soccer Pages 14 & 16

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

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 / SHABAAN 20-21, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17653 16 PAGES 150 FILS PROSPECTS FOR GRADUAL RETURN TO NORMAL IN JULY Airport reopening linked to case rate

Restrictions likely to continue through Ramadan

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Director of the Air Transportation Department at the Di- to the bed capacity of the institutional quarantine centers.” rectorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Abdullah Al-Rajhi revealed details of the During an interview, he indicated that a total of 3.875 million passengers used the airport in 2020, which is less by 11.57 million compared to the total of 15.448 million passengers in 2019, adding that the number of flights also decreased by more repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on passenger traffic at Kuwait International than 74,000. Airport during the past year, reports Al-Rai daily. Al-Rajhi said, “We were informed by 18 travel and tourism companies to stop activity due to the disruption of air traffic He said, “The reopening of the airport will depend on the decrease in the rate of COVID-19 infections and their and travel as a result of the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuation for a long period of time. The stability at a low rate. Even if the Ministry of Health increases the number of passengers permitted to enter, it will number of companies operating at Kuwait International Airport has decreased from 52 to 47 during the summer of 2020, with not do so directly, but gradually, especially since the number of passengers allowed to be transported is related the suspension of five companies operating at the airport on an occasional basis.” He stressed that the airport cannot be accused of causing an increase in the CO- VID-19 infections, as it is subject to strict precautionary health measures, adding Opinion that the infection indicators among the cases coming to the country are very low. Al-Rajhi explained that statistics re- vealed that the discovered cases were only about five out of 3,000 domestic workers Immunize us as you have immunized yourself who came to the country. They were quar- antined until it was confirmed that they were cured and did not carry the virus. The authorities at the airport do not lax in By Ahmed Al-Jarallah implementing the health requirements. Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times Despite the recent spike in the number Newswatch of deaths and infections with coronavirus AFTER a long wait during which there was lack in the country, a government official said things will start to return to normal in of any indication of the ability of the executive KUWAIT CITY: The transfer authority to resolve and conclude matters in its of residencies of parents to the July, reports Al-Qabas daily. sponsorship of their children in The official revealed that the country favor, the government suddenly woke up from has been assured it will receive large its floundering by issuing a series of firm deci- accordance with Article 22 (fam- ily visa) is the responsibility of quantities of approved vaccines, which sions, the most important of which is related to the offi ce of the Assistant Under- means the companies producing anti- immunizing His Highness the Prime Minister secretary for Residency Affairs corona vaccines will further increase sup- Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled from political account- Major General Anwar Al-Barjas, plies of their vaccines to accelerate the ability. reports Al-Qabas daily quoting pace of vaccination and achieve commu- This decision was taken despite the fact that reliable sources. nity immunity soon. the MPs submitted interpellations against His They explained that the resi- He said that vaccine supplies will be dency affairs departments in the better at the end of the second quarter of Highness the Prime Minister and the ministers. six governorates, and the General The lesson remains that this immunity, which has this year; while the implementation of Department of Residency Affairs health regulations including social dis- been given to the Cabinet, gives it the power to do not receive these transactions. tancing and wearing masks will continue implement its projects and enact laws. Instead, such transactions should until the end of 2022. Today, all the considerations with which the be referred to the offi ce of the As- government was building its positions have sistant Undersecretary for Resi- Transmission dency Affairs. evaporated after it acquired immunity that keeps ❑ ❑ ❑ Regarding the opening of Kuwait In- it away from a virus that nearly killed it, and ternational Airport, the official confirmed robbed any future government of the ability to KUWAIT CITY: Abdullah Zu- that the airport will open once the vac- confront the parliament. hair, an independent interna- cination of citizens is completed as this Therefore, the government no longer has any Teresa Ting stands for a portrait, March 31, 2021, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens tional consultant expert in law will protect them from transmission of borough of New York. The vicious assault of a 65-year-old woman while walking to church this on international employment the virus. justification regarding its inability to meet the and basic rights at work and hu- This coincides with the recent an- people in the middle of the road, and to be popu- week near New York City’s Times Square has heightened already palpable levels of outrage over anti-Asian attacks that started with the pandemic. Ting, a 29-year-old Chinese American, man rights, has appealed to the nouncement of the International Air list par excellence. started what has become the Main Street Patrol following an attack on another older Asian political leadership to abolish Transport Association (IATA) that a digi- It is the government of Kuwait that serves its American woman in February. (AP) the sponsorship system in the tal travel permit showing results of Co- people, not the government of individuals, MPs, country and set the minimum vid-19 tests and vaccination certificates wage for workers in the correct will be launched on the Apple platform or influential people. It has become imperative to manner and in strict accordance prove its worth so that it does not regress to disor- with international labor stand- in mid-April. This digital travel permit, der or lose its credibility in the eyes of the public ards, which will give the State of which is currently in the testing phase, before the parliament. Kuwait a distinctive resonance was expected to be launched at the end Postponing the interpellations until after the at the international and region- of March. second term of the legislative session is an op- al levels, reports Al-Seyassah Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and daily. Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Ja- portunity for His Highness the Prime Minister to In a statement, the daily, a ber Al-Ali affirmed that the partial ban highlight his well-known integrity, honesty, and copy of which has been obtained will continue during the next stage until the ability to assume responsibility. by the daily, he said, “I was lucky the numbers of cases decrease, especially Indeed, this type of person is considered to be and had the honor to work with with the entry of the blessed month of Ra- of worth by Kuwaitis and is capable of assuming the Kuwaiti government for sev- madan, reports Al Qabas. greater responsibilities. eral years when I was a regional Al-Ali responded to Al-Qabas’s ques- The public is waiting to see what His Highness advisor to the Arab countries in tion, saying: “One of the reasons for the the United Nations International increase in Coronavirus infections are the Prime Minister and the Cabinet will present Labor Organization, and I can and to pull from the MPs the cards which they gatherings, and in Ramadan gatherings say that Kuwait is a state of in- will increase, and our recommendations have been using to extort the state institutions stitutions and a state of law in which the democratically elected to the Council of Ministers are to main- from which they reaped their popularity while tain the partial ban, while modifying and spending from the state’s pocket. Parliament works as a real legis- lative authority in monitoring the reducing the hours of the ban. Kuwaiti officials often talk elaborately about executive authority.” The Directorate General of Civil Avia- issues of concern to people. They reassure that ❑ ❑ ❑ tion (DGCA) has meanwhile approved the country is fine, its finances and oil wealth is the list of laboratories accredited within sufficient for the next fifty years, and there can be KUWAIT CITY: The Civil Ser- the MUNA program – a mechanism link- no deficit if there is responsible management of vice Commission (CSC) has ing external laboratories – for the verifi- started reviewing the Kuwaitiza- cation of PCR test certificates issued to public money. From time to time, they also use tion rates in various government the expired slogan –“diversifying sources of in- arriving passengers from five countries Left and right: These images taken from surveillance video provided by the New York City Po- agencies for the current fi scal as follows: Spain, France, America, the come” – even though no progress has yet been lice Department show a person of interest (background center), assaulting an Asian American year, while it stopped the pay- United Kingdom and Jordan, reports achieved. woman (on ground), March 29, 2021, in New York. The 65-year-old woman was walking in ment of indemnity to expatriates who ended their service unless Al-Qabas daily quoting a reliable source In fact, the successive governments enacted midtown Manhattan a few blocks from Times Square on Monday afternoon when a man ap- from Kuwait International Airport. proached her and kicked her in the stomach, knocking her to the ground, police said. The man they submit the notice to leave decisions that increased the closure of the coun- the country and the residency According to the source, the accredita- try, prevented investments, and even expelled then stomped on the woman’s face several times while hurling anti-Asian sentiments at her, tion of laboratories is aimed at preventing police said. He later casually walked away, the footage shows. (AP) cancellation is stamped, reports investors. This happened when the matter was Al-Qabas daily quoting a reliable fraud or tampering results of PCR tests left to a handful of racist and exclusionary of- source from the CSC. for travelers from the above mentioned ficials, who destroyed our culture, tore apart our ‘New York ... New York’ The source explained this countries; affirming that Kuwait Mosafer society, and spread their toxins in the economy measure aims to achieve the platform gives travelers information on State’s goal to modify the demo- the accredited laboratories and location to weaken it. A parolee convicted of killing his mother Elliot, who is Black, faces charges of as- graphic structure, explaining that according to cities. Therefore, it has today become necessary to es- nearly two decades ago was arrested on as- sault and attempted assault as hate crimes. if the terminated non-Kuwaiti tablish a higher council for the economy, which sault and hate crime charges in an attack on He made an appearance in court via video employee is transferred to an- Decrease an Asian American woman in New York City, Wednesday night, and was remanded into will operate based on a clear vision and a proper other sector, such as the private Ministry of Health (MoH) Spokesper- police said Wednesday. custody, with the next court date scheduled sector or dependent visa (Article plan. Police said Brandon for Monday. son Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad on Wednes- Regarding the openness for instance, Kuwait 22); he will not receive his dues day announced a noticeable decrease of Elliot, 38, is the man Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance until he leaves the country per- is not the only country in the region that has a seen on surveillance vid- Jr said Elliot faces up to 25 years in prison if coronavirus infections among kuwaitis manently. compared with previous months. large number of expatriates. There are countries eo kicking and stomping convicted. ❑ ❑ ❑ where the percentage of citizens is only 12 per- the woman near Times The Legal Aid Society, which is represent- Speaking at a news conference, Al- cent but they continue to open up and benefit Square on Monday. The ing him, said in a statement, “We strongly KUWAIT CITY: Working time Sanad said the ratio of COVID-19 infec- woman was attacked urge the public to reserve judgment until all at public bodies during the holy tion among kuwaitis is less than 55 per- from expats as an added value. On the other in front of an apartment the facts are presented in court.” month of Ramadan should not cent compared with 68 percent at some hand, we have officials who issue decisions that building. Elliot lived at a hotel that serves as a home- exceed four and a half hours, the times over the last few months, warning harm the expatriates and tarnish our country’s Two lobby workers less shelter a few blocks from the attack Civil Service Commission (CSC) against an increase in infections among reputation. witnessed the violence scene, police said. He was taken into custody announced in a circular on Thurs- residents. His Highness the Prime Minister must be well but no one intervened or at the hotel around midnight. Tips from the day. Field medical swabs still indicate to a aware of the nature of the next phase, and will called 911, police said. Elliot public led to his apprehension, police said. During this time, COVID-19 rise in the infection rate, he showed, call- Their union said Wednes- Elliot was convicted of stabbing his mother health measures should be ob- work to purify the laws that harm people and day they told a union representative that they to death in the Bronx in 2002, when he was ing for taking utmost measures of caution. served, CSC added, but several Getting out of this crisis requires a waste opportunities. There is a need for a legal waited until the attacker left because he had a 19. He was released from prison in 2019 and public bodies, like the Health revolution in every sense of the word. The op- knife and then flagged down a police car. is on lifetime parole. (AP) Ministry, may determine their common responsibility, receiving vacci- portunity is now available more than ever, even own work schedule given the nation and continue abiding by preven- nature and requirements of each tive measures, he stressed. if it calls for some constitutional amendments. Despite all challenges facing those The United States of America amended its con- job. (KUNA) Johnson & Johnson COVID batch fails ❑ ❑ ❑ who deal with the pandemic, there are stitution more than fifty times. France changed still hopes for a better future to get out of the face of its republic several times. In other WASHINGTON, April 1, (AP): A batch of John- cine. Emergent declined to comment. KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s For- this crisis, he affirmed. countries, the constitution is regularly amended son & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine failed qual- J&J had pledged to provide 20 million doses eign Minister and State Minister On occasion of National Doctors’ Day; after every few years. ity standards and can’t be used, the drug giant of its vaccine to the US government by the end for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr on March 30, Al-Sanad expressed grati- Finally, all we can say to His Highness the said Wednesday. of March, and 80 million more doses by the Ahmad Nasser Al-Muhammad tude to all doctors and medical staff as The drugmaker didn’t say how many doses end of May. Its statement on the manufactur- Al-Sabah met with the visiting well as all frontline workers for their ef- Prime Minister – You have immunized yourself South African Minister of Inter- ... you should also immunize Kuwait. were lost, and it wasn’t clear how the problem ing problem said it was still planning to deliver forts in facing the pandemic. would impact future deliveries. 100 million doses by the end of June and was national Relations and Coopera- He noted that the global indicators are Email: [email protected] tion Naledi Pandor on Thurs- A vaccine ingredient made by Emergent Bio- “aiming to deliver those doses by the end of day. still growing as figures have increased Follow me on: Solutions – one of about 10 companies that John- May.” The two sides discussed from 127.8 million cases to 128.8 million son & Johnson is using to speed up manufacturing President Joe Biden has pledged to have enough strengthening their countries’ in two days. of its recently approved vaccine – did not meet vaccines for all US adults by the end of May. The close and solid bilateral relations Earlier, Al-Sanad announced five quality standards, J&J said. US government has ordered enough two-dose and reviewed all aspects of close deaths and 1,282 new cases of COVID-19 [email protected] J&J said the Emergent BioSolutions factory in- shots from Pfizer and Moderna to vaccinate 200 cooperation, particularly on the in the past 24 hours, taking death toll to volved had not yet been approved by the US Food million people to be delivered by late May, plus economic, trade and investment 1,313 and total infections to 232,103 in and Drug Administration to make part of the vac- the 100 million shots from J&J. spectrums. kuwait. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 2

People visit Saudi artist Rashed Al Shashai’s work titled Brand 14, Light Boxes, Plastic Cases, at the 14th edition of Art Dubai at Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC, which features 50 galleries from 31 countries with a focus on modern and contemporary art, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on March 30, 2021. (AP) ‘First to be cancelled … fi rst to be back live’ Dubai art show reflects new normal t was a scene reminiscent of pre-pandemic Dubai: Art lovers dressed in ple attending the fair can book a specifi c time slot in advance to guarantee Since then, reported daily new infection numbers have dropped to over Idesigner clothes or alternative fashion, walking around in one of the city’s their entry. Those worried about being around a crowd can take a virtual tour 2,000, from highs of nearly 4,000 at the worst of the winter. The United Arab many swanky locations. Bloggers, VIPs and infl uencers fi lming on their mo- of the fair from home. Emirates is vaccinating at one of the quickest rates in the world, hoping to bile phones. People mingling and laughing. Even some of the art is teleconferencing into the event. Art Dubai intro- be ready for Dubai hosting its Expo 2020 world’s fair in October, after the The only difference? They all wore masks. duced a program allowing galleries unable to travel to Dubai to connect to pandemic forced a delay of the event last year. After being canceled in March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, visitors via video. With airlines fl ying again, big events back on the calendar, and bars and Art Dubai returned this week to the sunbaked desert metropolis it calls home, The fair features 50 contemporary and modern galleries from 31 countries, restaurants open to residents and tourists — albeit masked when not eating or becoming one of the fi rst in-person international art fairs of 2021. The show specializing in regions that are not main players on the international art scene. drinking — the UAE hopes to power through the rest of the pandemic. is part of the city-state’s efforts to reopen to international trade and tourism It also focuses on artists from the Middle East. “Corona changed life as a whole,” al-Shashai said. “I found that people are that power its economy. One of them is Rashed al-Shashai, a prominent fi gure of the contemporary just waiting for a chance to come back, and they will, and they will rebuild, “Art Dubai was the fi rst art fair to be canceled, just when the pandemic Saudi art scene. He recently designed a piece entitled Concise Passage, 2020 and they will forget everything that happened, and it will all become tales to started” and now it’s the fi rst to be back live, said Pablo del Val, the show’s in the kingdom’s al-Ula historical district — a feature made of shipping crates be told.” artistic director. divided by a pink-lighted walkway symbolizing a region that was once a key The pandemic also featured in the art exhibited in the show. One piece, a gi- “I think it’s been an emotional, fantastic moment,” he added. “I think eve- stop on an incense trade route linking Arabia to Asia. ant outdoor display reading “NEWS: IT WON’T BE LIKE THIS FOREVER” ryone was looking forward to stop looking to screens and having a physical “Taking part in this fair shows the determination of art to be part of bring- drew many a selfi e. relationship with a work of art.” ing life back to normal, for people and humanity,” al-Shashai said. “It helps “I think that culture is something that should never be canceled and I think This year’s installment is different, however. Typically held at the vast people live in a better way, even when there are disasters and tragedies hap- it doesn’t matter the times that you’re going through,” del Val said. “I think conference space of Madinat Jumeirah in the shadow of Dubai’s iconic, sail- pening in the world.” it’s a way that we can really interrelate with each other and where our senses shaped Burj al-Arab hotel, the 2021 event instead came to Dubai International As Dubai went into a lockdown in early 2020, the city’s big events shut and our positiveness come back to life.” Financial Center. Temporary galleries sprung up around the center’s Gate down, along with its long-haul carrier Emirates. The autocratically ruled emir- “I think that one of the magics that Art Dubai is managing this week is House, the landmark structure at the business hub. ate moved aggressively to reopen in July to tourists. Coronavirus numbers precisely that ... bringing people (into) a completely different state of mind,” Signs of the pandemic are still everywhere: Social-distancing signs and however spiked to levels unseen following New Year’s Eve. Other countries he added. hand sanitizer dispensers stand visible in the tents housing the galleries. Peo- also blamed Dubai for outbreaks of coronavirus variants. “We are becoming humans again.” (AP)

14th edition of the Art Dubai at the Dubai International Financial Center. (AP)

Angeles Agrela paintings

People visit ‘Swiss Fog Magnifi ed.’ (AP)

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 3 Weather Expected weather for the next By Night: Fair and partly cloudy Abdaly 39 20 with light to moderate freshening Prayer Timings 24 hours: Bubyan - - By Day: Hot with light to mod- at times south easterly wind to Jahra 39 20 Fajr ...... 04:18 Asr ...... 15:23 erate freshening at times south north easterly wind with speeds of Failaka Island - - Sunrise .. 05:38 Maghrib .. 18:06 easterly wind to south westerly 10-40 km/h and a chance for rain Salmiyah 30 21 Zohr ...... 11:52 Isha ...... 19:24 wind with speeds of 15-45 km/h that might be thundery at times. Ahmadi 30 21 with a chance for rising dust over Station Max Exp Min Rec Nuwaisib 36 17 open areas and a chance for rain Kuwait City 36 22 Wafra 39 19 that might be thundery at times. Kuwait Airport 39 20 Salmy 40 20 VACCINE REGISTRATION WEBSITE: https://cov19vaccine.moh.gov.kw/SPCMS/CVD_19_Vaccine_Registration.aspx

Mabanee Co rallies 13 fi ls, Zain closes fl at Kuwait bourse kicks off month on cheery note, volume up

By John Mathews Boubyan Bank scaled 6 fi ls and Mabanee Co spiked 20.98 percent to 49.6 fi ls and Gulf In the banking sector, Gulf Bank eased 1 Arab Times Staff sprinted 13 fi ls to 739 fi ls after pushing 1.7 Investment House galloped 19.6 pct to stand fi l to 219 fi ls and Kuwait International Bank ▼ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30225/350.30225/35 million shares is trading 82 fi ls year-to-date. next. YIACO skidded 14.01 percent, the was up 3 fi ls at 203 fi ls on back of 8.5 million KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Kuwait stocks Zain was unchanged at 605 fi ls after trad- steepest decliner of the day and Ahli United shares. Burgan Bank inched 1 fi l higher to ▼ Euro/KD 0.3548 gained traction on Thursday following last ing 2.9 million shares whereas Ooredoo gave Bank BSC topped the volume with 24.83 221 fi ls and Warba Bank followed suit. Ahli session’s rebound. The All Shares Index up 6 fi ls to settle at 639 fi ls. stc darted 17 fi ls million shares. United Bank BSC rose 3 fi ls with brisk trad- ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 climbed 36.52 points to 5,812.44 points as it to 937 fi ls and logistic major Agility climbed Refl ecting the day’s upswing, the market ing whereas Al Ahli Bank and Ahli United kicked off the month on a strong note. 5 fi ls to 731 fi ls. Humansoft Holding jumped spread was skewed towards the winners. 66 Bank Kuwait stalled at 202 fi ls and 308 fi ls ▲ British £/KD 0.4167 The Premier Market rallied 46.78 points 16 fi ls to KD 3.716 and Mezzan Holding was stocks advanced whereas 50 closed lower. respectively. to 6,371.22 pts taking the year-to-date gains up 4 fi ls at 570 fi ls. Boursa Kuwait Securities Of the 136 counters active on Thursday, 20 KIPCO ticked 1 fi l higher to 164 fi ls and ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0041 to 320 pts while Main Market paced 13.67 paced 8 fi ls and NAPESCO soared 55 fi ls to closed fl at. 9741 deals worth KD 46.59 were National Investment Co added 3 fi ls. Al Im- points. The BK Main 50 was up 16.44 points KD 1.000. YIACO Medical slid 86 fi ls. transacted during the session. tiaz Investment and Kuwait Real Estate Co ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 at 4,890.97 pts. The volume turnover mean- National Industries Group was fl at at 187 fi ls Kuwait Cement Co and Kuwait National took in 1 fi l each whereas Kuwait Investment while rose for third straight session, an 8 pct after pushing 1.6 million shares whereas Gulf Cinema Co paused at 222 fi ls and 720 fi ls Co held ground at 126 fi ls. International Fi- ▲ FTSE +44.28 pts at 13:25 hr, April 01 increase from Wednesday. Cable dropped 5 fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemi- respectively whereas Kuwait Portland Ce- nancial Advisors crept 1 fi l up and KMEFIC The sectors closed mostly in green turf. cal Co paused at 847 fi ls and Al Qurain Pet- ment Co dialed down 2 fi ls. Shuaiba Indus- erased 3 fi ls. Arzan Financial Investment di- Energy outshone the rest with 2.48 pct gain rochemical Co took in 1 fi l. Jazeera Airways trial slipped 5 fi ls to 175 fi ls while Metal and aled up 23 2 fi ls. ▲ Nikkei +210.07 pts at closing April 01 whereas Healthcare shed 1.19 percent, the slipped 4 fi ls to 716 fi ls and ALAFCO dialed Recycling Co added 2 fi ls. Kuwait Foundry Noor Financial Investment darted 10 fi ls to biggest loser of the day. Volume wise, Fi- up 2 fi ls. Advanced Technology shed 22 fi ls. Co shed 10 fi ls and ACICO Industries gave 201 fi ls on back of 5.8 million shares while ▼ Gold 1685.35 per oz (London) nancial Services topped with 119.6 million The market opened fi rm and swung higher up 3.8 fi ls. Tamdeen Investment gained 9 fi ls. Aayan shares while Banking sector dominated with in early trade. The main index sagged slight- Burgan Well Drilling Co slipped 9 fi ls to Leasing rose 3 fi ls to 126 fi ls whereas KFIC KD 21 million. ly and drifted listlessly half way into the ses- 147 fi ls whereas Kuwait National Cinema gave up 3 fi ls. ▼ NYMEX crude $60.17 per barrel Among the standouts, sector bellwether sion before revving up again amid buying Co and Kuwait Hotels stood pat at 720 fi ls The market was mixed during the week. National Bank of Kuwait rallied 8 fi ls to 815 spurt in some of the counters. It scaled the and 61 fi ls respectively. Kuwait Gulf Links The main index closed higher in two of the ▼ Brent crude $63.62 per barrel fi ls on back of 6.6 million shares and Kuwait day’s highest level of 5814 pts in the fi nal and KCPC dialed up1 fi l each while United fi ve sessions scaling 41 pts week-on-week. Finance House too extended last session’s minutes and closed with moderate gains. Projects Co scaled 7 fi ls to close at 204 fi ls. It has gained 127 points during whole of LIBOR rate 0.20163% robust gains with 6 fi ls jump to 774 fi ls. Top gainer of the day, Sanam Real Estate Mashaer Holding fell 2.2 fi ls to 56.8 fi ls. March and is up 240 points year-to-date. Strict eye on charities, ‘donation’ campaigns Ramadan meals for needy

