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PARIS — Babies whose low-income mothers received significant monthly cash support had more brain activity associated with thinking and learning after one year, a recent study said.

The paper published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences describes the first results of a landmark on going US study looking at how reducing poverty can affect cognitive behaviour.

“We have known for many years that growing up in poverty puts children at risk for lower school achievement, reduced earnings, and poorer health,” study senior author Kimberly Noble told AFP.

Until now, however, it was unknown whether this difference came from the lack of financial resources itself or other factors commonly associated with poverty.

“This is the first study to show that reducing poverty changes child brain development,” Noble said.

In 2018, Noble and her team began recruiting 1,000 low-income mothers and their newborn babies from maternity wards in four major US cities for the “Baby’s First Years” randomised control trial.

They assigned some of the women to receive a nominal monthly stipend of 20 dollars while others received the larger sum of 333 dollars.

For the mothers in the study, who reported average annual earnings of just over 20,000 dollars, the larger gift corresponded to a 20-per cent boost.

As the children turned one, researchers went to their homes with a special infant EEG monitor — a device that detects electrical signals within the brain — to measure their brain activity. 

They were able to monitor 435 of the 1,000 infants before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from visiting the families to carry out readings — and found a stark difference between which babies showed crucial high-frequency brain activity associated with learning.

“As the frequency gets higher, you see more for the infants in the high cash gift group,” the study’s lead author Sonya Troller-Renfree told AFP.

Children with less cash support meanwhile showed less of that brain activity.

Noble said that the amount allocated to the high cash gift group was intentional.

A 2010 study in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics showed a $4,000 difference in annual income early in childhood is associated with higher school achievement.

The amount is also comparable to benefits that some of the mothers studied might qualify for. 

“It was an amount that we thought might both move the needle and hold some policy relevance,” Noble said.

Since the study was focused on the effect of direct financial support on cognitive behaviour, it was important that the cash gifts be given without conditions attached.

But the next steps of the “Baby’s First Years” research will look at how the money was spent, based on information volunteered by the mothers.

The project will continue to monitor the families until the babies are four years and four months old.

Re-launched under new management and with a new location in Jordan in recent weeks, Chinese auto manufacturer BAIC hits the ground running with the BJ40 Plus topping its’ current local product portfolio.

An authentic off-road oriented SUV in design and execution, — much in the same vein as the Jeep Wrangler — a first drive of the BAIC BJ40 Plus reveals it to be a comfortable, seemingly well-constructed and practical daily driver with handling and road manners even better than many road-oriented crossovers.

One of the more interesting and impressive among the numerous Chinese cars that have collectively and quickly gained popularity and acceptance in the Jordanian market in recent years, the BJ40 Plus’ primary appeal is that a dedicated off-road capable machine, in engineering and design. Utilitarian for daily use with its 5-door configuration, high equipment and comfort levels, the BJ40 Plus’ design is, however, that of a fun-loving, high-riding adventure-mobile, with squared-off styling, removable roof and wheels pushed out to the corners.

Muscular sensibilities

Reminiscent of the Jeep Wrangler with its wide grille slots, boxy upright body and bulging squared-off wheel-arches, the BJ40’s clamshell bonnet, short grille and slim, browed and squinting headlights meanwhile evoke a vague Land Rover styling influence. Familiar yet different, the BJ40’s design inspirations nevertheless coalesce into a uniquely rugged and dramatically purposeful aesthetic sensibility. Built using tough body-on-chassis construction, the BJ40 Plus meanwhile rides with generous 210mm ground clearance, which with short overhangs provides excellent 37° approach, 23° break-over and 31° departure angles.

Powered by a single engine option for the Jordanian market, the BJ40’s updated but Saab-derived turbocharged 2.3-litre engine was last used for the Swedish manufacturer’s own swift 9-5 Aero sports saloon back in 2009, but still proved quite mighty in propelling the Chinese car maker’s heavier, higher riding off-roader with better than expected verve. Developing 247BHP at just 5,300rpm and a deep 258lb/ft torque output throughout an accessibly broad 1,900-4,500rpm plateau, the BJ40 Plus is reasonably brisk through 0-100km/h, despite its 2-tonne mass.

Tough and torquey

Capable of pushing its high, heavy and upright frame through wind resistance to a 170km/h top speed, the BJ40 Plus certainly has an abundant mid-range torque reservoir that it rides with muscular confidence on inclines and when overtaking in town or on the open road. Smooth and mostly well-insulated, the BJ40’s engine develops an evocative distant raspy growl when pushed towards redline at heavy load. Comparatively low revving, the BJ40’s engine is meanwhile quick-spooling from standstill, with any turbo lag seemingly imperceptible.

