fi l up on back of 4.3 million shares. By Marwa Al-Bahrawi soft Holding skidded 12 percent, the steep- Kuwait Cement Co tripped 1 fi l whereas Al-Seyassah Staff est decliner of the day and Aayan Leasing Kuwait Portland Cement paused at 892 fi ls. Kuwait to receive fourth batch also topped the volume with over 25 million Metal and Recycling Co gave up 4 fi ls and KUWAIT CITY, April 25: Finally, the Min- shares. ACICO Industries added 2.8 fi ls. Kuwait istry of Health broke the one million bar- Despite the day’s drop, the winners out- Foundry Co was unchanged at 270 fi ls and of ‘Pakistani medics’ this week numbered the losers. 72 stocks advanced KCPC gained 4 fi ls. Automated Systems rier of vaccinating the citizens and residents while 48 closed lower. Of the 142 counters Co scaled 7 fi ls whereas Burgan Well Drill- KUWAIT CITY, April 25: Kuwait will the second batch arrived in late December against ‘Covid 19’ virus. active on Sunday, 22 closed fl at. 11,820 ing Co was up 4 fi ls at 136 fi ls. Combined receive the fourth batch of Pakistani medi- 2020 and it included 196 specialists; and the According to health source 1.22 million people have deals worth KD 44.28 million were trans- Group Contracting Co gained 4 fi ls. cal practitioners — 136 doctors, nurses and third batch arrived in March and it included so far been vaccinated until yesterday afternoon – 24 acted during the session. The market was largely during the past technicians specialized in intensive care, 223 medical practitioners. percent of the population four months after the launch of In the banking sector, National Bank of week. The main index closed higher in three anesthetics and chest and internal diseases ❑ ❑ ❑ the national campaign for vaccination against Covid-19 Kuwait eased 1 fi l to 827 fi ls after mov- of the fi ve sessions scaling 75 pts in last four — to assist the national medical teams in ing over 2 million shares and is up 20 fi ls sessions. It has rallied 238 points from start of combating covid-19 by the end of this week ‘Front-liners list ready’: Minister of which kicked off at the end of last December. month-to-date whereas Warba Bank added the month and is up 468 points year-to-date. , reports Al-Jarida daily quoting sources. Health, Sheikh Dr. Basil Al-Sabah said the The health ministry crossing the one million mark opens the Sources revealed the Ministry of Health ministry has completed the list of the minis- way for a relative breakthrough for the plan to return to normal has completed procedures for the issuance try’s front-line workers who are eligible for life, according to previous statements issued by the Ministry of ‘Breakfast’ meals distributed of visas to the fourth batch of Pakistani rewards, reports Al-Anba daily. Health in this regard, in which it confi rmed that easing restric- medical workers, indicating this batch will The daily quoting the minister said the tions depends on the expansion of vaccination campaign and undergo home quarantine for a week and list has been sent to the Civil Service Com- breaking the million mark barrier in the country, which has start working once the quarantine period mission. already happened during the past few hours and more people Monitoring of charities continue ends. In response to a parliamentary query, the are expected to be vaccinated over the next few days at a rapid Sources said the fourth batch will be as- minister said the names of front-line and pace. KUWAIT CITY, April 25: Assistant Under- through approved organizations only, and signed in Farwaniya, Adan, Jaber, Jahra support workers include non-Kuwaitis ac- In an indicator that may refl ect the nature of the anticipated secretary for Social Development Affairs at not to deal with any advertisement that does and Mubarak Al-Kabeer hospitals to work cording to their entitlement. measures for a gradual return to life, Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah, the Ministry of Social Affairs Hana Al-Hajri not have the name of the organization. in intensive care units and assist national The Minister of Health (MoH) also con- Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Committee to confront the revealed the implementation of the recent She affi rmed that there is an agreement medical teams. fi rmed that the names of some employees pandemic prospects are bright for the gradual return to normal decision issued by the Cabinet to suspend all with charity organizations regarding having Sources confi rmed that the four batches of the minister’s offi ce, assistant undersec- life in stages. fundraising activities in mosques, and ensure their names appear on the announcements of Pakistani medical practitioners consist of retaries, department directors and health On the social networking site ‘Twitter’, Al-Jarallah urged that meals are distributed in places where of the charity projects they implement and 763 doctors, technicians and nurses; indicat- district directors were included in the lists, people to get vaccinated against Covid and to download the workers gather, in accordance with the ensuring that the donations are directed to ing that about 75 percent of the Pakistani as their services were used to support the new application after vaccination to take advantage of the ad- health requirements, reports Al-Anba daily. deserving people or rather causes. teams are from the nursing sector and all of front-line workers to provide medical staff vantages granted to those who have been vaccinated. She explained that the monitoring and Regarding the ministry receiving any com- them are specialized in intensive care, inter- and evacuation trips, and to organize quar- A member of the vaccination committee, Professor of Pedi- follow-up process of the implementation plaint or inquiry from the public about collect- nal diseases, chest and others. antine facilities. atrics and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Khaled Al-Saeed also spoke of the 18th charity project for the month of ing donations, Al-Hajri said the complaints Sources added the fi rst three batches con- The Minister of Health confi rmed during on the importance of vaccination to reach community immu- Ramadan covers all means of charity work, are received through the ministry’s websites, sisted of 627 specialists, pointing out the his response that no bonuses are paid to any nity, confi rming that the Ministry of Health has issued an ap- especially advertisements on social media and the Public Relations Department refers all fi rst batch arrived in October 2020 and it in- of the ministry’s employees without the ap- plication to provide the vaccination process on one hand and and “WhatsApp” app. It is conducted in complaints from the public for consideration cluded 208 doctors, technicians and nurses; proval of the CSC. facilitate the procedures for entry to some facilities that need coordination with the heads of the charity and for taking necessary measures. this on the other hand, as well as travel outside the country. organizations, in addition to following up Meanwhile, the Al Istikama Charity In a related development, the Director of the Central De- the donation kiosks that appear annually Society continues to distribute more than partment of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health, during the holy month in various parts of 2,000 breakfast meals daily in Mahboula Dr. Dina Al-Dhabib announced the completion of the vacci- Kuwait. All advertisements on social media area to the needy families and workers, says nation of more than 95% of workers in cooperative societies, sites are monitored and dealt with accord- Al-Seyassah. indicating that the coming period will witness the vaccination ing to the law. The distribution takes place in the presence of workers in markets, commercial complexes, factories and The ministry had approved all the re- of the president of the society, Dr Muhammad companies specializing in consumer and food products and quests of charity organizations that had Al-Ajmi, who said charity work began on factories. applied to participate in the project for the the fi rst day of Ramadan as more than 8,000 In a statement, Al-Dhabib clarifi ed that the vaccination of current month of Ramadan. meals were distributed to the needy under the all workers in the coops in the Hawalli, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Al-Hajri called on citizens not to deal with supervision of the society’s Director of Relief, Al-Jahra, Ahmadi and Al-Asimah Governorates has been com- any advertisement or anonymous communi- Sheikh Nader bin Daqla, and with the partici- pleted, in addition to the vaccination of about 5,000 employees cation, stressing the need to offer donations pation of the society’s team members. and affi liates of the mosque sector, in addition to the comple- tion of the vaccination of 3,000 employees of the banking sec- tor. It is worth noting that the mobile clinics have vaccinated about 40,000 thousand people during the past 10 days, in addi- tion to the vaccination of about 2,000 bedridden groups during February. KUNA photo Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Majdi Al-Dhefeeri receives the Head of the Euro- pean Union delegation visiting the State of Kuwait. Kuwait, EU discuss various issues KOC receives offers for

Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majdi Al-Dhefeeri also met with Italian Am- four ‘pipeline projects’ Al-Dhefeeri met with head of European bassador in Kuwait Carlo Baldocci Sun- Union delegation to Kuwait Cristian Tu- day and discussed regional and interna- KUWAIT CITY, April 25 : The Kuwait Oil Company has re- dor Sunday and discussed regional and tional developments, as well as bilateral ceived offers for the implementation of 4 huge pipeline pro- international developments, as well as ties. jects worth 17.6 million dinars, reports a reliable oil source. bilateral ties. The meeting was attended by Assis- The meeting was attended by Assis- tant Foreign Minister for the Deputy For- The source said the fi rst contract is worth 4.84 million tant Foreign Minister for the Deputy For- eign Minister’s offi ce Ayham Al-Omar. dinars for the construction of a fl ow line from 32 gathering eign Minister’s offi ce Ayham Al-Omar. (KUNA) centers to West Kuwait, the second is worth 4.47 million dinars for the construction of a fl ow line from the Burgan fi eld to the Al-Maqwa area, the third is 3.99 million dinars to establish a fl ow line in West Kuwait and the fourth is 4.3 mil- CMA probes 3 tweeters for violations lion dinars to establish a network of lines in western Kuwait to new oil fi elds. KUWAIT CITY, April 25: The Capital have not ended but it is expected they The source stated the local companies are the lowest bid- Markets Authority (CMA) has sum- will issued a warning or referred to the ders in these 4 contracts. These companies include the Com- moned 3 tweeters for investigation on disciplinary council. bined Group for Contracting, the Heavy Engineering Indus- suspicion of committing violations by The sources revealed the Commission tries Company for Shipbuilding, the Mechanical Engineering analyzing a specifi c stock on the social is in the process of fi nalizing the licensing and Contracting Company and the Al-Meer Technical Ser- vices Company. media, reports Al-Qabas daily. of natural persons to perform the activity These are four out of 11 projects that the KOC intends to The sources indicated to Al-Qabas of an investment advisor, in a manner that implement during the next phase. The 11 projects are valued daily that the investigations with them regulates the work of analysts in control. at 205 million dinars. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 LOCAL 4 Grilling motions filed against Premier included in agenda

Speaker invites MPs to April 27 and 28 ordinary sessions

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff KUWAIT CITY, April 25: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim invited the HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad. MPs to the ordinary sessions slated for April 27 and 28, 2021. Items in the agenda include the grilling motions against His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, which were dis- missed according to the deci- sion of the Assembly to sus- pend deliberations on such grilling motions until the next parliamentary round. Photo by Rizk Tawfiq The volunteers of Al-Awazem Foundation serving the needy. The grilling motion filed by MPs Ahmed Mutei Al-Azmi and Soud Bu Sleeb against Mabarrah Al-Awazem continues on its generous journey Minister of Health Dr Bssel Al-Sabah will be discussed as KUWAIT CITY, April 25: The well, in addition to voting on Al-Awazem Charity Foundation con- tinues to help the poor and needy eight incoming letters that include the resignation letter families of Kuwaitis and various other KUNA photos nationalities – the project that builds of MP Yousef Al-Fadala and National Assembly Speaker Al-Ghanim. bridges of cooperation and love letters to assign the Negative between people of Kuwait by support- Phenomenon to study the ing developmental, advocacy, social causes of rising violence and Audiences of HH the Amir and humanitarian activities. drug addiction cases and then The head of the board of directors, present solutions and recom- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf received at Bayan Palace His Hamad Zaid Al-Baisis said in a state- mendations. Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh ment the number of beneficiaries has received at Bayan Palace this morn- Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, The Assembly will also ing, His Highness the Crown Prince Deputy Prime Minister and Minister already exceeded tens of thousands vote on the reports of the while the charity campaigns are con- Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Photo by Rizk Taufiq Legal and Legislative Affairs Al-Sabah. Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime tinuing with the aim of reaching the The campaign organizers. His Highness the Amir also received Minister, Minister of Justice and largest number of needy people and Committee about lifting the immunity of MPs Hassan Speaker of the National Assembly Minister of State for Integrity their families. Banking Club’s campaign successful Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim. Promotion Affairs Abdullah Yousef Al-Baisis indicated the projects of Jawhar, Ahmed Al-Shuhoumi, Meanwhile, His Highness Al-Roumi. (KUNA) Mabarrah Al-Awazem take into Yousef Al-Ghareeb, Ahmed account the exceptional circumstanc- The Banking Club confirmed Millennium Hotel under the slo- Mutei Al-Azmi Homoud the national campaign orga- gan ‘Vaccination, a national es that the country and the world are nized by the club to vaccinate duty’ is a great achievement for Mebrek Al-Azmi and going through due to the Corona bank employees in coordina- the president and members of Sulaiman Al-Helela; and the Amir congratulates president pandemic. tion with the Ministry of Health the club. second reading of the bill on Therefore, the foundation is keen was unrivalled, reports The president and members amending the audio-visual, to provide aid and assistance to Al-Seyassah daily. of the club thanked the Ministry printing and publishing laws. of Tanzania on National Day every needy person, whether Kuwaiti The spokesman of the club of Health for its efforts and or expatriate, with the aim of provid- said in a statement the cam- unlimited support and coopera- Unifi ed KUWAIT CITY, April 25, (KUNA): His Republic further progress and prosperity. Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh ing a decent life for everyone who paign that was launched at the tion. In a relevant development, lives on the precious land of Kuwait. Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratu- Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Al-Baisis thanked the philanthro- a total of 27 MPs had a meet- lated, in a cable Sunday, President of and His Highness the Prime Minister pists in Kuwait who have always sup- and hope in their hearts, especially dates, in addition to cartons of food ing in the Diwan of MP Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan on the Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad ported the charity projects to give hap- during this blessed month. more than 20 kilos each, from the Hassan Jawhar on Saturday; occasion of her country’s National Day, Al-Sabah sent similar cables to President wishing her good health and for the Hassan. piness to their needy brothers and sis- Al-Mabarrah will distribute one middle of last Shaban until the end of during which they agreed to ters and spread the spirit of optimism thousand meals a day with fruits and the holy month. present a unified position for the Assembly to regain its ‘Hike employee attendance rate to 50pc’ right as per Article 100 of the Constitution, and that there will be no session on April 27 MoE approves list of 750 Kuwaiti unless HH the Prime Minister stands on the grilling podium. They posted this agreement applicants for teaching positions on their respective Twitter KUWAIT CITY, April 25: The Minister varied between new appointments, trans- accounts. of Education Dr. Ali Al-Mudhaf last fers from other ministries to teaching Article 100 of the week approved the list of about 750 profession, and transfers of employees Constitution states: “Every Kuwaiti teachers for appointment in vari- with educational university degrees from member of the National ous disciplines, reports Al-Qabas daily. administrators to members of an educa- Assembly is empowered to According to official sources, the tional body. direct interrogations at the applications of the candidates in the list Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education Prime Minister and the approved by the minister had remained has requested the Civil Service pending for more than a year due to the Commission (CSC) to approve the Ministers on matters falling COVID-19 crisis. They were referred by within their competence. In increase in the percentage of employees’ the Public Education Sector to the attendance in the Financial Sector and the cases that are not pressing, Administrative Affairs Sector to com- and with the Minister’s con- Administrative Affairs Sector to 50 per- plete the procedures and open files in cent instead of 30 percent in order to sent, debate on an interroga- preparation for addressing CSC and orga- ensure the proper functioning of work in tion shall not take place save nizing interviews with the teachers by the those two sectors, reports Al-Qabas daily relevant committees. after at least eight days from quoting informed sources. The Public Education Sector has been the day of its presentation.” They explained that the ministry for- MP Mehalhal Al-Mudaf, instructed to urgently form committees to conduct interviews with the candidates so mally addressed CSC with its request, who attended the meeting, dis- as to complete the recruitment process, highlighting the nature and size of the closed that no decision regard- catch up with the new academic year, and work assigned to each of these sectors, ing the ministers’ seats was distribute them to schools to fill the short- and insisting that 30 percent of the work- taken at the meeting. However, age. ers do not match the volume of work MP Hamad Rouhaldeen said The applications were obtained from required to be performed. this is on the table for further male and female Kuwaiti teachers for 14 A rate of 50 percent workforce would discussion and there is no subjects - Psychology, Sociology, enable the aforementioned two sectors to impediment to doing so in the History, Islamic Education, Geography conduct their activities in a proper man- upcoming session. and Physical Education, home science, ner without conflicting with the health philosophy, electricity, geology, French and preventive requirements and precau- Election language, all sciences and music. tionary measures to confront the spread The sources indicated that the applica- of COVID-19 decided by the concerned On the supplementary tions, which were pending since last year, health authorities. Assembly election scheduled for May 22 to fill up the par- liamentary seat vacated by former MP Badr Al-Dahoum KM agrees to ‘reallocate’ site for due to a court decision to nul- lify his parliamentary mem- building nursery to health center bership, Director General of KUWAIT CITY, April 25: The Kuwait the Legal Affairs General Municipality has agreed to reallocate the Ramadan Girgian ‘spirit’ Department at the Ministry of land plot that was designated for nursery Interior Colonel Salah school activities, for the construction of remains among families Al-Shatti confirmed the elec- an integrated health center, based on the tion will be held under the request from the Mishref Cooperative KUWAIT CITY, April 25: The spirit of supervision of health authori- Society that was presented by the Ramadan Girgian remains among Ministry of Social Affairs, reports families, particularly the children; as ties to ensure compliance they celebrated the occasion with with the health regulations Aljarida daily. Chairman of the Municipal Council family members bringing clothes and aimed at curbing the spread Osama Al-Otaibi forwarded the letter decorations for children while chant- of coronavirus. He said 26 sent to him by the Director General of ing: “Peace be to their son, O God, schools will be allocated for Kuwait Municipality Eng Ahmed grant him to his mother, O God,” the election -- 13 schools for Al-Manfouhi to the concerned committee reports Al-Rai daily. men and 13 for women. He Parents were keen on celebrating in the council to discuss it in the next Girgian within the family through the added one more school will main session. gathering of relatives, singing, orga- be allocated for receiving citi- The letter included the technical opin- nizing competitions and distributing zens who are infected with ion of Kuwait Municipality after it stud- gifts. coronavirus, indicating the ied the request. It affirmed that the Restrictions aimed at curbing the Health Ministry will specify approval of the Ministry of Social spread of coronavirus did not prevent Affairs’ request is based upon the families from celebrating Girgian procedures for citizens under approval of the Ministry of Health’s home quarantine to vote. despite the absence of groups of chil- request, amending the decision of the dren knocking on the doors of hous- So far, 37 citizens – two of committee in charge of carrying out the es, singing for the children in these whom are women – have filed work of the municipal council in 2004, houses and getting their share of their candidacies for the supple- to change the activity of the nursery in Girgian goodies. mentary election. Two of these the suburb center in Mishref, which is 1,000 square meters in area, to a health candidates have announced Health. their intention to withdraw their center. The allocation change project included The letter affirmed the Municipality’s candidacy and the number of the establishment of a car park building approval to allocate an area of 558 square candidates may increase in the on an area of 2,500 square meters located meters on the ground floor in the old coming days. The candidates at the end of Mishref Commercial Center. central and temporary market building, can withdraw from the electoral It was the site of a public park bordered located within the suburb’s center, on race until seven days before the on the south by Al-Bishr Mosque, and which a new building will be constructed date of election. has been handed over to the Ministry of for the Municipality’s use. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

