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Page 16 THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 / SHAWWAL 19, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17701 16 PAGES 150 FILS MP queries ‘Astra’ delays, PCR cost, platform glitches

Travel curb hit

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Ka’aba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, Arab Times Staff as they keep social distancing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, during the minor pil- KUWAIT CITY, May grimage, known as Umrah, in the Muslim holy city 30: MP Osama Al-Sha- of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 30. (AP) heen has asked the Min- ister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah about the rea- son behind the delayed Insurance key in provision of the second dose of AstraZeneca-Ox- ford vaccine, disclosing over-60s rethink that many people includ- KUWAIT CITY, May 30: Expatriate holders of high ing himself are still wait- school certification and are above the age of 60 years ing for the second dose are waiting for the Public Authority for Manpower although the interval be- (PAM) to complete the preparation of a set of regula- tween the two doses has tions related to the decision to bar the issuance of work permits for the aforementioned category of expatri- already ended. ates, reports Al-Rai daily quoting informed sources. He wants to know the pos- They said, “Private health insurance is one of the sible damages caused by the basic solutions to this matter. Many of the expatriates delayed administration of the over the age of 60 have lived in the country for de- second dose of the vaccine cades. They have accumulated experiences over the and why the Health Ministry years that are more important than university degrees. decided to procure the vaccine The regulations that PAM is preparing are aimed at through a local agent, instead setting balance between the labor market’s need for of signing a contract with the expertise and modifying the demographics. The imposition of private health insurance is one of manufacturer directly. the most important solutions to renew work permits He also forwarded queries to for this group based on the understanding that this will Minister of Defense Sheikh Ha- prevent any added pressure on the public health sec- mad Jaber Al-Ali in the latter’s tor. capacity as the official respon- Among the ideas circulating is that the annual value sible for the ‘Mosafer’ platform. of the insurance policy should be KD 500. However, He asked why the citizens are concerned parties in the insurance sector informed the forced to pay the maximum fee daily that determining the price must be associated for PCR test, pointing out the fact with the services covered by the policy, and the afore- With the Washington Monument in the background, supporters of the Palestinians rally during the National March for Palestine demonstration that the Ministry of Health speci- at Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, May 29. (AP) mentioned amount is unrealistic based on the current fied the maximum fee means the market data. actual cost is less than the amount The daily approached specialists in the insurance Egypt, Israel shore truce the citizens are paying. He added market with this matter, and discovered that the value many citizens complained about of health insurance for one year for those who have glitches in the platform, reveal- Egypt and Israel held high-level talks in both countries Sunday reached the age of 60 and want to renew their residen- Opinion ing these glitches resulted in the cy may exceed KD 1,000, since the documents issued to shore up a fragile truce between Israel and the Hamas militant cancellation of plane tickets and group and rebuild the Gaza Strip after a punishing 11-day war for this age class classify clients as “high risk”, and other problems. He wants to they usually have a history of chronic diseases. that left parts of the seaside enclave in ruins. know if there is a conflict of in- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry received his Israe- The concerned parties highlighted that the evalua- li counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, in Cairo on Sunday as part of terests, considering the company tion process is subject to many conditions, such as the Is it a donkey or people in Egypt’s efforts to revive the Mideast peace process and to “build which collects fees also designed rate of insurance coverage, the services it provides, the on the cease-fire in Gaza,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. the platform. client’s participation in paying part of the expenses, Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said Shukry called for establishing Decision and limiting treatment to the private sector or with the a country of future tense? an atmosphere to relaunch “serious and constructive” negotia- state’s participation in providing medical services. tions between the two sides. He also urged both sides to refrain MP Muhammad Hadi Al- In this regard, Tariq Al-Sahaf, the CEO of Gulf In- from “any measures” that could hamper efforts to revive the Mid- Hewaila submitted a proposal surance Group, explained that the process of determin- east peace process. to cancel the decision to prevent ing the price of the health insurance policy for residents By Ahmed Al-Jarallah All this is the natural outcome The hourslong visit was the first public one by an Israeli foreign citizens from traveling if they are who have reached 60 years of age and wish to renew of the inability of the leadership minister to Egypt since 2008, the Israeli Embassy in Cairo said. not vaccinated against covid-19. their residency in accordance with the proposed amend- Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times It wrote that the two ministers would discuss topics including the He called for allowing unvac- or those responsible for public cease-fire and the release of Israeli soldiers and citizens being ments is subject to technical determinants and actuarial THERE is an anecdote about two cinated citizens and their ac- calculations, which determine the fair value of the poli- affairs to put in place realistic held by Hamas. (AP) companying domestic workers elderly men who were sitting programs for the advancement cy as per the risk levels and technical conditions. in front of a grocery store and to travel as long as they strictly Setting the price at KD 500 for the health insurance of their country. They are in- comply with the health regula- laughing loudly when a curious stead reeling from the praises of policy of those aged 60 and above is outside the con- man who was passing by asked tions laid down by the Ministry cept of insurance, as determining the price must be as- their confidantes and advisers. of Health. He pointed out that sociated with the services covered by the policy. The them why they were laughing. On the other hand, there are Newswatch encouraging citizens to get vac- One of them said, “We have a aforementioned amount is unrealistic according to the leaders who worked to build cinated does not entail depriving current market data. plan to solve the country’s crisis, strong states and resisted all ex- them of the right to travel, which which is to imprison everyone KUWAIT CITY: According to of- Benjamin Berier was arrested is stipulated in Article 31 of the Case ternal and internal pressures that in May last year after taking pic- and a donkey.” aimed to divert them from their fi cial data issued by the Central Constitution. The man was surprised and Bank of Kuwait, it received 22 tures in a desert area where pho- He highlighted a currently applied model that can mission. tography is prohibited and asking MP Khalid Al-Otaibi has be used as a guide in this case, which is the “Afia” asked, “Why would you lock up reports during the years 2019 and proposed doubling the amount For instance in Yugoslavia, 2020 about issues faced by some questions “in the media” about insurance. Here, the price of the policy exceeds KD a donkey?” during the reign of Josip Tito, he Iran’s obligatory Islamic head- granted to retirees covered by 1,000, which means the estimated price of the policy The elderly man then turned to of the people who use online pay- the ‘Afia’ health insurance pro- managed to unite six countries ment platforms in Kuwait, either scarf for women. at KD 500 cannot cover all the needs of the age group. his companion and said, “Did I and made it a great economic and through the local banks or client Under Iranian law, a spying gram. He disclosed that the ben- Meanwhile, the Executive Vice President of Za- not tell you that no one will ask accounts, reports Al-Anba daily. conviction can bring up to 10 eficiaries of his proposal include mzam Takaful Insurance Company Mahjoob Al-Mah- political power in Eastern Eu- retirees suffering from chronic about the people?” rope, and also founded the Non- The Central Bank does not years in prison and a conviction joub said, “After revealing the features of the residen- Unfortunately, this anecdote on a charge of spreading propa- diseases and cancer, as well as Aligned Movement. have any information on the cy renewal procedures for those who have reached the applies to several Gulf and Arab number of fraudulent operations ganda against the system can be the handicapped. He said these age of 60, some companies have started their actuarial nations, because those respon- Despite 41 years since the related to agents of e-payment punishable by three months to a retirees usually wait for one studies in determining the appropriate price for the sible for public affairs live in death of Tito, the Yugoslavs still systems who are not registered as year. (AP) year before getting medical care health insurance policy.” a world that is different from consider him the unifying leader, providers of these services at the ❑ ❑ ❑ and this negatively affects their Al-Mahjoub explained that, “According to the study despite the disintegration of those Central Bank of Kuwait, as these health condition. where the common people live. JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime of experiences of previously issued insurance policies They are therefore not surprised states and their plunge into a civil reports are referred to the judici- MP Khalil Al-Saleh submitted for this age group, and taking into account the insur- ary directly by the victims. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s a proposal to cancel the customs by the commoners’ cries of suf- war. opponents on Sunday appeared to ance, technical and legal reserves that are in line with There is a leader in the Arab Regarding the number of com- fees for imported materials as a the new Insurance Regulatory Unit Law No. 125/2019 fering but will instead ask about panies specialized in electronic be moving closer toward a coali- world who is similar to Tito. He tion deal that could end the 12- way of controlling prices. He de- and its executive regulations, the lowest price of an what the donkey did to be put in payment systems in Kuwait, the cided to submit such a proposal prison! is the late President of Egypt Ja- year rule of the longtime Israeli individual premium for one year can be estimated at data explained that the Central due to the remarkable increase in KD 950, with a requirement to bear the policy of not This is due to the fact that of- mal Abdul Nasser, who was a re- Bank approved the registration leader. naissance force at the beginning Naftali Bennett, leader of the prices of construction materi- less than 25 percent, and to pay the full value of the ficials in the Arab world are used of 11 practitioners for this type als recently. of his rule. Unfortunately, in- of activity. The local banks also the small Yamina party and a premium upon issuance, for cases with no satisfactory to making promises on the basis kingmaker following March 23 He also suggested banning the history, which may be few.” of their separation from real- stead of walking down the path applied for the registration of 19 companies as their agents. elections, scheduled an 8 p.m. export of construction materials He added, “If you take into account the presence ity, such that this nation became of construction, he deliberately news conference where he was and intensifying inspection cam- made intelligence a ruling force ❑ ❑ ❑ of individuals who want to renew their residency, and known as the nation of “future expected to announce his deci- paigns to ensure strict compli- have a history of illness, companies may need to in- tense”. above accountability. He handed BAGHDAD: The Iraqi capital has sion to join a diverse collection ance with the prices specified by crease the insurance premium, so that they do not have Occasionally, when a leader over the leadership of the soci- witnessed wide-scale military of opponents seeking to topple the Ministry of Commerce and to refuse insurance coverage for these cases, as well as comes out to speak to the people, ety to centers of power that used movements by government forc- Netanyahu. Industry, in addition to increas- set up a mechanism for them to receive medical treat- he starts making promises, and Egypt’s economy to its advan- es for securing the “green zone” Israeli media said that party ing the quantity of imported con- ment.” excuses for inaction and negli- tage. This led to the retrogres- and surrounding areas, coincid- members earlier Sunday en- struction materials. Al-Mahjoub said, “The most important determinant sion of this great state during ing with undeclared meetings dorsed the decision. If he follows MP Ahmed Al-Hamad sub- is the treatment mechanism, and whether their treat- gence. He then talks a lot about through, Bennett, a former Net- combating the corruption that that era, and it did not rise until among top decision makers. mitted a bill on amending Hous- ment will be limited only to the private sector, or if A security source, who re- anyahu aide turned rival, would ing Welfare Law No. 47/1993; plagues state institutions. after his departure and the liqui- play a key role in ending the the Ministry of Health will be involved in the process. quested anonymity, said on such that the Public Authority This is a major determinant in the matter. If treatment As a result, people end up be- dation of the centers of power. Sunday that extraordinary se- prime-minister’s record-setting ing sedated either with promises The experiences of people cap- term. Israeli media have said that for Housing Welfare (PAHW) is limited to the private sector, KD 1000 will not suf- curity measures were carried grants loans to citizens, who ture experiences of other nations. out in line with orders by Prime Bennett and the opposition lead- fice as the price for the policy. However, with the or despair until they reach a level own prefabricated or model where reform becomes nearly If those responsible for public Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhe- er, Yair Lapid, will agree on a participation of the Ministry of Health, and ensuring affairs do not learn and benefit mi, amid heightening concerns power-sharing deal in which they houses, to finance the demoli- whether the client would pay part of the bill, the policy impossible. tion and reconstruction of their may remain within the limits of KD 1,000.” For instance in Lebanon, de- from them, and correct their mis- some groups namely “Al-Hashd rotate the job of prime minister Al-Shaabi,” might retaliate for over the next four years. houses. He said the houses will In the same context, a source familiar with the condi- ceptive promises from officials takes, then they end up leading be mortgaged in order to guar- tions of the insurance market in Kuwait said, “An esti- their countries to division. detention of a leader named Qas- ❑ ❑ ❑ and party leaders led to a fateful sem Misleh. antee the right of the concerned mated amount of KD 500 for health insurance as one crisis, disintegrating the coun- The people, out of despair, Armored vehicles were seen RAMALLAH: Israeli police bank, indicating the loan amount of the conditions for residency renewal cannot in any try into factions and groups, and do not react, and this ultimately along the airport road and loca- opened fi re on Palestinian pro- is similar to the amount granted way cover the needs of health care services required for plunging it into poverty and des- leads to chaos. This is due to the tions around the “green zone.” testers in the West Bank city of to citizens who are building new people of that age category. Even a KD 1,000-worth titution. The beneficiaries of this separation of those responsible Defense Minster Jomaa Inad Ramallah, wounding two with houses. policy is not enough. Such a policy cannot be priced situation continue to milk the from reality, such that they de- had warned against “any unli- live bullets. MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa sub- at this level, even if the services of some hospitals and plore the idea of locking up the censed military move” affi rming The Israeli police used tear mitted a proposal to open Jahra agencies in the Ministry of Health are sought.” country. gas bombs and live ammunition Another example is Iraq ... donkey instead of realizing that that no public armed manifesta- Natural Reserve to the public The source explained that the price of the insurance tions would be allowed. (KUNA) to disperse a peaceful Palestin- Despite possessing one of the an entire nation is suffering. ian sit-in at Nilin village, west after the construction of enter- policy increases directly with higher risks. In the case largest oil reserves in the world ❑ ❑ ❑ tainment facilities, restaurants of health insurance, younger people have lower lev- Email: [email protected] of Ramallah, wounding the two and having many potentials that TEHRAN: Iranian authorities in- protesters and causing the suf- and cafés. He added the regula- els of risk. They have insurance policies, the prices of could make it an economic pow- Follow me on: dicted a French tourist on charges focation of many others, eyewit- tions laid down by the Environ- which commensurate with the lower health risks they er, it has been living in one of the of spying and spreading propa- nesses told KUNA. ment Public Authority (EPA) and are likely to be exposed to. worst economic, living and po- ganda against the system, his The villagers had organized Public Authority for Agriculture Regarding those aged 60 and over, health risks rise, litical crises since 1958 after its lawyer said Sunday. It was the the sit-in to protest settlers’ at- Affairs and Fish Resources as people become vulnerable to many diseases. This first coup. [email protected] latest in a series of cases against tempt to steal their land and build (PAAAFR) will be taken into requires health care services that may be continuous foreigners amid heightened ten- a new illegal Israeli settlement consideration in the opening of and of high cost, during which the cost of insurance sions between Iran and the West. spot in the village. (KUNA) the natural reserve. becomes useless. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 2

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab initiative Thirteen new publications from Emirati authors

s part of the 18th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival, held under the theme A‘The Future Starts Now’, and supported by the lead partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation Team named Wikimedians of UAE user group (ADMAF) launched the 6th edition of its Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab Initiative at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The initiative aims to promote intel- lectual growth and celebrate Arab literary creativity, and to support authors, writers the UAE publishing industry through strategic partnerships with or- ganisations such as the Emirates Writers Union and Emirati publishing houses Mega-rise in Arab authors on Wikipedia such as Nabati Publishing House, and Hamalil Publishing House. H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts ollowing spectacular results in driving visibil- named the UAE User Group will help us take the profit organisation which supports and nurtures a Foundation and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “The Riwaq Fity of Arab authors on Wikipedia, the Emirates next step on our journey of bringing Emirati and love of literature in the United Arab Emirates and Al Adab Wal Kitab programme develops literary creativity and intellectual Literature Foundation’s Kateb Maktub team ear- Arab literature to the global Wikipedia commu- the region, through a programme of varied cultural growth contributing to a cultural renaissance, by supporting established and lier this month stepped up to replace the previous nity, and the world.” initiatives. emerging writers. In cooperation with not-for-profit organisations and pub- UAE Wikimedia User group. User groups are important in the Wikime- Established in 2013 by Royal Decree issued by lishing houses in the UAE, the programme works to advance cultural and Emirates Literature Foundation created Kateb dia movement and empower and engage people His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al creative output, especially in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 Maktub to give visibility to Arab literature. Since around the world to collect and develop educa- Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of pandemic,” its launch in December 2020, it has rapidly gained tional content and disseminate it effectively and the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Foundation aims “I am pleased to announce that 13 new literary works by Emirati authors momentum with Arab author pages on Wikipedia globally. A User Group must present an activ- to foster a love for literature, with a focus on the are part of the initiative’s library, which currently consists of over 60 books. increasing by 320%, or 4,800 pages. In contrast, ity report to the Affiliations Committee annually, Arabic language. This renews our commitment to cultivating the literary arts in the UAE and the 12 months between September 2019 and Au- which forms the basis for renewal. In line with the National Reading Policy of the preserving Arabic language and cultural identity in the nation’s progressive gust 2020, there were only 100 new Arab author The announcement was shared on the meta.wi- UAE, the Foundation has implemented several development.” H.E. Alkhamis added. pages created. kimedia.org platform and can be viewed here. long-term projects including the School Librarian H.E. Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, expressed As the official User Group for the UAE, Kateb To get involved in the Kateb Maktub movement, of the Year Award, Kateb Maktub, and From the his appreciation for all initiatives that support Emirati talents and connect Maktub will be able to accelerate the movement prospective volunteers can visit katebmaktub.org. Inside Out, as well as conducting year-round stu- them to their local and international readers, whether through books publica- through global collaborations, organise Wikime- More information about the Emirates Literature dent education programmes, book clubs and cre- tion and its various platforms or through leveraging these talents by providing dia conferences, use UAE Wikimedia User Group Foundation can be found online and year-round ative writing courses. The Foundation’s previous them interactive spaces that bring them closer to their audience across all trademark and apply for grants from the Wikime- news of #EmiratesLitFest on LinkedIn, Facebook, initiatives included the 2020 International Liter- literal, cultural, and creative forums. dia Foundation. Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. ary Festivals Conference, 2016 Dubai Translation H.E. also praised the cooperation between Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Ahlam Bolooki, Director of the Emirates Air- You can also tune in to the Foundation’s two Conference and the 2017 Dubai International Pub- Foundation and the Emirates Writers Union in terms of the activities line Festival of Literature, and new Leader of the podcasts; the Best of the Emirates LitFest, and the lishing Conference. hosted by this year’s Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, especially as User Group, said: “Wikipedia is one of the world’s Boundless Book Club. The Foundation is also the governing body of they, together, celebrate five new publications (in the form of signing cer- most visited websites, and the first point of refer- About the Emirates Literature Foundation: the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the emonies or panel discussions), knowing that four of them are authored by ence for many people around the globe. Being The Emirates Literature Foundation is a not-for- UAE’s premier literary festival. Emirati female authors, namely Najat Al Dhaheri and Sheikha Al Mutairi in poetry; Luluwa Al Mansouri and Basima Younes in story writing; as well as a publication for Mohammed Shuaib Al Hammadi in tribute for short stories, fiction, nonfiction and poetry, was presented by critic Sameh platform that soon graduated to one of the world’s premiere annual events. the late Habib Al Sayegh. Kaawach and poet Ahmed Al Assim. ‘The Fundamentals of Children’s Sto- Held in the UAE, it celebrates artistic and creative excellence, and promotes Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab’s new releases for 2021 include 13 literary pub- ries’, presented by Sameh Kaawach and Basima Younes, is a workshop on the role of music and the arts in bringing nations closer. It also promotes Abu lications in partnership with the Emirates Writers Union, Nabati Publishing developing plots, writing narratives and building mature characters that stim- Dhabi as a leading global hub for creativity and as an Emirati beacon for House, and Hamalil Publishing House: When Earth Was Sqaure by Luluwa ulate children’s imaginations in various age groups. respect and tolerance. Al Mansouri, Planet 10 by Dr. Basima Younes, Used Cloud by poetess Najat The Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab initiative also featured a poetry reading Strengthened by a growing network of 30 international partners, the festival Al Dhaheri, I Myself Think by poetess Shaikha Al Mutairi, Words of Loyalty followed by a book signing with Shaikha Al Mutairi, who read from her re- brings audiences together each year to enjoy world premieres and exclusive in Habib Al Sayegh by Mohammed Shuaib Al Hammadi, Your Love Has cently published collection, I Myself Think, and Najat Al Dhaheri reading commissions in the UAE and around the world. Owned My Heart by Shaikha Al Mansouri, Behind the Silence by Maryam from Used Cloud. Short story writers Basima Younes and Luluwa Al Man- Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation Al Adan, Challenges with Oneself by Al Sagheera Al Ameri, Al Ratab, The souri read from their short story collections, Planet 10 and When Earth Was Founded in 1996, ADMAF is one of the oldest, not-for-profit cultural or- Summer Beginning by researcher Aysha Ali Al Ghais, Rain in the Emirati Sqaure, respectively. ganisations in the Arabian Gulf. Pioneering new artistic practices, it seeks to Heritage by Jemei Salem Al Dhanhani, Partly Cloudy by poetess Sheikha Sheikha Muhammad Al Jabri talked about her new book Partly Cloudy deepen global cross-cultural dialogue and inspire a renewed interest in the Mohammed, Al Majedi bin Dhaher: A journey of Wisdom & Emotions by with fellow Emirati author Salem Al Dhanhani, who discussed his recently creativity of the UAE and Arab world. Often in partnership with leading na- poet and researcher Mohammed Abdullah Noor Al Din and Mary Jumaa Faraj published Rain In the Heritage of the UAE, organised by Nabati Publishing tional and international institutions, it delivers multidisciplinary initiatives for – Icon The Emirati Story’ by a group of writers. House. In collaboration with Hamalil Publishing House, the initiative includ- people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities through the Abu Dhabi Fes- ADMAF’s Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab initiative includes a series of work- ed a discussion and book signing of Challenges With Oneself by Al Sagheera tival, year-round youth platforms and community programmes. shops, discussion panels, readings and book signings with authors during the Al Ameri, Beyond Silence by Maryam Al Adan and Your Love Has Owned About Mubadala Investment Company 30th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, 23-29 May 2021. Emirati writers My Heart by Shaikha Al Mansouri. Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global Ayesha Ali Al Ghais and Mohammed Abdullah Noor Al Din discussed their For more information about the Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab initiative, and portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Govern- new books, Al Ratab, the Summer’s Beginning and Al Majedi ben Daher, for registration please visit https://abudhabifestival.ae/programme/riwaq-al- ment of Abu Dhabi. a Tour in Wisdom and Emotion, in a live virtual conversation. Moderated adab-wal-kitab-2021/ and find Abu Dhabi Festival on Facebook (abudhabi- Mubadala’s $243.4 billion (AED 894 billion) portfolio spans six continents by Hajar Al Raeisi and with the participation of Dr. Abeer Al Hosani and festival), Twitter (@abudhabi_fest) and Instagram (@abudhabifestival). with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. We leverage our deep sec- Dr. Fatima Al Maamari, the second panel discussion, Hypothetical Criticism: The year-long hybrid programme of the 18th Abu Dhabi Festival combines toral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and Between Theory and Practice, explored literary criticism in the digital age, virtual and in-person performances, exhibitions and events by over 500 artists profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of including criticism on social media, what makes virtual criticism a real-world from more than 50 countries. the economy of the United Arab Emirates. criticism and the role of cultural institutions in the virtual criticism scene. About Abu Dhabi Festival Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has offices in London, Rio de Ja- ‘Fundamentals of Creative Writing’, a workshop on writing short and very Founded in 2004, Abu Dhabi Festival was initially a small arts and culture neiro, Moscow, New York, San Francisco and Beijing.

