Fed Keeps Rate Near Zero and Sees Brighter Economy in 2021

The Kitchen Table Thursday December 17, 2020 T: 582-7800 www.arubatoday.com facebook.com/arubatoday instagram.com/arubatoday

Page 8 Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper Fed keeps rate near zero and sees brighter economy in 2021 By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writers WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it will keep buying government bonds until the economy makes "substantial" progress, a step intended to reassure financial markets and keep long-term borrowing rates low indefinitely. The Fed also reiterated after its latest policy meeting that it expects to keep its benchmark short-term interest rate near zero through at least 2023. The Fed has kept its key rate there since March, when it took a range of extraordinary steps to fight the pandemic recession by keeping credit flowing. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testifies before the Senate Banking Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington,Tuesday, Continued on Page 2 Dec. 1, 2020, during a hearing on, 'The Quarterly CARES Act Report to Congress.' Associated Press A2 Thursday 17 December 2020 UP FRONT

Fed keeps rate near zero and sees brighter economy in 2021 Continued from Front tions and business failures, and could lead investors and he expressed optimism to force up interest rates Chair Jerome Powell said about the deal under con- sooner than the Fed would he and other Fed officials sideration by Congress. prefer. expect the economy to re- "The case for fiscal poli- In quarterly economic pro- bound at a healthy pace cy right now is very, very jections that the policy- next year as viral vaccines strong," Powell said, "and I makers issued Wednesday, become widely distributed. think that is widely under- they painted a brighter But the next three to six stood now. It's a very posi- picture for next year. Their months will likely be pain- tive thing that we may fi- upgrades likely reflect the ful for the unemployed and nally be getting that." expected impact of new small businesses as pan- Congressional leaders ap- coronavirus vaccines. The demic cases spike, Powell pear to be nearing agree- officials now foresee the said at a news conference. ment on a $900 billion relief economy contracting 2.4% In a statement and in Pow- package that would pro- this year, less than the 3.7% ell's answers to reporters, vide extended unemploy- This Feb. 5, 2018, file photo shows the seal of the Board of decline it envisioned in Sep- the Fed signaled that it's ment benefits, more loans Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System in the tember. For next year, in prepared to keep rates for small businesses and ground at the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building anticipation of a rebound, ultra-low for the long run possibly another round of in Washington. the officials have upgrad- to help the economy with- stimulus checks for individ- Associated Press ed their growth forecast stand those threats and ual Americans. stein. continue to buy at least from 4% to 4.2%. sustain a recovery. "Ongoing fiscal negotia- The Fed's policymakers $80 billion of Treasurys and By the end of 2021, the Fed Yet Powell also pointedly tions are more important made just one notable $40 billion of mortgage- expects the unemploy- stressed the need for fur- than anything the Fed did change to the statement backed securities a month ment rate to fall to 5% from ther rescue aid from Con- today," said Eric Winograd, they issue after each meet- "until substantial further the current 6.7% — lower gress to ease the impact of U.S. economist at asset ing. On Wednesday, they progress has been made" than the 5.5% rate it had increased apartment evic- manager AllianceBern- said the central bank will toward the Fed's goals of forecast in September. maximum employment The Fed's latest policy and stable prices. statement coincides with Those purchases are in- an economy that is stum- tended to hold down bling and might even shrink longer-term rates, includ- over the winter as the rag- ing borrowing costs for ing pandemic forces new mortgages, auto loans and business restrictions and some business loans. keeps many consumers at Previously, the Fed had home. Weighing the bleak said only that the purchas- short-term outlook and the es would continue "over brighter long-term picture coming months." The new has complicated the Fed's guidance suggests that the policymaking as it assesses bond buys will continue in- how much more stimulus to definitely. pursue. "The key message is still that At his news conference, policy will remain unusually Powell acknowledged that accommodative — with challenge. near-zero rates and asset "The case numbers are so purchases — continuing for high and so widespread several more years," said across the country ... this Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. will have the effect of sup- economist for Capital Eco- pressing activity," he said, nomics. particularly in-person serv- Some economists faulted ices such as eating out and the phrasing as too evasive. traveling. More precise guidance "At the same time, peo- might prevent financial ple are getting vaccinat- markets from anticipating ed, now," he added. "You an end to the purchases have to think sometime in before the Fed intends to the middle of next year, reduce them. you'll see people comfort- "The Fed's forward guid- able going out and engag- ance is disappointingly ing in a broader range of vague," Winograd said, activities."q A3 U.S. NEWS Thursday 17 December 2020 Vaccinations reach nursing homes as California faces crisis By ADAM GELLER and TERRY standing by as makeshift SPENCER morgues as deaths surge. POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (AP) The state is averaging 163 — The first COVID-19 vac- virus deaths per day, up cinations are underway at from 63 just two weeks ago. U.S. nursing homes, where With new cases of the infec- the virus has killed more tion in California averaging than 110,000 people, even more than 32,000 a day as the nation struggles to — nearly as many as the contain a surge so alarm- entire U.S. was seeing just ing it has spurred California three months ago — hospi- to dispense thousands of tals in parts of the state are body bags and line up re- running out of space in in- frigerated morgue trucks. tensive care wards. With the rollout of shots pick- In Fresno County, officials ing up speed Wednesday, said Tuesday that just 16 ICU lawmakers in Washington beds remained available closed in on a long-stalled and were filling rapidly. To coronavirus relief pack- keep up, the county's hos- age that would send direct pital system has contracted payments of perhaps $600 with a Virginia company to to most Americans. Mean- supply doctors, nurses and while, the U.S. appeared to others to staff a temporary be days away from adding 50-bed facility that will start a second vaccine to its ar- receiving patients by the senal. end of the week. At the same time, a major "Unfortunately, I'm antici- snowstorm pushing its way pating a grim set of weeks into the Northeast raised before and after the New concern it could disrupt dis- Year, just given the trends tribution of the first vaccine. that we're seeing with the Nursing home residents in number of cases," said Dr. Florida began receiving Rais Vohra, the county's in- shots Wednesday, after terim public health officer. nearly 2,000 such vaccina- In Orange County, health tions were administered in officials planned to send West Virginia on Tuesday. large tents to four hospitals Thousands more are sched- to help accommodate pa- uled there in the coming tients. Patricia Wasseman, holds Hermina Levin's hands as nurse Eva Diaz administers the Pfizer vaccine days. Other states are ex- at John Knox Village, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, in Pompano Beach, Fla. In Washington, congressio- pected to follow soon. Associated Press nal leaders said they hoped The elderly and infirm in to seal a deal as early as long-term care have been vaccine was mixed with are African-American and any day now. Wednesday on a package among the most vulnera- some anxiety. don't trust it, given the na- Marty Wright, head of the that would extend aid to ble to the virus and, togeth- "I hope it will help me tion's history of medical West Virginia Health Care individuals and businesses er with health workers, are from getting COVID," said experimentation on Black Association, which repre- and help ship vaccines to first in line to get the limited, 88-year-old retired school- people. sents nursing homes and millions. It would include en- initial supplies of the vac- teacher Vera Leip, a resi- "They are frightened," he assisted living communities, hanced federal unemploy- cine, developed by Pfizer dent of John Knox Village said. "There is that culture said the state's pharmacies ment benefits and another and Germany's BioNTech. near Fort Lauderdale. "I line even as much as we expect to get 7,000 doses round of stimulus checks. Nursing home residents don't know anything about educate them." into arms by the end of the On Thursday, a govern- and workers account for it, but I would prefer not to West Virginia, with one of week. ment advisory panel will more than one-third of the have it." the oldest and unhealthiest The developments come consider whether to en- nation's 300,000 or so con- The home is not requiring its populations in America, is as as the crisis grows in- dorse emergency use of a firmed deaths from CO- employees to get the vac- working with small and lo- creasingly dire by many second vaccine, made by VID-19. cine, and only 80 of the 200 cal pharmacies to reach measures. Moderna. In Florida, the longtime staffers in the skilled nurs- nursing homes across the The U.S. recorded over Meanwhile, officials super- retirement haven whose ing facility volunteered for heavily rural state, leap- 3,000 deaths on Tuesday for vising distribution of the first 141,000 nursing home resi- the first wave, said Mark frogging states that are re- the third time in less than a vaccine said they didn't dents are the second most Rayner, its director of health lying on a partnership with week, eclipsing the peaks expect the winter storm to of any state behind Califor- services. He said many of the CVS and Walgreens seen last spring. New cases disrupt distribution. nia, eagerness to get the those declining the shot drugstore chains to kick in are running at over 212,000 U.S. Health and Human Ser- a day on average. And the vices Secretary Alex Azar number of Americans in the said the government is hospital with COVID-19 hit tracking the vaccine ship- another all-time high Tues- ments precisely, has staffers day of about 113,000. in place to receive them California is distributing and believes the compa- 5,000 body bags mostly to nies transporting them — the hard-hit Los Angeles FedEx and UPS — have the and San Diego areas and expertise to navigate the has 60 refrigerated trailers storm.q A4 Thursday 17 December 2020 U.S. NEWS 'If not one thing, it's another': Storm rolls into Northeast By JENNIFER PELTZ how to deal with snow and Associated Press bad weather. But we are NEW YORK (AP) — The on it and following it," he Northeast girded Wednes- told Fox News Channel's day for a major snowstorm "Fox & Friends." at a key moment in the With 35 vaccine deliver- coronavirus pandemic, ies to New Jersey hospitals days after the start of the expected over the next U.S. vaccination campaign day or two, Murphy said and in the thick of a virus his administration was fo- surge that has throngs of cused on making sure they people seeking tests per continued, including by ex- day. empting vaccine delivery Snow was falling from north- trucks from a storm-related ern Virginia to points north prohibition on commercial of New York City by late traffic on some highways. afternoon. The storm was New York Gov. Andrew poised to drop as much as Cuomo said his state's first- 2 feet (0.6 meters) of snow round vaccine shipment in some places by Thurs- had already been distrib- day, and the pandemic uted to some 90 hospitals, added new complexities with the next delivery not to officials' preparations due until roughly Tuesday, — deciding whether to well after the storm. close testing sites, figuring The National Weather Ser- out how to handle plow- vice said the storm was ing amid outdoor dining "set to bring an overabun- platforms in New York City A crew from BZ Pools in Johnstown, Pa., work on shoveling the sidewalks for several of their John- dance of hazards from the streets, redefining school stown clients at the start of winter storm Gail on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. mid-Atlantic to the North- snow days to mean an- Associated Press east," including freezing other day of learning from rain and ice in the mid-At- home, and more. bors shovel. first 3 million shots are be- vaccine shipments pre- lantic, heavy snow in the "Our theme today ought to Still, officials said they didn't ing strictly limited to those cisely, has staffers already New York City area and be, 'If it's not one thing, it's expect the winter blast to workers and to nursing in place to receive them southern New England, another,'" New Jersey Gov. disrupt vaccine distribution, home residents. and believes the compa- strong winds and coastal Phil Murphy said as he gave which began Monday for U.S. Health and Human Ser- nies transporting them can flooding, and possibly even residents storm guidance frontline health care work- vices Secretary Alex Azar navigate the storm. severe thunderstorms and that's new this year — mask ers, the first group to Ameri- said Wednesday that the "This is FedEx, this is UPS ex- some tornadoes in North up if you help your neigh- cans to get the shots. The government is tracking the press shipping. They know Carolina's Outer Banks.q