The People of Old Kuwait

The famous Nasir Al-Bader was one of Kuwait’s leading about him. When he asked about their city, only the eld- Photograph courtesy personalities as well as a notable pearl merchant. He looks est and most knowledgeable of them would answer; the of The Center for Re- handsome in his traditional costume. rest would quietly listen to him, ready to help him if he The people of old Kuwait, both men and women, were expressed a need. search and Studies on characterized by their modesty, honesty and deep faith In the afternoons, they would sit dignifi ed in the shade Kuwait and the work in God and His prophets. They spoke little and listened of a house on a mat, talking to one another until the even- carefully to others. They avoided gossip and talked about ing prayers were called. After performing their prayers in a of Dr Yacoub Al- ships, pearl markets and such far places as Calicut and nearby mosque, they visited friends in diwaniya and enjoyed Hijji in the book Old- Zanzibar. If a stranger visited them, he would be invited a few cups of well-brewed coffee. They went home after- Kuwait: Memories to join them for a meal. The peoples’ natural good man- wards, had their dinner and slept peacefully. (From the book ners would prevent them from displaying any curiosity ‘Old Kuwait: Memories in Photographs’) in Photographs fi rst published in 1996. Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait

diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Govt and MPs standoff irks public ... history will show no mercy’ “WHO among us does not remember when the people took to the streets after Dr Adel Al-Misha’al wrote for Al-Rai daily exams, or proposing the execution of witches, or giving up lands twice instead of the scandal of inflation of the deputies’ accounts, the issue of bribe and for do- “I feel sorry for many young men of both sexes in Kuwait, and among the once, and other similar proposals. ing away with the government and parliament in 2009? Rather, who among us things that call for sadness and anger is that some young people tend towards “However, discontent continues to increase among the people, as well as forgot what the reformers said and the sincere people warned of corruption which some trivial matters such as luxuries in their lives, starting with the type of car the echoes of objections on social media platforms. We feel panic and we we have been living since that time?” columnist Moham- they drive through the brands of clothes they wear and ending with the preoccu- do not know what is coming. We do not know when this political ‘bonanza’ mad Al-Ruwaihal wrote for Al-Jarida daily. pation with social media that have negatively affect the formation of his personal- will end. However, it is surely a process that destroys the souls of the people, “We know that history will show no mercy and that ity and conviction. haunts its officials, and destroys the pillars of confidence in the goodness of truth will prevail, but neither history nor truth can be at- “I do not ask these young people to own an old car that is constantly exposed the march. tained without reformers and sincere people. The institu- to mechanical faults, but rather I invite them to the conviction that the car is “We hope that things will proceed, but the situation does not suggest an ap- tion of corruption has reached its climax and has begun only a suitable and comfortable means of transportation according to traffic laws, proaching exit from this impasse. Perhaps the shortest way and the best solution to provoke the people who now know the truth and real- and I also ask them not to wear inappropriate clothes, but rather I prefer that the to this crisis is dissolving the parliament and calling for new elections, in my ize the danger of this absurdity, and is waiting for hope clothes be clean and consistent far from being extravagant and wearing what opinion. that will save them from this damned institution that has is inappropriate, or whatever is odd so that people they become the talk of the “This may contribute to returning matters back to normal and calming the ten- spread corruption in every joint in the state. street, just as we do not care what kind of your mobile phone is as much as we sion in the political arena. It may also extinguish the anger that dwells in the “The corrupt people have exploited or let us say cre- care how you use it. souls. ated a state of absurdity that we see, and created marginal “I direct my words with great focus to the youth because they are the pillars of “In conclusion, we swear that we are tired. We hope that Almighty Allah will the future that will carry the banner that we carried before with all its advantages guide our country and its leaders to what benefits our dear nation.” conflicts – the work of the deputies, some of whom do Al-Ruwaihal so for their interests and some of them are unaware of its and disadvantages, and they are the ones who will lead the future. ❑ ❑ ❑ tricks -- until these conflicts created a sense of frustration and discontent that has “Science is our savior as a society and as a nation, in order to catch up with the now reached its climax and will inevitably explode one day in the face of this world that preceded us in all fields, so we have been and still depend on others in “The 1962 Constitution is the ‘deposit’ of Kuwait that belongs to everyone institution and everyone who collaborated with it. many matters, and we import everything developed in the state besides importing – all the Kuwaiti people. None of us has the right to neglect any of its rulings by abolishing, delaying or postponing it,” columnist Waleed Al-Jarri wrote for “The state of political absurdity that we see today in the National Assembly luxuries, because we still belong to consumer peoples. “Science is important to all the peoples of the world, especially the Third Al-Jarida daily. is the product of one vote system. It is strange that the government and the MPs World countries, some of which have succeeded in becoming advanced and “We received it from the honorable predecessors. Preserving and protecting see and hear the extent of resentment, discontent and anger that citizens express ahead of their counterparts in other countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia the Constitution are part of everyone’s responsibilities until it moves to our suc- through social media, but they are indifferent and are not aware of this reality. and Turkey.” cessor. Therefore, protecting this ‘deposit’ is a national duty, not the exclusive Add to that their provocative behavior and their indifference to the nation’s af- ❑ ❑ ❑ responsibility of the members of the National Assembly. fairs and its demands in order to consecrate their role in a futile conflict with no “The request of HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled to postpone dire consequences. “It is clear that the political work of both the executive and legislative authori- deliberations on grilling motions that have yet to be submitted against him is a “What the government is doing and what the MPs are doing adds fuel to fire ties has reached a slippery slope colloquially. The Arab region is going through blatant assault on the Constitution, as the act impedes some of its provisions, and popular anger increases their provocation when they are under obligation a very difficult stage in which parliamentary cooperation is absent to the extent hence, the need to reject and confront this request. to calm down the citizens by meeting their demands, bringing in reforms and of throwing punches at each other, and the cooperation between the government “The mechanism of action between the executive and legislative powers is justice, and holding those involved in corruption cases accountable. Is there a and the opposition majority is absent”, columnist Dr. Moudhi Al-Hmoud wrote based on the balance between those who possess power and those assigned to glimmer of hope that will restore calm to the people and send signals of reas- for Al-Qabas daily. monitor. Once members of the National Assembly stop to monitor, this will lead surance?” “Each side believes it is on the right side due to which concession is difficult us to an imbalance between the two powers in the interest of the executive author- on its part. The victim is the homeland and its pending issues. Its crises gener- ity. This delinquency is unacceptable, in addition to demolishing and undermin- Also: ate more crises, and its problems accumulate and get complicated as time goes “I send my message to this group of young people in Kuwait, after our situa- ing the pillars of parliamentary work. by. Today we see queues of MPs, each eager to grill a minister after the Prime “It is not fraudulent to say prime minister bears responsibility for the current tion reached the bottom in various fields, and I am not talking here about the fi- Minister gained immunity. nancial situation of the Kuwaiti person which is still good compared to the rest of “In short, our situation does not facilitate an enemy or a friend, and we do not situation. When the nation went to the polls on Dec 5, 2020, citizens expressed the world, but many things are now lacking. Societies change, and this is normal see an imminent breakthrough for this hardship! The government provided some their desire for change and revival, as well as rejection of the previous course in the life of peoples. However, change may be for the better or for the worse, and popular painkillers, such as delaying the payment of loans. A number of MPs clearly and unequivocally.” this is an important point in the lives of people in our simple society, columnist made some suggestions to satisfy their electoral bases, such as objecting to paper — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli Age-old ‘Wataniya’ school shut Other Voices ‘Unsafe for students’ Women status and murder By Ahmad alsarraf raised about the humiliations that women KUWAIT CITY, April 25: The admin- are subjected to at home, work and the istration of the Fahaheel Arab National e have written dozens of times street and how they are treated as guilty Wabout the injustice that women are and a source of sin in all cases because School (Al-Wataniya School) announced subjected to in our patriarchal societies, they did not stay at home. the closure of the school building from the arbitrariness they have received, and “The murder of the woman of Sabah how they are treated as inferior because Al-Salem should be a starting point for the new academic year, which will start in of unjust customs, reconsidering the status of women and September, due to the deterioration of the traditions or laws. the society’s inferior view of them in a school building without maintenance or In my article in patriarchal society that does not respect May 2020, I de- or have mercy on women and some con- restoration, reports Al-Anba daily. manded to amend sider her the cause of all sins. So how is it In a letter sent to the Ministry of Education, the the text of Article permissible to accept the verdict against school administration stated, “We sent numerous cor- 153 of the Penal a person who kills his sister or daughter Al-Jarida photo respondence and letters to the office of the Minister of Code related to or wife with a fi ne of 225 dinars just for Dead fish found on the beach. the punishment suspicion and be released after ending Education and the Department of Private Education, of someone who life of the closest person to him while the asking for assistance and approval to allocate one of drops in and same does not apply to a woman when Dead fish litter beach the government buildings belong to the Ministry of catches his wife, she catches her husband in the act of Education and have been vacant and unused for years daughter, mother, alsarraf adultery in her bed? What logic, reason, or sister having an By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami death are frequent and red tide in Kuwait such as the Religious Institute building, the Al-Amal or law that accepts this? Bay, including the Sulaibikhat Beach. Kindergarten building, and the Latifa Al-Fares School, affair with a man, so he kills her on the It is also necessary to give greater Al-Seyassah Staff It stated the analysis showed the flower- all of which are in Fahaheel area. spot and kills those who commit adultery importance to complaints of domestic with her or kill them together. The Environment Public Authority (EPA) ing of phytoplankton of the (navicula) fam- “Our request was aimed to enable the relocation of our violence which are on the rise as police ily of the (diatom) group, with a number of The aforementioned Article (153) stations usually do not pay any attention announced a number of dead ‘jam’ fishes students, carry out the educational journey, and continue stipulates that the killer shall be punished were found on the shores of the Sulai- about 480,000 cells per liter, which caused supporting the education sector in Kuwait. The Arab Na- to them. the fish to suffocate and die. with imprisonment for a period not ex- It is also necessary for women to be bikhat beach, which is one of the areas tional School of Fahaheel is in the only private school un- ceeding 3 years, and a fi ne not exceeding where fish death and red tide are frequent. The sources confirmed complete field der the private education sector. It serves the entire tenth equal with men in all punishments stipu- The EPA said in a press statement the surveys will be done over the next few 3,000 rupees, or either of those two pen- lated in the law. How can a person who district, which includes more than 4,300 students, It has alties. I added that this law was issued 60 concerned teams conduct routine surveys days along the Kuwait Bay and follow up provided educational service for more than 50 years for all kills his mother, who gave birth, breast- on a regular basis in areas where fish on the environmental conditions. years ago during which great events oc- fed and nursed him for years be punished age groups, most of them with limited income and Bedoun curred and humanity developed socially residents”. for stabbing her with a knife or shooting and humanely, especially on the status of her under the pretext of trivial honor The school affi rmed that it has worked hard throughout women who became partners with men, One critical in ‘brawl’ the past half a century to maintain the current school build- crime while he at the same time commits conducted wars, and controlled countries true honor crimes and then gets released ing and carry out its maintenance and restoration, but with- and assumed extremely important and out feasibility due to its severe structural deterioration. a few months later to boast about the hid- sensitive political, military and fi nancial eous crime he committed. Asian’s murder in Mangaf probed Fearing for the safety of the students, the educational positions, however the backward text of The laxity in dealing with honor mur- and administrative staff, and the urgent need for an alterna- Article 153 remained because our legis- By Munif Nayef According to a security source, the Op- der crime applies to most Muslim coun- tive building and the students’ relocation to that building, lators were preoccupied with trivial mat- tries, and the Arab in particular and this erations Room of the Ministry of Interior the school said, “This is aimed so that we can continue and ters. Al-Seyassah Staff received a report on the incident and police has caused many murders only later to complete our educational journey that we have been keen Then a group comes, I do not doubt discover the victim was innocent, a vir- KUWAIT CITY, April 25: Personnel from the and paramedics rushed to the spot, rushed about throughout these past years. The Fahaheel National the sincerity of their intentions, and their Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Ah- the injured to the hospital and moved the re- gin and other things. Consequently, it is School is an ancient school from which a large number of sincere sad feelings on the hideous crime necessary to limit the bloodshed and to madi branch, have opened an investigation into mains of the other victim to Forensics. students graduated over these years. It has contributed and of the murder in Sabah Al-Salem which the incident of two Asian men – one of whom Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, send a message to every sane person and is still contributing to the success and support of the educa- cannot be justifi ed under any excuse. legislator of the need to amend Article died with a blow to the head and the other seri- Shaya Abdurrahman Ahmad Al-Shaya, tion sector.” The group demanded the killer should 153 of the Penal Code and other laws ously injured has been admitted to the Al-Adan Minister of State for Municipality Affairs The administration indicated that they are yet to receive a be killed even before his trial, forgetting that are offensive to the fair sex and un- Hospital in serious condition. and Minister of State for Housing Affairs response from the Ministry of Education regarding the issue, that their community contributed before just to their rights. According to security sources, it is not and Urban Development has issued a de- which addresses the safety of the students and the educa- others to the killing of that innocent ❑ ❑ ❑ known if the two men were involved in a fi ght cision to form a fact-fi nding committee to tional staff, stressing that there is no choice otherwise but woman by ignoring and keeping silent or someone else fatally assaulted them and es- investigate why the Municipality lost the to close the school permanently for the 2021/2022 academic about everything that was written and [email protected] caped. The incident happened in Mangaf. lawsuit, reports Al-Qabas daily. year. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 LOCAL 6

Kuwaiti doctor honored Pharmaceutical factory in Dr Al-Mansour a role model worthy of emulating: envoy By Shawqi Mahmoud Professor Dr Wassimia Al-Mansour, Al-Seyassah Staff and called her a role model to be emu- lated for her commitment to present a Sabhan ‘soon’: Al-Wazzan KUWAIT CITY, April 25: The Ku- bright image of a Kuwait citizen. waiti Ambassador to the Kingdom of For her part, Dr. Al-Mansour ex- Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled, pressed her thanks to the Kuwaiti em- KD 3.6 mln spent to confront pandemic: MoCI honored the Kuwaiti doctor Wassimia bassy in Riyadh and to Ambassador Al-Mansour for her work at King Saud Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled and his wife for KUWAIT CITY, April 25: domestic investments. University in Riyadh for nearly 29 the celebration and honor, stressing In other news, the Minister of Com- years. that any effort that a person makes in The Executive Vice-Chair- merce and Industry (MoCI), Dr. Ab- Ambassador Al-Khaled said in a the service of his/her country is smaller man of Mezzan Holding dullah Al-Salman said the ministry press statement, a copy of which has compared to what this great country Company, Muhammad until mid-February 2021 has spent 3.6 been obtained by the Al-Seyassah dai- (Kuwait) has given. million dinars to confront and contain ly, that based on the values of Kuwait She said, “From Kuwait, we nur- Jassim Al-Wazzan, re- the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and the principles of its people, the tured the values of giving, and from vealed plans to establish reports Al-Anba daily. Kuwaiti embassy is proud and appreci- Kuwait, the longing for the honor of a pharmaceutical factory In response to a parliamentary query ates the efforts of the Kuwaiti sons and serving Kuwait and its people grew submitted by MP Abdullah Al-Mud- daughters who reside in the sisterly and grew in every effort and wherever to be build on an area of haf, a copy of which has been obtained Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including we were.” 40,000 square meters in by the daily, Al-Salman said the minis- Sabhan to produce various try spent 3.5 million dinars in the form of subsidy for face masks provided by items such as ampoules, the Kuwait Supply Company and the medicines and modern money was disbursed from the minis- medical equipment, to be try’s approved budget - an item related Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governor Mahmoud Bushehri inspects the mobile to the cost of living. added to the items that are He added the actual ministry expen- currently being produced fi eld clinic. ditures included, 30,000 dinars, the and distributed, reports value of a contract with the Kuwait Governor visits mobile clinic Aviation Services Company (KASCO) Al-Anba daily. to provide buffet services, food and Work on the factory is expected The Governor of Mubarak Al- Bushehri praised the great efforts drinks to the work teams during the to begin soon and the new plant is Kabeer, Major-General Mahmoud exerted by the Ministry of Health curfew period. expected to be completed within a Bushehri, paid a visit to the mo- and harnessed all its capabilities He added, 22,500 dinars was spent maximum of two years. bile fi eld clinic for vaccinating the to vaccinate the largest number of on another contract with Tamouh Joint He added, offers have been received employees of the Sabah Al-Salem segments, especially cooperatives General Trading and Contracting Com- from international pharmaceutical Suburb Cooperative Society to de- employees fall in the category of pany to supply 189 wireless devices, companies for manufacturing some termine the progress of work, re- frontline employees serving the to control and protect the consumer items locally which are being studied. ports Al-Seyassah daily. community. during the curfew period to ensure the Al-Wazzan told the daily, register- availability of foodstuffs and not to increase their prices, and the need for ing drugs after production is not an Ambassador Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled honors Dr Wassimia Al-Mansour. easy and simple process. Rather, there come according to the company’s plan. the renewal and rehabilitation of some senior offi cials and supervisors in the are long procedures, protocols, labora- He said that since Mezzan Holding factories, and there is also a new plas- ministry to continuously communicate tory tests, certain requirements, coop- acquired 67% of the shares of the Ku- tic factory, but its impact on the com- between them and the inspectors of eration, experiences of external com- waiti-Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries pany’s profi ts may not be signifi cantly commercial control sector to ensure the panies, accreditation and reviews from Company (KSPICO), the company’s infl uential. proper functioning of the work. Finance min gives reasons for the Ministry of Health, so the product business has seen remarkable growth He pointed out that the group seeks He pointed out the approvals were through that mechanism takes approxi- since the Corona pandemic, as it has to expand outside Kuwait and work to not taken from the supervisory authori- mately two years to get approval to witnessed an expansion in all activities, increase the pace of foreign investment, ties for the two contracts mentioned delayed operations of Al-Durra start producing it, therefore, building especially in production and export ac- so far local investments account for above, as what was mentioned in the a new pharmaceutical production plant tivities regionally and specifi cally for about 70% of the total investments in Circular (No. 2 of 2017), concerning KUWAIT CITY, April 25: Minister of countries. may take some time compared to other the Gulf Cooperation Council coun- the group, as Kuwait is a good environ- the procurement systems for public en- Finance and Minister of State for Eco- The minister stressed that the con- factories. tries. ment and a preferred geographical area tities (if the contract value is less than nomic Affairs and Investment Khalifa cerned authorities have been addressed Al-Wazzan said he is optimistic Al-Wazzan added that the compa- for investment, but we are investing 75,000 dinars and the presentation is Hamadeh says there are fi ve reasons to open new channels with these coun- about the fi nancial results for the fi rst ny’s capital investments in the group at an increasing pace abroad to try to made to the Ministry’s procurement for the delay by the Al-Durra Domestic tries in order to meet all the needs of quarter of this year, which he expects to are continuing permanently, such as strike the balance between foreign and committee). Labor Company in carrying out its ob- the Kuwaiti society in this regard, in- jectives, reports Al-Anba daily. dicating that the government’s role in In response to a parliamentary opening these channels has not been question asked by MP Muhalhel activated so far. MEW spends 326 million dinars on 4 energy, water projects Al-Mudhaf in this regard, Hamadeh He clarified that Al-Durra Com- indicated that the reasons include pany is a closed joint stock company By Muhammad Ghanem obtained by the Al Seyassah daily, biya plant site; 38,733,000 dinars for jects because they are in the prepara- lack of opening new channels with that does not have diplomatic repre- labor-exporting countries, the lack sentation to represent Kuwait abroad Al-Seyassah Staff states the expenses of the 4 projects the supply and installation of the third- tory stages, including, for example, the are as follows – 135,504,000 dinars for phase gas turbine project at the Az- supply and installation of photovoltaic of solving existing challenges with and is unable to initiate or conclude KUWAIT CITY, April 25: A report a project to supply and install gas tur- Zour South power plant, in addition to panels on the roofs of the sub-ground the labor-supplying countries such as agreements between countries di- issued by the Ministry of Electricity, Nepal, and also the poor performance rectly. Water and Renewable Energy shows bines at the Subbiya power station site 91,807,000 dinars for the construction water tanks, the supply and installation of government agencies, represented The minister presented the explana- the ministry’s total spending on the with 750 megawatts, ‘the third phase’, of the Doha seawater reverse osmosis of a major transfer station for Al-Sabah by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tion given by the Directorate General four of the 10 listed development pro- and 60,000 million dinars for supply- desalination plant “the fi rst phase”. Hospital, and the installation and op- Public Authority for Manpower, and for Residency Affairs for the countries jects is 326 million dinars, to date. ing, installing and operating the fi rst The report mentioned nothing has eration of the Doha desalination plant Ministry of Interior, in concluding from where domestic workers are re- The report, a copy of which has been phase of the gas turbines at the Sub- so far been spent on the other six pro- “the second phase”. contracts and agreements between cruited.

