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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 / RAJAB 11, 1442 AH emergency number 112 NO. 17620 16 PAGES 150 FILS Iran may cut surveillance cameras ‘Internal issue’ Opinion TEHRAN, Feb 21, (AP): The head of the ‘Cap’ rescued China, headband choked Kuwait’s economy United Nations’ nu- clear watchdog met Sunday with Iranian By Ahmed Al-Jarallah officials in a bid to pre- Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times serve his inspectors’ ability to monitor Teh- FOR how long will chaos prevail if no serious moves are taken to resolve matters which keep on ran’s atomic program, becoming grim every day? even as authorities said The Kuwaiti advisors can neither provide sat- they planned to cut off isfactory solutions nor offer any benefit to the of- ficials. All they do is present technical reports and surveillance cameras at constitutional opinions that serve their interests. those sites. They also echo what their employers want to hear, Rafael Grossi’s arrival in but as soon as they are relieved of their positions, Tehran comes as Iran tries to they start attacking the same institution or rather pressure Europe and the new room that they once occupied. Biden administration into re- This indicates a lack of self-confidence or a turning to the 2015 nuclear lack of experience. The only loyalty they recog- nize is the one attached to their interests, because deal, which president Donald in one way or another, they are part of, or even Trump unilaterally withdrew contribute to, what they are criticizing. This is America from in 2018. tantamount to someone who murders a person and Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- then participates in his victim’s funeral. hammad Javad Zarif, who un- Based on this fact, the many opinions today der President Hassan Rouhani regarding the activation of article 106 of the Con- helped reach the nuclear deal, stitution suggest that the matter is improvised and said the cameras of the Interna- was not subjected to an in-depth study. tional Atomic Energy Agency Consequently, those who criticize a purely sov- would be shut off despite Gros- ereign order of His Highness the Amir want to si’s visit to follow a law passed distort the truth. They seek to prolong the consti- by parliament. tutional vacuum by inflaming the situation further. “This is not a deadline for the In 1986 after the political events in the coun- world. This is not an ultimatum,” try, the security breach, and other factors that Zarif told the government-run, weakened the prestige of the state, the late Amir English-language broadcaster Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad summoned the speaker Press TV in an interview aired of the National Assembly at that time Ahmad Al- before he was to meet Grossi. Saadoun, and said to him, “Tell your colleagues “This is an internal domestic is- not to push him to do something that he would sue between the parliament and hate doing.” the government.” It seems the message was not properly con- Implement veyed, so His Highness the Amir issued an Amiri order to suspend the Constitution and dissolve the “We have a democracy. We National Assembly for four years. He also ordered are supposed to implement the the Head of the National Guard Sheikh Salem Al- laws of the country. And the Shiite faithful pilgrims visit the shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim in Baghdad, despite a curfew imposed by the government to help fight the parliament adopted legislation – Ali to close the parliament and prevent anyone spread of the coronavirus, Feb 20. The curfew runs all day Friday to Sunday, and from 8 pm to 5 am the rest of the week. (AP) from entering it. whether we like it or not.” Unfortunately, the government did not benefit Zarif’s comments marked the from the opportunity that had presented itself at highest-level acknowledgement that time due to the lack of a rescue program. This MP submits bill yet of what Iran planned to do is what the current situation looks like. when it stopped following the so- What we need today is a government that has a called “Additional Protocol,” a clear vision to lift the country out of its deep cri- confidential agreement between sis. It is not shameful to seek foreign expertise, as Tehran and the IAEA reached was the case in the development of the structural as part of the nuclear deal. The plan for Kuwait in 1951, when the late Sheikh Remittance tax back in play IAEA has additional protocols Abdullah Al-Salem sought help from foreign with a number of countries it monitors. consultants – advisors Menoperio, Spensley and By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh McFaren. The result was modern cities, but it also In and out ... On and off Under the protocol with Iran, ended in the grabbing of public land. Arab Times Staff the IAEA “collects and analyzes Same thing happened in the Souk Al-Manakh hundreds of thousands of images stock market crash in 1982.The late Amir Sheikh KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: The attempt to impose tax on remit- captured daily by its sophisti- Jaber Al-Ahmad had summoned foreign experts tances continues with the bill submitted by MP Abdullah Al- cated surveillance cameras,” the to help solve the problem. Unfortunately, the gov- Expat arrival ban extended Turaiji who proposed taxing the money transfers of foreigners agency said in 2017. The agency ernment did not act according to the opinions put in any currency. also said then that it had placed forth by the experts. The Minister of Finance in- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21, (Agencies): French Guiana, Uruguay, Trinidad The bill covers remittances of individuals, companies and “2,000 tamper-proof seals on stead came out proudly to say, “The solution is The Directorate General of Civil Avi- and Tobago, the United Arab Emir- organizations; excluding the exempted categories stipulated in nuclear material and equipment.” with the Kuwaiti headband”. What he meant by ation on Saturday extended a ban on ates, Germany, and United States of the treaties on protecting investment and capital transfer. In his interview, Zarif said this was that only Kuwaitis can solve it. However, entry of non-Kuwaiti travelers to the America. The bill authorizes the Central Bank of Kuwait to specify authorities would be “required this headband ended up choking people instead of country until further notice. Last August Kuwait had banned di- the categories according to the amount of transfer and the by law not to provide the tapes liberating them. Based on the state health authori- rect entry of nationals of 35 countries: corresponding tax, as well as the methods of monitoring and of those cameras.” It wasn’t im- It is unfortunate that it seems the use of foreign collecting tax. The collected tax will be handed over to the mediately clear if that also meant ties’ instructions and after evaluating India, Iran, China, Brazil, Colombia, Central Bank, while banks and licensed companies that will expertise has become a shame at this stage due the global coronavirus situation, the Armenia, Bangladesh, Philippines, the cameras would be turned off to the exaggerated selfishness of some officials in not remit the collected tax to the Central Bank will be fined entirely as Zarif called that a suspension of the entry of non-Kuwaiti Syria, Spain, Bosnia and Herzegov- KD 10,000 maximum. “technical decision, that’s not a depending on Kuwaiti advisors who are actually passengers into Kuwait will remain ef- ina, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Iraq, Mexico, their friends and cliques at diwaniyas, and be- Individuals, companies and societies that violate the law by political decision.” cause they realize that they will not deviate from fective until further notice, the DGCA Indonesia, Chile, Pakistan, Egypt, transferring money through unaccredited exchange centers and “The IAEA certainly will not the main script, even if such a script has mistakes. said in a press release. Lebanon, Hong Kong, Italy, North banks will be imprisoned for five years or fined double the get footage from those cameras,” Every concerned person should know that time It added that Kuwaitis; first-degree Macedonia, Moldova, Panama, Peru, amount transferred. Zarif said. is ruthless, and the problem is growing. There is relatives of Kuwaitis and their accompa- Serbia, Montenegro, Dominicans, The Council of Ministers will issue the executive decree of The Vienna-based IAEA did no sign of hope on the horizon as long as the situ- nied domestic workers; and diplomats, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Argentina, the law within three months after its ratification. not immediately respond to a ation remains as it is. There is no doubt that the their families and accompaning domes- France, Yemen, and Britain. Meanwhile, MP Hassan Jawhar asked all the interim min- request for comment on Zarif’s official who runs the executive authority has not tic workers as well as public and private People who enter the country fol- isters about the procedures they have adopted to strengthen comments. The agency last week moved a finger to deal with the current chaos. medical staff and their families will lowing the opening of the border cyber security. He wants to know the number of Kuwaiti and said the visit was aimed at find- The government is the one to bear direct re- continue to enter the country and be sub- points, will have to strictly abide by expatriate employees in every ministry who completed train- ing “a mutually agreeable solu- sponsibility because it did not act decisively to ing course on cyber security since 2012 when the Central tion for the IAEA to continue jected to mandatory 14-day quarantine all instructions issued by the Council Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) announced the confront the crisis, let alone the chaos, which if (seven days at one of the approved local of Ministers and the health authorities, essential verification activities in neglected would render our situation similar to plan to train 5,000 employees from 50 ministries and public the country.” hotels and seven days at home). reports Al-Rai daily. institutions. There are 18 nuclear facilities that of Iraq, Lebanon and some Arab countries The DGCA, however, exempted The daily added, those who are where institutions weakened when the wave of He asked if every ministry has its own policy or all of them and nine other locations in Iran the Arab Spring erupted, and then fell into a sea of from hotel quarantine the following: quarantined at hotels will have to have adopted the unified cyber security strategy of the State, under IAEA safeguards. unrest and chaos. Kuwaiti patients and students; unac- strictly adhere by the laws. No one demands of each ministry in light of the international criteria Grossi met earlier Sunday The use of foreign expertise is not a shame. companing minors (under-18-years- will be allowed to leave unless after for database protection, department in charge of cyber secu- with Ali Akbar Salehi, the head What rescued China was a British expert of Iraqi old); and diplomats, their families the quarantine period is completed. rity in each ministry, if a ministry or any of its subsidiaries of Iran’s civilian nuclear pro- origin, and today it is an economic superpower. and accompanied domestic workers The daily added, the hotel entry and have a contract in this regard with a private company, if such gram. Iran’s ambassador to the as well as public and private medical exits will be manned 24/7 by the spe- a company is capable of transferring the national database IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, Email: [email protected] staff and their families. cial security authorities to ensure com- outside the country or not, procedures taken to prevent such later tweeted that “Iran and the Follow me on: But they have to quarantine at home pliance with the laws. transfer as it exposes national security to penetration, criteria IAEA held fruitful discussions for the whole 14 days period, it clari- The sources disclosed, the authori- for providing cyber security, and if a neutral institution has based on mutual respect, the been assigned to evaluate the level of cyber security in each result of which will be released fied. The DGCA stated that all trav- ties are in no mood to “tolerate any ministry. elers have to register in its ‘Kuwait traveler who does not abide by the this evening.” [email protected] MP Mubarak Al-Arow forwarded queries to interim Mosafer’ platform.Those who do not quarantine instructions and that viola- Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water Muhammad Abdul- Approved register will not be allowed to board tors will be punished by fine or impris- lah Al-Fares about the settlement of tender number Iran’s parliament in December the plane, it warned. onment. RFB2066003 in favor of two Egyptian companies – Sino approved a bill that would sus- The DGCA said all passengers ar- Tharwa Drilling Company and Egyptian Drilling Com- pend part of UN inspections of riving via direct flights from high-risk pany (EDC) – for KD 12.944 million while the lowest bid its nuclear facilities if European Newswatch countries will be obliged to submit to in- was KD 10.864 million. signatories do not provide relief stitutional quarantine in a local hotel for He asked if there was a recommendation to choose the from oil and banking sanctions 14 days at their own expense by register- abovementioned companies or not, why these two companies by Tuesday. ing on the ‘Kuwait Musafer’ platform. were not obligated to offer the lowest price especially since Already, Iran has slowly KUWAIT CITY: The Central Bank of Kuwait has the quality of work and adopted criteria are the same, if the walked away from all the stressed on local banks and companies not to deal or en- The rest of the passengers arriving from other countries (countries which ministry is aware that Sino Tharwa Drilling Company incurred nuclear deal’s limitations on ter into direct or indirect investments in the digital cur- losses amounting to $33 million in 2019 and it has yet to start its stockpile of uranium and rency ‘Bitcoin’ and other similar currencies, stressing do not make the high-risk) will be the works stated in tender number JOsc448/w018 which was has begun enriching up 20%, that some local banks have internal policies that prohibit obliged to quarantine in a local hotel signed with Gulf Petroleum Company in 2019 because of its a technical step away from dealing in currencies, reports Al-Anba daily. The sourc- for 7 days at their own expense by reg- problems, and if penalties were imposed on these Egyptian es said according to the instructions of the Central Bank, weapons-grade levels. It also istering on the Kuwait Musafer plat- companies for the delayed execution of the works specified has begun spinning advanced it is not permitted to fi nance any person or institution for form, provided that the quarantine pe- the purpose of investing in the Bitcoin currency. in the tender centrifuges barred by the deal, ❑ ❑ ❑ riod is completed for another (7) days MP Mehalhal Al-Mudaf asked interim Minister of Finance which saw Iran limit its pro- in in their respective homes Khalifa Hamada about the number of Build-Operate-Transfer gram in exchange for the lifting KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait said 768 people tested positive Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (BOT) projects, which will be handed over to the State by fis- of economic sanctions. for coronavirus with fi ve related deaths reported on Sun- has added 33 new countries to the list cal 2022/ 2023. An escalating series of inci- day taking the total cases up to 184,090 as deaths rose A woman holds a dead sea turtle He requested for copies of the reports on the operating con- dents since Trump’s withdrawal of high-risk countries, bringing the to- covered in tar from an oil spill in the to 1,044 respectively, according to the health ministry. tal to 68 countries. The newly-added ditions of every project, action that the ministry will take in has threatened the wider Mid- The ministry also reported that 967 more people Mediterranean Sea in Gador nature case the projects do not meet the criteria, public institution east. Over a year ago, a US drone have been cured of the virus, raising the total of those countries are South Africa, Portugal, reserve near Hadera, Israel, Feb 20. Angola, Botswana, Democratic Re- Hundreds of volunteers are taking which will monitor the projects, role of the Higher Committee strike killed a top Iranian general, to have overcome the disease to 172,227, spokesman for Partnership Enterprises in this regard, report of the com- causing Tehran to later launch Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad told a press conference. public of the Congo, Republic of Cape part in a cleanup operation of Israeli shoreline as investigations are un- mittee on every project, and ways the State will manage the ballistic missiles that wounded The number of people hospitalised with the virus Verde, Estonia, Lesotho, Malawi, projects. dozens of American troops in currently stands at 10,819, with 147 of them in inten- Zimbabwe, Turkey, Japan, Mauritius, derway to determine the cause of an oil spill that threatens the beach and MP Osama Al-Shaheen submitted questions to interim Min- Iraq. sive care units, he added, revealing that some 6,006 Seychelles, Bolivia, Mozambique, Na- ister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah about the recent decisions A mysterious explosion also swab tests were conducted over the last day out of a wildlife, at Gador Nature Reserve mibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Suriname, near the northern city of Hadera, the of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), such as struck Iran’s Natanz nuclear fa- total of 1,731,704. (KUNA) Sweden, Ireland, Switzerland, Ven- tar smeared fish, turtles, and other requiring arriving passengers to undergo institutional quaran- cility, which Iran has described ezuela, Paraguay, Ecuador, Guyana, sea creatures. (AP) tine in hotels for seven or 14 days. as sabotage. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 2

People discouraged from coming to US Biden faces pressure in new course on immigration fter a weeklong bus ride from Honduras, Isabel Osorio Medina ar- announced official steps to end Trump-era agreements with Honduras, Trump administration officials believed many asylum claims were Arived in northern Mexico with the hope President Joe Biden would El Salvador and Guatemala that required many asylum-seekers to seek fraudulent or lacked merit, submitted by people simply looking to re- make it easier for people like him to get into the United States. refuge in one of those countries instead of the US. main in the US But the issue is murky as tens of thousands flee violent “It seems the new president wants to help migrants,” Osorio said as “To be clear, these actions do not mean that the US border is open,” gangs, natural disasters and political upheaval. he got ready to check in to a cheap hotel in downtown Tijuana before Blinken said. “While we are committed to expanding legal pathways for The Biden administration has signed several executive orders on im- heading to the US “They’re saying he is going to help, but I don’t know protection and opportunity here and in the region, the United States is a migration, including allowing in more refugees and establishing a task for sure how much is true or not.” country with borders and laws that must be enforced.” force to find the parents of about 600 children who were separated under The 63-year-old is among thousands of people who have come to the That message hasn’t reached everyone. Trump and still haven’t been reunited. US-Mexico border with the hope they will be able to ask for asylum and More people have been arriving at a encampment in Matamoros, Mex- But it hasn’t ended a public health order Trump issued at the start of make their way into the US now that former President Donald Trump is ico, a dangerous city just south of the Texas border where hundreds of the coronavirus pandemic that allows US Customs and Border Protec- no longer in office. asylum-seekers have been waiting under Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” tion to immediately expel nearly everyone, including asylum-seekers. While Biden has taken some major steps in his first weeks in office to program. Psaki said the government is still working to develop a “humane, com- reverse Trump’s hardline immigration policies, his administration hasn’t It’s possible even more may come after the Biden administration an- prehensive process” to evaluate people coming to the US. lifted some of the most significant barriers to asylum-seekers. nounced Friday that it would slowly allow an estimated 25,000 people to “Asylum processes at the border will not occur immediately,” she In fact, it’s discouraging people from coming to the country, hoping enter the US as their cases are reviewed. The first wave is expected Feb 19. said. “It will take time to implement.” to avoid what happened under both Trump and former President Barack Walter Valenzuela, a 37-year-old Honduran, said he had been waiting Alan Bersin, who held top positions dealing with border security dur- Obama — border agents getting overwhelmed by migrants, including in Tijuana, across the border from San Diego, for months for a chance to ing the Clinton and Obama administrations, warned that Biden is headed many Central Americans with children. either seek asylum or risk an illegal crossing. for a crisis if he releases all asylum-seekers into the United States. That “Now is not the time to come,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki For years, asylum-seekers who met the initial threshold of demonstrat- would invite fraud and abuse, he said. said at a recent briefing, “and the vast majority of people will be turned ing a “credible fear” of persecution in their homeland could generally “There’s such a pressing sense in the advocate community that is con- away.” stay in the US until an immigration judge decided whether they qualified trolling the Biden immigration agenda — they want to reverse all Trump Secretary of State Antony Blinken struck a similar tone on Feb. 6 as he for permanent residency, which can take years. actions,” he said. (AP)

Former president Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up to supporters as he rides by in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb 15, 2021. People lined up the street on President’s Day to show support for Trump who lost the 2020 election to President Joe Biden. (AP) Trump looks to reassert himself after acquittal ‘Trump-plus the way back in 2022’

onald Trump took in the win at Mar-a-Lago, surrounded by friends “In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I look for- the official find enough votes to overturn Biden’s victory. Dand family. His lawyers celebrated with hugs and smiles. One joked, ward to continuing our incredible journey together to achieve American In New York, Attorney General Letitia James is investigating whether “We’re going to Disney World!” greatness for all of our people,” he said. Trump and his company improperly inflated the value of his assets on Now acquitted in his second Senate impeachment trial, Trump is prepar- Sen. Lindsey Graham, who spoke with Trump on Saturday night, ac- annual financial statements in order to secure loans and obtain tax ben- ing for the next phase of his post-presidency life. Feeling emboldened by the knowledged that Trump is “mad at some folks,” but also “ready to move efits. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. continues his own trial’s outcome, he is expected to reemerge from a self-imposed hibernation on and rebuild the Republican Party” and “excited about 2022.” investigation, which has included grand jury testimony. at his club in Palm Beach, Florida, and is eyeing ways to reassert his power. In their conversations, Graham has stressed to Trump, who has threat- “He didn’t get away with anything — yet,” McConnell, R-Ky., after But after being barred from Twitter, the former president lacks the ened to start his own party to punish disloyal Republicans, that the GOP the vote. “We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have social media bullhorn that fueled his political rise. And he’s confronting needs him to win. civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being ac- a Republican Party deeply divided over the legacy of his jarring final “I said, ‘Mr. President, this MAGA movement needs to continue. We countable by either one.” days in office, culminating in the Jan 6 storming of the Capitol. Searing need to unite the party. Trump-plus is the way back in 2022,’” Graham, McConnell voted to acquit Trump on the grounds the trial was un- video images of the day played on loop during his impeachment trial, R-S.C., told “Fox News Sunday.” constitutional because he is no longer in office, but insisted, “There’s which ended Saturday. “My goal is to win in 2022 to stop the most radical agenda I’ve seen no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally Trump remains popular among the GOP base, but many Republicans coming out of the Democratic presidency of Joe Biden. We can’t do that responsible for provoking the events of the day.” in Washington have cooled to him. Never before have so many members without Donald Trump, so he’s ready to hit the trail and I’m ready to That sharp rebuke from his once-loyal defender underscores how of a president’s party — seven GOP senators, in his case — voted for his work with him,” Graham said. dramatically Trump’s stock has fallen in Washington since his first im- removal in a Senate trial. Graham said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who voted peachment trial just over a year ago. But the desire to be rid of Trump Some may work to counter efforts by Trump to support extreme can- to acquit but then delivered a scalding denunciation of Trump, “got a is not shared across the country, where Republicans who have dared to didates in next year’s congressional primaries. load off a chest, obviously.” Graham said later in the interview: “If you admonish him have faced swift rebuke. Undeterred, friends and allies expect Trump to resume friendly me- want to get something off your chest, fine, but I’m into winning.” Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., was forced to defend her third-in-line lead- dia interviews after weeks of silence. He has met with political aides to At his Palm Beach club on Saturday night, Trump was in a joyous ership position after she voted in favor of impeachment. On Saturday, discuss efforts to help Republicans try to take control of the House and mood as he enjoyed dinner on a patio packed with people. After a mel- Louisiana’s Republican Party quickly censured Sen. Bill Cassidy, one Senate in the 2022 midterms elections. He remains fixated on exacting low last several weeks, one member described a party atmosphere not of the seven Republicans senators who voted for Trump’s conviction. revenge on Republicans who supported his impeachment or resisted his felt since before the election. In an interview Sunday with ABC’s “This Week,” Cassidy seemed at efforts to overturn the results of the November election won by Demo- Still, Trump isn’t in the clear yet. No longer protected by a Justice peace with his decision. crat Joe Biden. Department opinion against the prosecution of sitting presidents, he now “I think his force wanes,” he said of Trump. “The Republican Party is “I imagine you’ll probably be hearing a lot more from him in the com- faces multiple ongoing criminal investigations. more than just one person. The Republican Party is about ideas.” ing days,” senior adviser Jason Miller said. In Georgia, the Fulton County district attorney has opened a crimi- But how long Trump retains his grip remains an open question, es- In a statement after the vote, Trump offered few clues, but was defiant nal investigation into “attempts to influence” the election, including pecially with a slew of likely 2024 candidates now trying to take the as he told supporters their movement “has only just begun.” Trump’s call to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger demanding that mantle. (AP)

editor’s choice ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 3 Weather Expected weather for the next to moderate freshening at times Bubyan - - Prayer Timings 24 hours: north easterly wind with speeds Jahra 24 12 By Day: Fair and with light to of 12-40 km/h with a chance for Failaka Island - - Fajr ...... 05:02 Asr ...... 15:16 moderate northerly wind to north scattered rain. Salmiyah 20 16 Sunrise .. 06:22 Maghrib .. 17:42 easterly wind with speeds of 15- Zohr ...... 12:02 Isha ...... 18:59 35 km/h with a chance for scat- Station Max Exp Min Rec Ahmadi 21 16 tered light rain later on. Kuwait City 22 15 Nuwaisib 21 16 By Night: Rather cold and Kuwait Airport 22 09 Wafra 22 13 partly cloudy to cloudy with light Abdaly 24 10 Salmy 22 10