Trump's company ordered to give evidence to NY investigators

hattan. tigation." or to the donation and that Trump Organization lawyers "The level of knowledge the land being conserved had argued that informa- that I know about this case in exchange for the tax tion exchanged with Mas- is zero," Mastromonaco deduction was worth $21.1 tromonaco was privileged said. "If you know what zero million. because he was providing means, it means nothing." James, a Democrat, his expertise to the compa- Attorney General Letitia launched the investigation ny's land-use attorney. En- James' investigators are last year after the Repub- goron rejected that, saying looking at how the Trump lican president's longtime Trump's lawyers previously Organization and its agents personal lawyer Michael agreed attorney-client assessed the value of Seven Cohen told Congress that privilege did not apply to Springs. Trump purchased the president had repeat- Mastromonaco's work on the 212-acre (86-hectare) edly inflated the value of This photo from Sept. 23, 2009, shows the entrance to Seven Seven Springs. property north of Manhat- his assets to obtain more fa- Springs LLC, in Bedford, N.Y., a property owned by the Trump family. A message seeking com- tan in 1995 with the inten- vorable terms for loans and Associated Press ment was left with Trump tion of turning it into a golf insurance coverage. lawyer Alan Futerfas. club. Trump's son, Eric, spoke to By MICHAEL R. SISAK practices. Mastromonaco said he After that project failed to investigators in October Associated Press Judge Arthur Engoron said worked on the property progress, he granted an via video after Engoron NEW YORK (AP) — A New the Trump Organization about a decade ago and easement over 158 acres blocked his attempts to de- York judge on Tuesday or- must turn over to the New that his duties included pre- (60 hectares) to a conser- lay the deposition until after dered President Donald York attorney general's senting the project to the vation land trust in 2016 to the presidential election. Trump's company to give office all communica- local planning board and qualify for an income tax James' investigation into state investigators docu- tions involving Ralph Mas- designing a driveway. He deduction. Trump's business practices ments related to a subur- tromonaco, an engineer told The Associated Press James' office said a profes- is civil, not criminal, in na- ban estate that's the sub- who worked on the Seven he didn't see how his com- sional appraisal at the time ture and investigators have ject of a civil investigation Springs estate in Westches- munications would "make determined Seven Springs yet to determine whether into the family's business ter County, north of Man- any difference in any inves- was worth $56.5 million pri- any law was broken.q A5 WORLD NEWS Thursday 17 December 2020 Rights groups condemn Hungarian ban on same-sex adoptions

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) sex at birth," and mandates — Human rights groups on that children be raised "in Wednesday condemned a accordance with the val- new Hungarian law that ef- ues based on Hungary's fectively bans adoption for constitutional identity and same-sex couples and ap- Christian culture." plies a strict Christian con- This week's changes come servative viewpoint to the on the heels of a scandal legal definition of a family. involving Jozsef Szajer, a The amendment, passed member of the European by Hungary's right-wing rul- Parliament and one of the ing coalition in parliament founding members of Fi- on Tuesday, alters the con- desz, who resigned after stitutional definition of fami- being caught by Brussels lies to exclude transgender police attending an illegal and other LGBT individuals, lockdown party in late No- defining the basis of the vember described by its family as "marriage and the host as a gay orgy. parent-child relationship," Police said that Szajer, who and declaring that "the was one of the main au- mother is a woman and the thors of Hungary's new 2012 father is a man." constitution which limited The changes are the latest LGBT rights, was caught in a series of moves seen In this Saturday, July 6 2013 file photo participants walk down Andrassy Street under a giant rain- with drugs in his backpack by critics as hostile to LGBT bow flag during the 18th Budapest Gay Pride March in Budapest, Hungary. after attempting to flee rights by Hungary's nation- Associated Press the party. He later resigned alist ruling party Fidesz and from Fidesz. its hardline leader, Prime called the passage of the riage was constitutionally fectively barring same-sex In a press release on Tues- Minister Viktor Orban, who amendment "a dark day banned in Hungary in 2012, couples or single individuals day, Budapest Pride, orga- has long said he was build- for human rights." but civil partnerships are from doing so. nizers of Hungary's largest ing an "illiberal" Christian Lawmakers from one op- recognized. However, the The amendment also tasks LGBT event, said the Szajer democracy. position party boycotted new amendment declares the state with "protecting case demonstrated the hy- David Vig, director of rights the parliamentary vote that only married couples the right of children to self- pocrisy of Fidesz's Christian group Amnesty Hungary, in protest. Same-sex mar- may adopt children, ef- identity according to their conservatism. q Dutch further tighten lockdown amid anger at open stores