AmEx sees drop in revenue as pandemic slows travel, dining

American Express Co. saw its This quarter’s results included of $1.74, which beat the have paid off their debts. first-quarter profits rise sharply, a one-time $675 million ben- $1.61 per share that analysts Revenues at AmEx were but the company saw a signifi- efit from AmEx’s loan-loss were looking for, according to down 12% from a year earli- cant drop in revenue as fewer reserves. Like other financial FactSet. er. Cardmember spending on This file photo shows an customers used their credit companies, AmEx set aside American Express’ bottom AmEx’s network was down American Express card in cards and those with balances funds to cover potentially bad line took a hit in the pan- 6% from a year earlier, al- New Orleans. (AP) paid down debt. loans in the pandemic, but as demic, with fewer Americans though it has recovered since The New York-based com- the economy has improved, traveling, dining out, enter- the early weeks of the reces- pany said it earned a profit of those funds are coming out of taining or shopping. Spend- sion. AmEx earns a fee for $2.24 billion, or $2.74 a share, those rainy day funds and re- ing on corporate and individ- every transaction that runs compared with a profit of $367 turned to shareholders. ual charge and credit cards on its network, similar to what million, or 41 cents a share, in Excluding those one-time has dropped, and those who Visa and Mastercard charge the same period a year earlier. results, AmEx had earnings kept a revolving balance to use their networks. (AP)

Market Movements 23-04-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +53.08 7,311.97 PHILIPPINES - PSEi -23.86 6,415.53 JAPAN - Nikkei +679.62 29,188.17 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -376.93 44,929.61 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +3.29 6,767.08 CHINA - Shanghai SE -7.82 3,465.11 INDIA - Sensex +374.87 48,080.67 Business Avoiding eviction does not erase any rent owed How struggling households can get federal rental assistance NEW YORK, April 25, (AP): An es- If a landlord does not wish to par- timated 8.8 million Americans are be- ticipate, funds may be paid directly to hind on their rent, according the Con- the eligible household. sumer Financial Protection Bureau. WHERE TO GO While relief efforts have staved off Renters who need help should reach some of the housing crisis, rent is still out to their local housing authority to New US home sales surge going to come due. fi nd out if they qualify for federal relief The federal government has ap- as well as any local aid. proved two rounds of rental assistance, The federal rent relief money is sent worth more than $46 billion total, that to states, U.S. territories, local govern- is slowly making its way to renters. ments and tribes to administer through Additionally, the federal eviction programs in their area. However, it moratorium has been extended to the took some time for the money to make 20.7% in March to 1.02m end of June. But avoiding eviction its way to these organizations. does not erase any rent owed. Esti- The National Low Income Housing mates vary, but the Urban Institute said Coalition President and CEO Diane renters owe anywhere from $13.2 bil- Yentel said the money from the fi rst Inventories remain tight lion to $52.6 billion in back rent. round has been distributed and about If you are struggling, here is what 60% of communities have programs WASHINGTON, April 25, stands in contrast to sales of exist- you should know about how to access open, which increases daily. But the ing homes, which fell for a second this help: money for the second round will not (AP): Sales of new homes consecutive month in March, a drop WHAT’S AVAILABLE go out until May. surged 20.7% in March to Congress passed two different rental “Help is on the way,” Yentel said. that was blamed on a lack of sup- relief packages. The fi rst, approved in The National Low Income Housing the highest level since 2006, ply which has pushed exiting home December, provided $25 billion for Coalition keeps track of all the rental rebounding from a sharp prices to new highs. rental relief. The second, approved in assistance programs available on its Housing has been one of the bright March, provides more than $21 billion. website. Renters in need can start there decline the previous month spots over the past year as the coun- In general the aid can help pay for to fi nd a program in their area. They when severe winter storms try was hit by a global pandemic back rent, next month’s rent and some can also reach out to the United Way or wreaked havoc in many which resulted in the loss of millions utility bills. Renters can get a year or its 211 program for assistance. People of jobs and prompted Congress to more’s help in getting caught up on can also talk with a housing counselor parts of the country. approve a series of relief measures back rent. with the U.S. Department of Housing Sales climbed to a seasonally ad- totaling more than $5 trillion. This is in addition to other programs and Urban Development. justed annual rate of 1.02 million Analysts believe that the hous- out there on a local basis that may The FTC, Treasury and Consumer last month after a 16.2% tumble in ing industry will have another good provide different forms of assistance. Financial Protection Bureau all have February, the Commerce Depart- year in 2021, supported by ultra-low There has been some diffi culty ac- information about rental assistance on mortgage rates, but they expect the cessing certain programs but housing their websites ment reported Friday. It was the experts are hoping this latest round of There is some concern demand for fastest pace for new home sales growth will moderate somewhat as home builders struggle with such federal relief specifi c to rental assis- help may outstrip supply. So renters since the housing boom of the mid- problems as a surge in lumber prices, tance will help more people. should act quickly or check back often 2000s when sales reached 1.04 WHO QUALIFIES if a program is not immediately avail- a shortage of construction workers There is some fl exibility for states able in their area. If a renter does not million units in August 2006. and a lack of available building lots. The median sales price of a new to adapt the program, but in general, qualify for the federal relief money, In this file photo, a real estate brokerage sign stands in front of a house in The inventory of unsold new the federal relief money is available to they may be able to get help through Norwood, Massachusetts. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in home sold in March was $330,800, homes stood at 307,000 in March, those who earn 80% or less of the area other programs available in their area. March for the second straight month as buyers grappled with a stubbornly up only 0.8% from the median sales unchanged from February, but down median income in their area and have “The number one thing renters can low inventory of available properties and fierce competition pushed prices price a year ago. 7% from a year ago. experienced some sort of COVID-re- do is make a plan,” said Susan Ifi ll, to new highs. (AP) The big jump in new home sales “Inventories remain tight and while lated hardship. Preference is given to the chief operating offi cer at nonprofi t that should be a positive for home those with 50% or less of median in- housing organization NeighborWorks building activity, a lack of availability come for their area. America. “Accessing those resources will likely remain a headwind for sales The application can be made by the is one thing, but make a plan.” in the near term,” Rubeela Farooqi, household in need or the landlord on That could include talking to a hous- chief U.S. economist at High Fre- behalf of the household. Usually the ing counselor or working with your quency Economics, said in a research money will be paid directly to land- landlord to develop a plan to repay rent note. New home sales were up in every lords and utility service providers. or fi nding new housing. region of the country except the West However, some landlords may not If someone is worried they may be where they fell by 30% in March. Sales want to participate because it requires evicted, remember that the national rose 40.2% in the South while gaining a certain amount of paperwork and eviction moratorium is still in place 30.7% in the Midwest and 20% in the some concessions, such as potentially until the end of June. Renters will have agreeing not to raise the rent or evict to complete the paperwork and give it Northeast. the tenant for a period of time. to their landlord. Business interests have lobbied against proposal Florida House OKs consumer privacy bill TALLAHASSEE, Florida, April 25, put in place the necessary infrastruc- support data privacy but this big gov- (AP): The Florida House resoundingly ture and protocols to comply. ernment bill takes a terrible approach.” approved a consumer privacy bill, giv- “We should be doing the important Support for the bill was a rare show ing the public an opportunity to regain work to protect consumer privacy. of bipartisanship on a high-profi le ini- ownership of the personal data collect- Other states have started this work, and tiative pushed by Gov. DeSantis as he ed by companies and the right to sue we should be a part of that,” said Rep. prepares to launch his bid for reelec- companies for mishandling informa- Ben Diamond, who supported the bill tion. tion in a marketplace where consum- but nevertheless expressed reserva- DeSantis is also urging lawmakers ers themselves have become lucrative tions shared from the business commu- to pass a measure aimed at social me- commodities. nity about the logistical and fi nancial dia companies who critics claim stifl e The state Senate is expected to soon cost to comply. conservative voices on their platforms. take up the House bill, as part of a Scores of so-called “techlash” bills The proposals before Florida lawmak- package of proposals sought by Gov. have sprung up in statehouses across ers would authorize hefty fi nes against Ron DeSantis meant to reign in Big the country, propelled by concerns that social media companies that remove Tech fi rms. The Republican governor Big Tech companies have become too the accounts of those seeking public is also seeking to redress concerns, powerful and that the federal govern- offi ce. particularly among conservatives, ment has not moved quickly enough to The bill was fi led days after Twitter about how social media companies protect consumers from the intrusions suspended the account of then-Presi- handle unpopular views. of Big Data. dent Donald Trump after his support- Florida, the country’s third most The Florida bill would require com- ers stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. populous state, would be the latest to panies to reveal what data they are It would also punish the companies for enact consumer protections against gathering, force them to delete it upon “deplatforming” political candidates, Big Data’s ability to harvest personal consumer request and make them li- including fi nes of up to $100,000 daily information about how people conduct able for selling it when told not to. when a statewide offi ce seeker is sus- their day-to-day lives, including where “It creates one of the single largest pended from a social media site. Twit- they shop and eat, what they read and regulatory burdens on Florida busi- ter booted Trump following the insur- what they share online. nesses,” said Rep. Anthony Sabatini, rection, after concluding that a “close The resulting dossier is often bought a Republican who was the lone House review” of his tweets could lead to a and sold in a lucrative marketplace that member to vote against the measure. “I “further incitement of violence.” has become an important element of modern commerce. “It’s clear we all agree that we need Honda to phase out gas-powered to do something about data privacy,” said Rep. Fiona McFarland, the Re- publican who was tapped to carry the vehicles by 2040 in North America bill in the House, adding that “the tech world has perhaps gone just a little bit NEW YORK, April 25, (AP): Japa- Most of the Honda’s development too far without us knowing what’s go- nese automaker Honda said that it will go toward battery-powered elec- ing on.” plans to phase out all of its gasoline- tric vehicles, but the company said it Business interests have lobbied powered vehicles in North America by will also put resources into developing heavily against the proposal. McFar- 2040, making it the latest major auto- hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles, land noted that more than 300 lobby- maker with a goal of becoming carbon in collaboration with General Motors. ists had registered to speak on the bill neutral. GM has set a goal of making the vast as it wound through legislative com- The announcement came as leaders majority of the vehicles it produces mittees. of the major global economies met for electric by 2035, and the entire com- Despite intense lobbying from President Joe Biden’s climate summit. pany carbon neutral, including opera- business interests, the House version Biden has an ambitious goal of slash- tions, fi ve years after that. retains a provision that would allow ing America’s greenhouse gas emis- Honda also plans to be selling elec- individual consumers to sue compa- sions in half by 2030. tric or fuel-cell vehicles entirely in nies that do not comply with the law, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said China and Japan by 2040. including selling information when a the company expects that 40% of all consumer has asked that a company of its North American vehicle sales does not do so. will be battery or fuel-cell powered by The personal cause of action had 2030, and 80% of all vehicles sold will been removed from the Senate version, be battery-electric or fuel-cell powered and could be a sticking point as the full by 2035. Senate decides whether to take up the Part of Honda’s plan involves a new House version, not its own, when it electric-vehicle platform the company considers the matter. is calling e:Architecture, but did not Some estimates put the cost of com- provide specifi cs. These vehicles will pliance at billions of dollars, and it is roll out in the second half of this de- unclear how quickly businesses can cade, the company said. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Amazon begins rollout of pay-by-palm at Whole Foods In this file photo, people walk out Amazon is rolling out pay-by-palm technol- late last year and at the time said the tech- of its cloud and doesn’t store the informa- of an Amazon ogy at some Whole Foods grocery stores nology could be used at stadiums, office tion on the Amazon One device. The com- Go store, in near its headquarters to make paying buildings and other retailers. So far, pany said shoppers can also ask for their Seattle. Amazon quicker and more convenient. Amazon hasn’t announced any takers. It information to be deleted at any time. said Wednesday, The technology, called Amazon One, has been put into use in several of its A Whole Foods store in Amazon’s April 21, 2021 lets shoppers scan the palm of their hand cashier-less stores and Amazon said it has hometown of Seattle started using the that it is rolling and connect it to a credit card or Amazon signed up thousands of users, but didn’t technology on Wednesday. Seven addi- out its pay-by- account. After the initial set up, which provide a specific number. tional Whole Foods locations in the area palm technology Amazon says takes less than a minute, Privacy experts have warned against the will have it installed in the coming months. to some of its shoppers can scan their hand at the regis- use by companies of biometric data, such Amazon declined to say if or when other Whole Foods ter to pay for groceries without having to as face or palm scans, because of the risk locations might get it. There are about supermarkets. open their wallets. of it being hacked and stolen. Amazon said 500 Whole Foods stores across the coun- (AP) Amazon first launched the technology it keeps the palm images in a secure part try. (AP)

S&P raises sovereign rating by one notch to BB with positive outlook Greece closer to investment grade with upgrade

NEW YORK, April 25, (AP): Greece year forced officials to acknowledge moved closer to investment grade late that the official 4.8% growth projec- Friday after Standard & Poor’s tion now looks optimistic. upgraded its sovereign rating for the But S&P said massive economic Tradeweb joins Climate Bonds Initiative Partners Program debt-strapped country by one notch to support from EU recovery funds and a LONDON, April 25, (Agencies): consistency with the goals of the Tradeweb is proud to become an 2020 Green Bond Trading BB from BB- with a positive outlook. continued commitment to reforms by Tradeweb Markets Inc., a leading, Paris Climate Agreement. The official Partner of the Climate Highlights: “The upgrade reflects our expecta- the government despite the crisis were global operator of electronic mar- Scheme is used globally by bond Bonds Initiative,” said Lee Olesky, $56.4 billion in cash rates led tion of a rapid improvement in hopeful signs. ketplaces for rates, credit, equi- issuers, governments, investors CEO of Tradeweb Markets. “A by global government bonds Greece’s economic and budgetary per- “The structural reforms implement- ties and money markets, today and the financial markets to priori- sustainable global financial sys- European government bonds formance as the adverse impacts of the ed by consecutive Greek governments announced it has joined the tize investments, which genuinely tem is no longer optional, it’s a ($43.9bn) and Other* Global COVID-19 pandemic subside,” the over the past several years have, in our Climate Bonds Initiative’s Partners contribute to addressing climate necessity, so we need to leverage bonds ($12.0bn) $22.7 billion in ratings agency said. view, enhanced the predictability of Program, a global movement change. available ESG data and research global cash credit led by U.S. and Greece now lies two notches below policy-making,” S&P said. “This seeking to mobilise bond markets The Climate Bonds Initiative to promote transparency and European corporate credit investment grade, as it continues a bodes well for the country’s economic for climate change solutions. has been tracking the green integrity in Green and Social bond European Credit ($15.5bn) and long climb back to recovery. and budgetary outlook once the pan- Climate Bonds Initiative is an labelled market since 2009. By trading.” US High-Grade Credit ($5.7bn) It fell into junk status in 2010 as the demic’s impact diminishes.” international, investor-focused partnering with Climate Bonds, In 2020, Climate Bonds “Green investment is expanding country sought its first of three succes- In a tweet, Greek Finance Minister not-for-profit organisation, pro- Tradeweb aims to promote the screened Green bonds accounted in depth and diversity, and sive international bailouts from other Christos Staikouras welcomed the moting investment in projects and visibility and accessibility of green for $79 billion (bn) of the total Tradeweb occupies a significant assets necessary for a rapid tran- bond trading activity across a $82bn in Green bond trading vol- position in the market,” said Sean eurozone members and the news, which was seen as a surprise by sition to a low carbon and climate wide range of asset classes, and ume executed on Tradeweb. This Kidney, CEO Climate Bonds International Monetary Fund. many Greek commentators. resilient economy. leverage Climate Bonds data to represents an increase of 65% in Initiative. “We welcome them to Most of its debt is still held by bail- “Today’s upgrade of our country by The Climate Bonds Standard provide transparency and clarity screened Green Bond Trading our Partners Program and look out creditors which have provided S&P Global Ratings is, undoubtedly. and Certification Scheme is a around our Green Bond Trading from 2019. forward to working cooperatively generous repayment terms but its an an extremely positive development labelling scheme for bonds, loans volumes. The remaining $3bn in volume in bringing enhanced information recovery was cut short by the pan- for the Greek economy,” he said. “It is and other debt instruments. The “As one of the largest green accounted for trading of non- and transparency available to demic, swinging back into recession the result of designing and implement- rigorous scientific criteria ensure bond marketplaces in the world, aligned Green debt. institutional investors.” with a 8.2% contraction of gross ing the right policies in the economic domestic product last year. field, as well as, more generally, the The crisis also pushed the national result of the government’s effective debt over 200% of GDP, while longer- policy and its series of reform initia- than-expected lockdown measures this tives.” Britain sees budget deficit rise Right-wing social app Apple OKs return of Parler to its ‘highest level’ since 1946 NEW YORK, April 25, (AP): ment from making laws that Apple said it has reached an impede free speech. But this has agreement with the right-wing not stopped people from claiming Public sector net borrowing reaches 303.1 bln pounds social app Parler that could lead to that social media companies vio- its reinstatement in the company’s late their free speech rights by app store. Apple kicked out Parler moderating content, or from “free LONDON, April 25, (AP): in January over ties to the deadly speech” apps such as Parler from Jan 6 siege on the US Capitol. popping up to fill a perceived void Britain has seen its budget In a letter to two Republican of “censorship-free” discussion deficit rise during the coro- lawmakers in Congress, Apple sites. navirus pandemic to its said it has been in “ substantial As of midday Monday, Parler conversations ” with Parler over was not yet available in the app highest level since the year how the company plans to moder- store and Apple did not give a time- after the end of World War ate content on its network. Before line for when it will be reinstated. II, official figures showed its removal from the app store, According to Apple’s letter, Parler Parler was a hotbed of hate proposed changes to its app and Friday. speech, Nazi imagery, calls for how it moderates content. Apple The Office for National Statistics said violence (including violence said the updated app incorporating public sector net borrowing - the official against specific people) and con- those changes should be available gauge of the difference between the spiracy theories. as soon as Parler releases it. government’s spending and taxes - Apple declined to comment Google also banned Parler from reached 303.1 billion pounds ($420 bil- beyond the letter, which didn’t its Google Play store in January, lion) in the financial year to end-March. provide details on how Parler but Parler remains available for This was equivalent to 14.5% of the plans to moderate such content. In Android phones through third- country’s annual gross domestic prod- the letter, Apple said Parlor’s pro- party app stores. Apple’s closed uct, the highest level since 1946, when posed changes would lead to app system means apps are only the deficit hit 15.2% of GDP. approval of the app. available through Apple’s own The causes of the spike are simple. Parler said it has implemented app store. On Monday, Google While tax receipts have ebbed as a “several new safeguards” reiterated its January statement result of the deepest recession in more designed to detect posts that that “Parler is welcome back in than 300 years, the government has “would not fall within the protec- the Play store once it submits an splashed out billions of pounds trying tions of the First Amendment,” app that complies with our poli- to prop up the economy and jobs since In this file photo, a waiter prepares for the closing of a pub in London’s Soho area just before the start of a but added that it did not make cies.” the pandemic first struck more than a national lockdown for England. Britain has seen its budget deficit rise during the coronavirus pandemic to its high- broad policy changes. So far, this has not happened. year ago. Notably, it has been covering est level since the year after the end of World War II, official figures showed. (AP) “While the App Store version Parler remains banned from the lion’s share of the salaries of peo- of Parler will prohibit some posts Amazon’s Web Services. Amazon ple unable to work during the coun- pandemic on government revenues financial crisis, hitting around 10% of much of a problem managing its debt, that Parler allows, those posts will said in January that Parler was try’s many lockdowns and providing and spending,” said Isabel Stockton, GDP. The average deficit since 1970 but economists worry that higher bor- still remain visible on the web- unable to moderate a rise in vio- further support to hard-hit businesses. research Economist at the well- has been 3.4% of GDP. rowing rates in coming years may cre- based and Android versions of lent content before, during and The scale of the borrowing the gov- respected Institute for Fiscal Studies. The borrowing undertaken by the ate problems in the future. Parler,” the company said in a after the insurrection. Parler asked ernment has undertaken in the wake of Stockton thinks the actual deficit government has pushed public sector The government is hoping that the statement. a federal judge in Seattle to force the pandemic is evident in the size of the will end up being higher, “perhaps net debt up to 2,142 billion pounds, economy, which shrank by nearly 10% The First Amendment does not Amazon to reinstate it on the web. increase in the deficit from 57 billion quite significantly,” as many business- which is 97.7% of Britain’s GDP. This during 2020, will recover strongly apply to private companies such That effort failed, and the compa- pounds in the previous financial year. es won’t be able to repay government- is the highest proportion since the through the spring and summer as lock- as Parler – it prohibits the govern- nies are still fighting in court. “The increase on the pre-pandemic backed loans. early 1960s. down restrictions are eased in the wake forecast is unprecedented and high- In the post-war era the deficit Because interest rates are low his- of the sharp fall in coronavirus cases, lights the extraordinary impact of the peaked in the aftermath of the 2008 torically, the government doesn’t have and amid the rapid rollout of vaccines. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 BUSINESS 10