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: As the power (PAM) and Ministry of Interior. These fasting month of Ramadan is fast teams will closely monitor fundraising cam- paigns in a bid to uncover irregularities. approaching, 17 foundations and The concerned offi cials confi rmed to the charitable societies have obtained daily that the monitoring teams will not al- licenses from the Ministry of So- low any form of gathering in front of or in- cial Affairs to start collecting do- side mosques during the distribution of Iftar nations to distribute Iftar meals meals. Offi cers from the Ministry of Inte- rior will participate in the distribution of to Muslims while six teams were daily meals and food baskets to individuals formed to monitor the activities and families in different residential areas. of these institutions, reports Al- According to the offi cials, there will be Qabas daily. a daily work schedule for distributions to The ministry has specifi ed a mecha- prevent overlapping among charities nism for collecting donations through while the meals will the charitable organizations’ websites, be distributed by area devices designated for donations in the and aid will be deliv- headquarters of the charities, and do- ered to the needy all nation campaigns in mosques on the over the country. condition that K-Net is used and cash Charitable soci- donation is not allowed. eties will provide On the other hand, charitable societies sterilizers, while prepared their work schedule during Rama- barriers will be set dan. This schedule includes the distribution up to prevent gather- of food baskets for individuals and families, Hana Al-Hajri ings and ensure so- MoI photo in addition to providing ready-to-eat meals cial distancing. KNG personnel distributing gifts at the vaccination center. in the country and abroad. The charities in- Below are the methods of collecting do- tend to distribute these meals to 21 Arab, nations: KNG encourages public for COVID vaccine Asian and African countries. ■ Charitable societies’ websites, The charities set goals for their campaigns, ■ Mosques where donations should be most notably the collection of about KD1.5 made through K-Net, The Associate Team for Financial Affairs and to encourage people to receive the vaccine Tawari, said in a press release this initiative million for the distribution of Iftar meals ■ Automated donation devices at the head- Resources Management at the Kuwait Na- against the coronavirus Covid-19, reports Al- from the National Guard comes under the di- and food baskets. So far, they have collected quarters of charities, tional Guard presented gifts to citizens and Seyassah daily. rectives of the National Guard Command rep- KD270,000 and have started distributing food ■ Links through smart phone applications, residents at the Kuwait Vaccination Center, in Associate for Financial Affairs and Re- resented by HH Sheikh Salem Al-Ali, Chief of ■ support of the Ministry of Health’s campaign sources Management, Major-General Riyadh the National Guard. baskets to needy families in different areas. Text messages in cooperation with tel- In addition, the Social Development Sec- ecommunications companies. tor in the ministry -- under the leadership of Targeted countries for helping the needy: Hana Al-Hajri -- is preparing to intensify the Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Sudan, monitoring of charitable societies and dona- Somalia, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangla- New Pakistani medics begin work in hospitals tion campaigns. The sector formed six teams desh, India, Ukraine, Uganda, Benin, Sen- whose members are from the ministry, Ku- egal, Mauritania, Albania, Togo, Iraq, Ko- wait Municipality, Public Authority for Man- sovo and Kuwait. Third batch of 223 Hot , unstable weather in weekend

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: The Pakistani medical teams, which PAM activates new online services arrived in Kuwait last week, began their work in various Min- KUWAIT CITY, April 1: The Information guages to raise awareness for the benefi ciar- istry of Health hospitals, to assist national medical teams to Glitch disrupts e-payment system Systems Department of the Public Author- ies of this service to clarify the mechanism. confront, contain and combat the Covid-19 pandemic, as the ity for Manpower (PAM) has activated a They said, “The total number of transac- number of infections have been increasing during the past few KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Electronic ser- the new or updated licenses do not appear new set of online services for domestic la- tions completed through PAM’s automated months, reports Al-Jarida daily. vices were disrupted due to a technical de- in the new system, and as a result the work bor recruitment offi ces, reports Al-Qabas systems from January 12 to March 12 ex- The third batch of Pakistani medical team comprising of 223 fect as a result of which government trans- permits cannot be renewed. daily quoting informed sources. ceeded 500,000 including more than 200,000 doctors, technicians and nurses, arrived in the country recently, actions could not be completed because ❑ ❑ ❑ They said PAM has started receiving transactions for the renewal of work permits were placed in home quarantine for 7 days and after the quaran- payment via the KNET could not be done, transactions for the renewal of licenses of of workers residing in the country.” tine period, they were distributed to work in various hospitals, reports Al-Qabas daily. Kuwait’s weather during the weekend expired offi ces through the electronic forms The sources affi rmed that the director of including Adan, Farwaniya, Al-Jahra and the Jaber Hospital. Reliable sources told the daily, the disrup- will witness a gradual rise in temperatures system on the website in order to facilitate the administration Eng. Rabab Al-Osaimi Informed health sources told the daily the number of Paki- tion of the payment system led to the disrup- accompanied by dust-carrying winds over the process for the clients. has been directly following up the new au- stani medical staff that arrived in Kuwait in three batches is tion of services, especially in the Hawalli and open areas and light rain, possibly thun- The sources affi rmed the administration’s tomated system that was recently activated 627 -- doctors, technicians and nurses – but the nurses make Ahmadi governorates, and the concerned derous, a forecaster said on Thursday, ac- keenness to end the stranded labor procedures for PAM’s online services through the on- the bulk of the medical teams which is about 75 percent, all of authority with the technical department fol- cordint to KUNA. without personal attendance, as it also did on- line forms system and ‘As-hal’ system by whom are specialized in intensive care, abdominal, thoracic lowed up the performance of the system, The forecast for Thursday is hot weather line domestic worker complaints services. providing the required technical support in and other issues. which did not fi nd any technical defect in the with moderate 15-45 km/h winds causing They indicated that this procedure will the various work departments to end any The source pointed out that the fi rst batch included 208 doc- government system other than the suspension dust and possible light rain, Abdulaziz Al- be followed by campaigns in different lan- problem or notice from business owners. tors, technicians and nurses, the second included 196, noting of the service as a result of the disruption of Qarawi of the Kuwait Control and Meteoro- that the Ministry of Health is planning to bring in additional payment service from the source. logical Center (KCMC) told KUNA. new batches of Pakistani medical staff, up to 1,000, to help The sources added, the Public Authority Al-Qarawi added that the temperature will contain the Corona pandemic, according to a health agreement for Manpower (PAM) is still working on be between 37-39 degrees Celsius and sea signed between Kuwait and Pakistan. updating its automated systems and add- waves are expected to be as high as 2-6 feet. The sources stated the fourth batch will arrive soon. The fi rst ing services for renewing and updating Friday’s weather will be at a range of 34- arrived in October 2020, the second in late December 2020, work permits for residents, cancelling work 36 degrees Celsius and Saturday’s forecast and the third last March. permits, assessment needs, monitoring pro- is expected to be between 22-24 degrees The sources indicated offi cials in the Ministry of Health cesses, automatic inspections and others. Celsius, he noted. are continuing to communicate with their counterparts in the In addition, the authority is fl ooded with ❑ ❑ ❑ Ministry of Health in Pakistan to bring Pakistani doctors and the electronic inquiries on the social media medical teams to Kuwait. with inquiries about the services that have The Council of Ministers, during its re- It is worth noting that bringing in medical teams from Paki- been disrupted since yesterday, while an cent meeting, decided to open a drive-thru stan comes within the framework of the joint medical and tech- announcement has been made that the ser- vaccination center on the South Island of nical cooperation agreement, and the exchange of experiences vices will be stopped due to a breakdown in Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Bridge, reports between the two countries, which was signed by the ministry the systems, and told the visitors to follow Al-Qabas daily. at the beginning of July 2020, with the aim of strengthening the announcements which PAM will make This center is designated for rapid vac- the bonds of cooperation between the two sides, and providing from time to time in this regard. cination against coronavirus. the opportunity to benefi t from the Pakistani expertise of the Among the most prominent disruption Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers medical, nursing and technical personnel. was the inquiry service and the ineffective- also approved bonuses for frontline work- ❑ ❑ ❑ ness of the link between the authority and ers who are fi ghting against the covid-19 the ministries of Interior and Commerce, as pandemic in the country. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al-Safa Hu- manitarian Charitable Society, Muhammad Al-Shaya, said the Kuwaiti charity work has won the hearts of the people at the local, regional and global levels, reports Al-Seyassah daily. Last chance for dismissed students This came during the ceremony which was held to honor him by the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Ulukbek Maripov for KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Upon rec- Informed educational sources told the his humanitarian efforts in caring for widows and orphans and ommendation of the Assistant Under- daily, that Al-Sultan restricted the num- implementing health, educational and development projects. secretary for Public Education, Osama ber of dismissed students in coordination Al-Shaya said this honor is a source of pride and a medal of Al-Sultan, the Ministry of Education with the educational districts, and a deci- honor for all employees of the Society and the Kuwait charity re-enrolled nearly one thousand students sion was taken to re-enroll them, at the sector. whose names had been canceled during same stressing the need for students to He indicated this honor highlights Kuwait’s response to the the fi rst semester, which also resulted in commit to their studies. He warned this humanitarian appeal and relief of the affected countries, and them not attending the second semester, is the last opportunity for the dismissed for those most in need. reports Al-Anba daily. students to begin serious work. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 LOCAL 4

‘Kuwaiti charity societies should direct their activities inside country’ Overcrowding tied to uneven distribution of dispensaries By Najeh Bilal clear shortage in the level of health 2020 was 116 distributed over the six Capital, which has a population of Al-Kabeer Governorate, which has a some densely populated areas, as well Al-Seyassah Staff services provided to the Kuwaiti popu- governorates, with 36 in the Capital, 601,356, while there are 19 clinics in population of about 287,372. as private housing areas where lation in general, including citizens 19 in Hawalli, 19 in Al-Ahmadi, 15 in the Hawalli Governorate, with has a However, there are about 5,255 resi- Kuwaitis and expatriates live. KUWAIT CITY, April 1: There is a and expatriates. Al-Jahra, 18 in Farwaniya, and 9 in population of 977,864, given the dents in Kuwait that the PACI records do They pointed out that Kuwaiti char- doctor in Kuwait for every 556 people, According to the statistics issued by Mubarak Al-Kabeer. Governorate of Farwaniya 18, which not show in which governorate they live. ity societies that build hospitals and according to official 2018 statistics on the Public Authority for Civil The figures reflect a contradiction in has a population of almost 1.3 million, Al-Seyassah met with a number of clinics in poor countries should direct the total number of doctors working Information, a copy of which has been the distribution of dispensaries vis-a- and there are 19 clinics in Ahmadi, citizens and expatriates who demand- their activities inside the country due for the Ministry of Health which obtained by the daily, the number of vis the population of the governorates, whose population reaches is about 1.8 ed the need to expand the establish- to the scarcity of dispensaries inside reached 8,434, which constitutes a dispensaries until the end of December for example there are 36 clinics in the million, there are 9 clinics in Mubarak ment of dispensaries, especially in the country. State to bear KD 600m for delay in payment of loan installments 450,000 citizens to benefit from postponement decision

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Al-Mudaf queries on expat KPA employees pay hike The cost to be borne by the state budget for the implementation of the Al-Muwaizri launches scathing attack decision to delay loan National Assembly Speaker Al-Ghanim. installments by six against National Assembly Speaker, PM months, and for support- ing and guaranteeing the By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Al-Ghanim is either a coward or mean, financing of entrepre- Arab Times Staff claiming the Speaker is leading the country towards a dark tunnel and the neurs affected by the KUWAIT CITY, April 1: MP Shuaib abyss. He said he is verifying the COVID-19 crisis is about Al-Muwaizri has launched a scathing involvement of Al-Ghanim in issues KD 600 million, but with attack against National Assembly like the Euro Fighter deal, Kuwait Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim and His Army Fund and others. the assumption that the Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh In another development, MP Abdullah state would bear the cost Sabah Al-Khalid. Al-Mudaf asked Minister of Commerce of some small and medi- In a press statement after the legisla- and Industry and State Minister for um-sized enterprise own- tive session on Tuesday, the lawmaker Housing Affairs Abdullah Al-Salman if accused the Speaker of supporting the salaries of expatriate employees at ers defaulting to repay the every disaster in the country. He criti- Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) have financing they will receive cized what he described as violations increased since 2018 and if they have against the Constitution and laws, such in the future, reports Shuaib Al-Muwaizri been granted allowances. He requested as preventing former MP Badr for details if the answer is ‘yes’. Al-Rai daily quoting Al-Dahoum from entering the ing motions until the end of the second He wants to know the number of sources from the banking Assembly building and declaring the round of this parliamentary term latter’s parliamentary seat vacant. employees whose service has been termi- sector. requires a special majority -- at least 33 nated since January 1, 2020 till date, rea- They explained that the number of KUNA photos Al-Muwaizri pointed out that Sheikh HH the PM Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled. Sabah Al-Khalid violated the National MPs. He claimed only 29 MPs voted on sons for termination, number of employ- citizens who will benefit from the Assembly Decree when he asked for the request during Tuesday’s session, ees who were referred for retirement and postponement of loan installments at postponing the grilling motions, which so he asked Al-Ghanim to prove that 33 those whose contracts were renewed. He banks and financing companies is Audiences of HH the Crown Prince were submitted or will be submitted, for MPs were in the session hall at the time. requested for the list of employees who about 450,000, with the value reach- almost one and half year. He said HH He added Al-Ghanim also violated met the conditions for retirement but they ing up to KD 340 million which will His Highness the Crown Prince Aviation Sheikh Salman Sabah the Prime Minister previously promised Article 110 of the National Assembly were not referred for retirement. be fully borne by the State Treasury. Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah at to face four grilling motions which Decree stating that voting on special He asked about the number of ster- The cost of supporting credit entre- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Bayan Palace on Wednesday. would be filed against him, and that he cases, such a request to postpone grill- ilization trucks used in spraying almost preneurs is likely to reach about KD National Assembly Speaker Also, His Highness the Crown is against the following: postponing ing motions, require public voting by five million liters of sterilizers in the 40 million, of which it is spent quar- Marzouq Al-Ghanim at Bayan Prince received at Bayan Palace these motions, referring them to the calling the names of MPs. facilities of KPA and the streets, cost terly during the period of the law. Palace on Wednesday. Tuesday His Highness Sheikh parliamentary Legal and Legislative He went on to say that the National of these trucks, if the deal with The potential cost of default is close He also received His Highness Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Affairs Committee or Constitutional Assembly Decree does not give HH Viroclean Company was approved by to KD 200 million, including the the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah. Court, and requesting for a closed door the Prime Minister the right to ask for monitoring institutions, procedures proceeds of guarantee fees. Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. His Highness the Crown Prince session to discuss the motions. postponing the grilling motions which adopted in receiving and granting Postpone Meanwhile, His Highness the also received Deputy Chief of the He explained HH the Prime have yet to be submitted. donations, and amount of received and Crown Prince received the Deputy National Guard (Retd.) Lieutenant Minister’s request to postpone the grill- He asserted that whoever defends granted donations in 2020. The decision to postpone install- Prime Minister and Defence General Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf ments includes only citizens and does Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. not apply to expatriates and Bedoun Al-Ali Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace His Highness the Crown Prince residents. The beneficiary segment on Wednesday. received as well the President of includes borrowers from banks and His Highness the Crown Prince Chamber of Commerce and financing companies, the fund allot- also received the former head of Industry Mohammad Jassem ted to help the defaulting entrepre- the Directorate General of Civil Al-Saqer. (KUNA) neurs, the Family Support Fund, the Public Institution for Social Security, the Kuwait Credit Bank and the Public Authority for Housing Ambassador’s personal message to Welfare. It is likely that the entire cost of deferring loans owed to the students of Indian schools in Kuwait state will reach KD 376 million. The sources said they expect the KUWAIT CITY, April 1: In a mes- He said the issue was discussed banks may resort to the measures sage to students and their parents, during the Open House, during they applied in the previous post- the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, which he heard from many parents ponement of installments, as all citi- H.E Sibi George said, “I complete- and teachers the tension and wor- zens’ installments are expected to be ly understand your feelings of ner- ries of uncertainty about the final automatically postponed, except for vousness and anxiety. I also know examinations this year. those who submit a request stating very well that these are not the “My message to you today is that they do not want to postpone. regular pre-examination feelings of that you put your worries aside and While banks and financing compa- stress. These are different caused concentrate on your studies at this nies acquire the largest value of the by a few things which are beyond crucial time. As a parent, I know cost of deferring loans, with a share of your control.” how important this time is for you KD 340 million, the government “First and foremost, let me tell students, especially for those agencies’ share of the cost of deferral you this,” he said, “Please do not, I studying in Grade 12. Do not lose is KD 36 million, distributed by KD repeat, do not worry about these focus at this stage,” he said. 19.5 million for postponing replace- extraneous factors. Leave your “Let me assure you once again ment installments, KD 10.32 million worries and anxieties to us. that your embassy along with the for advance pension installments, KD Between your Embassy, CBSE and Kuwaiti authorities, CBSE and the 5.05 million for contributions from the Management and Principals of Management and Principals of our owners of businesses in the private our schools, we will do everything schools will try their best to ensure and oil sectors that are not owned by that is humanly possible to address that your examinations are con- the state, KD 1.15 million for the con- your concern. In this regard, we are ducted in the most normal and safe tributions of the insured persons in working very closely with the environment possible,” the Indian Chapter Five, and KD 0.11 million for Kuwaiti authorities.” envoy said. the installments of the defaulters and family support funds. ‘No’ to print profession on ID KPA launches 5 days inspection campaign EPA meet discusses fishing KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) announced that it successfully conducted a five- ‘mechanism’ in Kuwait Bay day inspection campaign on the warehouses of Shuwaikh area to KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Board of regional and international organiza- monitor violations and abuses. The Directors of the Environment Public tions participated in the forum under campaign, which ended last Authority (EPA) met under the chair- the organization of the United Nations Thursday, was held in coordination manship of EPA Director-General Economic and Social Commission for with several relevant government Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmad, during Western Asia (ESCWA) in coopera- agencies, reports Al-Rai daily. which the fishing mechanism in the tion with the League of States. In a press statement, KPA Kuwait Bay got the approval, reports It is an opportunity to exchange Spokesperson Nasser Al-Shulaimi Al-Seyassah daily. trade experiences on the achievements explained that the campaign included During the and directions for the future. storage areas located in Shuwaikh meeting it was The EPA also participated in the where several transgressions, viola- also agreed that joint inspection campaign with several tions and abuses were detected. They the entry mecha- government agencies to monitor viola- included the construction of buildings nism to the Jahra tions committed by the warehouses of without a license, theft of electrical cur- Nature Reserve the Kuwait Port Authority in violation rent, failure to comply with security should be in accor- of Article 18 of the Environmental and safety requirements, violations of dance with the Protection Law. environmental protection laws, and the conditions and ❑ ❑ ❑ practice of unlicensed activities. controls in force in Among the violations was the storage addition to dis- ‘No’ to profession: The Director- of materials that may be hazardous with- cussing other vital Sheikh Abdullah General of the Public Authority for out adhering to the appropriate and prop- issues Civil Information (PACI), Musaed er storage conditions, which may endan- In other news the EPA participated Al-Asousi, has issued a decision ger the storage area and its surrounding in the two-day virtual Arab Forum for according to which the inclusion of the areas, especially Shuwaikh Port. Sustainable Development, which was profession of persons on the civil ID in The concerned authorities participat- held in Beirut under the title ‘Speeding general is forbidden, reports Al-Qabas ing in the campaign issued warnings work towards the 2030 Agenda after daily. and citations. Electricity was discon- Covid’. Al-Asousi’s decision came based on nected from some storage areas whose Samira Al-Kandari, Deputy a memorandum submitted to him by contracts ended years ago. Eviction Director-General for Environmental the Legal Affairs Department, in and compensation cases were filed Monitoring, chaired the session on implementation of the verdict of the against them in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goal No 12, Court of Cassation which was issued fair value, but they continued to exploit which is to reconsider consumption on Dec 9, 2020. the sites illegally, which is considered and production of patterns in the Arab Al-Asousi called on the competent an unlawful seizure and encroachment region in the recovery phase from authorities to implement everything on the state’s property belonging to the Covid-19 to 2030. related to the decision and implement ports authority. Many researchers from local, it, starting from March 31, 2021. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 LOCAL 5 REMEMBER WHEN