A “proper” traditional off-road oriented SUV with ladder-frame chassis and longitudinal engine — unlike some ersatz alternatives — the BJ40 is equipped with a lockable four-wheel-drive mode for tough off-road conditions and low ratio transfer case for the most demanding conditions, when high power crawling is necessary. It also features an automatically engaging electronic locking rear differential when in low gear mode for added traction. The BJ40 is, meanwhile, a modifier-friendly platform for fitting 33-inch tyres and mechanical differential locks for further enhanced off-road abilities.

Confident construction

Driving the rear wheels in normal on-road conditions the BJ40 channels power through a slick shifting 6-speed automatic gearbox. Gear-lever actuated manual-mode shifting is available, but seldom needed due to intuitive kickdown auto mode responses. Balanced in weighting, the BJ40 is, meanwhile, more eager and agile through corners than expected for its class. Turning in tidily and intuitively despite its light, tall ratio off-road oriented steering, the BJ40 grips well at the front and feels reassuringly stable, yet potentially adjustable through briskly driven corners.

Powering smoothly and confidently out of corners with committed road-holding as power is fed through the rear wheels, the BJ40’ ladder-frame construction meanwhile feels stiff and refined to allow its suspension to function with accuracy. Riding on sporty double wishbone front suspension, the BJ40’s front feels fluent and adaptable to sudden direction changes. At the rear, a live axle and coil spring set-up is rugged but more sophisticated than leaf springs, and well damps and well controls opposite side reactions over rough road imperfections.

Rugged yet refined

Comfortable over large bumps and ruts, the BJ40 feels better settled in vertical movement that many ostensibly more road-oriented high riding vehicles. Cabin refinement is meanwhile of high quality given that the roof is fully removable, except for safety bars, while the front windshield can be folded down for an al fresco driving experience. Driving position adjustability and comfort are meanwhile good, as is front visibility. Rear space is decent, but rear door length could be better, as often the case with dedicated off-road SUVs. 

Well-equipped with convenience, safety and infotainment features, the BJ40’s cabin is also well-appointed in terms of material quality, design, fit and finish. Luggage room is meanwhile generous at 532-litres and can expand to 965-litres with rear seats folded. As driven, it was fitted with a removable rear luggage box with useful compartmentalised spaces for tidy storage of smaller objects and cargo. Competitively priced at JD34,000-35,000 on the road with third party insurance, the BJ40 comes with a 200,000km or six-year warranty.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine: 2.3-litre, in-line, 4-cylinders
• Bore x Stroke: 90 x 90mm
• Compression ratio: 9.3:1
• Valve-train: DOHC, 16-valve, variable timing
• Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
• Drive-line: four-wheel-drive, low ratio transfer, rear electronic differential lock
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 247 (250) [184] @5,300rpm
• Specific power: 107.8BHP/litre
• Power-to-weight: 117.9BHP/tonne
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 258 (350) @1,900-4,500rpm
• Specific torque: 152.8Nm/litre
• Torque-to-weight: 167Nm/tonne
• 0-100km/h: 9.5-seconds (estimate)
• Top speed: 170km/h (estimate)
• Fuel consumption: 8.5-10 litres/100km (estimate)
• Fuel capacity: 75-litres
• Length: 4,645mm
• Width: 1,925mm
• Wheelbase: 2,745mm
• Approach/break-over/departure angles: 37°/23°/31°
• Cargo volume min/max: 532-/965-litres
• Kerb weight: 2,095kg (estimate)
• Gross vehicle weight: 2,520kg
• Steering: Power-assisted rack & pinion
• Turning circle: 12.5-metres
• Suspension, F/R: Double wishbone/solid axles, coil springs
• Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs/discs
• Tyres: 265/65R17
• Price, on-the-road, including 3rd party insurance: JD34,000-35,000
• Warranty: six-years/200,000km

By Zeina Sahyoun
Genetics and Biotechnology Expert

School can be a stressful time, especially for children with allergies. Risks of an allergic reaction at school can be greater than at home because it’s more difficult to control the school environment. To help reduce food allergy emergencies at school, start with these tips.