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 3

Weather Expected weather for the next north westerly wind with speeds Jahra 49 31 Prayer Timings 24 hours: of 06-26 km/h. Failaka Island - - By Day: Very hot with light to Station Max Exp Min Rec Salmiyah 43 35 Fajr ...... 03:16 Asr ...... 15:20 moderate north westerly wind to Ahmadi 40 34 Sunrise .. 04:49 Maghrib .. 18:42 light variable wind with speeds of Kuwait City 46 34 Zohr ...... 11:45 Isha ...... 20:12 08-32 km/h. Kuwait Airport 47 27 Nuwaisib 46 29 By Night: Rather hot with light Abdaly 47 28 Wafra 47 28 variable wind to light to moderate Bubyan - - Salmy 45 29

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

National Bank of Kuwait rallies 10 fi ls, Agility skids Kuwait stock market ekes out feeble gains, volume dips By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ■ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30070/800.30070/80

KUWAIT CITY, May 30: Kuwait stocks ▼ Euro/KD 0.3665 eked out feeble gains on Sunday follow- ing last week’s pullback. The All Shares ■ Yen/KD 0.0027 Index gave up strong early gains to close 3.44 pts up 6,211 points helped by some ▲ British £/KD 0.4267 of the blue chips even as the overall mood remained caution-laced. ■ Indian Rs/KD 0.0041 The Premier Market climbed 12.17 points to 6,738 pts taking the month’s gains ▲ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0063 to 115 pts while Main Market shed 16.92 points. The BK 50 Main gave up 6.67 ▲ FTSE +2.94 pts at closing May 28 points to close at 5,413.96 pts. The volume turnover meanwhile fell sharply following Thursday’s strong rebound. Over 297 mil- ▲ Nikkei +600.40 pts at closing May 28 lion shares changed hands – a 45 percent tumble from the last session. The sectors closed mixed. Consumer ▼ Gold $1892.45 per oz (London) Services outshone the rest with 0.70 per- cent while Utilities shed 1.61 pct, the worst ▲ NYMEX crude $66.62 per barrel performer of the day. Volume wise, Fi- nancial Services topped with 128 million ▲ Brent crude $69.02 per barrel shares and Banking sector dominated in value with KD 14.3 million. LIBOR rate 0.13136% Among the standouts, sector bellwether National Bank of Kuwait rallied 10 fi ls to 830 fi ls on back of 3.2 million shares while 139 counters active on Sunday, 16 closed Boubyan Bank scaled 5 fi ls partly recouping fl at. 12,298 deals worth KD 45.9 million last session’s losses. National Investment Co were transacted during the session. rose 3 fi ls to 186 fi ls and Humansoft Holding In the banking sector, Gulf Bank rose 4 jumped 26 fi ls to KD 3.641. United Projects fi ls to 227 fi ls with brisk trading whereas Co was up 13 fi ls at 292 fi ls. Kuwait International Bank stood pat aty Zain inched 1 fi l higher to 595 fi ls on 215 fi ls. Burgan Bank gained 5 fi ls on back of 1.5 million shares whereas Oore- back of over 2 million shares and Kuwait doo stood pat at 641 fi ls with thin trad- Finance House was down 4 fi ls at 745 fi ls ing. stc sprinted 22 fi ls to 850 fi ls paring with a volume of over 3 million. the month’s losses to 40 fi ls and logistics Unchanged major Agility skidded 16 fi ls extending last Warba Bank was unchanged at 245 fi ls session’s steep losses. Mabanee Co dipped whereas Ahli United Bank BSC took in 1 Pakistan Embassy photo 20 fi ls to 710 fi ls. fi l on back of 10.7 million shares. Com- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the visiting Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, National Industries Group inched 1 fi l mercial Bank was unchanged at 500 fi ls Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and Interior Minister Sheikh higher to 226 fi ls with a volume of 3.3 mil- and Al Ahli Bank paced 3 fi ls. Ahli United Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Syed Sajjad Haider at Seif Palace on Sunday. lion shares and Gulf Cable scaled 12 fi ls. Bank Kuwait fell 3 fi ls to 285 fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemicals Co rose 5 fi ls to KIPCO inched 1 fi l higher to 149 fi ls 905 fi ls and Al Qurain Petrochemical Co whereas Al Imtiaz Investment clipped 2 HH the PM receives Pakistani Interior Minister erased 3 fi ls. Mezzan Holding paced 6 fi ls fi ls. Kuwait Investment Co and Commer- whereas Integrated Holding gained 27 fi ls His Highness the Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet means of cementing the bilat- accompanied by a delegation of after pushing 4.5 million shares. Boursa cial Facilities gave up 4 fi ls each while Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al- eral relations between Kuwait ranking offi cials, arrived in the Kuwait Securities slid 18 fi ls. International Financial Advisors tripped 1 Al-Sabah received the visiting Mohammad Al-Sabah and Interior and Pakistan. The audience country earlier on a two-day of- Jazeera Airways climbed 16 fi ls to 653 fi l. Arzan Financial Group added 2 fi ls on Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Minister Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah was attended by Chairperson of fi cial visit. Kuwait Interior Min- fi ls and ALAFCO added 4 fi ls recouping back of 22.2 million shares. Kuwait Finan- Rasheed Ahmad, accompanied Al-Salem Al-Sabah, handed a writ- the Prime Minister’s Diwan Ab- istry said in a statement earlier cial Centre (Markaz) and KMEFIC took in by a delegation of senior security ten message from the Prime Min- dulaziz Al-Dakheel. on Sunday that the visit came last session’s losses. Aznour fell 4 fi ls to 244 fi ls and Yiaco Medical shed 26 fi ls. 1 fi l each while First Investment added 1.4 offi cials, at Seif Palace on Sunday. ister of the Islamic Republic of Pa- Pakistan’s Ambassador to Ku- as part of bilateral consultations fi ls to close at 86.5 fi ls. The Pakistani Minister of Inte- kistan Imran Khan to His Highness wait Syed Sajjad Haider was also between the two countries on is- ACICO Industries added 3 fi ls and Edu- cational Holding Co gained 11 fi ls. Com- Noor Financial Investment and Tam- rior, during the meeting attended the Prime Minister. present at the reception. sues of common interest namely deen Investment pause at 231 fi ls and 240 by the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister The message deals with The Pakistani Interior Minister, in the security sector. (KUNA) bined Group Contracting Co slipped 5 fi ls to 359 fi ls. fi ls respectively whereas Gulf Investment House gave up 4 fi ls. Bayan Investment Fall inched 0.5 fi l into green whereas KFIC The market opened gap up and scaled the gave up 4 fi ls. KAMCO fell 3.4 fi ls to 95.5 day’s highest level of 6,239 points in early fi ls whereas Unicap dialed up 0.8 fi l. Uproar over ‘exaggerated’ prices trade before heading south. The main in- Kuwait Cement Co fell 2 fi ls to 258 fi ls dex see sawed briefl y and continued to fall whereas Kuwait Portland Cement took in 1 as sentiment turned weak. It bottomed at fi l. Kuwait Foundry Co scaled 7 fi ls where- 6206 points well past the mid-session be- as Al Kout Industrial Projects skidded 32 Minister queried fore closing with feeble gains. fi ls to 610 fi ls. OSOS dialed down 2.5 fi ls Top gainer of the day, Fujairah Cement and Mashaer Holding eased 1.5 fi ls to 73.5 rallied 13 pct to 38 fi ls and Amar Finance fi ls. KCPC dropped 11 fi ls to 575 fi ls and KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The remark- and Leasing stood next with 9 pct gain. Egypt Kuwait Holding shed 16 fi ls. able increase in the prices of building KSHC skidded 14 fi ls, the steepest decliner The market was largely downbeat dur- of the day and Gulf Bank topped the vol- ing the previous week. The main index materials turned into a political ac- ume with 22.7 million shares. closed lower in three of the fi ve sessions countability project for Minister of Mirroring the day’s marginal gains, the shedding 82 points week-on-week. It has market spread was nearly even. 61 stocks rallied 99 points from start of the month Commerce and Industry Dr Abdullah advanced whereas 62 closed lower. Of the and is up 664 points year-to-date. Al-Salman after the members of Par- liament described the price hike as “exaggerated, unjustified and artifi- Study on solar energy cial;” attributing this to the absence of oversight while urging the minister to ‘No pact inked with World Bank’ hold accountable all those behind such By Muhammad Ghanem the ministry’s plan towards implement- manipulation of prices, reports Al-Rai Al-Seyassah Staff ing renewable energy projects in Kuwait, daily quoting sources. and these projects are the solar panels Sources said the Ministry of Commerce and In- KUWAIT CITY, May 30: Minister of project on the roofs of the main building Electricity and Water, Minister of Social of the Ministry of Electricity and Water KUNA photo dustry has instructed the importers of major con- The Palestinian ambassador inaugurating the exhibit. Affairs and Community Development, and the main building of the Ministry of struction materials to increase the import rates for Dr. Misha’an Al-Otaibi, said there is no Public Works, as well as the project for these products in view of the expected construction contract between the Ministry of the electric power production plant from ‘Al-Aqsa in Our Hearts’ exhibition boom in the country. Sources pointed out that as an Electricity and the World Bank concern- renewable natural sources at the Dibdaba incentive, the ministry intends to approve certain ing the study on developing solar energy site, in addition to a project for the elec- A three-day exhibition which is being event to coincide with the latest devel- perks for importers, such as customs tariff exemp- in Kuwait, but the World Bank is prepar- tric power production plant from renew- held under the title ‘Al-Aqsa is in Our opments in the occupied territories. tions and reductions of fees to guarantee fair com- ing a set of studies within the framework able natural sources at the Al-Abraq site. Hearts’ at the Artists and Media Syndi- The exhibition, in which all materi- of an agreement with the Ministry of He added, in addition to that, the min- cate in the State of Kuwait depicts pain als were used, including oil, ceramics, petition. in the occupied Palestinian territories. sculpture, bronze, lead and acrylic, as Finance according to the need of govern- istry cooperates with the Kuwait Institute Sources added the ministry requested for intensifi ed ment agencies and cost of the studies is for Scientific Research (KISR) in the The more than two hundred distinc- well as caricature, theatrical decoration, inspection campaigns in establishments selling con- tive paintings, the work of Arab artists models, graphic design and computer paid for by the concerned government area of energy produced by the Shaqaya embody the sufferings of the Palestin- design (animation) was inaugurated in struction materials to prevent the unjustifi ed price hike. agencies. project and link it to the public electrical ians. the presence of the ambassadors of Sources revealed that preliminary data showed some This came in response to a parliamen- network, and it is expected that the The initiative of the fi ne arts sector in Palestine and Pakistan, includes works traders took advantage of the recent increase in the pric- tary question presented by MP Dr. installed electrical capacity produced by Kuwait and its wonderful team, hold this of art. (KUNA) es of certain commodities by hoarding their items and Hamad Al-Matar. Dr Al-Otaibi explained these projects after completion will be then selling them at higher prices. that this study has been used in drafting approximately four thousand megawatts. Arab theater in doldrums Structure The daily’s team visited some construction material shops where they noticed increase in the prices of iron, brick, cement, glass, wood, aluminum, dye, sanitary ma- ‘Research Dialogue Forum’ opened terials and others. Construction companies said the cost KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The American disorder in a humorous way and dismantles of building a structure with three fl oors and a basement University of Kuwait launched the the stigma associated with it in the Arabian has increased from KD18,000 to KD26,000. “Research Dialogue Forum” with a lecture Peninsula, pointing out that theater in gen- Sources went on to say that the ministry is studying a by Dr. Catherine Hennessy, Assistant eral is a unique means of communication. It proposal for the State to bear the difference in the prices Professor of English at the University and can embody culture and convey the mes- of main construction materials for the establishment of Fellow of the National Endowment for the sage in an easily digestible manner. new residential areas, specifi cally in Mutla’a and South Humanities. In her second analysis, she focused on Abdullah Al-Mubarak. In her lecture on ‘Why Theater Matters: the Kuwaiti play “A Bite” directed by Meanwhile, Minister of Oil and Higher Education Three Scenes from the Arabian Peninsula’ Abdullah Al-Turkmani and adapted from Dr Muhammad Al-Faris set 85 percent as the minimum Dr Hennessy shed light on the relationship Antoine Chekhov’s play “The Chameleon,” of the social and political sphere on the noting that the play highlights the injustice mark for Kuwaiti high school graduates to study various theater and the impact of these relationships faced by citizens and residents in Kuwait medical specializations in accredited Egyptian universi- at the individual level and society as a with regard to wasta and favoritism in all ties whether under scholarship or not; while the current whole. During the lecture, Dr. Hennessy aspects of society. minimum mark is 79 percent in different human medi- expressed her dissatisfaction with the cur- Dr Hennessy used this model of plays to cine fi elds, dentistry and pharmacy, reports Al-Qabas rent state of Arab theater, showing how emphasize the importance of using meta- daily. theater has become -- in the minds of the phors and linguistic similes to convey a In a statement to the daily, Al-Faris disclosed the deci- public -- just a platform for comic works, certain idea or to create a common sympa- sion aims to support ongoing efforts to produce the best which reduces its importance and role as a thy for a particular subject without being medical graduates and provide highly qualifi ed national cultural platform. subject to the limits of censorship. medical professionals to the local health sector. He af- To highlight positive theater models, Finally, Dr. Hennessy turned her atten- fi rmed the abovementioned minimum mark is the lowest during her lecture, Hennessy featured three tion to war-torn Yemen and expressed how among the Gulf countries and it matches the requirement theater models from the Arabian Peninsula the political climate full of turmoil and that focus on social and political content. conflict was portrayed on stage in the play of Egyptian universities. During her analysis of the play ‘The “The Rescue”, which embodied social and He said the Ministry of Higher Education is fully Fourth Hour’ by Talal Mahmoud, Dr political differences, indicating that this aware of the importance of providing national medical Hennessy highlighted the importance of play would have been subject to censorship professionals to the local health sector, so it is keen on theater in the role of the teacher, as the play had the creators not used imaginative adap- supporting students pursuing medical specializations in frames the issue of obsessive-compulsive tation as a way to circumvent them. various accredited universities. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 LOCAL 4 Kuwait Airways doubles number of direct flights from Philippines Domestic labor market expected to witness a breakthrough

KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The domestic labor market is expected to HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad. witness a breakthrough in terms of the number of domestic workers hired from the Philippines; especially after Kuwait Airways Corporation doubled the number of direct flights from Manila recently, reports Al-Jarida daily. Chairman of Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO) Khaled Al-Dakhnan revealed that the KUNA photos union is in direct and continu- National Assembly Speaker Al-Ghanim. ous contact with the officials in charge of the ‘Belsalamah’ platform to ensure that the HH the Amir receives State officials number of direct flights trans- KUNA photo His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Officials during the receiving of the giant tanker. porting domestic workers Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy from the Philippines will received, Sunday at Seif Palace, His Prime Minister and Minister of increase from two to five per Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Kuwait Oil Tanker Co receives new tanker ‘Al-Siddeeq’ month in order to address the Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as well as Deputy Prime acute shortage of workers. He Al-Sabah. Minister, Minister of Justice, Minister Kuwait Oil Tanker Company has on Sunday that by receiving cargo capacity of nearly 323 metric pointed out the domestic His Highness also received of State to Reinforce Nazha taken delivery of the giant crude oil Al-Siddeeq, the company’s fleet tons of crude -- equivalent to 2.25 labor market has been suffer- Speaker of the National Assembly (Integrity) Abdullah Al-Roumi. tanker “Al-Siddeeq” from China’s grew to 32 tankers of various sizes million barrels. Its cargo can be Marzouq Al-Ghanim, His Highness (KUNA) shipbuilding company Bohai -- sig- and purposes, affirming keenness unloaded in less than 24 hours. ing for about 18 months due naling the first such cooperation on meeting the market demand for Al-Fulaij noted that it is friendly to to the suspension of the between the country and Beijing. the crude oil and derivatives. the environment with equipment for recruitment process. Abdulnasser Al-Fulaij, the KOTC The new tanker is of a 333 treating diverse types of gases and He affirmed that this week His Highness the Amir congratulates CEO, said in a statement to KUNA meters’ length, 60-m width, with a other pollutants. (KUNA) and in the next two weeks, the local recruitment offices will Ecuador’s president on taking office start receiving a large number KUWAIT CITY, May 30, (KUNA): His his country further prosperity and glo- of domestic workers from the Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf ries. Pediatric Intensive Care Unit boasts of Philippines. “This came after Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah addressed His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh the Labor Export Union in on Sunday a congratulatory cable to Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Manila approved our request President Guillermo Lasso for taking and His Highness the Prime Minister latest medical devices and equipment to review the rules and regula- oath as the President of Ecuador. Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad In the cable, His Highness the Amir Al-Sabah sent President Lasso similar from the old to the new hospital about that receive all emergency and chronic tions that could delay the By Marwa Al-Bahrawi recruitment process, as well as wished the president good health and to cables. Al-Seyassah Staff nine months ago. cases that need an overnight stay in the He pointed out during the tour, he hospital, indicating that they include five to quickly find solutions to KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The direc- also inspected the Pediatric Intensive suites equipped with the highest level of speed up the arrival of these tor of Al-Jahra Hospital, Dr Ghaleb Care Unit, which boasts of the latest service and are divided according to the workers in Kuwait,” he dis- Al-Busais, visited the children’s medical devices and equipment and type of cases, pointing to the suite that closed. department at the new Jahra Hospital, includes 12 beds that have been desig- has been isolated from the rest of the He added, “The Labor the emergency and Intensive Care Unit nated for children of up to 12 years. It is wards to deal with Covid-19 cases. Export Union in Manila also and the one-day clinic, accompanied supervised by a medical team special- He indicated he toured the One-Day approved our request to by the head of the Pediatric Department izing in critical care, where expertise Care Unit, which provides a quality exclude workers coming to at the hospital, Dr Ayed Al-Enezi. and high technology combine to pro- comprehensive medical care for chil- Kuwait from the requirement On the sidelines of the visit, vide the latest safe care and treatments. dren. He pointed out this clinic oper- to complete a training course Al-Busais told Al-Seyassah daily that He added the inspection visit also ates two to three days a week and has in a specialized governmental the Pediatric Department was shifted included a visit to the children’s wards all amenities. institute if they have not worked in any of the Gulf countries before and for them to undergo training in private institutions. In this manner, more workers will be recruit- ed.” He then urged the citizens and expatriates planning to recruit domestic workers from the Philippines to strictly com- ply with the terms of the tri- partite employment contract. KUNA photo He called on the owners of HH the PM Sheikh Sabah Khaled receiving the outgoing South Korean ambas- domestic labor offices to sador. adhere to the recruitment fees specified by the Ministry of PM hosts outgoing S. Korean ambassador Commerce, while stressing the need for citizens and expatri- ates to immediately report vio- His Highness the Prime Minister Kuwait Dr Hong Young-ki. The audi- Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad ence was attended by Chairperson of lations related to the recruit- Al-Sabah received on Sunday the out- the Prime Minister’s Diwan, Abdulaziz ment fees through the minis- going South Korean Ambassador to Dekheel Al-Dekheel. (KUNA) try’s hotline number 135. All units of biofuel Some buildings to be renovated project completed, 71 new schools for various stages says KNPC official KUWAIT CITY, May 30, over four years to be constructed (KUNA): Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) By Abdul Rahman Al-Shimmari announced Thursday the com- Al-Seyassah Staff pletion of all units of the bio- PAMA shows 7.34 pc fuel project after fulfilling suc- KUWAIT CITY, May 30: While the annual profit for ’20 cessfully the hydrocracking Educational Facilities Sector at the Ministry of Education stressed that the unit No. 114 at Mina Abdullah renovation of government schools is sub- By Abdel Nasser Al-Aslami Refinery, paving the way for ject to the availability of budgets, the Al-Seyassah Staff full operation of the project. sector in coordination with the Public KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The Speaking to KUNA, Ghanim Education Sector is prioritizing the con- Al-Otaibi, Acting Deputy CEO Board of Directors of the Public struction of new school buildings as well Authority for Minors Affairs for projects, said it is the larg- as school buildings that need to be reno- est unit of its kind across the (PAMA) approved the 7.34% annu- vated. al profits for the year 2020, and the country, with a capacity of A report prepared by the sector’s assis- Acting Director-General of the 70,000 low-sulfur diesel and tant undersecretary, Yassin Al-Yassin, on Authority Engr Hamad Al-Barjas, high quality kerosene barrels the work plan for the construction of new explained in a press statement after per day. schools, demolition and renovation and its Board of Directors meeting last The unit has specifications maintenance of schools indicated there is Thursday, that the Board of that meet the European stan- coordination between the ministries of Directors considers PAMA’s con- dards and requirements, Education and Public Works to determine tinuation in achieving profits, Al-Otaibi added. the suitability of school buildings for use, despite the difficult economic con- Unit 114 is the last of 70 as provided the MPW provides a compre- ditions imposed by the Covid-19 part of the second and third hensive construction report complete pandemic is a reflection of the integ- phases of the refinery, he said. with the construction status of the build- rity of the investment policy pur- It is one of the most impor- ings determining whether they need sued by PAMA, as part of the tant of Kuwait’s oil schemes as demolition, renovation or maintenance. implementation of a deliberate it enables KNPC to produce The report indicated 13 government investment strategy. high-quality oil and clean prod- schools were closed three years ago upon Al-Barjas added the board instructions of the MPW in various edu- reviewed and approved the annual ucts, he stated. cational regions, including 4 schools in This contributes to boosting report for 2020 as well as a number Al-Ahmadi Educational Area, 4 in of reports on the work and recom- the company’s profits through Hawalli, a religious institute in Farwaniya opening new global markets mendations of the committees. and 4 in the Capital. In the area of investment, for Kuwaiti oil products, he The report revealed the preparation of asserted. Al-Barjas explained the Council a five-year construction plan from of Ministers discussed the author- 2020/2021 – 2024/ 2025”, which deter- ity’s annual investment plan for mines the need for schools in each educa- 2021 and the estimated budget for tional district. The plan includes the the same year and approved them. establishment of 71 schools for all educa- tional levels for boys and girls, with 23 new schools in Al-Ahmadi Educational Area, 22 in Hawalli and 3 schools in will be built in the suburb of Granada -- Jahra for the next academic year. The for the first time that schools will be sites for the construction of these schools established in this region. The report also are expected to be handed over by the said 3 schools will be established in the Kuwait Municipality. Farwaniya Educational Zone in addition He pointed out that in the Capital to the establishment of 17 schools in the Educational Area 3 new schools -- two Capital and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Ghanim Al-Otaibi primary and a kindergarten schools -- Educational zones. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 LOCAL 5 diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Hope in opposition leaders as some continue to create hassles’ “THE great success achieved by the new opposition leader, Dr. Obaid Al-Was- lars in the year 2020, according to reports of the United Nations-affiliated ESCWA they came because they are not accustomed to breathing free air of freedom. mi Al-Mutairi, was expected. He had planned it with accurate scientific judg- organization, which was recently published by the BBC Arabic. “Is it possible in the entire universe that a nation was living in the bliss of so- ment and comprehensive awareness of the conditions of the local arena, and he “Kuwait will be forced to face this deficit -- which greatly exceeds its obligations cial security and stability, and the beauty and spontaneity of the relationship be- knew how to make the losses of those around him work in his favor, making the -- either by gradually liquidating the investments of its sovereign fund and this will tween the ruler and its people, based on a culture of harmony, love, compassion, removal of his colleague’s membership by the Constitutional Court’s ruling, a result in major losses for it, or by repeated borrowing, which will threaten its future and the ground of a single family with no sectarian divergence between them, tool that attracted his tribe and supporters in his favor,” especially if we know that it is the least prepared Gulf country to face more of the and no tribal blackmail, and conditions turn into what Kuwait is experiencing? columnist Dr Ali Al-Huwail wrote for Al-Rai daily. lack of demand for oil or a drop in its prices, as there are no substitutes for oil sales. “So the time has come to grab the sword of prestige from its sheath so that “What Al-Wasmi has achieved in terms of the success of “The hope remains that the new opposition leadership will work to adopt Kuwait, the government and the people relax.” a legitimate matter by all political standards, and this does rationality in the proposal, stop the societal conflict, and focus on getting out of ❑ ❑ ❑ not detract from the fact that public opinion has gathered crises calmly and with the least possible amount of losses. around and broadly supports him, and it is hoped that Dr. “These are historical obligations that they are obliged to do, but -- unfortu- “Despite our expectation that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Wasmi will make use of his capabilities and knowledge nately -- a segment proceeds in its approach without consideration to the risks Al-Khaled would not be able to create a new administrative reality that is com- of the facts of the local, regional and international arenas which doubles the responsibilities of the new leader to avoid the dangerous and pletely different from those formed by each of his predecessors, we thought he and their dictates in order to calm and reach points of con- imminent societal clash. Rather, it is his obligatory historical duty, even if the would at least bring in a team of young people to help him overcome the weak, vergence with local opponents even if limited to allow the signs do not suggest that it will be achieved quickly, due to the excessive reck- lax, and ineffective administrative situation in the state institutions. Now we state to be liberated from the ongoing conflict, and to be lessness of some and their inability to differentiate between the political dispute are sure that the little we expected has gone unheeded, and he will lead us to saved from the obstruction imposed on it by the opposition. and the personalization of the disagreement.” a situation that will not be better than before, if not worse”, columnist Dr. Ali Al-Zuabi wrote for Al-Shahid daily. “Al-Wasmi is able to do so if he wants, and he knows Dr Ali Al-Huwail Also: that he will receive the support of public opinion, which “His Highness the Prime Minister came up with a new unprecedented administra- “The crises in democratic political systems and conflicting viewpoints are tive style, which I call the ‘dinosaur rotation’ method, in view of the recent appoint- has begun to alienate and complain about the continuing rivalry and the at- natural that always occur in the parliaments all over the world. Rather, they are tempts to overthrow the government. ments of former officials who can no longer offer anything worth mentioning. Some part of the nature of a sound democratic movement which seeks development in of them are either old or had failed miserably in the positions they held previously. “A few days ago, Israel announced its acceptance of the American invitation work and moving between stages that require it,” columnist Saud Al-Samaka to participate in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear and missile programs, “It reflected a general feeling of losing hope for any administrative and de- wrote for Al-Seyassah daily. velopmental progress in the country for everyone, especially for the ambitious which isolated the Gulf States and prevented them from participation, despite “Nevertheless, what is happening with us today is not a usual natural dis- the fact that they are primarily concerned -- according to the Iranian perspective group of young people who once dreamed of offering something to their home- agreement for which solutions are available and which are addressed by the land, but the dream went in vain. -- with these weapons programs. wise men, rather it is a destructive project prepared to continue, with no end, “There is no doubt that the negotiations will be an area for the depletion of except in achieving the goal, which is to undermine the prestige of the rule in “Psychologically, sociologically, and politically, the politicians’ adoption of the their wealth in armament in parallel to preparing to face the Iranian hegemony order to weaken it which is the ultimate goal. ‘dinosaur rotation’ method can be interpreted as either an internal psychological im- and threat at a time when its economies are suffering many setbacks due to the “For these mobs who serve their master, the matter is ‘Either to be or never potence in facing a new situation with unknown consequences or that social ties and global economic crisis and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. to be’ meaning what is required is either the goal is achieved, and the ruling their role in preserving the secrets and the nature of loyalty represent the main moti- “Kuwait suffers from a continuous and accumulating budget deficit extending becomes their master otherwise the chaos continues, and the program of weak- vation for imposing this policy. Or it could be a completely appropriate behavior to from the year 2013, in addition to the consequences of the international and local ening the state and the demolition project will continue, unless the state moves protect a person’s position in the office by employing the various political relations, losses to Covid 19, which were estimated at the level of the countries of the region and the rule rises, and the sword of prestige is snatched and begins to cut at the even if they are at the expense of the interests of the country and the people.” at more than 550 million dollars per day, with a total of more than 420 billion dol- roots of this chaos, and send the mobs back to their natural place from which — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli

Largest vaccination location Mullet ‘fishing season’ set for Jaber Bridge center inaugurated KUWAIT CITY, May 30, (KUNA): Ku- of Public Labor, the Ministry of Inte- wait Ministry of Health announced on rior, the Public Authority for Roads and Sunday inauguration of Kuwait Center for Transportation and Kuwait Fire Force. launch from June 15: PAAAFR Anti-Covid Vaccination Center for motor- Elaborating, he has noted that there are ists on the southern islet of Jaber Bridge. 22 vaccination centers in all the country’s Offi cial spokesperson of the MoH Dr. governorates, in addition to the immuniza- Abdullah Al-Sanad said in a statement tion center at the fair ground in Mishref. One hurt in yacht, cruiser collision to KUNA that the center was equipped Moreover, the vaccines are being adminis- with all necessary devices. Moreover, it tered to personnel at the Military Hospital, is staffed by a 200-strong team of med- the oil sector at Al-Ahmadi Hospital -- af- KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The Direc- ics, technicians and administrators. fi liated to Kuwait Oil Company. The newly tor General of the Public Authority for The MoH has set up the inoculation opened inoculation center at the bridge is center in coordination with Kuwait Oil one of the largest centers in the country. It Other Voices Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources Company, Kuwait Integrated Petro- encompasses 10 lanes for vaccination seek- (PAAAFR) Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yousef leum Industries Company, the Ministry ers, in addition to 20 vaccination cabins. Al-Sabah has issued a decision to launch the mullet fishing season in Kuwaiti ter- Kuwait enforces O Health, enough is enough! ritorial waters from June 15, reports Al- Ahmad alsarraf precedented, and the way to confront it Qabas daily. noon work ban here is no doubt that the health situ- was through trial and error. Finally, the situation calmed down In a press statement, the official spokesperson of KUWAIT CITY, May 30, Tation in the country, from the view- PAAAFR Talal Al-Daihani explained that fishermen (KUNA): Kuwait Public point of the Minister of Health and other and everyone began to feel almost com- plete freedom of movement, while com- will be allowed to fish for the mullet (meed) fish in the Authority for Manpower officials, is often different from what we Kuwaiti territorial waters from June 15 to November (PAM) announced, Sunday, see from our per- mercial interests continue to feel the pinch because for them normalcy has 30, 2021 but in accordance with the conditions and it will enforce the ban on spective. The di- working in exposed areas vergence between made no difference because of the un- controls set by the authority. justifi ed restriction imposed on the resi- The decision to allow mullet fi shing was made after coor- during noon hours starting the two viewpoints June first until the end of widens as our per- dents who cannot return to the country if dinating with the PAAAFR’s Deputy Director General for they travel outside. Fisheries Affairs, reviewing the fi sh stock of mullet fi sh, and August in compliance with sonal or commer- decision 535/2015. cial interests grow What prevents businessmen, experts, carrying out marine control patrols to ensure the availability or engineers of construction companies The Director General of larger and more of good quantities of the fi sh. and senior non-Kuwaiti managers from Owners of fi shing vessels and boats licensed to fi sh mul- (PAM) Ahmad Al-Mousa complex. traveling while ensuring their return, said in a press release that Many criticized lets must abide by the provisions of Resolution No. 787/2017 and their full readiness to submit to on permitting fi shing of mullet in Kuwaiti territorial waters inspection teams would fol- the performance of home or hotel quarantine – those who low up with the implemen- government agen- during the mullet fi shing season. alsarraf have received the two doses of vacci- Al-Daihani called on fi shermen to abide by the controls tation of the decision during cies, but as soon as nation approved by the World Health the next three months. they assumed the reins of its administra- and laws, stressing that anyone who violates the provisions Organization – of this resolution will be liable to penalties stipulated in Law The authority will organize tion, they continued the same approach, .0 and who are needed by several par- a surprise inspection tours on because they discovered the situation is No. 46/1980 regarding the protection of fi sh wealth. ties and are linked to contracts of vital ❑ ❑ ❑ different locations to monitor different when viewed from the minis- importance, even with the state, and any violations and take legal ter’s chair and the Diwaniya sofas. their presence is important for thou- One hurt in collision: One person was injured following action against violators, Al- All along we have been boasting that sands of workers, or for projects worth a collision between a yacht and a 25-foot cruiser off Kubbar Mousa explained. Kuwait is a country of equality and hu- tens of millions of dinars? Island, reports Al-Seyassah daily. The decision aims to pro- manity but what we believed in has been Preventing everyone from traveling Acting on information personnel from the Shuaiba Mari- tect workers from the extreme trampled over and over again over the and refusing the return of thousands of time Center and the Salmiya Maritime Rescue team rushed heat, as well as regulating past two years. stranded abroad is inhuman. These are to the side and rescued fi ve people who were in the boat. work process not reducing As a result of the decisions of the Min- human beings, who have families inside The injured was handed over to the personnel from the working hours, he added. istry of Health, which are justifi ed by and outside Kuwait, and they have con- Emergency Medical Services affi liated to the Ministry of the majority, the interests of hundreds of nections and divergent interests, and it Health. thousands of citizens and residents stand is never permissible to continue to deny The damaged vessel was towed to the shore and the cruis- disrupted, the freedom of the rest remains their freedom to return and face their er was prevented from sinking by maritime personnel by restricted, and as a result everyone is de- obligations. continuously pumping out the water. prived of living a normal life, all in the It is said, and I do not know whether The cause of the accident is not known. name of public interest. it is true or not that the government is ❑ ❑ ❑ Perhaps I am one of the few who delaying the return of non-Kuwaitis, Code protects data: The Deputy Director-General of the agree with all the procedures laid down until the residence permit of the larg- by the Ministry of Health offi cials, and Psychological, Medical, and Social Services Sector and est number of them expires so that they the Disabled Care Centers at the Public Authority for Dis- here I especially make a mention of the cannot return, and then adjust the demo- stubborn minister, who refuses to listen abled Affairs Hanadi Musaed Al-Mubilish announced that graphics to some extent. the hallmark at the bottom left of the Disability Certifi cate to reason while the ministry’s undersec- We hope this is not true, and we be- retary and the rest of the staff especially (an unaccredited copy) is a sign of highly protected security lieve that the authorities will not resort code that is specially designed to protect the data from being the doctors who made huge efforts with- to this random method of reducing the out which the situation would be truly tampering and it only appears when photocopying the docu- population. We hope the Corona Emer- ment, as is the case with offi cial documents issued by some tragic. gency Committee, headed by Sheikh In their pursuit of health security, they government agencies, reports Al-Anba daily. Hamad Al-Jaber, will work to acceler- Al-Mubilish said the government agencies and stakehold- made mistakes, but they were mostly ate the return of the largest number of unintended. Despite the many criticisms ers can obtain the same offi cial data issued by the author- people stranded abroad, especially those ity through automatic link with government agencies and about the performance of the Ministry who are not affi liated with the marginal of Health, I am certain that no other par- through electronic messaging, in addition to the newly added groups that are not required. barcode verifi cation feature on the online certifi cate. ty could have dealt with the pandemic ❑ ❑ ❑ without committing two or more similar mistakes, as the Corona disaster was un- e-mail: [email protected] Young Indian hangs to 53 motorists detained death in Mahboula fl at KUWAIT CITY, May 30: An Indian committed suicide by KNG pledges support for athletes hanging in his room in a residential building in Mahboula. KUWAIT CITY, May 30, (KUNA): Kuwait National Guard General Command head- His body has been referred to Forensics, reports Al-Seyassah National Guard Deputy Chief Lieutenant quarters. daily. General Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad ❑ ❑ ❑ The victim is believed to be a 27-year-old Indian. A case Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has expressed keenness of suicide has been recorded at the area police station. on supporting Guard’s personnel who prac- Motorists nabbed: The statistics issued by ❑ ❑ ❑ tice sports. the General Traffi c Department (GTD) for Workers insulted: the past week (from May 22 to 28) shows Two Kuwaitis working at the Al-Jahra The Guard said in a statement, on Sunday, Cemetery have fi led a complaint with the police accusing a that Sheikh Ahmad expressed support for during a campaign against reckless drivers compatriot of insulting them during a burial ceremony of the the Guard athletes after honoring the Guard and violators of the traffi c laws, the security suspect’s relative, reports Al-Seyassah. sports teams that won medals in the minis- authorities have issued 33,359 traffi c cita- A security source said this happened because the Kuwaiti tries and public institutions’ tournament. tions and arrested 53 motorists and referred refused to abide by the instructions put in place by the cem- Sheikh Ahmad conveyed to the honorees 16 juveniles to the Juvenile Prosecution, re- etery administration in light of the Corona pandemic. greetings from His Highness Sheikh Salem ports Al-Rai daily. The man has been summoned for investigation. Al-Ali Al-Sabah, the National Guard Chief, The traffi c policemen also impounded ❑ ❑ ❑ urged the sportsmen to seek to remain as much 244 vehicles and two motorcycles and fi t as possible, and prayed to His Almighty to towed them to the ministry’s reservation 4 hurt in fi re: Acting on information fi remen from the Far- bestow upon the country security under leader- garage. waniya Fire Center rushed to a residential building in Far- ship of His Highness the Amir and Supreme During the campaign the securitymen also waniya and put out the fi re in the second fl oor apartment, Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh arrested 7 men wanted by law and seized 10 says Al-Seyassah. Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His vehicles wanted in connection with dispute The fi re caused damaged to the apartment. Four people Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al- with the judiciary; four drug addicts were – a mother and her three children were treated on the site Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. also arrested and referred to the General De- for asphyxiation by personnel from the Emergency Medical The honoring ceremony was held at the partment for Drugs Control (GDDC). Services affi liated to the Ministry of Health. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

6

ktech expresses eagerness to welcome more students from Indian schools Indian Ambassador Sibi George visits Kuwait Technical College

KUWAIT CITY May 30: Kuwait education industry laying special em- Technology (IT) and Business Man- of the institution and its use of relevant Technical College (ktech) hosted phasis on the value of technology and agement (BM) with a specialized cur- tools, resources, and technology to en- His Excellency, the Ambassador of online learning. riculum that blends practical knowl- sure that learners can access superior India, Sibi George, and Dr Vinod He was particularly pleased to edge with a theoretical base to meet standards of education online despite Gaikwad — the First Secretary (Cul- note the diversity at ktech with so students’ interests as well as the mar- the challenging times created by the ture, Consulate & Education) at the many high caliber Indian profes- ket’s workforce needs. pandemic. Abu Halifa campus. The ambassa- sionals engaged across various dis- Successful completion of the As- The delegates and the management dor was welcomed by the Chairman ciplines in the technical education sociate degree (Diploma) at ktech pro- of Kuwait Technical College talked of the Board of Trustees, Mishari space. vides graduates with the opportunity to extensively about the long-standing Boodai, Ms Noura Boodai, Vice The esteemed delegates were then continue their bachelor’s degree with relationship between the two coun- President — Student Affairs and given a tour of the college facilities partner universities such as Gulf Uni- tries. Registration and Abdulrahman Al such as the Center for Continuing Edu- versity for Science and Technology, ktech expressed its interest to in- Ajeel, Vice President — Finance and cation, the Information Technology American University of Kuwait and crease its level of engagement with the Administration. Labs, the Lecture Halls, and the well- Kuwait College of Science and Tech- Indian community and looked forward During this visit, the Ambassador appointed auditorium. nology. to welcoming more students from met all the Indian staff members and They were also briefed on the vari- His Excellency praised the college’s Indian schools at Kuwait Technical faculty at ktech and discussed the dy- ous major programs and diplomas extensive campus and was impressed College and become part to the ktech namic evolution of the training and Indian Ambassador Sibi George with ktech officials. offered in Information Systems and with the open and inclusive approach family.

Trustees commend AUK community’s ‘tremendous resolve’ AUK Board holds virtual biannual meeting

KUWAIT CITY, May 30: Convened and presided over by Shaikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, founder and chair of the Board of Trustees at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), the Board held their biannual meeting where mem- bers of the board discussed the Uni- versity’s efforts to address the chal- lenges imposed by the pandemic since March, 2020 as well as the academic and administrative developments. During the virtual meeting the AUK Board of Trustees resolved to unanimously commend the senior administration of the American Uni- versity of Kuwait — and its faculty and staff — for facilitating a decisive team-based response to address the pandemic situation and devise a ro- bust business continuity plan. “I would like to start the meeting by extending gratitude and appreciation to the AUK faculty and staff for their abil- ity to respond and adjust during a time of mounting uncertainty,” said Shaikha Dana Al-Sabah. “The pandemic has- brought about challenges that the world had never encountered before — some that require efficient mitigation at all levels. The AUK communityhas dem- onstrated exceptional resilience during this rapidly evolving situation. Their agility, proactive approach, and com- mitment to the AUK mission reflects A flyer of the DAI RADIO play. the true spirit of a liberal arts commu- nity”, she continued. Within its agenda, the AUK Board of Trustees also discussed the report generated by the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board, the institu- tional development plans for the com- ing period, and post-pandemic plans and procedures. Outlined The Board of Trustees is AUK’s governing body. The Board’s terms of reference are outlined in the AUK By-Laws. The self-perpetuating and self-governing Board is currently com- posed of 11 members, in addition to the A screen shot from Singing and Beat Boxing Competition. university president and the Dartmouth College Relationship Coordinator (Di- rector) as an ex-officio member. The Eight schools participate in online music competition Board of Trustees meets twice a year in AUK’s Salmiya campus. The Board of Trustees is com- prised of the following members: FAIPS orchestrates inter-school ‘sing-a-thon’ Shaikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al- Ahmed Al-Sabah, Founder and Chair KUWAIT CITY, May 30: Music is all of AUK; Meshal Ali, Co-Founder; about the delivery of an emotional expe- Wael Abdul-Ghafoor, Board Mem- rience with a talent in the art form where ber; Faisal Al-Ayyar, Board Mem- uniqueness is highly appreciated. ber; Samer Khanachet, Board Mem- Despite these trying times, FAIPS ber; Thomas (DPS) keeps abreast with sentient ways Bartlett, Ph.D., to engage students in not just academics Board Mem- but also in the field of music and beat ber; Dale F. boxing. Eickelman, With the healing process underway Ph.D. Director FAIPS (DPS) organized an online Inter- of the Dart- School Western Music Competition mouth Col- open to students of Grades 9th to 12th lege-American from all Indian schools in Kuwait. University of Eight schools of Kuwait participated Kuwait Pro- enthusiastically in English Solo, Duet gram (Ex-of- and Solo Beat Boxing categories. ficio Member); Shaikha Dana The entries received through You- HE Ambas- Tube links were judged by a panel of sador Abdullah Y. Bishara, Board five eminent judges from UK and India. A photo from the event. Member; Mohammad Jawad Beh- The first position in Solo Singing behani, DMD, D.M.Sc.OB, FICD, Category was awarded to Jayden Daniel Board Member; and Saeeda M.H. Stanley (Indian Educational School). ‘Care of Kerala’ Kuwait donates A flyer of the event. Jaffar, Ph.D., Board Member; Raw- The second and third positions were da H. Awwad, Ph.D., University bagged by Micah Prince (ICSK-Senior) medical supplies to Indian state President. and Irene Janeta Sam (Carmel School) respectively. The American University of Ku- KUWAIT CITY, May 30: Care for Mansour Ali (Al-Habshi Consultants), IMA announces launch of Weekend wait (AUK) is an independent, pri- Duet Singing Category witnessed the show-stopping performance by Irene Kerala — Kuwait 2021 mission team Lulu Kuwait, Nilamel Food Co, Fame vate, equal opportunity, and coeduca- Janeta Sam and Ilene Benita Sam (Car- leaders met HE Sibi George at the In- International and Apsara Bazar for Islamic School logo design contest tional liberal arts institution of higher mel School) clinching the first position dian Embassy on May 19. The mission their kind contributions. education. The educational, cultural while the talented duo Santhra Bijoy and was a collective response to the appeal Associations like Kuwait Engineers KUWAIT CITY, May 30: Here is and administrative structure, meth- Agna Biju (Indian Learners own Acad- made by the Chief Minister of Kerala Forum (KEF), Kerala Islamic Group a brilliant opportunity to be part of ods and standards of AUK are based emy) came close to secure the second to Non-Resident Keralites all over the (KIG), Indian Doctors Forum (IDF), Indian Muslim Association — Ku- on the American model of higher position. world to support the state in handling Kala Kuwait, Progressive Professional wait’s IMAWIS logo design contest learning. The language of instruction Jayden Daniel Stanley and IrinJoby (In- the COVID crisis. N. Ajith Kumar, Forum (PPF) , Santhwanam, Islamic and win exciting prizes, IMA Week- is English. More information on the dian Educational School) bagged the third Saji Thomas Mathew, Noushad C.K. Cultural Foundation, Saradhi Kuwait, end Islamic School is looking for a American University of Kuwait can spot. In the Beat Boxing category, the nu- and Sam Pynummoodu were present IMCC, Muslim Educational Society new visual identity and needs your be found at www.auk.edu.kw mero uno position was taken up by Joshua in the meeting. (MES), Friday Forum and Kuwait help. AUK received its institutional ac- Premjith (Indian Educational School) The Indian community in Kuwait Kerala Islahi Center (KKIC) also sup- We are seeking young and old creditation from the Private Univer- leaving behind his contenders Gowsik responded overwhelmingly towards ported with their contributions in this who can design a creative, innova- sities Council (PUC) — Ministry of Rangarajan (Bhavans Smart Indian the mission. As a result, 2 x 20 feet venture. tive and professional logo for us. Higher Education in the State of Ku- School) and Johan Sanju Vaidyan (Indian containers with medical equipment We have also received individual The logo should be recognizable wait, as of Feb 1, 2006. Learners Own Academy) in the second have been procured and was sent to contributions from well wishers Ab- In addition, the Intensive English and the third positions respectively. Kochi Port on May 23. dul Sageer Ebrahim, Inbatamizh IIan- and help promote our organiza- Program is accredited by the Commis- tion’s mission – To engage chil- The competition provided a platform The shipment includes: Oxygen cyl- govan, Amir Ahmed, Joseph Panicker, sion on English Language Program to showcase the versatile talent of the inders 348 Nos; Oxygen concentrators S.A. Labba, Adv John Thomas, Jyo- dren in Online Islamic value-based Accreditation (CEA); the College of education. budding artists and their interest in Sing- 100 Nos; Regulator 250 Nos tish Cherian, Ajith Thomas (BMC), R. Business & Economics is accredited ing and Beat boxing that marveled the It is our pleasure to announce that Naganathan, Shibu Alex, Dr Mini Ku- The rest is up to you! Please read by The Association to Advance Col- below for more details regarding judges immensely. the Indian community in Kuwait has rien, Manu E. Thomas, Anup Mangat, legiate Schools of Business (AACSB); The competition was a huge success donated medical equipment worth INR Adv Rajesh Sagar and Keshavankutty logo design, contest rules & submis- the College of Arts & Sciences is ac- due to the constant encouragement and 1 crore and 25 lakhs towards COVID Vasudevan Nair (Singapore). sion requirements. credited by the American Academy for support provided by the Principal Ravi relief in Kerala. The Government of India has ex- How to Enter? Liberal Education (AALE); the BSc Ayanoli. Our sincere thanks to HE Sibi empted customs duty on import of The contest began on May 25. degree program in Computer Science is He extended special appreciation to George, the Ambassador of India to COVID relief material from abroad till Submission will be accepted up to accredited by the Computing Accredi- Teodoro Rodrigues for conducting the Kuwait, Shibu Paul (Boubiyan Gas June 30. 15 June, 2021. A flyer of the IMAWIS contest. tation Commission of the Accreditation competition online with impeccable Co), Babu Eringeri and Jose Erinjeri This exemption will be availed for Winners will be announced on our Board for Engineering & Technology quality and planning. (Global International), Sivi Paul (Unit- sending the relief materials procured website, social media and by direct [email protected] (ABET); the BE degree program in The overall experience has been en- ed Logistics Co), Mathews Varghese from Kuwait to Kerala. contact to the winners’ email. In Note: Open to all nationality, reli- Computer Engineering and the BE de- thralling for both the host school and the (BEC), K.S. Varghese (Gulf Advanced On behalf of Govt Of Kerala, Ker- order for your entry to be submit- gion and age no bar. gree program in Electrical Engineering participating schools. Trading Co), James Mathews (Safeena ala Medical Services Corporation will ted and reviewed by our judges, all For more info visit http://www. are both accredited by the Engineering Kudos to the participants and win- Rent A Car Co), Dr T. A. Ramesh (On receive the materials on arrival at Ko- entries must be submitted by email imakuwait.org/logo Accreditation Commission of ABET. ners! Cost Co), Ms Mercy Chandy (UIS), chi. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 INTERNATIONAL 7