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

Mabanee Co drops 6 fi ls, Tamdeen Investment gains Kuwait index treads water in volatile session, volume plunges By John Mathews Arab Times Staff ▼ UUS$/KDS$/KD 0.30210/200.30210/20 KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: Kuwait stocks ▲ Euro/KD 0.3667 trod water on Sunday as it kicked off the week on a tame note. The All Shares Index ■ Yen/KD 0.0028 ticked 0.85 pts lower to 5,690.49 points after a volatile session even as the overall ▲ British £/KD 0.4240 mood remained fi ckle. The Premier Market eased 0.54 points Indian Rs/KD 0.0041 lower to 6,212.46 pts while Main Mar- ■ ket tripped 1.61 points. The BK Main 50 Index slipped 8.85 pts to 4,836.50 points. ■ Philippines Peso/KD 0.0062 The volume turnover meanwhile plumbed a multi-month low. Over 162 million shares ▲ FTSE +6.87 pts at closing Feb 19 changed hands – a 34 pct drop from the last session. The sectors closed mostly in red turf. ▼ Nikkei -218.17 pts at closing Feb 19 Insurance outperformed the rest with 0.90 percent gain whereas Technology skidded 9.51 pct, the worst performer of the day. ▼ Gold 1782.80 per oz (London) Volume wise, Financial Services topped with 54.3 million shares while Banking sec- ▼ NYMEX crude $58.93 per barrel tor dominated in value with KD 8.2 million. Shares ▼ Brent crude $62.67 per barrel In the individual shares, sector bellweth- LIBOR rate 0.17525% er National Bank of Kuwait added 3 fi ls be- fore closing at 835 fi ls with a volume of 2.7 million shares whereas KIPCO was down into green. 3 fi ls at 168 fi ls after pushing 1.2 million. Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) Mabanee Co gave up 6 fi ls before settling eased 1.1 fi ls to 82 fi ls whereas Gulf In- at 684 fi ls. vestment House added 1 fi l. Bayan Invest- Zain inched 1 fi ls higher to 623 fi ls ment ticked 0.5 fi l lower and KFIC edged on back of 4.8 million shares while Oore- 0.7 fi l up to 44 fi ls. KAMCO fell 1.9 fi ls to doo slipped 4 fi ls to 656 fi ls. stc stood 78.1 fi ls and Noor Financial Investment pat at 928 fi ls after vacillating earlier in slipped 7 fi ls. Tamdeen Investment Co the session whereas logistics major Agil- scaled 12 fi ls. ity retreated 4 fi ls to 723 fi ls. Humansoft Gulf Insurance Group dropped 7 fi ls to Holding shed 25 fi ls and Boursa Kuwait 610 fi ls whereas Al Ahleia Insurance Co Securities tripped 1 fi l. sprinted 19 fi ls with thin trading. Warba The market opened on a choppy note and Insurance rose 4 fi ls to 115 fi ls on back of dipped briefl y before pulling higher. The 2.3 million shares and Kuwait Reinsurance main index scaled the day’s highest level Co dialed up 2 fi ls. National Real Estate Co of 5,695 points and fl ipped to plumbed the clipped 1 fi ls whereas Salhia Real Estate Photos by Mahmoud Jadeed/Mohammad Morsi day’s lowest mark of 5,680 pts and hour galloped 31 fi ls to 584 fi ls. Kuwait International Airport wears a deserted look as the government extended the ban on entry of non-Kuwaiti travelers until further notice. into the session. It moved sideways before, National Industries Group took in 2 fi ls Doors at the arrivals section remain shut and no movement of any trolleys or labor was noticed (inset). heading north and clawed back most of the on back of 2.2 million shares whereas Gulf losses at close. Cable eased 1 fi l to 860 fi l. Boubyan Petro- Top gainer of the day, Metal and Recy- chemical Co and Al Qurain Petrochemical cling Co sprinted 6.6 pct to 129 fi ls and Co gave up 1 fi l each while Integrated Hold- First Takaful Insurance scaled 5.92 percent ing slipped 8 fi l to 412 fi ls. Aznour closed 2 to stand next. Automated Systems Co skid- fi ls in red with a volume of 3.2 million. Kuwait population on decline ded 9.5 pct, the steepest decliner of the day while Kuwait Real Estate Co topped the Volume volume with 7.6 million shares. Jazeera Airways dropped 19 fi ls to 639 Indians top exodus Despite the day’s tame fi nish, the losers fi ls and ALAFCO inched 1 fi l lower. Bur- Kuwaiti army ‘Apply for permit in 2 months’ outnumbered the winners. 38 stocks ad- gan Company For Well Drilling gave up 6 vanced whereas 72 closed lower. Of the 128 fi ls and Inovest BSC took in 1 fi l. Al Rai frees inmates KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: The population counters active on Sunday, 18 closed fl at. Media Group fell 3.7 fi ls to 39.1 fi ls and 60 volunteers for hospitals 8,365 deals worth KD 26.9 million were KGL Logistics clipped 1.2 fi ls. Soor Fuel of Kuwait decreased by 105,694 during the transacted during the session. KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21, crept 1 fi l up to 122 fi ls and Oula Fuel was “Corona Year” (2020) amid a decline in the In the banking sector, Gulf Bank was un- (KUNA): Chief of the Ku- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: The General Administration of fl at at 120 fi ls. changed at 217 fi ls with a volume of 3.2 waiti Army General Staff Civil Defense said 60 volunteers have been summoned to number of expatriates and an increase in Kuwait Cement Co was unchanged work in big government hospitals, to deal with visitors and million shares and Kuwait Finance House at 221 fi ls and Kuwait Portland Cement Lieutenant General Khaled the number of citizens. The total population followed suit to end at 720 fi ls. Kuwait In- Saleh Al-Sabah on Sunday support the public relations department employees, reports scaled 5 fi ls to close at 887 fi ls. Shuaiba Al-Rai daily quoting senior defense offi cials. in Kuwait decreased by 2.2 percent, reach- ternational Bank dialed down 1 fi l whereas Industrial was down 7 fi ls at 150 fi ls and issued a decree to release Burgan Bank and Boubyan Bank stood pat military detainees on the The offi cials told the daily this comes following a request ing 4 million and 670,000 people by the end HEISC gained 14 fi ls. Kuwait Foundry Co from the Ministry of Health to assist the public relations em- at 223 fi ls and 546 fi ls respectively. dialed down 1 fi l while ACICO Industries occasion of the National of the year 2020, compared to 4 million and Ahli United Bank BSC held ground at Day and Liberation Day. ployees in performing their duties in dealing with the sick trimmed 0.6 fi l. people and visitors to the hospitals to reduce the severity and 776,000 at the end of 2019, reports Al-Rai 234 fi ls after pushing 7.6 million shares and Kuwait and Gulf Links Transport Co fell The decision was based Commercial Bank too did not budge from its on the directives of the Ku- problems that may arise, especially since many of the employ- daily. 3.4 fi ls to 52.5 fi ls and Automated Systems ees working for the public relations are expatriates who are According to offi cial fi gures issued by the Public Au- earlier close of 500 fi ls with thin trading. Al Co shed 8.8 fi ls. KCPC erased 3 fi ls while waiti Deputy Prime Min- Ahli Bank of Kuwait took in 1 fi l whereas KPPC inched 0.5 fi l into red. Independent ister and Defense Minister most often than not are not respected by the general public. thority for Civil Information (PACI), the number of ex- However, the Ministry of Interior responded to the re- Ahli United Bank Kuwait gave up 2 fi ls. Petroleum Group dropped 5 fi ls whereas Ed- Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali patriates residing in Kuwait in the year 2020 witnessed a National Investment Co paused at 166 ucational Holding Group paused at 328 fi ls. Al-Sabah, said the Directo- quest, and last Thursday summoned 60 Kuwaiti volunteers decline of four percent because around 134,000 expatri- to work in 6 hospitals in the six governorates, starting, Sun- fi ls whereas Al Imtiaz Investment clipped The market was mixed during the previ- rate of Moral Guidance and ates left during the period from January 2020 to Decem- 2 fi ls with a volume of 4.2 million. Ku- ous week. The main index closed higher in Public Relations of the Ku- day, Feb 21, 2021. It is noteworthy to mention the Civil Defense Department ber 2020. This brings the total number of expatriates to wait Investment Co slipped 4 fi ls to 126 fi ls three of the fi ve sessions erasing 4 points waiti Army in a statement. whereas International Financial Advisors week-on-week. It has shed 90 points so far Sheikh Khaled wished at the Ministry of Interior has a registered force of nearly 3 million and 210,000 people in 2020 as compared to 3 23,000 volunteers, 17,000 of whom are Kuwaitis, and are million and 344,000 people at the end of 2019. stalled at 106 fi ls. KMEFIC gave up 4 fi ls during the month and is up 145 points year- for Kuwait continuous se- and Arzan Financial Group crept 0.9 fi ls to-date. curity and security under fully prepared for volunteer work whenever asked to do so. In detail, 94 percent of the expatriates who left Kuwait are the wise leadership of His Meanwhile , a responsible source at the Public Authority men - about 126,000 in number - and the percentage of women Highness the Amir Sheikh for Manpower said an employer who obtains the approval who left Kuwait is six percent, which is about 8,000. ‘First line of defense’ Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber to recruit a worker from abroad must submit a request to is- In terms of nationalities, the Indian community witnessed Al-Sabah and His Highness sue a work permit for the fi rst time for the recruited worker the largest rate of exodus - about 52 percent of the total expa- the Crown Prince and His within two months of the worker’s entry into the country triates who left the country in 2020. Compared to the size of Highness the Prime Min- instead of one month as was the requirement earlier, reports the community, its number decreased by 6.57 percent, which Thermal cameras arrive at MoE ister. Al-Anba daily. is about 69,592 Indians, thus reaching about 989,270 in 2020 compared to a million and 58,000 in 2019. By Abdulrahman Al-Shimmari ments and ensuring that everyone entering Egyptian Al-Seyassah Staff the premises wears masks and adheres to mp profile getting to know you social distancing. The Egyptian community came in second place in terms of KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: Almost after a It seems the issue of legal procedures put its members leaving Kuwait in the “Coronavirus Year”, with year of the emergence of the COVID-19 in place by the Civil Service Commission 22.5 percent of the total departures. In terms of the size of the pandemic, the Ministry of Education joined for those violating the health requirements Voting Record community, 4.3 percent of them, which is 300,032 people, left, with digital technology to determine the and deterrent penalties has fi nally paid off in thus reducing the size of the Egyptian community in Kuwait temperature of visitors and employees visit- the form of a commitment by a large num- from 696,082 at the end of 2019 to about 666,050 in 2020. ing the Ministry’s offi ce building with the ber of employees as well as visitors wearing ■ Grilling motion against Min- The Bangladeshi community came in third place, as 13,076 use of thermal camera instead of the manu- masks and adhering to other health require- ister of Social Affairs and Labor of them left in 2020. This accounted for about ten percent of ally taking the temperatures all this time. ments. Nasser Sa’ad Al-Doussari and State Minister for Economic the total departing expatriates. The number of this community This digital device for measuring tem- However, it is clearly evident there are Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh in January decreased from 282,591 in 2019 to 269,515 at the end of 2020. perature is the first line of defense in the Sunni 2018 – rejected still some arrogant people down there who As for the Filipino nationality, it witnessed a decline in the General Office of the Ministry of Educa- refuse to take precautionary measures while Fifth Constituency ■ Grilling motion against Minis- number of its citizens in Kuwait by 6,111 in 2020, constituting tion to prevent the spread of the “corona” some do sport masks they don’t cover their ter of Electricity and Water Bekheit 4.5 percent of the total departures, and thereby reaching 241,113 virus, as the Ministry receives hundreds nose and mouths, but their chins. NASSER SA’AD AL-DOUSSARI Al-Rashed in 2018 – rejected at the end of 2020 compared to 247,224 at the end of 2019. ■ of employees and visitors on a daily ba- was born in 1986. He holds Grilling motion against Min- As for the number of citizens, it witnessed an increase in Such behavior need a follow-up by the sis and this requires rapid interaction to Bachelor of Law and ister of Commerce and 2020 by about 1.95 percent, which is about 27,925 men and concerned authorities inside the Ministry’s Bachelor of Police Science. Industry Khalid Al-Rawdan women. The total number of citizens reached one million and secure the application of health require- building without complacency. He was an officer with in 2019 – rejected ■ Grilling motion against 459,000 by the end of 2020, compared to one million and the rank of captain in the 432,000 at the end of 2019. Ministry of Interior. He Minister of Information and also served as acting direc- Minister of State for Youth tor of the Citizenship, Affairs Muhammad Al- Jabri in 2019 – rejected Kuwait jumps to third place Passports and Immigration ■ Affairs General Grilling motion against Department. Minister of Finance Naif Al- Hajraf in 2019 – rejected as vaccination rate on rise He ran for the 2016 parlia- ■ Grilling motion against mentary elections; winning Al-Doussari Minister of Finance Barrak By Marwa Al-Bahrawi 3,296 votes which put him in Al-Shitan in 2020 – ab- Al-Seyassah Staff ninth place in his constituency. stained He also won in the 2020 elec- ■ Grilling motion against Dep- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: In an indication of the increasing de- tions with 4,750 votes and ranked uty Prime Minister and Minister of mand for COVID-19 vaccines in the country, the vaccination eighth in the Fifth Constituency. Interior Anas Al-Saleh in August index has jumped to 165,172 as of Sunday afternoon, by 3.87 Statement 2020 – rejected percent of the population, according to the global vaccination ■ Grilling motion against Minis- count. This indicates that the Ministry of Health has amended Al-Doussari previously denounced ter of Education and Higher Edu- its shortcomings and improved its vaccination rate after the French President Emmanuel Macron, cation Dr Soud Al-Harbi in August country was ranked last among the GCC member states with while calling for a unified Islamic 2020 – approved only 56,000 administered vaccines. position against the President of ■ Demographics Law in 2020 – The daily statistical statement issued by the Ministry of France for attacking Islam and allow- absent Health is devoid of any information on the vaccination rate. ing a magazine to publish cartoons ■ Amendment of Handicapped Also, the statements issued by the Minister of Health Sheikh deemed offensive to Islam. Affairs Law number 73/ 2010 in Dr. Basil Al-Sabah at the parliamentary session on the number He also criticized the Public 2020 – approved of vaccinated people in the country turned out inconclusive. Authority for Handicapped Affairs ■ Law on supporting those who However, the global vaccination count index www.covidvax. (PAHA) director whom he accused suffered from damages due to live revealed a remarkable progress for Kuwait in this regard, of handling the affairs of the dis- coronavirus in 2020 – rejected ■ as it has jumped to the third place within the Gulf region and abled poorly and increasing their Amendment of National As- the 42nd globally among the 96 countries that began the COV- suffering by disrupting the comple- sembly Law number 12/1962 in ID-19 vaccination. tion of their transactions. He then 2020 – rejected ■ In the same context, the Ministry of Health yesterday started stressed the need to appoint a direc- Competitiveness Protection providing COVID-19 vaccination for residents at the Kuwait tor from the qualified employees in Law number 70/2020 in 2020 – approved Vaccination Center in Mishref particularly for the elderly and the authority, instead of a parachute those suffering from chronic and immunological diseases, as appointment. these groups are most at risk of the COVID-19 infection and the occurrence of complications. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 LOCAL 4 REMEMBER WHEN

RULERS OF KUWAIT Although the face of Sheikh Mubarak is out-of-focus in this industry and the trade with Arabia improved the city’s econo- photograph, his gold-embroided dress clearly shows. Sheikh my and attracted people from all over Najd and the Gulf ports. Photograph courtesy Mubarak’s daily procession through Ameer Street in his beauti- When Sheikh Mubarak died in 1915, Kuwait was in need of a of The Center for Re- ful Victorian carriage, drawn by two fi ne horses, for a formal strong and just ruler like him. audience with his subtects, was met with great admiration for a After Mubarak, his son Jaber ruled Kuwait for less than two search and Studies on beloved ruler. years. When he died in 1917, his brother Salem took over and Kuwait and the work Ever since Sabah I assumed leadership in Kuwait in 1756, his succeeded in defending the city against the danger from the desert. descendants have ruled over Kuwait unchallenged. Some rulers Sheikh Salem died in 1921 and was followed by Sheikh Ahmad of Dr Yacoub Al- governed Kuwait for as long as 70 years, others spent only a Al-Jaber who ruled Kuwait for thirty diffi cult years, including the Hijji in the book Old- few years as rulers. It was Sheikh Mubarak, however, who ‘put depression years of the 1930s. When Sheikh Ahmad died in 1950, Kuwait: Memories Kuwait on the world map.’ Under his fi rm rule, Kuwait became oil from Kuwait was beginning to reach the factories of Europe. a fl ourishing and attractive place. The success of the pearling (From the book ‘Old Kuwait: Memories in Photographs’) in Photographs fi rst published in 1996. Courtesy of The Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait diwaniya A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION ‘Kuwaitis tired of political absurdity ... work for country’s interests’ “WHEN the political practice turns into absurdity, any action that results from and fight his opponents, it will inevitably result in a state of hatred and grudge people want politicians who respect themselves and respect their people. it will be futile and destructive, especially when the politician uses his influ- and the community will sympathize with the other side and will accept any “The situation is getting out of hand as a result of this absurdity. It is getting ence, money and power to liquidate his opponents and fight them, which is reaction, no matter how violent or absurd, or a state of rebellion against the law, worse as a result of your futile struggles and catastrophic wars, while the coun- something that we did not see before in Kuwaiti political work which has now which is a human nature that cannot be denied. try and the citizen groan as a result of this tampering, so will you help and become crystal clear from the behavior of some of them which has devastating “This will also lead to destructive chaos with unprecedented consequences, return to your senses before it is too late?” effects on the life of society and the fate of citizens and therefore the choice of experienced and distinguished politicians will always be state institutions,” columnist Dr Mohammad wise and intelligent, but we have not seen this for a while, neither in most of Also: Al-Ruwaihel wrote for Al-Jarida daily. the people’s choices when they elect their representatives or from the choices “You go to any part of the world,– East, West, North, or South,– people look “The political futility practiced by our politicians has of the authority in choosing ministers. upon doctors with great respect, because they deserve it due to the importance become a method and a culture for most of them and “We have been experiencing political absurdity since adopting the one-man of their presence among us.There is no doubt that the importance of doctors may even influence the new younger generation who one-vote rule which is now the master of the situation and the one who domi- increases during the spread of diseases, pandemics and disasters, as is the case believe this is the only way to deal with everyone who nates the scene after sober political action has been absent. now, because of the role they play in confronting the coronavirus, wherever disagrees with them intellectually and politically and “Therefore, it is everyone’s national and historical responsibility in these they are,” columnist Hussein Al-Rawi wrote for Al-Rai daily. that it is a clear enemy that must be done away with and difficult circumstances that the nation is going through in front of political, “What happened in the Parliament session last Tuesday made me a little sad fought as is the case in our present life. economic and social crises, as well as the current epidemiological situation that but I was excited a lot when a specialized team of doctors attended the session “This actually means our politicians will be preoccu- requires urgent calming down of the political situation and reduce tension and to inform us about the data, information, warnings, news, research and studies pied by such futile political wars while ignoring nation- allow the country and the political elite to search for ways to overcome the in their medical bags, all related to the coronavirus and they are thankful but building, development and achievements, so we have to Al-Ruwaihel dangers imposed by this absurdity which seems to be continuing, without unfortunately their great effort and their honorable presence was interrupted by ring the alarm bell to warn of this destructive behavior regard to its danger. one of the MPs who got into a dispute with those doctors who had left their jobs that the homeland and human life is embroiled in, therefore the wise and the “Oh politicians …! The people are tired of your promises, your tampering, and important tasks in their respective places but as a result of the dispute they decision-makers must be aware of the danger of this catastrophic tampering your manipulation, your opponents and your struggles, all of which you are did not divulge even a quarter of what they carried in their bags.” and cut off its tail. well aware of. The citizens are not gullible to tamper with their rights and the “When a politician uses his influence, power, money and the law to destroy capabilities of their homeland, so work out your minds before it is too late. The — Compiled by Ahmad Al-Shazli ‘MoE lacks vision’ ‘Top officials do not believe in their usefulness’