Triggers

Kids can face allergies at school, both indoors and out from: 

• Foods like nuts, milk, eggs, wheat and soy, among others

• Classroom triggers like mould, dust mites and chalk dust

• Outside risk factors such as bee stings and plant or pollen allergies

Knowing your child’s allergies

If you suspect your child is suffering from a food allergy or even a seasonal allergy due to the weather or pollen in the air, it is advisable to get your child tested. If your child is exhibiting symptoms, ask your doctor about performing a simple blood test to check for circulating IgE levels and a RAST panel to test the body’s reaction to a list of food and inhalant allergens. Ask your paediatrician about skin testing if your child is not exhibiting symptoms but you suspect an allergy or would just like to know what your child might be allergic to. A skin test is more effective in this case because the body does not produce allergy-related antibodies (IgE) that can be detected through a blood test if no reaction is taking place.

Treating your child’s allergies

If your child suffers from common seasonal allergies, you’re not alone. Many children in Jordan suffer such allergies, which even results in children missing school. Symptoms like fatigue, headache, sneezing, runny noses, watery eyes and itchiness can get in the way of attention and concentration, so it’s worth asking your paediatrician about appropriate antihistamine or nasal spray medications to see your child through the allergy season. 

Knowing the school’s procedures on allergies

Your first step is to inform the school of any food allergies your child may have. Ask if any paperwork needs to be filled out and signed before school starts, and find out if the school has a full-time doctor or nurse on-site at all times. Ask how allergic reactions would be handled, including how you’d be notified. Meet the nurse or doctor and let them know who you and your child are. Discuss your child’s allergies in detail so they remember your child.

Having an Allergy Action Plan

When a child is having an allergic reaction, every second counts. An allergy action plan helps ensure that teachers, the school nurse and administrators immediately know what to do if your child has an allergic reaction. Ensure any emergency medications are readily available if your child begins to show symptoms such as swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Your child’s allergy action plan should cover all settings where the child spends significant time during the school day.

Providing medications

If your child requires allergy medication (antihistamine, inhaler or epinephrine autoinjector), find out where the medication will be stored at school. For example, is it kept in the nurse’s office, or can your child keep it with them in the classroom or in a locker? Then, when you send medication to school, make sure it’s properly labelled, hasn’t expired and that your child and the school nurse know how and when to use it.

Talking to teachers

Teachers play an important role in keeping children with allergies safe at school. Teachers must be aware of the child’s allergies, know the triggers the child needs to avoid while at school and be familiar with the signs of an allergic reaction. Teachers should also be trained on how to handle an allergy emergency because allergic reactions can progress rapidly.

Educating your child

Children with allergies should learn what they’re allergic to and understand the fact that they can have an allergic reaction if exposed to these triggers. Kids with food allergies should know what foods are unsafe for them and should never share food with friends or eat anything if they’re unsure what’s in it. It is best to pack a lunch from home for young children with allergies.

Children who might have an allergic reaction to bee stings should know the importance of wearing long trousers and long-sleeved clothing when outside.

Even if your child does not have any allergies, educate your child on why the school does not allow food that contains nuts on campus and about the importance of not sharing food, particularly with children known to have food allergies. If your child is friends with a child with allergies, it would be wise to educate him on how to recognise basic signs of allergic reactions and inform a teacher immediately.

Having your child wear a medic alert bracelet

Students at risk of a severe allergic reaction should wear a medic alert bracelet along with their new back-to-school clothes — some companies make fashion-forward styles that can be fun to wear. A medic alert bracelet can help inform others of the child’s allergies so that responders can make informed decisions about how to care for him or her during an emergency.

Making sure everyone is on the same page

For children with allergies, all potential caregivers must be informed of how to act in an emergency. This doesn’t end at the door of the school. Bus drivers, after-school programme employees, athletic coaches and babysitters all need to understand allergy triggers, symptoms of an allergic reaction and the proper protocol to follow to keep your child safe.

Educating yourself

While children with allergies are busy learning, mama and baba should take the opportunity to follow suit. Read Family Flavours and visit the website of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and the American Academy of Paediatrics for more information on managing allergies in children, at school and at home. 

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine

LAS VEGAS — The top names in music will gather Sunday to honour their own at the Grammys, now in its 64th edition, with pop juggernauts joining jazzman Jon Batiste as the leading nominees.

This year, the gala will take place in Las Vegas for the first time, after organisers postponed the original January 31 event over a surge in COVID-19 cases, and then moved it from Los Angeles to the US gambling capital.

The field is wide open — especially after the Recording Academy expanded the top four categories yet again, this time to include 10 nominees, in a bid to improve diversity.