outages blamed on malware still plaguing budget airlines In this fi le photo, the fi rst Alaska A technology provider says a malware at- Hays said the company reported the inci- South African budget airline FlySafair Airlines passen- tack triggered a dayslong outage that has dent to the FBI. Radixx said its system op- said it created a “mini booking platform” ger fl ight on a caused reservations systems to crash at erates separately from those used by some that let customers buy one-way tickets for Boeing 737-9 Max about 20 low-cost airlines around the world. larger airlines that are Sabre customers. fl ights through next Tuesday. airplane takes The company, Radixx, said it noticed Radixx said customer information was not “We are not sure when we will be up off on a fl ight to “unusual activity” around its reservations compromised. again,” the airline said on its website. San Diego from program on Tuesday. It did not describe The timing could hardly be worse for Vietravel Airlines, a new carrier in Vi- Seattle-Tacoma the malware or say how it got into the pro- start-up Avelo Airlines, which can’t pro- etnam, said it was doing system mainte- International gram. cess reservations as it prepares for its fi rst nance but was still selling tickets at airport Airport in Seattle. A spokeswoman for Radixx’s parent, fl ight next week in California. On its home counters. Outages at airline technology (AP) Southlake, Texas-based Sabre Corp., said page, Avelo apologized to customers and systems happen regularly, snarling fl ights Friday that the company was beginning to encouraged them to browse fl ight listings and making it impossible for customers to restore service to airline customers. Kristin even if they can’t book a trip. make reservations. (AP)

Action does not affect existing leases US ends oil, gas lease sales from public land through June BILLINGS, Montana, April 25, drilling were ignored. (AP): The U.S. Interior Depart- The burning of oil, gas and coal ment is cancelling oil and gas from government-owned lands and lease sales from public lands waters is a top source of U.S. emis- California governor seeks through June amid an ongoing re- sions, accounting for 24% of the view of how the program contrib- nation’s greenhouse gases. Oil and utes to climate change, offi cials gas account for the biggest chunk said. of human-caused fossil fuel emis- The action does not affect ex- sions from federal lands following isting leases, and the agency has a drilling surge under former Presi- ban on new fracking by ’24 continued to issue new drilling dent Donald Trump. permits during the open-ended The federal government took review ordered by the White in about $5 billion last year in State sets 2045 deadline to halt all oil drilling House, said Nada Culver, deputy royalties and other payments on director of Interior’s Bureau of oil and gas from federal lands, SACRAMENTO, Califor- Still, California is the seventh-larg- ing to achieve our carbon goals is by Since taking offi ce, the Newsom Land Management. according to the Offi ce of Natu- nia, April 25, (AP): Gov. est oil producing state in the country, signifi cantly reducing and ending ex- administration has issued 291 frack- The petroleum industry and ral Resources Revenue. Much of with an industry that directly employs traction of oil.” ing permits, according to an analysis its Republican allies in Congress that money goes back to the states Gavin Newsom says Cali- about 152,000 people and is respon- Fracking - short for hydraulic frac- of state data by FracTracker Alliance. have said the oil and gas mora- where drilling occurred. fornia will stop issuing sible for $152.3 billion in economic turing, the process of extracting oil Still, some environmental groups were torium will harm the economies The leasing ban is only tempo- output, according to a 2019 study and gas embedded in rock deep under- hoping Newsom would act faster. fracking permits by 2024 commissioned by the Western States ground - accounts for a small portion “It’s historic and globally signifi - of Western states without put- rary, although offi cials have de- and halt all oil drilling by Petroleum Association. Friday, WSPA of the state’s oil and gas production cant that Gov. Newsom has committed ting a signifi cant dent in climate clined to say how long it will last. 2045, using his authority to President and CEO Catherine Reheis- each year. But environmental advo- California to phase out fossil fuel pro- change. There is no end date for And it’s unclear how much legal Boyd vowed “to fi ght this harmful and cates have long sought its banishment duction and ban fracking, but we don’t the review, but an interim report authority the government would take on the state’s power- because of its harmful effects on the ful oil and gas industry in a unlawful mandate.” have time for studies and delays,” said due this summer could reveal the have if it tried to stop drilling on “Banning nearly 20% of the energy environment and public health. Kassie Siegel, director of the Center Biden administration’s long-term about 23 million acres (9 million year he will likely face vot- production in our state will only hurt Last year, Newsom said he did not for Biological Diversity’s Climate have the authority to ban fracking on plans for lease sales. hectares) onshore and offshore ers in a recall election. workers, families and communities in Law Institute. “Every fracking and Sales had been tentatively that were previously leased to en- Newsom’s order is the beginning California and turns our energy inde- his own and asked the Legislature to drilling permit issued does more dam- pendence over to foreign suppliers,” do it instead. Two state senators, both age to our health and climate.” scheduled in seven states and ergy companies. of a lengthy rule-making process she said. Democrats, tried to do it. But last The Newsom administration said regions - Nevada, Colorado, Thirteen states sued in federal that, if successful, would make Eliminating California’s oil and gas week their bill died in the Legislature the state’s rule-making process, while Montana, New Mexico, Utah, court in Louisiana last month to California the largest state to ban industry won’t be easy. The state has because not enough lawmakers sup- lengthy, is needed to make sure any Wyoming and the bureau’s east- try to force the resumption of fracking and likely the fi rst in the more than 60,000 active oil wells, and ported it. new rule survives a lawsuit. ern region, spokesperson Jeffrey sales, arguing the sales are re- world to set a deadline for the end industry executives and their allies Now, Newsom says he can do it “We want this prohibition to be du- Krauss said. quired to be held regularly under of all oil production. have lots of infl uence at the state Capi- himself, but it’s unclear what changed rable,” Crowfoot said. Offi cials had previously post- federal law. Wyoming offi cials “California needs to move beyond tol. But in the fi rst quarter of 2021, per- his mind. California Natural Resources The California League of Conserva- oil,” Newsom said in a news release, mits for all types of oil drilling in Cali- Secretary Wade Crowfoot said Friday tion voters praised Newsom, saying poned or suspended lease sales fi led a separate suit in their state. arguing it would “create a healthier fu- fornia plunged 90%, according to an that Newsom believes the best way to the announcement “is the consistent in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska’s Another legal challenge against ture for our children.” analysis of state data by FracTracker ban fracking is to change the law. But, leadership our state needs if we stand Arctic National Wildlife Refuge the administration is pending California was once one of the Alliance, an environmental advocacy when it became clear that wouldn’t a chance of preventing major climate and many of the same states cov- from oil and gas industry groups, largest oil-producing states in the na- group. happen, Crowfoot said Newsom “di- catastrophe.” ered in Wednesday’s move. also in federal court in Wyoming. tion, with a robust industry centered “The transformation is already hap- rected us through our regulatory au- But some in Newsom’s own party Biden on Jan. 27 ordered In- On Tuesday, a coalition of 21 in the Central Valley just north of pening in front of our eyes,” said Jared thorities to protect the environment were critical, including state Sen. Los Angeles. But by 2020, the state’s Blumenfeld, secretary of the California and public safety to end the practice of Melissa Hurtado, a Democrat from terior offi cials to review if the conservation and Native Ameri- oil production fell to its lowest level Environmental Protection Agency. fracking.” the Central Valley, who said the leasing program unfairly benefi ts can advocacy groups represented in state history, down 68% from its Newsom’s order directs the Califor- Newsom did temporarily halt new fracking ban would lead to higher companies at the expense of tax- by the environmental law fi rm peak in 1985. nia Air Resources Board to fi gure out fracking permits in 2019 after he dis- energy prices that would in turn in- payers and its impact on climate Earthjustice sought to intervene Now, one of the state’s top exports how the state can end oil production in covered a sharp increase in new per- crease food prices. change. Federal courts have in that case in support of Biden. is electric cars. The state has ordered a “very rigorous, open, transparent, an- mits since he took offi ce, which also “The governor’s actions could not blocked prior leases in several Earthjustice attorney Michael automakers to sell more electric work alytical process.” The board could de- prompted him to fi re the state’s top oil come at a worse time for the Central western states following lawsuits Freeman said the administration trucks and delivery vans and, last year, cide to do it before 2045, but not after. and gas regulator. That ban lifted in Valley, which is already reeling from Newsom ordered state regulators to “When you look at the science, we April 2020 after a team of independent a drought that - together with this deci- from conservation groups that was within its legal authority to ban the sale of all new gas-powered can’t be extracting oil after 2045,” he scientists reviewed the state’s permit- sion - may cause a national food cri- said climate impacts and other suspend a program overdue for cars by 2035. said. “That’s the only way we are go- ting process. sis,” she said. environmental problems from reform. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