By Abdulrahman Al-Shimmari Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: Educational researcher Abdulrahman Al-Jasser said education in light of the corona pandemic is at a dangerous juncture more than ever before, and reform is still expanding and the biggest problems facing education in the State of Kuwait are due to the absence of vision, lack of clarity of goals and lack of strategic educational KUNA photo planning, even if there is a HH the Crown Prince with Speaker Al-Ghanim. plan. What is written and published on HH Crown Prince receives ranking officials the Ministry of Education website, His Highness the Crown Prince Minister and Minister of Defense is nothing more than ink on paper, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali he said, and explained that the Al-Sabah received, at Seif Palace Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister senior education officials do not Sunday, National Assembly and Minister of State for Cabinet believe in their usefulness and do Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim. Affairs Anas Al-Saleh, Minister of not take into account its contents, His Highness the Crown Prince Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad and as a result all that we find is hosted, at Seif Palace, His Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah instability, confusion and staggering Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh and Minister of Interior Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem perhaps most of the time, and add to He also received Deputy Prime Al-Sabah. (KUNA) this the contradictory decisions that are being taken from time to time. The educational arena has become a testing ground for every official who ‘Social Affairs’ doors open occupies the position according to his orientation and thought, and what is seen are the projects on which millions to all regulatory authorities’ of dinars are spent from the ministry’s budget that do not happen within a By Fares Al-Abdan cials in the Civil Service Commission short time until these projects get Al-Seyassah Staff and the Audit Bureau, separately, that scrapped with the departure of the the ministry is keen to adhere to all person at the helm. KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: The regulations and laws governing the Al-Jasser pointed out in a diagnostic Undersecretary of the Ministry of conduct of work in light of the spread study he prepared on the reality of Social Affairs, Musallam Al-Subaie, of the corona pandemic. education in Kuwait, that if “we want said the ministry’s doors are open to He added there is direct contact with to develop education, we must start by all regulatory authorities that follow officials to respond to any inquiry or developing a clear and stable educa- up the work of ministries and govern- note in all sectors of the ministry to tional strategy that does not change by ment agencies, and said the Ministry correct errors, if any, noting that based changing leaders, and is not subject to of Social Affairs welcome any super- on the directives of the Minister of individual whims and goals, so the visory authority as long as the public Social Affairs, Issa Al-Kandari, all task of leaders is to implement this interest is the goal. officials in the ministry were instruct- strategy and its applications, and in Al-Subaie told Al-Seyassah daily ed to respond promptly to all inquiries order to develop this strategy, it is after a meeting with a number of offi- and observations. imperative to establish a national con- ference to save education at the high- Education Development are important, tencies, and the Ministry of Education est level that includes competent but in order for them to have the must devote itself to the executive and national experts from the Kuwait desired role, they must work indepen- operational side, because it is unrea- University, the Ministry of Education dently, so their subordination is trans- sonable to see that the one who is and from other educational areas, and ferred to the Council of Ministers implementing is also supervising so the task of the conference should be to directly, and the task of the Supreme who should be held accountable when develop an educational strategic plan Education Council is to set educational something goes wrong? compatible with Kuwait’s vision and plans, and the mission of the National He said, “If we want to know the the needs of the labor market”. Center for Education Development is extent of the success of an institution He added the Supreme Education to oversee and set development studies from its failure, we must know the Council and the National Center for with an emphasis on assigning compe- effectiveness of the senior officials.” ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 LOCAL 5 Move to employ newly-graduated Kuwaiti engineers in Mutla offices

Engineering offices union meets with youth affairs minister

KUWAIT CITY, Feb KUNA photo HH the Amir (right) with HH the Crown Prince. 21: The head of the Ku- waiti Engineering Offices HH Amir receives senior officials and Consulting Houses Union, Engineer Badr Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Salman, announced that Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. at Seif Palace Sunday His Highness Later in the day, he separately host- the Union and the Min- the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al- ed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister istry of State for Youth Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al- Affairs have agreed on a His Highness the Amir also received, Ali Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Min- in separate sessions, National Assem- ister and Minister of State for Cabinet mechanism to activate the bly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim and Affairs Anas Al-Saleh. (KUNA) initiative to qualify and employ newly- graduated Kuwaiti engineers in the Amir condoles with Ecuador offices and advisory hous- es in Mutla, which in- cludes about 28,000 hous- on former president’s death ing units that have been KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21, (KUNA): His Their Highnesses the Crown Prince distributed in batches for Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- and Prime Minister, respectively eligible citizens, reports Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber addressed a cable of condolences to Ec- Al-Sabah and Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Seyassah daily. uadorian President Lenin Moreno on de- Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, sent cables of The project needs engineer- mise of the republic’s former president, identical content to the Ecuadorian ing offices and advisory houses Gostavo Noboa. president. to carry out design work, li- censes and supervision. It also needs contractors and suppliers KOC planning to issue change of building materials and equip- ment and other engineering and technical works. order for construction of JPF3 Al-Salman referred to a meeting he held recently with the Minister KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: According to gineering, purchasing, construction and of State for Youth Affairs and Min- reliable sources from the oil sector, Ku- supply model. ister of Information Abdul Rahman wait Oil Company (KOC) is planning The SETCO contract was one of the Al-Mutairi in the presence of the to issue a change order worth $200 mil- three contracts that formed the second Undersecretary of the Ministry in lion for the construction of the Jurassic phase of the natural gas production plan the Minister’s Offi ce Dr Meshaal Production Facility (JPF3) in the West in Kuwait, while the other two contracts Al-Shaheen Al-Rabie and Head Rawdatain oil fields in order to develop were won by the American company Sch- of the Team of Hope Makers Dr the facility, add some modifications to the lumberger. Hashem Al-Tabtabaei and a mem- units, and make the most from its produc- The three contracts that formed the ber of the Technical Committee of tion of light fuel and natural gas, reports second phase of the non-associated gas the Union Eng. Nasser Al-Mutairi, Al-Anba daily. production program in Kuwait required Director-General of the Federation They explained that the Kuwaiti-based the production of about 120,000 barrels Engr Aqil Murad and a member oil and gas contractor SETCO has been of wet oil per day, and more than 300 mil- of the Ministry’s Team of Hope implementing the project for four years lion cubic feet per day of sour gas from Makers Marzouq Al-Hassam, and with a value of $377 million. The scope Rawdatain and Sabriya oil fields, the pointed to the activation of the min- of the work in the first phase of the project northeast of Rawdatian, and Umm Niqa istry’s initiative in cooperation with includes building a gas processing facility fields in northern Kuwait. the union was discussed. and another for oil treatment, with a ca- The Jurassic reservoirs were discov- He praised Minister Al-Mu- pacity of 100-120 million standard cubic ered in the fields of northern Kuwait tairi’s response to launch this feet of gas per day and 40,000 barrels of (Rawdatain, Sabriya, Dhabi, Umm Naqa initiative and establish a mecha- oil per day in a row, at a rate of 200 tons and Bahrah), which necessitated the con- nism to employ Kuwaiti youth, per day of sulfur production. The first struction of four Jurassic facilities for the pointing out that more than 100 phase became fully operational at the end production of light oil and non-associated Kuwaiti engineering offi ces and of March 2018. gas, which is the EPF-50 facility that was consulting houses will be ready It should be noted that the Early Pro- operational in 2008, and the JPF-Sabriya to employ the newly-graduated duction Facility project is being imple- facility, which was commissioned at Kuwaiti engineers to work in the mented by KOC for implementation, the end of 2017, as well as the facilities design, licensing, supervision, which is a leasing system that ends with in west and east Rawdatain which were implementation of Al-Mutla resi- ownership and is an alternative to the en- commissioned in 2018. dential city.

ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 LOCAL 7

Embassy organizes discussion session via Zoom platform Bangladesh Embassy marks Martyr’s Day & International Mother Language Day KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait observed “Mar- tyr’s Day & International Mother Lan- guage Day-2021” at the Chancery in a befi tting manner with the presence of embassy offi cials and representa- tives of the print and electronic media on Sunday 21st February 2021. The participation was limited maintaining health instruction commending CO- VID-19 situation in Kuwait. On this day, in the early morning, HE Major General Md Ashikuzzaman, ndc, afwc, psc, G, Ambassador of Ban- gladesh to Kuwait hoisted the National Flag at half-mast ceremoniously in the presence of Embassy offi cials and rep- resentatives of the Print and electronic media. Later on HE the Ambassador along with other offi cers of the Em- bassy placed wreath of fl ower in front of temporary Shaheed Minar (Martyrs Monument) and observed one minute silence to commemorate those sac- rifi ced their lives during the Bengali Language Movement demonstrations of 1952. Photos from the event. The main program started with the recitation from the Holy Quran at the program. Niaz Morshed, Professor Dr. Mijanur Rahman, Vice sion. HE Major General Md Ashikuz- sphere as a good number of partici- aspects of “Martyr’s Day & Interna- through zoom platform. Special Dua First Secretary & Head of Chancery Chancellor of Jagannath University, zaman ndc, afwc, psc, G, Ambassador pants from the community took part. tional Mother Language Day”. He also and Munajat were offered seeking moderate this part of the program Dhaka and Professor Dr Syed Anwar of Bangladesh to Kuwait moderate the They highlighted various important said that defi nitely this discussion ses- divine blessings for the souls of the through Zoom platform. Husain, Bangabandhu Chair Professor, discussion session. events that took place before and after sion has enriched our knowledge on language martyrs’ and prayed for the As a part of celebrating “Martyr’s Bangladesh University of Profession- During the session, the eminent dis- the language movement. our history. continued progress of the country. Day & International Mother Language als attended as discussant at the dis- cussant of Bangladesh spoke on “Sha- Honorable Chief Guest, Asaduzza- The online discussion session came The messages given by the Hon’ble Day-2021” the Embassy of Bangladesh cussion session. Participants Bangla- hid Dibash & International Mother man Noor, MP, in his speech paid deep to an end with the vote of thanks given President, the Hon’ble Prime Min- in Kuwait organized a discussion ses- desh Ambassador/High Commissioner Language Day-2021” highlighting homage to the Father of the Nation, his by HE Major General Md. Ashikuz- ister, the Hon’ble Foreign Minister, sion on Zoom platform at 1400 hrs in abroad, senior government offi cials, “Contribution of language movement family and the souls of the ‘language zaman, ndc, afwc, psc, G, the Ambas- Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Dhaka time and at 1100 hrs in Kuwait eminent personalities and members to the independence of Bangladesh” martyrs’ and prayed for their departed sador of Bangladesh in Kuwait. The Affairs were read out by Officers of time. H.E. Mr. Asaduzzaman Noor, of Bangladeshi community in Kuwait and “Importance of International soul. The Chief Guest thanked the entire program were live telecasted the Embassy. Three short films and MP, Ex-Minister for Cultural Affairs and abroad has actively participated in Mother Language Day”. The discus- eminent speakers and participants for from offi cial Facebook page of the one documentary film were shown of Bangladesh attended as chief guest, the above mentioned discussion ses- sion took place in a very lively atmo- their elaborate discussion on various Embassy.

Embassy Greetings

Ambassadors congratulate Amir, Kuwait on nat’l days The following is a message from H.E. Miguel Ángel Isidro, Ambassador of Mexico to the State of Kuwait: I am truly privileged and hon- oured to celebrate alongside the friendly nation of the State of Ku- wait and its people, the milestone of the 60th Independence Day and 30th Liberation Day celebrations. On this historic occasion, I wish to extend to His Highness Amir of the State of Kuwait, His High- ness the Crown Prince, His High- ness Prime Minister, the Govern- ment and the people of the State of Kuwait our heartfelt congratu- H.E. Miguel Ángel Isidro, Am- lations and best wishes. We wish bassador of Mexico to the State of Kuwait. the people of Kuwait continue to be blessed with enduring peace, prosperity and happiness under the strong leadership and wisdom of His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait and His Highness Crown Prince. I am convinced that our coun- tries boast great potential on the way to developing mutually ben- efi cial cooperation. I express our KUNA photo commitment to continue build- Vietnamese Ambassador during his visit to KRCS headquarters. ing on the existing bilateral ties of partnership, as well as to raise them to a qualitatively new level for the benefi t of our peoples. ❑ ❑ ❑ Vietnamese ambassador commends H.E. Igor Hajdušek, Ambassa- The following is a mes- dor of the Slovak Republic to sage form His Excellency Igor the State of Kuwait. Hajdušek, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the State of Kuwait humanitarian, relief efforts Kuwait: On behalf of the people, Gov- ernment and Embassy of the Slovak Republic to the State of Envoy lauds KRCS efforts in fight against COVID-19 Kuwait, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al By Arwa Al-Wagayan Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, His High- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21, ness Sheikh Meshaal Al Ahmed (KUNA): The Ambassador Al Jaber Al Sabah, Crown Prince, the Government and the friendly of Vietnam to Kuwait Lee people of Kuwait on the occasions Toan Thang commended of Kuwait’s 60th Independence the distinguished Kuwaiti and 30th Liberation Days. This year Kuwait is celebrating its H.E. Sarmen Baghdasarian, role, as well as the coun- National and Liberation Days under Ambassador of the Republic of try’s comprehensive and the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Nawaf Armenia to the State of Kuwait. qualitative efforts in the Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, all my best wishes for every success in His Government, and the Embassy of field of humanitarian and Highness new tasks. Kuwait can be the Republic of Armenia to the relief work. rightly proud of its achievements State of Kuwait, I would like to After Thang’s Sunday meeting since independence. The country has extend my sincere congratulations always been an example of stability to His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al with the Chairman of the Board of and economic growth. Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir Directors of Kuwait Red Crescent Recently the COVID-19 pan- of the State of Kuwait, His High- Society (KRCS) Dr Hilal Al-Say- demic shocks the entire world, Ku- ness Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmed Al er, he told KUNA in a statement wait manages to deal professional- Jaber Al Sabah, Crown Prince, the that he appreciates KRCS’ role in ly with the crisis that was met with Government, and the friendly peo- supporting people exposed to natu- acclaim and praise by many of the ple of Kuwait on the occasions of ral disasters and reducing their hu- International Organizations for the Kuwait’s 60th Independence and man suffering. efforts made by the Government. 30th Liberation Days. I wish Kuwait to continue serving Ever since its independence Thang was briefed on the dis- and liberation, Kuwait has been a tinguished humanitarian and relief KUNA photo as an oasis of peace and welfare in Dr Hilal Al-Sayer receives Vietnamese Ambassador to Kuwait Lee Toan Thang. the region. country of peace, thanks to its wise activities provided by KRCS with Let me finally conclude my Leaders and their remarkably bal- the aim of supporting humanitar- KRCS’ headquarters supports its message of greetings by extend- anced foreign policy that helped ian and relief work worldwide, he humanitarian orientations and ing to His Highness the Amir of the country successfully navigate said, underlining that it is work to strengthens the various areas of Burgan Bank announces names of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed through many hardships and criti- serve all of humanity. relief interventions, as KRCS will Al Jaber Al Sabah, the heartfelt cal stages throughout its history. Measures remain at the good expectations of Yawmi account daily draw winners congratulations of H.E. Mrs. Zu- I would also like to express my zana Čaputová, President of the gratitude to the leadership of the He commended what KRCS pre- everyone by making more efforts State of Kuwait for their support that raise the contents of humani- KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: Burgan two months prior to the draw date. Ad- Slovak Republic on this special sented in combating COVID-19 lo- Bank announced today the names of ditionally, every KD 10 in the account occasion. and cooperation with the Embassy cally and internationally, noting that tarian work and achieve its aspi- the daily draw winners of its Yawmi will entitle customers to one chance of I wish the best for good health, as well as for their kindness to- the association provided a distin- rations on the humanitarian arena account draw, each taking home a winning. If the account balance is KD success and personal well-being wards the Armenian community guished model regarding awareness that faces many challenges. cash-prize of KD 5,000. 500and above, the account holder will to His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al that gives them the privilege to en- and preventive measures for all citi- KRCS continues to fulfi ll its hu- The lucky winners are: be qualified for both the quarterly and Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of joy the benefi ts of this great coun- zens and residents. manitarian role and duty in provid- 1. Mohammad Asghar Haidar daily draws. the State of Kuwait, His Highness try and play a bridging role in the During the meeting, they dis- ing relief to the affl icted people and 2. Mohammad Ali Negahban Burgan Bank encourages everyone to Sheikh Meshaal Al Ahmed Al Jaber ties between Armenia and Kuwait. cussed ways to enhance KRCS’ ef- participating in every international 3. Shahni Umesh Shahani open a Yawmi account and/or increase Al Sabah, Crown Prince, the Gov- I would like to conclude my forts in Vietnam, documenting links effort to alleviate the suffering of 4. Mashael Owaidhah Almanea their deposit to maximize their chances of ernment and to offer the people of message with my best wishes for and promoting areas of partnership these people, Al-Sayer added, noting 5. Baqer Hussain Jaafar becoming a winner. The higher the level of Kuwait the best wishes for continued good health, success and personal In addition to the daily draw, Bur- the deposit, the higher the likelihood to win. welfare and prosperity. well-being to His Highness Sheikh with the competent authorities in hu- that KRCS supports any humanitar- Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sa- manitarian affairs there. ian work for the Vietnamese people. gan Bank also offers a Quarterly Draw For more information on opening ❑ ❑ ❑ with more chances to win higher re- a Yawmi account, the new quarterly bah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, Thang indicated that his country During the meeting, both sides wards, offering the chance to one draw or on any of the bank’s products The following is a message His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al has strong ties with Kuwait, as the reviewed the most vital humanitar- lucky customer to win KD 125,000 ev- and services, customers are urged to from H.E. Sarmen Baghdasar- Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Crown two countries seek to develop the ian work and activities carried out ery three months. The Yawmi Account visit their nearest Burgan Bank branch, ian, Ambassador of the Repub- Prince, the Government as well as existing political and economic rela- by Kuwait to aid and assist countries offers Daily and Quarterly Draws, or simply call the bank’s Call Center at lic of Armenia to the State of to offer the people of Kuwait the tions between them. in the areas of government contribu- wherein the Quarterly Draw requires 1804080. Customers can also log on to Kuwait: best wishes for continued welfare In a statement to KUNA, Al- tions, humanitarian and relief aid, customers to maintain a minimum Burgan Bank’s www.burgan.com for On behalf of the people, the and prosperity. Sayer said that Thang’s visit to also medical aid. amount of KD 500 in their account for further information. in a blow to Ryanair, EU court approves state help measures

A top court has ruled that mea- tax payments for airlines hold- European Commission, which arguing that the schemes con- sures introduced by France and ing a French operating license polices state aid and other stitute unfair state aid bailouts A United Airlines Sweden to help some airlines “does not constitute discrimina- competition issues, approved for national carriers. jet is towed after weather the fallout of coronavi- tion.” the two plans last year, weeks The decisions come as the being deiced at rus restrictions are compatible The Luxembourg-based after the pandemic began 27 EU member countries pon- George Bush with European Union law, deal- court also ruled that a loan spreading throughout Europe der how long to continue to Intercontinental ing a major blow to low-cost guarantee scheme put in place and border closures and other provide support to businesses Airport, Feb 16, carrier Ryanair which chal- last year by Sweden to support restrictions hit air travel. and economies to help them in Houston. (AP) lenged them as unfair. airlines with a Swedish operat- Ryanair which says it was survive the impact of coronavi- The General Court of the ing license “is presumed to transporting around 149 million rus restrictions amid concerns European Union handed down have been adopted in the inter- passengers a year before the that some companies are gain- two decisions. It said a system est of the European Union.” coronavirus hit, went to court to ing an unfair advantage through introduced by France to defer The EU’s executive arm, the have that approval annulled, state help. (AP)