By MIKE CORDER food to clothing, stationery Associated Press and kitchen equipment. THE HAGUE, Netherlands "It is a shame that previ- (AP) — The Dutch govern- ously-made clear agree- ment on Wednesday tight- ments that could have led ened even further the strict to Hema contributing to five-week coronavirus lock- the spreading of shop visits down that went into force cannot be achieved," the just a day earlier, amid a chain's CEO Tjeerd Jegen backlash over some large said. "At the same time, stores remaining open. (these times) require flexibil- Opposition lawmakers criti- ity and tolerance. That also cized lockdown rules that applies to us. If that means allowed stores to remain at we have to close our doors least partially open if some to ensure health, we will." of the products they sell are Schools closed Wednesday considered "essential" such and streets in Dutch towns as food and sanitary prod- and cities were far less busy ucts. than in previous days and Green Left party leader weeks when local authori- Jess Klaver tweeted that ties sometimes had to call allowing large chains to on people not to visit over- stay open while small local crowded shopping streets. stores are forced to shut In the central city of Utre- A man walks down the near-empty Kalverstraat pedestrian shopping street in the center of Am- their doors to rein in infec- sterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. cht, Michale Moelens said tions "is the exact opposite Associated Press the government waited of the solidarity we so badly too long to put the country need during this lockdown." In a letter to parliament, the amounted to more than for opening stores, Hema, in lockdown. The government moved government said that only 70% of their turnover would said in a statement it would "A lot of people get sick swiftly to bring an end to stores where sales of essen- be allowed to remain close all its shops on Thurs- for nothing because they an issue that threatened to tial items such as food, non- open. day. A fixture in most Dutch could (have handled) this undermine generally wide prescription medicines, pet One of the companies towns and cities, Hema much earlier," Moelens support for the lockdown. food and sanitary products that had faced criticism stores sell everything from said.q A6 Thursday 17 December 2020 WORLD NEWS Iran leaders: Biden arrival won't guarantee better relations By AMIR VAHDAT Associ- Biden has suggested the ated Press U.S. could rejoin Tehran's TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with supreme leader and the world powers, from which country's president both Trump unilaterally pulled warned America on America in 2018 and im- Wednesday that the de- posed harsher sanctions on parture of President Donald Iran. That decision marked Trump does not immedi- the start of increased ten- ately mean better relations sions between the two between the two nations. countries as Iran aban- The remarks come as Iran doned uranium enrich- approaches the first an- ment limits and the Mideast niversary of the U.S. drone saw a series of escalating strike that killed Revolu- incidents and attacks. tionary Guard Gen. Qas- In response to Soleimani's sem Soleimani in Bagh- death, Tehran launched a dad, an attack that nearly ballistic missile attack that plunged Washington and injured dozens of U.S. troops Tehran into an open war in Iraq. That same night, it after months of tensions. also mistakenly shot down In recent weeks, a scientist a Ukrainian airliner taking who founded Iran's military In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Has- off from Tehran, killing all nuclear program two de- san Rouhani speaks in a cabinet meeting in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. 176 people on board. cades ago was gunned Associated Press Hoping to pressure Europe, down in an attack in a ru- Iran's parliament recently ral area outside of Tehran away from the 81-year-old ica also did bad things to not excited Mr. Biden is tak- passed a bill calling on Teh- that The Associated Press Khamenei, who wore a you and the Iranian nation." ing office, but we are very ran to increase its uranium accessed for the first time face mask due to the coro- Earlier in the day, Rouhani, happy Mr. Trump is gone." enrichment to 20%, a short Wednesday. navirus pandemic still rag- speaking during a Cabinet "The upcoming American technical step from weap- Supreme Leader Ayatol- ing in Iran. meeting, made a similar administration can choose ons-grade levels, and to lah Ali Khamenei spoke in "You saw that what Trump's point to criticize Trump — at what to do," Rouhani said. throw out international in- Tehran at the Imam Kho- America and (former Presi- one point even saying the "The path is open. It's up to spectors. Rouhani's govern- meini Hosseinieh, or con- dent Barack) Obama's U.S. president "has commit- them if they are grateful or ment has opposed the bill, gregation hall, where he America did to you," ted so many crimes, he was ungrateful. If they want the exposing a rift inside Iran's attended a meeting with Khamenei said. "The hostili- an assassin and a terrorist." right path, it's ready. If they civilian government that Soleimani's family and top ties are not just for Trump's "Some people say, 'You want the wrong path, that the supreme leader ap- military leaders. They all America, which ends when are excited for Mr. Biden,'" one is ready for them as peared to touch on in his sat some 5 meters (16 feet) he leaves. Obama's Amer- Rouhani said. "No, we are well." speech Wednesday. q

Erdogan: U.S. aims to stymie growing Turkish defense industry more independent. again strictly dependent Russian technology is no risk The U.S. sanctions, imposed on (the United States)," Er- to NATO systems because on Monday over Turkey's dogan said. "If it weren't they wouldn't be integrat- procurement of Russia's ad- the S-400 issue, they would ed into defense strategies vanced S-400 system, are have used other issues." involving the S-400s. part of a U.S. law known as Erdogan added: "What Erdogan on Mondays reit- CAATSA, which are aimed will happen now? We will erated Turkey's position that at pushing back on Russian work twice as hard as in Ankara wasn't offered the influence. the past to make our de- U.S. Patriot systems, leaving The move is the first time fense industry independent it with no other option but that the law has been used in all aspects and to has- to buy the Russian system to penalize a U.S. ally. ten projects undertaken by for its national security. They target Turkey's Presi- our Presidency of Defense The United States says dency of Defense Indus- Industries. We will provide talks on a potential Patriot Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks after a cabinet tries, Ismail Demir and three even greater support to deal failed over Turkey's meeting, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. other senior officials. The our defense industry com- insistence on technology Associated Press penalties block any assets panies." transfer rights that would the four officials may have The U.S. had previously have allowed it eventually By SUZAN FRASER his country's rising defense in U.S. jurisdictions and bar kicked Turkey out of its F-35 to make the missiles them- Associated Press industry. their entry into the U.S. They stealth jet program, say- selves. This ran against U.S. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) In a speech delivered dur- also include a ban on most ing their use alongside the manufacturers' propriety — Turkish President Re- ing the inauguration of a export licenses, loans and Russian technology would interests in addition to any cep Tayyip Erdogan on highway in central Turkey, credits to the agency. jeopardize the safety of national security concerns. Wednesday portrayed U.S. Erdogan also said the sanc- "The real aim (of the sanc- the fighter jets. Washington Turkey took delivery of the sanctions imposed on Tur- tions would increase his tions) is to block the prog- also says the Russian system S-400 missiles in the summer key over its purchase of a government's determina- ress that we have made wouldn't be interoperable of 2019 and tested them for Russian air defense system tion to make the Turkish de- lately in the defense indus- with NATO systems. the first time in October. as an attempt to obstruct fense industry stronger and try and to make us once Turkey had insisted that the q A7 WORLD NEWS Thursday 17 December 2020 E.U. postpones $109 million aid to Ethiopia over Tigray access