Local Architecture

This fi ne painting by Ayoub Hussain always built around a courtyard where a depicts a typical room inside a typical brackish water well or a freshwater cistern Photograph courtesy house in old Kuwait. The fl oor is cov- stood. In daytime, there would be plenty of The Center for Re- ered with Indian mats made of coconut of sunshine throughout the house. Invari- fi bers, and the two baskets on top of the ably, a few stairs led to the roof, a much search and Studies on wooden chest are to keep clean clothes preferred place for sleeping during hot Kuwait and the work in. There were no such things as furni- summer nights. Close to the house stood ture and air conditioner in such a room. the diwaniya, or men’s meeting place, of Dr Yacoub Al- The architecture in old Kuwait is char- with its private entrance and coffee-hearth Hijji in the book Old- acterized by its success in “transforming in the center. It was there that the men of Kuwait: Memories the local values and way of life into ar- the house would entertain their guests. chitectural terms,” as stated by a contem- In nearby villages, however, houses in Photographs fi rst porary architect of Kuwait. The Kuwaiti were less sophisticated and blended published in 1996. master builder, known locally as ustad, beautifully with the surrounding en- drew no plans on papers; he fi gured the vironment. Some were fi shermen’s proportions and made the plan in his homes; others, such as the romantic mind. His success, however, in using tra- kubar, were retreats that belonged to ditional techniques with locally available city dwellers. They resided there in the materials such as mud, gypsum, coral spring when the desert bloomed after and mangrove poles, is all too evident. the winter rains. (From the book ‘Old A house or a mosque in old Kuwait was Kuwait: Memories in Photographs’) Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Govt, MPs must bury the hatchet, bring calm to homeland again’ “ONE crisis is followed by another, and tension is followed by another tension, a what the people expect and wish, and in this article I will leave the disciplined sequences of this pandemic economically, psychologically and behaviorally. Ku- political struggle that does not end, and a permanent futile debate without serious political analysis and will follow the reading and analysis of the aspirations of the wait, like many countries, suffered from this pandemic in many sectors and at var- work for reform. This is the political reality that the country has lived through the ordinary man, and as I mentioned the simplest is early elections, a new National ious levels, the most important of which are the economic and educational levels. decades until date,” columnist Oweid Al-Salili wrote for Al-Shahed daily. Assembly and a new government,” columnist Tha’ar Al-Rashidi wrote for Al- “Perhaps the weight of suffering on the economic and educational levels is due “Many observers of public affairs believe the political crisis that the country is anba daily. to the accumulated failure and lack of effi ciency in the plans and measures taken. currently experiencing is unique, and this is incorrect because Kuwait has lived “People want to see change taking place as a result of the elections as a political Education was suspended in Kuwait from March to August for the twelfth grade, through stormy political crises that began since the fi rst political crisis of 1964 victory although they have nothing to do with the political strife. and until October for the rest of the stages. This is a very long period, and our chil- when the deputies walked out of the session during the “Here, the voter-citizen-ordinary man sees his participation in bringing about dren have never gone through such long suspension before. Even during the inva- oath-taking ceremony and that led to the dissolution of the the change in parliament as a personal victory. sion, Kuwaitis who were abroad joined schools and did not leave their classrooms. government. “The common man has nothing in his hand to have the government of his/her “However, the tragedy of the decision did not stop at the disruption of educa- “Kuwait also witnessed the crisis of the so-called 1967 liking except the ballot paper and his right to choose his/her representative, which tion, but went beyond it to fl aws in technical decisions that caused unparalleled elections fraud, then the parliament was dissolved un- constitutes a comprehensive change movement to replace ministers with others wandering among everyone - parents, teachers, school administrations - in an era constitutionally in 1976, then the interrogation crisis of who are opposition or at least closer to that spirit. marked by hesitation in the decision; an era that confi rmed beyond a reasonable 1985 followed and what accompanied it in the following “The upcoming elections, regardless of their timing or cause, will be an oppor- doubt that the method of selecting leaders in Kuwait was not successful. The year was the unconstitutional dissolution of Parliament in tunity for the common man to increase the rate of change of MPs, meaning more length of stay in the apparatus and the length of technical work were not essential 1986; and then came the brutal Iraqi invasion of the coun- precisely: if parliamentary elections are held in 2021, the percentage of change pillars for success in leadership. try, so the parliament returned and the confl ict returned is based on the percentage of change in the two previous Assemblies at least, the “He who has spent most of his life in the ministry fails to clarify the simplest again between governments. percentage of change will not be less than 75%. of the technical, educational, and philosophical details. This bitter experience also “This led to the dissolution of the parliaments in 1999, “The conclusion of what I have mentioned is that any election will not be in the revealed to us that those who speak and describe phrases are usually not good at 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011, the annulment of the 2012 and Oweid Al-Sulaili interest of the government in general, but rather the political scene will be com- fi eld work, that the hesitant is not a statesman, and that the poet and poetry seduce, fi nally the dissolution in 2013. plicated (more than what it is now). More precisely and clearly, the dissolution mislead and do not convey the truth. “The continuing political crises in the country confi rms that there is a major of Parliament and holding new elections in accordance with the existing election “From personal observations, I can summarize the story of educational failure fl aw in the constitutional system in Kuwait and requires extraordinary measures to law means more complexity and political confusion and renewal of deepening that Kuwait went through. The failed leader brings only those whose failure ap- solve the dilemma that the country has been suffering from since the 1960s until political crisis. pears as distinction! The price of those appointments was that it took us to the today -- a reality that requires everyone to move away from the personal interest “Therefore, new elections with the same election law mean political evil will bottom of administrative, technical and fi nancial backwardness and entrenched in and pay more attention to the supreme interest of the country in order to ensure remain, therefore, the government has no choice but to initiate and introduce a us behaviors that threaten the entity, continuity and prosperity of the state. that everyone establishes a system, people, parliament, and active forces in soci- new election law, whether through it directly or by those close to it among the “Kuwait suffers in all aspects due to the poor choice of executive leaderships ety, the best solution to stop the continuous disruption of the country. deputies and I believe that the government has the parliamentary power to pass the that are supposed to represent the executing hand and supervise the small details. “Some may attribute the sharp confl ict currently raging to the confl ict of parlia- law unless its allies have a different opinion. Such behaviors in appointing leaders threaten our future and our existence. There mentarians and political currents and their rejection of the presence of Parliament “This is another problem facing the government in light of the divergence of must be a deep administrative revolution in which accountability is the basis. Here Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem in the presidency, and that his removal will bring views between it and its allies from the political and economic poles. we must change the concept of appointment to leadership positions to be with calm to the political arena, but this remains in the process of theorizing and not “The next elections, as I mentioned, regardless of their form or cause, will wit- annual renewal based on performance reports - reports of the government perfor- the reality because the disagreement is much deeper than it being a dispute about ness a rate of 80 percent change, perhaps.” mance monitoring body. These appointments are not subject to renewals of the persons. ❑ ❑ ❑ moods and desires of ministers. “The dissolution of the current parliament or resignation of the government, “Here we must shed light on the fact that a leader does not have to have experi- in my view, will not solve the problem, but rather postponing it to another time, “The experience that the world went through due to the COVID-19 pandemic ence in the same aspect. We must rather look for two basic factors in any leader- which requires that the solution be at the level of ending the ongoing tension and was full of confusion in many countries. One of the most disastrous decisions was ship - the desire to work, and the ability to work. stopping the political stubbornness and paralysis between the two authorities until calling for not wearing masks at the beginning of the pandemic, which contributed “Education has been suffering for years, but what education has suffered dur- calm returns to the homeland.” to the rapid spread of the virus among different people. It became a bitter experi- ing the previous six years is equivalent to the suffering of many decades due to ence in the full sense of the word, as nearly three million people have died. We are Also: the unbridled desire of education merchants to control the educational decision in still in the midst of this experience,” columnist Mohammad Al-Sharikah wrote Kuwait”. “There is no doubt that the coming days predict radical changes, so what is for Al-Anba daily. expected or at least what is expected is early elections. This is the simplest thing “There is no human being on the planet who has not been affected by the con- — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli

117 discarded Other Voices vehicles lifted, Ads harming dignity banned 8 stores ‘shut’ KUWAIT CITY, April 1: The General Cleaning and ‘Replace words like servant, maid’ Road Works Department Ghoul, phoenix, chief issues of the Kuwait Municipal- KUWAIT CITY, April 1: The Ministry of The ministry stressed the need to avoid using such By Ahmad alsarraf to the issue of naturalization. For exam- ity, Capital Governorate ple, the number of original Kuwaitis did branch carried out 4 fi eld Commerce has banned job advertisements words in job advertisements, adding that the following rom independence until today, the phrases: ‘to sell’, ‘to buy’ and ‘to assign’, should be not exceed one hundred thousand sixty trips, with security support, containing any word or phrase which Fgovernment has clung to issues it years ago, so how the number snow- in the Al-Rai and Shuwaikh replaced with the phrase ‘transfer of services,’ while considers sovereign, either by virtue of balled to one and a half million now? industrial areas to lift eve- negatively affects the dignity of expatriate the words ‘servant’ and ‘maid’ should be replaced with the constitution and the law, or by vir- It is clear that the increase did not re- rything that obstructs the workers, domestic workers and others with tues and norms. sult from natural reproduction, but rath- road and distorts the general the word ‘workers’. Since the fi rst government, or shortly similar status, reports Al-Jarida daily. Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Cus- er as a result of a systematic, sometimes view of the governorate in- thereafter, the fi nancial situation of the random naturalization process. cluding neglected cars and tomer Service Affairs at the state has been the There came a period with the fl ood scrap materials from pub- Ministry of Communica- prerogative of a of oil money and the increase in re- lic squares and open areas, tions Muhammad Al-Hais greater and high- gional risks resulting from nationalism says Al-Seyassah. has confi rmed the comple- er authority than and sectarianism, from the point of The director of the de- tion of more than 90 percent the deputy minis- view of the authority, which pushed it partment Misha’al Al-Azmi of the optical fi ber network ter of fi nance, or to seek power from elements from the explained the aim of the in- project linking the Ministry its minister and Bedouins, which it saw at the time that it tensive fi eld tours is to keep of Education (MoE) schools the case remains might constitute a weight that could be in check violators and take all with fi ve divisions to cover until today. used to achieve internal security, from legal measures against them. all parts of the country. As far as I its point of view, and thus it constituted In the Farwaniya gover- know, no fi nance an impetus for infl uential parties to natu- norate the team administra- Disclosed minister has alsarraf ralize their group either to favor them in tively closed eight stores for In a statement to Kuwait been able since elections or to increase their chances of not complying with closure News Agency (KUNA) re- liberation to ful- assuming governance matters but most times during the curfew pe- cently, Al-Hais disclosed ly grasp the minutes of the components of these people died without achieving riod. the project provides the of the state budget, so what is presented what they wanted but they left us with He pointed out the super- MoE schools with high- to the National Assembly does not of- a tragic situation diffi cult to deal with. visory team at the depart- speed Internet service and ten represent the truth, also, the budget Another complementary crime took ment pays great attention to symmetric solutions for pri- is not sent to the Assembly with a full place, which was the same infl uential raising the level of cleanli- vate networks with a high explanation of all spending items in it bodies, with government support to fa- ness in areas under its re- Lieutenant General Khaled Al-Mekrad with the Polish Ambassador Paul Schweiz. level of security; thereby, because the matter is sovereign. Perhaps cilitate the manipulation of degrees of sponsibility as well as lift- leading to digital transfor- there was one minister, who knew that, nationality by increasing the number of ing everything that distorts Mekrad meets Polish envoy mation. but he wreaked havoc. fi rst-degree holders. the aesthetic view in all re- In a related development, Likewise, the current Minister of Fi- In the same context, and confi rming gions through the periodic Al-Qabas daily quoted nance, who has been an undersecretary the government’s desire to keep the na- fi eld tours. Chief of the Directorate-General of Fire discussed issues of mutual interest on Al-Hais as saying that the of the ministry for years, has no real tionality issue in its hands, it recently Al-Azmi added during Department (DGFD), Lieutenant Gener- fi refi ghting, civil protection and rescue, concerned employees com- control over the state budget or the as- al Khaled Al-Mekrad, received in his of- fi refi ghting equipment and mechanisms, withdrew the proposed law related to the periodic tours the Mu- pleted a week-long train- sets of future generations. making necessary amendments to the fi ce the Ambassador of Poland to Kuwait and ways to enhance and develop them ing course on optical fi ber As for the other sovereign matter that nicipality teams places the Paul Schweiz. During the visit both sides between the two countries. election law, which was previously sub- sign X on the abandoned through the Internet to fa- the government was keen to control is mitted by the former Minister of Interior vehicles and boats on gov- miliarize themselves on the related to the issue of the real quantity of Anas Al-Saleh related to the establish- ernment land and after the types of fi ber cables and produced crude oil, and hence what was ment of a national council to supervise expiry period lifts these Infant formula products to cost less methods of installing these sold or exported. The confusion always elections and give the judiciary not the abandoned cars and all cables. revolved around the existence of differ- Interior Ministry a greater oversight kinds of scrap and take it to KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Minister of Minister Salman’s decision confi rms what In addition, a special ences between what was produced and role, and its opposition to the proposed the Municipality’s garage. Commerce and Industry, Dr. Abdullah Al- the daily had published on March 20 under online visit was conducted what was exported and what was sup- law may have come out of its desire to The department said the Salman, has issued a decision to amend the the title ‘Increasing infant formula support to the main laboratories in plied in terms of the price for the state keep the citizenship status and the elec- Municipality lifted 117 prices of subsidized infant formula in the ra- to 70 percent’. China for the employees to treasury. tions under its control. abandoned cars and scrap tion card, to raise the percentage of subsidies Meanwhile, the minister has decided to learn about the latest devic- As for the third and dangerous sover- ❑ ❑ ❑ and issued 15 citations and provided by the state on some types up to 70 list the energy-saving LED lamps at Termi- es and technologies in the eign matter, which the government was placed 525 stickers on dis- percent, reports Al-Rai daily quoting offi cial nal Light Electrical Contracting within the fi eld of communication and keen to stick to all its strings is related e-mail: [email protected] carded cars. Ministry sources. low-price construction materials. information technology. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 LOCAL 6

Meet aims to exchange views, coordinate positions in the interest of GCC common issues Gulf ambassadors in Kuwait hold their fi rst coordination meeting By Shawqi Mahmoud bassador Bandar Al-Attiyah, and He added that the GCC ambas- Al-Seyassah Staff Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minis- sadors valued the efforts of Kuwait ter for GCC Affairs Ambassador under the leadership of the late Amir KUWAIT CITY, April 1: At the in- Nasser Al-Muzayen. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, may God vitation of Bahrain’s Ambassador to In response to a question by the rest his soul, and the role that HH the Kuwait, Salah Al-Maliki, ambassa- Al-Seyassah daily about the nature Amir Sheikh Nawwaf Al-Ahmad dors of the Gulf Cooperation Coun- who played a vital role in promoting cil (GCC) states in Kuwait held the of discussions, Bahrain’s Ambas- fi rst coordination meeting recently sador Al-Maliki, affi rmed that the cohesion among the GCC countries. to discuss strengthening joint work meeting was dominated by the spirit The ambassadors also praised among them, within the framework of brotherhood, cordiality and un- the role played by Ahmad Nasser of periodic meetings between am- derstanding in everything related to Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Foreign bassadors of the GCC countries with joint coordination that is in the inter- Minister and Minister of State for the aim of exchanging views and est of the GCC entity, its cohesion Cabinet Affairs in this regard. coordinating positions in the interest and unity. Al-Maliki pointed to the issuance of several recommendations issued of the common issues of the GCC Session countries. during the meeting that will be trans- Participating in the meeting, were He added, this meeting comes af- lated on the ground inside Kuwait, the Emirati Ambassador Dr Matar ter Bahrain presided over the session including periodic meetings and a Al-Niyadi, the Saudi Ambassador, the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council, program for visits and exchanging Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khaled which was held in Al-Ula, Saudi them with specifi c parties with the Al-Saud, the Omani Ambassador, Ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Nasser Al- Arabia which led to their unity and aim of communicating within the Dr. Saleh Al-Kharusi, Qatari Am- Muzayen, prior to the meeting. strengthening their regional role. Gulf framework. No military solution to crisis in Syria, says Kuwait’s envoy