Market Movements 19-02-2021 Change Closing pts Change Closing pts CHINA - Shanghai SE +20.27 3,675.36 AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries -3.35 7,155.47 JAPAN - Nikkei -56.10 30,236.09 GERMANY - DAX -36.10 13,873.17 FRANCE - CAC 40 -39.80 5,726.04 EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 -22.88 3,676.97 S. KOREA - KRX 100 -111.35 6,652.76 PHILIPPINES - PSEi -116.79 6,849.64 Business Decision holds broad implications for the gig economy UK top court gives Uber drivers benefits in landmark ruling LONDON, Feb 21, (AP): Uber drivers in Britain are entitled to benefits like paid holidays and minimum wage, the country’s top court ruled Friday, in a decision that threatens the company’s business model and holds broad impli- cations for the gig economy. The ruling that the drivers should be classed as “workers” and not self- employed is a big defeat for the ride- hailing giant. And it could inspire similar legal action against other com- panies who rely on gig workers as well as influence courts in other countries grappling with the issue, experts said. The seven Supreme Court judges who heard the case unanimously rejected Uber’s appeal against an employment tribunal ruling that two Uber drivers were “workers” under British law. Yaseen Aslam and James Farrar, the two drivers, cheered the outcome. “This ruling will fundamentally re- order the gig economy and bring an end to rife exploitation of workers by means of algorithmic and contract trickery,” said James Farrar said by email. The pair took Uber to the tribu- nal in 2016, which ruled in their favor. The decision was upheld in two rounds of appeals before it arrived at the Supreme Court. San Francisco-based Uber, which has 65,000 active drivers and 5 million regular users in the UK, had argued that Aslam and Farrar were indepen- dent contractors. The company said it respected the court’s decision, which it argued focused on a small number of drivers who used the Uber app in 2016. “Since then we have made some significant changes to our business, guided by drivers every step of the way,” Jamie Heywood, Uber’s region- al general manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, said in a statement. “These include giving even more con- trol over how they earn and providing new protections like free insurance in case of sickness or injury.” Heywood said the company would consult with its UK drivers to under- stand the changes they want. The ruling clarified that drivers are considered to be on the job when they are logged in to the Uber app in their territory and ready and willing to accept rides, which could be used to Uber drivers of the (ADCU), App Drivers & Couriers Union, celebrate as they listen to the court decision on a tablet computer outside the Supreme Court in London on Feb 19, 2021.The UK calculate minimum wage and holiday Supreme Court ruled Friday that Uber drivers should be classed as ‘workers and not self employed. (AP) pay. Uber had argued that drivers were only working when they were making sengers, which results in the service a journey with a paying passenger. being “very tightly defined and con- The case is now expected to return trolled by Uber.” to the employment tribunal for deci- “Drivers are in a position of subor- sions on compensation over lost pay dination and dependency to Uber,” for about two dozen drivers involved with little ability to improve their eco- Federal Reserve sees ‘modest’ in the original claim. Another 2,000 nomic position and the only way to drivers’ cases had been stayed pending increase their earnings is by “working the decision. Drivers could be entitled longer hours while constantly meeting to an average of 12,000 pounds Uber’s measures of performance,” ($16,800), estimated law firm Leigh said judge George Leggatt, as he read Day, which is representing drivers. out a summary of the ruling on a court pickup in hiring during month Uber drive Conrad Delphine looked livestream. forward to getting paid time off after Uber said some features cited in the years of working without holiday or ruling no longer exist, noting that since sick pay. 2017 drivers face no repercussion for Job market remains badly damaged by the pandemic “I am very pleased. It means I can rejecting multiple consecutive trips. go on holiday without having to worry Providing more benefits for its about how to pay for it,” Delphine drivers is likely increase costs for WASHINGTON, Feb 21, report said. It also said that its mea- Hiring has stalled in the past three nomic rescue package late last year said. “Things have been worse because Uber, which already was struggling sure shows that the battered leisure months, with job gains averaging just has lifted the economy’s prospects, of coronavirus. If we catch the virus to make a profit and had previously (AP): The Federal Reserve and hospitality industry – which 90,000 a month from November the minutes said. we should be entitled to sick pay. It’s run into regulatory trouble in says there’s evidence that includes restaurants, bars, hotels through January. And the Fed’s Eric Rosengren, president of the about time we had some decent pay London, where authorities had hiring has picked up in and entertainment venues – has report underscored that the job mar- Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, one and conditions.” sought to revoke its license. The recent weeks, though the started adding jobs again, after a ket is a long way from what the cen- of the Fed’s 12 regional banks, Uber and other app-based ride-hail- changes could ultimately push up “temporary downturn” at the end of tral bank considers “full employ- echoed this view in a speech Friday ing services avoided a similar attempt fares for riders, experts say. job market remains badly last year. ment.” in California to classify drivers as at the Yale Economic Development The decision also comes as the damaged by the pandemic. The Fed has in the past several years Roughly 4 million Americans Symposium. employees eligible for benefits and job coronavirus has upended Uber’s oper- turned increasingly to non-governmen- have fallen out of the labor force protections. The companies bankrolled ating environment. The company In its semi-annual monetary pol- “A successful vaccination rollout Proposition 22, a ballot measure slashed more than 6,000 jobs last year icy report released Friday, the Fed tal sources of economic data to get a since the pandemic began, meaning by the middle of the summer sug- exempting them from the state’s gig- as the virus decimated demand for said it has been watching job data quicker, more timely read on the econ- they are no longer working or look- gests that by the second half of this economy laws by keeping drivers clas- trips while boosting demand for its compiled by payroll processor omy. In its report, the central bank said ing for work. Powell has previously year a robust economic recovery sified as independent contractors able Uber Eats food delivery service. The ADP. The Fed has constructed its this has proved particularly useful dur- noted that if they were counted as should be underway,” Rosengren to set their own hours. Voters approved ruling doesn’t affect Uber Eats couri- ing the pandemic given the speed of unemployed, the jobless rate would said in prepared remarks. own measurement of hiring using the recession, which eliminated 22 be roughly 10%. it in November. ers. the ADP data, and said that gauge In a separate section of the semi- The British judges on Friday cited a Experts said the ruling does not million jobs in just two months this Still, Fed officials believe the eco- annual report, the Fed also spelled number of factors in their decision: have a major immediate impact on has closely matched the govern- spring. Just 55% of those jobs have nomic outlook for later this year has out changes in its thinking that has Uber sets fares and contract terms and other companies because the judges ment’s monthly jobs reports been recovered. brightened, according to minutes of led it to push harder for lower unem- penalizes drivers who reject or cancel cited business practices specific to throughout the pandemic. The report will form the basis for their January meeting, released on ployment and place less emphasis on rides. It also uses passenger ratings to Uber, which in the UK has to operate “The ADP data indicate that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Wednesday. potential threats of inflation. control drivers and minimizes com- under specific regulations governing employment improved modestly Powell’s testimony next week before The distribution of vaccines and “Economic performance in recent munications between drivers and pas- minicabs. through early February,” the Fed’s committees in the House and Senate. the enactment of a $900 billion eco- decades, including during the previ- ous economic expansion, has dem- onstrated that a strong labor market But only briefly assuming refineries get up can be sustained without inducing an unwanted increase in inflation,” the Fed said. In 2019, the unemployment rate Gulf freeze may boost gas prices: experts fell to a 50-year low of 3.5%, with- TEXAS, Feb 21, (AP): Add one more potential item to ing refineries get up and running at full strength after the out any sign of inflation. Powell and the list of economic hardships dealt to Americans in the frigid weather moves out. other Fed officials have pointed to past 11 months: rising gas prices. “Once power is restored, once temperatures rise that trend as justification for keeping But you can’t blame it on the coronavirus pandemic. above freezing, refineries will restart, oil production rates ultra-low until hiring has fully This one is on Mother Nature. will restart and it shouldn’t have more than a several- recovered. The Fed has pinned its A deep freeze in the Gulf state region and beyond that weeks impact,” DeHaan said. short-term interest rate at nearly zero killed dozens of people, left millions without power and Also, because gas demand has fallen as the pandemic since last March, when the pandemic jeopardized drinking water systems also forced as many forced millions of people to work from home, there are intensified. as 11 refineries offline, according to travel app adequate reserves to prevent prices from rising too Previously, Fed officials often felt GasBuddy. The resulting capacity cuts could drive gas much. it was necessary to raise its bench- prices up by about 10 to 20 cents per gallon, said Patrick “In terms of transportation fuels demand, it’s kind of mark rate when the unemployment DeHaan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. an opportune time,” said Tom Kloza, global head of rate neared its estimate of maximum The national average for a gallon of gas is currently energy analysis at Oil Price Information Service. employment, just on the prospect between $2.54 and $2.57 depending on who you ask, “Gasoline demand is quite low and it’s going to con- In this file photo, a passer-by walks past an employment hiring sign while that inflation would soon increase. meaning prices could rise to around $2.75 per gallon tinue to be low well into March. And we have very, very entering a Target store location, in Westwood, Massachusetts.The Federal But Fed policy now is to not raise fairly quickly. Fortunately, it shouldn’t last long, assum- high inventories of product.” Reserve says there’s evidence that hiring has picked up in recent weeks, rates until inflation has sustainably though the job market remains badly damaged by the pandemic. (AP) reached its target of 2%. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 BUSINESS 9

Ahold Delhaize sales soar Google fires AI manager

Online sales at retailer Ahold quarter, mainly due to previ- Google has fi red a leader of its year. Gebru, a Black woman, said Delhaize soared nearly 72% ously announced US pension artifi cial intelligence ethics team in she was fi red in a dispute over a This Sept 24, in the fi nal quarter of 2020, the plan withdrawal and settlement the fallout from the recent depar- research paper, while Google said 2019, fi le photo company said, as the global agreements totaling 841 million ture of another former employee it had accepted her resignation. shows a sign pandemic forced many custom- euros. involved in the same fi eld. Hundreds of Google employ- on a Google ers to shop from home. CEO Frans Muller paid tribute The internet company con- ees have signed an online peti- building at Global net sales at the mul- to staff for their work during the fi rmed the fi ring after Margaret tion protested Gebru’s departure. their campus tinational that owns the Stop & pandemic, which he said “cre- Mitchell announced her ouster on Mitchell, though, was even more in Mountain Shop, Food Lion and Hannaford ated unprecedented challenges Twitter. outspoken in a Jan 19 tweet t hat View, Calif. stores in the United States rose for the Ahold Delhaize brands.” The fi ring comes a month after insinuated that a meeting compa- (AP) by nearly 13% to 19.6 billion eu- The company said that the Mitchell also vented on Twitter ny CEO Sundar Pichai had sched- ros ($23.7 billion). COVID-19 pandemic “continues about the handling of her former uled with the leaders of historically The company recorded a to create signifi cant uncertainty colleague, Timnit Gebru, who Black colleges and universities 9 million euro net loss for the in 2021.” (AP) parted ways with Google late last was merely window dressing. (AP)

Closures create business boom for commercial auctioneers Pandemic restaurant closures produce glut of used equipment SAN LEANDRO, California, Feb 21, (AP): The pandem- ic’s heavy toll on the restaurant industry can be seen in Jose Bonilla Jr.’s cavernous warehouse, which is packed with industrial ovens, grills, mixers, refrigerators, dining tables and chairs. Bonilla’s family business, American Restaurant Supply Yellen warns against ‘paring’ in San Leandro, Calif, buys used appliances, furniture and other equipment when restaurants close in the San Fran- cisco Bay Area. “We have an overfl ow of equipment that’s been coming in,” said Bonilla, whose family started the company more than 40 years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced tens of thousands Biden’s $1.9tn relief package of restaurants to permanently shut their doors as dining re- strictions keep customers away. But it has also been a boon for commercial auctioneers that buy used equipment and sell them to restaurants that managed to stay afl oat, particu- ‘We are digging out of a deep hole’ larly ones that have expanded their takeout business and are eager to snatch up supplies at bargain prices. WASHINGTON, Feb 21, (AP): Congressional Budget Office has pro- “As the pandemic has continued to impact businesses, Treasury Secretary Janet jected that without the Biden plan, it the auction industry has actually become busier and busier could take the economy until 2024 to get as the economy has weakened, especially in small busi- Yellen said that recent signs back to full employment. With the extra nesses and in food service equipment,” said John Schultz, a of improvement in the U.S. support, that goal could be achieved by board member of the National Association of Auctioneers. next year, she said. Schultz is the chief marketing and technology offi cer economy are no reason to scale at Grafe Auction, a Rochester-Minn.-based company that back the administration’s $1.9 “The costs of doing too little is much helps restaurants and other businesses nationwide sell their higher than the price of doing something trillion relief plan because the big,” Yellen said. “I really think the ben- used assets when they shut down. economy remains in a “deep The company conducted 289 auctions in 2020, up from efits will far outweigh the costs in the 203 in 2019, and had its most profi table month in August hole” with many people still long run.” since the company was founded in 1959, Schultz said. hurting. Yellen also dismissed concerns that “It’s a bittersweet thing for me as I see these businesses Yellen said in a CNBC interview that the increased government spending and closing,” Shultz said. “It’s sad for me, but for us it’s been in addition to the relief plan’s $1,400 soaring budget deficits could trigger actually a record year” in 2020. stimulus checks and expanded unem- unwanted inflation. She said the Federal A new report by the National Restaurant Association ployment benefi ts, the Biden adminis- Reserve, which she headed from 2014 shows the pandemic’s devastating impact on the restaurant tration is planning to unveil later this to 2018, had the tools to deal with infla- industry, which last year lost 110,000 businesses - about year an infrastructure program also tion. 17% of the nation’s total. The greater threat is “scarring” that “We’ve never seen that kind of loss,” said Sean Ken- aimed at boosting growth. “We are digging out of a deep hole,” would leave people out of work for long nedy, executive vice president at the National Restaurant periods, making it harder for them to get Association. “This is as dire a situation for the restaurant Yellen said. “Last year was the worst year for economic growth since World back into the labor market and taking a industry in this country as we’ve ever seen.” permanent toll on their lives, she said. The National Restaurant Association is calling on Con- War II.” gress to help the country’s beleaguered restaurants as they Yellen rejected arguments being made She said parts of the administration’s negotiate a COVID-19 relief package with President Joe by Republicans that President Joe infrastructure proposal would be paid for Biden. Biden’s proposal is too big following the with tax increases on wealthy corpora- “We need specifi c funding targeted at restaurants or the nearly $4 trillion in government support tions and high-income individuals, nation’s second largest private sector employer is not going approved last year. something Republicans also object to. to be around much longer,” Kennedy said. She said that even with the support Asked how much this “Build Back Over the past year, Bonilla’s been fi elding a fl urry calls already approved, the country still has 9 Better” plan would cost, Yellen said the from restaurants that are shutting down and need to quickly million people out of work and another 4 plan was still being developed and the In this Aug 14, 2019 fi le photo, former Fed Chair Janet Yellen speaks with FOX sell their equipment before the next rent check is due. million who have dropped out of the administration did not have a cost esti- Business Network guest anchor Jon Hilsenrath at the Fox Washington bureau in Unfortunately, Bonilla said, he can’t help most of these labor force. She noted that the mate yet. Washington. (AP) restaurant owners because his warehouse is already stuffed with roughly 2,000 pieces of equipment. And he doesn’t have enough workers to pick up, inspect and fi x the used appliances. “It’s heartbreaking because people, you know, they take their pride in the restaurants,” Bonilla said. “They’ve put every resource they could possibly put into their business to try to survive, and they just cannot survive.” Among the hardest hit are restaurants that relied on in- door dining, especially in states that have imposed the most severe restrictions, industry offi cials say. Before the pandemic, Johnny Metheny ran four res- taurants in San Francisco, which has had some of the na- tion’s strictest rules on dining. He temporarily closed two downtown restaurants and permanently shut down a third, Solstice, because it didn’t have a good setup for outdoor dining. “Unfortunately, I had to give the keys back there because after 10 months of not being able to operate, you just can’t survive,” Metheny said. “We had 19 employees that unfor- tunately we had to lay off. And it’s devastating for them and it just crushes me.” Metheny tried to sell the restaurant’s equipment, but his friend who runs a commercial auction business declined to buy it because he already has too much inventory he can’t sell. “He told me, ‘I’ve taken in so much equipment and no- body wants it.’ So we just put it in storage,” said Metheny, who is considering opening a new restaurant when the pan- demic ends.

An employee cleans used equipment for sale inside the warehouse of American Restaurant Supply, which is packed with appliances and furniture from restaurants that have shut down during the pandemic, in San Lean- dro, Calif, on Jan 14. (AP) ‘Economy improving in rural parts of 10 states’ OMAHA, Nebraska, Feb 21, (AP): The economy is slowly improving in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states, but employment remains below the level it was at before the coronavirus pandemic began last year, according to a new monthly survey of bankers released Thursday. The overall index for the region increased to 53.8 in Feb- ruary from January’s 52. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 suggests a shrink- ing economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who over- sees the survey, said the number of jobs in the region is down roughly 146,000, or 3.3%, from the level it was at before the pandemic began. The survey’s hiring index hit 51.9 in February, up from January’s weak 46, to suggest businesses are now hiring, but Goss said it will take several month’s of steady growth to get back to pre-COVID-19 levels. The bankers surveyed are optimistic about the economy as grain prices and exports continue to increase. The survey’s confi dence index increased to 64 in February from Janu- ary’s 60. Goss said the Federal Reserve’s current record low short-term interest rates are also helping the economy. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minne- sota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 BUSINESS 10

Kia and Hyundai recovering from days-long network outages

Kia Motors America says it’s less severe IT outage it said best and most current infor- decode scrambled data. The restoring services crippled also began Saturday, said mation, we can confirm that report said the gang was by a computer network out- they had no evidence the we have no evidence that Kia threatening to leak online In this file photo, the company age that began Saturday and problems were caused by or any Kia data is subject to a data stolen from Hyundai sign stands over a row of un- which apparently affected ransomware. Neither would ransomware attack,” the com- unless the South Korean au- sold 2021 Seltos models at a dealers’ ability to order vehi- provide an explanation for pany said. tomaker paid up. Kia dealership, in Centennial, cles and parts and knocked what caused them. The cybersecurity news Kia said its UVO app, which Colorado. (AP) offline a smartphone app that In a statement on Thursday, outlet BleepingComputer offers the “remote start” func- owners use to remotely start Kia cited “online speculation” reported Wednesday that tion, was coming back online and warm up vehicles. that it was hit by ransomware, it obtained a note in which Thursday. It would not con- Both Kia and affiliated which scrambles data until a the ransomware gang Dop- firm that the outage delayed automaker Hyundai Motor victim pays to have it decoded. pelpaymer was demanding vehicle deliveries and main- America, which reported a “At this time, and based on the $20 million from Hyundai to tenance. (AP) Social media giant urged to return to negotiating table with media organizations Australian leader urges Facebook to lift its news blockade CANBERRA, Australia, Feb 21, of Representatives on Wednesday structively engage because they lence. (AP): Australia’s prime minister night that would make Facebook know that what Australia will “I think the door is still open,” urged Facebook to lift its ban on and Google pay Australian media do here is likely to be followed Miller told a Senate inquiry into news access for Australian users companies fair compensation for by many other Western jurisdic- Australian media diversity. and return to the negotiating table the journalism that the platforms tions.” “While Facebook may have with media organizations, warning link to. The legislation must be ap- Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, the moved away, they don’t move that other countries would follow proved by the Senate to become minister responsible for the pro- out,” Miller added. his government’s example in mak- law. posed News Media Bargaining News Corp. owns most of ing digital giants pay for journal- Google has responded by quick- Code, had a telephone conversa- Australia’s major newspapers ism. ly working out licensing content tion with Facebook chief executive and some analysts argue the Prime Minister Scott Morri- deals with major Australian media Mark Zuckerberg after the block- U.S.-based international me- son described Facebook’s move companies under its own News ade began on Thursday and again dia empire is the driver for the Thursday to prevent Australians Showcase model. on Friday. conservative Australian gov- from accessing and sharing news Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. “We talked through their remain- ernment making Facebook and as a threat. has announced a wide-ranging deal ing issues & agreed our respective Google pay. The blockade has escalated a with Google covering operations teams would work through them “This legislation is pure protec- fi ght with the government over in the United States and Britain as immediately. We’ll talk again over tionism out of the brain of Rupert whether powerful tech companies well as Australia. the weekend,” Frydenberg tweeted Murdoch to try to create a tax on should have to pay news organiza- Major Australian media or- on Friday. his competitors,” Jeff Jarvis, a tions for content. ganization Seven West Media “I reiterated Australia remains journalism expert from the City “The idea of shutting down the also reached a deal earlier in the committed to implementing the University of New York, told ABC sorts of sites they did yesterday, as week. Rival Nine Entertainment code,” Frydenberg added. recently. some sort of threat - well, I know In this file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before a House is reportedly close to its own Frydenberg maintains that Facebook said on Thursday how Australians react to that and I Financial Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. For pact, and state-owned Australian Facebook had been having con- the proposed Australian law years, Facebook has been in a defensive crouch amid a slew of privacy thought that was not a good move scandals, antitrust lawsuits and charges that it was letting hate speech and Broadcasting Corp. is in negotia- structive negotiations with Aus- “fundamentally misunderstands on their part,” Morrison told re- extremism destroy democracy. (AP) tions. tralian media on pay deals im- the relationship between our porters. Morrison said he discussed the mediately before the surprise platform and publishers who “They should move quickly past bungled, cutting access - at least all it cares about is profit, not Facebook dispute with Indian blockade. use it.” that, come back to the table and temporarily - to pandemic, pub- people.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on News Corp Australia executive Morrison said his government we’ll sort it out,” he added. lic health and emergency ser- Some non-Australian outlets Thursday. Morrison was also dis- chairman Michael Miller was more was “happy to listen to them on the Australian news organizations vices. also appeared affected, with posts cussing Australia’s proposed law equivocal about Facebook negotia- technical issues,” but remained de- could not post stories and people Newspaper headlines included: disappearing from Facebook pages with the leaders of Britain, Canada tions. termined to pass the law. who tried to share existing news “No likes for unsocial network,” belonging to Britain’s Daily Tele- and France. “Having been someone who’s “It’s not OK to unfriend Aus- stories got notifications saying and “Faceblock.” graph and Sky News. Both share “There is a lot of world interest dealt with Facebook over the tralia because Australia is very they were blocked from doing An article about how fake news names with news outlets in Aus- in what Australia is doing,” Mor- past months, we have some friendly,” Morrison said. “We’d so. would replace credible journal- tralia. rison said. weeks where we’re getting good like to remain very friendly and There was public outrage at ism in Australian feeds carried The blockade was a response to “That’s why I invite, as we did engagement and think we’re it’s time for them to friend us how the Facebook blockade was the headline, “’Fakebook’ shows the passage of a bill by the House with Google, Facebook to con- progressing and then you get si- again.” Vaccine delays leave grocery workers feeling ‘expendable’ 11 states have no clear plan for prioritizing grocery workers