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — for development coopera- The European Union has tion with Ethiopia from 2014 postponed 90 million euros through 2020, of which 500 ($109 million) in budgetary million euros ($608 million) support to Ethiopia over has been in direct support lack of access to the coun- to the budget. try's Tigray region to deliver Ethiopian officials have humanitarian aid amid the not yet responded to the conflict. EU's announcement of the The delay in the funding, postponement. which was supposed to Ethiopia's federal govern- be paid at the end of the ment started taking military year, was confirmed to The measures against the Tigray Associated Press Wednes- region's leadership after it day by a top EU diplomat said its forces based in the in Ethiopia's capital, Addis region sustained 'inhumane Ababa. attacks' in early November. "A 90 million euro budget Ethiopia's Prime Minister, support disbursement that Abiy Ahmed, declared vic- was supposed to be made tory two weeks ago but lo- at the end of this year has Part of the Umm Rakouba refugee camp, hosting people who fled the conflict in the Tigray region cal reports suggest there been postponed," Ambas- of Ethiopia, in Qadarif, eastern Sudan, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. are still some clashes in cer- sador Johan Borgstam, Associated Press tain locations. Thousands of EU Head of Delegation to people are feared to have Ethiopia, said in a phone ian access to Tigray for re- countries are allowed to do Tigray, a process that we died in the conflict that pit- interview. He added that lief actors so that people in so and that mechanisms know has already been ted Ethiopia's federal gov- other EU aid programs will need can be reached and are put in place to investi- started by the government. ernment against the Tigray continue. there is an end to ethnic- gate allegations of human This will be crucial to un- Peoples' Liberation Front, a "The reason for the decision based targeting," he said. rights violations, he said. derstand the needs on the party that dominated Ethi- to postpone the budget The EU also seeks the gov- "Furthermore, it's important ground," he said. opian politics for 27 years support disbursements is ernment's assurance that for the media to have ac- The EU is one of Ethiopia's until the Nobel Peace Prize- that the EU first wants to see civilians who want to seek cess and the restoration largest donors, allocating winning Abiy came to pow- granting of full humanitar- refuge in neighboring of all communications in 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) er in April 2018. q

India's top court offers to mediate to end farmers' protest By ASHOK SHARMA the capital. "Your negotiations with pro- NEW DELHI (AP) — India's Police said they were inves- testing farmers have not Supreme Court on Wednes- tigating the circumstances worked apparently until day offered to set up a of his death. Singh told re- now," the Press Trust of In- mediation panel to end a porters that police found dia news agency cited three-week protest by tens a note from the priest in the judges as telling gov- of thousands of farmers which he said he was sacri- ernment Solicitor-General who are demanding the ficing his life "to express an- Tushar Mehta. repeal of new agricultural ger and pain against the In addition to blocking the reform laws that they say government injustice." movement of people, the will drive down crop prices Indian media reports have massive protest has dealt and devastate their earn- said he went to his car and a blow to manufacturing ings. allegedly shot himself. and business in northern In- The court sent notices to the Police officer Ganga Ram dia. government and the farm- Punia declined to provide The protesting farmers say ers' representatives across details while an autopsy the laws will lead to the the country seeking their was being carried out in cartelization and commer- views on the proposal and Karnal, a town in Haryana cialization of agriculture set Thursday as the date for state. and make farmers vulner- a possible decision. Opposition Congress party able to corporate greed. The farmers have been leader Rahul Gandhi in a Protest leaders have reject- blocking half a dozen ma- tweet blamed the govern- ed the government's offer jor highways on the out- ment's apathy toward the to amend some conten- skirts of New Delhi for three priest's death and urged tious provisions of the laws. weeks and say they won't the government to meet Farmers fear the govern- leave until the government the farmers' demands. ment will stop buying grain quashes what they call the Earlier, Chief Justice S.A. at minimum guaranteed "black laws" passed by Par- Bobde and Justices A.S. Bo- prices and corporations liament in September. panna and V. Ramasubra- will then push prices down. Darshan Pal Singh, a Sikh manian made the offer to Prime Minister Narendra leader, said a 68-year-old set up the panel after five Modi's government has Sikh priest allegedly shot rounds of talks failed to end said it is willing to pledge and killed himself at a pro- the impasse between the that guaranteed prices test site on the outskirts of government and farmers. continue. q A8 Thursday 17 December 2020

The Kitchen Table enters sixth year of gastronomic success on NEW location: A very fine culinary journey of Caribbean and Peruvian fusion cuisine

The interior of the restaurant is if you were in an elegant establishment in Lima, the capital city of Peru. You feel elevated in the top of the building where dinner takes place in an intimate setting. The typical, colorful Peruvian fabrics dress the ceiling while the large windows dignify the room. There are only 16 seats available creating an intimacy underlined by the owner’s personal attention. “This is an amazing experience,” says Robert J. Giordanel- la from New York. “The food is truly divine,” shares a local guest. An evening at The Kitchen Table will be noted as unforgettable in your book of vacation memories, as it stands out from the regular island dinners.

It is all about consistency The Peruvian-born Roxanna Salinas and her husband Jan van Nes are the secret formula behind The Kitchen Ta- ble’s success. The couple takes a personal approach to what they do, this is not about running a business as usual. EAGLE BEACH — The Kitchen Table is an elegant, classy, intimate, high-quality res- This is more about making you feel welcomed home, as taurant with an exceptional dining set-up. Dining here is an experience, a kind of well as being pampered. They bring top hospitality, expe- sitting- at your- best- friend’s or family’s kitchen table where you feel and taste that rience and authenticity to the table. Within this gourmet the food contains love. Are you looking for something different, an ecstatic foody dinner concept the two blended the Peruvian culinary trip, than this is where you need to go. art of Roxanna’s top kitchen team and Jan’s expertise from The Kitchen Table. The result is one big trip of delight, The 7-8 course gastronomic journey will start with sparkling wine at the patio of The indulge and tickling of your taste buds. The Kitchen Table Kitchen Table’s new location at Paradise Beach Villas as of 6.45PM. Around 7.00PM welcomes you with open arms every Tuesday to Satur- guests will be guided for a memorable dinner on the second floor of the other popular day. restaurant Asi Es Mi Peru. The dining concept reflects extraordinary, elegant and exqui- site dishes from the Caribbean, Peruvian fusion and international cuisine created by Peruvian touch the owners, Chef David Lizano and his team. To pair the perfect wines three sommeliers In the last ten years, Peru has been recognized as one were invited to make the selection. of the world’s best culinary destinations, and for seven consecutive years, the South American country has won the award for the Best Culinary destination at the Worlds Travel Awards. Biodiversity combined multiculturalism are the reasons why Peru is so rich in gastronomy. You can travel through the last 500 years, touch a mix of cultures whenever you taste authentic Peruvian cuisine. The Kitch- en Table brings this epicurean delicacies to Aruba paired perfectly with the best wines and they will make you understand why Peru is at the height of today’s gastronomy.

The Kitchen Table is open from Tuesday to Saturday. Have a peak on their website www.thekitchentable- inaruba.com or call them at +297-594-6833, 592-5699 or 593-2173.q A9 LOCAL Thursday 17 December 2020

Aruba Ports Authority N.V. (APA) and Poundwise clarify: Since purchase Marazul in public bidding, no change in size of the land