The timing of the Grammys just one week after Will Smith stunned the world by slapping Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars adds an extra layer of unpredictability to what is already usually one of the more bizarre nights on the showbiz awards circuit.

Justin Bieber will vie for eight trophies at the ceremony hosted by late night host Trevor Noah, as will R&B favourite H.E.R. and singer-rapper Doja Cat.

Grammys darling Billie Eilish is in the running for seven prizes. The same holds true for Olivia Rodrigo, a former Disney channel actress who exploded onto the pop scene last year with her breakout smash hit “drivers license”.

The 19-year-old Rodrigo landed expected nods for her much-touted debut album “Sour”, and is a near shoo-in for Best New Artist — she is up against Eilish’s brother Finneas, rapper Saweetie, experimental pop act Japanese Breakfast and others.

Like Eilish in 2020, Rodrigo has the opportunity to sweep the top four categories, which would make her only the third artist to do so.

But it is Jon Batiste — the jazz and R&B artist and bandleader, who won an Oscar last year for his soundtrack to the Pixar animated movie “Soul” — who has the most chances at Grammys gold, snagging 11 nominations including in two top categories.

The longtime musical director of the popular “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”, Batiste in recent years has emerged as a voice of social justice and protest.

The Black artist born into a prominent New Orleans musical dynasty will compete mainly on the strength of his album “We Are” and its rousing single “Freedom”.

The sleeper nominations leader is also up for awards in fields spanning genre and medium, including R&B, jazz, American roots and contemporary classical, along with nods for Best Music Video and his composition work on “Soul”.

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, the beloved 95-year-old crooner, have strong chances to add to their Grammys haul — their album “Love For Sale” earned six nominations.

Rodrigo, Eilish, Lil Nas X to perform

Kanye West scored several nominations for his album “Donda” — and will face off with longtime nemesis Taylor Swift in the Album of the Year category, where she has her sole chance at Grammy gold for “evermore”.

Swift did not submit “Fearless [Taylor’s Version]” — her 2021 re-recording of her 2008 album — for Grammy consideration, after winning four awards for the original in 2010.

The rap categories include West along with Nas, J. Cole and Tyler, the Creator — but not Drake, who withdrew his two nominations in December without explanation.

In the past, the Canadian chart-topper had accused the Recording Academy, which he has long sparred with, of pigeonholing his music in the rap categories because he is Black.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion will compete in the Best Rap Performance category, the only field in which the artists behind the smash “WAP” are in the running.

Korean pop juggernauts BTS scored one nomination in the pop categories for the huge commercial hit “Butter” — less than expected for the massively popular boy band that has struggled to make inroads at the Grammys.

But BTS is slated to perform on the night watched as much for its staging as the actual awards, as will Rodrigo, Eilish, Batiste and H.E.R. along with Lil Nas X.

West, who has five total nominations, had reportedly been removed from the performance line-up over his sometimes troubling behaviour, but some sources said he could still join the line-up at the last minute.

The mercurial West has for weeks been airing personal attacks on comedian Pete Davidson, who is dating West’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian.

The 44-year-old megastar also was barred on Instagram for 24 hours after insulting Grammy host Noah, who had said West was becoming “more and more belligerent in how he tries to get Kim back”.

LOS ANGELES — Action hero Bruce Willis, star of the “Die Hard” franchise, is to retire from acting after developing a cognitive illness, his family announced on Wednesday.

A post on Instagram said Willis had aphasia — a language disorder that robs people of their ability to communicate. 

“Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” read the post.

“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”

Aphasia is typically caused by a stroke or head injury — though in more rare cases can come on gradually and progressively. 

The condition affects a person’s ability not just to speak and understand verbal communication but also their reading and writing. 

The Los Angeles Times reported that questions about Willis’s short-term memory have recently circulated.

The paper noted that he was not at the Oscars on Sunday when several other stars of “Pulp Fiction,” including Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and John Travolta, took to the stage.

Willis has been a fixture on the small and large screen since the 1980s, coming to public prominence in the TV series “Moonlighting”.

But it was as hard-bitten hero John McClane in “Die Hard” that he became a bankable major star of the cinema, sparking a career that has generated billions of dollars of box office receipts.

Willis, who this month turned 67, provided the voice for the baby in popular family flick “Look Who’s Talking”. 

Another of his best-known roles was as the dead person that child actor Haley Joel Osment could see in “The Sixth Sense”.

Willis won a Golden Globe and two Emmys during his career, but last weekend was the recipient of a far-less welcome honor — a specially devised category in the Razzies for “Worst Performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 Movie”.