NEW YORK, Feb 21, (AP): As panicked Ameri- cans cleared supermarkets of toilet paper and food last spring, grocery em- ployees gained recognition as among the most indis- pensable of the pandemic’s front-line workers. A year later, most of those workers are waiting their turn to receive COVID-19 vaccines, with little clarity about when that might happen. A decentralized vaccine cam- paign has resulted in a patchwork of policies that differ from state to state, and even county to county in some areas, resulting in an incon- sistent rollout to low-paid essential workers who are exposed to hun- dreds of customers each day. “Apparently we are not front- line workers when it comes to get- ting the vaccine. That was kind of a shock,” said Dawn Hand, who works at a Kroger supermarket in In this file photo, a customer asks Lidl employee Joseph Lupo, (right), for help finding a product inside the Houston, where she said three of her Lidl grocery market in Lake Grove, New York. (AP) co-workers were out with the virus last week. She watches others get- so for the workers who don’t have zon and other major retailers. who fell ill with the virus in March, ting vaccinated at the in-store phar- large companies or unions to advo- At MOM’s Organic Market, a is one of them. macy without knowing when she’ll cate for them. 21-store grocery chain in the Mid- “I never ever want to get COVID get her turn. Edward Lara had to close his Atlantic region, chief culture of- again, or see anybody else get it,” Texas is among several states that small grocery store – known as a fi cer Jon Croft initially thought the said Lupo, 59. have decided to leave grocery and bodega – in the Bronx for 40 days company’s 1,500 workers would be But for many grocery workers, other essential workers out of the when he and his employees con- vaccinated by the end of January. the realization that they won’t be second phase of its vaccination ef- tracted the virus last spring. He has He now thinks it will be more like eligible any time soon adds to the fort, instead prioritizing adults over tried for weeks to get a vaccine ap- March or April. The company has sense of being expendable. They 65 and people with chronic medical pointment and fi nally fi gured out he only been able to pre-register work- have fought a mostly losing battle conditions. could register through the website ers from two stores in Maryland and for hazard pay, which a handful of Focusing on older adults is an of a network of health care provid- two in Virginia. companies offered in the spring but approach many epidemiologists ers, which will notify him when a “Folks feel they deserve to have ended despite multiple resurgences support as the most ethical and ef- slot opens. an opportunity to be vaccinated of the virus. fi cient because it will help reduce Lara’s father-in-law died of the having been on the front line,” Croft A year into the pandemic, some deaths and hospitalizations faster. virus in March. His mother-in-law said. “The politicians and the health shoppers still refuse to wear masks People over 65 account for 80% of died in November. Last week, a departments have been singing the and managers often don’t force deaths in the country, according to friend who manages his bodega’s praises of grocery workers but now them to follow the rules. the Centers for Disease and Control insurance policy also died. And a they have been silent.” “There are the people who come Prevention. cousin in New Jersey got the virus Major food retailers say they are in wearing a mask halfway down “Our main goals with vaccines for a second time, leaving him terri- doing their part to get their work- or take it off as soon as they get in should be reducing deaths and hos- fi ed it could happen to him. ers vaccinated. Kroger, the nation’s the door,” said Drew Board, who pitalizations,” said William Moss, “Nothing to be done. Cross my largest grocery chain, said it has makes $13.50 an hour handling gro- executive director of the Interna- fi ngers and hope that God protects been vaccinating employees in Il- cery pick-up orders at a Walmart in tional Vaccine Center at Johns Hop- me,” Lara said after registering for linois ever since they became eligi- Albemarle, North Carolina. “I ask kins University School of Public the waitlist. ble, but grocery workers aren’t yet them politely to pull it back up and Health. “In order to do that, we need Only 13 states are currently al- eligible in most of the jurisdictions they do and then take it back down to begin vaccinating those at the lowing grocery workers to sign up in which the company operates. when they walk away.” highest risks.” for vaccines, according to the Unit- Target and Walmart also said they Francisco Marte, president of But many grocery workers have ed Food and Commercial Workers would offer their workers vaccines the Bodega and Small Business been surprised and disheartened to union, which represents 1.3 million at their own pharmacies as soon as Association of New York, said he fi nd that they’ve been left out of U.S. grocery, meatpacking and oth- they are eligible. tells his own workers not to risk such policies, in part because a CDC er front-line workers. Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Target and their lives confronting shoppers panel had raised their expectations Some states are still working online delivery service Instacart who won’t wear masks. In Au- by recommending the second phase through an initial phase that pri- have offered bonuses or extra paid gust, an angry customer slashed of the vaccine rollout – 1B – include oritizes health workers and nursing time off for workers who get the thousands of dollars worth of grocery and other essential employ- home residents. Many states have vaccine. goods at a Bronx bodega after be- ees. divided the second phase into tiers When grocery chain Lidl got ing asked to wear a mask. Even when grocery workers that put grocery workers lower than word from Suffolk County on Long “It should be the job of the po- are prioritized, they still face long others, including people 65 and Island that it would be given ap- lice,” said Marte, whose organiza- waits. New York opened up vac- over, teachers and fi rst responders. pointments for its local workers, it tion handed out 150,000 free masks cines to grocery workers in early Eleven states have no clear plan for immediately contacted those who it in the spring when they were scarce. January, along with other essential prioritizing grocery workers at all, knew to be at highest risk. So far, “I tell the employees, keep your dis- employees and anyone 65 and over. according to research from United more than 100 employees in Suffolk tance and wear your mask but don’t But limited supply makes booking 4 Respect, a labor group that advo- County have now gotten shots. put yourself in danger because we an appointment diffi cult, even more cates for workers at Walmart, Ama- Joseph Lupo, a Lidl supervisor are the ones who lose.” ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 SCIENCE 11

Coronavirus

‘Don’t shed masks yet’ What is ‘safe’ after Covid vaccination?

LOS ANGELES, Feb 21, (AP): You’re fully vaccinated against the coronavirus — now what? Don’t expect to shed your mask and get back to normal activities right away. That’s going to be a disappointment, if not a shock, to many people. In Miami, 81-year-old Noemi Caraballo got her second dose on Tuesday and is looking forward to seeing friends, resuming fi tness classes and running errands after nearly a year of being extremely cautious, even ordering groceries online. “Her line is, ‘I’m tired of talking to the cats and the par- rots’,” said her daughter Susan Caraballo. “She wants to do things and talk to people.” But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t yet changed its guidelines: At least for now, people should fol- low the same rules as everybody else about wearing a mask, keeping a 6-foot distance and avoiding crowds — even after they’ve gotten their second vaccine dose. Vaccines in use so far require two doses, and experts say especially don’t let your guard down after the fi rst dose. “You’re asking a very logical ques- tion,” Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, responded when a 91-year-old California woman recently asked if she and her vaccinated friends could resume their mah-jongg games. Fauci In that webcast exchange, Fauci only could point to the CDC’s recommendations, which so far are mum about exceptions for vaccinated people getting together. “Hang on,” he told the woman, saying he expected updates to the guidelines as more people get the coveted shots. What experts also need to learn: The vaccines are highly Dr Rania Azmi President of ‘Fadia Survive & Thrive.’ Fadia Survive & Thrive is a Kuwait-based organization that revolves around cancer patient advocacy, cancer effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, especially se- prevention, control, and alleviating its side effects by improving the patient’s quality of life with evidence-based knowledge put into action. vere illness and death — but no one yet knows how well they block spread of the coronavirus. It’s great if the vaccine means someone who otherwise would have been hospitalized instead just has the sniffl es, or Health even no symptoms. But “the looming question,” Fauci said during a White House coronavirus response briefi ng last week, is whether a person infected despite vaccination can still, un- wittingly, infect someone else. Studies are underway to fi nd out, and hints are starting to Fadia Association helps patients ‘survive & thrive’ emerge. Fauci pointed to recent research from Spain showing the more coronavirus an infected person harbors — what’s called the viral load — the more infectious they are. That’s not surprising, as it’s true with other illnesses. Cancer cases to rise to 21.6mn by 2030 Protected By Chaitali B. Roy measures throughout a patients’ cancer lying health conditions, including sec- Some preliminary fi ndings from Israel have suggested peo- Special to the Arab Times journeys to reduce complications and ondary infections. Common comorbid- ple infected after the fi rst vaccine dose, when they’re only par- deaths, especially related to sepsis.” ities include Hypertension, Diabetes, tially protected, had smaller viral loads than unvaccinated peo- ccording to Globocan 2020, last According to Dr Al Azmi, much re- Cardiac Conditions and Immunocom- ple who got infected. That’s encouraging if the fi ndings hold year, around 19.3 million people mains to be done in the quest to end promised status. The most critical A cases show a progression to conditions up. Israel has vaccinated a large fraction of its population and were newly diagnosed with cancer. It cancer. “Our work includes cancer patient advocacy; cancer prevention like septic shock, metabolic acidosis, scientists worldwide are watching how the outbreak responds is expected that by 2030, this number as those inoculations increase. and control; promoting/supporting al- and coagulation dysfunction.” The fear Also critical is tracking whether the vaccines protect against will rise to 21.6 million. This alarm- leviating cancer therapy side effects, of infection and sepsis is overriding in new, mutated versions of the virus that are spreading rapidly ing trend requires decisive action at a and improving patients’ quality of life cancer patients, and infection from in some countries, added Dr Walter Orenstein, an infectious national and global level. The role and by putting evidence-based knowledge coronavirus is an added concern. “Ac- disease expert at Emory University. He’s been vaccinated and contribution of advocacy programme into practice. In all this, we keep a cording to medical institutions, 1 in 5 is scrupulously following the CDC guidelines. in this context acquire added sig- special focus on those with metastatic deaths worldwide is associated with There are practical reasons. “It’s hard to tell who got vac- Northup Grumman’s Antares rocket nificance. Cancer advocates speak for cancer. We have worked on simplify- sepsis. Sepsis is always caused by an cinated and who didn’t if you’re just walking around the gro- lifts off the launch pad at NASA’s Wal- those who can’t, and they bridge the ing scientific information for the pub- infection like pneumonia or diarrheal cery store,” noted University of Pennsylvania immunologist lops Island flight facility in Wallops Is- gap between groundbreaking research illness. Sepsis is the final common land, Va, Feb 20. The rocket is deliv- lic, running prevention campaigns, E. John Wherry. and cancer patients, families and care- publishing our advocacy issues in pathway to death from most infectious ering cargo to the International Space givers by ensuring that the needs of And experts like Wherry get asked, repeatedly: Yes, there Station. (AP) scientific journals, presenting in inter- diseases worldwide, including viruses are rules for being in public, but what’s safe for Grandma the patients are always top of mind. national cancer conferences, and much such as SARS-CoV-2. Thus, it is es- to do at home, with family or close friends, after she’s vac- Advocates help the cancer community more. “ sential to closely monitor all facets of cinated? navigate the often challenging cancer possible infections to manage both the Not everyone’s immune system is boosted equally from landscape and play an essential role in Advocacy cancer and COVID19 diseases better.” vaccines — so someone with cancer or the frail elderly may creating a better future for cancer pa- When asked about how their work Cancer patients are presumed to not get as much protection as a robust 70-something. tients. Fadia Survive & Thrive is a Ku- of advocacy was affected by the pan- be at increased risk from COVID-19 But most people should feel “more confi dent about going wait-based organization that revolves demic, Dr Al Azmi shares, “We have infection-related fatality due to under- shopping, for example, or going to see your grandkids, or giv- around cancer patient advocacy, can- been even more active utilizing vir- lying malignancy, treatment-related ing your daughter a hug,” Wherry said. cer prevention, control, and alleviat- tual and in-person platforms during immunosuppression, or increased co- That’s because the chances of a fully vaccinated person get- ing its side effects by improving the the past year. We got involved in at morbidities. “Since research shows ting seriously ill, while not zero, are low. patient’s quality of life with evidence- least three projects with the Union that COVID19 in patients with cancer “Friends coming over for dinner, we should still try to fol- based knowledge put into action. for International Cancer Control. We is associated with a significantly in- low the guidelines,” Wherry added. “You never know who is “The journey of Fadia Survive & raised awareness about various critical creased risk of case fatality, this sug- compromised, where the vaccine may not work as well.” Johnson Noguchi Thrive started about nine years ago. At issues of relevance to cancer patients gests the need for proactive strategies What if the fully vaccinated are exposed to someone who’s first, it was a friendly gathering sup- (including the problems of delayed to reduce the likelihood of infection infected? The CDC did recently ease those rules: No quaran- porting family and friends impacted or postponed diagnosis or treatment and improve early identification in this tine as long as the vaccinated person shows no symptoms and by cancer,” says Dr Rania Al Azmi, of primary or metastatic cases result- vulnerable patient population,” shares it’s been at least two weeks but not longer than three months Discovery President of Fadia Survive & Thrive. ing from various COVID measures in Dr Rania Al Azmi. This increases the since their second dose. “Our aim from the very beginning has the countries we observe, which has urgency to raise awareness and pre- Getting on an airplane? Vaccinated or not, the CDC still been to find reliable, evidence-based, been quite similar across countries). vent any infection in cancer patients urges essential travel only. ISS launch honors mathematician: real-world information that can be put We were active internationally, hav- and take safeguards against the risk of International travel is an even tougher prospect. Expect A space station supply ship named after into action to serve cancer patients ing signed an MoU with the Oncology sepsis. “Doctors, patient advocates and countries that already have different quarantine and test re- the Black NASA mathematician featured better. Between 2012-2013, we began Department in Tashkent State Den- all other cancer stakeholders should quirements to come up with varying post-vaccination guide- in the movie “Hidden Figures” rocketed with small initiatives in the neighbour- tal Institute (Republic of Uzbekistan) have the shared responsibility of rais- lines — especially since multiple types of vaccines, some bet- into orbit Saturday, the 59th anniversary hood to search for and better use reli- to collaborate, especially on patient ing that awareness to prevent unnec- ter proven than others, are used around the world. There’s also of John Glenn’s historic launch. able information. We would share this advocacy efforts. Fadia Association essary and very sad mortalities from Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus capsule knowledge with patients, especially the concern about carrying those worrisome mutations from — dubbed the S.S. Katherine Johnson also formed a new scientific advisory such infections, especially in the era of one country to another. — should reach the International Space metastatic cancer patients. Then “Sur- board including eminent oncologists, COVID19. Stay tuned for updates to the advice as more people get vac- Station on Monday following its launch vive & Thrive”, a countrywide initia- scientists, researchers, survivors and Lastly, we must remember that can- cinated. Meanwhile, don’t underestimate how important it is from Virginia’s eastern shore. tive, was launched in collaboration patients from the US, Netherlands, cer patients, especially metastatic, usu- for the vaccinated to feel less anxiety as they run errands or Johnson died almost exactly a year ago with Kuwait’s main Cancer Control Australia, Italy, Egypt, and Uzbekistan ally suffer from multiple side effects, go to work while still following the public health measures, at age 101. Center, that was very well received.” to contribute to our global fight against such as diarrhoea, lack of appetite, said Dr Luciana Borio, a former Food and Drug Administra- “Mrs Johnson was selected for her In 2016, ‘Fadia Survive & Thrive” was cancer and advocating for the better nausea, severe pains and lack of sleep, tion scientist. hand-written calculations that helped formally founded in the name of Dr Al quality of life for patients. We held which not only compromises their Even with a trip to the grocery store, “there was always this launch the fi rst Americans into space, as Azmi’s mother, Fadia Ibrahim, who two community events, including one quality of life but is also confused as anxiety about, ‘Was that the contact that’s going to make me well as her accomplishments in breaking was until her death its most active sup- on World Cancer Day on Feb 4, 2021.” acceptable treatment side effects when infected’?” Borio said. “That is a very powerful change in glass ceiling after glass ceiling as a Black porter. “While metastatic cancer took When asked about developments they might be symptoms for something one’s living situation.” woman,” Frank DeMauro, a Northrop her life, my mother left the Association during the pandemic, Dr Al Azmi way more fatal such as sepsis. At Fadia Grumman vice president, said on the eve Also: more determined,” shares Dr Al Azmi. shared, “We came to know from vari- Survive and Thrive, we call for united of liftoff. “A homework assignment for “Her painful loss spurred us to start ous researchers and clinicians in our coordinated efforts in prevention and PRAGUE: Authorities in central Europe warned on Friday that all of you is to go watch that movie after advocating for critically ill patients raising awareness about that critical the Cygnus launch.” circle that the fatality of cases with they are seeing a surge in coronavirus cases across their region and advocate for more preventive COVID-19 heavily depend on under- issue.” amid the discovery of new variants. Johnson’s numbers contributed to the The Polish health minister, Adam Niedzielski, said the fi rst Feb. 20, 1962, fl ight in which Glenn be- case of a variant fi rst found in South Africa had been discov- came the fi rst American to orbit the world. The fi lm, released in late 2016, depicted ‘Pellets threaten fl amingos’: Con- ing the tiny pellets lying on the lakebed Africa to Europe. The Larnaca Salt Lake, ered in Poland, and that some 10% of all cases now involve the effort put forth by Johnson and other a wetlands network of four lakes, typical- the variant that emerged in England. servationists in Cyprus are urging authori- as they feed. Like other birds, fl amingos Black women at NASA’s Langley Re- ties to expand a hunting ban throughout swallow small pebbles to aid digestion ly welcomes as many as 15,000 fl amingos “We are entering a crisis situation again. It is up to us where search Center in Hampton, Virginia, dur- from colder climates to the southern coast the peak of this third wave will be” Niedzielski said. “Respon- a coastal salt lake network amid concerns but can’t distinguish between pebbles and ing the early days of space exploration. that migrating fl amingos could potentially the lead pellets. of the island nation in the eastern Medi- sible behavior is key.” Langley is 100 miles (160 kilometers) terranean. They stay through the winter The Czech Republic, one of the hardest-hit countries in swallow lethal quantities of lead shotgun “Last year, we had tens of losses of fl a- from the launch site at Wallops Island. mingos,” Hellicar said. and leave in March. Other water fowl fre- the 27-member European Union, moved Friday to further Northrop Grumman launched the 4-ton pellets. Cyprus is a key stop on the migration quenting the lake include ducks, waders tighten restrictive measures amid a surge of the English shipment for NASA in the early afternoon Martin Hellicar, director of Birdlife Cy- and seagulls. variant. The government said the worsening situation has from Wallops, where temperatures were prus, said fl amingos are at risk of ingest- path for many types of birds fl ying from Hunting is banned around most of the forced it to abandon its plans to reopen all stores as early just above freezing. The Antares rocket salt lake, but hunters are still allowed to as next week. was visible from the Carolinas to Con- shoot ducks in the network’s southern tip. Neighboring Slovakia is also badly hit. It became the coun- necticut, at least where skies were clear. The government’s Game and Fauna try with the most COVID-19 deaths by size of population in This will be the space station’s second Service says in the fi rst two months of the world this week amid a surge of the English variant. delivery in less than a week. A Russian last year, 96 fl amingos were found dead The number of COVID-19 patients in Slovakia’s hospitals capsule pulled up Wednesday with apples in the Larnaca Salt Lake wetlands as a re- and oranges, among other things. sult of lead poisoning. Cyprus Veterinary reached a new record high of 3,900 on Thursday — a situation “Oh, we love fresh food!!!” tweeted Jap- that has prompted leaders to appeal for outside help. So far, Services offi cial Panayiotis Constantinou, anese astronaut Soichi Noguchi. He noted who has conducted autopsies on fl amin- Austria, Poland and Hungary have agreed to deploy medical that the space station fl ew over Virginia just gos, said lead from the pellets poisoned staff to Slovakia. 10 minutes ahead of Saturday’s launch. the birds. In Hungary, where a steady decline in daily infections and Noguchi and his six US and Russian The high number of deaths is mainly deaths from December reversed course early this month, there crewmates can expect more apples once attributed to heavy winter rain two years are now fears of a new surge even as the country began receiv- the Cygnus arrives, along with tomatoes, ago that stirred up the lake sediment and ing shipments of Russian and Chinese vaccines. nuts, smoked salmon, Parmesan and ched- dislodged embedded lead shot. “We are clearly in the ascending phase of the third wave,” dar cheeses, caramels and coconut strips. A sport shooting range near the lake’s Chief Medical Offi cer Cecilia Muller told an online press The capsule also holds 120,000 tiny northern tip closed nearly 18 years ago briefi ng Friday. roundworms for a muscle experiment, as and authorities organized a clean-up of Czech Health Minister said residents will also have to wear well as off-the-shelf computer equipment to lead pellets in the lakebed there. better masks in places where large numbers gather, includ- increase data processing speed at the space But Hellicar says the clean-up was ap- ing stores, hospitals and public transportation. He said cloth station. Also fl ying: radiation detectors in- parently incomplete. A European Union- masks used so far by many will no longer be good enough and tended for NASA’s astronaut moon-landing funded study is underway to identify medical-grade masks, safety respirators or two surgical masks program, and a new system to convert more where signifi cant amounts of lead pellets will instead be required. of the astronauts’ urine into drinking water. remain so they can be removed. Prelimi- It is Northrop Grumman’s 15th station nary results of the study showed “very “We’ve agreed that it’s necessary to do all we can to prevent supply run for NASA. SpaceX is NASA’s the infection from spreading,” Blatny said. high” lead levels in the wetland’s southern other shipper. (AP) tip and continued duck hunting there could ❑ ❑ ❑ ‘Fadia Survive & Thrive’ event on World Cancer Day. compound the problem, Hellicar said. 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CorrespondentMikeWallacethrivedinthatuntamedworkplace, tially letproducersandcorrespondentsfi the eraoffounderDonHewitt.Heshunnedstaffmeetingsandessen- rst fi Rosen produced“60Minutes”piecesintotheTrumppresidency, By contrast,LesleyStahl,BillWhitakerandAndersonCooper A fundamentaljournalismtenetisthataprincipledreportercannot And forcriticswhoconsiderthenewsmediaascollectivelyleft- Wallace neveragaininterruptedRosen’sphonecalls. Rosen relatedhowWallaceoncebargedintoRosen’soffi Rosen producedforWallacenineyearsbutnevertrulylearned lm sincethe ect badlyontheReagans.Wallacewasa“friendand all. ThehandsomeIrishactormaybemostknown Twitter sincethefi off intheoceanhasbeenmakingroundson seagull-fi Prayer,” performedpassionatelybyDornanona some oftheotheronesforfun.” one butweprobablywouldhavewantedtosubmit ‘Oh, whatabouttheothersongs?’It’snotabad happened,” Mumolosaid.“Andwewerelike, Oscars. Itdidnotmaketheshortlist. singer, forbestoriginalsongconsiderationatthe Love Boobies,”sungbyRichardCheese’slounge Dornan isnaturallyfunny Dornan Dornan provedtobeabitofrevelationfor One ofthebiggestbreakoutssofaris“Edgar’s “We actuallydidn’tknowaboutthatuntilit The studioevensubmittedoneoftheirtunes,“I just “two people in robes singing.” just “twopeopleinrobessinging.” with backupdancersandproductionvaluenot ally makeitintothefi ing songstogether,butneverthoughtthey’dactu- of startedoutasajoke.They’dalwayslovedwrit- like themusicalnumbers,whichMumolosaidkind But otheraspectsonlygrewinscopeandambition, were moretalkinganimalsthanMorganFreemand. lucky withthem.” freaking out,”Mumolosaid.“Wewerejustvery just dosomethingpurelyinyourvoicewithout the magicofVistaDelMar. selves toavacationafterfriendtellsthemabout braskan “mid-lifers”whodecidetotreatthem- Barb andStarthemselves,theculotte-lovingNe- nan’s love-strickencharacterEdgar.Andthere’s a seagull-centricrockballadsungbyJamieDor- an extendedmonologueaboutthenameTrishand leash killermosquitoesonasmalltown.There’s There were some compromises. Originally there There weresomecompromises.Originallythere “It’s justnotcommonthatastudiowillletyou lled beach. AGIFofhimtearinghisshirt Orlando, the newspaperreported. job atPeachesDance andMusic reported. December theOrlando Sentinel not guiltyfollowinghisarrestin lando dancestudio. sexually abusinggirlsatanOr- “Dance Moms”isaccusedof tor whoappearedonLifetime’s He hasalsobeenfi Kevin Cosculluela ght itoutforstoriesandair- lm debutedFriday. Submitted lm and on the scale they did, lm andonthescaletheydid, red fromhis , 25,pleaded ce, demanding that starsKidman, Lies,” publishedin2014,isthebasisforEmmy-winningHBOseries being adaptedforaHuluminiseriesstarring Guilty” and“NinePerfectStrangers,”whichcameoutin2018is they seemedintheDelaneyhousehold?” mysterious houseguestfromlastyear?Orwerethingsneverasrosy ened eyes,”accordingtoHolt.“Isherdisappearancerelatedtheir ing theirparents’marriageandfamilyhistorywithfresh,fright- suburbia.” again bringsreaders“behindthecloseddoorsofseeminglytranquil Stan Fall” comesoutSept.14.Itscharactersincluderetiredtenniscoaches arty NEW YORK: The Australian writer’s previous books also include “Truly Madly The Australianwriter’spreviousbooksalsoinclude“TrulyMadly “Now JoyDelaneyhasdisappearedandherchildrenarere-examin- Henry Holt willbeastoryoffamily,tennisandmysteriousabsence. and had considered himfamous and that sheidolizedCosculluela and took lessonswithCosculluela. battery bytwoteenage girlswho tions ofmanipulationandsexual Families, whichuncoveredaccusa- and theDepartmentofChildren Orange County tigation byWinterGardenpolice, ers, conmenandmobbossestotelltheirstories.” wrongfully convictedoutofprison”(andwe)persuaded“whistleblow- lems... ourreportinguncoveredcrookedcongressmen...wegotthe misses thepowerfulinvestigativepiecesofprogram’sglorydays. One studenttoldinvestigators The chargesfollowedaninves- Joy Delaney “We werenotdismissedasfakenews,”hesaid.solvedprob- The newnovelfrom“BigLittleLies”author dren,” Mumolosaid.(AP) There’s nogreaterjoyotherthan,like,yourchil- won’t beanotherdecadebeforetheydothisagain. They’re justtherightpeopleforeachother.” than anyoneelseintheworldmakesthemlaugh. thing ishowtheymakeeachotherlaughmore acters whoyoutrulycareabout?Butmyfavorite edies thatpeoplelove,buttoalsohavethesechar- Shots,’ ‘NakedGun’andalltheseridiculouscom- off-the-wall silly,noddingto‘TopSecret,’‘Hot clever theyaretowriteamovielikethisthatisso world,” Dornansaid.“Theydon’tknowhow Mumolo andWiigfriends. to realizeit.” nan said.“Iwaslike,yeahIthinkthey’restarting this isjustyou?Thattheactualyou?’”Dor- his wifelookedonandlaughed. said. “Thisjustsuitedmereallywell.” not aseriousperson99%ofthetime,”Dornan the namealone. When thiscamehisway,heknewwasinon everyone hecouldthatwantedtodocomedy. Mumolo said.“It’sreallynoteasywhathedid.” funny. Andhehadaverydiffi just burstingwithcomedictiming.He’snaturally But fromminuteone,hewassoperfect.He are goingtogoandhowpeoplebe. brooding roleswouldsuggest. his Instagramshowsthathe’salotsillierthan for dramaticwork,butevenapassingglanceat announced WednesdaythatMoriarty’s“ApplesNever “Having acreativerelationshiplikethis? Mumolo knowsthistooandthinksthatmaybeit “They’re twoofthefunniestpeoplein And he’sgratefulthathenowgetstocallboth “She waslike,‘OhmyGod,dotheyknowthat When hisfamilyvisitedhimontheCancunset, “Anyone whoknowsmewellthatI’m Dornan saidthatforyearshe’dbeentelling “You neverknowuntilyougettherehowthings Reese Witherspoon Sheriff’s deputies Sheriff’sdeputies and theirfouradultchildrenastheauthoronce Also: and media, the reportadded.(AP) nected withstudents oversocial police reportsaid. Healsocon- and celebratedtheir birthdays,a lunch, watchedmovies withthem Cosculluela oftentookstudentsto moms andtheirstudio. show aboutdancekids,their ances ontherealitytelevision important becauseofhisappear- Nicole Kidman Shailene Woodley The investigationfoundthat cult linetowalk,” Liane Mori- . “Big Little . “BigLittle . (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Music