ORANJESTAD — In reference to road has been approved by the the recent media information dis- Stichting Rancho and APA in co- played to the public regarding the ordination with DOW. It was never Harbour House Project that is being and is still not the intention of APA built across the Schoenerhaven, to transfer the administration rights Aruba Ports Authority N.V. (APA) of the water or the plots to any and Poundwise Investments and third parties, as such this will remain Developments VBA (Poundwise), under the administration of APA. would like to state and clarify the All roads and quays around Har- following: bour House that are currently pub- licly accessible, will remain as such. In May 2017 Poundwise acquired The access to the pier is guaran- the former Marazul building in a teed at all times for the fishermen, public auction to develop a resi- including the fishermen of Stichting dential and commercial building to Rancho. This has been duly com- be named Harbour House. The plot municated to all interested parties boundaries, including the parking many times in the past and once ity, while conserving the fishing tive area within the downtown area, have not changed since the again recently. activities conform our local tra- area for Arubans and visitors auction. APA has the administra- The total project of beautification dition and culture • Harbour House will constitute tion rights of the water area and will include a facility at the discre- • Will provide 100 direct jobs in a new place for the entertain- part of the land areas surrounding tion of the fishermen that will have Harbourwalk shops and Har- ment and enjoyment for locals Harbour House Building. restrooms and fresh water for the bour House Residences, which and visitors while conserving In 2017 Poundwise submitted an fishermen. Poundwise will contrib- is a boost to the local economy our culture area beautification project to APA ute with US$50,000 for this purpose. during these unprecedented • Harbour House is in line with and respective government au- The enhancement of the Schoen- times government’s intentions to thorities for their approval. An open erhaven area will ultimately ben- • Will generate additional tax help the revival of city of Oran- dialog initiated by APA has been efit Aruba in general: revenues for the Government jestad held between direct related stake- • Eliminate a 17-year-old eyesore of Aruba (GOA) • Will have a positive impact holders ever since 2017. in the gateway of Aruba • Will be a launch to utilize the on the cruise industry as it will A boardwalk and replacement of • Keeping the pier as is on its cur- opportunities of Schoener- make the area much more at- current pavement of the adjacent rent location with a new facil- haven to become an attrac- tractive for cruise tourists.q A10 Thursday 17 December 2020 local ‘Youth finalize the ‘My New World’ project’ ORANJESTAD — Dozens of naire, Sint Eustatius and young people between Saba had virtual discus- the ages 13 and 18 from sions with State Secretary Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Raymond Knops of the Min- Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius istry of Interior and Kingdom and Saba have participat- Relations and with Member ed in the UNICEF ‘My New of Parliament Stieneke van World’ project these past der Graaf. Both discussed few months. Central to their the advice and gave some advice was how their ideal practical tips such as for world should look like in the young people to all light of the corona crisis. to have a conversations The young people final- with their schools and local ized the trajectory with an people learned how to land debate between the young people had a meet- newspapers to discuss their evaluation and reflection make lobby plans and how youth from Sint Maarten, ing with their local govern- advice. of the process. 86 young they could explain and Sint Eustatius and Saba. At ment. Ministers, parliamen- people from the six islands motivate their advice in a the same time the youth tarians, commissioners, and Child/youth participation received ‘My New World’ constructive manner. from Bonaire debated with island council members all The ‘My New World’ proj- certificates for their partici- “The training for the debate their peers from Curacao had a moment to discuss ect in the Dutch Caribbean pation and the effort during was extremely smooth and and Aruba. This way the the youth’s advice with is a cooperation between the whole process. was loads of fun. This train- debating skills the youth them. Concrete topics UNICEF, the governments ing set the standard of what acquired could be put to were discussed such as the from the different islands Debate practices needs to be done in a de- practice right away. expansion of sport facilities, and the Ministry of Interior The youth focused on bate and how to debate “What I found went well improvement of the online and Kingdom Relations. the question: what top- on an international level. I was the interaction be- education and more pos- With the #MyNewWorld ics should the government felt that I was prepared for tween the islands and the sibilities for youth participa- project, UNICEF and the work on? This counts for the debate and performed new information I learned”, tion. governments want to em- both the local government well”, #MNW participant #MNW participant from “I feel that we did get the phasize the importance of on the island, and for the form Sint Maarten. Sint Eustatius. opportunity to spread our giving children the oppor- Caribbean Netherlands, ideas as youth and address tunity to have their voices the national government Debates Conversations with the our concerns”, #MNW par- heard on topics that con- in The Hague. During the Following the debate train- governments ticipant from Sint Maarten. cern them both directly debate trainings the young ings there was an interis- On all the six islands, the Finally the youth form Bo- and indirectly.q

and words sent to us by Dawn With- Share the love for Aruba ers and Jack King: Visit the

“We made our first visit to Aruba Festival of in the winter of 2008. We chose the Divi Divi all-inclusive as we Lights thought we would like the low rise area instead of the high rise. ORANJESTAD — Giving We were totally impressed and back to the community fell in love with the beautiful is the thought behind the beaches and ocean in Aruba. Festival of Lights that is We met so many friendly staff coming up. ECO Destina- and tourists while we were there. tion Management Compa- I cried all the way to the airport ny and Elite Productions & when we had to leave. Not be- Entertainment teamed up ing that wealthy, we did not think to organize this free event we would ever have the money for the public. to return. We put our heads together when we got home and From December 18 to De- decided if we quit smoking we cember 20 you can take could save enough to return the your car and drive through ORANJETSAD — You are back or ments alive? Please do note: By next year. We returned in the a magical world of Christ- you will be back, hopefully soon. submitting photos, text or any other winter of 2009. We are smoke mas lights in Oranjestad. We are really happy to share the materials, you give permission to free for 12 years. We have been Between 6PM and 10PM love for this island with you and we The Aruba Today Newspaper, Ca- there 16 times; sometimes twice Arendstraat 105 will be full would like to portrait you! By inviting ribbean Speed Printers and any of a year since that first trip. We met of lights to bring you into you to send us your favorite vaca- its affiliated companies to