Al-Otaibi condemns attacks that target civilians

NEW YORK, April 1, KUNA photo (KUNA): The State of Ku- Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi wait has reaffi rmed that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis that has ‘Net zero energy’ resulted in some 13 million refugees and displaced peo- ple. KISR kicks-off webinar series Ambassador Mansour Al-Otai- KUWAIT CITY, April 1, (KUNA): bi, the State of Kuwait Envoy, The Kuwait Institute for Scientifi c addressing a session of the UN Research (KISR) is organizing a week-long series of webinars, General Assembly on the state in called ‘Towards a Net Zero Energy Syria, said that the aspired settle- in Buildings,’ which will start on ment for the crisis must involve all Thursday. segments of the Syrian people. The webinars, aimed at motivat- Such a settlement must attain legiti- ing access to buildings with zero mate aspirations of the Syrian people, net energy consumption, will be safeguard Syria’s territorial unity, sov- held in cooperation with the EU- ereignty and independence according GCC Clean Energy Technology to the UNSC Resolution 2254 and the Network and Kuwait’s branch of 2012 Geneva Declaration. the American Association of En- “We believe that the political pro- ergy Engineers. cess must proceed in tandem with con- Director of Energy Effi ciency fi dence building measures namely real Technologies Program at KISR Dr. and tangible progress in the fi le of the Fatouh Al-Ragom said in a press detainees and missing ones,” Ambas- release that these buildings com- KUNA photo sador Al-Otaibi added. bine energy effi ciency and clean Dr Fatouh Al-Ragom, Director of Regarding the humanitarian catas- energy technology solutions to Energy Effi ciency Technologies trophe in Syria, the State of Kuwait move towards carbon-free build- Program at KISR. has pursued a humanitarian approach, ings. hosting donors’ conferences in 2013, This achievement has been EU and the GCC regions, and what 2014 and 2015 and taking part in sub- demonstrated by many countries can be done to transform them into sequent conventions of identical level. that have set goals and challenges business and economic opportuni- Ambassador Al-Otaibi has stressed to approach a progressive energy ties, will also be discussed. on necessity of securing delivery of neutrality balance for buildings, Other topics will include energy humanitarian aid to those in need in she added. effi ciency measures, air condition- a secure and sustainable fashion and The challenges affecting energy ing and building design, she men- without any obstacle. consumption in buildings in the tioned. Condemned The envoy condemned attacks that target civilians, as well as assaults waged by terrorist groups against pop- KRCS organizes three-day ulated areas. He stressed that to attain sustainable and comprehensive peace in Syria, there must e justice, accountability and communication workshop prosecution of the criminals. KUWAIT CITY, April 1, (KUNA): achievements in society and awareness Al-Otaibi renewed support for the The Kuwait Red Crescent Society of their goals. UN efforts for advancing the politi- (KRCS) organized a strategic commu- For his part, the head of the cal process in Syria, urged all Syrian nication workshop for the Gulf regional delegation of the parties to cooperate for working out Cooperation Council countries, which International Committee of the Red conciliation and appealed to the UNSC began Monday through visual com- Cross for the Gulf Cooperation member states put aside differences to KUNA photos European Union Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Christian Tudor, during his visit to the Kuwait National Museum. munication technology. Council states, Dr. Omar Odeh, tackle the fi le in a joint manner. Participating in the three-day work- stressed on the importance of com- Meanwhile, the international coali- shop were regional delegations affili- munication as an empowering tool tion against the so-called Islamic State ated to the International Committee of for the humanitarian work of those (IS) Tuesday stressed the necessity of ‘Cultural Weeks’ between Kuwait, EU established the Red Cross (ICRC) in the GCC involved, noting that effective com- achieving a “full and comprehensive” countries and the ICRC delegation and munication is synonymous with trust defeat to the IS militants all over the the Red Crescent societies from the and accountability and gives voice to world. Gulf countries. people who would not have been This came in a joint communique Kuwait welcomes cultural diplomacy with EU Speaking on the occasion, the Vice- able to tell their stories otherwise. by Ministers of the Global Coalition to Chairman of the Kuwait Red Crescent He said the tools and means of com- Defeat ISIS Small Group. KUWAIT CITY, April 1, (KUNA): Cultural Weeks between Kuwait and He pointed out that he was also Acting Secretary-General of the the European Union, to build bridges acquainted with the archeology exca- Society, Anwar Al-Hassawi, said there munication have become automatic The ministers emphasized the protec- is a good relationship linking media and within reach, and communication tion of civilians and affi rmed that in- National Council for Culture, Arts and of communication between the peo- vations by European missions operat- Letters (NCCAL), Dr. Issa Al-Ansari, ples. ing in Kuwait over the past decades, institutions in Kuwait with humanitar- in itself has become a common and ternational law, including international ian organizations with what he called a continuous matter, while at the same humanitarian law and the protection of welcomed the activation of the cultural He announced his desire to organize and discussed with those in charge of diplomacy between the State of an archaeological exhibition of the the antiquities and museums sector high degree of communication, stress- time stressing on the need to share civilians, particularly children, and inter- ing that the media has an important experiences and practices in identify- national human rights law, as well as rel- Kuwait and the European Union. finds that have been discovered by the ways to enhance cooperation in the Al-Ansari issued a statement after European missions working in Kuwait, field of culture between the European role in serving and mobilizing support ing the most effective strategies. evant UN Security Council resolutions, for humanitarian issues. He added that the real opportunity must be upheld under all circumstances, receiving the European Union and to organize a visit for European Union and the NCCAL. Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Christian ambassadors in Kuwait to Failaka Museum Observer Salman Boland Al-Hassawi added the social media provided by the international move- the communique said. Together they has contributed to opening a wider ment is partnership and collective remain fi rmly united in their outrage Tudor, during his visit to the Kuwait Island. gave an explanation during the tour, National Museum. For his part, Ambassador Tudor in which the Assistant Secretary of space for the humanitarian sector to action through the largest humanitar- at Daesh/ISIS’s atrocities and in their Al-Ansari indicated a number of said, “I visited the Kuwait National the Antiquities and Museums Sector reach the largest segment of society ian network in the world, which determination to eliminate this global issues of common interest related to Museum and learned a lot about the at the Council, Dr. Tahani and collect donations in response to applies in particular to national soci- threat, it added. cultural affairs were discussed, noting history of the State of Kuwait, which is Al-Adwani, and the Director of the urgent humanitarian crises. eties in the Gulf Cooperation Council The ministers acknowledged that that the NCCAL’s periodic publica- full of achievements in the fields of Antiquities and Museums He called for adopting the best countries. while Daesh/ISIS no longer controls tions welcome the publication of trans- education, industry and culture, and Department, Dr. Sultan Al-Duwaish, methods in formulating media mes- He said the national societies have territory and nearly eight million peo- lated works of European literature and acquired new information about the explained the contents and vocabu- sages and said humanitarian organiza- done an amazing job in combating the ple have been freed from its control culture into Arabic. history of the State of Kuwait in the lary of the museum that chronicles tions and societies are keen to build emerging corona virus (Covid-19) by in Iraq and Syria, the threat remains, He added, the NCCAL also wel- manufacture and export of dhows to Kuwait of the past and the history of it noted. strong relationships with the media being on the front lines of this unprec- comes the establishment of the the Arab Gulf region.” human settlement on its land. because of their impact on society, edented health crisis, pointing to the Reiterated individuals and public opinion as a challenges that communication per- They reiterated their unwavering against any threats to this outcome to fair trial guarantees, and they urged missioner for Crisis Management an- whole, and the hoped-for role in sonnel have faced over the past year in commitment to continue close coop- avoid security vacuums that Daesh/ the custodians of the detained Daesh/ nounced at the end of the meeting. strengthening the role of national orga- coping with the pressures related to eration with and support to the govern- ISIS may exploit. ISIS terrorist fi ghters to treat them hu- In addition to grants, international nizations and societies and their communication. ment of Iraq. Appropriate measures to The ministers took note of the re- manely at all times, in accordance with fi nancial institutions and donors have enhance the operational effi ciency and sumption in Daesh/ISIS activities in international law. announced loans in concessional terms coordination of collective efforts to areas where the coalition is not active in the amount of 5.9 billion euro (USD maintain necessary pressure on Daesh/ and its ability to rebuild its networks Pledges 7 billion), he added. “The international ISIS remain essential. and capabilities to target security forc- The fi fth Brussels virtual Con- community must not lose sight of the While the COVID-19 global crisis es and civilians, it pointed out. ference on Syria titled ‘Supporting plight of the affected civilians. The EU has had an impact on the coalition’s They, recognizing the challenge the Future of Syria and the Region’ is stepping up its humanitarian assis- activities and operations, the ministers posed by foreign terrorist fi ghters who chaired by the European Union and tance to save lives on the ground. We welcomed the continued work with are in custody as well as family mem- the United Nation concluded Tuesday are renewing our commitment to help- partner forces that mitigated the fall- bers who remain in Iraq and Syria, evening with total pledges of 5.3 bil- ing the Syrian people and the hosting out of the pandemic while providing committed to pursue existing effective lion euro (USD 6.4 billion) for the year communities,” said Lenarcic. continued support to further dismantle accountability mechanisms in close 2021, including 3.6 billion euro (USD Earlier, EU High Representative Jo- Daesh/ISIS, it said. coordination with the countries of ori- 4.4 billion) in grants. sep Borrell speaking at the conference In Syria, the coalition stands with gin, including accountability for fi ght- Of this amount, 3.7 billion euro announced said “Today, we reaf- the Syrian people in support of a last- ers who have used sexual violence as (USD 4.3 billion) were announced by fi rm the support of the international ing political settlement in accordance an instrument of terror. the EU: 1.12 billion euro (USD 1.31 community for United Nations Securi- with UN Security Council Resolution They remained committed to pro- billion) coming from the European ty Resolution 2254. Over 85 delegates 2254, it stated. The coalition must con- moting efforts to ensure that accused Commission and 2.6 billion euro (USD from more than 55 countries and over tinue to be vigilant against the threat of terrorists, including those of foreign 3 billion) from EU Member States. 25 international organisations gathered terrorism, in all its forms and manifes- KUNA photo nationality, are treated appropriately For the years 2022 and beyond, 1.7 virtually, reconfi rming the resolution’s Ongoing strategic communication workshop for the Gulf Cooperation tations, to build on the success it has and tried consistent with international billion euro (USD 2 billion) will be core message: Syrians must decide the Council countries. achieved and continue to act together law obligations, including applicable in grants, Janez Lenarcic, EU Com- future of Syria,” he said. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021

7

Group to provide junior cricketers with up to 50% sports scholarship Kuwait Cricket partners with MECstudygroup as principal sponsor KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Kuwait consultancy on studying abroad. sistance and Visa assistance. Cricket – the sole official governing MECstudygroup is an educational “MECstudygroup is going to pro- body for the game of cricket in Ku- consultancy based in Kuwait and vide the age group cricketers of Un- wait under the auspices of Public Au- is one of the top three educational der 16 and Under 19 with up to 50% thority of Sport and Kuwait Olympic consultancies in Kuwait. MEC- sports scholarship on Universities and Committee has partnered with MEC- studygroup deals with Universities will focus on promoting the grass root studygroup (Kuwait) as its principal in United Kingdom, United States level of cricket in Kuwait. Further- sponsor for the category of Juniors of America, Canada, Australia, more MECstudygroup will provide Cricket (domestic and international). United Arab Emirates and Australia KC registered students who are plan- As a result, MECstudygroup now has and Europe. MECstudygroup will ning to study in United Kingdom to the exclusive naming rights for Ku- provide scholarships to all the KC apply for university with 5-6 IGCSE’s wait Cricket U-19 and U-16 national registered students and help study or 60% in the local board that includes teams participating in ICC and ACC abroad for as low as 2400 KD per Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis with fees tournaments (2021) as well as the lo- year. MECstudygroup provides stu- starting from as low as 3000 Kuwaiti cal junior tournaments of U-12, U-14, dents with University Acceptance, dinars,” said Muizz Mirza – CEO at U-16 & U-19 respectively. University Application Assistance, MECstudygroup. MECstudygroup Kuwait will Ministry offer approval for Kuwait- “MECstudygroup will assist Ku- provide Kuwait Cricket registered is, Ministry’s scholarship program wait Cricket in having close ties with players with scholarships and free Some file photos from the Junior Cricket tournaments in Kuwait. for Kuwaitis, Accommodation as- all such universities in the Program highlights importance of history on Pakistan Day IEC holds Leadership Development Event 2021 By M. Irfan Shafi q KUWAIT CITY, April 1: An on- line seminar on “My Life Paki- stan” and “What Pakistan Means” was organized by the Youth Wing Islamic Education Committee Ku- wait on the occasion of Pakistan Day. Speakers at the seminar spoke on a range of topics. The program started with the recitation of Holy Quran by Abdul Rehman Shahbaz. Sajid Nadeem, former president, Youth Wing, presented the Hadith and its meaning. Special Assistants Abdul Ghaffar and Syed Abrar Shah hosted the event. Two speakers from each of the MAK management committee members. six constituencies of the Youth Wing spoke Youth Wing speakers Kotian elected as president include Hassan Arshad Chaudhry and Irfan Amin from Kuwait City constituency, Abid Naeem and Usman Javed from Salmiya and Mogaveers Association Kuwait Hawli constituencies, Zahid Khad- im and Zeeshan Ali from Khaitan A photo from the event. organises AGM through Zoom constituency, Imtiaz Bhatti and Sahibzada Faisal Amin from Far- the occasion. In the end, the Presi- ing the future Pakistan an Islamic disbelief. Therefore, it is neces- waniya constituency and Chaudhry dent of Islamic Education Com- welfare state. The speakers empha- sary for the rulers and the young KUWAIT CITY, April 1: The 5th – Nithin Suvarna, Thottam, Malpe; mittee Kuwait, Javed Iqbal gave a sized that if Pakistan is to stand in generation of Pakistan to become annual general body meeting of P.R.O & Welfare officer - Kiran from Jaleeb constituency. Moham- mad Afzal and Abdullah Yaseen very thoughtful talk in front of the a place of honor in the world, then the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Mogaveers Association Kuwait Kumar, Boloor and Rajesh Mendon audience. we all have to play our part in es- order to make it, every policy and (MAK) was conducted virtually would be the Chief Co-ordinator. and Mohammad Sohail Abbasi and through Zoom on March 5. The management committee Rakan Sharif from Fahahil constit- All the speakers highlighted the tablishing Pakistan on Islamic lines law should be made within the lim- Suresh Salian who was the host members introduced themselves, uency spoke. Apart from the for- history and importance of Pakistan according to the thought of Quaid- its of Qur’an and Sunnah. Finally, for the day welcomed all the MAK thanked and assured all members mer presidents of the youth wing, Resolution, mentioned to the audi- e-Azam. the Vice-President of the Islamic members to the event. As is custom- for rendering their best service dur- Mahmood Khan, Irfan Saeed and ence the sacrifices made by their The speakers said that Paki- Education Committee, Mushtaq ary and traditional, the proceedings ing their tenure. Sajid Nadeem, the current presi- forefathers for Pakistan and the role stan is a blessing and waste of this Ahmed, prayed for Pakistan, Ku- of the MAK AGM commenced Newly elected President Jaya dent Sadaf Ali Sadaf also spoke on of the young generation in mak- blessing would be a blessing of wait and the Muslim Ummah. with Kuwait and Indian National Kotian in his speech thanked all Anthem followed by a prayer song members for electing him as presi- sung by Master Kanishk. dent and giving this opportunity. Event discusses ‘how to mitigate frozen theatre lives’ The lighting of the lamp was done He urged all the members to stay by the President Rajesh Mendon and safe in this tough time of pandemic Convener Ramesh Kidiyoor. and assured everyone of continued The General Secretary, Dhanan- support from the committee. Future Eye marks World Theatre Day with special meet jaya S. Salian read the annual re- Committee KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Fu- port of the activities of the asso- Executive committee of 20 mem- ture Eye Theatre Kuwait, a ciation for the year 2020. While the contemporary theatre group in Treasurer Lakshmeesh Salian read bers were announced by the presi- dent who are as follows: Dr Vikyath Kuwait celebrated World The- out the financial report for the year, atre Day on March 27. Eminent both of which were approved by Boloor, Sachidanand Suvarna, Mrs Poonam Mendon, Suresh Salian, theatre personalities from In- the members. dia, Dr. Samkutty Pattomkary, Scholarship of INR.10,000 was Nishanth Salian, Pundarisha Kan- chan, Mrs. Ranjitha Pundarish, Di- Dr. Sreejith Ramanan, Sankar given to Miss Pranitha D Salian, Venketeswaran and Ms. Moon daughter of member Dinakar C. vakar J. Kotian, Manoj Amin, Pu- nithraj Salian, Santhosh Karkera, Moon Singh who owe their roots Salian, who has scored 92% in to the theatre participated in S.S.L.C. 2020. Shrinivas Puthran, Manjunath G Mogaveer, Purandhar Manchi, discussion conducted by Future Some of the major events of 2020 Eye Theatre. Future Eye Theatre are as follows MAK organized its Ramesh Kunder, Rakshith Suvar- na, Kaushik Kanchan, Santhosh president Shemej Kumar K.K fourth indoor, national level vol- opened the discussion with the leyball and throw ball tournament (Sanu) Kunder, Girish Salian and Kusuma Girish. topic “how to mitigate the fro- under the title of “MAK Champion zen theatre lives during the pan- Trophy 2020” which was held on Following welfare projects would continue as informed by demic Covid-19. Feb 25 at American International While underlining how difficult School, Maidan Hawally, Kuwait. president: ■ Death Grant of IRS. 1,00,000/- the year has been for live per- As part of the welfare project formance and artists, Ms. Moon scholarships were given to first in case of death of any active mem- ber, financial help will be provided Moon Singh emphasised that all three meritorious students of Mo- the actors will be rewarded for gaveera Management Schools of to next of kin of the deceased. ■ Financial help (health grant) of their hard work in addition to India their passion and love towards 1) Mahalaksmi English Medium IRS. 25,000/- will be given to the members in case of serious health drama. School, names of top 3 students Many socio-cultural activ- as follows: Prasheel L. Suvarna, issues or permanent disability or severe injury due to accident. ists and association leaders from Sudeeksha, Bavith L SuvaranUch- Kuwait joined in the discussion ila. 2) Sagar Vidya Mandir, Beach ■ Merit Cum Means Scholar- ship: Children of MAK mem- and delivered their wishes and Road, Padubidri-- 3 students are messages. Future Eye Theatre Unnathi H Puthran, Prapthi, Ans- bers residing in Kuwait or India A photo from the event. would be awarded scholarship of General Secretary Vattiyoork- hul A Salian. aavu Krishna Kumar presented IRS.10,000/- for 10th Standard drama “Farmer“ during the occa- presented at virtually. vote of thanks and joint secretary Support Students and IRS. 20,000 for 12th his micro drama “Hidden En- sion. The drama “Resurrection” Future Eye Theatre Lady Con- Unni Kaimal co-ordinated the Also INR.10,000 was given to Standard Students. emy” and executive member An- Master Rishab Puthran, son of ■ Scholarship for Mogaveera ish Adoor presented his micro directed by Shemej Kumar also venor Remya Ratheesh delivered technical portion of meeting. member Srinivas Puthran who has Management School in India scored 95.36% in S.S.L.C. 2019. President Jaya Kotian also an- President Rajesh Mendon wel- nounced that scholarship of IRS. LNA recognizes his artistic brilliance comed all the members and thanked 7,000/-, IRS. 5,000/- and IRS. everyone for their continued sup- 3,000/- would be awarded to the port during his tenure. He also as- first three meritorious students Shemej Kumar honored with ‘Pravasi Global Theatre Award’ sured that he would also support respectively for the year of 2020- and work towards the betterment 2021, for the following schools of KUWAIT CITY, April 1: The inter- ture will be presented to the award Shemej Kumar has marked his liance. Since the past 20 years he of the committee and requested ev- the Mogaveera Community national collective for Malayalam winners during the global meet of space among the Indian Diaspora is an active presence in Malayalam eryone to provide continuous sup- Mahalaksmi English Medium drama enthusiasts named “Loka Na- LNA to be held in November 2021. in Kuwait owing to his artistic bril- drama in Kuwait. Shemej is the port even for the upcoming year. School, Uchila Sagar Vidya Man- daka Varthakal (LNA) has honored proud recipient of the prestigious Convener Ramesh Kidiyoor dir and Beach Road, Padubidri. Shemej Kumar with ‘Pravasi Global Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Acadamy urged all the members to come Convenor Ramesh Kidiyoor Theatre’ award for his multifaceted award for his directorial excellence forward showcase their talent and congratulated the mew nommittee contribution in the field of Malay- in the drama “Ushnamekhalayile alam drama. Shemej Kumar is an ex- Pen Kutti” in the year 2014 and spe- increase the visibility of the asso- members and also urged everyone patriate resident of Kuwait and an art cial jury award for the drama “Kay- ciation in Kuwait and take the as- to get innovative and strengthen enthusiast with deep-rooted interest antharanam” in 2016. Numerous sociation to the next level. the members of the community in the arena of theatre; his excellence awards and recognitions including The returning officer, Sachidanad In Kuwait and always be united. in direction, composition, theatre or- Rotary International Award have Suvarna announced the new manag- He also announced that a contri- ganizational skills and various the- reached to him over the years for ing committee for the year 2021.The bution of Rs.1,00,000 would be atre-training sessions are recognized his untiring efforts to keep the spark group unanimously elected Jaya Ko- made towards the renovation of Sri with this award. of drama glowing amidst expatriate tian as the president. Mahalaxmi Temple Uchila from LNA has also recognized Clint existential concerns. The officer bearers for 2021 are MAK. Pavitran (UAE) and Padmanabhan He also holds the presidential post as follows: President – JayaKotian, Melodious songs were sung by Talora (Oman) for their contributions of Future Eye Theatre-Kuwait, which to drama in expatriate world through is a drama organization with contem- Kinnimulki, Udupi; Vice-President – Suresh Salian and Jaya Kotian. acting costume design, direction, porary outlook. Kishore Kotian, Udupi; General Sec- In her vote of thanks Mrs. Poo- composing and for visual effects. Shemej Kumar, an engineer by retary – Dhananjaya S Salian, Malpe; nam Mendon expressed her grati- Sujith Kampala, a central administra- profession is presently employed in Treasurer – Lakshmeesh Salian, tude to each and every member tive member of LNA has announced Kuwait Oil Company and lives with Malpe; Cultural Secretary – Prashan- who supported to make the event in a press note that the awards that in- his family in Kuwait. He hails from th Kunder, Malpe; Sports Secretary successful. clude citation, cash award and sculp- Shemej Kumar Kozhikode in Kerala. Epic Games complains about Apple to UK watchdog

Epic Games submitted a com- challenges in the United States them use the same playbook from some purchases made plaint Tuesday about Apple’s and Australia, and an antitrust around the world.” through apps, which music alleged “monopolistic prac- complaint in the European Un- The Competition and Mar- streaming service Spotify and In this fi le photo, an tices” to the U.K. competition ion against Apple. kets Authority confi rmed it re- other apps have also taken is- Apple logo adorns the watchdog, which is investigat- The game-maker’s com- ceived the complaint and said sue with. Epic tried to bypass facade of the downtown ing the iPhone maker over plaint accuses Apple of anti- it would be considered as part the App Store with a direct Brooklyn Apple store in concerns it has a dominant competitive behavior and New York. (AP) of its investigation opened payment system, but Apple position in app distribution. setting strict rules on app last month into whether Ap- responded by dropping the The move by the maker of distribution and payments in ple’s practices result in higher Fortnite app from the platform. the popular video game Fort- alleged violation of U.K. rules. prices or less choice for con- “By kneecapping the com- nite is the latest salvo in its bitter Apple said it wasn’t sur- sumers. petition and exerting its mo- battle over Apple’s App Store. prised by Epic’s U.K. com- The dispute stems from nopoly power over app distri- Epic Games has also fi led legal plaint “as we have seen Apple taking a 30% cut bution and payments. (AP)

Market Movements 1-04-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +47.21 7,064.20 PHILIPPINES - PSEi -102.46 6,443.09 JAPAN - Nikkei +210.07 29,388.87 PAKISTAN - KSE 100 -159.75 44,428.10 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +74.52 6,658.32 INDIA - Sensex +520.68 50,029.83 CHINA - Shanghai SE +24.42 3,466.33 Business Boursa Kuwait holds its AGM, approves cash dividend of over KD 8 mln for 2020 Net profit rises by 191.9% to over KD 28 million, EPS 128.5 fils