Foo Fighters having fun Edie Brickell displays her ‘power’ yet again By Scott Bauer die Brickell and New Bohemians, “Hunter and Ethe Dog Star” (Thirty Tigers) The renaissance for Edie Brickell and New Bohe- mians continues on “Hunter and the Dog Star,” the band’s second record in just over two years following a 12-year recording hiatus. Best known for the breakout Top 10 hit “What I Am” released in 1988, Brickell has spent the 30-plus years since creating a diverse body of music that in- cludes bluegrass records with Steve Martin, a Broad- way musical and recently (and luckily) a reconnection with her original bandmates. There’s a chemistry with New Bohemians that nev- er went away and the songs on “Hunter and the Dog Star” are as fresh, buoyant and funny as any the band has ever laid down. Brickell and New Bohemi- ans’ songwriting strength is the effortless way they can tell a story in under fi ve minutes that’s instantly relatable, some- times heartbreaking, and deliv- ered in a variety of musical styles. Each track on “Hunter and the Dog Star” feels like a Brickell mini, musical screenplay. “Sleeve” gleefully tells the story of a woman who “got herself one” tattoo and “now she got a sleeve.” “Angels, peace sign, and a heart that says, mom,” Brickell sings on the jaunty opening track. “Octopus, wizards, ace of spades, yin yang and Tweety Bird.” “Don’t Get in the Bed Dirty” is a cautionary tale about falling for empty online romances. “Horse’s Mouth” is a lighthearted ear worm about the pitfalls Adrian Quesada, (left), and Eric Burton, of Black Pumas, pose for a portrait in Austin, Texas on Feb. 5, 2021. Their deluxe debut album is nominated for album of of believing gossip. the year at the 2021 Grammy Awards and their single ‘Colors’ is nominated for record of the year and best American roots performance. (AP) The standout track is “Rough Beginnings,” where Brickell effortlessly tells the tale of Jasmine, “a sunny girl living in Abilene/a pretty thing” who overcomes the odds for a successful life. The whole record builds toward “My Power,” which could easily be sung by Jasmine. Music “Coming into my own now/I don’t feel so alone now now now,” Brickell sings triumphantly to close the record. “Coming back from a fall y’all/It takes all/ My Power.” Listeners should be glad that Brickell Band break out with rock, soul fusion and New Bohemians are back, showing all of us, once again, their power. ❑ ❑ ❑ Black Pumas grab Grammy attention Foo Fighters, “Medicine at Midnight” (Roswell/ RCA) NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb 21, (AP): perience in music. There were times But the momentum of the band “Medicine at Midnight” is what happens when the When Eric Burton and Adrian Quesa- when he had to take a job delivering earned them a chance to perform the Foo Fighters embrace grooves instead of riffs. Who da fi rst started playing together in an pizzas to make money for his family uplifting anthem as a part of Presi- asked for that? No one, really. But we should have. Austin studio in 2017, they had just while also working as a musician. dent Joe Biden’s inauguration night The nine-track album clocks in at a swift 36 min- This cover image released by Thirty met each other and weren’t even en- Burton, 30, was raised in the San TV special. utes and it’s the band’s coolest in years, throwing out Tigers shows ‘Hunter And The Dog tertaining the idea that one day they’d Fernando Valley and grew up singing The duo doesn’t easily fi t into sounds they’ve rarely shown before — David Bowie, Star’ by Edie Brickell & New Bohemi- be performing live. in church, then moved on to musical genre lines with songs inspired by hair metal and glam rock. The band sounds like it’s ans. (AP) “We weren’t really a band. We theater. He busked at the Santa Mon- gospel, funk and ’60s era rock, but having fun. were a studio project,” said Quesada, ica pier to raise a little money before anchored by a tight percussive and Adele and Kelly Clarkson producer Greg Kurstin a veteran guitarist-producer who had making his way to Austin where he modern beat. The pair, who won — who also helmed the band’s 2017 album “Concrete been honing his craft for years in sang at the corner of 6th Street and emerging act of the year at the 2020 and Gold” — has turned the often dour Foo Fighters about a half dozen bands. Congress. Americana Honors and Awards, said leader Dave Grohl into a party songwriter with an al- “I just knew that it was going to be Quesada is a man of multitudes: they let their label decide what genre bum that sometimes veers toward parody but never something enchanting and very beau- he was part of the Grammy-winning categories to nominate them in. crosses the line. “Making a Fire” has fi nger snaps and tiful just between the both of us,” said Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma “One thing we have in common na-na-na lyrics (listen for Grohl’s 14-year-old daugh- Burton, who sings, writes and plays is we also didn’t want to be just a ter, Violet, on backing vocals). “Cloudspotter” sounds who also had gigs as a backing band guitar. “I don’t think that we could for Prince and later played in bands soul band,” said Quesada, who said like Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” and has a Jimi Hendrix- ever have guessed that we’d end up style riff along with a nods to him in the lyrics (“Re- such as Brownout and Echocentrics. they both are heavily infl uenced by fuse me while I kiss the sky”). playing the inauguration and being Before Black Pumas, Quesada pro- hip-hop rhythms as well. “We like it “Holding Poison” has a Hüsker Dü feeling and nominated for four Grammys.” duced an album in 2019 of Chicano- kinda being rock ‘n’ roll.” “Chasing Birds” is like a psychedelic mood-changer But creativity sparked in Que- Texas soul music that brought new Burton said their fi rst album to- that The Flaming Lips could have recorded, with Manson Di Modica sada’s analog studio and this cross- light on the contributions of Latino gether felt like a handshake and now Grohl singing: “The road to hell is paved with broken cultural fusion of retro and modern, artists and music. they really know each other’s musi- parts/Bleeding hearts like mine.” psychedelic rock and soul became Inclusive cal tastes as they go back in the studio The anti-war “No Son of Mine” has a Metallica-ish Black Pumas, going from under the to start on their second album, which feel and the title track, we swear, has a slinky Roxy Variety radar to breakout band in just a few “It’s like this perfect intersection of he promises will be different than the Music vibe and a guitar solo reminiscent of Bowie’s short years. Black, brown, white, all kinds of dif- fi rst. After releasing their self-titled al- ferent people,” he said of soul music. “Let’s Dance.” Speaking of Bowie, there more than a ROME: The artist who sculpted Charging “My favorite thing about what we touch of The Thin White Duke to “Shame Shame” — bum in 2019, Black Pumas earned “What I love about it is it’s actually do is that we have successfully made Bull, the bronze statue in New York which the most inclusive.” a little “Fame” at least. became an iconic symbol of Wall Street, their fi rst nomination for best new something that feels very familiar The old Foos are not entirely erased. The last song, has died in his hometown in Sicily at age artist at last year’s Grammy Awards, They were playing in Europe when yet relevant and new and fresh,” said “Love Dies Young,” is a classic rocker that could have 80. but they lost when Billie Eilish swept the pandemic hit and shut down tour- Burton. come from any of the band’s previous nine albums. Arturo Di Modica died at his home in the awards show. They are back again ing, so they did what came natural to Also: But the fact that they can still surprise and create Vittoria on Friday evening, the town said with three nominations for album of them. They went back into the studio great new sounds after 10 albums is enough to cheer. in a statement on Saturday. Di Modica had the year, record of the year and best and recorded new songs and live ver- LOS ANGELES: Grammy-nominated “Go and put that record on,” Grohl sings in one song been ill for some time, it said. American roots performance. sions for a 2020 deluxe edition of singer Andra Day, best known for — and you should. The sculptor lived in New York for more Quesada, 43, is used to getting the their debut record that includes fan- the R&B hit “Rise Up,” has earned ❑ ❑ ❑ than 40 years in New York. He arrived question about the “overnight” suc- tastic covers of the Beatles’ “Elea- two Golden Globe nominations for in 1973 and opened an art studio in the her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Emmet Cohen, “Future Stride” (Mack Avenue cess of their band, but back-to-back nor Rigby” and “Fast Car” by Tracy city’s SoHo neighborhood. With the help nominations in the top Grammy cate- Chapman. the Hulu fi lm “The United States Records) of a truck and crane, Di Modica installed vs. Billie Holiday,” which premieres Stride provides a starting point on jazz pianist Em- the bronze bull sculpture in New York’s gories makes him think of all the hard Their song “Colors” has been a met Cohen’s new album. The opening cut, “Sym- fi nancial district without permission on the work they both had put in before they No. 1 hit on Triple A stations and Feb. 26. But on Friday the fi lm’s phonic Raps,” is a New Orleans ragtime tune recorded night of Dec. 16, 1989. met each other. got some love from Top 40 and soundtrack featuring songs recorded by Louis Armstrong nearly a century ago, and Cohen The artist reportedly spent $350,000 of “It’s defi nitely humbling. And then rock radio as well, but they are an by Day will be released. The album plays it as though his piano is rolling downhill, ac- his own money to create the 3.5-ton bronze sometimes I have to remind myself underdog in the record of the year has 13 tracks including “Tigress & celerating until he leaves the rhythm section behind. beast that came to symbolize the resilience of how many ups and downs I have category alongside platinum hits Tweed,” an original Day wrote with That momentum sends Cohen on an exploration of of the US economy after a 1987 stock been through, how many ups and by Eilish, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Post veteran singer-producer Raphael other jazz stylings, with stride as an antecedent and market crash. downs Eric has been through,” said Malone, Dua Lipa and Megan Thee Saadiq. It is nominated for best orig- recurring reference point. Common threads on “Fu- “It was a period of crisis. The New York Quesada, who has two decades of ex- Stallion. inal song at the Globes. ture Stride” include swinging, often unpredictable Stock Exchange lost in one night more than 20%, and so many people were plunged rhythms, inventive interplay and wit. into the blackest of depressions,” Rome Take, for example, the title cut. Written by Cohen daily La Repubblica quoted Di Modica as Special Victims Bureau opened the ning stages of an investigation into this,” she was “manipulated into submission” and drummer Kyle Poole, it’s a joyful swirl with shift- saying in an interview earlier this month. investigation after a woman approached Adams said. He would not describe the during their relationship. ing tempos, including a cowboy saunter and a three-way He said he conceived of the bull sculp- authorities to report the allegations, sher- allegations or say when the woman came Adams declined to identify the woman conversation that also includes bassist Russell Hall. ture as “a joke, a provocation. Instead, it iff’s Lt John Adams said. The incidents forward. who contacted the Sheriff’s Department, as The beat is also big on another Cohen original, became a cursedly serious thing,” destined reportedly occurred between 2009 and Word of the investigation came less than is typical in domestic violence cases. “You Already Know.” It’s bebop given extra pro- to be one of New York’s more visited 2011, when Manson lived in the city of three weeks after actor Evan Rachel Wood Manson, 52, whose real name is Brian pulsion by trumpeter Marquis Hill and saxophonist monuments. West Hollywood. publicly accused Manson, her ex-fi ancé, of Warner, has denied Wood’s allegations as Melissa Aldana, who both sit in on several cuts. In the La Repubblica interview, “Our people are just in the very begin- sexual and other physical abuse, alleging “horrible distortions of reality.” Hill overdubs a second trumpet for call and re- Di Modica detailed how he, some 40 Wood, 33, who stars on HBO’s “West- sponse on the prayerful, lyrical closer “Little Angel.” friends, a crane and a truck carried out world,” had previously spoken about being The fi nal chord leaves the tune unresolved, suggesting a lightning-swift operation to plant the abused in a relationship but did not name more to come. As the album title might suggest, “Fu- statue near Bowling Green park, a short the person until she detailed the allegations ture Stride” ends with Cohen looking ahead. stroll from the headquarters of the New on Instagram on Feb 1. York Stock Exchange, without official “The name of my abuser is Brian Also: authorization. Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson,” Wood said. “He started ORLANDO, Fla.: Singer Ricky Martin will be a “Five minutes. The operations shouldn’t have lasted more. Otherwise, we’d risk grooming me when I was a teenager and spokesman for a foundation that is building a memo- horrifi cally abused me for years.” rial and museum to honor the 49 victims who died big,” he recalled. “After a couple of scout- ing trips, I had discovered that at night, the The relationship between Wood and during a massacre at a gay Florida nightclub nearly police made its rounds on Wall Street every Manson became public in 2007 when he fi ve years ago, foundation offi cials have said recently. 7-8 minutes.” was 38 and she was 19. They were briefl y In the unpaid position, Martin will make public Di Modica left Vittoria, Sicily, at age 19 engaged in 2010 before breaking up. service announcements promoting tolerance and also for Florence, where he studied at the Fine Manson responded to Wood’s allega- support the foundation by making social media posts, Arts Academy. tions with his own Instagram post the same taping video messages and possibly narrating some At the time of his death, he was working day as her post. exhibitions, foundation offi cials said. on prototypes for a twin horse sculpture “My intimate relationships have always “His global platform allows us to share our mission he planned to make for the Sicilian town. been entirely consensual with like-minded with even more audiences, ensuring Pulse’s legacy of It was envisioned as a 40-meter-high partners,” his post said. “Regardless of how love lives on forever,” said Earl Crittenden, chair of (132-foot-high) work to be erected on the — and why — others are now choosing to the onePulse Foundation board, in a statement. banks of a river. (AP) misrepresent the past, that is the truth.” Starting on Valentine’s Day, the foundation is launch- ❑ ❑ ❑ In 2018, Los Angeles County prosecu- ing a fundraising campaign with a goal of getting 1 mil- tors declined to fi le charges against Manson lion people to donate $49. The goal of the outlovehate. LOS ANGELES: Detectives are investi- Christie’s employees adjust an oil on canvas painting by Sir Winston Churchill over allegations of assault, battery and gating allegations of domestic violence painted in Jan. 1943 called ‘Tower of the Koutoubia Mosque’ during an Art pre- sexual assault dating to 2011, saying they com campaign is to raise $49 million, with proceeds go- against rocker Marilyn Manson involving sale photo call at Christie’s auction house in London, Feb. 17. The painting cur- were limited by statutes of limitations and ing toward building a permanent National Pulse Memo- incidents that occurred about a decade ago rently owned by actress Angelina Jolie, has an estimate of 1,500,000-2,500,000 a lack of corroboration. The accuser in rial & Museum, foundation offi cials said. (AP) in West Hollywood, authorities said Friday. UK pounds (2,056,489- 3,427,482 US Dollars) and will go up for sale in the that case was identifi ed only as a social The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Modern British Art Evening Sale at Christie’s on March 1. (AP) acquaintance of Manson. (AP) ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 SPORTS 14