use said so many lasting friendships there, the Christmas spirit and tion picture while enjoying Aruba materials, as well as names, likeness, residents and tourists. We actu- share some joy. One Happy Island. etc. for promotional purposes with- ally got to participate in a neigh- out compensation. borhood parade with some of This has been a challeng- Complete the sentence: Aruba to Last but not least: check out our our local friends. We continue to ing year for everyone and me is ……. Send your picture with website, Instagram and Facebook go to Aruba sometimes twice a with these lights the two that text (including your name and page! Thank you for supporting our year. Unfortunately due to the companies wish to make where you are from) to: news@aru- free newspaper, we strive to make virus we had to cancel our July your last weeks of the year batoday.com and we will publish you a happy reader every day 2020 and Feb 2021 trip. We will shine bright! Admission is your vacation memory. Isn’t that a again. be back when we get our vac- free, so what are you wait- special way to keep your best mo- Have a look at this great picture cine.” q ing for. Enjoy the experience. q A11 business Thursday 17 December 2020 U.S. brands Vietnam, Switzerland as currency manipulators By MARTIN CRUTSINGER tral bank has been selling and PAUL WISEMAN Swiss francs to limit the cur- AP Economics Writers rency's rise and the cur- WASHINGTON (AP) — The rency has also benefited U.S. Treasury Department for its reputation as a safe has branded Vietnam and haven for investors during Switzerland as currency times of economic stress. manipulators while put- Independent analysts say ting China and nine other that is mainly an attempt to countries on a watch list in keep consumer prices from an annual report designed falling - which can hurt the to halt countries from ma- economy - rather than to nipulating their currencies boost exports to the U.S. to gain unfair trade advan- But the Treasury report la- tages. beled Switzerland a curren- It marked the first time that cy manipulator contend- the United States has la- ing that the interventions in beled another country as currency markets were ex- a currency manipulator cessive given the large size since August 2019 when it of the Swiss trade surpluses. called out China at a time The United States has only when the world's two larg- named three countries as est economies were locked currency manipulators. In in tense trade negotiations. addition to branding China "The Treasury Department as a manipulator last year, Vietnamese money dong is seen at the Asia Commercial Bank in Hanoi, Vietnam, in this June 16, has taken a strong step to- the U.S. imposed that label 2008, file photo. day to safeguard econom- Associated Press on China from 1992 to 1994. ic growth and opportunity Treasury also imposed that for American workers and that Vietnam and Switzer- makes imports more ex- alter the two countries' cur- label on Japan and Taiwan businesses" Treasury Secre- land were the only two pensive. The Treasury report rency practices, the United in the 1980s.A hallmark of tary Steven Mnuchin said in countries that met all three said that in addition to ex- States can move forward President Donald Trump's a statement. "Treasury will criteria for being named a tensive currency interven- to impose economic sanc- presidency has been pur- follow up on its findings with currency manipulator. tions, Vietnam and Switzer- tions on Vietnam and Swit- suit of aggressive trade respect to Vietnam and Those criteria include the land also met the other two zerland including penalty policies and a number of Switzerland to work toward number and size of the in- criteria which are running tariffs. other countries in such ar- eliminating practices tat terventions a country has large trade surpluses with In addition to China, the eas as steel and aluminum. create unfair advantages made in foreign exchange the United States and also other countries put on a While the policies have not for foreign countries." markets to influence the large surpluses in its current monitoring list were Japan, done much to lower Amer- The Trump administra- value of its currency. A account with the world, the South Korea, Germany, ica's overall trade deficit, tion removed its currency country intent on gaining broadest measure of trade Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, the deficit with China has designation from China trade advantages will sell which includes not only Taiwan, Thailand and India. shrunk. The gap between in January after the two its currency in an effort to goods and services but Taiwan, Thailand and India what the United States sells nations had achieved depress its value against also investment flows. were put on the watch list to China and what it buys trade agreements which other currencies, such as The designation of a cur- this year while the other in goods and services fell the Trump administration the U.S. dollar. rency manipulator will trig- countries were already on by 19% last year to $308 bil- hoped would lower China's A weaker currency makes ger special negotiations the watch list issued with lion, the lowest level since huge trade surplus with the a country's exports cheap- with Vietnam and Switzer- the last report in January. 2013 but still the largest United States. er and thus more competi- land over the next year. If With regard to Switzer- trade deficit with any single The Treasury report said tive on foreign markets and those negotiations don't land, the country's cen- country.q Facebook criticizes Apple privacy policy in newspaper ads By The Associated Press will be devastating to small That surveillance is cur- Facebook is again pushing businesses adding to the rently done automatically back on new Apple privacy many challenges they face by many apps, and would rules for its mobile devices, right now," the ad states. force people to go to the this time saying in full page The ads come after Ap- time and trouble to block newspaper ads that the ple said earlier this week it the tracking in the settings social media giant is stand- would begun spelling out of each app. Apple says it ing up for small businesses. what kinds of personal in- will oust apps from its stores In ads that ran in The New formation is being collect- if they try to bypass the new York Times, The Wall Street ed by the digital services anti-tracking rule when it Journal and other national displayed in its app stores becomes effective next newspapers, Facebook for iPhones and other prod- year. In many instances, This combo of file photos shows the Apple and Facebook logos. said Apple's new rules "limit ucts made by the trendset- the data scooped up by Associated Press businesses ability to run per- ting company. apps is used to sell ads tar- sonalized ads and reach Apple also has plans to geted at a particular per- months ago as part of an Facebook complained their customers effectively." impose a new mandate son's interest and location, effort to help its customers that the changes would "While limiting how person- that will require all iPhone especially if their services gain a better understand- hurt businesses' ability to alized ads can be used apps to obtain permission are being offered for free. ing of how apps monitor personalize ads. does impact larger compa- before tracking a person's Apple announced the their habits, tastes and Apple declined to nies like us, these changes activities on the device. changes were coming six whereabouts. At the time comment.q A12 Thursday 17 December 2020 science World's space achievements a bright spot in stressful 2020