The Instagram post announcing the news of his retirement is signed by Willis’ current wife, Emma Heming Willis, as well as former wife, actress Demi Moore, and his children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.

“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support,” it adds. 

“We are moving through this as a strong family unit and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. 

“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”

Reaction was swift from fellow stars.

Jamie Lee Curtis wrote: “Grace and guts! Love to you all”, while Cindy Crawford posted an emoji of praying hands.

Actress and former co-star Elizabeth Perkins wrote: “Sending so much love to you all.”

PARIS — From Amazon shoppers to iPhone owners, the world faces a rethink in the way it interacts with Big Tech, thanks to a new law agreed by the European Union recently.

The Digital Markets Act tries to ensure smaller players will be able to enter the market without Silicon Valley behemoths stomping on them before they get off the ground.

It fights their ability to “lock consumers into their ecosystem” by sheer force of market share, says Pierre-Jean Benghozi of French research institute CNRS.

That ethos is at the heart of one of the most eye-catching proposals — to ensure “interoperability” between messaging apps.

Essentially, this means WhatsApp users, for example, could ditch the app, but continue conversations with friends later by using iMessenger, Signal or another app.

WhatsApp, in the stable of Facebook owner Meta, has maintained a stranglehold on the market at least partially because so many people already use it.

If it no longer has that appeal, it is not hard to see users moving away to other apps.

‘Landmark law’

Sonia Cisse, a specialist lawyer from the Linklaters firm, highlights provisions in the act that would stop large platforms from promoting their own services ahead of those of their rivals.

“This is an issue for Google,” she says. “If you type ‘travel’ into your search bar, for example, you will no longer come across the trips offered by Google.”

Amazon has also long been accused of promoting its own products.

Those practices will be illegal if the DMA passes in its current form.

Apple, too, faces some of its domination being squashed.

It will no longer be able to force customers to buy and sell apps using its in-house payment system, and users will be able to delete the Safari browser that comes as standard on its iPhones.

Maya Noel, of the Digital France group that lobbies for startups, says these kinds of rules could change the landscape entirely for smaller developers.

App stores “will no longer be able to force them to go through their identification system, their payment system, or prevent them from advertising directly”, she explains.

Ursula Pachl of the European Consumer Organisation called it a “landmark law for the EU’s digital transformation”.

“But Member States must now also provide the Commission with the necessary enforcement resources to step in the moment there is foul play,” she said.

‘One size fits all’

In the past, big EU legislation has suffered from patchy enforcement.

The huge data privacy regulation (GDPR) came into force in 2018 and empowered regulators across the bloc to issue huge fines.

But activists have long lamented the slow pace of action, with cases taking years to grind through the system.

Maya Noel hopes the DMA will be different.

She says an app developer, for example, should be able to get a very quick response to a report of non-compliance.

The complainant will no longer need to prove that the big firm is abusing its dominant position.

Instead, it will be enough to show that one of the mandatory rules of the DMA has been violated.

The industry, of course, is far from happy.

“The DMA borrows remedies from ongoing competition enforcement cases, but applies them inflexibly and on a one-size-fits-all basis to all platform services of companies designated as ‘gatekeepers’,” said an industry lobby group.

Lawyer Sonia Cisse also wonders whether the law has gone too far.

“It’s a bit like the GDPR,” she says. “It’s designed for the very big players, but other smaller ones get caught in the net.”

LOS ANGELES — Actor Will Smith offered apologies on Monday to Chris Rock for smacking the comedian during the Oscars ceremony, as the body that oversees the awards said it was launching a formal review of the incident.

Smith — who was named best actor on the night — marched onto stage during the glitzy Hollywood ceremony and hit Rock over a joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.

“I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be,” the “King Richard” star wrote on Instagram.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith said.

“Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”

Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss, and had a closely cropped head at Sunday’s ceremony.

The 94th Academy Awards was in its final hour when actor and comedian Rock quipped that Pinkett Smith appeared ready to star in “G.I. Jane 2” — a putative sequel to a film about a female soldier who has a shaved head.

After at first appearing to laugh at the joke, Smith walked onto the stage and smacked Rock with an open hand.

He then returned to his seat and shouted: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f.... mouth.” 

Smith tearfully apologised to his fellow nominees and the Academy — but not Rock — a few minutes later as he accepted his historic Oscar.

“Love will make you do crazy things,” he said.

On Monday, he repeated that apology.

“I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. 

“I would like to apologise to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. 

“I am a work in progress.”