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Index for emerging markets, and the results indicated that Boursa Kuwait Boursa Kuwait Securities inclusion of Kuwaiti companies in the recorded a positive financial perfor- MSCI Emerging Markets Indices, mance supported by the company’s Company (KPSC) held its E- which accounted for over KD 961.6 progress in implementing various ini- Annual General Assembly million in traded value and representing tiatives within the framework of its (AGM) meeting for the year one of the highest one-day traded val- Market Development plan and strict ended 31 December 2020 to- ues in the history of Kuwait’s capital cost controls. Basic earnings per share markets. As a result, foreign ownership reached 128.5 fils from the 2019 value day, Thursday, April 1, 2021. within the Premier Market increased by of 47.8 fils, while the book value per During the meeting, which 13%, while foreign trading flows share went up to 263 fils from 160 fils was held virtually as part of accounted for approximately 26% of in 2019. the company’s commitment traded value in 2020. The Boursa Kuwait CEO thanked the to ensuring the safety of its Al-Osaimi also shed light on the Board of Directors for their continuous company’s efforts to raise awareness of support of the company’s strategy and shareholders and in line with ESG metrics, saying: “With Kuwait’s operations. He also thanked the Capital the preventive measures to inclusion in the MSCI Emerging Markets Authority and the Kuwait curb the spread of COVID-19, Markets Indices, sound Environmental, Clearing Company for their support and the Board of Directors’ rec- Social and Governance (ESG) reporting continuous cooperation in developing is integral as is meeting the demands of the market. ommendation to distribute institutional investors for transparent He also reiterated the company’s 40 fi ls per share as cash divi- and effective sustainability reporting. commitment towards growth and prog- dends was approved, with a Compliance with ESG policies also ress and the development of its infra- total value of about KD 8 mil- contributes to creating a more robust structure and work environment to capital market, and drives its sustain- international, best-in-class standards, lion. able development and growth.” and its effort to gain the confidence of The Board of Directors’ report, He added, “Throughout 2020, the investors, both locally and abroad by the Auditor’s report and the consol- Boursa Kuwait executive offi cials during the E-Annual General Assembly (AGM) meeting for the year ended 31 company has collaborated with MSCI providing attractive investment oppor- idated audited fi nancial statements December 2020 today, April 1, 2021. and some of the world’s leading com- tunities. for the fi scal year ended on Decem- panies in this field to raise awareness Boursa Kuwait is working to develop ber 31, 2020 were all approved, as Badr Adel Salem Al-AbdulJader from strategy, given its many achievements gence and dedication in contributing to and adoption of these metrics, which a strong and efficient financial market were the Corporate Governance Ernst & Young (Al-Aiban, Al-Osaimi despite the challenges facing the market the realization of the company’s strate- are integral and a requirement of insti- with liquidity and transparency, that & Partners) as the auditor for the fiscal last year. The company continued gy and goals. tutional investors worldwide, as adopt- can effectively put issuers and investors and Audit Committee reports and year ending on December 31, 2021 was implementing its strategy and success- Boursa Kuwait’s Chief Executive the remunerations and benefi ts re- ing ESG policies will undoubtedly in touch with one other for investment also approved. fully faced the turmoil and fluctuations Officer Mohammad Saud Al-Osaimi improve a company’s performance and opportunities and high returns on port for BOD members and Execu- Boursa Kuwait Chairman, Hamad of 2020, recording a record year of referred to the company’s presentation, competitiveness over the long-term.” investment to create a developed capital tive Management. Meshari Al-Humaidhi commented on results and making great strides in its which provided a detailed explanation The auditor’s report on financial market that is a pioneer in the region. The AGM was chaired by Chairman the results, stating, “Boursa Kuwait path to be a leading and prominent of Boursa Kuwait’s financial results as Hamad Meshari Al-Humaidhi, who continued its series of achievements stock exchange in the Middle East, and well as overall market performance. read the reports issued by the Kuwait and milestones during 2020, most a market ranked by the most prominent Al-Osaimi commented: “Boursa Clearing Company’s electronic system prominent of which was the self-listing global indicators. Kuwait delivered a solid all-round regarding the quorum of attendance, the of the company’s shares on the Premier He added, “The company fulfilled financial performance, with operating results of participation and voting Market, reinforcing its position as a the promise it made at the end of last profit increasing by 66.3% to KD 11.8 included in the agenda, as well as a regional leader among stock exchanges year to continue to grow. In spite of million and operating profit margin report of the shareholders’ notes. and continuing a series of milestones the circumstances posed by the increasing from 50.01% to 53.27%. Net Shareholders agreed to grant the for the company.” COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the profit also witnessed an increase of Board of Directors authorizarion to buy He added: “The company also disruption of the global economy, 191.9%, to rise to over KD 28 million, or sell the company’s shares, provided increased the percentage of shares it Boursa Kuwait and the Kuwaiti capital while operating income recorded an they do not exceed 10%, in accordance owns in the Kuwait Clearing Company market continued trading operations increase of 56.1% over the previous with the provisions of Law No. 7 of to 50%, thereby becoming the largest using a series of precautionary mea- year, soaring from KD 14.2 million to 2010 and its executive regulations and shareholder in this company, and help- sures to minimize the negative impact KD 22.2 million.” amendments. Shareholders also dis- ing streamline the investment processes on trading actions and results while This was due to an increase in oper- cussed and approved the Related for all market participants.” ensuring the safety and health of all ating revenues, due in part to the con- Parties’ Transaction Report for 2020 Al-Humaidhi also highlighted the involved stakeholders.” solidation of the Kuwait Clearing and the related parties’ transactions, exceptional and unprecedented perfor- Boursa Kuwait’s Chairman ended his Company, the rise in trading volume which are proposed to be conducted mance achieved by Boursa Kuwait and speech by thanking his fellow Board due to the increase in foreign ownership during the upcoming 2021 financial hailed the commitment of the Board of members, Executive Management and in Kuwaiti banks, the annual review of year. Finally, the reappointment of Directors to support the company’s all company employees for their dili- Kuwaiti companies in the FTSE Russell Microsoft wins $22 bn deal making headsets for Army WASHINGTON, April 1, (AP): Microsoft won a nearly $22 billion contract to supply U.S. Army combat troops with its augmented reality headsets. Microsoft and the Army separately announced the deal Wednesday. The technology is based on Microsoft’s HoloLens head- sets, which were originally intended for the video game and entertainment industries. Pentagon offi cials have described the futuristic technology - which the Army calls its Integrated Visual Augmentation System - as a way of boosting soldiers’ awareness of their surroundings and their ability to spot targets and dangers. Microsoft’s head-mounted HoloLens displays let people see virtual imagery superimposed over the physical world in front of them - anything from holograms in virtual game worlds to repair instructions fl oating over a broken gadget. The Army’s website says soldiers tested the gadgets last year at Fort Pickett in Virginia. It said the system could help troops gain an advantage “on battlefi elds that are increasingly urban, congested, dark and unpredictable.” The Army fi rst began testing Microsoft’s system with a $480 million contract in 2018 and said the headsets could be used for both training and in actual battle. The new contract will enable Microsoft to mass produce units for more than 120,000 soldiers in the Army Close Combat Force. Microsoft said the contract will amount to up to $21.88 billion over the next decade, with a fi ve-year base agreement that can be ex- tended for another fi ve years. It’s not clear how it corresponds to the $740 billion defense policy bill that Congress passed in January after overriding a veto by President Donald Trump. The bill affi rmed a 3% pay raise for U.S. troops but included cuts to the headset initiative. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat who leads the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Wednesday that the technology is promising but its results must be closely tracked “and it’s our job to raise issues if the technology isn’t meeting the needs of our troops now and in the future.”

In this fi le photo, members of a design team at Cirque du Soleil demonstrate use of Microsoft’s HoloLens de- vice in helping to virtually design a set at the Microsoft Build 2017 developers conference in Seattle. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 BUSINESS 9 Asian stocks follow Wall St up on strong data Taiwan’s TSMC to invest $100 bln to boost capacity TAIPEI, Taiwan, April 1, (AP): Major tronic devices as the world relies Electronics and other chip makers also Taiwan computer chip maker Taiwan increasingly on digitalization. have been boosting investments to Semiconductor Manufacturing Co plans to “TSMC is working closely with our meet rising demand and joust for mar- invest $100 billion in the next three years customers to address their needs in a ket share in advanced semiconductors. in expanding its manufacturing capacity sustainable manner,” the company Most semiconductors used in smart- and supporting research and development, said in an emailed statement. It did not phones, medical equipment, comput- the company said Thursday. give further details about planned ers and other products are made in The world’s biggest contract pro- investments. Taiwan, South Korea and China. ducer of semiconductors, TSMC said TSMC makes processor chips for Last week, Intel announced plans to it anticipates faster growth thanks to major brands like Apple Inc. and pour $20 billion into expanding pro- long-term trends like the introduction Qualcomm Inc. Surging demand duction, building two new factories in of next-generation telecommunica- pushed its revenue 18% higher in Arizona. The company is building up tions and high-performance comput- January-February from a year earlier, its foundry business but lags behind ing. The coronavirus pandemic, mean- it reported earlier. TSMC in developing a next-genera- while is revving up demand for elec- Intel, South Korea’s Samsung tion chip-making process.

Currency traders watch monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 1, 2021. Asian stock markets followed Wall Street higher Thursday after Japan and South Korea reported unexpectedly strong economic data and President Joe Biden announced a $2.3 trillion US infrastructure spending plan. (AP)

Crude oil extends gains, dollar sags versus Japanese yen

BEIJING, April 1, (AP): rose 0.3% to 3,451.64 and the gained 0.2% to 6,080.08. Asian stock markets fol- Nikkei 225 in Tokyo advanced On Wall Street, the benchmark 0.7% to 29,385.85. The Hang Seng S&P 500 index rose 0.4% on lowed Wall Street higher in Hong Kong added 1% to Wednesday to 3,972.89. The Dow Thursday after Japan and 28,655.42. Jones Industrial Average lost South Korea reported The Kospi in Seoul was 0.7% 0.3% to 32,981.55. The Nasdaq unexpectedly strong eco- higher at 3,081.68 while Sydney’s composite climbed 1.5%, to S&P-ASX 200 gained 0.6% to 13,246.87. nomic data and President 6,828.60. Technology stocks powered Joe Biden announced a India’s Sensex opened up less much of S&P 500’s latest gains, $2.3 trillion US infrastruc- than 0.1% at 49,527.39. New even though more stocks in the ture spending plan. Zealand and Jakarta declined index fell than rose. Apple, Market benchmarks in Shanghai, while Singapore and Bangkok Microsoft and chipmaker Nvidia Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney advanced. rose while financial, energy and advanced. Investors are swinging between materials stocks declined. Japan’s closely watched Tankan optimism that coronavirus vaccines The 10-year Treasury yield survey found business conditions will allow business to return to nor- inched up to 1.74%, close to its improved more than expected. mal and unease about rising infec- highest level since before the pan- South Korea reported higher March tions in the United States and some demic rocked markets a year ago. export growth. House prices rose in European countries. That has Vaccinations and government New Zealand and Australian manu- prompted some to reimpose travel spending plans have raised expecta- facturing expanded. curbs. tions for supercharged economic “Asia-Pacific released a lot of In Japan, the Tankan index of growth and a possible rise in infla- data today, including Japan’s latest business conditions for large manu- tion, which has pushed yields high- Tankan survey. Most of it was posi- facturers rose into positive territory er. tive,” Robert Carnell of ING said in for the first time since 2019. In energy markets, benchmark a report. That “supports our view that the US crude rose $1.23 to $60.40 per Biden announced plans to spend economy’s recovery from the pan- barrel in electronic trading on the on broadband internet and clean demic will gather pace again soon,” New York Mercantile Exchange. energy, roads, bridges and public said Tom Learmouth of Capital The contract fell $1.39 on transit. The plan would roll back Economics in a report. Wednesday to $59.16. Brent crude, corporate tax cuts enacted under his South Korea reported March the price basis for international oils, predecessor, Donald Trump. export growth accelerated to 16.6% added $1.22 to $63.96 per barrel in There was little market reaction over a year earlier from the previ- London. It lost 60 cents the previ- because “investors appear to have ous month’s 9.5%. ous session to $63.54. already priced in” the spending and In early trading, the FTSE 100 in The dollar declined to 110.70 taxes, said Edward Moya of Oanda London rose 0.6% to 6,754.27 and Japanese yen from 110.75 yen. The in a report. the DAX in Frankfurt added 0.5% euro gained to $1.1740 from The Shanghai Composite Index to 15,079.15. The CAC 40 in Paris $1.1727. Nissan-Renault rift at ‘center’ of Kelly’s trial TOKYO, April 1, (AP): The trial of former Nissan executive Greg Kelly in a Tokyo court is increasingly focusing on a rift between Nissan Motor Co. and its French alliance part- ner. Kelly, an American, was arrested with former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn in November 2018 and has been charged with under-reporting Ghosn’s compensation. He says he is innocent and was merely trying to find legal ways to pay Ghosn, who was dispatched by Renault to help turn Nissan around in the late 1990s. Kelly’s chief defense lawyer Yoichi Kitamura questioned Hiroki Kobayashi, a partner at Latham & Watkins, Friday in the Tokyo District Court about an investigation of Ghosn and on Nissan’s relations with Renault SA of France that the international law firm conducted on Nissan’s behalf. Kobayashi declined to answer many questions, citing attorney-client privilege. But he confirmed that the law firm had investigated the relationship between the two alliance partners. In testimony earlier this month, Hitoshi Kawaguchi, for- merly in charge of communications at Nissan Motor Co., said he feared that Ghosn planned to try to integrate Nissan and Renault to make the relationship “irreversible.” Kawaguchi said he worried about Nissan’s lopsided rela- tionship with Renault and about possible French govern- ment influence on the alliance. The French government owns 15% of Renault, which owns 44% of Nissan. Nissan owns 15% of Renault but has no voting rights. Kawaguchi feared Ghosn would set up a holding com- pany, and Nissan and Renault would remain separate in name only, losing their identities. He also sought help from Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who at the time was the chief government spokesman. Suga apparently took little action. “My only goal was to protect Nissan,” Kawaguchi told the court when questioned by the defense. “I want to protect Nissan. I love Nissan. Ghosn had other intentions.” Kawaguchi; former Nissan executive turned whistleblow- er Hari Nada and former Nissan auditor Hidetoshi Imazu described in their testimonies how they had gone to the prosecutors without consulting the company’s board. That led to the arrests of Ghosn and Kelly. The final report of the internal investigation by Latham & Watkins was presented to Nissan in 2019, then headed Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa. As a result, Nissan, in coopera- tion with Renault, changed the governance structure at Nissan to allow for more external monitoring. Nissan does not comment on specifics of the ongoing trial. Ghosn has accused other top Nissan executives of engag- ing in a “conspiracy” to force him out. While out on bail in December 2019, Ghosn, who faces additional breach of trust charges for allegedly using Nissan money for personal gain, fled to Lebanon. Japan has no extradition treaty with Lebanon. Ghosn had halved his salary over several years, slashing it by 1 billion yen ($10 million) a year, after the disclosure of high executive pay became required in 2010. The focus of Kelly’s trial is whether that difference had been decided on and should have been reported. Earlier this year, Ghosn said French investigators had visited Lebanon to question him about probes in France into transactions between Renault and an Oman distributor; pay- ments by a Renault-Nissan holding company in Amsterdam and a party Ghosn held at Versailles. Ghosn suggested that Japanese investigators do the same. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 BUSINESS 10

H&M swings to loss, affirms commitment to China market

The Chinese e-commerce Low-cost fashion brand Hennes gest fashion retailer that is closure of up to 1,800 stores, H&M brand erased from major site Taobao displays & Mauritz AB reported an ex- known for the brand H&M, said or some 36% of all of its stores e-commerce sites in China and the message ‘Sorry, pected loss in the fi rst quarter. Wednesday that it swung to a worldwide, during the quarter. its store locations have van- no related items were Meanwhile, the pandemic-hit net loss of 1.07 billion Swedish Similar to some other West- ished from some digital maps found’ when searching Swedish company said it was kronor ($122 million) in the De- ern brands, Hennes & Mauritz in moves considered retalia- for products from clothing committed to remaining in the cember to February period com- has recently faced a backlash tory. Chinese market despite facing pared with a profi t of 1.93 billion in China over the company’s The company said in a sepa- retailer H&M, as seen a boycott there because of its kronor a year earlier. continued ethical decision not rate statement that “China is a on a computer screen in views of alleged use of forced Sales decreased to 40.1 bil- to use cotton sourced from the very important market to us and Beijing, Friday, March 26, labor to produce cotton in the lion kronor from 54.9 billion Xinjiang region and allegedly our long-term commitment to the 2021. (AP) country’s western region of Xin- as the company said that the produced by forced labor includ- country remains strong” and that jiang. resurgence of the COVID-19 ing minority groups such as the Hennes & Mauritz was doing all it The Stockholm-based com- pandemic had hit the company Uyghurs. can to manage challenges it was pany, the world’s second big- badly, leading to the temporary As a result, it has seen its facing in China. (AP)

Workers face uphill battle against second-largest employer in country Amazon faces biggest union push in its history

NEW YORK, April 1, (AP): The sec- Stuart Appelbaum, the president of ond Jennifer Bates walks away from the Retail, Wholesale and Department her post at the Amazon warehouse Store Union, says the union’s success where she works, the clock starts tick- in Bessemer is partly due to the pan- ing. demic, with workers feeling betrayed She has precisely 30 minutes to get by employers that didn’t do enough to to the cafeteria and back for her lunch protect them from the virus. And the break. That means traversing a ware- Black Lives Matter movement, which house the size of 14 football fi elds, has inspired people to demand to be which eats up precious time. She treated with respect and dignity. Ap- avoids bringing food from home be- pelbaum says the union has heard from cause warming it up in the microwave Amazon warehouse workers all over would cost her even more minutes. In- the country. stead she opts for $4 cold sandwiches “They want a voice in their work- from the vending machine and hurries place, too,” he says. back to her post. Representatives of the Retail, If she makes it, she’s lucky. If she Wholesale and Department Store doesn’t, Amazon could cut her pay, or Union spend most days outside the worse, fi re her. entrance of the Bessemer warehouse It’s that kind of pressure that has holding signs and wearing neon vests, led some Amazon workers to organ- although a lot of the unionization ef- ize the biggest unionization push at the fort is being conducted online or by company since it was founded in 1995. phone because of the pandemic. At the And it’s happening in the unlikeliest end of a recent workday, some Ama- of places: Bessemer, Alabama, a state zon employees leaving the plant rolled with laws that don’t favor unions. down their car windows and chatted The stakes are high. If organizers with organizers; others hurried past succeed in Bessemer, where nearly without acknowledgement. 6,000 people work, it could set off a Some workers from poultry plants chain reaction across Amazon’s opera- have helped. Among them is Michael tions nationwide, with thousands more Foster, a union representative who workers rising up and demanding bet- works at a north Alabama poultry plant ter working conditions. But they face but has been in town for more than a an uphill battle against the second- month helping with the organizing largest employer in the country with a push. history of crushing unionizing efforts He says an Amazon employee tried at its warehouses and its Whole Foods to shoo them away, saying they bet- grocery stores. ter make sure they’re not on Amazon Attempts by Amazon to delay the property. vote in Bessemer have failed. So too “I let them know that this is not have the company’s efforts to require my fi rst rodeo,” says Foster, who has in-person voting, which organizers helped get two other poultry plants to argue would be unsafe during the Tray Ragland, left, and Kim Hickerson of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union hold signs outside an Amazon facility where labor is trying to unionize. pandemic. Mail-in voting started this organize workers on Feb 9, 2021. For Amazon, a successful effort could motivate other workers to organize. But a contract could take years, and Amazon Inside the warehouse, Bates says week and will go on until the end of has a history of crushing labor organizing. (AP) Amazon has been holding daily class- March. A majority of the valid votes es on why workers should vote against received have to vote “yes” in order tually shipped to Amazon shoppers. breaks, prevent Amazon from fi ring ploys nearly 1.3 million people world- bama. Companies typically villainize the union. Lighty, the Amazon spokes- to unionize. The job, which the 48-year-old started workers for mundane reasons and push wide. union organizers as out-of-staters who woman, says the sessions are a way for Amazon, whose profi ts and reve- in May, has her on her feet for most for higher pay. Also working against the unionizing don’t know what workers want. But employees to get information and ask nues have skyrocketed during the pan- of her 10-hour shifts. Besides lunch, “They will be a voice when we don’t effort is that it’s happening in Republi- the retail union has an offi ce in nearby questions. demic, has campaigned hard to con- Bates says trips to the bathroom are have one,” Bates says. can-controlled Alabama, which gener- Birmingham and many of the organiz- “If the union vote passes, it will im- vince workers that a union will only also closely monitored, as is getting a But according to Sylvia Allegret- ally isn’t friendly to organized labor. ers are Black, like the workers in the pact everyone at the site and it’s impor- suck money from their paycheck with drink of water or fetching a fresh pair to, an economist and co-chair of the Alabama is one of 27 “right-to-work Bessemer warehouse. tant all associates understand what that little benefi t. Spokeswoman Rachael of work gloves. Amazon denies that, Center on Wage and Employment Dy- states” where workers don’t have to “I think that really helps a lot,” Inn- means for them and their day-to-day Lighty says the company already of- saying it offers two 30-minute breaks namics at the University of California, pay dues to unions that represent them. is-Jiménez said. “They’re not seen as life working at Amazon,” Lighty says. fers them what unions want: benefi ts, during each shift and extra time to use Berkeley, “history tells us not to be In fact, the state is home to the only outsiders.” Dawn Hoag says she’ll vote against career growth and pay that starts at $15 the bathroom or get water. optimistic.” Mercedes-Benz plant in the world that More than 70% of the population unionization. The 43-year-old has an hour. She adds that the organizers Fed up, Bates and a group of work- The last time Amazon workers vot- isn’t unionized. of Bessemer is Black. The retail union worked at the warehouse since April don’t represent the majority of Ama- ers reached out to the Retail, Whole- ed on whether they wanted to unionize That the union push at the Bessemer estimates that as many as 85% of the and says Amazon makes clear that its zon employees’ views. sale and Department Store Union last was in 2014, and it was a much smaller warehouse has even gotten this far is workers are Black, much higher than jobs are physically demanding. Plus, Bates makes $15.30 an hour unpack- summer. She hopes the union, which group: 30 employees at a Amazon likely due to who the organizers are, the 22% for overall warehouse work- she says she can speak up for herself ing boxes of deodorant, clothing and also represents poultry plant work- warehouse in Delaware who ultimately says Michael Innis-Jiménez, an associ- ers nationwide, according to an As- and doesn’t need to pay a union to do countless other items that are even- ers in Alabama, will mandate more turned it down. Amazon currently em- ate professor at the University of Ala- sociated Press analysis of census data. it for her. BOJ’s tankan survey shows more optimism on recovery Japan economy grapples with damage from pandemic

TOKYO, April 1, (AP): A Sentiment among large nonmanu- Although trade and some economic facturers improved by four points to activity have been recovering, income closely watched economic minus 1, underlying how that sector is from tourism, a major driver for growth survey by the Bank of Ja- bouncing back far more slowly than big in recent years, is still squelched be- pan shows growing opti- manufacturers. cause of pandemic-related restrictions. Naoya Oshikubo, senior economist Some 9,100 people have died from mism as the world’s third- at SuMi TRUST, or Sumitomo Mit- COVID-19 in Japan. The vaccine roll- largest economy grapples sui Trust Asset Management, said he out has barely begun, with less than 1% with the damage from the believes the recovery is slower in the of the population inoculated. service sector because of government- Junichi Makino, chief economist at coronavirus pandemic. backed “states of emergency” issued SMBC Nikko Securities, noted the vac- The quarterly “tankan” survey’s periodically, with the latest ending in cine is key to ensuring a recovery in the headline index for big manufactur- March. nonmanufacturing sector, while profi t- ers’ sentiment stood at plus 5 in Exports have led the recovery, while ability at major companies was likely March, a considerable improve- the food, travel and accommodation to keep improving. ment over the minus 10 marked in sectors have stalled. But the overall “Consumer spending is critical for impact will be gentler than last years’ boosting domestic demand, and that’s December, and more positive than because the latest emergency only ap- closely related to containing the coro- the forecast at plus 4. plied to some parts of Japan, Oshikubo navirus and progress of the vaccine The survey reported Thursday high- said in a report this week. rollout,” he said in comments on the lights a steady recovery in sentiment “And, in general, people have be- tankan. over the last three quarters, to levels come accustomed to COVID-19 meas- With cases rising recently in a before COVID-19 began in late 2019. ures,” he said. “fourth wave,” worries are growing The tankan measures corporate sen- The coronavirus sent sentiment in about the Tokyo Olympics, set to open timent by subtracting the number of Japan Inc. plunging last year to levels in July, with tens of thousands of peo- companies saying business conditions last seen when the economy was bat- ple, including athletes, business and are negative from those responding tered by the fi nancial crisis more than government offi cials and media, enter- they are positive. a decade ago. ing the country from abroad.