Italian challenger set up showdown with Team New Zealand in AmCup match Luna Rossa outrace Team UK to seal 7-1 win in Prada Cup fi nal AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb 21, (AP): fi ght another day, it might have extended the the fi nal. We’re obviously disappointed we Italian challenger Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli will comeback that began when they won the second couldn’t get through but we have to go away, race defender Emirates Team New Zealand in of two races on Saturday. But that chance was get back to the drawing board and see what we the 36th match for the America’s Cup after snuffed out when the wind, around 10 knots at can do.” beating Britain’s Ineos Team UK in two races the start of race seven, stayed around that mark The fi rst race Sunday started with Luna Ros- Sunday to seal a 7-1 win in the best-of-13 race and allowed Luna Rossa to show its strength. sa windward of Britannia. The boats extended challengers series fi nal. With around 10 knots also in the second race starboard tacks to the boundary, then tacked si- Luna Rossa came into the fourth day of the of the day there were no passing lanes on the multaneously. Coming back on port, Team UK fi nal series with a 5-1 lead and won the fi rst race course. couldn’t live on Luna Rossa’s hip and had to of the day by 1 minute, 45 seconds to move to tack away again and the Italian extended to a 6-1 and match point. lead it maintained for the rest of the race. Thriving in light winds, it controlled and SKIING Luna Rossa led by 16 seconds at the fi rst comfortably won the second race by 45 seconds mark and 21 seconds at the second. Rounding to clinch the series and set up a showdown with Skipper Sir Ben Ainslie is Britain’s most cel- the third mark, Team UK attempted a complex Team New Zealand in the Cup match which be- ebrated modern sailor, a winner of four Olym- maneuver, splitting from Luna Rossa and head- gins on March 6. pic gold medals, famous for his competitive- ing for the left hand side. In doing so it wore off “Time for high fi ves,” Italian co-helmsman ness and his ability to come from behind even boat speed and Luna Rossa gained to lead by 1 Francesco Bruni said as Luna Rossa sailed to- in the most dire circumstances. minute, 7 seconds at the top mark. wards the fi nish line. “Bravo to the team, bravo But even he was powerless on Sunday when Team UK made a small gain downwind on Italy. Fantastico. conditions proved the adage that the fastest boat the fourth leg but Luna Rossa pulled away “It’s a great day for us, it’s a great day for always wins. again on the last upwind. Luna Rossa and it’s a great day for Italy. We’re “They’ve got about two knots faster, so it’s In an aggressive pre-start to the second race in for a great fi ght for the America’s Cup now.” Italy’s Luna Rossa team celebrate after defeating Britain’s INEOS Team UK in race eight of pretty hard to race against that,” Ainslie said. Sunday, Luna Rossa crossed the start line early Italy’s race boat Luna Rossa clearly demon- the Prada Cup on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, New Zealand on Feb 21. (AP) “We’ve been trying everything to get on top of and conceded a penalty. When it discharged that strated it’s speed advantage over Team UK’s it but clearly we can’t.” penalty Team UK was ahead at the fi rst cross. Britannia in light winds and that was evident especially exerting its edge in upwind speed. of elimination yesterday, needing to win at Ainslie was magnanimous when Team UK’s But at the second cross on the fi rst leg, Luna again in both of Sunday’s races - the seventh Racing in the challengers series has shown least one race to keep the series alive, Auckland campaign fi nally came to an end. Rossa showed its upwind edge and crossed and eighth of the series. that Britannia and Luna Rossa are closely again turned on light winds which played into “Well done to Luna Rossa, well done to Ita- ahead. It led by 12 seconds at both the fi rst Luna Rossa and Britannia crossed the start line matched in winds of 12 knots or more and that the hands of the Italian team. ly,” he said. “I know it’s a big deal in Italy to and second marks but by 34 seconds after the side by side in the fi rst race of the day but Luna Luna Rossa has a signifi cant edge in 12 knots Stronger winds are forecast for the coming get into the America’s Cup fi nal. second upwind and at that point it’s lead was Rossa steadily pulled away in the light breeze, or less. As the British team faced the prospect week and if Team UK had been able to live to “They sailed brilliantly and deserved to take insurmountable.

Norway’s Sebastian Foss Solevaag speeds down the course during the men’s slalom, at the alpine ski World Irish Jockey David Egan (left), rides his horse Mishriff as he wins the fi nal race of the $20 million Saudi Cup, at King Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Feb 21. (Inset): Solevaag shows his gold medal for the men’s Abdul Aziz race track in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb 20. (AP) slalom. (AP) Foss-Solevåg ‘hands’ Norway John Gosden-trained Mishriff wins Saudi Cup RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb 21, (AP): over the nine furlongs after the two US Egan, was able to stay on their heels as Mishriff powered home to wear down heavyweights, Charlatan and Knicks Go, the star pair turned for home at King American ace Charlatan and win the Abdulaziz Racetrack. world’s most valuable horse race, the Knicks Go dropped away, leaving 2nd gold medal at ski worlds $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh. HORSE RACING Mishriff to gradually reduce Charla- The fi rst prize was $10 million. tan’s lead and get up in the closing The John Gosden-trained colt, owned had gone head-to-head in the early stages. stages to win by a length. Great Scot Pertl claims silver, Kristoffersen takes bronze by Prince Faisal, made his stamina tell Mishriff’s 21-year-old jockey, David fi nished third.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 21, to gold in the team event. Logano holds overall record The Norway team was missing Aleksander Aamodt Kil- (AP): The Norwegian ski team arrived at de, Adrian Smiseth Sejersted, Lucas Braathen and Atle Lie the world championships without many of McGrath, all due to knee injuries, which mainly affected its its injured stars. It left on Sunday with two chances in the speed events and the giant slalom. Gibbs wins fi rst career NASCAR race gold medals and a bronze. “We had too many crashes, too many injuries,” Foss- Solevåg said. “With a small team, we have two gold medals, DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, Feb 21, “Dreams really do come true. I’m fogged and he hugged a Joe Gibbs Rac- Sebastian Foss-Solevåg triumphed in the concluding that’s very good.” (AP): Joe Gibbs celebrated his fi rst completely depleted, I left everything ing team member. event, the men’s slalom, while fellow Norwegian Hen- Foss-Solevåg is having his breakout season on the World NASCAR victory as a grandfather, out there,” said Ty Gibbs. “I thought Joe Gibbs Racing has fi ve Cup Se- rik Kristoffersen took the bronze. Cup circuit, with four top-fi ve fi nishes including his fi rst win, watching from the pits as 18-year-old maybe I was going to run in the top ries championships, 185 Cup wins and The success came four days after Foss-Solevåg led Norway in Flachau, Austria, last month. Ty Gibbs won his Xfi nity Series debut seven, eight? I completely surprised four Daytona 500 victories - none as On Sunday, he was third after the on the road course at Daytona Interna- myself. In coming up to a bigger series emotionally fulfi lling as this Xfi nity opening run, close behind surprise tional Speedway. like this, these are some of the guys I stunner. When Joe Gibbs called home Lahore beats Peshawar in PSL leader Adrian Pertl of Austria and Alex It was the very fi rst NASCAR na- dreamed of racing. I’m a train-wreck to speak to his wife, Pat, he said she Vinzatzer of Italy, before posting the tional series race for Ty Gibbs, who right now.” was crying too hard to talk. KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb 21, (AP): fastest time in the fi nal run. jumped two steps from ARCA to Xfi n- Joe Gibbs, a member of the NAS- “This is such an experience for our Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and Af- Pertl ended up 0.21 seconds behind ity for his debut. He plowed through CAR and Pro Football Hall of Fames, family,” Joe Gibbs said. “I’ve been ghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan for silver, while Vinatzer dropped to the fi eld on the last two restarts to beat watched stoically from behind the pit blessed to enjoy so much, but this, spurred Lahore Qalandars to a four- fourth, missing the podium by 0.74. Xfi nity Series champion Austin Cin- stand. Shielded by a mask, he gave no indication of emotion. But as his grand- wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in the dric in double overtime. CAR RACING Pakistan Super League on Sunday. SKIING Gibbs became the youngest driver to son crossed the fi nish line, his glasses Afridi bagged 3-14 and Rashid didn’t win an Xfi nity road course race at 18 concede a boundary in his impressive years, 4 months, 16 days. Cindric held he had not made a lap in the car. We PSL debut fi gures of 0-14 as Peshawar “It’s amazing to fi nish off like this,” the record at 20 set on the road course didn’t dream about him being up front were restricted to 140-6. Foss-Solevåg said. “I know the two at Mid-Ohio in 2019. like that. guys in front can also put it together, “This is the only thing Ty has want- but I fought from the start to the bottom Joey Logano holds the overall re- CRICKET and I did it.” cord. He won 21 days after his 18th ed to do since he was 2-years-old. Any Foss-Solevåg became the fi rst slalom birthday in his third race - also driv- parent or grandparent would tell you, Rashid’s belligerent unbeaten 27 off world champion from Norway since ing for Gibbs. Ty Gibbs is the second- it’s like a dream come true.” 15 balls that included a winning six Tom Stiansen won the title in 1997. youngest winner in Xfi nity Series his- Ty Gibbs dropped to his knees be- over midwicket helped Lahore cruise to Kristoffersen, last season’s World tory. side his Toyota and bowed his head 146-6 in 18.3 overs to give last year’s Lahore Qalandars’ Mohammad Ha- Cup slalom champion, contributed to Gibbs drove through the grass, used into his hands. fi nalists a winning start. feez plays a shot during a Pakistan the Norwegian success story. the top lane on the oval and dove inside Ty Gibbs celebrates in Victory Then he admitted he didn’t know “I call that shot the mini-helicopter, Super League T20 cricket match Sixth after the opening run, he moved in the turns in his shocking fi rst win. Lane after winning the NASCAR how to do burnouts, either. just try to go for it,” said Rashid, who between Peshawar Zalmi and La- up three spots and fi nished 0.46 behind He’d never raced an Xfi nity car before, Xfi nity Series road course auto “I don’t even know what’s going will be playing in just one more PSL hore Qalandars at the National Sta- Foss-Solevåg to earn a slalom medal never done a live pit stop before and race at Daytona International on,” he said. Gibbs choked on tears, game before joining Afghanistan for its dium, in Karachi, Pakistan, on Feb at the worlds for the fi rst time. He was COVID-19 restrictions cut practice and Speedway, on Feb 20, in Daytona wiped away his eyes and apologized series against Zimbabwe. 21. (AP) fourth in both 2015 and 2017. qualifying for Saturday’s race. Beach, Florida. (AP) for giving a poor interview. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 SPORTS 15

Crosby has 2 assists in 1,000th NHL game, Penguins top Isles Avalanche edge Golden Knights in long outdoor game at Lake Tahoe STATELINE, Nevada, Feb 21, (AP): Na- nen made 43 saves for the Oilers. Sharks 5, Blues 4 na’s Phil Kessel tied it. than MacKinnon scored a dazzling goal Maple Leafs 5, Canadiens 3 In St Louis, Logan Couture scored his Red Wings 2, Panthers 1 more than nine hours after assisting on In Toronto, Auston Matthews scored second goal of the game midway through In Detroit, Mathias Brome scored his another to highlight a most unusual and the third period and San Jose held off St. lengthy outdoor game at Lake Tahoe that twice to increase his NHL-leading goals fi rst NHL goal late in the second period total to 18 and added two assists in To- Louis. and Detroit held off Florida. the Colorado Avalanche won 3-2 over the After the Blues overcame defi cits of Vegas Golden Knights. ronto’s victory over Montreal. Patrik Nemeth added his fi rst goal of Matthews scored both goals against the 3-0 and 4-1 to tie it during a wild second the season for the Red Wings, and Jona- Devon Toews added an insurance goal Canadiens on the power play. period, Couture scored on a wrist shot than Bernier made 38 saves. and Philipp Grubauer fi nished with 27 with 8:09 left in the third. Alex Wennberg scored for Florida. saves for the Avalanche. Rangers 4, Capitals 1 Sabres 3, Devils 2 Predators 4, Blue Jackets 2 Penguins 3, Islanders 2 In Newark, N.J., Sam Reinhart scored In Columbus, Ohio, Calle Jarnkrok In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby had two ICE HOCKEY two goals and Buffalo beat New Jersey to scored in the fi rst and third periods, Pekka assists in his 1,000th NHL game and snap a four-game losing streak. Rinne made 21 saves and Nashville beat Pittsburgh beat the Islanders. Defensemen Colin Miller also scored Columbus to split the two-game series. Kris Letang scored twice, including In Washington, Alexis Lafreniere scored and Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for the The Predators broke a 2-2 tie with two a tiebreaking goal in the third period, to his second NHL goal, Artemi Panarin had Sabres, who had not won since beating goals in the fi rst 45 seconds of the third help Pittsburgh win for the fourth time in two assists and New York made the best of the Devils in a shootout Jan. 30. period. Jarnkrok beat Elvis Merzlikins fi ve games. Mike Matheson also scored, a new-look lineup, beating Washington for Kings 4, Coyotes 2 from the slot 16 seconds in, and Filip and Tristan Jarry made 33 saves. its second consecutive victory. New York Islanders’ Oliver Wahlstrom (26) brings the puck upice as Pitts- Forsberg followed with his team-leading The Capitals struggled to match the In Glendale, Ariz., Alex Iafallo scored eighth goal off a faceoff. Oilers 7, Flames 1 burgh Penguins’ John Marino (6) defends during the second period of an two goals, Cal Peterson stopped 22 shots Rangers’ energy early in a game moved NHL hockey game, on Feb 20, in Pittsburgh. (AP) Wild 5, Ducks 1 In Edmonton, Alberta, Connor McDa- up to an afternoon start, falling behind 3-0 and Los Angeles beat Arizona for its vid scored a natural hat trick and added before Dmitry Orlov scored his fi rst goal fourth straight victory. In Anaheim, Calif., Kevin Fiala had two assists, leading Edmonton in a rout made 24 saves for first NHL shutout five of six and have a six-game points The Kings beat the Coyotes 3-2 on two goals and an assist, Kaapo Kahkonen of the season with 38.2 seconds left in the and Carolina beat Tampa Bay. Vincent streak. It was the first of four consecu- of Calgary. second period. Thursday when Gabriel Vilardi scored made 26 saves and Minnesota beat Ana- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two goals Trocheck, Sebastian Aho, Cedric Pa- tive games between the teams, with in the fourth round of a shootout. Vilardi heim to sweep the two-game set. and Alex Chiasson and Josh Archibald Hurricanes 4, Lightning 0 quette and Andrei Svechnikov scored Saturday’s game coming as part of a came through again, beating Darcy Kue- Joel Eriksson Ek, Victor Rask and also scored for Edmonton. Mikko Koski- In Raleigh, N.C., Alex Nedeljkovic for the Hurricanes. They have won revised schedule. mper with a wrister shortly after Arizo- Mats Zuccarello also scored for the Wild. NHL Results/Standings Nunn & Butler help Heat beat WASHINGTON, Feb 21, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on Saturday. Buffalo 3 New Jersey 2 San Jose 5 St Louis 4 NY Rangers 4 Washington 1 Nashville 4 Columbus 2 Detroit 2 Florida 1 Toronto 5 Montreal 3 Los Angeles 4 Arizona 2 Minnesota 5 Anaheim 1 Carolina 4 Tampa Bay 0 Edmonton 7 Calgary 1 Lakers in NBA Finals rematch Pittsburgh 3 NY Islanders 2 Colorado 3 Vegas 2 East Division West Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 15 10 3 2 22 44 33 St Louis 18 10 6 2 22 59 56 Rozier, Hornets capitalize on Green’s blow up to top Warriors Philadelphia 14 8 3 3 19 48 44 Vegas 15 10 4 1 21 45 34 Washington 16 8 5 3 19 54 57 Colorado 14 9 4 1 19 44 29 Pittsburgh 16 9 6 1 19 51 53 Los Angeles 16 7 6 3 17 51 48 NY Islanders 17 8 6 3 19 41 41 Arizona 17 7 7 3 17 44 49 LOS ANGELES, Feb 21, NY Rangers 16 6 7 3 15 40 42 Minnesota 14 8 6 0 16 38 36 (AP): Kendrick Nunn New Jersey 12 6 4 2 14 33 33 San Jose 16 7 7 2 16 45 58 Buffalo 14 5 7 2 12 35 43 Anaheim 18 6 9 3 15 34 50 scored 27 points, Jimmy Central Division North Division Butler had 24 points and GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Carolina 16 12 3 1 25 62 43 eight rebounds, and the Florida 16 11 3 2 24 56 47 Toronto 19 14 3 2 30 72 51 Chicago 19 9 6 4 22 55 56 Edmonton 20 12 8 0 24 72 62 Miami Heat held off the Tampa Bay 15 10 4 1 21 54 36 Winnipeg 17 10 6 1 21 57 46 Los Angeles Lakers 96-94 Columbus 19 8 7 4 20 55 64 Montreal 16 9 5 2 20 55 44 Dallas 12 5 3 4 14 40 34 Calgary 18 8 9 1 17 47 54 in an NBA Finals rematch. Nashville 17 7 10 0 14 40 57 Vancouver 21 8 12 1 17 62 74 Detroit 20 5 12 3 13 39 64 Ottawa 19 4 14 1 9 44 78 Bam Adebayo had 16 points Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in and 10 rebounds for the Heat in each division will qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. the teams’ fi rst meeting since the Lakers won their 17th champion- ship with a six-game victory over Gonzaga remains unbeaten Miami in the Florida bubble four months ago. LeBron James had 19 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Lak- Brakefi eld scores go-ahead ers. The defending NBA champions lost their second straight game without starters Anthony Davis and Dennis basket, Duke edges Virginia Schroder. DURHAM, N.C., Feb 21, (AP): Fresh- onds left to help Alabama (18-5, 13-1) James stole the Heat’s inbounds man Jaemyn Brakefield scored the go- turn back the Commodores (6-12, 2-10). pass with 8.4 seconds left to create ahead basket on a reverse layup with Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 24 points for one last chance for the Lakers, but the 1:58 left and Duke came up with a final- Vanderbilt. 17-time All-Star passed off to Alex Caruso, who missed a 3-pointer at the possession stop and upset No. 7 Virginia Oklahoma 66, Iowa St. 56 66-65. buzzer. Matthew Hurt scored 22 points to In Ames, Iowa, Austin Reaves scored lead the Blue Devils (10-8, 8-6 Atlan- 20 points to lead Oklahoma past Iowa tic Coast Conference). They claimed a State. The Sooners (14-5, 9-4 Big 12) have BASKETBALL Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (right), shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Wesley Matthews defends during much-needed third straight win to im- the second half of an NBA basketball game, on Feb 20, in Los Angeles. (AP) prove their uncertain chances of making won three third straight. Iowa State (2-16, 0-13) trailed by as the NCAA Tournament. The Heat scored only 15 points in was “just not feeling well.” Brakefield’s scoring drive, while many as 21 in the first half before ral- the fourth quarter and barely held off lying to a 46-45 lead on Tre Jackson’s Kelly Oubre Jr. led Golden State drawing a foul on Jay Huff, finally got Los Angeles down the stretch for their with 25 points. NBA Results/Standings Terps rout Gophers Duke a slim lead. Freshman DJ Steward 3-pointer with 11:29 remaining. The second straight win after a three-game had a chance to increase the margin, but Sooners responded with a 16-4 run. skid during their seven-game trip. Suns 128, Grizzlies 97 missed the front end of a 1-and-1 free- Rasir Bolton led Iowa State with 14 Los Angeles also lost back-to-back In Memphis, Tenn., Devin Booker Uconn women throw opportunity with 9.6 seconds left. points and six assists. scored 23 points, hitting fi ve of Phoe- Villanova 68, UConn 60 games for the fi rst time since Jan. 27- WASHINGTON, Feb 21, (AP): Results and Huff got the rebound and got the ball 28, falling to East contenders Brooklyn nix’s franchise-record 24 3-pointers, standings from the NBA games on Saturday. to Kihei Clark, who bobbled the dribble In Villanova, Pa., Collin Gillespie Charlotte 102 Golden State 100 scored 20 points and Jeremiah Robin- and Miami at Staples Center. and Chris Paul passed Oscar Robert- Miami 96 LA Lakers 94 pummel Xavier at the other end to lose time and had to Davis missed his third straight game son for six place on the NBA’s career Phoenix 128 Memphis 97 force up an off-balance 3-point attempt son-Earl had 17 points and 11 rebounds CINCINNATI, Feb 21, (AP): Christyn to help Villanova beat UConn. after aggravating his strained right calf assist list in a romp over Memphis. Chicago 122 Sacramento 114 over Hurt to beat the clock. The ball was Paul had 16 points and six assists. Washington 118 Portland 111 Williams scored 22 points and No. 1 Justin Moore added 11 points for the last weekend, and Schroder missed Eastern Conference well short, with Huff catching the airball his second straight under the NBA’s He has 9,891 assists, four more than Connecticut breezed in its fi rst visit and stuffing it in well past the final horn. Wildcats (14-3, 9-2 Big East). Atlantic Division to Xavier, 83-32 for its eighth straight James Bouknight, in his second game health and safety protocols. Robertson had in his Hall of Fame W L Pct GB Huff finished with 20 points and 12 Philadelphia 20 10 .667 - win. back after missing eight due to elbow Hornets 102, Warriors 100 career. Phoenix won for the eighth rebounds for the Cavaliers (15-5, 11-3). time in nine games. The Suns made Brooklyn 19 12 .613 1-1/2 High-scoring Paige Bueckers and They followed a blowout loss at No. surgery, scored 21 points for the Hus- In Charlotte, N.C., seconds after Boston 15 14 .517 4-1/2 kies (10-6, 7-6). 22 3-pointers Friday night in New Or- Toronto 15 15 .500 5 Olivia Nelson-Odoba each added 11 16 Florida State with a second loss this Golden State’s Draymond Green was New York 14 16 .467 6 points for the Huskies (18-1, 15-0 Big week in yet another close matchup with leans in a game where they outscored ejected, Terry Rozier hit an off-bal- the Pelicans 41-12 in the fourth quarter Southeast Division East). UConn led 42-13 at halftime and the Blue Devils. ance jumper from the left corner as W L Pct GB Bueckers didn’t score after the break. in a 132-114 victory. Paul had 19 as- Charlotte 14 15 .483 - Gonzaga 106, San Diego 69 time expired to give Charlotte a wild sists in that game. Gorgui Dieng led Miami 13 17 .433 1-1/2 She had seven assists. In Spokane, Wash., Drew Timme victory. Memphis with 15 points. Atlanta 12 17 .414 2 Aaliyah Edwards had 16 points for Rozier - who had 36 points - made Orlando 12 18 .400 2-1/2 the Huskies, whose only loss was to scored 17 of his 21 points in the first Wizards 118, Trails Blazers 111 Washington 10 17 .370 3 half, Jalen Suggs added 17 points and the winner after Green received two Central Division then-No. 19 Arkansas 90-87 on Jan. Gonzaga won its 26th straight game, technical fouls and was ejected with In Portland, Ore., Russell West- W L Pct GB 28. routing San Diego. 9.3 seconds for arguing the outcome of brook had 27 points, 13 assists and 11 Milwaukee 17 13 .567 - Maryland 94, Minnesota 62 a jump ball. rebounds, and Washington snapped Indiana 15 14 .517 1-1/2 Corey Kispert added 16 points to help Chicago 13 16 .448 3-1/2 In College Park, Md., Ashley Owu- Gonzaga (22-0, 13-0 West Coast) get its The Warriors were leading by two Portland’s six-game winning streak. Cleveland 10 20 .333 7 14th straight victory against San Diego when offi cials ruled Hornets coach Bradley Beal scored 37 points, help- Detroit 8 21 .276 8-1/2 su scored 24 points and No. 9 Mary- James Borrego had called a timeout as ing Washington to its fourth straight Western Conference land completed a season sweep of Southwest Division Minnesota with a 94-62 victory. Gordon Hayward came down the jump win W L Pct GB BASKETBALL ball. Green immediately began jump- Damian Lillard had 35 points and San Antonio 16 11 .593 - Diamond Miller added 20 points ing around the court, screaming at offi - 12 assists, but was 10 for 30 from the Memphis 13 13 .500 2-1/2 with three steals and Katie Benzan fi n- cials that the Warriors had tied up Hay- fi eld for Portland. Enes Kanter had 19 Dallas 13 15 .464 3-1/2 ished with 17 points for the Terrapins, New Orleans 12 17 .414 5 who have won fi ve consecutive games and 49th consecutive win at home. ward as he was falling to the fl oor and points and 13 rebounds. Houston 11 17 .393 5-1/2 The Bulldogs are a win away from by an average of 35 points. it should have been another jump ball. Bulls 122, Kings 114 Northwest Division matching a program best 50-game home Rozier sank two free throws for the W L Pct GB Maryland (16-2, 12-1 Big Ten) sti- winning streak. Gonzaga will have a In Chicago, Zach LaVine scored 38 Utah 24 6 .800 - fl ed Minnesota with its pressure scored technical fouls to tie it. Then, he took Portland 18 11 .621 5-1/2 chance to break the mark next week the inbounds pass from midcourt and points and Chicago beat Sacramento. Denver 16 13 .552 7-1/2 23 points off 13 turnovers. with home games against Santa Clara drove to the corner where he made the The Bulls bounced back after get- Okla. City 11 18 .379 12-1/2 Minnesota 7 23 .233 17 and Loyola Marymount that were re- Michigan State’s Joey Hauser (20) winning jumper. ting dominated by Joel Embiid in a scheduled to make up for earlier post- Pacifi c Division puts up a shot against Indiana’s Warriors star Stephen Curry went tight loss at Eastern Conference-lead- W L Pct GB BASKETBALL ponements. Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) during through warmups but was a late ing Philadelphia on Friday night. LA Clippers 22 9 .710 - Josh Parish led San Diego (3-8, 2-5) the second half of an NCAA col- scratch after he became ill during Sacramento’s Marvin Bagley III LA Lakers 22 9 .710 - with 13 points. Phoenix 19 10 .655 2 Kadi Sissoko led Minnesota (7-11, lege basketball game, on Feb 20, warmups. The team said the illness is tied a season high with 26 points and Golden State 16 15 .516 6 Illinois 94, Minnesota 63 in Bloomington, Indiana. (AP) not COVID-19 related and that Curry had 11 rebounds. Sacramento 12 17 .414 9 6-10) with 16 points and seven re- bounds. Sissoko has scored in double In Minneapolis, Ayo Dosunmu had fi gures 12 times this season. 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the sea- Holmes, ETSU mount comeback 24-17 win over Samford S. Florida 78, Tulane 69 son, Kofi Cockburn scored 22 points In Tampa, Fla., Bethy Mununga in 24 minutes, and Illinois cruised past scored 17 points and grabbed 17 re- Minnesota for its seventh consecutive bounds and No. 12 South Florida victory. Baughman’s late TD pass lifts Elon past Davidson pulled away from Tulane for a 78-69 Trent Frazier added 15 points and six victory. steals to help the Illini (16-5, 12-3) stay ELON, NC, Feb 21, (AP): Joey Baugh- for 106 yards and a touchdown to help Weah carried 13 times and his 1-yard man tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass Furman beat Western Carolina 35-7 TD run midway through the third quar- Sydni Harvey scored 16 points and in second place in the bruising Big Ten Elena Tsineke 13 for South Florida. The with two weeks to go in league play. to tight end Donovan Williams with in the Southern Conference opener for ter gave the Fighting Hawks a 22-14 32 seconds remaining to lift Elon to a both teams. lead. Schuster fi nished 15-of-23 passing Bulls have won three straight following The Illini had a 31-8 edge in fast-break a stretch of seven postponements and points, shot 56% from the floor and 26-23 victory over Davidson in an FCS Wynn became the 13th player in Fur- for 118 yards. forced 18 turnovers by the Gophers (13- spring season opener. man history to reach 2,000 career yards Wofford 31, Mercer 14 one cancellation due to COVID-19 pro- Davidson had a chance to ice it with tocols. Jerkaila Jordan scored 29 points 10, 6-10). rushing, fi nishing the game at 2,063. In Spartanburg, SC, Irvin Mulligan Freshman Jamal Mashburn Jr. led 2:56 remaining but couldn’t convert on The Paladins (1-0) fi nished with 533 for Tulane (14-7, 10-6). fourth-and-1 at the Elon 32. It ended a ran for 90 yards and a touchdown and Minnesota with 16 points and six re- Wofford opened its season with a 31-14 Creighton 83, DePaul 72 bounds, with his father, former NBA 16-play, 59-yard drive that lasted nearly 10 minutes. win over Mercer in the Southern Con- In Chicago, Emma Ronsiek scored player Jamal Mashburn, watching in FOOTBALL ference opener for both teams. ETSU 24, Samford 17 27 points, Temi Carda added 18 and person for the first time in his college It was the fi rst game in school his- eight assists and Creighton became the career. In Johnson City, Tenn, Quay Holmes tory played by the Terriers (1-0) in the yards of total offense and 33 fi rst downs first unraked team to beat No. 19 De- Alabama 82, Vanderbilt 78 scored two touchdowns and ran for 125 month of February. compared to Western Carolina’s 109 Paul this year, winning 83-72. yards and East Tennessee overcame a James Madison 52, Morehead St. 0 Carly Bachelor added 13 points for In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jaden Shack- slow start to beat Samford 24-17 in the yards and fi ve fi rst downs. elford scored a season-high 27 points In Harrisonburg, Va, Latrele Palmer Creighton (7-8, 6-5 Big East Confer- spring opener for both teams. N Dakota 44, S Illinois 21 ence), which has won three straight and Alabama beat Vanderbilt to move Tyler Riddell threw a 59-yard touch- and Jawon Hamilton each rushed for a within a victory of clinching at least a In Grand Forks, ND, Tommy Schus- pair of touchdowns, Percy Agyei-Obese UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) and beat a ranked team for the first down pass to Juliun Lane-Price who shoots ahead of Xavier guard Car- share of its first Southeastern Confer- beat his defender on an outside route. ter threw three touchdown passes, Otis gained 116 yards with a score and James team since winning at DePaul last sea- ence regular-season title in 19 years. Weah had 91 yards rushing and a score, Madison opened the unusual spring rie Gross (25) during the first half of son. Payton Brotzki scored 11 points Jahvon Quinerly made a late 3-point- Furman 35, W Carolina 7 and North Dakota beat Southern Illinois football season with a 52-0 blanking of an NCAA college basketball game, and Morgan Maly 10 with nine re- er and a clinching free throw with 2 sec- In Greenville, SC, Devin Wynn ran 44-21 in a FCS spring season opener. Morehead State. on Feb 20, in Cincinnati. (AP) bounds. ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 16