Smith’s mea culpa came hours after the Academy condemned his behaviour and said it was looking at possible sanctions.

“We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law,” a statement said.

Celebrities from Tinseltown and beyond reacted with shock and stunned amazement to Smith’s outburst, with some defending him and others condemning a display of “toxic masculinity”.

“He could have killed him. That’s pure out of control rage and violence,” filmmaker Judd Apatow said in a tweet he later deleted.

“Stand-up comics are very adept at handling hecklers. Violent physical assault... not so much,” “Star Wars” icon Mark Hamill chipped in.

‘Narcissistic madman’

The comedy world was quick to rally to Rock’s side, complaining that Smith’s outburst could spark copycat behaviour, endangering other stand-ups. 

Emmy Award-winning Rosie O’Donnell called out a “sad display of toxic masculinity from a narcissistic madman”, while Kathy Griffin added: “Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theatres.”

Booker prize-winning author Bernadine Evaristo suggested that Smith had not just wrecked what should have been his greatest triumph, but had also sullied his legacy.

“Only the fifth black man in nearly 100 years to win an Oscar for male lead, and the first in 16 years, resorts to violence instead of utilising the power of words to slay Chris Rock. Then he claims God and Love made him do it,” she said.

Smith went from the Oscars to the Vanity Fair after party, where he and his family posed for photos.

Inside, he was filmed dancing and singing along to his 1991 smash “Summertime”.

Some celebrities came to Smith’s defence, with singer Nicki Minaj saying that as her husband, Smith was privy to the pain Pinkett Smith endures.

“You just got to witness in real time what happens in a man’s soul when he looks over to the woman he loves & sees her holding back tears from a ‘little joke’ at her expense,” she tweeted.

“This is what any & every real man feels in that instant. While y’all seeing the joke he’s seeing her pain.”

Some social media users called for Smith to be stripped of his Oscar, but Academy governor and Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg said that would not happen.

“We’re not going to take that Oscar from him,” she said on daytime TV show “The View”. 

“There will be consequences I’m sure, but I don’t think that’s what they’re going to do.”

One Academy voter, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was frustrating how the incident had dominated coverage.

“I would have preferred the story being about the great diversity of the Awards show, which now seems secondary,” the person told AFP.

“A female director won, an actor from the disabled community won, as did an actress of the LGBTQ community.”

HOLLYWOOD, California — Deaf family drama “CODA” won best picture honours at the Oscars on Sunday, the first ever triumph for a streamer, in a ceremony that was overshadowed by best actor-winner Will Smith striking comedian Chris Rock on stage for making a joke about his wife.

Seeking to reassert its relevance, the Academy Awards gala was packed with big musical performances and three wise-cracking female hosts — but will enter the history books for the shocking Smith-Rock altercation, which changed the mood of the night before the final prizes were announced.

“CODA”, a feel-good indie drama starring deaf actors in lead roles which had been presumed a longshot for Hollywood’s biggest prize until very recently, pulled off a remarkable late surge to emerge triumphant. 

The film bagged the historic prize for Apple TV+, a relative newcomer in a streaming market dominated by rivals like Netflix.

“Thank you to the Academy for letting our ‘CODA’ make history tonight,” said producer Philippe Rousselet.

Taking its title from the acronym for child of deaf adult, the movie also won for best adapted screenplay, and best supporting actor for Troy Kotsur, who plays the father of a teenage girl who can hear and wants to pursue a career in music.

Kotsur dedicated his golden statuette to the deaf and disabled communities.

“This is our moment,” he said.

Jessica Chastain won best actress for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”, in which she played a real-life televangelist who became an unlikely champion for the LGBTQ community.

“We’re faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country... in times like this, I think of Tammy and I’m inspired by her radical acts of love,” she said.

‘Art imitates life’

But Tinseltown’s biggest night was dominated by a shocking moment in which Smith — who won best actor for his work on “King Richard” — slapped Rock on stage, before returning to his seat alongside his wife Jada Pinkett Smith and shouting profanities.

The moment left stunned viewers questioning if it had been scripted or genuine. 

Smith, who plays the father of tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams in “King Richard”, added: “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams.”

Los Angeles police said they were aware of the incident but that Rock had not filed a police report. The Academy tweeted that it “does not condone violence of any form”.

‘Diverse characters’

Until recently it had appeared that dark, psychological Western “The Power of the Dog” was set to earn Netflix its much-coveted first best picture statuette.

As it turned out, the film won only best director for Jane Campion.