America

‘Annual tradition’ Memorial Day customs return as COVID eases BOSTON, May 30, (AP): A pair of military vets navigate the hilly, meandering paths in a historic cemetery in Boston, searching out soldiers’ graves and planting American fl ags in front of them. About 10 miles away, scores of other vets and volunteers do the same, placing more than 37,000 small fl ags on the downtown Boston Common - a sea of red, white and blue meant to symbolize all the Massachusetts soldiers killed in battle since the Revolutionary War. It’s an annual tradition that returns in full this year after being signifi cant- ly scaled back in 2020 because of the pandemic. In Boston and elsewhere, this holiday week- end will feel something closer to Memorial Days of old, as COVID-19 restrictions are fully lifted in many places. “This Memorial Day almost has a different, better feeling to it,” said Craig DeOld, a 50-year-old retired captain in the Army Reserve, as he took a breather from his fl ag duties at the Fairview Cemetery ear- DeOld lier this week. “We’re breath- ing a sigh of relief that we’ve overcome another struggle, but we’re also now able to return to what this holiday is all about - remembering our fallen comrades.” Around the nation, Americans will be able to Bob Workman of Boston, a retired Marine Gunnery Sgt., and past commander of the Boston Police VFW, replaces fl ags at veteran’s graves ahead of Memorial Day on pay tribute to fallen troops in ways that were im- Thursday, May 27, 2021, in the Fairview Cemetery in Boston. After more than a year of isolation, American veterans are embracing plans for a more traditional Memorial Day. possible last year, when virus restrictions were After more than a year of isolation, military veterans say wreath-laying ceremonies, barbecues at local vets halls and other familiar traditions are a welcome chance for them in effect in many places. It will also be a time to to reconnect with fellow service members and renew solemn traditions honoring the nation’s war dead. (AP) remember the tens of thousands of veterans who died from COVID-19 and recommit to vaccinat- ing those who remain reluctant. America Art delaCruz, a 53-year-old retired Navy com- mander in Los Angeles leads the Veterans Coa- lition for Vaccination, said his group has been encouraging inoculated veterans to volunteer at vaccine sites to dispel myths and help assuage Louisiana bracing for more concerns, many of which are also shared by cur- rent service members. Choice “We understand it’s a personal choice, so we Coast still hurting from storms try to meet people where they are,” said delaCruz, CAMERON, La., May 30, (AP): Scores together, birds perch on swaying strands ing beer and bait. who is also president of Team Rubicon, a disaster- of people in coastal Louisiana are still of marsh grass and wind-gnarled oak trees But for most of the parish, recovery response nonprofi t made up of military veterans. living in campers on dirt mounds or next grow on the long ridges - called cheniers is still an ongoing process. Cement slabs There’s no defi nitive tally for coronavirus to cement slabs where their houses once - that rise above the marsh. About 70% of and mounds of dirt still mark the place deaths or vaccinations among American military stood. Unresolved insurance claims and a the parish is wetlands or open water. where homes used to be. The sounds syn- vets, but Department of Veterans Affairs data shortage of supply and labor are stymying Last fall, however, the area was bat- onymous with rebuilding - the whine of shows more than 12,000 have died and more than building efforts. And weather forecasters tered by hurricanes that carved a path circular saws cutting lumber or nail guns 2.5 million have been inoculated against COV- Armed protestors walk at a Second are warning of more possible devastation of destruction. On Aug. 27, Category 4 hammering shingles - are rare. ID-19 out of the roughly 9 million veterans en- Amendment march during centennial to come. Hurricane Laura rammed into the coast Building contractors are in short sup- rolled in the agency’s programs. commemorations of the Tulsa Race Nine months after two back-to-back near the town of Cameron with maxi- ply; most are already slammed with work The isolation of the pandemic has also been Massacre, Saturday, May 29, 2021, in hurricanes hammered their towns, resi- mum winds of 150 mph (241 kph). Just in the more densely populated, hurricane- particularly hard on veterans, many of whom de- Tulsa, Okla. (AP) dents are still struggling to recover - even six weeks later, Hurricane Delta, carrying damaged Lake Charles area farther north. pend on kinship with fellow service members to as they brace for another onslaught of 97-mph (156-kph) winds, made landfall Lumber prices have soared due to a bor- cope with wartime trauma, says Jeremy Butler, a storms in the season that starts Tuesday. about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away. der dispute with Canada and a temporary “We’re scared to death for this next sea- shutdown in production when the corona- 47-year-old Navy Reserve offi cer in New York Flattened who heads the advocacy group Iraq and Afghani- News in Brief son,” said Clarence Dyson, who is staying virus pandemic hit a year ago. stan Veterans of America. with his wife and four kids in a 35-foot- Of the several communities hit, the Leaders of the First Baptist Church in long (11-meter-long) camper with bunk towns of Cameron, Creole and Grand Cameron have been trying to get a con- “We’re reuniting now, but it’s been an extreme- beds while the home they had been rent- Chenier, in Cameron Parish, took the tractor to come out and give them a quote ly challenging year,” he said. “To have those con- Japan to extend stay: Japan will allow residents from Myanmar to stay an additional ing in Cameron Parish undergoes repairs worst beating. Laura fl attened homes, so they can apply for a building permit. nections cut off - the counseling sessions, the VA after Hurricane Laura. nearly gutted the First Baptist church, Most of the church has been gutted to the appointments, social events with other vets - those six months as an emergency measure as a vio- lent military-led crackdown continues in the The parish - a Louisiana designation stripped trees of their branches and leaves studs, with pews currently stacked in the are so important to maintaining mental health.” Southeast Asian country, offi cials said Friday. similar to a county - is made up of small and toppled power lines. building’s center. This is the fourth hurri- But for the families of veterans who survived The measure covers 35,045 Myanmar na- communities on the southwestern coast Nine months later, the parish’s elec- cane the small congregation has survived the horrors of war, only to be felled by COV- tionals living in Japan, including 13,963 work- where residents have lived for genera- tric lines have been replaced by ram- as well as one fi re, said Cyndi Sellers, a ID-19, Memorial Day can reopen barely healed ing under a government-sponsored internship tions, either working in the shrimp indus- rod straight poles. Oak trees denuded of longtime church member who was bap- wounds. program, according to the Immigration Ser- try or more recently at one of the area’s leaves and branches are started to sprout tized and married there. In western Massachusetts, Susan Kenney says vices Agency. liquefi ed natural gas plants. new growth. Piles of debris have been In the meantime, the small congrega- the death of her 78-year-old father last April from The new category was created in 2019 as The region features a stunning, peace- hauled away. And Booth’s Grocery Store, tion holds services in the meeting room of Japan increasingly relies on foreign workers to ful landscape where families go crabbing in business since 1957, is once again sell- the parish’s governing body. the virus still remains raw. make up for its aging and declining workforce. Charles Lowell, an Air Force veteran who Also Friday, the U.N. special envoy for My- served during the Vietnam War, was among 76 anmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, met residents of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home who with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu died in one of America’s deadliest coronavirus Motegi and discussed support for an effort by by airport about 11 a.m., the Federal Aviation ghanistan, killing at least seven people, mostly outbreaks last year in a long-term care facility. A the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to Administration said in a statement. children, and wounding at least four others, a hold a dialogue of all stakeholders on stopping Rutherford County rescue crews were still police spokesman said. memorial service was held at the home earlier this Taliban insurgents attacked a government week, and the names of residents who died over the violence in Myanmar. (AP) at the scene of the crash late Saturday and ❑ ❑ ❑ planned to work through the night, Rutherford security checkpoint in the district of Tagab and the past calendar year were read aloud. County Fire Rescue Capt. Joshua Sanders said one of their mortar shells hit a civilian house, Kenney, who has been a vocal advocate for Plane crashes into lake: A small jet car- at a news conference. He indicated that there Kapisa provincial police spokesman Shayeq reforming the troubled home, says there are still rying seven people crashed into a Tennessee were no survivors. (AP) Shoresh said Sunday. He said the attack hap- lingering questions about who else should be held lake on Saturday, and authorities indicated that ❑ ❑ ❑ pened the night before. But Taliban spokesman accountable, even as top offi cials at the state-run no one on board survived. Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet accused police The Cessna C501 crashed into Percy Priest Govt, Taliban blame each other: A mortar of fi ring several mortar shells toward the civil- facility face criminal negligence and abuse charg- Lake near Smyrna after taking off from a near- Burgener Motegi es and federal and state agencies launch investiga- shell hit a wedding ceremony in northern Af- ian house, causing the casualties. (AP) tions. Reliving “I’ve been reliving this for a whole year,” she said. “At every milestone. Veterans Day. His birthday. His death anniversary. Everything is a constant reminder of what happened. It’s so pain- ful to think about.” For other families, Memorial Day will be as it ever was, a day to remember loved ones killed in war. In Virginia, Willie Ransom, a 74-year-old Viet- nam War vet, said his family will hold a modest service at the grave of his youngest son. Air Force Maj. Charles Ransom was among eight U.S. airmen killed in Afghanistan when an Afghan military pilot opened fi re at the Kabul air- port in 2011. The American Legion post in Midlo- thian, Virginia, that the elder Ransom once helped lead is now named in his honor. The Powhatan resident says a silver lining this year is that the country is poised to end the war that claimed his 31-year-old son and the lives of more than 2,200 other American fi ghters. Presi- dent Joe Biden has promised to end the nation’s longest confl ict by Sept. 11, the anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks that launched the war. “It’s the best decision we could make,” Ransom said. “It’s become like Vietnam. They don’t want us there. We should have been out of there years ago.” Back in Boston, DeOld will be thinking about his father, an Army vet wounded in a grenade at- tack in Vietnam. Louis DeOld returned home with a Purple Heart and went on to become a police offi cer in New Jersey, but the physical and mental scars of war persisted long after, his son said. He died in 2017 at the age of 70. On Memorial Day, DeOld will gather with fel- low vets at the VFW post in the city’s Dorchester neighborhood that he commands. They will lay a wreath by the American fl ag out front and then grill burgers out back. It will be the fi rst large social event hosted by the post since the pandemic virtually shuttered the hall more than a year ago. “I hope it’s nice,” DeOld said. “I hope folks lin- ger. Families and friends gather. Good camarade- rie. The way it should be.” JD Logistics shares gain in Hong Kong stock debut JD Logistics CEO Rui Yu at- Shares in JD Logistics, the delivery sub- warehousing, last-mile deliveries and cold line shopping industry boomed in China. tends a ceremony sidiary of China’s biggest online retailer chain logistics, according to its prospec- JD Logistics was spun off in 2017 as a to virtually observe jumped as much as 18% in their fi rst tus. standalone unit. the listing of the trading day Friday as investors bet on JD Logistics CEO Yu Rui said in an Beijing recently has been cracking company on the more rapid growth for internet industries interview with reporters Friday that the down on China’s thriving internet indus- Hong Kong stock despite tighter regulatory control by Bei- funds raised from its IPO will go to ex- try, seeking to exert more control and exchange from jing. panding its logistics network, including in curb anti-competitive behavior, with ac- JD.com headquar- JD Logistics raised $3.1 billion in this smaller cities in China, and worldwide. tions taken against companies including ters in Beijing on year’s second-biggest biggest initial pub- “We will focus on the supply chains and Alibaba, Tencent and Meituan. Friday, May 28, lic offering in Hong Kong after a video ser- improve our services,” Yu said. However, e-commerce got a huge 2021. (AP) vice, Kuaishou, raised $5.3 billion. It was set up in 2007 by JD Group to boost in China and elsewhere with many The company, which ended the day up facilitate warehousing, handling of inven- people shopping online during the pan- 3.3%, provides various services such as tory and e-commerce deliveries as the on- demic. (AP)

Market Movements 28-05-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +79.98 7,423.97 CHINA - Shanghai SE -8.07 3,600.78 JAPAN - Nikkei +600.40 29,149.41 GERMANY - DAX +113.25 15,519.98 FRANCE - CAC 40 +48.40 6,484.11 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 +31.35 4,070.56 S. KOREA - KRX 100 +45.82 6,677.14 PHILIPPINES - PSEi +9.37 6,674.51 Business

‘Lots of spending, taxing the rich’ Biden proposes $6tn Homebuyers in US willing budget plan for 2022 WASHINGTON, May 30, (AP): increase in the per-child tax credit President Joe Biden’s $6 trillion bud- from $2,000 to $3,600 for children up to pay above asking price get proposal offers major new initia- to 6 years old and $3,000 for older tives like child and elder care subsi- children. It would also crack down on dies, generous tax credits for families unpaid taxes by boosting reporting and and the working poor, and free com- enforcement. Fierce competition in housing market fueling bidding wars munity college. It also promises politi- Barrels of red ink cally freighted tax increases on the Several rounds of pandemic relief wealthy and corporations and would swelled last year’s deficit to $3.1 tril- LOS ANGELES, May 30, give domestic Cabinet departments lion, and the U.S. is on track for a $3.7 (AP): The red-hot US hous- significantly bigger budget increases trillion deficit this year, which means a ing market is widening the than the Pentagon. total national debt exceeding $30 tril- But like all presidential budget lion within a few months. While defi- gap between what a home plans, Biden’s proposal needs the cits would be cut roughly in half, to is objectively worth and approval of lawmakers, who can $1.8 trillion, in the budget year starting what eager buyers are will- change the allotments and dollar fig- in October, they would remain well ures. above levels that mainstream econo- ing to pay for it. Here are some other things to keep mists have believed to be sustainable. Fierce competition amid an in mind about Biden’s budget: Annual interest payments on all of that ultra-low inventory of homes on Lots of spending Treasury borrowing would almost the market is fueling bidding wars, This year’s $6 trillion spending total double in the next five years from prompting a growing share of - fueled by ongoing COVID-19 relief about $300 billion now to $581 billion would-be buyers to sweeten offers efforts - is actually down from a pro- in 2027. well above what sellers are asking. jection of $7.2 trillion for the budget IFFY prospects in congress Home prices have rocketed to new year ending in September. But it’s Democrats control Congress by the sharply higher than the pre-pandemic narrowest of margins and could theo- highs and many homes are sell- $4.4 trillion tally of 2019 and fueled retically pass Biden’s tax increases ing for more than their appraised by promises of government help for and many of his bold spending plans value. crushing child care, college, health under special budget rules that prevent “This might be the most competi- care and elder care costs. But the a GOP Senate filibuster. But it only tive housing market we’ve ever seen nation’s huge defense budget would takes a single Democratic defection to in the United States, at least in mod- get minimal increases, angering mess things up, and there’s ample ern times,” said Jeff Tucker, a senior Republicans whose votes Biden needs. resistance to Biden’s full corporate tax economist at Zillow. Taxing business and the rich increase and higher taxes on capital The share of U.S. homes pur- Biden promises $2 trillion in corpo- gains. Smaller tax increases would chased above their list price has been rate tax hikes, including an increase mean Democrats would have to scale steadily rising since early last year from 21% to 28% in the corporate rate back their ambitions on spending. And after the housing market began to and restoring the top individual tax Senate Republicans are sure to bring bounce back from a brief slowdown bracket from 37% to 39.6%. Capital Biden’s high-flying hopes for annual An advertising sign for building land stands in front of a new home construction site in Northbrook, Ill., Sunday, in the early weeks of the pandemic. gains taxes would increase for wealth- nondefense appropriations back to March 21, 2021. The red-hot U.S. housing market is widening the gap between what a home is objectively worth An average of 20.3% of homes sold ier investors, and inherited capital Earth by insisting on spending increas- and what eager buyers are willing to pay for it. Fierce competition amid an ultra-low inventory of homes on the last year went for more than their list gains would no longer be tax-free. It es for the Pentagon that are compara- market is fueling bidding wars, prompting a growing share of would-be buyers to sweeten offers well above what sellers are asking. (AP) price, up from an average of 14.2% would extend Democrats’ generous ble to domestic agencies. in 2019, according to data from Zil- low. CP pursuing regulatory approval Homebuyers appear no less eager to sweeten offers this year. An av- erage of about 28% of homes sold above their list price in January and CN tries to address concerns February. The trend is apparent in the na- tion’s most expensive housing mar- about its $33.6b railroad deal kets. Some 54.4% of homes in sold OMAHA, Nebraska, May 30, (AP): allow the STB to approve our vot- in San Francisco in February went Canadian National railroad plans to ing trust,” Ruest said. for more than advertised, while address competitive concerns relat- CN tried to address regulators’ 51.6% did in Seattle. Some 42.1% ed to its $33.6 billion acquisition of concerns in its latest application. of homes sold above their list price Kansas City Southern by selling off Ruest said he believes CN will be in the sprawling metropolitan area a short section of rail line. able to meet the board’s standard spanning Los Angeles, Long Beach Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest and demonstrate that its acquisition and Anaheim, California. Still, even in less pricey housing said he believes selling 70 of the serves the public interest. He also markets, bidding wars are pushing 27,000 miles of track the two rail- said CN would remain in a strong up prices. Some 41.2% of homes roads own will help it get regulatory financial position because it has sold in in February in Wichita, Kan- approval for the deal. The railroads suspended stock repurchases and sas, went above the list price, and resubmitted their application for plans to pay down debt quickly if 60.5% did in Boise, Idaho, Zillow initial approval of the deal on it’s allowed to acquire Kansas City said. Wednesday and tried to address Southern. While sales of previously occu- questions the Surface Transportation Ruest said Canadian National pied U.S. homes slowed in April for Board raised last week. would be able to address any other the third straight month, the dearth On Friday, Canadian National concerns about the deal later in the of properties on the market has kept won the bidding war for Kansas review process after the voting trust prices climbing to new highs. Last City Southern over a competing $25 is approved. month, the U.S. median home price billion bid from Canadian Pacific Debt surged 19.1% from a year earlier to railroad, but CP said it plans to con- a record $341,600, according to the tinue pursuing regulatory approval CN’s bid for Kansas City National Association of Realtors. for its combination with Kansas Southern includes $200 cash and Homes are being snapped up with- City Southern so it will be prepared 1.129 shares of its stock for every in days. Nearly 90% of homes sold if the CN deal fails to get approval. KCS share. The deal also includes in April were on the market for less Canadian National said the rail about $3.8 billion in Kansas City than a month, according to the NAR. line that would be sold connecting Southern’s debt. Meanwhile, buyers’ increasing Baton Rouge and New Orleans in The Surface Transportation willingness to outbid rivals is dis- Louisiana is the only area where the Board hasn’t approved any major torting the objective measure of two companies directly overlap. railroad mergers since the 1990s, so home values. Yet Canadian Pacific maintains that its current merger rules haven’t Last month, 19% of homes had competition will be hurt across been tested. It has generally said their appraised value come in below much of central United States that any deal involving one of the the contract price, according to data because Canadian National and nation’s six largest railroads needs from CoreLogic. In the same month Kansas City Southern both operate to enhance competition and serve the two previous years it was 8%. parallel rail lines that connect the the public interest to get approved. “The frequency of buyers being Midwest to the Gulf Coast. The board has also said it would willing to pay more than the market Canadian Pacific said its proposed consider whether any deal would data supports is increasing,” said combined rail network would also destabilize the industry and prompt Shawn Telford, chief appraiser at divert more traffic around Chicago additional mergers. CoreLogic. while CN’s plan would send more Canadian Pacific already received When a home purchase is being railcars through that already con- approval for its plan to use a voting fi nanced by a bank, the lender typi- cally requires an appraisal to make gested area. trust to acquire Kansas City Southern before KCS decided to sure the estimated value of the home Deal accept Canadian National’s offer. matches the agreed-upon price. Ap- Canadian National plans to set up CP CEO Keith Creel reiterated praisers determine the value of a a voting trust that would acquire Wednesday that he still believes his property by looking at recent sales Kansas City Southern and hold the offer for Kansas City Southern is of comparable homes. In cases when railroad during the Surface the better one, even though it is the appraised value comes in below the contract price, the buyer has to Transportation Board’s lengthy lower, because it has a better chance make up the difference between the review of the overall deal. Last of getting regulatory approval. CP sale price and the amount above week, regulators rejected CN’s ini- has refused to increase its bid. what the bank is willing to lend. tial plan for that voting trust because Canadian National said it would Regardless of whether appraisals at that point the railroads hadn’t be unfair for the Surface fall short of what buyers are willing submitted a detailed copy of their Transportation Board to reject its to pay, the bidding war-fueled prices merger agreement, but the STB said proposed voting trust plan at this at which homes are currently selling it would take a cautious approach to point because regulators would will help set the benchmark for set- approving the plan. The board also essentially be taking sides in the ting home values in coming years. questioned whether the level of debt bidding war and CN’s plan is nearly “The sale prices recorded now Canadian National plans to take on identical to the one Canadian will certainly help anchor people’s to buy Kansas City Southern would Pacific proposed ideas of, ‘OK, that’s just how much a undermine the financial stability of Canadian National said in its home on this block costs, that’s how the railroad. application for approval that CP’s much it sold for last year,’” Tucker “We believe our early commit- continued pursuit of the deal “is a said. “I suspect sellers will begin to ment to eliminating the minimal rail blatant attempt to have the board expect to receive that much if they overlap and to laying out the case force KCS into an undesired merg- go out and decide to sell their home for a CN-KCS combination should er.” next year.” ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 BUSINESS 9

safety ratings yanked after Tesla pulls radar from 2 models

Two key groups that offer auto- The U.S. government’s National Consumer Reports says that David Friedman, Consumer system called “Tesla Vision” that works better than the best human mobile safety ratings are yanking Highway Traffic Safety removing radar and relying on Reports’ vice president of advo- uses cameras, on Model 3s and drivers, and is a step toward the their top endorsements from Administration is no longer giving cameras means the safety fea- cacy, said in a statement. “It might Ys to be delivered starting in May. company’s self-driving ambitions. some Tesla vehicles because the the Models 3 and Y check marks tures may not be there when not be there when they think it The new system will use cameras But critics have said that even company has stopped using radar on its website for having forward needed. would save their lives.” and Tesla’s neural network com- with radar, Tesla doesn’t have the on its safety systems. collision warning, automatic emer- A message was left Thursday IIHS on Thursday confirmed puter processing for safety sys- right sensors for self-driving vehi- Consumer Reports pulled its gency braking, lane departure seeking comment from Tesla, that it pulled the Top Safety Pick tems, as well as Tesla’s “Autopilot” cles. “Top Pick” status for Tesla’s warning and emergency brake which has disbanded its media Plus designation, but said it and “Full Self-Driving” partially It doesn’t have laser sensors Model 3 and Y vehicles built after support. relations department. remains for vehicles built with automated driver-assist systems. called lidar, which can see through April 27, while the Insurance That prompted the ratings “If a driver thinks their vehicle radar. The institute said it plans to Tesla also has short-range sonar darkness and bad weather, they Institute for Highway Safety plans groups’ actions. Both require has a safety feature and it doesn’t, test Tesla’s new system. sensors. say. Most other companies test- to remove the vehicles’ “Top electronic safety systems for the that fundamentally changes the Tesla says on its website that CEO Elon Musk has said that ing autonomous vehicles use Safety Pick Plus” designation. top safety designations. safety profile of the vehicle,” it’s making a transition to a new the eight-camera vision system lidar. (AP) More jobless Americans getting aid than in past Granholm sells stock in EV maker that Biden ‘praised’ WASHINGTON, May 30, (AP): asked the Energy Department’s Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm inspector general to investigate wheth- has sold her ownership interest in an er Granholm’s ownership in the com- electric bus maker that President Joe pany represented a conflict of interest. Biden touted during a “virtual visit” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a mem- last month. ber of the House Oversight Committee, A spokesman said Granholm sold her also pressed Granholm for details on holdings in California-based Proterra her relationship to Proterra. Inc. this week, clearing a net gain of $1.6 Granholm, a former Proterra board million. The sale fulfills Granholm’s member, pledged during her confirma- obligations under an ethics agreement tion hearing to recuse herself from any three months before an August deadline, matters with “a direct and predictable the Energy Department said. effect on the financial interests of “Secretary Granholm has acted in full Proterra’’ until she completed sale of accordance with the comprehensive eth- her interest in the company. ical standards set by the Biden adminis- Granholm and the White House said tration and has completed her divest- she had nothing to do with the plan- ment well ahead of the time required by ning of Biden’s online visit. her ethics agreement,’’ spokesman Granholm, a former Michigan gov- Kevin Liao said in an email. ernor, is a longtime proponent of elec- Details of the sale will be released tric vehicles and has promoted their by the Office of Government Ethics, use as energy secretary, calling them a although the timing is not certain. key part of Biden’s climate strategy. Republicans had criticized The Energy Department said Granholm’s holdings in the company, Granholm’s stock sale came 89 days noting the Biden administration’s after she was sworn in as energy secre- focus on electric vehicles as part of its tary, less than half the 180 days push to address climate change. required by her ethics agreement. Criticism grew louder after Biden’s Barrasso said Thursday that Granholm online visit to a Proterra manufactur- “actively promoted electric vehicles and ing facility in South Carolina to high- electric vehicle batteries’’ even as she light U.S. electric vehicle makers. owned stock in a prominent EV maker. A customer walks behind a sign at a Nordstrom store seeking employees, Friday, May 21, 2021, in Coral Gables, Fla. About 15.8 million people received Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the While she sold the stock, “her actions unemployment aid through one of several benefit programs during the week of May 8, the latest period for which data is available, according to a Labor top Republican on the Senate Energy appear to be a significant conflict of department report Thursday. (AP) and Natural Resources Committee, interest,’’ Barrasso said. Most GOP-led states moving to cut off the federal support