From scarcity to abundance Calls increase for US to share its vaccines TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, April 25, (AP): Victor Guevara knows people his age have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in many countries. His own relatives in Houston have been inoculated. But the 72-year-old Honduran lawyer, like so many others in his country, is still waiting. And increasingly, he is wonder- ing why the United States is not doing more to help, particular- ly as the American vaccine supply begins to outpace demand and doses that have been approved for use elsewhere in the world, but not in the US, sit idle. “We live in a state of defenselessness on every level,” Gue- vara said of the situation in his Central American homeland. Honduras has obtained a paltry 59,000 vaccine doses for its 10 million people. Similar gaps in vaccine access are found across Africa, where just 36 million doses have been acquired for the continent’s 1.3 billion people, as well as in parts of Asia. In the United States, more than one- fourth of the population — nearly 90 million people — has been fully vac- cinated and supplies are so robust that some states are turning down planned shipments from the federal government. This stark access gap is prompting increased calls across the world for the US to start shipping vaccine supplies to poorer countries. That’s creating an Biden early test for President Joe Biden, who has pledged to restore American lead- ership on the world stage and prove to wary nations that the US is a reliable partner after years of retrenchment during the Pharmacy Technician Synclaire Anderson vaccinates Joe Freed with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 on April 24, at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in India- Trump administration. napolis. With a green light from federal health officials, several states resumed use of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine on Saturday. Among J. Stephen Morrison, senior vice president and director of the venues where it’s being deployed is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where free vaccinations were available to anyone 18 or older. (AP) the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington, said that as the US moves from vaccine scarcity to abundance, it has an opportunity to “shape the outcomes dramatically in this next phase because Coronavirus of the assets we have.” Biden, who took offi ce in January as the virus was raging in the US, has responded cautiously to calls for help from abroad. Agreement Virus ‘swallows people’ amid oxygen shortage in surge He has focused the bulk of his administration’s vaccinations efforts at home. He kept in place an agreement struck by the Trump administration requiring drugmakers that got US aid in developing or expanding vaccine manufacturing to sell their India’s crematoriums overwhelmed fi rst doses produced in the country to the US government. The US has also used the Defense Production Act to secure vital NEW DELHI, April 25, (AP): India’s Mohammad Shameem. facing mounting criticism for allow- supplies for the production of vaccine, a move that has blocked crematoriums and burial grounds are The situation is equally grim at un- ing Hindu festivals and attending the export of some supplies outside the country. being overwhelmed by the devastat- bearably full hospitals, where desper- mammoth election rallies that experts White House aides have argued that Biden’s cautious ap- ing new surge of infections tearing ate people are dying in line, sometimes suspect accelerated the spread of infec- proach to promises around vaccine supply and delivery was through the populous country with on the roads outside, waiting to see tions. validated in the wake of manufacturing issues with the John- terrifying speed, depleting the supply doctors. In one such election rally two weeks son & Johnson vaccine and the subsequent safety “pause” to of life-saving oxygen to critical levels Health offi cials are scrambling to ago, Modi barely managed to hide his investigate a handful of reported blood clots. In addition, of- and leaving patients to die while wait- expand critical care units and stock up delight when he declared to his sup- fi cials say they need to maintain reserves in the US to vac- ing in line to see doctors. on dwindling supplies of oxygen. Hos- porters in West Bengal state: “I have cinate teenagers and younger children once safety studies for For the fourth straight day, India pitals and patients alike are struggling never seen such huge crowds.” At that those age groups are completed and if booster shots should be on Sunday set a global daily record to procure scarce medical equipment time, the virus had already started to required later. for new infections, spurred by an in- that is being sold at an exponential rear its head again and experts were The White House is aware that the rest of the world is watch- A COVID-19 patient lies inside a ve- sidious, new variant that emerged markup. warning a deadly surge was inevitable. ing. Last month, the US shared 4 million vaccine doses with hicle to be attended to and admitted here, undermining the government’s The crisis is in direct contrast with With the death toll mounting, neighboring Canada and Mexico, and this past week, Biden in a dedicated COVID-19 government premature claims of victory over the government claims that “nobody in the Modi’s Hindu nationalist government said those countries would be targets for additional supplies. hospital in Ahmedabad, India, April pandemic. country was left without oxygen,” in is trying to quell critical voices. He also said countries in Central America could receive US 22. India is putting oxygen tankers on The 349,691 confi rmed cases over a statement made Saturday by India’s On Saturday, Twitter complied with special express trains as major hos- the past day brought India’s total to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta before the government’s request and pre- vaccination help, though offi cials have not detailed any spe- pitals in New Delhi begged on social cifi c plans. more than 16.9 million, behind only Delhi High Court. vented people in India from viewing media for more supplies to save CO- the United States. The Health Ministry The breakdown is a stark failure for more than 50 tweets that appeared to The lack of US vaccine assistance around the world has cre- VID-19 patients who are struggling to ated an opportunity for China and Russia, which have prom- breathe. Hospitals in New Delhi and reported another 2,767 deaths in the a country whose prime minister only criticize the administration’s handling ised millions of doses of domestically produced shots to other some of the worst-hit states reported past 24 hours, pushing India’s COV- in January had declared victory over of the pandemic. The targeted posts in- countries, though there have been production delays that have being critically short of beds and oxy- ID-19 fatalities to 192,311. COVID-19, and which boasted of be- clude tweets from opposition ministers hampered the delivery of some supplies. China’s foreign min- gen Saturday. (AP) Experts say that toll could be a huge ing the “world’s pharmacy,” a global critical of Modi, journalists and ordi- ister Wang Yi said this month that China opposes “vaccine undercount, as suspected cases are not producer of vaccines and a model for nary Indians. nationalism” and that vaccines should become a global public included, and many deaths from the in- other developing nations. A Twitter spokesperson said it had good. fection are being attributed to underly- Caught off-guard by the latest powers to “withhold access to the con- Professor Willem Hanekom, director of the Africa Health ing conditions. deadly spike, the federal government tent in India only” if the company de- Research Institute and a vaccinologist, said wealthy countries The crisis unfolding in India is most has asked industrialists to increase termined the content to be “illegal in a have a stake in the success of vaccination efforts in other cor- visceral in its graveyards and cremato- the production of oxygen and other particular jurisdiction.” The company ners of the world. riums, and in heartbreaking images of life-saving drugs in short supply. But said it had responded to an order by the “Beyond the moral obligation, the problem is that if there gasping patients dying on their way to health experts say India had an entire government and notifi ed people whose is not going to be control of the epidemic globally, this may hospitals due to lack of oxygen. year to prepare for the inevitable — tweets were withheld. ultimately backfi re for these rich countries, if in areas where Burial grounds in the Indian capital and it didn’t. India’s Information Technology New Delhi are running out of space Ministry did not respond to a request vaccines are not available variants emerge against which the Proactive vaccines might not work,” Hanekom said. and bright, glowing funeral pyres light for comment. up the night sky in other badly hit cit- Dr Krutika Kuppalli, assistant pro- Even with the targeted blocks, hor- Hoarding Yamakawa Jurczyk ies. fessor of medicine in the division of rifi c scenes of overwhelmed hospi- The US has also faced criticism that it is not only hoard- In central Bhopal city, some crema- infectious diseases at the Medical Uni- tals and cremation grounds spread on ing its own stockpiles, but also blocking other countries from toriums have increased their capacity versity of South Carolina, said the In- Twitter and drew appeals of help. accessing vaccines, including through its use of the law that from dozens of pyres to more than 50. dian government has been “very reac- White House National Security Ad- gives Washington broad authority to direct private companies Discovery Yet offi cials say there are still hours- tive to this situation rather than being visor Jake Sullivan on Sunday said the to meet the needs of the national defense. long waits. proactive.” United States is “deeply concerned” Adar Poonawalla, chief executive of the Serum Institute At the city’s Bhadbhada Vishram She said the government should by the severe COVID-19 outbreak in of India, the world’s largest maker of vaccines and a critical ISS crowd in decade: The Interna- Ghat crematorium, workers said they have used the last year, when the vi- India. “We are working around the supplier of the UN-backed COVAX facility, asked Biden on tional Space Station’s (ISS) population cremated more than 110 people on rus was more under control, to develop clock to deploy more supplies and sup- Twitter on April 16 to lift the US embargo on exporting raw swelled to 11 on Saturday with the jubi- Saturday, even as government fi gures plans to address a surge and “stock- port to our friends and partners in India materials needed to make the jabs. lant arrival of SpaceX’s third crew cap- in the entire city of 1.8 million put the piled medications and developed pub- as they bravely battle this pandemic,” India is battling the world’s fastest pace of spreading infec- sule in less than a year. total number of virus deaths at just 10. lic-private partnerships to help with Sullivan tweeted. tions. Its government has blocked vaccine exports for several It’s the biggest crowd up there in more “The virus is swallowing our city’s manufacturing essential resources in Help and support also appeared to months to better meet needs at home, exacerbating the diffi - than a decade. people like a monster,” said Mamtesh the event of a situation like this.” arrive from archrival Pakistan, with culty of poor countries to access vaccine. All of the astronauts — representing Sharma, an offi cial at the site. “Most importantly, they should have politicians, journalists and citizens The US Department of Health and Human Services’ 2020 the US, Russia, Japan and France — man- The unprecedented rush of bodies looked at what was going on in other in the neighboring country express- annual report also raised eyebrows for a section titled “Com- aged to squeeze into camera view for a has forced the crematorium to skip parts of the world and understood that ing support for people in India. Paki- congratulatory call from the leaders of individual ceremonies and exhaustive it was a matter of time before they stan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said batting malign infl uences in the Americas,” which said the US their space agencies. had convinced Brazil to not buy the Russian shot. rituals that Hindus believe release the would be in a similar situation,” Kup- it offered to provide relief support “In this tough situation around the soul from the cycle of rebirth. palli said. including ventilators, oxygen supply The US Embassy denied exerting any pressure regarding world, I believe you have brought courage vaccines approved by Brazil’s health regulator, which has not “We are just burning bodies as they Kuppalli called the government’s kits, digital X-ray machines, PPE and and hope for all of us,” Japanese Space arrive,” said Sharma. “It is as if we are premature declarations of victory related items. yet signed off on Sputnik V. Since March 13, Brazil has been Agency President Hiroshi Yamakawa trying to negotiate supply of US surplus vaccines for itself, ac- in the middle of a war.” over the pandemic a “false narrative,” “Humanitarian issues require re- said from his country’s fl ight control The head gravedigger at New Del- which encouraged people to relax sponses beyond political consid- cording to the foreign ministry. center, referring to the global pandemic. There are also concerns that the US might link vaccine shar- A recycled SpaceX capsule carrying hi’s largest Muslim cemetery, where health measures when they should eration,” Foreign Minister Shah Me- ing to other diplomatic efforts. Washington’s loan of 2.7 mil- four astronauts arrived at the space station 1,000 people have been buried during have continued strict adherence to hmood Qureshi said. lion doses of AstraZeneca’s shots to Mexico last month came a day after launching from NASA’s Ken- the pandemic, said more bodies are ar- physical distancing, wearing masks The Indian government did not im- on the same day Mexico announced it was restricting crossings nedy Space Center. The Dragon capsule riving now than last year. “I fear we and avoiding large crowds. mediately respond to Qureshi’s state- at its southern border, an effort that could help decrease the docked autonomously with the orbiting will run out of space very soon,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ment. number of migrants seeking entry into the United States. outpost more than 260 miles (420 kilome- Those sort of parallel tracks of diplomacy will be closely ters) above the Indian Ocean. The hatches watched as the Biden administration decides with whom to swung open a couple hours later, uniting seven female team members in the experi- nées. with the outside world, no updates on the share its surplus vaccine, particularly in Central America, all 11 space travelers. ment, adding she didn’t feel there was a For 40 days and 40 nights, the group pandemic nor any communication with home to many countries where migrant families and unaccom- “Man, it is awesome to see the 11 of rush to do anything. lived in and explored the cave without a friends or family. (AP) you on station,” said NASA’s acting ad- Although she wished she could have sense of time as part of the Deep Time ❑ ❑ ❑ panied children are trying to make their way to the US. ministrator, Steve Jurczyk. He noted that “What we would hope to avoid is any perception that in- stayed in the cave a few days longer, she project. There was no sunlight inside, this will be the norm, now that SpaceX is said she was happy to feel the wind blow- the temperature was 10 degrees Celsius Chang’e 6 to carry gear: China will creased access to lifesaving vaccines in Central America is regularly fl ying crews. launch its next robot lunar lander in 2024, in exchange for increased tightening of border security,” said ing on her face again and hear the birds (50 F) and the relative humidity stood at The newcomers will spend six months sing in the green trees of the French Pyré- 100%. The cave dwellers had no contact and it will carry equipment from France, Maureen Meyer, vice president for programs at the Washing- at the space station. They’ll replace four Sweden, Russia and Italy, the offi cial ton Offi ce on Latin America. astronauts who will return to Earth in their news agency reported. As the wait for vaccines continues in Honduras, desperation own Dragon capsule Wednesday to end a Plans call for Chang’e 6 to land near the is growing. half-year mission. NASA deliberately lunar south pole and collect samples for re- Last week, a private business group announced it would try planned for a brief overlap so the outgo- turn to Earth, the program’s chief designer, to buy 1.5 million vaccine doses to help government efforts, ing SpaceX crew could show the new ar- Hu Hao, said at a conference Saturday, ac- though it was unclear how it might obtain them. In March, rivals around. (AP) cording to the Xinhua News Agency. authorities in Mexico seized 5,700 doses of purported Russian ❑ ❑ ❑ The Chang’e landers are part of Chi- vaccines found in false bottoms of ice chests aboard a private nese space exploration efforts that also French isolation study ends: Ever include a probe that is preparing to land a plane bound for Honduras. The company owner who chartered wonder what it would feel like to unplug robot rover on Mars. There are also plans the plane said he was trying to obtain vaccines for his employ- from a hyperconnected world and hide for a crewed orbital station, landing a hu- ees and their families. The vaccine’s Russian distributor said away in a dark cave for 40 days? man on the moon and retrieving soil from the vaccines were fake. Fifteen people in France did just that, an asteroid. Lilian Tilbeth Hernández Banegas, 46, was infected with emerging Saturday from a scientifi c ex- In December, the previous moon probe, COVID-19 in late November and spent 13 days in a Tegu- periment to say that time seemed to pass Chang’e 5, returned lunar rocks to Earth cigalpa hospital. The fi rst days she struggled to breathe and more slowly in their cavernous under- for the fi rst time since the 1970s. thought she would die. ground abode, where they were deprived Chang’e 6 is to “collect lunar samples The experience has made the mother of three more anxious of clocks and light. automatically for comprehensive analysis about the virus and more diligent about avoiding it. The pan- With big smiles on their pale faces, and research,” Hu was quoted as saying demic rocked her family’s fi nances. Her husband sells used the 15 left their voluntary isolation in the at the conference in the eastern city of cars, but hasn’t made a sale in more than four months. Lombrives cave to a round of applause Nanjing. “I want to vaccinate myself, my family to be vaccinated, and basked in the light of day while wear- This image provided by NASA, astronauts from SpaceX join the astronauts of The lander is expected to carry in- because my husband and my children go out to work, but it’s ing special glasses to protect their eyes the International Space Station for an interview on April 24. A recycled SpaceX struments developed by scientists from frustrating that the vaccines don’t arrive,” Hernández said. after so long in the dark. capsule carrying four astronauts has arrived at the International Space Station, France, Sweden, Italy and Russia, Hu “It was like pressing pause,” said a day after launching from Florida. The Dragon capsule docked autonomously said. He gave no details of what they will 33-year-old Marina Lançon, one of the with the orbiting outpost on Saturday. (AP) do. (AP) Music MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 FFeatureseatures night Muskhosts.(AP) will bethemusicalgueston market regulators. getting fi buyout ofTeslathatresultedhim and hintingthathemightleada disparaging remarksaboutcritics into legaltroubleformaking million followersandhasgotten Twitter, wherehehasnearly52 He regularlyjokesaroundon is farfromastuffycorporatetype. executives hostitsshow,butMusk make ahabitofhavingbusiness Space Station. astronauts totheInternational just alaunchedmissionthatsent to Forbesmagazine.AndSpaceX fortune of$177billion,according leaving Muskwithanestimated it wasbeforethepandemicstarted, worth nearlysixtimesmorethan run ofsuccess.Tesla’sstockis pearance buildsuponhisrecent “Saturday NightLive.” going tohosttheiconicTVshow spaceship makerSpaceX.Heis of electriccarmakerTeslaand gig inadditiontohisjobsasCEO Elon Musk said, andrecorded 173albums. records, theLaPresse newsagency ian popularfemalesingers. considered oneofthegreatestItal- used afi director often workedwithMilantheater playwright based ontheworksofGerman actress, witharepertoireheavily was given. generations.” Nocauseofdeath “stirred deepemotionsinentire chini Culture Minister at herhomein many fansabroad,diedSaturday and ’70swhowasalsobelovedby most popularsingersinthe’60s and Italian singers stage nameMilva.Alongwith town, sheadoptedtheone-word Biolcati Opera,” amusicaldrama. signature works,“TheThreepenny directed herinoneofBrecht’s ROME: NEW YORK: friends aroundtheworldtobeableplayliveshowsagain. part ofsomething,” sing thesamesongstogether,”shesaid.“Itmakesusfeellikewe’re endless lockdownsinBritain. rounded bysomanypeopleaftershespentlastyearlivingthrough band switchedtosingingintheIndigenouslanguage. day, andMaoriperformerswhostretchedacrossthestagewhile military musiciansaheadofthenationhonoringitswardeadonSun- breakthroughs theysought. cess inNewZealandbutwhoseforaysabroadhaveendedwithoutthe music cameasatwistforSix60,whichhasenjoyedunparalleledsuc- Eden Parkrugbystadium.Andfi university wasgettingtoplaythefi the worldsincepandemicbegan. band’s tourfi ing isn’trequiredafterthenationstampedoutcoronavirus.The has beenplayingtohugecrowdsinNewZealand,wheresocialdistanc- those magicwords:“So,what’supEdenPark?” grinned ashegazedoutover50,000dampbutdeliriousfansandsaid AUCKLAND, NewZealand,April25,(AP):SingerMatiuWalters The worldisolates.ANewZealandbandplaysto50,000fans Saturday NightLivedoesn’t Musk’s scheduledMay8ap- Milva soldsome80 million Milva alsostarredasastage In announcingherdeath,Italy’s Born in1939as “We knowwhatit’sliketobeinlockdown.Itsucked.Andwedidn’t Walters, theleadsinger,saidtheydesperatelywanttheirmusician “It’s veryimportantforusashumanstobeablegettogetherand One fan,LucyClumpas,founditasurrealexperiencetobesur- Saturday’s setbythefi Equally momentousforabandwhichmetwhileplayingrugbyat While muchoftheworldremainshunkereddown,bandSix60 Mina saidMilva’sversatilevoice rst nameonly,Milvawas ned $20millionbystock in Giorgio Strehler Milva ❑ , anotherperformerwho Goro Bertolt Brecht has alinedupnew nale onSaturdaynightwasbilledasthelargestconcertin Technology mogul Ornella , oneof Milan , aPoRiverdelta Dario Frances- Miley Cyrus Maria Ilva . Shewas81.

Italy Vanoni , who . She ve-piece bandincludedpowerfulcameosby ’s

nding themselvesattheapexofworld rst concerteverheldatthestoried fans in Milva alsohadafollowingof honored herwithnationalawards. for hervitality. as well“thePantherofGoro” Red,” forhervoluminousredhair She wasnicknamed“Milvathe contest topromote Italiansongs, the SanRemofestival, theannual Korea realm, alsoknownas,youknow,Earth. champions willmassandthreatenorderonEarth- prophecy foretells”thatanewgroupoffi told —andsoonlearnswhatitmeans:“Anancient mark onhischest—“It’snotabirthmark!”he’s nice, well-adjustedfamily. — whogetsbeatupfor$200aboutbuthassuper tial artsfi acter —ColeYoung.He’sastrugglingmixedmar- and Jax—interwovenintothestoryofanewchar- Sonya Blade,Kano,Sub-Zero,LiuKang,KungLao Don’t wasteyourtime. ure outwhatitallmeans,”onecharactercomplains. sense ifyou’rehigh.“I’vespentyearstryingtofi ings, chosenonesandotherrealms—onlymakes plot —gobbledygookaboutstrangedragonmark- make youwishforyourownquickdispatchandthe through bone. to thesoundofbloodgushingandclunkmetal The effectsareimpressive,fromthefl swaggers whenitcomestohand-to-handcombat: legend andcomprehension. bloody tearforthenext110minutesthroughhistory, ed —knocksofffourmoreandthenwe’reona what theagriculturalmanufacturerinitiallyintend- through thetopofhisskull. ing onewhohasaswordslammeddirectlydown we’ve seensevenmoremencuttopieces,includ- a burstofcontrolledmurders.Bythe6-minutemark game wherethepointisbloodyviolence. pretty coy.Thisisamovie,afterall,basedonvideo T Lots ofbloodin‘MortalKombat’ Germany, France But Cole(LewisTan)hasamysteriousdragon Cherished fi But theactingislaughable,dialoguemay It maycomeasnosurprisethat“MortalKombat” The cleveruseofagardeningtrowel—likelynot A katanaslicesamanverticallyinhalf,triggering . Sheappeared15 times at curs lessthanthreeminutesin,whichisactually he fi Variety Asia rst deathinthe“MortalKombat”rebootoc- This imagereleasedbyWarnerBros.PicturesshowsHiroyukiSanadainascenefrom‘MortalKombat.’(AP) , particularlyin ghter —reallya“humanpunchingbag” ‘It’s importantforustoexpressanemotionandtellastory’ ghters fromthegameareallhere— By MarkKennedy andItalyall South Film she’d haveachangeofheart.” “Six60 isforeveryone.Andmaybeifshecameandenjoyedherself, singer addedthatClarkwouldhavebeenwelcomedattheconcert. of noise. said atthetimethatconcertswouldrepresenta“homeinvasion” Eden Park,butnotalltheneighborswerehappy. the nation’sAllBlacksrugbyteamfeellikecompletingacircle. rugby changingrooms,makingtheirconcertatthehallowedgroundof Promoter BrentEcclessaidtheygotpermissiontousethevenue “But thepeoplewantedit.Andspoke,”Walterssaid.The One whoobjectedwasformerPrimeMinisterHelenClark, The bandhadpushedforchangestocivicrulesallowconcertsat The bandformedthirteenyearsagoaftertheystartedjammingintheir the governmentguidelines. said therewasnotmuchtodootherthanplaybytherulesandfollow — thattheirgigscouldhaveturnedintosuper-spreaderevents.Buthe of along,brutalyear,”hesaid.“Itwasveryspecial.” being outandseeinglivemusic,somethingtodragthem for theirsummertourhadbeenincredible. Zealand.” fore theshow.“Butwearefortunate,forafewreasons,hereinNew know ifwe’dbeabletoplaygigsagain,”hesaidinaninterviewbe- iv Musk Milva Walters saidtheydidworrythatsomethingcouldhavegonewrong “It wasamazingtoseehowfanaticalpeoplewere,andexcitedabout Guitarist JiFrasersaidthereceptiontheyreceivedwhileonroad ips andslashes Lawson aspsychoKanostealsthemovie ghting g- rity chef for abigshowdownandfi Running time: 110 minutes. two stars out of four. Running time:110minutes.twostarsoutoffour. and languagethroughout,somecrudereferences. leased FridayandisratedRforstrongbloodyviolence And that’sbecauseeveryoneonscreenneedsadoctor. one isexactlywhatthedoctororderedifyou’reafan. garded whileitssequelwaswidelypanned.Thisnew and thisfranchisehasbeenboth.Thefi ding. It’safull-ongore-festoffi weapons andhugitout.Ha!Noway,dude,justkid- that loveisstrongerthanhateandputdowntheir multi-part fi whiff of“StarWars.” Kid,” “X-Men,”“IndianaJones”andmorethana will beenslaved.Thisfi there (inthe,uh,Outworld,)thewholehumanrace Liu Kang.Iftheydon’twinoverenemiesfromout mojo. “ThefateofEarthrealmisinourhands,”says LOS ANGELES: Anyway, Cole,SonyaBladeandKanomusttrain “Mortal Kombat,”aNewLineCinemarelease,isre- Video gameadaptationsarefamouslyhitormiss, It allculminatesinwhatseemstobeamassive and hestandsoutinaforestofstilteddialogue. fi he saystoLiuKangafteranimpressivecontrolofa serve hisownfranchise.“Hey,DavidCopperfi steals themoviewithenoughtwistedhumortode- ones, too:“Theprophecyisuponus!” cism (“Thereismuchtolearn”)andstiltedmedieval a strongtendencytoleanintoancientAsianmysti- Screenwriters DaveCallahamandGregRussohave hits ofdopamineintheformcontrolledviolence. directorial debut,givingusaconstantlystaggered Jamming reball. Manyofhislinesseemgleefullyad-libbed Australian actorJoshLawsonasthepsychoKano Simon McQuoiddoesadecentjobonhisfeature Anthony Bourdain ght butthenallthecombatantsrealize Italian songwriter “Alexander Platz.”Composedby never wouldwin. joking afterher12thtimethatshe whose worksMilva sangincluded Berlin squareAlexanderplatz. its nametakenfromthefamous Berlin in 1982,itexploredlovedivided A documentaryaboutthelateceleb- One of her hits was the song One ofherhitswasthesong Other topItaliansongwriters Combatants during Cold War times, with duringColdWartimes,with Also: lm hasequalparts“Karate nd theirinnerfi is comingtotheaters Franco Battiato ght porn. rst iswellre- ghting

in song. be manymoreplacesaroundtheworldwherehugecrowdscangather and theUKplannedforNovember.Theyhopethatbythen,therewill “Six60: TillTheLightsGoOut.” aster, asrecountedinabehind-the-scenesdocumentaryabouttheband six monthsspentinGermanyandaUSrecorddealbothendeddis- to 50,000people.” and magneticforpeople.Because,it’snotafl to expressanemotionandtellastory,foroursongsbehealing that annoyedhimatthetime.Buthesaiditalsoenergizedband. cism ofsuccessremainsaprobleminNewZealand,andwassomething sport forcriticstoknockthembeingtoobland.Walterssaidcriti- into laughter.“Youknow,gender-revealparties,whicharealltherage.” Weddings, funerals,birthdays,engagements,”hesaid,beforebreaking young andold. defi student coversband.Theirstylehasevolvedandremainsdiffi “And theanswerwas,well,prettycrazy.Solet’sdoit.” only atthelastmoment. Bass guitaristChrisMacsaidtheirfansnowspanrichandpoor, But thebandisreadytogiveitanothershot,withatourofEurope The bandhasbeentryingtogetmorerecognitionabroad,although “We areveryseriousaboutthemusic,”hesaid.“It’simportantforus As theband’spopularitygrewinNewZealand,itbecameakindof “We’re prettyluckytohavebecomethesoundtrackofpeople’slives. It’s beenaheadyriseforgroupwhichbeganashard-partying “And wethoughttoourselves,well,howcrazyarewe?”hesaid. eld,” ne, blendingelementsofreggae,pop,rockandsoul. a half-centuryofperforming, lived retirement in2010 aftermorethan lences toherfamily. abroad.” Heextendedhiscondo- interpreter, muchappreciated a “cultured,sensitiveandversatile rella Andre. Luigi Tenco Milva, whoannounced her Italian President Festival runsJune9-20.(AP) 11 intheatersandonHBOMax.TheTribecaFilm fi Tribeca FilmFestivalonJune9,twodaysbeforethe nuel Miranda Rosenthal York rootsandtheLatinxcommunity,”said can debutinitshometowncelebrationofNew proud tofeaturethisfi story ofhard-work,resilience,andtriumph.Weare place inopen-airvenuesaroundthecity. — isplanningafestivalbeginningJune9totake organizers saidFriday. theater inthefi New Yorkborough—includingtheUnitedPalace Chu NEW YORK: lm opensintheatersandbeginsstreaming. onSaturdaypraisedMilvaas Warner Bros.willrelease“IntheHeightsonJune Set inNewYork’sWashingtonHeights, “In theHeightsisquintessentialNewYork Tribeca —canceledlastyearduetothepandemic this summer. premiere attheTribecaFilmFestivalinJune. available onCNNandHBOMax.It’llhaveitsworld You BeMyNeighbor.” singers, andtheMr.Rogersdocumentary“Won’t “20 FeetfromStardom,”aboutthelivesofbackup He diedinJune2018atage61. travel guidewithhisCNNseries“PartsUnknown.” Underbelly” in2000andbecameabelovedculinary “Kitchen Confi frank, behind-the-scenesaccountofrestaurantlifein ers onJuly16. ner: AFilmAboutAnthonyBourdain”willhittheat- Neville ’s “IntheHeights”willpremiereacrossevery Directed byAcademyAwardwinner After itstheatricalrun,“Roadrunner”willbe Neville isbestknownforhisOscar-winningfi Bourdain shottofameafterthepublicationofhis and , FocusFeaturessaidFridaythat“Roadrun- , co-founderofthefestival. Thebig-screenadaptationof Fabrizio De Sergio Matta- ’s “IntheHeights”willkickoff lm’s uptown neighborhood,festival ❑ dential: AdventuresintheCulinary lm asopeningnightwhereit husband, Corgnati. Thesinger’sformer in Milanwithadaughter,Martina just once.(AP) any languageafter listeningtoit just aboutanykind ofmusicin was theuncannyabilitytosing that amongMilva’smanytalents Fegiz a TVdirectorwhodiedin1992. Music critic wroteinCorrieredellaSera uke thatwe’replaying Maurizio Corgnati Lin-Ma- Jon M. Mario Luzzatto Morgan Jane