She is only the third woman to do so in Oscars history, just a year after Chloe Zhao became the second (“Nomadland”). Kathryn Bigelow was the first for “The Hurt Locker”.

Kenneth Branagh triumphed for best original screenplay for his childhood-inspired “Belfast” — another presumed best picture frontrunner.

Ariana DeBose won best supporting actress for playing Anita in “West Side Story”, and Disney’s “Encanto” was named best animated feature.

DeBose, who first made her name on Broadway, celebrated her historic win for “an openly queer woman of colour, an Afro-Latina”.

Yvett Merino, producer of Colombia-set “Encanto”, said she was “so proud to be a part of a film that put beautiful, diverse characters in front and centre”.

“Summer of Soul” won best documentary for musician Questlove’s first movie about the huge “Black Woodstock” festival that took place in 1969 Harlem.

Japan’s “Drive My Car”, a Japanese arthouse film based on a short story of the same name by Haruki Murakami, was named best international film.

Powerhouse music

Pop megastar Beyonce began the televised broadcast with her nominated tune from “King Richard”, from the Compton courts where Serena and Venus trained as girls.

But the award for best original song went to Billie Eilish for her James Bond theme song “No Time to Die”.

In another musical highlight, viral sensation “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was performed live, with Megan Thee Stallion adding an Oscars-themed verse to the “Encanto” hit song.

Hosts Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall kicked off proceedings inside the Dolby Theatre — where the Oscars returned after a year away due to the pandemic — with an opening skit that poked fun at everything from sexism in Hollywood to Florida’s “Don’t say gay” bill.

“This year, the Academy hired three women to host because it’s cheaper than hiring one man,” said Schumer.

Sci-fi epic “Dune” ended the night with the most wins, earning six in craft and technical categories — best sound, score, editing, production design, visual effects and cinematography.

‘Devastation’

The annual “in memoriam” paid tribute to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot dead by Alec Baldwin in a tragic accident on the set of Western “Rust” last year.

Recently deceased Hollywood greats also honoured in the segment included Sidney Poitier — the first Black man to win best actor.

The gala held a moment’s silence for Ukraine, while presenter Mila Kunis — who was born in the country — said it was “impossible not to be moved” by the resilience of “those facing such devastation”.

Several attendees wore blue ribbons reading #WithRefugees.

A common feature of most European and Japanese manufacturers’ model lines until not too long ago, the small sports saloon was a mildly more powerful but practical, relatively affordable and keen drivers’ car version of garden-variety offerings. 

In recent years, this segment has largely given way to hot hatches, almost oxymoronic sports crossovers and larger, heavier, pricier and far more powerful prestigious executive sports and super saloons.

Notable examples like the Subaru WRX STI, Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45 — and slightly toned down WRX, S3 and A35 variants — steadfastly still deliver big thrills in a small saloon package. However, they are more complex, costly and specialised than the small sports saloons of past that walked a fine line between the common and quick, without being over-complicated. Ever rarer, slightly larger and more modern, similar such small sensible sports saloons, however, still carry on at Honda, Mazda and MG.

Honda Civic Si

Introduced last year for 2022 in the US and elsewhere, the Honda Civic Si is the sportiest and most powerful of the Japanese manufacturer’s eleventh generation compact saloon line yet. Whether it will be usurped as such by a full-blooded high performance Civic Type-R remains unknown, but the Civic Si nevertheless brilliantly captures the small sports saloon niche, with its athletic yet not overstated styling, potent but not overwhelming output and expected keen handling characteristics.

Powered by an up-rated version of Honda’s turbocharged 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, the Civic Si develops 200BHP at a moderately peaky 6,000rpm and a muscularly meaty 

192lb/ft torque throughout a broad 1,800-5,000rpm band. Brisk through 0-100km/h in around 7-seconds, the Civic Si meanwhile rides on sophisticated multilink rear suspension and features wrist-flick quick 2.17-turn lock-to-lock steering. Standout for enthusiasts driver are the Si’s limited-slip differential for agile cornering, and its engaging manual gearbox as standard.

Shark-nosed and snouty with an elegantly descending roofline, rear spoiler and seemingly descending waistline that bucks current design trends, the Civic Si is offered with a sportier HPT appearance package. Not launched in Middle East markets yet, it is expected that a slightly toned-down Civic RS version might instead be eventually offered in Jordan, as with the previous generation. Available in Indonesia, the Civic RS is instead tuned to 180BHP, driven through continuously variable transmission.