a close friend of Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, who died aboard space shuttle Columbia in 2003. Will Tom Cruise be joining them? The actor was in talks with NASA this year about filming a movie at the space station. "This is the true beginning of private spaceflight and will get the ball rolling toward multiple private missions to orbit per year," Lopez- Alegria said in an email. "I've been preaching for almost a decade __ that commercial human spaceflight is the next giant leap." Two other space-travel companies — Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic — are still conducting test flights and have yet to set firm dates for launching customers on short flights to the edge of space and In this May 30, 2020, file photo, a SpaceX Falcon 9, with NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken in the Dragon crew capsule, back. lifts off from Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Associated Press NASA is still targeting a No- vember debut of its new By MARCIA DUNN high-priority missions re- NASA's Osiris-Rex space- transporter, Boeing, is moon rocket, the Space AP Aerospace Writer mained on track, led by craft vacuumed up hand- scrambling to get its Star- Launch System, with an Ori- CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. the U.S., China and the fuls of gravel from asteroid liner capsule back in action on capsule that will launch (AP) — Astronauts blasted United Arab Emirates in a Bennu in October for return after a software-spoiled without a crew. into orbit from the U.S. for stampede to Mars in July. in 2023. test flight in December The Trump administration the first time in nearly a de- The UAE's first interplanetary Elon Musk's SpaceX, mean- 2019. The do-over — again had set a 2024 deadline cade, three countries sent spacecraft, an orbiter, will while, was buzzing in 2020. with no one on board — is for the first moon landing spacecraft hurtling toward scrutinize the Martian at- In May, it became the targeted for spring. If the re- by astronauts since NASA's Mars, and robotic explor- mosphere. first private company to pairs work and the capsule Apollo program a half-cen- ers grabbed rocks from the NASA's Perseverance rov- put people into orbit, an finally reaches the space tury ago. moon and gravel from an er is set to land Feb. 18 at achievement previous- station, the first Starliner as- Just this month, NASA intro- asteroid for return to Earth. an ancient river delta and ly claimed by just three tronauts could be flying by duced the 18 astronauts Space provided moments lakebed where micro- global superpowers. The summer. who will train for the moon of hope and glory in an scopic life may have once two test pilots were the Musk capped the year with program named for Arte- otherwise difficult, stressful flourished. The rover will drill first NASA astronauts to fly a stratospheric test flight of mis, the mythological twin year. into the dry crust, collecting a new brand of spaceship Starship, the rocketship he's sister of Apollo. It promises to do the same samples for eventual return in almost 40 years and the building to carry people to It remains to be seen how in 2021, with February's to Earth. first to blast off from Florida the moon and Mars. The President-elect Joe Biden landings at Mars and next China's orbiter-rover duo since the shuttle program Dec. 9 demo went bet- might alter the lunar-land- fall's planned launch of the Tianwen-1 — quest for ended in 2011. ter than anyone imagined ing program. Hubble Space Telescope's heavenly truth — also will In November, four more until a fiery explosion at "Whatever else can be said successor — the next- hunt for signs of bygone life. astronauts rode a SpaceX touchdown. Even so, Musk about the four years of the generation James Webb The European and Russian Dragon capsule to the In- was ecstatic. Trump administration, they Space Telescope. space agencies skipped ternational Space Station. At the same time, SpaceX have been positive for Boeing hopes to catch up the 2020 Mars launch win- Three weeks later, SpaceX is expanding its Dragon- the U.S. civilian space pro- with SpaceX in the astro- dow, their life-sniffing Mars launched its biggest cargo riding clientele. Late next gram," noted John Logs- naut-launching depart- rover grounded until 2022 shipment yet to the space year, SpaceX expects to don, professor emeritus at ment, while space tour- because of technical issues station for NASA. launch the first privately fi- George Washington Uni- ism may finally get off the and COVID-19 restrictions. "This is an impressive nanced Dragon flight in a versity's Space Policy Insti- ground. China also set its sights on achievement which Ameri- deal arranged by Houston- tute. "2021 promises to be as the moon in 2020, landing cans should be proud of," based Axiom Space. "No prior major programs much of a space explora- and then launching off the astronaut-turned-senator Axiom's Michael Lopez- were cancelled, the hu- tion bright spot, perhaps lunar surface in December Mark Kelly said of the Drag- Alegria, an ex-NASA astro- man exploration program even more," said Scott with the first moon rocks on capsule double-header. naut and former president was given clear direction, Hubbard, NASA's former collected for return to Earth Until the SpaceX flights, of the Commercial Space- and funding for existing "Mars Czar" now teaching since the 1970s. Russia's three-person Soyuz flight Federation, will ac- programs was increased." at Stanford University. Japan brought back piec- capsules were the only way company Israeli business- "This is a legacy that the Although the coronavirus es of asteroid Ryugu — its to get astronauts to the man Eytan Stibbe and two Biden administration can pandemic complicated second asteroid batch in space station once NASA's other paying customers to build on, so that in future space operations around a decade. More asteroid shuttles shut down. the space station. Stibbe, years there can be a contin- the globe in 2020, most samples are on the way: NASA's other hired crew a former fighter pilot, was ued string of successes."q A13 classifieds Thursday 17 December 2020 Shackleton expedition artifacts HEALTH to be donated to UK museums dOCTOR ON DUTY Oranjestad By JAMES BROOKS items, used in the first of Associated Press three British Antarctic ex- Hospital 7:00 pm / 10:00pm Tel. 527 4000 LONDON (AP) — A sled and peditions led by Shackle- flag used in one of explorer ton in the early 1900s. The San Nicolas Ernest Shackleton's famed artifacts will be donated to Imsan 24 hours expeditions to the South two English museums. Tel.524 8833 Pole have been bought by Earlier this year, British au- Women in Difficulties a British government-fund- thorities slapped a tempo- An eleven-foot wooden sledge used on Anglo-Irish explorer PHARMACY ON DUTY ed body to keep the trea- rary export ban on the ar- Ernest Shackleton’s British Antarctic Expedition on a table at Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre, London, Tuesday, Oranjestad: sured artifacts in the U.K. tifacts. Dec. 15, 2020. Eagle Tel. 587 9011 The National Heritage Me- Associated Press San Nicolas: morial Fund, a govern- Aloe Tel. 584 4606 The expedition was named ment-funded body, said Women in Difficulties Sudoku Nimrod after the ship, Wednesday that it paid OTHER By Dave Green which came within less 204,000 pounds ($274,000) Dental Clinic 587 9850 than 100 miles (160 kilo- to help purchase the two Blood Bank Aruba 587 0002 3 5 7 1 meters) of the South Pole Urgent Care 586 0448 for the first time in 1909. Walk-In Doctor’s Clinic But before reaching their +297 588 0539 CLASSIFIEDS 1 8 2 Women in Difficulties La Cabana Beach and Casino target, the explorers were EMERGENCY 1 BR WK # 49 room # 220 A 6 forced to turn back, hav- 1 BR WK # 50 room # 326 A ing stretched their rations Police 100 Oranjestad 527 3140 Pool/ Ocean View to the limit.q 2 1 6 Noord 527 3200 Price : $ 5K each Sta. 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Marriott Ocean Club Platinum 1BR Ocean View $10K 1BR Ocean Front $17,5K 2BR Ocean View $18K 2BR Ocean Front $28,5K More info :(297) 6301307 [email protected] A14 Thursday 17 December 2020 people & arts TV and Broadway star Laura Benanti celebrates Gen Z voices By MARK KENNEDY the cut. As an actress, she AP Entertainment Writer has been in their shoes and NEW YORK (AP) — When tried to communicate that the coronavirus pandemic the teens not picked had closed high schools, Broad- done nothing wrong. way and TV star Laura "There are people perform- Benanti knew it also meant ing in the subway that I'm most spring high school mu- like, 'What? Why are you sicals would be scrapped. in the subway and I get to So Benanti asked crestfall- be on Broadway?' Really en young people across to me, that is just being in the country to record the right place at the right themselves performing time. That is luck because their songs, post them on there are so many talented social media and tag her. people in this world, it's as- Stages might be silent, but tonishing." she wanted to hear them. The creators originally con- The response stunned her sidered making it a script- — 15,000 submissions. ed show but pivoted into "I really thought the initial This image released by HBO Max shows Laura Benanti from “Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020," documentary after the sort of call to action would a new special offering a window onto Gen Z and how they're dealing with the pandemic. death of George Floyd. be quite small. I never Associated Press "We all collectively agreed imagined it would turn into that it's best to let these what it did," says Benanti, dealt with such a tough Each tells their story and for a rendition of "Waving kids tell their own story in- a Tony Award winner and time in 2020 as well as per- sings a song that shares Through the Window" from stead of putting words into star of shows like "Nashville," sonal challenges before, it their experience. "Dear Evan Hanson." "We their mouths," says Benanti. "Supergirl" and "Younger." was really inspiring to see A teen from West Orange, really wanted a cross-sec- The special highlights voic- The effort — dubbed Sun- their outlook on it all," said New Jersey, sings R.E.M.'s tion of America and not just es from a generation that shine Songs — has led to a Jennifer O'Connell, an ex- apocalyptic "It's the End the typical pretty princess often gets looked down new poignant special on ecutive vice president at of the World as We Know it white girl that you associ- on. But viewers are remind- HBO Max led by Benanti HBO Max. (And I Feel Fine)" and one ate with musical theater," ed that these young peo- called "Homeschool Musi- "Although at times, they from Douglasville, Georgia, Benanti says. "And I include ple, born around 9/11 and cal: Class of 2020," which acknowledged how tough sings Gloria Gaynor "I Will myself in that." Benanti never knowing a world was filmed remotely and it has been, they all shared Survive" with masked back- and producers found the without smartphones, have offers a window on Gen Z. an optimism for the future ground dancers armed seven by starting with the endured school shootings, The hourlong documentary and chose to not dwell in with bubble guns. thousands of submissions environmental degrada- follows seven seniors and the negative. The audi- Others sing "Pray" by Sam and whittling the list down tion and now COVID-19. how they've navigated ence will be able to see Smith, "My Future" by Bil- to only graduating high "This is the generation that what should have been the them reclaim their 2020 lie Eilish, "Dog Days Are school seniors, about 1,500. self-identifies as anxious best months of their lives. with this experience." Over" by Florence + The They narrowed the list to more than any previous Several jumped into social The seven — aged 17 or Machine, "Lift Every Voice about 20 candidates then generation. Their levels of activism, one experienced 18 — come from across the and Sing/I Can't Breathe" cut to seven. "That was the anxiety are through the homelessness and one re- nation — Indiana, Geor- by H.E.R. and "Somewhere" worst part of it," says Benan- roof," says Benanti, who alized she was transgender. gia, Mississippi, New Jersey, from the musical "West Side ti, who personally contact- is shooting a "Gossip Girl" "While some of these kids Ohio and two from Texas. Story." At the end, they join ed those who didn't make reboot for HBO Max and "Younger" for TV Land. "We've handed them this Sensical to launch age-appropriate streamed world and then we turn around and call them enti- content for kids tled and spoiled and really put them down. And I find By J. LANDRUM Jr. Every frame of each video that deeply upsetting be- AP Entertainment Writer will be viewed and rated cause when I look at them, LOS ANGELES (AP) — by individuals trained in I see them using social me- Common Sense Networks child development. The dia for good. They're not will launch a new stream- company's mission is to just on TikTok looking fabu- ing platform dedicated to create a new standard lous. They're on TikTok fight- kids with age-appropriate in children's digital media ing for democracy."q content. The media com- and evaluate content