WASHINGTON, May 30, (AP): reported the fourth straight weekly drop, to payment, may contribute to labor shortages. 404,000, the lowest level since the pandemic But jobless aid can also allow people the time Far more Americans are receiving erupted in March of last year. to find work that is a good fit for their educa- unemployment benefits than the The decision by some states to end the aid tion and experience, which is helpful for the last time the jobless rate was at the early highlights the key role the benefits pay- economy. ments have played since the onset of COVID-19. “You don’t want someone to take the very first current 6.1%, thanks to a major Now, more people - and a higher proportion of job that comes along,” said Jason Furman, an expansion of the federal safety net the jobless - are receiving unemployment aid than economist at Harvard who was an adviser to that has provided aid to millions of in any past recovery, according to data that President Barack Obama. “You want them to take extends to the late 1960s. That expansion of aid, a job that’s good for them. ... But you don’t want people out of work. economists say, captured millions of people who them turning down multiple jobs, either.” Yet many businesses and Republican offi- in previous recessions had fallen through the The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance pro- cials say all that jobless aid has contributed cracks. gram, which mostly covers self-employed and to worker shortages in some industries, Arindrajit Dube, an economics professor at the gig workers, also allowed parents who were which is why most GOP-led states are mov- University of Massachusetts Amherst, suggested forced to quit and care for children in online ing to cut off the federal support. that the enhanced aid was a key reason - along schools to receive jobless aid. It essentially acted About 15.8 million people received unemploy- with three rounds of stimulus checks for most as a paid leave program, Furman said, which the ment aid through one of several benefit programs individuals - why Americans’ incomes, as a U.S. doesn’t otherwise require from employers, during the week of May 8, the latest period for whole, actually rose during the recession despite unlike in European countries. which data is available, according to a Labor the loss of millions of jobs. That program has also benefited many other Department report Thursday. That’s nearly eight “That is a success story,” Dube said, “and I Americans who had previously fallen through the times as many people as received jobless pay- think that’s something we should look at and cracks, including people who haven’t worked ments in August 2014, when the unemployment recognize as a good thing.” enough hours to meet state requirements to qual- rate was where it is now and roughly the same Another reason incomes rose is that so many ify for unemployment benefits. proportion of adults had jobs. people who lost jobs had been paid comparative- Dube said his research has found little evi- The primary reason for the expansion is that ly little, while higher-paid professionals who dence that the extra $300 has prevented people the government created two emergency programs mostly worked from home generally kept their from taking jobs. In lower-income states where in last spring’s pandemic relief legislation. About jobs. In fact, total wages and salaries have already the extra money is a larger boost, hiring has three-quarters of all unemployment beneficiaries rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, even though rebounded at the same pace as in other states, he - nearly 12 million people - are receiving aid the economy has 8.2 million fewer jobs. said. through one of those federal programs. One of In the fall of 2014, when the job market was in But a separate study by economists at the San them provides payments to the self-employed and similar shape, just one-quarter of the unemployed Francisco Federal Reserve concluded that the gig workers, who had never been eligible for job- were receiving aid. By then, emergency programs $300-a-week supplement had a modest effect, less aid before. The other program benefits peo- that provided benefits in the aftermath of the reducing the rate at which people out of work find ple who have been unemployed for more than six Great Recession for as long as 99 weeks had jobs by about 3.5 percentage points. months. Both are scheduled to end Sept. 6. ended. And as the economy slowly improved, Companies in the restaurant, hotel, manufac- Yet 20 states have announced this month that many states took steps to limit the availability of turing, and construction industries have said they they will cut off the emergency aid early, begin- unemployment payments, such as reducing the are struggling to find workers. States began ning as soon as June 12, according to an duration of aid. announcing cutoffs to the extra benefits after Associated Press analysis, including Texas, Now, more Americans are actually receiving April’s jobs report showed a sharp slowdown in Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. As a jobless benefits that are officially counted as hiring, compared with March, despite a record result, about 2.5 million people will lose all their unemployed, though that reflects quirks in the level of job openings. unemployment benefits by early July. Those data. The government says 9.8 million people are Many unemployed remain reluctant to take states are also ending an extra $300 weekly fed- unemployed. But that doesn’t include several jobs in restaurants, hotels and other service indus- eral payment to the unemployed. million who lost jobs in the pandemic and have tries for fear of contracting COVID-19. And Four other states, including Florida and stopped looking for work; they aren’t counted as some women can’t return to work without ade- Arizona, are ending the $300 payment only. unemployed. quate child care, though that is now having a Collectively, those cutoffs of aid coincide with As the economy improves, analysts say that relatively small impact, according to recent a steady decline in the number of people applying the large proportion of people receiving bene- research by Furman and economist Melissa for jobless benefits. The government on Thursday fits, along with the $300-a-week supplemental Kearney. US and Chinese trade war negotiators talk BEIJING, May 30, (AP): U.S. and Chinese trade envoys talked by phone for the first time since President Joe Biden took office, but the Best Buy raises sales outlook for 2021 two sides gave no sign when negotiations on ending their tariff war might restart. NEW YORK, May 30, (AP): Three months after ing online are still far greater than they were in U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai saying that comparable store sales may actually 2019 before the arrival of COVID-19. Online discussed her “ongoing review” of the trade fall in 2021, Best Buy on Thursday released a sales now account for 33% of overall domestic relationship, her office said in a statement. The much more optimistic outlook after reporting sales, more that double from just two years ago. booming sales in the first quarter. And store locations continue to play a pivotal Chinese Commerce Ministry said Vice Premier Though government stimulus played a roll in role, with 60% of online orders either getting Liu. He raised “issues of common concern” the most recent quarter, the Richfield, Minnesota, picked up instore, curbside, shipped from a store, but gave no details. company believes sales and services will contin- or delivered by a store during the latest quarter, Biden has yet to say what approach he will ue to thrive. Best Buy said. take to the conflict launched by former “Customer demand for technology products Best Buy has made adjustments to its work- President Donald Trump, who raised tariffs on and services during the quarter was extraordi- force as more sales go digital. In February, it laid Chinese imports over complaints about narily high,” said CEO Corie Barry in a prepared off 5,000 full-time store workers even as sales Beijing’s industrial policy and trade surplus. statement. “This demand is being driven by con- spiked. Those full-time jobs will become 2,000 China retaliated by suspending purchases of tinued focus on the home, which encompasses part-time jobs. U.S. soybeans and raising tariffs on other many aspects of our lives including working, Yet the number of full-time workers is ris- goods. learning, cooking, entertaining, redecorating and ing. Roughly 60% of workers at Best Buy are Negotiators haven’t met in person since remodeling.” now full time, compared with 54% before the before the coronavirus pandemic began in Best Buy was not broadsided during the pan- pandemic, and Barry said Thursday that the early 2020. Lower-level officials hold monthly demic like many other retailers because company is providing more flexibility and meetings by phone on the status of carrying out Americans stuck at home stepped up spending on training so workers can transition into jobs like the “Phase 1” agreement from early 2019 webcams, laptops and other technology used to home advisors. get them through lockdowns and working, learn- One hurdle as the economy emerges from a aimed at ending the conflict. ing from home. pandemic induced recession are snarled supply The two sides agreed in the “Phase 1” deal Still, the chain is readying itself for potentially chains that have led to shortages of major appli- to suspend further tariff hikes on each other’s permanent changes in consumer behavior even as ances, gaming products and TVs. goods and to roll some back. China promised millions of people get vaccinated and return to stores. Best Buy Co. reported fiscal first-quarter earn- to buy more American soybeans and other Though Barry told analysts during an earnings ings of $595 million, or $2.32 per share for the exports. Beijing fell behind on meeting that call Thursday that it is clear customers are com- three- month period ended May 1. That compares commitment after the pandemic disrupted ing back into stores to see products firsthand and with $159 million, or 61 cents per share, in the global trade. get face-to-face technical support, sales originat- year-ago period. Acorns’ stock to take root after investing app OK’s merger

Acorns Grow, whose app ing for another business to “from acorns, mighty oaks pects to trade under the ticker encourages people to save merge with. The deal values do grow.” The company’s symbol “OAKS” after the deal In this file photo, Acorns CEO and invest with subscriptions Acorns at about $2.2 billion $1 plan offers an investment closes, which may happen in Noah Kerner participates for as little as $1 per month, and would allow its shares to account and helps people the second half of the year. in the Yahoo Finance All plans to soon have its own trade on a public exchange automatically steer their Some big-name institu- Markets Summit: A World of stock trading on the Nasdaq. without having to go through spare change from everyday tional investors are putting Change at The Times Center The financial technology a traditional initial public of- purchases into ETF invest- money into the company as in New York. (AP) company said that it will com- fering, which can take more ments. Its higher-tier plans part of the deal, including bine with Pioneer Merger, a time and invite more scrutiny. offer checking accounts, a Wellington Management. so-called blank-check com- Acorns says it’s the largest “heavy metal debit card” and Pioneer Merger is a spe- pany whose stock trades on subscription service in U.S. other services for $3 and $5 cial-purpose acquisitions the Nasdaq but had no real finance with more than four monthly subscriptions. company, which are also business except for look- million subscribers, and that The combined company ex- known as SPACs. (AP)

Median pay package hit $12.7 million in 2020 Pandemic or no, CEO pay rises again in ‘20 NEW YORK, May 30, (AP): As COVID-19 mance. When performance is not good, ravaged the world last year, CEOs’ big pay we don’t pay. When performance is good, packages seemed to be under as much threat we do pay.’” as everything else. At Carnival, for example, the company This photo combination shows (from left), Activision Fortunately for those CEOs, many had says that much of its CEO’s compensa- Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick, Lisa Su, President and boards of directors willing to see the pan- tion is tied to the company’s financial CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, Regeneron CEO Dr. demic as an extraordinary event beyond and operational performance. The com- Leonard Schleifer. (AP) their control. Across the country, boards pany said Donald received no cash bo- made changes to the intricate formulas nus tied to 2020. And to preserve cash that determine their CEOs’ pay - and other in the pandemic, the company gave him Govt giving $28.6b in grants moves - that helped make up for losses cre- grants of restricted stock instead of salary ated by the crisis. from April through June. Then from July As a result, pay packages rose yet again through November, it cut Donald’s salary Restaurant survival hopes last year for the CEOs of the biggest com- by half. panies, even though the pandemic sent the Progressives in Washington are pushing economy to its worst quarter on record and for rules changes to narrow the gap between pick up from ‘COVID blow’ slashed corporate profi ts around the world. CEOs and workers. The median pay package for a CEO at an Companies have to show how much more NEW YORK, May 30, (AP): Thousands of restaurants and This photo combo shows (from left), Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle, Advance Auto bars decimated by the COVID-19 outbreak have a better S&P 500 company hit $12.7 million in Parts CEO Tom Greco and Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald. (AP) their CEO makes than their typical worker, 2020, according to data analyzed by Equilar and the median in this year’s survey was 172 chance at survival as the government begins handing out $28.6 billion in grants - money to help these small business- for The Associated Press. from home. That’s also despite several CEOs taking times. That’s up from 167 times for those That means half the CEOs in the survey same CEOs last year, and it means employ- es stay afl oat while they wait for customers to return. “This should have been a year for shared high-profi le cuts to their salary during the Laurie Thomas is applying for grants for her two San made more, and half made less. It’s 5% sacrifi ce,” said Sarah Anderson, who directs year as an act of shared sacrifi ce and to con- ees must work lifetimes to make what their more than the median pay for that same CEO does in just a year. Francisco restaurants that have closed and reopened several the global economy project at the left-lean- serve a bit of cash for the company. Roughly times as coronavirus cases surged and declined; she’s still at group of CEOs in 2019 and an accelera- ing Institute for Policy Studies. “Instead it one of every fi ve CEOs in this year’s survey One bill in Congress proposes to raise tion from the 4.1% climb in last year’s taxes on corporations where the CEO makes just 50% of capacity. Rose’s Cafe and Terzo are operating at became a year of shielding CEOs from risk had a smaller salary for 2020 than the year a loss but grant money will help them stay open. survey. while it was the frontline employees who before. 50 times or more than the median worker at At Advance Auto Parts, CEO Tom Gre- the company. “This allows you to go back to February 2020 and apply paid the price.” But salary is often just a minor piece these funds to help pay down debt, catch up on past due rent, co’s pay for 2020 was in line to take a hit The AP’s compensation study included At some companies, shareholders are of a CEO’s total compensation, which is etc.,” she says. because of a mountain of pandemic-related pay data for CEOs at S&P 500 companies derived from notoriously complex for- pushing back on compensation packages ap- costs. Extended sick-pay benefi ts and ex- who have served at least two full fi scal proved by the board. The Small Business Administration is accepting applica- mulas. Each year, companies fill pages tions for grants from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund as penses for hand sanitizer and other safety years at their companies, which fi led proxy of their proxy statements with charts and At the annual meeting of Chipotle equipment totaling $60 million dragged Mexican Grill’s shareholders earlier this of Monday. For the fi rst three weeks only applications from statements between Jan. 1 and April 30. It footnotes showing how the bulk of their on two key measurements that help set his doesn’t include some highly paid CEOs month, just 51% of voting shares gave a restaurants that are majority-owned by women, veterans and performance pay. But because the board’s CEO’s pay rises and falls with corporate thumb’s up to its executives’ pay pack- “socially and economically disadvantaged” applicants will who don’t fi t that criteria. The pay fi gures performance. It’s here, in the nuanced compensation committee saw these costs as for CEOs sometimes include grants of stock ages, compared with 95% a year earlier. be processed and paid out, although any restaurant can ap- extraordinary and unanticipated, it excluded area, where many companies adjusted Across the S&P 500, such “Say-on-pay” ply. After that, grants will be funded in the order that they’ve and options they may never ultimately re- levers that ultimately helped CEOs get them from its calculations. That helped Gre- ceive unless they hit certain performance votes routinely get more than 90% ap- been approved by the SBA. co’s total compensation rise 4.7% last year more in compensation. proval. The grants, up to a maximum of $10 million, are aimed at targets. A sudden change to $8.1 million. Complexity and Coronavirus Chipotle’s board excluded three replacing lost revenue at restaurant companies with up to 20 At Carnival, the cruise operator gave Boards typically stick with the formu- months of sales results from the worst of locations. Businesses with more than one restaurant can get Last year’s 5% gain for median CEO las set for CEO pay early each year, but stock grants to executives, in part to en- pay masks how much variation in pay there the pandemic, along with several other up to $5 million per location, but each applicant is limited to courage its leaders to stick with the com- was beneath the surface. Some companies the global economy’s sudden crash forced items, while calculating pay for its CEO, a total of $10 million in funds. pany as the pandemic forced it to halt thrived as a direct result of the pandemic. a reconsideration. What made things even Brian Niccol. That allowed him to get Grant money is in addition to Paycheck Protection Pro- sailings and furlough workers. For CEO Sales boomed for Lowe’s amid a great nest- cloudier was that they had few historical bigger compensation than he would have gram loans that have helped Thomas and other restaurant Arnold Donald’s 2020 compensation, ing across the country, and CEO Marvin guides for how to proceed. otherwise. owners pay their staffers. those grants were valued at $5.2 million, Ellison’s pay nearly doubled after its stock “Many committees asked us this very Chipotle called the move a one-time “They have been a huge savior for us but it’s not enough though their full value will ultimately more than doubled the S&P 500’s total re- question: Does this compare to the fi nancial modifi cation that’s not refl ective of Niccol’s to ensure we’re going to survive,” Thomas says of her two depend on how the company performs turn through its fi scal year. crisis? What did people do then?” said Me- ongoing pay package. Chipotle was one of PPP loans. on carbon reductions and other measures Other CEOs, meanwhile, saw their com- lissa Burek, partner at Compensation Advi- the relative winners of the pandemic, with The restaurant industry has been among the hardest in coming years. That helped Donald re- pensation cut. At Duke Energy, the board sory Partners, a consulting fi rm that works revenue rising 7.1% and its stock soaring hit by the pandemic. The National Restaurant Associa- ceive total compensation valued at $13.3 reduced CEO Lynn Good’s short-term per- with boards. 65.7%. tion estimates the industry has lost $270 billion since million for the year, up 19% from a year formance pay after its earnings per share But the pandemic was very different While they’re nonbinding, “Say-on- the start of the pandemic. More than 110,000 restaurants earlier, even as Carnival swung to a $10.2 fell short of its initial target, partly because than the 2008 economic collapse, mainly pay” votes are getting increasing atten- shut down long-term or permanently and 2.5 million jobs billion loss for the fiscal year. industrial customers used less power during because this crisis was caused by a virus, tion from Wall Street. Between 2017 and have been lost. Meanwhile, regular workers also saw the pandemic. Good’s pay dipped 2.6% to rather than by CEOs taking on too much 2019, stocks of companies that failed Restaurants will remain vulnerable as long as people are gains, but not at the same rate as their $14.3 million, even though earnings ended debt and risk. As boards adjusted targets their votes lagged sharply behind the S&P uneasy about contracting the virus, and as long as business bosses. And millions of others lost their up within the range Duke forecast for Wall to make CEOs’ incentive pay less diffi- 500 in the following 12 months, accord- and leisure travel remains depressed, says Sean Kennedy, an jobs. Street early in the year. Duke didn’t adjust cult to get, many also limited the size of ing to Morgan Stanley. executive vice president at the restaurant association. Wages and benefi ts for all workers out- formulas to raise Good’s pay because of the the possible payouts. The trend didn’t hold last year, when the The grant program is “an incredible first step that is side the government rose just 2.6% last year. pandemic. “I think there is a recognition, when pandemic may have unsettled everything, going to help tens of thousands of restaurants,” Kennedy That’s according to U.S. government data Overall, 61% of the 342 CEOs in this unemployment is so high, of: Do we but Morgan Stanley strategists say they still says. If the $28.6 billion is quickly depleted, the indus- that ignore the effect of workers shifting year’s survey did get a boost in compensa- feel good about paying our CEO at this see failed “Say-on-pay” votes as a red fl ag try group will ask Congress to approve more funds for between different industries. It’s an impor- tion last year. That’s almost the exact same level?” said Kelly Malafis, also a partner that a stock may struggle. grants, he says. tant distinction because more lower-wage percentage as the 62% in 2019, when the at Compensation Advisory Partners, of And if there’s anything that investors on A grant would give Sara Bradley money toward operat- earners lost their jobs as the economy shut economy and corporate profi ts were grow- the thinking by boards of directors. “The Wall Street care about, it’s how well they’re ing costs and allow her to have her restaurant painted and down than professionals who could work ing. answer is: ‘We’re doing this for perfor- getting compensated. landscaped - upkeep that went by the wayside as revenue plunged by half in the past year. “It was more important to keep our employees paid than put a fresh coat of paint on the walls,” says Bradley, owner of Freight House in Paducah, Kentucky. The money would help support the restaurant while Brad- ley waits for state offi cials to lift restrictions on capacity; currently restaurants can only have 60% of their usual num- ber of customers and staffers. It would help defray costs that have risen sharply amid the pandemic - supplies as mundane as gloves for food preparation have doubled, even tripled in price. Freight House badly needs a new computer but Bradley has held off buying one, instead putting the money toward giving staffers raises. The grants appeal to restaurant owners who didn’t get PPP money because they were concerned about possibly having to pay back loans, says David Lopez, president of the Great- er Kansas City Restaurant Association. “It took a lot of faith to jump in and do that when you already have your back pressed up against the wall,” says Lopez, who’s also the general manager of Manny’s Mexican Restaurant. The family-owned business has fared relatively well through the pandemic, with revenue currently down 15% to 20%, compared to the more than 50% drop that many restau- rants have suffered. Lopez attributes that in part to the loyal- ty the 41-year-old restaurant has fostered with its customers. “The new restaurants, that maybe started before the pan- demic occurred, are the places that are really being hurt. Margins are thin enough as it this, even without the pan- demic,” he says. Grant money would help the owners of Sac’s Place pay back rent to their landlord and outstanding bills to vendors. And, co-owner Domenico Sacramone says, restore menus so they offer the variety of dishes they had pre-pandemic. “We were working on bare minimums. We’re going to fully restock the place,” says Sacramone, whose restaurant is located in New York City’s Astoria neighborhood. The restaurant, which has been shut down twice amid the pandemic, has survived because of PPP loans that went to- ward payroll, rent concessions and its already strong takeout and delivery business. Without a grant, Sacramone isn’t sure how he would pay the restaurant’s creditors. “We’re not looking for a lot, just to get us over the hump and help us be where we were before the pandemic started,” he says.