Specifications: Honda Civic Si

• Engine: 1.5-litre, turbo-charged 4-cylinders
• Gearbox: 6-speed manual
• Drive-line: Front-wheel-drive, limited-slip differential
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 200 (203) [149] @6,000rpm
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 192 (260) @1,800-5,000rpm
• 0-100km/h: approximately 7-seconds
• Top speed: 240km/h (estimate)
• Length: 4,674mm
• Width: 1,801mm
• Height: 1,410mm
• Wheelbase: 2,735mm
• Weight: 1,318kg
• Suspension: MacPherson struts / multi-link
• Tyres: 235/40R18

Mazda 3 2.5L

An elegantly athletic take on the mainstream small sports saloon, the Mazda 3 edges towards a more premium positioning with its “Kodo” design philosophy. Stylishly upmarket with flowing lines, delicately contoured surfaces, urgent posture, huge jutting, hungry mesh grille and slim squinting headlights, the Mazda 3 is meanwhile refined and tastefully “human-centric” inside. Under the bonnet, its sophisticated and innovative Skyactiv engine options keep the internal combustion engine relevant, even as other manufacturers wind down further development. 

A smooth and refined ride, the Mazda 3 is nevertheless ager and sporty handling through twists and turns. With quick, accurate and intuitive steering and nimble maneuverability, the Mazda 3 keeps the driver at the centre of the action. A range-topping 250BHP turbocharged version available in the US and ultra sophisticated Skyactiv-X engines in Europe, but it is perhaps the US market’s 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine that best stands out in this segment for its progressive delivery. 

A high compression engine requiring just 91RON petrol, the 2.5L engine produces 186BHP at 6,000rpm and 186lb/ft torque at 4,000rpm. Capable of 0-100km/h in 7.9-seconds, its specs point to eager, slightly peaky, precise and responsive characteristics. An interesting grey market import proposition in 2.5L guise, the Mazda 3 is, however, available in the Middle East in naturally-aspirated 2-litre 153BHP spec, or in Jordan with a 1.5-litre 110BHP engine employing an un-intrusive, smoothly integrated mild hybrid system.

Specifications: Mazda 3 2.5L

• Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cylinders
• Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
• Drive-line: Front-wheel-drive
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 186 (189) [139] @6,000rpm
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 186 (252) @4,000rpm
• 0-100km/h: 7.9-seconds (estimate)
• Top speed: 230km/h (estimate)
• Length: 4,660mm
• Width: 1,796mm
• Height: 1,445mm
• Wheelbase: 2,725mm
• Weight: 1,406kg
• Suspension: MacPherson struts / torsion beam
• Tyres: 215/45R18

MG GT 1.5T

A shark-nosed fast-backed addition to the increasingly popular “British born” Chinese car maker’s regional roster, the MG GT is a welcome addition to the dwindling small sports saloon segment’s ranks. Launched locally in short order after it debuting regionally late last year, the MG GT has however still not been available to test drive in Jordan, leaving the question hanging whether it lives up to sporting expectations stirred by manufacturer-led comparisons with classic MG sports cars.

Whether the GT delivers an unexpected but delightfully rewarding driving experience like the larger MG 6 or is instead a competent but not especially compelling economy saloon like the MG 5 remains debatable. However, the MG GT borrows from both, including the MG 6’s potent General Motor-derived turbo-charged 1.5-litre engine and 7-speed automated dual-clutch gearbox. The GT meanwhile shares a basic platform, torsion beam rear suspension, entry-level 116BHP naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT transmission with the MG 5.

With styling cues loosely harking back to the iconic 1970s MGB GT V8 and stylish driver-oriented cabin, the MG GT wears its sporting aspirations on its sleeve and is backed up by an XDS torque vectoring system for keener cornering. Safe to assume the top spec 171BHP turbo version will be the fun little firecracker it’s billed as, the question however remains whether the MG GT brings enough dynamic driving savvy to earn its sporting spurs in entry-level specification.

Specifications: MG GT 1.5T

• Engine: 1.5-litre, turbo-charged 4-cylinders
• Gearbox: 6-speed dual clutch automated
• Drive-line: Front-wheel-drive, XDS electronic differential lock
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 171 (173) [127.5] @5,600rpm (estimate)
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 184 (250) @1,700-4,400rpm (estimate)
• 0-100km/h: 8.5-seconds
• Top speed: 215km/h
• Length: 4,675mm
• Width: 1,842mm
• Height: 1,480mm
• Wheelbase: 2,680mm
• Weight: 1,318kg
• Suspension: MacPherson struts / torsion beam
• Tyres: 215/50R17