lm

cult to cult , was

ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Film

‘Historic gains’ Oscar slate holds ‘fi rsts’ for Asians By Lindsey Bahr t may be hard to believe that there are still many I“firsts” left to check off after 93 years of the Acad- emy Awards, and yet this year there were a handful for Asian actors and filmmakers. Steven Yeun (“Minari”) became the fi rst Asian American actor to be nominated for best actor. Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”) is the fi rst Muslim to be nominated for best actor. It’s the fi rst time that there are two best actor candidates of Asian heritage. Youn Yuh-jung (“Minari”) is the fi rst Korean woman to be nominated for any acting award. “Nomadland’s” Chloé Zhao is the fi rst Asian woman to be nominated for best director. And, with direc- tor Lee Issac Chung ’s direct- ing nomination for “Minari,” it’s also the fi rst time there are two Asian nominees in that race. The historic gains spotlight where the organization has made progress and where there is still work to do, especially Ahmed after a year in which Asian Americans were increasingly targeted in racist attacks. Nancy Yuen, author of the book “Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism,” said the nominations this year are exciting. The actors are being recognized for roles, Yuen said, “That are not demeaning, that aren’t fi tting into stereotypes that are problematic. They are fully complex human beings.” That hasn’t always been the case for Asian actors who have broken through to the Oscars. The fi rst and DMX performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta on Oct 1, 2011. The rapper was mourned at a memorial with family and close friends at the Barclays last time an Asian woman won for acting was in 1958 Center in New York on Saturday. The event was closed to the public due to pandemic conditions. (AP) when Japanese actor Miyoshi Umeki won for her sup- porting role in “Sayonara.” In 1985, Haing Ngor be- came the fi rst Asian man to win a supporting award for playing Cambodian journalist Dith Pran in “The Killing Fields.” And none have won in the leading cat- Memorial egory since Ben Kingsley, whose father is Indian, won for “Gandhi” in 1982. Yul Brynner, who was born in Russia, won for “The King and I” in 1957. Nominations One of hip-hop’s greatest icons It’s coupled with the fact that there have been mul- tiple Asian-led best picture winners that didn’t receive any acting nominations. In the history of best picture winners, it’s only happened 12 times, and three of DMX immortalized by family, friends them had predominately Asian casts: “The Last Em- peror,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and last year’s “ Para- NEW YORK, April 25, (AP): DMX’s while fi lming a scene for “Belly,” a riving at the arena, where thousands of site.” Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” legacy was immortalized as a man be- crime drama. He said DMX became people crowded the streets. and “Life of Pi” were also nominated for best picture loved by his family, honored for his emotional knowing the rapper was Thousands of motorcycle riders sur- without a single acting nod. strong faith and respected as one of about to embark on a journey to be- rounded the monster truck, revving up “I think Asian Americans and Asians in the Western hip-hop’s greatest icons at his memori- come a “hip-hop icon.” their engines. Others gathered at the diaspora tend to be seen as invisible and background. al service Saturday, with several heart- “It’s a sad day as well as a glori- arena while some of DMX’s biggest They are window dressing,” Yuen said. “It leads to felt speeches from those who knew the ous day,” said Nas, who starred with songs from “Where The Hood At” and not recognizing Asians as fully complex actors and rapper best. DMX in the 1998 fi lm. “That was my “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” blared from characters.” The speakers included friends Swizz brother. We did a great movie together. the crowd’s speakers. Yuen and others noticed with “Parasite,” that peo- Beatz and Nas, as well as his daughter, On that movie, he was just rising up Cynthia Roberts, a 57-year-old ple largely referred to the small ensemble as “they” who rapped in honor of her father. as a star. His fi rst album didn’t even Brooklyn resident, said she has been rather by individual names: Chang Hyae Jin, Cho Yeo Kanye West and Busta Rhymes come out yet, but he knew his journey a fan of DMX since his Ruff Ryders Jeong, Choi Woo Shik, Lee Jung Eun, Lee Sun Kyun, were among the big names who at- was starting.” days. She showed up at the arena to Park So Dam and Song Kang Ho. Whether a Western tended the two-hour ceremony at the Eve said she was still having a hard pay homage to the rapper, saying she blind spot, a racial bias or some combination of the Barclays Center in New York. The ser- time with DMX’s death, remembering was struck by his rhymes, voice and two, it’s at least part of the reason for the systemic In this 1999, file photo, the late country vice at the Brooklyn arena was closed him as a “man, a father, a friend.” She musicianship. oversights. music legend Johnny Cash poses with to the public and restricted to close stood on stage with the Ruff Ryders “He was a true guy. He spoke his “People don’t bother to even try to learn,” Yuen his wife, the late June Carter Cash, friends and family because of the coro- collective, which helped launch the truth. He touched my soul,” said Rob- said. “That added layer of challenge, I think, makes in their Hendersonville, Tenn, home. navirus pandemic. careers of Grammy winners Eve and erts, who was sporting a DMX T-shirt. it that people in the academy aren’t even going to be The Man in Black is about to get his In a touching moment, DMX’s 15 Swizz Beatz and relaunch The Lox, She called the rapper’s music timeless. nominating someone in those fi lms unless they are al- own day in Arkansas. The Arkansas children gathered on stage to talk - and formerly signed to Bad Boy Records. “I tell myself he was put here for ready a known entity.” House on April 20, gave unanimous sometimes rap - about the star as a fa- After Eve spoke, Styles P talked that,” she continued. “We all have a Yuen, who grew up in the United States and also final approval to a bill that would make ther who taught them such lessons as about a time when he and DMX were job to do, and he did his job.” found herself having to look up the names on occa- Feb 26 ‘Johnny Cash Day,’ sending it “always say thank you,” “be kind to both in the same jail. He said DMX DMX, whose birth name is Earl to Gov Asa Hutchinson, who plans to everyone” and that being afraid can fetched him from his cell and then took Simmons, died April 9 after suffering a sion, said that she tried to always single out the actors sign it. (AP) if she was going to compliment “Parasite” or share a sometimes show a person how to be him to a part of the jail where he had a “catastrophic cardiac arrest.” He spent gif or an image on social media. brave. band set up along with a string of MCs. several days on life support after being “Our father is a king. Our father is rushed to a New York hospital from And the biases aren’t just relegated to the nomi- Accomplished nations. In 2016, the fi rst show after #oscarssowhite an icon,” eldest son Xavier Simmons his home April 2. became a household phrase, host Chris Rock brought said, adding that he was honored to be “DMX was the ghetto-est person Programs with images of DMX out three Asian children dressed up in suits for a now his son: “This man deepened my abil- that ever existed,” Styles P said. “What were handed out to the service’s infamous joke about accountants and iPhones. ity to love.” he means to us is indescribable. ... He attendees ahead of the ceremony, It was not well-received at the time and provoked Tashera Simmons, DMX’s ex-wife, celebrated us and pushed us. He was which was livestreamed on the rap- a lot of immediate social media backlash from people told the audience: “Everything he did, one of the most incredible individuals, per’s YouTube channel. The four- like actor Constance Wu and basketball player Jeremy he did for you all. He always wanted to because from the beginning of his ca- page booklet had different images Lin. The academy even apologized and pledged to be please you. He always wanted to give reer to the end, he accomplished some- of the rapper, including one with his more culturally sensitive. you his best show.” thing no one has ever accomplished. arms folded with wings and another “What he wants you to do,” she He was in pain the whole way. When- photo of him standing on stage dur- Recognized said, “is love Jesus the same way he ever you (saw) him, that man was in ing a performance. The strides at the Oscars also come after over a year Lohan Welker did. Love his babies. Love his family.” pain, but he was built out of love. He The 50-year-old Grammy-nomi- of a pandemic-fueled rise in racially motivated attacks West’s Sunday Service Choir was a beast with the rhymes.” nated rapper delivered iconic hip-hop on Asian Americans. It was not lost on anyone that the kicked off the ceremony with a gospel Jadakiss said DMX was the “happi- songs such as “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” day after the Oscar nominations, a white gunman was Variety performance. The hoodie sweatshirt- est he ever been in life” during the last and “Party Up (Up in Here).” charged with killing eight people, most of whom were wearing ensemble performed a few couple years. DMX arrived on the rap scene Asian women, at Atlanta-area massage businesses. songs, including their arrangement of Before the service, a massive around the same time as Jay-Z, Ja “It was this kind of high of like, oh, my gosh, WEST PALM BEACH, Fla:The estranged “Excellent” and Soul II Soul’s “Keep black big-wheel truck with the words Rule and others who dominated the Asians are fi nally being recognized for their excel- father of actor Lindsay Lohan was ar- On Movin’.” The choir took the stage “LONG LIVE DMX” on a side of charts and emerged as platinum-sell- lence. And then there’s this horrifi c hate crime that re- rested Friday on charges that he illegally during other moments of the ceremo- the vehicle carried DMX’s shiny red ing acts. ally just shook everyone. It feels like we’re under the took kickbacks for referring patients to a ny, performing “Ultralight Beam” and casket for more than 15 miles from They were all part of rap crews, too: spotlight, but for polar opposite reasons,” Yuen said. substance abuse treatment center. Whitney Houston’s assisted vocals on Yonkers, New York - where the rap- DMX fronted the Ruff Ryders collec- “One doesn’t cancel out the other. The positives are Michael Lohan, 60, was booked the hymn “Jesus Loves Me.” per grew up - to the Barclays Center. tive, which had success on the charts not canceling out the racism. At the same time, I think into the Palm Beach County Jail on fi ve Nas reminisced about having a A plethora of motorcycles trailed the and on radio with its “Ryde or Die” it’s bringing awareness to the racism. And the fact counts of patient brokering and one count conversation with a teary-eyed DMX truck during the procession before ar- compilation albums. that Asian excellence is being recognized, the more of conspiracy to commit patient broker- voice and platform Asian Americans have to be able ing, The Palm Beach Post reported. to speak out against the hate.” Authorities said a Delray Beach-area Grammy-nominated hitmaker isn’t a public multiplatinum-selling singer, who says drug treatment center called Pride Recov- NEW YORK: An appellate court ruled for The actors themselves have complex feelings about music producer Dr. Luke on Thursday on fi gure in the eyes of the law. Dr. Luke raped her, and the producer, the moment and the “fi rsts.” ery paid more than $27,000 in kickbacks who denies it and says his onetime pro- to either Lohan directly or to a business an important legal question in his defama- The decision isn’t a fi nal judgment in Youn told Deadline that, “It’s very stressful. It’s tion suit against pop star Kesha, saying the the long-running court clash between the tege smeared him with lies. not like I’m representing the country by going to the he was associated with, Lola Recovery But Thursday’s ruling upholds a lower Ventures of Palm Beach Gardens. court’s 2020 fi nding that Kesha made a Olympics, but I feel like I’m competing for my coun- Under Florida law, it is illegal for a try.” defamatory statement about him — to health care provider to pay a commission Lady Gaga — and that she can’t defend In an interview with Variety before the nominations for the referral of patients. The practice has announcement, Yeun said: “As great as it would be it by saying that Dr. Luke is a public fi g- been linked to numerous instances of fraud ure. That matters because public fi gures to set a precedent or be part of a moment that breaks in which rehab centers get reimbursed for through a ceiling, I personally don’t want to be en- have to meet a higher legal standard than performing costly and unnecessary tests on everyday people do in order to prove snared by that moment, either.” patients who have health insurance. (AP) they’ve been defamed. (AP) As for Ahmed, speaking to The New York Times ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ on the morning of his nomination, he said, “What’s most important is if it’s meaningful to other people. NEW YORK: NBC News’ Kristen Welker, LONDON: Les McKeown, the former lead I just think the more and more people that can fi nd shortly before she expects the birth of a singer of the 1970s Scottish pop sensation themselves celebrated and included in these moments, daughter through a surrogate, is revealing Bay City Rollers, has died suddenly at the the better.” the struggles with infertility that she and her age of 65, his family said Thursday. Part of the reason for the gains could be due to husband, John Hughes, have gone through. A statement from his family posted on diversifi cation efforts within the Academy’s mem- Welker, NBC’s chief White House social media said: “It is with profound bership ranks. After the 2015 and 2016 #oscarssow- correspondent and the moderator of last sadness that we announce the death of hite spotlight, the organization vowed to double the fall’s fi nal presidential debate between our beloved husband and father Leslie number of women and people of color in its voting Joe Biden and Donald Trump, said Richard McKeown.” The Scottish on the “Today” show Friday that their singer died at home on Tuesday, it added. body by 2020. They hit that milestone last summer, daughter is expected in June. but the organization is still 81% white and 67% male. Formed at the end of the 1960s, the She shared a copy of a letter she’s Bay City Rollers enjoyed huge success In 2024, they’ll introduce new inclusion standards for written to her unborn daughter, saying “I best picture hopefuls. in Britain and abroad with their tartan cannot wait until the moment I hold you outfi ts and pop tunes like “Bye Bye “Historically there were pockets of the academy for the very fi rst time — it is all I have that were more diverse, particularly internationally, Baby,” “Shang-a-Lang” and “Give a dreamed about for years.” Machine Gun Kelly performs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, in this Sept 8, 2018, Little Love.” They had a fanatical teen specifically the directors branch,” said Turner Clas- The letter described lengthy fertility file photo. Grammy Award nominated rock & soul duo Black Pumas and Cleve- following and sold more than 100 mil- sic Movies host and Oscars expert Dave Karger. treatments and the day a doctor told them land’s own Machine Gun Kelly will perform at this week’s NFL draft. The league lion records. Some in the British media (AP) they would need a surrogate. (AP) announced its musical acts for the second and third days of the draft, which is back called them the “biggest group since the ❑ ❑ ❑ on the road after being all virtual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP) Beatles”. (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 SPORTS 14