A sign announcing they are hiring hangs in the window of a restaurant in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York. (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Antiquities

Post-COVID tourism Egypt bets on ancient finds to draw ‘visitors’ CAIRO, May 30, (AP): Workers dig and ferry wheelbar- rows laden with sand to open a new shaft at a bustling archaeological site outside of Cairo, while a handful of Egyptian archaeologists supervise from garden chairs. The dig is at the foot of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, arguably the world’s oldest pyramid, and is one of many recent excava- tions that are yielding troves of ancient artifacts from the country’s largest archaeological site. As some European countries re-open to international tourists, Egypt has already been trying for months to attract them to its archaeological sites and museums. Officials are betting that the new ancient discoveries will set it apart on the mid- and post-pandemic tourism market. They need visitors to come back in force to inject cash into the tourism industry, a pillar of the econ- omy. But like countries elsewhere, Egypt continues to battle the coronavirus, and is struggling to get its people vac- cinated. The country has, up until now, received only 5 million vaccines for its population of 100 million peo- El-Anany ple, according to its Health Ministry. In early May, the government announced that 1 million people had been vaccinated, though that number is believed to be higher now. In the meantime, authorities have kept the publicity machine running, focused on the new discoveries. In this April 24, 2021 file photo, people visit the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Old Cairo. As some European countries reopen to international Dating tourists, Egypt has already been trying for months to attract them to its archaeological sites and museums. Officials are betting that the new ancient discoveries In November, archaeologists announced the discovery of will set it apart on the mid- and post-pandemic tourism market. (AP) at least 100 ancient coffins dating back to the Pharaonic Late Period and Greco-Ptolemaic era, along with 40 gilded statues found 2,500 years after they were first buried. That came a month after the discovery of 57 other coffins at the Coronavirus same site, the necropolis of Saqqara that includes the step pyramid. “Saqqara is a treasure,” said Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany while announcing the November Rise in UK cases stokes concerns over 3rd wave discovery, estimating that only 1% of what the site contains has been unearthed so far. “Our problem now is that we don’t know how we can possibly wow the world after this,” he said. Vietnam finds new India-UK variant If they don’t, it certainly won’t be for lack of trying. In April, Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s best-known archaeolo- HANOI, Vietnam, May 30, (AP): million people with AstraZeneca highest virus-related death toll at more gist, announced the discovery of a 3,000-year-old lost city Vietnam has discovered a new corona- shots. Last week, it sealed a deal with than 127,500. While the most vulner- in southern Luxor, complete with mud brick houses, arti- virus variant that’s a hybrid of strains Pfizer for 30 million doses, which are able people should have vaccine pro- facts and tools from pharaonic times. It dates back to first found in India and the U.K., the scheduled to be delivered in the third tection, there are worries the virus Amenhotep III of the 18th dynasty, whose reign (1390- Vietnamese health minister said and fourth quarters of this year. It is could spread widely among younger 1353 B.C.) is considered a golden era for ancient Egypt. Saturday. also in talks with Moderna that would adults. Nguyen Thanh Long said scientists give it enough shots to fully vaccine As of Friday, 58% of the British That discovery was followed by a made-for-TV parade examined the genetic makeup of the 80% of its 96 million people. population has received at least one celebrating the transport of 22 of the country’s prized royal virus that had infected some recent Meanwhile, the number of new vaccine dose and around 35% have mummies from central Cairo to their new resting place in a patients, and found the new version of coronavirus infections in the UK hit a gotten two shots. The U.K. vaccina- massive facility farther south in the capital, the National the virus. He said lab tests suggested it near two-month high Friday as British tion program started with the oldest Museum of Egyptian Civilization. might spread more easily than other regulators authorized the use of the age groups and aims to have offered a The Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh is now home to versions of the virus. single-dose vaccine from Johnson & jab to all adults by the end of July. an archaeological museum, as is Cairo’s International Viruses often develop small genetic Johnson. “It seems almost certain that we will Airport, both opened in recent months. And officials have changes as they reproduce, and new The latest authorization, which face a third episode of rising COVID- also said they still plan to open the massive new Grand variants of the coronavirus have been takes the number of vaccines in the 19 infections,” said James Naismith, a Egyptian Museum next to the Giza Pyramids by January, seen almost since it was first detected UK’s armory to four, comes amid professor of structural biology at the after years of delays. Entrance fees for archeological sites A Long March 7 rocket carrying the in China in late 2019. The World growing speculation that the new vari- University of Oxford. “It seems likely Tianzhou-2 spacecraft lifts off from Health Organization has listed four ant of the virus first identified in India that the Indian variant will mostly con- have been lowered, as has the cost of tourist visas. the Wenchang Space Launch Center The government has for years played up its ancient his- in Wenchang in southern China’s global “variants of concern” - the two may prompt the British government to fine itself to the unvaccinated younger tory as a selling point, as part of a yearslong effort to revive Hainan Province, Saturday, May 29. first found in the UK and India, plus delay its next planned easing of lock- population. It is much less likely to the country’s battered tourism industry. It was badly hit A rocket carrying supplies for China’s ones identified in South Africa and down restrictions in England. cause serious disease in this group. Brazil. However, less likely is not the same as during and after the popular uprising that toppled longtime new space station blasted off Restrictions autocrat Hosni Mubarak and the ensuring unrest. Saturday from an island in the South Long says the new variant could be zero. With large enough numbers of The coronavirus dealt it a similar blow, just as it was get- China Sea. (AP) responsible for a recent surge in Government figures showed that infections, appreciable numbers will ting back on its feet. Vietnam, which has spread to 30 of the another 4,182 new confirmed cases get seriously ill.” country’s 63 municipalities and prov- were reported across the UK, the high- Also Friday, the Medicines and In 2019, foreign tourism’s revenue stood at $13 billion. inces. est daily figure since April 1. The Healthcare products Regulatory Egypt received some 13.1 million foreign tourists - reach- Vietnam was initially a standout cases bring the total number of con- Agency said the vaccine by Johnson & ing pre-2011 levels for the first time. But in 2020, it greeted success in battling the virus - in early firmed infections reported over the Johnson met “the expected standards only 3.5 million foreign tourists, according to the minister May, it had recorded just over 3,100 past seven days to 20,765, a 24% of safety, quality and effectiveness.” el-Anany. confirmed cases and 35 deaths since increase from the previous week. The The regulator previously authorized At the newly opened National Museum of Egyptian the start of the pandemic. rise prompted scientists to say the UK the two-dose regimens developed by Civilization, Mahmoud el-Rays, a tour guide, was leading a But in the last few weeks, Vietnam is now in the midst of a third wave of Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca and the small group of European tourists at the hall housing the has confirmed more than 3,500 new the pandemic. University of Oxford, and Moderna. royal mummies. cases and 12 deaths, increasing the The number of cases remains well The regulator said the vaccine “2019 was a fantastic year,” he said. “But corona reversed country’s total death toll to 47. below the daily high of nearly 70,000 developed by J&J subsidiary Janssen everything. It is a massive blow.” Trump Regan Most of the new transmissions were recorded in mid-January, during the has been shown to be 67% effective Tourism traffic strengthened in the first months of 2021, found in Bac Ninh and Bac Giang, two peak of the second wave, but but the overall in preventing COVID-19 el-Anany, the minister, told The Associated Press in a provinces dense with industrial zones upward trend has raised questions infection and 85% effective in pre- recent interview, though he did not give specific figures. where hundreds of thousands of peo- about the UK government’s plan to lift venting severe disease or hospitaliza- He was optimistic that more would continue to come year- Discovery ple work for major companies includ- all remaining social restrictions on tion. It can be be stored at refrigerator round. ing Samsung, Canon and Luxshare, a June 21. The government, which has temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius “Egypt is a perfect destination for post-COVID in that partner in assembling Apple products. lifted restrictions in stages and allowed (36 to 47 F), which the regulator said our tourism is really an open-air tourism,” he said. China craft docks with station: An Despite strict health regulations, a pubs and restaurants to resume indoor makes it “ideal for distribution to care But it remains to be seen if the country truly has the virus automated spacecraft docked with China’s company in Bac Giang discovered that service last week, has said it will make homes and other locations.” new space station Sunday carrying fuel and one fifth of its 4,800 workers had a decision on the next planned easing Details of which groups will get the under control. It has recorded a total of 14,950 deaths from supplies for its future crew, the Chinese tested positive for the virus. on June 14. vaccine have yet to be determined. the virus and is still seeing more than a thousand new cases space agency announced. In Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s The variant identified in India is There was speculation it might only be daily. Like other countries, the real numbers are believed to Tianzhou-2 spacecraft reached the largest metropolis and home to 9 mil- believed to be responsible for up to administered to older adults after it be much higher. In Egypt, though, authorities have arrested Tianhe station eight hours after blasting off lion, at least 85 people have tested 75% of new cases in the UK and more was linked to reports of rare blood doctors and silenced critics who questioned the govern- from Hainan, an island in the South China positive as part of a cluster at a transmissible than the previously dom- clots. ment’s response, so there are fears that information on the Sea, China Manned Space said. It carried Protestant church, the Health Ministry inant strain of the virus. The Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine true cost of the virus may have been suppressed from the space suits, living supplies and equipment said. Worshippers sang and chanted Critics argue that the Conservative looks set to be used as part of the coun- beginning. and fuel for the station. Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony, is third while sitting close together without government is to blame for the vari- try’s planned booster program in the Egypt also had a trying experience early on in the pan- and largest orbital station launched by wearing proper masks or taking other ant’s seeding in the UK. They say fall. The British government has demic, when it saw a coronavirus outbreak on one of its China’s increasingly ambition space pro- precautions. officials acted too slowly to impose amended its order from last year of 30 Nile River cruise boats. It first closed its borders com- gram. Vietnam has since ordered a nation- the strictest quarantine requirements million J&J doses to 20 million. pletely until the summer of 2020, but later welcomed tour- The station’s core module was launched wide ban on all religious events. In on everyone arriving from India, “As Janssen is a single-dose vac- ists back, first to Red-Sea resort towns and now to the April 29. The space agency plans a total major cities, authorities have banned which is in the midst of a catastrophic cine, it will play an important role in heart of the country - Cairo and the Nile River Valley that of 11 launches through the end of next large gatherings, closed public parks resurgence of the virus. the months to come as we redouble our hosts most of its famous archaeological sites. Visitors still year to deliver two more modules for the and non-essential business including Many scientists say the increase in efforts to encourage everyone to get require a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the coun- 70-ton station, supplies and a three-mem- in-person restaurants, bars, clubs and cases is no surprise but that the rapid their jabs and potentially begin a try. ber crew. spas. rollout of vaccines will provide a fire- booster program later this year,” China was criticized for allowing part of Vietnam so far has vaccinated 1 wall in a country that has seen Europe’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock said. In a further cause for optimism, Russia said in April that the rocket that launched the Tianhe to fall it plans to resume direct flights to Egypt’s Red Sea resort back to Earth uncontrolled. There was no towns. Moscow stopped the flights after the local Islamic indication about what would happen to the now, as Thailand grapples with its worst Officials, meanwhile, are turning their The minimum fine for trafficking in pro- State affiliate bombed a Russian airliner over the Sinai rocket from Saturday’s launch. wave of coronavirus illnesses since the pan- attention to preventing future crises linked tected species is $9,000, together with Peninsula in October 2015, killing all on board. Beijing doesn’t participate in the imprisonment of more than 10 years, Silpa- Amanda, a 36-year-old engineer from Austria, returned International Space Station, largely due to demic began. The first case outside of to the spread of diseases from animals to China surfaced in Bangkok, but the number people. archa said at a seminar hosted by the anti- to Egypt in May. It was her second visit in four years. She US objections. Washington is wary of the trafficking group Freeland at the Foreign Chinese program’s secrecy and its military of infections remained low until this April, Thailand has one of the strongest enforce- visited the Egyptian Museum, the National Museum of Correspondents Club of Thailand. (AP) connections. (AP) when cases surged despite strict quarantines ment regimes in the region, at least on Egyptian Civilization and Islamic Cairo, in the capital’s ❑ ❑ ❑ historic center. ❑ ❑ ❑ for people entering the country. paper. She had planned to come last year, but the pandemic Thailand aims at pandemic risks: Bid to protect waterways: The latest Thailand is ramping up efforts to curb trade reversal of a Trump-era policy, the interfered. Environmental Protection Agency is restor- “Once they opened, I came,” she said. “It was my dream in wildlife to help reduce the risk of future pandemics, officials has said, though it was ing a rule that grants states and Native to see the Pyramids again.” American tribes authority to block pipelines El-Rays, the tour guide, says that while he’s seeing tour- unclear whether that would mean an end to all such sales in the wildlife trafficking hub. and other energy projects that can pollute ists starting to come in larger numbers, he knows a full The government intends to make rivers, streams and other waterways. recovery will not happen overnight. Thailand “free of the legal wildlife trade” A provision of the federal Clean Water “It will take some time to return to before corona,” he while also combatting illegal trafficking in Act gives states and tribes power to block said. wild animals, Minister for Natural federal projects that could harm lakes, Resources and the Environment Waravut streams, rivers and wetlands within their Also: Silpa-archa said Thursday. borders. But the Trump administration cur- PARIS: The Eiffel Tower was set to be illuminated Tuesday Speaking in pre-recorded addresses, tailed that review power after complaints using electricity produced from certified renewable hydro- Silpa-archa and other officials said the pan- from Republican members of Congress and demic has raised the urgency of shutting the fossil fuel industry that state officials gen. had used the permitting process to stop new Energy Observer, a company based in the French city of down the supply chain of wildlife and game meat that may harbor pathogens that cause energy projects. Saint-Malo wants to make the most recognizable landmark COVID-19, Ebola and other illnesses in The Trump administration said its actions in Paris a showcase for its carbon-free technology. people. would advance President Donald Trump’s “The objective is to mobilize all French people, the gen- The motto for the campaign, he said, is, goal to fast-track energy projects such as oil eral public as well as businesses and local authorities, “Stop disease and extinctions: Never eat, and natural gas pipelines. around the hydrogen sector,” Energy Observer CEO Louis- buy, hunt or sell wildlife.” In a statement to The Associated Press, Noel Vivies said. Since the minister delivered his remarks EPA Administrator Michael Regan said French Finance Minister Bruno Lemaire and Ecological remotely, it was not possible to ask if the nation has “serious water challenges to authorities plan to shutter markets that still address,’’ adding that he “will not hesitate Transition Minister plan to attend the evening lighting A health worker administers Covishield, Serum Institute of India’s version of the event. sell a variety of animal species, even in to correct decisions that weakened the downtown Bangkok. AstraZeneca vaccine to a man during a special vaccination drive held in the authority of states and tribes to protect their Some markets are closed, at least for premises of a government school in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 30. (AP) waters.’’ (AP) Music MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 FFeatureseatures Pennsylvania nearly threeyearsinstateprison sex offenderprogramsduringhis after refusingtoparticipatein Cosby after his2018conviction. 10-year sentencehandeddown ble forparoleunderthethree-to This isthefi serving thefull10-yearsentence. edge wrongdoingevenifitmeans programs andrefusetoacknowl- said hewouldresistthetreatment “DENIED.” (AP) posted atweetthatsaidsimply, began circulatingThursday,she of theMay11decision,which Constand hasgranted.Inthewake without theirpermission,which identify sexualassaultvictims sociated Pressdoesnottypically lebrity visitortocampus.TheAs- of trusteesandwasafrequentce- Cosby longservedontheboard two hadmetatTemple,where his estatenearPhiladelphia.The 2004 encounterwithConstandat County. 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French rockbandIndochineandDJEtiennedeCrecy.Buttheatten- again. part ofapublichealthexperimenttoprepareFrancehostbigevents the coronavirus,packedinsideaParisarenaforconcertSaturdayas PARIS, May30,(AP):Thousandsofpeople,maskedandtestedfor Dancing likethere’s noCOVID-19:Parishoststestconcert cently, includingSpain,theNetherlandsandBritain. steadily shrankinrecentweeksasvaccinationsincrease. Cosby spokesperson The 83-year-oldCosbyhaslong Cosby isservinghissentence Cosby meanwhilehopesthe Dixie Lewis “We lovedherso much andare The MetropolitanOperawouldbeabletocutthefeesofitshighest- France’s COVID-19hospitalizationratesandconfi France hasnotallowedsuchmusicconcertssinceearly2020.Cul- The attendeesareseeingtheshowforfreebutwererequiredtotake The Parispublichospitalauthorityhelpedorganizetheeventto The showatAccorHotelsArenaineasternParisfeatures1980s Similar testconcertshavebeenheldinotherEuropeancountriesre- Northern California calledthedecision“appall- won’tbeparoledthisyear ❑ Ross Schultz rst yearhewaseligi- . 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This imagereleasedbyHulushowsVictoriaMoroles,(left),andKuhooVermainascenefrom‘PlanB.’(AP) Michael Lewis Berkeleyside rmedcaseshave lm seemsdestinedtobecompared nd thewordsto tting thatthecharactersof“Plan lled hospitals ly indie,moreall-the-wayR- rst-time-directors. (Morales rst said Met Operadealallowssolosingerfeescut , lmmaker’s senseoftim- ix andchill”:“Disney- Film lm andTVforthe ing towardfi impact ofthosedrasticwagecutproposalsbykindcreativelywork- ecutive director,saidWednesday.“Wefounditawaytominimizethe resolution forallourmembers,”LeonardEgert,AGMA’snationalex- which wasaround30%incuts,thistentativeagreementthebest agreement andpointedoutwhatitgainedintheoveralldeal. AGMA memberstoratifythisagreement,”theMetsaidinastatement. would beusedtopayforAGMAeconomicitems. temporary andwillberestoredonJuly31,2025.Theremaining1% mance soloists—whichcoverstheMetchorusof2.7%is 31, 2024. top reductionforabove$13,999.ThereductionswouldendonJuly 9% for$10,000to$11,999,9.5%from$12,000$13,999andthe to becut6%,withreductionsincreasing8%for$6,000$9,999, Associated PressonWednesday. Isabel Leonard Facebook bysoprano but slidesofthesoloartistpaytermscreatedbyAGMAwerepostedon with theAmericanGuildofMusicalArtists. company planstoresumeperformancesinSeptemberaftermissingthe ei Cosby Lewis “Considering whattheMetoriginallywasseekinginconcessions, The guildsaidthosecutswereonlyasmallportionoftheoverall “In orderfortheMettoreopeninSeptember,itisimportant The contractcallsfora3.7%cutallgroupsexceptper-perfor- The dealallowscontractsoffeesunder$6,000perperformance Details werenotannouncedMay11whenthedealwasagreedto, Met generalmanager Verma isremarkably naturalandsoulful nd savingselsewhere.” , andtheunionreleasedmorecompletetermstoThe hour tripthatturnslongerandmoresurrealthan to aPlannedParenthoodinRapidCity,three- and LupedriveSunny’smom’sHondaminivan ant commentaryonthehurdlestoabortion.Sunny to “NeverRarelySometimesAlways,”apoign- fi cidental doseofspeedandastolencar.Butthe means. Therearestillscenestocomeandanac- cists arightofrefusalduetoreligiousbeliefs. state’s “conscienceclause,”whichgivespharma- “Super Troopers”),hedeclinesonthebasisof (Jay Chandrasekhar,thecomedydirector-actorof for thetoo-ashamedSunny)askspharmacist a morning-afterpill.YetwhenLupe(speaking to. table personinSouthDakotatolosehervirginity and Jesus—toSunnyaboutthemostregret- Kyle (MasonCook),asincerekidintobothmagic Provost), endsupinthebathroominsteadwith feeling spurnedbyhercrush(playedMichael concocted punch)anditsuniquetouches.Sunny, Lisette Oropesa lm’s inherentsetupis,likethecomicequivalent Here, “PlanB”doesn’tturnsober,byany The nextmorning,panicsetsinandSunnyneeds The partyscene,too,hasitstropes(apoorly a carmetaphorforvirginityandrunwithit. her-head teacher,helplesswhenherstudentstake ception foronewithRachelDratchasanin-over- Sex Edscenesbynow,you’llwanttomakeanex- parents areaway.Ifyouthinkyou’veseenenough laws decree,atapartythrownbySunnywhenher set largelyaroundhighschooland,asthegenre’s and JoshuaLevy,isbestinthemovie’sfi princess we’vegotsoI’lltakeit.” wrong ethnicgroup,but“it’skindoftheclosest thing going,”shesheepishlynotesthatit’sthe “Verma” she’s“gotthatwholePrincessJasmine off. Whenoneboy,intendingacompliment,tells Peter Gelb The sharp-wittedscript,byPrathiSrinivasan hassaidsavingsareneededasthe and witnessestothe crashwere double-yellow line wasunclear Williams nia HighwayPatrolOffi with asouthboundtruck,Califor- into oncomingtraffi Truckee Lake Tahoe ing northonStateRoute89from andrepostedbymezzo-soprano Why thecarveered acrossa Adventures whentheirsedancrossed toldBerkeleyside. towardthecityof c andcollided cer Jacob rst half, rst Nevada that identifi injuries, accordingtothewebsite The truckdriversufferedminor being sought,Williamssaid. Saturday. were notimmediately returned further information ontheaccident current contractthatexpiresJuly31. 400 willvoteJune3onratifi tors, assistantdirectors,stagemanagersandstaffperformers.About schedules.” we gotimprovementtothingslikeauditionprocedures,notifi said SamWheeler,AGMA’sEasterncounsel.“Foralmosteverygroup tees totrybreakdownthewallbetweendonorsandartists,” performance. past structureinwhichtheyreceivedpayonlyonthenightsofeach returning attheendofcontract. level nowfollowingattritionduringthepandemic—withoneposition ris said. massive visafeesandreinstatementfees.Thisisunfairbargaining.” of dues,andsoloistswhoaren’tAmericanpayevenmore,because group representedbythis‘union.’Yet,weallpaythesameamount more expenses,potentiallosses,andburdensthananyother ment. “Howisthisfair?...Soloiststakeonmorerisk,pressure, a Facebookcommentinwhichshevowedtovoteagainsttheagree- pay cuts?Onceagain,soloistsleftoutinthedust,”Oropesawrote fi nal twomonthsof2019-20andallthisseasonduetothepandemic. Dixie Lewisgraduated from Calls totheCHPseeking The dealwithAGMAscoverschoristers,soloists,dancers,direc- “We wereabletoachieveaseatontheMetadvisoryboardoftrus- Soloists willgettheirentirerehearsalfeeuponarrival,insteadofthe The Met’sfull-timechoruswillbedecreasedfrom80to74—its Oropesa declinedcommentonherpostings,spokesmanStevenHar- “This iswhatmyunionspentover12weeksbargainingfor?Uneven Oroposa waslivid. Goodwin the pandemic,”CharlestonMayor folks lookingforoutdooractivitiestododuring ies lastyearandheardpositivefeedbackfrom statement said. event andbeonafi cartoon. Parkingwillstart90minutesbeforeeach the parkinglotofBigLotsonPatrickStreet. on July7and“Godzillavs.Kong”Aug.4in that “Frozen2”willbeshownonJune9,“Moana” mer. plans tohostfreedrive-inmovieeventsthissum- CHARLESTON, W.Va.: “We sawmajorsuccesshostingdrive-inmov- Each movienightwillbeginwitha30-minute The cityofCharlestonsaidinanewsrelease stars outoffour. an Rrating.Runningtime:108minutes.Three language andsexualmaterialthatwouldsuggest tion PictureAssociationofAmericabutcontains music canrock. own. She’llevenconvinceyouthatChristiantrap swaggers throughthefi ural andsoulful,whiletheso,sogoodMoroles Verma andMoroles.Verma,isremarkablynat- owed verydefi 17-year-olds latelyseenatthemovies,something themselves. They’reapairofthemostauthentic bit playersatbestinhigh-schoolcomedies—be just lettingthesetwocharacters—traditionally the messageof“PlanB”is,nothingsupersedes comedy aremorecomplicatedforyoungwomen. a reminderwhythetypicalconquestsofteen drifts offcourse,butalloftheiradventuresare most Dakotadrives.Here,“PlanB”sometimes man. “Plan B,”aHulurelease,isn’tratedbytheMo- But “PlanB”neverturnsdidactic.Pointedas ed himasa45-year-old said.(AP) nitely totwostarsinthemaking rst-come, fi Also: West Virginia’slargestcity cation forthedeal,whichwouldreplacea lm asacreatureallher rst-served basis,the (AP) Polytechnic University, Pomona. second yearatCalifornia State soccer team,had finished his the highschool’schampionship to Berkeleyside.Schultz,partof on thesoftballteam,according mona College,wheresheplayed completed herfirstyearatPo- high schoollastyearandhad Amy Shuler cation ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Obits