pany announced Tuesday based on the most com-

Solution Sudoku

that the free streaming prehensive child develop- Level Difficulty 12/17

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platform called Sensical is ment research available. This image courtesy of Common Sense Networks shows Inc. Syndicate, Features King by Dist. Puzzles, Conceptis 2020 3

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expected to launch next Some of the titles from "Mother Goose Club" on Sensical, the free streaming platform 1

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fer thousands of vetted "Bounce Patrol," "Mother Associated Press 4

3 8 1 4 7 6 2 9 short-form videos for chil- Goose Club," "Super Sim- (8-12). "Sensical's mission is CEO of Common Sense 5

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9 3 4 8 1 2 5 6 Sensical will launch with Plays." curiosity, build bridges be- sical's video selecting 7

7 1 5 9 6 4 8 3 15,000 short-form videos The library of content will tween children and their process to give parents 2

parents and make every- a "real peace of mind" 6 2 8 3 5 7 4 1 and add thousands to the be organized in three cat- 9 library monthly after the egories: Preschoolers (2-4), one part of the learning through the ad-supported platform goes live. little kids (5-7) and big kids journey," said Eric Berger, service.q Puzzle on Page 13 A15 sports Thursday 17 December 2020 MLB reclassifies Negro Leagues as major league

NEW YORK (AP) — Willie season mark ever, edging Mays will add some hits to Hugh Duffy's .440 from 1894. his record, Monte Irvin's big Gibson's line came in fewer league batting average than 80 games, however, should climb over .300 and far short of the modern Satchel Paige may add standard of 162. nearly 150 victories to his to- "We couldn't be more tal. Josh Gibson, the great- thrilled by this recognition est of all Negro League of the significance of the sluggers, might just wind Negro Leagues in Major up with a major league League Baseball history," record, too. The statistics said Edward Schauder, le- and records of greats like gal representative for Gib- Gibson, Paige and roughly son's estate and co-found- 3,400 other players are set er of the Negro Leagues to join Major League Base- Players Association. "Josh ball's books after MLB an- Gibson was a legend who nounced Wednesday it would have certainly been is reclassifying the Negro a top player in the major Leagues as a major league. leagues if he had been al- MLB said Wednesday it lowed to play." was "correcting a longtime MLB said it considered in- oversight in the game's his- put from the National Base- tory" by elevating the Negro ball Hall of Fame and Mu- Leagues on the centennial seum, the Negro League of its founding. The Negro Researchers and Authors Leagues consisted of seven In this Aug. 2, 1942, file photo, Kansas City Monarchs pitcher Leroy Satchel Paige warms up at New Group and studies by other leagues, and MLB will in- York's Yankee Stadium before a Negro League game between the Monarchs and the New York baseball authors and re- clude records from those Cuban Stars. searchers. Associated Press circuits between 1920-48. "The perceived deficiencies The Negro Leagues began an error that demands For instance, Mays could least 146 to his total. of the Negro Leagues' struc- to dissolve one year after today's designation," the be credited with 17 hits While some have estimated ture and scheduling were Jackie Robinson became league said in a statement. from his 1948 season with Gibson slugged over 800 born of MLB's exclusionary MLB's first Black player with The league will work with the Alabama Black Bar- homers during 16 Negro practices, and denying the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Elias Sports Bureau to ons. Irvin, a teammate of League seasons, it's unlikely them major league status 1947. Those leagues were review Negro Leagues Mays' with the New York Gi- that enough records ex- has been a double penal- excluded in 1969 when statistics and records and ants, could see his career ist for him to officially pass ty, much like that exacted the Special Committee on figure out how to incorpo- average climb from .293 Barry Bonds for the career of Hall of Fame candidates Baseball Records identified rate them into MLB's histo- to .304 if numbers listed at record at 762. prior to Satchel Paige's in- six official "major leagues" ry. There was no standard Baseball-Reference from Depending on what Elias duction in 1971," baseball dating to 1876. method of record keep- his nine Negro League sea- and MLB rule, though, Gib- historian John Thorn said. "It is MLB's view that the ing for the Negro Leagues, sons are accurate. son could wind up with "Granting MLB status to the Committee's 1969 omission but there are enough box And Paige, who currently another notable record. Negro Leagues a century of the Negro Leagues from scores to stich together is credited with 28 major His .441 batting average after their founding is pro- consideration was clearly some of its statistical past. league wins, should add at in 1943 would be the best foundly gratifying."q

48-year-old Manny Ramirez is back in baseball Down Under

SYDNEY (AP) — Manny to play and bought in in games. Ramirez — yes, that Man- every way. He’s going Ramirez has been joined in ny Ramirez — is back in to hit some long balls this Sydney by New York Yan- baseball Down Under. season.” Ramirez, who kees hitting coach Rachel The now 48-year-old for- was the World Series MVP Balkovec on an off-season mer Boston Red Sox leg- when the Red Sox broke assignment. Balkovec is end and 12-time Major their 86-year title drought the first woman to perform League Baseball all-star in 2004, has played in the that role in the MLB. is scheduled to begin the American minor leagues, Injuries hit Sydney hard at season on Thursday for the as well as in China and Ja- the end of last season as Sydney Blue Sox in the Aus- pan, since his MLB career they missed the playoffs, tralian Baseball League. ended. winning just five of their last Sydney manager Shane In 2009, Ramirez was sus- 22 games. Barclay said the two- pended for 50 games for “The culture that has been time World Series winner’s Major League Baseball all-star Manny Ramirez poses for a violating baseball’s drug created this year is five preparation for the season photograph overlooking Sydney, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. policy. In 2011, Ramirez steps up (on last season),” Associated Press — his team opens the sea- was informed by MLB of Barclay said. “It doesn’t son against the defend- Manny show but it’s been watching him swing a bat, another violation of its win you an ABL trophy but ing champion Melbourne a pleasure,” Barclay said you’re going ‘there’s no drug policy and a 100- it gives us the foundation Aces — could not be fault- Wednesday. “The buy-in way this guy is 48’. game suspension but he we need to be knocking ed. from him (Ramirez) has “He’s an incredible ath- later appealed and the on the door most years. “We knew there’d be a been magnificent and just lete. He’s legit and here ban was reduced to 50 We’re a new club.”q A16 Thursday 17 December 2020 sports Chiefs lead AP Pro32 poll; Packers at No. 2, Bills at No. 3

By SIMMI BUTTAR Packers just keep rolling," AP Pro Football Writer said Charean Williams of NEW YORK (AP) — The Kan- Pro Football Talk. "Is there sas City Chiefs know how anybody in the NFC that to avoid any late-season can beat them?" stumbles. The Chiefs took And the surging Buffalo Bills a 30-10 lead against Mi- also moved up two places ami and held on for a 33-27 to No. 3. "Josh Allen's emer- victory. They're 12-1 on the gence continues, and Buf- season and on pace for falo has planted the flag the top seed in the AFC. as a potential threat to de- The Chiefs clinched their fending Super Bowl cham- fifth straight AFC West title pion Kansas City," News- with the victory and are the day's Bob Glauber said. unanimous No. 1 in the lat- "Allen got the best of Ben est AP Pro32 poll. Roethlisberger in an impor- The defending champs tant AFC showdown in Buf- received all 12 first-place falo and showed a national votes for 384 points in bal- audience why the Bills are loting Tuesday by media to be taken very seriously members who regularly heading into January." cover the NFL. The Green Both the Packers and Bills Bay Packers gained two will play on Saturday in spots to move to No. 2. "The Week 15. The Packers, who Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) gets off a pass under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. The Bills won 26-15. Associated Press have clinched the NFC less New York Jets on Sun- North, will host the Carolina day and the Seahawks, Panthers and the Bills will who routed the Jets last head to Denver to take on week, gained a spot to No. the Broncos. The New Or- 7 and will face the surging leans Saints dropped two Washington Football Team. places to No. 4 after los- The Tennessee Titans and ing to Jalen Hurts and the the Indianapolis Colts, tied Philadelphia Eagles. The for first in the AFC South, Saints will try to avoid a are tied at No. 8 in the poll. two-game skid as they host And the Cleveland Browns, the Chiefs on Sunday. who lost a thrilling 47-42 That matchup is the first of game to the Baltimore two home games in five Ravens on Monday night, days for the Saints as they dropped three spots to also host Minnesota on round out the top 10. Balti- Christmas Day. more moved up two plac- After their second straight es to No. 11. "In what was loss, the Pittsburgh Steelers the wildest game of this again dropped two spots season, the Ravens let the to No. 5. The Steelers are rest of the league know not scheduled to close out to count them out," said Week 15 as they head to Jenny Vrentas of The Mon- Cincinnati to take on the day Morning Quarterback. lowly Bengals on Monday "Lamar Jackson looked like night. "The Steelers are of- the reigning MVP again, ficially playoff-bound, but culminating in his late- I've got serious questions game heroics to pull out about how long they're go- the win that Baltimore had ing to last in the postsea- to have for its postseason son with the defense reel- push."q ing from linebacker injuries and the running game going nowhere with a paltry 54.3-yard average the past seven games," said Alex Marvez of SiriusXM. The Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, tied for first in the NFC West, grabbed the next two spots. The Rams stayed at No. 6 and will host the win-