Series points leader Cindric fi nishes 2nd, Allmendinger in 3rd place Burton wins fi rst Xfi nity Series race at Talladega TALLADEGA, Alabama, April 25, fi nding rides and sponsors - much less my dad and mom,” Burton said. “They Dash 4 Cash prize after fi nishing sixth. (AP): The rain came at a good time for wins. told me to dry it up and stop crying and Jones, Josh Berry and Daniel Hemric Jeb Burton, helping him end a years- Burton passed cousin Harrison Bur- enjoy it. They were crying too. We just also had been in contention. long personal winless stretch that had ton on the inside on Lap 82 and stayed wanted this for so long.” It was Gragson’s second straight left him at times doubting his future in up front before a seven-car wreck It was the third straight win at Tal- Dash 4 Cash prize, and he said his share racing. forced a caution and the downpour sent ladega for Kaulig Racing, with team- would go to members of the crew. Burton got his fi rst NASCAR Xfi nity the cars to pit road. mate Justin Haley sweeping the two “It’s not me winning the $100,000 Series victory when heavy rain halted Burton, the son of former NASCAR 2020 races. Series points leader Austin two weeks in a row,” Gragson said. the action with 23 laps left, securing his driver Ward Burton, had opened the Cindric was second after starting in the “It’s the 9 team and those guys. It takes fi rst high level win since a truck race pole position, followed by Burton’s the whole group.” in 2013. teammate, AJ Allmendinger. Haley won the opening stage after “The rain didn’t hurt my feelings CAR RACING “Ward and Jeb and that whole Bur- taking the lead with an inside move for at all,” Burton said. “Everything I’ve ton family have fought hard to stay in the fi nal two laps, ahead of Jeb Burton. been through in my career, to get one, the sport and be a part of it,” Allmend- Gragson surged past Cindric on the we didn’t really care how we did it. But season with three straight top-fi ve fi n- inger said. “I just told Jeb when he got fi nal lap to win Stage 2. we ran up front all day. It defi nitely ishes. here - it’s not like shut up and do the But Burton was up front in the end, wasn’t a fl uke. Burton, who has made 30 Cup Series work - but it’s like, ‘Man just put your for the fi rst time in some eight years. “We led a lot of laps and it was a starts, fi nally got to celebrate another head down and let’s do this together He was already thinking about trying to blast to drive.” win since that Texas Truck Series race and we’re all going to benefi t.” get the next win. He said he was “a little bit in dis- in 2013. He did manage some rain- The biggest wreck of the day hap- “Ever since then it’s just been really belief” when told that he had been de- soaked burnouts. pened Joe Graf Jr., who appeared to tough to stay in a place and get in a clared the winner, showing little initial Burton was emotional after the win have a fl at tire, drifted up the track into rhythm it’s been an up and down roller reaction. The disappointment at not and so were his parents when he spoke Brandon Jones. That, it turned out, was coaster of a career for sure just on the Jeb Burton smiles after winning the rain-shortened NASCAR Xfi nity Series getting to fi nish it passed when he re- to them on the phone. the end of the racing. sponsorship side and fi nding the right auto race at Talladega Superspeedway on April 24, in Talladega, Alabama. membered his own career struggles at “I defi nitely broke down talking to Noah Gragson won the $100,000 home,” he said. “But now I have that.” (AP) Chiefs post 5th-straight win Usman tops Masvidal, UFC 261 Crusaders seal fi nal place in Super Rugby Aotearoa returns sports world to normal CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, tackles to score. April 25, (AP): The Christchurch- Winger Sevu Reece scored in the based Crusaders will host a Super 27th minute, taking a long pass on the Rugby final for the fourth consecutive right wing from Havili who was prob- Namajunas stuns Weili to take strawweight belt year after beating the Auckland-based ably the most influential player on the Blues 29-6 Sunday in their last regular field Sunday. JACKSONVILLE, Flor- season match in Super Rugby The Crusaders led 12-0 at halftime Aotearoa. and the Blues just managed to hang in ida, April 25, (AP): A The Crusaders hauled themselves the match with early penalties in the packed house. A raucous out of a late-season form slump - they second half. But a try from a lineout crowd. Celebrity sightings. had won only one of their last three drive by hooker Codie Taylor - his games - to claim a win which put them seventh in eight matches - gave the Stunning upsets. Spectacu- eight points ahead Crusaders a commanding 22-6 lead lar fi nishes. Broken bones. of the Hamilton- after 59 minutes. Blood, sweat and tears. based Chiefs on Jordan sealed the win in the 72nd UFC 261 returned a sense of the five-team normalcy to the sports world with table. The Chiefs RUGBY one of its craziest events in years. posted their fifth- Billed as the fi rst full-fl edged sport- straight win on ing event since the coronavirus Friday when they minute when he won the race to pandemic altered the world more beat the Havili’s kick behind the Blues’ line. than a year ago, it delivered more Wellington-based The match was typical of many in Hurricanes 26-24 Super Rugby Aotearoa this season - it than even its staunchest promoter Jordan imagined. are in second meandered for long periods with nei- “I don’t think it gets any better than to- place, five points ther side taking control. The Blues night,” UFC President Dana White said. clear of the Blues who they will meet were strong at the scrum and had a “You couldn’t have a better night. … It in the final round of the season next breakdown edge through captain was amazing. The crowd was amazing. weekend. Dalton Papalii. The fi ghts were amazing. ... There’s just Fullback Will Jordan scored the first But the Blues couldn’t create any- a different energy you get when people and last of the Crusaders four tries on thing and seldom brought their danger- are here. It was insane.” Sunday, likely clinching a starting ous outside backs into play, lacking a Kamaru Usman ended the event by place on the wing in the All Blacks decisive player at flyhalf. winning his 18th straight bout and re- team which will play Italy and Fiji in The Crusaders were sharper in taining his welterweight belt. Usman July. attack, moving the ball wide and tak- knocked out Jorge Masvidal with a right Kamaru Usman knocks out Jorge Masvidal during a UFC 261 mixed martial arts bout early Sunday, April 25, in In the fifth minute Jordan took a ing advantage of angles in the Blues’ Jacksonville, Florida. (AP) short pass from center David Havili as dog-leg backline. But they missed the ball was moving right along the their injured All Blacks prop Joe MIXED MARTIAL ARTS short-notice fi ght in July. The 33-year- and the bout was stopped at the 1:18 more than a year of dealing with COV- Crusaders backline and cut back to the Moody at scrums and were outplayed old Usman beat Masvidal at Fight Is- mark of the opening round. ID-19 changes to their routines. left, stepping through four ineffectual in the loose. punch to the jaw early in the second land, winning a unanimous decision at Namajunas broke down in tears in the “I’ve pictured this moment a million round, silencing a pro-Masvidal crowd. UFC 251. Masvidal stepped in on six octagon as she became the fi rst woman times over, so it was everything I expect- Usman’s knockout victory was his days’ notice, fl ying halfway around the in UFC history to recapture a champi- ed it to be,” said Jeff Molina, who beat third in his last four fi ghts, further show- world to fi ll in for No. 1 title contender onship belt. Three previous champions Qileng Aori in an undercard bout. “Hav- Rajasthan sends Kolkata to casing his impressive versatility and an Gilbert Burns after Burns tested positive failed to reclaim belts they had lost, in- ing fans back is awesome. ... I stepped in ability to adjust tactics during bouts. The for COVID-19. cluding Ronda Rousey. there, I turned and looked at the crowd, former NCAA Division II wrestler had Masvidal held his own and went fi ve Zhang erupted in anger, clearly upset raised my hand and defi nitely caught IPL cellar after 6-wicket win only one knockout victory in his fi rst rounds against the champ, whose strat- with the referee’s decision to stop the some good energy, good vibes from the MUMBAI, India, April 25, (AP): Samson kept his team on track with 10 UFC fi ghts before he stopped Colby egy including stomping on Masvidal’s fi ght. Replays showed how vicious the crowd.” Rajasthan Royals pushed Kolkata able support from David Miller, 24 not Covington, Gilbert Burns and Masvidal feet every time they were locked up. kick was, but Zhang insisted she never Seven-time Super Bowl champion Some thought Masvidal would have a lost consciousness. Tom Brady was sitting cage-side along Knight Riders to the bottom of the out, and Shivam Dube, 22. with punches in the past 18 months. Indian Premier League table after a Jos Buttler’s struggle at the top con- “Jacksonville, Florida, you said you better chance with a full training session. Flyweight champion Valentina with Tampa Bay teammates Mike Ev- Not really. Shevchenko (21-3) totally dominated ans, Blaine Gabbert and Josh Wells. six-wicket victory. tinued when he was trapped leg before wanted violence. You’re welcome,” wicket for 5 by legspinner Varun Usman said. Usman’s 18 consecutive Still, Masvidal had the crowd be- Jessica Andrade (21-9) to retain her belt, Florida legend and Jacksonville na- Rajasthan’s multimillion dollar MMA victories include 14 straight wins hind him. They cheered wildly for the slamming Andrade to the canvas three tive Tim Tebow was on hand with his signing, Chris Morris, grabbed 4-23 to Chakarvarthy off his second ball. since joining the UFC in 2015. Only 36-year-old Miami native, breaking into times in two rounds. She eventually wife. And Jacksonville Jaguars quarter- restrict Kolkata to 133-9. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit five boundaries Anderson Silva’s streak of 16 straight “Ole, Ole, Ole” and “Let’s go Jorge” won a TKO after a series of bludgeon- back Gardner Minshew and linebacker in his 17-ball knock of 22, before he UFC wins is longer in the promotion’s chants, and booed Usman whenever pos- ing blows to Andrade’s head and ear. Myles Jack were in the fi rst few rows. CRICKET holed out in the deep as Rajasthan lost history. sible. Shevchenko danced in the octagon after Former Bucs receiver Antonio Brown both openers within the first five “He’s one of the best ever. He’s an “He’s got my number, man,” Mas- the grappling victory and exclaimed, “I dipped into a large bucket of popcorn as he overs. absolute stud,” White said. “You’re an vidal said. can do everything.” sat next to YouTube sensation and celeb- But Samson added 45 runs with idiot if you think this guy is boring.” It was the last of three title bouts, but The sold-out event drew a star-stud- rity boxer Jake Paul, who got into a nose- Captain Sanju Samson then Dube, and Miller twice survived lbw Usman (19-1) thanked Masvidal (35- hardly the most surprising. ded crowd. There was no social distanc- to-nose argument with former UFC fi ghter anchored Rajasthan to 134-4 with appeals against Shivam Mavi. 15) for scaring him and pushing him, Rose “Thug” Namajunas (11-4) ing inside the 15,000-plus-seat arena and and current commentator Daniel Cormier seven balls to spare by compiling a Earlier, Rajasthan’s left-arm fast saying it’s been a long time since he felt stunned Zhang Weili (21-2) to take the few masks in any direction. before the main card. The packed house nearly run-a-ball unbeaten 42. bowlers Mustafizur Rahman (1-22) nervous before a bout. strawweight belt. Namajunas sent Zhang It was a clear sign that at least some taunted Paul several times during breaks Although Rajasthan’s problems in and Jaydev Unadkat (1-25) bowled This one was a rematch from their to the canvas with a left foot to the face, fans are ready to return to normal after and at least twice during fi ghts. the batting powerplay continued, impressively up front. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 SPORTS 15

Cole outduels Bieber in ace matchup, Yankees edge Indians Emanuel works 8 2/3 in relief debut, Astros pound Angels HOUSTON, April 25, (AP): Kent tionally walked before Madrigal deliv- Emanuel worked 8 2/3 innings in relief ered the winning hit to right field off in his major league debut, saving John King (2-1) with two outs. Houston’s bullpen after Jake Odorizzi Willie Calhoun hit his first homer of left early with an injury, and the Astros the season off Hendriks (1-0) to right- pounded the Los Angeles Angels 16-2. center to tie the game. Emanuel (1-0) allowed five hits and Nationals 7, Mets 1 two runs. The 28-year-old became the In New York, Joe Ross tossed six fourth pitcher in the modern era to solid innings and helped himself with have a relief outing of 8 2/3 innings or an RBI single as Washington beat more in his debut. New York. Alex Bregman hit a three-run Yadiel Hernandez, a 33-year-old homer, Yordan Alvarez had a season- rookie who entered with six hits in 36 high four RBIs and Carlos Correa had career at-bats, had two hits and two three hits including a homer for RBIs for the Nationals. Houston. The Astros had season highs Michael Conforto homered in the in runs and hits (18) to win their third fourth for the Mets. straight following a three-game skid. Cardinals 2, Reds 0 Odorizzi exited with tightness in his In St. Louis, John Gant earned his right forearm after retiring leadoff bat- first victory as a starter since 2018 by ter David Fletcher on five pitches. throwing six strong innings and St. Yankees 2, Indians 1 Louis sent Cincinnati to its sixth In Cleveland, Gerrit Cole was one straight loss. pitch better than Shane Bieber in a Andrew Knizner, subbing for heavyweight matchup of aces as injured catcher Yadier Molina, and Rougned Odor and Aaron Hicks hom- Nolan Arenado each drove in a run. ered for New York off Cleveland’s Cy Dylan Carlson added three singles as Young winner in the fifth inning. St. Louis won a series for just the sec- Cole (3-1) struck out 11 and allowed ond time this season. three hits in seven innings to beat After waiting out a rain delay of 2 Bieber (2-2) in a rematch of their hours, 20 minutes before throwing his meeting in last year’s playoffs. Cole’s first pitch, Gant (1-2) allowed just 50 strikeouts in his first five starts are three hits. It was Gant’s first win as a the most for any pitcher in New York’s starting pitcher since Sept. 9, 2018. storied history. Mariners 8, Red Sox 2 Bieber fanned nine - the first time In Boston, Kyle Seager, Sam he hasn’t reached double digits in five Haggerty and Ty France each had starts - and tied Hall of Famer Randy three hits, leading Chris Flexen and Houston Astros’ Kyle Tucker (30) slides just before he was forced out by Los Angeles Angels shortstop Jose Iglesias during the sixth inning of a baseball Johnson’s record with his 17th straight Seattle past Boston. game, on April 24, in Houston. Robel Garcia was safe at first. (AP) start of at least eight strikeouts. Seager singled in a run in the first Athletics 7, Orioles 2 inning, tripled home two more in the In Baltimore, Jed Lowrie hit a three- second and doubled with the bases run homer and Oakland won its 13th empty in the fifth. France scored three straight game, building a big lead early times, and Haggerty drove in two runs. and beating Baltimore. Flexen (2-1) permitted one run and This is the third-longest winning four hits in seven innings. It was the streak in Oakland history. The A’s third time in his four starts this season Crosby scores 20th goal won 14 straight in 1988, then set an American League record with 20 con- secutive victories in 2002. BASEBALL Matt Olson and Mark Canha had two hits and two RBIs apiece for Oakland, which has won nine in row that he has allowed one or fewer runs. against the Orioles dating to 2019. Royals 2, Tigers 1 Dodgers 5, Padres 4 In Detroit, Brady Singer pitched as Penguins beat Devils In Los Angeles, Corey Seager’s two- seven impressive innings, and Kansas run single in the sixth inning provided City took advantage of some defensive the go-ahead runs and Los Angeles over- sloppiness by Detroit. came another two-homer game from Willi Castro homered for Detroit in O’Reilly’s hat trick leads Blues past Avalanche 5-3 Fernando Tatis Jr. to defeat San Diego. the fifth, but that wasn’t enough to The Padres threatened in the ninth, overcome Kansas City’s two runs in putting the potential tying run in scoring the top of that inning. Singer (1-2) PITTSBURGH, April 25, four playoff teams in the West Division allowed three hits and struck out eight. position with one out, but Kenley Jansen following their sixth straight win. Scott Barlow worked the eighth, and (AP): Sidney Crosby and Kevin Fiala and Nick Bonino also retired Tatis on a grounder and struck Josh Staumont pitched a perfect ninth out Trent Grisham for his fifth save. Bryan Rust each scored scored for Minnesota and Kaapo for his first career save. The game was their 20th goal of the sea- Kahkonen made 27 saves. The NL West rivals have split six finished in 2 hours, 10 minutes. meetings this season, with the Padres Logan Couture, Evander Kane and Brewers 4, Cubs 3 son, and the Pittsburgh Joachim Blichfeld scored in the third winning the previous three. In Chicago, pinch-hitter Manny White Sox 2, Rangers 1 Penguins beat the New period for the Sharks, who lost their Piña connected for a tiebreaking two- Jersey Devils 4-2. eighth straight. Martin Jones allowed In Chicago, Nick Madrigal doubled run homer in the seventh inning, and home the winning run in the ninth Crosby got an empty-netter with three goals on eight shots in the first the Brewers held off the Cubs. period before getting pulled for the inning after Liam Hendriks allowed a Brent Suter (2-1) worked two score- 0.1 seconds to play. His goal came eighth time in 32 starts this season. tying homer in the top half, and less innings in relief of Freddy Peralta, following a tense net-mouth Golden Knights 5, Ducks 1 Chicago recovered to beat Texas. helping Milwaukee to its fourth win in scramble in which the Devils near- In Anaheim, California, Chandler Luis Robert led off the White Sox five games. Josh Hader got three outs ly tied the game. Stephenson scored two goals in the ninth with an infield single. Rookie for his fourth save in four opportunities. Crosby surpassed Evgeni Malkin first period and Vegas cruised to its phenom Yermín Mercedes was inten- Pirates 6, Twins 2 and Mario Lemieux for the most franchise-record ninth consecutive In Minneapolis, Michael Perez had 20-plus goal seasons in franchise his- victory. three hits and three RBIs, sending tory. Stephenson had the first three-point Trevor Cahill and the Pirates to the Jeff Carter and Jared McCann also night of his career, while Shea victory. scored for the Penguins, who com- Theodore and William Karlsson got Cahill (1-2) permitted one run and pleted a three-game series sweep of Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jeff Carter (77) gets tangled with New Jersey Devils’ goals against their former team as the two hits in six innings. It was his lon- the Devils. Casey DeSmith stopped 34 Pavel Zacha during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Knights rolled toward their fourth gest outing since he also worked six shots. on April 24. (AP) straight playoff appearance. William innings for the Angels at Baltimore on New Jersey dropped its ninth Carrier also scored for Vegas, which May 10, 2019. straight game. Miles Wood and Jack with 24 saves. Alexander Kerfoot also scored for completed the season series with seven Minnesota lost for the 10th time in Hughes scored for the Devils, and Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3, OT Toronto, and Jack Campbell made 25 wins over Anaheim in eight meetings. 12 games. Michael Pineda (1-1) Mackenzie Blackwood made 36 saves. In Sunrise, Florida, Aleksander saves. The Maple Leafs stretched their Robin Lehner made 23 saves in his allowed five runs, four earned, and six Blues 5, Avalanche 3 Barkov scored 24 seconds into over- North Division lead to eight points second win at Honda Center in nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. Jake Cave had In St. Louis, Ryan O’Reilly had time to help Florida tighten up the over the second-place Jets. days. two of the Twins’ three hits. three goals and an assist, and St. Louis Central Division standings. Thornton, at 41 years, 296 days, Canucks 4, Senators 2 Rays 5, Blues 3 stopped a three-game slide. After a turnover in the Panthers’ became the oldest player in Toronto In Vancouver, British Columbia, In St. Petersburg, Florida, Tampa Mike Hoffman and Ivan Barbashev end, Barkov raced the length of the ice franchise history to score. He broke Tanner Pearson and J.T. Miller scored Bay broke an eighth-inning tie when also scored for the Blues, and Jordan and fired a shot that trundled in for his the record set by Allan Stanley at 41 late in the third period and Vancouver Toronto third baseman Cavan Biggio Binnington made 28 saves. 22nd goal. years, 252 days on Nov. 8, 1967. beat Ottawa. let a grounder go between his legs and St. Louis had lost five straight In winning for just the second time Coyotes 4, Kings 0 Nate Schmidt and Brock Boeser New York Yankees starting pitcher went on to win. against the Avalanche since winning at (2-4-2) against Carolina, the Panthers In Los Angeles, Phil Kessel had a also scored for Vancouver, and Bo Gerrit Cole delivers in the first Jordan Romano (1-1) walked Colorado on Jan. 13 in the season pulled within one point of the goal and an assist, Darcy Kuemper Horvat had two assists. Braden Holtby inning of a baseball game against Brandon Lowe and Mike Brosseau to opener for both teams. Hurricanes. Florida has seven games made 26 saves for his second shutout had 26 saves, including a penalty shot. the Cleveland Indians, on April 24, start the eighth. Manuel Margot hit a Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar left in the regular season, Carolina of the season, and Arizona beat Los Evgenii Dadonov had a goal and an in Cleveland. (AP) grounder that got past Biggio for an each had a goal and two assists for nine. Angeles. assist, and Colin White also scored for error, allowing Lowe to score and put Colorado, which had won five in a Stars 2, Red Wings 1, OT the Senators, who snapped a three- the Rays ahead 4-3. Margot later scored row. Gabriel Landeskog also scored In Detroit, Jamie Benn scored 32 game winning streak. MLB Results/Standings on Kevin Kiermaier’s grounder. and Devan Dubnyk made 25 saves. seconds into overtime, lifting Dallas ICE HOCKEY Flames 5, Canadiens 2 Phillies 7, Rockies 5 Capitals 6, Islanders 3 past Detroit. In Calgary, Alberta, Johnny In Denver, Rhys Hoskins homered In Uniondale, N.Y., Daniel Sprong Dallas outshot Detroit by more than John Hayden, Lawson Crouse and Gaudreau scored twice and Calgary twice and drove in five runs to back scored twice in injured Alex three times and had the puck for much Jakob Chychrun also scored, helping beat Montreal for the second straight WASHINGTON, April 25, (AP): Ovechkin’s place on Washington’s top the Coyotes remain fourth in the West Results and standings from the seven solid innings from Aaron Nola, of the game, but trailed after Dennis night. MLB games on Saturday. sending Philadelphia past Colorado. line, Ilya Samsonov made 21 saves Cholowski scored late in the first peri- Division. Arizona is one point ahead Milan Lucic, Brett Ritchie and Kansas City 2 Detroit 1 Nola (2-1) allowed four runs and six and the Capitals beat New York for the od until Mark Pysyk made it 1-all of St. Louis, which beat Colorado 5-3 Rasmus Andersson also scored and Seattle 8 Boston 2 hits but settled down after the fifth. He second time in three nights. early in the third. earlier in the day, for the final playoff Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves to Pittsburgh 6 Minnesota 2 Houston 16 LA Angels 2 retired his last seven batters, added a Evgeny Kutznetsov had a goal and Benn took advantage of a turnover spot. improve to 6-1 against Montreal this NY Yankees 2 Cleveland 1 single at the plate and was on base for two assists, and Nic Dowd, Garnet by Detroit in the extra period, carried It was Kuemper’s 20th career shut- season. The Flames opened the three- Tampa Bay 5 Toronto 3 both of Hoskins’ homers. Hathaway and T.J. Oshie also scored the puck into the left circle and lifted a out. game set Friday with a 3-2 victory. Chic.White Sox 2 Texas 1 Wild 6, Sharks 3 Oakland 7 Baltimore 2 Marlins 5, Giants 2 for the Capitals. Washington remained shot over Jonathan Bernier’s blocker. Tyler Toffoli and Nick Suzuki St Louis 2 Cincinnati 0 In San Francisco, Jesus Aguilar in first place in the tight East Division, Anton Khudobin stopped 16 shots In San Jose, California, Ryan Suter scored for the Canadiens. They hold Milwaukee 4 Chicago Cubs 3 snapped a tie with a two-run homer to one point ahead of second-place for the Stars and Bernier had a season- scored 19 seconds in, Kirill Kaprizov the fourth and final playoff spot in the Washington 7 NY Mets 1 spark a four-run ninth inning and Pittsburgh. The Islanders are in third, high 50 saves. scored for the fifth straight game and North Division, four points ahead of Philadelphia 7 Colorado 5 Miami 5 San Francisco 2 Miami beat San Francisco. two points behind the Penguins, and Maple Leafs 4, Jets 1 Minnesota clinched a playoff spot. Calgary with a game in hand. LA Dodgers 5 San Diego 4 Aguilar lined an 0-1 pitch from three ahead of Boston. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mitch Marcus Foligno and Jared Spurgeon Cayden Primeau made 29 saves in American League Gregory Santos (0-1) into the left- Anthony Beauvillier, Adam Pelech Marner scored his 100th NHL goals to also scored in the first period as the his season debut and third career start East Division Wild jumped on top early to join W L Pct GB center stands after Magneuris Sierra’s and Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored for help Toronto beat Winnipeg. for Montreal. He’s the son of former Boston 13 9 .591 _ leadoff walk to give Miami a 3-1 lead. the Islanders. Ilya Sorokin finished John Tavares, Joe Thornton and Vegas and Colorado as three of the NHL player Keith Primeau. Tampa Bay 11 10 .524 1-1/2 New York 9 11 .450 3 Toronto 9 11 .450 3 Baltimore 8 12 .400 4 NHL Results/Standings Central Division W L Pct GB Kentucky wins first volleyball title Kansas City 12 7 .632 _ Chicago 11 9 .550 1-1/2 OMAHA, Nebraska, April 25, (AP): ball championship match and had a Of course, Skinner was. So was Cleveland 8 11 .421 4 WASHINGTON, April 25, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on Minnesota 7 12 .368 5 Kentucky’s Alli Stumler bumped into question for him. Stumler. The All-American had a sea- Saturday. Detroit 7 14 .333 6 coach Craig Skinner at the team hotel “You ready to win a natty?” she said son-high 26 kills, the biggest coming Pittsburgh 4 New Jersey 2 Calgary 5 Montreal 2 West Division St Louis 5 Colorado 3 W L Pct GB a few hours before the NCAA volley- she asked him. on the final point of the match, as Vegas 5 Anaheim 1 Washington 6 NY Islanders 3 Minnesota 6 San Jose 3 Oakland 14 7 .667 _ Kentucky won its first national cham- Dallas 2 Detroit OT 1 Seattle 13 8 .619 1 pionship in women’s volleyball with a Toronto 4 Winnipeg 1 Arizona 4 Los Angeles 0 Houston 10 10 .500 3-1/2 Florida 4 Carolina OT 3 Vancouver 4 Ottawa 2 Los Angeles 9 10 .474 4 four-set victory over Texas on Saturday night. East Division West Division Texas 9 12 .429 5 GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA National League Washington 48 31 13 4 66 170 144 x-Vegas 47 34 11 2 70 160 103 East Division Pittsburgh 48 31 14 3 65 168 135 W L Pct GB x-Colorado 45 31 10 4 66 161 108 VOLLEYBALL NY Islanders 48 29 14 5 63 136 113 x-Minnesota 47 31 13 3 65 151 123 Philadelphia 10 10 .500 _ Boston 46 27 13 6 60 136 117 New York 8 8 .500 _ Arizona 48 21 22 5 47 128 150 NY Rangers 48 24 18 6 54 158 128 St Louis 45 20 19 6 46 131 142 Atlanta 9 10 .474 -1/2 Philadelphia 47 21 19 7 49 132 168 Miami 9 11 .450 1 San Jose 47 18 24 5 41 125 163 “The moment we woke up, we knew New Jersey 47 14 27 6 34 118 166 Los Angeles 45 17 22 6 40 120 136 Washington 8 10 .444 1 Buffalo 48 13 28 7 33 118 165 we were going to win this thing,” Anaheim 48 14 27 7 35 105 156 Central Division Central Division W L Pct GB Stumler said. “The moment we stepped GP W L OT Pts GF GA North Division Milwaukee 12 8 .600 _ off the plane in Omaha, we said we GP W L OT Pts GF GA Chicago 10 10 .500 2 Carolina 47 31 10 6 68 153 114 Florida 49 31 13 5 67 158 133 Toronto 48 30 13 5 65 159 130 St Louis 10 10 .500 2 were going to win this thing. There Winnipeg 47 27 17 3 57 148 129 Pittsburgh 10 11 .476 2-1/2 Tampa Bay 47 31 14 2 64 156 122 was never a doubt there was any team Nashville 49 26 21 2 54 133 138 Edmonton 45 27 16 2 56 144 125 Cincinnati 9 11 .450 3 better than us.” Montreal 46 20 17 9 49 134 135 West Division Dallas 47 20 15 12 52 135 121 The Wildcats had the nation’s most Chicago 48 22 21 5 49 135 151 Calgary 47 21 23 3 45 127 137 W L Pct GB Vancouver 41 19 19 3 41 113 130 Los Angeles 15 6 .714 _ efficient offense this season and, with the Detroit 50 17 25 8 42 115 158 San Francisco 13 8 .619 2 exception of a few hiccups early in the Columbus 49 15 25 9 39 118 166 Ottawa 48 17 27 4 38 131 170 San Diego 12 11 .522 4 Kentucky players hold the trophy after a win against Texas in the final of Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each Arizona 9 11 .450 5-1/2 first set and the start of the fourth, they division will qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. Colorado 7 13 .350 7-1/2 the NCAA women’s volleyball championships, on April 24, in Omaha, were in top form with Stumler and sisters x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division z-clinched conference Nebraska. (AP) Madi and Avery Skinner leading the way. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 16