Actor MacLeod dead ‘Hooked on Feeling’ singer Thomas dies LOS ANGELES, May 30, (AP): B.J. Thomas, the Grammy-winning singer who enjoyed success on the pop, country and gospel charts with such hits as “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and “Hooked on a Feeling,” has died. He was 78. Thomas, who announced in March that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, died from complications of the disease Saturday at his home in Arlington, Tex- as, his publicist Jeremy Westby said in a statement. A Hugo, Oklahoma-native who grew up in Hou- ston, Billy Joe Thomas broke through in 1966 with a gospel- styled cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and went on to sell mil- lions of records and have doz- ens of hits across genres. He reached No. 1 with pop, adult contemporary and country listeners in 1976 with “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Thomas Wrong Song.” The same year, his “Home Where I Belong” became one of the fi rst gospel albums to be certifi ed platinum for selling more than 1 million copies. Dionne Warwick, who duetted with Thomas, sent out a tweet Saturday with her condolences. “My sincere condolences to the family of one of my favorite duet partners, BJ Thomas. I will miss him as I know so many others will as well. Rest In Peace my friend,” she said. Thomas’ signature recording was “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” a No. 1 pop hit and an Oscar winner for best original song as part of the soundtrack to one of the biggest movies of 1969, the irreverent Western “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” This image released by Netflix shows Michael Douglas, (left), and Kathleen Turner in a scene from the third and final season of ‘The Kominsky Method.’ (AP) Thomas wasn’t the fi rst choice to perform the whim- sical ballad composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David; Ray Stevens turned the songwriters down. But his warm, soulful tenor fi t the song’s easygoing mood, Television immortalized on fi lm during the scene when Butch (Paul Newman) shows off his new bicycle to Etta Place (Katharine Ross), the girlfriend of the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford). ‘Kominsky’ revisits ‘The War of the Roses’ 30 years later Soundtrack “Raindrops” has since been heard everywhere from “The Simpsons” to “Forrest Gump” and was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013. But, at fi rst, Fun reunion for Turner and Douglas not everyone was satisfi ed. Thomas was recovering from laryngitis while recording the soundtrack version LOS ANGELES, May 30, (AP): Near- and watch and had a front-row seat, His reunion with Turner gave both and his vocals are raspier than for the track released on ly four decades ago, “Romancing the which was amazing.” of them a chance to reflect on their its own. Redford, meanwhile, doubted the song even Stone” introduced audiences to the Paul Reiser, who plays Baker’s fi- early careers. belonged in “Butch Cassidy.” crackling chemistry between Michael ance, said he was struck by the unique- Turner recalled first meeting Doug- “When the fi lm was released, I was highly critical Douglas and Kathleen Turner. ness of Douglas’ and Turner’s rela- las over Mexican food before filming — how did the song fi t with the fi lm? There was no Now at 76 and 66 years old, Douglas tionship. “Romancing the Stone.” rain,” Redford told USA Today in 2019. “At the time, and Turner are back on screen together “There aren’t that many pairings “‘Oh, he’s very sexy,’” she recalls it seemed like a dumb idea. How wrong I was.” in the third and final season of Netf- of actors ... There aren’t that many thinking of him. But she didn’t let that Thomas would later say the phenomenon of “Rain- lix’s “The Kominsky Method.” De- that you’ve seen repeatedly,” he said. intimidate her. “He’s quite sure of what drops” exacerbated an addiction to pills and alcohol spite the many years that have passed “You’ve got De Niro and Pesci. Wal- he wants. He’s quite focused and spe- which dated back to his teens, when a record producer since their third and last film together, ter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. ... You cific. So you just kind of go, ‘Uh huh, in Houston suggested he take amphetamines to keep Colin Farrell attends the premiere for their reunion was seamless. subconsciously have this history that uh huh, OK.’ But then when you saw the his energy up. He was touring and recording constant- ‘Widows’ on day 3 of the Toronto In- “Like riding a bicycle,” Douglas the minute you see them. It almost work: ‘I need to be a full partner.’ And ly and taking dozens of pills a day. By 1976, while ternational Film Festival on Sept 8, said over a video call earlier this week. breaks the frame in a good way. It he understood and respected that.” “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done 2018, in Toronto. Farrell turns 45 on “We’d look at each other, and there’s a makes what you’re watching seem a After that, the two of them “went May 31. (AP) Somebody Wrong Song” was hitting No. 1, he felt like lot of memories coming back.” piece of what you’ve been watching through a lot.” he was “number 1,000.” The Los Angeles-set “Kominsky for years. It’s a real treat to have that.” From mountainous muddy roads “I was at the bottom with my addictions and my Method” doesn’t place the pair in the Turner’s presence — along with an in Mexico to oppressive desert heat problems,” he said in 2020 on “The Debby Campbell same exotic locations as 1984’s “Ro- expanded role for Reiser and smaller in Africa, filming their first two films Goodtime Show.” He cited a “spiritual awakening,” mancing the Stone” or its sequel “Jewel parts for Oscar winners Morgan Free- was a true adventure. “The War of the shared with his wife, Gloria Richardson, with helping of the Nile.” But it does include the type man and Allison Janney — helps make Roses” also had its challenges, despite him to get clean. of caustic barbs from their last film to- up for the third season’s absence of 90% of the film taking place in a house. Thomas had few pop hits after the mid-1970s, but gether, 1989’s “The War of the Roses.” Alan Arkin, who left the show after Turner said she and Douglas recent- he continued to score on the country charts with such It was with that in mind that Doug- its second season. His banter with and ly had a laugh about the film’s famous No. 1 songs as “Whatever Happened to Old-Fash- las thought to invite Turner to join needling of Douglas was pitch perfect last scene, in which their warring char- ioned Love” and “New Looks from an Old Lover.” In “The Kominsky Method” in its second acters become precariously stuck on a the late 1970s and early ’80s, he was also a top gospel and earned both men Emmy nomina- season to play his character’s sharp- giant chandelier. The actors had to sit and inspirational singer, winning two Dove awards tions. tongued ex-wife, who’s introduced in the chandelier for hours and hours and fi ve Grammys, including a Grammy in 1979 for Characters best gospel performance for “The Lord’s Prayer.” Jackson Masterson during a phone call. The idea came to over the course of two weeks to get all Fans of the 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains” heard him Douglas immediately when creator/ “He was such an instrumental part the shots. as the singer of the show’s theme song. He also acted in writer Chuck Lorre mentioned intro- of our success,” Douglas said. “It was “It was very painful,” Turner said. a handful of movies, including “Jory” and “Jake’s Cor- ducing an ex-wife to the show. a little bit of a risk ... but I felt strong “Continuity loved it because all you ner” and toured often. Recent recordings included “Liv- Variety “I just smiled and I said, ‘This is ‘The enough for the other characters.” had to do was lie down on the line of ing Room Music,” featuring cameos from Lyle Lovett, War of the Roses’ revisited 30 years lat- Douglas said he’s sad the show is the bruises, you know? The arms, you Vince Gill and Richard Marx. He had planned to record er’,” Douglas said. “We’ve already got ending but that he appreciates what it just lined up the bruises, and then you in 2020 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, but the sessions BRUSSELS: The European Commission our back stories and we’re all set.” has taught him. were in the right position ... That was a were delayed because of the pandemic. said on Friday it has given one month to As in the film, Turner often uses R- “One of the main reasons why I real test of many things.” Thomas married Richardson in 1968, and had three the Chinese-owned video app TikTok rated terms when speaking to Douglas’ did it was just to kind of learn a little Turner also continues to challenge daughters: Paige, Nora and Erin. He and his wife to answer complaints from an European character, which never fails to delight more about comedy and how you do herself with new experiences, develop- worked on the 1982 memoir “In Tune: Finding How consumers group over its commercial her in real life. it and your timing,” he said. “At this ing a one-woman cabaret show, “Find- Good Life Can Be.” His book “Home Where I Be- practices. “It was just such fun. And he takes it point in your career you kind of say, ing My Voice,” which got rave re- long” came out in 1978 and was co-authored by Jerry The EU’s executive arm said it has very well, I have to say.” ‘What have you done? What haven’t views and repeatedly sold out in New B. Jenkins, later famous for the million-selling “Left started discussions involving the plat- Seeing the two of them act together you done’?” York, London and other cities between Behind” religious novels written with Tim LaHaye. form and the national consumer authori- again was “thrilling,” said Sarah Bak- The experience has been “a joy,” he 2017 and 2020. Besides music, Thomas loved baseball as a kid and ties following an alert launched earlier er, who plays Douglas’ daughter in the said, pointing in particular to Reiser’s “I now sing, baby!” said Turner in her started calling himself B.J. because so many Little this year by the European Consumer show. comedic timing and Lorre’s writing. trademark smoky voice. “It’s one more Organisation (BEUC) about alleged “I like to think of myself as the ‘Ro- Douglas is ready for his next acting thing I haven’t done yet, so why not?” League teammates also were named Billy Joe. By his breaches of consumers’ rights. teens, he was singing in church and had joined a local mancing the Stone’ baby,” she joked. challenge. He is about to start filming Turner is currently filming an inde- The Commission said some contrac- “The chemistry is just there, that tim- on the third “Ant-Man,” which will be pendent musical romance called “The rock band, the Triumphs, whom he would stay with tual terms in TikTok’s policies could be into his 20s. ing, the rapport between them. It’s the his first time performing in a movie us- Swearing Jar” in Canada. considered misleading and confusing for kind of thing, it’s very difficult to fake, ing a green screen. As for her time on “The Kominsky Also: consumers, adding that concerns relating to issues including hidden marketing and so when you have that just inherently “I wanted to see what it was like,” Method,” Turner said it was a no- LOS ANGELES: Gavin MacLeod, the veteran sup- advertising strategies targeting children between you, we just got to sit back he said. brainer. porting actor who achieved fame as sardonic TV news were raised. writer Murray Slaughter on “The Mary Tyler Moore In February, the BEUC fi led a com- Show” and stardom playing cheerful Capt Stubing on plaint with the European Commission him up to 45 years in prison. for suffi cient evidence is signifi cantly “The Love Boat,” has died. He was 90. and the network of consumer protection prosecution of a Hollywood fi gure in the MacLeod died early Saturday at his home in Palm authorities against TikTok. It argued She said she found the women’s lower than it will be at the forthcom- #MeToo era despite dozens of investi- Desert, California, said Stephanie Steele Zalin, his that several terms in TikTok’s ‘Terms of testimony credible for the purposes of ing trial. gations by police and the Los Angeles Service’ are unfair and said the platform, the preliminary hearing, where the bar That trial will represent the rare district attorney, most of which have stepdaughter. She attributed his death to his age, say- ended without charges. ing he had been well until very recently. which is particularly popular with youngsters, failed to protect children and Masterson, 45, has pleaded not guilty. “He had one of the most amazing, fun blasts of a life His lawyers said they would prove his of anybody I know. He enjoyed every minute of it,” teenagers from hidden advertising and potentially harmful content. innocence, and during the hearing repeat- Steele Zalin said. “I don’t even think in his wildest edly challenged the women on discrepan- dreams he dreamt of the life that he ended up having “The current pandemic has further accelerated digitalization,” said Didier cies in stories they alleged the accusers and creating.” had coordinated in the years since their She called him the “best, sweetest, purest guy.” Reynders, the Commissioner for Jus- tice. “This has brought new opportuni- alleged rapes. The lawyers said the age Ed Asner, who played opposite MacLeod on “The ties but it has also created new risks, of the incidents, which date from 2001 Mary Tyler Moore Show,” said on Twitter that “my in particular for vulnerable consumers. and 2003, made accurate memories heart is broken. Gavin was my brother, my partner in In the European Union, it is prohibited impossible. crime (and food) and my comic conspirator.” to target children and minors with “Memories fade and memories Known to sitcom fans for his bald head and wide disguised advertising such as ban- change,” Masterson attorney Sharon smile, MacLeod toiled in near anonymity for more than a ners in videos. The dialogue we are Appelbaum said. decade, appearing on dozens of TV shows and in several launching today should support TikTok The actor had no visible reaction to the movies before landing the part of Murray in 1970. in complying with EU rules to protect judge’s decision as he sat in court, with a He had originally tested for Moore’s TV boss, Lou consumers.” (AP) small group of family and friends behind Grant, the role that went to Asner. Realizing he wasn’t ❑ ❑ ❑ him. Masterson’s lead attorney Thomas right for playing the blustery, short-tempered TV news- Mesereau, who also defended Michael room leader, MacLeod asked if he could try instead for LOS ANGELES: After three days of Jackson and Bill Cosby in their sexual the wisecracking TV news writer, his jokes often at the dramatic and often emotional testimony misconduct cases, declined to comment expense of the dimwitted anchorman Ted Baxter. from three women who said “That ’70s outside court. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” was a smash from Show” actor Danny Masterson raped During the hearing, Mesereau sug- them nearly 20 years ago, a judge on gested that police, prosecutors and the start and remains a classic of situation comedies. Friday found that he must stand trial. witnesses were tainted by anti-religious It produced two spinoffs, “Rhoda” and “Phyllis,” star- Los Angeles County Superior Court In this May 10, 2018 file photo, Gavin MacLeod, a cast member on the TV series bias against the Church of Scientology. ring Valerie Harper and Cloris Leachman, respec- Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo ordered ‘The Love Boat,’ salutes the crowd as he speaks at a Friends of Hollywood Walk Masterson is a prominent Scientologist, tively, who had portrayed Mary’s neighbors. Masterson to trial on three counts of rape of Fame honorary star plaque ceremony for the cast and Princess Cruises in all three women are former Scientolo- by force or fear, charges that could get Los Angeles. (AP) gists. (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 SPORTS 14

Osaka fi ned $15K for skipping French Open media; Thiem out Djokovic warms up for French Open with title in Belgrade BELGRADE, Serbia, May 30, (AP): Novak Djokovic warmed up for the French Open by beating Alex Molcan 6-4, 6-3 to take his 83rd career title on Highlanders beat Rebels in home soil at the Belgrade Open. Top-ranked Djokovic struggled on serve in the fi rst set as he was broken Super Rugby Trans-Tasman three times by his Slovakian opponent. Djokovic was also broken once in SYDNEY, May 30, (AP): The Dun- knocked the ball on near the goalline the second set by Molcan, the 255th- edin-based Highlanders restored the ranked qualifi er playing his fi rst tour- in the fi nal minute. level fi nal, but was reliably able to dominance of New Zealand teams in “We’ve done a fair bit of trave- dominate Molcan’s serve for a total six the trans-Tasman Super Rugby com- ling in the last couple of weeks but breaks in the match. petition Sunday with a 42-27 win we came here with a purpose and re- It’s the third career title for Djoko- over the Melbourne Rebels in the fi nal ally tried to chase that bonus point,” vic in his home nation after he won the match of the third round. Highlanders captain Ash Dixon said. Serbia Open, a different tournament in The Queensland Reds gave Austral- “But we just pulled up short right at the same city, in 2009 and 2011. ian teams their fi rst win in 14 matches the end.” Djokovic is drawn against Tennys in the tournament on Saturday night Sandgren of the United States in the when they beat the Hamilton-based RUGBY fi rst round at Roland Garros. Chiefs 40-34, hanging on after lead- In Parma, Italy, Sebastian Kor- ing 33-0 at halftime. Sunday’s match was to be played da won his fi rst ATP trophy with a The Highlanders prevented the start in Queenstown, New Zealand where straight-set victory over Italian wild of an Australian streak with a win by card Marco Cecchinato at the Emilia- it would have been attended by New Romagna Open. six tries to four, giving New Zealand teams a 14-1 record after three of fi ve Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Korda became the fi rst American in Ardern and her Australian counterpart 11 years to lift a trophy on European rounds. clay, since Sam Querrey won in Bel- But they missed a vital bonus Scott Morrison who are meeting at a grade in 2010. point when scrumhalf Aaron Smith summit in the South Island resort. Korda had not dropped a set all week in Parma and he carried on that run in the fi nal to see off the 104th-ranked Colombia’s Egan Bernal celebrates as he completes the fi nal stage to win the Giro d’Italia cycling race, a 30.3 Cecchinato 6-2, 6-4 in 75 minutes. kilometers individual time trial from Senago to Milan, Italy, on May 30. (AP) The 20-year-old Korda had lost the only other fi nal he had contested, against Hubert Hurkacz at the Delray Beach Open in January. Bernal adds Giro title TENNIS In Paris, Naomi Osaka was fi ned $15,000 at the French Open for skip- ping a post-match news conference after her fi rst-round victory Sunday - to Tour de France win and threatened by all four Grand Slam tournaments with stiffer penalties, in- cluding being defaulted, if she contin- Caruso 2nd overall ues to avoid meeting with the media. The fi ne will come out of Osaka’s Ty Gibbs takes lead late to win prize money and was announced in a Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses his trophy after their fi nal tennis match of MILAN, May 30, (AP): Co- joint statement from the president of the the Belgrade Open tennis tournament against Alex Molcan of Slovakia, in Xfi nity Series race at Charlotte French tennis federation, Gilles Moret- Belgrade, Serbia, on May 29. (AP) lombian rider Egan Bernal ton, and the heads of the other majors. added the Giro d’Italia title CONCORD, N.C., May 30, (AP): Ty led the most laps - 105 of 200 - and Osaka returned to Roland Garros af- to his Tour de France win Gibbs, the 18-year-old grandson of yet again left without a victory in ter skipping the trip last time, turning after safely maintaining car owner Joe Gibbs, took the lead eight years in competing in NAS- in a mistake-fi lled 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory with 20 laps left at Charlotte Mo- CAR’s top three series. over 63rd-ranked Patricia Maria Tig his advantage on the fi nal tor Speedway and held off the fi eld Hemric dominated much of the at Court Philippe Chatrier on Day 1 in day’s time trial to Milan on on a fi nal restart to win the second fi rst half of the race, sweeping the Paris. Sunday. Xfi nity Series race of his rookie sea- fi rst and second stages. But Briscoe After the 2020 French Open was son. passed him for the lead with 85 laps pushed to a September start with a lim- Bernal, who won the Tour in Gibbs had won the Daytona road to go. Hemric’s struggles got worse it of 1,000 spectators per day because 2019, was last off the ramp with an course event in February with a late during a caution when he had to of the coronavirus outbreak, things overall lead of almost two minutes. pass through a grassy area. This back up to get out of his pit stall, were closer to normal Sunday: It was The Ineos Grenadiers rider com- time, Gibbs overcame a spin at the then was tagged with a penalty for a sun-kissed May day and more than pleted the 30.3-kilometer (18.8- end of the second stage and kept an uncontrolled tire. 5,000 fans were allowed in. mile) route in 35 minutes, 41 seconds his patience until the end when he Other results perhaps were more to clinch overall victory by 1:29. He came out on top of a side-by-side CAR RACING newsworthy than a straight-set win by pumped his hands above his head as duel with NASCAR Cup Series rac- the No. 2-ranked Osaka - that’s cer- er Chase Briscoe, who lost control tainly the case for U.S. Open champi- he crossed the line in front of Mi- and surrendered the lead to Gibbs. Hemric fell from second to 27th. lan’s famous cathedral. Gibbs had one fi nal challenge on He rallied back into the top 10 be- on and two-time French Open runner- “It’s diffi cult to realize what I’ve the last restart but pulled away from fore an accident on a restart 14 laps up Dominic Thiem’s 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 loss to 68th-ranked Pablo Andujar Japan’s Naomi Osaka returns the ball to Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig dur- done. I have just won a Giro d’Italia. the pack when the green fl ag fl ew from the fi nish ended his chances. ing their fi rst round match of the French open tennis tournament at the I have no words after what happened like so many JGR drivers of the past Hemric has gone 187 starts in the - but the events that unfolded after the to gain the win. Cup Series, Xfi nity and Camping Japanese superstar’s match were of Roland Garros stadium, on May 30, in Paris. (AP) in these two years,” said the 24-year- high interest. old Bernal, who has struggled with a A proud Joe Gibbs beamed from World Trucks without a win. the standard back-and-forth with the course. She framed it as a mental health the pits, a big smile on his face. The race had a sense of the old, That’s because Osaka vowed in a issue, saying that it creates self-doubt to lingering back injury that forced him Twitter post Wednesday, and then kept media in Paris, the sort of thing ath- “It’s defi nitely nice to win on an pre-pandemic days, with practice have to answer questions after a loss. to abandon last year’s Tour. oval, especially so nearby home- Friday and qualifying Saturday that promise Sunday, to stay away from letes in various sports do as a matter of town,” Gibbs said. morning before the event. Riley Players at Grand Slam tournaments Ty Gibbs apologized to Briscoe Herbst won the single-lap qualifying are required to attend news confer- CYCLING if he had any part in the spinout, to start on pole with Briscoe right ences if requested to do so; refusing is although replays seemed to show beside him on the front row. punishable by fi nes of up to $20,000. Damiano Caruso was second their cars did not touch. The most serious crash came That, of course, is not a big deal to overall, with Simon Yates complet- Briscoe made his fi rst Xfi nity start on a restart on lap 150 when Ryan Osaka, the world’s highest-earning ing the podium . Yates fi nished 4:15 of the season and led 60 laps. “It’s Sieg, who had just taken the lead female athlete thanks to endorsement defi nitely frustrating,” he said of the out of the pits, lost grip and slid near contracts worth tens of millions of dol- behind Bernal. close call. the apron for a stretch before turn- Bernal’s teammate, Filippo Gan- lars annually. Reigning Xfi nity Series champ ing back up the track where his car “It’s her own choice. I think she’s na, won the individual time trial Austin Cindric was second, fol- was slammed hard by Josh Berry capable of making her own choices despite a late puncture after the Ital- lowed by Harrison Burton, Brandon and Brett Moffi tt. and obviously she will do always ian’s closest rival, Remi Cavagna, Brown and Tyler Reddick. Briscoe All drivers walked from the their what’s best for her,” Tig said. “I think fi nished sixth. cars unharmed, with Berry and Sieg crashed with about 600 meters to go. that’s what’s happening now. It’s her Ganna was the favorite to triumph It was the latest racing disap- getting the OK from the infi eld care pointment for Daniel Hemric, who center. choice of doing what she feels is best on the 21st and fi nal stage. He won for her.” the opening time trial in Turin and The Grand Slam tournaments’ state- all three time trials in last year’s Giro change bikes after a puncture. leader’s hot seat. ment said Osaka has been “advised” as well as another stage. Cavagna looked set to beat his Cavagna got up unhurt and fi n- that “should she continue to ignore her Ganna took the lead with a time time but the French time trial cham- ished second, 12 seconds behind media obligations during the tourna- of 33:48 but his chances of winning pion appeared to lock up his brakes Ganna. Ty Gibbs (left), celebrates with a crew member after winning the Alsco Uni- ment, she would be exposing herself seemed precarious as he lost about at a corner and fl ipped over his bi- Edoardo Affi ni was third, a second forms 300 NASCAR Xfi nity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway to possible further Code of Conduct 20 seconds when he was forced to cycle as Ganna watched from the further back. on May 29, in Charlotte, NC. (AP) infringement consequences.” ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 SPORTS 15