Harrison Burton (20) and Ty Gibbs (54) lead a fi eld of cars through a turn after a restart during NASCAR Xfi nity Series road course auto race at Day- tona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb 20, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Gibbs won the race. (AP) — See Page 14 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Dominant Nole wins 18th major title

Medvedev loses another fi nal

MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb 21, (AP): Maybe, just maybe, the thinking went, Real win Novak Djokovic would be just a tad more susceptible to trouble this time around Cádiz hold at the Australian Open. After all, he wrenched his mid- section during a slip in the third Barcelona round and said he’d torn a muscle. BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 21, Entering Sunday, Djokovic al- (AP): Cádiz snatched a late ready ceded fi ve sets in the tourna- penalty to draw 1-1 at Camp Nou and deal Barcelona an ment, the most he ever dropped en unexpected setback in their route to a major fi nal. And he was bid for the Spanish league title facing Daniil Medvedev, owner of on Sunday. a 20-match winning streak. Five days after being beaten Yeah, right. We’re talking about 4-1 by Paris Saint-Germain in Djokovic at Melbourne Park, where the Champions League, Ron- his dominance is most certainly intact ald Koeman’s side saw two - nine fi nals, nine championships. Plus, points slip away when sub- he’s still gaining on Roger Federer and stitute Álex Fernández con- Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam stand- verted an 88th-minute penalty ings, now up to 18 overall, two shy of conceded by Clement the men’s record those rivals share. Lenglet. Djokovic used superb serving, his Lionel usual relentless returning and baseline Messi ap- excellence to grab 11 of 13 games in peared to one stretch and beat Medvedev 7-5, put Bar- celona on their way TENNIS to an easy win in his club re- 6-2, 6-2 for a third consecutive Aus- cord 506th tralian Open trophy. league Messi When the match ended after fewer appear- than two hours, Djokovic dropped onto ance in Spain. But after Messi his back on the court. After greeting scored from the penalty spot Medvedev, Djokovic went to the side- in the 32nd minute, Barcelona were unable to fi nish off many line, lifted his white shirt and peeled Serbia’s Novak Djokovic holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the men’s singles fi nal at the Australian off pieces of beige athletic tape along scoring chances. Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia on Feb 21. (AP) The draw leaves Barcelona his abdomen. in third place at eight points “It has been a roller-coaster ride behind leader Atlético Madrid, for me, especially in the last couple which lost 2-0 to Levante on weeks,” Djokovic said, cradling his Leicester strengthen top-4 spot Saturday. Real Madrid were silver trophy in his left arm. the biggest benefi ciary of the He offered “special thanks” to his round, moving three points be- personal trainer, Ulises Badio, for hind Atlético after winning 1-0 helping him get through it and improve at Valladolid also on Saturday. to a combined 18-0 in semifi nals and City pip Arsenal for 18th successive win Madrid have played one more fi nals on Melbourne’s hard courts. “Probably, it’s not your last one,” LONDON, Feb 21, (AP): Raheem Medvedev said. “I have no words to Sterling’s goal after 80 seconds SOCCER say.” Djokovic, a 33-year-old from Ser- proved enough for Manchester City bia, has won six of the last 10 majors and to clinch a 1-0 victory against Arsenal Last laugh for Lukaku as Inter rout Milan match than Atlético and Bar- will stay at No. 1 in the rankings at least that extended the stroll to the Premier MILAN, Feb 21, (AP): Romelu Lu- through March 8. That will give him 311 celona. League title on Sunday. kaku had the last laugh - and goal “These are two hard blows weeks in the top spot, breaking another The ease of City’s 18th successive win this week,” Barcelona defend- mark held by Federer. - as his Inter Milan side beat Zlatan in all competitions was not refl ected in Ibrahimović’s AC Milan 3-0 on Sun- er Gerard Pique said after the The No. 4-seeded Medvedev was the scoreline against an Arsenal side slip to Cádiz on the heels of appearing in his second Grand Slam day in their biggest derby match in a that offered little attacking threat. decade. enduring a hat trick by PSG fi nal; he was the runner-up to Nadal at It was Riyad Mahrez who provided star Kylian Mbappe on Tues- the 2019 U.S. Open. The game took place almost a month the cross for Sterling to head in his after a heated spat between the two star day in the fi rst leg of their “He’s defi nitely one of the toughest 12th goal of the season. Champions League round- players that I ever faced in my life,” players. City have turned the season around Lukaku set up Lautaro Martínez for of-16 match. Djokovic said. “It’s a matter of time - helped by defending champions “There is a way to go in the before you’re going to hold a Grand an early opener and sealed the result league, but we didn’t count on Liverpool imploding - to establish a in the 66th minute with Inter’s third. Slam, that’s for sure.” And then he 10-point lead over Leicester. this. If we can get on a good joked to Medvedev, a 25-year-old Martínez had doubled his tally early run of play and get good re- from Russia who hadn’t lost to any- Leicester 2, Villa 1 in the second half, during Milan’s best sults, we can still have a shot. one since October: “If you don’t mind Leicester strengthened their posi- spell of the match. It is going to be diffi cult,¨ Pique waiting a few more years ...” tion in the Premier League’s top four “Lukaku works a lot and always said. Medvedev had won his past 12 out- with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa thanks makes himself available for the team,” Cádiz, which came up from ings against members of the Top 10, to early goals by James Maddison and Martínez said. “He is a great person the second division this season, and a great player, we are happy to upset Barcelona 2-1 in early but going up against Djokovic in Aus- Harvey Barnes. December when Koeman’s tralia is a much different challenge. Villa were without Jack Grealish AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, (top), and Inter’s Hakimi vie for the ball dur- have him with us. I am convinced that ing the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Inter Milan, at the San he can still improve a lot.” side was still fi nding their way As things slipped away, Medvedev because of injury and made a slow under the new coach. Since bounced his white racket off the blue start without their inspirational cap- Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb 21. (AP) Inter remained top but extended its advantage to four points over second- then, Barcelona has not lost in court, then absolutely destroyed it with tain, going 2-0 down by the 23rd the league and arrived at the a full-on spike. He kept looking up at minute at Villa Park. place Milan. Napoli could move to game on a seven-game win- his coach with palms up as if to ask, Barnes laid the ball off to Maddi- within six points of Milan, having ning streak in the league. “What can I possibly do here?” son, who slotted a shot into the bottom played a match less, if it wins at Ata- Barcelona had 80% of pos- It is a familiar sentiment in this sta- corner from the edge of the area in the lanta later. session and out-shot Cádiz dium: Federer, Nadal, Andy Murray, 19th. The stakes in the Milan derby were 20-3. But a clumsy foul by Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem - all higher than they have been in the last Lenglet - when he kicked Grand Slam champions, all defeated 10 years. The last time Inter and Milan Rubén Sobrino in the leg while by Djokovic in semifi nals or fi nals in SOCCER went into the Derby della Madonnina trying to clear a ball on the Melbourne. occupying the top two spots in the edge of the area - ruined a So put Djokovic’s nine triumphs in table was in 2011, when Milan was strong performance that only lacked a second goal. Australia alongside fi ve at Wimble- The winger then scored himself, above Inter. The Rossoneri won that don, three at the U.S. Open and one at match and went on to win the league “I am very, very disappoint- forcing home a rebound high into the ed, even more than on Tues- the French Open. net after Villa goalkeeper Emi Mar- title - the last team other than Juventus to do so. day,” Koeman said. “We were The math looks good for him. He is tinez could only palm away a fi erce on a good run in the league, about a year younger than Nadal and 6 effort from Jamie Vardy. Bertrand and we had a game at home 1/2 younger than Federer, who turns 40 Traore gave Villa hope by pulling a with the chance to cut into the in August and hasn’t competed in more goal back in the 48th from close range SOCCER lead of those ahead of us. It than a year after two knee operations. after John McGinn helped on a cross is a game that this team, with On a cool, cloudy evening, an event by Matt Targett, but Leicester held on. their talent, have to win.” delayed three weeks because of the There were no supporters in the sta- Pedri González set up Mes- coronavirus pandemic closed with an West Ham 2, Tottenham 1 dium because of coronavirus restric- si’s goal when he was fouled announced attendance of 7,426. Spec- West Ham strengthened their un- tions, but thousands of fans from both by Isaac Carcelén. Messi tators were barred for fi ve days earlier likely push for Champions League sides gathered outside to welcome the rolled his kick to the left side of in the tournament because of a COV- qualifi cation by beating Tottenham teams. the net after goalkeeper Jer- ID-19 lockdown, but they eventually 2-1 to climb into the top four. West Ham’s Said Banrahma (right), duels for the ball with Tottenham’s The match was even more highly emías Ledesma had already were let back in at 50% capacity. Jesse Lingard, rejuvenated after his Davinson Sanchez during the English Premier League soccer match be- charged because the last time the two given his intentions away. “There are a lot of mixed feelings loan move from Manchester United tween West Ham United and Tottenham at the London Stadium in London, sides met, on Jan. 26 in the Italian Cup Cádiz central defender Fali about what has happened in the last Feb 21. (AP) quarterfi nals, Lukaku and Ibrahimović tracked Messi all match long last month, scored what proved to be and did well to limit his im- month or so with tennis players com- the winning goal in the 47th minute were involved in a heated confronta- Richarlison scored after three min- pairing of Ozan Kabak and substitute tion that is currently under investiga- pact. A timely touch early in ing to Australia,” Djokovic said. “But after running onto a pass from Pablo the game defl ected Messi’s I think when we draw a line at the end, Fornals and burying an angled shot utes and Gylfi Sigurdsson netted a late Nat Phillips. But by then the damage tion by the Italian soccer federation. penalty to give Everton a 2-0 victory . had already been done as Everton had shot wide after Sergio Bus- it was a successful tournament for the with his left foot. Tottenham had also It was Lukaku who helped Inter get quets had played him clear. organizers.” conceded a goal early in the fi rst half A fi rst Merseyside derby win since made its intent clear. Straight from off to the perfect start, with less than 2010 put Everton behind sixth-place Ledesma also did well to get And for him. with fi t-again striker Michail Antonio kickoff, the ball was hit forward and, fi ve minutes on the clock. His fi rst cross low and poke away a pass by Medvedev’s fl at, wrap-the-racket- converting a loose ball from close Liverpool only on goal difference with under no pressure, Kabak conceded a was charged down by a great block Messi that was destined for around-his-neck forehand was iffy at range after his initial glancing effort a game in hand. corner after six seconds. from Milan defender Simon Kjær but Antoine Griezmann to push in fi rst, missing wide, long and into the was kept out by goalkeeper Hugo Llo- October’s derby was the start of Fulham 1, Sheff Utd 0 the ball came back out to Lukaku, who for a second goal. net in the initial 10 minutes. Djoko- ris in the fi fth minute. Liverpool’s defensive problems when fl oated another cross in for Martínez It then fell to Fernández, vic grabbed 13 of the match’s initial Virgil Van Dijk was ruled out for the Fulham beat last-place Sheffi eld to easily head into the top right cor- the brother of Real Madrid 16 points and a quick 3-0 lead. Soon Everton 2, Liverpool 0 season with an ACL injury after a United 1-0 to boost their own survival ner. Inter dominated for long stretches defender Nacho Fernández, enough, though, it was 3-all, then 5-all. A fi rst win at Anfi eld since 1999 for reckless tackle by Everton goalkeeper bid. Ademola Lookman broke the of the fi rst half but Milan appeared a to grab Cádiz´s fi rst point at But that’s when Djokovic stepped Everton. The worst form for Liverpool Jordan Pickford. deadlock in the 61st minute. side transformed after the break. Inter Camp Nou since 1978. up, and Medvedev stepped back. Djok- at home in the league since 1923 after Henderson’s problem appeared to Lookman worked his way into the goalkeeper Samir Handanović had to ¨Today this was all about ovic held at love, then broke to claim a fourth straight loss. be a groin injury as he pulled up run- penalty area from the left-hand side make three outstanding saves in quick Cádiz, but if I can help my the set when Medvedev slapped a fore- The English title that took 30 years ning the ball out of defense in the fi rst before fi ring a low shot into the net. It succession in the opening couple of brother out then it is all the hand into the net just after someone in to win again is being surrendered far half, leaving his side with an 18th secured Fulham’s fourth win from 25 minutes to deny Ibrahimović twice and better,¨ Fernández said. the crowd called out during the point. too easily by Liverpool. different - and most inexperienced - league games this season. then Sandro Tonali.

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