In this fi le photo, people wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus wait at pedestrian crossings in Tokyo. Business sentiment is growing optimistic, a closely watched economic survey by the Bank of Japan showed Thursday, April 1, 2021, as the world’s third-largest economy continues to grapple with the damage from the coronavirus pandemic. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Health

‘Virus can lurk in body’ Man’s Ebola relapse spawned new cases

NEW YORK, April 1, (AP) A man in Africa who developed Ebola despite receiving a vaccine recovered but suffered a relapse nearly six months later that led to 91 new cases be- fore he died. The report adds to evidence that the deadly virus can lurk in the body long after symptoms end, and that survivors need monitoring for their own welfare and to prevent spread. Relapses like this one from the 2018-2020 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo are thought to be rare. This is the fi rst one clearly shown to have spawned a large cluster of new cases. The New England Journal of Medicine published details on Wednesday. Earlier this month, scientists said a separate outbreak that’s going on now in Guinea seems related to one in West Africa that ended fi ve years ago. A survivor may have silently harbored the virus for years before spreading it. “The most important message is, someone can get the disease, Ebola, twice and the second illness can some- times be worse than the fi rst one,” said Dr. Placide Mbala-Kingebeni of the University of Kinshasha, who helped research the Congo cases. As more Ebola outbreaks occur, “we are getting more and more survi- Wiley vors” and the risk posed by relapses is growing, he said. Ebola outbreaks usually start when someone gets the virus from wildlife and it then spreads person to person through contact with bodily fl uids or contaminated materials. Symp- toms can include sudden fever, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash and bleeding. Fatality rates range from 25% to 90%. The case in the medical journal involved a 25-year-old motorcycle taxi driver vaccinated in December 2018 because he’d been in contact with someone with Ebola. In June 2019, he developed symptoms and was diagnosed with the disease. For some reason, the man never developed immunity or In this Dec. 22, 2020, photo, provided by Richard Chung, his son Caleb Chung receives the first dose of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine or placebo as a trial participant lost it within six months, said Michael Wiley, a virus expert for kids ages 12-15, at Duke University Health System in Durham, N.C. Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12. The at Nebraska Medical Center who helped investigate the case. announcement, March 31, marks a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before the next school year. (AP) Recovery The man was treated and discharged after twice testing negative for Ebola in his blood. However, semen can harbor Coronavirus the virus for more than a year, so men are advised to be tested periodically after recovery. The man had a negative semen test in August but did not return after that. In late November, he again developed symptoms and Children represent about 13pct of cases in the US sought care at a health center and from a traditional healer. After worsening, he was sent to a specialized Ebola treatment unit but died the next day. Gene tests showed the virus from his new illness was near- COVID jab protects younger teens: Pfi zer ly identical to his original one, meaning this was a relapse, not a new infection from another person or an animal, Wiley NEW YORK, April 1, (AP): Pfi zer an- said. Tests showed the man had spread the virus to 29 others nounced Wednesday that its COVID-19 and they spread it to 62 more. vaccine is safe and strongly protective in Can I still spread the coronavirus Previously, two health workers who got Ebola while kids as young as 12, a step toward possi- treating patients in Africa were found to have the virus long bly beginning shots in this age group be- after they recovered - a Scottish nurse in her spinal fl uid fore they head back to school in the fall. after I’m vaccinated? It’s possible and American physician Ian Crozier in his eyes. But those Most COVID-19 vaccines being relapses were discovered quickly and did not spawn new rolled out worldwide are for adults, who NEW YORK, April 1, (AP): Can I land School of Medicine. outbreaks. In this March 26, 2021 file photo, are at higher risk from the coronavirus. still spread the coronavirus after I’m Among the evidence so far: They and the man in Africa all were treated with antibodies a member of the Philadelphia Fire Pfi zer’s vaccine is authorized for ages vaccinated? Studies suggesting if people do get during their initial infections. Antibodies are substances the Department prepares a dose of the 16 and older. But vaccinating children It’s possible. Experts say the risk infected despite vaccination, they Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vac- of all ages will be critical to stopping the is low, but are still studying how harbor less coronavirus in the nose body makes to fi ght the virus but it can take weeks for the well the shots blunt the spread of than the unvaccinated. That makes most effective ones to form. Giving them to Ebola patients is cine at a vaccination site setup in Phil- pandemic - and helping schools, at least adelphia. Acting Health Secretary Ali- the virus. it harder to spread. thought to boost the immune system, and studies suggest they the upper grades, start to look a little The current vaccines are highly Trying to settle the question, the son Beam said March 31, that starting more normal after months of disruption. improve survival. But the relapses have doctors concerned Wednesday, vaccine appointments effective at preventing people from US is starting a study of college stu- that such patients might not develop a strong enough immune In a study of 2,260 US volunteers ages getting seriously sick with COV- dents willing to undergo daily nasal are being expanded to include police, 12 to 15, preliminary data showed there response on their own and might be vulnerable to recurrences corrections officers and other law en- ID-19. swab testing. once antibodies fade. It’s just a theory at this point, the re- forcement, volunteer and professional were no cases of COVID-19 among But even if vaccinated people Given the uncertainty and the ar- searchers stressed. firefighters, grocery employees and fully vaccinated adolescents compared don’t get sick, they might still get in- rival of more contagious variants, A few other viruses can lurk for long periods and cause food and farm workers. (AP) to 18 among those given dummy shots, fected without showing any symp- experts say fully vaccinated people problems later, such as the one responsible for chickenpox, Pfi zer reported. toms. Experts think the vaccine should continue to wear masks and which can reactivate and cause shingles decades after initial It’s a small study, that hasn’t yet been would also curb the chances of social distance in public and when published, so another important piece of those people spreading the virus. visiting with unvaccinated people at infection. “A vaccinated person controls high risk for severe illness if infected. The news about latent Ebola tells us “absolutely nothing” evidence is how well the shots revved up the kids’ immune systems. Research- the virus better, so the chances “We still have to be cautious,” about the chance of something similar happening with the of transmitting will be greatly re- Gallo said. “The vaccine is essen- bug that causes COVID-19 because “they’re totally different ers reported high levels of virus-fi ghting antibodies, somewhat higher than were duced,” said Dr. Robert Gallo a vi- tial. But it is not a cure-all that ends viruses,” Wiley said. rus expert at the University of Mary- the epidemic tomorrow.” Dr. Ibrahima Soce Fall, a World Health Organization sci- seen in studies of young adults. entist, agreed. Kids had side effects similar to young adults, the company said. The main side “We haven’t seen yet this kind of latency from people who effects are pain, fever, chills and fatigue, Pfi zer isn’t the only company seeking While most COVID-19 vaccines be- survived coronavirus,” he said. Even with Ebola, “after six particularly after the second dose. The to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Re- ing used globally were fi rst tested in tens months, most of the patients completely clear the virus.” study will continue to track participants sults also are expected by the middle of of thousands of adults, pediatric studies The biggest concern is better monitoring for survivors — this year from a US study of Moderna’s won’t need to be nearly as large. Scien- Lopez Cooley for two years for more information there are more than 1,100 in the Congo alone, and the WHO about long-term protection and safety. vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds. tists have safety information from those recommends monitoring for at least two years. Dr. Philip J. Landrigan of Boston But in a sign that the fi ndings were studies and from subsequent vaccina- “We need to make sure that survivors are not stigmatized” College said the results are encouraging. promising, the FDA already allowed tions in millions more adults. and get the help they need so any relapses are treated quickly, Ecology “It’s hard to get kids to comply with both companies to begin US studies in One key question is the dosage: Pfi zer Fall said. masking and distancing, so something children 11 and younger, working their gave the 12-and-older participants the Also: that gives them hard protection and takes way to as young as 6-month-old. same dose adults receive, while testing Bid to protect turtles: New rules de- them out of the mix of spreading the virus “We are longing for a normal life. different doses in younger children. GENEVA: The UN health agency and its partners have found signed to keep endangered and threatened is all for the good,” said Landrigan, who This is especially true for our children,” Children represent about 13% of in a new study that nearly one in three women worldwide sea turtles from drowning in some inshore was not involved in the study. BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said in a COVID-19 cases documented in the have experienced physical or sexual violence in their life- shrimp nets are being postponed, and fed- Pfi zer and its German partner BioN- statement. US. And while children are far less times, calling the results a “horrifying picture” that requires likely than adults to get seriously ill, at eral regulators are considering whether to Tech in the coming weeks plan to ask Studies action by governments and communities alike. expand the rules, offi cials said Tuesday. the US Food and Drug Administration least 268 have died from COVID-19 The report released recently from the World Health Or- Coronavirus pandemic restrictions and European regulators to allow emer- AstraZeneca last month began a study in the US alone and more than 13,500 ganization, based on what the agency called the largest-ever over the past year have limited in-person gency use of the shots starting at age 12. of its vaccine among 6- to 17-year-olds have been hospitalized, according to a study of the prevalence of violence against women, also workshops and training opportunities for “We share the urgency to expand the in Britain. Johnson & Johnson is plan- tally by the American Academy of Pedi- found such violence starts early. It says a quarter of young fi shermen to install escape hatches called use of our vaccine,” Pfi zer CEO Albert ning its own pediatric studies. And in atrics. That’s more than die from the women who have been in a relationship were found to have turtle excluder devices, or TEDs, the Na- Bourla said in a statement. He expressed China, Sinovac recently announced it fl u in an average year. Additionally, a experienced violence by an intimate partner by the time they tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- “the hope of starting to vaccinate this has submitted preliminary data to Chi- small number have developed a serious reach their mid-20s. istration said. Therefore, the new rules nese regulators showing its vaccine is infl ammatory condition linked to the announced in 2019 will take effect Aug. age group before the start of the next The fi gures, which track a period from 2010 to 2018, school year” in the United States. safe in children as young as 3. coronavirus. doesn’t cover the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies 1 instead of on Thursday. “The delay ... is to allow NOAA Fisher- have shown an increase of domestic violence against women ies additional time for training fi shermen, as governments in many places ordered lockdowns and other ensuring TEDs are built and installed prop- country would be suitable for reintroduc- Wednesday released its fi rst assessment in are shielded from hunting as a threatened restrictions that led many people to remain indoors at home. erly, and for responding to installation and ing the fearsome predators. almost a decade about the status of grizzly species except in Alaska. The study, the fi rst of its kind by WHO in eight years, maintenance problems when the regula- The Fish and Wildlife Service on bears in the contiguous US. The bruins Grizzly populations grew over the compiles data collected from 158 countries and looks at both tions go in effect,” the statement said. past ten years in two areas — the Yel- violence by intimate partners of women and girls aged over Six species of sea turtles, all of them lowstone region of Wyoming, Montana 15, as well as sexual violence by non-partners. endangered or threatened, are found in Us and Idaho, with more than 700 bears; “The results paint a horrifying picture. An estimated 736 waters. and around Glacier National Park in million women - almost one in three women globally - have The rule requires the devices on skim- Montana, which is home to more than suffered intimate partner violence, sexual violence from a mer trawls pulled by boats at least 40 feet 1,000 of the animals. non-partner - or both - at least once in their lives,” WHO Di- (12 meters) long. Grizzly numbers remain low in other NOAA Fisheries is reconsidering parts of the Northern Rockies, and scien- rector-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. tists said their focus is on bolstering those “This is an old problem, but we can change it,” he said. whether to require the devices on boats shorter than 40 feet long, “and whether populations rather than reintroducing “We can all speak up to say the violence against women is additional rulemaking is currently war- them elsewhere in the country. never acceptable.” ranted,” the statement said. The bears now occupy about 6% of The WHO chief urged governments, individuals and com- In 2019, NOAA said the changes from their historical range, up from 2% of that munities to help address the problem, such as through reform rules proposed in 2016 would cut the like- range in 1975. of discriminatory laws, strengthening of economic rights ly number of turtles saved from more than Conservationists and some university of women, sexuality education and challenging norms that 2,400 to as many as 1,160 a year. scientists have pushed to return bears to ar- “support harmful views of masculinity and condone violence The Center for Biological Diversity, an eas including Colorado’s San Juan Moun- against women.” environmental nonprofi t, notifi ed NOAA tains and California’s Sierra Nevada. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN in January that it will sue if the rule isn’t The 368-page assessment makes no Women, called violence against women “the most widespread changed. recommendation on the topic, but scien- and persistent human rights violation that is not prosecuted.” “I am optimistic that they will do some- tists looked at the possibility of bears in “We are particularly concerned about the fact that domes- thing, but eager to see a commitment on more areas as part of an examination of paper to actually commit to taking ac- their remaining habitat. tic violence has been so entrenched because home is the one That analysis showed grizzlies would place that a woman can fi nd shelter and peace, supposedly,” tion, as they did in their 2016 proposal before (former President Donald) Trump be unable to sustain themselves in the San she added. “But as we can see, it is not so.” reversed it,” the group’s Florida director, Juans, the Sierra Nevada or two other are- The agency says intimate partner violence is the most Jaclyn Lopez, said in an email. (AP) In this March 22, 2021 file photo, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam re- as that offi cials examined — Utah’s Uinta prevalent form of violence against women globally by far, ❑ ❑ ❑ ceives the second dose of the Sinovac Biotech COVID-19 vaccine at a Central Mountains and New Mexico’s Mongollon affecting about 641 million people. But 6% of women who Government office in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s sudden suspension of a CO- Mountains. took part had reported being sexually assaulted by someone ‘Grizzlies expand turf’: Grizzly bears VID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is another blow to a vac- “They were looking for areas that could other than their partner — and that estimate is believed to are slowly expanding the turf where cination program already struggling against a wall of public distrust. Hong Kong sustain grizzly bears as opposed to ar- understate the real number because of stigma and underre- they roam in parts of the northern Rocky on Wednesday, March 24, suspended use of the Pfizer vaccine, distributed by eas that would continuously need for hu- porting of sexual abuse. Mountains but need continued protec- Chinese pharmaceutical firm Fosun Pharma, after defective packaging such as mans to drop bears in there,” said Hilary tions, according to government scientists loose vial lids and cracks on bottles were found in one of two batches of the Cooley, the Fish and Wildlife Service’s who concluded that no other areas of the vaccine. (AP) grizzly bear recovery coordinator. (AP) Film FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 FFeatureseatures dent attorneys saidinacourtfi sent toTrump’slawyers.Zervos’ Tuesday. Moira Penza lawyers trial courtandproveherclaims,” we areeagertogetbackthe delay justiceforMsZervos,and defendant hasnofurtherexcuseto high court. year beforeTrumpappealedtothe deposition, hadbeensetforlast for suchquestioning,knownasa and histoquestionher.Deadlines lawyers toquizTrumpunderoath, could eventuallyenableZervos’ pretrial evidence-seekingthat court forbothsidestocontinue her defamationsuittoatrial court tonixtheappealandreturn mer Zervos,hadaskedthehigh White House. as mootnowthathe’soutofthe of AppealstossedTrump’sappeal a one-sentenceruling,theCourt from beingsuedinstatecourts.In that thepresidencyprotectedhim high courtlastyeartodeclarethe tion lawsuitsinceTrumpaskedthe hold in York’s highestcourtTuesday. him, followingarulingfromNew sexual assaultallegationsagainst former “Apprentice”contestant’s questioning underoathabouta his presidentialchances. harassment as“liars”tryingtohurt accused himofsexualassaultand hoax” anddescribedwomenwho a messagecallingherclaims“a when shecontactedhimafterward. was lookingonlyforcareeradvice prentice” in2006andsaidshe on hisrealityshow“TheAp- twice in2007.Shehadappeared to unwantedkissingandgroping allegations thathesubjectedher during his2016campaignwith ing heraliaraftershewentpublic oppose dismissingtheappeal. month thatTrump’slawyersdidn’t an apologyanddamages. Zervos’ claimsaremeritless. by freespeechrightsandthat statements weretrueandprotected has saidthattheformerpresident’s NEW YORK: up loving,wasthisreimaginingofthe‘IAmanActor’storieswhich year,” Brockettsaid.“Whatwecameupwith,andthenetworkended ceremony andtheguild’snationaldirectorofprogramming. erations andconcepts,”saidJonBrockett,alongtimeproducerofthe look likeandwewentthrough,Idon’tknowhowmany,differentit- segments celebratingactorsandtheircraft. brief careeranecdote.Thatstapleinspiredthisyear’sdocuseries-style stars maketothecameraonawardsnight,sometimespairedwitha evoke thetraditionofceremoniespast. awards season.FortheSAGhonors,challengebecamehowto ing tothepandemicthathasupendedentertainmentindustry’s airing at9p.m.EDTonTNTandTBS. ...”) andSAGawardscommitteemember,saidofSunday’sceremony going tobereallylovely,”ElizabethMcLaughlin,anactor(“Handof Cohen andthelateChadwickBoseman. tage honoringthenomineesthatincludeOliviaColman,SachaBaron days away,producersgatheredforfi LOS ANGELES,April1,(AP):WiththeScreenActorsGuildAwards Pre-taped SAGAwards goforspiritofliveceremonies past A requestforcommentwas “Now aprivatecitizen,the Lawyers forthewoman,Sum- Evidence-gathering hasbeenon Trump lawyer She suedafterheretweeted Zervos issuingTrumpforcall- Zervos isseekingaretraction, “It wasthenetworkthatreallypushedustothinkoutofboxthis “Very earlyon,wewerereallystrugglingwithwhattheshowwould Key amongthem:thehallmark“IAmanActor”declarationthat The meetingwasvirtualandtheSAGeventwillbepre-taped,bow- “I can’twaittoseeallofthepiecescometogether,Ithinkthisis Donald Trump Summer Zervos Beth Wilkinson saidinastatement Former Marc Kasowitz couldface US ’ defama- and ling last presi-

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Thefi in “FrenchExit”shouldendalldebateonthe I Pfeiffer hasafeastwith‘French Exit’ She’d plannedtodiebeforeitranout,she Pfeiffer’s FrancesPriceisadyingbreed,literal- eye rollthanMichellePfeiffer?Herlatestturn s thereanylivingactorbetteratthedisdainful Variety guratively, arefi This imagereleasedbySonyPicturesClassicsshowsMichellePfeifferinascenefrom‘FrenchExit.’(AP) lm itselfisabitofanoddduckling. ee onatransatlanticcrossingto By LindseyBahr Goldberg, Zendayatobehonored atEssenceHollywoodawards ‘Mini-docus’ tocelebrateactorsandtheircraft ned andcausticsocialite Film evsTrump Zervos virus testing,BarrettCaulfi against COVID-19includedkeepingcrewtoaminimumandcorona- she said,manyweregame. that incrediblesignatureof‘IAmanActor’”andhowitwouldbedone, for theceremony.“Onceweletthemknowthatwereexpandingon contribute online,saidMaggieBarrettCaulfi person cameracrews. production standard.Thatmeantactorshadtoagreeworkwithin- actors’ recollectionsonspecifi you’re inthiswithme.’” make yousmileandthink,‘OK,Idon’tcarehowfamousare, said, withoutdroppingnames.“There’salotoffunthingsthat...(will) everybody wasreadytolettheirhairdownandputitoutthere,”George doldrums. some bigstarsmayhavejoinedinbecauseoftheirlockdown-induced and “Station19”isaSAGawardscommitteemember,suggested typically openedourshow.” Tapings tookplaceatactors’homesoronsets,andprecautions “They trustedus,theyjustwantedtounderstand”whycouldn’t In short,Zoomwasout. 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Britt- Whoopi Goldberg,AndraDay cer andactor Latraviette D. Smith-Wilson Latraviette D.Smith-Wilson Also: fam.” (AP) and saidHager“loved herTikTok Ritchie postedatearful tribute had morethan400,000 followers. popular onTikTok. Together,they situation “tragicandunique.” Kenneth Charles said FarmingtonPoliceChief no othervehicleswereinvolved, Hager andRitchiewereboth Hager wasthesoleoccupant,and Michaela Coel , who called the , whocalledthe Laverne .

ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Books

‘Deep descent’ Hunter details drugs, grief in new memoir

WASHINGTON, April 1, (AP): President Joe Biden’s son Hunter details his lifelong struggle with alcohol- ism and drug abuse in a new memoir, writing that “in the last fi ve years alone, my two-decades-long mar- riage has dissolved, guns have been put in my face, and at one point I dropped clean off the grid, living in $59-a-night Super 8 motels off I-95 while scaring my family even more than myself.” His “deep descent” into substance addiction fol- lowed the 2015 death of his older brother, Beau, who succumbed to brain cancer at age 46, Hunter Biden writes in “Beautiful Things.” The book is set for re- lease on Tuesday. “After Beau died, I never felt more alone. I lost hope,” he wrote. He credits his second wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, with helping him sober up, along with the love from his father and late brother. Before meeting his future wife in California, Hunter Biden cycled through addic- tion, rehab and sobriety all while managing to have a fam- ily and career as a lawyer and lobbyist. His family tried to in- Biden tervene sometime in 2019 after his mother, Jill Biden, called and invited him to a family dinner in Delaware. But Hunter Biden sensed that more than a hot meal was on table after he saw his three daughters and two counselors from a Pennsylvania rehab center where he’d been a patient when he arrived. In this image provided by CBS, Adhir Kalyan as Al appears in a scene from ‘United States of Al.’ (AP) He swore at his father and bolted from the house, but was chased down the driveway by Joe Biden, who “grabbed me, swung me around, and hugged me. He held me tight in the dark and cried for the longest time. Television Everybody was outside now.” To end the scene, Hunter Biden agreed to check into a facility in Maryland. He was driven there by Beau’s widow, Hallie, with whom he’d had a relationship. After she dropped him off, Hunter Biden writes, he New CBS series is funny and relatable called an Uber, told the staff he’d return in the morn- ing and then checked into a hotel near Baltimore’s airport. Smoked ‘AI’ puts war buddies on sitcom footing “For the next two days, while everybody who’d LOS ANGELES, April 1, (AP): The eran producer Chuck Lorre, whose of different ancestry. been at my parents’ house thought I was safe and makers of “United States of Al” are comedies have navigated weighty top- “Why not authentically cast?” actor sound at the center, I sat in my room and smoked the keenly aware they’re treading on sen- ics including addiction (“Mom”) and Maysoon Zayid (“General Hospital”) crack I’d tucked away in my traveling bag,” he wrote. sitive ground with the new CBS series the perils of genius (“The Big Bang said in a tweet, adding, “I crave Mus- “I then boarded a plane for California and ran and ran about two survivors of war. Theory”). He lists his fi rst priorities lim content but this is offensive.” and ran. Until I met Melissa.” Riley is a combat veteran back from for a project as laughter and characters The show’s makers defend hiring The fi rst drink Hunter Biden remembers having was the Mideast, camped in his dad’s ga- that he and hopefully viewers will care Kalyan, whose credits include “Rules a fl ute of champagne. rage and facing post-traumatic stress about, Lorre said. of Engagement” and “I Love Dick,” He was 8 and at an election-night party in Dela- disorder and a tattered marriage. He “United States of Al” has a lot to and their approach to the issue overall. ware celebrating his father’s reelection to the Sen- can savor a recent win: helping bring play with as a buddy comedy with a “We looked at many, many audi- ate in 1978. He says he didn’t know what he was Awalmir, aka Al, an Afghanistan bonus fi sh-out-of-water angle. But tions of Afghan actors, and Adhir’s doing because “to me, champagne was just a fizzy translator and friend, to live with him there is also a “political element,” performance is just so exceptional,” drink.” This image provided by Netflix shows in America — a land of promise as Lorre said. “It’s inescapable, the dire Goetsch said. “His extensive experi- But he writes that he knew better when he was poster art for the film ‘Concrete Cow- well as extreme culture shock for the circumstances of thousands of in- ence with the multi-cam sitcom was 14 and overnighting at his best friend’s house in the boy,’ premiering April 2 on Netflix. (AP) Muslim newcomer. summer between eighth and ninth grades. They split terpreters in Afghanistan who were vital to our decision to cast him.” a six-pack of beer while the boy’s parents were out. Now consider this: “United States promised safe haven.” Al’s family members, seen in early The boys pretended to be asleep when the parents re- of Al” is a sitcom. It arrives Thursday episodes in online calls from their na- (8:30 pm EDT), embraced by advo- Resource tive country, are played by Afghan or turned home because they were drunk after three beers The show’s creators, David Goetsch apiece. cates for Afghan and Iraqi interpreters Afghan American actors, the produc- “Getting blasted and sick as a dog didn’t scare me who aided US troops. It has baggage and Maria Ferrari, who worked with ers said. or turn me off one bit,” he wrote. “Instead, I thought as well, dinged by observers who take Lorre on “The Big Bang Theory” and Kalyan, who has portrayed a variety it was kind of cool. While I felt a nagging guilt from exception to a South African-born ac- produce the new series with him, say of ethnicities and nationalities, said he disappointing my father, who didn’t drink and who tor of Indian descent who isn’t Muslim they approached the subject matter sees concern over his casting as legiti- encouraged us to stay away from alcohol as well, I playing Al. with respect and attention to perspec- mate because he understands what it’s wanted to do it again.” James Miervaldis, an Army veteran tive. like to “feel that perhaps your culture Drinking, he wrote, “seemed to solve every unan- who served in Afghanistan and helped The writing staff includes three Af- has been misrepresented.” swered question about why I felt the way I felt. It took bring the interpreter he worked with ghan Americans and an Afghan-born He’s said he’s striving to portray to America, is a booster. He heads the writer, Goetsch and Ferrari said. Be- Awalmir realistically. away my inhibitions, my insecurities, and often my Palin Can Xue judgment. It made me feel complete, fi lling a hole I board of No One Left Behind, a non- sides relying on No One Left Behind “I hope that when people view this, didn’t even realize was there - a feeling of loss and my profi t group that supports translators and other groups as resources, word- they will watch the performances and sense of not being understood or fi tting in.” who receive hard-won special US im- of-mouth brought them former transla- feel that the manner in which the char- At 18, Hunter Biden was busted for cocaine pos- Variety migration visas. The group was among tors willing to share their experiences. acter is being portrayed is representa- session but did pretrial intervention with six months’ those consulted by the show’s produc- Equal care is taken with the charac- tive in a positive way,” Kalyan said. ers. ter of Riley, the producers said. As vol- probation and the arrest was removed from his record. Also: He says he disclosed the episode during a 2006 Senate NEW YORK: An Emmy-winning pro- “We were nervous,” Miervaldis said unteers with a Writers Guild program committee hearing on his nomination to serve on the duction designer who was known to be a in an interview. “How was Hollywood for veterans for two years, they knew LOS ANGELES: “Lovecraft Country,” Amtrak board of directors. hoarder has been found dead under a pile going to capture this very serious situ- it could be a valuable resource; half of “The Queen’s Gambit” and “What We As an adult, he once let a crack cocaine ad- of garbage in her New York City home. ation, and make it funny and relatable the six writers on a recent script had Do in the Shadows” are among the se- dict he first met when he was a senior at George- Evelyn Sakash, 66, was found Tues- to 99% of the country that hasn’t been been in the guild program. ries featured in a virtual edition of the town University live with him in his Washington day lying on her kitchen fl oor buried un- overseas or worn the uniform in this Young, whose credits include “A Paley Center’s annual festival cele- apartment for about five months. Hunter Biden der garbage, a police spokesperson said. day and age?” Million Little Things” and “Suburgato- brating TV programs and their makers. was kicked out of the U.S. Navy Reserve after he Sakash was found by her sister, who After seeing several episodes, he ry,” said he became close friends with A 20th-anniversary reunion of cast failed a drug test. had hired a cleaning crew to clear out considers the series and its characters veterans in recent years and gained a members and creators of “Six Feet Hunter Biden, now 51, also writes about thinking he the woman’s home in the College Point as “very true” to his own experience, new appreciation for the struggle some Under” also is part of PaleyFestLA, on section of Queens and look for her, starting with the airport reunion of Al, have in adjusting to civilian life, in- demand starting this week on Yahoo had developed a superpower - “the ability to fi nd crack police said. The sister and the cleaners in any town, at any time, no matter how unfamiliar the played by Adhir Kalyan, and Riley, cluding one vet in particular. Entertainment. This is the second year found Sakash around 4:15 pmTuesday, the former Marine played by Parker When the “United States of Al” that the festival has been forced online terrain,” and about once having a gun thrust in his face they said. when he embarked on such a hunt during fi ve months Sakash was a production designer Young. Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad”) pilot script came to him, Young real- because of pandemic restrictions. of self-exile in Los Angeles. who had worked on fi lms including co-stars as Riley’s hospitable dad. ized he’d seen “this experience play Some panel discussions include celeb- It was in Los Angeles where he met Melissa Cohen, “Mermaids,” released in 1990, and 2014s “It brought back a lot of good emo- out fi rsthand, and it would be such an rity moderators, among them “The Late and he describes their fi rst meeting as akin to love at “Still Alice,” according to her IMDB tions,” Miervaldis said. “I choked up. honor to tell that story. And I felt such Late Show with James Corden,” moder- fi rst sight. He says she didn’t fl inch when he told her page. She won a Daytime Emmy Award I laughed. I wasn’t sure how else the a responsibility to do it right, to do it ated by Andrew Rannells; “Evil,” with about his addiction, his alcoholism and other prob- in 2003 for “Between the Lions.” other episodes would go, but I had the justice.” Whoopi Goldberg and “Ted Lasso” lems. A police missing person report said same reaction, having lived this life However the series is received after with moderator Patton Oswalt. “She pushed away everyone in my life connected Sakash was last seen alive on Sept 30, with my interpreter for almost fi ve its debut, early criticism came from Sessions with stars and creators of to drugs,” taking away his phone, computer, car keys 2020. The city medical examiner’s offi ce years.” those taking issue with a rare Middle “The Good Doctor” and “Big Sky” and wallet, he wrote. She deleted every contact in his will determine her cause of death. (AP) The series is under the wing of vet- Eastern starring role going to someone round out the festival lineup. phone who wasn’t family, and tossed his crack co- ❑ ❑ ❑ caine. LONDON: Chinese writer Can Xue and The South African fi lmmaker slowly eased him off Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o, both gov Sarah Palin says she tested positive rus, such as wearing masks in public. not only allowing the newfound luxury of drinking and arranged for a doctor to come to their long-favored contenders for the Nobel for COVID-19 and is urging people to “Through it all, I view wearing that of being incognito, but trust it’s better Hollywood Hills apartment to help with his withdraw- Prize for literature, are among nominees take steps to guard against the coronavi- cumbersome mask indoors in a crowd as than doing nothing to slow the spread,” al. He slept for three days. for the International Booker Prize for Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presi- fi ction. dential nominee, told People magazine. Also: Can Xue’s “I Live in the Slums” and “And history will show we Masked NEW YORK: Maggie O’Farrell’s “Hamnet,” an im- Ngugi’s “The Perfect Nine: The Epic of Singer visitors were masked before being agined take on the death of Shakespeare’s son from Gikuyu and Mumbi” are among 13 books masked was cool,” she said in her state- the bubonic plague, has won the National Book Critics on the long list for the 50,000 pound ment, referring to the TV show on which ($69,000) prize. she once appeared. Circle prize for fi ction. It was not clear when Palin, 57, tested “Hamnet,” an unfortunately well timed story for the The list announced Tuesday features works from four continents, including “The positive. She told the magazine that other current pandemic, explores the impact of the boy’s ill- members of her family tested positive as ness and death on his family. He was Shakespeare’s War of the Poor” by France’s Eric Vuil- lard, “In Memory of Memory” by Russian well. She said her case shows “anyone only son, and scholars have long speculated about his can catch this.” infl uence — if any — on “Hamlet,” which Shake- writer Maria Stepanova, “The Dangers of Smoking in Bed” by Argentina’s “I strongly encourage everyone to use speare worked on in the years following Hamnet’s Mariana Enriquez and “Minor Detail” by common sense to avoid spreading this death. Palestinian author Adania Shibli. and every other virus out there,” Palin Tom Zoellner’s “Island on Fire: The Revolt That Writer Lucy Hughes-Hallett, who said, in urging vigilance but not fear. Ended Slavery in the British Empire” won for nonfi c- heads the judging panel, said a theme of She said she also advised “reprioritiz- tion, and Amy Stanley’s “Stranger in the Shogun’s many of the books was “migration — the ing some personal time and resources to City: A Japanese Woman and Her World” was the pain of it, but also the fruitful intercon- ensure as healthy a lifestyle as you can winner in biography. nectedness of the modern world.” create so when viruses do hit, you have The autobiography award went to Cathy Park The six fi nalists are set to be revealed at least some armor to fi ght it.” Hong for “Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reck- on April 22 and the winner on June 2. Palin is an American politician, com- oning.” The International Booker Prize is mentator, author, and reality television Other winners announced during Thursday night’s awarded every year to a book of fi ction personality. As the Republican nominee virtual ceremony included Francine J. Harris’ “Here in any language that is translated into for Vice President of the United States Is the Sweet Hand” for poetry and Nicole Fleetwood’s English and published in the UK or Ire- in the 2008 election alongside Arizona land. It is run alongside the Booker Prize This image release by Netflix shows Anya Taylor-Joy from the series ‘The Senator John McCain, she was the fi rst “Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration” Queen’s Gambit.’ ‘The Queen’s Gambit,’ ‘Lovecraft Country’ and ‘What We Do Republican female vice presidential for criticism. Raven Leilani received the John Leon- for English-language fi ction.(AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ in the Shadows’ are among the series featured in a virtual edition of the Paley nominee and the second female vice ard Prize for best fi rst book for her novel “Luster.” Center’s annual festival. The event celebrates TV programs and their stars and presidential nominee of a major party, ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Former Alaska producers. (AP) after Geraldine Ferraro in 1984. (AP) ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 SPORTS 14

Under new COVID-19 control measures Chelsea advance to Women’s Governor of Osaka wants to cancel Oly torch legs in area Champions League semifi nals TOKYO, April, 1, (AP): The gov- Experts have raised concerns ernor of Osaka prefecture said on about Osaka’s rapid spike and the Thursday that he wants to cancel burden on its medical infrastruc- the torch relay legs going through ture. An international figure skat- Osaka later this month, less than ing event is scheduled in mid- four months before the the open- April in the city of Osaka. ing of the Tokyo Olympics. Japan had 474,773 cases and Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura 9,162 deaths as of Wednesday, said the prefecture is coming according to the health ministry. under new COVID-19 control Osaka reported 599 daily new measures cases Wednesday, surpassing because of Tokyo’s 414. rising case numbers. He said that OLYMPICS will mean people Japan has handled the virus bet- being asked ter than many countries, but not as to stay well as most in Asia. home Dr. Ryuji Wakita, director-gen- except for eral of the National Institute of essential outings. Yoshimura Infectious Diseases who heads a “I think government COVID-19 advisory the torch relay through the middle board, said Wednesday that a new of Osaka should be canceled,” he upsurge has already started in said. parts of the country, including The Olympic torch relay began western and northern Japan. March 25 in northeastern He said infections from new Fukushima prefecture. It is criss- variants of the virus believed to be crossing all of Japan with 10,000 more contagious are rapidly on the runners and arrives at the opening rise in the Osaka region. ceremony at the new National Olympic organizers are trying Stadium in Tokyo on July 23. to conduct the relay by asking It is scheduled to go through the people to social distance, wear Osaka area on April 13 and 14. masks. and limit cheering as run- Tokyo organizers were contact- ners pass. They have said they will ed but did not immediately reply. reroute or cancel legs if needed. Nine host cities announced Barcelona reach semis for ’23 Women’s World Cup SYDNEY, April 1, (AP): The 2023 The schedule for the event will Women’s World Cup will be spread be announced later this year, FIFA Barcelona’s Mariona Caldentey, (left), and Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly battle for the ball during the Women’s Champions League match between Man- across nine cities in Australia and said in announcing the host cities chester City Women and Barcelona Femenino at the Manchester City Academy Stadium, Manchester, England, on March 31. (AP) New Zealand. Wednesday in Zurich. The selec- The opening match will take place tion follows an eighth-month process at Eden Park in Auckland, with Syd- with the member federations from Barcelona outlast Manchester City to reach semis ney’s Stadium Australia hosting the each country. fi nal. The two semifi nal matches will “Building on the incredible suc- BUDAPEST, Hungary, April 1, (AP): Chelsea and Wolfsburg played their quarterfinal Chelsea was the “away” team. be split between Australia and New cess of France 2019 both on and Chelsea and Barcelona advanced to legs in Budapest because of travel restrictions. Harder, who joined Chelsea from Wolfsburg in Zealand. off the pitch, the FIFA Women’s September, sent a long ball for Kerr, who was That format is similar to other World Cup 2023 and nine host cit- the semifi nals of the Women’s Cham- taken down by defender Sara Doorsoun. From the World Cup tournaments in other ies across Australia and New Zea- pions League. penalty spot, the Denmark captain then sent goal- sports, including most recently in land will not only showcase the Pernille Harder scored against her former keeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek the wrong way, roll- 2015 when Australia and New Zea- world’s very best players, but will team to lead Chelsea to a 3-0 win over Wolfs- ing the ball into the corner. land shared hosting of the cricket also provide a powerful platform to burg, and 5-1 on aggregate. Barcelona outlasted Kerr scored in the 32nd minute, collecting a World Cup. unite and inspire people, transform Manchester City, losing the second leg 2-1 but chipped pass with her back to the goal. The lives and create a lasting legacy advancing 4-2 on aggregate. Australia striker turned and fired a right-footed SOCCER for women’s football in Australia Chelsea will face either Bayern Munich or shot low just inside the post. and New Zealand and around the Rosengård in the semifinals. Bayern defeated the Kirby worked a give-and-go with Ji So-Yun and world,” FIFA President Gianni Swedish club 3-0 in the first leg. beat Kiedrzynek from close range in the 81st minute. It will be the fi rst-of-a-kind World Infantino said in a prepared state- In Manchester, Janine Beckie swept in a loose Cup, co-hosted by members of dif- ment. ball after a corner kick in 20th minute to give City ferent confederations. Australia The host cities and stadiums are: SOCCER hope of a comeback. joined the Asian confederation after Adelaide, Hindmarsh Stadium; But just before the hour mark, Barça striker qualifying for the 2006 men’s World Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau-Eden Barcelona awaits either five-time defending Asisat Oshoala tapped in from close range for a Cup, leaving New Zealand as the Park; Brisbane, Brisbane Stadium; champion Lyon or Paris Saint-Germain. The Lyon- crucial away goal. She had earlier come close to largest member of the Oceania con- Dunedin, Otepoti-Dunedin Stadium; PSG second leg was moved to April 18 after a scoring several times but had been denied by federation. Hamilton, Kirikiriroa-Waikato Sta- coronavirus outbreak in the Lyon squad. Magdalena Eriksson of Chelsea (right), and Al- defender Lucy Bronze and goalkeeper Ellie This World Cup will also be the dium; Melbourne, Melbourne Rec- In Budapest, Harder converted a penalty in the exandra Popp of Vfl Wolfsburg (left), in action Roebuck. fi rst to feature 32 teams, up from tangular Stadium; Perth, Perth Rec- 27th minute and Sam Kerr doubled the lead five during the UEFA Women’s Champions League American international Sam Mewis converted a the 24 that participated in the 2019 tangular Stadium; Sydney, Stadium minutes later. Both players had scored last week in quarter-fi nal soccer match Vfl Wolfsburg vs penalty in the 68th minute for City. women’s tournament in France. The Australia and Sydney Football Sta- the first leg. Fran Kirby added the third goal in the Chelsea in the Ferenc Szusza Stadium in Buda- The final is scheduled for May 16 in Gothenburg, U.S. women’s national team is the dium; Wellington, Te Whanganui-a- second half. pest, Hungary, on March 31. (AP) Sweden. defending champion. Tara-Wellington Stadium. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 SPORTS 15 Sabres rout Flyers, stop 18-game slide

Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost cheks Arizona Coyotes defense- Philadelphia Flyers left wing Michael Raffl (12) is defended by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10) during the first period of an NHL hockey man Jordan Oesterle (82) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., on March 31. (AP) game on March 31, in Denver. (AP) Avs rally past Coyotes; Kings top Vegas NHL Results/Standings BUFFALO, New York, the Avs played in front of a home Philipp Grubauer stopped 28 Sharks 4, Wild 2 April 1, (AP): Linus crowd was on March 11, 2020 - shots for his league-leading 22nd In San Jose, California, Rudolfs WASHINGTON April 1 (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on just before the league halted the win. Wednesday. Ullmark stopped 31 shots Balcers and Ryan Donato scored Buffalo 6 Philadelphia 1 Los Angeles 4 Vegas 2 season due to the COVID-19 pan- Kings 4, Golden Knights 2 in the second period, and San Jose Toronto 3 Winnipeg 1 San Jose 4 Minnesota 2 and the Buffalo Sabres demic. Colorado 9 Arizona 3 snapped an 18-game skid - In Las Vegas, Lias Andersson completed a two-game sweep of East Division West Division Andre Burakovsky and Pierre- scored in his first game back after Minnesota. GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA the NHL’s longest in 17 Edouard Bellemare also scored in The Sharks followed a shoot- Washington 35 23 8 4 50 121 104 Colorado 35 23 8 4 50 127 80 missing more than a month, help- NY Islanders 36 22 10 4 48 106 84 Vegas 34 24 9 1 49 110 79 years - with a 6-1 win over a wild first period that included ing the Kings stop a three-game out win on Monday with another Pittsburgh 36 23 11 2 48 117 94 Minnesota 34 21 11 2 44 99 86 the Philadelphia Flyers. Arizona goals by Michael Bunting skid. strong performance against a Boston 32 18 9 5 41 88 77 St Louis 35 16 13 6 38 100 113 and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. team they are chasing in the Philadelphia 35 17 14 4 38 107 129 Arizona 36 16 15 5 37 95 112 Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin Andreas Athanasiou, Jaret NY Rangers 35 16 15 4 36 112 94 Los Angeles 34 14 14 6 34 96 96 was the first off the bench as the Anderson-Dolan and Alex Iafallo standings. New Jersey 34 13 16 5 31 83 106 San Jose 35 15 16 4 34 99 120 Buffalo 35 7 23 5 19 77 123 final horn sounded and led a line also scored for the Kings, and Cal Nikolai Knyzhov also scored Anaheim 37 11 20 6 28 83 123 ICE HOCKEY Central Division of Sabres players high-fiving Petersen improved to 4-1-0 his first career goal and Evander North Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Ullmark in an arena without fans. against Vegas after stopping 40 Kane had an empty-netter for the Tampa Bay 35 24 9 2 50 124 85 GP W L OT Pts GF GA It was the first win for Buffalo Gabriel Landeskog finished Sharks. Martin Jones made 26 Florida 36 23 9 4 50 119 99 Toronto 36 23 10 3 49 119 92 shots. Peterson has both of Los Carolina 34 23 8 3 49 113 86 Winnipeg 37 22 13 2 46 120 102 since a 4-1 victory at New Jersey with two goals, Mikko Rantanen Angeles’ wins over Vegas this saves for San Jose. Nashville 37 19 17 1 39 95 109 Edmonton 37 22 14 1 45 122 107 on Feb. 23, and ended an 0-15-3 added another and Burakovsky Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Chicago 37 17 15 5 39 106 115 Montreal 32 15 8 9 39 104 87 season. Columbus 37 14 15 8 36 94 118 Calgary 37 16 18 3 35 96 112 streak. The slump was tied for the scored his second with 3:11 William Karlsson and Shea Zuccarello scored for Minnesota, Dallas 33 11 12 10 32 91 91 Vancouver 37 16 18 3 35 100 120 league’s 14th longest, and worst remaining on an assist by Donskoi. Theodore scored for Vegas. Marc- and Kaapo Kahkonen made 29 Detroit 37 12 21 4 28 80 119 Ottawa 36 12 20 4 28 94 135 Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each since the Pittsburgh Penguins had Conor Garland also scored for Andre Fleury made 26 saves. saves. The Wild are winless in division will qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. a 0-17-1 stretch during the 2003- Arizona, which had won three in a Vegas had its six-game home their last five road games. 04 season. row. winning streak snapped. Maple Leafs 3, Jets 1 Steven Fogarty scored his first career goal and added an assist, In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Auston and defenseman Brandon Montour Matthews scored his NHL-leading sealed the win by scoring short- 24th goal for Toronto, and goal- handed goals 37 seconds apart, tender Jack Campbell stayed the first into an empty net. unbeaten this season. Ivan Provorov scored for Zach Hyman and Alex Kerfoot Philadelphia in the second period. also scored for Toronto. Mitch Brian Elliott allowed four goals Marner had two assists for his 13th on 16 shots before he was replaced multipoint game of the season. by Alex Lyon. Campbell, who missed the Edmonton game Monday with a Avalanche 9, Coyotes 3 lower-body injury, made 26 saves. In Denver, Joonas Donskoi He improved to 7-0-0 on the sea- scored three times during son. Colorado’s five-goal first period, Josh Morrissey scored for and the Avalanche beat the Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck Coyotes in front of home fans for stopped 23 shots. the first time this season. Adding to the Jets woes, captain The team invited frontline and Blake Wheeler did not play after health-care workers, first respond- Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blocks a shot by the first period. There was no ers, players’ families and employ- Los Angeles Kings’ Lias Andersson, left, during the third period of an NHL immediate word on a reason for In this Nov 28, 2020, file photo, Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) ees into Ball Arena. The last time hockey game on March 31, in Las Vegas. (AP) his absence. scores a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Gainesville, Florida. (AP) Sinner earns first semifinal berth in top-level event Pitts puts on show at Florida’s pro day Randall carries San Diego to Osaka’s win streak ends, Medvedev loses in Miami MIAMI, April 1, (AP): As Naomi Osaka’s appearances she has never advanced beyond the wasn’t going in at all today.” 23-match winning streak neared an end quarterfinals. She said couldn’t get comfortable Sakkari earned her sixth career win over a 24-21 win over Presbyterian Wednesday, she paused before serving to on the tournament’s hard-court surface. top-five opponent. She’s still in the tournament CLINTON, S.C., April 1, (AP): pass to Lawson Bachelder with 41 crane her neck and study the sky, as if seeking “I felt like I haven’t been playing well this only because she saved six match points in the Mason Randall threw for 301 seconds left made it 24-21, but the intervention from above. whole tournament, like I couldn’t find a previous round before beating American yards and a pair of touchdowns to Toreros secured the onside kick Then she carried on, and so did No. 23-seed- groove,” she said. Jessica Pegula. lead San Diego to a 24-21 win attempt and ran the clock to end it. ed Maria Sakkari, who upset Osaka 6-0, 6-4 in Against Sakkari, the only Greek woman In men’s play, 19-year-old Italian Jannik over Presbyterian. Thompson threw for 323 yards the quarter-finals of the Miami Open. ranked in the top 250, Osaka lost 15 consecu- Sinner earned his first semifinal berth in an San Diego (3-0, 3-0 Pioneer for the Blue Hose (1-3, 1-3). “The more stuff like this happens, the more tive points on her serve to fall behind and blew ATP Tour top-level event by beating No. Football League) never trailed. Meanwhile, there was no short- I’ll learn from it,” the No. 2-ranked Osaka a 4-1 lead in the second set. She faced a break 32-seeded Alexander Bublik 7-6 (5), 6-4. San Diego’s age of Kyle Pitts highlights at said. point on seven of her eight service games. Bublik smiled as he congratulated the No. defense came Florida’s pro day Wednesday, Osaka’s defeat was her first since February “Today’s service problems kind of came out 21-seeded Sinner at the net. up with the from his measurables to his moves 2020, and it ended any chance of reclaiming of nowhere,” Osaka said. “My first serve “You’re not a human, man,” Bublik joked. game’s first to even his mindset. the No. 1 ranking this week from Ash Barty, “You’re 15 years old and you play like this? score when who is in the semifinals. Good job.” Amir Wallace The men’s favorite departed nearly 12 hours Sinner will face Bautista Agut on Friday. forced a fum- FOOTBALL later when No. 1-seeded Daniil Medvedev lost ble on Jalen to No. 7 seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain, TENNIS Jones and It was a refresher course for any- 6-4, 6-2. Medvedev mangled his racket in returned it 23 one who watched the versatile anger after he lost serve to fall behind late in yards for a tight end play last season. the first set, and little went right for him the Osaka made just 41% of her first serves and touchdown Randall Whether he was outjumping, rest of the way. paid a price, because Sakkari aggressively with 10:26 outrunning and outmuscling defen- “If he broke a racket, it’s because he lost his attacked the second set. Sakkari also served left in the first quarter. sive backs, making linebackers patience,” Bautista Agut said. “I think I did well and would repeatedly extend rallies until Following Brandon Eickert’s and safeties look silly, or handling some great things to put him under pressure Osaka made an error. 23-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead, his own at the line of scrimmage, and feel like this.” “I don’t think it was the best tennis I played Keith Pearson hauled in a pass Pitts was undoubtedly one of the in my life,” Sakkari said. “I just did what I had from Brandon Thompson and most dynamic pass catchers in the Medvedev fell to 0-3 against Bautista Agut, sprinted 75 yards to reduce country in 2020 and possibly the one of the six players left in the men’s draw. to do.” Presbyterian’s deficit to 10-7. best college player at his position None has won a Masters 1000 event. Osaka took a 40-0 lead in the opening game, Randall threw a 4-yard touchdown in years, maybe even decades. Sakkari will next play No. 8-seeded Bianca but didn’t win another point on her serve until pass to Michael Carner with seven No one would be surprised to Andreescu of Canada, who dropped serve the second set. When she ended the drought, seconds before halftime for a 10-point see him be an instant star at the eight times but still outlasted unseeded Sara she received a big ovation from the small lead, then found Derek Kline from next level. Sorribes Tormo 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. crowd, which she followed up with her best 15-yards out with a minute left in the Pitts and several teammates - “I’m super proud of how I handled it tonight, stretch of tennis. third for a 24-7 advantage. most notably quarterback Kyle because it wasn’t easy,” Andreescu said. “My But Sakkari rallied. From 40-0 down she Thompson led a four-play, Trask, cornerback Marco Wilson body was giving out, and then my mind gave won five consecutive points, hitting one last 52-yard drive that ended with his and receivers Kadarius Toney and out at one point, because I was just thinking Naomi Osaka, of Japan returns, to Maria thunderous return to break for a 5-4 lead. She 6-yard touchdown run early in the Trevon Grimes - worked out for about how tired I was.” Sakkari, of Greece, during the quarter-finals of then coolly served out the victory. fourth to pull Presbyterian within talent evaluators from 31 of 32 Osaka won her fourth Grand Slam title at the the Miami Open tennis tournament, on March “I just really enjoyed myself out there,” 24-14. His 80-yard touchdown NFL teams. Australian Open in February, but in five Miami 31, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP) Sakkari said. ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 2-3, 2021 16

Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso (4) dunks against Milwaukee Bucks for- ward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday in Los Angeles. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Drummond leaves debut with bruised toe, Bucks down Lakers Nets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into fi rst in East NEW YORK, April 1, (AP): Kyrie Ir- ving had 31 points and a season-high 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame the loss of James Harden to beat the Houston Rockets 120-108 on Wednes- day night and move into fi rst place in the Eastern Conference. More woe for Germany as long Harden sat out the fourth quarter against his former team with right hamstring tightness, fi nishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Nets put together the pivotal run without him, scoring 12 straight mid- way through the fi nal period to turn a six-point defi cit into a 107-101 lead, perfect WC qualifying run ends winning a game they trailed by 18 after less than fi ve minutes. Joe Harris added 28 points for the Nets, who didn’t even lead until the last half-minute of the third quarter, but emerged with their 19th win in 22 games, improving to 26-9 since acquir- ing Harden from Houston on Jan 14. Jazz 111 Grizzlies 107 In Memphis, Tenn, Mike Conley scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Jordan Clarkson added 24 points and the Utah Jazz beat the Mem- phis Grizzlies 111-107 for their seventh straight victory. Bojan Bogdanovic added 23 points for Utah, which defeated Memphis for the third time in a week, this time over- coming 36 points from Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Kyle Anderson had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, and Dillon Brooks fi nished with 17 points. Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and 14 re- bounds. Bucks 112, Lakers 97 In Los Angeles, Andre Drummond left his Lakers debut with a bruised right toe, and Jrue Holiday scored 28 points in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 112-97 victory over Los Angeles . Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Khris Mid-

BASKETBALL dleton added 17 points and eight assists as the Bucks snapped their three-game losing streak with a workmanlike vic- tory over the depleted defending NBA champions, who are still without LeB- ron James and Anthony Davis. Drummond scored four points in 14 minutes before limping off the court early in the third quarter. X-rays were negative on Los Angeles’ new center, but the bruise adds another injury prob- lem to the Lakers’ list ahead of a tough schedule in April. England’s Mason Mount (left), challenges for the ball with Poland’s Bartosz Bereszynski during the World Cup 2022 Group I qualifying soccer match between England and Poland at Wembley Stadium in London, England. (AP) Suns 121, Bulls 116 In Phoenix, Devin Booker scored a season-high 45 points, Chris Paul added 19 points and 14 assists, and the Phoe- England, Italy, Spain and France win nix Suns held on to beat the Chicago Bulls 121-116. The Suns built a 16-point lead mid- LONDON, April 1, (AP): 2008 independence from Serbia. Italy’s unbeaten run extended to 25 way through the third quarter, but the Germany’s fi rst World John Stones made amends for an games with a 2-0 win in Lithuania as Bulls cut that advantage to 94-86 by embarrassing defensive blunder by set- Roberto Mancini’s halftime changes the start of the fourth. Chicago hung Cup qualifying loss in 20 ting up a late winner for fellow center had an immediate impact. close throughout the fi nal minutes, pull- years added another blem- back Harry Maguire as England beat Substitute Stefano Sensi scored ing within three points multiple times. ish to the fi nal months of Poland 2-1 to stay perfect in Group I. three minutes into the second half be- Thaddeus Young’s bucket in the paint Stones’ heavy touch at the edge of fore Ciro Immobile converted a stop- brought the Bulls within 115-112 with coach Joachim Löw’s 15- his own area saw him get dispossessed, page-time penalty. less than a minute left. year reign in charge of the leading to Jakub Moder equalizing for Italy, which failed to qualify for the Booker responded with his fi nal team. Poland to cancel out Harry Kane’s 2018 World Cup, moved three points bucket - blowing past Nikola Vujecic Germany’s 35-match unbeaten penalty - his 34th goal for England. ahead of Switzerland atop Group C. for a layup - and the Suns won their Redemption came for the Man- Northern Ireland and Bulgaria have a fourth straight. Chicago’s losing streak run in World Cup qualifying - a point apiece after drawing 0-0. chester City defender when his is now at fi ve games. streak dating back to 2001 - ended Spain moved onto seven points and Booker had another All-Star perfor- with a stunning 2-1 home loss to header at the far post kept a corner leads by one from Sweden, which has mance in a season full of them, making North Macedonia that left the team in play and Maguire swept a finish a game in hand. Greece is third after a 17 of 24 shots from the fi eld and 9 of 10 sitting third in their group after high into the net in the 85th minute 1-1 draw with Georgia. France con- free throws. He was especially effective at Wembley Stadium. Poland was tinued their recovery from an open- three games. without injured star striker Robert North Macedonia’s Stefan Ristovski (left), challenges for the ball with Ger- on mid-range jumpers, fi nishing time Goran Pandev, a 37-year-old striker ing-round draw to Ukraine, beating and again over Chicago’s defense. Lewandowski. Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 to follow up many’s Ilkay Gundogan during the World Cup 2022 Group J qualifying soc- playing in his 20th year of interna- cer match between Germany and North Macedonia in Duisburg, Germany, Trail Blazers 124, Pistons 101 tional football, was part of the North England lead by two points from a 2-0 win over Kazakhstan on Sunday. Hungary, which won 4-1 at Andorra. Wednesday. (AP) In Detroit, Damian Lillard had 33 Macedonia team that shocked Ger- points and nine assists and the Portland many, scoring the opener in fi rst-half Albania rose above Poland into third Trail Blazers beat the Detroit Pistons stoppage time. place by beating San Marino 2-0. SOCCER 124-101. Ilkay Gundogan equalized from the NBA Results/Standings CJ McCollum added 24 points and penalty spot but after Timo Werner Carmelo Anthony and Robert Coving- missed a golden chance to put Germa- Antoine Griezmann headed in the ton each scored 16 in Portland’s fourth ny ahead and potentially earn the team winner in the 60th for his 35th interna- straight win. a 19th straight World Cup qualifying tional goal, moving the Barcelona for- WASHINGTON, April 1, (AP): NBA results and standings on Wednesday. Jerami Grant scored 30 points for De- victory, Eljif Elmas scored the winner ward one clear of David Trezeguet and Portland 124 Detroit 101 Oklahoma City 113 Toronto 103 troit, which lost for the fi fth time in six into fourth place on France’s all-time Miami 92 Indiana 87 Utah 111 Memphis 107 for North Macedonia in the 85th at the Brooklyn 120 Houston 108 San Antonio 120 Sacramento 106 games. Mason Plumlee added 18 points, end of a counterattack. scoring list. France are four points clear Dallas 113 Boston 108 Phoenix 121 Chicago 116 but Detroit’s other three starters - Saddiq Europe’s other major powers ended in Group D, with Ukraine in second Minnesota 102 New York 101 Milwaukee 112 LA Lakers 97 Bey, Josh Jackson and Saben Lee – com- the fi rst batch of qualifying games on place on three points after a third straight Eastern Conference Western Conference bined for two points on 1-for-17 shooting. Atlantic Division Southwest Division a successful note, with England, Italy, draw, this time against Kazakhstan. W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Heat 92, Indiana 87 Spain and France all picking up wins be- Denmark joined Italy, England and Brooklyn 33 15 .688 - Dallas 25 21 .543 - fore they switch their focus to the Euros. Armenia on maximum points and are Philadelphia 32 15 .681 -1/2 San Antonio 24 21 .533 -1/2 In Indianapolis, Duncan Robinson New York 24 24 .500 9 Memphis 22 23 .489 2-1/2 and Jimmy Butler provided the scoring Spain’s 3-1 victory at home to Ko- the highest-scoring team in qualifying Boston 23 25 .479 10 New Orleans 21 25 .457 4 punch for Miami. sovo attracted attention because of with 14 goals. Toronto 18 30 .375 15 Houston 13 34 .277 12-1/2 It was their defense that changed the the host country’s non-recognition of That’s after a 4-0 win at Austria in Southeast Division Northwest Division Group F, with the goals coming in a W L Pct GB W L Pct GB game. the visitors, with the Spanish national Charlotte 24 22 .522 - Utah 36 11 .766 - Together, the undrafted guard and the broadcaster disregarding normal pro- Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker 16-minute spell in the second half. Miami 24 24 .500 1 Denver 29 18 .617 7 All-Star forward combined for the fi rst tocol by not mentioning Kosovo as a (right), shoots over Chicago Bulls Denmark, which are yet to concede, Atlanta 23 24 .489 1-1/2 Portland 29 18 .617 7 six points in a decisive fourth quarter country and using lowercase letters for center Nikola Vucevic during the is already four points clear. Scotland Washington 17 29 .370 7 Oklahoma City 20 27 .426 16 Orlando 16 31 .340 8-1/2 Minnesota 12 36 .250 24-1/2 run and then helped Miami hold Indiana “kos” in its graphics. second half of an NBA basketball rose to second place after beating the Central Division Pacifi c Division to fi ve points over the fi nal seven min- Spain does not recognize Kosovo’s game, Wednesday in Phoenix. Faeroe Islands, also 4-0. W L Pct GB W L Pct GB utes for a 92-87 victory. (AP) Milwaukee 30 17 .638 - Phoenix 33 14 .702 - Spoelstra had no quibbles with Rob- Indiana 21 25 .457 8-1/2 LA Clippers 32 17 .653 2 the third quarter before the Celtics ral- Gay had 16 and Jakob Poeltl fi nished Chicago 19 27 .413 10-1/2 LA Lakers 30 18 .625 3-1/2 inson’s offensive effort, either. 102-101 victory over former coach Tom lied to within single digits in the fourth. Thibodeau and the New York Knicks . with 12 points and 14 rebounds for San Cleveland 17 30 .362 13 Golden State 23 24 .489 10 Robinson fi nished with 20 points, Detroit 13 34 .277 17 Sacramento 22 26 .458 11-1/2 eight rebounds and four assists, making Jayson Tatum had 25 points and nine Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points Antonio. six 3-pointers. rebounds to lead Boston. Jaylen Brown and 17 rebounds, and Malik Beasley De’Aaron Fox scored 20 points and added 24. Boston has lost its last two. highlighted his 20 points with the go- Tyrese Haliburton added 16 to lead Mavericks 113, Celtics 108 Raptors 113-103 . remained out with right foot plantar fas- The Mavericks were clinging to a ahead 3-pointer with 37 seconds left for Sacramento, which had not lost since Mykhailiuk made 9 of 14 shots and ciitis, Lu Dort was out due to concussion In Boston, Luka Doncic had 36 points 104-98 lead when Doncic was fouled on the Timberwolves, who outscored the March 20. The Spurs rebounded from had a career-high nine rebounds. protocols and Darius Bazley was out with and eight rebounds and the Dallas Mav- a 3-point attempt with 56 seconds left. Knicks 22-9 over the fi nal 7:50. Monday’s 132-115 loss to the Kings Moses Brown had 20 points and 11 a left shoulder contusion. Rookie Aleksej ericks held on to beat the Boston Celtics He connected on two of his three ensu- Spurs 120, Kings 105 with a quicker pace and greater energy rebounds, and Isaiah Roby added 17 Pokusevski, a recent addition to the start- 113-108 . ing free throws. defensively in the rematch. Jalen Brunson added 21 points, In San Antonio, DeMar DeRozan points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma ing lineup, was out because of health and including two late free throws, and Timberwolves 102, Knicks 101 scored 26 points and the San Antonio Thunder 113, Raptors 103 City, which snapped a three-game los- safety protocols. Gary Trent Jr. scored a Kristaps Porzingis fi nished with 19 In Minneapolis, Anthony Edwards Spurs snapped Sacramento’s fi ve-game In Oklahoma City, Svi Mykhailiuk ing streak. career-high 31 points, and OG Anunoby points to help the Mavericks win their scored 11 of his 24 points over the fi - winning streak, beating the Kings 120- scored 10 of his season-high 22 points The Thunder outrebounded the Raptors added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the second straight. nal eight minutes, leading a fi erce rally 106 . in the fourth quarter, and the Oklahoma 64-35. Oklahoma City was missing three Raptors, who have dropped 13 of their Dallas led by as many as 23 points in by the Minnesota Timberwolves for a Derrick White added 18 points, Rudy City Thunder rallied to beat the Toronto regular starters. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander last 14 games.

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