Lindor homers, Mets rout Braves 13-2 after Ozuna arrested Surging Rays beat Phillies for 14th victory in 15 games ST. PETERSBURG, Florida, May 30, ly impressive. (AP): Austin Meadows drove in his The Pirates shut out a team in both third run on a tiebreaking RBI infi eld games of a doubleheader for the fi rst single during a two-run eighth inning time since Oct. 3, 1976, against the St. and the Tampa Bay Rays won for the Louis Cardinals. 14th time in 15 games, 5-3 over the Pittsburgh pitchers combined to Philadelphia Phillies. hold Colorado to just six total hits. Pastrnak scores hat trick Randy Arozarena had a leadoff sin- The Rockies have lost fi ve in a row. gle in the eighth and advanced to third Keller (3-6) pitched two-hit ball on a wild pitch by Sam Coonrod (0- for fi ve innings. He struck out six and 2). After Yandy Díaz was intention- walked two after losing his previous ally walked with one out, Meadows three starts. made it 4-3 with his hit off José Alva- After going 1 for 4 with a double in rado. Tampa Bay took a two-run lead the opener, Adam Frazier hit a leadoff as Bruins blast Islanders when Alvarado walked pinch-hitter homer in the second on the fi rst pitch Mike Brosseau with the bases load. from Austin Gomber (3-5). Diego Castillo (1-3) worked out of Brubaker (4-4) allowed four hits in Canadiens force Game 7 vs Leafs a two-on, two-out jam in the eighth six innings and Bryan Reynolds hit for the Rays, who have won three in his team-leading sixth home run. a row after Kansas City stopped their Rockies starter Jon Gray (4-5) last- BOSTON, May 30, (AP): 11-game winning streak on Tuesday. ed three innings, allowing three runs David Pastrnak got his J.P. Feyereisen worked the ninth to on four hits. second career playoff hat get his second save. Brewers 4, Nationals 1, 1st Game Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler Brewers 6, Nationals 2, 2nd Game trick, David Krejci had gave up three runs, four hits, two In Washington, Luis Urías went four assists and the Boston walks and struck out a career-high 14 3 for 3 with two RBIs, including the Bruins beat the New York over seven innings. tiebreaking double in a four-run sixth Matt Joyce homered for the Phil- inning, and Milwaukee swept a dou- Islanders 5-2 in the open- lies, who struck out 15 times. Tampa bleheader from Washington. ing game of their second- Bay struck out 16 times. Leadoff batter Kolten Wong also round playoff series. Mets 13, Braves 2 had three hits and drove in two runs Charlie McAvoy and Tay- In New York, Francisco Lindor, for the Brewers in the nightcap. Lor- James McCann and Jonathan Villar enzo Cain was 3 for 3 and scored lor Hall also scored, and Patrice hit three of the Mets’ season-high twice. Bergeron had a pair of assists for fi ve homers, Freddy Peralta pitched his fi rst the Bruins, who will host Game 2 Taijuan Walker major league complete game in the on Monday night. pitched fi ve opener, going all seven innings. Mil- Tuukka Rask finished with 20 scoreless in- waukee (27-25) is two games over saves as the Bruins kept most of the nings in his .500 for the fi rst time since May 13. action at the other end of the ice, return from outshooting the Islanders 40-22. the injured list and New York BASEBALL won its fourth ICE HOCKEY straight as word The Nationals dropped to 21-27 spread that At- and are in last place in the NL East Adam Pelech and Anthony lanta star Mar- following a three-game losing streak. Beauvillier scored for the Islanders, cell Ozuna had Meadows Washington is 0-5 in seven-inning Jordan Eberle had two assists and been arrested. games this season. Ilya Sorokin finished with 35 saves, Ozuna was charged with aggra- Brent Suter (5-3) struck out two in keeping New York in it through the vated assault strangulation and mis- one inning of relief for the win. first 40 minutes despite the onslaught demeanor battery/family violence, ac- Daniel Hudson (3-1) took the loss. of shots from the Bruins. cording to Fulton County Jail records Peralta (5-1) allowed four hits Toronto Maple Leafs’ Zach Hyman (11) moves in on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price as Canadiens’ Canadiens 3, Maple Leafs 2, OT in Georgia. in the fi rst game, including Kyle Erik Gustafsson (32) defends during the fi rst period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup fi rst-round playoff In Toronto, Jesperi Kotkaniemi Brandon Drury and Billy McKin- Schwarber’s home run, while strik- seres, on May 29, in Montreal. (AP) scored at 15:15 of overtime and ney piled on with homers during the ing out seven and walking one. The Montreal beat Toronto to force Game Mets’ seven-run sixth inning. 24-year-old right-hander made his 7 in the first-round series. Walker (4-1) had been out since 33rd start in the big leagues. Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli also May 17 with left side tightness but re- Avisaíl Garcia homered and drove US top Norway for 4th straight victory scored and Carey Price made 41 saves turned in top form, striking out eight in three runs. in front of the first Canadian hockey while allowing two hits and a walk. Tigers 6, Yankees 1 RIGA, Latvia, May 30, (AP): Tage to the quarterfi nals. sists in Kazakhstan’s 11-3 victory crowd since the start of the pandemic. Braves starter Ian Anderson (4-2) In Detroit, Jonathan Schoop homer- Thompson had a goal and an as- Ken Andre Olimb scored for Nor- over Italy. Jason Spezza and T.J. Brodie scored allowed four runs in four innings as ed and Spencer Turnbull pitched well sist and the United States won its way. Russia and Slovakia each won Atlanta dropped to 24-26. into the sixth inning as Detroit beat for Toronto, beating Price with under fourth straight game in the world Finland beat fourth-place Ger- to remain tied for the Group A lead. 10 minutes to go in regulation to tie it. Giants 11, Dodgers 6 New York. hockey championship, beating Sergei Tolchinski had a goal and In Los Angeles, Donovan Solano Turnbull (4-2) allowed one run on Norway 2-1. an assist in a third-period burst in Jack Campbell stopped 28 shots. and Evan Longoria homered, Lo- three hits and three walks in 5 2/3 in- Jake Oettinger made 22 saves ICE HOCKEY Russia’s 4-1 victory over Switzer- Game 7 is Monday night in gan Webb pitched fi ve sharp innings nings. He struck out six. and Conor Garland also scored. land, and Julius Hudacek made 24 Toronto, with the winner facing and San Francisco won consecutive Yankees starter Deivi Garcia (0-2) The Americans are second in many 2-1, with Arttu Ruotsalainen saves in Slovakia’s 2-0 victory over Winnipeg. Also an overtime winner games at Dodger Stadium after losing was called up from Triple-A Scran- Group B, a point behind Finland - breaking a tie midway through the Denmark. in Game 5 in Toronto, the Canadiens the fi rst four in the season series. ton/Wilkes-Barre before the game which beat the U.S. in the opener third period. Also, Libor Sulak scored twice are looking to come back from a 3-1 Mike Yastrzemski hit two doubles and allowed fi ve runs — four earned - with two games left. The top four Also in Group B, Roman Starch- in the Czech Republic’s 2-1 victory series deficit to win for the third time and Wilmer Flores had three of the — and fi ve hits in 4 1/3 innings. teams in each group will advance enko had two goals and three as- over Britain. in franchise history. Giants’ 16 hits. New York has lost the fi rst two Webb (4-3) held the Dodgers to just games of a weekend series at last- out seven and not allowing a walk Frankie Montas (5-5) allowed six innings. one hit and one earned run. He struck place Detroit after winning seven of in the second game. Liam Hendriks hits, struck out seven and walked one. Mariners 3, Rangers 2 out seven, walked none and retired the nine. pitched a perfect seventh for his 12th The Angels are 22-8 when scoring In Seattle, J.P. Crawford and Mitch fi nal 11 batters he faced. White Sox 7, Orioles 4, 1st Game save. He also recorded a save in the four or more runs and avoided match- Haniger homered late, and Seattle sent Albert Pujols hit his 669th career White Sox 3, Orioles 1, 2nd Game opener. ing the club’s season-low at eight Texas to its 11th straight road loss. home run and doubled, and is tied In Chicago, Billy Hamilton hit a Freddy Galvis homered twice and games below .500. The Rangers managed four hits in with Babe Ruth for the fourth most solo home run, Jose Abreu had a two- Maikel Franco hit a solo shot for the Red Sox 3, Marlins 1 their fi fth consecutive defeat overall. extra-base hits in major league history run homer, and Lance Lynn pitched Orioles in the fi rst game. Baltimore In Boston, Nathan Eovaldi went 5 They matched the second-longest with 1,356. Pujols drove in three runs. fi ve scoreless innings to help Chicago managed one run in the second game 1/3 scoreless innings and Boston beat road skid in team history, an 11-game Max Muncy also homered for Los complete a doubleheader sweep of with Stevie Wilkerson getting hit by a Miami. stretch in 1982. The team record is 12 Angeles. Julio Urias (7-2) had his Baltimore. pitch with the bases loaded in the sixth. Bobby Dalbec, Kevin Plawecki in 2003. worst start of the season and allowed In the opener, Jake Lamb and Yoán Orioles starter John Means (4-1) al- and Hunter Renfroe each had an RBI Crawford hit a solo homer in the seven runs — six earned — on 11 hits Moncada homered, with Abreu driv- lowed three runs and fi ve hits while single for Boston, which won for the seventh to break a 1-all tie and Hani- in fi ve innings. ing in three runs for the White Sox. striking out four and allowing two seventh time in nine games and post- ger added his 14th of the season in the Pirates 7, Rockies 0, 1st Game Chicago has won fi ve of six after walks in the second game. ed its ninth straight home victory over eighth. Pirates 4, Rockies 0, 2nd Game getting swept by the New York Yan- Twins 6, Royals 5 the Marlins in front of an announced Daniel Zamora (1-0), Paul Sewald In Pittsburgh, Mitch Keller and the kees last weekend. The Orioles have In Minneapolis, rookie Trevor crowd of 25,089. and Rafael Montero allowed two hits Los Angeles Dodgers starting Eovaldi (6-2) allowed four hits, in 3 1/3 innings. Montero earned his Pittsburgh bullpen fi nished off a pair lost 12 straight for their longest los- Larnach homered and Rob Refsnyder pitcher Julio Urias throws to the of seven-inning shutouts in a sweep of ing streak since dropping 13 in a row drove in two runs as Minnesota hung plate during the second inning of striking out seven with one walk. Matt seventh save. Colorado. from Sept. 17-30, 2009. on to beat Kansas City. a baseball game against the San Barnes got the fi nal three outs for his Mike Foltynewicz (1-5) scattered After JT Brubaker excelled to win Lance Lynn (6-1) became the fi fth Nelson Cruz had an RBI double Francisco Giants, on May 29, in 12th save in 13 chances. six hits over seven innings. the opener and end Pittsburgh’s six- White Sox pitcher to go 5-0 in May. that drove in Josh Donaldson with a Los Angeles. (AP) Trevor Rogers (6-3) gave up two Cardinals 7, Diamondbacks 4 game losing streak, Keller was equal- He allowed three hits while striking notable run — it was the 2 millionth runs in six innings, allowing nine hits In Phoenix, Tyler O’Neill homered run scored in Major League Baseball ing the Cubs improve to 18-7 this with six strikeouts and no walks. for a third straight game, Yadier Mo- history. month. Padres 11, Astros 8, 12 Innings lina had three RBIs and St. Louis sent J.A. Happ (3-2) won for the fi rst Cincinnati right-hander Luis Cas- In Houston, Fernando Tatis Jr. Arizona to its 13th straight loss. time in fi ve starts. tillo (1-8) pitched fi ve-plus innings of launched a monstrous, three-run hom- The Diamondbacks are stuck in Adalberto Mondesi hit his fi rst four-run ball in his seventh straight er with two outs in the ninth inning to their longest losing streak since drop- home run of the season in the ninth, loss. Castillo became the fi rst pitcher tie it, Wil Myers hit a three-run drive ping a franchise-record 14 consecu- a two-run shot off Taylor Rogers to to drop seven consecutive decisions or in the 12th and San Diego beat Hou- tive games in 2004. bring the Royals within one. Rogers starts for the Reds since Homer Bailey ston. O’Neill added two doubles and fi n- recovered to record his fourth save in lost seven straight starts in 2018. Myers connected against Ralph ished with three RBIs. Cardinals clos- six attempts. Angels 4, Athletics 0 Garza Jr (0-1), sending a drive just er Alex Reyes earned his 15th save. Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer In Oakland, California, Shohei over the glove of leaping right fi elder St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright for the Royals. Ohtani hit a key two-run single, Alex Kyle Tucker for his fi fth home run. (3-4) got off to a great start, retiring Kansas City’s Ervin Santana (0-1) Cobb struck out eight over seven Miguel Díaz pitched the 12th for the fi rst eight batters he faced. But was pulled after a leadoff walk in the scoreless innings to win consecutive his fi rst career save. the Diamondbacks started to hit the fourth inning and charged with three starts for the fi rst time this season, and Austin Adams (2-0) earned the win. veteran in the fi fth and sixth. Stephen runs. the Angels beat Oakland, stopping a Yu Darvish surrendered a season-high Vogt connected on a two-run homer Cubs 10, Reds 2 two-game skid. fi ve runs – four earned – on four hits and Christian Walker brought home In Chicago, Joc Pederson, Ian Cobb (3-2) allowed three hits and with fi ve strikeouts and three walks in two more runs with a single. Happ and Eric Sogard each drove in walked two facing Oakland for the fi ve innings. Seth Frankoff (0-2) lasted just fi ve two runs, and Chicago beat Cincinnati fi rst time since 2018 while with Bal- Jake Odorizzi permitted one run on innings. He gave up seven earned runs Reds for its season-high sixth consec- timore. three hits with four strikeouts in 5 1/3 on seven hits and four walks. New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor follows through on a two-run home run utive victory. during the seventh inning of a baseball game, next to Atlanta Braves catch- Rafael Ortega homered and Kris er William Contreras on May 29, in New York. (AP) Bryant had a run-scoring single, help- Cameron stops Hernandez in 5th round MLB Results/Standings Haney keeps WBC lightweight title LAS VEGAS, May 30, (AP): Devin years his elder. WASHINGTON, May 30, (AP): Results and standings from the MLB games on Saturday. Haney said he wanted Jorge Linares’ Haney looked as if he was going Tampa Bay 5 Philadelphia 3 Pittsburgh 7 Colorado (7 inn 1st game) 0 best when the two met for the WBC to drop Linares in the sixth round. He Chic. Wht. Sox 7 Baltimore (7 inn 1st game) 4 Milwaukee 4 Washington (7 inn 1st game) 1 world lightweight title, so there would landed an overhand right and subse- Minnesota 6 Kansas City 5 Chicago Cubs 10 Cincinnati 2 Detroit 6 NY Yankees 1 Pittsburgh 4 Colorado (7 inn 2nd game) 0 be no excuses after a win. quent punches that caused Linares’ LA Angels 4 Oakland 0 Milwaukee 6 Washington (7 inn 2nd game) 2 As it turned out, Haney came close right eye to swell. Boston 3 Miami 1 NY Mets 13 Atlanta 2 to needing an excuse of his own. Haney said he now wants Teofi mo Chic. Wht. Sox 3 Baltimore (7 inn 2nd game) 1 San Francisco 11 LA Dodgers 6 San Diego 11 Houston (12 inn) 8 St Louis 7 Arizona 4 After dominating the fi rst seven Lopez, who fi ghts June 19 in Miami Seattle 3 Texas 2 rounds, Haney weathered a late surge against George Kambosis. Lopez is American League National League by Linares to unanimously outpoint the undisputed champion, so a bout East Division East Division the former three-weight champion and between the two would be for suprem- W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Tampa Bay 33 20 .623 _ New York 25 20 .556 _ successfully defend his belt. acy of the lightweight division. Boston 32 20 .615 -1/2 Philadelphia 25 27 .481 3-1/2 Haney, the fi rst person to outpoint New York 29 23 .558 3-1/2 Atlanta 24 26 .480 3-1/2 Linares, won 116-112, 116-112, 115- Toronto 26 24 .520 5-1/2 Miami 24 28 .462 4-1/2 BOXING Baltimore 17 35 .327 15-1/2 Washington 21 27 .438 5-1/2 113 on the judges’ scorecards. But it was Linares staggering the Central Division Central Division Devin Haney celebrates after de- W L Pct GB W L Pct GB 135-pound champion at the end of the In the co-featured event, champion feating Jorge Linares by unani- Chicago 31 20 .608 _ St Louis 30 22 .577 _ 10th round in the 12-round bout. Chantelle Cameron (14-0), of Great Cleveland 27 22 .551 3 Chicago 29 22 .569 -1/2 mous decision in the WBC light- Kansas City 24 26 .480 6-1/2 Milwaukee 27 25 .519 3 Haney (26-0) spent much of the Britain, defended her WBC world weight title boxing match on May Minnesota 21 30 .412 10 Cincinnati 22 28 .440 7 fi nal three rounds ducking under Lin- super-lightweight title with TKO of 29, in Las Vegas. (AP) Detroit 21 31 .404 10-1/2 Pittsburgh 20 31 .392 9-1/2 ares’ arms, hugging and stalling the Miami’s Melissa Hernandez (23-8), West Division West Division W L Pct GB W L Pct GB action. in a bout stopped at 1:38 of the fi fth WBO middleweight title. Oakland 31 23 .574 _ San Diego 34 19 .642 _ Linares (47-6), the only person to round. South Africa’s Azinga Fuzile (15- Houston 27 24 .529 2-1/2 San Francisco 32 20 .615 1-1/2 put Vasiliy Lomachenko on his back, On the undercard, Ireland’s Jason 1) defeated Great Britain’s Martin Seattle 26 27 .491 4-1/2 Los Angeles 31 21 .596 2-1/2 Los Angeles 23 29 .442 7 Colorado 19 34 .358 15 survived an early onslaught by Haney, Quigley (19-1) defeated Shane Mos- J. Ward (24-2) with a seventh-round Texas 22 32 .407 9 Arizona 18 35 .340 16 who used strong combinations to the ley Jr. (17-5) by majority decision (97- TKO in a fi nal eliminator for the IBF head and body to hurt the opponent 13 93, 96-94, 95-95) to claim the vacant world super featherweight title. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 16

Spain’s Pablo Andujar celebrates after defeating Austria’s Dominic Thiem in their fi rst round match of the French Open tennis tourna- ment at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. (AP) – See Page 14 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Chelsea crowned ‘kings’ of Europe again, shatter Man City Champs League dreams

Chelsea’s team captain Cesar Azpilicueta lifts the trophy at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Dragao Stadium in Porto, Portugal. Chelsea won the match 1-0. (AP)

Havertz the hero 76ers take 3-0 lead as Trail Blazers even series PORTO, Portugal, May 30, (AP): Chelsea won the Champions League for the Bucks sweep Heat, advance to 2nd round second time, beating Man- MIAMI, May 30, (AP): Turns out, chester City 1-0 thanks to there was a reason the Milwaukee Bucks weren’t worried about a playoff Kai Havertz’s first-half rematch with the Miami Heat in Round goal as Pep Guardiola’s 1 this year. overthinking proved costly The last four games proved why. Brook Lopez scored 25 points, Giannis again in the all-English fi- Antetokounmpo had a triple-double - 20 nal. points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists - and Havertz ran onto Mason Mount’s the Bucks became the fi rst team to ad- perfectly weighted through-ball vance in this year’s playoffs, beating the Heat 120-103 on Saturday and fi nishing and skipped by City goalkeeper Colombia’s Egan Bernal celebrates off a fi rst-round sweep over last season’s Ederson Moraes before slotting the kissing the trophy on podium after Eastern Conference champions. ball into an empty net in the 42nd completing the final stage to win Bryn Forbes scored 22 points, Khris minute. the Giro d’Italia cycling race, in Mi- Middleton had 20, Bobby Portis 13 Chelsea added to the first European lan, Italy, on May 30. (AP) and Jrue Holiday 11 for Milwaukee. Cup it won in 2012 and become the – See Page 14 The third-seeded Bucks will face the 13th multiple winners of world soc- Brooklyn-Boston winner. cer’s biggest club competition. Chel- sea manager Thomas Tuchel got his NE keeps lead in hands on the trophy a year after losing BASKETBALL Left: Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) in the 2020 final with Paris Saint Ger- East Conference defends during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Miami. Right: Portland main. Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 14 Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic, left, drives to the basket on Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, during the first City’s long, often-painful and lav- CINCINNATI, May 30, (AP): Adam rebounds for Miami. The Heat became half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Portland, Ore. (AP ) ishly funded journey to the summit of Buksa scored on a header in the 70th the second team in this playoff format minute and New England beat FC Cin- Russell Westbrook had 26 points, European soccer remains incomplete to go from sweeping in the fi rst round 12 rebounds and 10 assists for a tri- and Guardiola might regret tinkering cinnati 1-0 on Saturday to remain atop one year to being swept in the fi rst ple-double for Washington after be- Teams begin arriving in Kuwait with his settled team that had swept the Eastern Conference standings. round the next. The only other team to City to their first Champions League The Revolution (5-1-2) extended endure that was then-New Jersey Nets, ing a game-time decision because of final and to the verge of another trophy their unbeaten streak to four games. who swept New York in 2004 and lost a sprained right ankle. Bradley Beal treble. Cincinnati is 1-4-1. 4-0 to Miami in 2005. added 25 points. China thrash Guam to Columbus 2, Toronto FC 1 76ers 132, Wizards 103 Jazz 121, Grizzlies 111 SOCCER In Columbus, Ohio, Luis Diaz and In Washington, Joel Embiid set a In Memphis, Tenn, Donovan Mitch- Gyasi Zardes scored in the first half career playoff high with 36 points and ell scored 10 of his 29 points in the and Columbus held off Toronto FC for Philadelphia routed Washington to fourth quarter and top-seeded Utah keep WC dreams alive The innovative Spanish coach, a 2-1 win . take a 3-0 series lead. beat Memphis to take a 2-1 series lead. seeking to win the Champions Diaz opened the scoring in the 12th Embiid scored 25 points in the fi rst Mike Conley, in Memphis where he League for the third time and first SUZHOU, China, May 30, (Agencies): All the remaining games will take minute and Zardes gave Columbus (3- half, and fi nished 14 of 18 from the fl oor started his career, matched his regular- Naturalized Brazil-born stars Elkeson place in Suzhou as the Asian Foot- since 2011, has been guilty in recent 2-2) a 2-0 lead nine minutes later just in 28 minutes before resting the entire season and playoff career highs with years of overthinking his tactics in and Alan helped China thrash Guam ball Confederation (AFC) ruled after he’d had a goal waved off for fourth quarter. The top-seeded 76ers will seven 3-pointers and fi nished with 27 7-0 in Suzhou on Sunday to keep their that each group in the second round the big games and he might have offside go for the sweep in Game 4 on Monday. points. done it again here. World Cup dreams alive. of qualification will be held in one Starting without a striker was ex- The win puts China, which are hop- centralized venue in order to reduce pected – Guardiola has preferred that well behind City’s full backs, had al- Meanwhile, Chelsea’s players Dragão, the replacement venue for the ing to add to their single World Cup travel. in the Champions League knockout ready squandered two great chances raced to their fans who made up an at- final at the end of a pandemic-affected appearance in 2002, fi ve points be- China are not the only Asian heavy- matches – but going without a spe- before the goal, first miskicking from tendance of 14,110 at the Estádio do season. hind Group A leaders Syria with three weights to struggle. On Thursday, cialist holding midfielder in Fernand- Havertz’s cut-back and then shooting games remaining in the second round when a number of other teams resume inho or Rodri was a major surprise and tamely at Ederson from close range. of qualifi cation. their qualifi cation campaigns for the seemed to destabilize City. City faced the colossal task of Wu Lei, who plays for Spanish club fi rst time since November 2019, Iran is It meant Ilkay Gundogan, City’s top breaching Chelsea’s well-drilled de- Espanyol, opened the scoring after 20 also in need of a win. scorer this season and a revelation in fense twice in the second – one that minutes from the penalty spot and Jin his attacking-midfield role, dropped in became much tougher when City’s Jingdao added a second goal shortly SOCCER as the anchorman in midfield and he star player Kevin De Bruyne, who had before the break. struggled to protect City’s defense. little impact in the false nine role, was Goals from Wu Lei and Wu Xi in- Indeed, for Chelsea’s goal, Mount forced off in the 60th after a clash of creased the lead shortly after the inter- Meanwhile Asian teams have begun had time and space to thread a superb heads with Antonio Rudiger. val and China ran riot late in the game arriving in Kuwait for the qualifying pass from inside his own half through Fernandinho finally came on in the with Elkeson, who signed for Guang- games for the World Cup 2022 and the center of City’s defense – which 64th, by which time Chelsea had re- zhou FC in 2013 and became a Chi- Asia Cup 2023 due in China. was opened up by Timo Werner’s de- treated and was looking to hit on the nese citizen in 2019, heading a fi fth. First to arrive were the Chinese Tai- coy run – for Havertz to run onto. Ed- counterattack. From one, substitute Alan, who joined Guangzhou from pei national football team who are the erson came flying out of his area and Christian Pulisic – the first Ameri- Red Bull Salzburg in 2015, added two fi fth in the group with no points. They got the slightest of touches to the ball can player to feature in a Champions more. will play Nepal, which are fourth with with his hand, but Havertz regained his League final – ran onto Havertz’s pass Only the eight group winners and four points on Thursday. balance and applied the easy finish. but slipped a shot just wide. the four best-placed runners-up prog- The teams and their coaches will City never had the control Guardiola Not even a 15-minute cameo from ress to the third stage of qualifi cation, observe anti-Covid precautions during so craves and, in that respect, Tuchel – Sergio Aguero in the last match of due to start in September. That means their presence in the country. another tactically astute manager – was his 10-year career at City could sal- Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, (right), duels for the ball with Chel- China still have work to do against The second group also includes the the winner in his coaching duel with a vage anything for the Premier League sea’s Reece James during the Champions League final soccer match Maldives on Thursday and in subse- hosts, Kuwait, second with 10 points, rival he describes as “the benchmark.” champions, whose players slumped to between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Dragao Stadium in Porto, quent matches against Philippines and Australia, fi rst with 12 points and Jor- Werner, who worked the channels the ground at the final whistle. Portugal. (AP) Syria on June 9 and 15, respectively. dan, the third with 10 points.

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

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