Brooke M. Henderson hits from the fi rst fairway during the fi nal round of the LPGA’s Hugel-Air Premia LA Open golf tournament at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Korda fi nishes second Henderson wins LA Open for 10th LPGA Tour title LOS ANGELES, April 25, (AP): that chip-in. You know, those breaks today.” Korda birdied the last for a 72, miss- birdies,” Korda said. “I had a great lit- Brooke Henderson rallied to win the can be really small or they can be re- She bogeyed the par-4 17th to cut ing a chance for her second victory of tle 8-iron into the par-5 15th and takes HUGEL Air Premia LA Open on Sat- ally big.” her lead to two. On the par-3 18th with the year after leading after each of the the biggest bounce I’ve ever seen and urday for her 10th LPGA Tour title, The 23-year-old Canadian birdied Korda in position for a short birdie fi rst three rounds. She won the season- goes over the green.” chipping in for birdie on the par-3 12th the par-4 11th to take the lead at 15 un- putt, Henderson chipped inside 2 feet opening Diamond Resorts Tournament While Henderson made her move in an early back-nine burst and getting der, hitting a 144-yard shot to 3 feet of for par after her 8-iron shot rolled off of Champions in January for her sixth early on the back nine, Ko bogeyed up-and-down for par on the last. the back, right pin. She holed out from the edge of the green and into a low LPGA Tour title. the 11th and 12th in a 72 that left her Four strokes behind leader Jessica collection area. “Really frustrating, really couldn’t tied with Australia’s Hannah Green at Korda and three back of top-ranked Jin “Defi nitely very clutch,” Henderson get anything going,” Korda said. “I 14 under. The South Korean star was Young Ko entering the sunny, breezy GOLF said. “That is not where I wanted that was hitting it really good and then just coming off a two-week break after day at Wilshire Country Club, Hen- tee shot to be, so to be able to get up- it wasn’t happening for me for some fi nishing seventh in the ANA Inspira- derson closed with her second straight 70 feet from right and below the green and-down there for the win was really reason. Just kept getting screwed and tion. 4-under 67 for a one-stroke victory on 12, and made a 6-foot birdie putt on cool, especially just after Jessica made the wind kept dropping and then com- “Was tough,” Ko said. “Wind was over Korda. the short par-4 14th. such a great shot and put a lot of pres- ing back up. .. it just wasn’t happening. diffi cult out there. ... I couldn’t focus “I defi nitely am a fi rm believer when “Just tried to make solid contact and sure on me to make par.” I don’t know.” on my game.” you’re in the winner’s circle you’re landed on my spot, and to have it go in The sixth-ranked Henderson won for She parred the fi rst six and bogeyed Green eagled the 14th and birdied getting a lot of breaks and it’s sort of was defi nitely a big bonus,” Henderson the fi rst time since the Meijer LPGA Nos. 7 and 9, made her fi rst birdie of the par-5 15th in a 66. Denver Nuggets’ Austin Rivers (25) meant to be,” Henderson said. “I was said about the 12th. “It was going pret- Classic in June 2019. She fi nished at the day on the par-5 13th, then gave the Major champions So Yeon Ryu (68) shoots against Houston Rockets for- making a lot of birdies, and I think ty hard. So it was a huge momentum 16-under 268 to break the event record stroke back on 14. and Angela Stanford (70) tied for fi fth ward DaQuan Jeffries (55) during the probably the biggest break was 12, change and a huge point in my round of 14 under set by Minjee Lee in 2019. “I tried. I tried to force a couple at 12 under. first half of an NBA basketball game in Denver. (AP) Knicks move into 4th in East Mavs sweep two-game home set against Lakers

NEW YORK, April 25, (AP): Julius Randle had 31 points and 10 rebounds, RJ Barrett Bayern suffer added 25 points and 12 re- bounds and New York Knicks shock defeat beat the Toronto Raptors BERLIN, April 25, (AP): Bay- 120-103 on Saturday for their ern Munich missed the chance to clinch the Bundesliga title when ninth straight victory. they lost at relegation-threatened Derrick Rose scored 19 points to Mainz 2-1 . help the Knicks move into fourth First-half goals from Jonathan place in the Eastern Conference Burkardt and Robin Quaison put with 11 games remaining. They Bayern’s title celebrations on hold are on their longest winning streak and lifted Mainz five points clear since a 13-game run late in the of the relegation zone after a re- markable turnaround in the second 2012-13 season, when they won half of the the Atlantic Division title in what season. was their last playoff appearance. Robert Le- Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby wandowski each scored 27 points for the Raptors, returned who were trying for a season-high fi fth from a month straight victory. out with a Mavericks 108, Lakers 91 knee injury In Dallas, Luka Doncic had 18 points to score for and 13 assists and Dallas overcame a Bayern in the 17-point defi cit to beat Los Angeles fourth minute in Lakers star Anthony Davis’ second of injury time game back from a long injury absence. and take his Burkardt Dwight Powell scored 12 of his sea- season tally son-high 25 points in the fourth quarter. to 36, but it was too late for the The Mavericks swept a two-game eight-time defending champions. home set against the defending NBA Mainz forward Burkardt champs and moved a game ahead of opened the scoring in the third Portland the all-important sixth seed minute when Bayern captain Man- in the Western Conference. The No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (left), and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) battle for a rebound in the fi rst half during an NBA uel Neuer was deceived by his cen- team has to make the playoffs through a trally placed shot. play-in format. basketball game in Salt Lake City. (AP) Quaison headed Mainz’s second goal in the 37th when he beat Mül- BASKETBALL ler and David Alaba to meet Phil- NBA Results/Standings Brighton lose at Sheffi eld United, still not safe lipp Mwene’s free kick. The Lakers, still without fellow star LeBron James and also missing Ken- WASHINGTON, April 25, (AP): NBA SOCCER tavious Caldwell-Pope, are 1 1/2 games results and standings on Saturday. Chelsea big winners in top 4 race ahead of the Mavericks for fi fth place. New York 120 Toronto 103 Bayern coach Hansi Flick re- Davis was sluggish again coming off Milwaukee 132 Philadelphia 94 acted with three changes at the Indiana 115 Detroit 109 LONDON, April 25, (AP): Timo Werner ended his his call. 30 games missed because of right calf Miami 106 Chicago 101 break, Eric Maxim Choupo-Mot- and heel issues, fi nishing 5 of 19 from San Antonio 110 New Orleans 108 two-month scoring drought with the winning goal as Chelsea, which were tied for points with West Ham ing and Jamal Musiala replacing the fi eld. The eight-time All-Star’s best Dallas 108 LA Lakers 93 Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 in the English Premier before kickoff, strengthened its place in fourth – the the ineffective Leroy Sané and stretch came late in the second quarter, Minnesota 101 Utah 96 Denver 129 Houston 116 League and pulled three points clear of their London final Champions League qualification position in the Kingsley Coman, and Tanguy when he scored 10 of his 17 points. Eastern Conference rivals in the race for Champions League qualifi cation . league. Both sides had been boosted earlier Saturday Nianzou going on for Leon Gore- Bucks 132, 76ers 94 Atlantic Division The Germany striker stroked in a close-range finish by Liverpool, a rivals for the top four, conceding in tzka, who was in danger of a sec- In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetok- W L Pct GB from Ben Chilwell’s low cross in the 43rd minute for stoppage time to draw at home with Newcastle 1-1. ond booking. ounmpo scored 24 points and moved Brooklyn 40 20 .667 - Bayern came back from 2-0 into second place on Milwaukee’s career Philadelphia 39 21 .650 1 his first goal in 12 appearances in all competitions in Liverpool dropped four points behind Chelsea with New York 34 27 .557 6-1/2 an underwhelming first season at Chelsea. It was only five games remaining. down to win the reverse fixture scoring list in a romp over Philadelphia. Boston 32 28 .533 8 5-2 in Munich on Jan. 3, but Mainz Antetokounmpo also had 14 re- Toronto 25 35 .417 15 his second league goal since Nov. 7. Brighton remained under threat of relegation after are a different prospect since Bo Southeast Division losing at already-demoted Sheffield United 1-0 . bounds and seven assists. He passed W L Pct GB Svensson took over as coach the Glenn Robinson on the career list with Atlanta 33 27 .550 - SOCCER David McGoldrick scored in the 19th minute at an following day. Mainz are unbeaten 12,023. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the Miami 32 29 .525 1-1/2 empty Bramall Lane, capitalizing on a poor clearance in seven games with five wins in leader with 14,211. Charlotte 29 30 .492 3-1/2 from Brighton defender Joel Veltman to slot a low that run. Washington 26 33 .441 6-1/2 The Bucks beat the 76ers for the sec- Orlando 18 41 .305 14-1/2 Werner missed an equally good chance early in the finish down the middle on the turn from about 12 me- Erling Haaland scored twice for ond time in three days to hand Phila- Central Division second half, in front of a virtually empty net to the ters out. Borussia Dortmund to beat third- delphia its fourth straight loss. Playing W L Pct GB amazement of Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel on It was Sheffield’s first win under caretaker man- placed Wolfsburg 2-0 and boost without All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Milwaukee 37 22 .627 - their chances of Champions league Simmons, the 76ers matched their low- Indiana 28 31 .475 9 the touchline, but it didn’t prove costly at the Olym- ager Paul Heckingbottom. He’d lost all four of the Chicago 25 35 .417 12-1/2 pic Stadium. team’s league games since replacing Chris Wilder as qualification. est point total and suffered their most- Cleveland 21 38 .356 16 Dortmund’s prospects increased lopsided loss of the season. Detroit 18 43 .295 20 West Ham’s chances of a comeback all but disap- well as an FA Cup quarterfinal at Chelsea. when fourth-place Eintracht Pacers 115, Pistons 109 Western Conference peared when Fabián Balbuena was red-carded in the Brighton stayed seven points clear of third-to-last Southwest Division Frankfurt lost at Bayer Leverkusen In Indianapolis, Malcolm Brogdon W L Pct GB 81st for following through on a clearance by raking Fulham with five games remaining, which include 3-1, leaving Dortmund just a point scored 26 points, Caris LeVert had 25 Dallas 33 26 .559 - his studs down the calf of Chilwell, in an incident matches against West Ham, Manchester City, and off the qualification places with and Indiana had a late 12-0 run to beat Memphis 30 28 .517 2-1/2 that saw the referee use the pitchside monitor to make Arsenal. three games to go. Detroit. San Antonio 30 29 .508 3 New Orleans 26 34 .433 7-1/2 With the Pacers down 101-97 with Houston 15 46 .246 19 4:41 remaining, LeVert made a layup Northwest Division to start the run. Brogdon hit a 3-pointer W L Pct GB and added a layup, with the latter mak- Utah 44 16 .733 - Real Madrid slip in title race Denver 39 21 .650 5 ing it 109-101 with 2:42 remaining. Portland 32 27 .542 11-1/2 BARCELONA, Spain, April 25, (AP): tico and Barcelona) will win all their Edmond Sumner added 22 points for Oklahoma City 20 40 .333 24 Minnesota 17 44 .279 27-1/2 Another stumble by Real have cleared matches.” The slip came three days be- the Pacers. They swept the season se- the path for Atlético Madrid and Bar- fore Madrid host Chelsea in their fi rst ries from the Pistons for the fi rst time Pacifi c Division since 2016-17 and have won 10 of 12 at W L Pct GB celona to dethrone the sitting Spanish of two games to decide which advance Phoenix 42 17 .712 - league champion. to a spot in the European fi nal. home against Detroit. LA Clippers 43 19 .694 -1/2 Spurs 110, Pelicans 108 LA Lakers 35 25 .583 7-1/2 Zinedine Zidane’s side produced Zidane, however, said he was con- Golden State 30 30 .500 12-1/2 a toothless attacking performance in fi dent the poor result won’t impact the In New Orleans, DeMar DeRozan Sacramento 24 35 .407 18 scored 11 of his team-high 32 points in drawing at home with Real Betis 0-0 semifi nal against Chelsea. the fi nal 7:40 and made all 12 of his free , their second scoreless stalemate in “One match has nothing to do with throws in San Antonio’s victory over Kendrick Nunn had 22 and Miami held three rounds. the other,” Zidane said. “We are go- New Orleans. off a big Chicago rally. Even though coach and players de- ing to prepare for the semifinal on With the Spurs clinging to a 104-103 Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 10 nied they were caught looking ahead Tuesday, which will be much more lead with 2:04 left, DeRozan scored the assists for the Heat, and Jimmy Butler to their Champions League semifi nal complicated than our game today.” next four points, and the Pelicans could added 20 points. Miami trailed but saw with Chelsea, Madrid mustered up one The closest the hosts came to scoring not respond. what was a 24-point lead cut to two in of their most lackluster performances under steady rain at theirAlfredo Di The Pelicans damaged their chances the fi nal moments. of the season just when the title is on Stéfano Stadium was Rodrygo’s er- by committing 19 turnovers and going Coby White scored 31 points for the line. rant cross hitting the crossbar in the 17 of 32 from the foul line. San Antonio Chicago, and Nikola Vucevic had 26 “We tried, but we were lacking 55th minute. made 27 of 32 free throws. points and 14. The Bulls outscored Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante (centre), and West Ham’s Jesse Lingard chal- something in attack, like other times Ten minutes later, Madrid needed Heat 106, Bulls 101 the Heat 60-45 in the second half, but lenge for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match this season,” Zidane said. “But no mat- defender Éder Militão to disrupt Borja In Miami, Duncan Robinson made wound up losing for the seventh time in between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium, London, ter what happens, we will keep fi ght- Iglesias’ shot after Diego Lainez set seven 3-pointers and scored 23 points, their last 10 games. England. (AP) ing until the end. I don’t think (Atlé- him up on the break.

THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT Published by: Arab Times Publishing House

Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office: Telephone: 24813566 & 24849144 Advertising: Tel: 55633481 Annual Subscriptions: Airport Road, Shuwaikh Fax: 24818267 Fax: 24911307 Individuals KD 45/- Companies and Offi cial Tel: 24849144 AHMED AL JARALLAH Departments KD 75 Airmail charges extra for Fax: 24839487 P.O. Box 2270, 13023 Safat, Kuwait E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] overseas